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 Homeowner's Insurance
Real people that want to help! - We're more than a website!
 Why risk it? - Let us guide you to the best fit for your Home Insurance protection. Buy the insurance coverage you want at a competitive price from an Austin based insurance agency. Professional service makes a difference!To obtain a customized Homeowner's Insurance quote:
  Need other Insurance? We can help - Quote Austin Insurance - insurance quotes & more information
Rec Unexpected & Unplanned risks of being a Homeowner:
Homeowner's Insurance - What it Does! Homeowner's Insurance protects your house & possessions from loss by theft, fire, lightning, tornado and other perils. Mortgage bankers call this protection "Hazard Insurance." Homeowner's Insurance also provides financial compensation to help after an insured loss if you are displaced from your residence. Homeowner's Insurance additionally includes Personal Liability protection from lawsuits caused by accidental damage or injury that you, your family members or your pets cause.
PROPERTY COVERAGES
House - Provides protection up to your limit for damage or destruction of your house. If you have a mortgage, is also referred to as "Hazard Insurance" and is the part of your homeowner's policy required by your bank loan. Perils include: Fire, Tornado, Lightning, Vandalism among others. Insurance protection can be based on either "Actual Cash Value" or " Replacement Cost" as a basis of settlement.
Secondary Structures - Provides protection for sheds, detached garages and other buildings on your homesite. Perils include: Fire, Tornado, Lightning, Vandalism among others. Generally limited to 10% of your main house limit, but can be increased, if needed. Contents - Provides protection for your clothes, appliances, furniture and other possessions at your residence. Perils include: Fire, Tornado, Burglary, Lightning, Vandalism among others. Generally limited to 40% to 60% of your main house limit, but can be increased, if needed.
Off-Premise Contents - Worldwide protection of your personal property away from your residence. Generally limited to 10% of your Contents coverage. An example would be a theft from your motel room while you are on vacation.
LOSS OF USE COVERAGES
Loss of Use / Living Expenses - Pays for additional expenses you incur if you are displaced after an insured event (example: house fire) because your residency is not habitable. Generally limited to 10% to 20% of your dwelling coverage.
LIABILITY COVERAGES
 Personal Liability - Protects you from lawsuits caused by accidental property damage or injury caused by you, your family members and acts of your pets. An example would be your dog getting loose and biting a neighbor's child.
Guest Medical - Provides for medical payments for other people injured at your residence. Generally limited to $1000. An example would be a visiting friend slips on your entry rug and breaks an arm incurring a $500 emergency room bill.
Some Coverage Limitations:
Please see your policy for important details, but here's several coverage limitations that should get your attention:
Business Contents - If you have a home based business or bring equipment home from work, be sure to discuss this with your insurance person. Generally, business equipment is limited to $2500 at your residence (none away from home) but can often be increased.
Theft of Jewelry (plus furs and watches) - Most homeowner's insurance policies have a limit on theft of jewelry, watches and furs - often only $500. If you require more protection, be sure to discuss this with your insurance person, as a higher limit may be available for a small added cost.
Property Deductible - Be sure to ask what your deductible is. Generally, homeowner's insurance has a 1% deductible. That's 1% of your total dwelling limit (i.e., a 1% deductible of $150,000 total limit would be $1500). Some companies also offer other deductible choices. In the event of a property loss, your compensation for property damaged would begin after the loss exceed your deductible.
 Wildfires! - The Austin area, particularly the western fringe, has a high risk of brush and grass fires. Read more about Central Texas's wildfire risk and what you can do to protect your house and property.  Identity Theft - Identity Theft protection is often available as an option on home insurance. Read more about this crime and how you can prevent becoming a victim.Why risk it? - Let us guide you to the best fit for your Home Insurance protection. Buy the insurance coverage you want at a competitive price from an Austin based insurance agency. Professional service makes a difference!
To obtain a customized Homeowner's Insurance quote:
Need other Insurance? We can help - Quote Austin Insurance - insurance quotes & more information
Discounts!
 You may qualify for:
| Auto and Home Insurance - 10% off both policies
| Life and Home Insurance - 5% off home policy
2009 Storm Track - A list of major storm events that have effected the Austin area.
By David W. Crump
We get more than our share of severe thunderstorms with high winds and damaging hail here in Central Texas. Often the spring and fall storms are isolated events and will impact only a couple neighborhoods. Less often, a line of storms can cause widespread damage. This article includes some general tips on what to do if you house is damaged. Hunker down The first order of business is to stay safe and inside. Wait until the storm has finished before venturing outside to check your house. Check for Damage The next step is to check for obvious damage. Do a walk-around survey of your house looking for damage and potential risks of additional damage. Look up at your roof. Are there any missing shingles or broken shingles on the yard? Any broken tree limbs scraping the roof? As best you can from the ground, you want to determine if your roof is still intact and waterproof. Also check for damage to the veneer of your house. Any loose or broken wood, trim or windows? You want to determine that your exterior is still intact and waterproof. Are there any hazards adjacent to your house or in your yard that are safety risks? Alert the power company with any concerns about the overhead utility lines. Check for any large trees with risk of toppling or large broken limbs falling due to storm damage. Important: The idea is not to be a claims adjuster or roofer but only to look for anything obvious. Keep yourself safely on the ground --- leave the ladder work and detail assessment to the pros. Avoid Additional Damage If your house is severely damaged, you may need immediate work done to avoid additional damage. If your roof or exterior has been damaged and is not waterproof, you will need to get it trapped or boarded up. If you have trees that have fallen on top of the house, you will need them removed to avoid further damage. Here in Central Texas, we can get another storm tomorrow and your house needs to be ready. Take pictures of the damage. If you have to act immediately, be sure to keep any receipts for work done to include these costs with the claims settlement. Most insurance companies have a 24-hour claims reporting service and can also provide direction or referral if you need immediate temporary repairs. Call for Claims Service Most insurance companies have a 24-hour number to call to initiate a home insurance claim. You can also call your insurance agent’s office. If there has been a large storm that has impacted a wide area, the larger insurance companies will have a special “Catastrophic Team” in town normally in a couple days to help speed claims service. You want to get your place in line with the insurance company early, so call at least by the day after the storm. Selecting a Roof Contractor You want to select a roof or house repair contractor that will be around if you need any warranty adjustment. Don’t select the roofer that is walking around your neighborhood knocking on doors. Always look for a local and established roofer or contractor. The best roofer is one you know from past work. Second best is the roofer that your insurance agent or neighbors know. The Better Business Bureau can be an important resource to be sure you have made a sound choice. Roofer vs. Adjuster One of my core ideas is to have the roofer you have chosen and the insurance claims adjuster “on the same page.” Once you have made your claim report to your insurance company, it is time to get a roofer to inspect your house and provide an initial estimate. Adjusting and estimating storm damage is a process requiring considerable judgment. Getting a reputable roofer to provide a quick estimate and having it in hand when you meet with the claims adjuster helps. If the roofer’s estimate and the claim settlement reach the same conclusion, you know you are on track. If not, you know you will need explanation from the insurance adjuster and re-inspection from your roofing contractor. If the roofing contractor and insurance adjuster can’t reconcile their estimates, the final recourse is to request for them to meet at your house and resolve any differences. You want your chosen contractor and insurance claims adjuster in agreement prior to any repairs. Summary You can’t stop the storm from happening and your house can be damaged. This is one of the big reasons to have home insurance in the first place. Stay safe during the storm. Next, visually look for any damage that might need immediate temporary repairs to avoid added damage. Third, call your insurance company and get the claims process started. Fourth, get a local reputable roofer to provide an initial estimate of the damage. Fifth, work with your roofer and claim adjuster to reach the same damage assessment prior to the commencing repairs. David W. Crump, Ross Gray Insurance Agency I specialize in Business, Health and Personal Insurance sales and service. A graduate of Texas Tech University (BBA Marketing), I began my career in retailing of Toy, Hobbies and Games. I have been a business owner but changed careers to insurance after selling my interest in a Dallas area Game Store Chain thirteen years ago. Hobbies include Gardening, Music (Bass Vocal) and Stock Investing. See our website at http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/ Ross Gray Insurance Agency has a 30+ year history serving Central Texas on all facets of insurance. We are located in South Austin at 2404 S. IH-35. We are here to help! Copyright 2009, Ross Gray Insurance Agency, Inc. |
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ent example - Our client was away for four hours and had a kitchen supply line burst. Total damage $17,502.06 including contents, damage to house and motel stay.
Introduction2404 South I-H 35, Austin, TX 78704-5701
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