What Are Home Insurance Riders?

You already know that you need home insurance to protect yourself financially. But did you know that standard coverage might not be enough? For those with unique situations, there is an option to extend your policy to meet your needs. Called a rider, it is a good way to tailor your coverage appropriately.

Not sure what this means? Thankfully, our team at All-Tex Insurance has you covered. Here’s what you need to know about home insurance riders.

What is a Rider on a Homeowners Insurance Policy?

A home insurance rider is essentially an amendment to your basic property policy. It allows you to extend your coverage for a specific reason, such as owning items that are more expensive than usual or having certain circumstances that go beyond the typical home in your area.

For example, if you have a large jewelry collection or own several antique rifles, you might need riders to ensure they’re covered in the event of a loss. Those with electronics, computers, or other items with a higher than normal value should have a scheduled personal property rider on their home policy.

Other situations where riders are useful include coverage for identity theft, building code upgrades after a total loss, or even business property coverage if you work from home. Each carrier offers different riders, so check with your agent to see which ones are available for your policy.

Why You Need to Talk to Your Agent About Getting a Rider

Your insurance needs are unique. By speaking directly to your agent, you can find out which riders apply to your specific situation. From there, they’ll be able to tell you what ones are worth adding and which ones you need to skip.

Are you looking for quality home insurance coverage in Granbury, TX? Please contact our All-Tex Insurance team to receive a no-obligation quote.

What is a Home Insurance Deductible?

You know you need homeowners insurance to help protect your family from the unthinkable. But are you just going with the standard deductible amount, and do you know what this important part of your policy actually does? Thankfully, our All-Tex Insurance team is here to help. Here’s what you need to know about your home insurance deductible and why it is so important.

What is a Home Insurance Deductible?

A home insurance deductible is simply an agreement between you and the insurance carrier stating that you’re willing to pay for a set amount of damages during a claim before your coverage takes over and handles the rest. It is pretty much the same concept you have on your auto insurance and similar to your health insurance policy.

What is the Best Deductible for Home Insurance in Texas?

There’s really no right answer to this question. What you decide is an appropriate deductible really depends on what you would be able to come up with out-of-pocket easily if your home were damaged in a catastrophic incident, like a tornado or a fire. For some people, this is only a thousand dollars or less. Others feel comfortable with five or ten thousand, thanks to a solid savings account. Choose the figure that best meets your needs.

Does Your Deductible Amount Raise or Lower Your Home Insurance Premiums?

In most cases, having a higher deductible on your Granbury, TX home insurance policy can lower your annual premium. But, again, this means that you are taking on the responsibility of coming up with those funds out-of-pocket if your home is damaged in an incident.

Ready to learn more about home insurance deductibles and why they matter? Please get in touch with our All-Tex Insurance team in Granbury, TX to schedule a no-obligation policy review appointment.

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover My Dog?

Considering that there are approximately 78 million pet dogs in the United States, it’s pretty clear that we love our animal companions. We consider our dogs to be family and are passionate about them on a personal level. So, when it comes to the topic of whether our furry, four-footed friends are covered on our homeowners’ insurance policy, we don’t take the matter lightly. 

Dog Breed Insurance Risks 

Insurance companies like the All-Tex Insurance are businesses and, as such, must evaluate the insurance coverage risks between groups who share similar risks or behavioral characteristics for which there are sufficient data and history. For example, when assessing risk for motor vehicle coverage, younger drivers in Granbury, TX, who have a record of speeding tickets, are involved in more vehicle collisions per mile driven than any other age group. While it’s true that the vast majority of younger drivers will never be involved in an accident or end up filing an insurance claim, it’s almost impossible to determine which specific driver in that high-risk group won’t behave as the group statistics and data predict. 

But My Dog is a Good Dog! 

This same type of risk factor that teen drivers face holds for dogs, as well. While your pooch may have perfect manners, be polite and non-aggressive, and couldn’t harm a fly, there may be other dogs like them in high-risk groups. Unfortunately, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs per year. Of the 885,000 incidents that caused an injury that requires medical attention, almost 50% of those victims are children, according to the CDC. We know, through data, studies, and experience, that certain groups or dog breeds produce more severe loss results in a biting event. 

Can My Dog Be Covered in My Homeowners’ Insurance Policy? 

At the All-Tex Insurance in Granbury, TX, we understand that not all dog groups and breeds will present precisely the same risks of others simply because of their breed. Other mitigating factors can influence a dog’s behavior. For more information about how whether your furry friend can be covered in your homeowners’ policy, give us a call today!