Are you a first-time home buyer? If so, you may wonder what type of home insurance is best for you. While the answer to that question will vary depending on your specific situation, some general tips can help you get started.

1. Don’t Skimp on Coverage

You don’t want to skimp on coverage when it comes to home insurance. After all, your home is likely one of your most significant investments. Ensure you have enough coverage to protect your investment in a fire, severe weather, or other disasters. This way, you can rest assured knowing your home is adequately protected.

2. Consider Replacement Cost Coverage

In addition to basic home insurance coverage, you may also want to consider replacement cost coverage. This coverage will help you replace your home, if destroyed, up to your policy’s limit.

3. Choose a Reputable Insurance Company

Choosing a reputable insurance company is important when selecting a home insurance policy. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the coverage you need at a price you can afford. Be sure to research and compare different insurance companies before making a decision.

4. Review Your Policy Regularly

Once you have a home insurance policy, you must review it regularly. This way, you can make sure the coverage still meets your needs. As your situation changes, so too may your insurance needs.

5. Understand Your Deductible

Your home insurance policy will have a deductible, which is the amount you’ll need to pay out of pocket in case of a claim. Be sure to choose a deductible you can afford if you need to file a claim.

Get Home Insurance in Amarillo, TX

If you’re a first-time home buyer, choosing the right home insurance policy is important. West Texas Insurance Agency can help you find the coverage you need at a price you can afford. Contact us today for a free quote.

Getting home insurance for your home is a wise move. However, it’s critical that you choose the right policy for your needs. A home insurance policy that works for another homeowner might not work for you. Here’s how to pick the right home insurance policy for you.

1. Determine Your Priority Home Insurance Coverages

As a resident of Amarillo, TX, several home insurance coverages are available to you besides the typical dwelling, and you need to determine your priority coverages. If you have a guest house, tool shade, fence, or other structures in your home, you will need other structure coverage on top of your basic dwelling coverage. Liability coverage should also be a priority if you typically host parties or have many guests in your home. You can also get loss-of-use coverage, which reimburses the extra living and storage expenses you incur if you have to live elsewhere when your home is being renovated or rebuilt after an incident. At West Texas Insurance Agency, we suggest you pick a home insurance policy with all your priority coverages.

2. Pick the Mode of Reimbursement That Works for You Best

Home insurance policies are available with two reimbursement modes, cash value and replacement cost. A cash value policy will settle your claim based on the actual value of your assets and items with depreciation considered. For example, if your 10-year-old television is destroyed, you will get compensated what the television was worth after considering ten years of depreciation. On the other hand, a replacement cost home policy will replace your items and assets with new ones. Most homeowners in Amarillo, TX, go for the replacement cost home policy because it enables them to maintain their standard of living. However, it’s costlier than a cash value home policy.

Are you an Amarillo, TX, resident looking for home insurance? Contact West Texas Insurance Agency for the best home insurance deal.

In the world of insurance, home insurance is one of the most important coverages you will ever invest in. This policy protects your most valuable asset when the unexpected strikes. But what exactly does home insurance from West Texas Insurance Agency cover? When you buy home insurance for your Amarillo, TX home, it covers the below key areas.

Covers the structure

Protecting the building is one of the most common reasons why most homeowners buy home insurance. Home insurance covers your dwelling’s foundation, walls, roofs, electrical and plumbing system, etc., from perils listed in your policy. However, remember that the land upon which the building sits isn’t covered by home insurance.

Protects the personal assets

Home insurance covers the dwelling and protects the contents inside the dwelling. Home insurance covers personal property, including electronics, furniture, clothing, appliances, and so on. However, home insurance provides limited protection for high-value items like fur and jewelry, but you can purchase riders or add-ons for optimal protection.

Provides liability protection

One of the most critical components of home insurance is liability coverage. When third parties accuse you of bodily injury and property damage, the ensuing costs can quickly stack up. Worse yet, if sued, the liability costs can be too costly for your pocket. However, liability claims aren’t much of a headache if you have home insurance.

Covers additional living expenses

Suppose a peril like fire or any other listed in policy makes your home unlivable. As a result, you may have to look for a temporary shelter as your home undergoes repairs. The temporal shelter may include a hotel, which results in incurring costs like accommodation, food, laundry — something you hadn’t planned for. Luckily, home insurance covers “loss of use” expenses until your home becomes livable again.

Buy home insurance today!

Ready to get started with home insurance? If you are in Amarillo, TX and its environs, please contact West Texas Insurance Agency for a competitive quote.

A home inventory is the first step in purchasing homeowners insurance. This document catalogs your possessions. If you are forced to make a claim, a home inventory will speed up the process and help increase your pay out.

That’s why West Texas Insurance Agency encourages its clients to start here. Serving Amarillo, TX, these professionals share seven steps for creating a comprehensive home inventory.

Organize by room or area

Break down your home into sections. Avoid getting overwhelmed by starting with smaller areas. Find a process that makes the most sense for you.

Record basic information

Write down descriptions of each item. At a minimum, this includes purchase dates and approximate prices. Jot down the makes, models, and serial numbers of electronics and appliances as well.

Group similar items

There’s no need to list everything individually. Lump low-cost goods, like clothes, together. Assign a total value for the entire group.

Take pictures and video

It pays to have some visuals. These will speed up any claims. In addition to being a reminder of what you own, these pictures and video document belongings before they’ve been damaged.

List expensive items separately

Jewelry, collectibles, and other high-end items often require additional coverage. Make a note of these items and then consult an agent.

Incorporate technology

Work smarter, not harder. Home inventory apps, like Sortly or Nest Egg, make this process easier. Users can organize info, scan barcodes, and upload images.

Update often

Review your inventory regularly. While it’s great to keep digital records, print out hard copies as a backup. Store these somewhere other than your home just in case.

Contact an agent serving Amarillo, TX

After completing your home inventory, reach out to West Texas Insurance Agency. Using this information, these agents will find a personalized homeowners policy that’s right for you.

West Texas Insurance Agency assists the Amarillo, TX community, as well as the surrounding areas. For over 15 years, we have strived to help our clients find coverage to meet any need. We treat our clients like family, and we hope to establish a long-term relationship with you.

How Water Damage Impacts Home Insurance

Your Amarillo, TX home is your personal sanctuary. Home insurance helps you protect your most valuable asset. You are covered if your home suffers significant damage due to inclement weather or an accidental fire. All of your personal items inside the home are covered if they are stolen. However, you may need to add extra coverage if you have luxury items such as paintings or fur. That is the only way to fully cover those items. Liability coverage protects you if a guest is injured while visiting your property or if you damage your neighbor’s property.

Generally, your home insurance covers water damage to your property. You are protected if there is an accidental leak due to a burst pipe. However, it’s important that you take care of your property. You are not protected if your home’s issues are caused due to poor maintenance. You may also be left unprotected if your home is damaged due to a leaky drain or sewage backup. You can add flood insurance to protect your home against issues created by overflowing rivers, lakes, and oceans. Research your policy carefully to see which water damage is covered and potential areas where you may be left unprotected.

West Texas Insurance Agency Will Help You Protect Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about home insurance.

There is satisfaction in owning a home and unexplainable freedom if it’s the right one. But buying and owning a home also means purchasing homeowners insurance to protect your family and belongings. While in Amarillo, TX, the law doesn’t require you to have home insurance, it still serves your interest to have a policy. As West Texas Insurance Agency, we will guide you on useful insurance tips to consider as homeowners.

Research and Get the Facts

Gather relevant information when you find a home to determine its potential insurance requirements and costs. With the plumbing, electrical, landscaping, construction, and other maintenance costs, it is easier to affect your premiums. It is important to review and get facts about the costs before settling for a home insurance policy.

Know Your Limit

It is easier to go over your premium limits than it is to get underinsured as a homeowner. It is essential to understand your premium limits and what they will cover before buying a policy. Let your home’s market value reflect the potential amount you can get in coverage and monthly premiums to pay.

Work Towards Complete Coverage

Most home insurance policies only cover your home’s structure and part of your personal belongings. This is, however, not satisfaction in a home with kids and seniors. As a new homeowner in Amarillo, TX, you should work towards complete coverage for better results.

Seek to Protect Your Financial Assets

Did you know a home insurance policy could go a long way into covering your financial wellbeing? The focus should be on repairing and replacing your property and also on your financial assets through liability coverage.

Secure and Keep Your Records Current

Accidents, emergencies, or the unthinkable can occur, and the only option can be filing a major insurance claim. As a homeowner, ensure you have up-to-date records of everything in your house, including its structural condition. This is vital as it will, in the long run, affect the relevance of the policy you have.

The information you have about home insurance can affect the decisions you make. For professional guidance and more helpful tips, contact West Texas Insurance Agency today and meet your goals.

When getting a homeowner’s insurance cover, you’d want to know what it entails. The question of whether the insurance covers pet damage is common among homeowners. If you insure your home with West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, you’ll get insights into what the insurance covers regarding pet damage. 

Keep reading to know more about homeowner’s insurance and pet damage. 

The Type of Pet Damage Covered by Your Insurance 

Your insurance won’t pay for damages that your pet cause in your home. The insurer considers the policyholder as responsible for what the pet does. If your dog breaks your new iPhone, or when a kitty scratches your walls, you’ll be accountable for the damage. 

The policy doesn’t also cover any veterinarian visits. Your vet bills are your responsibility.  

There are instances where the home insurance comes through with pet damage. 

Property Damage Liability 

If your fluffy puppy destroys your neighbor’s property, the homeowner’s policy can cover the damage. The insurance policy will cover any fee needed for repairs or replacement. It further provides fees if you face a lawsuit. 

Bodily Injury Liability 

Homeowner’s insurance can cover injuries that your pet cause on other people. The insurance will compensate for the fees you have used on medical payments. It further covers any legal expenses related to the incidence. 

It is crucial to talk to your insurance company to be clear on pet damage. You can request the information to understand the extent of pet damage that the insurer will be liable for. With the right details, you’ll be in a better place to establish the ideal premiums. 

At West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, our incredible customer service team will provide you with insights on home insurance and what it covers. Get in touch to know more about homeowner’s insurance and pet damage. 

Home insurance is mandatory in Amarillo, TX in order to get a mortgage. Even if you own your home outright, it’s still a smart idea to have home insurance. Why? At West Texas Insurance Agency, we’ve put together a short list to answer this question. Read on to learn about three scenarios where you’d need home insurance or be out of luck. 

1. Injury on Your Property

You have a holiday party and invite friends and family, who bring their own friends. One of those friends slips and falls on your bathroom floor and bonks their head on the sink, getting a minor head injury. They, in turn, decide to sue you. Home insurance will help cover the cost of litigation. Otherwise, you’re left paying lawyer fees and court fees out of pocket. 

2. Fire

No one ever expects their house to catch on fire, but it does happen. That’s why you should have a plan in place just in case a fire were to break out. Make sure all your family members have memorized the escape plan and practice it until you get it perfect. If your home were to catch on fire, you can have peace of mind knowing that an insurance claim will help recoup the financial loss and put you up in a hotel. 

3. Theft

You may do all you can to prevent theft of your home, but it can still happen. If your home is burglarized, you’ll need home insurance to help you recover your losses. Typically, there is a deductible for this type of coverage, but once the deductible is met, your policy reimburses you for the rest.

To learn more about purchasing a home insurance policy, contact the team at West Texas Insurance Agency, serving the Amarillo, TX area. 

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.

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.