Why Comprehensive RV Insurance is Necessary

For many families, their RV is their home away from home. However, no matter how frequently or not you utilize your RV, it is vital that you take the proper steps to protect your investment by purchasing a specialized RV insurance policy. The mistake many RV owners make is simply adding their RV to their auto insurance policy. While this offers these individuals a certain amount of protection, it can be more beneficial for these RV owners to consider upgrading to a specialized RV insurance policy. This is due to the fact that standard auto insurance policies may not cover everything you need them to. Here are just a few of the many things you should ensure are covered under your RV insurance policy.

Roadside Assistance

Many insurance policies now include roadside assistance that offers towing up to a certain distance. However, these policies may not cover towing for your RV, which could be a large expense should you break down far from a town. For this reason, you will want to make sure that your RV insurance covers towing for your RV. Furthermore, you may want to consider a policy that provides temporary housing while your RV is being repaired, since, depending on where you were when you broke down, it is likely that your RV would not have been towed all the way home for repairs.

Personal Liability Coverage

When you park your RV at a campsite, you may be liable in the event that someone is injured in, on or even around your RV. However, it is also likely that your general auto insurance would not protect you during this scenario. This is where having a more specialized RV insurance policy can be beneficial as it will cover you in the event that you become responsible for someone’s injuries they acquire near your RV.

Personal Property Coverage

A standard RV insurance policy through your auto insurance would likely cover the repair or replacement of your RV should something happen to it, but it is likely that it would not cover the contents inside of your RV. Being your second home, it is likely that you store thousands of dollars in personal belongings including clothes, electronics, housewares, linens, dishes and even food inside of your RV. For this reason, you will want to ensure that you choose an insurance policy sufficient to cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings that were within your RV.

Purchasing a proper RV insurance policy is imperative for any RV owner. In the case that disaster strikes. Having an RV insurance policy will ensure you are taken care of properly and that you are able to replace what was lost to you. Contact us to find out more about RV insurance, as well as to find out how much RV insurance you need for your RV.

Get the coverage you need. Call Americo Direct Insurance at 214-374-9997 for more information on Dallas RV insurance.

How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premium

Paying for insurance that you don't use often can be irritating, but it's very important for the times that you do need to file a claim. However, to soften the blow to your budget, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your auto insurance premium. Your agent can explain them in further detail, but here are five ways to save to get you started.

1. Policy bundles: By bundling your personal insurance policies together with a single insurance company, you can save up to 15 percent across-the-board on your insurance portfolio. It's a win-win; insurers get more of your business and you save money on the coverage you need. The most popular bundle in America is auto, home and life, but you can add virtually any policy to your bundle.
2. Fewer payments: Each time you make a premium payment, you will most likely be charged a processing fee. Even though these fees may only be a few dollars, they add up over time. To minimize what you spend on fees, simply make less payments. If you can, pay your entire premium for the year all at once. If not, try biannual or quarterly payments as opposed to monthly. You'll save in the long run.
3. Safe drivers: Safe drivers save money. It's that simple. If you maintain a driving record free of tickets and accidents, your premium is likely to be lower than a driver who displays reckless behavior. Insurers calculate premium prices based on the risk level of each driver, so don't give them a reason to classify you as a risky investment.
4. Good credit score: A person with a good credit score is typically more responsible than a person with thousands of dollars of debt racked up. So, similar to the point above, individuals with good credit are viewed as a less risky investment and, therefore, are likely to pay less for car coverage.
5. Discount options: Most insurance companies offer a variety of discounts to good students, loyal customers, seniors, military personnel, teachers and more. You may not be told upfront, but you can always ask your agent if you qualify for a discount on your auto insurance.

We’ll help you save on coverage. Call Americo Direct Insurance at (214) 374-9997 for more information on Dallas auto insurance.

Reduce Stress by getting your Security Deposit Back

Renters are all too familiar with security deposits, costing anywhere from $300 to a full month’s rent in advance of moving in. In most cases, the deposit is half (if not fully) refundable, but your landlord can deduct from that amount to fix damages and/or replace property. Disagreements over deposit refunds are the number one source of tension between residents and landlords. So how can you relieve the tension and get your deposit when it’s time to move out?

When you moved in, your landlord probably asked you to fill out a checklist, noting any existing damages. Remember that? Keep your copy somewhere safe because it relinquishes you from the responsibility of paying for damages that were already there before you received your key. As an added layer of protection, you can take time-stamped pictures of existing damages to back up your notes.

Your landlord will conduct a final walk-through before you move out, checking for any damages that he or she can pin on you. But if you have documentation that those damages were there before you, then you can contest the claims and you’ll stand a higher chance of getting your full deposit refund back. Note that regular wear and tear is generally acceptable without a fine, but you may be responsible for a broken dishwasher or a cracked window.

Apart from damages, you can also be charged for theft, whether intentional or accidental. Many renters forget to turn in their key or garage door opener, which can reduce your refund if replacements must be purchased by your landlord. While these charges may be minimal, there will obviously be larger charges if you steal, for instance, a coffee table from a fully furnished apartment. Double check that you turn in property or leave it in your unit before completely moving out.

By documenting and turning in landlord property, you stand a very good chance of receiving your full refund upon moving out, which can help finance your next rental deposit or property purchase.

Our goal is to help save you money. Call Americo Direct Insurance at (214) 374-9997 for more information on Dallas renter’s insurance.

Auto Insurance in Dallas

Dallas was founded in 1841 and was formally incorporated as a city in February 1856. The city's economy is primarily based on banking, commerce, telecommunications, computer technology, energy, healthcare and medical research, transportation and logistics. The city is home to the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation. Located in North Texas and a major city in the American South, Dallas is the main core of the largest inland metropolitan area in the United States that lacks any navigable link to the sea.
 
The city's prominence arose from its historical importance as a center for the oil and cotton industries, and its position along numerous railroad lines. With the advent of the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s, Dallas became an east/west and north/south focal point of the interstate system with the convergence of four major interstate highways in the city, along with a fifth interstate loop around the city. Dallas developed a strong industrial and financial sector, and a major inland port, due largely to the presence of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.
 
In the latest rankings released on September 14, 2011, Dallas was rated as an Alpha- world city by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network and is the only city in the South Central region to achieve that status. Dallas is also ranked 14th in world rankings of GDP by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

(Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas)

Auto Insurance


What is auto insurance?
Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.

Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:

• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car.
• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.
• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.

Most auto policies are for six months or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.

Why do you need auto insurance?
It's really all about protecting yourself financially.

• If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.
• Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage.

Questions to ask your agent
Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.)
• What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims?
• What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.)
• What's the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.)

For more information about Dallas auto insurance, contact Americo Direct Insurance today at 214-374-9997.

Important tips for before you buy car insurance

Your car insurance policy is full of legal jargon that can be difficult to understand. The declarations page that you receive when your policy renews contains the essential parts of the car policy. Car insurers try to compete for their competitor’s policyholders. Car insurance company uses actuaries and underwriters to help determine the rates that keep them competitive. Here are a few things to keep in mind to stay a step ahead of these actuaries and underwriters while insurance shopping.
Your Rating Territory
Your neighbors in your area determine the rates in your community whether you like it or not. The insurance companies call these rating territories. High losses and frequency of incidents in your area call for higher rates and visa versa.

Know the Difference between Liability Insurance and Physical Damage Insurance
Liability insurance protects you when you are responsible for an auto accident. This is valuable because this is the portion that insures you against the highest risk and financial loss. Liability claims should not be cut short; death and injury are by far the most expensive part of auto claims.

The Physical Damage portion of a car insurance policy involves the vehicles. Self-insuring in this area by buying this coverage with high deductibles is a good idea. Low deductibles no longer warrant the high premiums for the protection afforded because they do not occur often enough. To save you thousands of dollars over the life time of your auto policy, choose a policy with a high deductible.

Look into Car Insurance Discounts
Cars with air bags, anti-lock brakes, seat belts, and anti-theft devices all have discounts. Senior drivers receive retirement discounts if they ask for them. Young drivers certified with driver training education also qualify for discounts. Some insurance companies give student discounts for drivers with a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

When shopping for car insurance it’s also important to have certain information available like the driver’s license number for all the drivers, the vehicle identification number for all the vehicles and your most updated insurance information will make your shopping easier. Contact us to get a Dallas auto insurance quote at 214.295.5700.