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 Thu, Feb 26, 2009
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas unemployment rate has risen to 6.0 percent in the last few months, with the overall U.S. average hitting 7.2 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that forty-eight states have registered over-the-year increases in average weekly layoff claims.
Though the unemployment rate of 6.0 percent is lower than a number of cities around the nation, many workers in Texas are still feeling the hurt. If you’ve lost your job due to a layoff or company downsizing you are probably looking for ways to save money. You can start by skipping the Starbucks in the morning or eating at home versus going-out. You may even have to postpone that trip to Hawaii this year and put your money to a better use. Changing little things like that here or there won’t radically affect your lifestyle, but make sure not to do anything drastic. One of the worst things you can do is pare down your insurance policy just to save a few bucks.
After losing your job, your newly acquired frugal state of mind may lead you to ask yourself “Do I really need so much homeowners coverage?” or “Would it really be such a big deal if I had less health insurance, it’s not like I’m sick right now.” It may be tempting to lessen your policy, but insurance is something that cannot be taken lightly as it may just save you thousands of dollars in the event if a disaster.
If saving as much money as possible has become a necessity and you feel strongly about obtaining a new, more affordable insurance policy, turn to a truly Texas agency. Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. servicing the North Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas, is familiar with the Texas economy and can find you a policy or a bundle of policies that won’t break the bank.
Tri-Star Insurance carries a wide range of products including auto, home, renters, flood, condo, individual and group health insurance, personal and group life insurance policies, and all areas of business insurance. Not only is Tri Star native to Texas, but also a proud member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, which is an organization for the state’s leading independent insurance agencies.
The difference between an independent insurance agency and a captive agency such as Nationwide, Allstate or State Farm is that captive agents can only provide you with the rates offered by their company. Independent agents can represent multiple companies such as Germania, Kemper, Hartford, Travelers and more to find you the most competative rate.
When money is tight, don’t let having ample insurance become a thing of the past. If you’ve lost your job and need to reevaluate your current insurance policy, let the dedicated team at Tri-Star Insurance work hard to find you an affordable insurance policy that covers all your bases. Contact Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. today at 214-387-0600 or visit www.tristarins.com. Fill out and submit the form below for more information.
Posted by Roger Harkins on Mon, Dec 22, 2008
In a world of countless insurance agencies, it's a rare find to discover one that truly cares about its customers. Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., which serves the Plano, Frisco, and North Dallas area, employs a team of agents with over 70 years of combined insurance experience. John Coyle, commercial line manager for Tri-Star, is familiar with all types of coverage including personal and business insurance. With over twenty years of experience in the insurance industry, he strives to provide each one of his clients with exceptional customer service to ensure that they receive proper coverage at the lowest price.
“More Coverage for Less Money". I want people to feel secure about being covered in the event of an accident, but without having to pay an arm and a leg,” says Coyle.
As an independent insurance agency, Tri-Star differs from a traditional captive agency in that they can shop many companies to find you the best rates.Tri-Star represents several of the top insurance companies including Hartford, Travelers, America First, Utica & Philadelphia and many others. The traditional captive agencies like State Farm, Farmers & Allstate only represent their one company. If their company has a rate change, they can not move you to another company to who might have lower rates and a better coverage. Tri-Star agents do all the dirty work by researching low-cost insurance plans to ensure that you get quality coverage at a fair price.
Starting out as a captive agent, John Coyle soon realized he was at a disadvantage when he couldn’t fit the needs of all his clients. After many years of turning people away because he did not have the means to help them, John decided to work as a Independent Agent. He made the move to Tri-Star in 2007 and has never looked back.
“There are many advantages to working at Tri-Star such as having the ability to offer choices. Giving people a choice is the key to a successful client relationship,” says Coyle.
Tri-Star is a member of the IIAT (Independent Insurance Agents of Texas) and has been deemed a “trusted choice” agency. Trusted choice agents must uphold the following principles:
- Have strong customer and community ties
- Provide excellent service
- Thoroughly assist in the event of a claim
- Act as a consultant on all aspects of insurance
- Offer a choice of insurance plans at the best combination of price
- Periodically review coverage
John Coyle has met those requirements to the tee, and in the case of a local "Piano Retailer", has gone above and beyond. After reviewing the company insurance policy, John noticed that coverage was placed on the building and its contents but they did not actually own the building, just the contents, and was paying a high monthly premium. Since John took the time to throughly review their current policy, John uncovered the previous agency mistake and was able to correctly insure the risk and in the processed saved the business owner $10,000. Not all agencies are created equal, John Coyle & the staff at Tri-Star, understand and offer personalized customer service.
Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need a second longer. As a small insurance firm, Tri-Star can provide you with personalized service and will work closely with you to find the perfect policy. John Coyle and Tri-Star Insurance offer the same products such as auto, home, renters, flood, condo, individual health and life insurance products at competitive prices. Call 214-387-0600 today to speak directly to John Coyle or visit. www.tristarins.com.
Related Links
Texas Department of Insurance
Insurance Information Institute
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Americ
Posted by Roger Harkins on Wed, Nov 19, 2008
According to the United States Fire Administration, fires occurring during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season cause over $990 million in property damage each year. To avoid any catastrophes, there are several precautions you can take to ensure a happy holiday. The most important safeguard against fire damage is making sure you have sufficient property/casualty coverage on your homeowners insurance policy. Tri-Star Insurance in North Dallas, Plano and Frisco will work with you to determine the right amount of coverage for your home to keep you and your family safe during this festive time of year. In addition, by adhering to the following safety tips, you can significantly reduce the chance of turning your home into an inferno.
Turkey Fryer Fire
Large amounts of cooking oil and the propensity to overheat make frying a turkey a dangerous, if not delicious, holiday tradition. Turkey fryers are known to be unstable and without thermostat controls pose severe burn hazards. To avoid forgoing the delectable, deep-fried dish altogether, turkey fryers should be operated outside the home but not on a wooden deck or in a garage. Remember to use thick oven mitts when touching the sides or lid of the unit. Most importantly, never leave the fryer unattended or surrounded by pets or children even after use as the oil can remain burning hot for hours. Electric turkey friers are always a safe and efficient alternative.
Christmas Tree Combustion
Christmas trees can light up your eyes and your house if they have not received proper care from day one. A tree with brittle, brown needles is suffering from major dehydration and can alight at the drop of a hat. Keep the tree stand brimming with water at all times and do not position the tree near a heat source of any kind. After about two weeks dispose of the tree by taking it to a recycling center or have it hauled off by a pick-up service.
Holiday Light Hazards
Overloading electrical outlets with a ridiculous amount of Christmas lights is probably the most common mistake that a holiday enthusiast can make. Covering your home or tree with oodles of those twinkling beauties is tempting, but make sure you do not link more than three light strands at a time. Before you begin stringing, inspect the strands for frayed wires or cracked sockets that may cause sparks, and not the pretty kind.
Flaming Candles
Candles are one of the oldest and most classic of Christmas or Thanksgiving decorations. However, open flame is always a potential danger so remember to place them in stable holders away from high traffic areas. Never place a burning candle near or on a Christmas tree for obvious reasons.
The holidays are a time of joy and merrymaking, so make this Thanksgiving and Christmas a time to remember by choosing to be safe. To learn more about how to safeguard your home and family against a fire with a homeowners insurance policy laden with all the trimmings, contact Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. today at 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-990-4600.
Related Links
National Fire Protection Association
Building and Fire Research Lab
Texas Department of Insurance
Posted by John Coyle on Mon, Mar 10, 2008
As you secure your home with homeowners insurance, know that contents insurance is separate and distinct from the insurance policy you have taken out on the actual structure of the house. Major damage to your home, or the complete loss of your home, can be devastating. Tri-Star Insurance in Plano is committed to relieving your stress and helping you return to normality as fast as they can. While Tri-Star Insurance can’t remove the heartache of losing a treasured heirloom, they can advise you in selecting the best house contents insurance to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection against damage to, or the loss of, contents in your home.
Contents insurance is usually sold alongside home insurance but it can also be purchased as a stand-alone policy, especially for those who desire renters insurance rather than owning their home. Homeowners insurance covers the outside, and anything that is permanently attached to the structure of the home. Possessions that are permanently attached to the structure of the home can only be insured via home insurance. Home contents or house contents insurance pays for damage to, or loss of, your personal possessions while they are located within your home. Some contents insurance policies also provide restricted cover for personal possessions temporarily taken away from the home by the policyholder, or may also include possessions kept in outbuildings or in the garden area attached to the house.
Tri-Star Insurance strongly recommends cataloging your home In order to give both yourself and you insurance company a better understanding of the items that are in your home and that are being insured. An increasingly popular way for people to catalogue the valuables in their home is to travel through the house with a video camera and take video footage of each room.
How does a home contents policy work? Like all insurance policies, home contents insurance works on the basis of the total amount insured. So, when you are filling in your home contents insurance policy submission form, you are asked to provide detail of all the major items that you’re insuring. However, Be advised, however, that most home contents insurance policies have a threshold amount, over which you need to individually declare (and possibly insure) the item as a separate item, and which may not be allowed to include in your overall home contents insurance policy.
Unfortunately, there are no dollar figures that can be calculated for those items of “sentimental value.” Your house contents insurance premiums are calculated on the cold hard cash cost of replacing that item.
All insurance is based on a risk factor, rather, the risk of the insurance company having to pay out. Home contents insurance is no different; therefore, if you live in a neighborhood of high crime, you should expect insurance companies to request higher premiums. Alternatively, if you live in a quiet neighborhood with little or no reported crime, you will enjoy lower premiums.
Related Links
Insurance Information Institute
Know your Stuff
Personal Insure
AOL Money & Insurance