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Barndominiums – we insure them too!

Barndominiums – the new country living.
Barndominiums are the new rural craze. It’s big here in Texas, and we’re proud to be able to help you insure it. The picture above shows how simple and spacious a barndominium can be. It’s not a “barn” (common misconception). Usually it’s more luxurious inside than most people would imagine. (Folks in Connecticut claim they invented the barndominium so they could live close to their horses. Yankees. We’ll let them think that they invented the barndominium if it makes them happier.)

If you live in Texas, and you want space to spread out in a comfortable luxurious home in the country… AND you want your home to double as your workshop, storage place and anything else you might need it for- the barndominium is for you!

What exactly is a barndominium?
Great question! A barndominium (sometimes called a “barndo” or a “barn home”) is a sheet metal or steel framed building that is designed for the dual purpose of combining living space with a shop. Or horses. Or other fun things and toys that go along with country living.

Barndominiums can occasionally be made of other materials, but the reason most are made from sheet metal is to hold down the cost. That’s one of the great features of barndominiums- they cost much less to build per square foot, so you can have lots of room to live!

Barndominiums can be built to save energy and lower utility bills while still being modern and spacious. It’s up to the owner how to design it- and that’s part of the attraction!

Is it hard to insure a barndominium?
It can sometimes be tricky to insure a barndominium in Texas. There are a many things that can affect the rate, or even the question of “will they insure me?” such as:

    • How far is your barndominium from the nearest neighbor? Can it be seen?
    • How far is it to the nearest fire hydrant and fire station?
    • How much of the building is living space and how much is “other” space?
    • Are you conducting a business out of your new barndominium?
    • Who did the electrical & plumbing? Is it to code?

These are just a few of the many things that can affect getting the best quote and coverage. But the GOOD NEWS is that we can find the right insurance policy for you!

We represent many companies that specialize in barndominium insurance. Call us today at Whiteside Insurance, (830) 693-8881.

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The ABCs of Preventing Sunburn

It’s sunburn season again.
Is it already time to think about getting sunburned? Yes it is. Even now, you or your kids can get too much of a good thing. So let’s get back to the basics- the ABCs of keeping our skin safe!

A – Away
Stay away from the bright rays of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
Why? because that’s the time when UV rays (ultra violet rays) are at their peak. What are ultra violet rays? They are one type of the many invisible rays that come from the sun, and they can cause skin cancer. That’s the simple definition. If you like science stuff, it’s an electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is shorter than visible light (that’s why you can’t see it), but longer than X-rays. It’s enough to know that it’s bad for you.

B – Block
Block the sun with sunscreen.
Lots of it. The Mayo Clinic and The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. We’ve seen other medical sites recommend as high an SPF as 45. (Be careful with young babies, especially 6 months or younger. Check with your pediatrician first.) Apply the sunscreen liberally before swimming and before using any insect repellant. And reapply it every two hours- or when it starts to wear off. Don’t forget the hard to reach places either, like the back of your elbows, earlobes and my personal “I forgot” place- the back of your knees. Also make sure to get an SPF lip balm for high UV days; there’s nothing more painful (and unsightly) than sunburned lips.

C – Cover
Cover up with clothing.
Cover with lots of clothes whenever you can. I know- you can’t really do that all the time, especially at the beach. But at least think about a wide brimmed hat- you will still look great! And sunglasses (with UV protection of course)- sunglasses make anyone look cool. If you are wearing cover up clothing to block out harmful rays of the sun, remember that tightly woven clothing is better, and dark clothing too. All this clothing may stop a beautiful tan- I get it. But it might just save your life (or your child’s life) some day.

Final Tip
Know your UV Indexes.
Most weather apps have the forecast for today’s UV Index. We are coming up here on three of the highest UV Index months, June, July and August. But it is beginning even now, in May. It’s easy to check the historic trends of UV Index readings in Texas over the last several years, and you’ll see that it’s time to think about the ABCs of sunburn protection.

Whiteside Insurance: (830) 693-8881.

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3 Easy Steps to Making a Home Inventory

Why should you make a home inventory?

You should make a home inventory because “the weakest pencil lead is stronger than the strongest memory.” We all forget things. And we really forget things when the pressure is on- like say, when your house burns down, you’re in a hotel room and you’re talking with a claims adjuster who says…

“OK Mrs. Jones, tell me exactly what was lost in the fire?”

If you suffer a loss, you need to make sure that insurance replaces everything that can be replaced. You can’t do that without a detailed list of everything you own. You need a list of everything. You need a home inventory.

Making a home inventory is something most of us know that we need to do, but we just can’t seem to find the time to do it. And maybe, we just don’t know the best way to do it. So I’m excited to show you how easy it can be!

Step 1
Choose your tools.
In the old days this meant getting your Polaroid camera out, a notebook and lots of extra film. And lunch. Because it was going to take you a long time, and you would need to take a lunch break somewhere in the middle of the ordeal. You could still do it this way (ok, maybe with a digital camera). Regardless, either way, you would also have to figure out a safe place to keep all of these photos and paperwork. It would either be Aunt Sally’s house or your safety deposit box at the bank.

Now, it’s much easier. You need just one tool:
Know Your Stuff® – Home Inventory Mobile App for iPhone
Know Your Stuff® – Home Inventory Mobile App for Android

I highly recommend this app for your smartphone. It’s simple use; my learning curve was about 5 minutes. Yours might be quicker. If you are an iPhone owner, you can also download a bundled version of this with two other great apps, Know Your Plan™ Mobile App, and Know Your Coverage.™ All three come bundled together in the app called the iiiToolkit.

They say that “it’s all about having the right tools.” They are right. This is the one to have!

Step 2
Walk through your home and take pictures.
If you are using your smartphone and the Know Your Stuff app I recommend, then open the app, go to your first room, and take a picture. Then write a few notes, like how much you paid for the item, when you purchased it, and anything else you can remember. If you have the receipt for it, take a picture of that too.

The app will store everything in its proper place by room. It will also store everything in the ever-so-famous “cloud.” Since none of us know exactly where that “cloud” is, suffice it to say that it is safely copied to a computer in a room where people with white coats make sure all the computers in the cloud are safe. And since this is the official app for the Insurance Information Institute, we feel pretty confident that it will be safe there. “It’s in the cloud” will let you sleep at night knowing that you don’t have to remember where you kept all the copies of inventory.

Or you could take the Polaroid pictures, bundle them up with your many sheets of paper, and mail them to your Aunt Sally and hope she doesn’t lose them. Your choice.
That’s it – no more steps.

I said 3 steps. I know. But it’s only two steps if you use the Know Your Stuff app. The third step would have been to figure out how you were going to keep a safe copy of the inventory outside of your home. (I kind of hinted at that in the previous steps.) The app takes care of all of that for you. It uploads everything in real time to the FREE cloud space hosted by the Insurance Information Institute. It just doesn’t get any easier or safer than this.

One final thought: Please call me if you have unique, one-of-a-kind irreplaceable or expensive items, like an expensive engagement ring, a collection of Hummel figurines, or that expensive piece of art hanging on your wall that you just had to have… and still love! I can help you decide if you need extra insurance protection to cover these.

Like always, when in doubt- call me. I value having you as a customer. If you aren’t my customer yet, I’d like to try to earn your business. You should call me too. I’m an independent insurance agent in Texas, and I’m proud to represent many fine companies, including Germania,Travelers, Met Life and more.

Wade Whiteside Insurance: (830) 693-8881.

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Unraveling the Terms – Comp and Collision

Car insurance is confusing.
That statement sounds sweeping doesn’t it, but we’ll add that very few of you are going to argue the point. Whether it’s car insurance or homeowners insurance, reading between the lines and figuring out what the terms mean and what it will and will not cover is just confusing.

Take for example car insurance in Spicewood Texas.

There are so many foreign sounding terms to learn that most of us don’t bother. All we really need to know is that if we damage our car, or someone else does, that it’s going to be covered. The question is, if your car is damaged “is it gonna be covered?” That depends–and to some extent it depends on whether you have comprehensive insurance or collision insurance.

You probably always thought that auto insurance is auto insurance and it keeps you covered in the event of a problem. The fact is that the kind of money that your insurance company pays–or even whether they will pay– depends on the kind of coverage that you bought.

What is Collision Insurance?
Collision coverage or collision car insurance means that your car is protected if it becomes involved in a crash. That includes a street light crash, a crash with another car or even another car hitting yours. It will cover what you need to get your car repairs done. That means when you are in control of the car and in circumstances where your car collides with something, you’re well taken care of.

So isn’t that kind of auto insurance the best that you can get? The answer is. . . yes, but it’s not the whole story. While it’s very good coverage, it doesn’t take care of all of the circumstances that might arise.

What is Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive insurance means that even if you’re not driving, even if you’re not in the car, even if something happens over which you have no control at all, your car will be fixed and the costs will be covered. For example, if a tree falls on your car or someone breaks a window to enter your vehicle, your comprehensive coverage will pay to fix the damage that took place.

In most cases, if you really want your car to be covered and you’d like to be certain that it is fixed regardless of how the damage takes place, your best option will be to have BOTH collision and comprehensive insurance. While you may pay slightly more for the coverage, the protection that you have will be well worth the money.

Whiteside Insurance: (830) 693-8881.

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Marry for love – and combine insurance to be smart

Should you combine insurance policies after you get married?

Most of the time- yes.

We love “love stories” here at Whiteside Insurance. We are all for romance and marriage proposals and wedding engagements. So if you got engaged last Fall, or more recently around Valentine’s Day, and you are getting married this Spring or Summer- call us!

Yeah, we want to hear your love story (really, we do!). But more importantly, we want to help you save money and make sure you are properly insured now that everything is changing.

You need to make important insurance changes when you get married.

Combining your homeowners or renters policies
Every new marriage brings unique insurance questions. Let’s start with “should my fiance and I combine our property insurance after we get married?”

If you both own a home, and one of you will be selling your home, and living in the other spouse’s home, this should be easy. You may be able to keep your policies just the way they are for now. Of course you need to inform the insurance company about your change in marital status, and the change in “who is living where.”

Talk to us about the timing. Just remember that “what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine” works in the movies, but not in this situation, if you have separate policies. And your premiums may be higher while you do this. So call your local independent insurance agent in Spicewood, Texas (we hope it’s us!) and ask.

If you both rent, you will want to combine policies as soon as possible. Just like the advice to homeowners, you need to let your insurance agent know before the wedding of the changes in marital status, and who will be living where. You will almost certainly save money on your Texas renters insurance if you combine policies!

The good news is, in almost all cases, combining your homeowners or renters policies will save you both money.
Combining auto insurance when you get married in Texas
Should a married couple in Texas combine their auto insurance policies, or should they keep separate auto insurance policies?

Here’s where general advice doesn’t always work. So we’ll give you the generally accepted answer, and then bring up a few things that, if they apply to you, should cause you to call your local insurance agent in Texas.

General advice: combine your auto insurance when you get married.

Why? Because:

    • Married drivers usually are rated better risks, and that means lower rates.
    • You must report all drivers in a household, even if you have separate policies.
    • Liability claims, like in a rental car accident, are easier to figure out if you have one policy between a married couple, instead of two.

When does this get “not simple?”
If your fiance has a less-than-stellar driving record, or bad credit, or too many accidents, adding them to your policy can get expensive. You will need a strategy to help lower your insurance costs that is unique to your situation.

What can you do?
You can (and should) call your local Texas insurance agent to discuss all of your options. You can raise deductibles, or assign the higher cost driver to the cheaper car (if that is the car they will be normally driving), or make some lifestyle changes (buy less expensive cars or drive less miles by carpooling).

Yep. None of these are fun topics of discussion, but they are things that need talking about for some married couples in unique circumstances. Some folks may even need separate car insurance policies (at least for a short time). Some states and some companies allow for a seldom used endorsement called the “named driver exclusion” which is a fancy way of saying… your spouse is not covered at all on your policy.

All of these options, or none of these options, may be helpful in your particular situation. Often, you aren’t even sure if the questions you are asking are the right ones.
If we haven’t rained on your wedding yet…
You have so much to celebrate. Go ahead. Get married. Let us do the worrying about insurance for you. Consider it our wedding gift. Call Whiteside Insurance and let us help you take care of all the changes in your insurance when you get married.

Call us at (877) 693-8882.

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Your kid moved back home- and so did their car

Adult children are moving home in record numbers.

“Hi mom- I’m home!”

Moms (and Dads) are hearing this more and more from their young adult children as the economy is flat-lined and good jobs are hard to come by. Little Johnny or Little Susie has had their taste of independence, and it’s expensive out there. They join an all time record number of the Millennial Generation- more than 36% of young adults are now living at home with their parents.

So your kid comes home, and you are glad you can be there for them.

One of the first things you consider doing to help them, is to call your insurance agent in Texas and add your child’s car to your insurance policy. Seems smart, right? Of course this seems like the common sense thing to do. But it’s not always that easy.

Can you add your adult child to your auto insurance?
Maybe. The answer depends upon the insurance company. It also depends upon who is titled on the vehicle. Let’s take a look at the “big questions” that must be answered beforehand.

Who is titled on the car?
Is it just your child? Some companies (not many) will allow your adult child to be insured under your policy, even if they are the only one titled on the car. But most companies won’t allow this. It’s all about a thing they call insurable interest. So most of the time (though not always), if your child moves home, and you want to include their car under your policy… they need to at least co-title the car in your name.

Should you do this, even if you can?
It all depends upon your unique circumstances. Every family is different. There are important questions to ask and answer before making a decision. If your child changes the title of the car to include you (though this may not always be required)… he or she must understand that the vehicle is no longer exclusively theirs in the eyes of the law. They also need to be aware that in every case they have no right to change coverage on the policy, even if they need more. Finally, parents need to realize that accidents the child has may affect their rates in the future.
What should you do?
If your child moves home and you are thinking about adding them to your auto insurance, you need to set up an appointment with your agent to discuss whether or not this is in your best interest. Don’t make this decision without knowing all the facts and all the options.

Each situation is different.

This is an example of why having an independent insurance agent in Texas matters. No one on working at the home office of a major insurance company can possibly help you make the best decision like we can, your neighborhood insurance agent in Spicewood, TX.

Call us to discuss your unique situation at (877) 693-8882.

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It’s free speech, right? Not always.

Can I be sued in Texas for what I say online?
Yes. You can be sued in Texas for what you say online.

But I thought I had free speech?
You do. But the number of lawsuits for speaking your mind is increasing as the number of places you can speak your mind is growing. You may be more exposed to a lawsuit than you think. Places like Yelp and Amazon keep asking for your reviews. And you are more than happy to give a review, especially if you were unhappy with the product or service. I mean, it’s the American thing to do, right? Watch out. Your review can get a business on the phone with its lawyers, and all of a sudden, “You’ve been served!”

How can I be sued for an online review?
You can be sued for defamation if you publish an unfavorable review online that someone says is untrue and harms their business. The specific form of defamation that they are accusing you of is called libel (not to be confused with “slander” which is the verbal speaking version of defamation.) I know, I sound like a Philadelphia Lawyer.

Anyway, here is a simple definition, courtesy Law.com:
“Libel: to publish in print (including pictures), writing or broadcast… an untruth about another which will do harm to that person or his/her reputation, by tending to bring the target into ridicule, hatred, scorn or contempt of others.”

So if what I say is true, I’m safe, right?
If it’s factual and provable, maybe.
(Remember, I’m an insurance agent in Spicewood Texas, and not a lawyer, so I’m not giving you legal advice. See a real live breathing attorney for legal advice if you are trying to find a line to not cross.)

But that doesn’t mean a very angry business won’t file a lawsuit anyway.

Remember, if you ever do what many of us do at times, and get a little emotional in a review, and mix in a few strong opinions, and kinda secretly hope to cost them some business (let’s face it- we’re all human)… you may accidentally leave the territory of “truth is an absolute defense against libel” and wander into that awful no-man’s land of “see you in court!”

How else can a business “get me” for speaking my mind?
I bet you’ve never heard of an “anti-disparagement clause” or a “non-disparagement clause.” This is a way that businesses are trying to fight back against what they view as unfair criticism online… criticism that they know can spread like wildfire. These clauses are growing exponentially, and you probably didn’t even know.

It’s simple: a business hides some fine print in all that stuff that you scroll past in a hurry to get to the “I agree” part so you can purchase whatever it is you are buying. In that fine print, you agree to not ever give them a negative review, or in some cases, you agree to not review them at all- even if it’s a positive review.

Congress is trying to prohibit this unfair and usually hidden attack on your right to review a business. But right now, you are only protected from this in California.

So read before you sign. Look for this new tactic in the fine print.
So tell me, what else can I do to protect myself?
Assuming you still want to write the occasional online review about a product or service you received (good for you!)… you can do three things:

1. Stick to the facts.
Whenever possible, say only what is verifiable, and leave opinions out. I know. Easier said than done. Try re-reading your review and look for facts before hitting “publish.”

2. Check your emotions at the door.
Pretend the review is about a company owned by a good friend. You want and need to tell the truth, so they get better at what they sell. But you don’t want to hurt them, since they are your friend. Treat all businesses this way. Help them get better, and maybe they won’t get bitter over the review.

3. Call us at Whiteside Insurance about your coverage.
The typical homeowners insurance and renters insurance policy sold in Texas normally has no protection for personal injury (the type of coverage you need if you get sued for defamation, slander or libel). You probably need an affordable endorsement to get this type of protection.

So call us if you aren’t sure what your coverage limits are for exercising your right to free speech. We’d love to take your phone call. Will we try to talk to you about more coverage? Maybe. But no pressure. Maybe you need even more protection against libel suits. We could talk about an affordable umbrella insurance policy in Texas. We serve the Hill County of Texas and Austin, and we have customers all over the great Lone Star State.

Call us at (877) 693-8882.

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Spring Cleaning, Love, and Permanent Press

Turn up the radio and let’s get Spring Cleaning!

Why do we put off Spring Cleaning?
We’d love to hear (in the comments below) why you put off your annual Spring Cleaning. Is it because the beautiful weather is calling your name, and you can’t miss a minute of Spring sunshine and warmth? Is it because you skipped it last year, and now there is twice as much cleaning to do? Or is it simply because you can’t decide where to start?

Here’s an idea: start by “recycling love.” What do we mean by “recycling love?” We mean, go through the clothes you love, and recycle some of that love to others in need of quality clothing. You will feel good, and you’ll make room in those closets for a favorite American pastime- clothes shopping!

Have you been blessed with quality clothing?
The economy has hurt many of us and our neighbors. Friends and folks that used to shop name brands have found it necessary to shop at the Salvation Army in order to make ends meet. Quality clothing, for many, is now a challenge. Maybe you’ve been hurt a little less than someone else, and maybe you can help in a small way by sharing your quality used clothing.

Love can look like permanent press.
Loving your neighbor takes many forms. We each have different ways to “give back” a portion in gratitude for what we’ve been given. For some of us, loving our neighbor can be as simple sharing a favorite pair of pants, or a dress, or that favorite shirt. You know how good you feel in that favorite outfit- imagine how good someone down on their luck will feel in it.

More Room, Big Smiles and the Circle Grows.
More room. Admit it- you need more room. Your closets are full. Your choice is to build an addition to your home to get more space (and hey, if you do that, call Whiteside Insurance to review your homeowners insurance to make sure you are properly covered), or to empty out some of the stuff in your closets. We’re guessing that for most of you- it’s time to empty some closets.

Big smiles go all the way around when you share your clothes with others. First, you smile because you can imagine shopping for great deals on new clothes. Second, you smile because you think of someone in need who will be wearing that really great outfit you love that still has some life left in it. Lastly, the recipient smiles, knowing that someone cared enough to donate quality clothing that they needed.

The circle of love and opportunity grows as we share. We get to go buy beautiful new clothes, which is just downright fun (and helps the economy), and someone gets to wear our good choices from last year, which helps them feel confident and hopeful for better days for themselves. Their optimism can be contagious- and so the circle of a better economy grows. All from simply cleaning out your closets!

Where can I donate my used clothes?
Austin Texas and surrounding communities like ours in Spicewood have many places to share your good fortune (and clothes) with others. Some of the best known and trusted are the Salvation Army and Goodwill. But don’t forget to look for a more immediate “direct to the need” avenue, such as your local house of worship, or your local civic organization. You could make a few phone calls, and find out if they are having a charity drive, or if they know of any families in particular need right now. This takes a little more work, but can be very satisfying.

Ask around- be creative. Part of the joy in giving can be in knowing more about the particular need. Starting your Spring Cleaning this way can make the rest of the cleaning be more enjoyable. As you scrub corners, you can think about all the smiles you’ve brought to someone who received your kindness.

Now turn up the radio and let’s get started!