When you purchase ID theft insurance from Shell Insurance Agency, you probably hope you’ll never use it. Things happen in Deer Park, TX, just as they do in the rest of the US, so taking careful preventative measures helps you avoid needing to file a claim.

Using the advice from the US government and identity theft expert Frank Abagnale, we’ve put together this quick list of precautions to help you keep your identity safe.

1. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place, such as a safe or safety deposit box, stored with your other critical identifying documents. Don’t carry your number with you; memorize it. Only provide your Social Security number when necessary.
2. Avoid sharing personal information, such as your birthdate or bank account number, unless you must for an application or payment.
3. Use a credit monitoring service like Lifelock or Experian Dark Web Scan + Credit Monitoring monitors the three major credit bureaus – Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. The service needs to notify you in real-time of an identity compromise.
4. Use a micro-cut shredder to credit offers, shred receipts, account statements you still get on paper, and expired credit cards so no dumpster diver can access your personal information.
5. Collect your mail daily and put delivery on hold when you go out of town.
6. Know your billing cycle date and contact your bank or creditor if your statement doesn’t arrive on time.
7. Compare your receipts with your bank statement and credit card statements to balance your accounts and catch unauthorized transactions.
8. Review all three of your credit reports annually to check for incorrect information, especially accounts you don’t recognize. You can get a free credit report from Annualcreditreport.com.
9. Always use a credit card, so you use the bank’s money, not your own. Credit cards protect you from unauthorized charges. You typically only have liability for $50.
10. Avoid using debit cards since they provide a bank account gateway. Examine any ATM or gas station pump card reader carefully before using it. Skimmer attacks place an artificial card reader over the legitimate reader to steal your card number, then your cash.
11. Activate all of the security features on your smartphone and other mobile devices.
12. Create passwords you can remember that an identity thief would find difficult to guess or hack. At a minimum, you should use a different password for each website. Each should consist of at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one digit, one special character when allowed, and not more than three repeating characters. Typically, each password must consist of at least eight characters.
13. If a company with which you do business experiences a security breach, change your password for their site.
14. Install virus-detection software, malware detection software, and a firewall on your home computer, tablet, and smartphone.
15. Use a virtual private network (VPN) when using public Wi-Fi. Also, update your firewall settings before signing onto public Wi-Fi.
16. Freeze your credit files with the credit bureaus, Innovis, and the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange if you know you don’t need to apply for a loan or a credit card. The freeze prevents costs nothing and stops anyone from being able to apply for credit or utilities in your name.

If you don’t already have ID theft insurance, contact Shell Insurance Agency serving Deer Park, TX. Let us help you protect your identity.

If you live in the greater Deer Park, TX area, you may wonder if flood insurance is something you need. Fortunately, the team here at Shell Insurance Agency is here to answer all of your questions!

What you need to know about flood insurance

Many people are unsure if flood insurance is something that they need. The answer is an easy yes in some situations, as their home or business is located in a flood plain or their lender requires them to carry such coverage. But in situations where it is a little less cut and dried, you may wonder if flood insurance is something that you should have.

The first thing to understand is that water damage coverage is typically classified by the cause of the damage. For example, your homeowner’s policy may cover the damage caused by a broken pipe but does not provide protection against damage caused by excessive rain or another natural cause.

First, it makes sense to take a close look at your homeowner’s policy to understand what protection it offers for different types of damage. Next, sit down with a local agent who understands your area and the need for flood insurance at your home or place of business. 

Learning about the options you have available to protect your property can help you make the right choice for flood insurance.

Find out more today!

Shell Insurance Agency is your source for insurance in the greater Deer Park, TX area. We are proud to serve the insurance needs of our community and look forward to working with you too. If you would like to learn more about the flood insurance options available in our area, call or stop by today.

It seems that data rates are increasing at an alarming rate. Therefore, you have to be smart about keeping your identity safe. For this reason, more and more people in Deer Park, TX are making a smart investment in ID theft insurance.

What Is Identity Theft Insurance?

Identity theft insurance, which is available for purchase from Shell Insurance Agency as an add-on to your property insurance policy, provides coverage for expenses that you incur while restoring your identity. The exact coverage options will vary, but typically ID theft insurance will cover the following:

• Certified mailing fees
• Loss of wages
• Monitoring black market websites and chat rooms for information
• Notary fees
• Public records searches

It is important to note that these policies do not pay for direct monetary loss, such as money that is stolen from a bank account. In addition, some policies may cap your coverage if your ID is stolen or require payment of a deductible before coverage kicks in to pay for any expenses.

Peace of Mind

Identity theft insurance can provide you with peace of mind. Be sure to take the time to research the benefits to get a good understanding of everything that is covered by this type of insurance policy. Always read the fine print to ensure that you are making an informed decision and getting the coverage that you need.

If you are located in the Deer Park, TX area and you are interested in learning more about identity theft insurance, you are invited to contact Shell Insurance Agency. Our skilled and knowledgeable team of experts is here to provide you with answers to any questions and address any concerns that you may have about purchasing this particular type of insurance. Give us a call today!

If you own a home in Deer Park, TX, flood insurance is a must-have. Your home is the most valuable asset you probably own. The best thing you can do is to guard it by purchasing flood insurance safely. And since home insurance does not cover floods, it would help if you had a separate flood insurance policy.

Just because your home has not flooded before doesn’t mean it won’t do so in the future. Unfortunately, Mother Nature can knock any time, and you don’t want to wait to receive her wrath unprepared. That’s why you need to buy flood insurance from Shell Insurance Agency. This way, you will get coverage in the following areas:

Building property coverage

Flood insurance covers damages to your home in the event of an unfortunate event. Building property coverage covers the following:

• Plumbing systems and electrical
• Window blinds
• Water heaters and Furnaces 
• Refrigerators, build-in appliances, and cooking stoves
• Detached garages
• Solar energy, fuel tanks, and pumps
• Detached garages
• Staircases, anchorage systems, and foundation walls

Personal contents coverage

Your flood insurance also protects the contents of your home. You have to disclose your contents correctly to your insurer. Here is a list of the contents inside your home that the policy covers.

• Furniture
• Electronics
• Clothing
• Dishwashers
• Portable air conditioners and microwaves
• Dryers and washers
• Freezers and the food inside the freezers
• Certain valuables like arts but up to a specific limit

You can purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Either way, you will have a policy that shields when floods strike.

Flood insurance in Deer Park, TX

Flood insurance protects the things you value. It’s essential to talk to your insurer also to learn what flood insurance does not cover. Ready to purchase a flood insurance policy? Contact us at Shell Insurance Agency for an affordable quote.

Shell Insurance Agency serving Deer Park, TX wants you to understand that identity theft is a crime. When another individual uses your name, likeness, credit card number, driver’s license number, or Social Security Number, that’s identity theft. The term identity theft or ID theft means that a person other than yourself used your identity to represent themselves.

Identity theft is illegal. 

Those criminals should listen to the old adage, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

This blog explains how to handle documenting ID theft and pressing charges to have the perp arrested and tried. You can have an individual prosecuted in criminal and civil court for identity theft.

By filing criminal charges, you can have the person arrested for the crime. The matter goes to court unless they cut a deal. If prosecuted, tried, and convicted, they will go to prison. The prison terms for this crime vary by state.

You can also sue the individual in civil court to recover the money they defrauded other companies of and to recover damages for any reputation harm they did.

Filling Criminal Charges

You first need to report what happened to the police. Ask to file a report for identity theft. Also, once filed, obtain a copy of the police report. At the time that you file your police report, ask the police department to submit your name and information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s NCIC Identity Theft File. This helps law enforcement flag stolen identities, so they can more easily spot imposters.

What to Bring

You need to take proof with you. If you reported charges to your credit card companies or to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you need to print a copy of that report. Take your government-issued photo ID with you, typically your driver’s license. Also, bring with you proof of your physical address, such as your utility bill, rental agreement, or mortgage papers. You should take with you any proof of the identity theft, such as screenshots of fake accounts they created using your name and photos, bills for purchases they made, photos of them using your credit card information taken from retail store security cameras, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notices, etc.

The police typically do not have time to investigate these matters themselves, so if the identity theft occurred online and did not involve accessing your finances, you need other proof of who did it. You will need to hire a private investigator or a computer firm that specializes in criminal documentation of digital access. They will need to trace the creation of and access to the account(s) to document their Internet Protocol (IP) address which reveals their physical address. Police use the physical address to arrest the individuals. You cannot hire a computer repair shop or Best Buy to do this type of work. The companies specializing in this type of digital investigation locate themselves in major cities, including Dallas, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, etc. You may not find a local company that specializes in it, but since most of these companies conduct their investigations online, this won’t matter.

Filing in Civil Court

You will need to hire a personal injury attorney to file civil charges. Rather than the type of personal injury attorney that deals with car accidents or construction accidents, you need one that specializes in criminal and civil fraud. Many lawyers now specialize in identity theft. Take with you the same paperwork as when you filed the criminal charges, plus the police report. The civil process takes time, and you may not recover much money out of it, but you will be able to document the reputation damage, which can help you recover your good name.

You can help yourself by carrying identity theft insurance from Shell Insurance Agency serving Deer Park, TX. This pays for the fraudulent charges made by those who stole your identity.

We love our homes because it’s the safe haven for our family and pets. While most homeowners understand the importance of protecting their homes, buying flood insurance never crosses their minds until their mortgage lender asks them.

Over the past years, the US has experienced record-breaking floods, resulting in property damage and loss of lives. Without flood insurance, you may be staring at losses when floods damage your home. While you may expect federal assistance, this is not always the case. 

So, why do I need flood insurance in Deer Park, TX? Shell Insurance Agency shares benefits you enjoy when you invest in flood insurance.

To protect your home

Water damage can cause devastating damage. Did you know that just a one-inch rise of water may cost about $25,000 in repairs? Because floods can cause costly damages to your home, you require flood insurance to save you the hassle of financing the repairs from your pocket.

But I don’t live in a flood-risk area? Floods are unpredictable and can strike anywhere. Data from FEMA shows that about 20% of all flood insurance claims arise from residents living in moderate to mild flood-risk areas. 

For peace of mind

Instead of shuddering every time the weatherman mentions an imminent storm, purchase flood insurance to live a stress-free life. This way, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your loved ones when you hear of imminent bad weather. 

To keep your loved ones safe

The worst part about floods is that your home insurance doesn’t cover your home when damaged. As such, your loved ones might be rendered homeless when floods strike. Thankfully, a flood insurance plan protects the safe haven of your dear ones when the unexpected strike.

Buy flood insurance today!

Featuring several rivers and their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, floods are a reality in Deer Park, TX. But how can I be safe? The surest line of defense is purchasing flood insurance from Shell Insurance Agency. Contact us today for an affordable quote. 

Identity theft insurance, or ID theft coverage, is critical for any individual or business with any sort of online presence, given the ease with which malicious actors regularly obtain access to confidential financial information. ID theft insurance protects you in the event that someone steals your identity and attempts to use your private information to make unauthorized purchases or open credit lines in your name. 

What is ID theft insurance?

ID theft insurance typically provides assistance in the event your personal financial information is stolen and used. It kicks in after an adverse event and offers reimbursement to cover many of the expenses often incurred when attempting to recover control over your identity. It’s important to remember that insurance coverage can vary by location. We at the Shell Insurance Agency have tons of experience helping Deer Park, TX individuals and businesses understand the available options. 

What kinds of events does it cover?

There’s no one-size-fits-all ID theft plan, so make sure you understand precisely what’s covered to ensure that your most important assets are protected before making a purchase. Many plans will help pay for legal and notarial fees incurred as part of the recovery process. Rectifying ID theft is often a time-consuming process, so some insurance plans provide assistance for child care expenses and lost wages. Others offer compensation for mailing and phone expenses related to securing your financial identity. Some plans even provide guidance to help you through the process. 

Reach out — we’re here to help

Interested in finding out more about this important form of financial protection? We at the Shell Insurance Agency serve Deer Park, TX, so if you live in the area, we’d love to help you with your insurance purchase. Give us a call to schedule an appointment — we’d love to hear from you. 

If it rains, it can flood in Deer Park, TX. And if it floods, you can be counting the unspeakable amount of damage on your structure and the contents inside. So how can you avert this risk? Flood insurance can be an excellent place to start to ensure that you are protected. 

What does flood insurance cover?

Of the many questions we receive here at Shell Insurance Agency, one of the most common is: what does flood insurance cover? In the event of flood damage, your National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compensates for structural damage (up to $250,000) and the contents inside (up to $100,000). If you feel like these coverages aren’t enough, you can buy extra from a private insurance company at an additional premium.

Flood insurance protects the things you value. Generally, if you buy flood insurance in Texas, it covers the following: 

• Standard home systems: Here, included are equipment like air conditioners, furnaces, plumbing system, water heater, and electrical system.
• Carpeting and installed fixtures: Includes damaged built-in cabinets, bookshelves, and paneling.
• Your building’s foundation and support structures, including the staircase.
• Personal belongings: This may include electronics, furniture, clothing, and so forth.
• Detached garage. A maximum of up to 10 percent of your flood insurance can be extended to your garage coverage.

What isn’t covered by home insurance?

There are exclusions to your flood insurance. Some include:

• Flood damage to the basement and the contents. Typically, flood insurance is calculated based on your home’s lowest elevation point (the foundation level). That said, any structures (like basements) below the foundation may not be covered. 
• Additional living expenses, but you can cross-check with your agent to be double sure. 
• Flood damage caused by a sewer backup if the backup hasn’t been caused by flooding.

Deer Park, TX is in proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. As such, the threat of flooding is a genuine cause of fear. Thankfully, you can protect your home with flood insurance from Shell Insurance Agency. Contact us today, and we shall help you protect your home from floods.

What is ID Theft Insurance? 

Identity theft insurance is financial protection created to cover potential expenses that may happen from being victimized by fraud. With the right policy for your situation, you can tons of money, energy, and time. It can shield you from criminals who dare to prey on you by fraud. ID theft insurance covers some costs associated with identity theft. This type of insurance reimburses policyholders who are fraud victims who are repairing their credit reports and reclaiming their financial identities. Also, these policies usually provide professionals who can guide victims in the identity restoration process. 

What Does ID Theft Insurance Cover? 

As previously stated, identity theft insurance reimburses some of the expenses that are incurred on a daily basis and in the restoration efforts of your identity and credit. Thus, depending on the ID theft insurance policy, the following includes a list of expenses that may be covered

• Your credit reports’ copies
• Notary fees
• Lost wages
• Mailing documents
• Child care costs
• Legal fees
• Credit monitoring services

Please note that direct, incurred financial losses resulting from identity theft are not covered. ID theft insurance only covers some expenses that occurred after identity theft happened.  

Conclusion

Don’t get caught off-guard: Criminals are becoming savvier in their fraudulent endeavors. For more information about ID theft insurance, contact Shell Insurance Agency today. Located in Deer Park, TX, Shell Insurance Agency has been providing top-notch excellence with tons of top-tier insurance products to their clients. They take pride in providing the utmost for their clients in and around Deer Park, TX since 2013. They can do the same for you, so contact them today.  

Anyone that lives in the Deer Park, TX area and is thinking about purchasing a home will have to spend a lot of time assessing their insurance needs. While all people will want to make sure that they get proper home insurance, many would also benefit from getting flood insurance. There are several situations in particular when someone in this area of Texas will need to get an additional flood insurance policy. 

Anyone that Wants to Protect Home

One scenario when someone would need to get flood insurance for their Texas property is when they want to protect their home. In areas all over the city and region, there continues to be a risk of flood. If you are a victim, the costs of remediation can be significant. Fortunately, you can greatly offset this risk by getting flood insurance coverage that will give you the proceeds needed to repair your property after a flood.

Anyone With a Lender Requirement

You will also need to have flood insurance if your lender is making it a requirement. For people in this area that live in a designated flood zone, there will be a need to carry insurance as your mortgage lender will likely require it. In a lot of situations, the lender will even make you escrow your payments monthly to ensure that you do not fall behind on payments and lose coverage.

Finding the right flood insurance policy in Deer Park, TX is an important process. When looking for another policy, you should call the Shell Insurance Agency. The insurance professionals with the Shell Insurance Agency know how to help you assess your needs. If necessary, they can then help you build a policy that will give your property the flood coverage that it needs.