3 Most Common Types of RV insurance

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More than 11 million U.S. households own a recreation vehicle. In the last decade alone, ownership grew by 26%. This isn’t a passing fad. Studies show that another 9.6 million households expressed a desire to buy their own RV in the next five years.

While these numbers continue to skyrocket across all demographic groups, every RV owner is different. But, whether you are a casual camper or escapist, RV insurance is always a must. Ellis Insurance Agency is here to assist San Antonio, TX RV owners with all their insurance needs. 

Here are the three most common RV types and the coverage needed to ensure you are protected:

Fifth Wheels & Trailers

Towable trailers and "pull behind" campers are less expensive to insure since they are without motors. Yet this also means fewer coverage options overall. Most over-the-road issues are likely excluded. These would be covered as part of your towing vehicle’s plan.

Motorhomes

Every motorized RV is different, ranging in size, cost, and quality. Motorhomes are typically divided into one of three groups. Yet Class A, B, and C motorhomes should require the same insurance as any other vehicle on the roadway. At a minimum, collision, comprehensive, and liability coverages are key.

Full-timers

"Full-timer" is a name applied to anyone who lives in their RV. This status calls for additional insurance protection. You’ll want a policy that covers your belongings too, much like a homeowners’ or renters’ plan.

Give Us A Call

No matter what type of recreational vehicle you own, RV insurance is a must. Serving the greater San Antonio, TX community, our team of experts at Ellis Insurance Agency can find a policy that best meets your needs while traveling with your family. Schedule an appointment today.

Best Motorcycle Insurance for Bikers in Texas

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Motorcycle insurance is a policy that covers losses or damage to your motorcycle, as well as injuries to yourself or others if you are involved in an accident. In most cases, the policy will usually cover both personal and property damage, along with medical expenses should you be injured during a crash. 

An experienced insurance agent at Ellis Insurance Agency can provide detailed information about the best coverage for motorcycle riders in San Antonio, TX. 

What Types of Motorcycles Are Covered Under Motorcycle Insurance in Texas?

Motorcycle insurance policies in Texas typically cover many motorcycles–from dirt bikes to sports bikes like ATVs. Having a motorcycle insurance policy in place at the time of an accident can save policyholders time and money on filing a claim. 

How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost in Texas?

The price of a motorcycle policy can vary depending on the type and amount of coverage that you choose, as well as your personal credit score and history with insurers.

What are the Benefits of Motorcycle Insurance in Texas?

One of the benefits of motorcycle insurance is that it can help protect you financially in the event of an accident. Coverage may include personal injuries, loss or damage to your bike, and even property damage. In addition, motorcycle insurance can provide financial assistance if you are unable to work due to an injury sustained in a crash.

Contact Us Today

San Antonio, TX residents who need motorcycle insurance to protect motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and similar vehicles can talk to the insurance experts at Ellis Insurance Agency to learn about the best motorcycle insurance for covering vehicles with two or three wheels and an engine, powered by gasoline or diesel.

Why does someone need to have a boat insurance plan in Texas?

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If you are in the San Antonio, TX area, owning a boat can be a great option. When you are a boat owner here, you will be able to have a lot of fun during the warmest months of the year. While boats can be a lot of fun, you do need to make sure that you are properly insured with a boat insurance plan. 

Why Boat Insurance?

Cover Your Watercraft

An important reason to have a boat insurance plan is so they can cover their watercraft. Any type of boat is going to take a big purchase and investment to acquire and care for. When you do own a boat, you will want to know that it is as well covered as possible. With a boat insurance plan, you will have coverage that can mitigate the risks of various types of loss including theft or accident damage. 

Reduce Liability Risks

While a boat can be a lot of fun to operate, it can also come with risks. If you have a boat insurance plan, you can offset some of these concerns. When driving a boat, if you were to cause an accident, you would need to cover the damages incurred by the other parties. Your liability insurance in the boat coverage plan will provide the support you need to offset this risk.

Get Coverage Today

If you want to invest in a boat in the San Antonio, TX area, you also need to make sure that you have the right insurance for it. When you are looking for a new boat insurance plan, you can start your search by calling the team with the Ellis Insurance Agency. There are a lot of choices to make when shopping for coverage and the Ellis Insurance Agency can help you build your next policy. 

Is umbrella insurance only for the rich?

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Umbrella insurance is something that is a mystery to most people. What it is and why they need it is something they know nothing about. At the Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX, our knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. As independent agents, we represent a selection of the top carriers in the business. 

What is umbrella insurance? 

Umbrella insurance is what is known as excess liability coverage. It is a supplemental policy to a policy that you already have with liability coverage. That includes policies like home, auto, condo, motorcycle, RV, renters, and commercial insurance. What it does is add an additional layer of liability protection to what your primary policy has. When needed, the primary policy will pay up to its limit and then the umbrella insurance will kick in. 

Who can benefit from umbrella insurance?

Anyone who has assets can benefit from this important coverage. It doesn’t matter if you own a mansion or a double-wide, you have worked hard to get where you are, and in the event you ever get sued, you want to protect your assets and your future earnings from a judgment against you. These days, the size of judgments can be quite astronomical and if you are not adequately covered, it could mean that your future earnings could be attached and nobody wants that. 

How much umbrella insurance is enough?

Only you can determine that, but consider what liability you have on your primary policy and how much a judgment could be, you need to at least have enough to cover the difference between the two. Most umbrella policies start at about a million dollars of coverage. 

Get Umbrella Insurance Today

Contact Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX to discuss how you can benefit from umbrella insurance. 

What All Homeowners in San Antonio Should Know About Flood Insurance

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A common misconception that homeowners in San Antonio, TX often have is if their home has flood damage, it will be covered by their homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, the truth is damage caused by flood waters is often not covered by your homeowner’s policy. To ensure your home is protected from flood waters, you’ll need to purchase a flood insurance policy.

Do San Antonio Residents Need Flood Insurance?

In Texas, homeowners are not required by law to purchase a flood insurance policy. However, if your property is located inside a high-risk flood zone, it is recommended that you purchase coverage, especially if it is a condition of your mortgage.

Still, even if you don’t have a mortgage, it is a good idea to have a flood insurance policy. While this may not be as necessary for those living in low-risk areas, it is highly recommended for anyone living in moderate to high-risk areas.

Is Flooding Serious in San Antonio, TX?

According to SARA (San Antonio River Authority), San Antonio is one of the most flood-prone and flash-flood-prone regions in the country. It is estimated that around 28,000 residents in Texas live on exposed land that is 4 feet below sea level. Since Texas is prone to heavy rains and flooding, those who live in San Antonio and other high-risk areas are in danger during the storm season.

Contact Ellis Insurance Agency for More Information About Flood Insurance 

If you have concerns about flood safety and would like to learn more about flood insurance coverage, get in touch with our team here at Ellis Insurance Agency today. We look forward to providing you with peace of mind by answering any questions you may have.

Germania’s Roadside Assistance v. Towing & Labor Service

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

Germania’s Roadside Assistance and the Towing & Labor Service are two separate coverages under personal auto policies. Below you will find what the difference is between Roadside Assistance and Towing & Labor.

Germania’s Roadside Assistance provides coverage for all of the insured drivers on the policy in any vehicle listed* on the policy. *This excludes motorhomes, trailers, and RV’s

Here is a breakdown of everything included in Germania’s Roadside Assistance:

To confirm you have one or both of these services, please email or call your agent. We are happy to help clarify what coverage you have and what works best for you.

You can also learn more by visiting Germania’s blog page by clicking HERE.

Do I Need To Get Insurance If I’m Renting A Condo?

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If you’re renting a condo, the answer to this question is yes – you do need insurance. Although your landlord may have insurance that covers the property, this does not mean that your belongings are protected.

If something happens to your home or possessions while you’re renting, you’ll be responsible for the costs yourself if you don’t have insurance. Here we discuss why it’s important to get insurance when renting a condo and how it can protect you in an emergency.

What’s Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance is a unique type of homeowners insurance specifically designed for condominium owners. Unlike traditional homeowners insurance, condo insurance covers the interior of your unit as well as any common areas owned by the condominium association. Condo insurance also provides liability coverage in the event that someone is injured while in your unit.

Why Do I Need Condo Insurance if I am Renting?

You may think that your landlord’s insurance will cover any damages to your belongings or the unit itself, but this is not always the case.

Even if you’re renting, it’s important to have your own condo insurance policy in place. This type of insurance can help to protect your personal belongings in the event of a fire, theft, or other covered peril.

Condo insurance can also provide coverage if you accidentally damage someone else’s property while living in the unit. If you do not have your own policy, you could be held responsible for paying for the repairs out of your pocket. This makes it essential to get a policy from a professional company such as Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX.

Get Coverage For Your Condo

It’s important to get insurance when renting a condo. Condo insurance can protect your belongings in the event of damage or theft, and it can also provide liability coverage in case someone is injured while on your property. Now that you know how much you need a condo insurance policy, Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX can help you find the right coverage for your needs. Give us a call today to learn more.

SafeCo Insurance – Wildfire Response Benefit

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

SafeCo’s new Wildfire Response Benefit comes with no additional costs. Read on to learn more about this (free) benefit and what it means for you.

Enrollment

Enrollment is completely free. It does not expire unless the customer requests or the policy is cancelled. There is absolutely no impact to your premium (no charge or discount) for this program.

All homeowner and Landlord Protection® policyholders within the designated wildfire states will receive a letter and opt-out form. There is currently no electronic opt in/out form. If you did not receive a form in the mail, please click HERE to download or feel free to contact Ellis Insurance Agency if you have any further questions.

Benefit and Partnership

Chloeta maintains a map of policies-in-force within the benefit footprint and monitors the area to determine wildfire proximity and threat level. The vendor makes operational decisions on which eligible properties are serviced and the types of services provided during a wild land fire response. Once safe access is secured, mitigation vendor services may include:

  • Removing pine needles and leaves from gutters
  • Removing flammable vegetation and items from around your home
  • Deploying a temporary sprinkler system to protect your home
  • Updating you regarding the status of your property and actions being taken to protect it
  • Applying a water-based gel* or firefighting foam to your home
  • Returning any combustible items moved and washing any fire gel or firefighting foam away after the wildfire event

*What is a protective gel barrier? “It’s an industry-leading, fire-preventing, and heat-absorbing fire-retardant gel that personnel may use to help protect your home and property. The gel particles adhere directly to a house or structure and quickly extinguish any flames or burning materials that come into contact with the gel. It creates a gelled water barrier that effectively helps protect a home or structure for several hours and may prevent internal combustion. It can be rehydrated to extend effectiveness, as needed. The gel is used as a last resort when fighting a fire. It is proven to be effective as it adheres to smooth surfaces such as glass.”

Questions?

To learn more about the partnership, benefits, vendors, and/or policy, you can reach out to SafeCo’s Customer Service or visit https://www.safeco.com/products/homeowners-insurance/wildfire

Don’t forget that you can always reach out to Ellis Insurance Agency for ANY questions about your policy and/or benefits.

How Do I File An Auto Insurance Claim?

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If you have auto insurance and a peril covered under the policy occurs, you need to file a claim to receive a settlement. However, it’s critical that you file your claim correctly because failure to do so can result in the claim being rejected by the insurer. Ellis Insurance Agency provides this guide on how to correctly file your car insurance claim in San Antonio, TX. 

Filing An Auto Insurance Claim: What You Need To Know

1. Call the 911 and Your Insurance Company

Depending on what has happened, the first thing you should do after an incident that is covered by your car insurance policy occurs is to call 911 and your insurance company. If it’s a criminal incident like theft or vandalism, your first call should be the police, then your insurer. If it’s an accident, call the police and emergency services so that anyone injured can receive timely medical attention, and then call your insurer. If the incident is damage to your vehicle due to a natural disaster, all you have to do is call the insurer.

2. Collect Evidence of the Incident

At Ellis Insurance Agency, we recommend that during your call with your insurer, you inquire what evidence they would need of the incident to assess your claim. In the case of an accident, vandalism, or damages by a natural disaster, use your smartphone to take detailed photos of the damage to your vehicle. Ensure that also capture wide-angle images of the location of the incident. In the case of theft, capture pictures of where the car was when it was stolen and get a police report.

3. Submit Your Claim With Evidence

Fill out the claim form from your insurer and submit it with the evidence you collected. Your auto insurer will review your claim, and if everything matches up with the terms of your policy, your claim will be approved.

Contact Us Today

Do you need auto insurance in San Antonio, TX and the surrounding areas? Call Ellis Insurance Agency today.

Hurricane Season

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th. NOAA forecasters are predicting a 65% above-normal hurricane season this year. Learn more about hurricane preparedness and what to do in the event of a flood/natural disaster.

Hurricane Preparedness

A hurricane can be a devastating force of nature whether you live inland or on a coast. Being prepared can potentially help save you, your family, and your home from permanent damage. Read on to see what steps you can take to prepare for this hurricane season.

Evaluate Your Risk

Living on the coast is a higher probability to being hit by a hurricane, but inland residents are also at risk. Heavy rains, winds, and storm surges can cause wind damage and flooding. Once you evaluate your location and review historical hurricane information, you can decide whats best for you to prepare.

Preparing Your Family

You and your family’s safety is essential. Follow this guide to ensure you have a plan in place in the event of a hurricane

  • Develop an evacuation plan.
  • Prepare for power outages. Flashlights, electric lanterns, and gas-powered generators are a great place to start.
  • Build an emergency kit. Click here to find a list of basic emergency supplies to have on hand.
  • Be sure to secure important documents in a fire/water proof safe.

Preparing Your Home

While preparing your family and their safety is most important, it is good to start preparing your house before hurricane season starts. Here are some tips for preparing the exterior of your home.

  • Check window and door seals. It’s important that these are in good condition to prevent water damage inside your home.
  • Install storm shutters (if you’re in a high-risk area) or have boards available to put over your windows.
  • Trim tree branches around your roof. High winds can cause trees and branches to damage your home.
  • Clean your gutters to help water flow and prevent roof damage.
  • Make sure you garage door(s) are secure.
  • Have sandbags available to divert water from your home if you are in a high-risk area.

Now that your home and your family are prepared, be sure to check with your insurance agent to review your home policy. Most homeowners insurance will cover wind damage, but not flood damage as flood insurance is a separate policy. Be sure to ask what the best steps will be in the event that you need to file a claim after a hurricane. You can track current hurricanes and tropical storms by visiting the NOAA tracking site. Stay prepared and safe!