Auto Insurance

Make it simple-Car insurance

    Have you tried to read your insurance policy and just given up? It can be very confusing! But I am going to try to simplify it for you. Over the next several weeks I will attempt to simplify each type of insurance, begining with Car insurance:

    Every policy should have a Declarations Page. 

This page “declares” who you are, what cars you have insured, your coverage choices and how much you are paying for this policy period.

    There are 2 types of coverage on your auto policy: Coverage that protects the other party and coverage that protects you.

Coverage that protects the other party:

Bodily Injury Liability: protects you from having to pay medical costs, lost income and funeral expenses of other people involved in an accident that is your fault.

Property Damage Liability: Protects you from paying for the repair or replacement of the other person’s car.

            There is no deductible for liability coverage. You have many amount options for this coverage. The state minimum in Texas is $30,000/$60,000/$30,000. This means you are covered for $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident and $30,000 for property damage. I would suggest liability in higher limits than the state minimum. If you cause an accident and the liability claim is 75,000, if you have state minimum coverage, you will pay the additional $15,000 out of pocket. It is not expensive to increase your liability limits. Ask your agent to explain your options.

Coverage that protects you:

Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury: covers your injuries (or death) in case the responsible party has little or no insurance. It also covers those riding in your car.

Uninsured/Underinsured Damage: covers damage to your car or property in case the responsible party has little or no insurance.  There is a state mandated $250 deductible in Texas for Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage.

Medical payments: covers medical or funeral expenses if you or anyone in your vehicle are injured in an accident.

Personal Injury payments: covers medical or funeral expenses and possible lost wages if you or anyone in your vehicle are injured in an accident.

Collision Coverage: pays for damage to your car if you hit another car or something else (like a tree or a building).  You must pay a deductible. Deductible amounts determine the cost of this coverage. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

Comprehensive Coverage: (also called Other than Collision) pays for damage to your car if something other than a collision occurs. This could be fire, theft, hit by an

Animal (yes, the animal hit your car!) The same type of deductible rules apply to Comprehensive as they do to Collision. They are two different deductibles though.

Optional Coverages that protect your car:

            Towing: pays for towing and some basic roadside assistance, depending on the carrier and towing option you choose.

            Rental Reimbursement: pays for the cost of renting a car while yours is being repaired after an accident.

            Loan/Lease Gap Insurance: pays the difference between what you owe and the total value of your car if it is totaled in a claim. This is only valid if you have a new car (less than 3 years old).

So there you go. There are many factors in Car insurance, but they don't have to overwhelm you. If you have any questions, please contact your agent. That is what they are there for. If they cannot answer your questions, please contact us. 

   If you have questions about your home, auto and commercial insurance, please call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683 or email us at brian@brockmanpremier.com.
Please visit our website for more insurance tips and information.

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!

Shopping for Auto Insurance

How Do You Get the Most in Your Auto Insurance?

    I have lost count of the number of auto insurance companies in Texas. There are all types out there. Those who sell "preferred policies" to those who sell "junk policies." The type and amount of coverage you have matters. In the case of an accident, your coverage can make or break you.
   There are many coverages for you, as a consumer, to consider. Most states require every driver to have Liability Insurance. In Texas, you must have at least $30/$60/$30 in liability. This means if you are in an accident and you are at fault you have coverage to pay the other party $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident  for damages and medical. It would also cover $30,000 for property damage. This may sound like quite a bit of coverage, but expenses accumulate quickly after an accident. And what if the other party has long term medical expenses? The minimum I suggest to clients is $50/$100/$50, but I would seriously consider raising your liability to $100/$300/$100 or higher. The cost to raise your liability is usually minimal and it can save you more than you will ever pay in insurance premiums. 
   Where Liability will cover the other party, Comprehensive and Collision coverage will cover your car if you are at fault for an accident. Comprehensive covers you if something "hits" you- a deer jumps in front of your car, a thief steals your car, a storm floods your car, a rock hits your windshield. It is not usually too expensive. You can affect the price by changing your deductible. If you have a $500 deductible, the carrier will pay for damages minus $500. If you have a $250 deductible, it will cost you more in insurance premium, but you will pay out less in the case of a claim. If you have a $1,000 deductible, it will cost you less in premium, but more out of pocket for a claim. There is no right or wrong amount. It is your choice. The same applies to Collision deductibles. Collision covers you if you hit anything- another car, a tree, a house (don't laugh - it happens!) It is usually the most costly coverage, so people find the deductible decision very important for this coverage. If you have an older car, you may consider removing Collision altogether. Just know if you do that, you will not have any coverage to pay for repairs to your car if you are at fault in an accident. 
   Rental and Towing are great coverages. But if you have several cars, you may want to forgo the rental coverage to save money. Towing isn't usually costly and it can come in handy! 
   Uninsured Motorist is always a debate. Many drivers don't think it is necessary. I would caution you against removing this coverage. If you are in an accident and the other driver doesn't have any insurance or not enough insurance (like those carrying minimal liability), your UIM coverage will cover you. It is estimated that 20% of registered Texas drivers are driving without insurance. Add in the "unregistered" drivers and it gets scary. Without UIM coverage, you are self-insuring. Can you afford this? I bet it will cost you less to have the coverage than to not have it if you are in an accident.
   There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for insurance. Talk with an independent agent who can shop several carriers for you. Find an agent you trust- talk to them, ask questions. Make them earn your trust. Make sure they know you expect good service throughout the life of your policy, not just during the sales process. 
   If your child goes to college more than 100 miles away from home and doesn't take a car, you can remove them from the policy. Or most carriers will list them as a "distant student" which gives you a nice price break on their coverage. This way they can drive when they are home from school. 
   And last but not least, keep your credit score high. Good credit = better pricing. It is just the way of the world. Good credit means you are less of a risk. Now, we know that isn't always true, but the numbers say it usually is. Carriers live by the numbers. 
   Shop for what you want in a policy. Do not just go with the first person you talk to. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. Ask them why they like the agency. Pricing is important, but so is an agent and carrier who will take care of you when you need them. 
Do not settle. Expect more!

Do you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance? 
Call Brockman Premier Insurance:
Local: 214-592-0859
Toll Free: 877-987-8683
or email: brian@brockmanpremier.com
Visit our website for great tips! www.wekeepuinsured.com
 

RV coverage

Have RV, Will Travel

   It is that time of year- summer travel time! The kids are out of school and the weather is just right. (until the triple degrees hit!) Many people travel by RV so they can see the countryside while they travel. You want to make sure you have the coverage you need for that trip!

* Your RV policy will have the same basics as your auto policy. Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Uninsured Motorist are all included on an RV policy.

* Make sure you have Roadside Assistance. Breakdowns happen! Many carriers include added coverage for temporary living expenses and transportation costs if needed.  

* Not all policies cover personal property so be sure to ask your agent. One of the big benefits of traveling by RV is that you have all of your belongings right there with you. Not much of a benefit if you are not covered to replace them in case of damage or theft!

* There are other optional coverages you should look at such as Electronic lock and key replacement, Pet coverage, loan or lease protection. 

* At the end of the season, you can reduce your RV coverage to Comprehensive only if you don't travel during the winter months. This will save you money!

Traveling by RV can be a fantastic way to take a trip. Just please make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your family and your belongings on that trip!

If you have any questions or need a quote, 

please call 214-592-0859 or 877-987-8683. 

You can also email us at Brockman Premier Insurance

We would love to keep you insured!