West Texas Insurance Agency
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West Texas Insurance Agency

3702 Mockingbird Ln
Amarillo, TX 79109

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Home Winter Cleaning Routine

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As winter approaches, you’ll need to go through your house to do a thorough job of deep cleaning it. You’ll need to make sure that it is properly ventilated to keep the air quality at its optimum while you are hunkered down for the season. In Amarillo, TX, the independent agents at West Texas Insurance Agency can help you freshen your home with an adjustment to your home insurance policy.

  • Check the air filters – the Environmental Protection Agency states that you should replace your air filters quarterly. This way the air in your home will remain fresh and clean.

  • Refrigerator – clean out the refrigerator by taking everything out and cleaning the bare fridge with soap and water. Using astringent cleaners will soak into the food when you put it back. Pull the appliance from the wall and vacuum the coils. You can also use a damp rag to remove old clinging dust.

  • Freezer cleaning – remove all the food and clean it as you would the refrigerator. If frost has developed, use a hairdryer to melt the frost. You can always unplug it and allow it to drain on its own if you don’t have a hairdryer or don’t wish to use one.

  • Washer and dryer – Refreshen the washing machine by adding vinegar to an empty cycle. For the dryer, you’ll need to unplug it and disconnect the vent in order to vacuum the built-up dust that’s formed from the last year.  

  • Floors – even though you vacuum your carpets regularly, you should consider renting a deep-cleaning carpet vac to penetrate below the surface of the carpet. This type of vacuum can be used on certain types of sofas and couches as well.

After you’ve cleaned your home for the winter, make sure to stop by West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX for home insurance.

Auto Insurance for Teens

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For teens, getting a driver’s license is an exciting time.  It signals the passage into the world with greater freedoms.  For parents, however, the realities of the danger for teen drivers is real.  Also, their policy rates will be higher.  This can lead to an anxious time for everyone.  The agents at West Texas Insurance Agency understand the excitement and concern that everyone is going through.  They work with parents and teens throughout the Amarillo, TX area.

To help teens understand their responsibilities as drivers and the importance of keeping a good driving record, it’s recommended that they are involved in the insurance process.  When they understand policy costs and the ramifications of poor driving habits, they are more invested in being good drivers. Over time, this will be reinforced when they see their rates go down for keeping their driving record clean.

In some cases, it may be better to simply add the teen to their parent’s policy. Talk with the agent to determine if that is the best solution.  Also, they will be able to discuss any available student discounts.  Some insurance companies give discounts to students who have had driver’s education classes or earn good grades.  College students are also offered discount programs best on how often they drive and their grades.   Another consideration is the type of vehicle the teen will drive.  While they may long for a sports car, a more sedate sedan or compact car will be easier and less expensive to insure.

In the Amarillo, TX area, the team at West Texas Insurance Agency understands the challenges of insuring a teen driver. They can help!  Visit the website for general information then bring your teen into the offices for a visit.  Young drivers need the protection of adequate vehicle insurance before they ever hit the road.

Reasons to Upgrade Your Commercial Insurance Before The Holiday Season

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Even in Texas the first hints of the leaves turning and the evenings cooling are here. We want to help you keep your business protected year-round, here at West Texas Insurance Agency. This is why we have a list of considerations for increased commercial insurance this holiday season. We serve Amarillo, TX and the rest of the vast state with quality insurance services. 

Reasons It May Be Prudential to Upgrade or Change Your Commercial Insurance Before The Coming Holiday Season.

  • Many businesses find that their foot traffic increases during the holiday season. This is not just due to holiday shopping, it also has to do with more people being out of school and on vacation to visit family or new places. It may be a good idea to fill any gaps in your insurance before the increase in risk.
  • If you are a business that shuts down and goes out of town during the holiday seasons then it is a good idea to assess your commercial policy to make sure you are fully covered during this time. 
  • If you run a business that relies on a lot of driving in a company vehicle it is important to know that not only is traffic heavier during this time, accident rates increase due to a variety of factors as well. Check your Commercial vehicle insurance going in so you are protected. 

Contact us at West Texas Insurance Agency to learn more or to upgrade your commercial, home, or life insurance today. We serve Amarillo, TX with quality insurance services and can provide you a quote for an upgrade or a whole new policy today. 

Home Insurance Options To Consider

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Finding the right kind of home owner’s insurance is a very personal matter. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to insuring your home. You have a different property from the person next to you. You have different valuables inside and you have a different family. All of these are elements you need to consider when selecting the right home insurance add-ons. If you live in or around Amarillo, TX, West Texas Insurance Agency is here to help you find the right insurance options for your property. 

Flood Insurance

Sure, it doesn’t rain all the time in Amarillo, but when it does it often overwhelms the region. The ground your property is on accustomed to absorbing heavy rainfall. Additionally, if you have a plumbing line burst during the winter, it may flood your property. That is why you should consider flood insurance. 

Window Insurance

Do you have children? Do they love to play baseball and be active around the house? If so there is a greater chance of having a cracked window. Your home insurance may cover some damaged windows, but when it is human error you might receive limited coverage at best. With some additional window insurance, you’ll protect your property from this kind of damage. 

Added Liability Insurance

If you live in a crowded area with a good amount of foot traffic you may want to consider added liability insurance. This will help protect you if someone slips and falls on your property and then attempts to file a lawsuit against you.

The best way to determine the right home insurance options for your own home is to talk to the team at West Texas Insurance Agency. Here the team will help walk you through the selection process and go over the best way to protect your home. So, if you’re interested in understanding how to insure your home and you live around Amarillo, TX, now is the time to give the team a call. 

How to Take Care of Your Car This Summer

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Here at the West Texas Insurance Agency serving the Amarillo, TX area, we know a thing or two about taking care of cars. One of the smartest moves you’ll ever make to take care of your car is to put insurance on it. More importantly, insurance that is customized to meet your exact needs. Here’s a look at a few other tips you should follow for taking care of your car this summer. 

Take Care of Coolant System

It’s always important to ensure your car has enough coolant liquid in it. From the coolant hoses to the coolant reservoir, these parts of the car should be inspected regularly during the summer. If there is any damage to the coolant system, you will need an auto repair specialist to fix them as soon as possible.

Replace the Wipers

It might be sunny and hot in Texas, but it tends to rain some during the summer. There’s nothing worse than being stuck out on the road in the rain with no wipers. A great way to avoid this is by replacing the wipers now.

Take the Car to a Mechanic

Lastly, take the car to the mechanic at least once this summer for routine maintenance. Ideally, you’ll take it when you need an oil change. The mechanic can do everything from changing the oil to rotating your tires and more. 

Contact the West Texas Insurance Agency serving the Amarillo, TX area today to learn more about summer car care tips. You can also speak with one of our agents about taking care of your car with a customized insurance policy.

Commercial Insurance and Home-Based Businesses

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Commercial Insurance and Home-Based Businesses

At West Texas Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX, we talk to a lot of people who think that their homeowners’ insurance covers their home business. That’s not accurate. Your home-based business still needs commercial insurance.

Homeowners’ insurance covers normal home activity and your liability from it. It does not include business activity or business equipment. You still need to insure it like a conventional company.

You need commercial insurance designed for a home-based business. It provides you with property damage coverage, liability coverage and covers your attorney costs and fees. Other items that this insurance covers for your home-based business include libel or negligence claims and computer hacks or IP theft. While those last two items might not sound like something you need to worry about, hackers actually target small businesses first because they’re least likely to have protected in place.

While your first thought as to why to get it might be covering losses in cases of a fire or a tornado, it’s more common to need the liability coverage. Once you start meeting with people at your home office or have deliveries made to it, you open yourself to liability. If someone falls and hurts themselves, you’re liable for their injuries. Your commercial insurance kicks in to pay for the medical bills of the injured person. If they die due to an injury sustained on your property, it covers the funeral expenses and can cover a court settlement. Trying to pay those types of items out-of-pocket could close your business.

Call or visit West Texas Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX to learn more about commercial insurance for your home-based business. We can help you find the coverage you need to protect your business and investment.

5 Ways To Protect Your Family With The Right Auto Insurance

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As you’re driving around Amarillo, TX, it’s important that you have the right auto insurance policy. There are a few ways that policy can work to protect your family.

At West Texas Insurance Agency, we’re here to guide you towards the best policy. There are a number of auto insurance requirements in Texas, so it’s important to adhere to them.

First, remember that it’s important to meet at least the state minimums. Driving without insurance can result in being ticketed by a police officer.

Second, the right auto insurance policy will protect your finances if you’re involved in an accident. You don’t want to be financially responsible for car repairs, medical bills, and more if you’re at fault.

Third, you want to know that you have the ability to get your vehicle fixed if it gets hit by a shopping cart in a parking lot or a truck throws a rock at your windshield on the highway. Comprehensive coverage can protect you against all sorts of non-driving related incidents.

Fourth, you want to know that you have coverage if there’s a break-in. Unfortunately, vehicles do get broke into around Amarillo, TX from time to time. Having the right policy will allow you to file a claim.

Finally, you can protect your family by having coverage against the uninsured and underinsured. Although it’s a must to have insurance on the road, not everyone follows the laws. You can add this coverage so that you don’t depend on someone else having insurance even though they were at fault.

It can be overwhelming to find the right auto insurance. By talking to an independent insurance agent at West Texas Insurance Agency, we can help you find the coverage that you need. We’ll even help you comparison shop quotes for an affordable premium. 

Must Have Home Insurance for New Homeowners

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You just bought your first home and are ready to get homeowner’s insurance. Where do you start? Home insurance is how you’ll protect your valuable investment for years to come. At West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we can help you find the protection you’re looking for at a cost you can afford.

If you’re buying home insurance for the first time, here are some of your best coverage options:

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling insurance protects your home’s structure along with any attached parts such as a sun porch, balcony or garage. If your structure were to suffer damage from a fire, storm or other covered peril, your insurer will pay for repair or replacement costs, up to the limits on your policy. As homes are expensive investments, your dwelling protection should cover the cost of rebuilding your home if it suffers a total loss.

Personal Property Coverage

This coverage protects your belongings to include furniture, appliances, electronics, digital devices, clothes, heirlooms, and other personal items. If you own expensive goods, you should consider replacement cost coverage as it covers the cost of replacing anything that’s stolen, irreparably damaged or lost.

Liability Coverage

This insurance pays for the medical expenses of visitors who are injured while on your property. If your friend falls down the stairs and breaks his leg, liability insurance will cover his medical costs. Liability coverage also covers legal fees if you’re sued for damages due to accidental injuries that occur on your property.

Each of these coverage options come with default limits which can be increased or decreased to suit your need. By customizing your coverage, you can get more protection from your home insurance policy.  

To learn more about home insurance coverage and costs, contact West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX today.

Should You Add Your Teenage Child To Your Auto Insurance?

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Having a teenager that drives in your home in Amarillo, TX can be scary enough. You don’t want to have to worry about whether they are covered as they drive around town. Knowing when to add them to your auto insurance is critical.

What about my teen driver?

At West Texas Insurance Agency, our goal is to answer questions and provide adequate coverage through insurance policies.

As soon as your teenager has their learner’s permit, they are going to be behind the wheel of your vehicle. If they get into an accident, you want to make sure that the insurance claim is taken care of.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you have plenty of coverage in place. You are a seasoned driver. Therefore, you may not need as much liability coverage. However, a teenage child has not had a lot of experience. They may cause more damage if they get into an accident. To avoid paying too much out of pocket, it may be a good idea to boost coverage limits on your policy.

Some parents wonder whether they should add a child to their own auto insurance or make the child get it on their own. Generally, it is more affordable to add them to your policy as opposed to them getting their own. This is because you will get multi-driver discounts. Plus, they benefit from you being a safe driver. Otherwise, they could end up spending a small fortune on insurance because they are identified as the new driver and, therefore, carry a lot more risk with them.

The best thing that you can do is to protect your teenager in Amarillo, TX. As soon as they have a learner’s permit, contact us at West Texas Insurance Agency. One of our independent insurance agents can take you through the process of adding a teenage child to your auto insurance policy.

 

3 Tips for Keeping Your Homeowners Policy Affordable

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The agents of West Texas Insurance Agency serve residents who live in or near the Amarillo, TX area. Their ultimate goal is to help their clients get the best rates possible for the insurance policies they purchase. There are several ways to cut monthly costs without lowering your coverage. A few of the most common ways to save money include the following.

Home Security System

Installing a home security system may make you eligible for discounts in terms of your homeowner’s policy. This is especially true if the system sends alerts to a third-party monitoring center. While there are several different brands of home security systems, most are recognized by insurance agencies for the benefits they offer to consumers.

Raise Your Deductibles

Raising your deductibles is one of the quickest ways to lower your monthly insurance payments. By agreeing to maintain a higher level of financial responsibility, your insurance premiums will start to decrease. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium.

Bundle All of Your Policies

Another way of saving money on monthly insurance costs is to bundle your policies. Bundling your home, auto, and boat/motorcycle insurance in one policy can lower your monthly premiums dramatically. By having all of your policies with one company, you can pay one premium to cover them all. No more multiple payments or mixed up billing dates.

Everyone wants to learn how to save money, especially when it comes to insurance policies. If you live in the Amarillo, TX area and have questions about your homeowner’s policy, call the agents at West Texas Insurance Agency. They can review your existing policy and make sure you have the best coverage possible at an affordable cost.

Servicing States

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • New Mexico