Texas Auto Home Insurance Archives - 8/2006
News, questions and answers about Texas automobile and home insurance. To have your question featured here, click here to submit your inquiry.
HOUSTON TIPS
Monday August 28, 2006Two key tips in your search for Houston, Texas Auto Insurance Quotes:
- Be sure to record all of your prior insurance information if you change carriers. Prior insurance discounts are huge!!
- It is okay to call more than one agent representing the same carrier. Service is an essential part of the package.
MORE ABOUT AUTO INSURANCE IN HOUSTON
Monday August 28, 2006In large cities like Houston resident information may be applied to the wrong address. The probability increases if you live in a multifamily dwelling.
Check your policy options to be sure you are not covering additional drivers by mistake. Just another way to be assured that you are getting the best Houston, Texas Auto Insurance Quotes.
HOUSTON AREA PERILS
Sunday August 27, 2006If you are completely
claim free over the past 3 years of your auto insurance history, opportunity for huge discounts await you. Ask your agent about the
claim free guidelines in your search for a
Houston, Texas Auto Insurance Quote.
AUTO DISCOUNTS IN THE HOUSTON AREA
Sunday August 27, 2006Houston,Texas encompasses a vast amount of different zip codes and traffic issues. If you are new to the Houston are consult a insurance professional about the differences in territory ratings as you determine you residence.
Get more than one Houston, Texas Auto Insurance Quote before making a decision.
For three decades now, Texas Auto Home has combined affordable Texas car insurance rates with the maximum possible coverages for our commercial and residential clients. We have some of the lowest auto insurance in Texas in cities such as Austin, Texas, Brazosport, TX, Brownsville, Texas, East Grayson, TX, East Jefferson, Texas, Flower Mound, TX, Fort Worth, Texas, Longview, TX, McAllen, Texas, Mesquite, TX, Midland, Texas, Northwest Harris, TX, Pasadena, Texas, Port Arthur, TX, Round Rock, Texas, San Angelo, TX, San Antonio, Texas, Southeast Harris County, TX, Southeast Hidalgo, Texas, Southeast Montgomery, TX, and Sugar Land, TX.
We also have excellent rates on all other lines of insurance, including motorcycle, boat/ATV, commercial, homeowner, mobile home, renters, and condominium insurance.
Click here to get a quote on great homeowner insurance from Texas Auto Home Insurance, or call us now at 1-866-663-5262.
SERIOUS HOMEOWNER NEWS
Tuesday August 22, 2006Texas perils do create serious financial issues for Texas insurers. Recently a major carrier ceased writing in Texas due to financial duress.
Whenever carriers are removed from the underwriting arena, rates are very likely to increase. If you are unable to find coverage for your Texas home, ask your agent about a Texas Fair Plan policy. There are many other Factors Affecting Texas Homeowners Premiums.
TEXAS COALITION
Tuesday August 22, 2006When searching for general information and statistics concerning Homeowner Insurance In Texas be sure to visit www.tcais.org. Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions is an organization dedicated to the insurance education of fellow Texans.
FRAUD
Monday August 21, 2006Insurance fraud always ranks as one of the top reasons for Texas auto insurance rate increases.
Never allow yourself to become a part of an illegal claim practice or a scheme to create a low rate. Remember Finding the Best Car Insurance rates in Texas means following the rules.
PROOF OF INSURANCE
Monday August 21, 2006Having your Insurance ID card and registration in your auto rather than on your person, can alleviate a citation if someone else is driving your car. The
Auto Insurance in Texas rules require proof of coverage in the vehicle anytime the car is in operation.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Saturday August 19, 2006Insurance companies may accelerate your monthly payment schedule if you make consecutive late payments. This could cause a cancellation letter to be sent to you and your lien holder. Always notify your agent when premiums are not paid on the date due. This is important information when shopping for Auto insurance in Texas.
SHRINKING DISCOUNTS
Wednesday August 16, 2006Seeking
low cost auto insurance requires discount reviews at each renewal and policy endorsement. Be diligent in your review and call your carrier if you are not certain of the discounts and classifications on your Texas Auto policy.
DO NOT BE ALARMED
Wednesday August 16, 2006One of the largest reductions in premium for
Texas Homeowners Insurance is the Central Monitored Alarm system. This discount can reduce premiums up to 20%. Since this discount is only allowed when the alarm is monitored, carriers may require proof each renewal of the continued monitoring. Call your agent or customer service representative to confirm the existence of the discount and determine if additional proof is required.
THINGS TO DO
Tuesday August 15, 2006When involved in an accident always make notes. Keep a pad and pencil in your glove compartment. Write down:
- the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident
- license plate numbers
- the make and model of each car
- the license number of the driver
- insurance identifications
- the names and addresses of witnesses
- the names and badge numbers of police officers or other emergency personnel.
Seek additional information by way of New to Texas Auto Insurance Guide.
SIMPLE TIPS
Tuesday August 15, 2006Floods create the obvious danger of drowning. However survival requires being aware of additional dangers:
1. Never drive in water of unknown depth.
2. Never allow children to play in flooded areas.
3. Test drinking water after wells have been flooded.
4. Discard all fresh food that has contacted flood water and wash can goods thoroughly.
Our New to Texas Insurance Guide supplies additional homeowner insurance information.
REDUCE THE EXCESS
Monday August 14, 2006Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. It may not be cost-effective to continue insuring cars worth less than 10 times the amount you would pay for coverage. Any claim payment you receive would not substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible. Claims occur on average only once every 11 or 12 years. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of a car, or you can look it up online at Kelley Blue Book ( http://www.kbb.com ). Review your coverage at renewal time to make sure your insurance needs haven’t changed. Refer to Types of Auto Insurance Coverage for more help.
CHECK YOUR DISCOUNTS
Monday August 14, 2006There are many discounts available to Texas homeowners. Make sure you verify the discounts effecting your policy.
CARING FOR YOU
Sunday August 13, 2006We have pointed to the many savings and coverages involving home and auto insurance for seniors.
It is critical to note our health is the most essential of our possessions. View our Long Term Care Insurance page for vital facts concerning this immensely important topic.
REBUILDING COST
Sunday August 13, 2006Remodeling Texas homes seems to have become a state wide hobby. Realizing not having sufficient homeowners coverage due to upgrades to your home could be catastrophic, check out
New to Texas - How much coverage is enough article.
STANDARD CLAIM PROCEDURES
Wednesday August 9, 2006The Texas Department of Insurance requires the following practices be followed in claim handling.
- The company must respond within 15 days after receiving your claim in writing. It probably will ask you to document your loss.
- After you submit any requested documentation, the company has 15 business days to accept or reject your claim.
- Once the company agrees to pay your claim, it must send your check or draft within five business days.
A company that cannot meet these deadlines must send you a notice explaining why. The company then has 45 days to either approve or reject the claim.
Refer to our New to Texas-Homeowners Insurance Policies for additional insight.
DISPUTED AUTOMOBILE VALUE
Wednesday August 9, 2006Should your insurance carrier consider your car a total loss, but you can’t reach an agreement on the amount to be paid, you can demand an appraisal. Appraisal allows you and the company to hire separate damage appraisers. The two appraisers choose a third appraiser to act as an umpire. The appraisers then review your claim, and the umpire rules on any disagreements. The appraisal decision is binding, but only as to the amount of the loss. If there is a dispute over what is covered, you can still pursue a settlement of the coverage issue after the appraisal takes place. You are required to pay for your appraiser and half of the umpire’s costs.
Appraisal is available only in disputes between you and your insurance company. It is not available if the other driver was at fault and you disagree with his or her company’s offer.
Check our New to Texas Insurance Guide for other valuable insurance data.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Tuesday August 8, 2006Non-renewing a Texas auto insurance policy must follow guidelines set in place by the Texas Department of Insurance, be aware the carrier must give you a 30-day notice. Listed below are four claim related issues that cannot be used to non-renew your auto insurance policy. This information will become a part of our New to Texas Auto Insurance Guides.
1. weather-related claims, including damage from hail , floods, tornadoes, high winds, and hurricanes
2. damage from colliding with animals or birds
3. damage from gravel and other fling and falling objects (the company can raise you deductible, however , if you have three such claims in 36 months)
4. towing and labor claims (the company can refuse to renew your towing and labor coverage, however, if you have four such claims in 36 months).
WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT
Tuesday August 8, 2006If you were in an accident caused by another driver, the insurance company of the other driver should pay the following cost, up to the limits of the policy:
1. repair of replacement of your car
2. car rental while your automobile is being repaired
3. your medical and hospital bills
4. wages lost because of an injury
5. compensation for pain and suffering if anyone is hurt.
DEDUCTIBLES
Monday August 7, 2006Deductible can be a confusing term in insurance vernacular. Customers sometime believe the deductible applies to every insurance coverage. Thankfully, this is not so. Regarding the Texas personal auto policy, the deductible only applies to physical damage coverage, collision and comprehensive. Choosing the types of auto coverage that is best for you means selecting the proper deductible. Since the 500.00 deductible is the standard today, any lower deductible will raise your premium. Also remember a higher deductible, if you can afford it will lower your premium.
RATES FOR SENIOR DRIVERS
Monday August 7, 2006Now is a good time to review your coverages and discounts. Certain carriers are becoming more aggressive in deleting discounts and good driving credits for seniors. Analyze your coverage and call for comparisons as auto insurance for Senior drivers has become a bit more complex over the last few years in Texas.
COST OF REPAIR
Friday August 4, 2006We have indicated in prior news articles that the collision and comprehensive premium on you Texas automobile policy is derived from the new cost of your car. This is factual, but it is also important to note that some vehicles, such as exotic sports cars, may have very expensive and difficult to locate replacement parts also adding to the physical damage insurance premium. This is an important area to consider in
finding the best auto insurance rate.
DISCOVERY INQUIRIES
Friday August 4, 2006When you receive an inquiry from your agency or carrier do respond to it at once. Failure to do so can cause a rate increase or worse yet a cancellation may occur if the information is vital to rating and coverage. Choosing the right types of auto insurance coverage is ultimately the responsibility of the insured.
OFF PREMISES THEFT COVERAGE
Friday August 4, 2006Texas Homeowners policies provide coverage for items stolen away from the home. The base intent of this coverage is to insure property temporarily off the premises.
The following is a key coverage issue for parents who have college students living on campus. Parents want to know if the student’s items are covered under the parent’s Texas Homeowners policy. Call your agent and put the question to him directly, explaining ownership of the items and what the student’s permanent address is. Get a definite answer and then proceed with a separate renters policy or with the assurance of coverage under the homeowner policy. The amount of parental support as opposed to the student’s independence could weigh heavily on the coverage decision.
NEW CAR DISCOUNTS
Thursday August 3, 2006Many carriers give discounts for vehicles less than year old. There may be additional
Texas Auto Insurance discounts if you are the original owner of your car.
MORE YOUNG DRIVER NEWS
Thursday August 3, 2006Many college students are preparing to going away to school or returning after summer vacation at home.
Check with your agent about the away at school discounts and the academic discounts. Lots of premium can be saved in these two areas. This is a vital part in finding the best Texas auto insurance discounts.
