A family was referred to me last year to review their policies. They had home insurance policies on two homes, car insurance for all their vehicles, and an umbrella policy. Everything was straight forward with one exception: the second home. It was originally a barn that had been converted to a home.
Some people dream of having a home in the country; a place to slow down, smell the air, and escape the busyness of life in the big city. Providing home insurance for someone’s dream in the Texas countryside can present some interesting challenges. Such was the case last week.
The Texas Legislature wrapped up their business earlier this year with 4 new laws all Texas drivers need to know about. The laws are intended to save lives and make our road ways safer for drivers and our kids. All of them went into effect on September 1.
Growing up, my dad would look at me and with his best imitation of W.C. Fields say, “Close but no cigar kid!” when I’d almost get the point but be just a little off on what I was saying. I was reminded of his doing that with my ongoing search for affordable health insurance through the federal exchange. I’m closer to the answers I’ve been seeking but I haven’t been awarded a cigar yet.
The people affected by the recent Colorado floods have begun the process of rebuilding their lives as the water recedes from their homes, farms, and businesses. Many were stunned to learn their losses aren’t covered by their home owner’s policy and are wrestling with the financial implications of that news. Most people don’t know that no home insurance policy cover’s flood damage, only a flood policy does that.
There are 4 plans that will be offered under the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment will begin on Tuesday, October 1 however pricing was released on Wednesday, September 25. So this is a good time to compare pricing, especially if you’re self-employed or pay for an individual policy through Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.
The Texas Department of Insurance recently released a report detailing the number of people driving without coverage. The good news is the number of Texans driving without car insurance is still lower than it was a few years ago when it was over 20% of all Dallas drivers. The current figures show 1 in 6 people on Dallas roadways don’t have car insurance and this number is even higher than it was last year.
Last Monday I introduced David and Deb (not their real names). They’re a couple who just purchased a home in east Dallas they plan to completely renovate. The home was originally built in 1962 and has never been updated. They’ll gut it and bring it up to date in a contemporary style befitting the original vision the architect had when it was first built.
Did you catch the story last week about the toddler who bought a car on eBay with her dad’s smart phone? Sorella Stoute, a 14 month girl in Portland, Oregon, was playing with her dad’s smart phone. She opened the eBay app on dad’s phone and submitted the winning bid on a 1962 Austin Healey.
You’ve been watching HGTV and pouring through copies of This Old House Magazine and you’ve become inspired on what you want to do with your home. Or maybe, you’ve found the perfect home to buy that matches the vision you have for it and nobody else can see past the dated kitchen, bathrooms, and flooring. Congratulations! I can’t say I have that gift and am amazed to see what friends and clients have done with a home that looked one way and made it uniquely theirs.
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