Benefits of Getting Home Insurance

Buying a home will no doubt be one of the huge investments you make, but like most people, home insurance will be the last thing on your mind. While getting coverage seems like an unnecessary cost for events that may not happen, it is still worth considering signing up for a policy. The benefits outweigh the cons of not having it, with Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. explaining the advantages of getting home insurance within Ft. Worth, TX.

It Provides Compensation for the Loss of Your Property

When disasters such as fire, theft, or vandalism occur, you are likely to pay for the replacement and rebuilding costs out of pocket. This means parting with a significant amount of your savings, costs that would have gone a long way to helping out with your family’s daily needs. Home insurance can protect you from this, as it provides compensation for the loss of your property and your personal belongings.

Protects You From Lawsuits

When your guests get injured or their property gets damaged and they sue you for harm caused, home insurance provides liability coverage to protect you from such incidences. It will help you pay your legal fees and damages awarded when you are found liable. This allows your guests to replace their property and pay for medical expenses as needed.

Offers Protection to Your Family

The policyholder is just one of the parties covered by home insurance, with this coverage also extending to family members. If, for instance, your spouse, children or parents cause accidental harm to your guests, home insurance protects them from lawsuits arising from such an event. In addition to this, treatment costs are paid for along with damage costs for any destruction caused.

If you are looking for home insurance tailored to the above benefits, call Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. today. Our Ft. Worth, TX agents will customize home insurance designed with your property’s needs in mind.

4 Main Areas Protected By Home Insurance

Your home is, without a doubt, one of your most valuable assets. You’ve probably spent many years saving for that dream home. With all the beautiful interior, comfort, and sweet memories in your home, the best you can do is fully securing it. How so? Home insurance.

Think of an unlikely situation that can occur to your home, like a theft or fire. How many more years would you save to build your dream home again? If your answer is many, then it’s time to think about home insurance. If you don’t know where to start, worry not. At Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. located in Ft. Worth, TX, we got you.

Four main areas protected by home insurance

Your home insurance generally protects your home and possessions from a variety of insured perils. Some areas include:

  • Personal belongings: The policy covers all your personal belongings that may be stolen, damaged by fire, or any other insured disaster. Personal stuff you can cover includes electronics, furniture, clothing, firearms, jewelry, and sporting equipment.
  • The home structure: Dealing with a total loss due to a hurricane or fire is unbearable. Dwelling coverage policy protects against physical damage in the main home and other structures attached to it. 
  • Liability coverage: liability coverage is another main reason why home insurance is crucial. It could cost you an arm and a leg if someone got injured in your home, such as a dog bite. Talk of medical bills and the legal fees that may await you, but with home insurance, you are safe.
  • Additional living expense: If your home gets damaged and becomes uninhabitable, home insurance will pay for your cost of staying elsewhere. Other expenses, like hotel meals and laundry, if you are staying in a hotel, are also covered. 

If you are a homeowner and haven’t thought much about home insurance, perhaps it’s time you did. If you consider all the benefits the policy comes with, you should get excited about it and call our offices for that policy. At Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. situated in Ft. Worth, TX, it’s our job to help you make that informed decision.

5 Tips for Prepping Your House For Winter

With winter fast approaching, now is the time to start preparing your house for the winter where the elements like snow, sleet, and wind can do major damage. Continue reading to learn how to prepare your house for the colder weather in next to no time.

1. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!

Drafts emitting from windows can cause your energy bill to spike exponentially and leave you feeling far chillier than normal. Quickly and affordably fix the problem by applying v-seal weather stripping along the sides of the window that allow them to still open, but keeps the cold away.

2. Remove Tree Branches

Homes that have trees with limbs hanging near your home are more likely to suffer roof damage during a windstorm and may be susceptible to leaks from water cascading off low hanging branches. 

3. Clean the Gutters

Debris build up in your gutters can lead to costly ice dams that contribute to your home’s foundation is weakened. Once the fall leaves have fallen, either hire someone to do the job or use a ladder to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris that accumulates in the gutters.

4. Check the Roof

Winter is not the time to have a leaky roof and doing an inspection will help spot issues. Luckily for those that don’t like heights, you should be able to inspect your roof safely from the ground with binoculars. 

5. Fireplace Inspection

It is recommended that your fireplace be professionally inspected every year so be sure to call your favorite fireplace inspector early to avoid missing out on their services. 

When it comes to insuring your home, look no further than the friendly and professional team at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. in Ft. Worth, TX. Give us a call today to learn about our insurance products. 

When is home insurance needed in Fort Worth?

The Ft. Worth, TX area is a popular community for anyone to reside in. There are a lot of great places for you to visit when you are in the area and good professional opportunities. This can make Fort Worth a good place to own a home. If you are going to purchase real estate in this area of Texas, it is important that you get home insurance. There are several situations when this coverage is needed for you. 

When You Have a Loan

The majority of people that end up buying a home in the Fort Worth area will need to take out a mortgage. If you do take out a mortgage to finance your purchase, you need to make sure that you understand the insurance rules. Most of the time, you will need to have home insurance and even escrow your payments with the lender along with your monthly loan payment.

When You Live in an Association

There are many communities today that offer amenities to property owners. Along with these amenities, there are home associations set up to manage and run the community. These associations will almost always have a rule book that states that you will need to have home insurance at all times. This will help to protect you and others in the community.

There are a lot of situations when someone in the Ft. Worth, TX area will need to have home insurance. If you are going to get this insurance, you should call the team at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. The team at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. can help you understand all of your options. They will then help you to build a policy that offers protection and ensures your needs are met. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damages?

Having a home can be challenging, especially when it comes to protecting it from unforeseen dangers. Of course, there are many things a homeowner can do to minimize risks to the home, but ultimately dangers associated with many threats, such as the weather, make having adequate home insurance in place necessary to protect that investment.

Storm Damages

Most home insurance policies cover all types of storm damages including damage from debris and other potential side effects directly related to the storm. However, flood damage isn’t covered by home insurance and the homeowner will need to purchase a separate home insurance policy to have that protection in place. The best way to ensure the home is completely protected by home insurance is to work with an insurance agent. They can help educate the homeowner about what the policy covers and make any recommendations to help ensure the coverage fits the current needs.

Get Help Finding Home Insurance

Anyone in Ft. Worth, TX who is interested in purchasing home insurance they can rely on should consult with Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. to find out more about the different types of home insurance available in their area. The agents can work closely with potential clients to assess their needs and then offer common sense insurance products to give them the protection they need year-round. They can also help their clients submit documentation to insurance providers and assist with paperwork related to insurance claims.

Anyone in the Ft. Worth, TX area who is in the market for reliable home insurance should call or stop by Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. today to find out more or to schedule a consultation with an agent. 

Why Home Insurance Is A Wise Investment

At Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc in Ft. Worth, TX, people still ask us whether home insurance is worth it. Are you one of those who think that home insurance is not necessary? While we can give you a direct answer, we will rather discuss some of the benefits of home insurance and allow you to decide whether it is a wise investment or not.

It is required for loans

A lot of banks and private money lenders now ask for proof of your home insurance. That means if you apply for a loan and decide to use your home as collateral, most lenders will request proof of home insurance. That’s one way of protecting their money.

Some home insurance coverage protects you against a lawsuit

If your guest slips and falls in your yard, you’ll be held liable. He could file a lawsuit against you. Your tenant could also sue you in the same situation. That means, if she falls in your house which she rented, she could also file a lawsuit against you for negligence.

Also, if the dog of your tenant bites someone, you may be held liable as well. You can imagine how much it will cost you to hire an attorney for legal defense. And if the plaintiff wins, you could see yourself paying several hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In fact, a couple of lawsuits could cost you more than your home. The good news is, your home insurance will take care of this if you are lucky enough to have insured your home.

Home insurance protects your home against natural disasters

Hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes have become a regular occurrence in the United States. So, it is a wise decision to protect your home against natural disasters. If your home gets damaged by a hurricane, there’s a home insurance coverage that will compensate you and also refund you for additional expense incurred if you have to live elsewhere until your apartment is fixed.

For other reasons why you should purchase home insurance, contact us at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc in Ft. Worth, TX. You may also visit our website to check out our home insurance products.

Recent Updates about Home Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX

Sometimes, there are important updates concerning home insurance that policyholders should know. If they don’t find out about these updates, they can end up going through detrimentally financial losses.

In fact, there are some recent insurance-related updates that are critical. One of these updates is how the price of the home is growing substantially in Ft. Worth, TX, and surrounding areas. The other one is the growing concern as severe damage has mounted from wind/weather-related incidents in Texas.

Fort Worth Leading the Pack in the Rising Homes’ Prices

The Dallas Morning News recently received and reported from CoreLogic that the prices for homes in FT. Worth, TX rose to 5.7% in February. However, home prices throughout the nation rose to 4%. CoreLogic also predicts that housing will continue to grow by 4.7% next year. And as a result, consumers who rent or buy have a significant strain, and homeowners must ensure that their homes are not underinsured. Some people have found out the hard way that their homes were underinsured and thus went through financial turmoil.

Growing Concern of Great Financial Losses Resulting from Weather-related Incidents 

There have been more reports lately about severely damaged, wind, and weather incidents, particularly in Texas. In fact, The National Centers for Environmental Information reported that eight of the previous 11 years has at least ten billion-dollars worth of weather disasters in the nation. Also, a representative of the Insurance Council of Texas stated that the Dallas-Fort Worth area has an estimated $2 billion in losses from a tornado outbreak for this past October. 

Due to these and other home insurance concerns, it is vital to get a top-notch agency that will take care of your home insurance needs. Main Street Independent Insurance is the way to go. Contact Main Street Independent Insurance today.

Home Insurance: 4 Things You Need to Know

It’s crucial to have home insurance. If your home is financed, your lender will require it. But even if you own your home outright, you still want to protect the investment you have in your property. At Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX, you can work with agents who will help you take good care of your house. We know the value of proper insurance, and we want to make sure you understand that value, as well. By answering your questions and giving you options, we can help you choose the right home insurance policy. Here are four things you should know to make the right decision.

  1. Uninsured homes are at risk of severe loss if a problem should occur.
  2. Home insurance will be required if you have a mortgage on your house.
  3. There are a lot of different coverage options and levels for you to choose from.
  4. A quality, trusted agent would get you the right policy for your needs.

At Main Street Independent Insurance, we’ll help protect your Ft. Worth, TX area home. Reach out to us today, and let us help you choose the policy that’s going to be right for your property and needs. Our agents are ready to help you, and they’re focused on making sure you’re covered. By letting us provide you with quotes and other information, you’ll be taking a step toward gaining broader home insurance knowledge. With proper knowledge comes good choices, and those choices mean your home will be adequately protected. You won’t have to worry about your house, which means you can enjoy your time, spend it with your family and friends, and do all the things you’d like to do in and around your home.

How to Avoid Home Insurance Claims during the Winter

Winter is full of friends, family, and festivities, but the extra cooking, decorating, and celebrating that occurs during the season can lead to more risks in the home. With the right tips, you can avoid having to file an insurance claim in Ft. Worth, TX.

  • Decorate Carefully: Reduce the risk of fire by using non-flammable and flame retardant decorations. If you are using a fresh Christmas tree, keep the water levels in check, and if you are using an artificial tree, decorate with UL listed lights. Keep the tree away from any heat sources.
  • Be Careful with Candles: December is the peak time for fires that are started by candles. Keep candles away from anything that can burn and be sure that candles are out of reach from children and animals. Be sure to extinguish candles before going to sleep and leaving the room.
  • Prevent Theft: There are usually more break-ins during the holiday season. Lock doors and windows and keep blinds closed to prevent thieves from looking at new presents. If you get new valuables for the holidays, update your insurance policy with your agent at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies, Inc.
  • Protect Pipes: Poor insulation, drops in temperature, and keeping the thermostat too low can cause frozen pipes, so be sure to insulate pipes to prevent them from bursting.
  • Host Responsible Parties: If you are serving alcohol at a holiday party, be sure you are covered from liability. Offer that guests stay the night or have a designated driver and ensure no one is driving after drinking.
  • Test Smoke Detectors: Since the winter holidays create more fire hazards, make sure you are checking your fire safety prevention system.
  • Be Careful in the Kitchen: With more cooking this time of year, fires are increased. Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.

Contact Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies, Inc. serving Ft. Worth, TX, to get a quote on home insurance in Colorado and Texas. 

How Organizing Your Home Can Make It Safer

How organized is your home? Do you have clutter and chaos in certain areas or even in every room? You need to get things tidy and organized in order to improve safety and well-being. Here are some specific tips and ideas, courtesy of Main Street Independent Insurance, serving the Ft. Worth, TX area.

Paper Clutter Cleanup

Getting rid of stacks of paper can reduce fire risk, so send those magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and miscellaneous papers into the trash can or recycling bin. Get them out of your house. Not only will you be improving your home’s appearance, but you will also be making things much safer and more organized.

Fire Extinguishers Assessment

Do you have any fire extinguishers in your house, and if so, how many, and where are they in your house? Do you have enough fire extinguishers, and are they in proper working condition? Knowing where the fire extinguisher is can give peace of mind. One key step to take as you get organized involves making sure you have enough fire extinguishers and that they work the way they should.

Evaluating Trip Hazards

You might have clutter around your home in the form of items that are creating trip hazards. And you need to remove trip hazards like dangling electrical cords to improve safety and peace of mind. Remember to assess all areas in your home, including all levels and rooms of the house, stairs, garage, and outdoor areas like the yard and sidewalks.

Do you need information about home insurance and how to make your house safer? Feel free to contact Main Street Independent Insurance, serving the Ft. Worth, TX area, for further guidance and details.