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Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Accidents That Occur on the Sidewalk?

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Your homeowners’ insurance includes different types of liability. In most cases, the general liability insurance that is included in your policy will cover accidents that occur on your property. The key is knowing what you are responsible for and what you are not. In League City, TX, the agents of ACU Insurance Services can help you sort things out so that you know your responsibilities as a homeowner are and what you need to do to protect your investment.

Personal and Public Property

The property you own normally extends to the street. If you have a sidewalk that runs through your property, you may not own it but the responsibility for keeping it clean and passible is up to you. In most communities, the sidewalks are the property of the town. While they are responsible for repairs and general maintenance, you are expected to make sure they are clean and passible at any given time.

Protect Your Home and Family

If a slip and fall accident occurs on a sidewalk in front of your home, you may be liable if something was left on the sidewalk. If the accident was the result of the sidewalk being damaged or broken, the liability may be transferred to the community. Protecting your family from financial hardship is essential so it is essential that you know and understand what your liability risks are.

At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, each agent has the knowledge and experience to help you understand what your liability risks are. Call and talk to a reputable agent and get the advice and answers you need so that you can get the insurance coverage you want to feel fully protected.

Can I benefit from flood insurance as a renter?

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Most people think that flood insurance is designed with homeowners in mind only. However, as a renter, you can still acquire flood insurance if you feel you need it, and it’s available in your state or area. As a renter, flood insurance can provide many practical benefits to you. 

What Is Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance is insurance specifically designed to cover damage that results from water or flooding. This insurance covers property loss or damage. However, many flood insurance companies will study topographical maps to determine if a property might be prone to flooding based on their location as well as other factors. Insurers will look for areas in floodplains, lowlands, and floodways, to determine the possibility of flooding and damage in particular areas. 

How Can Renters Benefit from Flood Insurance?
First of all, for renters to obtain renters’ flood insurance, they must live in an area that participates in the national flood insurance program (NFIP).  If the community participates in the program, renters can purchase flood insurance that covers up to $100k for personal items damaged from flooding. They can receive money to replace furniture, electronics, and clothing, in addition to other things.
 
Is Flood Insurance a Practical Investment for Renters?
Flood insurance can be a practical investment for renters because most renter’s insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, it’s a good idea to invest in a flood insurance policy. However, it should be noted that most property owners located in high-risk flood areas must carry flood insurance. For renters, it’s just an option, not a requirement. ACU Insurance Services takes pride in educating League City, TX renters on the benefits of flood insurance. Our team of experienced agents is standing by to answer your questions. 

Why should I get a windstorm insurance policy?

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Owning a home in the League City, TX area can be a great option and long-term investment. While this can be a great place to own a home, the wild weather at times comes with additional risks. To ensure that your home is adequately covered by insurance, you should make sure you get the right coverage to protect your home appropriately. One form of insurance that you may need to get hear is windstorm insurance. There are several reasons that you should get a windstorm insurance policy. 

Provides Protection for Home

One of the main reasons why you should get a windstorm insurance policy is that it can provide you with protection for your home. When you have a home in this area of Texas, there is always a significant risk of windstorm damage. If you do not receive ample coverage for this under your base home insurance policy, you may need additional coverage. With a windstorm insurance policy, you will receive coverage that specifically protects against this risk. 

Owner Requirement

Another reason to get a windstorm insurance policy is that it could be a requirement of the property owner. Depending on who your mortgage lender is or if you live in a community with an association, you may need coverage to comply with your legal agreements. It is essential to check these agreements to understand your obligations. 

When you are looking for a windstorm insurance policy, it is always a good idea to work with someone that is experienced with this form of insurance protection. For those that are in the League City, TX area, it could be a great option to contact ACU Insurance Services. The team at ACU Insurance Services can answer any of your questions to ensure you get the right coverage for your situation. 

Does Flood Insurance Cover Mold in League City?

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Mold is a silent force that can manage to spread in a home without detection. If you’re in Houston or League City, TX, and want to learn more about how you can protect your property from harmful water damage, ACU Insurance Services has a few facts that you should keep in mind before you decide which policies to get. 

The Nature of Flood Insurance 

Flood insurance is not required in your city, but many homeowners don’t want to take the chance. Although you are technically allowed to opt-out of this coverage, consider the fact that many flood claims are filed in neighborhoods that were in no way considered high-risk. Unfortunately, it only takes a little excess water to cause a lot of problems for property owners. 

Does It Cover Mold?

Flood insurance may cover mold, if the property owner can prove that the mold was a direct cause of a covered event, such as a thunderstorm. The problem is that mold can be difficult to prove, primarily if the mold has spread throughout the home. If you have flood insurance, the standard advice is to stay on top of your home inspections. The more you’re keeping an eye out for any potential signs, the faster you’ll catch it. If you can get to a small infestation immediately, it’s more likely that your insurance will cover it. 

If you have questions about how flood insurance can help you protect your home from mold in League City, TX, ACU Insurance Services is here to help. From home to flood to umbrella insurance, we can give you the suggestions you need to start making better decisions for your investments. Being aware of the options is the first step, so contact us today to learn more. 

Home Insurance Add Ons To Consider

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Your home is your castle. It’s as unique as you are, which means you need home owner’s insurance that covers the specifics of your home. While there are basic policies that will protect your property based on the purchase price and its overall value, there are other kinds of insurance you might want to consider to protect your property further. If you live in League City, TX, and are interested in additional protection, our staff here at ACU Insurance Services can help. 

Window Insurance

Perhaps you have unique decorative windows. Stained glass elements within Tudor homes are common, and yet these are also far more expensive to replace. Or maybe you have kids that love to play catch outside, and on more than one occasion, the ball has come crashing through a window. To protect your property further, you’ll want to consider window insurance. 

Flooding Insurance

From a burst water line to a major storm, flooding can damage your entire home. You will want to protect your property as it can be extraordinarily expensive to repair. Water damage may even occur if a fire breaks out, as hundreds of gallons of water will be used to put out the fire. 

Protect Your Property With Specific Insurance Add-Ons

There are additional elements to your home that are unique. These elements may also not be protected with your set policy. In order to help you protect your home, you will want to consider some of these insurance add-ons. So, if you live in or around League City, TX, and want to learn more about available home insurance add-ons, our staff here at ACU Insurance Services is here to help. Give us a call at your earliest convenience, and we will assist you in finding an insurance policy that works for you. 

Flood Insurance: How it Works and Why Homeowners Need it

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When it rains, usually, it pours, and the results can be quite devastating. 

Flood insurance is the type of coverage not found in most standard homeowners insurance policies. It was created to protect the home and the owner’s personal property from every type of flooding (coastal, river, flash, or groundwater) that occurs. 

What is Flood Insurance?

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States today. Often, the results are record numbers in damage following each storm. Flood insurance provides additional coverage to an already existing homeowner’s policy. Usually, standard coverage includes damage from bursting water pipes and leaky faucets inside the home. Still, homeowners insurance will not protect a policyholder from damage that occurs by a nearby river overflowing or unexpected flash floods that forces water into the house. It’s why the federal government implemented flood insurance to assist homeowners in rebuilding or replacing their homes or personal items after a natural disaster. 

Homeowners in all 50 states have the opportunity to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Currently, these programs provide 95 percent of all flood insurance policies in the marketplace today. FEMA doesn’t sell flood insurance directly, but the federal agency works with several companies like ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX who offer flood insurance coverage to local homeowners. 

How Flood Insurance Works?

All homeowners can buy flood insurance as it doesn’t matter whether you live in a FEMA deemed high-or-low-risk flood zone area. This includes homes that reside near hillside property as they can be damaged by mud-sliding from a violent rainstorm. Flood insurance covers the cost to rebuild the home or pay out the actual market value of the home if the structure is no longer standing. The price for personal items will be based on a cash value that will be determined by an appraiser.

No home is completely safe from flooding. When water comes into the house, the cost of the damage can be staggering to a homeowner. Speak with a representative from ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX to discuss the advantages of having flood insurance on your home. Don’t wait until it’s too late. 

Is Windstorm Insurance Necessary If You Live Away From The Coastline?

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Windstorm insurance can be very beneficial for people who own a home in areas where there is a risk for wind damage from storms generating winds over 35 mph. This type of damage can occur near a coastline, but can also happen in areas where there are frequent seasonal high winds or heavy tornado activity.

Who Need Windstorm Insurance?

Anyone who is at risk of damages to their home resulting from excessive winds would greatly benefit from windstorm insurance. The best way to assess the risk and decide if this type of insurance is right for your situation is to work with an insurance agent who is familiar with this type of coverage. Someone who can sit down with the client to discuss potential risks and history of claims for the area they live in currently.

Finding the Right Options

Although windstorm insurance may not be necessary for every homeowner, many can benefit from this type of protection. If you are a resident of the League City, TX area, you should consult with an agent from ACU Insurance Services to find out if this coverage is right for you. In many cases, the homeowner isn’t aware that they may be in a higher risk category for this type of damage. An experienced agent can point out the potential risks and history of damages in the area to help you make the right choice. 

Protecting your investment should be a top priority for homeowners in League City, TX. Call or stop by ACU Insurance Services to find out more about available insurance products and get help learning about your current needs. 

 

Flood Insurance: Fact vs Myth

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As flood events increase across the Lone Star State, many homeowners are looking into purchasing flood insurance. By learning the facts about flood coverage, you can get the protection you need and avoid costly mistakes when purchasing your policy. At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we’ll provide you with accurate flood insurance facts and dispel any myths that can keep you from getting the flood protection you need. 

Myth: Standard home insurance covers flooding.

Fact: Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, especially floods caused by rising river or ocean waters, snow melts, hurricanes, etc. For flood damage protection, you need a separate flood insurance policy.

Myth: Only major floods cause extensive damage to a home.

Fact: Even a few inches of flood water can devastate a home’s structure, not to mention ruin its contents. Flooding can destroy your clothes, furniture, home appliances, electronics, and other personal items, leaving you to foot the bill for tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. Flood insurance provides the financial means to help you recover from a flood disaster.

Myth: Flood insurance is only for people who live in a high risk flood zone.

Fact: Flood insurance is for any homeowner or renter who wants or needs it, whether you live in a flood zone or not. Flooding has become so common across the country that 25% of flood claims are from people living outside a flood zone. With flood coverage, you can be prepared for any eventuality. 

Myth: Flood insurance is extremely costly.

Fact: Flood insurance is surprisingly affordable, especially if you live in a moderate to low risk flood area. Taking into consideration the devastating effects that a flood can cause, a flood insurance policy is well worth the cost.

For flood insurance coverage to protect your Texas home, contact ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX today.

What is Protected with Homeowners’ Insurance Coverage?

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A homeowners’ insurance policy provides families with peace of mind in the event of a fire or storm. Before purchasing a policy from ACU Insurance Services, it’s essential to understand precisely what types of damage homeowners insurance covers.  

The Types of Homeowners’ Coverage

Most homeowners’ insurance policies in League City, TX include the following six types of coverage.

Personal Property Coverage

This will pay personal items on your property if they are stolen, destroyed, or damaged. Those items can include furniture, electronics, or clothing.

Dwelling Coverage

This will pay if your home is destroyed or damaged by anything your policy covers. This does not include earthquakes or floods.

Coverage for Other Structures

This will pay for repairs to structures not attached to your house, such as a storage shed or detached garage.

Personal Liability

If a person is injured on your property, personal liability will pay for their medical bills, loss of wages, and other costs you could be legally responsible for. It could also pay for court costs if you endure a lawsuit due to the injury.

Medical Payments

This form of coverage will pay the medical expenses for someone who is injured on your property. It can also pay for injuries that occur while you are away from home, such as if your dog bites another person while you are taking them for a walk.

Loss of Use Coverage

This coverage will pay for your additional living expenses if you must relocate while your home is repaired after damage. These additional expenses can include rent, food, and other costs that you wouldn’t need to pay if you were still living in your home.

The agents at ACU Insurance Services have additional information on what a homeowners’ insurance policy covers in the state of Texas. Visit our office today to learn more.  

 

5 Questions to Ask Your Home Insurance Agent to Set Up the Ideal Policy

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Are you in the market for home insurance? There likely are some things you want to ask a professional agent like the ones at ACU Insurance Services, serving the greater League City, TX region. Here are five critical questions to bring to your agent before you set up your policy.

How much will the homeowner’s policy cover if my house is destroyed?

In the event your house is destroyed, your policy will not replace your home entirely. However, it will go a long way towards making necessary repairs or rebuilding.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover personal belongings?

The short answer is yes, your policy provides coverage for possessions. There will be a total coverage limit, as well as individual limits for items that are more valuable, like jewelry and antiques. The amount you get towards replacing or repairing them falls under the replacement cost vs. actual cash value rule. You will have to get an insurance rider as an add-on if you want coverage beyond the standard limits.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover anything else?

Yes, such a policy would cover liability issues. This is beneficial in the instance someone becomes injured in your house or around your property. It also will cover loss of use, which includes payment for temporary housing when you have your home repaired. There are separate limits for each category.

What amount of homeowner’s insurance do I need?

It’s ideal to base your limits on the cost of rebuilding your home. This can be the current market price for your house, but you might consider setting it up at a higher amount in case the market price rises. It’s an especially good idea if the home is older, if construction costs are high in the area, or if you own other structures that are on the property (such as a parking garage).

Is it possible for me to save money on my insurance?

You definitely can save on home owner’s insurance costs. A straightforward way to do so is to bundle your insurance with something like auto insurance. Also, you can see if you qualify for any discounts.

Feel free to reach out with your questions through the online form or by email at any time, or give ACU Insurance Services a call during business hours. We love to help homeowners, especially those who are new to owning a home in the greater League City, TX area.