EIA Newsletter – Fall is Finally Here!

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

Our team and families are grateful for the nice, cooler weather. Read on to learn more about Home and Auto rate increases, meet our two newest team members, and our latest Commercial Spotlight!

Understanding Home and Auto Rate Increases

Thanks to Travelers Insurance, we wanted to share two visuals to help you understand why we’ve seen rate increases in Home and Auto insurance.

We hope these visuals can help you understand some of the reasons for rate increases. If you have any questions about your policy/policies, please feel free to call your agent! We are here to help.

Welcome to the team!

We are excited to expand our team to create a better experience for our clients. Please welcome Yvonne and Mary Lou!

Yvonne joins our commercial team as a Commercial Account Manager. Check out her proudest moment and what she does to stay “zen” by clicking HERE!

Mary Lou came on as a Client Service and Sales Consultant for our Personal Lines team. She has been in the business for 20+ years and loves the outdoors! Find out more about MaryLou by clicking HERE!

Commercial Spotlight

Our most recent Commercial Spotlight was Statesman Hair Restoration and Aesthetics. They specialize in hair transplant right here in San Antonio. Their microscopic analysis lets them see underneath the scalp to determine the root of the problem. Hair loss can be caused for many reasons, so if you or anyone you know are experiencing hair loss or thinning, Statesman offers FREE consults. You can visit their website by clicking HERE.

Referral Winners – July and August

Did you know that for every referral you send to us, your name is entered in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card for that month? Yes! It’s true! We are so thankful for our clients and appreciate your referrals and reviews. Had a good experience? Let us know! Thank you to our 2023 July and August client referral winners:

  • Laura Guerrero-Redman
  • David Dullnig

EIA Thanks you for your trust and support. We love our clients!

Have you had a great experience? Feel free to leave us a Google review!

On the Front Lines: How Auto Insurance Supports Emergency Services

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Emergency services in and around San Antonio, TX, including police, fire, and medical response teams, are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to serve their communities, often responding to life-threatening situations and emergencies. However, their critical work comes with unique challenges, one of which is reliance on vehicles for rapid response. Auto insurance supports emergency services and ensures their operations run smoothly.

The Importance of Auto Insurance for Emergency Services

Emergency services heavily rely on vehicles to respond quickly to incidents. Whether it’s a police cruiser, a firetruck, or an ambulance, these vehicles are essential to their work. Auto insurance for emergency services provides:

1. Vehicle Replacement: In the event of an accident or damage to a vehicle, auto insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement. This ensures emergency services can maintain their fleet’s readiness and respond to calls immediately.

2. Liability Protection: Liability coverage protects emergency service personnel and their organizations from potential lawsuits in the event of an accident while on duty. This safeguard allows emergency services to focus on their critical work without the burden of legal and financial consequences.

3. Personal Injury Coverage: Auto insurance covers personal injuries sustained by emergency service personnel while on duty. It ensures that medical expenses and rehabilitation costs are handled, allowing first responders to recover and return to service as soon as possible.

4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage safeguards emergency service vehicles and personnel if involved in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. It ensures that medical care and vehicle repair costs are covered, even when the responsible party lacks adequate insurance.

Ellis Insurance Agency Can Help You

At Ellis Insurance Agency, we can help answer questions concerning auto insurance. We serve the San Antonio, TX area. Contact us today. 

Renters Insurance for Gamers: Protecting Your Setup

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Are you a passionate gamer who has invested countless hours and hard-earned money into building the ultimate gaming setup? Whether you’re a console enthusiast, a PC gamer, or even a retro collector, your gaming equipment is more than just a hobby; it’s an integral part of your life.

But have you ever considered how vulnerable your gaming gear is to unexpected events like theft, fire, or accidents? That’s where renters insurance comes into play, and here at Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX, we want to help you protect your gaming setup. 

Renters Insurance for Gamers

Renters insurance isn’t just about covering your living space; it’s also about safeguarding your personal property. Your gaming equipment – consoles, gaming PCs, monitors, controllers, and game collections – all qualify as personal property. In the event of a covered loss, renters insurance can help you recover the cost of repairing or replacing your gaming gear.

Renters (and gamers) are often surprised to find that renters insurance is surprisingly affordable. For just a small monthly premium, you get peace of mind knowing that your gaming setup is protected. Plus, you’ll have coverage for your other personal belongings and liability protection, which can be crucial in case someone gets injured in your rental space.

Consult With Us

In the world of gaming, where your setup represents years of dedication, renters insurance is a smart investment. Don’t leave your gaming gear vulnerable; contact Ellis Insurance Agency in San Antonio, TX today, and let us help you choose the right renters insurance policy to safeguard your gaming kingdom. With the right coverage, you can game with the confidence that your setup is secure no matter what life throws your way.

Does “Full-time” RV Insurance Apply To You?

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It does if you plan to or actually live in your San Antonio, TX RV three-quarters of a year to full-time. You need full-time RV insurance if you travel in your vehicle rather than parking it. In fact, 150 nights constitute a full-time residence parked or moving.

There isn’t a huge difference between part-time and full-time coverage. Even if you live in your RV, you’re technically not "vacationing," so you don’t need vacation liability coverage. However, getting an RV insurance policy would be a good idea, and Ellis Insurance Agency will show you why.

How An RV Differs From A Home

Your home insurance covers the structure’s contents in case of an emergency. RV insurance doesn’t. Full-timers RV insurance will pay for damages in the area on someone else’s property in which your vehicle is parked. This is called loss assessment coverage and differs completely from home insurance. 

You’ll need full collision, comprehensive, and liability in addition to covering the contents. All this will pay for damages you cause in an accident including medical. 

What To Look For In Full-Timers RV Coverage

San Antonio, TX RVers need to recognize that if they’re living in their vehicle, then part-time or vacation RV insurance won’t apply. Also important are:

    • Medical coverage and mandatory personal liability coverage are very important.

    • Emergency expenses cover the cost of food and hotels if you’ve filed a claim for covered emergencies in excess of 100 miles from home.

    • Roadside assistance comes in handy if your vehicle breaks down or for some other reason requires towing. 

    • Coverage exists for RV accessories such as a TV antenna, satellite dish, awning covers, and more.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

Living in your RV is fun and adventurous. Protect those adventures by calling or dropping by Ellis Insurance Agency to learn more about full-time RV insurance.

Why Motorcyclists Love Texas

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Whether as a fuel-efficient way to cover ground in our large state or as a lifestyle, motorcycle riding is extremely popular in the Lone Star State. At Ellis Insurance Agency, our San Antonio, TX motorcycle insurance clients appreciate our passion for the activity. But what exactly makes riding in Texas so enjoyable? The answers are all around us.

Why Motorcyclists Love Texas

Interesting and Scenic Roadways

Texas is filled with places to venture out for a weekend or a week. There’s the Big Bend Region, Hill Country, Twisted Sisters, and a range of sprawling cities and interesting small towns.

Expansive Open Roads

Sometimes it is nice just to hit the open highway, and few states offer more expansive roads than Texas. Whether traveling in a pack, with that special someone, or solo, you can get away from it all in Texas.

Motorcycling-Friendly Weather

For the most part, you can enjoy riding a motorcycle for more months in Texas. This adds value to riding in the state.

A Vibrant Biking Community

It is easy to join a fun run or charity ride on just about any weekend. There are plenty of places where Texas bikers can gather and enjoy the activity and fellowship together.

Rider-Friendly Laws

Texas is considered biker-friendly, with no specific laws against lane-splitting and lenient helmet laws. As long as bikers respect other drivers and the rules of the road, they should have no problems enjoying their two-wheel adventures.

Ready To Begin Your Texas Adventure? Get Motorcycle Insurance Today!

If you own or are considering purchasing a motorcycle in the San Antonio, TX area, Ellis Insurance Agency can help with the appropriate coverage for your bike. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote. We look forward to assisting you.

EIA Newsletter – June/July 2023

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

We officially made it to Summer! (Although, here in Texas, it’s felt like Summer for a couple months)

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? Read on to understand home replacement costs, meet June’s Commercial Spotlight and our referral program winners!

Understanding Home Replacement Costs

Home insurance is based on the cost to rebuild and replace your home, not its market value.
While market value is the amount your home is worth on the housing market, your home insurance coverage limit is based on the estimated cost to rebuild your home: the cost to repair, rebuild or replace what you had before, using materials of similar type and quality.

  • What is replacement cost?
    Replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair, replace, or rebuild your home at current prices of construction materials and labor. When you insure your home for its estimated replacement cost, you help to ensure you have the coverage you need to repair or rebuild if it is damaged by a covered loss.
  • What is market value?
    Market value is the amount your home is worth on the housing market.
  • Why is the coverage limit of my home higher or lower than the home’s market value?
    Your home insurance amounts are based on its estimated replacement cost, or the cost to rebuild. Not the amount it would sell for on the housing market.
  • Why are many policyholders seeing increases in their coverage limits in 2022?
    Coverage limits need to keep up with rising inflation. This is an industry-wide issue. Many factors are considered when estimating your coverage – one of these factors is reconstruction costs. Reconstruction costs have risen steadily since our last assessment.

*Visual and information provided by Traveler’s Insurance

June Commercial Spotlight

Our June commercial spotlight was Texas D-Willie’s Smokehouse! DeeWillie’s BBQ has been serving the San Antonio and surrounding areas for the last 3 years. Be sure to check out San’s Antonio’s “BEST” BBQ and country breakfast at all of their locations!

Meet Drake!

Drake is part of our awesome Data Support team! We have thoroughly enjoyed having him join our team as well as the amazing support he brings to EIA!

Learn more about him by visiting our Meet Our Team page!

April/May EIA Referral Winners

Did you know that for every referral you send to us, your name is entered in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card for that month? Yes! It’s true! We are so thankful for our clients and appreciate your referrals and reviews. Had a good experience? Let us know! Thank you to our 2023 April and May client referral winners:

  • Irma Rodriguez
  • Bradley Evans

We appreciate you being part of our EIA family and will always strive to give you the best service!

The Positives of Boat Insurance

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There are positives to getting boat insurance in San Antonio, TX and other locations throughout Texas. Few states in the US require boat owners to have boat insurance, but Texas is not one of those states. The option, however, is available to boat owners as it has many beneficial factors. 

The primary benefits cover the repairs or replacement if something happens to the boat. It all depends on what is underwritten within the policy.

The Various Benefits

Any damages covered in the policy of boat insurance can call the boat a total loss if the damages exceed the boat’s value. The entire book value of the boat may be compensated when filing a claim minus the deductible. That payment can go towards getting a new boat.

Other benefits can pay for repairs on the boat if something breaks or is damaged. The insurance company considers the book value, and the balance after the deductible goes to the repair payment. The third benefit that the underwriters may have in a clause is to pay the total agreed-upon capped value at the time of the insurance purchase. Likewise, this may cover either the repair or replacement of the boat. 

Let Ellis Insurance Agency Assist You

The positives come with knowing that the boat is covered if damage or an accident happens. Owning a boat is a favored luxury for boating and fishing. When something happens, and it stops you from these hobbies, you want to know that you can get back out on the water as soon as possible. 

Here at Ellis Insurance Agency, we create an environment filled with knowledge to assist you in getting the proper coverage in San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas. Once we know the book value of the boat, we can take it from there. Contact us today!  

When does umbrella insurance kick in?

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Umbrella insurance from Ellis Insurance Agency is a type of extra liability coverage that can provide additional protection when your existing auto or home insurance policies here in the San Antonio, TX area don’t cover the full extent of a liability claim.

When does umbrella insurance kick in?

It can kick in when the amount you are liable for exceeds the limits of your existing insurance policies, protecting you from potential financial ruin. 

It’s important to remember that umbrella insurance does not replace any other policies you may have. It’s designed to supplement and extend the limits of your existing auto, home, and other liability policies, helping you protect yourself from claims that exceed those limits. 

When it comes to knowing when umbrella insurance kicks in, there isn’t a single answer since it depends on various factors such as the policy limits of your existing coverage and claims made against you. Generally speaking, if there is a claim made against you resulting in damages greater than what your existing policies cover, umbrella insurance will cover any remaining costs up to its limit. 

Umbrella insurance can be an essential layer of additional protection for those who need more coverage than their existing policy provides. However, it’s important to speak with an experienced and licensed insurance agent who can help you determine what type and how much umbrella coverage is right for you.

Reach Out To Us

For more information or to find a policy that is right for you, give us at Ellis Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the San Antonio, TX area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets both your needs and your budget. So call us today!

Insurance Audit

Posted on by Ashley Ellis

Receiving a notice of an audit can sometimes cause a business owner stress; although, that’s not the intention. An audit is performed to ensure you have the appropriate premium for your exposure, or the thing for which you have insurance. Your initial deposit premium was based on your best estimate of the auditable exposure (payroll, sales, etc.). Insurance companies use a Premium Auditor at the end of the policy period to compare the “actual” auditable exposure against your “estimated” amount.

What is an Insurance Audit?

An insurance audit examines your business’ payroll or gross annual sales and risk exposure. An audit makes sure you’re paying the correct amount for insurance.

What happens in an Insurance Audit?

The word “audit” may sound stressful, but don’t panic. At the beginning of the year, you pay a certain amount for coverage. If you’re asked to go through an audit at the end of the year, an auditor, hired from the insurance company, reviews your business’ payroll and other documents to determine if the premium you paid was accurate.

An audit looks at some or the following:

  • Your business’ gross annual sales
  • Job duties of employees and independent contractors
  • Changes from the prior year
  • Your annual payroll to W2 and 1099 workers

Depending on the audit results, you could have additional premium due because you needed more coverage, so you’ll have to pay the difference.

Preparing for a Premium Audit

Having the necessary documents and information can make for a smooth audit. Some documents you may need include:

  • Payroll (for your W2 and 1099 workers)
  • Certificates of insurance (for your 1099 workers or a waiver signed from them)
  • Tax documents
  • Subcontractor or independent contractor documents

Do I have to do an Insurance Audit?

Insurance companies may perform an insurance audit at the end of the year for:

  • General liability insurance
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Commercial property insurance

If you’re notified of an insurance audit it’s important to send your insurance company any documents or information they ask for. Completing an insurance audit, or any type of insurance audit ensures you’re paying for the right amount for coverage.

Be aware that if you don’t complete an insurance audit, your insurer can:

  • Charge a premium increase. In some cases, this can be a significant amount.
  • Cancel your policy, leaving you without coverage.
  • Report you to a collection agency if there’s a balance due on your premium and you don’t pay it.

Learn More About Audits and Coverage

Choosing the right policy and coverages is important and can help you run a successful business.  Insurance is backed by years of experience and know every business owner has unique needs. Our specialists are here to help you every step of the way. So, if you need help completing an insurance audit or have any other questions, we’ve got your back.