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Risks Of Not Having Motorcycle Insurance

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If you decided to get yourself a motorbike, you should also consider getting motorcycle insurance that will protect your precious vehicle, you as a motorist, and other people on the road. However, many motorcycle owners decide to save some money and not purchase motorcycle insurance. If you are one of them, you should realize that you will face a certain number of risks while riding a motorcycle without proper motorcycle insurance. 

Risks of Not Carrying Motorcycle Insurance

  • You can risk facing legal consequences by riding without motorcycle insurance. In the state of Texas, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle without proper insurance. Therefore, a variety of different penalties may result, including tickets, fines, court appearances, license suspension, points on your driver’s license, and others. 
  • The damage to your motorbike is not covered. If you are involved in a road accident and your bike is damaged, you will have to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket. 
  • You will be responsible for the injuries and medical bills of other people. If you cause a road accident and other people get injured, you will be responsible. As a result, you will have to cover their medical expenses and bills.

Great Southern Agency serving clients in Tomball, TX – An Insurance Agency You Can Trust

If you are a lucky owner of a motorcycle in the state of Texas and you are in Tomball, TX or any other surrounding town, you should not forget about getting a proper motorcycle insurance policy before hitting the road. If you are not sure what policy you need and how to choose motorcycle insurance, contact Great Southern Agency. We have years of experience, and we know how frustrating the process of choosing insurance may be. We will do our best to find you an insurance policy addressing your needs and requirements. Do not hesitate to give us a call at any time – we are always here for you. 

Coverage Options for Boat Insurance

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At Great Southern Agency, we can provide many high-quality insurance options for many situations. For example, we can give our clients excellent boating insurance policies that will help to keep their watercraft safe. What kind of policy options are available for you? Understanding your choices here will make it easier to find one that makes sense for your needs. 

Your Boating Insurance Policy Options 

High-quality boating insurance can be adjusted in various ways to protect to keep your watercraft from severe damage for years to come. Just a few of the most common types of coverage include options as diverse as:

  • Medical payment coverage to pay for medical costs or even funeral expenses 
  • Liability protection to keep you safe from crash-related lawsuits 
  • Property protection that repairs damage done to your boat 
  • Repair protection to keep your vehicle safe from damage 
  • Emergency repair coverage if your watercraft breaks down 
  • Uninsured/underinsured protection from other boasters on the water 
  • Agreed value coverage to help replace your boat
  • Personal effects policies to pay for items on the watercraft
  • Trailer protection to help keep your boating trailer safe from damage

Make sure that you talk to your insurance company about each of these options and select those that make the most sense for you. Most basic policies should cover these issues, though you may need to subtly adjust your choices to give yourself the best overall level of coverage here.

Give Yourself Great Insurance Help 

If you’re looking for an excellent boat insurance policy for your watercraft and aren’t sure where to turn, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Great Southern Agency, serving Tomball, TX. We will do what we can to help you better understand your policy options and to ensure that you never leave Tomball, TX, without a great policy that keeps your water vehicle protected from various types of issues. 

Can Umbrella Insurance Really Protect Me?

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Insurance protects individuals against many things that can happen, such as fire, accidents, lawsuits, and more. However, sometimes insurance policies are not enough to cover all the costs associated with a claim. More and more people in Tomball TX choose to purchase umbrella insurance coverage, which protects them against the costs involved with a claim that basic insurance policies do not cover. Umbrella insurance can protect you, and the agents at Great Southern Agency can explain how. 

What Is Umbrella Insurance Coverage? 

To fully understand if umbrella insurance can protect you, you must first know what an umbrella, insurance policy is and what it covers. Umbrella insurance is an add-on policy to your existing liability insurance coverage. This policy comes into play when you reach the limits of your liability coverage on home or auto insurance. For example, when a claim is filed, your primary insurance policy only covers so much, the umbrella policy will cover and pay for the remaining balance. 

How Does Umbrella Insurance Protect Me? 

Umbrella insurance can protect you financially and protect all of your assets. For example, when a lawsuit or claim is filed against you, your umbrella insurance policy covers what your primary insurance plan does not. If you did not have umbrella insurance, you would be financially responsible for the amount of money you are liable for that your insurance company does not pay. 

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover? 

Umbrella insurance offers additional coverage protecting against claims where you are found liable. Coverage includes bodily injury to others and damage to another person’s property.

Umbrella insurance can help protect Tomball, TX residents against financial responsibility associated with claims where they are held liable. The experts at Great Southern Agency can provide additional information as to how umbrella insurance coverage can protect you and your assets. 

3 Reasons Why You Need Flood Insurance

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Water damage is nothing to mess with. Flooding is devastating and often hits with very little to no warning. Even those who are not living in a flood plain need flood insurance.

Why do I need flood insurance, and what does it cover?

If you live near the water, it’s an easy decision to look for good flood insurance. But, what if you are located several miles away from the threat of a hurricane or rising river, like the people of Tomball, TX?

What if I don’t even live in a flood plain. Won’t my home insurance cover flood damage?

Even if you have flood insurance, be sure to understand the terms. Not all water damage is covered. The experts at Great Southern Agency know that the truth is everyone needs flood insurance.

Here are 3 reasons why you need flood insurance.

  1. Protects Property – Your home is probably the most costly investment you have. It only makes sense to make sure it is protected from any damage including flood. Flood insurance will usually cover damage to roofs, walls, floors, and permanent fixtures.
  2. Protects Your Family – Your home should be a place that family members feel safe. If flooding wipes out the house, they will no longer have a home.
  3. Peace of Mind – Some things are more than financial worries. A flood can happen with no warning. Water damage can be devastating destroying everything inside the house. If you are covered with flood insurance, you will never have to worry.

Even if you currently have flood insurance, it may be time to go over your policy to make sure it will cover what you think it covers. Contact Great Southern Agency serving Tomball, TX to get the facts about flood insurance.

What to Expect With Texas Condo Insurance

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Condo insurance is not a mandatory requirement in Tomball, TX, but a lender will require it. Condo insurance is a little different from your standard home insurance. Your condo association or corporation will also have its own master policy that will cover some things around your property that you won’t have to worry about.

There’s still a lot to think about when you are purchasing condo insurance. At Great Southern Agency, we can help you get the condo insurance coverage that you need to protect you from every risk.

What Does Condo Association Insurance Cover?

Condo corporation insurance covers damage to the common areas of your condominium complex, as well as any amenities areas such as a gym or the pool. The lobby, elevators, laundry, and parking lots and grounds are all covered by your condo board’s policy.
 
Your condo insurance will cover your property, your personal liability, and your common loss assessment.

Personal Property Insurance

Property coverage for your condo insurance will cover the losses of your property when it is destroyed, lost, and damaged. It can also cover the contents of any storage lockers in your building or on site. This coverage protects that property wherever it goes.

If you are taking your laptop with you on a road trip and it is stolen, your condo insurance will cover it.

You can add riders for things such as valuable articles, musical instruments, jewelry, art, or any property that you have that is valued above standard coverage limits.

Improvements and Betterments Coverage

Improvements and betterments coverage will pay for any changes that you make to your condo when there has been damage.

Personal Liabilities

If something happens inside your home, and you are liable for the problem, a personal liabilities coverage will pay for medical or legal claims that result. If the problem happens in any of the common areas, your condo association’s policy will cover some of that.

That is where the common elements loss assessment comes in. Their coverage will pay for some of it, but they might be carrying high deductibles. In those events, they will ask the members of the condominium complex to help pay for the claims. Your common elements loss assessment coverage will pay for that.

Get a Quote

Condo insurance sounds complicated but it isn’t really. At Great Southern Agency in Tomball, TX, we can help you to design the best policy for your needs. Call us for a quote today.

4 Things to Know about Texas Recreational Insurance

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Tomball, TX, is nestled near the national forest and is home to all types of outdoor activities. Non-passenger automobiles such as golf carts, four-wheelers, Jet Skis, and ATVs make playing outside more enjoyable. These types of vehicles are covered by recreational insurance, sometimes also called toy insurance. At Great Southern Agency, we know you deserve to play with peace of mind. 

Not Covered by Homeowner’s Policy

Outdoor toy vehicles are typically not covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Even though many of these types of vehicles require a title, but not necessarily registration, it’s still essential to take out liability insurance policies on each of them. If you’re involved in a collision or property damage results due to one of these toys, you can be held liable. 

Responsibility if Stolen

Suppose your ATV, golf cart, boat, crawler, or other recreational vehicle is stolen and involved in an accident. In that case, you, as the owner, can still be held responsible for the resulting property damage and medical bills. Being financially accountable can be devastating, even though this unfortunate situation may have happened through no fault of your own. A good liability policy can give you more security.

Insured at Cash Value 

Many of these vehicles are insured only at actual cash value at the time of accident or loss. For example, if you paid $7,500.00 for a recreational toy vehicle, but after five years, it’s now only worth $2500.00, you might be overpaying for insurance. The insurance policy may not pay out the original cost of the vehicle. 

Be Aware of Modifications

The State of Texas is particular about what each recreational vehicle or toy vehicle needs to stay classified as a specialty vehicle. If significant modifications are made, it may no longer be classified under a recreational category. If this happens, an insurance company might cancel future coverage for that recreational toy vehicle. 

Contact Great Southern Agency

Faithfully serving Tomball, TX, and the surrounding areas, Great Southern Agency is happy to help you pick the right Texas recreational insurance for your needs. Contact us today for a free quote!

3 Main Areas Protected By Renters Insurance

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You may have heard someone ask you, "Why do I need renters insurance? Wouldn’t my landlord’s policy not cover me?" Whether a seasoned renter or renting an apartment for the first time, you need renters insurance. Why? If you want to find more, contact Great Southern Agency located in Tomball, TX. We can break it down for you. 

Typically, you aren’t required to carry renters insurance by law, but some landlords may expect you to buy a policy to live in their building. But whether required or not, it’s a good idea to purchase renters insurance because it covers you in the following areas.

Personal property coverage

Think about how much money you have put into buying your clothing, electronics, and furniture. Quite substantial, right? Now imagine what fire or theft could do to your personal stuff. But because perils can’t be eliminated 100 percent, renters insurance protects your valuables when the worst happens. In case of damage, your renter’s insurance replaces your personal belongings up to your policy limit.

Personal liability

Covers medical costs for injuries suffered by third parties while on your property. It also covers legal fees if the person goes ahead and sues you. Additionally, liability coverage covers damages you might have caused to another person’s property.

Additional living expenses

If your apartment becomes unlivable, and you have to seek temporal accommodation (maybe a hotel), your insurance covers expenses you incur for living somewhere else.

There is a common misconception that your landlord’s insurance covers you. This notion isn’t true. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building and not your or your personal belongings. That said, anyone renting a condo, apartment, or townhouse should get renters insurance because of the wealthy benefits it has.

Renters insurance in Tomball, TX  

If you want to purchase coverage, we can provide a quote. Need more information on renters insurance? Please contact Great Southern Agency for more insight.

Best Motorcycle Insurance Tips to Protect Your Bike

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Tomball, TX is known for its huge number of individuals with motorcycles. However, as a resident of this region, you need to work with the Great Southern Agency to get your motorcycle insurance before hitting on the roads. However, you need to understand some of the best motorcycle insurance tips to protect your bike. 

Look for Specialty Coverage

You don’t have to always work with an average motorcycle insurance policy that covers the basics. To protect your bike well, you need to look for specialty coverage. Insurance companies offer many specialty coverages. Make sure that the specialty coverage you want to be included is stated on the policy.

Accepting Young Riders

If you’re a young rider, there is no doubt that you will struggle to get an insurance company that is ready to give you bike insurance. However, you don’t have to give up on your quest to protect your motorcycle. Some insurance companies accept young riders. Work with an insurance company that understands your riding skills and which is ready to help you despite your age.

Customized Bike Insurance

Another challenge you will get when looking for motorcycle insurance is a policy covering customized bikes. Obviously, a customized bike is more valuable than an ordinary bike, and you have to protect it at all costs. Therefore, it is necessary to look for an insurance company willing to give you an insurance policy for a customized bike. It is important to remember that you will have to pay a higher premium for customized bikes than you will pay for ordinary ones.

The Great Southern Agency is a leading motorcycle insurance provider in Tomball, TX. Our company understands that there are many issues facing motorcycle owners, but we are ready to help bikers throughout Texas find reliable insurance protection for their bikes.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

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At Great Southern Agency, we recognize that your boat is an investment you’ve made to have fun with your life to the fullest. That’s why we’re determined to help boaters in Tomball, TX protect this crucial investment. 

What is Boat Insurance?

A boat insurance policy is meant to cover you and your boat against liability and damage if an accident occurs. Boat accidents happen all the time, but with boat insurance, you can count yourself lucky. This insurance policy will cover you on and off the water. 

Can My Boat Be Covered Under Auto Insurance?

The fact is— if you don’t have a separate policy to cover your boat, you’re probably underinsured. Auto insurance is not designed to cover boats and personal watercraft. Don’t wait until an accident happens to realize that your boat is not insured. 

What Coverages Do You Get with Boat Insurance?

Boat Insurance Property Coverage

This coverage protects your boat from a multitude of risks. For example, if your boat is damaged accidentally, this policy will cover the repairs costs. Also, in the event your boat is stolen, this policy will cover the cost of replacement. 

You can choose from two coverage types under boat insurance property coverage: agreed amount coverage and actual cash value coverage. The former pays for repairs based on the boat’s value, while the latter considers the boat’s depreciation value at the time of repair. 

Liability Coverage

When you’re at fault for an accident, you’re legally liable for the losses incurred by the other party. Here’s when liability coverage saves the day. It pays for all expenses incurred by the other party.

Uninsured coverage

This coverage protects you in the event an uninsured boater is at fault for an accident that resulted in damage to your boat or bodily injuries to your passengers. Uninsured coverage will pay for the costs. 

Protect Your Boat with Boat Insurance

As a boater in Tomball, TX, it’s clear that boat insurance is an investment you can’t afford to ignore willingly. It would be best if you had it to protect yourself from out-of-pocket expenses that arise after a boat accident. 

At Great Southern Agency, we’ll be happy to listen to you and help you get the coverage that best suits your needs. Contact us today for more information.

Introduction to Umbrella Insurance

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You may have heard the phrase, “Saving for a rainy day.” An umbrella insurance policy saves you from having to dip into that rainy day fund.

You can purchase an umbrella policy to add to the liability coverage you receive from home, renter’s, auto, RV, boat, or business policy. You cannot purchase an umbrella policy by itself from Great Southern Agency or any other insurance agent. It is a secondary type of insurance. You must own an appropriate primary insurance policy to qualify for an umbrella policy.

With an auto, boat, or RV coverage, you choose your level of coverage. For auto and motorcycle insurance, your state sets a minimum required amount you must purchase. Over and above that, you can add as much coverage as you want as long as you are willing to pay the premiums for it.

With home insurance, if you choose a standard homeowner’s policy for your Tomball, TX home, you receive between 10 to 20 percent of the home’s value as to liability coverage. That probably will not cover much since the average hospital stay costs about $15,000. If your home value is about $100,000, you would have between $10,000 to $20,000 as liability coverage. If more than one person gets hurt in the accident or peril at your home, you will have to pay out of pocket for the damages.

Umbrella insurance solves that problem for you. You can easily afford a million-dollar policy since this type of secondary insurance costs little.

Contact Great Southern Agency serving the Tomball, TX area for more information on umbrella insurance and how it can protect your finances. We can help you find the right combination of policies to protect your future.

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