5 Tips for Newly Engaged Couples

Congratulations on starting a brand new chapter of your life! We have a few tips for newly engaged couples. 

#1 Insure Your Jewels!

Getting engaged can be one of the most memorable times of a couple's life. And you want to protect your new jewel. Having a burglar break into your home and steal the engagement ring, however, isn’t so memorable. Whether your wedding and engagement rings cost $500 or $50,000, an insurance policy is a way of honoring not just their financial value but what they represent. The sentiment behind your rings is priceless, but the ring itself can be replaced, if it is insured. 

#2 Pick A Date and Set A Budget

Picking a date is easier said than done. You want all your guests to be able to make the big day. A good tip in picking a date is that the day is all about you two, pick a date that is special for the both of you and the rest will fall into place. Now, set a budget! The best plan for creating a wedding budget is taking a series of important steps before making your first plan or purchase. You can't create a realistic budget, one that will allow you to choose most of the elements you want for your big day, without knowing approximately what things cost in your area. Research research research!

#3 Start Talking about Spending & Saving 

Step #1: Assess your financial situation and individual behaviors. Talk openly about what you have, what you owe, and your approach to saving and spending. Decide how many accounts you'll have, how the bills will be paid and how much you'll commit to saving for your future.

Step #2: Create a vision for your future together. As individuals, you may have ideas about where you want to be or what you want to be doing in 10 or 20 years. But what about your shared future? Are you on the same page about your goals? Start saving for a child's college fund early!

 Step #3: Develop a financial plan to achieve your shared vision. It's never too early to start working with a professional to make sure you're on the path that's right for you. Some couples think they need to be older or wealthy for a financial professional to help them, and that's not the case. 

#4 Travel Insurance For Honeymoon

When it comes time to pick your honeymoon destination, make sure you know your options in case weather or an emergency hinders you from taking off for your trip....  Travel insurance is a great idea for honeymooners, particularly if you are purchasing any expensive, non-refundable package trip like a cruise or a tour. The most important policy point to look for is coverage of financial default (this is what will save you if an emergency happens and you can’t board your cruise.) -- a major reason why you should buy an independent policy. After all, if you buy one from your trip's company and they go bankrupt, it's safe to say they will not be reimbursing you! 

#5 Keep Love in Mind when Discussing Touchy Subjects.

With these financial tips can come differences in opinions. Our advice to you is approach these subjects with love. Don't point the finger! For example, if your partner is overspending, don't accuse them. Start by working on a monthly budget and changing possible bad spending habits. 

We hoped you enjoyed our advice! If you are looking for home, renters, auto or property insurance, call John at Godbee Insurance Agency today! He's the available agent to help you and your new fiancee prepare for marriage & money. 

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

If your home is not located in a floodplain, do you still have to worry about flood insurance?

Let's consider what has happened in Fort Bend County and parts of Houston and Montgomery in the past few months. Is this what we can expect from future storms? Why risk it!?

With Hurricane Season underway, it is likely we see a couple of storms this year. Don't wait until a storm is at your doorstep... act now! Every flood insurance policy comes with a 30-day waiting period before it can take effect. Review your policies to check for coverage and value.

You can call John at Godbee Insurance for a policy review and to ask any questions you may have about flood insurance. 832-886-5544 or email him at GodbeeJ@NationWide.com

What's Covered Under Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance policies cover physical damage to your property and possessions. You can use the following list as a general guide to what is and isn't covered to help you better understand your policy and coverage.

Building Property

• The insured building and its foundation
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Central air conditioning equipment, furnaces and water heaters
• Refrigerators, cooking stoves and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
• Permanently installed carpeting over unfinished flooring
• Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases and cabinets
• Window Blinds
• Detached garages (up to 10% of building property coverage); detached buildings (other than garages) require a separate building property policy
• Debris removal

Personal Contents Property

• Personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture and electronic equipment
• Curtains
• Portable and window air conditioners
• Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers
• Carpets that are not included in building coverage
• Clothing washers and dryers
• Food freezers and the food in them
• Certain valuable items such as originals artwork and furs (up to $2,500)

What's Not Covered

• Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
• Currency, precious metals and valuable papers such as stock certificates 
• Property and belongings outside of an insured building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs and swimming pools
• Living expenses such as temporary housing
• Financial losses caused by business interruption or loos of use of insured property 
• Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts 

5 Ways To Keep Your Garden Pest Free

Growing a garden takes a lot of hard work and patience. The last thing you want to see is a family of opossums eating your tomatoes! And since most of us aren't nocturnal, it doesn't make sense to try to stand guard the garden all night. So, we want to offer you a few tips that will surely slow these critters down. 

First you must determine what kind of animal problem you have. There are a wide range of animals in Texas that love fruits and veggies just as much as you. We are going to give tips about the most popular perps; deer, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, armadillos and birds. 

You could purchase a game camera with motion sensors that will allow you to see who's been in your garden. The moment comes when you see those little eyes of.... and Gotcha! Now that you know what's been in your garden, here are a few ways to keep them out. 

1. Electric Fencing

Electric Fencing can deter lots of different animals away from your fruits but it depends on how you set it up. 

If Deer are your problem, make sure your fence's first wire is around 10 inches off the ground. From there, add four spaced wires about 12 inches apart. 

If smaller rodents are your problem, then lower the first wire and the fence doesn't need to be more than two and half feet tall. This type of fence should not provide lethal shock, but a good scare to keep the opossums, raccoons and even feral cats out of your garden. 

We would recommend a visible electric fence so humans around your property will not get jolted. 

3. Netting For Birds

Are birds taking all your fresh fruit right off the vine? We have a fix for that! As your fruit starts to ripen you can cover them with nylon mesh. If they are picking other ground vegetables, you can try 'box' in your garden with a mesh ceiling to keep birds out. 

4. Natural Barriers

There are many natural barriers to use around your plants to keep out unwanted guests. For example, Daffodils are completely poisonous to eat and would provide natural protection. Rabbits love clover and dandelions and would prefer to eat those over your fruits. Coffee grounds work against cats, deer and slugs. Other herbs that grow with a strong scent will also keep away deer, such as marigolds, peonies and cosmos. 

5. The Scarecrow & Other Weird Noises

While this may not be a long term plan to protecting your project, we know that a good scarecrow can keep away most birds, animals and some neighbors. In this day and age, we are past the regular scarecrow. Now you purchase a motion sensor scarecrow that also sprays water at unsuspecting critters. 

Most wild animals scare easily so any noise makers or even a battery-operated radio will help deter animals from sniffing around. One idea is to tie pie pans to several stakes around your garden so they rattle in the wind. 

What we DON'T suggest is trying to trap any animals. Wildlife can be very dangerous and unpredictable. If you do not have professional help, it can turn bad. If you think your problem consists of one or two pesky animals, then call a professional or Fort Bend County Animal Control to assist with trapping the animal to relocate. 

Plan For A Safe July 4th Weekend!

For most, July 4th means a long weekend this year and that means more fun! We want you to be safe when celebrating our Independence so we have several safety tips for you.

Firework Safety

1. Never give fireworks to small children.
2. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
3. Never throw or point a firework at a person, animal, vehicle or other flammable materials
4. Be safe and responsible when lighting fireworks around lots of people
5. Wear ear protection! - Fireworks are loud and can damage your ears.

Grilling Safety

1. Always supervise your grill while it is in use.
2. Don't grill indoors!
3. Be aware of where your grill is being used. Keep clear of low hanging trees, decks or your home.

Beach Safety

1. Always check for warning signs along the beach.
2. Never go swimming alone!
3. Leave wildlife alone! - Not only jellyfish and sharks, but rattlesnakes have a natural habitat along the coast too.
4. Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. These pose a threat for children and adults.
5. Use Sunscreen!

Texas Flooding 2016 - Disaster Declared

From FEMA's website...

President Declares Disaster for Texas

Release date: 

June 11, 2016

Release Number: 

HQ-16-040

Contact: FEMA Region VI News Desk

Phone Number: 940-898-5454

President Declares Disaster for Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on May 26, 2016, and continuing.

The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller, and Washington counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Federal funding also is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller, and Washington counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

William J. Doran III is the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Doran said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. 

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

###

Beware of Fraudulent Towing in Houston

According to a recent article in the Insurance Journal, there is a ongoing investigation on some towing companies in Houston for fraudulent behaviors.

There have multiple reports of vehicles being towed and towing services charging victims thousands of dollars to retrieve their cars, the Insurance Council of Texas reported. One insurance special investigator called Houston “the wild west” when it comes to what some tow services and body shops are charging consumers, the ICT said.

 Local and state law enforcement, along with insurance fraud groups, have now started to crack down on these bad actors.

Sam Lynch, senior investigator with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration which oversees towing companies, offered this advice if stuck in a situation where you might be confronted with a fraudulent tow truck driver in Houston:

• If your vehicle has broken down on a Houston freeway, a tow truck service that is authorized by the city of Houston Safe-Clear program will tow your vehicle for $50 to a safe location off the roadway for repair. You won’t be asked to sign anything. 
• If your vehicle must be towed because of a traffic accident in Houston or Harris County, don’t sign anything a tow driver gives you. If you need assistance, seek the help of a Houston or Harris County law enforcement officer. 
• If broken down or involved in an accident anywhere in the state and need towed, don’t sign a blank ticket offered by a tow truck driver. Look at all charges listed on a document so that you understand the total cost of the towing. 
• To ensure that your vehicle does not wind up in a body shop, ask that your vehicle be taken to a licensed vehicle storage facility. 
• To file a complaint against a towing service in Texas, go to: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/Complaints/ComplaintForm.aspx?strRadiobutton=Vehicle%20Towing 

Source: Insurance Council of Texas
SEE THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Vehicle Recalls

We want you to be safe on the road! You can check any of your vehicle recalls on the recalls.gov website.

https://www.recalls.gov/

Cost of Flooding Simulator

Insurance Myth #8: Costs keep going UP!

I haven't made any claims on my home or auto and my policies keep going up!

BUSTED

The cost of building materials and auto repairs continue to rise consistently driven by supply and demand. Petroleum, wood, copper and steel continue to rise in cost and that is recognized when losses occur. Autos have electronics and sensors. Older vehicle repair parts are difficult to find driving the cost higher. Your loss record applies to your policy but all insurers spread the cost of insuring their risk value according to actuarial data bases. 

Proximity to the coast increases the potential loss so your cost to insure is more than that of someone at a distant location. Higher populated areas see more frequent losses due to fire, theft, and accidents so that is calculated. Proximity to fire services and water supplies increase the amount of potential losses for rural areas. 

Potential for inclement weather (ice, hail, wind storms,) as well as the age and exterior of your home are included. Unfortunately, your record isn’t the only factor considered at each policy period renewal. It is important that you can reach your agent at GIA LLC “the available agent” when you have any questions or concerns about your coverage “Where customer satisfaction is the gauge we measure success by!”

Insurance Myth #7: Personal Property

Everything inside my house is covered on my homeowner's policy as personal property. 

BUSTED

About 35% of your personal property value is located in your kitchen. This includes all appliances portable or fixtured. If you have replacement cost coverage (like new) or actual cost value (depreciated) coverage also affects your coverage level here. 

Specific limits (usually $2,500) always apply to specific items such as jewelry, tools, computers, silver, money/coins, etc. If you own antiques, valuable art, collections of discontinued items, musical instruments or heirlooms that are valued over $2500 you should have them apprised and documented for “scheduled articles” coverage by your insurer. 

This coverage only applies if the loss occurs at home. If you wear it or take it from home another coverage is required “inland marine” that will allow for damage, theft or loss. The cost for these are minimal compared to the item value but knowing it is covered before you have a loss is more important to us. At GIA LLC we ask these questions so you can make an educated decision to insure or not!

Insurance Myth #6: Deductibles

Raising your home or auto deductible always saves you money in the long run.

BUSTED

Unfortunately and statistically that isn’t true. A small savings may look better but as you raise your out of pocket expense (deductible), you are transferring the expense of insuring to you! 

Start with 1% of all perils on your home and $500 for comprehensive and collision on your autos. Granted, the cost to insure will be greater but saving a little now with the potential of paying a lot later is an eye opener! 

Auto incidents usually occur in 4 year intervals and home events occur in 7 year sequences (typically weather or water). At GIA LLC we will offer optional deductibles real time so you can factor whether the savings is truly worth the risk!

Insurance Myth #5: Auto Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers theft of your vehicle, damange due to flood and all items contained within. 

BUSTED

Comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy only covers items Original Equipment Manufactured and installed components. This does not include your car stereo or GPS device if it was added by you or previous owner after taking possession. 

Aftermarket items such as custom wheels, flat screens, entertainment systems or engine performance upgrades must be added to your policy “customization” for accurate rating, authentication and approval for an additional cost. 

For coverage on items contained in your car such as iPods, clothing, and compact discs you will need Homeowners or Renters coverage and is subject to your policy deductible. 

In the event of flood damage, you have no personal property coverage because flood is specifically “excluded” on all property policies. Your auto is only covered subject to your comprehensive deductible. Flood insurance protection is only available for home, renters and commercial property and purchased separately usually through FEMA. 

At GIA LLC we offer options associated with your specific vehicle so you know you’re covered for that!

Insurance Myth #4: Auto Rates

INSURANCE MYTH #4

Auto insurance rates automatically decrease when your vehicle is paid off or when you turn 25.

BUSTED

Age is an important consideration and is used to predict the potential that the insured will make a claim. While people under 25 are statistically more likely to get into an accident, each company handles the impact of age on the price of the policy differently. 

Some carriers may offer pricing breaks at 25, with optional savings for defensive driving, married status and more. When shopping for a new policy a variety of other ways to receive discounts may include bundling a homeowner's or renter's policy with your auto coverage, paperless billing and in some cases, paying your premium in full. It is also important to ask for alumni or professional association discounts! 

Insurance Myth #3: Drivers and Your Insurance

Insurance Myth #3

If you allow a licensed drive to borrow your car, then your vehicle IS NOT covered against damages.

BUSTED

Typically this is not true for personal auto policies unless the driver is specifically excluded on your policy. If your current policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage, that will provide protection against ANY DAMAGES to your vehicle. 

Your auto policy is the primary insurer however, if your designated driver exceeds the limits of your policy, their insurance policy would become secondary for the remaining damages. Claims made could result in an increase in your auto insurance premium. 

Uninsured/underinsured coverage should not considered important in Texas. If you reject the coverage, you  may be penalized even if it is not an at-fault accident!

Insurance Myth #2: Online Providers

INSURANCE MYTH #2

Working with a web based insurer is always cheaper than going through a local agent.

BUSTED

While it's true that web based insurers save money on their costs by not incurring agent commissions, don't expect the savings will be passed to you. Many web based home and auto insurance providers will use those savings to spend more on marketing their brand and product. 

Insurance pricing matrixes for insurance policies are extremely complex, so you may discover a large range in price for any single individual. You should feel comfortable working with a local agent or direct carrier! Prepare to learn as you go! We believe that an informed client is the best client! 

Insurance Myth #1: Contracts

Join us on a journey of 8 Insurance Myths explained! 

INSURANCE MYTH #1

You can only shop for home or auto insurance when your current policy expires.

BUSTED!

Many customers don't realize that they ARE NOT bound to their auto insurance coverage for the full 6 or 12 month term. A policy owner can, in fact, cancel at anytime, subject to fees that vary by carrier. Occasionally the carrier will charge a fee on any unused premium. You should ask your agent for any early cancellation fees to compare with the potential savings you receive by switching your auto insurance coverage. Your insurance should be your choice!

At Godbee Insurance, we will advise your potential savings per day so you can decide how much to save. Call us to save today! 832-573-9020 or email godbeej@nationwide.com
John T. Godbee-Agent
Nationwide Insurance-Home, Auto, Flood, PUL, Life, Business Owner Policies
Cell-832-573-9020 Off-832-886-5544 Fax-281-201-2010 GodbeeJ@Nationwide.com

Auto Focus Tips!

Check out this video on tips for adjusting your mirrors for optimal vision on the road! For all your vehicle insurance needs contact John at Godbee Insurance Agency!

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Buying Homeowners Insurance Is Not Easy

Buying homeowners insurance is not easy. The process of buying homeowners insurance can be frustrating, complicated and confusing. Sometimes, it's difficult to accurately compare rates, since coverage isn't usually identical from insurance company to insurance company. However, to help you understand the factors that insurance companies use to determine your homeowners insurance rate, I've listed the Top Ten factors that affect your homeowner’s insurance rates.

1. Geography. The further your house is from a fire station, the higher your premium will be. So, homes in cities, where fire stations are near by, will have lower rates than homes in rural areas.


2. Construction. Homes built of non-flammable materials, like brick, stone and concrete, have lower rates than homes built of flammable materials like wood.


3. Age. The age of a home probably has less affect on rates than any of the other factors. Some older homes are extremely well built, and some newer homes are quite cheaply built. More important is...


4. Value. When you calculate the value of your home, leave out the value of your land. Only consider the replacement cost of the dwelling at today's prices.


5. Occupancy. A single family home will have lower costs than a duplex. But if you operate a business from your single family home, the premium will increase.


6. Contents. The value of your personal property is usually calculated by the insurance company as 50% of the dwelling value. So, if your personal property has value in excess of that amount, you need to increase the policy limits on Contents.


7. Liability Limits. Homeowners Insurance is a package policy with a minimum liability limit built in. I recommend that you increase your liability limits significantly above the minimum. Jury awards on liability claims can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. A minimum liability limit will leave you dangerously under-protected.


8. Additional Living Expense (ALE) Limits. ALE is usually 20% of the Dwelling limit. So, increase the ALE limit if you feel it is too low for your needs. It usually is.


9. Deductibles. The deductibles you choose will have a significant affect on your insurance rates. Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower your rate. Always choose the highest deductible your budget will allow. Then, set aside one deductible in your savings account to take the financial pressure off your deductible choice.


10. Claims History. If your home is free of previous insurance claims, you'll get the best insurance rates. If you have had previous insurance claims, the insurance company will consider those claims when they calculate your premium rate.


A change in any of these Top Ten factors can cause a change in your homeowner’s insurance premium. Make sure that you fully disclose the correct information about each of these factors to your agent. That way, you'll be most certain to get the lowest homeowners insurance rates you can.

John T. Godbee-Agent
Nationwide Insurance-Home, Auto, Flood, PUL, Life, Business Owner Policies
Cell-832-573-9020 Off-832-886-5544 Fax-281-201-2010
GodbeeJ@Nationwide.com