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Kurtin Insurance & Financial Services

1300 W Sam Houston Pkwy S,
Ste 220, Houston, TX 77042

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Who needs condo insurance in Texas?

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Being a condo owner in the Houston, TX area could be a good idea. When you choose to purchase a condo, you will enjoy many of the advantages of homeownership without some of the drawbacks. If you would like to buy a condo here, getting insurance for it is very important.

There are various scenarios when a condo investor or owner in Texas will want to have this coverage for their condo:

When Financing Condo with Mortgage

A situation when you may need to have a condo insurance plan will come when taking out a mortgage. As condos in the Houston area can be expensive, taking out a loan to finance the purchase is common. When this is done, you need to meet standards set by your lender. One common requirement is to get a condo insurance plan. In many cases, you will have payments escrowed each month. If you are insured, you can meet this requirement.

Association Rules

You also can be required to carry condo insurance from your home or condo association. Due to the coverage that this insurance provides, it is in all owner’s best interests if everyone on the property has insurance. Because of this, it is common to require property and condo owners to carry condo insurance. If you do not have coverage, you can be in violation of the condo rules and face penalization. 

Reach Out To Us

Having a proper condo insurance plan is very important for anyone with a condo in the Houston, TX area. If you are looking to get this type of coverage here, it could be a great option to call our professionals with Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. There are a lot of choices to consider when looking for condo coverage, and our team at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. can help you build a plan that meets your needs. 

Will Home Insurance Cover Foundation Issues?

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It’s common for Houston, TX residents to worry whether their homes will be protected in the event of a foundation issue.

The clay-heavy Texas soil makes homes uniquely prone to foundation issues, especially during drier months. These issues can occur due to a lack of moisture, which leads to cracks in the earth beneath a home. These cracks cause problems with a home’s foundation, such as settling and shrinking.

Whether or not your home remains covered by foundational damage will depend on the type and cause of the foundation’s damage.

Covered Foundation Incidents

Most home insurance policies include foundation damage for specific issues, including:

  • Lightning or fire
  • Windstorms
  • Falling aircraft and objects
  • Explosions
  • Civil disturbances and vandalism
  • Vehicular damage
  • Collapse from snow, ice, or sleet
  • Water damage from HVAC

Natural disasters or uncontrollable circumstances usually fall under this coverage umbrella.

Not Covered Foundation Incidents

Insurance carriers generally reject claims made based on the following weather- or construction-related events:

  • Natural foundation settlement, shrinkage, bulging, or expansion
  • Earthquakes and flooding
  • Tree roots
  • Improper or faulty foundation construction

It can be challenging for residents to get coverage because, many times, home foundations in Texas experience issues due to these issues. However, additional options are available that can be used in an insurance policy.

Endorsements

Some plans offer additional coverage options known as endorsements or policy add-ons, allowing for additional or increased coverage. Damage to foundations or slabs is a common reason people include endorsement coverage in their home insurance policies. It’s critical to remain informed of your home insurance policy’s specifics to prevent unanticipated costs.

Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. Is Here To Help!

Contact the Houston, TX insurance experts at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. to review your policy.

Enjoy Life More with Life coverage

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Life can get stressful in Houston, TX. From going to work every day to attending your kids’ sporting events to cleaning the house on a regular basis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When you add in worrying about what will happen after you pass away, the stress can become even more unbearable. Fortunately, here at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc., we’re here to help relieve some of that stress by helping you find an affordable life insurance policy. 

Types of Life Insurance

Life insurance is available in two basic types: whole and term. A whole-term policy is regarded as permanent, whereas a term policy is considered temporary. With a whole policy, its benefits stay in effect for as long as you’re alive up through your death. A term policy only provides benefits if you die within a certain period of time. As you can imagine, a whole policy tends to come with much higher premiums because it guarantees a payout upon your death. A term policy comes with reduced premiums because it only has to pay out if you pass away while it’s active.

The Benefits of Life Insurance

Regardless of the type of life insurance you choose, if a claim is filed, the benefits are generally of immense value. Your beneficiaries will receive a lump sum or periodic payments to assist them with their financial needs as they start a life without you. Beneficiaries can normally use the money from a life insurance policy in any way they see fit, such as to pay for college, pay off a mortgage, or as supplemental retirement funds.

Give Us A Call

Contact Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. today to learn more about the ways life insurance can help you enjoy life more. We’re here to assist with all of your Houston, TX insurance needs.

Do I Need Additional Insurance to Rent a Car?

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When you rent a car, do you feel uncertain about the additional insurance options sold by the rental company? Do you need it? Or are you already covered through your current policy in Houston, TX? The answer is complicated, as it depends on several factors, including the type of auto policy and the rental car company’s policies. Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. can help ensure you are properly covered when you rent a car.

What Does My Auto Policy Cover? 

Most standard auto policies provide liability coverage for rental cars in the United States and Canada. Suppose you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car. In that case, your existing policy should cover most of the costs associated with any damage or injury caused by accident up to your policy limits.

However, it is important to note that this liability coverage does not extend to physical damage or theft of the vehicle itself. Suppose something happens to the car while it is in your possession. In that case, you will be responsible for paying for those repairs out-of-pocket or through additional insurance provided by the rental car company. 

What Other Options Are Available? 

If you don’t have comprehensive or collision coverage on your existing auto policy—or if that coverage doesn’t meet the minimum requirements set by the rental car company—they will push you to purchase additional insurance from them. But if you do your research early, we can set you up with a policy ahead of time.

Give Us A Call

At Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc., we understand how confusing all this information can be. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced agents to see if you need additional coverage while you are away from Houston, TX!

Tips to prepare your business for a storm

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No matter what kind of business you own in the Houston, TX area, it’s important to prepare for severe weather. Storms can cause significant damage and disrupt operations, so it’s important to take action in advance to minimize the impact on your business.

Here are some tips from us at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. to help you get ready.

Preparing your business for a storm

1. Make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date. Review your coverage and make sure you have enough protection in case of a storm.

2. Be aware of potential hazards that could be caused by a storm, such as flooding or downed power lines. Take steps now to protect your property from potential damage.

3. Take advantage of local resources that can help you prepare for emergencies, such as weather alerts and evacuation plans.

4. Create an emergency plan for your business and staff so everyone will know what to do if a storm strikes suddenly. Include things like contact information for key personnel and backup plans for any services that could be disrupted by the storm. Your employees will thank you when the storm does come.

5. Have an emergency kit ready with supplies like water, food, flashlights, batteries, blankets, etc., in case of a power outage or other disruption in service due to storm conditions. 

Give Us A Call

By taking these proactive steps now, you can ensure that your business is better prepared should a storm arise this season! For more tips, give us at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. a call today. We proudly serve the Houston, TX area and would be happy to help you prepare your business for whatever Mother Nature throws at it. 

Four reasons why life insurance is so important

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Getting life insurance is important for a wide variety of reasons. As a consumer in Houston, TX, we can provide you with life insurance at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. 

The following are four reasons why life insurance is so important for you to have:

Life insurance allows you to plan ahead for the unexpected. 

Unexpected events can occur in the future that impact your family’s financial situation negatively. Life insurance is an important type of insurance to have so that your family is protected against the uncertainties of the future. 

Your family will need financial support if you pass away unexpectedly. 

Your untimely death will result in the loss of your income. This can make it difficult for your family members to have needed funds and continue enjoying their standard of living.

Life insurance provides your family with needed financial support if you pass away unexpectedly. 

Life insurance policies can accumulate cash value.

While the death benefit is typically the biggest benefit of life insurance, some types of life insurance policies also offer cash value accumulation.

You can choose a universal or whole life insurance policy if you want to use your policy to accumulate savings over time. 

The death benefit that a life insurance policy pays out isn’t taxed. 

Life insurance is a great way to support your family after you pass away even if you owe a lot of money in taxes. The IRS and state revenue agencies cannot take tax money out of a life insurance policy death benefit even if you owe a substantial tax debt. 

Contact Us Today

It’s easy to find a life insurance policy that meets your needs with our assistance at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. Get a quote on a life insurance policy so that you can ensure the financial security of your family in Houston, TX. 

Your Guide to Auto Insurance Add-Ons in Texas

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Deciding on the right auto insurance can be tricky. Not only do you have to choose the right coverage, but you also have to determine if you want any add-ons. Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. is here to help. We can give you a rundown of some of the most popular auto insurance add-ons in Houston, TX so that you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you.

Most Popular Auto Insurance Add-ons

Rental Car Reimbursement

If you’re in an accident and your car is totaled or needs repairs, rental car reimbursement will cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced. This add-on is beneficial if you don’t have access to another car. For questions about rental car reimbursement or any other auto insurance add-ons, contact the team at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance covers the cost of things like towing, flat tire changes, jump starts, and fuel delivery if you run out of gas. This add-on is a good option for people who frequently travel or live in rural areas where access to help may be limited.

Gap Coverage

Gap coverage pays the difference between the amount you owe on your car loan and the actual cash value of your car if it’s totaled in an accident. This add-on is a good option for people who have financed their vehicle or are leasing it.

Get The Right Coverage For Your Needs

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing auto insurance in Houston, TX. In addition to selecting the right coverage, you also have to decide if you want any add-ons. Contact Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. to speak with one of our expert insurance agents. We’ll help you determine what coverage and add-ons are right for you.

Is my home business covered by my condo policy?

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If you live in a Houston, TX condo, you may wonder if your condo insurance policy covers your home business. Here’s the answer from Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Condo insurance generally includes property damage, liability risks, and loss of use coverage. Most condo insurance policies will also cover personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing. However, it’s important to note that each policy is different and coverage will vary depending on the insurer and the type of policy you have.

Does Condo Insurance Cover Home Businesses?

Whether or not your condo insurance policy covers your home business depends on several factors, such as the type of business you have and the type of coverage you have selected. For example, if your business involves storing inventory or product samples at your condo, this may be covered by your property damage coverage. However, if you have customers or clients who come to your condo for meetings or to pick up products, this may not be covered by your property damage coverage, and you may need to purchase additional liability coverage to protect yourself from claims arising out of these activities.

As always, it’s important to read through your policy carefully and talk to your insurer about specific coverage for your home business before assuming that you are fully covered.

Contact Us Today To Get The Right Coverage For Your Needs

Whether or not your condo insurance policy will cover your home business in Houston, TX depends on several factors. If you are unsure whether your business is fully covered by your current policy, be sure to reach out to Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. We can review your policy and help you get the coverage you need.

How Home Insurance Protects You

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If you own a home, it’s essential that you have home insurance to cover it. When you have home insurance, it affords you several different types of insurance protection so that you’re protected against a wide range of potential risks. When you have home insurance, it protects you from everything from liability costs to damage to your home. When you are a homeowner and don’t have home insurance, call us today at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. in Houston, TX to find out more. 

How Home Insurance Protects You

Home Damage

One of the most important protections afforded by this insurance is protection against physical damage to your home. If something happens that causes expensive damage, your home insurance will pay for you to get it repaired. After a serious event like a covered disaster, the policy can pay for the many expenses that you have, including the repairs and staying somewhere else if your home is uninhabitable. This coverage can be worth hundreds of thousands after a lot of damage has occurred to a home. 

Liability Protection

If someone is in your home and has an accident that leaves them injured, you are likely to be responsible for paying their lost wages and medical bills afterward. This can add up to a huge amount that you have to come up with if you don’t have home insurance. With this insurance, these costs are covered for you y the policy. This can save you from financial ruin if someone has a bad accident in which they are seriously injured. Their lost wages alone can be highly expensive. 

Get Home Insurance Today

If you aren’t covered, there’s no time to wait to get your own home policy. Call us today at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. in Houston, TX to discuss your home insurance needs with an agent. 

The Two Main Types of Life Insurance

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When you are in the market for life insurance, you may wonder about the different types and how they work. It’s a good idea to understand the two main types before you make your choice for a policy of your own. It’s always smart to have life insurance so that you can help those who are close to you after you’re gone. When you want a life insurance policy, contact us today at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. in Houston, TX.

The Two Main Types of Life Insurance

Term Life Insurance Policies

This kind of life insurance policy is a type that is attractive to many for its benefits, though like any life insurance policy, it also has its drawbacks. The main advantage of this type of life insurance is that it is generally reasonably priced. It is priced lower than the other main type, and it is often budget-friendly. However, this insurance type is named after how long a policy lasts. There is a specific term of years that the policy will be active for. After that has passed, the policy expires. Once that happens, you have to apply for new insurance if you want to stay covered. 

Whole Life Insurance Policies

Getting a whole life policy gives you a very different kind of coverage from term life. Unlike with term life, there is no expiration date with this coverage. Instead, it is good for the rest of your life, even if you reach a very elderly age. It does cost more than term life, but many people like that they never have to apply for life insurance again. It also builds up an amount that you can borrow in case of an emergency. 

Support Your Loved Ones

To make sure there is something left behind after you’re gone, you need life insurance. Call us at Kurtin Insurance & Financial Inc. in Houston, TX.

Our Partners

  • Allied
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