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Plain answersInsurance, explained by a neighbor.
Short answers to the questions Texas owners and families ask most, and a glossary for every term we use.
Straight answers.
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Most private employers in Texas can choose not to carry it. Optional is not the same as safe: if you opt out, an injured employee can sue you directly and you lose common-law defenses. Many contracts require it anyway.
Often not. If a truck in your name is used for jobs, hauling or deliveries, a personal policy may deny a work-related accident. Commercial auto closes that gap, and is sometimes cheaper than people expect.
No. Flood needs a separate policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, so buy before storm season.
A one-page proof of coverage that general contractors, landlords and clients ask for. We usually send it the same business day, directly to whoever needs it.
Usually one of three things: claims in your area (hail, in San Antonio), a change in your payroll or revenue, or the carrier repricing its whole book. We review every renewal and shop it when the increase is not justified.
If you keep livestock, sell hay or run equipment beyond a riding mower, a homeowners policy may exclude farm-related losses and liability. A farm and ranch policy is built for working land.
Every term, in plain words.
Deductible
What you pay before insurance kicks in. Texas wind and hail deductibles are often a percentage of the insured value.
Premium
What you pay for the policy, monthly or yearly.
Limit
The most the policy pays for a covered claim. Often written as two numbers, per claim and total per year.
General liability
Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. It does not cover your own tools or employees.
Inland marine
Coverage for tools, equipment and property that moves, such as gear on a truck or at a job site.
Additional insured
A person or company, often your GC or landlord, added to your policy so it protects them for claims tied to your work.
Certificate of insurance (COI)
A one-page proof that you carry coverage. It does not change the policy.
Umbrella
Extra liability coverage on top of your auto, home or business policies.
Replacement cost
Pays to replace damaged property with new, without subtracting for age.
Actual cash value
Pays replacement cost minus depreciation. Common on older roofs.
Business income
Covers lost income and ongoing bills if a covered loss shuts you down.
Exclusion
Something the policy specifically does not cover, like flood on a standard home policy.
Endorsement
A change added to a policy that adds, removes or adjusts coverage.
Uninsured motorist
Pays for your injuries and damage when the other driver has no insurance or not enough.
No match. Ask us and we will add it.
Straight answers about your coverage, usually the same day.
One call. We compare real options from multiple carriers and explain what each one covers, in plain words.