Protect Your Texas Home: Combat Flooding & Water Damage

No matter where you are located across the state of Texas, the onset of spring weather can bring with it a slew of problems—if the necessary precautions have yet to be taken. Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a wet basement and household water damage.

Whether it’s the extra spring precipitation, a plumbing mishap in your home or simply your location along the Texas coastline, water damage is possible and by spotting the first signs early enough you can stop the issue from growing. They “symptoms” may seem trivial at first – a few water stains on your bathroom ceiling or a leak under the kitchen sink – but with continued disregard and seasonable rain, those small issues can turn into major problems.

As a Texas homeowner, recognizing the causes of water damage can help you prevent damages to your home and personal possessions.

Common causes of water damage include:

  • Broken pipes & hoses
  • Household accidents – overflowing bathtubs and broken toilets
  • Flash flooding and excessive rain
  • Sewer back up – tree roots are common violators!

There are many ways you can take a proactive approach and prevent water damage from causing chaos within your Texas home. Start by evaluating your property and determine any possible sources of water damage; then try utilizing some of these maintenance tips:

  • Keep your gutters free and clear of any debris
  • Check for leaks under the sink where the hoses connect to the water supply
  • If your refrigerator has a built in icemaker, check the hose connection and be aware of any wet spots on the floor.
  • Replace any weakening caulk around sinks

In addition to appliances and the general upkeep of your home, location can also play a significant role in you water damage woes. Live in a high-risk flooding area? You may want to consider adding extra, enhanced protection to your Texas home insurance policy to cover flood and water damage.

With roughly a month left until the Spring Equinox, all of us at Dagley Insurance hope you enjoy the spring weather, and while you’re out and about doing some spring cleaning, stay up to date on these important water maintenance needs!

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Reconstruction Update: Ike Aftermath Slowly Disappearing After 2 Years

Nearly two years after Hurricane Ike tore up the Texas coastline, reconstruction is nearly done on the terminal at Scholes International Airport in Galveston.

The 9-foot storm surge flooded parts of Galveston on September 13, 2008 and according to experts the high water ruined the airport terminal’s heating, cooling, communication and electrical systems.

Airport director Hud Hopkins said the debris was “about waist-high in the building“.

Redesign started in March 2010 and The Galveston County Daily News reported that planners decided to restore the terminal to its original 1950s look. According to Hopkins, “the updated terminal will have impact, hurricane-resistant windows”.

In a recent post from StatesMan.com, it was reported that the terminal was approved for a certificate of occupancy last week.

Wind and water are considered to be the main destructive forces in regard to hurricanes. In many hurricane claims both wind and water are considered hazardous, natural occurrences and are covered in your standard hurricane insurance policy.

Whether you are in need of hurricane or general flood insurance for your business or are looking to purchase the endorsement in addition to your Texas home insurance, both are certainly worthy policies that can help protect your property from this type of disaster.

Have questions about your current business or home insurance policy? Interested in enhancing your current plan with additional coverage options? Give Dagley Insurance a call, we’d be happy to help!

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Insurance Council of Texas Announces Weather-Related Losses Reaching $100M

According to a recent article from Insurance Journal, preliminary estimates of insured losses from recent winter storms, throughout the state of Texas, now range between $51 million and $100 million statewide.

Southwestern Insurance Information Service (SIIS) further explained the estimation, saying that, preliminary statewide losses from high winds and freezing temperatures during the first few days of February had already reached $51 million. The SIIS also cautioned brokers and residents that this initial figure is likely to rise.

The Insurance Council of Texas anticipates that insured losses from 15,000 claims, so far statewide, will easily exceed $100 million.

Thanks to the recent winter weather that pushed through Texas last Tuesday, February 1st, the storm brought with it damaging winds to areas of the state as well snow, ice and frigid temperatures statewide.

Most of the damage will be the result of roof damage from strong winds and bursting pipes resulting in water entering a home or business. There will be some claims for vehicle damage but the majority of the claims will be to homes and businesses,” said Jerry Johns, president of SIIS.

According to Mark Hanna from the Insurance Council of Texas, there have already been roughly, 1,000 wind-related homeowners insurance claims reported in the Texas Hill Country and in the El Paso, which was unexpectedly hit the hardest thus far, residents experienced a record-breaking low of zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Johns also stressed that the current “loss estimates are only the beginning point in a long process of determining the final financial implications for insurers in Texas.”   

Make sure you and your family are efficiently prepared this winter, with the unpredictable winter weather our state has been seeing, you may want to re-evaluate your Texas home insurance policy. At Dagley Insurance we’d be happy to thoroughly review your current homeowner’s policy as well as provide you with a free TX home insurance quote! So don’t wait for the next batch of brutal winter weather to head our way, ensure that you have the protection you need and deserve right now!

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Multi-Million-Dollar Homes Prove to be a Popular Destination in Texas

Thanks to beautiful autumn weather and record-breaking crowds, officials at the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA) extended the 2010 Kaleidoscope of Homes: Luxury Home Show another week; allowing for more opportunity to grab a sneak peek inside luxury multi-million dollar Texas homes through this Sunday, November 7th.

via Texas Luxury Home Show

 The show’s first three weeks drew in an estimated 20,000 people with an interest in browsing the architecture and immersing themselves in Texas-style homeowner culture. “Over-the-top luxury, strong media coverage and enthusiastic word of mouth were the ingredients for success,” stated Carey Clarke, chairman of the Kaleidoscope committee, in a recent post from PRWeb. “Many people toured the homes more than once. There’s a lot to see with four estate-sized homes– authentic European architecture, stunning décor, unique lifestyle features and new technology”.

 Together the homes have a combined total value of $12 million and are furnished with roughly $1.4 million worth of furnishings, draperies and accessories– each representing an exquisite piece of Texas property in need of protection. Owning a property such as this, or any residential property of that matter, requires efficient, reliable Texas home insurance.

Whether you reside in a custom, luxury property or a cozy home you call your own, don’t be left uninsured. All properties are worthy protecting. Visit Dagley Insurance’s Virtual Insurance Office to access Texas home insurance quotes or call one of our agents (888.840.7995) to review your coverage.

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Surprise – State Farm’s Insurance Rates on the Rise in Texas (again)

Texas’ largest homeowners insurance provider has yet again decided to raise premium rates on policy holders. Is anyone else tired of insurance companies nickel and diming us for everything we have? State Farm will raise rates at 4.5% this month, not too long after they jacked them up 8.5% in October! Sure, it stinks, but you’ll be happy to learn that you don’t have to be stuck paying State Farm all your money.

texas homeowners insurance

Here are a few things you can do to save on homeowners insurance:

  • We believe this is the most important step to your savings…SHOP AROUND. Don’t have the time? Great, we’ll do it for you. As an independent insurance agency, we can shop all the top carriers to find you the lowest rates on homeowners insurance. Why wouldn’t you choose to use an independent agent?
  • Bundle your homeowners policy with your auto policy. Most insurance companies will offer you a significant discount if you bundle your insurance policies with them. In many cases you can save up to 30% on your premiums. That’s some serious dough.
  • Make your home disaster resistant. This is an important one for us Longhorns. Texas is the only state capable of any kind of weather. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tropical storms, etc. You name it, we got it. Doing things like installing storm-windows and reinforcing your roof will actually benefit you when it comes time to pay for homeowners insurance, Talk with your agent.
  • You’ve hear this one before…KEEP A GOOD CREDIT RECORD. This one kind of speaks for itself. Insurance companies are more likely to give lower rates to folks who are in god credit standing.

For more information on the State Farm home insurance rate increase or to get a quote on a new homeowners insurance policy, visit Dagley Insurance Agency or call us at 888.840.7995.

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