How to Prepare Your Home for Spring Weather

While you cannot prevent all damage from occurring to your home, you can prepare and care for your home, and that can minimize damage. Here at Thompson Insurance Services, providing home insurance to residents in the greater Highland Village, TX area, we want to help homeowners find simple ways to prepare their homes for the upcoming spring season. Here are a few tips that can help. 

Get Your Roof Inspected

Spring weather often brings rain to the area. As such, you should always have your roof inspected prior to spring arriving. Get repairs made to help prevent further roof damage or roof leaks. 

Clean Your Sidewalks and Surfaces

Another thing that you should do to help prepare your home for spring weather is to clean your sidewalks and surfaces, such as patios, decks and driveway. Your surfaces and walkways can get slippery due to car fluids or organic plant growth, such as algae. Cleaning the surfaces helps prevent slips and falls, especially if it sprinkles or rains, making your surfaces even more slippery. 

Check For Damage to Your Siding

Lastly, you should always take the time to check your siding for damage after the winter months. You want to look for signs of cracks, holes, peeling, bubbling, or missing siding materials. Damaged siding materials need to be repaired or replaced to help prevent more extensive damage, such as water issues or pest damage, from happening. 

Home insurance is essential, as it helps cover some types of damage and losses that occur to your home and around it. If you are purchasing a new home and need a home insurance policy or are looking for a new home insurance provider in the greater Highland Village, TX region, Thompson Insurance Services would love to help you with your home insurance needs. Call us now, and let’s work together to find you the best insurance policy. 

Home insurance will Protect Your Most Valuable Asset

Is your most valuable asset protected? Do you live in or near the Highland Village, TX area? If so, see the professionals at Thompson Insurance Services to get the homeowners insurance you need.

One of the essential things about homeowners’ insurance is the level of coverage. The most common level of coverage is HO-2, which is a broad policy that protects against 16 different perils as outlined in the policy.

In the event of a total loss, insurance provides the primary source of funds to rebuild your home. It provides liability coverage for legal actions resulting from damage or injury to another person.

Homeowners’ insurance protects against many different perils. The most common causes of claims are theft, wind, weather-related and non-weather-related water damage, and hail. These five causes account for 77% of all homeowners’ insurance claims.

You will need enough coverage to cover the cost of rebuilding the home if it is destroyed. It would be best if you had personal property coverage limits of at least 50% of your dwelling coverage amount. If you take an accounting of all the personal property inside your home, you will be surprised when you figure out how much it is worth. Ensure your liability limit is at least high enough to cover all assets.

Some things you should know about a homeowners’ insurance policy:

  • Understand any exclusions in coverage, such as earthquakes or floods
  • Any dollar limitations on claims
  • Know the replacement cost and the actual cash value
  • Understand the liability coverage

Even if you are one of the fortunate homeowners who live mortgage-free, you should still purchase this protection. In the event of a lawsuit, it will protect your equity and enable you to keep your home.

If you want a no-obligation quote, contact Thompson Insurance Services today. You will be glad you did.

What every new homeowner needs to know about home insurance

Purchasing your first home is exciting. It can also be terrifying; so many things can go wrong. At Thompson Insurance Services in Highland Village, TX, we are here to help new homeowners get the home insurance coverage they need for their particular home and their circumstances. As independent agents, we offer our customers more choices and personalized service. 

Home insurance can be customized.

Home insurance is not one size fits all. You have options. You determine how much liability coverage makes you feel protected. You choose the deductible that makes sense to you. You select the type of content coverage that you want, replacement cost, or actual value. 

Home insurance doesn’t cover everything.

You may feel that you and your home are safe when you have a good home insurance policy. No matter how good your policy is, it doesn’t cover everything. You are not protected against floods, earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, termites, mold, and sewer backup. Owner neglect is also not covered. 

Your policy has limits. 

No matter which type of content coverage you choose, certain categories have limits. You need an endorsement to raise the limit if you have lots of jewelry. If you have art or antiques, you need to add an endorsement. Electronics do not have unlimited coverage. Read your policy carefully to make sure you have enough coverage. 

Not all dogs are covered.

Some breeds of dogs are considered so dangerous that home insurance won’t cover them for liability. Check with your insurance agent to ensure your breed is covered if you have a dog. 

Contact Thompson Insurance Services in Highland Village, TX if you have questions about home insurance, whether you are a new homeowner or would like to have your current policy reviewed. 

What To Do When Your Friend Is Hurt In Your Apartment

Apartment living in Highland Village, TX is an exciting experience. You finally have your place to settle in and invite friends over. However, it also means you’re responsible for the well-being of your guests. Read on to learn how renters insurance from Thompson Insurance Services helps you when a friend is injured in your apartment.

Understanding Liability

When it comes to insurance, liability covers the legal responsibility you have when an individual is injured on your property. If you are sued for an injury, you will want proper insurance to protect yourself. Even though you may think your friend would never sue you, it is best to be prepared. If you are sued for an injury, you will want proper insurance to protect yourself.

How Renters Insurance Liability Helps

If you cause an accident and receive a ticket, for example, and your renter’s insurance covers the cost, it will be paid from your coverage. In the case of an accident, having renter’s insurance can help protect you from significant financial losses.

Renters’ insurance liability coverage typically covers the following costs:

  • Medical bills
  • Repair bills
  • Damage to the property

Conclusion

Renters’ insurance is an essential responsibility of living in an apartment. It covers your property and liability when someone is injured in your apartment. It provides you with legal and medical coverage to help pay for damages you may have caused. It’s a convenient way to prepare for any situation, whether in your apartment or when you’re giving a friend or family member shelter.

If you’re a Highland Village, TX resident interested in learning more about renters insurance, contact Thompson Insurance Services today!

Protect your family home with a comprehensive policy

Thompson Insurance Services is here to help you protect your Highland Village, TX area home. We know how important family homes are, and we want you to have the right insurance for yours. Let us help you find the insurance solutions for your life.

Benefits of a comprehensive homeowner’s policy

When it comes to financial investments, our homes are probably the largest purchase we will make in our lifetimes. Because of this, it only makes sense to protect your investment. Whether your family home has been the same for decades, or you are getting to move into a new house, it’s crucial to have the right insurance policy providing protection.

Today’s home market continues to fluctuate, and that is another reason why it’s essential to make sure that your policy meets your needs. Please don’t wait until it’s too late to find out that you don’t have the coverage you need. When renewing your policy, be sure to give it a careful review. Your insurance needs may have changed since the last time you took a close look at your policy.

A comprehensive policy will meet your needs and protect you from a wide range of losses. If you want to make sure that your family home is protected now and into the future, please confirm that your home policy meets those needs. Having the right policy protecting your home can give you a lot of peace of mind. 

Give us a call today!

Thompson Insurance Services welcomes the opportunity to work with the Highland Village, TX community. If you need to have your home insurance reviewed for completeness, or you are in the process of buying your first home, give us a call today.

Why Home Insurance is Valuable in Texas

If you recently purchased a home in the great state of Texas, congratulations! Owning a home anywhere is a major life accomplishment, but life in Texas is special. If you are in the process of shopping around for home insurance in the Highland Village, TX area, keep reading. Thompson Insurance Services is here to help you discover a policy that suits your lifestyle and needs. 

Home insurance covers your house itself and the property. Dwelling protection covers the physical structure of your home. There’s also personal property coverage, which protects all your belongings within your home. Liability protection covers you if someone is injured in your home or property. 

While Texas law does not require you to have home insurance, the lender who secured your loan most likely does. Lenders need to know that their investment is protected, which is why they require home insurance. 

There are many reasons why protecting your home with insurance is the best possible choice you can make for your most significant investment. The home you live in with your family should be protected in any event, no matter how small. 

You certainly won’t regret having insurance when it comes to storm or fire damage, theft, or any other situation out of your control. 

The team at Thompson Insurance Services is here to help. If it’s time to renew your policy or start from square one, our agents can advise you on what policies fit your lifestyle and offer the most coverage. If you’re in the Highland Village, TX area, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

3 Reasons to Review Your Texas Homeowner’s Policy

Ideally, you should review your home owner’s policy annually to ensure you have the best price and appropriate coverage. There are other times you may want to check in with your agent to see if you need to make changes. 

Your home value increased.

Whether by market value or recent improvements, if your home value has increased notably over the value the policy was written for, you want to be sure that a claim made on that policy will be enough to replace your home. Otherwise, if your home is damaged, you’ll wind up paying for the gap out of pocket. 

Additionally, if you add features like a pool, hot tub, trampoline, or backyard play equipment, you might want to boost your liability coverage if someone is injured. 

Your family expanded.

With new bodies comes new items. Anytime you have a significant increase in personal property, you’ll want to update your home inventory and discuss your policy limits with your agent to ensure you are adequately covered. A good time to do this is when you bring a new baby home or merge households. New people increase the number of electronics and valuables in the house and increase your potential liabilities. 

You might also want to check with your agent before purchasing a new pooch. Some insurers have breed restrictions, and which breeds are restricted can vary between providers, so it’s worth checking in to make sure you have liability protection. 

You’ve added security. 

Alarm systems and home monitoring systems have never been so accessible and affordable for consumers. If you are one of the many looking to increase your property’s security, reach out to your agent to determine if the system you are considering might result in a discounted premium. 

In Highland Village, TX, homeowners looking to get the most out of their insurance policy should call or visit Thompson Insurance Services today.

2 Surprising Moments to Review Your Home Insurance

There are obvious times to review your home owner’s insurance. Here are a few surprising things that can impact your policy and its premiums in Highland Village, TX. 

Wood and Pellet Stoves

  • If you are considering installing or removing one, reach out to your insurance agent to discuss the impact it will have on your premiums. Homes that contain either type of stove are more at risk of fire damage, which can increase the cost of your policy. They may also require professional installation. If you are determined to have the crackle of a fire no matter the price, remember these three tips to reduce your household risk: 
  • Have your fireplace inspected annually to determine maintenance issues and clean the chimney once a year to prevent residue build-up. 
  • Keep rugs, drapes, and other flammables away from your fireplace. Keep a screen up to keep sparks and ash inside of the fireplace and not on your floors.
  • Use seasoned, properly dry hardwood. It will burn longer and cleaner, producing less soot. 

Man’s Best Friend

Dogs are great companions, but they can impact your insurance premiums. Texas homeowner’s policies will typically extend liability protection in the event the family dog bites a visitor. However, it’s important to note that many providers have breed restrictions. If you are in the market for a new dog, review your provider’s restricted breed list. However, know that not all insurers use the same list, and some insurers don’t look at breed at all. So if you have your heart set on a specific puppy, it’s worth shopping around. 

If you are ready to review your policy to ensure your coverage meets your needs, call or stop by Thompson Insurance Services today.  

4 Areas Covered by Home Insurance

Whether you are in the process of purchasing a new home or you already have a home in Highland Village, TX, investing in homeowner’s insurance from Thompson Insurance Services should not be an option if you want peace of mind. And that’s not all. Home insurance protects you in many other ways. Here are some areas covered by home insurance

Dwelling protection

One of the things that your homeowner’s insurance protects is the physical structure of your home. Home insurance covers your building’s walls, house foundation, roof, and so forth. Also, structures linked to your home are covered at an additional premium. 

Personal property coverage

Other than protecting your home, homeowners insurance also shields the content inside your home. Home insurance covers personal assets, including furniture, electronics, appliances, and clothing. Besides, high-value items like art and jewelry are covered, although up to a specific limit. 

Liability protection

If someone who is not a member of your family comes to your home and suffers bodily injuries, your homeowner’s insurance should cover their treatment or hospitalization costs. Similarly, home insurance covers property damage that you or your family members may cause to other people. 

Loss of use coverage

When you least expect it, an event can occur and render you homeless. For example, a fire accident can consume your entire house, leaving you without a home. When this happens, you have no other better option than to look for a temporary living place, incurring unexpected costs in the process. 

Thankfully, with a home insurance policy, the relocation process will be a breeze as it facilitates costs exceeding your day-to-day expenses. 

Buy home insurance in Highland Village, TX

Now that you have a clear understanding of what homeowners insurance covers, why not buy it today? It’s simple — you only need to contact Thompson Insurance Services and get covered today!

Do All Highland Village Homeowners Need Home Insurance?

Buying a home calls for a huge investment. As such, you need to protect your home with homeowners insurance. At Thompson Insurance Services located in Highland Village, TX, we often receive several questions about whether home insurance is mandatory in Texas. If your home is financed by a mortgage, your lender is legally allowed to ensure you have home insurance as long as the loan payment is pending.

Types of home insurance coverages available for Texas residents

Whereas the law doesn’t require you to have homeowners insurance, this coverage provides the below protection.

Dwelling coverage: Provides coverage to the structure of your home, including ceiling, roof, walls, floors, and other attachments to your house. As a perils’ policy, it protects your home against the below: 

  • Riots
  • Fire and lightning
  • Falling objects like aircraft
  • Volcanic eruptions
  • Theft
  • Vandalism

Given its limited coverage, you may have to look out for other home insurance options for optimal coverage.

Contents coverage: Covers for personal belongings such as electronics and furniture against fire, vandalism, and theft.

Liability insurance: Provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for incidences that you are legally liable. It covers medical expenses, lawsuits, and property damages that you might have caused.

Outbuildings: Protects structures like sheds, garages, and gazebos, which aren’t permanently attached to your house.

Medical payments: If a person gets injured while within your property, this policy can cover the medical costs.

Flood insurance: Most homeowners have a misconception that home insurance protects them from flood damage. This notion isn’t true. For flood damage protection, you have to purchase separate flood insurance. 

Home insurance for Highland Village, TX residents

While Texas homeowners aren’t required to carry home insurance by the law, it’s super critical to purchase home insurance to protect your invaluable asset. If you are a Highland Village, TX resident and its environs, contact Thompson Insurance Services for your home insurance needs. We offer custom-tailored home insurance policies to meet your needs.