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.
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.
Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Feb 03, 2009
Amidst the excitement of your teenager getting his or her first driver’s license, you no doubt feel a strange blend of mixed feelings. You are thrilled about their newfound freedom; all the while feeling anxious about letting them hit the open road in a motorized vehicle. In order to minimize your fears and feel better about your teenager behind the wheel, consider the following:
Insurance: Just because your teenager is sixteen and ready to drive, doesn’t mean that your insurance will skyrocket. Your insurance premiums will be lower if your teenager keeps a clean driving record. Also, putting your teenage driver on your policy will benefit you both because any discounts your receive will be passed on to them. Tri Star Insurance Professionals Inc. in Plano, McKinney and North Dallas can help you find a policy that will offer your teenage driver full coverage without draining your wallet. As a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, Tri Star Insurance represents many different companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Safeco and Germania in order to find you the most competitive rate.
Driving School: It used to be that teenagers would reach the age of sixteen, high tail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles and take a standardized driving test. Some high schools even taught driver’s education as a mandatory class. Nowadays though, there are only two options, practice with mom or dad and take the test, or go to a driving school. There are many driving schools to choose from in Texas, and many range in price from rather expensive to very expensive depending on the curriculum. Though a bit costly, teens that take formal driving lessons are less likely to get into an accident and are proven to be all around better drivers.
Safe Car: No parent feels completely comfortable with letting his or her child drive, but a safer car will not only lower your insurance costs, but also fare better in an accident. In lieu of a shiny new sports car, there are many reasonable yet stylish cars on the market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has loads of information about car safety and car crash performance on their website to help you with your car buying decision.
Driving Tips: Teenage drivers need to know more than just the old adages "always wear your seatbelt" and "obey the speed limit." To become great drivers, teens should be aware of many things including how to drive in bad weather, in the country and other defensive driving tips. A nifty website called Teendriving.com, dedicated to educating teens and parents, is an excellent source of information for new drivers.
The best way to cut down on motor vehicle accidents is to prevent them in the first place. By working with your teenager to become the best driver possible, you will be lowering their chances of becoming just another statistic.
Don’t take a chance with your teenage driver and let Tri Star Insurance find an auto insurance policy that will keep them covered out on the open road. For more information or to talk to an agent call 214-387-0600 today or visit www.tristarins.com.