Recent Updates about Home Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX

Sometimes, there are important updates concerning home insurance that policyholders should know. If they don’t find out about these updates, they can end up going through detrimentally financial losses.

In fact, there are some recent insurance-related updates that are critical. One of these updates is how the price of the home is growing substantially in Ft. Worth, TX, and surrounding areas. The other one is the growing concern as severe damage has mounted from wind/weather-related incidents in Texas.

Fort Worth Leading the Pack in the Rising Homes’ Prices

The Dallas Morning News recently received and reported from CoreLogic that the prices for homes in FT. Worth, TX rose to 5.7% in February. However, home prices throughout the nation rose to 4%. CoreLogic also predicts that housing will continue to grow by 4.7% next year. And as a result, consumers who rent or buy have a significant strain, and homeowners must ensure that their homes are not underinsured. Some people have found out the hard way that their homes were underinsured and thus went through financial turmoil.

Growing Concern of Great Financial Losses Resulting from Weather-related Incidents 

There have been more reports lately about severely damaged, wind, and weather incidents, particularly in Texas. In fact, The National Centers for Environmental Information reported that eight of the previous 11 years has at least ten billion-dollars worth of weather disasters in the nation. Also, a representative of the Insurance Council of Texas stated that the Dallas-Fort Worth area has an estimated $2 billion in losses from a tornado outbreak for this past October. 

Due to these and other home insurance concerns, it is vital to get a top-notch agency that will take care of your home insurance needs. Main Street Independent Insurance is the way to go. Contact Main Street Independent Insurance today.

Why You Need Auto Insurance in Texas

The state of Texas is well known for being an enormous place with a variety of quickly growing cities. For those that are in the Dallas or Ft. Worth, TX area, the size of the Metroplex makes it a practical necessity to own a car. If you are thinking about buying a new or used car, you also need to consider your auto insurance needs carefully. There are several reasons why you may need to get an auto insurance policy in Texas.

Ensures Legal Compliance

One reason why you should always have auto insurance when you are driving a car in Texas is that it will ensure that you comply with state auto insurance requirements. All drivers in Texas are mandated to have a minimum level of auto liability coverage. This will ensure that they can pay restitution if they are at fault in an accident. Those that are caught driving without it could face stiff penalties.

Lender Requirements

While it is not required by law, anyone that has an auto loan will also need to have collision and comprehensive insurance at all times. This type of insurance can protect you against many different situations that could cause a loss. This could include protection against theft, vandalism, and even accident damage. Since the lender wants to make sure that their collateral is protected, the loan agreement will require that you carry this insurance. 

Getting auto insurance is a necessity for drivers in the Ft. Worth, TX area. To make sure that you get an excellent policy, you should work with Main Street Independent Insurance for your insurance needs. Main Street Independent Insurance will work with you to make sure that you know all of your options and are able to get a quote easily.

The Top Three Commercial Insurance Products Every Startup Needs

You’ve put a lot of time, hard work, and money into starting your own Colorado or Texas business, and like most entrepreneurs, you’ll likely face a lot of risks. When you take the leap with a startup, you need to protect your business assets, your employees, and your board members with crucial business insurance products. The following business insurance products are recommended by Main Street Independent Insurance of Ft. Worth, TX for every new startup.  

Comprehensive General Liability 

Most service contracts your new business enters will require a minimum comprehensive general liability coverage limit. Also known as CGL insurance, in the event of a claim against your company, this policy will cover your legal defense costs when facing claims such as: 

  • Property damage 
  • Third-party bodily injury 
  • Advertising injury 

Directors and Officers Coverage 

Also known as D&O coverage, this policy covers events related to your board. There are three sides to this coverage; Side-A, which protects your startup’s officers and directors from decisions they make that impact the company, also called “wrongful acts.” Side-B indemnifies a director or officer, compensating for defense costs, and Side-C protects your business from class-action or shareholder suits related to securities issues. 

Errors And Omissions 

Professional Liability insurance, also known as E&O, covers the services your Colorado or Texas company provides. An E&O policy protects your company and employees from claims made by clients or customers related to work that is unsatisfactory or careless actions. If your startup has clients, you need E&O insurance coverage.  

If you are interested in learning about other types of business insurance products your startup might need, we have you covered. Give Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX a call today to learn more. 

Home Insurance: 4 Things You Need to Know

It’s crucial to have home insurance. If your home is financed, your lender will require it. But even if you own your home outright, you still want to protect the investment you have in your property. At Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX, you can work with agents who will help you take good care of your house. We know the value of proper insurance, and we want to make sure you understand that value, as well. By answering your questions and giving you options, we can help you choose the right home insurance policy. Here are four things you should know to make the right decision.

  1. Uninsured homes are at risk of severe loss if a problem should occur.
  2. Home insurance will be required if you have a mortgage on your house.
  3. There are a lot of different coverage options and levels for you to choose from.
  4. A quality, trusted agent would get you the right policy for your needs.

At Main Street Independent Insurance, we’ll help protect your Ft. Worth, TX area home. Reach out to us today, and let us help you choose the policy that’s going to be right for your property and needs. Our agents are ready to help you, and they’re focused on making sure you’re covered. By letting us provide you with quotes and other information, you’ll be taking a step toward gaining broader home insurance knowledge. With proper knowledge comes good choices, and those choices mean your home will be adequately protected. You won’t have to worry about your house, which means you can enjoy your time, spend it with your family and friends, and do all the things you’d like to do in and around your home.

4 Tips to Prevent Car Theft

Having your car stolen, vandalized, or burglarized is not something you want to discover. However, car theft is a real risk in Ft. Worth, TX. For that reason, you should take some preventative measures to keep your vehicle safe. At Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. we put together four tips that will help prevent your car from being stolen, vandalized, or burglarized. Keep reading.

1. Never Leave Valuables in Your Car

A purse. A cell phone. Cash. Never leave items like these in your car. Would-be thieves will not hesitate to bust a window or pick a lock if they see a prize inside. If you must leave some valuables behind, always lock it in the trunk. 

2. Secure Your Vehicle

Keep your vehicle locked at all times. Whether you’re out shopping, at a friends house, at work, or parked right in front of your own home, always keep your car locked. Also, install an alarm system to deter thieves from breaking into your car and stealing items or the car itself. 

3. Park Smart

Wherever you go, park smart. This means park in well-lit areas at night, utilize secure parking garages in big cities, and park close to other cars and areas where there are people and things going on. 

4. Never Leave Your Car Running

Even if you have to run into the store or house for just two seconds, never leave your car running. Instead, follow the rules above. Turn off the car, make sure valuables are unseen, and lock the car before you go inside.

To learn more about protecting your vehicle from theft, contact the friendly agents at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. serving the Ft. Worth, TX area. Our friendly team will answer all your questions and help you find an auto policy for your needs.

What Commercial Insurance Can Do For You in Ft. Worth, TX

Due to a strong local economy, owning a business in the Ft. Worth, TX area can be a great career option. If you do own your own business in this area, it is important that you carefully consider all of the ways that you can protect your organization. One of the best ways to protect your business and investment in it is by getting a commercial insurance policy. One of these policies can help to protect your business a number of ways.

Covers Your Assets

Whenever you start a business, you will have to invest a lot of money in assets. This can include buying inventory, capital equipment, and other fixtures. If you happen to be a victim of theft, fire or storm damage, or vandalism, you could suffer a major setback. Fortunately, when you have a commercial insurance policy in place, you will receive coverage for any damages that you suffer.

Liability Coverage

All business owners need to be concerned with their liability risk. Whenever you offer a product or service, you are taking on risk that someone could be injured or become sick by using it. In these situations, you will want to have a liability insurance policy to help protect you. This will give you financial and other types of support if you are found to be liable for damages.  

Getting coverage for your Ft. Worth, TX Business is very important and could make or break your organization. Since it is such a big decision, you should reach out to Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. when you are shopping for a new policy. The team at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. could help you to find a commercial insurance policy that will properly protect your organization.

Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premiums

One of the best ways to lower your auto insurance cost in Ft. Worth, TX is to have a good driving record, but there can also be other things to do to lower your premium.

Consider Your Vehicle: Before you purchase a used or new car, look into the insurance cost. Insurance premiums factor in the cost to repair it, the likelihood of theft, and the overall safety record. You may also get discounts for features that can reduce theft or risk of injury.

Ask for a Higher Deductible: A deductible is what you pay when you file a claim before your insurance kicks in. A higher deductible can lower your premium. Keep in mind you will have to pay your deductible if you use the insurance, so it should still be something you can afford.

Lower Coverage on Older Cars: You may want to drop collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars. If the car is worth less than 10 times the premium, the coverage may not be effective. You can look up the value of your car online and be sure to review your coverage to make sure your needs haven’t changed.

Multiple Policy Discounts: Ask your agent at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. if getting your home and auto coverage together can give you a break.

Have a Good Credit Record: A solid credit history can help reduce your insurance cost. Many insurers use credit information to price out policies. Studies show that those who do a better job at maintaining their credit have lower claims. To help your credit score, pay bills on time and keep your balances low.

Low Mileage Discounts: See if you can get a low mileage discount if you drive fewer than the average number of miles per year.

Contact Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. serving Ft. Worth, TX, to get a quote on auto insurance. 

How Does Commercial Insurance Work?

When you have a business of any size, it’s important to know how commercial insurance works. You need to think about the coverage that’s right for your business and your employees in Ft. Worth, TX. At Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc., we’re here to guide you through the process.

Commercial insurance policies are customized based on what you have going on. The policies can be for workers compensation, property insurance, general liability insurance, business interruption insurance, and more. If you have commercial vehicles, you will also want to get auto insurance. If you have a lot of equipment that you depend on regularly, it may also be important to look at equipment breakdown insurance.

You will want to consider what could go wrong. This includes what could happen with your property, your employees, and even the product inside of your building. Once you examine everything, it will be easier to know what you need to protect.

Commercial insurance essentially protects your business. Should something happen, you can file a claim with the insurance company. Once you pay the deductible, the insurance company pays for the rest, up to the limits that you have in place. It can serve as the financial protection that you need. Otherwise, without a policy, you could be left spending thousands of dollars on damages, injuries, or something else.

You don’t want to bankrupt your business because of one problem. As such, you need to look at the best way for you to protect your business.

Coverage is critical as it will ensure that you’re prepared for every possible scenario in Ft. Worth, TX. Contact us at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. so that one of our agents can answer your questions and help you to get the right policies. This way, you’re better protected.

 

Is Officers And Directors Insurance Included In Commercial Insurance?

When you are looking at insurance for your business in Ft. Worth, TX, it’s critical to look at what is included in a policy. It may be necessary for you to provide protection to the officers and directors within your company. You want to build your insurance to include any potential coverage that you might need in the event that something happens.

Traditional commercial insurance will include such things as liability coverage in the event that a person injures themselves on your property or an employee damages the property of a customer. However, officers and directors insurance is, typically, not included in a commercial insurance policy.

It is possible to add officers and directors coverage. It is commonly referred to as D&O insurance. This can be added to your full commercial insurance package, which may include other coverage options, too, based on the individual aspects of your business.

At Main Street Independent Insurance, an independent insurance agent can work with you to determine if you need to have D&O insurance. It would provide the liability coverage to cover directors and officers if there is a loss as a result of a legal decision made by a director or officer as well as for defense costs.

You don’t want to leave your business vulnerable to anything that could happen. It’s best if you can plan for anything that may happen so that you’re prepared. Otherwise, you could find your business on the hook for thousands of dollars that you’re not prepared to pay for.

To learn more about how to cover officers and directors with your commercial insurance package, it’s essential to work closely with an insurance agent. Contact Main Street Independent Insurance today to learn more about the options that are available to you in Ft. Worth, TX.

 

Is having auto insurance always a necessity?

Driving a car is a necessity for many people in the Ft. Worth, TX area. Most people that drive a car in this area are aware that they will need to have auto insurance in place at all times while they are driving. However, there are situations in which you do not necessarily need to have auto insurance on your car.

You Won’t Drive It

One situation in which you will not need to have car insurance in place is if you do not plan on driving your car. If you plan on having a car that will simply sit in your garage or sit in a storage unit, you do not necessarily need to have the minimum liability coverage. However, if you cancel car insurance when your vehicle is in storage, you could create a gap in your insurance history and will not have any coverage if the vehicle is damaged. Further, if you do take the car out of storage, you need to make sure that you have liability coverage in place the second it hits the road. 

No Loan on the Vehicle

Another situation where you may not need auto insurance is if you do not have a loan. If you have a car that is going to simply sit in storage and is not collateral for any type of loan, there will not be a loan agreement that will require you to carry insurance. 

If you have a car in the Ft. Worth, TX area, the team at Main Street Independent Insurance will be able to help you to get a reliable insurance policy. When you meet with the team at Main Street Independent Insurance, you will receive help in picking a policy that provides you with the right level of protection. We also serve residents in Colorado as well.