Does Home Insurance Cover Theft and Vandalism in Texas?

Theft and vandalism can be one of the more disturbing things that can happen to you in your Austin or Dallas, TX home. When someone comes onto your property, it can be deeply unsettling to think about how another person will treat it. Whether it’s going through your drawers or breaking your windows, you likely want to know what actions can be taken to make the situation right again. Alloy Insurance Partners wants you to know more about whether you can call upon your home insurance policy if either case occurs. 

Does Home Insurance Cover These Events?

The answer to this question is likely yes, though it depends on how your policy is structured. Should either one be excluded, then you should know about this sooner rather than later. Also, there may be certain clauses that will dictate how your carrier will process certain claims. 

For example, let’s say that you were occupying your home consistently until you were called away for an emergency. The emergency was only supposed to take a month to clear up but ends up lasting six months. Because you’re away from your Austin or Dallas, TX home for so long, a group of people break in and begin to use your home for their own purposes. Your insurance carrier may not cover this because you left the house vacant for longer than you were supposed to. 

Tips for Better Coverage 

When it comes to theft and vandalism, the best thing you can do is be proactive and transparent. If you need to leave your home for any given amount of time, make sure you let your carrier know. If you want to know more about how to protect yourself, call Alloy Insurance Partners today to learn about how your coverage works. 

 

What type of life insurance is right for me?

Anyone that is in the Dallas, TX area that would like to protect themselves and their loved ones needs to have proper insurance. One type of insurance that should be considered a necessity is life insurance, which will provide you with financial protection in the event you were to pass away untimely. When you are looking for a new life insurance policy, the two most common options are term and whole life. It is crucial to think of the benefits of each option when figuring out which is right for your situation.

Term Life Insurance

With a term life insurance policy, you are going to receive life insurance coverage for the entire period of the term as long as payments are made on time. There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking this form of insurance, which ensures you can get a policy that is right for you. Further, payments tend to be more affordable than whole life.

Whole Life Insurance

While a whole life insurance policy, you can expect to have higher monthly premiums. However, there are additional benefits. With a whole life policy, a portion of your insurance payments will be deposited into an account that will grow in value and can be liquidated. Due to this, a whole life insurance policy can also be considered a form of investment. 

If you are looking for a life insurance policy in the Dallas, TX area, you should call the team at the Alloy Insurance Partners. When you call Alloy Insurance Partners, you can learn a lot more about all of your life insurance options. The team of insurance professionals can help you get into a policy that provides you with the right type and level of life insurance coverage. 

I’m Moving. Do I Need a Brand New Home Insurance Policy?

Moving into a new house is a significant change, even if the move doesn’t take you very far. The physical move requires a lot of work, and then you have to adjust to the new location. You might find yourself shopping in new stores, meeting new neighbors, changing schools for the kids, and facing all kinds of alterations to your daily life. You also need to consider your home insurance. For residents of Dallas, TX, the move might have you asking if you need a brand new policy.

Home insurance policies are tied to the house itself. It’s similar to auto insurance in this respect. Getting a new policy doesn’t have to be complicated. You simply call your Alloy Insurance Partners agent and let them know about your plans to move. They’ll help you find a good policy for the new house. That way, you’ll have excellent coverage when you move, and the new policy will be tailored to the new property and your changing living situation.

Timing Is Important

While you need a new policy for the new house, you need to keep the old policy until you no longer own the old home. This can get a little tricky, as many insurance providers don’t offer policies for empty houses. Not to worry, moving is normal, and insurance companies know how to deal with it. The key is to talk to your Alloy Insurance Partners representative to time the cancellation of the old policy. When you’re out of the old house, and it has a new owner, you don’t need that policy, but if you’re planning to rent, or if you haven’t sold the old house yet, you need to work with your agent to form a good plan.

Any time you have questions or concerns about insurance, a conversation with an expert can go a long way. We’re always here for you, even if your plans will be taking you out of Dallas, TX. Stop by or give us a call so we can help.

Do I need auto insurance in Dallas, TX?

In a recent study, Dallas finished in the bottom 15% of the 200  cities where you are least likely to have an accident, it was ranked number 172.  Another sobering fact is that Texas leads the nation in motor vehicle deaths. The cold fact is that at least one person dies on Texas roads every day. It should not come as a surprise that the state of Texas mandates liability auto insurance coverage. Texas has a 30/60/25 requirement. That means $30,000 in bodily injury per person with a max of $60,000 per accident and additionally $25,000 in property damage. Having an insurance agent who is knowledgeable is a must and the team at Alloy Insurance Partners in Dallas, TX fits the bill perfectly.

Given the statistics about driving in Dallas, expanding your insurance coverage beyond what is required is an excellent idea. If you have a vehicle loan, your lender will require that you carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Even when your loan is paid off, keeping this important coverage is a good idea Ask yourself if your car was damaged or totaled would you be able to repair or replace it easily? If the answer is no then collision and comprehensive is a good option for you. If you have assets, you may also want to consider increasing the amount of the liability coverage that you carry as well. The minimum is what is required but it may not be what is right for you. 

Whether you are a new driver or looking to talk to a new agent, at Alloy Insurance Partners in Dallas, TX, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs and the products that we have to offer. You can stop by our office or give us a call to set up an appointment for a no-obligation quote. 

Do I need flood insurance?

The biggest asset that most people in the Dallas, TX area will ever own is their home. Due to the importance of this asset, having appropriate insurance in place at all times is very important. One form of insurance that you may need to have for your home is flood insurance. There are several situations when you may need to get flood insurance for your Dallas area property. 

Required by Mortgage Lender

One of the most common situations, when someone is required to get flood insurance, is when it is required by their mortgage lender. If your home is located in a FEMA flood zone, the lender will likely want you to get flood insurance to ensure that their collateral is properly protected against flood damage. Most of the time, the lender will also require that you set up an escrow account and pay into it monthly. 

At-Risk for Flood Damage

Even if you are not in a flood zone, you are at a higher risk of flood damage if you are living in a flood zone. In some cases, those that are in even a low-risk flood zone could find that it is hard to get ample coverage for flood damage from their home insurance provider. Due to this, you should consider getting a full flood insurance policy. 

Depending on where you live in the Dallas, TX area, it might make sense for you to get flood insurance. If you do need this type of insurance or are confused about whether you would benefit from it, calling the Alloy Insurance Partners would be a great option. The team at the Alloy Insurance Partners can help someone to get into a flood insurance policy that provides them with the right type and level of flood insurance coverage. 

How does commercial insurance work when there is a natural disaster?

You know that commercial insurance protects your business from lawsuits when incidents occur. What happens, though, when Mother Nature sweeps through and destroys what was once your beautiful company? The agents at Alloy Insurance Partners can help you understand how commercial insurance works when a natural disaster leads to financial loss within your business in Dallas, TX.

What does commercial insurance typically cover?

The average commercial insurance plan pays for incidents pertaining to employees and customers. You may be able to file a claim with your insurance provider if a consumer falls while shopping in your store. Commercial insurance may also come in handy when an employee has a car accident while driving one of the company’s vehicles. 

Does commercial insurance cover natural disasters?

Many business owners in Dallas, TX are unpleasantly surprised to learn that their standard commercial insurance policy does not cover natural disasters. It is usually after a flood or fire caused by Mother Nature that such individuals learn the truth. You need to purchase an additional insurance policy that is just for natural disasters if you want to file a claim for coverage that pays for structural damage caused by a storm, fire, or earthquake.

There are instances where it may be possible for you to receive compensation for the income you are losing because of damages if you purchase coverage for the loss of income along with general liability insurance. An agent at Alloy Insurance Partners can help you better understand what is covered under your standard indemnity plan and what may require additional coverage.

Call today for a quote!

You do not want to be one of those business owners to get caught in the middle of a storm with absolutely no insurance. Call our agents today for a complete explanation as to how commercial insurance works when there is a natural disaster and to get started with a quote for coverage!

How much flood insurance do you need?

Some Dallas, TX homeowners face the shock of being underinsured when they need coverage the most. Coming home to ruins is not the time to learn that your policy does not cover natural disasters such as floods. The agents at Alloy Insurance Partners can work to help you find the home insurance policy that best suits your needs. How much flood insurance does an owner need to feel fully covered in Texas, though?

Is flood insurance required?

There is no official state law requiring all homeowners in Texas to have flood insurance. Those living in a flood zone, however, may find it challenging to remain in compliance with their mortgage contract without having a flood insurance plan. By definition, a flood zone is defined as a region in which the likelihood of severe flooding is at least one percent. Nearly every major city in Texas falls within this category. It is, thus, imperative that you purchase a flood insurance plan for your Dallas, TX home. 

How much does flood insurance cost? 

The average flood insurance plan can cost you an additional $700 annually. The specific amount you pay for coverage, of course, depends on several factors, which are not limited to how much you want to spend as a deductible as well as the square footage of your home. 

How much flood insurance do you need?

The average homeowner buys enough flood insurance to replace their home in the instance that the structure is completely destroyed. You may also want to purchase additional add-ons that pay for relocation as well as assets inside the family residence. These additional features are, of course, aside from how much you choose to pay for flood insurance coverage every year.

The agents at Alloy Insurance Partners create personalized plans to fit your budget and lifestyle. Call us today to get started with a quote for coverage!

What Is a Business Owners’ Policy?

If you own a small or medium-sized business, consider acquiring a business owners’ policy to protect your business assets. It’s a product that combines the basic coverages of business liability and property insurance into one.

Who It’s For

Though this kind of policy is recommended for home-based businesses, it is valuable whether you rent, lease, or own the property out of which you operate. Since we serve Dallas, TX, It’s worth discussing a business owners’ policy with our experts at Alloy Insurance Partners.

Maybe your business is set up as an LLC to protect personal assets like your home and personal banking account. But you still need general business liability. For instance, if someone is injured when they slip and fall in your parking area, and you have no business liability, then the cash, equipment, and inventory in your business are at risk.

What the Insurer Looks At

The insurer determines if your business is eligible for a business owners’ policy. Factors influencing that decision include what risks your business is exposed to, how long you’ve been in business, and annual revenue. In serving Dallas, TX, we deal with more than one insurance carrier, so we are likely to be able to get you the policy you need.

How to Make the Policy Your Own

Another advantage of a business owners’ policy is that it can be customized to fit the needs of your business. And since it combines coverages, sometimes it results in savings because you are not buying an individual policy for each of the possible situations that you need protection from. 

Alloy Insurance Partners is an independent agent staffed by knowledgeable professionals. Contact us to discuss what insurance your business needs to be fully protected.

When to Think About Getting Life Insurance

If you’re thinking about life insurance, then you should start researching it now. The sooner, the better. The best time to get life insurance is at birth, but since you’re unable to do it for yourself at that time, then you should look into it now. Alloy Insurance Partners in the Dallas, TX area can help you. We have agents with insurance experience, and we’re ready when you are.

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a policy or contract between you and the insurance company. The insurance company will pay your beneficiaries a specific amount upon your death. In return, you pay monthly premiums to the company. The amount is based on the terms of your policy. It could be $100,000, $200,000, or more. It is also a one-time lump sum payment.

What Types of Life Insurance

Term-Life Insurance — Your premium payments remain the same for a specified period or term. Terms are usually set in 10-year increments. Starting at 10 or 20 years, terms can be extended once it ends. You can always convert it to a whole-life insurance plan or terminate the coverage altogether. The insurance company uses the life expectancy of the policyholder to determine the premium amounts. The person’s age and health also determine it.

Whole-Life Insurance — Provides lifetime coverage, which includes a cash-value payout along with the death benefit. The cash value is more like a savings account. If you pay more than the premium each month, then those funds will basically be set aside earning interest. 

Don’t be willing to let yourself go without life insurance any longer. If you’re in the Dallas, TX area, the agents at Alloy Insurance Partners can help you start the discussion about purchasing life insurance today.

Do you Have to Add Extra Liability Coverage for Passengers?

Liability insurance does a lot to help protect those that are riding along with you in your car or on your motorcycle. A standard liability policy covers a great deal, but do you need more coverage? For those in the Dallas, TX area, the agents with Alloy Insurance Partners can help you to determine how much liability insurance you need and what type of coverage is going to work best for you.

How Much Do I Need?

Liability coverage is something that is built into most policies for both auto and motorcycle. You may have enough liability coverage that you feel comfortable with a standard policy or you might feel that you want to add more coverage. For the most part, it is not necessary to add more liability coverage to your standard policy unless you simply want to. Many standard policies come with around $10,000 liability for each person that is riding in the car or on the bike should there be an accident. If you feel that this coverage is not enough, you can add more liability to suit your needs.

Liability coverage is something that everyone can benefit from having. The right liability coverage can help pay for medical bills, time off work, and any other expenses that might be associated with an accident. A full-coverage policy is, of course, going to have more coverage than a standard liability only policy would have, but you do not have to add extra liability coverage unless you want to. For those in the Dallas, TX area, the agents with Alloy Insurance Partners can help you to get a great policy for your insurance needs. We can make sure you have enough liability coverage for any passenger and for yourself. Contact our office for a quote.