West Texas Insurance Agency
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West Texas Insurance Agency

3702 Mockingbird Ln
Amarillo, TX 79109

3 Reasons to Increase Your Home Insurance Coverage

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Part of the responsibilities of owning a home is ensuring your home insurance policy is up to date. This means if you’ve made significant upgrades to your home if your personal property has increased or changed, or you’ve started a home-based business, you may need to increase your home insurance coverage. Homeowners’ insurance policies issued in Amarillo, TX usually group various types of coverage into one policy. Before taking out a new policy or making changes to your existing policy, you’ll want to consult with a licensed insurance agency like West Texas Insurance Agency. 

Upgrades or Renovations

You probably need to increase your coverage if you’ve added additional space, outdoor features like a pool, and major upgrades like granite countertops. A pool, for instance, can create more opportunities for accidents or hazards. Additional space and upgrades translate to increased replacement costs in the event of a loss. 

Personal Property

If you’ve added more personal property or are now storing certain types of property like the top of the line electronics or high-end items, you probably need to speak with your agent. It’s easy to accumulate new or upgraded belongings and forget about the costs to replace them. Don’t forget smaller changes like more expensive furniture, additional clothes, and jewelry. 

Home Business

It’s been years since you moved in, but now you’re operating a business from home. You may need to add coverage for assets designated for your business. It’s best to first speak to your agent about the nature of your business, the designated equipment, and whether clients are coming in and out of your home.

Need more information about home insurance policies that serve Amarillo, TX? Contact us at West Texas Insurance Agency today!   

 

3 Ways to Help Your Car Hold Its Value

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Helping your car maintain its value is beneficial in a number of ways, especially if you plan on selling or trading it in. In Amarillo, TX, agents from West Texas Insurance Agency offer their clients advice on how to maintain their car’s value for as long as possible. There are simple things you can do to ensure your car holds its value for as long as possible.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential if you want your car to continue running as efficiently as possible. All of the systems in your car have maintenance schedules including your lubrication, coolant, brakes, and transmission. Regular maintenance ensures each system is working efficiently and doing its job properly.

Prompt Repairs

If you are in an accident or something breaks on your vehicle, having it repaired promptly will help your car hold its value. This includes dents, broken windshields, or fender benders that leave visible damage that will detract from the appearance of your vehicle. 

Keep it Sparkling Clean

Keep your car clean! Throw away any trash you have on the seats and vacuum it out regularly. Wipe down the interior and run it through a car wash every couple of weeks to keep the outside shiny and looking like new. Keep an air freshener in your car to keep it smelling nice and fresh.

At West Texas Insurance Agency, residents who live in the Amarillo, TX area are encouraged to call an agent if they ever have questions or concerns about the value of their vehicle. Maintaining your car properly will help it hold its value and also keep it looking its best at all times. Call and talk to an agent today!

How commercial insurance can save your Amarillo, TX business

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Owning a business in Amarillo, TX comes with all the challenges and stress that owning a business anywhere comes with. One thing that should not be causing you any worry is your commercial insurance. If you own a business you need to have commercial insurance but it is not one size fits all which is why the staff at West Texas Insurance Agency is there to help you to put together a policy that gives you everything you need to save your business while not making you pay for coverage you will never use. 

Commercial insurance needs to be tailored to your particular business. Many different types of coverage available and you probably won’t need them all.  No point in having commercial vehicle insurance if you don’t have a vehicle that you use for business. Texas does not require private employers to have workers compensation but in not doing so you leave yourself open to lawsuits from an employee who is injured on the job. You also may have trouble retaining employees. It is much less stressful to cover your employees and protect yourself. 

Property insurance is important coverage for a business of any size. Whether you own the building or are just renting it, you can have your business devastated by damage to the building which in terms damages your equipment, inventory, and machinery. By carrying property insurance you can repair or replace anything that is damaged by a covered hazard. 

Liability insurance is one of the most important parts of any commercial insurance policy. Let’s face it, the world loves to bring legal action against people and businesses. If someone is injured while visiting your business or by one of your products you could be facing expensive litigation. Liability insurance helps you to get through it with your business intact. 

If you are an Amarillo, TX business owner, stop in or give us a call at West Texas Insurance Agency and discuss your commercial insurance needs with us. 

 

Home Winter Cleaning Routine

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As winter approaches, you’ll need to go through your house to do a thorough job of deep cleaning it. You’ll need to make sure that it is properly ventilated to keep the air quality at its optimum while you are hunkered down for the season. In Amarillo, TX, the independent agents at West Texas Insurance Agency can help you freshen your home with an adjustment to your home insurance policy.

  • Check the air filters – the Environmental Protection Agency states that you should replace your air filters quarterly. This way the air in your home will remain fresh and clean.

  • Refrigerator – clean out the refrigerator by taking everything out and cleaning the bare fridge with soap and water. Using astringent cleaners will soak into the food when you put it back. Pull the appliance from the wall and vacuum the coils. You can also use a damp rag to remove old clinging dust.

  • Freezer cleaning – remove all the food and clean it as you would the refrigerator. If frost has developed, use a hairdryer to melt the frost. You can always unplug it and allow it to drain on its own if you don’t have a hairdryer or don’t wish to use one.

  • Washer and dryer – Refreshen the washing machine by adding vinegar to an empty cycle. For the dryer, you’ll need to unplug it and disconnect the vent in order to vacuum the built-up dust that’s formed from the last year.  

  • Floors – even though you vacuum your carpets regularly, you should consider renting a deep-cleaning carpet vac to penetrate below the surface of the carpet. This type of vacuum can be used on certain types of sofas and couches as well.

After you’ve cleaned your home for the winter, make sure to stop by West Texas Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX for home insurance.

Auto Insurance for Teens

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For teens, getting a driver’s license is an exciting time.  It signals the passage into the world with greater freedoms.  For parents, however, the realities of the danger for teen drivers is real.  Also, their policy rates will be higher.  This can lead to an anxious time for everyone.  The agents at West Texas Insurance Agency understand the excitement and concern that everyone is going through.  They work with parents and teens throughout the Amarillo, TX area.

To help teens understand their responsibilities as drivers and the importance of keeping a good driving record, it’s recommended that they are involved in the insurance process.  When they understand policy costs and the ramifications of poor driving habits, they are more invested in being good drivers. Over time, this will be reinforced when they see their rates go down for keeping their driving record clean.

In some cases, it may be better to simply add the teen to their parent’s policy. Talk with the agent to determine if that is the best solution.  Also, they will be able to discuss any available student discounts.  Some insurance companies give discounts to students who have had driver’s education classes or earn good grades.  College students are also offered discount programs best on how often they drive and their grades.   Another consideration is the type of vehicle the teen will drive.  While they may long for a sports car, a more sedate sedan or compact car will be easier and less expensive to insure.

In the Amarillo, TX area, the team at West Texas Insurance Agency understands the challenges of insuring a teen driver. They can help!  Visit the website for general information then bring your teen into the offices for a visit.  Young drivers need the protection of adequate vehicle insurance before they ever hit the road.

Reasons to Upgrade Your Commercial Insurance Before The Holiday Season

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Even in Texas the first hints of the leaves turning and the evenings cooling are here. We want to help you keep your business protected year-round, here at West Texas Insurance Agency. This is why we have a list of considerations for increased commercial insurance this holiday season. We serve Amarillo, TX and the rest of the vast state with quality insurance services. 

Reasons It May Be Prudential to Upgrade or Change Your Commercial Insurance Before The Coming Holiday Season.

  • Many businesses find that their foot traffic increases during the holiday season. This is not just due to holiday shopping, it also has to do with more people being out of school and on vacation to visit family or new places. It may be a good idea to fill any gaps in your insurance before the increase in risk.
  • If you are a business that shuts down and goes out of town during the holiday seasons then it is a good idea to assess your commercial policy to make sure you are fully covered during this time. 
  • If you run a business that relies on a lot of driving in a company vehicle it is important to know that not only is traffic heavier during this time, accident rates increase due to a variety of factors as well. Check your Commercial vehicle insurance going in so you are protected. 

Contact us at West Texas Insurance Agency to learn more or to upgrade your commercial, home, or life insurance today. We serve Amarillo, TX with quality insurance services and can provide you a quote for an upgrade or a whole new policy today. 

Home Insurance Options To Consider

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Finding the right kind of home owner’s insurance is a very personal matter. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to insuring your home. You have a different property from the person next to you. You have different valuables inside and you have a different family. All of these are elements you need to consider when selecting the right home insurance add-ons. If you live in or around Amarillo, TX, West Texas Insurance Agency is here to help you find the right insurance options for your property. 

Flood Insurance

Sure, it doesn’t rain all the time in Amarillo, but when it does it often overwhelms the region. The ground your property is on accustomed to absorbing heavy rainfall. Additionally, if you have a plumbing line burst during the winter, it may flood your property. That is why you should consider flood insurance. 

Window Insurance

Do you have children? Do they love to play baseball and be active around the house? If so there is a greater chance of having a cracked window. Your home insurance may cover some damaged windows, but when it is human error you might receive limited coverage at best. With some additional window insurance, you’ll protect your property from this kind of damage. 

Added Liability Insurance

If you live in a crowded area with a good amount of foot traffic you may want to consider added liability insurance. This will help protect you if someone slips and falls on your property and then attempts to file a lawsuit against you.

The best way to determine the right home insurance options for your own home is to talk to the team at West Texas Insurance Agency. Here the team will help walk you through the selection process and go over the best way to protect your home. So, if you’re interested in understanding how to insure your home and you live around Amarillo, TX, now is the time to give the team a call. 

How to Take Care of Your Car This Summer

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Here at the West Texas Insurance Agency serving the Amarillo, TX area, we know a thing or two about taking care of cars. One of the smartest moves you’ll ever make to take care of your car is to put insurance on it. More importantly, insurance that is customized to meet your exact needs. Here’s a look at a few other tips you should follow for taking care of your car this summer. 

Take Care of Coolant System

It’s always important to ensure your car has enough coolant liquid in it. From the coolant hoses to the coolant reservoir, these parts of the car should be inspected regularly during the summer. If there is any damage to the coolant system, you will need an auto repair specialist to fix them as soon as possible.

Replace the Wipers

It might be sunny and hot in Texas, but it tends to rain some during the summer. There’s nothing worse than being stuck out on the road in the rain with no wipers. A great way to avoid this is by replacing the wipers now.

Take the Car to a Mechanic

Lastly, take the car to the mechanic at least once this summer for routine maintenance. Ideally, you’ll take it when you need an oil change. The mechanic can do everything from changing the oil to rotating your tires and more. 

Contact the West Texas Insurance Agency serving the Amarillo, TX area today to learn more about summer car care tips. You can also speak with one of our agents about taking care of your car with a customized insurance policy.

Commercial Insurance and Home-Based Businesses

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Commercial Insurance and Home-Based Businesses

At West Texas Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX, we talk to a lot of people who think that their homeowners’ insurance covers their home business. That’s not accurate. Your home-based business still needs commercial insurance.

Homeowners’ insurance covers normal home activity and your liability from it. It does not include business activity or business equipment. You still need to insure it like a conventional company.

You need commercial insurance designed for a home-based business. It provides you with property damage coverage, liability coverage and covers your attorney costs and fees. Other items that this insurance covers for your home-based business include libel or negligence claims and computer hacks or IP theft. While those last two items might not sound like something you need to worry about, hackers actually target small businesses first because they’re least likely to have protected in place.

While your first thought as to why to get it might be covering losses in cases of a fire or a tornado, it’s more common to need the liability coverage. Once you start meeting with people at your home office or have deliveries made to it, you open yourself to liability. If someone falls and hurts themselves, you’re liable for their injuries. Your commercial insurance kicks in to pay for the medical bills of the injured person. If they die due to an injury sustained on your property, it covers the funeral expenses and can cover a court settlement. Trying to pay those types of items out-of-pocket could close your business.

Call or visit West Texas Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX to learn more about commercial insurance for your home-based business. We can help you find the coverage you need to protect your business and investment.

5 Ways To Protect Your Family With The Right Auto Insurance

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As you’re driving around Amarillo, TX, it’s important that you have the right auto insurance policy. There are a few ways that policy can work to protect your family.

At West Texas Insurance Agency, we’re here to guide you towards the best policy. There are a number of auto insurance requirements in Texas, so it’s important to adhere to them.

First, remember that it’s important to meet at least the state minimums. Driving without insurance can result in being ticketed by a police officer.

Second, the right auto insurance policy will protect your finances if you’re involved in an accident. You don’t want to be financially responsible for car repairs, medical bills, and more if you’re at fault.

Third, you want to know that you have the ability to get your vehicle fixed if it gets hit by a shopping cart in a parking lot or a truck throws a rock at your windshield on the highway. Comprehensive coverage can protect you against all sorts of non-driving related incidents.

Fourth, you want to know that you have coverage if there’s a break-in. Unfortunately, vehicles do get broke into around Amarillo, TX from time to time. Having the right policy will allow you to file a claim.

Finally, you can protect your family by having coverage against the uninsured and underinsured. Although it’s a must to have insurance on the road, not everyone follows the laws. You can add this coverage so that you don’t depend on someone else having insurance even though they were at fault.

It can be overwhelming to find the right auto insurance. By talking to an independent insurance agent at West Texas Insurance Agency, we can help you find the coverage that you need. We’ll even help you comparison shop quotes for an affordable premium. 

Servicing States

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • New Mexico