Renters Insurance for Gamers: Protecting Your Setup

Are you a passionate gamer who has invested countless hours and hard-earned money into building the ultimate gaming setup? Whether you’re a console enthusiast, a PC gamer, or even a retro collector, your gaming equipment is more than just a hobby; it’s an integral part of your life.

But have you ever considered how vulnerable your gaming gear is to unexpected events like theft, fire, or accidents? That’s where renters insurance comes into play, and here at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX, we want to help you protect your gaming setup. 

Renters Insurance for Gamers

Renters insurance isn’t just about covering your living space; it’s also about safeguarding your personal property. Your gaming equipment – consoles, gaming PCs, monitors, controllers, and game collections – all qualify as personal property. In the event of a covered loss, renters insurance can help you recover the cost of repairing or replacing your gaming gear.

Renters (and gamers) are often surprised to find that renters insurance is surprisingly affordable. For just a small monthly premium, you get peace of mind knowing that your gaming setup is protected. Plus, you’ll have coverage for your other personal belongings and liability protection, which can be crucial in case someone gets injured in your rental space.

Consult With Us

In the world of gaming, where your setup represents years of dedication, renters insurance is a smart investment. Don’t leave your gaming gear vulnerable; contact Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX today, and let us help you choose the right renters insurance policy to safeguard your gaming kingdom. With the right coverage, you can game with the confidence that your setup is secure no matter what life throws your way.

Does “Full-time” RV Insurance Apply To You?

It does if you plan to or actually live in your San Antonio, TX RV three-quarters of a year to full-time. You need full-time RV insurance if you travel in your vehicle rather than parking it. In fact, 150 nights constitute a full-time residence parked or moving.

There isn’t a huge difference between part-time and full-time coverage. Even if you live in your RV, you’re technically not "vacationing," so you don’t need vacation liability coverage. However, getting an RV insurance policy would be a good idea, and Ellis Insurance Agency will show you why.

How An RV Differs From A Home

Your home insurance covers the structure’s contents in case of an emergency. RV insurance doesn’t. Full-timers RV insurance will pay for damages in the area on someone else’s property in which your vehicle is parked. This is called loss assessment coverage and differs completely from home insurance. 

You’ll need full collision, comprehensive, and liability in addition to covering the contents. All this will pay for damages you cause in an accident including medical. 

What To Look For In Full-Timers RV Coverage

San Antonio, TX RVers need to recognize that if they’re living in their vehicle, then part-time or vacation RV insurance won’t apply. Also important are:

    • Medical coverage and mandatory personal liability coverage are very important.

    • Emergency expenses cover the cost of food and hotels if you’ve filed a claim for covered emergencies in excess of 100 miles from home.

    • Roadside assistance comes in handy if your vehicle breaks down or for some other reason requires towing. 

    • Coverage exists for RV accessories such as a TV antenna, satellite dish, awning covers, and more.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

Living in your RV is fun and adventurous. Protect those adventures by calling or dropping by Ellis Insurance Agency to learn more about full-time RV insurance.

Why Motorcyclists Love Texas

Whether as a fuel-efficient way to cover ground in our large state or as a lifestyle, motorcycle riding is extremely popular in the Lone Star State. At Ellis Insurance Agency, our San Antonio, TX motorcycle insurance clients appreciate our passion for the activity. But what exactly makes riding in Texas so enjoyable? The answers are all around us.

Why Motorcyclists Love Texas

Interesting and Scenic Roadways

Texas is filled with places to venture out for a weekend or a week. There’s the Big Bend Region, Hill Country, Twisted Sisters, and a range of sprawling cities and interesting small towns.

Expansive Open Roads

Sometimes it is nice just to hit the open highway, and few states offer more expansive roads than Texas. Whether traveling in a pack, with that special someone, or solo, you can get away from it all in Texas.

Motorcycling-Friendly Weather

For the most part, you can enjoy riding a motorcycle for more months in Texas. This adds value to riding in the state.

A Vibrant Biking Community

It is easy to join a fun run or charity ride on just about any weekend. There are plenty of places where Texas bikers can gather and enjoy the activity and fellowship together.

Rider-Friendly Laws

Texas is considered biker-friendly, with no specific laws against lane-splitting and lenient helmet laws. As long as bikers respect other drivers and the rules of the road, they should have no problems enjoying their two-wheel adventures.

Ready To Begin Your Texas Adventure? Get Motorcycle Insurance Today!

If you own or are considering purchasing a motorcycle in the San Antonio, TX area, Ellis Insurance Agency can help with the appropriate coverage for your bike. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote. We look forward to assisting you.

EIA Newsletter – June/July 2023

We officially made it to Summer! (Although, here in Texas, it’s felt like Summer for a couple months)

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? Read on to understand home replacement costs, meet June’s Commercial Spotlight and our referral program winners!

Understanding Home Replacement Costs

Home insurance is based on the cost to rebuild and replace your home, not its market value.
While market value is the amount your home is worth on the housing market, your home insurance coverage limit is based on the estimated cost to rebuild your home: the cost to repair, rebuild or replace what you had before, using materials of similar type and quality.

  • What is replacement cost?
    Replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair, replace, or rebuild your home at current prices of construction materials and labor. When you insure your home for its estimated replacement cost, you help to ensure you have the coverage you need to repair or rebuild if it is damaged by a covered loss.
  • What is market value?
    Market value is the amount your home is worth on the housing market.
  • Why is the coverage limit of my home higher or lower than the home’s market value?
    Your home insurance amounts are based on its estimated replacement cost, or the cost to rebuild. Not the amount it would sell for on the housing market.
  • Why are many policyholders seeing increases in their coverage limits in 2022?
    Coverage limits need to keep up with rising inflation. This is an industry-wide issue. Many factors are considered when estimating your coverage – one of these factors is reconstruction costs. Reconstruction costs have risen steadily since our last assessment.

*Visual and information provided by Traveler’s Insurance

June Commercial Spotlight

Our June commercial spotlight was Texas D-Willie’s Smokehouse! DeeWillie’s BBQ has been serving the San Antonio and surrounding areas for the last 3 years. Be sure to check out San’s Antonio’s “BEST” BBQ and country breakfast at all of their locations!

Meet Drake!

Drake is part of our awesome Data Support team! We have thoroughly enjoyed having him join our team as well as the amazing support he brings to EIA!

Learn more about him by visiting our Meet Our Team page!

April/May EIA Referral Winners

Did you know that for every referral you send to us, your name is entered in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card for that month? Yes! It’s true! We are so thankful for our clients and appreciate your referrals and reviews. Had a good experience? Let us know! Thank you to our 2023 April and May client referral winners:

  • Irma Rodriguez
  • Bradley Evans

We appreciate you being part of our EIA family and will always strive to give you the best service!

The Positives of Boat Insurance

There are positives to getting boat insurance in San Antonio, TX and other locations throughout Texas. Few states in the US require boat owners to have boat insurance, but Texas is not one of those states. The option, however, is available to boat owners as it has many beneficial factors. 

The primary benefits cover the repairs or replacement if something happens to the boat. It all depends on what is underwritten within the policy.

The Various Benefits

Any damages covered in the policy of boat insurance can call the boat a total loss if the damages exceed the boat’s value. The entire book value of the boat may be compensated when filing a claim minus the deductible. That payment can go towards getting a new boat.

Other benefits can pay for repairs on the boat if something breaks or is damaged. The insurance company considers the book value, and the balance after the deductible goes to the repair payment. The third benefit that the underwriters may have in a clause is to pay the total agreed-upon capped value at the time of the insurance purchase. Likewise, this may cover either the repair or replacement of the boat. 

Let Ellis Insurance Agency Assist You

The positives come with knowing that the boat is covered if damage or an accident happens. Owning a boat is a favored luxury for boating and fishing. When something happens, and it stops you from these hobbies, you want to know that you can get back out on the water as soon as possible. 

Here at Ellis Insurance Agency, we create an environment filled with knowledge to assist you in getting the proper coverage in San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas. Once we know the book value of the boat, we can take it from there. Contact us today!  

When does umbrella insurance kick in?

Umbrella insurance from Ellis Insurance Agency is a type of extra liability coverage that can provide additional protection when your existing auto or home insurance policies here in the San Antonio, TX area don’t cover the full extent of a liability claim.

When does umbrella insurance kick in?

It can kick in when the amount you are liable for exceeds the limits of your existing insurance policies, protecting you from potential financial ruin. 

It’s important to remember that umbrella insurance does not replace any other policies you may have. It’s designed to supplement and extend the limits of your existing auto, home, and other liability policies, helping you protect yourself from claims that exceed those limits. 

When it comes to knowing when umbrella insurance kicks in, there isn’t a single answer since it depends on various factors such as the policy limits of your existing coverage and claims made against you. Generally speaking, if there is a claim made against you resulting in damages greater than what your existing policies cover, umbrella insurance will cover any remaining costs up to its limit. 

Umbrella insurance can be an essential layer of additional protection for those who need more coverage than their existing policy provides. However, it’s important to speak with an experienced and licensed insurance agent who can help you determine what type and how much umbrella coverage is right for you.

Reach Out To Us

For more information or to find a policy that is right for you, give us at Ellis Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the San Antonio, TX area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets both your needs and your budget. So call us today!

Insurance Audit

Receiving a notice of an audit can sometimes cause a business owner stress; although, that’s not the intention. An audit is performed to ensure you have the appropriate premium for your exposure, or the thing for which you have insurance. Your initial deposit premium was based on your best estimate of the auditable exposure (payroll, sales, etc.). Insurance companies use a Premium Auditor at the end of the policy period to compare the “actual” auditable exposure against your “estimated” amount.

What is an Insurance Audit?

An insurance audit examines your business’ payroll or gross annual sales and risk exposure. An audit makes sure you’re paying the correct amount for insurance.

What happens in an Insurance Audit?

The word “audit” may sound stressful, but don’t panic. At the beginning of the year, you pay a certain amount for coverage. If you’re asked to go through an audit at the end of the year, an auditor, hired from the insurance company, reviews your business’ payroll and other documents to determine if the premium you paid was accurate.

An audit looks at some or the following:

  • Your business’ gross annual sales
  • Job duties of employees and independent contractors
  • Changes from the prior year
  • Your annual payroll to W2 and 1099 workers

Depending on the audit results, you could have additional premium due because you needed more coverage, so you’ll have to pay the difference.

Preparing for a Premium Audit

Having the necessary documents and information can make for a smooth audit. Some documents you may need include:

  • Payroll (for your W2 and 1099 workers)
  • Certificates of insurance (for your 1099 workers or a waiver signed from them)
  • Tax documents
  • Subcontractor or independent contractor documents

Do I have to do an Insurance Audit?

Insurance companies may perform an insurance audit at the end of the year for:

  • General liability insurance
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Commercial property insurance

If you’re notified of an insurance audit it’s important to send your insurance company any documents or information they ask for. Completing an insurance audit, or any type of insurance audit ensures you’re paying for the right amount for coverage.

Be aware that if you don’t complete an insurance audit, your insurer can:

  • Charge a premium increase. In some cases, this can be a significant amount.
  • Cancel your policy, leaving you without coverage.
  • Report you to a collection agency if there’s a balance due on your premium and you don’t pay it.

Learn More About Audits and Coverage

Choosing the right policy and coverages is important and can help you run a successful business.  Insurance is backed by years of experience and know every business owner has unique needs. Our specialists are here to help you every step of the way. So, if you need help completing an insurance audit or have any other questions, we’ve got your back.

EIA Newsletter – April/May 2023

April showers bring May flowers! We are flying through this year and it’s not slowing down. So let’s SPRING right into this months news. Read on to learn more about increasing auto rates, this months Commercial Spotlight and our referral program and winners!

Rising Auto Rates

As most of you know, auto rates have been increasing. There are several reasons for the rising rates – from inflation to distracted driving, supply chain blockages to labor shortages. Let’s talk about the 4 major trends driving up auto rates.

  • Supply and Demand. The supply of New vehicles is low due to shortage of raw materials and chips. The demand for Used vehicles is high and with rising prices, it’s causing total loss payouts.
  • Parts and Technology. The supply of auto parts is down globally, while the cost to repair cars is up. More advanced technology is a big factor.
  • Labor shortages and costs. The amount of skilled auto technicians is decreasing. It’s difficult to hire, train, and retain people. The auto body repair costs are increasing and with the labor shortages, prices are rising.
  • Healthcare and Large Verdicts. Bodily injury claims are rising and big jury payouts are also a major factor.

To learn more about these rising auto rates and what you can do, click HERE. Thank you to Travelers Insurance for breaking it down and if you have any questions about how YOU can save, please contact your Ellis Insurance Agent today!

April Commercial Spotlight

Our April commercial spotlight was Garage Experts of San Antonio. Garage Experts offer professional solutions for your garage from floor coating to cabinets and organization! Their business is locally owned and operated, while backed by the nationally respected GarageExperts® brand with over a decade of experience. Their team offers professional solutions designed for your garage that are backed by a Lifetime Warranty. You can get a FREE quote by visiting their website and finding the closest location to you.

Welcome Back, Mary!

We are excited to announce that Mary Postel has re-joined our team! If you don’t know Mary already, you can learn more about her by clicking HERE. She is one of our Client Service and Sales Consultants and excited to be back with our team and family at Ellis Insurance Agency. Welcome back!

EIA Referral Program and Reviews

Did you know that for every referral you send to us, your name is entered in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card for that month? Yes! It’s true! We are so thankful for our clients and appreciate your referrals and reviews. Had a good experience? Let us know! Thank you to our 2023 client referrals we’ve had so far…

  • January Winner: Debra Galvan
  • February Winner: Shannelle Roy
  • March Winner: Jo Garcia

We appreciate you being part of our EIA family and will always strive to give you the best service!

Three things you’ll like about having flood insurance

Purchasing flood insurance is important so that you can protect your finances. We at Ellis Insurance Agency offer flood insurance to those who own a home in San Antonio, TX. 

Homeowners can benefit in numerous ways when they invest in flood insurance.

The following are three things you’ll like about having flood insurance.

Being less stressed out about possible flood damage.

Not carrying adequate flood insurance is stressful. If your area experiences flooding, you’ll be worried that your home will be severely damaged. Without flood insurance, this could be a huge financial setback that has a significant negative impact on your future. 

When you’re carrying flood insurance, you experience less stress about flooding and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that your property is covered. 

Avoiding financial loss if there is a large flood in your area

Flooding can wreak havoc on a home. Flood damage can often be so severe that it makes it so that a home is no longer safe to live in.

Flood insurance is an important investment that will help to minimize the financial consequences you face if your home becomes damaged or destroyed by flooding. 

Meeting the requirements of your mortgage lender

Some homeowners are required to carry flood insurance. If you live in an area with a high risk of flooding, your mortgage lender probably requires you to purchase a flood insurance policy. 

You’ll need to carry flood insurance until you pay off your mortgage loan if your lender requires flood insurance coverage. 

Reach Out To Us

Let us answer your flood insurance questions at Ellis Insurance Agency. We can protect your home in San Antonio, TX by offering you a flood insurance policy that meets your needs. Get in touch with us today to get a quote on a policy.