Protect Your Farmland from Floods – Measures to Take Before Insuring Your Property

Protecting Your Newly Purchased FarmLand

If you have recently acquired farmland, here are several strategies to protect your property from potential damage and theft. Once your land has been prepared, contact our agents in League City, TX, for the seamless preparation of your insurance documents.

Property Assessment

An appraisal can determine the current value and dimensions of your property – vital information when purchasing an insurance policy that will offer sufficient protection for your land.

Land Grading

Grading your land removes surface inconsistencies. This process could prevent rainwater from pooling, thus reducing the risk of floods.

Soil Care Practices

Soil conditions on your property may need modification. For instance, if the soil isn’t adequately aerated, it could impact the drainage capabilities of your land, which can be rectified through soil aeration or compaction. Should there be any holes on your property, they can be filled using topsoil.

Installation of Drainage Materials

New drainage materials may be necessary if any drainage problems have previously been detected. Just installing perforated drain lines, gutter sections, and other such materials to steer water away could lessen the impact of rising waters. Consequently, these materials can protect your home and land from unexpected floods.

Contact ACU Insurance Services

Reach out to one of our ACU Insurance Services agents in League City, TX, today for an inquiry about flood insurance coverage. Our agent will prepare your insurance policy and ensure you’re well covered.

Protect Your League City Home with Insurance in Five Easy Steps!

League City, TX, homeowners are subject to various insurance-related perils, including weather-related perils like hurricanes, windstorms, floods, and hailstorms. With a home insurance policy, you get comprehensive protection from this and other perils like burglary, theft, fire, and vandalism. 

5 Steps to Protect Your Home

Step #1. – Benefit from Local Expertise

Local homeowners benefit from the expertise of knowledgeable insurance agents at ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX. Our licensed and friendly agents can walk you step-by-step through the process of choosing the best home insurance policy. 

Step #2. – Provide Details About Your Home and Property

Talk to a trusted insurance agent for details about your home and property. Learn about the benefits of dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and liability protection that help shield homeowners from accidents that happen on their property, resulting in lawsuits and other legal claims. 

Step #3. – Get Financial Protection for Your Most Important Investments

Once your agent has essential details about your home and you’ve provided details about what assets and valuables you’d like to have covered, the next step is to learn what discounts and add-on options are available for Texas home insurance policyholders. 

Step #4. – Find Out About Home Insurance Discounts and Policy Add Ons

Your agent will let you know if you qualify for policy discounts by bundling your home insurance with auto, umbrella, or commercial insurance policies.

Step #5. – Get a Free Quote and Start Your Policy! 

The final step in the process is to get your free home insurance quote, select your coverages, and start your policy. Contact an agent at ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, to begin your home insurance policy today! 

Why Fibbing on a Home Insurance Application is a Bad Idea

It is no secret that a variety of factors can impact the rates that are paid for a homeowner’s insurance policy. These can include the age and size of a home, its location, construction materials, and amenities. It also may consist of whether or not you have a dog, trampoline, pool, or other higher-risk factors.

This can make it tempting to ignore some aspects of your home insurance application or even fib just a bit. This is a terrible idea.

At ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX, it is our duty not only to ensure you get the home insurance protection you want and expect but also to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. There are good reasons.

Untruths on an Application Can Impact Claims

Your claim could be denied if you have a claim on your homeowner’s insurance and your application has inaccuracies. It could also lead to the cancellation of your policy. This could happen at the worst possible time when you need coverage the most.

Dogs, Pools, Trampolines, and More

If you have or acquire a dog throughout your coverage period, and the dog bites a visitor, the liability coverage may be denied. Adding a trampoline to the backyard without notifying your insurance company could lead to denying an injury claim.

The best policy when filling out your homeowner’s application is honesty. Filling out an application for homeowners insurance could be meaningless if coverage is ultimately invalid.

At ACU Insurance Services, we serve the League City, TX, area with homeowners insurance. We take care in making sure applications are as accurate as possible. You can have confidence when you have coverage through ACU Insurance Service. Contact us today.

Head ’em Up and Move ’em Out!

When the going gets tough, get up and get out of there! There’s one sure way to survive a flood, and that’s to leave before the flooding starts. You may get some warning if your area is going to be flooded, particularly if the reason is an oncoming hurricane. In this case, evacuation may be the intelligent thing to do. An even smarter thing to do is to know how to evacuate before you need to evacuate.  

Before You Go

First, make a plan. Where will you go, and how will you get there if you need to evacuate? Find out what shelters are available. If a motel, friend, or family member’s home is available, make that part of the plan. If you have a pet, will they be accepted? Get familiar with alternate routes and any other means of transportation to get out of your area. If you live with other people, make a plan where to meet should you get separated. Assemble supplies for a bug-out bag. Keep your car gassed up and keep an emergency kit in it.  

On the Go

Leave before things get too serious. If you have time, you can close and lock all the doors and windows before you go. Unplug the electrical equipment and shut off water, gas, and electricity. FEMA has an app that will tell you where the local shelters are. A battery-powered radio will keep you in touch with the news and evacuation instructions. Dress for the weather. Keep in mind that any shortcuts may be blocked. Follow recommended evacuation routes and keep an eye out for hazards on the road. Do not drive in flooded areas. Keep safe so you can eventually come home. 

ACU Insurance Services Serving League City, TX

If you need flood insurance and are in the League City, TX area, please get in touch with ACU Insurance Services. We’re here to help. 

The Benefits of Windstorm Insurance for Transportation Companies

Transportation companies play a pivotal role in the global economy, ensuring the efficient movement of goods and people. However, in the Houston and League City, TX area, they face various risks in their operations, and one of the most unpredictable and potentially devastating threats is windstorms. Windstorm insurance is a specialized coverage that offers essential protection for transportation companies against the financial fallout of windstorm-related damages.

The Unpredictable Nature of Windstorms

Windstorms, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms, can cause extensive damage to transportation assets. Cargo vans and big rigs face more challenging times and are more likely to fall over by the excessive winds. These events can result in structural damage to vehicles, cargo losses, and significant downtime for transportation companies.

Key Benefits of Windstorm Insurance

Windstorm insurance provides coverage for a wide range of losses associated with windstorms. This can include damage to vehicles, cargo, terminals, and other infrastructure and business interruption expenses due to downtime caused by storm-related damage.

Windstorms can result in substantial financial losses, potentially crippling transportation companies. Windstorm insurance offers a financial safety net, ensuring that the cost of repairs or replacements doesn’t fall entirely on the company’s shoulders.

Customized Policies

Windstorm insurance policies can be customized to address the unique risks transportation companies face. This customization ensures that the coverage aligns with the specific assets and vulnerabilities of the business.

Mitigating Business Disruption

One of the most significant advantages of windstorm insurance is its ability to reduce downtime for transportation companies. When a windstorm strikes, swift access to insurance funds can facilitate rapid repairs or replacements, allowing the company to resume operations sooner.

ACU Insurance Services Can Help You

At ACU Insurance Services, we can help answer questions concerning windstorm insurance. We serve the Houston and League City, TX area. Contact us today. 

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!

Do You Need Flood Insurance for Your Texas Home?

Whether you live in a flood-prone area or not, having a flood insurance policy in place is not a bad idea these days. You never know when a downpour or thunderstorm will occur and flood the basement area of your home or, worse yet, the upstairs portion of your home. Our agents at ACU Insurance Services serving the League City, TX area also know and understand that Texas is no stranger to hurricanes and water surges.

It would be best if you kept in mind that most home insurance policies do not cover flooding or earthquakes. This is why flood and earthquake insurance is available for people to add to their original home insurance policy.

Flood Insurance Policy Coverage

Most flood insurance policies are obtained through your agent and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There are normally two parts to your flood insurance policy. One of those is the part of the policy that covers the structure of your home and outbuildings if they are damaged or destroyed by flooding. The other piece to your flood insurance policy will cover your personal belongings and other items, such as clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, and other things. Some flood insurance policies will even help you cover the expenses of living in another location while your home is repaired after a flood has occurred.

Contact ACU Insurance Services

Remember that it is better to be safe than sorry, so even if you think you do not need a flood insurance policy right now, you still may want to consider one. Contact our agents at ACU Insurance Services serving the League City, TX area today and get your flood insurance policy started and have the peace of mind that comes with it.

Windstorm Insurance and Disaster Preparedness

Windstorms in League City, TX, and surrounding areas can wreak havoc on homes and communities, causing significant property damage and posing risks to residents’ safety. Windstorm insurance plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness efforts. By having a comprehensive plan that includes insurance coverage, evacuation plans, and emergency supplies, individuals and communities can better protect themselves against windstorm-related risks. 

Get Insurance Coverage

Windstorm insurance explicitly addresses the damage caused by strong winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe weather events. With windstorm insurance, homeowners gain financial protection that helps cover repair and rebuilding costs. This coverage ensures that individuals and communities recover and rebuild more efficiently after a windstorm.

Take Precautions with Evacuation Plans 

In an approaching windstorm, having a well-thought-out evacuation plan is crucial. This plan should outline designated evacuation routes, emergency shelter locations, and communication channels for alerting residents. Windstorm insurance complements evacuation plans by covering personal belongings and property left behind during an evacuation so that they can focus more on safety. 

Stock Up on Emergency Supplies 

Disaster preparedness efforts include having essential emergency supplies readily available. These supplies consist of non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and other necessary items. With windstorm insurance in place, individuals and communities can address their immediate needs after a storm.

Mitigating Risk

In addition to insurance coverage, disaster preparedness efforts should include proactive measures to mitigate risk. This may involve reinforcing windows and doors, securing loose objects, trimming trees, and securing the roof. By taking these precautions, individuals can reduce damage caused by windstorms. 

How ACU Insurance Services Can Help You

Here at ACU Insurance Services, we can help you with information about windstorm insurance. We will work to get you the policy that is good for you around the League City, TX region. Contact ACU Insurance Services today

How much flood insurance do I need?

With over 3,000 League City residences in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area (formerly known as the 100-year floodplain), all community members should recognize the value of flood insurance. But how much flood insurance do you need? This article helps answer that question, but your needs are unique, so contact the team at ACU Insurance Services, serving League City, TX, for advice on the best flood insurance for your needs.

Flood Insurance Policy Needs

Homeowner’s and renter’s policies do not cover flooding from water entering from outside your home, so flood insurance is needed for those damages.

Also, if you have a mortgage and live in certain areas, you may be required to have a minimum amount of flood insurance, but the minimum amount may not meet your needs. Instead, homeowners should have enough flood insurance coverage to rebuild their homes and replace their possessions if the worst happens. 

Our team at ACU Insurance Services can help you determine your home’s rebuild cost and the replacement cost of your possessions. Since policies often limit reimbursement by category, you should consider policy riders to cover your household’s artwork, collections, or other out-of-the-ordinary items.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps keep flood insurance policies affordable but limits coverage to $250,000 for the home and $100,000 for possessions. NFIP also does not cover additional expenses incurred if the damage displaces you from your home, so you may need private insurance to meet your requirements.

Remember, none of us controls whether a flood might affect our homes, but we can protect our families against the financial effects of a flood.

Working with ACU Insurance Services

ACU Insurance Services proudly serves League City, TX, and has experience dealing with flood insurance policies. Call us or stop by today to discuss your flood insurance options, and we will help you find the best policy for your family.

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.