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
 

Safeguarding against Identity Theft

Stop! Identity Thief!

   Identity theft is a very lucrative business these days. It is the fastest growing crime. An estimated 15 million people have their identity stolen each year. These thieves are making out well, to the tune of $50 billion annually! But there are ways to safeguard against this type of theft.

• Order your credit report annually and verify the information. There are 3 national credit repositories you can do this through: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

• Guard your Social Security number. Keep it in a safe and secured place. (Your wallet is NOT a safe and secured place!) Check you Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement each year and make sure it is accurate and no one is using it for employment. A home safe is a good idea for all important documents.

• Protect your mail from theft. Mail outgoing bills from the post office collection boxes. Years ago we had a water bill taken from our mail box and within a month, there had been over $10,000 in fraudulent checks written on our account. If you don't have someone who can pick up your mail daily, have it held at the post office if you are away. 
• Destroy documents before you throw them away. You can buy a personal shredder for as low as $25. Shredding your personal documents can save you much more than $25!
• Be careful shopping online. This one is tough to manage. Online shopping is expected to gross over $240 billion this year. The convenience of shopping online is a great draw. Even if you stick to companies you know and trust, data breaches happen. Minimize your online shopping.
• Open and question those "Congratulations! you are approved!" letters from credit card companies. Often you are receiving it because someone opened an account in your name. By the time you receive that, a thief may have already spent thousands of dollars on that card you never even applied for.

   High School and College students are a growing group vulnerable to identity theft. They do everything online these days. Posting personal photos and information on social media is an easy way to have your identity stolen.  College students are easily seduced into getting their own credit cards. Talk to your students about watching their statements for accuracy. 

   

   Many home insurance carriers do include Identity Theft coverage. This will not guard you against identity theft, but it will help cover the cost of recovering your identity and putting the thief out of commission. It can help cover the court costs, lost wages, re-filing applications for grants, notarizing affidavits and other costs associated with recovery. The average cost of remediation is over $1000. That is just to put your affairs back in order. Identity theft can affect your credit score, your job opportunities, your peace of mind. Make sure to talk to your insurance agent about Identity Theft coverage.

If you have your identity stolen, check out how to Recover from Identity Theft. 

There is more to recovery than you may know.

If you have questions, please contact  Brockman Premier Insurance.

Local 214-592-0859

Toll Free: 877-987-8683

Visit us at www.wekeepuinsured.com

Roof Coverage

Why Does Your Roof's Age Matter?

   One of the first questions we ask is "How old is your roof?" Often we get asked why it matters. Roofing and foundation are the start and finish of your home. If one of them is damaged, the rest of the house is in danger as well. This is why insurance carriers are interested. If your roof is in poor shape, the chances of a claim are greater. Which is exactly what carriers want to avoid. Insurance is there to make you whole again in the case of a loss. But carriers do not want to have to pay claims. They will (most of them anyway!), but it costs them more money than you have paid them. So it isn't very cost effective. And trust me, while they are providing a very needed and valuable service, profit is a priority.
   We live in Texas. And in Texas, we have storms, many, many storms. Texas has the most volatile weather of any state. We have wind, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, even a few earthquakes! Roofs are the first line of defense for a home during a storm. It is the first part damaged, which leads to damage for the rest of the home. It is a huge risk to insure.
   Most carriers will send out inspectors to look at the home they are insuring. Sound business practice if you ask me. This is NOT the same as the pre-sale inspection. I have seen the carrier inspection come back with a very different view of the home than the pre-sale inspector. The carrier inspector's results are the ones the carrier will use. The two inspections have different goals. The pre-sale inspector is there to evaluate the condition of the home for move in. The carrier's inspector is there to evaluate the RISK involved in insuring the home.  The most common issues found are fences and the roof. Thankfully, most carriers will give the insured 30-45 days to get the issue fixed or find another insurance policy. But chances are, you will run into the same issue with the next carrier.
   Sometimes, we run into customers who want to debate whether the carrier is right or not.This is the point I want to get across to the consumers out there. You can argue all you want. But in the end, it is the carrier who will have to cover the cost of replacing your roof or any other claim. They have the final decision as to whether or not they want to insure a risk. 
   It can be so frustrating to both the insured and the agent. Our goal, as agents, is to keep you insured. Your goal is to stay insured. We both need the carriers to reach our goals. Since they set the rules and guidelines, we are subject to those rules and guidelines.
   Now keep in mind, insurance is one of the most regulated industries out there. Each state has a Department of Insurance that governs what the carriers can and cannot charge, cover and pay out. The carriers are not out there just setting whatever limits and premiums they want. So again- you can debate all you want, but the rules and guidelines are set long before you buy your insurance. The gray area lies in the hands of the carrier as to whether they will insure a risk. Now, whether they will pay a claim once they have agree to insure your home is a different story (and a different post). 
   When you are shopping for home insurance, be honest with your agent. Tell him/her about your claims history and the age and condition of the home. This will help the agent place you in the correct policy from the start. Different carriers allow different levels of risk. Some carriers will not insure a home over 40 years old. Some will require a different deductible amount if your roof is over 10 years old. Give your agent all of the details so he can offer you the most suitable choices. And if you are served a cancellation notice because of conditions of your home, take it seriously. Either get it fixed or get with your agent and see if he/she can find you a different policy. 

If you have questions or need a quote, 

please contact Brockman Premier Insurance.

Local 214-592-0859

Toll Free: 877-987-8683

Visit us at www.wekeepuinsured.com

Insurance Agency Fees

What is an agency fee and should you pay it?

Not all states will allow Insurance agencies to charge an additional agency fee. Texas does. It is not mandatory, but many agents do charge them. So you should know the rules about charging agency fees. The Texas Insurance Code states:

Sec. 4005.003.  FEES.  (a)  A general property and casualty agent or personal lines property and casualty agent may charge a client a fee to reimburse the agent for costs the agent incurred in obtaining a motor vehicle record or photograph of property described under Section 4005.002.  The fee may not exceed the actual costs to the agent.

(b)  For services provided to a client, a property and casualty agent described by Subsection (a) may charge a reasonable fee, including a fee for:

(1)  special delivery or postal charges;

(2)  printing or reproduction costs;

(3)  electronic mail costs;

(4)  telephone transmission costs; and

(5)  similar costs that the agent incurs on behalf of the client.

(c)  A property and casualty agent described by Subsection (a) may charge a client a fee under this section only if, before the agent incurs an expense for the client, the agent:

(1)  notifies the client of the agent's fee; and (2)  obtains the client's written consent for each fee to be charged.

Blah, Blah, Blah -right? Let's break it down a little. It states in (a) that an agent may charge a fee as reimbursement for costs incurred for a motor vehicle report or a property photo. The fee may not exceed the cost incurred. In (b) it states the agent may also charge  a reasonable fee for various costs (listed) and in (c) it states an agent can only charge these fees if they notify the client of the fee and obtain written consent for each fee.
Before you agree to pay an "agency" fee, please make sure the agent has fulfilled the above listed obligations. You can refuse to pay the fee if they have not. Ask what services you are paying for.
   Also- keep in mind you will pay a policy fee to the carrier. These are non refundable and non negotiable. Many independent agents I know do NOT charge an agency fee on top of the policy fee. Agents receive commissions designated by the carriers. These commissions are based on the premium minus the policy fee. In other words we do not make money off of the carrier's policy fee. This is the reason some independent agencies do charge their own agency fee to replace the fee the carrier gets. Legally, agencies have a right to do this, within reason. I think charging a $195 agency fee on a $600 policy is excessive. I think charging the fee again to reshop someone is excessive. It just has never sat right with us.
   When we opened Brockman Premier Insurance, we made the decision not to charge these fees. And I honestly can say our business (and our cash flow) have never looked better. So we don't feel the need to add extra fees to our customers premium.
Again- agencies have the right to charge these fees, but not if they are not telling you exactly what they are for and getting your written permission to charge them. You, the consumer, have every right to ask for this fee disclosure. Please don't throw that right away. You may be paying quite a bit more than you need to!
  If your agent is charging you an agency fee (on top of the carrier's policy fee), call us. We would love to quote you. And we won't charge you an extra fee to take care of you.

  If you have questions or need a quote,                                       please contact Brockman Premier Insurance.                             Local 214-592-0859                                                                     Toll Free: 877-987-8683                                                               Visit us at www.wekeepuinsured.com

Motorcycle Insurance coverage

Make sure you are covered                         before you hit the road!

   There are some great Motorcycle trips to take. Here in Texas, I know there more roads through our state than even the most avid motorcycle enthusiast is able to conquer. Whether you are a weekender or the Ride Captain, all Motorcycle riders have two things in common. They need to be safe and they need to be covered in case something goes wrong.
   Motorcycle insurance is similar to auto insurance. The types of coverage are basically the same. You need Liability, Property damage, Uninsured motorist (Yes! you need this one!), Collision and Comprehensive coverage. You can add a few extras on a motorcycle policy such as custom parts and equipment coverage, specialized Roadside assistance and Trip interruption coverage. Trip interruption is a great coverage for you extended motorcycle trip takers. This will pay for your lodging, food and transportation if you get stranded on your trip. 
   Many carriers offer a discount if you have taken a Motorcycle Safety Course. This is a good idea whether you break on your insurance or not. Check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for a course. Statistics show 49% of Motorcycle crashes are the result of a bike colliding with another vehicle. Of the riders killed in a two vehicle accident, 35% were due to the excessive speeding by the biker.  Texas has historically had the highest annual number of motorcycle deaths, with as much as 37% being alcohol related.  
Please be smarter!

   Bikers claim riding is one of the most freeing ways to enjoy the countryside. Make sure you are safe and covered so that you can truly enjoy your time out there on the road. 

If you have questions or need a quote, please contact Brockman Premier Insurance.

Local 214-592-0859

Toll Free: 877-987-8683

Visit us at www.wekeepuinsured.com

Boat Insurance

I'm Sailing Away

   School is out in a few weeks. That means it is time for Summer vacation! The boats have already starting showing up in driveways around my neighborhood. So as you pack up your family for that first trip to go sailing on the lake, do you know if you are ready? Are you covered?
   Watercraft insurance coverage goes beyond the scope of a standard home or auto policy to include Roadside Assistance, which covers towing of your boat or personal watercraft for free, as long as your trailer is covered; On-Water Towing, in case you're stranded on the water; and Uninsured Boaters coverage. Many carriers have additional coverage like Fuel Spill Liability and Wreckage Removal, even Pet injury. Without watercraft insurance coverage, you may end up getting stuck with the bill for cleanups and removals. Personal Effects and Fishing Equipment coverage are also available. They do not come as basic coverage on all watercraft policies, so make sure you talk to your agent about your coverage. When you file a claim is NOT the best time to find out you were not covered when you thought you were!
   Most carriers have several available discounts also, similar to auto policies. If you are a homeowner, have good driving history (no tickets/accidents), if you are the original owner, if you pay in full, if you have taken a safety course. Each carrier is different so be sure to talk with your agent about what you may qualify for.

   Summer is a great time to have fun out on the lake. Make sure you are protected through your insurance policy. But also make sure you are following boating safety processes also. Did you know someone is injured or killed in a boating accident every 2 1/2 hours? The chance of drowning while wearing a life jacket is 1 in 66. The chance of drowning while not wearing a life jacket is 1 in 11.  These statistics, along with great boating safety advice can be found through the US Coast Guard's Boating Safety Resource Center.

Have a great, but safe summer!
If you need answers or a quote on your insurance, please contact Brockman Premier Insurance.
We love to Keep You Insured!

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!