Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Mar 31, 2009
After the Rain has Fallen: Flood Damage Solutions
Not a force to be reckoned with, floods occur in every state, regardless of the elevation level. In fact, 25% of all floods occur outside of high-risk areas that are not considered flood prone. That being said, many people find out too late that their home is in danger of flooding and end up paying thousands in costly repairs. Flood or water damage comes in the form of soggy floors, rotting wood, rusting metal, mold, mildew and more. An unfortunate truth is that your homeowner’s insurance policy does not and never will cover flood loss to your home and contents. You can however, take out a flood insurance policy that will cover the cost of repairs, belongings and cleanup. Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Inc. located in North Plano and servicing the North Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas, offers Texas flood insurance policies to renters and homeowners. Tri-Star flood policies protect you and your loved ones from flood damage caused by overflowing tidal waters, surface water accumulation and river overflows.
Flood-Zone.net is a leading website dedicated to providing accurate flood facts and tips that will keep you one step ahead of a storm. If ever you are the unfortunate victim of a flood there are many post flood steps you can take to ensure that your home suffers as little damage as possible.
Tread Carefully: If your home is still full of standing water after a flood, watch your steps as you enter. Wearing rubber boots will save your feet from sharp objects such as broken glass. Turn off the electricity at the breaker box and move electrical cords to higher ground.
Toss Out: Cleanup begins by getting rid of permanently water-damaged goods such as rugs, photographs, food, books and mattresses. Items that absorb water may be prone to mold infestation and need to be disposed of properly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests turning to professionals for hazardous waste disposal.
Dehumidify Dry: Standing water can be removed using a portable submersible sump pump and a wet dry vacuum. After eliminating most of the water, a low temperature dehumidifier can be used to dry floors and walls. Open windows for ventilation and to deter the growth of mold spores.
Do-it-yourself cleanup is smart, but taking out a flood insurance policy is smarter because it will cover professional repair and cleaning leaving no room for problems down the road. Even if you already hold a flood insurance policy in Texas or are looking for one that will fit your budget, Tri-Star can help you find a policy that won’t break the bank. As an independent insurance agency, Tri-Star Insurance can represent other top companies such as Travelers, Germania, Safeco, and Kemper when looking for the most competitive rate.
For more information Contact John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com or call 214-387-0600.
Posted by John Coyle on Mon, Mar 16, 2009
Flood insurance. Those two little words may mean nothing to you now, but consider this: according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 25% of flood insurance claims hail from areas that are not labeled as flood zones and result in over a billion dollars of property damage each year. In response to the soaring cost of taxpayer funded disaster relief for flood victims, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to develop flood management plans and underwrite insurance policies.
As homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damages resulting from flood waters, federal flood insurance is the only coverage that protects your property and belongings from damage caused by rising water due to flooding. So even if there is only the slightest possibility of flooding in your area, having adequate insurance can offset the high cost of repairing water damage in your home or business, because not all water damage resulting from a flood occurs in flood zones. Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. located in North Plano and servicing North Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas, knows what you need to keep your property high and dry.
To offset the cost of abundant water damage claims, FEMA mandates that any homeowner with a government-backed mortgage such as an FHA or VA loan must carry flood insurance in a high-risk zone. So that means that people with homes or businesses that are situated on flood zones are required to purchase flood insurance policies. Obviously, if you own a home or business in Texas and do not currently pay for flood insurance you are not considered “high-risk”, but that doesn’t mean you are out of the water.
If you are uncertain whether or not you reside on a flood zone, there are many easy ways to find out. Flood-Zone.net is a great website to quickly determine your flood risk and learn interesting facts about floods such as:
- Floods are world’s the most common natural disaster
- Floods do not just occur near bodies of water such as lakes, ponds or oceans
- Flash floods cause more fatalities in the US than any other natural disaster
- Floods can and do happen in areas previously considered out of reach
- Roughly one in four flood disasters occur in areas with a low to moderate flooding risk
Generally, flood insurance policies are affordable, especially for those not living in a designated flood zone. Tri-Star Insurance can not only help you purchase a reasonably priced flood insurance policy, but can help you save a bundle on your other policies as well. Tri-Star is an independent insurance agency, which means they have the ability to represent companies such as Safeco, Kemper, Hartford and Travelers to find you the best price. With Tri-Star, you have a choice.
If you want to learn more about federal flood insurance policies contact Roger Harkins of Tri-Star Insurance today at 214-387-0600 or visit them on the web at www.tristarins.com. Give yourself peace of mind by knowing your home and business will be covered in the event of a flash flood or heavy rains.
Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Mar 12, 2009
As the cost of living is on the rise, people are actively looking for ways to save money. Many people start by lessening their daily consumption of delicious, though non-essential, coffee drinks from high-end beverage shops such as Starbucks or Seattle’s Best. Belt-tightening tips such as dining out less, staying in on weekends and taking the local DART transit system to work are all viable ways to save a few bucks each month. Some people even go as far as drawing up a budget in order to keep tabs on where their money goes.
Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., which services North Texas and the surrounding areas of McKinney, Allen, Plano and Frisco, knows the value of every dollar and will gladly help you find an insurance policy that will keep you in the green. Insurance studies show that more than 70 percent of homeowners bundle their home and auto insurance policies under one provider. Tri Star Insurance can be your one source for all insurance as they offer a range of bundle packages.
The advantage that Tri Star has over big name insurance companies such as State Farm and Farmers is their status as an independent insurance agency. As a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas organization, Tri Star has the ability to represent many other independent companies such as Travelers, Hartford and Germania to find the most competitive price.
Even in an atmosphere saturated with money saving tips frequently shown on radio and television, some people still do things in the name of saving that may cost them in the long run. The biggest money saving mistake that people make is lowering the coverage limit on their insurance policy in order to pay a lower premium. By taking this drastic step you will end up paying less for your policy, but you run the risk of paying outrageous out-of-pocket expenses if you do not have ample coverage. If your scheme of saving money by changing your insurance coverage now sounds less appealing, all is not lost. By bundling your insurance coverages in Texas under one provider, you will not only save money, but time as well.
In addition to personal insurance savings, bundling your insurance policy is a smart move from a business standpoint because commercial insurance is essential for your company. Productivity counts a lot in the business world, so why spend precious time calling four different insurance carriers for each business insurance policy you hold? Tri Star carries a full line of commercial insurance policies that will keep you covered such as auto, general liability, property and worker’s compensation.
Just like combining phone, Internet and cable services into one-package saves you a bundle, purchasing your insurance from one provider can too. Tri Star carries a wide selection of both personal and commercial insurance policies. To learn more about how bundling your insurance in Texas saves you money, pick up the phone and call 214-387-0600 to speak to John Coyle or Roger Harkins at Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. For more information about Tri Star’s products and services visit www.tristarins.com today.
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, Mar 05, 2009
Most people are under the impression that middle-aged women driving inexpensive sedans save the most money on their car insurance, but like many wives tales, that’s just not true. Not entirely anyway. There are several reasons that your Dallas car insurance rates may be higher than others, but driving a luxury sports car isn’t the only one. Tri Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. located in North Dallas and servicing the Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas knows what makes insurance rates go up and can help you find a policy that won’t bust your budget.
Several important factors that are taken into account in every car insurance policy include:
Price tag: The type of car you drive and it’s record or claim history actually has a greater impact on your auto insurance rates than does the car’s sticker price. If your car is the unfortunate victim of repeat theft or vandalism, then your rates will most likely increase. If you are an accident magnet and are always taking your car into the shop, the same consequence applies.
Cost of repair: If you are cruising around in a hot-rod red Alfa Romeo imported directly from Europe, then first of all, congrats. But know that the cost of replacing the car in the event of an accident may impact your car insurance rates for the worse. As most automotive shops don’t have high-end European car parts readily available, the price to fix or replace such a vehicle could be quite costly. Subsequently, driving a less specialized car such as a Toyota Camry wouldn’t be that difficult to replace therefore would not greatly affect your rates.
Your location: Whether it’s fair or not, where you live has a lot to do with the car insurance rates available to you. Areas high in crime and vandalism tend to have higher car insurance premiums. The less risk that an insurance company has to take means the more you benefit. According to MSN Autos, the number one stolen vehicle in the United States is the Honda Civic. There is no definitive reason for this statistic, save to say that Civics’ are solid, affordable cars that are quite popular among drivers.
You: Your age, gender and driving record are all top-level factors in your car insurance rate. Young males (sorry, fellas) are more likely to suffer from higher car insurance rates than their female counterparts. Is it fair? Not really, but based on statistical facts, males have a higher tendency of getting in a wreck or owing hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety car crashes are the number on killer of teenagers, especially males.
Whether you’re 19 and driving a pick-up truck with "character," or 55 and driving a luxury sedan with GPS capabilities, Tri Star, an independent insurance agency, can help you find a fair and competitive Dallas car insurance rate. To speak directly to an agent call 214-387-0600 or for more information visit www.tristarins.com.