The Importance of Getting Insurance On Both of Your Cars Through the Same Insurance Provider

When you go to buy auto insurance in Dallas, TX, you will, of course, want to shop around for the best coverage you can get at the lowest rate. You will also want to speak with various insurance carriers about the discounts and benefits they provide if you choose to insure more than one vehicle through them at the same time. Here at Thompson Insurance Services, we do all we can to make shopping for auto insurance as easy as possible. We would like to share with you the benefits you may be able to obtain by getting insurance on both of your cars through the same insurance provider. 

You can Possibly get a Discount

Many insurance providers will provide you with some type of multi-car discount if you insure one or more vehicles with them at the same time. Sometimes, this discount can be as much as 10 to 15 percent. The exact amount of the discount will be determined by the carrier you choose to get insurance through. 

You can Afford Better Coverage

When you get a discount for insuring more than one vehicle through the same company, this then gives you the ability to afford more coverage at a lower price than what you would pay if you insured only one vehicle. Say you wanted full coverage on two vehicles, but separately the policies were too expensive. When you bundle them under the same carrier, you may receive a 15% discount, which then makes it possible for you to keep full coverage on them. 

To learn more about the importance of getting insurance on both of your cars through the same insurance provider, please contact Thompson Insurance Services serving the Dallas, TX area.

Is Umbrella Insurance Ever Required by Law?

Sometimes our normal policies do not cover as much as we need them to. In these cases, there are other policies that we can take out that may help make up the difference. These policies are referred to as umbrella policies, and you can benefit from them greatly if need be. For those in the Dallas, TX area, the agents with Thompson Insurance Services can help you determine if an umbrella policy is right for you.

What is an umbrella policy and how can you benefit from it?

An umbrella policy is one that is taken out as supplemental insurance in the case that your basic policy does not cover all that needs to be covered. These are separate policies that can be called upon when need be to help cover expenses that are not taken care of by other policies. This type of insurance is considered a supplemental policy and is therefore never required by law that anyone hold this type of policy.

It may be suggested to you by your insurance agent in some instances but in no circumstance is an umbrella policy ever going to be required by law. For those that want to take out this type of policy, you can take it out as needed and cancel at any time. This is the type of policy that you may need at some times but not at others, and you can take the time to look into this type of policy in cases where it is needed. You are not going to be required at any time to hold an umbrella policy.

For those in the Dallas, TX area, the agents with Thompson Insurance Services can help you find the right policy for you every time.

Why You Need to Purchase Home Insurance

Whenever you take a mortgage to purchase a home in Dallas, TX or elsewhere in DFW, the lender will direct you to buy a home insurance policy to protect their interests. Unfortunately, most of the homeowners who purchase homeowners’ insurance policy from Thompson Insurance Services don’t understand its features and how it can save them in the event of a disaster.

Do not allow the excitement of purchasing a new home be cut short by the numerous unforeseen risks that can put you in a financial crisis. Make sure that you have the right policy to protect your biggest asset. Here is all that you need to know about home insurance.

What Does a Homeowners’ Insurance Policy Cover?

A standard home insurance policy offers coverage for the house structure and other structures that are attached to it such as your car garage, gazebo, or shed. It also covers your personal property such as clothes, furniture, and electrical equipment in case of theft, fire, wind, or hail.

The liability coverage offers protection against lawsuits that may be filed against you if an accident occurs in your home. Your standard home insurance also covers loss of use meaning that if a disaster such as fire happens and your home is rendered uninhabitable, the coverage will cater for things such as hotel costs.

There are Different Types of Home Insurance Policies

The home insurance coverage can either be an HO-3, HO-5, or HO-6 policy. However, the most common type is the HO-3 which offers you coverages against the common disasters that are covered by the policy. It insures personal property against all named perils. The HO-5 covers both your home structure and personal property while the HO-6 policy is meant for condo or co-op owners.

It’s Mandatory

All mortgage companies require you to purchase home insurance for you to access financing. If you don’t have home insurance at the time of closing the deal, the lender will be forced to get one for you through a provider of their choice.

Are you a homeowner in the Dallas, TX area? Contact Thompson Insurance Services today for your home insurance policy needs.

Important Issues to Remember When Purchasing Renters’ Insurance

Most of the tenants who live in apartments tend to assume that their landlord’s insurance will cover their belongings in case a disaster strikes. However, this isn’t the case since a homeowners’ insurance policy doesn’t cover tenants. Renters’ insurance is one of the most valuable and overlooked insurance policies when it comes to financial protection.

If you’re a renter living on a budget trying to save up for your own home, it may be difficult to replace everything that you own in case something happens. Thompson Insurance Services bring you customer-friendly renters’ insurance in the Dallas, TX area. Here are a few things you need to remember when purchasing a renters’ insurance policy.

It Pays for Housing When Your Apartment Is Unlivable

Sometimes, certain events can happen to render your apartment unlivable. Your renters’ policy will always pay for the loss of your apartment. This means that you can be facilitated to live in a hotel or any other place that you consider safe if your apartment is destroyed by a storm, fire, or any other covered natural disaster.

It Protects Your Personal Property

If you have valuables in your apartment, then a standard renters’ policy will safeguard them against theft and damage. It covers your property both onsite and offsite meaning that your personal belongings are still covered even when you’re traveling to other cities or countries. For instance, your provider will compensate you if you leave your laptop in your car and its stolen.

It’s Often Discounted

Most insurance companies in the Dallas, TX area, such as Thompson Insurance Services, often offer discounts on renters’ insurance policies. This can be done if you choose to bundle your coverage from the same provider who carries your auto, life, or any other policy.

Covers Personal Liability and Hospital Bills

A standard renters’ insurance policy will cover costs relating to a claim filed against you when a third party injures himself/herself in your apartment. Your policy will also cover medical bills arising out of such cases.

Contact us today for a renters’ insurance policy and to speak with an agent.

 

Does Auto Insurance Cover an Accident If Your Friend Was Driving?

It may seem like a completely normal thing for your friend to borrow your car if they’re in a jam. But a seemingly simple request can become far more complicated if they’re involved in an accident when they’re driving. Thompson Insurance Services wants you to know a few more facts about this exact scenario for the next time someone asks you for a favor.

Insurance from the Surface

If you named your friend on your auto insurance policy specifically, then they are entitled to all the benefits you enjoy. They can use your car whenever they want, and they’re covered in the event of a collision. In this scenario, the insurance company will have to run your friend’s driving records to put them on the policy, which may or may not increase the cost of your rates. If the designated second driver on the policy has an accident, the policyholder may also be subjected to higher insurance rates. However, if you haven’t named your friend on your policy, then the answer is more complicated. 

How Coverage Works 

It’s the owner of the car that’s typically held responsible for the accident, so everyone in Dallas, TX should be careful about who they let use their vehicle. If your friend is insured by a different insurance company, then that company may or may not take partial or full responsibility for the damages. Unless there is a special clause regarding this exact scenario, insurance companies will typically work it out on a case-by-case basis. 

If you have any additional questions about how auto insurance works on an everyday level, give Thompson Insurance Services a call. We’re here to make it easier for residents of Dallas, TX to get the right coverage! 

What You Need to Know About Umbrella Insurance

At first glance, umbrella insurance may sound complicated. In fact, the idea behind umbrella insurance is actually quite simple. First of all, umbrella insurance is a supplement to the basic liability policies that you may have for renters insurance, homeowners insurance, or auto insurance.

Umbrella policies are supplements to these types of insurance because they go above and beyond the coverage limits of them. The core purpose behind umbrella insurance is to protect you from events that are completely unforeseen. Most of all, umbrella insurance offers great liability coverage in the event that another party sues you for damages because of a personal injury or property damage situation.

When Would Umbrella Insurance Come Into Play?

Most often, you’ll see umbrella insurance come into play when someone sues you for damages. For example, let’s say that someone delivering a package to your home slips on ice outside your house and is seriously injured. They may see you for liability because of their slip and fall accident.

If you are found liable and are required to pay these damages, your liability coverage will kick in and can cover you. On the other hand, if you plan on bringing your case to court and you need a legal defense to defend yourself against a liability lawsuit, umbrella insurance can also cover these legal costs as well.

Contact Thompson Insurance Services for Help With Umbrella Insurance

At Thompson Insurance Services, we can help you find the umbrella insurance plan you’ve been looking for. To start looking at the umbrella insurance plan options available, please give us a call at your earliest convenience. We also invite you to stop by one of our local offices to sit down with an agent and discuss your options in person. Hope to see you soon!

Five Facts about Home Insurance

Thompson Insurance Services wants to help homeowners around the DFW area learn more about home insurance information. A wide variety of policies are available to homeowners which can range from structural protection to liability protection. Here are a few facts about home insurance.

Five Facts on Home Insurance

The first fact to know about home insurance in Dallas, TX is that there are different levels and types of coverage. Tailoring your coverage to your needs is important. The first type of home insurance policy is the named the perils policy which only covers what is explicitly described. The all-risk policy is a very common variety of coverage which safeguards your residence from many kinds of damage.

The second fact to know about home insurance in Dallas, TX is what is covered by your policy. Even all-risk policies, which insure your home against many types of damage, usually does not cover it against every type of damage, such as earthquake damage, flooding damage, and damage due to insects or pests like rodents or mice.

The third fact to know about home insurance is the maximum amount of money an insurance company must pay if your house is damaged beyond repair. It is important to check that this amount is high enough to pay for any damages. Eighty percent of a home’s replacement cost is what most insurance companies have as a requirement.

The fourth fact to know about home insurance is that most insurance companies will not replace stolen, damaged, or broken items. The insurance company will pay you the cash value of any such items in the event they suffer damage or are stolen. That way, you can repurchase the same item.

The fifth fact to know about home insurance is most home insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Therefore, if you live in a flood-prone area, it is a good idea to buy flood insurance. If you are interested in finding out more information or purchasing home insurance, the agents of Thompson Insurance Services are more than happy to help you.

Thompson Insurance Services offers a wide range of insurance policies so that you can find one suited to your needs. Reach out to our agents to get a quote and get started, or try our online rating tool for quotes from home on home insurance.