Posted by John Coyle on Mon, Aug 23, 2010
Erin Luhring joins the Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Team. Erin has accepted the commercial lines producer position effective September 7 . Her responsibilities will include the sales and service of all commercial line accounts. Erin will assist in the marketing of all insurance products offered by Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. of Plano, TX.
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"Insurance might seem like a strange thing to have a passion for, but it’s where my heart lies. Before you allow me to be responsible for your business insurance needs, I’d like to tell you about myself."
My name is Erin Luhring and I am the new commercial lines producer for TriStar Insurance. I am a native Texan and have been in the insurance industry for over 5 years. My career began as a receptionist where I became eager to learn more about the insurance industry and why families and businesses need various types of insurance coverage.
After becoming a licensed agent, I soon became an underwriter at one of the largest managing general agencies in Texas. One of the major responsibilities there was to work with agents to search the market place to find the best pricing and coverage for their clients new and renewal business. Being able to help people save valuable premium dollars during trying times with our economy became a passion.
Most recently I was a producer at a local independent agency in Plano where I worked very closely with underwriters to reduce premiums and assist new and renewal clients with coverage.
I am excited about becoming a member of the TriStar team. I can’t wait to meet you to discuss how TriStar can help you and your business insurance needs.
Erin Luhring
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You can reach Erin at eluhring@tristarins.com
Office 214-387-0600
For business quotes fil out our Quick Quote Form.
Posted by John Coyle on Mon, Jul 26, 2010
RE: Dallas Morning News July 2010
State Farm is raising auto insurance rates an average 2 percent next month (Aug 2010) for nearly 3 million drivers it insures in Texas, citing raising medical costs as the primary factor.
State Farm County Mutual, another subsidiary that primarily insures higher-risk drivers, will increase rates an average 6.8 percent in August (2010).
Kevin Davis, a spokesman for State Farm, said the increase was filed "primarily to address rising cost associated with bodily injury liability claims, such as medical cost."
Deeia Beck, whose office represents Texas Insurance Consumers, filed objectionsto the rate hike. Beck, in her letter of objections, noted that "this is the company's third rate increase in a two-year period of stable or declining auto insurance loss costs." "The filing would, if implemented, produce rates that are excessive, unreasonable and unfairly discriminatory."
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John Coyle of Tri-Star Insurance Professionals of Plano said of the recent Dallas Morning News artical, "With the economy today, it is important for consumers to review thier current policies and seek help from an independent agent who can show them offereings from several insurance companies." Independent agents work for the consumer not the insurance company. If rising insurance rates are affecting your budget, it's a good time to look at alternatives. You'll be surprised at what the independent agencies like Tri-Star Insurance can find for you. Call Tri-Star at 214-387-0600 or go online for quotes www.tristarins.com
Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Apr 08, 2010
Summer is just around the corner!
Those kids are getting ready to get out of school and have made "vivid" plans on how they intend to spend those three precious months...we call summer. If you are like my mom or dad, you are probably preparing the house for the grandkids to come hang out some with grandma and grandpa. Well what we have prepared is a short simple 13 step checklist to make sure your home is safe for all this spring and summer. Hope you enjoy your time this year with your family and here's to a SAFE and HAPPY time with "our families."
Spring maintenance tips....
- 1. Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every three months or as needed. If you need to order smoke detectors or batteries here are are a couple of great online sources...
Click here ... http://bit.ly/SmokeDetectors
- 2. Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 3. Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as halogen) with fluorescent bulbs that don't produce as much heat.
- 4. Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service. Always consult a electrician if you discover any serious problems.
- 5. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation. For those of you that are like me and sometimes need a little help in what type of fire extinguisher to buy, here is a GREAT website that has "FIRE EXTINGUISHER 101" Tips... http://bit.ly/FireExtinguisher
- 6. Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 7. Check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
- 8. Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion.
- 9. Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
- 10. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material and cloth.
- 11. In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires and roof.
- 12. Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
- 13.Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface.
At Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that helps you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don't hesitate to give us a call phone: 214-387-0600 or e-mail me personally, John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com
Posted by John Coyle on Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Consider Claims Handling When Selecting An Insurance Company in Plano
It’s so easy to get focused on the total premium you will be paying for your homeowner’s insurance and forget all about customer service. Until you have a claim.
When you file a claim and progress through the process, it suddenly matters more to you that you are properly insured than what you are paying.
The Texas Department of Insurance gathers insurance company claims information and makes an annual report. Click on the homeowner’s section and search for the complaint index for claims handling results on each company.
We, Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, represent companies with some of the lowest complaint indexes on the market. If you are concerned about the claims process, talk with one of our knowledgeable agents to be sure you get all the customer satisfaction for the price you currently pay. Contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.
Questions To Ask Our Insurance Professionals Before Purchasing A Homeowners Policy
How long has the company been in business? A company that has been conducting business in Texas for many years is more likely able to handle the current volatility of the economy.
- What kind of policy does the company sell? Is it an all perils or a named perils policy? An all-perils policy will typically cost more because it is a more comprehensive policy. It will cover all perils, or losses, except for the ones specifically stated, such as flood or earthquake. A named perils policy only covers the perils that are named in the policy, like fire, lightening, vandalism and malicious mischief and so on.
- How attentive is the company to policyholder’s needs? Like already mentioned, customer care is an extremely valuable asset at all times. But it becomes increasingly more significant when you must file a claim.
- What discounts are available? Insurance companies will have a variety of discounts available for their clients. Be sure and ask for all the ones you qualify to have. Some of them include: monitored alarm; payment in full; over age fifty; excellent financial responsibility and many more.
- When was the company’s last rate increase? If you are shopping for a company with lower rates you hope that your premiums will stay comparable over a period of time. Weather-related losses that cause widespread damage, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and tropical storms, may have a negative impact on rates the following year.
- Is this a replacement cost policy? If you have a 100% replacement cost policy, you will be able to rest easy in the event you make a claim. The insurance company will assess your damage and determine what it would cost to replace your damaged item(s) with a similar item and reimburse you. If you have an actual cash value policy, an adjuster will assess your damage, then he or she will determine the depreciation (from wear and tear) of that item and your insurance payment will be the difference. Let’s say your five-year-old TV got struck by lightening. It cost $1,500 new. The most similar TV available now costs $2,000. With a replacement cost policy, your insurance company will pay the $2000 to have the TV replaced. What if you had an actual cash value policy? Using the same example, let’s recalculate. Your TV cost $1,500 five years ago. Five years of wear and tear totals $700. Your insurance payment will be $800.
- Who do I contact when I need to file a claim?
Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Jun 16, 2009
In June of 2009 a severe storm produced a series of tornadoes in Flower Mound, TX as it swept across Denton County. Fortunately, the damage confined itself to buildings, fences, trees, and homes and left people safe from harm. However, it is unsettling when violent weather strikes nearby.
If a tornado struck your community are you confident you have enough insurance to cover damage to your home, garage, personal contents and fences?
Straight line Winds Are Often Confused With Tornadoes
A straight line wind refers to wind that comes down out of a thunderstorm. Straight line winds mimic tornadoes in many ways: they can be as large as a tornado, from 20-65 miles wide and 100+ miles long; they produce a lot of rain; and winds can gust up to 150 m.p.h. One way to tell the difference between the two is by studying the direction that debris has scattered following a storm.
Straight line winds push debris in the same direction that the wind is blowing. Tornadoes, on the other hand, scatter debris in every direction because the funnel is rotating violently.
Are you protected from sustained high winds?
Downbursts and Derechos
These are two types of straight line winds. Downbursts occur when rapidly descending rain and rain-cooled air develop underneath a thunderstorm. Wind speeds can range from 100 – 150 m.p.h. on the forward side of the downburst.
Derechos are violent winds that are created by merging thunderstorm cells. They form a wind wall that can extend for many miles and can spawn tornadoes.
Protect Your Most Valuable Asset From Wind Damage
Regardless of whether a severe thunderstorm brings tornadoes or straight line winds, homeowners need to be prepared. Spring and summer are the seasons with the most dangerous tornado threats. Here are a few tips get you prepared:
- Prior to tornado season trim trees. A lot of property damage results from flying debris.
- Keep alert to weather changes in your area. Dark, greenish skies, a cloud wall or storms with large hail are clues that tornado conditions may be present.
- Know the difference between “watch” and “warning”. A tornado watch means that the conditions are right for a tornado to develop. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted in your area.
- Keep a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio nearby. It will keep you updated on potentially destructive weather.
- When severe weather is approaching, secure outdoor furniture and equipment against strong winds.
- Be sure you are properly insured.
For more information, contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600
Posted by John Coyle on Sun, Jun 14, 2009
You may be paying higher homeowners insurance premiums than you need for the amount of coverage you have. Why? Because insurance companies that offer homeowner's coverage vary in what types of risks they want to write over the course of time. For instance, if they have over-saturated the home owner's market in one region, they may raise rates to balance the amount of exposure they have undertaken.
Are you paying too much?
If you have been with the same company for several years, we will help you discover how your rates compare with the rates of other reputable companies.
A New Study Shows That Texans Pay Higher Homeowner's Insurance Premiums Than Other States
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners released a study in March 2009 showing that the average annual homeowner's insurance premium in Texas, $1409 per year, is considerably higher than the national average of $804. Being a coastal state explains some of the reason that Texans pay more for insurance. However, many companies use factors such as credit scoring or claims history to calculate premium.
Are your rates climbing annually? Are you paying too much?
Some Insurance Companies Offer Less Coverage For The Same Amount of Premium
Since the Texas mold crisis a few years ago, many insurance companies are no longer offering an “all peril” policy for homeowners. This type of policy gives the broadest insurance coverage to homeowners. Some companies offer this policy, also called an HOB, because it gives homeowners coverage from all perils except ones specifically excluded, such as flood, nuclear war or hurricanes. Others offer “named peril” policies (called either an HOA or a broader form of it called an HOA+) that insure against losses from specific incidents, such as lightning, fire, explosion and so on. While the “named peril” policy may save you money, you are also losing a great deal of coverage.
Do you have an HOB policy? Are you paying too much premium for too little coverage?
Do You Have An Insurance Agent Working For You?
Many individuals purchase their insurance through an agent that works for a primary company, such as State Farm, Farmer’s Insurance or All-State. These companies agencies typically can only offer you a small choice of products and are by contract unable to consider other alternatives from different carriers.
At TriStar, we are independent agents that work for you, the consumer. An independent agent sells insurance for more than one company. We are licensed to sell homeowners policies from a wide variety of companies with several types of policies.
How Does That Help You???
We save you the time and hassle of shopping around from company to company.
Here’s what we promise to you:
- We will shop the policy for you.
- We will find the best policy with a premium that fits your budget.
- We will write the policy and handle all the paperwork. All you do is sign.
Are you paying too much for insurance? Do you have time to peruse the insurance market to know?
Contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600 and let us at Tri-Star help you find a better solution for your insurance.
Posted by John Coyle on Sun, Jun 14, 2009
The first tropical depression of 2009 occurred in the Atlantic on May 29 and finally dissipated before hitting land. Yes, folks, hurricane season has arrived and it is time to be sure your homeowners insurance is adequate. Memories of Hurricanes Ike and Dolly from the 2008 season are vivid reminders to Texas homeowners of the importance of being properly insured.
Do you have enough insurance coverage?
How Much Home Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
You will want to be sure that you have a replacement cost policy with dwelling limits high enough to rebuild your home in the event of a total loss.
In other words, if you have a custom home, you may want to figure about $125 per square foot of your home to determine replacement cost. If your home is not a custom-built home, use $90 per square foot to calculate.
For instance, let’s say you have a custom-built home with 2500 square feet. You will want to purchase at least $312,500 dwelling coverage.
2,500 square feet x $125 = $312,500
This is an approximation based on average homebuilding prices, but we can get you an accurate figure right now. Just fill in the form below and we’ll calculate replacement cost and how much you can expect to pay for your insurance.
Why Is Replacement Cost So Much Higher Than My Appraisal?
Replacement cost is figured based upon the features of your home. Insurance companies use square footage, special amenities, your location, number of baths and half baths, type of exterior and other factors to help determine replacement cost. They want you to have enough insurance coverage to completely rebuild your home if destroyed. Otherwise, you may have to come out of pocket or downgrade custom features when replacing your home.
Do you have enough home insurance to fully replace the interior and exterior features?
Do You Have Any Tips To Help Dallas/Fort Worth Homeowners Prepare For The 2009 Hurricane Season?
Absolutely. Homeowners can begin making preparations now. Here are "7 Tips To Get Ready For The Hurricane Season Even If You Don't Live On The Coast!"
Tip one: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that every home have a National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) weather radio receiver. For best results, purchase one with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology that will activate both an audible and/or visual alarm when the National Weather Service issues watches and warnings. Receivers should also have “tone alert capability, battery back-up and ability to receive all seven frequencies, according to the NWS.
You can purchase a NOAA weather radio at stores that sell electronics.
Tip two: Plan an emergency escape route ahead of time. Determine your final destination and map out two or three ways of getting there in order to avoid traffic jams.
Tip three: Put together a disaster supply kit. You can find a list at this website.
Tip four: Get your kids involved in the preparations. Children love to help. And if that isn’t reason enough, remember that helping develops confidence and security in kids during a time when they need extra assurance that everything will be okay.
Tip five: Individuals with special needs should make extra arrangements that will give them the extra support needed to be safe. Knowing about public disaster assistance ahead of time may prevent unwelcome surprises during a crisis.
Tip six: Make a plan for your pet. In order to leave a pet at a kennel, their shots must be up-to-date. Kennels may require proof that the animal is fully vaccinated before accepting them. Also, be sure to get an appropriate crate to transport the pet safely.
TIP SEVEN: Keep all your current insurance declarations pages in a folder together in a handy place. We recommend you keep them in a waterproof container while transporting for extra safety.
For more information contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.
Posted by John Coyle on Sun, Jun 14, 2009
Yes, it’s true. Flood is not a covered peril even if you have an “all perils” (or HOB) homeowner’s policy. In order to be covered from floodwaters, you must purchase a separate flood policy written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Many homeowners believe that if they do not live in a flood zone they don’t need flood insurance. However, in 2008, one-third of all NFIP claims paid out went to homeowners in low-risk communities.
Texas Preferred Flood Insurance Is Inexpensive
If you currently live in a low or moderate flood zone (B, C or X), your flood insurance rates are very affordable. The NFIP offers rate packages that you may purchase to protect your home and contents.
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Building Coverage
$ 30,000
$ 50,000
$ 75,000
$ 100,000
$ 125,000
$ 150,000
$ 200,000
$ 250,000
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Contents Coverage
$ 12,000
$ 20,000
$ 30,000
$ 40,000
$ 50,000
$ 60,000
$ 80,000
$ 100,000
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Premium
$ 148,000
$ 196,000
$ 230,000
$ 257,000
$ 277,000
$ 296,000
$ 326,000
$ 348,000
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f you are renting or if you live in a condominium or town home, you may purchase a contents only policy that runs from $80.00 for $12,000 of coverage up to $201.00 for $100,000 coverage per year. Contact our agents right now for a free quote.
Texas Flood Insurance Costs Less Than A Federal Disaster Loan
Uninsured individuals that suffer water damage from flooding may be forced to take out a loan in order to pay for the destruction to their property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gives assistance to uninsured homeowners through the purchase of a Small Business Administration loan. This is typically a loan that must be paid back with interest. *For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. Compare that to a $100,000 flood insurance premium, which is about $400 a year ($33 a month).
A Texas Flooding Loss is More Probable Than a Fire Loss
Yes, it’s true. *According to the NFIP, during a thirty-year mortgage, your chances of having flood damage are about 26% compared to a 9% chance of having a fire. In fact, Texas has a long history of surviving major disasters. Since 2000, four hurricanes impacted Texans along with two tropical storms. During this same time, FEMA made eight other major disaster declarations. Flooding occurred in six of those eight severe storms. Altogether, it took more than $3,181,000,000 in disaster assistance to help pay for the damages sustained in only eight years’ time.
You May Pay for a Flood Insurance Policy and Not Be Insured When a Storm Hits
How can that be? Unlike most other lines of insurance business, a flood insurance policy does not go into effect for thirty days following its purchase. That means that by the time a storm is in the Atlantic Ocean and on it’s way toward the United States, it’s already too late for Texans to be insured when it makes landfall. The only exception is when purchasing a home. Your flood insurance goes into effect immediately when you pay your annual premium at your home closing.
Our Agents Keep Homeowners Afloat
When rising water comes your way, your flood policy will keep you financially afloat. Get yours today. Contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.
Posted by John Coyle on Fri, Apr 17, 2009
Umbrella insurance is not just something you need on a rainy day, but it’s also not usually something you think about when the summer sun is shining and the pool is glistening with cool, refreshing water. Pool party. Now that’s what you’re thinking. What better way to enjoy the Texas heat than with a rockin’ pool party full of barbecuing, swimming and children playing? That’s all fine and good, but another less fun aspect to planning the ultimate pool party is thinking about safety. No matter how nice, a pool or outdoor area is an accident waiting to happen. Pool-related injuries such as slipping or even drowning are more common than you think. Making sure your pool party is safe for all your guests is essential, but you cannot be everywhere at once. You need protection, but don’t count on Spider-Man.
You need an umbrella, but not one with polka dots. Tri-Star Insurance located in North Plano and servicing the McKinney, Frisco, North Dallas, Allen and surrounding areas, can equip you with an umbrella insurance policy that will keep you covered wherever you go. Umbrella insurance, or personal liability insurance, is a form of supplemental insurance that covers you in the event of an accident, which can result in untold damages or even a lawsuit.
For example, say you fall asleep at the wheel, or have a party where a guest gets hurt on your property. You as the homeowner will be liable for any damages. Your home or auto policy offers some liability, but it may not be enough. In the case that your other insurance policies’ liability limits have been exhausted, umbrella insurance takes over. If you don’t have any, then you may end up surrendering your personal assets to pay out a lawsuit. In some cases even wage garnishment is put into effect. Sounds scary, right? It’s not something to take lightly, especially if you are planning to have guests over for a summer pool party.
The agents at Tri-Star can get you a personal liability insurance policy tailored to fit your needs and your budget. As an independent insurance agency, Tri-Star Insurance is able to find the most competitive rates available by representing companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Hartford, Safeco and Germania. The difference between an independent agency and a captive agency such as Allstate or State Farm is that agents from a captive insurance agency can only offer consumers the rates of the companies where they are employed.
Safeguard yourself from potential pool mishaps by:
- Setting up a fence or barrier around the pool
- Never leave children under 15 unsupervised
- Do not let anyone swim alone
- Keep floatation devices in and around the pool
Keep your party safe and hoppin’ with umbrella insurance from Tri-Star Insurance. For more information about personal liability insurance contact John Coyle of Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. at 214-387-0600 or jcoyle@tristarins.com
Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Apr 07, 2009
Forget checking and rechecking expensive quotes for motorcycle and scooter insurance in Texas and go with an agency that can compare prices for you such as Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. As members of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas organization, Tri-Star Insurance has the ability to represent fellow independent agencies when searching for an insurance policy rate. With Tri-Star, competitive rates are the name of the game. With your personal needs in mind, agents won’t rest until they find a competitive motorcycle or scooter insurance rate that fits your budget and lifestyle.
Insuring your motorcycle or scooter is not only extremely important, but also mandatory under the Road Traffic Act (1988) in the state of Texas. Without adequate coverage, you risk not only injury but also a fine if pulled over by the authorities. If you get into an accident where you are at fault without proper motorcycle or scooter insurance, you will be liable for any bodily injury or property damage that occurs. There are several reasons why motorcycle or scooter insurance is essential, but the bottom line is that you have to have it at all times when riding. So why not get it from an agency that will help you save money without sacrificing coverage?
Here are three important components of motorcycle or scooter insurance coverage to consider when purchasing coverage: (other coverages are available)
Liability – Though not a pleasant thought, motorcycle accidents happen more than any other vehicle accident. Having adequate insurance offers great security because liability insurance coverage for your motorcycle or scooter covers property damage and injury to others in the event of an accident. Coverage may even include, depending on the laws in your state and the company issuing the policy, guest passenger liability that provides protection for passengers riding with you.
Collision – Unlike liability insurance for your motorcycle or scooter, collision insurance covers damage to the vehicle itself. If an accident occurs, the insurance covers the cost of repairs up to the book value of the vehicle before the accident.
Comprehensive – Collisions aren’t the only reason your motorcycle or scooter may end up no better than a hunk of junk. Fire, theft or vandalism of your two-wheel vehicle is just as likely as an accident. As with collision coverage, insurance covers the cost of damages up to the book value of the vehicle. After market accessories such as chrome parts, custom paint and sidecars are not covered with a standard policy.
For more information contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.