Doing a risk assessment of your home

Life is risky and your home no matter how careful you are is filled with potential for risk. You need to make sure you know what the risks are and have insurance to protect you from any problems that might be caused by those risks. At Alloy Insurance Partners in Dallas, TX, we understand risks, and we have the experience to help you find the solutions to mitigate those risks. 

Pets

Your dogs are members of your family; it is hard to imagine that they are a risk. However, depending on what breed they are they may not even be covered by your home insurance. Check with your agent to make sure you have coverage and of course make every effort to keep problems from happening by leashing your dogs when they are outdoors and getting training, so they don’t jump on or accost any guests you have. About 1/3 of all home insurance liability claims are for dog bites. 

Swimming pool

A swimming pool is a great place to enjoy the warm weather, but it also places an increased risk on your home insurance. Pool-related accidents are risks you assume when you add a pool or buy a home with a pool. Make sure that the fencing that surrounds your pool meets all local regulations. You need to make sure your pool can not be accessed by neighborhood children when you are not in the pool area. 

Trampoline

A trampoline is what can be referred to as an attractive nuisance. It poses a danger to children who will want to use it even if they have not been invited into your yard. 

Owning a home comes with lots of risks. At Alloy Insurance Partners in Dallas, TX, we make sure our clients have enough liability coverage to protect them from the risks they have, 

I Paid off the Mortgage! What Changes do I need to make to my Home Insurance?

Congratulations! You have finally cleared the debt on your Dallas, TX home. Your friends at Alloy Insurance Partners want to remind you that now is a great time to review your home insurance policy and make sure it is completely protected. 

Review the Current Assessment and Compare to Your Coverage

You were paying lower taxes on the property twenty or thirty years ago when you first bought it. Your home insurance policy is often based on the assessed value. Take the time to make sure that your policy reflects the increase in value that the property experienced over time. This ensures that if you suffer a catastrophic loss, you will be in a better position to rebuild without emptying your savings account.

Are Your Fine Art and Collectibles Listed on the Policy?

Over the years you have probably added a few of the finer things in life to your possessions. Jewelry, art, collector cars, and other unique items should be itemized on your home insurance policy with a stated assessed value. Should your home ever be attacked by thieves or vandals, you will be fully compensated for the loss of those valuable pieces.

You may also want to check the liability and medical payments section of the policy. A simple injury costs a lot more to treat now than it did when you first signed on the purchase and sale agreement all those years ago.

While you may still be living in the same home in Dallas, TX after 30 years, you should not assume that the same home insurance policy will properly care for you and your family. Give us a call at Alloy Insurance Partners to review your coverage and bring it up to date.

Do I need home insurance in Dallas?

The Dallas, TX area is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Along with this, it can be a great place to purchase and own a home. When you are looking to purchase a home here, it is important that you protect it with insurance as well as you can. There are several reasons why you need to get a home insurance policy if you own a property here.

Required by Mortgage Provider

One reason why many people that own a home in Dallas need to have home insurance is that it is required by their mortgage lender. Buying a home is a very big purchase that will require you to likely take out a mortgage. If you do take out a mortgage, you will need to comply with the lender’s insurance requirements. Most of the time, you will need to escrow for your insurance payments on a monthly basis. 

Required by Associations

In some areas of Dallas, you may live in a home association. If this is the case for you, it is important that you understand all of the rules and obligations. One common requirement will be to have home insurance. Home associations have this as it helps to ensure you can pay for any damages that you or your property cause. 

As you are looking for insurance in the Dallas, TX area, you could find that picking the right policy is confusing. Since there are so many options and decisions that need to be made, you should speak with the team at Alloy Insurance Partners to discuss and better understand everything. When you call Alloy Insurance Partners, the team will be able to address all of your options and help to ensure that you get into a policy that provides the right type and level of coverage. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Theft and Vandalism in Texas?

Theft and vandalism can be one of the more disturbing things that can happen to you in your Austin or Dallas, TX home. When someone comes onto your property, it can be deeply unsettling to think about how another person will treat it. Whether it’s going through your drawers or breaking your windows, you likely want to know what actions can be taken to make the situation right again. Alloy Insurance Partners wants you to know more about whether you can call upon your home insurance policy if either case occurs. 

Does Home Insurance Cover These Events?

The answer to this question is likely yes, though it depends on how your policy is structured. Should either one be excluded, then you should know about this sooner rather than later. Also, there may be certain clauses that will dictate how your carrier will process certain claims. 

For example, let’s say that you were occupying your home consistently until you were called away for an emergency. The emergency was only supposed to take a month to clear up but ends up lasting six months. Because you’re away from your Austin or Dallas, TX home for so long, a group of people break in and begin to use your home for their own purposes. Your insurance carrier may not cover this because you left the house vacant for longer than you were supposed to. 

Tips for Better Coverage 

When it comes to theft and vandalism, the best thing you can do is be proactive and transparent. If you need to leave your home for any given amount of time, make sure you let your carrier know. If you want to know more about how to protect yourself, call Alloy Insurance Partners today to learn about how your coverage works. 

 

I’m Moving. Do I Need a Brand New Home Insurance Policy?

Moving into a new house is a significant change, even if the move doesn’t take you very far. The physical move requires a lot of work, and then you have to adjust to the new location. You might find yourself shopping in new stores, meeting new neighbors, changing schools for the kids, and facing all kinds of alterations to your daily life. You also need to consider your home insurance. For residents of Dallas, TX, the move might have you asking if you need a brand new policy.

Home insurance policies are tied to the house itself. It’s similar to auto insurance in this respect. Getting a new policy doesn’t have to be complicated. You simply call your Alloy Insurance Partners agent and let them know about your plans to move. They’ll help you find a good policy for the new house. That way, you’ll have excellent coverage when you move, and the new policy will be tailored to the new property and your changing living situation.

Timing Is Important

While you need a new policy for the new house, you need to keep the old policy until you no longer own the old home. This can get a little tricky, as many insurance providers don’t offer policies for empty houses. Not to worry, moving is normal, and insurance companies know how to deal with it. The key is to talk to your Alloy Insurance Partners representative to time the cancellation of the old policy. When you’re out of the old house, and it has a new owner, you don’t need that policy, but if you’re planning to rent, or if you haven’t sold the old house yet, you need to work with your agent to form a good plan.

Any time you have questions or concerns about insurance, a conversation with an expert can go a long way. We’re always here for you, even if your plans will be taking you out of Dallas, TX. Stop by or give us a call so we can help.

Home Insurance Protects More Than Your Home

Purchasing a home is a big decision.  Before you move in, home insurance will ensure that it protected.  Most understand that a home insurance policy protects if there is a fire or severe weather damage, but home insurance policies do so much more.  To understand how it protects families financially, come talk to the agents at Alloy Insurance Partners.  They have been serving homeowners through the Dallas, TX area since 1996.

Sure, a home insurance policy covers events like fire and severe weather but offers more to consumers than you realize.  They cover everything in the home including furniture and personal items.  The policy will cover personal items even if they are damaged or stolen while away from home.  For example, it a laptop is stolen while you are working at local café or bookstore, it will be covered.  It also includes liability coverage should someone get injured on the property due to your negligence.  It will cover their medical expenses.  Should they decide to sue you, it will also cover their legal fees.  Medical and legal costs can quickly add up so having the liability insurance protects the homeowner from financial devastation.

The home insurance policy will also cover any structures on the property.  This can include outbuildings and sheds.  It will also cover pergolas, gazebos and fencing.  While it’s important to understand what is covered in a home insurance policy, it is equally important to understand what isn’t.  For instance, home insurance policies do not cover flood events.  A separate flood insurance policy is needed for at-risk homes. 

The team at Alloy Insurance Partners works with homeowners throughout the Dallas, TX area.  They are ready to help you get the coverage you need and answer any questions you have.  Home insurance protects you financially in many ways.  Come in today to learn more!

What Are the Benefits of a Self-Monitored Home Security System?

Self-monitored home security systems offer homeowners an added layer of protection without the extra cost of a monthly subscription to a professional monitoring service. The agents at Alloy Insurance Partners can answer questions that Dallas, TX residents may have about self-monitored home security systems and how they work to protect a home or business.

Allows for 24-hour Surveillance

Self-monitored home security systems allow you to view what is going on in or around your home 24 hours a day from almost any location. Most home security systems have a downloadable app that can be used to not only view the home but also arm and disarm the system.

Easy to Relocate

Most self-monitored home security systems are designed to be installed by the homeowner or renter. This makes it easy for the system to be taken down and relocated if the family moves to a new home. Many systems can be installed and operational in less than 30 minutes.

Protects Your Home and Family

Self-monitored systems normally include entry sensors for doors and windows, motion detectors, environmental hazard detectors, and some type of indoor/outdoor video surveillance equipment. Video doorbell viewers are now equipped with two-way voice communication making it easy to talk to whoever is at your front door.

Self-monitored home security systems offer protection to homeowners and renters who don’t want to get caught up in long-term contracts but still want the protection of a security system. Call and talk to the agents of Alloy Insurance Partners today if you live in Dallas, TX and are thinking about installing a self-monitored home security system. They have the answers you are looking for.