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Spring is Around the Corner: Getting Your Recreational Vehicles Ready for Spring

With spring just around the corner, now is the time for you to get your recreational vehicle ready for your warm-weather adventures in Tomball, TX, and beyond. At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, we can also make sure that you have the right policy to protect your RV.

A Few Tips for Getting Your RV Spring-Ready

When you plan on having some adventures in the spring and summer, you’ll want to be sure that you have everything done and ready to go. There are a few things that you’ll want to add to your checklist in Tomball, TX so that you’re ready to go:

  • Have your RV fully inspected, complete with axle bearings, shock absorbers, brakes, and more
  • Refill your propane cylinders
  • Sanitize the freshwater tank
  • Install new batteries
  • Balance and rotate the tires

A little bit of preparation goes a long way. Before you decide to go on any trip, load it up and take it for a test drive. If there are any sounds, wobbles, or difficulties, take your RV to a trusted mechanic.

Get Your Documentation in Order

The last thing you want is to find out that you’re missing some important paperwork when you’re on the road. Check to make sure that your vehicle registration is up-to-date in Texas so that you don’t encounter any violations.

Be sure that you have an active insurance policy, too. This way, if you get into an accident or experience damage, you can file a claim and limit your out-of-pocket expenses.

Whether you’re looking for tips on where to go on your next adventure or you want to get quotes on recreational vehicle insurance, we’re here to help. Give us a call at Hastings Insurance Agency LLC today to get a few no-obligation quotes on a policy.

How does renters insurance work among roommates?

A common question asked by people shopping for renters insurance is how the policies work among roommates. Generally, insurance companies make it easy for roommates to share renters insurance policies, but doing so may not be in your best interests. If you are considering renters or other insurance, feel free to contact the Hastings Insurance Agency LLC team, serving the Tomball, TX area.

Sharing A Renters Insurance Policy Among Roommates

People consider sharing a renters insurance policy primarily because of convenience and cost savings. (Renters insurance in Texas averages only $173 per year.) Both are good reasons for sharing, but doing so can lead to complications.

One consideration is that if your roommate makes a claim on the shared policy, the claim becomes part of your seven-year insurance record. The claim could influence your insurance premiums long after you stop living together.

Roommates can also disagree about sharing the cost, particularly when one roommate has more valuable possessions than the other.

A third issue occurs when one roommate moves out, and the renters premium still has to be paid. Who will continue to pay the premium?

Renters insurance is inexpensive, so some will not be troubled by these issues. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider these issues, particularly if you do not know your roommate well before living together. A shared policy is a shared legal obligation, so you may prefer to spend more money on separate policies to maintain legal separation.

Working with Hastings Insurance Agency LLC

Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, serving Tomball TX, offers the full range of insurance services, and our friendly team can help you develop an insurance plan that meets your needs. So, call us today or stop in to protect yourself and your possessions.

Your Guide to Better Motorcycle Insurance

At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, our team can help Tomball, TX residents find motorcycle insurance that suits their needs. If you’re still not sure why you need a policy or what they do to help you, please make sure that you pay attention to the information below.

How Motorcycle Insurance Protects You 

Here are a few ways that motorcycle insurance protects you:

  • Bodily injury protection in case you or another rider gets hurt
  • Property damage liability to pay for repairs or replacements
  • Liability coverage to protect other people you hurt in a crash 
  • Uninsured motorist policies that help you if others don’t have insurance
  • Collision coverage to pay for all collision damage
  • Comprehensive coverage to pay for other issues

Extra Coverage Options 

Note that your insurance can also include riders or additional protection types that expand its scope. It’s a smart idea to consider a few of the options below if you ride your bike regularly and want to keep it fully protected:

  • Total loss coverage to protect you if your bike is very damaged 
  • Special equipment protection to handle custom enhancements on your bike
  • Roadside assistance and trip interruption in case you break down

Texas Requires Some Insurance 

Texas motorcycle owners need a minimum of liability protection or what is called bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) protection. It won’t protect you, but it does help others in the crash. You can update your policy with personal injury protection if you need support here.

We’re Here to Help

At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, we have years of experience helping Tomball, TX residents find the insurance policies that make sense for them. Contact us today to learn more about your options, and we’ll do whatever we can to ensure that you’re satisfied with your choice.

Why Should I Purchase Boat Insurance in Texas?

While Texas doesn’t require boaters to have insurance, it’s worthwhile to have it because unexpected events happen. At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, serving the greater Tomball, TX community, we can help you get the right boater’s insurance.

Coverage for Medical Expenses

A standard policy with a bodily injury clause will cover the medical expenses up to policy limits if your boat injures another boater, for example. You can also get coverage for medical expenses for you and your passengers should there be an occurrence on your boat that requires medical attention. 

Help With Fuel Spills and Property Damage

And property liability would cover you if, for instance, your boat damaged the fence around a shoreline home. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says that the owner or operator of a boat or anyone who causes, allows or permits a fuel/oil spill is responsible for paying cleanup costs.

If you had a boat insurance policy with a spill endorsement, you might be spared the out-of-pocket cleanup costs minus your deductible. In another unwanted scenario, what if your boat was in a collision and it sunk? If you had a boat insurance policy with a clause governing recovery, you’d probably be spared most of the high cost of pulling your vessel from the water.

Boat Towing

And if your boat became disabled, a roadside assistance clause would allow for it to be towed to a repair shop. Perhaps you carry fishing gear, scuba/snorkeling or other equipment on your boat. With a personal effects clause, these items would be covered if they were damaged or stolen up to the policy limits.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Serving Tomball, TX, our team of insurance experts at Hastings Insurance Agency LLC is ready to help you with your boat insurance needs. Contact us today.

When it Rains, It Pours: Why You Need Umbrella Insurance

Tomball, TX is a vibrant community known for Southern charm, friendly residents, and beautiful landscapes. While life in Tomball can seem idyllic, unexpected accidents can happen to anyone.

Accidents and mishaps can lead to liability claims that can turn a peaceful existence into a financial nightmare. Umbrella insurance is a supplementary form of insurance that can provide a safety net to help protect your and your family’s assets and shield your financial future from unexpected storms. 

Well-informed agents at Hastings Insurance Agency LLC in Tomball, TX can help you choose an umbrella insurance policy to meet your needs. 

When It Rains, It Pours – Get Umbrella Insurance 

Get umbrella insurance for liability protection, asset protection, and peace of mind. Liability insurance protections can shield you from financial damages related to lawsuits or property damage claims. It can also protect your valuable assets, including your home, savings, and investments, in the event of a lawsuit. 

How to Get Umbrella Insurance

The first step to getting an adequate umbrella insurance policy is to evaluate your current insurance policies and calculate how much additional coverage you need. 

A licensed insurance agent can guide you through the process by helping assess your risk profile and offering a free umbrella insurance quote. 

An umbrella insurance quote contains important details about add-on insurance coverages that extend the limits of your existing home and auto insurance policies. Insurance agents can help you choose an umbrella insurance policy that meets your insurance needs and aligns with your budget. 

Reach Out To Us

Don’t get caught in the rain without an adequate umbrella insurance policy. Contact a knowledgeable agent at Hastings Insurance Agency LLC and get an umbrella insurance quote today! 

Is Southeast Texas Set to Have One of the State’s Highest Flood Risk?

Flood risks in Texas are rapidly rising as sea levels climb and the state’s population increases. Climate change results in heavier precipitation along with stronger hurricanes. Hastings Insurance Agency LLC in Tomball, TX serves southeast Texas residents and all of Texas by helping them secure flood insurance.

Our service area serves much of the San Jacinto region, which includes Galveston and Harris County. Southeast Texas which has 2.5 million people situated in a 100 or 500-year floodplain. These statistics indicate that southeast Texas is set to become a leading area for flooding in the state. Let’s explore historical and current statistics for floods and the storms that cause them.

Past Major Storms in Southwest Texas

This region sees a major flood due to acts of god like hurricanes, tropical storms subtropical cyclones, and heavy rains every at least every 2 years. Houston and the surrounding areas have experienced flooding since the 1800s, with the first major storm occurring in Galveston in 1900.

The 16-foot storm surge and 140 mph winds caused 6,000–8,000 fatalities and destroyed countless homes and buildings. The same situation demolished the Port of Houston in 1935. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was the deadliest Southeast Texas hurricane in over 100 years and caused $125 billion in damages.

Reach Out To Her

At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC, we know your property is important, and protecting it is pivotal. With flooding being a possibility anytime, whether you’re in a flood zone or not, we’ll help you obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a customized policy. We gladly serve Tomball, TX and surrounding communities. Contact us today for a consultation.

Condominium Insurance Gives You Extra Coverage For Living in Close Quarters

Condominium living has become a popular choice for those who want to do fewer home maintenance tasks and have more time for enjoyable pursuits. Condominiums require a different type of homeowners policy that takes into account shared spaces and individual insurance needs. At Hastings Insurance Agency LLC serving the greater Tomball, TX community we can answer your questions about the special needs of condominium owners.

Why You Need Specialized Coverage For Condominiums

Condominiums require specialized insurance because of the structural differences. Condominiums are attached in various ways to other units. Damage that occurs in an adjacent unit can easily affect your own unit. Condominiums also have “shared” areas, such as parking lots, swimming pools, and other types of common areas that are generally covered under a “master plan” of insurance, but this policy does not cover the individual personal possessions of the owners inside each unit.

What Condo Insurance Covers

Condominium insurance covers the personal possession inside your unit when damage occurs due to a peril named in your policy. This generally includes clothing, furniture, electronics, kitchen items, musical instruments, as well as jewelry and artwork to a certain limit. They also include liability coverage if someone is injured while in your unit. Policies generally cover additional living expenses while your unit is being repaired. Coverage is also available for the interior walls and other built-ins in your condominium, if needed, in addition to your condominium association’s master plan coverage.

Make Hastings Insurance Agency LLC Your Agent For Condominium Insurance

Our experienced agents in Tomball, TX can help you understand the details of your condominium coverage so your financial interests are adequately addressed. We offer a wide range of insurance products for personal coverage and for business. Contact us today for an appointment to learn more about how condominium insurance protects your investment.

If I Take My RV to Mexico, Will Recreational Insurance Still Cover Me?

Tomball, TX is a gorgeous suburb of Houston whose location offers its residents easy access to beautiful places, including being just a six-hour drive from the Mexican border. Mexico has a lot of fantastic RV camping spots to visit, including gorgeous and incredibly cheap beachfront campsites that you can’t quite readily find here in the USA.

But before you hit the gas on your RV, you should make sure you have the right recreational insurance, such as the expansive policies we offer at Great Southern Agency. 

Understanding What Type of Recreational Insurance You Need to Drive & RV Camp in Mexico

Generally, most basic recreational insurance policies will only cover domestic travel. This means that if you go over the Mexican border and get in an accident or experience a natural disaster that causes damage to your RV, you might find yourself unprotected altogether or only partially protected with a specialty high deductible.

The good news is that there are some great options you can get if you want to take your RV and other recreational items south of the border. Such options include:

  • Purchasing temporary Mexican insurance that will last for only the short period of time that you’l be traveling in the country.
  • Purchasing Mexican coverage as a permanent add-on endorsement through your recreational insurance provider.
  • Purchasing full international coverage that will extend your policy no matter where you go in North America.

Learn More With Our Team

Are you ready to take your Tomball, TX camper on the road and across the border? Contact our friendly team at Great Southern Agency today to learn more about recreational insurance and get the perfect policy coverage to meet your upcoming travel desires.  

Protect Your Possessions While You Rent

With the current high cost of real estate, many people are choosing to rent to save on housing expenses. However, your possessions are not covered by the insurance held by your landlord. Renters insurance has been designed to offer insurance protection for your possessions while you rent your housing.  At Great Southern Agency, serving the greater Tomball, TX community, we offer renters insurance for Texas residents.

Do I Need Renters Insurance?

Many individuals feel they don’t have enough possessions to justify the cost of renters insurance, but the fact is, you probably have more material goods than you realize, and replacing them all would be a burdensome expense. Other renters believe their possessions are covered under their landlord’s general insurance policy, but this is not the case.

Renters insurance offers protection for a wide range of items and also provides some liability coverage if anyone is injured while visiting your property, as well as alternate housing coverage if you need to live elsewhere while your apartment is being repaired. The policies provide this coverage at a very reasonable price.

Two Types of Renters Insurance Offer A Choice

You can choose between an “actual cash value” policy or a “replacement cost” policy. Actual cash value policies pay for your possession minus the depreciation due to age and wear-and-tear of normal usage. A replacement cost policy pays the amount to replace your possession at today’s cost. Replacement cost policies are more expensive but are worth the cost to restore your possessions after an event. 

Choose Great Southern Agency For Your Renters Insurance Coverage

You may have questions about renters insurance and how it can help you recover from a damaging event. Our trained insurance professionals in Tomball, TX can answer your questions and ensure you have the coverage you need. Contact Great Southern Agency today for a no-obligation quote on renters insurance that can help minimize losses from unexpected damage.

Usage Based Motorcycle Insurance

Driving a motorcycle is an exhilarating and fun way to travel. It allows you to enjoy the outdoors without slowing down, but it can also be costly in terms of insurance and maintenance. Usage-based insurance programs reward you based on your riding habits, meaning that safe drivers are rewarded for being responsible on the road.

What is Usage-Based Motorcycle Insurance?

Usage-based insurance considers factors like speeding, acceleration, mileage, the time of day you drive, and forced braking. It uses that data to give you a driving score and tips to help improve it. Therefore, the better you ride, the more potential for it to pay off financially. 

Benefits of Usage-Based Insurance

Riders are drawn to this kind of insurance, typically for financial reasons. If you abide by traffic law by following the speed limit, keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and not slamming on the brakes, you may be eligible for a discount. However, usage-based insurance isn’t just financially beneficial. Incentivizing drivers to be safer benefits everyone on the road.

Is Usage-Based Motorcycle Insurance Right for Me?

Yes! That is to say, if you want to be held accountable for driving safely and potentially rewarded for it. It’s no secret that additional dangers are posed to motorcycle riders, but you can mitigate them by being a safe rider. Additionally, riding safely reduces your risk of costly accidents and painful injuries. 

Looking for Insurance in Tomball, TX?

At Great Southern Agency, we know how much you love riding your motorcycle on Texas highways and country roads. One of our expert agents will match you with the policy that fits your unique needs. 

Call Great Southern Agency in Tomball, TX today to learn more about this vital coverage.