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What is a Business Owner Package (BOP), and How Can One Help You?

Posted on November 15, 2017December 19, 2017 by agentinsure

If you are a business owner, you know how important comprehensive coverage can be to protect your interests. Properly insuring any business requires different types of coverage that may be found in separate policies. In order to fully protect your business, it may be necessary to carry a different policy for each type of coverage which can be less than convenient. With a Business Owner Package (BOP) many lines can be bundled together which can save you money as well as help you to keep your insurance streamlined. InsureUS has the necessary experience and expertise to help you protect your business. If you are in the greater Cypress, TX area we are here to work with you to ensure that you have the coverage you need.

What Exactly is a BOP?

This bundle of commercial coverage is perfect for small businesses that are looking to save money. The package generally includes Commercial Property Insurance and General Liability Coverage, bundled together. There is no coverage for business or commercial vehicles in these packages, and a separate vehicle policy will be necessary. This package covers lawsuits brought by third-party interests, catastrophic loss, such as fire damage, and third party property damage. Some BOPs also include Business Interruption Coverage which is vital for small businesses. Our agents can work with you to ensure that you have the comprehensive coverage you need.

Please give our agency a call today at (281) 640-8888 to schedule an appointment with one of our business specialists who can review your current coverage and help to streamline your policies to make your insurance work best for you. InsureUS is here to help you with a BOP and all of your other insurance needs in the greater Cypress, TX area.

Hurricanes and Home Insurance: What You Need to Know

Posted on October 17, 2017October 16, 2017 by agentinsure

Hurricanes have been all over the news lately, and Texas was particularly hard hit by recent Hurricane Harvey. If you live in Cypress, TX, you may have found out too late that your home insurance didn’t cover enough when you were hit with hurricane damage. With more hurricanes continuing to hit the United States, it’s time to learn more about hurricanes and home insurance so you make sure you’re covered.

Does Home Insurance Cover Hurricanes?

There’s no one policy that is going to cover all the damage a hurricane has the potential to do to your home. You may need to consider a mixture of several policies from InsureUS, such as home insurance, flood insurance, and wind insurance. Keep in mind, if you’re living near the coast, it’s possible that you may need to have a special windstorm policy along with your home insurance.

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

If you think you may need coverage for water that enters the home as a result of a hurricane, such as pooling water from heavy rains or water damage from storm surge, then you probably do need flood insurance along with your home insurance. Many homeowners think that their home insurance will cover them, but you’ll probably need a good flood insurance policy to ensure you’re well covered.

Will I Need to Pay Special Deductibles?

Living in a hurricane-prone area may mean that you do pay some special, higher deductibles. You may be asked to pay a percentage deductible when dealing with hurricane damage. When buying insurance to keep you covered during a hurricane, make sure you find out the deductible information.

What to Do After a Hurricane Hits

If a hurricane does hit your home in Cypress, TX, make sure that you document your damage with video or photos and work to prevent further damage to your home. Make sure you keep track of temporary repairs that are made. You’ll also need to make sure that you notify the insurance company immediately.

Don’t wait until another hurricane hits to make sure you’re well covered. Contact InsureUS to learn more about your options and the coverage you need.

What is covered by a commercial insurance policy?

Posted on September 14, 2017October 9, 2017 by agentinsure

Owning a business requires you to plan and foresee any risks that may affect it. Failure to that, you may end up using all your savings and profits to recover from an unforeseen risk such as fire or theft among more. A commercial insurance policy allows you to continue with your business operations without the fear of risks.

We at InsureUS, provide you with various commercial coverage options to protect your business. We understand that your business is an investment which you have worked so hard to build and therefore, we have experienced employees who help you analyze your business and determine the best coverage options for your company. Our team is friendly and dedicated to serving you and so feel free to approach any of our employees or contact us via our website.

If you are in Cypress, TX, some of our coverage options include:

Commercial Liability Coverage

A liability policy protects you and your business against lawsuits set by your competitors, customers or just any visitor. It protects you from suffering a financial loss in case you are found liable for damaging someone’s property or business. Also, it protects you if you are sued for slander or negligence.

It is important that you understand this policy because as long as you are operating a business, you never know what to expect. For example, you may wake up one morning to find you are being sued for advertising misleading information and if you don’t have a cover, you may end up using your revenues.

Commercial Property Coverage

To get this coverage, we recommend that you evaluate your property to be sure of what you are insuring. With this cover, we protect your office property such as furniture and inventory. Also, we protect your building if an unexpected disaster such as a fire occurs.

We at InsureUS are dedicated to serving the people of Cypress, TX, to the best of our ability. So, feel free to contact us for any inquiries either through our website or by visiting our offices.

Does Renter’s Insurance Cover Damage to the Rental Property In Cypress, TX?

Posted on August 23, 2017August 21, 2017 by agentinsure

The agents of InsureUS in Cypress, TX offer Renter’s Insurance that protects your personal property from theft and damage. The protection only extends to your personal belongings. It doesn’t cover the building or the personal property of the owner of the home or apartment. In order for their building and possessions to be covered, they must carry an insurance policy that includes the building and the physical property itself. Your renter’s policy will cover the following elements.

Personal Liability

Personal liability protects you if someone is injured while visiting your apartment or home. If someone is injured and chooses to sue you, your personal liability coverage will pay the damages up to a specific percentage. The amount your insurance company pays will vary according to the policy and amount of coverage.

Personal Property

Your Renter’s Insurance will cover the cost to replace your personal items if they are damaged or stolen. The dollar amount is determined the type of policy you have and the amounts you have chosen. It will also cover your luggage while you are traveling.

Loss of Use (Living Expenses)

When it comes to Renter’s Insurance, Loss of Use means the use of your living area. This part of the policy pays for living expenses such as a hotel, food and rent if your apartment is damaged and not inhabitable. It may also pay a portion of your moving expenses.

In Cypress, TX, you can speak to a licensed agent at InsureUs and find all of the information you need on Renter’s Insurance as well as personal liability coverage. Make an appointment today to find out what type of coverage and how much you need to keep your belongings safe and protected.

Insuring your coastal Texas property for wind and hail damages

Posted on July 12, 2017August 17, 2017 by agentinsure

Tornado and hurricane season means an increased chance of wind and hail damage to homes. If you are a new resident in coastal Texas, you may be surprised to learn that wind and hail damage aren’t covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies in the 14 coastal counties of Texas. Instead, you’ll need a separate policy to cover your home and other structures from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. If you want to enhance your financial protection against hurricane and tornado damage, you can add endorsements like replacement cost-dwelling and replacement cost-personal property that can make hurricane and tornado season damages easier to bear.

Wind and Hail
Eligibility for TWIA coverage is not automatic. Each building must meet windstorm building codes and the property owner must hold a Certificate of Compliance (WPI-8 or WPI-8-C) for each structure. According to Texas Insurance Code Chapter 2210, this applies to "any building constructed, altered, remodeled, enlarged, repaired, or added to on or after January 1, 1988." A TWIA policy covers wind and hail damage only. Winds include damage from tornado or derecho.

Water or Flood Damage
Throughout the US, a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program covers flood damage. Home owner’s insurance covers other water damage. For example, if high winds tear off your roof and rain water enters through the hole, home owner’s insurance covers the water damage. If rising water from heavy precipitation enters your home at ground level due to seepage, flood insurance covers the water damage. An NFIP policy lets you insure the structure, its contents or both.

You Need an Umbrella
You may desire a higher level of coverage on personal property such as boats, sporting equipment, etc. An umbrella policy can help you round out your insurance coverage and protect expensive items with a level of coverage that provides full replacement value if needed.

Come see us at InsureUS in Cypress, TX to talk about the level of coverage needed to protect your home and belongings from Texas coastal storms. We’ll help you weed through the paperwork, so you can enjoy the Texas sunshine.

Recent Updates Concerning Commercial Insurance in Texas

Posted on June 5, 2017May 15, 2017 by agentinsure

With our busy schedules, it’s easy to overlook recent updates concerning business insurance. We, as business professionals and entrepreneurs, are working hard to achieve the bottom line- gaining profits, and to stay abreast of the competition. Having said all of this, the following includes recent updates concerning commercial insurance in the state of Texas:

1. Appropriate coverage of Uber and Lyft drivers– with the gaps discovered with transportation networking companies, insurance laws relatable to those gaps became effective on January 1, 2016.

2. The increase in burial benefit insurance for worker’s compensation– increased from $6,000 to $10,000.

3. Financial requirements of bail bond insurers– to continue effective bail bonds’ issuance, bail bond insurers must clarify the premium receipts/service fees’ taxability.

4. Debt cancellation agreements with certain retail installment leases and contracts for vehicles– the amendment except stated in the Texas capital legislature that a retail seller may provide a retail buyer an agreement of debt cancellation which includes a waiver of guaranteed asset protection or a similar type of agreement. And furthermore, if part of the retail buyer’s responsibility towards the holder in the form of insurance coverage is required as the retail installment transaction, the asset is guaranteed.

Conclusion

These are just a few commercial related insurance updates. To know more concerning these and other relatable updates, InsureUS, located in Cypress, TX, is the proper place of contact. InsureUS has top notch customer service and agents who are highly trained and experienced, and they are anxiously awaiting to assist you. As stated before, they are located in Cypress, TX which is just outside Houston, Texas. They also can be contacted via email, phone, and fax. So, call them today. You’ll have a peace of mind knowing that your business is adequately covered.

Unraveling Car Insurance Urban Legends

Posted on May 15, 2017May 15, 2017 by agentinsure

There are many commonly held beliefs that get passed on from person to person regarding car insurance. While some of these beliefs have been around for decades, it does not mean they are necessarily true. Luckily, the experts at InsureUS, serving residents in Cypress, TX, are here to help. We have put together a quick list of some commonly held beliefs about car insurance that are not true.

The Color of Your Car Matters

A myth has been circulating for years that red colored cars cost more money to insure. This myth has probably started with the conception that most sports cars are red. Because sports cars are fast and the owners can be reckless, the idea is then that ANY red car will see a hike in premium. The truth of the matter is that most insurance companies will not even ask what color car you have. Companies are more concerned with knowing the year, model, engine size, and safety features the car may have.

Speeding Sports Cars

The idea that sports cars cost more to insure because the drivers of them typically get more speeding tickets is completely false. In a survey conducted, the majority of speeding tickets are dished out to people driving sedans or SUVs. In fact, on the list of the top ten cars that receive speeding tickets, there was only one sports car mentioned. Insurance rates are determined by driver history, the type of car and the features the car possesses.

Thieves

Another commonly held misconception is that car thieves only want to steal new cars. While a new car may look enticing to a potential burglar, the truth is that older cars are typically stolen more often. This is because people are holding on to their cars longer and older stolen cars can be sold for parts. If you are expecting your insurance premiums to go down because you have an older car think again! There are many other factors that come into play when determining your car insurance premium.

Luckily, if you are located in Cypress, TX, the experts at InsureUS are here to help. We are available to answer any questions you may have to get you on the path to understanding the truth about car insurance.

Tips to Prevent Mold Damage to Your Home

Posted on April 19, 2017April 15, 2017 by agentinsure

Mold can cause severe damage and time-consuming, costly repairs to your home. Save your time and money by addressing these suggestions to rid your house in the Cypress, TX area before it takes hold.

Use a critical eye to eliminate unnecessary clutter, especially around airflow points that prevent your HVAC air circulation.
Controlling your indoor climate by setting the thermostat at 78 degrees F to prevent the air conditioning unit from dehumidifying during humid summers.
Make sure our AC unit is the proper size for your home. If it’s too small or large, it will not run efficiently and can lead to mold.
When running the AC, shut windows and doors to prevent humidity in the air that leads to condensation and mold.
Monitor the indoor humidity level in humid climates and keep it below 60 percent to prevent mold growth.
If the humidity level regularly is above 60 percent, check your AC is working properly. For example, is the temperature correct, is it cycling periodically, does it blow cold air, and are the coils clean?
Watch for standing water or dampness around sump pumps, freezers, hot water tanks, refrigerators, windows, and basement doors.
If groundwater is an issue in your area, cover the crawl space floor with a plastic barrier to trap the moisture in the ground and keep moisture vapor from rising into the home.
Consider using a dehumidifier if you have high humidity regularly.

InsureUS

At InsureUS in the Cypress, TX area, we understand how difficult it can be to fight indoor mold. We have a commitment to helping you keep your home safe and mold-free for your family, and help you ensure that you have the home insurance coverage necessary.

Stop Bad Driving Habits

Posted on March 23, 2017April 15, 2017 by agentinsure

Bad driving habits can result in injuries to you as well as cause significant damage to your vehicle. The independent agents in Cypress, TX at InsureUS would like to inform you on ways you can stop bad driving habits in order to keep you and your vehicle in good condition.

Riding on “E”

Lately, gas prices have soared, so you want to wait until it’s absolutely necessary to fill up the tank. This may cost you more in the long run. By letting your tank completely empty before a refill, you’re risking damaging your fuel pump. You could also end up with residue or sediment in the gas tank. Any residue could clog the fuel injector and cause further engine issues.

Accelerating and Stopping too Fast

You may have the urge to speed off after the light changes, but doing this could damage your car. If you speed up and then stop quickly, this could also cause unnecessary car trouble. By revving the engine, you’re essentially burning more fuel than you need to. In addition, stopping hard can cause extreme wear on your braking system as well as burn the rubber on your tires.

Driving Without a Seatbelt

By simply wearing a seatbelt, you may be able to prevent a considerable amount of bodily injury. In a collision, your seatbelt is meant to keep you from crashing into the steering wheel and windshield. Although airbags are also a helpful preventative measure, they are designed to work in tandem with seatbelt in order to minimize impact to the driver and the passengers.

You can ask the independent agents at InsureUS other ways in which you can stop bad driving habits. They service the Cypress, TX area and can help you with your current or new auto insurance policies.

3 Reasons To Shop Home Insurance In Cypress

Posted on February 23, 2017February 19, 2017 by agentinsure

Being a home owner in Cypress, TX has its benefits. You want to be a responsible homeowner and this means shopping for home insurance. You don’t want the first policy offered to you. Instead, it’s best to make some comparisons. When you know more about why you should shop for home insurance, it will be easier to do it.

It’s Affordable

It might seem time consuming to shop home insurance in Cypress, TX. However, when you work with one of our agents at InsureUS, we will be able to help you find competitive premiums. This will ensure you have an affordable premium to enjoy through the year. Plus, you don’t have to do all the research with the individual insurance companies.

There are Many Options

There are more options than you might think with home insurance. This includes getting the coverage where you need it the most: your belongings, your home, and for liability. Not all insurance companies offer the same level of coverage. This is why it’s important to take the time to shop the various options so you have what you need.

You Need Financial Protection

Financial protection is a must when you’re a homeowner. Unfortunately, things happen all the time. You can’t predict if a storm is going to damage your roof or someone’s going to break into your home and steal all of your valuables. The reason for shopping home insurance is to get a good premium that you can rely on. When you have financial protection in place, it will make it easier to contact the insurance company to file a claim. They will then take care of you so that you don’t have to spend a fortune out of pocket.

Learn more about shopping for home insurance and to get help every step of the way by contacting InsureUS today.