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Does Landlord Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

For those owning an apartment complex or a house rented out to tenants in Austin, TX, ensuring these properties are adequately insured against storm damage is essential. A landlord insurance policy can provide coverage for numerous weather events, but understanding what is and isn’t covered is vital. Let’s shed some light on these intricate details.

Types of Covered Storms

A typical landlord insurance policy covers damage inflicted by several types of storms, including thunderstorms, strong winds, tornadoes, hailstorms, and fires provoked by lightning. Although tornadoes are rare, all these weather events cause significant damage in Austin, TX.

The Exceptions

Landlord insurance does not cover flooding, which may occur due to heavy rain, tropical storms, or hurricanes. You can, however, purchase a separate flood policy if you’re concerned about this risk. Also, landlord insurance does not protect tenants’ personal possessions or vehicles from storm-related losses, as they are responsible for ensuring their belongings are insured independently.

What’s Covered

Landlord insurance is designed to cover the building itself and any items you own, including furnishings or appliances provided by the landlord in a furnished apartment. If severe storm damage forces tenants to move out, your policy may compensate you for the lost rental income. Its liability coverage might also be vital if a tenant gets hurt during a storm and claims inadequate maintenance as a contributory factor.

Securing comprehensive coverage for your property can be complex, but the professionals at Armadillo Insurance Agency can guide you along the process. As an independent local agency, we can find the ideal policy by comparing options from more than ten major insurers, tailored to your specific situation. For further assistance, feel free to contact Armadillo Insurance Agency.

How does remodeling affect home insurance?

Significant home remodeling projects often impact your home insurance needs. Not only do remodeling projects increase the value of your home, but the process of remodeling your home brings additional risks that you should protect yourself against. In fact, your home insurance policy may require that you notify their agent before starting the project, so it is best to play it safe. If you live in or near Austin, TX, consider contacting our Armadillo Insurance Agency team to ensure our home insurance policy fully protects you and your family.

The Impact of Remodeling and Renovating 

Home insurance policies typically protect against accidents during minor projects you perform yourself, like painting or recarpeting, but not against more substantial remodeling projects.

As the homeowner, you incur increased risk during the project due to potential liabilities involving the work crew, tools, and supplies. Remodeling projects also raise the risk of damage to your home. As a result, homeowners should consider modifying their home policy or acquiring an umbrella policy for increased protection.

Besides the coverage needed during the work, most projects enhance the home’s long-term value due to added floor space, updated fixtures, or additional furnishings. Some projects add pools or hot tubs for the homeowner to enjoy, but these additions create new risks the home policy should address.

Some remodeling efforts result in reduced insurance premiums because they include safer electrical or heating systems. So, regardless of your planned changes, talk to your agent in advance to confirm you have protection during and after the remodeling project.

Working with the Armadillo Insurance Agency

 If you live in or near Austin, TX, our Armadillo Insurance Agency team can help you obtain the home insurance protection you need. Please stop in or call us today at 512-249-2300.

What to Do If You Just Moved to a New Home With a Flood Risk

Armadillo Insurance Agency is a skilled insurance agent located near Austin, TX that can provide you with a myriad of different coverage options. For example, we can help you identify what types of flood insurance policies make more sense for you and will work hard to ensure you get the help you need.

Assess Your Danger

When you move to a new area with a potentially higher flood risk, make sure that you assess your risk. You can check out various flood maps or talk to your local authorities to learn more about flood patterns. In this way, you can get the insight you need to manage this issue. Just as importantly, you can identify a policy that fits into your home’s needs and which provides the support you deserve.

Talk With Your Agent

If you’re not sure what kind of policy makes sense for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your agent to learn more. Our team can help you identify a flood policy that will cover your needs. Typically, we’ll start by doing a quick assessment of your case and ask you questions such as:

  • How much does your property cost, and how much protection do you need?
  • When was the last time this property flooded, and did it reach your home?
  • Are you comfortable providing a list of items you want covered by our policy?
  • Is it possible to identify what type of flood dangers you might expect on your property?

Get Flood Insurance Today

There’s no reason to ignore the danger of floods, especially if you move to a new area with a real risk of floods. Our team at Armadillo Insurance Agency can help Austin, TX residents get the policies that they need to be safe. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Home Insurance for Homeowners in a Warm Climate

Home insurance is one of the most important things that you can purchase as a homeowner.  When you buy home insurance, you are buying protection for your most valuable asset, your homefront.  The climate you live in can have an impact on your home insurance.  If you live in a cold climate, there are different things you need to consider when comparing it to a warm climate.  Our team at the Armadillo Insurance Agency can help you understand your Austin, TX home insurance needs and more.  

Warm Climates and Home Insurance

The impact that a warm climate has on home insurance is largely tied to the weather patterns this type of climate brings.  When you are living in a warm climate, you are going to be much more prone to unique weather events such as heavy rainstorms, hurricanes, and more.  High winds can also be common when living in a warmer climate.  When you compare this to a colder climate, where you have snow and ice the risk factors will differ.

Insurers Consider Climate

When coming up with the price points for home insurance, insurance carriers will look at the climate to make determinations on what they want to charge.  They will consider things such as the temperature in a given climate and how they want to weigh the risk of insuring that particular residence.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

As a homeowner, there is not much you can do about the climate in which you live.  Once you buy your home, you need to shop around for home insurance to get the coverage you need at a value-added price point.  Serving the Austin, TX area, our team at Armadillo Insurance Agency can help you understand home insurance and the impact a climate can have.

Will flood insurance cover the repair of my flood-damaged car?

Flood insurance is designed to pay for the repair or replacement of your home’s exterior and interior, all the structures on your property, and more. Many people who live in areas that flood invest in this form of insurance because homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Often, if a person lives in an area where the potential threat of flooding is elevated, flood insurance is a wise investment. Our team at the Armadillo Insurance Agency is invested in educating Austin, TX residents about the benefits of flood insurance. 

What is flood insurance?

In short, flood insurance provides financial compensation for the repair, restoration, or rebuilding of flood-damaged properties. Clothing, furniture, and other personal belongings are covered by flood insurance. Flood insurance is designed to completely restore, repair, and or rebuild a house after a flood has occurred. Unlike homeowners’ insurance, flood insurance is only designed to pay for the repair, replacement, or rebuilding of properties damaged by flooding. An insurance agent reviews topographical maps and other tools to discover floodplains and other areas where flooding could take place and can help determine if flood insurance is a wise investment.

Will flood insurance cover the repair of my flood-damaged car?

No. Flood damage is designed to cover the interior and exterior of your home’s structure, your foundation, all of your belongings, and all the other structures on your property. However, flood insurance doesn’t cover any flood damage your car sustains from a flood. Instead, your car’s flood damage is covered by your comprehensive auto insurance policy.

If you have more questions regarding what’s covered by flood damage, call us at Armadillo Insurance Agency in Austin, TX. We’d be happy to answer your questions. 

Beyond the Interior: How Condo Insurance Covers Structural Elements

Condominium ownership in and around the Austin, TX area combines the benefits of owning a home with the convenience of shared amenities and communal living. Condo insurance is designed to provide that same coverage for condo owners in shared buildings or communities. While the condo association typically insures the exterior of the building and common areas, condo owners need their insurance to protect their units and personal belongings.

Key Components of Condo Insurance

  • Interior Coverage: Condo insurance primarily covers the interior of your unit, including personal belongings, appliances, fixtures, and improvements you’ve made to the unit. This aspect is similar to a standard renters or homeowners insurance policy.
  • Liability Protection: Condo insurance offers liability protection in case you’re responsible for damage to other units or common areas or if someone is injured in your unit.

Coverage for Structural Elements

Condo insurance often extends coverage to structural elements beyond your unit’s walls. These structural elements can include these coverages:

  • Walls-In Coverage: This aspect of condo insurance typically covers the building’s structural elements from the interior walls of your unit. It provides plumbing, electrical wiring, built-in appliances, flooring, and fixtures. If damage occurs to these elements due to covered perils like fire, wind, or water damage, your condo insurance can help cover repair or replacement costs.
  • Loss Assessment Coverage: In some cases, condo associations may pass on the cost of damage to common areas or shared structural elements to individual condo owners. Loss assessment coverage within your condo insurance policy can help cover your share of these costs, saving you from unexpected financial burdens and heartache.

Armadillo Insurance Agency Can Help You

At Armadillo Insurance Agency, we can help answer questions concerning condo insurance. We serve the Austin, TX area. Contact us today. 

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Your Business Only In a Strip Plaza?

If you own a brick-and-mortar business inside a strip mall, you’ll need individual commercial insurance to protect your particular space and inventory. A strip plaza will carry its own insurance to protect the owner or owning company against liability and loss as a result of covered risks. If you would like to learn more about commercial insurance for your strip mall business, you can count on the professionals at Armadillo Insurance Agency to serve the residents in and around the Austin, TX area.

Commercial Insurance Coverage 

Commercial insurance coverage is essential for any business. If you own a business in a strip plaza, you’ll need your insurance to protect your business interests. If you would like to learn more about the available policy options, our insurance agents can help. We carefully assess your current and potential future needs and meet you with policies that will meet those needs. Additionally, we can assist with the submission of information and documentation to secure your coverage immediately. We strive to provide high-quality insurance products and customer service throughout the life of your policy. If you have any changes or claims, we are here to help.

Contact Us Today 

If you would like to learn more about the range of insurance products we provide to the residents in and around the Austin, TX area, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. Please call or stop by our office to schedule an appointment with one of our insurance agents to discuss your options. Please don’t guess when it comes to your commercial insurance coverage because it can lead to losses associated with business risk. Our team at Armadillo Insurance Agency looks forward to working with you.

Tenant Vandalism and Property Damage: How Insurance Responds

Landlords in the Austin, TX region often face the unfortunate reality of tenant-related property damage, whether due to vandalism, negligence, or accidents. Understanding how landlord insurance addresses these situations is crucial for protecting investments and minimizing financial losses. 

Coverage for Tenant-Related Damages

Landlord insurance, also known as rental property insurance, offers protection against various risks, including damages caused by tenants. This coverage typically includes vandalism, intentional or accidental property damage, and even loss of rental income due to property unavailability.

Documenting the Damage

In the event of tenant-related damage, documenting the property’s condition before and after the incident is vital. Thorough photographs and written descriptions can be valuable evidence when filing an insurance claim. 

Filing an Insurance Claim

When filing, provide the insurance company with a detailed account of the incident and the supporting documentation gathered. A claims adjuster will assess the damage and determine the coverage.

Investigating the Claim

The claims adjuster’s role is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the damage and assess the cost of repairs or replacements. They will work with you to align with the terms and conditions of the policy.

Coverage Limitations and Deductibles

It’s important to note that coverage limitations and deductibles may apply to tenant-related damages. Review your insurance policy to understand the extent of coverage and any financial responsibilities you may have in the event of a claim.

Negligence and Liability Considerations

In cases of negligence by tenants that lead to property damage, landlord insurance may still provide coverage. However, coverage might depend on the specific circumstances and whether the injury resulted from deliberate action or unintentional negligence.

Armadillo Insurance Agency Can Help You

At Armadillo Insurance Agency, we can answer all your questions concerning landlord insurance. We assist the Austin, TX region. Contact us today.

Making your home a safer place to live

Risks are all around and making your home a safer place has never been more important. Safety in the home involves many things both outside your home and inside. Armadillo Insurance Agency in Austin, TX offers customized and personalized customer service. As an independent insurance agency, we also offer more choices from a variety of top carriers. 

Add a home security system

There has never been a better or easier time to add a home security system to your home. Many of them are DIY and can be done in just a matter of minutes. They are also very affordable, and you can opt for monitoring, or you can monitor your home with your cell phone.  

Use your window and door locks

Your home comes with locks on the doors and windows. They don’t do you much good unless you use them religiously. You should have a bar lock for your slider as well. If you must have an open window, make sure it can’t be opened more than a thin crack that won’t allow someone to climb through. 

Install motion detector lights

With motion detector lights, you will be able to view anyone who approaches your home, and you will also have light when you enter your home. It is a win, win. 

Keep shrubbery away from your house

When you have shrubbery growing close to your home or foundation, you are creating a place for someone to hide. It is safer to keep all areas close to your home free from anything that keeps you from being able to see the area clearly. The more you see, the safer you are. 

We Can Help!

Contact Armadillo Insurance Agency in Austin, TX for all of your home insurance needs. Give our office a call today!

Do I need to get a flood insurance plan in Texas?

Those that are living in the Austin, TX area will have various insurance needs. For a property owner, one type of insurance that should be considered is getting a flood insurance plan. This is a unique type of coverage that helps to mitigate the costs if your home is damaged by a flood. There are various great reasons to maintain a flood insurance plan. 

Meet Insurance Obligations

One of the reasons you may need to get a flood insurance plan is so you can meet the insurance obligations set by your lender or home association. If you have taken out a loan or are part of an association, you will need to meet their insurance standards. If you are in a flood zone, this will often require you to carry flood coverage. With a full flood insurance plan, you will be in good standing with this requirement. 

Protect Property

Even if you have no such requirements, it is still a good idea to get a flood insurance plan. When you do have this coverage, it will give support if your property is damaged in a flood. If you do not have this insurance, you will have to pay for the costs out of pocket. As they can be quite significant, having this insurance if you are at risk of a flood is very prudent. 

Armadillo Insurance Agency Is Here To Help

There are plenty of situations when someone in the Austin, TX area will need to have a proper flood insurance plan. When you are ready to start looking for coverage in this area, it would be a great idea to call our team with the Armadillo Insurance Agency. If you are shopping for coverage, our team can help you evaluate your situation to determine your coverage needs and give the guidance necessary to build a new policy.