Author: Westly Rogers

When people ask me to lower their car insurance, the first idea is usually to drop to liability only. Sometimes that’s the right call. Before you make it, here is what each one actually pays for.

Liability only pays for the other person. If you cause a wreck, it pays for their car and their injuries, up to your limits. Texas requires at least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. It pays nothing to fix or replace your own car.

“Full coverage” adds your own car. It usually means two coverages. Collision fixes your car after a wreck, no matter who caused it. Comprehensive covers theft, hail, a fallen tree, and flood water. After Harvey, flooded cars were paid for under comprehensive. Drivers with liability only paid for their own.

Check three things on your policy:

1. Do you still owe money on the car? If so, your lender almost certainly requires collision and comprehensive.

2. What is your car worth today? If it’s worth only a few thousand dollars, collision may cost you more over a couple of years than the car is worth.

3. Are your liability limits still the state minimum? Many newer cars cost more than $25,000 to replace. If you cause the damage, you owe whatever your policy doesn’t cover.

If you want me to look at your auto policy and show you what each option would cost, call my office at 281-822-1954. I’m glad to do it at no cost.

Do you know what your car is worth today?

Westly Rogers
Rogers Financial Agency LLC

Rogers Financial Agency LLC, 6235 McHard Rd, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77053. 281-822-1954. Texas Agency License #3530161.

Hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30. Before the next storm hits Houston, I want you to check two things on your home policy.

First, your wind and hail deductible. Many Texas policies don’t use a flat dollar amount for wind and hail. They use a percentage of your dwelling coverage. On a $300,000 home, a 2 percent deductible means you pay the first $6,000 of a roof claim yourself. Look at your declarations page and find that number now, not after the storm.

Second, flood. Your homeowners policy does not cover flood. Rising water needs its own policy, and a new flood policy usually has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. If a storm is already in the Gulf, it’s too late to buy one.

One more thing that takes ten minutes: walk through your house with your phone and record a video of every room. Open the closets and the garage. If you ever have a claim, that video makes it much easier to show what you owned.

If you want me to look over your deductibles or quote a flood policy, call my office at 281-822-1954. I’m glad to do it at no cost.

Is your home ready if a storm comes through before November?

Westly Rogers
Rogers Financial Agency LLC
6235 McHard Rd, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77053
281-822-1954 | Texas Agency License #3530161