Who needs flood insurance in Deer Park?

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. 

Three things you didn’t know about ID theft insurance

It’s important to protect your identity. Identity theft can cause you a lot of inconvenience in addition to costing you money. Shell Insurance Agency offers those in Deer Park, TX ID theft insurance.

The following are three things you didn’t know about ID theft insurance that you need to know. 

Identity theft is common in the United States. 

One of the most important things to understand about identity theft is just how common it is has become. In 2017 alone, ID theft impacted at least 15 million Americans.

ID theft could easily happen to you if you don’t protect yourself and take the necessary precautions. Purchasing ID theft insurance is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against damages from ID theft. 

There are many possible ways identity theft can be perpetrated. 

Identity theft is not a simple matter. You might associate ID theft with opening credit accounts in another person’s name. However, ID theft can occur in other ways. ID theft might also involve using your identity to acquire government benefits or even to have crimes charged to your identity rather than to the identity of an ID thief. 

There are so many different possible forms of ID theft that ID theft can be hard to identify. That’s why it’s so important to invest in protection. 

Identity theft insurance can come with numerous protective services.

ID theft providers often connect you with a variety of ID protection services to minimize the chances that you will experience ID theft. These can include credit monitoring and identity monitoring services. 

You need to understand what ID theft is and what kind of threats it poses to your financial stability. At Shell Insurance Agency, we can assist you when it comes to ID theft concerns in Deer Park, TX. Contact us to learn more about the ID theft insurance policies we provide. 

Why should I get flood insurance for my home in Deer Park?

Buying a home in the Deer Park, TX area can be a great investment. While there are benefits to owning a property here, there are risks as well. If you do purchase a home here, getting the right insurance is very important. One form of insurance coverage that you may need to get is flood insurance as it offers important protections. 

Flood Insurance Offers Valuable Protection

When you own a property, you need to ensure that you are covered as well as possible. A great way that you can mitigate one serious risk is by having flood insurance. If your home is damaged by a flood, the costs of remediation can be significant. Fortunately, those that have flood insurance will receive the support and reimbursements that they need to either repair or rebuild their home.

Mortgage Requirement

You should also get a flood insurance policy because it could be a requirement for you. Any lender knows how serious the risk of flood damage is. Due to this, they will want to ensure that you have the insurance protection in place to mitigate this risk. If you are located in a flood zone, the lender will most likely require that you get a full flood insurance policy that provides the necessary coverage to protect your home and its collateral. 

Any Deer Park, TX property owner needs to spend time considering their flood insurance needs. If you believe that having flood insurance is right for you, it would be wise to speak to the team at the Shell Insurance Agency. Choosing a flood insurance policy can be a complicated and important decision. The team at Shell Insurance Agency will help you choose the right policy that meets your needs and properly protects your home. 

What is Identity Theft Insurance and What Does It Cover?

While today’s technology has made life easier in many ways, one drawback is the potential of identity theft. Fortunately, identity theft insurance is available to cover some of the losses you may incur if this happens to you.

What Does Identity Theft Insurance Cover?

Identity theft insurance will reimburse you for money spent on reclaiming your financial identity correcting any of your credit reports that were adversely affected by the incident. This can include help from an attorney and lost wages and repairing their credit reports. Some policies even offer an identity theft specialist to help you navigate the system while getting back on track.

In addition to legal fees and lost wages, identity theft insurance will assist you in obtaining copies of your credit reports, long-distance phone calls made to clear up your accounts, notary fees, cost of postage for mailing necessary documents, child care costs while you take care of things, and credit monitoring services. It does not cover any direct financial losses that you may suffer as a result of identity theft.

How Do You Obtain Identity Theft Insurance?

To obtain identity theft insurance, you will need to contact a trusted insurance agent. If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy or renters insurance policy already in place, first check to see if identity theft is already included in your policy. If not, you can add it to one of those policies or purchase it as a policy by itself. The cost is low in both situations, but check with your insurance agent to determine which way is best for you and your situation.

You will also want to check out your options on coverage amounts that are available and how much your deductible, if any, will be under the policy.

To obtain coverage in Deer Park, TX, call upon the identity theft professionals at the Shell Insurance Agency today! Our agents at Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX are ready to answer your questions.

Flood Insurance: Fact vs Myth

Before purchasing flood insurance, make sure you understand the protection flood insurance has to offer. You don’t want to be led astray by misconceptions about flood coverage. The following list of flood insurance facts and myths compiled by Shell Insurance Agency can save you time, frustration, and money in insuring your Deer Park, TX home.

Myth: Homeowners’ insurance covers flood damage

Fact: Standard homeowner’s insurance covers water damage due to leaky pipes or rain entering a broken window. It does not, however, cover flooding. If your home is flooded and you don’t have flood coverage, you’re stuck paying for damages on your own.

Myth: Only homeowners in flood zones can purchase flood insurance

Fact: Any Texas homeowner can purchase flood insurance, as long as his or her community is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As floods are quite common in Texas, flood insurance is a worthwhile investment to protect your home. Flood insurance is relatively inexpensive if you live outside of a flood zone, making it a practical addition to your home insurance package.

Myth: Only homeowners in flood zones need flood insurance

Fact: Floods can occur anywhere, putting any homeowner at risk of losing their home or valuables to this disaster. In fact, approximately 25% of flood claims come from homeowners living outside flood zones. By purchasing a flood policy, you can be prepared to face flood disasters.  

Myth: Flood insurance is only for homeowners

Fact: Homeowners, renters, and business owners can purchase flood insurance to protect their home, condo, apartment, or commercial structure. Residential homes can be insured for up to $250,000 with a maximum of $100,000 coverage for contents. Commercial structures and contents can be insured for up to $500,000 each.

To learn more about flood insurance protection for your Deer Park, TX home, contact Shell Insurance Agency today.

3 Reasons Why You Need ID Theft Insurance in Texas

Identity theft is a big problem in the United States. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission reported 1.4 million cases of identity fraud costing $1.48 billion. While you may do all you can to prevent identity theft, or think it won’t happen to you, you really should consider purchasing ID theft insurance. Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX has put together this shortlist of three compelling reasons why.

1. Cover Expenses Related to Restoring Your Identity

Once a person’s identity is stolen, it can take time, energy, and funds to get it back. However, if you are adequately insured, and your identity is stolen, the insurance policy will likely cover any related expenses you incur while fixing the problem. These problems can be long-distance phone calls, notary fees, lost wages, legal fees, child care fees, and more. 

2. It’s Affordable

Considering the nightmare you’d go through if your identity was stolen and you didn’t have any help, the small premium you’d pay for ID theft insurance isn’t much. This type of policy, along with preventive measures, will give you and your bank account some sense of security.

3. Expert Help

Some policies provide the policyholder with expert help to get everything back on track. This is just one part of the ID theft insurance policy that is a life-saver. Imagine having an expert at your fingertips to guide you through the process if your identity is stolen. This can be a very stressful time for victims, and having an expert to talk to will make all the difference.

To learn more about purchasing an ID theft insurance policy in Houston and Deer Park, TX, contact Shell Insurance Agency. Our friendly agents are standing by to answer all your questions and help you get started. 

 

 

 

Assessing and staying safe from floods: Flood Insurance

We work hard in our prime years, making huge investments into homeownership and property development, but how well prepared are we in the eventuality of floods?

Keep your worries at bay. At Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX, we have an insurance policy that covers just that. Flood insurance covers property loss from flooding. The home owner’s insurance policy does not include this risk.

Do you need Flood Insurance?

Analysis by the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicates that the leading disaster in the USA is flooding. Low-risk areas accounted for 20% of flood claims. Every home is susceptible to floods and hence the need for a flood insurance policy. We have no control over the weather and can, therefore, not control extreme levels of damage. We can rest easy knowing that we can recover the losses through an insurance policy. Important to note is the policy has a 30-day waiting period.

What does the flood insurance cover?

The flood insurance policy in Texas applies to businesses, condos, mobile homes, fixed structure homes, and rentals. Flood insurance has two coverage parts, your personal belongings and your home.

Building property coverage protects the physical structure of your home, its foundation, central area, electrical systems, heating systems, and detached garage. All repair cost for the primary residence is catered for by the policy and vacation homes on the cash value.

Personal contents coverage covers some portable appliances, electronics, certain valuables, and clothing. Depreciation is put into the account on payouts.

What does the insurance not cover?

Flood insurance policies often do not cover the following:

  • Paper valuables
  • Outdoor property
  • Temporary housing
  • Self-propelled vehicles and cars
  • Damage from mildew

Visit our Shell Insurance Agents in Deer Park, TX today to get further information on our flood insurance policy as well as get assistance in selecting the policy suitable for you!

Why You Should Have ID Theft Insurance Protection

In today’s digital world, identify theft is, unfortunately, becoming more and more common. If you use the internet on a regular basis, as most people do, it’s time to learn more about the benefits of ID theft insurance protection. Shell Insurance Agency offers residents in the greater Houston and Deer Park, TX area this important insurance option that could prove vital if your identity is ever stolen. Don’t wait until you have fallen victim to this all too common crime to find out just how much of a negative impact identity theft can have on your life!

Why Everyone Should Have ID Theft Insurance Protection

When your identity is stolen, it can cause a lot more havoc than a temporary decrease in your credit score. Thieves can sell your information on the dark web, commit crimes under your name, and destroy your reputation. One popular way for criminals to use stolen IDs is through phony payday loans. These loans can be difficult to monitor without insurance and may not be discovered until well after the fact. Don’t fall victim to this nefarious crime!

While protecting yourself from financial harm is the first step in ID theft protection, there are many more benefits to this important insurance protection. In addition to coverage in the event of monetary theft, this protection offers other benefits as well. Your credit reports will be actively monitored to ensure that there aren’t any future losses, and the dark web will be monitored to ensure that your vital information isn’t sold to criminals with malicious intent.  

The team at Shell Insurance Agency is here to help our friends and neighbors in the greater Deer Park, TX community keep their identities protected. Contact us today and find out more about this important insurance option. 

Do You Really Need Flood Insurance?

Floods can cause extensive damage to a home, leaving you in financial ruin. If you’re concerned about flooding destroying your Deer Park, TX home, talk to an agent from Shell Insurance Agency about obtaining flood insurance. The following facts about flooding and flood insurance protection can help you determine if flood insurance coverage is a wise choice for you.

Flood Facts

As evidenced by recent flood events, flooding can occur almost anywhere, even if you don’t live in a high-risk flood area. According to FEMA, floods are now the country’s number one natural disaster.

It doesn’t take much water to cause extensive damage to your home or destroy personal goods. Heavy rainstorms, rising rivers, and hurricanes can all cause water damage to your home. Without flood insurance, you run the risk of paying for thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs out-of-pocket.

Importance of Flood Insurance Protection

Standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by flooding. You can, however, purchase separate flood insurance coverage through your Shell Insurance agent to get the flood protection you need.

Flood insurance prices vary depending on the flood risk of your property, the type of coverage you choose and the limits of your policy. You can purchase coverage for just your home, just your goods or both. By combining standard homeowner’s insurance with flood insurance protection, you can have greater peace of mind that your home and assets will be fully protected against unforeseen disasters.

As most flood insurance policies take at least 30 days to go into effect, it’s important to purchase your coverage well before the storm season starts in your area so you can be prepared for any eventuality.  

To learn more about flood insurance options and costs, contact Shell Insurance Agency in Deer Park, TX.

What constitutes identity theft?

You look over your credit card statement and notice what appears to be unauthorized charges. At first, you consider the possibility of you buying items and then forgetting that you made such purchases. Then, reality hits. You were not in town when these purchases were made. You may be the victim of identity theft.

Identity theft strikes more than 16 million Americans every year and shows no signs of slowing down in the coming years. The digital age contributes to the increasing numbers as more consumers use credit and debit cards to make purchases. You may not be able to stop every instance of identity theft in Deer Park, TX. You can, however, know what constitutes identity theft and take action to protect yourself.

The agents at Shell Insurance Agency can help you find the identity theft insurance plan that protects your assets when the unexpected happens. Read on to learn more about identity theft.

What counts as identity theft?

You are the victim of identity theft in Deer Park, TX if unauthorized charges appear on your credit card or bank statement. Identity theft also extends to law and order where a person commits a crime in your name and, as a result of their wrongdoing, you are forced to deal with the repercussions.

Some victims of identity theft find themselves dealing with the consequences of warrants because of traffic fines they never received. Legal fees, in this instance, have a way of wreaking havoc.

How can you protect yourself?

The best way to guard yourself against the consequences of identity theft is to seek protection. The agents at Shell Insurance Agency can help you find the assurance policy that protects you in the unimaginable instance of you becoming a victim of identity theft. Call them today to learn more about this rising crime and to get started with a quote!