Is Home Insurance Worth It?

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Home insurance is your best line of defense when a covered disaster strikes your home. If you don’t have home insurance but are thinking about getting it, the professionals at Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, serving Willis, TX, can help. Below are some things to consider when deciding if home insurance is right for you.

Understanding Home Insurance

Home insurance is a policy that may help pay to repair or replace your home and belongings when a covered event occurs. A typical home insurance policy may cover theft, lightning strikes, fires, and wind damage. Typical home insurance policies also pay for your living expenses if you’re not able to live in your home while it’s being repaired for a covered event.

Who Needs Home Insurance?

Nearly any homeowner can benefit from having home insurance. If you don’t have the money it would take to repair or replace your home if a covered event occurs, you should consider getting home insurance for your house. Even if you have the money to repair or replace your home, you must ask yourself whether you would like to have the financial protection from home insurance.

Is Home Insurance Required?

Home insurance is typically required for homeowners who have a mortgage. In addition, if you live in a homeowners association, your HOA may require home insurance.

Benefits of Home Insurance

Home insurance provides financial help when covered disasters strike. Home insurance also provides peace of mind.

Are you interested in getting home insurance? The professionals at Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, serving Willis, TX, can help. We work with many carriers and can help you find the right policy for your needs. Call today to get started.

My Bikes Are Collectible: Will That Make a Difference in Insurance?

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Not everyone purchases a vehicle solely for transportation. Some people invest in vehicles like classic motorcycles for their historical value, appreciating their unique look and feel, and planning to drive them minimally. This is quite different from those who buy a new bike to use as their primary mode of transportation. How will it impact your insurance if you identify more with those who invest in classic or antique motorcycles? Let’s explore what considerations you need to consider when shopping for motorcycle insurance for your bikes and how we here at Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX, can help.

Do Collectibles Require Different Insurance Than New Bikes?

You’ll want to opt for classic motorcycle insurance if you own multiple bikes, primarily older models with high collectible value. This will ensure the full cash value of your bike, protecting you if your motorcycle somehow becomes damaged. Knowing your investments are insured will give you the peace of mind you need. However, if you have other bikes you ride regularly, you’ll also want regular insurance that provides basic coverage for motorcycles, which wouldn’t be a devastating loss. The collectible status of your bikes changes the nature of your insurance needs, so consider this when shopping for motorcycle insurance!

Get the Right Motorcycle Insurance for You With Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency

Whether you need standard motorcycle insurance or something else for your bikes, we’re here to help! Get started now with Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX. Compare quotes today!

The Boat Was Stolen! Now What?

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There are things you can do to keep your boat from getting stolen in the first place. You could put locks on everything. Just the sight of locks can discourage thieves. Loud security alarms can deter theft. If all else fails, you can install a GPS tracker in case your boat is stolen to make it easier to recover it from would-be pirates. In any case, you need to have good insurance coverage for your boat and equipment.

What You Need to Do in the Event of a Boat Theft

First, you need to report the incident as soon as possible. Make a police report while all the details are fresh in your mind. Have some photos of your boat ready. These must be detailed photos showing anything and everything that might identify your boat as yours. You will need documentation such as your decal number, your state registration number, and the hull identification number (HIN). You didn’t leave your title or registration in the boat, did you? Don’t do that. Proof of purchase is not entirely necessary, but it may be helpful.

Contact Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX

If you have a boat, it is advisable for you to get boat insurance. For an older boat, you might want Actual Cash Value coverage. ACV coverage will reimburse you for the current depreciated value of the boat in the event of theft. If your boat is newer, Replacement Coverage is a better idea. If you are in the Willis, TX area and need boat insurance, please get in touch with Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency. We’d be happy to help!

Do I Need Umbrella Insurance If I’m Renting?

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As a renter, you might think that umbrella insurance is unnecessary since you don’t own your property. However, there are several reasons why investing in umbrella insurance can be beneficial, such as supplementing your rental insurance policy.

Financial Protection

Replacing personal property can be a significant expense for a renter. Those costs can quickly accumulate if a visitor gets injured while at your place and requires medical attention. Additionally, any damage to their personal property will need to be replaced, and umbrella insurance can protect you from depleting your assets. If you own a lot of assets, this is an option you should consider.

Umbrella insurance can also be beneficial if you are accused of slander. It will cover you in ways your primary policy can’t, especially if it has been exhausted. If you have pets, small children, or frequently entertaining guests, you should consider getting umbrella insurance to accompany your rental policy.

The Best Things About Umbrella Insurance

One of the best things about having an umbrella insurance policy is the peace of mind it provides. As a renter, you are in a growing and building stage in your life. Umbrella insurance prevents you from taking steps backward in the event of an accident, allowing you to continue moving forward with your goals and dreams. This can also improve your risk profile as a tenant to your landlords, potentially improving rates. If you’re trying to upgrade your rental property, you may have a better chance because of the protection you provide for yourself.

If you live in the Willis, TX, area and want more information on umbrella insurance, contact Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency today. We look forward to helping you soon.

Why flood insurance is becoming increasingly important in Texas

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At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, we have received an increasing number of inquiries about flood insurance for those in Willis, TX, Montgomery County, and Texas.

Why is there interest in flood insurance in Texas? Why are homeowners viewing it with increasing importance?

More people are aware that flood insurance is not standard.

For various reasons, more homeowners are becoming aware that flooding is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Flooding protection must be secured through a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy.

More mortgage companies are requiring it.

As homeowners seek mortgages, they find that more lenders are requiring flood insurance, especially when homes are located in low-lying and flood-prone areas around water and coastlines.

Flooding problems are increasing.

Whether due to climate change, overdevelopment, or rising waters, flooding and rainstorms seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity.

Homes are becoming more expensive.

As houses increase in value, homeowners need more and better protection. Homeowners are also recognizing that flooding can be devastating, so flood insurance offers an added layer of protection.

Residential developments are being constructed in more at-risk areas.

As prime real estate is devoured by commercial and residential developments, less desirable properties are often left behind. These properties may be more susceptible to flooding than those that were used for property developments in the past.

Is flood insurance for you?

If you have questions about general home insurance or flood insurance, we encourage you to contact us at Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency. We serve the Willis, TX, area with a complete line of homeowners insurance coverage, including flood insurance. Contact us with your questions and for a no-obligation price quote.

Three Reasons to Get Life Insurance When You Start a Family

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If you have a family, pets, or people who you want to take care of after you die, life insurance can help. Life insurance is a type of policy that pays a benefit after you pass away. Many people choose to get life insurance after they start a family.

Some people want to have life insurance to provide for their children, spouse, and/or pets. At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, servicing Willis, TX, we can help you find a policy that meets your goals.

Reasons to Get Life Insurance

There are many reasons to get life insurance. Below are some of the most common reasons our customers purchase a policy.

  1. Peace of mind. It can be worrying to think about what would happen to your family if something happened to you. Life insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that your family would have resources following your death.
  2. Your beneficiary will have some financial protection. Loss of your income following your death could impact your beneficiary dramatically. A life insurance policy could make up for that.
  3. If you pass away, your beneficiary can use your life insurance benefit to pay for necessary expenses, such as medical bills, your mortgage, or other expenses.

Which Type of Life Insurance to Choose

There are many types of life insurance, and finding the right policy can be challenging. At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, servicing Willis, TX, we help our customers navigate the many policies available to help them meet their goals. If you would like a life insurance policy, call today to get started shopping for the right one.

Key Differences Between Professional Liability and General Liability Insurance

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Insurance can be a complex topic, especially when dealing with business coverage. At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, serving the greater Willis, TX area, we proudly offer numerous commercial insurance products. Our focus here is to clarify the differences between professional liability and general liability insurance, enabling you to make informed decisions for your business.

Decoding Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, is specifically designed for businesses offering services or advice. This type of insurance shields you from claims alleging negligence, mistakes, or substandard work. If a client believes your professional services have led to their financial loss, this coverage assists with legal defense and settlements. It’s essential insurance for professionals like consultants, lawyers, doctors, and others whose work demands specialized expertise.

Understanding General Liability Insurance

In contrast, general liability insurance covers a wider range of physical risks. It shields you against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury, such as slander or libel. Any business can benefit from this coverage as accidents can happen unexpectedly. For instance, general liability insurance can cover medical expenses and legal costs if a customer slips and falls at your business premises.

Choosing the Right Protection

Deciding which insurance your business needs depends on your operations. Often, businesses require both types of coverage for comprehensive protection against diverse risks. An experienced insurance agent can guide you through this assessment and enhance your protection significantly.

At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, serving Willis, TX, and its surrounding area, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of business insurance. Contact us today to discuss your options and ensure the right coverage for your unique business needs.

Things your home insurance doesn’t cover

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Home insurance fosters confidence about your home’s protection. It offers numerous types of coverage to safeguard you from lawsuits, fires, and other catastrophic events, but not everything that could go wrong. At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX, we are committed to ensuring our customers have the type and extent of home insurance they need. Always read your policy for exclusions.

Flooding

Flooding is probably the most surprising thing that isn’t covered by home insurance. If a pipe bursts inside your home, it likely will be covered. However, it isn’t covered if the river overflows its banks or a storm surges from the Gulf. Only an inch or two of water can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. However, you can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). If you are in danger, it is worth the cost.

Wear and Tear

Things age and thus break. Your home insurance does not cover these types of instances. If your roof gets old, you will need to replace it before it leaks. A broken furnace, too, is not covered. You can get appliance insurance, which might cover it.

Owner Neglect

As a homeowner, your insurance company assumes you will maintain your home. If you end up with termites or rodents, it’s the homeowner’s fault for not getting the correct preventative treatment.

Earth Movement

When the earth moves, whether it encompasses an earthquake, a sinkhole, a landslide, or a mudslide, your home insurance doesn’t cover it.

At Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX, we will work with you to ensure you acquire exactly the home insurance you need and can afford. Call us today.

How Custom Modifications Affect Your Motorcycle Insurance

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Enthusiasts may plan to modify their motorcycles, finding the customization process fun and exciting. However, it is important to discuss potential changes to your insurance policy that may be necessary after motorcycle modifications with our team at Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency in Willis, TX.

What Qualifies as a Modification?

A modification refers to any changes or updates made to your motorcycle after purchase. Common updates include boosting speed capacity, changing the exhaust system, adding new parts, and modifying the paint with a custom design or color. Each modification can potentially impact your insurance premium.

How Modifications Could Affect Your Insurance

How your policy is affected depends on the types of additions and changes made. Performance-enhancing modifications could increase premiums as insurers consider more powerful bikes as riskier. On the other hand, incorporating modern safety features like theft protection and advanced brakes may lower rates.

Why It’s Important to Update Your Insurance Provider

It is crucial to inform your insurance company about any changes you make to your motorcycle. Maintaining an accurate policy ensures your coverage remains valid. Failing to update your policy could lead to a claim denial, which could be costly in the event of an accident or theft.

Ensure Your Modified Motorcycle is Adequately Covered

For comprehensive motorcycle coverage, consult the Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency agents in Willis, TX. We’ll tailor a policy to meet your specific needs and can provide a quote for a comprehensive policy, including modifications. Connect with us today.

What Are Texas Regulations Regarding Boat Insurance?

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Living in Willis, TX, offers a wealth of water sports and boating activities. If you’re considering buying a boat, you will likely have questions about boat insurance. At the Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency, we are frequently asked these questions. In this blog, we’re going to clear up one of the most common queries.

Does the state of Texas mandate boat insurance requirements?

Texas Law

Boat insurance requirements in Texas are straightforward. The state does not legally require boat owners to have insurance.

While that sums up the legal side of things, it’s important to note that even in the absence of state-level requirements, certain circumstances might necessitate boat insurance.

Lenders

Financing your boat is often one of these circumstances. If you secure a loan to purchase a boat, the lender will probably compel you to avail of an insurance policy to safeguard their investment.

Upon complete loan repayment, you gain more leeway in your insurance decisions, but until then, the lender has the right to impose a boat insurance policy and stipulate minimum insurance prerequisites.

Liability and Protection

Although Texas doesn’t mandate boat insurance, it also doesn’t protect you from liability. If an individual is injured on or by your boat, you may be held responsible, and ensuing charges could escalate rapidly. Liability protection helps cover these expenses (up to the policy’s limit) and shields you against potential lawsuits.

The state of Texas offers some additional recommendations for boat insurance. Without imposing any legal obligations, the state endorses different boat protection policies. These include replacement cost, actual cash value, and agreed-upon value policies, all offering varying levels of remuneration if your boat incurs damage.

As a resident of Willis, TX, you have multiple boat insurance options. Consult with your Melvin Gessner Insurance Agency representative to determine the insurance choice that best suits you.

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