West Texas Insurance Agency

3702 Mockingbird Ln
Amarillo, TX 79109

What Perils Can Commercial Insurance Cover?

Texas does not require any commercial insurance for Amarillo, TX entrepreneurs, even workman’s comp, but it is a good investment for business owners. Below are some common perils that can be included, and your West Texas Insurance Agency representative can give more specific details as to what would be covered. 

General liability insurance will often protect you if you are responsible for property damage due to your services. This can extend to situations where the harm you cause to others is in the form of advertising. Your wording could have been misleading due to a miscommunication, or it may have been due to a typo or an omission. 

You could also have caused injuries that resulted in medical expenses and lost wages. Sometimes you can be sued to reach a reasonable outcome as well. This can happen either through faulty products or on your premises. If, for example, a customer trips on improperly secured flooring, you can be held financially liable. Other common perils are mistakes that your employees cause, such as destroying a client’s home by failing to perform a job adequately.

Your partners can benefit when you obtain various commercial insurance policies, as their interests will often be considered. It can help you maintain a good reputation in your professional community, as issues will be resolved quickly and professionally. 

West Texas Insurance Agency Can Help You 

We can put together an individualized insurance package to meet your needs and invite business owners in the Amarillo, TX area to reach out to us. We are available to speak to you by phone; you can visit our website or stop by the office for more details. 

Protect Your Most Valuable Asset with Homeowners Insurance

Is your home the most valuable thing you own? Do you live in or near the Amarillo, TX area? If so, the West Texas Insurance Agency professionals can provide the protection your home needs.

Most of us will never have an asset as valuable as our home. What would happen if it was destroyed by nasty weather? Or if a visitor to your home was injured or bitten by your dog? A financially devastating lawsuit could be the result.

Homeowners insurance protects a private residence, which covers losses of personal property, the loss of use, and liability insurance for injuries that could occur on your property.

Homeowners insurance coverage protects the equity that has accumulated on your property. Equity is the difference between what you owe and the property’s value. As you make improvements to the property, the equity in your property increases.

Not all events are covered by homeowners insurance, however. Some of these exclusions are:

  • Acts of war
  • Earthquakes
  • Floods
  • Infestations, including termites
  • Mold
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Sewer backup
  • Water damage

You may wonder why you need homeowners insurance coverage for your home if it is mortgage-free. As the most valuable asset you have, it needs protection. If a covered event happens and you do not have this coverage, you risk losing your home.

If a visitor happens to get injured on your property and a lawsuit ensues, whatever the cash settlement of the claim is, you will pay out of pocket. Homeowners’ insurance will prevent that.

Don’t risk losing this valuable asset. The protection it provides is far more valuable than the small cost you will pay for this coverage.

Let the professionals at West Texas Insurance Agency answer any questions you may have or provide you with a quote for this coverage. Contact our office today. You will be glad you did.

Required Auto Insurance in Texas

When you are a driver in Texas, certain auto coverage is required for you by law. If you own a vehicle, you are required to have this insurance for it so that you and others on the road have some financial protection in case of an accident. When you have an auto policy in Texas, there are certain types of coverage that have to be included in it. To make sure that you have the insurance that you’re required to have, call us at West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX to get started. 

Required Liability Coverage

The state requires two types of liability coverage, and these are broken up into three different coverage amounts. The bodily injury coverage pays for the medical bills of third parties who are injured in an accident when you are at fault for the accident. There are two amounts of this required by law. One amount is for everyone who was injured, and the other is for just one injured person. In addition to bodily injury, there is another liability type required. Property damage liability pays the other party for their property damage, such as repairs needed to their vehicle. 

Other Protection

Another type of coverage comes with Texas auto insurance unless you waive it in writing. This is called personal injury protection. This helps to pay for your own medical bills after an accident. There are other types of coverage that you can get as well that aren’t required, such as collision insurance. This pays for your vehicle’s damage from an accident. 

Protect Yourself and Stay Legal

To get the vital auto insurance you need, call us at West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX to get started.

When Should I Update My Commercial Insurance Policy?

Running a business can take much of your time, and matters like insurance may fall by the wayside. With your to-do list filled to the brim, updating your commercial insurance policy may easily be put on the back banner. At West Texas Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX, we advise business owners to update their policies yearly. This ensures you pay the right amount of premiums and that your current insurance needs are taken care of.

However, sometimes you don’t have to wait for a year to lapse to update your policy. Talk to your business insurance agent when the below occurs:

  • Changes in the workforce: When you increase or decrease the number of your employees, inform your insurer. The workforce size is a significant factor when computing your worker’s comp insurance, so ensure your policy is adjusted when hiring or firing employees.
  • Changes in your assets: Have you disposed of your old computers or machinery due to technology changes? Have you added new equipment to support your new line of business? Either way, you should update your business insurance policy to reflect the assets in your possession.
  • New business line: If you have introduced new products or services, you are exposed to new risks. To protect your business, ensure the changes are reflected in your policy.
  • Increased business revenue: When your income grows, your business has more to lose when faced with liability claims. It also means you stand to lose more when your business is disrupted. Talk to your insurer to provide coverage matching your current revenue.

Would you like to upgrade your commercial insurance in Amarillo, TX? Please talk to West Texas Insurance Agency today. Our skilled agents will help you protect your business.

Home Insurance Tips for First Time Buyers

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.

Auto Insurance and Coverage Options in Texas

When it comes to auto insurance as a driver in the state of Texas, the agents at West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX want you to have an insurance policy in place to protect yourself from hefty fines and even jail time. This is because Texas requires that all drivers have a minimum amount of auto liability insurance to drive a motor vehicle legally. This type of insurance will help cover any damage you cause in an accident to someone else’s property, as well as any injuries sustained by anyone involved in the crash. Besides this type of required insurance, you may be interested in obtaining other types of auto insurance coverage options.

Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This type of insurance is excellent if someone slams into your vehicle, causing you to become injured or causing significant damage to your vehicle. This will help pick up the slack if the driver who caused the accident does not have any insurance or does not have a very good policy and place to cover everything it needs to.

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

Comprehensive and collision insurance coverage options may be required for you to have in your auto insurance policy if you still owe a loan for your vehicle. Even if you don’t, they’re both excellent coverage options to include.

Comprehensive coverage will help pay for any damage your car sustains if there is a natural disaster, a fire, or an act of vandalism. It will also replace your vehicle if it is stolen.

Collision insurance will help pay for damage to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or even a stationary object.

Contact Us

to create an auto insurance policy with adequate coverage, contact the very knowledgeable and experienced auto insurance agents at West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX today!

How To Choose The Right Home Insurance For You

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.

Is it time to review your commercial policy?

West Texas Insurance Agency is here for business owners in Amarillo, TX. If you have been in business for a while, it may be time to review your commercial insurance policy. We recommend that our clients review their policies at least once a year to ensure that there aren’t any gaps in their coverage. If you are looking for a partner to help you with all of your insurance needs, call our office today to set up a meeting.

We can help you review your commercial insurance policy

When it comes to commercial insurance, it’s vital that your policy keeps up with your business needs. As time goes by and your company grows and changes, your commercial insurance needs will too. It’s all too easy to renew the same policy every time without taking a close look to ensure that it still meets your needs.

A company’s insurance needs can change as it increases the level of inventory it holds, adds another vehicle to the fleet, or even if they’ve increased production to meet higher demand. Commercial insurance needs aren’t stagnant, so it’s essential to ensure that your policy keeps up with the changes.

When you sit down to review your policy, make sure that you have the liability protection you need and take a close look at your current policy limits. Be sure that you have the right amount of coverage too.

Let’s get started!

Amarillo, TX area business owners can count on the West Texas Insurance Agency team for all of their commercial insurance needs. If it’s time to review your current policy, or you need to make some changes or adjustments, give our office a call today.

Is commercial insurance required in Texas?

When it comes to owning a small business, you’ll want to be sure that you stay abreast of any changes to state law that impact the type of insurance you are required to have. In Texas, businesses are only required to have one type of insurance – commercial auto. Any business-owned vehicle is required to have commercial auto insurance with at least minimum liability coverage. Unlike many other states, Texas does not require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance, which helps pay for the medical bills and lost wages from missing work associated with an injury or illness sustained on the job. Although Texas does not require workers’ compensation insurance, you’ll likely want to make the investment and have a policy. If you don’t and an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their job, you’ll be on the hook for all their medical bills, which could quickly bankrupt a company. 

In addition to commercial auto insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX can assist in educating you on additional policies that may provide extra peace of mind for you and your business. For example, cyber liability insurance helps companies recover from costly cyber attacks by providing coverage to pay for regulatory fines, customer notifications, and ransom extortion payments.

For more information on commercial insurance, reach out to the friendly and knowledgeable team at the West Texas Insurance Agency. We’ll take time to learn about your business so that we can recommend a personalized insurance policy that best protects your business while staying within budget. Give us a call today or stop by our office in Amarillo, TX to learn more. 

 

How to Avoid an Auto Accident

When you need your auto insurance you could select the West Texas Insurance Agency servicing Amarillo, TX, to find your best rate and coverage for yourself and your family. To get your best rate, try to not have any automobile collisions. Be certain to be aware of your surroundings when driving because avoiding a car accident is usually something we could plan a little. Remember to drive slower when there is an unusual problem or something different, like the weather or some other vehicle driving different than usual or even some item in the road. Sometimes drivers ignore these differences and maybe would not see the problem early enough. You would need to drive like they are going to collide with your vehicle to drive your best and defensively.

One way to avoid a collision is to stay back from the other vehicle in front of you. This is a very common cause of vehicle accidents, the short following distance and the hard brake leads to multiple automobile wreckage mistakes. Use your signals for lane changes and turns. This is helpful and courteous, and, also, required. Use your etiquette, too, which will help you notice everything. When you go to an intersection, be certain that it is clear perpendicular to you. Remember to avoid alcohol before you drive. This is easy, usually, and maybe there would be a problem, though, and your driver is not available, after all. Remember to notice this and drive when sober. Maybe you need to remember the one beverage per hour rule and stay away from driving when drinking alcohol, usually.

Your West Texas Insurance Agency servicing Amarillo, TX, will help you with your insurance for collisions that maybe you would not cause because you follow these rules. 

Servicing States

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • New Mexico