Just like when you’re driving a vehicle, unforeseen situations can arise, leading to accidents. While your car insurance provides peace of mind, watercraft insurance is not required in Texas, leaving you unprotected.
Texas Watercraft Coverage
Although Texas does not require watercraft to be insured, owners can purchase coverage. The types of watercraft that owners often inquire about include powerboats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, fishing boats, cabin cruisers, and sailboats.
When you contact our agents at Ellis Insurance Agency, serving the San Antonio, TX community, we can answer any questions you may have about watercraft coverage, such as the types of insurance available and additional options. You can also request a quote using our convenient online form.
Benefits of Watercraft Coverage
There are many unexpected situations where having your watercraft insured can make a significant financial difference. Insurance can help if your watercraft is involved in an accident, damaged due to fire, stolen or vandalized, or affected by weather-related situations such as lightning, or if you and property damage cause injuries to others.
When you speak with our agents, we can discuss different policies, such as collision, comprehensive, property damage liability, personal property coverage, medical payments, bodily injury liability, and incidents involving uninsured and underinsured boaters.
Contact Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio
If you need information about watercraft insurance in San Antonio, TX, contact our customer-friendly team at Ellis Insurance Agency. Our staff stays up-to-date on what customers need to know about coverage for watercraft. With this information, you will be better informed about what type of coverage suits your needs while providing protection.
Insurance companies run credit-based insurance scores as part of their assessment process because these scores are seen as indicators of an individual’s financial responsibility and potential risk. Studies have shown a correlation between credit-based insurance scores and the likelihood of filing insurance claims. Individuals with lower insurance scores are statistically more likely to file claims, which can lead to higher costs for insurers. By using insurance scores, insurers aim to predict and mitigate potential risks, ensuring that they can set premiums that accurately reflect the likelihood of future claims. This practice allows insurers to price their policies more effectively, offering lower premiums to those with better insurance scores who are perceived as lower risk, while charging higher rates to those with lower scores to account for the increased likelihood of claim activity.
It is important to note that these companies use credit-based insurance scores rather than traditional credit scores, which means requesting an insurance quote will not hurt your credit score. An article on FICO.com provides a more detailed explanation of the differences between a credit score and an insurance score. Please click HERE to learn more.
Understanding how insurance companies utilize credit-based insurance scores can help consumers navigate the insurance landscape more effectively. While these scores are a tool for predicting potential risk, they also highlight the importance of maintaining good financial habits, as credit scores can influence not only loan rates but also insurance premiums. Insurance companies do offer exceptions to credit-based insurance scoring if you were the victim of identity theft or another qualifying life event, please click HERE to learn more. By leveraging credit data, insurers can offer more accurate pricing, rewarding financially responsible individuals with lower premiums. For more insights into how insurance scores differ from traditional credit scores, be sure to check out the detailed explanation on FICO.com.
Umbrella insurance delivers supplementary liability coverage beyond the confines of your standard home, auto, or other personal insurance policies. This is particularly beneficial for residents of San Antonio, TX. A standout feature of umbrella insurance is its extended coverage for household members, which amplifies protection for family members residing in your home. Given the frequent and popular litigation culture, this could be instrumental in warding off financial loss resulting from lawsuits.
Scope of Household Member Extended Coverage
Household member extended coverage applies to all household members, including spouses, children, and other family members who share the same address. This coverage stipulates that if one such member gets tangled in an accident or incident invoking a liability claim, the umbrella policy can take care of the costs exceeding the limits of their existing policies.
To illustrate, if your teenage child gets into an accident while driving and is held liable for damages exceeding the coverage scope of your auto insurance, your umbrella insurance can cover the remaining costs. This also extends to other scenarios, such as a family member being sued for accidental injury or property damage inflicted on someone else.
Significance for Families
Household member extended coverage is particularly relevant for families as it shields against financial risks associated with potential lawsuits or high-stake claims. With children, especially teen drivers or other dependents in the household, the probability of liability claims can escalate. In such situations, umbrella insurance can provide peace of mind by extending coverage beyond standard policies’ limits.
Reach Out to Ellis Insurance Agency for a Deeper Diving into Insurance
At Ellis Insurance Agency, we offer extensive insurance-focused knowledge. Serving San Antonio, TX, we can help you understand and choose the right insurance. Contact our team today for expert insurance advice.
Read below to learn more about New Texas Vehicle Inspection laws starting January 1, 2025, Hurricane Helene update and hurricane preparedness, and the difference between an Insurance Agency vs. Insurance Company.
New Texas Vehicle Inspection Law
Starting January 1, 2025, Texas will eliminate the requirement for annual safety inspections for most non-commercial vehicles, as part of House Bill 3297. This means vehicle owners will no longer need to visit inspection stations for annual checks. However, a $7.50 fee, known as the “inspection program replacement fee,” will still be applied during vehicle registration. The collected fees will support state funds such as the Texas Mobility Fund and the Clean Air Account.
Despite the elimination of the safety inspections, vehicles in certain counties, including Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery, will still be required to undergo annual emissions testing to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Commercial vehicles, however, are not affected by these changes and will still need to complete annual inspections.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on the night of September 26, 2024, in Florida’s Big Bend area as a powerful Category 4 storm. With sustained winds of 140 mph, the storm caused widespread damage, particularly along the northwestern coastline. Officials issued warnings about life-threatening storm surges, which resulted in catastrophic flooding, while hurricane-force winds knocked out power to nearly a million homes and businesses. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other southeastern states declared states of emergency as the storm’s impact extended into Georgia and the Carolinas.
For detailed guidance on staying safe during hurricane season, check out our previous blog on hurricane preparedness. It covers essential tips and strategies to help you protect your home and family before, during, and after a storm.
Insurance Agency vs. Insurance Company
An insurance agency and an insurance company serve distinct roles in the insurance market. An insurance agency acts as an intermediary between customers and insurance companies. Agencies represent multiple insurers and work to find the best policies for their clients, tailoring coverage options to meet individual needs. They essentially sell and manage policies on behalf of insurance companies.
An insurance company, on the other hand, is the entity that underwrites and provides the insurance policies. It assumes the financial risk, collects premiums, and is responsible for paying out claims. While agencies focus on selling and servicing policies, insurance companies are the ones that create and back the coverage financially.
Referrals and Reviews
Referrals and Google reviews are key to our business growth by boosting credibility and expanding our reach. Referrals provide trusted, word-of-mouth endorsements, while positive Google reviews increase online visibility and showcase the quality of our services. Together, they build trust, attract new customers, and drive sustainable growth through customer acquisition and retention.
Flood insurance is often a hot topic because there is a lot of misinformation about this important type of coverage. Here at Ellis Insurance Agency, serving San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding areas, we want customers to be well-informed so that they can make confident decisions based on facts, not fear. Here are a few things you should know about flood insurance.
Often Not Included in Homeowners’ Insurance
The first thing you need to know about flood insurance is that it’s often not included in homeowners’ policies. There are many reasons behind this, but it’s most important that you don’t assume you have coverage. You need to talk with the home insurance provider and find out everything you need to know about flood coverage.
There Are Different Types of Flooding
You also need to be aware that there are different types of flooding in the world of insurance coverage. There is naturally occurring flooding and indoor flooding. Indoor flooring is caused by problems with your plumbing or appliances. Naturally occurring flooding is caused by a natural disaster. Homeowners’ policies often cover indoor flooding but do not cover naturally occurring flooding.
Coverage Is Based On Many Factors
One of the reasons why flood insurance isn’t included in homeowners’ policies is because so many factors need to be considered. Each flood policy is very unique. To get a quote on flood insurance, you’ll need to sit down with knowledgeable insurance professionals to discuss all of your risk factors.
If you’d like to learn more about flood insurance, please contact us at Ellis Insurance Agency, serving San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding areas.
Property insurance in Texas (and in most states in the US) continues to challenge the insurance industry – inflation, large weather-related claims, inconsistent weather patterns, material and labor increases have found their way into all our premiums. 2023 added another layer of complexity in Texas as many of the insurance companies tightened up restrictions on where and what kind of homes they want to cover. One of the biggest areas of focus (and rating factors) for property insurance is the age of our roofs. Many insurance companies are now requiring proof of roof age, this proof comes in several forms:
Roofing Permit or Certificate (typically from a licensed roofer and/or roofing company)
Paid receipt showing roof replacement (and scope of work done)
Pre-purchase inspection (hold on to these if you have recently purchased a home)
Roof Inspection completed within the last 6-12 months, including photos showing all sides of the roof
It is a common misconception that those downsizing from a single-family home to a condominium in San Antonio, TX, need the same type of policy to cover their dwelling. However, homeowner’s insurance and condo insurance have major differences. Ellis Insurance Agency can explain these differences and guide you to the appropriate policy.
Protecting Your Building
When you own a single-family home, you need to protect the entire building, meaning your insurance policy must cover the exterior, the roof, and the property surrounding it. This is not the case with condo insurance. Your homeowner’s association (HOA) master policy covers damage to your unit’s exterior, roof, building hallways, common areas, and the property surrounding the building. The one exception involves loss assessment fees. More HOAs are implementing this measure, charging their members a percentage of what the HOA must pay if there is a loss involving the common areas. You can add loss assessment coverage to your condo policy to cover this risk.
Your Insurance Responsibilities
Condo and townhome owners are still responsible for covering risks inside their units. This includes liability. While the association’s master policy insures accidents that happen in common areas, the liability portion of your policy covers what happens in your unit. Your condo policy will also cover your personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, electronics, and other valuables. Like a homeowner’s policy, you can schedule high-worth items to ensure they are covered if stolen, damaged, or lost. Familiarize yourself with your HOA policy and the terms of your condo policy to ensure full coverage.
If you’re wondering whether you have sufficient coverage for your condo, contact the experienced agents at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX. Our staff will gladly review your policy and recommend any changes you need for full coverage.
When it comes to commercial insurance, our team has you covered. We are excited to introduce our newest member, Veronica, who brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Learn more about Cyber Security and its importance for your small business, as safeguarding your digital assets is crucial in today’s landscape. Additionally, explore whether your company requires commercial auto insurance to protect your vehicles and drivers. To foster a productive work environment, check out an article written by our friend and client, Levi Kirwin, on creating clarity and communication throughout your organization, where we discuss effective strategies to enhance transparency and engagement within your team. In our Client Center, we offer personalized assistance to address your specific needs, ensuring you get the most comprehensive coverage.
Meet Our Newest Commercial Lines Account Manager
Introducing Veronica Caesarez, our newest Commercial Lines Account Manager. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Learn more about Veronica and our other amazing team members HERE.
Do you need Commercial Auto Insurance?
Are you unsure whether your business needs commercial auto insurance? Progressive Insurance has published an insightful article that clearly outlines the differences between personal and commercial auto insurance. This resource can help you determine whether your business vehicles require commercial coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected on the road. Check it out to make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs.
Creating Clarity and Communication Throughout Your Organization
1 Point, 2 Minutes: Energize your teams through communicating consistent clarity of purpose.
Founders and CEOs need to answer six questions to create clarity and communicate clarity consistently throughout your organization (see Patrick Lencioni’s “The Advantage”)
Why do we exist?
“Because the world needs…” (fill in your WHY)
How do we behave?
Define core values, no more than five.
What do we do?
Your one sentence value proposition for prospects.
How will we succeed?
What are the unique(s) your product or service brings to the market?
What is most important, right now?
The time horizon should be from 3-12 months.
This choice you make should be exactly ONE thing that, if accomplished, will move your firm forward more than any other choice.
Outline one sentence as a thematic goal, and define objectives in clear steps as work tasks.
Connect these to your business goals for the year. Revenue, prospect pipeline strength, cost reduction, something else.
WHO must do WHAT to accomplish the most important choice you have identified?
This isn’t a prompt to Ctl-C, Ctl-V your org chart.
Instead, you are assigning each clearly defined work task to exactly one owner to accomplish “what is most important.”
Get your leadership team aligned and agreed on (1) – (6). Congratulations, you have created clarity! Now, communicate clarity. Create a short simple communication for (5) and (6) for each team leader to cover, each week, on progress to the goal. Repeat clarity. Every week.
You’re the visible leader and you set the rhythm of your organization; you set the pulse by your words and presence. You cannot, you CANNOT, repeat this enough in your daily interactions with your team. You will feel like you are repeating yourself in annoying ways. But each of your team only hears you a small fraction of his or her day. Your words frame the day, maybe the week, when your team hears you. Communicate what you want them to remember.
Clarity galvanizes your marketing strategy, your prospecting and sales processes, and your operational muscle towards one goal, one vision, One Point on the horizon to run towards. Help them keep their eyes on the prize. It’s your responsibility. Executing well is how you win the year.
Ready to create clarity for your team, prospects, and customers?
Levi Kirwin, founder of Nissi Revenue Generation, translates founders’ and CEO’s vision for conquest into marketing strategy, brand storytelling, and sales process execution.
Levi Kirwin | 813-424-7812 | nissirg@proton.me
Cyber Security and It’s Importance to Your Small Business
Last week’s CrowdStrike software update resulted in outages for millions of Microsoft Windows users, potentially costing the economy billions of dollars and triggering cyber policy claims for numerous businesses worldwide. Today’s businesses depend on technology to thrive. However, with the benefits of technology come increased risks. Now is the time to review your current cyber insurance coverage. Determine which policies provide coverage, check notice of loss requirements, limitations, and any other coverage considerations. Watch this video from Central Insurance to learn how to protect your small business from a cyber attack.
Inspection Recommendations
Inspection recommendations have become increasingly crucial as Excess and Surplus (E&S) carriers have tightened their inspection protocols. To ensure compliance and secure the necessary coverage, it’s important to adhere to these stricter guidelines. By following detailed inspection recommendations, businesses can avoid potential coverage issues and maintain the high standards required by E&S carriers, ultimately protecting their assets and operations more effectively. Watch this VIDEO by Fusco Orsini & Associates Insurance Services X 4C to learn more!
Ellis Insurance Agency Client Center
Did you know about our digital customer service? You can use our Client Center to view your insurance policies, make payments, print insurance ID cards, update your contact information, download documents, and more!
San Antonio is located deep in the Lone Star State, where rustic charm meets the hustle and bustle of city life. Local motorists know that navigating the city’s streets can sometimes feel like maneuvering through an unmarked obstacle course.
The professionals at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX offer a few tips on how auto insurance can protect local drivers from some of the most dangerous intersections in the city in the guide below.
Examples of San Antonio’s Most Hazardous Intersections
Wurzbach Road and Fredericksburg Road: This intersection is known for having multiple lanes, which produce heavy traffic and pose a significant risk for auto accidents, especially during peak times and rush hour.
Loop 410 and Interstate 10: The junction where these two major highways intersect poses a high risk of accidents for distracted or speeding drivers.
Bandera Road and Loop 1604: The intersection of Bandera Road and Loop is known as a hotspot for traffic congestion, which causes frequent fender benders, sideswipes, and rear-end collisions.
How Auto Insurance Can Protect You
Having adequate auto insurance in San Antonio is one of the best ways to safeguard your auto against collisions that can happen in the city’s most dangerous intersections.
Liability Insurance: helps local drivers meet legal requirements for state insurance minimums and protects at-fault drivers from accident-related legal fees, medical claims, and property damage claims.
Collision insurance: can help motorists who have been in an accident to offset the costs of repairs to their vehicle – regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive insurance can cover a wide range of incidents.
Contact the insurance professionals at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio to learn more and get a quote today!
Renters insurance may not be required by law in San Antonio, TX, but we strongly believe in its importance at Ellis Insurance Agency. To learn more about the unique advantages associated with renters insurance, be sure to read on. There is no shortage of good reasons to obtain these policies; we are here to tell you why.
Access to a Wider Range of Housing
While it is true that San Antonio residents are not legally required to purchase renters insurance, several modern-day landlords do require it. Renters insurance is a must to gain access to a wider range of housing. The policyholder will have far more options when searching for a new place than those without renters insurance.
Personal Property Protection
Tenants often make the mistake of assuming that their personal property is always covered. In reality, the landlord will not be responsible for your personal effects. Sit down with an experienced insurance agent and learn more about the coverage you will need for all of your most valued possessions.
Assistance With Living Expenses
Times are complex, and it can be challenging to receive the necessary help when it comes to living expenses. This is especially true when unexpected problems arise. For example, if the residence cannot remain inhabited, a renters insurance policy provides the assistance you will need to avoid any major out-of-pocket costs.
When you meet with the experts at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX, residents can learn everything they need about renters insurance. Contact our team today so that all of your questions can be answered as promptly and efficiently as possible.
