The Importance of Having Your Plumbing System Regularly Inspected

Why Regular Plumbing Inspections are Essential to Avoiding Home Insurance Claims

Maintaining the functionality of your home and avoiding potential home insurance claims often depend on the regular inspection of your plumbing system. This blog discusses why homeowners in the greater Arlington, TX region should prioritize plumbing inspections with Rickey McGill Insurance Agency.

Preventative Measures Against Water Damage

Water damage from frequent plumbing issues such as burst pipes and leaks is a common trigger for home insurance claims. Regular plumbing inspections can identify and fix potential problems before they escalate, helping prevent expensive water damage and subsequent insurance claims.

Preserving Your Home Value

A well-maintained plumbing system is critical in maintaining your home’s value. Regular inspections ensure that your plumbing stays in optimal condition, preserving your property’s integrity and potentially increasing its resale value.

Avoiding Insurance Coverage Denials

Some insurance policies might refuse coverage for water damage resulting from negligence or lack of maintenance. By being proactive and scheduling regular plumbing inspections, homeowners can show evidence of diligent maintenance, thereby reducing the risk of insurance coverage denials.

Extending the Lifespan of Plumbing Fixtures

With routine inspections, early detection of worn-out or deteriorating components of your plumbing system becomes possible. Addressing these issues at their initial stages can extend the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures, thus saving you from incurring costs on major repairs or replacements.

Enjoying Peace of Mind

Regular inspections and a well-maintained plumbing system can offer significant peace of mind. You can rest assured that your home is protected against any sudden plumbing issues and related financial burdens.

To conclude, regular plumbing inspections are indispensable to homeownership in the greater Arlington, TX region. They can help prevent water damage, maintain home value, and avoid potential insurance coverage denials. If your plumbing system requires inspection or you have queries about your home insurance coverage, contact Rickey McGill Insurance Agency without delay.

Tips to make your house more energy efficient

We at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency strive for energy efficiency, but it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make your Arlington, TX home more energy efficient and save money in the long run.

Here are some tips to help make your house more energy efficient:

  1. Use energy-efficient light bulbs: Energy-efficient lighting like LED bulbs use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, so making the switch can have an immediate positive effect on your energy bill and reduce the amount of electricity used in the home.
  2. Install insulation: Insulation helps keep the heat inside your home during winter and outside during summer. Installing or upgrading insulation in areas like attics or walls can make a huge difference in keeping your home’s temperature regulated and maintaining comfortable temperatures year-round without using excess energy.
  3. Change air filters regularly: Dirty air filters reduce airflow and make it harder for your HVAC system to do its job efficiently, increasing energy consumption. Regularly changing air filters ensures your system is working at its full potential, saving you money on energy costs over time. 
  4. Utilize natural lighting: Using natural light during daytime hours can save electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions while providing an enjoyable living environment within your home! Try setting up mirrors strategically around rooms to reflect daylight into dark corners of the house, allowing natural light to flow through windows more readily throughout the daytime hours. 

For more tips on optimizing energy efficiency and getting the most out of every dollar spent on energy bills, call us at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency today. We serve the Arlington, TX, and DFW area.

Tips for buying home insurance for the first time

With dozens of insurers to choose from and factors to consider, the task of buying home insurance can be overwhelming and challenging for most first-time buyers. However, with adequate preparation and guidance from insurance experts at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency, you can be sure to get a policy that will provide a healthy financial safety net. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Conduct enough research

Research is quite essential if you want to get the most out of your policy. Start by researching home insurance companies around Arlington, TX. Know where they’re located, their quotes, and terms. This makes it easier to focus on the companies that provide value for your money. Check what insurance companies ask for and the factors that affect your premiums.

Create a budget

Once you have checked several online quotes from different companies, it’s time to create a budget. Remember your budget should match your insurance needs.  For instance, you can calculate the value of your home and add the amount to the value of your personal belongings. That will be your home insurance cost.

Understand how the policy works

Don’t depend on your insurance company to tell you everything. Before signing any documents, make sure you understand your policy very well. You can ask for clarifications for statements that you don’t understand. This helps you know what to expect during the application process and how to file an insurance claim.

Shop around

Your online research can help pinpoint some of the most reliable insurance companies. Check their pricing, customer services, reviews, and discounts offered to determine which company meets your needs.

Buying home insurance in Arlington, TX? Rickey McGill Insurance Agency has the time, expertise, and tools to help you get a policy that satisfies your insurance needs. Feel free to call us for more information, quotes, or new policy discussions.

Home Insurance Add Ons To Consider

When you purchased your home, there was a home insurance policy packaged into it. In most cases, it is not possible to buy a home without home insurance. Of course, when buying a home, you have so many other things running through your head that you may not have much time to focus on the kind of home insurance you were selecting as you should have. Well, it’s never too late to begin looking at potential home insurance options and add ons for your current property. Now that you have been living in your home, you know the ins and outs a bit better, making it easier to fine-tune your insurance policy. When owning a home in Arlington, TX, the best way to go about doing this is with Rickey McGill Insurance Agency’s help.

Flood Insurance

This is extremely important because it covers not only flooding in the event of weather, but flooding in the event of a burst pipe, or if there is a fire and the fire department needs to put it out using a large amount of water. 

Window Insurance

Have kids that love to play ball in the backyard? Tired of constantly replacing windows? Well, you can avoid all of this by opting for additional window insurance coverage for your home. It may end up saving you considerably. 

Fine Tune Your Home Insurance Policy Today

There has never been a better time to fine-tune your homeowner’s insurance policy. Whether you are currently shopping for a new home or living in your current one for some time, you need a policy that’s designed for you. So, when you live in Arlington, TX, the staff here at Rickey McGill Insurance Agency is here to help. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Discovering that your roof has been damaged is never fun. You may notice water stains in the attic or see visual damage as you drive up to your house. Roof leaks and other perils are written into many homeowners policies. However, one of the things your insurance company looks at is what caused the damage at your Arlington, TX property. Rickey McGill Insurance Agency can help you explore what options to choose to protect your home and belongings, but here’s some basic information on homeowners insurance to get you started.

Events That May Be Covered

It’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered by the policy you’re considering. Ask your agent about each policy’s open peril list. This list contains the types of events the insurer pays for, which may include fire and smoke damage, volcanic eruption, lightning, explosions, riots, vandalism, snow and ice weight, theft, bursting pipes, and many other events.

Open perils typically include most sudden and accidental incidents, unless the cause is specifically excluded in your policy. It’s not a good idea to file claims related to normal wear and tear since that’s considered a maintenance issue and the owner’s responsibility. For example, your insurance might pay for damage caused by a storm that topples a tree onto your roof. However, If the shingles on your roof are worn and the roof starts to leak as a result, you may have to fix the damage out of your own budget. 

Some events, like floods, are specifically excluded and require separate policies. Other hazards may be subject to varying coverage due to the risks in your area. Your agent is the best resource for understanding your options for hazards typically excluded from regular homeowners insurance. These events include landslides, mudslides, and earthquakes, as well as flooding, animal infestation, mold and foundation settling, and damage. 

Contact Rickey McGill Insurance Agency today for more information on the types of coverage available for your Arlington, TX home. Feel free to set up an appointment for a quote on covering roof damage and other events.