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 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.
Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Apr 02, 2009
Tri-Star insurance knows that watching your little one go off to college isn’t easy, but before they walk out the door make sure they are fully prepared for life outside the nest. Not only will you gain peace of mind by thoroughly preparing your student for any complication such as an illness or accident, but you will also be instilling them with the knowledge that being an adult means covering your bases. Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. located in North Plano and servicing the McKinney, Frisco, North Dallas, Allen and surrounding areas, can help you pick out the right insurance to protect your child as they head off to college. Purchasing auto, health, renters and life insurance policies is something to consider. Through Tri-Star you are offered a choice of rates due to their status as an independent insurance agency.
By representing many different independent companies Tri-Star is able to find the most competitive rates with coverage that will best fit your budget. Independent insurance agencies such as Tri-Star have the ability to represent many different companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Hartford, Safeco and Germania. The difference between an independent agency and a captive agency such as Farmers, Allstate or State Farm lies in the fact that agents from a captive insurance agency can only represent the company where they work. Tri-Star agents always work hard to find you exactly what you need.
If your son or daughter will soon be attending college and you need to start thinking about their safety consider the following:
Dorms – Living in a dorm is a trip, and not always a good one. Aside from noisy neighbors, small spaces and annoying roommates, dorm rooms are often subjected to the theft or damage of personal items. No specific insurance coverage is offered for dorm rooms, but in many cases a renter’s insurance policy can be applied towards dorm rooms. As many times students reside in college rental properties, renter's insurance can come is handy there as well.
Valuables: Your student probably wants to transfer the entire contents of their room to college no holds barred, but before calling a moving squad, remember that aside from the essentials, your student won’t really need that Plasma T.V., diamond necklace and high-end sound system to survive. In fact, expensive and irreplaceable items have no business in a college setting, as it will most likely end in heartbreak. According to the College Student Safety Organization, the top ten most stolen items include: iPod, cell phone, laptop, bicycles, jewelry, books, cash, televisions, credit cards and debit cards.
Driving: Imagine the many trips home that your student will be making during his/her time away at school. Whether residing just down the road or across state lines, having adequate auto insurance will keep them covered in the event of an accident.
Well-being: College is not known for inspiring cleanliness and healthy living. Very few college students get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and take their vitamins without fail. That being said, health insurance could save you or your student from paying hefty doctors fees.
For more information contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.
Posted by Roger Harkins on Thu, Mar 05, 2009
Spring in Texas is known nationwide for warm temperatures, fragrant blooms and severe weather. Located smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, Texas is the prime location for tornadoes and violent thunderstorms to enact revenge upon your property, whether it be your home, automobile or business. Texas storms have the potential for high winds, hail and flooding rains. If you are affected by spring storms in the Dallas area, there are several steps you can take to ensure that you don’t come out worse for wear.
Stay Informed: Texas storms are famous for popping up out of the blue. The Texas Severe Storms Association works hard to understand dangerous storms so that meteorologists can better predict and track inclement weather. With their help, weather centers in Texas can keep you in the know. The National Weather Service is the best place to find current weather information for all fifty states. Even your local radio or news station will have current weather updates and can offer you assistance through their call-in helplines.
Secure your property: Storm windows, clear gutters and a mess free yard are just a few of the things that may keep you safe during a storm. Trimming back tree branches and bushes can reduce the potential for broken windows and downed power lines. Placing a tarp over your vehicle should help to eliminate or cut down on hail damage.
Contact your insurance company: Before you get caught in a storm, call your insurance agent to make sure you are fully covered. There is no price you can put on your family’s safety, but if you are worried that you will end up paying too much for proper coverage, let Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. of North Dallas, Allen and Frisco show you otherwise. Tri Star carries a wide selection of products such as homeowners insurance and flood insurance intended to keep you covered if you have or may end up suffering from severe storm damage. Tri Star also offers a wide selection of insurance products including auto, business, renters, flood, condo, individual and group health insurance, and personal and group life insurance.
As sticklers for excellent customer service, Tri Star will help you find a policy that fits your needs and your budget. Tri-Star Insurance has the ability to offer you an affordable price due to their status as an independent insurance agency. Independent agents have the ability to represent other companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Hartford, Safeco and Germania to find you the most competitive rate available. With Tri Star Insurance, you have a choice.
Don’t let bad weather get the best of you by contacting Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. before it’s too late. Tri-Star has weathered many storms with their clients throughout the years and will be here if you need them before and after the rain has fallen. Pick up the phone and call 214-387-0600 to speak to an agent or go online and visit www.tristarins.com today! Fill out and submit the form below for more information.
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 Thu, Feb 19, 2009
As an employer, maintaining a safe workplace should be a top priority. That being said it is essential, even mandatory in some states, for your business to carry workers’ compensation insurance. You may be asking yourself if purchasing workers’ compensation insurance in Texas is really necessary if the employee already carries medical insurance. The short answer is yes.
The knowledgeable agents at Tri Star Insurance Professionals Inc. in Dallas, Plano and Allen can tell you exactly why worker’s compensation insurance is a must when it comes to protecting your business from lawsuits. The purpose of workers’ comp insurance is that employees give up the right to sue you in the event of a workplace accident in exchange for receiving state-mandated benefits. A comprehensive policy usually includes medical benefits for work related injury or disease in addition to disability income and death and rehabilitation benefits for workers.
Even though in the state of Texas procuring worker’s comp insurance for your business is voluntary, taking out a policy may be well worth the expense. Tri Star professionals can help you locate low-cost workers’ compensation insurance because of their status as an independent insurance agency. The difference between an independent agency such as Tri Star and a captive agency such as Allstate is that agents from a captive agency can only represent the company they work for in terms of price. Captive agents can only provide you with the rates offered by their company with absolutely no exceptions. Independent agencies such as Tri-Star have the ability to represent many different companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Hartford, Safeco and Germania in order to find you the most competitive price on insurance products.
There are many guidelines employers can go by when deciding to get workers’ comp insurance. According to the Worker’s Compensation Act, businesses with five or more employees should really have worker’s compensation coverage. The word employee is defined as any full-time, part-time temporary or seasonal worker. Exempt employers include farm laborers, domestic servants, direct sellers, commercial motor-carrier owner-operators and certain real estate agents. Even if you are not legally required to purchase insurance, you can always elect to sign up to avoid exposure to civil lawsuits brought about by employee injuries.
That being said, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers have access to first aid, fair workers compensation and return work rehabilitation at all times. To learn more rules and regulations the Texas Department of Insurance provides a wealth of information regarding worker’s compensation insurance plus lots about workplace safety assistance and more.
Tri-Star offers an extensive array of products including auto, home, renters, flood, condo, health insurance, life insurance and all areas of business insurance including workers compensation. The team at Tri-Star Insurance can thoroughly assist companies looking to obtain workers compensation insurance for their business. To speak directly to an agent pick up the phone and call 214-387-0600 or go online and visit http://www.tristarins.com/default.asp. Make sure to protect yourself and your workers from financial hardship in the event of a workplace injury today!
Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Feb 03, 2009
So you’ve decided to buy a car, truck or minivan. Now for the ultimate question, which one will you choose? Not only are there hundreds of makes, models, colors and sizes to pick from, but also each car comes with its own set of special features such as speed, handling and safety. When buying a car, the best rule of thumb is to keep safety first. According to the National Highway Transportation Administration, car crashes result in over 40,000 fatalities each year. Choosing a car on looks alone can be a dangerous and costly mistake.
In addition to shopping for a safer car, purchasing a comprehensive auto insurance policy to compliment your vehicle is ideal. As a driver, you are not only responsible for the car, but the passengers as well. Tri Star Insurance Professionals Inc., servicing North Dallas, Frisco, Allen and the surrounding areas, can help you determine what auto insurance coverage is right for you at a competitive price.
Every car must meet certain federal safety standards, so whether you are buying a new or used car, there are many things to take into consideration such as:
Design: A car’s structural design says a lot about how safe it is. In the event of an accident, the front and rear ends are designed to absorb the force of the crash. So purchasing a vehicle with a solid, well-built occupant compartment is essential to decreasing the likelihood of an injury.
Size: One would think that a larger, heavier car would fare better in a collision and they’d be right. Depending on the accident, smaller cars have a tendency to take the full force of an impact, leaving larger cars less damaged. However, as this is not always the case, don’t just write off a smaller car as a death trap. If you are partial to compact cars, look for one that is equipped with the latest safety hardware, such as stability control and side air bags.
Restraint: Everyone knows that wearing a seatbelt dramatically cuts down the risk of death in a collision, and in most states not wearing one is against the law. Seatbelts, airbags and head restraints work as one to protect you by reducing the chance that you will slam into something or fly through the window shield. In the interest of buying a safer car, always check that the restraint systems are working properly.
Brakes: Conventional brakes are no longer considered as safe because of their tendency to lock up causing skidding and lack of vehicle control. Newer cars are usually equipped with anti-lock brakes that automatically pump the brakes every few seconds to prevent lock up and let you retain control. The only downside to anti-lock brakes is that while safer, they won’t help you come to a stop more quickly.
When you need auto insurance for your safer car, truck or minvan remember that Tri-Star Insurance is ready to assist you. Call 214-387-0600 or visit www.tristarins.com today to speak with an agent to find out more about auto insurance policies. Fill out the form below for more information.