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 Sun, Aug 31, 2008
"Without personal umbrella insurance we couldn't pay all the medical bills!" More and more Americans would be financially devastated if they had an accident and personal umbrella insurance can change that for your family today. Being able to afford insurance premiums and co-pays is hard enough, but when you're stuck with another person’s medical bills on top of that, it can really feel like an impossible situation. Don't let this happen to your family. Talk to an insurance expert who can help you get the personal umbrella coverage you need at a rate you can live with. John Coyle at Tri-Star Insurance has been helping families all over the N. Dallas-Frisco-Plano TX area with all of their insurance needs. Let John and his associates help you avoid a situation like this one:
It all started as a simple boat ride with friends on a summer day. Everyone was having a great time. Tom and Mary had invited Bob and Suzanne over for a ride on their new boat. Bob and Suzanne brought their friends, the Smiths.
The three couples were getting ready to leave the water, because the waves were picking up a bit and the wind was starting to blow. Suddenly, the boat hit a tree that was barely protruding out of the water. The accident caused some real damage and the three couples in the boat were thrown around on impact.
Thankfully, everyone made it out alive, but Mrs. Smith wound up with some injuries that required extensive plastic surgery. The bills were enormous and they sued Tom and Mary for the medical costs. Thank goodness, Tom had insisted on that personal umbrella insurance when they bought their boat insurance.
Tom made a smart decision when he opted for personal umbrella insurance. Even though they had boat owner's insurance, Tom and Mary S. were saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills. Personal umbrella insurance saved their family from financial disaster. Many people don't realize just how much they need a personal umbrella policy to protect their assets from being lost to bills incurred during an accident. Face it, if you are operating any type of vehicle, including your boat, and you have an injury producing accident, life gets stressful in a hurry. Health care costs have sharply increased and an injury that requires a hospital stay, surgery or specialized treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Personal umbrella insurance can help you with that.
Don't be shocked to find out that your existing homeowners, car, boat and health insurances may not cover all the expenses occurred in an accident. With personal umbrella insurance, you are protected against medical bills of up to five million dollars or more depending on the amount of coverage you choose.
It's difficult to think about being liable for an accident, especially when someone suffers major injuries. On top of that, if someone else is injured, you may find yourself in a courtroom with a judge deciding how many zeroes you need to tack on the check. That's why it's so important to have personal umbrella insurance. What a safety net! Without this extended coverage, an injury producing accident could wind up costing you your home, your vehicle – even money you earn in the future to satisfy the bills. You can avoid this type of disaster by talking with an insurance expert who can help you choose the best coverage options for your personal circumstances. Call John Coyle and his associates at Tri-Star Insurance at 1-800-880-4600. John and his staff have been helping people all over the N. Dallas-Frisco- Plano, TX area for years and they can help you too. Call 1-800-880-4600 today.
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Posted by John Coyle on Fri, Aug 22, 2008
With all the recent news stories involving vandalism and property damage to many churches or faith-based institutions, you may want to consider the many benefits of purchasing church insurance. Unlike homeowner’s coverage, insurance for churches is special in that it offers property and liability protection including equipment breakdown, indirect loss, and even stained glass windows. Owner Roger Harkins of Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Inc. is adept at working with churches in the North Dallas, Plano and Frisco area to ensure maximum protection.
In many aspects, insurance for churches differs from property insurance in that there is several specialized packages to choose from that serve the specific needs of religious organizations. In the past, any coverage needed was pretty simple, such as protecting the building from fire or weather damage. However, with the invention of high-tech sound, lighting, and office equipment, modern liabilities must be taken into consideration. Slight mishaps can be expensive, but major incidents may jeopardize an organization’s existence. Insurance for churches can provide protection from the uncertainties of day-to-day operation.
Most general insurance policies incorporate some sort of property coverage such as structural damage or theft. As churches face different challenges, property insurance for churches include non-standard items such as:
- Signs
- Fences
- Building and contents
- Pastor’s personal property
- Off-premise property
- Equipment – computers, boilers, electrical equipment
When contemplating church insurance you may also choose to add the following endorsements to your policy for greater asset protection:
- Crime coverage – covers losses in the event of theft, employee dishonesty, and forgery
- Inland Marine – covers property that is moved from one place to another, as well as chattels of great value such as artwork or structural embellishments
The other main type of church insurance to consider comes in the form of liability coverage. A general liability package protects the church against claims of bodily injury that occurred while on the premises or during operations for which the church may be legally responsible such as:
- Daycare facilities
- Camps
- Auto and physical damage
- Personal or advertising offenses such as libel or slander and pastoral counseling
- Worker's compensation
Coverage for medical expenses is sometimes included regardless of fault. A wide variety of other optional liability coverage may include:
- Employment practices
- Sexual misconduct
- Employee benefits such as life, retirement, and disability
- Hired autos such as vans, buses, or cars
There are certain safety measures that can be implemented to minimize the risks of running a religious organization such as:
- Qualified supervision for church activities including any sports or overnight trips
- Established safety standards
- In-depth screening of church personnel
- Disaster preparedness
- Regular building inspection
- Maintain a safe and secure environment
With the unique insurance requirements faced by churches versus other institutions, Tri-Star’s knowledgeable staff can help you determine the right amount of coverage needed to protect your place of worship. To learn more contact Tri-Star Insurance Professionals today at www.tristarinsurancepros.com or call 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-880-4600 and talk to an agent about the specific needs of your church organization. Keep your ministry safe!
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