Showing posts with label Agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Agency. Show all posts

Friday, January 9, 2015

Winterizing your home

It’s beginning to look a lot like Winter


We haven’t seen much in the way of snow or ice around my house this winter. Most people believe ice and snow are the ultimate hazards of winter. They can be very dangerous, but there are many other dangers to you and your home during cold weather.  Frozen pipes can happen over-night.  An unused/unclean fire place can quickly turn into a damaging fire.  And don’t forget about your car. Liquids freeze, even in your car.
There are precautions you can take that can save you money and pain (physical and mental!)
·         Winterize your home
o   Install weather stripping.
o   Cover outside faucets and pipes.
o   Inspect and clean your fireplace- before you use it.
o   Test smoke detector batteries. (This should be done monthly regardless of the weather)
o   Keep kitty litter for icy porches and sidewalks. Let’s avoid slips and falls on ice!
·         Winterize your car
o   Keep the gas tank full. This will help avoid ice building up in the take and fuel lines
o   Make sure your car is in good working condition. You don’t want to get stranded in the cold.
·         Other precautions
o   Keep an emergency kit for your home. Include a weather radio, flashlight, batteries, snacks…
o   Keep your phone fully charged when you leave the house. You want to be able to make an emergency call if necessary.

o   Take a friend when participating in any outdoor activities in the snow. If you get stranded or hurt, someone is there to help. 

If you have any questions about your home, auto or business insurance, email Brockman Premier Insurance or call 877-987-8683
Be sure to visit our website!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How to find an Insurance agency

Choose Your Company Well!

   There are so many choices when it comes to Insurance these days. There are several carriers, different types of agencies, not to mention, the number of different types of policies. 
I am going to concentrate on what to look at when choosing an agency today. 
The are 3 types of agencies out there: 
* Captive agencies only write for one carrier.
* Independent agencies write for several carriers.
* Direct agencies just have a phone number to call, no actual agent required.
How do you choose? 
First of all, ask your friends and family. Referrals are a great way to find services to meet your need. But make sure you make the decision based on what you are looking for. Your sister may love her insurance company, but it may not fit your needs.
You can also go to the TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) and research any insurance company in the state. You can find types of insurance the company writes, if it uses credit to determine premium, it's financial stability rating and the complaints against the company, among other information.  
   Why is all of this important?
* If they write several types of insurance, you could get bundle discounts for putting your home, auto, life, commercial insurance into one carrier.
* If the company uses credit to place you into a premium tiering, the pricing is greatly affected by your payment and insurance history. (good or bad...)
* The financial stability of a company will let you know how well they are able to take care of customers- If a company has an A rating, it is more likely to be able to pay out claims and keep pricing stable.
* If there are a high number of complaints against a company, you may want to check further into its Customer Service and Claims handling processes.
    Once you make sure the agency/company you are thinking about is a solid choice, make phone calls. Insurance is a big purchase. It should take care of you in bad times, when you need it most. That is what it is designed for.  Not all agents/agencies/carriers are built the same with the same motivation. Go with your gut. If you get a feeling someone isn't looking out for your bets interests, move on. If they are not explaining coverage to you so that you know what you are buying, move on. You should trust your agent/carrier to take care of you. That is what we are here for!
 Contact the Brockman Agency toll free 1-877-987-8683