West Texas Insurance Agency

3702 Mockingbird Ln
Amarillo, TX 79109

3 Tips for Keeping Your Homeowners Policy Affordable

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.

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance Telematics

Auto insurance telematics are becoming a tool that many insurance companies offer to help you reduce your auto insurance rates. The telematic device tracks your driving, allowing an insurance company to see whether you speed, where you frequently drive, and whether you slam on your brakes often. Here at West Texas Insurance Agency, serving the Amarillo, TX area, we are often asked about telematic devices. Here is some information drivers should know about them. 

Can You Be Required to Use Auto Insurance Telematic Devices?

By law, auto insurance companies cannot require you to use auto insurance telematics devices if you do not want to. However, they can increase your rates if you elect not to use one or offer money-saving incentives to try to get you to use one. 

Should You Use Auto Insurance Telematic Devices?

Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The information that is gleaned from the device may cause your rates to increase or decrease. The insurance company will get an insight into how you drive. If you speed often, using one of these devices may not be ideal for you. However, if you are a safe driver who abides traffic laws, one of these devices may be a good idea for you. There are also privacy concerns with the devices, so ultimately, the decision is up to you. 

There are pros and cons to using auto insurance telematics devices. If you are looking for an insurance policy and want to learn more about these devices in the greater Amarillo, TX area, West Texas Insurance Agency can help you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you. 

How Much Commercial Insurance is Enough?

Having the right amount of commercial insurance coverage to protect your Amarillo, TX business is just as important as having the right type of insurance. Too little coverage can leave your business exposed to unforeseen liabilities while having too much coverage can hurt your business’s bottom line. West Texas Insurance Agency understands the importance of having commercial insurance coverage that matches your business’s varied needs. The following shows how you can assess your coverage needs and give your business the protection it deserves.

Factors That Affect Coverage

The amount of commercial insurance coverage you’ll need for your business depends on a variety of factors:

  • Type of business – Certain industries may require more coverage and higher limits than others due to increased liabilities.
  • Customer base – Knowing who your customers are can give you an idea of your coverage needs.
  • Business location – Where your business is located and how it’s housed can also impact your coverage needs.
  • Number of employees – More employees means higher liability limits for your business.
  • Employee experience – Your coverage needs must account for your employees’ skill sets and experience, from seasoned veterans to brand-new hires.
  • Corporate status – Being a sole proprietor or part of a partnership can also affect your coverage needs.

Keep in mind that your commercial insurance needs aren’t set in stone. As your business changes, so will the amount of coverage it’ll need to stay protected. You can also use insurance endorsements to boost your current coverage and gain protection against a variety of unique and uncommon liabilities.

You can’t predict everything that’ll happen to your Amarillo, TX business, but the above can help you assess how much commercial insurance coverage you’ll need. Don’t forget that the agents at West Texas Insurance Agency can help you choose the right coverage amounts that fit your business. Contact us today to learn more.

3 Questions To Ask Your Broker About Your Home Insurance Policy

What do you talk about with insurance brokers as you shop around for your homeowner’s policy?

Do you have a fruitful conversation about what your coverage might entail, or do you browse around on your own and try to figure out what the best fit for your situation is? If you’re doing business with the West Texas Insurance Agency, your agent will answer any questions you may have. Here are the three most important questions to ask a broker about your home insurance policy.

1. What Exactly Is Covered In The Event Of total Loss?

If tragedy strikes and you are left with nothing regarding your home and possessions, you would hardly be expected to make sense of what your policy will cover as you get back on your feet. This is why it’s crucial to discuss total loss coverage now, while your home is intact and your policy is new or not yet in effect.

A standard homeowner’s policy will cover damage caused by most disasters except earthquakes and flooding. Those two natural disasters are climate and area-specific. Therefore, they’re not included in a general home insurance policy. You should research if you need additional coverage not covered by a general home insurance policy in Amarillo, TX. 

Your total loss coverage depends mostly on your home’s construction as well as your neighborhood. It may also include your possessions inside of the house, generally valued at up to 50 percent of your total coverage. Every policy is different, though, so it’s worth it to ask about the specifics.

2. What’s My Additional Living Expenses Coverage?

If your home is uninhabitable, you’ll have to live somewhere else. Not everyone is lucky enough to have generous loved ones who will let them room at their house free-of-charge, so most home owner’s policies provide additional living expense (ALE) coverage.

It’s worth knowing how much you’ll be reimbursed for hotels, food, and other expenses in this type of emergency. You should also ask about how this reimbursement is distributed by your insurance company. Do you need to provide receipts for every expense, or are you paid out in advance after disaster strikes? Knowing this will help you budget appropriately in case of emergency.

3. Am I Eligible For Discounts?

Depending on some personal factors or features in your home, you might be up for a lucky break. You can get a discount on your home insurance. Your broker won’t know which discounts you’re eligible for unless you mention that you’d like to explore your options.

For instance, you may qualify for a discount if you have a smart home security system installed. There might be discounts based on age, disability, or veteran status as well. You lose nothing by asking this particular question, while you may gain a good bargain by doing so.

Are you ready to talk to a broker in Amarillo, TX? Contact the West Texas Insurance Agency today to get your questions answered.

What are the benefits of auto insurance?

Car accidents occur in Amarillo, TX all the time and they can be very costly. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that your vehicle is fully protected. West Texas Insurance Agency’s auto insurance will protect you against costly medical bills or expenses and hefty fines. Here are some of the benefits of carrying auto insurance.

Protects you from financial liability

Expenses can add up so quickly immediately after an accident, and it is almost impossible to pay for all these expenses or the repairs of your car. In some situations, you can be sued for bodily injury and be required to spend thousands of dollars in the event of a grisly car crash. Your auto insurance will cover the medical costs of the other driver and passengers of the vehicles involved in the crash.

Pays your medical bills

You need medical care after a car accident. Without auto insurance, it will be very expensive for you to pay for all your medical bills and expenses, especially if you sustain serious injuries. While you may think that you will never be involved in an accident, it is better to be prepared for the worst. Instead of waiting for your medical bills to rack up and start begging for contributions from friends and family or liquidating your assets, consider purchasing sufficient auto insurance from West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX.

Some drivers are uninsured or underinsured

While it is a requirement to carry liability insurance to protect yourself in Texas, it is possible to encounter drivers who are uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured or uninsured drivers will not be able to pay your medical bills and other covered losses. But with the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage option, you can still get reimbursed by your insurer.

Before you get behind the wheels or buy a new vehicle, think about auto insurance. If you are looking for the right auto insurance coverage options, contact us today for more information.

 

 

 

Types of Commercial Insurance Available

Commercial insurance requirements are not the same in all states, and names for coverage options vary from one insurance company to the other. Depending on your type of business, West Texas Insurance Agency can offer you some additional specialized coverage options. Here is a list of some of the common types of commercial insurance policies that you should consider.

Property Insurance

The policy covers damages to personal or real property in Amarillo, TX. For example, the policy can pay for fire damage to your business premises. You can also access additional coverages under this policy such as debris removal insurance, island marine insurance, fidelity bonds, tenant’s insurance, and crime insurance.

Liability Insurance

The policy pays for any injuries that you cause to other people. In other words, the policy covers the cost of defending and resolving a personal injury claim that has been filed against your business for injuries or/and property damage. There are other more specialized diversities in liability such as:

The Errors and Omissions Insurance

 This covers inadvertent acts of failures that may end up causing an injury to another person. For example, the policy will cover damages arising from a mistake such as when a notary forgets to fill out a notarization accurately.

Malpractice Insurance

It pays for damages arising from a professional’s failure to provide services according to the standards of care in a particular profession. For example, if a dentist has a slip-up that other dentist in his or her field wouldn’t have made, the malpractice insurance will pay for damages arising from the malpractice. The policy is available for doctors, architects, dentists, and other professionals.

Automobile Insurance

The policy covers cars, vans, and trucks used for business purposes. The automobile insurance policy will protect you if one of your commercial vehicles is stolen, or pay for injuries and property damages caused by one of your drivers.

For more information about these commercial insurance policies, contact our local agents in Amarillo, TX. We, at West Texas Insurance Agency, offer a wide range of commercial insurance policies that will help you protect your business.

 

Protecting Your Home from Amarillo’s Unpredictable Weather

Protecting your home is one of the most important roles that an insurance policy can provide, and with the unpredictable weather that can occur here in the greater Amarillo, TX area, West Texas Insurance Agency is here to make sure that you have the coverage that you need. Your peace of mind can increase when you know that you have comprehensive coverage.

It is Important to Know What is and What is Not Covered by Your Current Homeowners Policy

When you are making the decision about which homeowners policy is right for your needs, there are few factors to take into consideration. In this post, we will focus mainly on weather-related incidents that can cause damage and destruction to your home. In addition to our run-of-the-mill storms, we also need to sometimes be prepared for tornadoes, high winds, heavy rainstorms, and flooding. 

Even when some events are covered, such as a storm, damage caused by subsequent acts of nature, such as flooding, or a tree falling on your house, may not be covered. These gaps in coverage can also pertain to electrical fires started by downed power lines and other similar problems that are sometimes not considered when choosing a home insurance policy. If you are looking to buy a home in the greater Amarillo area, or you just want to make sure that your current policy has the coverage that you need, give us a call today.

Are You Looking for a New Policy, or Need a Review of Your Current Policy? Call or Stop by Today!

Now is the time to make sure that your policy has the coverage that you want and need. Call West Texas Insurance Agency today to learn more about how you can protect your Amarillo, TX home.

Commercial Insurance for Multiple Locations

For many businesses that have commercial operations in more than one location, it may be advantageous to have all the locations covered under a single insurance policy. This works for business locations that have similar operations and similar risk profiles, such as a chain of retail stores or restaurants. If the business locations do very different things, for example, if one location is for administrative work and another location is for manufacturing, then there is a need for separate insurance policies for each location.

Moreover, if a business has locations in different states, they may be insurable by a single carrier only if the insurance company and the insurance agent are licensed to do business in those states.

Contact your agent at West Texas Insurance Agency serving Amarillo, TX and the surrounding area to determine if your business would benefit from having a single insurance policy that covers more than one location.

Commercial Insurance in Texas

Texas does not have a statewide standard for commercial insurance. There is a wide variation between commercial insurance policies from different insurance carriers. Each commercial insurance policy will protect against specific risks. To understand the details of the coverage offered, discuss the insurance policy terms with your agent. You may need more than one policy to cover all the potential risks to a business that may not be covered in basic commercial insurance policies, such as windstorm damage, floods, hurricane risk, and crimes.

Contact us

When evaluating commercial insurance for a business located in Amarillo, TX, be sure to review the coverage details carefully and talk with your agent at West Texas Insurance Agency to find the coverage that is adequate for your needs. Contact us today, while these issues are on your mind, to be sure your business has sufficient coverage for all of its locations.

Can My Home Insurance Claim Be Denied?

Your homeowner’s insurance plan is supposed to relieve you of the financial stress that occurs once your home is damaged by disasters like theft or fire. However, the worst news you can get is finding out that your insurer cannot pay your claims. Disputes between home insurers and customers over claim payments occur for various reasons.

When a claim is denied you will probably learn about it through a letter from the assigned adjuster. This letter explains the reasons why the claim has been denied including the reference section of your plan that supports the decision the insurer has made.

Here are common reasons for home insurance claim denials in Amarillo, TX:

Non-payment of policy premiums

It’s important to keep up with the premium payments. If the premiums are not paid on time, your insurer may use this as an excuse not to pay your claim.

Failing to file on time

You are supposed to notify your insurer of any losses promptly. Remember that there are other time-sensitive requirements for the documentation and filing of any claim.

Questionable claims or false statements

After a disaster has occurred, you can be sure your insurer will send their adjuster to launch an investigation into your claim. In case they find anything that’s questionable or suspicious as far as the claim or original application is concerned, your claim may be denied.

Insufficient proof of damage

It is your responsibility as a property owner to file and prove the claim to your insurer. The insurance provider will not bother proving your claim to themselves. You are required to accurately document all the damages that were done to your property and in a detailed manner. Consider taking photographs and submitting them to prove your case. At West Texas Insurance Agency, we always walk our clients through the claim process to cover any loopholes that may lead to denial.

Property damage claims are time-consuming and can be difficult if you are not familiar with how they are conducted. West Texas Insurance Agency serves the Amarillo, TX area and will help in processing your claims as long as you document your damages appropriately.

 

Why is scheduled maintenance important for auto safety?

Let’s face it. Nothing that can happen to you can be quite as aggravating as getting into your car and not being able to start it or, having started it, finding out something is wrong, such as overheating or transmission trouble. If your car fails while you are on the road, you will find yourself in physical danger until you can get to the side of the road and start waiting for a tow truck.

The West Texas Insurance Agency, serving Amarillo, TX, advises you to take your automobile in for scheduled maintenance as your owner’s manual stipulates. A trained and experienced mechanic will be able to spot potential problems before they affect you on the road and suggest fixes. Scheduled maintenance is also the time when you get the fluids, filters, and belts replaced in your vehicle as needed.

The old adage that, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is especially true for the vehicle that you depend upon to get around. You may find it easier to spend a few hundred dollars to fix a problem before it strands you than to spend several thousands of dollars afterward.

Also, adhering to the scheduled maintenance plan in your owner’s manual is likely a condition for your car’s warranty. Failure to keep your vehicle running as smoothly as possible may void its warranty.

Finally, getting your vehicle maintenanced regularly will increase its resale value when you are ready to trade it in for a newer model. You will be able to present to the buyer proof that you have kept your now used vehicle maintained in peak running condition.

If you have any questions about auto insurance, feel free to contact the West Texas Insurance Agency, serving Amarillo TX. We also offer an online rating tool for quotes from home on auto and home insurance.

 

Servicing States

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • New Mexico