Month: May 2018

Winter is finally at an end, and the warm air of spring is in the air.  Spring is here in the Plano, TX area, and it’s time to do those spring maintenance chores.  Here are 5 tips to help get you going on your home’s maintenance.

• Examine your roof shingles for any damage over the winter.  Look for shingles that are cracked, loose, buckled, or missing granules because they will need to be replaced.  Check the flashing around skylights, chimneys, and plumbing vents.
• Test the wood trim around the outside of windows, railings, doors, and decks with a screwdriver or other similar tool for damage or rotting and repair any areas before the spring rains lead to more damage.
• Clean the rain gutters of debris from the winter and check for leaks or damage that can prevent proper drainage. Make sure drain spouts are clean and direct water away from the home’s foundation.
• Check the chimney’s exterior for any signs of visible damage and have the flue cleaned.  It’s best to it inspected by a certified chimney sweep to ensure proper working order and storage for the warm months ahead.
• Check the outside water faucets to make sure there was no freeze damage.  By turning the water on and putting a thumb or finger over the opening to check the water flow.  If you can stop the water flow, it’s likely that a pipe is damaged inside the home.  Check your water hoses for dry rot before connecting them for use.

Paragon Independent Insurance Agency

Paragon Independent Insurance Agency has been providing insurance in the Plano, TX area for over 23 years.  The Paragon Independent Insurance Agency agents care about your home and want to help make sure your home is adequately covered.  Contact a Paragon Independent Insurance Agency agent today to get started.

There are many things that can affect home insurance costs, but one of the main things that is important to speak with an agent at Paragon Independent Insurance Agency serving Plano, TX about is having a pool.

Typically, your home insurance will cover your in-ground pool, but there will be a fee added to your premium. It’s important to know if your homeowner policy considers the pool part of the home itself or if it’s part of any extraneous structures like a tool shed. It will either affect replacement cost value or your personal property limit, depending on what category it is in. Usually, in-ground pools aren’t damaged and claims aren’t common.

Above ground pools are usually considered personal property because they are considered portable. These are more susceptible to damage, so speak with your agent about how much is covered and if you would need to purchase additional coverage.

Having a pool affects your liability protection. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance,” and the owner of the pool is responsible, whether or not others had permission to use the pool. Standard amounts of liability protection may not be enough, and many agents recommend that those with a pool purchase as much as $500,000 of coverage. If someone were to drown in your pool, a lawsuit could definitely exceed the normal $100,000 of protection. You can either increase your liability or have a separate umbrella policy.

If your pool has a slide or diving board, they may be excluded from the policy because these pose a great risk for injury and more medical expenses. It’s necessary to keep up with the maintenance of the pool. If the damage is due to neglect, you may be denied coverage.

Contact an agent at Paragon Independent Insurance Agency serving Plano, TX to get a quote on homeowner’s insurance.