Auto Insurance Coverage Options in Texas

The Versatile Insurance Planners in the San Antonio, TX area want people to know all about the auto insurance options that are available in Texas as well as the auto insurance requirements set forth by the state.

In Texas, each driver must have at least an auto liability insurance policy in place that will cover a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage claims if you are involved in an accident that is determined to be your fault.

It is also a great idea to have underinsured and uninsured coverage in place in the event you are involved in a crash that is deemed to be the fault of the other driver and that person either has no insurance at all or very little and cannot cover the damages to your vehicle or the medical bills for you and your passengers for injuries sustained in the crash.

Other Auto Insurance Coverage Options

There are several other types of auto insurance you can choose from, including comprehensive insurance. This type of insurance will pay for any damage to your auto if it is damaged or destroyed a fire, vandalism, or a natural disaster. It will also replace your vehicle if it is stolen. If you have an active loan for your vehicle, your lender or bank may require you to have this type of coverage in place to protect the investment that has been made in your vehicle when they loaned you the money to purchase it.

Collision insurance is another type of coverage you can obtain. This type of coverage will help pay for damages that occur if you are involved in a collision with another vehicle or an object. For example, if you back your vehicle into someone’s garage door and damage it, this type of coverage will help pay for any damage to the garage door as well as the damage to your vehicle.

Call For a Quote Today!

To create the best auto insurance coverage for you and your situation, you should enlist the help of an experienced auto insurance agent to secure your auto insurance policy. The agents at the Versatile Insurance Planners in San Antonio, TX are ready to assist you with all of your auto insurance needs. Call for a quote and appointment today to get your policy started.

How commercial insurance can save my small business

Texas has more than 2.6 million small businesses. In fact, 99.8 percent of all businesses in Texas are small businesses. Each year, thousands of new businesses open, and many of them struggle to stay open. Multiple challenges and hazards face small businesses and, with the right commercial insurance, you have a better chance to save your small business. In San Antonio, TX,  Versatile Insurance Planners has an experienced team that will work with you to customize your commercial insurance for your business. 

Protect your business

If your location suffers damage, think burst pipe, fire, or theft it could put you out of business. If you have commercial insurance, you may still have to close down for a couple of days while repairs are done and supplies are replaced, but you will still be able to do business. If you don’t have insurance, unless you have a lot of cash or credit, you will be out of business potentially forever. 

Surviving a legal suit

If your small business gets sued, how would you get the legal advice that you need to fight the action against you? You can be sued by a client, a vendor, a customer, or even an employee. How would you pay a judgment against you? If you have commercial liability insurance, it will help you to survive the worst-case scenario.  

Business interruption insurance

When a covered peril happens to your business, you may not be able to conduct business for a period of time. When you aren’t doing business, your income flow stops but, unfortunately, your expenses do not. With business interruption insurance, you will be able to pay your bills and to give your employees and yourself a salary. It definitely can save your business.

Contact Versatile Insurance Planners in San Antonio, TX when you are ready to protect your small business. 

4 Auto Insurance Add-ons To Consider

When you buy auto insurance from Versatile Insurance Planners of San Antonio, TX, you hope that it covers every aspect of risks facing your car. Unfortunately, car insurance is broad. As such, it has numerous coverages to consider depending on your situation and budget. For this reason, if you want to boost your auto insurance coverage, here are four add-ons to put your money on. 

Zero depreciation add-on

If your car were involved in an accident today, you would receive compensation less the depreciation factor. This means you have to fork out the depreciation amount from your pocket. However, you can buy zero depreciation coverage to cushion you from depreciation. 

Roadside assistance coverage

Assume your car has broken down far away from home. What would you do? Call friends and relatives? You might do that, but they may not be in a position to help. For these situations, you need roadside assistance coverage to bail you out when your car stalls miles away from home. This coverage provides services like towing, gas delivery, jumpstarting, and other minor repairs.

Engine protect add-on

If you live in an area prone to flooding or waterlogging, this endorsement is suitable for you. While collision or comprehensive coverages may cover your engine against perils like accidents and falling objects, these coverages may not help for calamities like flooding, which fall under consequential loss. And that’s when you need an engine to protect the rider to save the day.

Consumables add-on

Your car uses several consumables, including oils, bolts, pipes, filters, and so on. Unfortunately, these consumables are not covered by the standard auto insurance policy during repairs. Luckily, if you have consumables coverage, your insurance pays for the consumable costs.

Car insurance in San Antonio, TX

Standard car insurance is good, but it’s not enough. That you said, you need to strengthen your car insurance policy with add-ons depending on your situation. If you are in San Antonio, TX and its environs, contact Versatile Insurance Planners for an affordable quote.

Is having a home insurance plan in Texas a good idea?

One of the best long-term investments that someone in the San Antonio, TX area can make is to purchase a home. If you decide to own a home, you will enjoy the long-term price appreciation, stable housing option, and other ownership benefits. If you are going to own a property here, you also need to get insurance for it. Having a home insurance plan is a good idea for several reasons. 

Insurance Protects Assets

A primary reason to have home insurance is so you can have protection for your assets. With home insurance, you will get the coverage you need to repair your property if there is damage from a fire, weather, vandalism, or other situations that result in a loss. You can also receive coverage for your personal belongings up to your policy limit. If you own any collectible or valuable items, they can be covered with an additional policy rider.

Insurance is Required for Many

You should also consider home insurance to ensure you remain in compliance with any requirements. A lot of people will take out a loan when they buy a home. A mortgage provider almost always will have specific insurance requirements. They may also require that you have escrow accounts set up, which ensures you will not have a coverage lapse. 

Choosing a home insurance plan in San Antonio, TX is going to be a big decision for anyone. Those that would like to have this type of insurance coverage here need to call the Versatile Insurance Planners. If you are going to choose a plan in this area of the state, Versatile Insurance Planners can help you evaluate all of your options and needs so you are able to pick an ideal plan for your situation. 

Who should get a motorcycle insurance plan in San Antonio?

Those that live in the San Antonio, TX area know how large the metro area is. Due to this, having a reliable and efficient mode of transportation is important. A motorcycle can be a great option for those in this part of Texas due to the great weather, which makes it a practical option for most of the year. If you get a motorcycle, you should get insurance for a few reasons. 

Cover Motorcycle

A reason you should get this coverage is so you can protect your motorcycle. Anyone that is going to buy a motorcycle will be making a purchase that they will want to cover and protect. When you invest in a full insurance plan for the motorcycle, you will know you are protected if the bike is stolen or you are involved in an accident. 

Legal Compliance

You should also get an insurance plan for your motorcycle to ensure you remain in legal compliance. Similar to other states, drivers here are required to carry liability insurance if they want to drive a motorcycle on a public road. With this coverage, you will know that you have the ability to cover damages in an auto accident. If you do not have this insurance, you will not have the protection and will also be out of compliance with the law. 

Motorcycle owners in San Antonio, TX will need to have the right insurance. As you are looking for a motorcycle insurance policy in this area of Texas, calling Versatile Insurance Planners can be helpful. There are different factors to consider when you are looking for motorcycle insurance and the Versatile Insurance Planners can help you build a plan that will give you the right protection. This will ensure you remain properly covered and can continue to enjoy your motorcycle. 

What does flood insurance cover?

The thought of losing everything in your home, and your home itself to a flood, makes most people’s blood run cold. In order to protect your investment in real estate, you need to have flood insurance. In San Antonio, TX, Versatile Insurance Planners is an independent agency. We are locally owned and operated, and we offer products from the top carriers in the business. We provide our customers with personalized service to fit their insurance needs. 

Flood insurance is available from the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). You can purchase it directly from the NFIP or you can purchase it through approved agents. Beyond that, other companies offer flood insurance not backed by the NFIP.  Two different types of policies are offered. The first type of insurance is building insurance and the second type is content. The NFIP insurance has limits on coverage, if you need more coverage than they offer, you can go with an insurance company providing that coverage. 

Building Flood Insurance Coverage

Building flood insurance covers the physical structure of your home. This includes the major systems, plumbing, heating, and electrical. It will cover your furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. Your foundation is included in this coverage and your roof. If you have a fuel tank, solar panels, or water tank, these are all covered. If you have a detached garage or deck this is also covered. Appliances like a built-in dishwasher, refrigerator, and stove are included. Flooring that is permanently attached like wall-to-wall carpet is covered as are built-in bookcases and cabinets. 

Contents flood Insurance Coverage

The contents insurance coverage helps you to replace things like your clothing, electronics, and furniture. Your washer and dryer, portable dishwasher, microwave, and window air conditioning units are covered. Rugs that are not permanently attached to the floor and curtains are also included. 

Contact Versatile Insurance Planners in San Antonio, TX to discuss the best flood insurance option for you. 

Tips When Purchasing Texas Auto Insurance

Purchasing auto insurance can seem overwhelming at first glance. From determining the right amount of coverage to establishing the appropriate auto coverage options to carry, car insurance can be a daunting task even to the best planners. However, here at Versatile Insurance Planners located in San Antonio, it’s our passion to advise car owners on what to look out for when shopping for car insurance to make an informed decision. That said, below are tips to consider when shopping for car insurance in Texas.

Shop for car insurance before going to the dealership

It’s a smart choice to purchase car insurance before heading to the dealership. Otherwise, you may not be able to drive your car away from the lot because auto insurance is mandatory in Texas. But for you to purchase car insurance, you need to arm yourself with the below ahead of time:

  • Have a make and model in mind
  • Understand the auto coverages you need
  • Compare quotes from several insurance companies

While you can still get auto insurance from the dealership, this isn’t the ideal choice if you are looking for affordable car insurance. For instance, if your car is being financed, the lender may only offer car insurance options from one or two companies, limiting your chance to explore various discounts provided out there.

Understand factors affecting your auto insurance premium

This is very crucial when looking to lower your auto insurance premium. While factors out of your control, like your age, gender, occupation, and model of your car, determine the car insurance premium, factors like credit rating and driving record are within your control. As such, you can work towards being a responsible driver to lower your car insurance premium. 

Understand legal requirements

Just like most states, Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage. While it’s essential to observe the state’s minimum, your agent should advise on the right amount of coverage you should have for optimal coverage. Again, liability coverage only covers third parties and not you or your car. That said, ask your agent for different auto coverage options to obtain all-around protection.

Where to buy auto insurance in San Antonio, TX

If you are looking for auto insurance, please contact Versatile Insurance Planners. Here, we will introduce you to various auto coverage options and help you chose those that meet your unique needs.

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

You enjoy the freedom that operating your own business brings, and you want to protect your business and the investment of time and money that you have spent. The commercial insurance agents at Versatile Insurance Planners in San Antonio, TX can assist you in determining which commercial insurance coverages you want for your business.

Commercial Auto Liability Insurance

In Texas, you do not have to obtain worker’s compensation insurance for your employees, but you do have to secure an auto liability insurance policy for any vehicles that are owned by your business. It is also a good idea to ensure that any vehicles that are used for business purposes also have an auto liability insurance policy in place as it is the law in Texas for all drivers to have it. This type of policy will cover any injuries or property damage that are caused by you or an employee in an accident.

Business Liability Insurance and Business Property Damage Insurance

Obtaining a policy that combines business liability and business property insurance is a great idea. This type of policy will cover any property damage or injuries to a customer or another person that is caused by your business or while at your business. This type of commercial insurance policy will also cover your business, equipment, and products if there is a fire, a natural disaster, theft, or vandalism.

There are several additional coverage options that you can obtain when creating your commercial insurance policy to provide you and your business with even more security and peace of mind, including insurance that will help offset the costs if your business suffers cyber-attacks on your computer system or data breaches.

To create a policy for you and your business and get it started today, call upon the commercial insurance agents at Versatile Insurance Planners in San Antonio.

Common Myths About Home Insurance

When you are shopping for home insurance, you come across a lot of information. However, how do you know how much of it is actually true? There are so many myths and misconceptions about home insurance that you need to know about in order to make the right and informed decision. Versatile Insurance Planners serving San Antonio, TX and other surrounding towns prepared a list of a few myths that are easy to fall for:

Myth 1: A Standard Home Insurance Policy Covers Damages Caused By Flooding

It is one of the most common myths. Unfortunately, the truth is unless you have a separate flood insurance policy, your home insurance does not cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone zone, it is recommended to talk to your insurance agent and make sure that your home is fully protected. 

Myth 2: It Is Not Necessary To Keep an Inventory List

Actually, having an inventory list is very important because it is proof of your ownership of certain items in your home. You can use your inventory list when filing a claim for damaged items. Making an inventory list of all the stuff before anything bad happens is a good idea, as it assures that nothing gets lost or missed. 

Myth 3: Home Insurance Covers All Personal Items

Just like any other type of insurance, home insurance has monetary limits. That means that it covers most of the personal stuff and valuables, but not all of them. If you have extremely valuable and expensive items (jewelry or pieces of art for example), it is recommended to get separate coverage for them to make sure that they are properly covered. 

Get Your Home Insured With Us

It may be hard to find the right home insurance policy, especially if there is so much false information and misconceptions. If you live in San Antonio, TX or any other surrounding area and you are currently looking for proper home insurance, Versatile Insurance Planners is a reliable insurance company that is ready to help. All you need to do is to visit our website or call us for more information. 

Do I have to Carry Motorcycle Insurance in Texas, and if so, What is Required?

Do I have to Carry Motorcycle Insurance in Texas, and if so, What is Required?

Residents who wish to operate their motorcycles in Texas are required by law to carry motorcycle insurance. Liability insurance is required by state law. Not all states require drivers to carry motorcycle insurance. However, most do. Versatile Insurance Planners of San Antonio TX are committed to educating motorcycle drivers about the state laws that govern motorcycle drivers. 

State Minimums for Motorcycle Insurance
As stated above, motorcycle insurance is a requirement for all Texas riders. Specifically, liability insurance is required to operate a motorcycle in the state of Texas. Drivers must meet the required state minimums for liability insurance in order to legally drive their motorcycles. Liability coverage requirements for the state of Texas are $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person in an accident. The property damage requirement is $25,000 per accident. 

What Happens if You Drive Without Motorcycle Insurance?
First of all, you are held financially responsible for any damage or injury to other people while driving uninsured. Plus, you forfeit the majority of any claims you could file for pain and suffering or injury. This doesn’t begin to cover any criminal charges you may sustain for injury, damage, or death to others or their property. Plus, it’s illegal to drive without liability insurance in the State of Texas. Generally speaking, you run the risk of facing several charges by not carrying the proper insurance to operate your motorcycle in the state of Texas. We take pride in creating clarity when it comes to state laws that govern motorcycle insurance. We understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Our team at Versatile Insurance Planners of San Antonio, TX is committed to educating motorcycle operators on liability coverage levels necessary to legally drive a motorcycle in the state of Texas.