Author: edcantui

When you live in South Texas, your home and property need protection against windstorm damage. The question is… Where do you get it?

Well, when you live in Nueces, San Patricio, Kleberg County and other counties that are located along the Texas gulf coast, your homeowners policy might include windstorm protection or you might have to secure a separate policy for windstorm, hurricane and hail damage only? If your home is in an interior county like Live Oak, Jim Wells or Bee County, your homeowner policy should protect you so that you don’t have to worry about having a separate policy.

Ed Cantu Insurance Agency can help you with both. For newer homes, built after 1999 that are not located on a barrier island like Padre or Mustang, we have an all-in-one policy (Home/Windstorm)but for homes built before 1999 or that are on the Island, you will need a homeowner policy and a separate windstorm policy.

It is important that you know the amount of coverage you have and need before the start of Hurricane Season because you don’t want to be caught under-protected or without any protection at all.

Make sure that you have:

Replacement cost coverage.
Building code upgrade coverage for most recent building codes.
And that you are comfortable with your deductible because more often than not, you will may have a higher deductible for Windstorm, Hurricane and Hail damage than you do for a fire and other damages.

Hurricane season is less than a week away so it’s even more important that you prepare now… especially since most insurance companies won’t allow you to buy a new policy nor add to an existing policy once a storm has been named and is in the Gulf of Mexico. At some point all insurance companies stop selling protection!

Are you Ready?

Ed Cantu
Home Insurance Consultant

p.s. Photos from “Our Home movies of aftermath of Hurricane Celia in Corpus
Christi, TX 1970” YouTube

p.p.s Check out Ed’s newest KRIS TV Newscast about windstorm insurance at be-prepared-windstorm-insurance

Last minute Christmas shopping with packed mall and shopping center parking lots makes for a greater chance that you you will get into a fender bender!

Did you know that Parking lot accidents increase by 20 percent during the busy holiday season?

So if you hit, scrape or damage a parked car, or if you’re the victim of such an accident, don’t panic and don’t pretend that it didn’t happen. Do the right thing and take care of the situation. Leave a note if you caused damage so that the person can reach you to take care of the damage. Take care of it yourself if you can or better yet, call your insurance agent and let them take care of it,

Helpful tips when find your car has been damaged:

http://www.kristv.com/story/34049021/parking-lot-accidents-tips

Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything And head back into the store to find out if they have security camera footage that you can check.

Call the police if it is a hit and run. They’ll document the accident and this may help you with your insurance claim?

Contact your insurance agent. Let him or her know what happened as soon as possible. Your agent will help you determine the next steps. Record evidence. Take pictures of the damage with your phone or a camera, if you have one on hand.

What to do if you‘re in the car when the accident happens:

If you think you were at fault, take photos and give the other person your insurance information.

If you feel you weren’t at fault… ask questions, take good notes and take photos of both cars. Jot down their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number and insurance company as well as their policy number. Ask to see their drivers license card and proof of insurance to make sure they are who they claim they are. Gather as much information as possible.

Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything. Also head back into the store and find out if they have security camera footage you can check.

IF YOU’RE THE WITNESS

Take photos and then help the owner of the damaged car if the offending driver is gone. Help the car owner document the damage. Give them your contact information, in case his or her insurance agent or the police need to contact you for further comment.

Remember to Slow down and park away from the crowd toward the end of the parking lot. There’s plenty of space out there.

Wishing you and your family and Merry and Safe Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Because We Care

Ed Cantu

Veterans day is be observed on November 11th every year.  This is our day to honor all those men and women who served in our Armed Forces. This day is considered a federal day for the world.

Today, Ed Cantu Insurance Agency honors the service of all U.S  military veterans. We thank them for serving our Country and for protecting our Freedoms.

God Bless and God Bless America!

Ed Cantu