Four things that might surprise you about home insurance coverage

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If you’re in the market for home insurance coverage in Deer Park, TX, we’re here to help. At Shell Insurance Agency, we can answer your questions about home insurance. 

The following are four things that might surprise you about home insurance coverage.  

Home insurance can often include coverage for identity theft damages.

Home insurance doesn’t just offer coverage for issues involving physical damage. These days, home insurance also often offers coverage for costs that result from identity theft.

Standard home insurance policies sometimes exclude coverage for accidents involving trampolines.

If you have a trampoline in your yard, you shouldn’t assume that your home insurance policy will cover injury costs from trampoline use. It would be best if you read the fine print of your policy. Many standard home insurance policies will exclude coverage for recreational equipment in your yard, such as trampolines. 

Home insurance coverage eventually needs to be renewed.

A home insurance policy will cover you for a certain period. Once the term of your home insurance policy is over, you need to renew your policy. Fortunately, renewing a home insurance policy is a quick and straightforward task with most insurance providers. 

Home insurance coverage is not usually required by law.

While home insurance is essential, it’s not required by law in most situations. However, home insurance is required by mortgage lenders. This means you will be obligated to buy home insurance if you still pay off your mortgage. 

Insure your home in Deer Park, TX with a policy from Shell Insurance Agency. We’re happy to provide you with a quote and answer any insurance questions you have. Call us today!

Protect Your Online Finances with ID Theft Insurance

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If hackers or thieves steal your identity, you could end up footing the bill for fraudulent charges. It can also impact your credit history. Fortunately, you can defend yourself against sophisticated attacks with ID theft insurance. The agents at Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX can help you find the right policy to meet your needs. 

How ID Theft Insurance Protects You Online

Criminals use malware and deception to obtain your personal information online. Sometimes, it only takes a single click on the wrong link to allow cyber thieves to track your activity. Fortunately, identity theft insurance provides a shield against potential losses associated with a stolen identity. Ask one of our knowledgeable agents about the different policies that might work best for you.

What Identity Theft Insurance Covers

Cunning criminals lurk online, waiting for your guard to slip. That’s why it’s so important to protect your online finances against hackers and bad actors.

Most policies help you pay for or eliminate fraudulent charges. You can also find policies that include credit history repairs and legal assistance to guide you through the recovery stage. With the right policy, you can receive reimbursement for various related costs. 

What does ID theft insurance cover? Usually, it handles fees associated with restoring your credits. It may pay for legal fees for court hearings and attorneys. If you need to replace your driver’s license or other compromised documents, your policy might cover those costs, too. 

Lost wages can further jeopardize your financial health. Therefore, you might want to find an insurer that covers lost wages and the cost of flagging your accounts with fraud alerts. Bank fees resulting from fraudulent activity are also included in some policies. 

Contact Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX to learn how ID theft insurance can protect your mind.

Required Auto Insurance in Texas

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All Texas vehicles are required to have auto insurance. It’s also the law that you must have proof of insurance with you and show it to police officers when they ask to see it. If you have an auto lender, they will also require that you have this coverage, and they usually require you to have more types of coverage than are required by law. The law requires a couple of types of liability coverage for every vehicle registered in the state. When you need auto insurance, don’t wait. Call us at Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX.

Liability Coverage

There are two types of required liability coverage, and it must be available in three different amounts. The first amount is bodily injury liability for a single person who is injured in an accident that is judged to be your fault. The second amount is for bodily injury liability for everyone injured in the accident. The third amount is for property damage liability. This pays for the damage to other people’s property, such as vehicles and buildings. All of these amounts are average for other states, but you may want to get more of this coverage than is required so that you can pay for expensive accidents. However, none of this liability coverage will pay for your own damages after an accident that was your fault. 

Other Auto Coverage

The state doesn’t require you to have collision or comprehensive coverage, but your auto lender probably will. Collision coverage is for paying for the damage to your own vehicle if you should cause an accident that damages it. Comprehensive insurance protects you against several different risks when you aren’t driving the vehicle. 

Get Your Auto Policy

Call us today at Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX when you need auto insurance.

What to Expect from Flood Insurance

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Extreme weather patterns over the years have resulted in countless flood events all across the country. Texas is no stranger to flood disasters. As home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, we recommend Texas homeowners purchase flood coverage. Here’s what a flood insurance policy from Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX has to offer. 

Flood Events Covered by Flood Insurance 

Flood insurance protects both your home and personal belongings against major flood loss. Flood insurance covers water damage caused by rising lakes or rivers, storm surges, heavy downpours that cause flooding, dam overflows, mudflows and melting snow.

As many Texas homeowners have recently discovered, floods aren’t limited to flood zone areas. Even if you don’t live in a flood zone, you’re at risk of flood disasters. With flood insurance, you can be prepared for any eventuality. 

Protection Offered by Flood Policies

Flood policies offer two types of coverage: building and contents. You can purchase just building coverage, just contents coverage or both. Each has their own deductible, which is the part that you pay before coverage kicks in.

Building coverage protects your home’s structure. It covers flood damage to foundation walls, electrical and plumbing systems, wall-to-wall carpeting, staircases, furnaces, water heaters, cabinets, built-in appliances and detached garages. You can buy building coverage for up to $250,000.

Contents coverage protects your belongings. This includes clothes, furniture, electronics, major appliances, paintings, curtains, blinds and more. You can buy contents coverage for up to $100,000. Just so you’re aware, contents coverage is for the actual cash value of your goods at the time of loss – not current replacement costs.

Benefits of Flood Insurance Coverage

Flood insurance provides financial support to help you recover from flood disasters. To purchase flood coverage for your Deer Park, TX home, give Shell Insurance Agency a call.  

Does Home Insurance Cover Termite Infestations?

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Having the right home insurance coverage and preventing damage associated with pests is crucial for protecting your home and property. If you’re interested in acquiring top-quality home insurance, the professionals at Shell Insurance Agency are ready to assist the residents in and around Deer Park, TX.

Termite Damage

Quality home insurance is one of the best ways to protect your home. However, most insurance policies won’t cover damage due to a termite infestation. This is because insurance providers view termite damage as a preventable issue. The best way to prevent termite damage is to have regularly scheduled inspections and treatment.

Knowledgeable Agents 

Our team of professional insurance agents is highly skilled and knowledgeable. They can carefully assess your situation based on facts and potential needs in your individual case. From there, the agent can recommend compatible insurance policy options that benefit homeowners. Once a policy is chosen, the agent can assist with filing paperwork and documentation to help get the insurance policy in place immediately. If, at any time during the policy’s life, you need assistance with changes to the policy or even filing a claim, we are here to help.

Reach Out to Us 

Choosing the right coverage and understanding the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy is a priority. Our insurance agents are ready to assist you with finding and understanding your home insurance policy. Shell Insurance Agency is committed to providing exceptional customer service and insurance products they can rely on. Residents living in and around the Deer Park, TX, area are encouraged to call or stop by the office to schedule a consultation with one of our agents. Get the quality insurance coverage you need for a complete layer of protection and peace of mind.

The Basics of Identity Theft Insurance

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Identity theft occurs when someone gains access to your credit cards, account numbers, or computerized information intending to defraud. The Federal Trade Commission reported that identity theft affected more than 1.4 million Americans in 2021, so nearly anyone could be affected. Given the potential impact, feel free to contact the Shell Insurance Agency, serving Deer Park, TX, to determine whether identity theft insurance should be part of your insurance plan.

What’s Covered By Identity Theft Insurance?

Victims of identity theft may incur out-of-pocket expenses to fix the problem and spend substantial time doing so, and they may suffer direct financial losses. Identity theft policies range from basic to comprehensive, so the following list identifies how you could be affected by identity theft and the expenses and losses covered by different policies.

Out-of-pocket expenses may include:

  • Obtaining copies of your credit report
  • Notary, certified mail, and bank fees
  • Legal fees and court costs
  • Telephone costs

Due to the time required to repair your identity and reputation, some policies also cover the following:

  • Wages lost while resolving issues
  • Child care costs

More comprehensive policies may reimburse or cover the following:

  • Stolen funds
  • Credit monitoring
  • Identity restoration specialists who handle tasks so you can return to work.
  • Data restoration specialists (following a cyberattack)

Generally, those with more assets and whose time is most valuable need more comprehensive coverage, but everyone’s situation and needs differ. 

Working With Shell Insurance Agency

Many gain comfort knowing their families have identity theft protection. In a world where anything can happen, the Shell Insurance Agency team, serving Deer Park, TX, can help you gain that protection. So give us a call or stop in today.

Tips to improve your gas mileage

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Are you looking for ways to save money on gas here in the Deer Park, TX area? Here are some easy tips from us at Shell Insurance Agency to help improve your gas mileage: 

1. Ensure your tires are correctly inflated – under-inflated tires cause you to use more fuel due to unnecessary drag. Check your tire pressure monthly and inflate when needed. 

2. Avoid heavy loads – try to keep the extra weight in your car to a minimum. The heavier the load, the less fuel efficient your vehicle will be. 

3. Use cruise control – this helps stabilize the speed of your car and reduce fuel consumption while driving on highways or other roads with minimal stops. 

4. Keep up with regular maintenance – regular oil changes, tune-ups, and other check-ups can help ensure your car is running as efficiently as possible, which can help improve your gas mileage. 

5. Drive sensibly – aggressive driving such as speeding, hard braking, and accelerating all impact fuel efficiency quickly negatively, so try to drive smoothly whenever possible for maximum savings on gas. 

6. Make sure your tires are properly inflated – not having enough air in them can strain the engine and cause it to use more fuel than necessary. Be sure to check your pressure regularly for maximum efficiency. 

For more gas and money-saving tips, call us at Shell Insurance Agency today. We are proud to serve the Deer Park, TX area and would be happy to help you find an auto policy that meets your needs and budget.

Do You Need Flood Insurance?

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Keeping your home safe and protecting the investment you have made is crucial to your financial security. Flood damage can be a devastating event in the life of a homeowner. At Shell Insurance Agency, serving Deer Park, TX, and the surrounding areas, we are here to help you better understand flood insurance options. Keep reading to learn more. 

Is Flood Insurance Included In My Homeowner’s Policy?

Often, flood insurance is not included in a homeowner’s policy. This is because flood risks can be very different from place to place. This makes it difficult for underwriters to create insurance policies that are one size fits all kind of policy. Flood insurance policies often need to be customized to your particular needs and risk factors. 

What’s The Difference Between Natural Flooding and Interior Flooding?

Interior flooding refers to flooding within your home due to plumbing or appliance malfunctions. This type of flooding is often included in your homeowner’s policy. 

Naturally occurring flooding would be flooding that results from natural disasters or events that are taking place outside your home. You often need a flood insurance policy in addition to your homeowner’s policy to cover this type of damage. 

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

The answer to this question can vary from person to person. Some homes are located in areas with so little chance of flooding that they may not be needed. Other homes are located in very high-risk flood zones. The best way to determine whether you need this type of coverage is to talk with an insurance representative. 

To learn more about flood insurance, please get in touch with us at Shell Insurance Agency, serving Deer Park, TX, and the surrounding areas. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?

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Having adequate home insurance is essential for protecting you from losses associated with covered perils. There are many instances where your home could sustain damage and, as a result, develop mold. If you need quality home insurance, you can trust the professionals at Shell Insurance Agency, serving the residents around Deer Park, TX. 

Home Insurance Protection

Most home insurance policies protect the homeowner from incurring losses associated with mold due to a sudden accident or incident that wasn’t the homeowner’s fault. Before choosing a policy for your home, make sure you know the terms and conditions associated with mold coverage and similar points of interest. 

When you work with our team of experts, you can be assured that our agents will thoroughly explain any mold-related details or any other incidents needing clarification. We take the time to match our clients with suitable policy options to ensure they are completely protected. Not only do we help offer the right choices for insurance coverage, but we also assist with the submission of documents, policy changes, and any claim submissions. We are committed to offering our residents the best customer service out there. 

Reach Out Today

If you or someone you know is looking for top-quality home insurance, contact an agent at Shell Insurance Agency today. We proudly serve the residents in and around the Deer Park, TX, area. Find out how we can help provide a blanket of protection against risks such as mold and other related damage that threaten your home and health. We are ready to give you the support and answers you need for peace of mind. 

Do You Need Identity Theft Insurance?

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Identity theft is a surprisingly common problem that Americans face, with a new theft occurring every 22 seconds. Identity thefts are expected to increase over time, with many expected to experience financial loss. You should consult an insurance agent for protection if you’re somebody with a high risk of identity theft. Identity theft insurance is one method of many in protecting yourself in this situation. At Shell Insurance Agency, we’re offering identity theft insurance to the people of Deer Park.

How Do I Know if I Need Identity Theft Insurance

Because the internet is now such a pervasive platform, many use it for banking purposes. Americans have a 1 in 6 chance of losing money to a scam. If you have some of your money stored in a digital storage space – like an online banking account or a payment processor – then identity theft insurance comes highly recommended. 

What to Expect From Identity Theft Insurance

There are various types of protection against identity theft, and insurance offers its own set of benefits. In an identity theft insurance plan, you can expect payment if your identity is stolen. It can also cover additional theft-related fees, like legal aid, application charges, or lost wages on the job. When shopping for this insurance, find policies matching your needs.

Finding Identity Theft Insurance from Deer Park, TX

Ready to purchase an insurance plan that covers situations like identity theft? If so, please contact our Deer Park agency at 713-527-2209. Our team would be happy to discuss insurance options with you.