Does Home Insurance Cover Repairs and Renovations in Texas?

For homeowners who are trying to plan how they’ll be able to finance a repair or renovation to their property, it’s a good idea to evaluate all available options. From dipping into savings to taking out a line of credit to consulting with your home insurance policies, you’ll want to look at every potential avenue to cover your home repair or renovation. At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we know how important it is for homeowners to feel comfortable paying for emergency home repairs. As we’ll explain in the article below, some types of modifications to your home may not be covered by your home insurance policy. Before you give up on that option, though, you should consult with an agent at our insurance agency.

Does Home Insurance Cover Repairs and Renovations in Texas?

While every home insurance policy is different, home insurance generally only recovers repairs for damage directly resulting from qualifying events. Most home insurance policies, for example, will not cover repairs related to flood damage since that’s what flood insurance is supposed to cover. Your insurance policy is highly unlikely to provide coverage for cosmetic renovations or improvements entirely unrelated to qualifying events. Even if home insurance provides coverage for repairs, it will probably only be to restore the damaged area to the same finish and state of function that it had before the damage occurred. You can’t file a claim for damages-related costs and use those funds to renovate.

To learn how our home insurance policies can potentially help you cover repairs for qualifying events, call our team of professionals at ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX today!

Tips to make your house more energy efficient

Making your house more energy efficient is a great way to save money on bills and help the environment in the League City, TX area. Here are some simple tips from us at ACU Insurance Services to make your home more energy efficient:

1. Insulate Your Home: Adding insulation to your walls, attic, and basement can help reduce the amount of energy used for heating and cooling. Not only will this reduce your energy usage, but it will also make your home more comfortable year-round.  

2. Change Out Old Bulbs: Replacing old light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs is an easy way to save energy. These bulbs use less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer! 

3. Upgrade Your Appliances: Upgrading older appliances with newer models labeled "Energy Star" can substantially reduce your energy consumption. Look for Energy Star-rated washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other large appliances. 

4. Install a Smart Thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures based on when you’re usually away from home or asleep at night, so you don’t have to remember to adjust it manually daily. Plus, these thermostats learn from usage patterns; after a few weeks, they will adjust automatically! 

5. Seal Air Leaks: Caulk and weather-striping around doors, windows, and other openings in the home help keep warm air in during cold months and cool air in during hot months—saving you money on utility bills all year long! 

Making your house more energy efficient doesn’t have to be complicated—even making small changes can add up over time! For more tips, give us at ACU Insurance Services a call today. We are proud to serve the League City, TX area.

How to prepare your house for a storm

Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family in a storm, it is time to turn your attention to preparing your home for a storm. Taking the proper precautions can help minimize the risk of serious damage to your property during severe weather.

Here are some tips from us at ACU Insurance Services on how to prepare your home for a storm in the League City, TX area:

  1. Check Your Roof – Ensure that shingles and other materials are secure and free from rot or decay.
  2. Clear Gutters & Downspouts – Be sure to clear debris from gutters and downspouts before storms.
  3. Trim Trees & Shrubs – Trim overgrown trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of branches breaking during high winds.
  4. Cover Windows & Doors – Secure shutters or plywood to windows and doors before the storm arrives.
  5. Secure Outdoor Objects – Move outdoor furniture, grills, and other items inside before a storm hits.
  6. Unplug Electronics – Unplug appliances and electronics that lightning strikes or power surges could damage.
  7. Check Insurance Coverage – Ensure you are adequately covered for any damage caused by severe weather.

By taking the necessary steps to prepare your home for a storm, you can help protect it from serious damage. These simple precautions you can take now will save time and money. Don’t wait until severe weather arrives — start preparing today! If you need assistance with any of these tasks or want more information about protecting yourself from storms best, contact us at ACU Insurance Services today. We proudly serve the League City, TX area.

How to Know Whether Your Home Insurance Policy Is Thorough Enough

If you’re a League City, TX homeowner, then you should know that simply having home insurance in the first place isn’t enough to ensure the safety of your property and the security of your future. If your home is underinsured, you could still be at risk.

And before you assume that can’t possibly mean you, you should also know that this is a common state of affairs – one that most homeowners aren’t aware of until it’s too late. Here’s how to tell whether you should speak to your ACU Insurance Services agent about upgrading your policy.

Check to ensure your policy covers rebuilding costs

Naturally, most of the point of home insurance is having full protection from the worst possible scenario – total loss of your home due to fire, natural disaster, or a similar occurrence. But don’t just assume that any home insurance policy will cover the total costs of rebuilding a home should the worst happen. If you’re underinsured, yours probably won’t.

Make sure your policy covers your actual valuables.

Another common assumption underinsured homeowners tend to make is that their current policy will cover all of their possessions in the event they are lost or damaged in a disaster. However, this isn’t always the case. Some valuables – like musical instruments, cash, or antiques, to name just a few common possibilities – may require a special policy rider to be protected.

Determine whether you need additional disaster coverage

Many common disasters – like floods or earthquakes – aren’t typically covered by standard home insurance policies in League City, TX. If that’s the case for you, as well, then you’ll want to look into purchasing supplemental insurance to ensure you’re genuinely protected against all possibilities.

Ultimately, a home is one of the most significant investments a person ever makes, so it’s intelligent and essential to ensure it’s well-insured. Get in touch with an ACU Insurance Services rep today to review your policy and ensure it’s everything it should be!

Benefits of windstorm insurance for homeowners in the League City, TX area

ACU Insurance Services is here to provide the greater League City, TX community with its necessary insurance services. We are a full-service agency that can help you with all of your insurance needs, including windstorm policies. Give us a call today to find out more!

Benefits of having windstorm insurance in our area 

We are all very familiar with the unpredictable weather patterns that affect our area. Having the right insurance in place can help to alleviate any financial losses caused by disruptive weather. Wind, in particular, can be a very damaging and destructive force. If you want to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your property is protected, it’s time to look into a windstorm insurance policy.

Now is an ideal time to look closely at the different types of insurance policies available in our area. Sitting down with a local agent is an effective way to identify and correct any gaps that you may currently have in your protection. You may not even know that windstorm insurance is available in our area!

Home and property insurance may not cover damage caused by a severe windstorm. Find out now if your homeowner’s or commercial policy provides this protection. Reviewing the available windstorm policies is the next step if you need further protection. Learn more today about this vital insurance type!

Find out more about windstorm insurance today!

If you own a home or business in the League City, TX area, you can count on ACU Insurance Services for all your insurance needs. Give us a call or stop by our office today to learn more about the many benefits of windstorm insurance. 

What Doesn’t Home Owner Insurance Cover?

When most people think about their homeowner’s insurance policy, they believe one size fits all. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. That said, most standard policies will cover the main things, such as damage to your home due to fire, smoke, and even certain weather. They may also cover damage due to theft or vandalism. 

So, what isn’t typically covered by insurance? 

  • Mold. Most policies typically don’t cover mold unless it is due to water damage from storms or a burst pipe. They won’t cover mold that happened because you didn’t take care of your home. 
  • Valuables. If you have a lot of valuables, your homeowner’s insurance policy generally won’t cover them. So, if you have expensive jewelry or art, you may want an umbrella policy to help you replace anything stolen or damaged. 
  • Flooding. Most policies won’t cover flooding, so if you live in an area that floods, you may want to protect yourself and your home by purchasing flood insurance. 
  • Earthquakes. Earthquake damage is also not usually covered, so if you live in a high-risk area, you will want to ensure that your policy will cover the damage. This may mean you have to get extra insurance, just in case! 

Though you may think that your policy will cover everything, the truth is that your homeowner’s insurance may not cover mold, flood damage, or even damage due to earthquakes. It also may not cover your expensive valuables. 

If you want to ensure your home is fully protected, don’t hesitate to contact us today at ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX. We will be glad to help you find the right plan for your budget. 

Debunking Common Home Insurance Myths

It’s probably no surprise that myths abound regarding home insurance. After all, most people don’t know much about it beyond the basics. And when you don’t understand something, it’s easy to fill in the blanks with whatever information you can find, even if that information is wrong.

This post will debunk some of the most common myths about home insurance. By the end, you should better understand what this type of coverage is and what it can do for you.

Myth 1: Home Insurance Is Just for Protecting Your Home from Damage

Wrong! Home insurance also covers your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged. So, if you have a break-in or a fire, your home insurance policy will help you replace anything lost or damaged.

Myth 2: Home Insurance Is Expensive

This one depends on many factors, including the value of your home and the amount of coverage you need. But in general, home insurance is not as expensive as you might think. And when you consider the peace of mind it can provide, it’s definitely worth the cost.

Myth 3: Your Home Insurance Policy Will Cover Any Damage That Happens to Your Home

This is unfortunately not true. Home insurance policies have limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read the fine print of your policy to understand what is and isn’t covered. For example, your policy will not cover damage from floods or earthquakes.

Myth 4: You Don’t Need Home Insurance If You Own Your Home Outright

This is another myth that’s not true. Even if you don’t have a mortgage, it’s still a good idea to have home insurance. This type of coverage can protect you from things like fire, theft, and vandalism.

Now that you know the truth about these common home insurance myths, you can be sure that you’re getting the coverage you need for your home. ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX can help you find the right policy for your needs and budget. Contact us today to get started.

Should you get home insurance in Texas?

Owning a home has continued to be a great way for someone to build long-term wealth. If you are considering buying a home, the League City, TX area can be a great place to do so. While there are advantages that come with property ownership, there are risks as well. To help offset some of these risks, getting home insurance is a good idea for various reasons. 

Coverage Needed to Protect Home

A key reason that anyone in this area of Texas should get this coverage is to protect their home. If you want to buy a home, you will want to use and enjoy it for a long time. A great way to ensure this happens is by getting insurance as it will offer you protection if your home is damaged in an accident or you are a victim of vandalism or theft. 

Insurance Will be a Requirement

You should also get a home insurance plan because it could be a requirement for you. A lot of people in this part of Texas will take out a mortgage when they buy a home. If you have taken out a mortgage, you will need to carry insurance. Your lender will likely require that you obtain a certain level of coverage and maintain it through the loan term. 

If you are going to invest in a home in the League City, TX area, it will be very important to get the right insurance for it. A great place to start your search for insurance is by calling ACU Insurance Services. The team with ACU Insurance Services can give any support that you need to build a plan that meets your needs. They will offer a full consultation and evaluation to help you get the right coverage. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Pets?

If you are a pet owner, it’s your wish to see your animal friend safe and secure. As such, you may want to know if your home insurance covers injuries to your pet or if it covers injuries or damages your pet inflicts to other people. Since some pet incidences can be costly, ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX answers the question: does home insurance cover pet damage?

What does home insurance cover about pets?

Typical home insurance covers the below regarding your pets:

  • Bodily injury liability: If your dog, for instance, causes injuries to other persons, your home insurance covers the ensuing medical costs. The same case happens even if your pet causes injury when on someone else’s premises.
  • Property damage liability: If your horse or dog destroys some else’s property, you will be responsible for the property damages. Luckily, your home insurance can come to your rescue and cover the property damage claims.

Since liability claims can be costly, you need to update your home insurance liability coverage if you own a dangerous pet. Besides, you can consider umbrella insurance if you have significant assets to protect.  Additionally, home insurance can cover legal fees and settlement claims if the person goes ahead to sue you.

Home insurance exclusions regarding pets

Typical home insurance won’t cover the below regarding your pet:

  • Veterinarian visits: Home insurance doesn’t cover injuries or illnesses to your pet. As such, you should invest in pet insurance to cover vet visits.
  • Property damage: If your dog or cat rips your carpet or sofas apart, home insurance won’t cover the damage because your insurer expects you to control your pet’s behavior that may result in property damage.

Are you ready to get started with home insurance in League City, TX? Please consider ACU Insurance Services for all your home insurance solutions.

When should you review your home insurance policy?

Home insurance is one type of insurance that just about everyone who owns a home needs and wants. With all the things that can go wrong, why would you want to risk your investment? At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we are dedicated to helping our customers to personalize their insurance to better meet their needs. As independent agents, we can offer more choices. 

When your policy is set to renew, that is the perfect time to do a review. You will have a current declaration page to give you all the particulars. You need to see if your home is valued correctly. Have you done any major renovations that you haven’t notified your insurance agent about, something that would increase the value of your home? Some repairs, like a new roof, make your home less expensive to insure. 

Are you worth more now than when you first took out the policy? The more you have in assets, the higher your liability coverage should be. Have you added any additional risks to your home like a dog or swimming pool? Talk to your agent about your liability insurance and whether you should add an umbrella policy. 

Is your deductible right for you or should you increase or decrease it?  Do you have the right type of content coverage and have you added any expensive items to your home or jewelry box that might require an endorsement to make you feel protected? 

Other times to review your home insurance policy are when there is a change in your life status; when you get married or divorced. 

Your home insurance is something that changes over time. It needs to be reviewed at a minimum every year but more often as is necessary. 

Contact ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX when you are in the market for home insurance.