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Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies, Inc

6305 Preston Road #1000
Plano, TX 75024

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Buying a Home in Plano, TX

According to Zillow, the Plano, TX housing market is hot right now – and not because of the weather.  The average home price is $314,900, and the housing market, in general, is considered very healthy with a score of ten out of ten. This is a good time to upgrade to the house of your dreams by selling an existing property, moving to the area and purchasing a home, or simply making the transition from renting to owing in Plano, TX.

Reasons to Live in Plano, TX

According to Texas Five Star Realty, Plano is a great place to live.  In 2013, Plano was ranked as the best place to live in the US by Area Vibes.  And it was ranked the best place to live in the Western United States by CNNMoney Magazine for the years 2005, 2006, 2011.  The other years, Plano has been letting some other cities have a turn at number one, but for residents of this Lonestar city, it will always be numero uno.  What else makes Plano a great place to live is that is it one of the safest places to live in the United States.  It has an AAA credit score and has been considered one of the best housing markets in the country since 2012.

Homeowner’s Insurance from Paragon Independent Insurance Agency

If you plan on investing in real estate in Plano or are looking to save money on an existing homeowner’s policy, Paragon Independent Insurance Agency can assist you.  Our highly trained professional insurance agents know how to help you choose the right policy for your Plano property at a reasonable price. Call us today at 972-473-4813 to speak with an agent.

Auto Insurance Coverage Texas

In the Lone Star State, auto liability insurance is the minimum indemnity that a driver can carry on a vehicle. Texas State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that all insurance companies and their customers register their agreements with the department. Auto insurance registration with the DMV evidence “financial responsibility”, or the duty of a driver to compensatory damages in the case of an ‘at-fault’ accident.

Auto Insurance in Texas

Texas is a ‘fault’ state where auto accident insurance agreements are concerned. When involved in an auto accident, the responsible party in the collision must pay for injury to another person or property damage should it occur. Liability insurance provides minimum compensation on medical and hospital bills, as well as lost wages and ongoing costs associated with injury rehabilitation to a victim. Texas law provides that auto liability insurance policies meet the minimum mandated coverage amounts of $30,000 for injuries to a single person, $60,000 for injuries to multiple injury parties, and $25,000 for vehicle or property damage.

Comprehensive Collision Coverage

Vehicle owners were owing installment agreement payments on an auto loan are required to back those contracts with comprehensive collision auto insurance coverage. Damages caused by auto accident, or resulting from natural disasters or theft and vandalism, are covered in a collision insurance policy. Comprehensive insurance covers the full value of a vehicle so that a car can be repaired or replaced.

Supplemental Insurance Agreements

Texas drivers also have supplemental coverage products available to them. Personal injury car insurance protection (PIP) plans offer cover the full cost of a driver and passenger expenses in the event of an accident. Uninsured or underinsured motorist supplements protect an insured victim in a hit-and-run accident.

For auto insurance coverage in Texas, contact a licensed insurance broker with Paragon Independent Insurance Agency in Plano, TX.

Common Home Insurance Concerns

Home insurance is something that can be a great boon for anyone dealing with damage from natural disaster, theft, or other issues but many people have no idea what type of coverage they need. Each geographical location has different concerns when it comes to what type of insurance you need. For those in Plano, TX for instance, flood insurance is not likely to be something you would need.

One very common concern for home insurance is what coverage do you really need and what coverage can you do without. As a general rule, most basic home insurance policies cover things like fire, break-ins, and other damage that is associated by what agencies deem “acts of God” or events that could not have been prevented like a tree falling on your home as the result of a wind storm or your home being flattened by a tornado.

This type of insurance policy is going to cover the basics and is going to keep you safe. Other things that a basic policy might cover that you could be concerned about  are things like people being injured on your property and helping to cover their medical bills. Again, most policies are going to cover a certain monetary value to help with bills.

Some other concerns you might have are is your coverage enough. The best way to remedy this issue is to talk with your agent to see what type of policy you may need and to have your home properly valued so that you can rebuild should you choose to in the case of a disaster. Your home insurance is in place to help protect your home and your own finances in the case of the destruction of your home. Taking into consideration your geographic location, like those in Plano, TX can help you determine what coverage you need.

Does Your Teen Driver Have an Accident Kit in the Trunk?

You did it! You have successfully raised a child in Plano, TX to the point they earned their driver’s license! While you are confident they are using their turn signals and seatbelts, are they really prepared to handle an accident that happens on a rural road far from assistance? Paragon Independent Insurance Agency offers up this handy list to create an accident kit and ensure your child is really ready to hit the highway without you.

  • Spare Tire or Fix-a-flat Kit: Even new cars can suffer a flat tire anywhere at anytime. Take the time to change a tire with your child, showing them how to jack up the car and use the lug wrench. Perhaps they only have a can of fix-a-flat. It still helps to know what to do before they are broke down on the edge of the interstate.
  • Collapsible Shovel:  Even a small shovel can help them dig free from a ditch or muddy bog, empowering them to help themselves.
  • Roadside Assistance Card: Having a phone number pre-programmed into their cell phone with the card left in the glove box ensures they can get a jump or a tow in the middle of the night without wondering what to do or who to turn to.
  • Flashlight/Flares: Help them stay visible even if the hazards might not be working.
  • Insurance Car and Camera: In case of an accident, make sure they have their contact information in the vehicle. Also encourage them to take pics with their phone or digital camera to document damage without relying on law enforcement to make the right call.

Paragon Independent Insurance Agency looks forward to helping your family provide all the protection your new teen driver needs when tackling the busy roads of Plano, TX.

The Benefits of Increasing Your Auto Insurance Limits

In 2010, the Insurance Research Council reported that the average costs to cover drivers and others in an accident was $23,450. Although this number may fall within your car insurance coverage limits, it may not if you have multiple drivers who are prone to accidents each year. With the potential for more accidents, you could exceed your car insurance limits in no time. Fortunately, you can increase your car insurance limits in Plano, TX to avoid paying for insurance costs out of pocket.

What Are Insurance Limits?

Insurance limits are caps placed on all types of coverage you have on your car insurance policy. These limits place a maximum dollar amount on how much your insurance coverage will pay when you are in a car accident or damage another person’s property.

Increased Limits Means More Coverage

When you increase your limits, you increase your coverage. For instance, if you get into an at-fault accident with someone driving a Rolls-Royce or other luxury vehicle, odds are, the cost to fix or replace the vehicle will approach or exceed the limits found in basic coverage. However, with increased limits, your auto insurance company, like our team at Paragon Independent Insurance Agency in Plano, TX will likely help you cover the increased costs to repair the vehicle.

You Have Peace of Mind with Increased Limits

Increased limits give you peace of mind. Driving down the road seems much easier when you know you are backed by the financial protection of your auto insurance company. You don’t have to worry about spending your nest egg because you have the coverage you need in case you are in an accident.

At Paragon Independent Insurance Agency, we are our customer’s financial partners when it comes to auto insurance. If you need more coverage or you don’t have auto insurance coverage, we are happy to help you get the coverage you need to drive with the peace of mind knowing you are covered by a reputable insurance company.

 

 

Will Adding an Extra Bathroom Add Value to Your Home?

Buying a home is one of the smartest investment choices you can ever make. From having a roof over your head that you can call your own to knowing you can sell the home and possibly make money on it, there are many reasons to invest your money in a home purchase. Many people buy a home with the sole intention of being able to sell it one day and make money on it or to use it as a form of collateral to take out a loan. No matter your reason for purchasing a home, it is imperative that you be aware of ways to increase its value. One such way is by adding on an extra bathroom. Here is a close look at two reasons adding a bathroom onto your house can add to its overall value. 

Reason #1: It adds living space to your home

First of all, the larger the home, the more the living space, the more value it will have. Adding on a bathroom to your home is one of the simplest ways to add value to it. And thankfully, bathrooms tend to not be extremely large rooms in a home, making them rather inexpensive to add on. 

Reason #2: It adds convenience to the home

Another reason that adding on a bathroom to your home will add to its value is because it gives the house more convenience. Whether it be residents of the home or guests, having an extra bathroom can be of the utmost value, especially if there is only one other bathroom in the house. 

To learn more about adding value to your home and about home insurance, contact Paragon Independent Insurance Agency serving the Plano, TX area. 

Why You May Need Better Auto Insurance Coverage in Plano

Just like life, auto insurance seems to come with a never-ending array of options. Sometimes people think of the extras as nothing but a way for insurance companies to make more money, but the truth is that better coverage is more often worth it than not. Paragon Independent Insurance Agency wants you to know more about why you should consider strengthening your coverage. 

Accidents Are Expensive 

Let’s say you’re carrying around some expensive photography equipment when you accidentally hit a car in another lane. You have custom rims on your car and your equipment is damaged in the crash. The other person claims they have whiplash, and the side of their car is fairly smashed up. All of these bills for repairs will add up quickly, not to mention the loss of the equipment you’re carrying. If you only have the minimum, you would be required by law to pay any extra damage costs. Extended auto coverage will not only help cover the other person, but it can also stop you from having to make extremely expensive replacements yourself.  

You May Not Have the Right Partner 

Paragon Independent Insurance Agency serves the people of Plano, TX and does not want them to feel blindsided should something happen to their car, either on the road or off. Liability won’t cover any repairs to your own car if you’re in an accident, nor will it help you if it’s stolen. Before you put yourself in that situation, consider calling us to talk about how you can get better coverage in case something happens. If you’re in Plano, TX you owe it to yourself to protect what you have. Contact us for more information, or to get a quote for your vehicle. 

Fall Preparation for Winter

Fall is a terrific time to do some routine maintenance and yard work to get ready for the winter season. It is always nice to start early before the pressures of the holidays begin. As part of your fall checklist, be sure to ask your insurance agent at Paragon Independent Insurance Agency to review home insurance for adequate coverage.

Fall Checklist:

  • Change the Furnace Filter – Using a HEPA filter is best. The filter needs cleaning and/or changing once per month during winter for the most efficient furnace operations that save money on energy bills.
  • Air-Conditioning Units – Drain any water, clean, and store any window units or cover them. Drain water, clean, and cover external central air-conditioning units.
  • Irrigation Systems – Turn off the water supply and drain irrigation systems. Drain garden hoses and put them in storage.
  • Reverse the Direction of Ceiling Fans – Switching the spin direction of any ceiling fans to a clockwise direction brings the warm air down from the ceiling to make the room warmer.
  • Block Drafts – Check weather stripping and use caulking around windows and doors to prevent heat loss from leaks.
  • Insulate Pipes – Make sure all water pipes have proper insulation to avoid damage from water freezing in them.
  • Air Ducts – Have them professionally cleaned and checked for any leaks that cause heat loss.
  • Landscaping – Trim bushes and trees, especially ones that are near the home to prevent damage to the house from falling branches during storms.
  • Storm Windows – Use storm windows to protect from damage during any high winds or thunderstorms.
  • Lightning Rod – Install a lightning rod to attract lightning strikes away from hitting the home during thunderstorms.
  • Emergency Preparedness – Check smoke alarms. Have an emergency kit ready and refilled with any items needed.

This fall checklist will help you get your home ready for winter, so you can have a safe, enjoyable holiday season.

Hail Storm Damage and Car Coverage

Hail damage in some parts of the country can be as regular as the risk of tornadoes. And anything that happens to be outside is going to be marked with the passing of hail, especially if the storm produced sizable ice chunks in the process. Numerous folks can remember big storms, when entire farm fields were knocked down, holes in roofs, and smashed out vehicle windows.

Plano, TX is no exception to hard storms and hail. Like a good part of Texas, the area sees its share of weather and big storms. Car policies in the region can cover the issue if the right policy is chosen ahead of time when a car owner secures coverage. And that’s where some folks find themselves in a surprise after the storm has passed, realizing they took out the wrong policy for the damage that has occurred with ice falling. Car damage isn’t cheap, and a good size hail ball can do some serious dents or window damage with the right angle and hit on a car parked outside.

For those in the Plano, TX region, Paragon Independent Insurance Agency can help quite a bit. Their agents are trained and versed in all the different types of auto coverage policies available for the area. More importantly, they can parse and clear up the confusion between specific terms, what coverage actually means, and what would happen specifically during a hail storm with a given coverage plan. There’s no reason for people to play a guessing game with mother nature. Giving Paragon a call can mean peace of mind and elimination of wondering "what if" before the next winter season and round of storms blow in.

 

How do Homeowners Associations Impact Home Insurance?

Residents in Plano, TX often live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association. These associations often provide important functions, such as managing maintenance costs of pools and golf courses in addition to keeping the neighborhood streets and greenery areas in pristine condition. On the other hand, these associations can also be headaches when it comes to maintaining a house or keeping up with dues. How does the presence of a homeowners association impact potential home insurance rates? These details are important to understand. Paragon Insurance has some of these details below.

The first step to deciding how home insurance is impacted by a homeowners association is to consider the type of insurance the homeowners association provides. When people pay their dues, they frequently also gain some coverage under the homeowners association. Ask the association for the by-laws that give key details as to what is covered by the insurance policy. Therefore, a homeowners association insurance impacts home insurance by covering some portions of the home up front. Find the gaps that need to be covered by the additional home insurance policy and don’t have redundant coverage.

Once the gaps have been protected, it is time to start shopping. Common gaps in homeowners association insurance include personal belongings. These include furniture and electronics that are expensive and should be covered. Identify the gaps in dwelling coverage that need to be covered under that additional home insurance policy. Homeowners associations heavily impact the way that people shop for home insurance.

Overall, homeowners associations should cover some home insurance in their by-laws and dues up front. This means that residents should ultimately end up paying less for a private home insurance policy. This cost between this additional policy and the homeowners association policy usually end up being comparable to the cost of covering a home entirely without a homeowners association.

For people in Plano, TX thinking of purchasing a home, consider how the presence of a homeowners association will change the home insurance rates. Contact Paragon Insurance with any questions today.

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