Motorcycle Insurance Coverage: A Must Have It’s nearly summer, and with hotter weather on tap, and no rain in the forecast, our attention turns to motorbikes. Just remember that in Texas, motorcycle insurance coverage isn’t a luxury– it’s a necessity. What’s Required Texas requires ALL drivers to be able to provide financial proof of responsibility. Auto insurance carriers often provide motorcycle insurance coverage as either a stand-alone policy or an endorsement to a personal car insurance policy. Options vs. Obligations Texas requires motorcyclists to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, to pay for bodily injury and property damage expenses caused to other people involved in an accident. There are other ways to show financial responsibility beside having insurance, but you generally have to be financially able to pay for the accident yourself to do this. When insuring your bike, you are only required to carry full insurance coverage if you have a lineholder. In addition, uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIM) motorist protection is optional but highly recommended, as part of a motorcyclist’s insurance policy to cover costs for damage caused by another driver who either does not have coverage, or whose insurance is inadequate. What’s the Cost Prices aren’t as large an obstacle as bike customers might think. It’s essential that every biker have motorcycle insurance coverage with both uninsured motorist benefits and underinsured motorist benefits. This is the best way to shield yourself in the event a negligent driver with no insurance, or with low policy limits, cause serious injuries to a biker in an accident. Because so many motorists are underinsured or uninsured, the coverage is inexpensive and necessary. Count on devoting several hundred dollars per year on motorcycle insurance coverage, depending on your perceived level of risk, age, driving record, and the type of bike you ride. Many of our carriers offer discounts for taking a motorcycle safety course. Talk to us today, and protect yourself and your bike, with a solid insurance policy.More motorcycle insurance coverage information…

During the hot sunny weather expected this week, many of us will quickly forget about last week’s record rainfalls. However, for many homeowners, a bright sunny day simply won’t fix their flood ravaged home. This week many homeowners are realizing for the first time that their homeowner’s policy simply doesn’t cover flood damage. For them, this is a devastating blow in an already terrible situation. You might consider yourself lucky if you don’t live in a flood zone and don’t need to worry about this. I thought this too when I bought my home three years ago. I was pleased to hear that I didn’t need flood insurance. Mother Nature would challenge that belief several times. What I didn’t realize then, is that my house is downhill from several other homes in the neighborhood and that water naturally flows downhill. Combine this fact with poor backyard drainage and a large overgrown tree and you have a recipe for flooding. Lots of water with nowhere to go. My saving grace was that I love these storms. I love to watch the lightening and the rain and hail. I’m a NOAA, and weather app junky. It was during one nasty storm that my love of these storms turned to fear. While watching one striking storm in the safety of a well sheltered patio, I notice water lapping up to the top of my foundation. The entire yard was covered in water, grass nowhere to be seen, water quickly approaching the back door within a half inch of beginning to flow into our hardwood floors. I took action by quickly taking out the shovel and spade and attempting to give the water an escape route. My progress appeared to be working only to be foiled by large tree roots running perpendicular to the house and right up to the foundation that completely blocked the water from flowing out into the front yard and into the street gutters. My neighbors must have thought I’d lost it. Hacking away with an axe at tree roots during a thunderstorm in my bright orange raincoat. Well I did manage to create a channel through one of the roots and the water did flow enough to save the day. I’d won that battle, but the war wasn’t over. Over the span of the next few years I ended up paying for that tree to get cut down, having the roots ground up into fine mulch. Then there was the cost of adding rain gutters, and finally adding French drains. At last I could enjoy storm watching once more. That is until last week when the water once again came lapping at my back door again. Maybe, it’s time for flood insurance after all to cover me next time. Ultimately it may be cheaper than the thousands I’ve spent trying to beat Mother Nature? It seems that it’s either that, or new retaining walls, fence, more drainage pipes, and more rain gutters.

With the nearing of summer, the drive for freedom runs through many, and despite the hot Texas heat, summer always holds promise to those both young and old. For the road-tripping types who crave speed and the wind against their face, the question arises as to which classic convertibles could be the chariot of style? Well, we at Lifelong Insurance Agency have some ideas. 10. International Scout: Although frequently overlooked as a “real” convertible, travelling in this Scout will take you to unlimited destinations. 9. 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Duetto Spider: No need to fear this spider, this convertible of Little Italy is not only a fun ride, but is sure to give you a taste of “La Dolce Vita.” 8. 1961 Jaguar: Elegant and fast, this classic cat almost comes with its own mechanic! 7. 1962 Lincoln Continental Convertible: Although frequently called “land yachts”, this Lincoln Continental truly proves that size does matter. 6. 1965 Aston Martin: Made famous by James Bond, the Aston Martin is a must try convertible. 5. 1965 Ford Mustang: Easily the most popular of all classic convertibles, there’s no going wrong if you choose to cruise with the ‘Stang. 4. 1967 Corvette: The second-gen Corvette looks like rock and roll on wheels and is one of the most beautiful American cars to date. This is a sure lady-killer. 3. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT: Known for its beauty and value, the Ferrari is another Italian masterpiece worth driving. 2. 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost: Being the first Rolls Royce to top 100 miles an hour, you’ll certainly be rolling. 1. 1969 Ford Bronco: Not that I’m biased, but this is by far the best convertible you will ever get. Trust me, I’m a professional. Rain or shine, make sure that you’re covered this summer with the right insurance for your convertible.  Let us know your favorites!

The long awaited time for students and parents alike to take a breather and have some fun. Whether it be skiing through the brisk Colorado air or working on a tan by the Florida coast, spring break is the ultimate time to relax and rejuvenate. However, Spring Break comes with a drawback: home invasions. Break-ins often occur from 6 am to 6 pm, and include car thefts as well! Most often, senior citizens are targeted, however with the advanced use of social media, burglars are spreading out their range of targets. That’s right, posting a selfie of your spring break trip practically gives a burglar the key to your home. Advertising your absence leaves your valuables vulnerable to burglary. No worries, though, because we’ve got some tips to keep your house safe for your return. Make it look like someone is home. Whether you hire a house sitter or invest in some cheap light timers, making it appear as if your house is occupied is sure to deter any potential invader. Get your neighbor to hold your mail. A full mailbox is a sure sign you’ve been out and about for a while. Getting the post office or a neighbor to hold your mail for you will hide the fact that you are gone for spring break. Close and lock all doors, windows, and even your garage. While this may seem obvious, the most often occurrence of theft is an unlocked car or house. Forgetting to lock even one entrance makes it infinitely easier for a thief to get in. So stay safe and double check, and your preventative measure will surely pay off. Wait to Tweet about your travels until you’re back. Although your new glittery shot glass from the Caribbean spring break trip may tempt you to show all your friends, make sure to keep it offline until you are home. If a potential thief sees your snap, they’ve found their target. If you don’t advertise you’re gone, they won’t come for your goods.

You have heard the term, but do you really know what it means, and do you need it?I’m talking about Umbrella Insurance. Umbrella Insurance provides additional Liability protection coverage above your auto, home, or other insurance liability limits should it be needed. This protects you in the event you are sued for amounts above the limits of your normal policy. For example, say you have Auto limits of 100,000 property damage and 300,000 per incident. You happen to be driving in an exclusive neighborhood and get into an accident with a brand new Porsche worth $130,000. This is above your normal limit of $100,000 which would leave you personally liable for the additional $30,000. This is the time when your umbrella insurance policy would kick in and cover the additional amount. In another example, you are having a get together at your house and the owner of the company you work for is in attendance. There is an incident that causes the owner to slip down the stairs breaking his back leaving him crippled and unable to work for 1 year while he goes to rehab. You are sued and held liable for his annual salary while he is unable to work. This is above and beyond the limits of your policy. Once again, this is where your umbrella insurance policy kicks in to cover the difference. Other scenarios include: Some of these examples might seem a bit far stretch but they happen, and they can happen to you. The good news is, an Umbrella insurance Policy is very affordable starting at just a few hundred dollars per year for millions in coverage. Give us a call today to see how affordable an Umbrella Insurance Policy is and protect your life savings.

It’s safe to say at some point in your life you’re going to need a self storage unit. With a booming housing market in North Texas, most families homes are selling faster than they can find a new place to live. Requiring them to move into apartments or rental houses for a temporary amount of time. In most cases, you can’t fit everything from your home into an apartment so you end up renting slef storage space. There is a good chance when your renting the storage unit that the manager of the facility will ask if you have self storage insurance. What exactly is self storage insurance? It’s a policy that covers the valuables you are storing at their facility from damage should a disaster occur like a fire, tornado, flood or earthquake. But do I really need a self storage insurance policy?  In most cases, the answer to this question is NO. Your pre-existing homeowners, renters or business insurance should cover any damages caused to your valuables during storage. So if you are currently covered, then you’re safe. Most storage facilities will recommend self storage insurance to their customers as an upsell at their location. They are essentially playing on your fear to boost their bottom line. We must mention that most self storage rental facilities have policies requiring some form on insurance on your valuable prior to rental of a unit. So we recommend bringing in a copy of your existing policy at the time of renting the space. Still not sure if you’re covered? Our agents at Lifelong Insurance would be glad to review your policy with you to determine any gaps you may have. Give us a call today at 469-606-4590.

I was recently talking to a friend who was telling me a story about a family member that was receiving in-home care. Unfortunately, the staff was stealing items from the home during their visits. Theft seems to be a very common issue mostly because there is no supervision on the staff that is visiting the house. Typically the person receiving care is not very mobile and thus cannot see what is going on in the house. This same issue can happen if you have a housekeeper, babysitters or unfortunately friends coming and going to your house. Depending on how you handle these situations, you might find yourself struggling to claim the loss with your insurance carrier. Here are some tips to help ensure you can utilize your coverage best in case of home theft. Agents at Lifelong Insurance are experienced in these coverages and would be glad to review your coverage with you to determine any gaps you may have. Give us a call today at 469-606-4590.

There is nothing like the feeling of riding a motorcycle when the weather is great. Sun is shining and the wind just flowing. Is your motorcycle protected  with motorcycle insurance to ensure it is ready to go when that perfect day comes along? Motorcycle insurance is not the same as your standard Auto Insurance but getting the right coverage is critical to helping you in the event of a loss. The first and most important aspect of insurance is the property coverage. Standard coverage will provide limits based on Nada or Kelley Blue Book but in our experience, that is not enough. Most motorcycle enthusiasts spend time and money customizing their bikes which can quickly increase its value significantly. A knowledgeable insurance agent should be trained to help you get the right insurance for your needs. Did you also know there are several key ways to save money on your insurance? This includes tips like: Lifelong Insurance is committed to helping you insure your treasures no matter how big or how small. Give one of our agents a call today to see how much you can save while getting the proper insurance you need today!

Residents in North Texas are cleaning up after devastating tornados destroyed homes and businesses throughout the area. When faced with having to repair your home, its important that you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself from building and roofing scammers. Take these suggestions into consideration when selecting contractors: Go Local – Make sure that the company you choose is local. Meaning that they have an established business with a physical location and reputation within your community. This protects your investment should you choose to purchase an extended warranty on a roof. You don’t want an issue to crop up down the road with no one to call or visit because they’re not in your area. Check for Insurance – Any reputable contractor should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance. This protects the homeowner in the event of an injury while liability will cover any damage during repairs. Check for a License – Texas does not require contractor licensing which makes things a little more difficult here. There are however accreditations in this field. In this case, it is important to check references and for insurance. Insurance is not cheap for roofers so if they have insurance, at least they are invested in the business. Get a Warranty – You should always get a warranty for the work being hired. Most roofing warranties last for a year. The manufacturer usually covers the materials, and the roofer covers the work. Check References – Talk with your neighbors and friends to get references for reputable contractors. Have you hired a roofer or contractor for past repairs? Leave us a comment about how you made your decision and protected yourself from scammers.

Each new year brings the promise of a fresh start to make those resolutions a reality. Instead of creating a list of recommended new years resolutions. We thought it would be fun to create the worst new years resolutions you can make from an insurance perspective. All jokes aside, we hope you stick to your new years resolutions and have a wonderful and prosperous 2016!