Roommates, Shared Bills, and Insurance: What Arlington Renters Often Overlook

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Housing costs have increased drastically nationwide. This has led many renters in Arlington, TX, to consider roommates to make renting more affordable. That’s great, but it also introduces some additional risks when it comes to protecting your belongings and home. Many renters assume their policy automatically covers everyone living in the household, but more often than not, that’s not the case. Our experts at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency can help you understand when roommates are covered, or not covered, by your renters insurance.

Why Each Roommate Needs Their Own Policy

Living with a roommate complicates your insurance needs. Even if your roommate already has their own renters insurance, it won’t automatically protect your personal property. Their property is covered and only theirs. Each policy only covers the individuals named on it, meaning your furniture, clothes, and laptop are usually excluded. In shared spaces, this distinction is crucial, especially if theft, a fire, or water damage affects everyone’s property. Maintaining your own renters insurance guarantees:

  • Your possessions are covered, even if your roommates aren’t.
  • You’re covered if you cause damage or injure someone else. 
  • You have a place to stay if your unit becomes uninhabitable because your roommate started a BBQ in the living room.

How To Simplify Coverage With Shared Expenses

One benefit of living with a roommate is splitting certain bills. Renters insurance isn’t one of them. At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, serving Arlington, TX, we can help educate each tenant on how to protect their belongings with the right renters insurance. Our experts will make sure that the policy fits your and their budget while keeping the coverage clear and separate. It often even makes sense for all roommates to coordinate and compare their policies to ensure everyone has the protection they need.

Protect Your Space and Your Peace of Mind

The bottom line? Before signing a new lease or adding a roommate to your existing lease, make sure your renters insurance is built for shared living. Contact Rickey McGill Insurance Agency to discuss your options. We’re currently serving Arlington, TX. 

Seasonal Storage Implications for Motor Home Insurance

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For most people, a motor home isn’t in constant use year-round. It’s driven in the warmer months, then parked once travel slows. Putting it into storage may seem like the end of responsibilities until next season, but insurance doesn’t go on pause. How coverage is handled during downtime can make a big difference if something unexpected happens. Your insurance representative at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency serving Arlington, TX, can help.

Coverage While Parked

It’s tempting to think insurance isn’t necessary once a motor home is off the road. The truth is, risks don’t disappear in storage. Fires, theft, vandalism, and even storm damage can occur when a vehicle is sitting still. Comprehensive coverage is what protects against these events, and dropping it during the off-season can leave you exposed to costly losses. Liability may not be as important while parked, but keeping broad protection in place is still the safer choice.

Tailoring Policies to the Season

Insurance companies recognize that motor homes are often used seasonally. Some offer storage-only coverage or adjustments that reduce liability while preserving comprehensive protection. These options can help lower your premiums without leaving gaps. Reviewing policies before storing a motor home makes it easier to find the balance between savings and security. One of our experienced agents can explain what works best for each situation.

Why Routine Checks Still Matter

Insurance helps, but prevention is always valuable. Checking on a stored motor home occasionally lowers your risk and can prevent claims altogether. For example, make sure your doors are locked, your covers are secure, and the facility is in good condition. Insurers take note when owners demonstrate good care, which may help with rates over time.

Seasonal storage is part of owning a motor home, but insurance should remain part of the plan. With the right coverage through Rickey McGill Insurance Agency serving Arlington, TX, and a little preparation, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and be ready to travel again when the season starts.

Insuring Your RV for International Travel: What You Need to Know

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Taking your RV across borders can be an exciting way to explore new destinations. However, before you hit the road, it’s important to understand how insurance works when traveling internationally. Proper coverage ensures you’re protected no matter where your journey takes you.

Check Your Current Policy

Most standard RV insurance policies only provide coverage within the United States and Canada. If you’re planning to travel to Mexico or overseas, your existing policy may not apply. Review your documents carefully or speak with your insurance provider to confirm any limitations.

Special Coverage for Mexico

U.S. and Canadian insurance policies are not recognized in Mexico. Mexican law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance from a licensed Mexican insurer. You can purchase a temporary policy that covers liability and, in many cases, add protection for physical damage and theft.

International Travel Riders

For extended trips or travel outside North America, you may need an international insurance rider or a specialized policy. These options can help cover medical expenses, liability, and damage to your RV in foreign countries. Always request documentation in the local language if required.

Protecting Your Belongings

Your RV likely carries valuable personal items. Ask about personal effects coverage, which can protect belongings such as electronics, camping gear, and clothing against theft or damage while abroad.

Plan Ahead for Secure Travels

Insurance requirements vary widely by country. Research regulations for each destination and secure coverage before leaving home. Carry physical proof of insurance and keep digital copies as backups to ensure you’re prepared.

Call Rickey McGill Insurance Agency in Arlington, TX

At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, we’re proud to serve Arlington, TX, and we’re here to help you find the right RV insurance policy for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about your options.

Custom Bikes, Custom Coverage: Protecting Your Modifications in Arlington

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In Arlington, a motorcycle is more than just transportation—it’s a canvas in motion, a rolling autobiography written in chrome, leather, and the rasp of a tuned exhaust. But for every new part you bolt on, every panel you repaint, there’s an important question lingering in the background: if something happened tomorrow, would your insurance recognize what your bike has become?

The Value Shift No Policy Should Ignore

Modifications don’t just add shine—they transform the bike’s entire DNA. They impact its performance, profile, and even its place on an insurance underwriter’s checklist. A showroom model is easy for an adjuster to replace. But a low-slung, one-of-a-kind build with a hand-welded frame, airbrushed tank, and precision-machined forks? That’s not a warehouse item—it’s a unique creation. Without proper coverage, the payout after an accident could treat your masterpiece like a mass-produced machine.

This matters because the market doesn’t forgive gaps in documentation. Without photos, receipts, and a record of upgrades, it’s your word against the policy fine print. In the insurance world, proof isn’t optional—it’s your armor.

Threats That Don’t Wait for the Open Road

Most riders think about collisions. Fewer consider the freak hailstorm parked over an Arlington street, the fire that jumps from a neighbor’s garage, or the slow vandalism of rust after a flooded storage unit. Every upgrade you’ve made could be at risk long before your tires touch asphalt. While you can’t bubble-wrap a bike, you can build a safety net with the right language in your policy—a net that accounts for what you’ve created.

How Rickey McGill Insurance Agency in Arlington Can Help

At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, serving Arlington, TX, we don’t lump a custom ride in with a stock commuter. We listen, document, and design coverage that keeps pace with your creativity rather than lagging behind it. Because a bike like yours isn’t just a purchase—it’s a living creation you’ve built, rebuilt, and made unmistakably yours.

Before the next mile, the next mod, or the next “what if,” give us a call. Let’s ensure your coverage is as deliberate, distinctive, and unapologetically custom as the machine you ride.

Does Boat Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

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Hail is a significant risk in many parts of the Lone Star State. Some areas of Texas have reported hailstones measuring more than five inches in diameter! If you live in Arlington, TX, it’s wise to look for boat insurance that covers hail damage to protect your investment.

Hail can damage boats in several ways. It may break glass, crack or dent surfaces, and harm canvas, seals, and electronic devices. Additionally, storms often bring heavy winds or lightning, which can inflict further damage.

Insurance Coverage

To protect yourself against hail-related losses, it’s crucial to carry comprehensive boat insurance. While this type of coverage is generally optional, it may be required by your lender if you financed your vessel with a loan.

Comprehensive insurance covers a wide range of severe weather events, including high winds and lightning. It also insures boats against other losses, such as theft, animal strikes, falling trees, and vandalism. Additionally, this insurance may cover damage caused by a fire in a storage building.

Hull Insurance

Hull or marine hull insurance typically combines collision and comprehensive coverage. It protects against collisions with objects, like docks and other boats, as well as the weather-related events mentioned above.

Considerations

Keep in mind that a deductible often applies, so minor repairs may not be covered. You’ll also need to document the hail damage thoroughly. Be sure to take photos and report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for dependable boat coverage, turn to the experts at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency in Arlington, TX. Our independent local agency can help you select the ideal policy to protect your investment adequately. To get started, call 817-861-3400 for a free quote from Rickey McGill Insurance Agency.

How Umbrella Insurance Protects You From Life’s Big Surprises

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If you’re in Arlington, TX, and have questions about umbrella insurance, you’re not alone. Connecting with us at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency is the best way to get your questions answered and find a policy that suits your needs. You may be unsure whether you need this type of policy or think it won’t benefit you, but nearly everyone can gain from the added protection of umbrella insurance. Here’s what you should know.

Umbrella Policies: An Additional Layer of Protection

Even if you already have insurance for your car, home, and other valuable assets, it can be highly beneficial to increase your coverage. Standard homeowners and vehicle policies come with set limits, which the insurance companies determine. While you can choose coverage up to those limits, you can’t exceed them. Umbrella insurance provides a policy that activates once the limits of your other policy have been reached, offering extended protection.

Policy Limits Can Be Exhausted Quickly

Even if your insurance policies have high limits, a severe accident or natural disaster can deplete those limits faster than you might expect. You don’t want to be left wondering how to cover additional expenses for repairs or replacements after your primary insurance has been exhausted. Umbrella coverage steps in to fill the gap, offering extra security and protecting your assets from unforeseen events.

Our Agents Are Here to Assist

Contact us today at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency if you’re in Arlington, TX, and have questions about umbrella insurance. We can provide quotes from multiple insurers and help you find a policy tailored to your situation. With an umbrella policy, you can enjoy peace of mind and the added protection it brings.

Insuring Your Home Away from Home: What You Need to Know About Condo Insurance

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Owning a condominium can offer an exciting retreat from your primary residence, without the full responsibility of maintaining a standalone house. However, it’s crucial to ensure your condo is adequately protected. Here’s what you need to know about condo insurance.

What is Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance, typically known as HO-6, is different from homeowners’ insurance. It works in conjunction with your condo association’s policy.

Usually, your condo association’s policy covers the overall structure of the building, as well as common areas such as hallways, lobbies, and the building’s roof. Their policy typically does not cover what’s inside your unit, including structural components like walls and flooring, appliances, and personal belongings. Understanding the details of your building’s insurance policy can help ensure that your personal HO-6 policy fully covers your condo.

What Condo Insurance May Cover

Your individual coverage will depend on your policy. Typically, condo insurance covers the gaps left by your building’s policy. Condo insurance may offer dwelling coverage for interior repairs, liability protection in the event that someone is injured in your unit, personal property coverage to protect against stolen or damaged belongings, and loss of use coverage in the event that you’re temporarily unable to access or use your condo due to damage.

Rickey McGill Insurance Agency: Proudly Serving Arlington

At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, we’re proud to serve condo owners in Arlington, TX. Whether you’ve recently purchased your first condo or you’re looking for a new vacation home, we’re excited to get to know you and help you find the right policy for your needs. Reach out to us or stop by the office to chat and learn more about our coverage options.

Three Deaths that May Not Be Covered by Your Arlington, TX Life Insurance Plan

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Life insurance is not something you think of when you are young and free. It becomes a necessity as you get older and start your own family. You should want them to be protected if you were to die and become unable to take care of them. If you have a life insurance plan with Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, you are likely under the impression that your Arlington, TX family is fully protected and will get a large payout if you pass. This may not be the case. The following are three deaths that may not be covered under your life insurance plan.

1. Death While Committing an Illegal Act

If you are committing an illegal act while you pass away, there is a good chance that your life insurance company will not pay out to your family. For instance, if you die in a car crash while stealing a car or while using illegal drugs. There are sometimes exceptions to this rule if you were unaware that you were committing an illegal act when you passed away.

2. Suicide

Check your life insurance plan to see if it includes a suicide clause. Most life insurance plans do. This means that your family will not get a payout if you commit suicide. If you are considering suicide, you should also seek resources immediately to help you.

3. Certain Homicide Cases

If you are killed as a result of a homicide, the life insurance company will investigate the case. If the beneficiaries of your policy aren’t found to be liable for the murder, they won’t be paid out. This is often called the "Slayer Rule" in the life insurance industry. In many cases, a contingency benefactor will get the settlement instead. The payment could also go to the policyholder’s estate and be doled out as part of the will.

Contact Us Today

At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, we provide Arlington, TX residents with top-notch life insurance services. Contact us immediately if you have any questions or concerns about your level of life insurance coverage.

Do you legally need to carry commercial insurance for your business?

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Operating a business in Arlington, TX, even a small one, can be more than a full-time job. Long days can be filled with worry and stress. Business insurance from Rickey McGill Insurance Agency can help alleviate some of that worry and stress.

There is no question about the value of business insurance. But is it a legal requirement?

With the exception of Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance, commercial insurance is not a legal requirement. However, there are plenty of reasons to secure it for your business.

Protection Against Property Loss

Business insurance can cover your assets and inventory from loss due to a variety of perils. These include fire, theft, and vandalism.

Income Loss Coverage

Business insurance can insure your income if your business cannot operate due to a covered peril.

Liability Claims Protection

One of the significant risks businesses face is an injury accident claim from a slip and fall or another peril. Business insurance can also help cover legal expenses associated with a lawsuit.

Cyber Crime Coverage

A business insurance policy can be customized to provide protection against a variety of cyber crimes.

Commercial Vehicle Coverage

If you use personal vehicle insurance to cover vehicles used for business purposes, you are risking your business. See us for appropriate commercial vehicle insurance.

Secure a Business Insurance Plan Today

If you are a business owner in the Arlington, TX area, connect with Rickey McGill Insurance Agency to get started on a business insurance program for your company. We are here to answer your questions and provide a quote. We look forward to helping you protect your enterprise.

Preparing your home for an emergency

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Residents of Texas are all too familiar with the chaos that can result from the emergencies and natural disasters the state has experienced in recent years. At Rickey McGill Insurance Agency in Arlington, TX, we are here to ensure that you have insurance coverage to help you recover from the losses caused by an emergency or natural disaster.

Emergencies often occur with little warning. It’s crucial to be prepared at all times to protect certain possessions and essential documents. Whether it’s a tornado, a flood, or an ice storm, it’s important to have your important papers together in one place so that you can grab them and go if necessary. They should also be stored in a water and fire-proof container.

Having a generator can make a significant difference between living life as close to normal as possible and having to rough it. Ensuring that you have fuel to run it is essential. Having lanterns and candles is vital if you don’t have a generator. We often take water for granted, which may be in short supply during an emergency. Having water for drinking, washing, and flushing the toilet is an important part of preparation.

Secure outdoor items. Bring in or put away anything that could become a projectile. Clean the gutters so that they flow freely, and keep trees and bushes well trimmed. Sandbags can come in handy if flooding occurs. Also, have an escape route if you need to leave the area.

When you have home insurance questions and needs, our Rickey McGill Insurance Agency team in Arlington, TX, can provide the answers you need. Call us or contact us through our website.