How Organizing Your Home Can Make It Safer

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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.

Protection Again Uninsured Drivers in Texas

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Drivers in Ft. Worth, TX and around the state are required to have automobile insurance before they get on highways and interstates of the Lone Star State. Many people drive without insurance. If one of them hits you, will your insurance cover the damages to your car or your personal injuries? The same can be asked about hit-and-run drivers.

Ask your representative at Main Street Independent Insurance whether you should include coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers your auto insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Under Texas law, you can buy additional coverage that pays for damages and injuries due to an accident caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists. Optional coverage means that you don’t have to include this part of your regular insurance policy. However, you must put it in writing that you refused the coverage.

This type of coverage protects your family members and other passengers inside your vehicle at the time of an accident. It also includes anyone driving your vehicle with your permission.

This versatile policy covers medical or funeral expenses, car rental, auto repairs, and the replacement of a vehicle if necessary. Ask your agent if you should include the following in your uninsured motorist coverage:

  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement, and disability (up to your policy’s maximum)

Contact Us

You work too hard for your money to let someone else’s irresponsible actions put you at risk. Contact your representative at Main Street Independent Insurance to discuss your uninsured or underinsured insurance options. Feel free to make an appointment for a quote at our Ft. Worth, TX office. If you have any questions about auto or other types of insurance, call us at 855-662-6246 today.

 

4 Ways to Get the Best Commercial Insurance Coverage

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When you have a business, you want to make sure it’s operating correctly. It needs to perform well to stay growing and meeting customer needs. But one of the areas you might accidentally overlook is insurance. You need the right policy for your company, because you need to protect your business, your employees, and your customers. By working with Main Street Independent Insurance, you can get the right commercial insurance policy for your Colorado or Texas business. Here are four ways to get the best commercial insurance coverage, along with some important peace of mind.

  1. Make sure you talk to an agent who really understands what commercial insurance products are available in your area.
  2. Be upfront about the kind of business you operate and the type of coverage you’re looking for.
  3. Get quotes from multiple companies, and compare what they’re offering along with the premiums they’re requesting.
  4. Periodically review your policy with your agent, and update it as needed so you can stay current on your level of protection.

By carefully finding the right policy and making sure you update it as necessary, you can get the best commercial insurance for your company’s needs. That’s a great way to make sure you’re protected, and the peace of mind you’ll have from that matters.

Reach out to us today at Main Street Independent Insurance. We understand the needs and goals of your Colorado or Texas business, and we’re here and ready to help you get the policy and coverage that works best for you. Not every business needs the same type and level of insurance, so working with a knowledgeable agent is key to making sure your company gets what it needs to be properly protected.

What Type Of Contents Does Home Insurance Cover?

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Before selecting the type of homeowner’s insurance policy you need, there are a few things you must consider to be adequately insured. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the contents of the home. Most people know that the structure is protected, but did you know that you can add contents to the policy? Knowing that you can add contents to the coverage, what exactly does the policy cover?

Covering Contents

When it comes to covering contents, you must ask the insurance agent what the policy will cover. Items such as art, furs, and jewelry usually are covered, but other items such as clothing and small trinkets are not. Before purchasing your contents coverage, you need to document all of your possessions that are going to be covered. Keep receipts and photographs of these items to expedite the claims process and avoid issues. Contents coverage has limits and exclusions. If you own expensive items, they may not be covered for their actual value, but rather for a set amount. There is additional coverage available on some policies as a rider. The rider requires that you have a receipt or an appraisal on file for the item in order for the coverage to be valid.

Getting The Right Contents Coverage

Before you decide on your insurance coverage, especially when it comes to providing contents coverage, you should consult a reputable, knowledgeable insurance company like Main Street Independent Insurance. We take pride in serving residents in and around the Ft. Worth, TX area. We can answer any questions you may have about home insurance and help guide you while shopping for the right amount of coverage. 

If you live in or around the Ft. Worth, TX area and want to protect your home and its contents, then call or stop by the Main Street Independent Insurance office for more information. We can also help residents in Colorado with insurance policies.

Can You Change Auto Coverage at Any Time?

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Auto coverage is something that is not only required by law, but that is also simply a good idea. For those that do have auto insurance, it can be difficult to determine when you can change coverage and what type of coverage you may need to change. When you take out an initial auto policy, you tailor it to the specifics of your car. You can change coverage whenever necessary. Main Street Independent Insurance in the Ft. Worth, TX area can help you find the coverage you need every time.

There is no set limit or time frame that applies to when you can change the coverage that you hold on your car. As long as it meets the minimum requirement that is required by your state and where you live, you can change your coverage whenever you want to. This means that if you find you need more or less coverage and you have only had your policy for a few months, you can certainly change it to better fit your car that is being covered.

If you need less coverage, you can always change it by contacting your insurance agent. It is important that you keep your coverage in line with the minimum requirements of your state or area. You can change or drop coverage and switch to a new policy or a new company at any time. It is required, however, that as long as a car is on the road, it must be insured so you should take the time to make sure you always have coverage and that it meets the minimum requirement.

For those in the Ft. Worth, TX area, the agents with Main Street Independent Insurance can help. Reach out to our offices to speak with an agent and learn more about how an auto insurance policy can benefit you.

Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance for Your Business Vehicles?

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Commercial auto coverage is recommended if you use your vehicle for a significant amount of business activity. Don’t rely on your auto insurance to cover your vehicle or commercial fleet. A representative from Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX can help you understand your options for commercial auto insurance.

What is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance has the same basic coverage as personal auto insurance, with some added protection for your business. It includes:

  • Property damage pays for damage to another person’s vehicle in an accident caused while you or an employer is driving for business purposes.
  • Bodily Injury covers medical expenses for third parties injured in an accident caused by you or an employee.

There are many other types of commercial auto insurance, and you may be able to get discounts for multiple vehicles. Ask your Main Street Independent Insurance representative about comprehension, collision, underinsured motorists, and other policies.

Who Needs Commercial Liability Insurance?

Anyone who has a business and uses a truck, van, or car for business purposes should consider commercial auto insurance. If you have a sizable fleet of company vehicles, you need commercial auto liability insurance.

Auto coverage is required for all vehicles in Texas. However, if your business requires CDL operators, you are required to have additional coverage. This might include motor carriers, freight brokers, and forwarders. Additionally, any vehicle transporting goods or passengers across state lines is mandated by federal law to have liability insurance.

Further, having auto liability insurance helps you avoid costly lawsuits.

Contact Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX today for more information on how commercial auto insurance can protect your business assets. Call today to set up an appointment for a free quote.

 

What Factors Are Considered in Home Insurance Premiums?

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Although most states require that drivers have auto insurance, not all states require that a homeowner has homeowners insurance. However, by not having your home protected, you can be wasting thousands of dollars. Depending on where you live, your home can be at risk of fires, storms, hail, and other unexpected causes. And in this day and age, the weather and storm patterns are more unpredictable than ever.

Have you ever wondered what factors are considered when it comes to the price of home insurance premiums? See below for the possible causes:

Insurance History

If you have a past that includes numerous homeowner insurance claims, you could be due for a higher premium. 

Life Choices

Even instances of being a smoker can affect your home insurance premiums. Your background and credit report might also be a culprit to high policy prices.

Area of Residence

Your location is one the top factors when it comes to homeowners insurance premiums. For instance, if you live in a high flood danger area, you’re home is more likely to be involved in a flood, which will drive up the premiums. Other causes such as hurricanes, violent storms, and fires are all factors that are considered.

Structure and Home Features

The characteristics of your home provide a good indicator of the premium of your policy. Older homes and weak structures tend to have higher policy prices. If you live in a new home, you can reap the benefits of a cheaper premium. 

Stay Protected with Homeowners Insurance

Having homeowners insurance is very important for the protection of your home. Nowadays, you never know what can happen in the world. Crazy hurricanes, extreme floods, and nasty wildfires happen year after year. And if you don’t have home insurance to protect you and your belongings, you could find yourself going through financial hardship in a tough situation. 

If you need insurance solutions in Ft. Worth, TX, reach out to Main Street Independent Insurance today. We have a long history of providing outstanding insurance solutions. We’ve worked hard to be a well-known insurance provider in Ft. Worth, TX. Call Main Street Independent Insurance now for more information!

Factors to Consider When Getting Auto Insurance

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One of the most significant assets that most people own is their car. For those that are in the Ft. Worth, TX area, having a good insurance policy in place is very important. But several factors should be considered when getting a new insurance policy.  

Minimum Requirements

When you are looking to build a new auto insurance policy, the first factor that you should consider is what the minimum requirements are for coverage. Similar to other states, Texas requires that all drivers carry minimum levels of liability insurance coverage. The State of Texas requires all drivers to comply with the 30/60/25 coverage law. This means that you will be required to carry liability bodily injury coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident plus property damage of $25,000 per accident. 

Collision and Comprehensive

As you are looking for a new auto insurance policy, you will also need to consider whether you should get collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. Collision insurance coverage will provide you with coverage to your vehicle in the event you are found at fault in an accident or if the other driver that is at fault does not have coverage.  

Comprehensive coverage will provide you with a wide range of coverage types including coverage if your car is stolen, vandalized, damaged due to weather, or if you are involved in an accident with an animal. Both collision and comprehensive coverage are typically required by auto lenders and it would be a good idea if you cannot afford to replace your vehicle.  

When looking for a new auto insurance policy in the Ft. Worth, TX area, reaching out to Main Street Independent Insurance would be beneficial. Main Street Independent Insurance is a leading consumer insurance agency and can help get you into a policy that provides you with the necessary coverage. Reach out to our agents for more information.

Does A Commercial Policy Cover Work Vehicles In Texas?

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A question that many Texas and Colorado businesses ask when they call Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX, "Does commercial insurance cover the autos used in the line of duty?" Short answer: No, Commercial auto insurance does.

The difference between commercial insurance and commercial auto

The slightly longer answer is that this is generally going to be all part of the same package. It’s possible to buy your commercial insurance from one group and your commercial auto insurance from another, but you’ll probably save yourself some time and effort and have one less bill to keep track of each month if you buy both through the same provider.

Before you ask: Commercial auto insurance isn’t enough. Even if you do your work exclusively on the road, driving a truck, running a delivery service, or being a form of transportation, you’re probably going to need commercial insurance in addition to your commercial auto insurance. If someone slips and falls at your home, and they can prove that you have a home office for your business, then you’ve got a commercial insurance case on your hands, not a commercial auto insurance case. If you run a business, you need a commercial insurance policy. If your business involves driving, then you need a commercial insurance policy and a commercial auto insurance policy.

If there’s anything else you need to know, or you’re ready to get covered, give Main Street Independent Insurance a call and see what we can do for you. You can’t run a business without getting some coverage to keep you safe out there, whether or not you’re on the road. So stay safe and stay covered.

Things To Do at Home Before it Gets Cold Outside

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While it may not always get cold in Ft. Worth, TX, you want to be ready for it in case it does happen. The winter can be unpredictable in this area, so using these tips from Main Street Independent Insurance can help you ensure your home is ready for the first cold snap and beyond this winter season.

  • Drain your irrigation system. If you have an irrigation system set up for your lawn, before it gets too cold, you want to make sure that the pipes are drained. This is because if the pipes under your lawn freeze during the winter, you will have a huge problem when they finally thaw. Have a professional come out to help you with this task to ensure it is done the right way. 
  • Get your heater checked. If you have a heating system, then you do not want to find out that something is wrong with it when you do need it this winter. Have a professional come out to inspect it and ensure it is ready for the cold. 
  • Prep your external pipes. If you have any piping that is exposed to the outdoors, you will want to prep them now by putting some covers over them to help keep them warm. 

Even though it is just getting cold, getting a head start on some of these tasks will go a long way. In addition to completing this list for your home, you also want to have a great home insurance policy for your home to protect you from the things you can’t predict. Contact Main Street Independent Insurance serving Ft. Worth, TX, to help you find the best policy for your needs and your budget today.