Tri-Star Insurance Prof. Inc in Dallas-Fort Worth-Plano, TX

Consider The Claims Handling When Buying Homeowners Insurance

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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?