What kind of boat insurance is required by Texas state law?

Boat insurance is similar to auto insurance. It covers your watercraft and provides liability coverage if you damage someone else’s boat or property or injure someone else while operating your boat. However, boat insurance requirements often vary from state to state. Our team at JD Insurance Group is committed to helping boat owners in Beaumont, TX, understand boat insurance. 

What is boat insurance?

Boat insurance is like any other insurance. It provides coverage for damage your boat may sustain in an accident as well as liability coverage for other people’s properties and injuries you may cause. Your boat insurance pays for the repairs to your boat or its replacement if the circumstances of the damage are covered events. Boaters may be required to carry boat insurance, even if it’s not required in a particular state. Only Utah and Arkansas require boat owners to carry insurance. However, boat insurance may be required if you have a boat loan or want to use certain marinas.

What kind of boat insurance is required by Texas state law?

Boat owners aren’t required to carry boat insurance in Texas. However, if you have a loan, your lender will require you to carry boat insurance. You may also need boat insurance for your watercraft to use certain recreational venues as well. Even though Texas law doesn’t require boat owners to carry insurance, boat insurance has obvious benefits. You benefit from liability coverage, which will pay for repairing or replacing your boat if it’s damaged. If you have questions about boat insurance and its benefits, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

Home Insurance and Your Mortgage: Meeting Mortgage Expectations

Are you thinking about buying a home? Perhaps you already have a home loan but want to lower your home insurance costs. One area you may want to consider is your home insurance.

In virtually every situation, it will be critical for you to maintain proper home insurance to meet your mortgage lender’s requirements. At JD Insurance Group, we help clients in and around Beaumont, TX, to ensure they have the right type and level of insurance to meet their needs and to keep them up to date on what their mortgage lender requires.

Why Your Mortgage Lender Requires Home Insurance

Home insurance is a type of safety and protection tool. If your home were to catch on fire or suffer serious damage from a covered event, the insurance policy could provide financial compensation to help rebuild or repair your home – depending on what happened and how. That’s important to your lender.

Your lender has put a significant amount of money into the home for you. Home insurance helps to protect that asset from risks like fires. That is why most mortgage loan contracts require the property owner to maintain enough insurance to cover at least the amount owed on the loan.

Often, that’s not enough to meet your needs, though. You may want to increase the amount of home insurance you have to cover the cost of rebuilding your home if a serious incident were to occur. Doing so helps to safeguard your property and your investment in it.

Let Our Team Help You

If it is time for a home insurance update, the independent contractors and team at JD Insurance Group can help you. We work with property owners in Beaumont, TX, and the surrounding areas to get the insurance coverage their lenders need and enough to protect their investments as well.

3 Common Questions About Classic Car Insurance

Classic cars come in many ages and styles and are often customized, and while similar in most ways to traditional vehicles, there are some differences when insuring them. Here are answers to the most common questions about classic auto insurance that our customers at JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX ask.

Three Common Questions About Classic Car Insurance

1. Can I Add a Classic Car to My Standard Auto Policy?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Many classic cars increase in value as they age, while standard autos depreciate as miles and years accumulate. Insurance typically compensates policyholders at Blue Book value, while classic vehicle policies cover an agreed value made of its worth. This ensures that you’ll receive adequate compensation when making a claim.

2. Is My Vehicle Covered If I Make Repairs Myself?

Most classic car policies let owners choose their preferred repair shop, but many owners like to fix things themselves. After all, special cars require specialized care that some owners can only perform. Your policy generally covers self-repair work due to the unique nature of classic vehicles.

3. Do I Need Year-Round Coverage if I Only Drive My Classic Car in Summer or Spring?

Regardless of when or how often you take your treasure on the road, it needs protection at all times, even when it’s being stored.   We don’t recommend ever going without coverage. This is because theft and perils like fire, lightning, hurricanes, and flooding can damage or total your classic car at any time, and no insurance equals no compensation.

We’ll Help You Create the Ideal Classic Car Policy

As an independent agency, we work with several reliable carriers to help you find great deals backed by superior customer service. JD Insurance Group has a physical office in Beaumont, TX but offers policies throughout Texas and Louisiana. Contact us or come by our location to speak with an agent in person.

When to Buy Renters Insurance

Renters insurance is a valuable type of insurance policy. It’s designed to help protect a person’s belongings when they rent—not own–their property. Depending upon the policy, renters insurance can cover things such as vandalism, theft, fire and some natural disasters. Here are times when you should consider buying renters insurance from JD Insurance Group serving Beaumont, TX.

When to Buy Renters Insurance

You Recently Moved Into a New Rental

If you’re a new renter or have just moved into a new rental property, you should purchase renters insurance as soon as possible. This helps to protect your belongings from day one.

You Recently Acquired New Valuables

Whether it’s a pricey e-bike, jewelry, or the latest electronics, make sure you get them covered with renters insurance. You’ll sleep better at night knowing your items are covered.

You’ve Taken on a Roommate

If you’re sharing your accommodation with someone else, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper amount of renters insurance. Your roommate may have brought in additional valuables that need to be covered.

Your Landlord Requires It

Some residences have rules that require tenants to have renters insurance. You have a choice of where to get it. Contact JD Insurance Group serving Beaumont, TX for assistance.

You Own Family Heirlooms

Family heirlooms are often antiques with financial value. It may offer peace of mind to know that your family treasures are protected with renters insurance.

You Live in a High-Risk Area

Consider the risks associated with your geographic location. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes, renters insurance can offer peace of mind.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

Renters insurance is easy to acquire and is one of the essential insurance policies you should have as a renter. Contact JD Insurance Group for more information and to get your policy started.

3 Ways Motorhome Insurance Enhances Your Next Vacation

Beaumont, TX is a great place to live. But it doesn’t hurt to get out and explore the rest of the country in a motorhome sometimes. Just make sure you remember all the essentials when packing up for your vacation. You’ll need extra funds, food, clothing, etc. 

You’ll also need items to make your vacation better, like games and motorhome insurance from the JD Insurance Group. This type of insurance enhances your vacation by providing peace of mind, protection, and convenience.

Here’s how:

It covers you in case of an accident. It’s also possible to buy additional policies that cover your RV against damage, theft, and breakdowns. In this way, you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about unexpected expenses and other issues.

It protects your RV and personal items from unexpected events like fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. It also protects you and your passengers if other drivers injure you or damage your RV. Plus, you can get coverage for your motorhome attachments, like awnings and satellite dishes as well. Auto insurance doesn’t cover these items. 

It provides you with roadside assistance if you need basic repairs, like a flat tire change or a new battery. It can also provide you with lodging. The policy pays for the cost of renting a hotel or a campground if your RV breaks down or gets damaged.

We Are Here To Help

Before you leave your Beaumont, TX home, it’s important to remember one thing. Motorhome insurance makes your vacation better because it provides you and your loved ones with peace of mind, protection, and convenience. When you get this coverage from our agents at JD Insurance Group, you can travel with confidence and enjoy your vacation to the fullest. 

Staying Safe in Your RV: A Road Trip Checklist

Embarking on a road trip in your RV is an exciting adventure, but safety should always be a top priority. To ensure a smooth and secure journey, follow this road trip checklist drafted by the team at JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX. 

Staying Safe in Your RV: 

  1. Inspect your RV before you leave. Check tires, brakes, lights, and fluid levels, and make necessary repairs.
  2. Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a fire extinguisher, and basic tools.
  3. Plan your route in advance and share it with someone. Include stops at rest areas, campgrounds, and fuel stations.
  4. Monitor the weather forecast for your route. 
  5. Equip your RV with safety gear like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them before departure.
  6. Bring important documents, including your driver’s license, RV registration, insurance, and any medical records or prescriptions.
  7. Have a reliable communication system in place, such as a cell phone with a charger and a two-way radio for remote areas.
  8. Install RV-specific security measures like door locks and window bars to deter potential intruders.
  9. Review your RV insurance policy to ensure it covers your trip and any additional needs you might have.
  10. Make any campground reservations in advance to secure a spot.
  11. Consider taking a first aid/CPR course to be prepared for emergencies.
  12. If traveling with pets, ensure their safety with proper restraints and supplies.
  13. Adhere to speed limits, stay alert, and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
  14. Keep a list of emergency contacts, including roadside assistance and local authorities.

Get Insurance Coverage For Your Needs

By following this road trip checklist, you can enjoy your RV adventure while prioritizing safety. To learn more about insuring your RV, visit us at JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX today!

Navigating Beaumont’s Open Roads: Motorcycle Insurance Essentials

Finding the right motorcycle insurance policy can be challenging but when you have the help of JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX? The process becomes a breeze. While there are a number of misconceptions when it comes to motorcycle insurance, we are here to help our riders make sense of it all.

Let’s take a closer look at the most crucial essentials:

Choosing an Experienced Agent

When you want a motorcycle insurance policy that is specifically tailored to your personal needs, you need to make sure that you are choosing an experienced agent who has handled policies like yours in the past. Choosing an inexperienced agent is a common pitfall, and it will cause you to end up with a policy that does not come close to reflecting the true breadth of your requirements.

Know Your Coverage

There are a number of riders who will simply ask for coverage, without knowing any of the particulars. There is no such thing as a policy that provides unilateral coverage without you having to make any additional decisions. Our team of experts is more than happy to help you, but you can also help yourself by doing the necessary research before your consultation takes place.

Shop In Person or Over The Phone

Shopping online is one of the easiest ways to make a mistake. When you contact the JD Insurance Group, our experienced agents will help you to avoid these all-too-common errors. If you have any questions or concerns that cannot be addressed online, the best way to steer clear (see what we did there?) is by speaking to our team in person or over the phone.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Once you are ready to navigate the open roads of Beaumont, TX on your motorcycle, you need to make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage. Our experts are always on hand and ready to help. Call the JD Insurance Group as soon as possible so that we can offer all of the tips and pointers that you need.

Tips for Honing Your Boating Skills

You’ve finally purchased your own boat and are anxious to take it out for a spin. The trouble is you’re short on boating skills. No problem. There are numerous ways to learn how to navigate your watercraft safely, so you can enjoy boating to the full. The following tips from JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX can be helpful in honing your boating skills.

Tips for Honing Your Boating Skills

Take a Boating Safety Course  

If you’re new to boating, you can learn how to operate your vessel safely by taking a boating course. Through a boating course, you can learn about navigational tools and their use, safety equipment, maneuvering in different types of water, and other useful skills. There are also online resources that can teach you about knot tying, anchoring, docking, backing a trailer, reading nautical charts, and more. Between a boating course and online research, you can learn essential boating skills that will make boating a safer, more enjoyable experience. 

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice as often as you can to perfect the skills you need on the water. The more boating practice you get, the more comfortable you’ll feel on the water. It takes time to become a skilled boater so don’t try to hurry the process. Find a secluded lake or beach where you can practice using navigational tools like your marine navigation app, nautical charts, compass, or maps to navigate your boat with confidence.

Seek Advice from Experienced Boaters

Seek help from friends or relatives who are experienced boaters. Get them to come with you on the water and show you how it’s done. Take advantage of their boating knowledge and experience to sharpen your watercraft skills and avoid making common boating mistakes. 

Lastly, remember to protect your investment with boat insurance. To learn more about coverage options and costs, contact JD Insurance Group in Beaumont, TX.    

Home Insurance Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions

As Beaumont, TX homeowners, securing a good home insurance policy is essential to protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your property from unforeseen events. However, several myths and misconceptions surrounding home insurance can prevent homeowners from making informed decisions about their coverage. JD Insurance Group debunks some common home insurance myths, so you can confidently protect your home.

Home Insurance Myths

Myth #1: Home Insurance Policy Covers All Types of Damage

Many homeowners mistakenly assume that their insurance policy covers all types of home damage. However, this is not always the case. While most policies cover damage caused by fire, theft, and natural disasters such as storms, floods, and earthquakes, they may not cover damage caused by wear and tear or poor maintenance.

Myth #2: Home Insurance Claims are Hard to File

Finally, many homeowners fear filing a claim with their insurance company because they think it will be complicated and time-consuming. However, filing a claim can be straightforward and stress-free with the right coverage and documentation. Keep all records and receipts related to your home and personal property.

Myth #3: Home Insurance Only Covers My Home

Home insurance policies cover not only your home but also your personal property and liability. For example, if someone is injured on your property, your home insurance policy can help cover their medical expenses and legal fees. Similarly, your policy can help cover the replacement cost if your personal property is stolen or damaged. It’s essential to understand what your policy covers to ensure adequate protection.

Reach Out To Us

Understanding these common home insurance myths allows you to make informed decisions about your coverage and protect your home and personal property in Beaumont, TX. Call JD Insurance Group if you have any questions about your policy or need to file a claim.

Tips to keep your classic car running like new

Are you an enthusiast of classic cars here in the Beaumont TX area? Whether you’ve owned your vintage ride for years or are just getting started, the tips below from us at JD Insurance Group will help keep your classic car running like new. 

Classic Car Tips

1. Keep it cool:

One of the most important preventative measures to undertake with a classic car is to check the cooling system on a regular basis. Make sure to keep an eye on hoses and belts for signs of wear and tear as well as checking the antifreeze levels and other fluids. 

2. Regular maintenance:

Just like any car, regular maintenance is key to keeping your classic car in top condition. Change the oil regularly, ensure that brakes are working properly, and pay attention to other moving parts such as spark plugs and filters in order to keep everything running smoothly. 

3. Service by specialists:

While some maintenance can be done yourself, make sure to take your classic car to a specialist who knows how to handle vintage vehicles. These professionals can identify any potential issues before they become too costly or time-consuming repairs, so make sure that you stay on top of service appointments when necessary. 

4. Protect from the elements:

As much as possible, try to store your classic car indoors or in a garage when not in use – this will protect it from rusting due to exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures. Also, be mindful of where you take it out on the road as dirt roads can be especially tough on vintage tires and suspension systems.

Get The Best Coverage For Your Classic Car

For more tips and for your insurance needs, give us at JD Insurance Group a call today. We are proud to serve the Beaumont, TX area.