West Texas Insurance Agency
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West Texas Insurance Agency

3702 Mockingbird Ln
Amarillo, TX 79109

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Commercial Insurance Options

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While business owners in Texas are not required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance or business liability insurance, it sure is a good idea. You’ve worked hard to open your business and invested tons of time and money into it so you want it to be successful and very well protected. The best way to protect your business is through obtaining a commercial insurance policy

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance will cover your employees if they become injured or ill while working for you on their job. This part of your commercial insurance policy covers their medical expenses and lost wages while they are recovering.

Commercial Business Liability Insurance

Liability insurance for your business will protect you if a person is injured while visiting your business or due to something related to your business. For example, if you own a tree trimming service and a branch falls from a tree and hits someone in the head, this part of your policy will cover the medical bills for that person. It also covers property damage so if one of your workers drops a tree on someone’s house and there’s damage to the house, this part of your policy will pay for that. Commercial liability insurance will also help pay for any damages caused by a personal or advertising injury, such as slander or libel.

Other Coverage Options

Commercial property insurance will cover your business if there is a break-in or a theft that occurs along with your business becoming damaged or destroyed by a fire, vandalism, or natural disasters, such as a tornado or hail storm.

To create the best commercial insurance policy for your business, you need to enlist the assistance of an experienced commercial insurance agent. The agents at the West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX will help you create the best policy for you and your situation. Call for an appointment today!

Why some Home Insurance Claims may be Rejected when Filing a Claim in Amarillo, TX

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When you purchase a house, getting home insurance is the next logical step to take. However, it is imperative to read your policy carefully. You need to know the exact terms and conditions that are required to file a home insurance claim  West Texas Insurance Agency can assist you with understanding your policy so that your insurance claims are not denied. Here are some common reasons that a home insurance policy company may deny your claim. 

Not Filing Your Claim in Time and Not Having an Inventory of Your Belongings

Texas law states that you need to file home insurance claims within 15 days. This is because filing an insurance claim is a time-sensitive manner. Insurance companies need to see that damage incurred because of a specific reason that is covered in your policy. Claims are often rejected if the homeowner doesn’t have a comprehensive list of their property and the value of each item. It is a good idea to do a home inventory checklist as soon as you purchase your new premium.   

Making Late Payments or Missing Payments 

If you are late on paying your insurance premium or missed a payment, a lapse in coverage might have occurred. If something happens when your home insurance policy has lapsed because of nonpayment, then your not covered until you catch up on the balance that you owe. Getting calendar reminders, or setting up automatic payments, can help avoid getting an insurance claim denied. 

It is Not Covered in Your Policy or is Negligence of a Contractor or Someone Else 

If you hire a contractor and they cause significant damage to your property, it is your responsibility to pay it. You are responsible for the people that come in and out of your house or on your land. The reason for homeowners insurance is to protect what you own from circumstances that are out of your control. You can control, however, if your home is properly maintained. An insurance company isn’t liable for damage caused by negligence to maintain the basic upkeep and repairs necessary as a property owner. 

Other Reasons that a Claim Can be Denied   

Your policy clearly outlines what is and isn’t covered. If your home in Amarillo, TX incurs damage or mold from a water leak that is continuous, your claim may be denied. It will only cover these situations if it is caused by a covered risk in your policy. Your policy will also outline how long you can be vacant from the property and still be covered in case of damages due to vandalism, theft, or other instances that may occur. Earthquakes are also not covered. Wind and hail storm damage art covered when it affects your actual home or belongings, but no damage to trees and shrubs. Contact West Texas Insurance Agency to speak to an agent who will explain your policy to you in detail. They will clearly detail what your rights are as a homeowner who wishes to file an insurance claim.

How your driving record affects your auto insurance policy

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Did you know that insurance providers use your driving record to calculate your auto insurance premiums? Being an aggressive, reckless, and unlucky driver In Amarillo, TX can cost you more than you can imagine. No company wants to ensure a driver who is always filing claims. West Texas Insurance Agency is all about helping you stay safe on the roads. That is why it will cost you more for having a poor driving record.

My driving record and my insurance policy, how are they connected? 

How does your insurance company know that you slipped in the first place? Auto insurance companies are thorough enough to check how you have been behaving on the roads. Therefore, any car infraction you are involved in is tagged to your driving record by the government. The more the violations, the more tarnished your driving record becomes. However, not all violations are included. Simple violations like busted taillights, parking tickets, or failure to update insurance paperwork only come with fines.

What factors affect my driving record?

There are many factors that can affect your driving record—some being more detrimental than others. Additionally, insurance companies in Amarillo, TX have different policies for specific driving record tarnishes and may focus on particular factors. Some of these factors include:

  • DUIs
  • Accidents
  • Tailgating
  • Speeding tickets
  • Overdue bills or late payments
  • Getting a traffic ticket in a construction or school zone
  • Too many insurance claims

It is almost impossible to determine how much your insurance company can raise. Some violations can be forgiven while others may not. For instance, if it is your first time to get a speeding ticket, and it is the only violation in your record, your insurance company may forgive and keep the rates intact. If you have more than two violations, your insurance premiums will obviously go up.

Safe driving means owning a clean record. At West Texas Insurance Agency, we care about your safety and the safety of other road users. Feel free to contact us with questions about auto insurance.

What is included with commercial insurance?

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Owning a business can be a great idea for someone that is willing to work hard and has a great idea. If you are looking for a place to start a business, coming to the Amarillo, TX area is a great option. When you do come here, there are many local benefits and amenities that can help you to be successful. To ensure that your business is protected, you should get a commercial insurance policy as it provides a range of different forms of insurance coverage. 

Asset Protection

One of the important forms of coverage that you will receive with your commercial insurance policy is asset protection. Starting any type of business will always come with the need to purchase commercial assets. Due to the investment that goes into this purchase, you need to protect it as well as possible. A great way to do this is by getting a commercial insurance policy as it will provide coverage to repair or replace the asset in a situation that results in a loss.

Liability Protection

One serious risk that all business owners need to take into consideration is their risk of liability. No matter what you sell or provide, there is going to be a chance that you could cause an injury to another party. If this occurs, you could face serious liability risk. Your commercial insurance policy will provide you with protection against this risk. 

When you are a business owner in the Amarillo, TX area, getting into the right insurance policy is very important. The team at West Texas Insurance Agency can help you to do that. When you call the West Texas Insurance Agency you will receive the guidance and support that you need. This can include helping you better understand your needs and options. 

Do I need to get home insurance for my Amarillo home?

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Living in the Amarillo, TX area is a great option for a lot of people. Due to the strong local economy, it is also a good place to purchase your own home. When you are looking to buy a home, it is important that you carefully consider your insurance needs. There are several reasons why you need to get a home insurance policy for your Amarillo home. 

Provides Valuable Forms of Coverage

One of the reasons why you need home insurance is because it will provide you with valuable coverage. When you purchase a home, you are going to be making a very significant investment that needs to be properly protected. This insurance policy will protect both your dwelling and your personal assets. Additionally, when you get a home insurance policy, you will also receive liability coverage that will protect you if you are found liable for an accident that occurs in your home. 

Required by Lenders and Associations

Another reason that you may need to get home insurance is that it can be required by your lenders and association. If you have a mortgage loan, the lender will require that you carry home insurance to protect their collateral. Further, if you live in an area with a home association, there are often requirements in the bylaws that will insist you carry home insurance at all times. 

Buying a home in the Amarillo, TX area is a big decision. If you are going to buy a home here, it is important that you get it properly covered by insurance. When you need to get home insurance, you should call the West Texas Insurance Agency. The team at the West Texas Insurance Agency will explain all of your options and help you to select a policy that is right for you. 

How Commercial Insurance Protects Your Inventory

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The state of Texas is a very large area. There are millions of people that call it home. There are also a lot of small business owners that have inventory that they do not want to see destroyed. A major loss of inventory could mean the end of the company. There are some things that you can do in order to protect your company from financial ruin. The best way is to purchase a commercial insurance policy that covers your inventory in Amarillo, TX. 

How a Commercial Insurance Policy Protects Your Inventory

The last thing you want to see happen is for your business to suffer a loss on its inventory. Without an insurance policy to pay for any losses, you would have to pay for it all yourself. Here are some ways that a commercial policy will cover your inventory.

  • This kind of policy will protect your inventory from theft losses. Theft is one of the biggest dangers to small businesses. Your policy would pay to replace anything that was taken.
  • Water is very damaging to property and inventory. It is the one peril that can feed other issues such as mold or rot. On the policy you can endorse certain coverage helps to protect against water damage.
  • A small internal fire can damage your inventory. Fire coverage also takes care of smoke damage and other related issues. 

If you are a small business owner and have questions about protecting your inventory, then please call us at West Texas Insurance Agency today. We can answer all of your questions and provide solutions to your insurance needs. Do not wait for the next loss to happen. By then, it is too late to protect yourself and the business from financial ruin in the Amarillo, TX area.

Will my auto insurance cover me in a rental vehicle?

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You have planned for this vacation for months. Here you are at the rental car counter with a line of other anxious vacationers behind you and the person at the counter is asking you to decide if you need the car insurance they offer. Talk about stress!! It will certainly make you wish you had read your auto policy before you left for vacation. At West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX we are here to help you to understand the coverage that your auto insurance provides. 

The answer to the question will my auto insurance cover me in a rental vehicle is it depends. If you are renting a vehicle that is similar to the vehicle that you currently own and you have full coverage, the answer is yes. However, if you rent a high-end car or you have more of a clunker at home then you are going to need at least some other type of insurance coverage. 

Liability coverage is required by almost all states so chances are if you have adequate coverage at home you will be adequately covered when you rent. If you don’t have collision and comprehensive coverage on your vehicle at home, you won’t have it on the rental and that could be a very expensive bill if you have an accident. 

Even though your personal auto insurance may not cover all of the auto insurance that you need for a rental, you may not need to buy the rental company insurance. Always check with your credit card to see if they offer Collision Damage Waiver coverage. 

With 25 years of experience, West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX has a team that is ready to help you with your auto insurance needs. Give us a call or stop by the office for a no-obligation quote. 

3 Reasons to Increase Your Home Insurance Coverage

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Part of the responsibilities of owning a home is ensuring your home insurance policy is up to date. This means if you’ve made significant upgrades to your home if your personal property has increased or changed, or you’ve started a home-based business, you may need to increase your home insurance coverage. Homeowners’ insurance policies issued in Amarillo, TX usually group various types of coverage into one policy. Before taking out a new policy or making changes to your existing policy, you’ll want to consult with a licensed insurance agency like West Texas Insurance Agency. 

Upgrades or Renovations

You probably need to increase your coverage if you’ve added additional space, outdoor features like a pool, and major upgrades like granite countertops. A pool, for instance, can create more opportunities for accidents or hazards. Additional space and upgrades translate to increased replacement costs in the event of a loss. 

Personal Property

If you’ve added more personal property or are now storing certain types of property like the top of the line electronics or high-end items, you probably need to speak with your agent. It’s easy to accumulate new or upgraded belongings and forget about the costs to replace them. Don’t forget smaller changes like more expensive furniture, additional clothes, and jewelry. 

Home Business

It’s been years since you moved in, but now you’re operating a business from home. You may need to add coverage for assets designated for your business. It’s best to first speak to your agent about the nature of your business, the designated equipment, and whether clients are coming in and out of your home.

Need more information about home insurance policies that serve Amarillo, TX? Contact us at West Texas Insurance Agency today!   

 

3 Ways to Help Your Car Hold Its Value

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Helping your car maintain its value is beneficial in a number of ways, especially if you plan on selling or trading it in. In Amarillo, TX, agents from West Texas Insurance Agency offer their clients advice on how to maintain their car’s value for as long as possible. There are simple things you can do to ensure your car holds its value for as long as possible.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential if you want your car to continue running as efficiently as possible. All of the systems in your car have maintenance schedules including your lubrication, coolant, brakes, and transmission. Regular maintenance ensures each system is working efficiently and doing its job properly.

Prompt Repairs

If you are in an accident or something breaks on your vehicle, having it repaired promptly will help your car hold its value. This includes dents, broken windshields, or fender benders that leave visible damage that will detract from the appearance of your vehicle. 

Keep it Sparkling Clean

Keep your car clean! Throw away any trash you have on the seats and vacuum it out regularly. Wipe down the interior and run it through a car wash every couple of weeks to keep the outside shiny and looking like new. Keep an air freshener in your car to keep it smelling nice and fresh.

At West Texas Insurance Agency, residents who live in the Amarillo, TX area are encouraged to call an agent if they ever have questions or concerns about the value of their vehicle. Maintaining your car properly will help it hold its value and also keep it looking its best at all times. Call and talk to an agent today!

How commercial insurance can save your Amarillo, TX business

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Owning a business in Amarillo, TX comes with all the challenges and stress that owning a business anywhere comes with. One thing that should not be causing you any worry is your commercial insurance. If you own a business you need to have commercial insurance but it is not one size fits all which is why the staff at West Texas Insurance Agency is there to help you to put together a policy that gives you everything you need to save your business while not making you pay for coverage you will never use. 

Commercial insurance needs to be tailored to your particular business. Many different types of coverage available and you probably won’t need them all.  No point in having commercial vehicle insurance if you don’t have a vehicle that you use for business. Texas does not require private employers to have workers compensation but in not doing so you leave yourself open to lawsuits from an employee who is injured on the job. You also may have trouble retaining employees. It is much less stressful to cover your employees and protect yourself. 

Property insurance is important coverage for a business of any size. Whether you own the building or are just renting it, you can have your business devastated by damage to the building which in terms damages your equipment, inventory, and machinery. By carrying property insurance you can repair or replace anything that is damaged by a covered hazard. 

Liability insurance is one of the most important parts of any commercial insurance policy. Let’s face it, the world loves to bring legal action against people and businesses. If someone is injured while visiting your business or by one of your products you could be facing expensive litigation. Liability insurance helps you to get through it with your business intact. 

If you are an Amarillo, TX business owner, stop in or give us a call at West Texas Insurance Agency and discuss your commercial insurance needs with us. 

 

Servicing States

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • New Mexico