Archive for the ‘Texas Personal Property Insurance’ Category

Graduation is here! That means it’s time for students to move – and lots of new renters will be entering the market.

But while their graduation shows they’ve learned a lot, a recent survey proves most people know very little about Renters insurance.

For example, six of 10 U.S. adults who rent a house or apartment don’t have renter’s insurance, and of those uninsured:

• 57% think they don’t need it because their apartment has decent security,
• 48% believe their landlord’s insurance will cover their belongings, and
• 21% assumed it would cost $1,000 or more each year.

Agents can make the difference here. Educate your clients on the availability, need and affordability of Renters insurance. With policies averaging under $200 per year and coverage options like:

• Replacement Cost on Contents,
• Contents Coverage Limits up to $50,000,
• Liability Coverage Limits up to $300,000,
• Medical Payments Limits up to $2,000, and
• Theft Coverage

There really is no reason for your clients to be caught unprotected.

(The telephone survey of 1,004 adults was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from Feb. 7-10, 2013.)

Global management consulting firm Accenture recently released the results of a survey of US auto and home insurance buyers. The study included over 2,036 responses from a representative sample of home insurance purchasers, and the results are good news for agents:

• Seventy-six percent of consumers express a preference for setting up and paying for their auto and home insurance policies in person with an agent.
• Fifty-two percent of consumers prefer to obtain a quote either over the phone or in person.

Other important findings include:

• Twenty-six percent of survey respondents planned to at least consider an alternative at their net renewal.
• Fifty-four percent of customers realize that there are meaningful differences between different companies’ policies.
• Thirty-eight percent of consumers are willing to pay for personalized insurance advice – and of those, fifty-six percent are willing to pay at least ten percent more.

The study also found these preferences held solid across all age groups. As Accenture managing director Erik J. Sandquist said, “Our survey reveals that many young consumers desire personalized advice and are willing to pay more for it – and a significant percentage prefers to obtain their quotes face-to-face.”

So even after billions of advertising dollars have been spent trying to convince customers to go direct, a strong majority still realize that a good agent is key to making sure their coverage truly meets their needs.

The results are a particularly strong vote of confidence for agents considering that the study was conducted entirely online.

At iMGA we’re proud to work with great agents all over Texas who are experts in personal property insurance, and we’re very glad this study shows that consumers also recognize their value.

The iMGA MobileHome program is back and better than ever, with coverage choices that include:

• Lot sizes up to 300 acres.
• Liability limits from $50,000-$300,000.
• Tenant and owner occupied properties.
• Primary or secondary homes.
• All protection classes eligible.
• Up to 9 dwellings on the same policy.
• Theft coverage options.
• Replacement cost coverage on homes up to 10 years old and over $40,000 in value.
• Contents coverage up to 2 times the MobileHome limit.
• Other structures coverage from $0 to 2 times the MobileHome limit.
• Optional Glass and Vandalism & Malicious Mischief (V&MM) coverage.
• Discounts for roof updates and hail-resistant roofs.
• Burglar and fire alarm credits.
• Multiple deductible options.
• Direct billed with up to 10 monthly payments.

We’re working to make MobileHome easier than ever, so be sure to quote all your Texas MobileHome clients with iMGA today.

Photo courtesy flickr user photophnatic

There are plenty of great older homes in Texas – homes that show lots of pride of ownership.

At iMGA we’re happy to insure older homes. In order to offer your clients with older homes the best possible quote be SURE to enter their update information.

Information about updates on plumbing, electrical, heating and the age of the roof can make a huge difference in the offer you can present your clients – sometimes changing the price by up to 50%!

Updates increase the value of the home, show pride of ownership and good maintenance practices – and significantly reduce the likelihood of losses.

So make sure you don’t leave a quote without double-checking the update information - and get us the update information on any renewals too!

Photo courtesy of One Way Stock.

It’s almost one full month into the year now. Many people have given up on their resolutions already.

But at iMGA we are looking forward to our best year yet! Already we’ve seen:

• A large percentage of insureds signing up for our new automatic payment option.
• Increased submissions from existing agents.
• Quotes and applications from agents who had not previously been producing business with us.
• Continued growth in new agencies, particularly in the Western parts of the state.

What’s even more exciting is that we know that – as we continue to improve our products and services as a result of your suggestions – the best is yet to come.

So thank you very much for all you do and please keep those great suggestions coming. We’ll do our best to implement them as quickly as possible and together we’ll make 2013 the best year yet.