Renovate or Not? What it means for your home insurance

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When it comes to deciding how much homeowners insurance to purchase, much of it is dependent on the size of your house, how it is used, what features it has, and how much it would cost to rebuild it to the current state if disaster struck. What home insurance does not do, is take into account the impact a renovation can have on the value of the home and the insurability. For instance, adding an extra bedroom can increase the value of the home but now there is more square footage to insure and a more expensive house that must be rebuilt if the worst happens. On the flip side, while a pool may be a must-have luxury for your family it also puts you at greater risk of being sued if there is an injury or death because of the pool by a third party. Consequently, whenever you make a major change to your home it is a good idea to check your insurance to validate that it will cover the new additions. Generally speaking, you’ll want to do one of three things when renovating your home for insurance. First, increase the replacement dwelling coverage to the expected value of your home after the renovation is complete. Second, increase liability coverage when the construction is being done to protect yourself from being liable if a construction worker injures themselves on the job without insurance. Third, once the work is done, consider increasing your liability coverage – particularly if you are adding a potential safety concern like a pool.

At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we are your local experts for everything home insurance. Whether you are buying your first home or planning a costly addition give us a call and we’ll be happy to help. 

What to do if Your Home is Damaged in a Flood

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Flooding is a disaster no one wants to experience in League City, TX. And it can come out of nowhere. Water is unpredictable, taking the path of least resistance, and it’s possible your home could one day be in that path. If you were to suffer a flood, chances are your home and its contents would be damaged. Don’t panic, however, just get everyone to safety, and then you can start the process of cleaning up. Here’s what to do.

1. File a Flood Claim

The very first thing you’ll want to do is submit a claim with your insurance agency. They typically get this done quickly so you can move onto the next step. It’s important you do this first so you have the funds to recover from the damage. 

2. Call a Water Damage Restoration Company

After submitting your claim and knowing your deductible, you’ll be able to start taking quotes from reputable water damage restoration companies. These professionals will empty your home of water and get to work repairing any water damage. It’s a good idea to start emptying your house out of those things that were destroyed and can not be replaced, but which your insurance may cover.

3. Replace Ruined Items

For those items that were destroyed in a flood and which your insurance does cover, it’s now time to go shopping to replace them. Chances are a flood would ruin couches, electronics, art, and more.

To learn more about securing a flood insurance policy in League City, TX, contact ACU Insurance Services, serving this area. Our reputable agents are standing by ready to take your call and answer all your questions.

Exploring The Benefits Of Windstorm Insurance

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Based in League City, TX, ACU Insurance Services offers insurance coverage to residents throughout the state. We recognize that each of our clients has different needs. That’s why we are committed to helping our clients find insurance policies to protect their individual interests.

Windstorm Insurance

The League City, TX area is known for its wild weather at times. If you have a property in the area, it’s important that you protect your investment. Consider the benefits of windstorm insurance. Windstorm insurance can help you protect your home.

The policy helps cover your home against the damage caused by strong winds, hail, and natural disasters such as hurricanes. The policy also covers any severe damage to your personal belongings. You can also amend your policy to cover other structures on your property such as garages and sheds in the event that they are damaged. Serious winds have the potential to damage windows and roofs while floating debris can cause additional damage.

Often times, windstorm also lead to an increase in rain, so make sure that you have coverage in the event that flooding damages your home. Also, be aware that severe windstorms may also cause damage to your vehicle. Inquire about protection in the event that a tree gets cracked and falls on your vehicle or breaks the windows.

Once the windstorm has ended and you are safe, take note of the damage that the windstorm caused. Take several pictures and videos of the damaged areas and objects. If necessary, have someone inspect your property to check for additional damage that you may have missed.

ACU Insurance Services Will Help You Find A Solution

To learn more information about the benefits of windstorm insurance, visit our website today!

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.