Don’t Get Caught In a “Storm” Without an Umbrella

The unexpected can happen at any time. Don’t get caught with not enough coverage if something big (or small) happens to you or your place of business. Farmers® offers Umbrella Coverage policies that are flexible and policies that can be “made-to-order” for you and/or your business.

Farmers® Personal Umbrella

We would all love to think, “It won’t happen to me because I am always very careful”. While I don’t doubt that, unfortunately accidents do happen even to those who are careful. Hopefully you won’t ever have to worry about being sued for more than what your current homeowners, automobile, etc., policies cover. But, do you want to really wager all you’ve worked so hard on, for you and your family, on a “hopefully”? A Farmers® Personal Umbrella policy gives added protection beyond what your current policy covers, sort of like filling in the gaps.*

A few more advantages to having an Umbrella are:

     1.      Worldwide coverage.

     2.      Coverage that may not covered claims under your current policies, such as slander, libel or defamation of character.

     3.      Defense costs and attorney fees are not covered under primary policies. These claims will be with a Personal Umbrella policy.

Farmers® Commercial Umbrella

Fortune 500 or Mom and Pop, all businesses are vulnerable. Accidents can happen and when they do, you want to be prepared. For instance, are there stairs at your place of business?  What if a client fell down them and suffered life altering injuries?  An incident such as this could make the company liable for medical bills that could add up to be millions.   Will your current business liability policy cover all expenses? If not, will the company be able to cover what wasn’t covered? It’s important to know that when faced with a multi-million dollar lawsuit, it may not just be your current assets that are at risk but potentially your future earnings as well.  Contact me so we sit and go over what a Farmers® Umbrella policy has to offer.

You’ve worked hard to build your company. Keep your current and future earnings yours and don’t leave yourself vulnerable. Farmers® Commercial Umbrella policy can give you peace of mind in knowing your assets will remain your assets.

Like an umbrella, Farmers® Umbrella polices work as a shield or a protector. Protect yourself, your family and/or your business.

Cost? Great news! These polices are surprisingly low. Give me a call today and we can go over your current policies and answer any questions. Let’s get you into a “made-to-order” Umbrella policy.

*Subject to policy limits and exclusions

Bringing Back, "Staying Safe During Tornado Season"

It’s that time of year again… Tornado season. Are you prepared for it? Do you have a basement or a storm shelter? If not, do you know the safest place in your home to go?

Here are some helpful tips to prepare for tornado season:

1.      If you don’t have a basement or a storm shelter, know where the safest place in your home is to take cover. (If you live in a mobile home, make sure you know the closest shelter. The force of a tornado is something that a mobile home cannot with stand so do not stay there.)

a.      Closet

b.      Bathtub

c.      An interior room without windows

d.      Lowest floor in your home

e.      Hallway

2.      Have an overnight bag ready with 2 or 3 days’ worth of clothes just in case you are not able to stay in your home because of a tornado.

3.      Stay up to date with the latest storm information. Most TV stations have apps that you can upload to your phone, in case the electricity goes out. You can set the app to text you with any weather updates as well.

4.      Make sure your phone is charged and you have your charger with you.

5.      Have your shoes on. Sturdy shoes are best in case you have to trample through debris.

6.      It’s best to have cash, just in case phone lines are down and you’re not able to use a credit card.

7.      Meteorologist are pretty good about warning the area of bad weather. When they do, head to the gas station and fill your car up with gas.

8.      Watch vs. Warning alerts:

a.      Tornado Watch – There is a possibility that a tornado may develop in the area. Stay alert and make sure you are ready if a warning is issued.

b.      Tornado Warning – This indicates that either one has been sighted or one has developed on a weather radar. Have your supplies ready, get to a safe place and hunker down.

9.      Make sure you are current with your home owners insurance before tornado season.

10.   Stay calm.

It’s also important to know what to look for during tornado season:  

1.      Dark, often green sky

2.      Hail

3.      Big, dark low lying clouds (watch for rotation with these)

4.      Funnel cloud(s)

5.      Roaring noise, often describe to sound like a train

6.      Flying debris

We obviously can’t control the weather so why not be proactive.  Make a check list, stay updated with the weather on your phone or TV, and stay calm.  

Farmers Insurance - Kirkwood Agency
130 Hill St
Keller TX  76248
(817)898-0370

Community Event - Opening Day Picnic Lunch

BASEBALL IS FINALLY HERE!!!!

Take me out to The Kirkwood Agency!
Take me out to the Opening Day Picnic Lunch!
We will have peanuts and cracker jacks!
If you can't make it to the Ballpark, we are the next best thing!
There will be, be a give away for... tickets to an upcoming game!
For it's Friday, April 10th from 11am to 2......p..... m!!!!!!

Join us at the Kirkwood Agency for an Opening Day picnic!! If you can't make it to the Ballpark, we are the next best thing (as the song above states!) We will have Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Peanuts, all your Ballpark favorites! We will also be giving away tickets to an upcoming game!

So come on out and have some Ballpark favorites for lunch!  

We would love to see everyone in the community come out so bring your friends!

See you there! 

Kirkwood Agency
130 E Hill St.
Keller TX 76248

Don’t Strip Down to Nothing When Budgeting. Having the Right Insurance is NO Accident

Budgeting... When I think about it, one question that comes to mind is, ‘Where and what can I cut?’ What about you? Cable, vacations, eating out? What about insurance? Do thoughts of cutting coverage's come to mind? What about flood insurance? Do you think, “What if I cut flood insurance? Do I really need it? I can’t remember the last time it even rained where I live?” Here’s a question you don’t want to ask yourself in the event of a flood, “Why did I cut out flood insurance?” Do you want to ask yourself that question or think, “Phew! Sure am relieved I decided not to cut my flood insurance.”

Here’s a few “What If’s” to ask yourself:

1.  What if I only purchase liability coverage for my vehicle?  Legally, you would be good. BUT what if you were in an accident.  If in the event you are sued, and costs go above what your coverage is, will you be able to pay out-of-pocket? Will the minimum cover any and all expenses? Not likely. It’s never a bad idea to make sure you have the right coverage at all times, and not just the minimum to fall in line with the law.

2.  What if there is a flood?  Living in Texas, the weather is almost never predicable. I've always heard it said, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute or two.” The sun will be shining bright one moment, pouring rain the next, with a possible a snow storm shortly after. It doesn't take much rain or melting snow to cause havoc on the wallet. Whether it’s your home or place of business, there is always a flood risk and not all policies include flood insurance. Give us a call and we will be happy to sit down and look through the different coverage's to make sure you are covered.

3. I’m on a budget. What if I went with the company that gave me the cheapest quote? Make sure, that if you did go with the cheaper quote, that the company you decided to go with has great customer service, can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that is financially sound. There are so many insurance companies out there. Doing your homework will only benefit you.

4. What if I just rent? Shouldn't it be my landlord who carries the insurance?  Coverage over the building, yes. Your possession within the building, no. In the event of a fire, it will not cover your lost possessions or any other additional living expenses that may arise from the fire. Also, if you were to be found at fault for an injury in your home, renters insurance provides liability coverage.

5. What if I only insure my home for the real estate value? Will I be covered in the event of a total loss?  There are a few factors that need to be taken into account when insuring your home. Basing coverage on what you paid for your home or what it’s currently valued at may not be enough. Consider the contents and what it would actually cost to rebuild your home and replace what was lost.

  

Have anymore, “What if” questions? Give the office a call. We will answer any questions and make sure that you are not under insured when disaster strikes. Don’t gamble with your possessions.  Let us help get you into the right coverage today!

Homeowners Insurance and Why It’s Important

Home is where your family lay their heads to sleep and typically where you keep our most meaningful belongings.  What would happen in the event of a fire, flood, or burglary?  Do you have coverage? Is it enough coverage? Is it the right coverage?

There are several things to take into account when shopping for Homeowners Insurance:

The Value of Your Home:

Should it be necessary, what would it take to rebuild your home at today’s prices? With the ever changing economy, the price you paid for your home may not be the same price to rebuild it. When choosing your coverage, make sure to take into account what it would cost to rebuild or even replace your home.

                                                    
The Value of Unique or Expensive Items:

Within a Homeowners insurance policy, the amount listed may not be enough to completely cover items such as an engagement or wedding ring, coin collection, artwork, and cameras. When going over your policy with your Farmers Agent make sure to ask about additional coverage. This additional coverage is intended to cover your valuables beyond what your Homeowners policy can. What if you lose your wedding ring on a vacation? Besides theft or damage, the policy can also be extended to cover different types of loss as well.

 

The Value of Your Liability Coverage:

Life is unpredictable. It may be possible that at some point you could become liable for an accident or damages that occurred on your property.  Will your financial assets be at risk in this situation? Possibly. Be proactive and protect your assets against claims and/or lawsuits with liability coverage through your Homeowners policy.

                                    
                                              The Value of Your Personal Property

Without going to room to room, taking pictures and detailed notes of all the possessions in your home, it’s tough to know exactly what you own and how much it’s worth. However, while this sounds a little meticulous, this will help with getting you into a suitable policy. With some exceptions stated in your policy, a Farmers Homeowners package will cover your personal property anywhere in the world.

At Kirkwood Agency, we pride ourselves on getting our customer the coverage that best fits their needs. Have more questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Urban Legends of Insurance

We've all seen the Urban Legends that float around the internet. They always intrigue me because so many people believe them and do not consider checking the validity of them. We just share the post on one of our many social media sites, truly thinking we are helping others, unitl someone decides to check www.snopes.com or www.urbanlegends.com , and then they post that it was all a hoax.

I have several favorites, but here are a few old timers......

 Bloody Mary, the one where if you stand in front of a mirror in a dark room and say Bloody Mary Bloody Mary Bloody Mary several times a terrifying ghost will appear in the mirror.

 Or what about the one about The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs.  This one is where the babsitter receives a call asking her to check the children. She ignores the caller several times and when she finally decides to call the police they tell her that the call has been traced to inside the house.  She then runs out of the house just in time to see a man with a bloody ax coming downstairs.  He had already killed the children and was just waiting on the babysitter to come upstairs.

 

Then there is the one that I believe to be the most believable, The Killer in the Backseat.  This one is where a woman has stopped to get gas and while she is pumping someone had crawled into her  backseat.  She is unaware of this and begins to get back in her car to leave.  The gas station attendant had witnessed the man getting in the back seat, so he calls of the intercom to tell the woman that something is wrong with her card and she needs to come in to pay.  When she goes inside teh gas station attendant tells her about he man and lets her know he as already called the police.

 

These come across our news feeds a few times a year, or they may be things we tried as children, but did you know that there are several Urban Legends about insurance as well.  Here are just a few to get you thinking about the importance of your inurance portfolio.

 

1. I don’t need much insurance. I drive an older car.

This is untrue because a 1970 Pinto can do just as much damage as a 2014 Mercedes.

 

2. I only need liability, my car is paid off.

This is untrue because comprehensive and collision coverage pays for the repair or cash value of your car. It isn’t only protection for the lien holder.

3. I don’t need life insurance, I have it through my work.

False because, if you get ill and have to quit working do you get to take the insurance with you?

Most people get ill (MS, cancer, etc) and leave working but they then loose their life insurance and don’t qualify for life insurance anymore.

4. It is an older house. It isn’t worth that much.

In case of a total loss, you cannot build a 1970 home again. Cities will require the rebuilding to be up to city codes that are currently in place.

Reconstruction cost will typically run higher than market value

 

Like the Urban Legends above many people believe or think they know what they need to know about insurance.  People call our office all the time and say I just want liability or I want full coverage., with out really knowing what that means.  Did you know just because you have "full coverage" does not necessarily mean you have rental coverage, or towing?  These are just a couple of minor things to take into consideration.  What if it was bigger than that? What if you didn't have high enough limits to cover that accident?  Do you have questions about your coverage? Don't just assume it's ok, sit down with a professional and confirm you're protected. Make it a point to annually review your coverages. Know what you have, and to make sure it's what you need contact www.kirkwoodagency.com .  We're the snopes of insurance!