Insurance

Hurricane Season 2024

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June 1, 2024 marked the beginning of the 2024 Hurricane Season. Are you prepared?

Outdoor Insurance Services wants to ensure that you and your loved ones are well-prepared
and protected against the potential impact of severe storms. Texas, being a coastal state, is no
stranger to the dangers hurricanes pose, and it is crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard
your home and property. This year, NOAA is predicting an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane
Season. Follow this link to read more about NOAA’s 2024 prediction.

Understanding Your Coverage
Before we delve into hurricane preparedness, let’s review your insurance coverage. Your
homeowner’s insurance policy should cover most damages caused by hurricanes, including wind and hail damage. However, it does not cover damage from rising waters, such as floods, caused by hurricanes. You will need to make sure you have Flood Insurance in addition to your homeowner’s policy. It’s essential to confirm the specific details of your policy, such as deductibles and exclusions. If you have any questions about your coverage, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated team of insurance experts.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips

  1. Create a Family Emergency Plan: Develop an emergency plan with your family to ensure
    everyone knows what to do in case of an evacuation. Establish meeting points, discuss
    communication channels, and assign responsibilities to each family member.
  2. Secure Your Property: Trim trees, clear debris, and secure loose items in your yard to
    minimize potential damage caused by strong winds. Reinforce your home’s doors and windows,
    and consider installing storm shutters for added protection.
  3. Review Your Evacuation Route: Familiarize yourself with the designated evacuation routes in
    your area. Stay informed about local authorities’ instructions and be prepared to evacuate
    promptly if necessary.
  4. Create a Disaster Kit: Assemble a disaster preparedness kit containing essential supplies
    such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid items, and important
    documents. Be sure to include enough supplies to sustain your family for at least three days.
  5. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather updates from reliable sources, such as the National
    Hurricane Center and local authorities. Follow their guidance and take necessary precautions
    accordingly.

Filing an Insurance Claim
In the unfortunate event that your property sustains damage due to a hurricane, follow these
steps to file a claim:

  1. Ensure Safety: Prioritize your safety and the safety of your family. If needed, seek medical
    attention for any injuries and report any immediate dangers to the appropriate authorities.
  2. Document the Damage: Take photographs and videos of the damage to your property and
    belongings. This visual evidence will be helpful when filing your insurance claim.
  3. Contact Us Promptly: Reach out to Outdoor Insurance Services as soon as possible, and we
    will walk you through the claims process and provide the necessary assistance.
  4. Prevent Further Damage: Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to your property.
    This may include temporary repairs to stop leaks or securing exposed areas.
  5. Keep Records: Maintain a record of all communications with your claims team, including
    dates, names, and summaries of discussions.

For more information on the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, click here.

Essential Tips for Buying RV Park Insurance

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At Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX, we love helping new and seasoned RV park owners purchase insurance to protect their businesses so they can grow and thrive for years to come. While all RV park insurance policies may have their own terms and limits that can benefit policyholders in unique ways, we can offer some general tips for those shopping for RV park insurance. Owning an RV park should be rewarding, so we try to take the hassle out of protecting your RV park against liability and more. If you follow our suggestions below, you’ll be well on your way to finding the right RV park insurance policy for your needs.

Look into Local Laws

Before you decide to go with an RV park insurance policy, investigate the local laws surrounding RV park insurance. The last thing we want our clients to do is fail to have the minimum required RV park insurance because of a lack of upfront research. If you’re unsure where to start, looking into local insurance laws can be as easy as scrolling through related government websites or calling regional governmental offices to see if they can direct you to the appropriate department for learning about this subject.

Review Your Options

Once you know your minimum insurance requirements, it’s time to consider the extra coverage you may want. Looking into options can mean reviewing potential providers. It can also involve reviewing different policies from the same provider.

Work with Qualified Insurance Agents

Most importantly, you’ll want to speak with qualified insurance agents to guide you through this process. For assistance in securing RV park insurance, call our office at Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX. 

 

Ways to Hurricane Proof Your Home

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No homeowner relishes the thought of facing a hurricane. If you live in Houston TX, however, you’ve got to be prepared. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to minimize the damage that hurricane winds and rains can cause. Here are some ideas from Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX on how to “hurricane proof” your home.

Ways to Hurricane Proof Your Home

When it comes to hurricane protection, the priority is safeguarding your family. If you plan to shelter in place, this can be done by shoring up your home. Here are some ways to accomplish these goals:

Windows

Windows are at risk of damage from winds, debris and rain. Investing in hurricane windows would be a long-term solution to avoiding damage to your windows and home. You can also install storm shutters to protect your windows from harm.

Exterior Doors

Exterior doors can sustain a lot of damage by high winds and flooding. If your doors are old and worn, upgrade them to fiberglass or steel doors to protect your home.

Garage Door

Damage to your garage door paves the way for stormwater to enter your garage and damage all that’s within. If replacing this door is too costly, try reinforcing it with braces or hurricane clips for extra support. This will help protect the contents of your garage and home.

Roof

If your roof needs repairs, get this done before a hurricane strikes to avoid water damage in your home. At the same time, make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good shape and free of clutter to channel rainwater away from your home.

Home Insurance

Don’t forget to review your home insurance before hurricane season to ensure your coverage is relevant and up to date. For help updating your home coverage, contact Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX.

How Can I Help My Community Recover After A Hurricane?

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Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on communities. When a hurricane or other major storms hit, the damage can be extensive, and it can take months or even years for the community to recover. If you want to help your community recover after a natural disaster, there are several things you can do. In this blog post, we’ll discuss ways you can help your community rebuild after a hurricane or storm.

1. Donate Money to Relief Efforts

One of the best ways you can help your community recover from a natural disaster is donating money to relief efforts. Many organizations assist communities after a major storm; your donation can help them provide much-needed resources.

2. Volunteer Your Time

Another great way to help your community recover after a natural disaster is by volunteering your time. Many organizations need volunteers to help clean up and rebuild; your time can make a big difference.

3. Donate Supplies

If you have any supplies that could be used to help with the recovery effort, such as food, water, or clothing, consider donating them to a local organization. Many organizations need supplies after a major storm; your donation can help them get the necessary resources.

4. Spread the Word

If you know of any resources that could be helpful to those affected by a natural disaster, share them with your friends and family. Many people need assistance after a major storm, and spreading the word about available resources can help them get the help they need.

Conclusion

If you want to help your community recover after a natural disaster, there are several things you can do. You can make a big difference in the recovery effort by donating money, volunteering your time, or donating supplies.

You can help those who need them most by spreading the word about available resources. So if you’re looking for ways to help your community recover, consider one of these options. Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX is here to help you.

How Can I Help My Community Recover After A Hurricane?

Posted on by admin

Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on communities. When a hurricane or other major storms hit, the damage can be extensive, and it can take months or even years for the community to recover. If you want to help your community recover after a natural disaster, there are several things you can do. In this blog post, we’ll discuss ways you can help your community rebuild after a hurricane or storm.

1. Donate Money to Relief Efforts

One of the best ways you can help your community recover from a natural disaster is donating money to relief efforts. Many organizations assist communities after a major storm; your donation can help them provide much-needed resources.

2. Volunteer Your Time

Another great way to help your community recover after a natural disaster is by volunteering your time. Many organizations need volunteers to help clean up and rebuild; your time can make a big difference.

3. Donate Supplies

If you have any supplies that could be used to help with the recovery effort, such as food, water, or clothing, consider donating them to a local organization. Many organizations need supplies after a major storm; your donation can help them get the necessary resources.

4. Spread the Word

If you know of any resources that could be helpful to those affected by a natural disaster, share them with your friends and family. Many people need assistance after a major storm, and spreading the word about available resources can help them get the help they need.

Conclusion

If you want to help your community recover after a natural disaster, there are several things you can do. You can make a big difference in the recovery effort by donating money, volunteering your time, or donating supplies.

You can help those who need them most by spreading the word about available resources. So if you’re looking for ways to help your community recover, consider one of these options. Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX is here to help you.

Insurance Tips for RV Park Owners And Operators

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The majority of RV park owners and operators in Houston, TX probably do not wake up in the middle of the night with insurance on their minds. However, as any business owner will tell you, proper insurance coverage is essential for all businesses, regardless of size.

If something goes wrong at a campground that you own or operate, you will want to know that you have professionals on your side who understand the varied and unique needs of your business. Outdoor Insurance Services is here to help you find the protection that you need to keep your investment safe.

Types of Insurance Available for RV Park Owners and Operators

There is so much that can go wrong at any given time at an RV park. There are just so many risks involved. You really need to make sure you are properly covered. However, there are several options available and if you do not understand them all, it can be difficult to know which is right for you.

Common options for RV Park owners and operators in Houston, TX include:

  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Employment practices liability insurance
  • Loss of income insurance
  • Non-owned and hired auto liability
  • Umbrella insurance
  • Flood insurance
  • Discrimination
  • Transmissible pathogens
  • Sexual abuse/molestation
  • Crisis management
  • Emergency evacuation

In addition, there are other types of coverage options to consider. The list is somewhat massive. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an insurance agent on your side that can help guide you in the right direction to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage to protect your business when the worth happens.

If you are interested in learning even more tips for RV park owners and operators, we encourage you to contact Outdoor Insurance Services for more information. Give us a call today.

Debunking Myths on RV Insurance in Texas

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When you are purchasing RV parks insurance, it can be a confusing job. With so many classes of motorhomes, needs for your RV, and even varying requirements for your own unique RV lifestyle, RV insurance can feel mind boggling.

At Outdoor Insurance Services, we’ve been serving The Woodlands, TX community with their RV parks insurance for years. We can help you to design the policy that you need.
Before you choose an RV parks insurance policy, we debunk the most common RV insurance myths.

Motorhomes and RVs are Covered by Your Auto Insurance

If your RV has a motor and you drive it, you will need to have insurance on it. It will be designed like an auto insurance policy, but it is your RV insurance policy. Still, this policy does not cover everything in the RV, or accessories such as satellite dishes. 

RV Insurance Covers Contents and Property

This is not necessarily a myth, because it really depends on what kind of RV or motorhome you have, and even what you use it for. If you are using RV insurance for RV parks and you spend a lot of time there, you’re going to have that included in your policy.
 
This gets confusing because sometimes people have their RVs parked at home, and their homeowner’s insurance can cover some property in the RV. It won’t cover things like plumbing, and furniture, that is what your RV insurance would cover.

In a park, you’ll need more thorough coverage for more complete coverage.

Your Current Roadside Assistance Plan Covers RV Parks

It might, it might not. You want to check the fine print before you make the trip and change your RV insurance policy accordingly. A lot of RV insurance policies will have Roadside Assistance, and you may even have your own plan like AAA.

However, your AAA or another roadside plan will have stipulations such as how long a trailer or motorhome they might cover. You may not know that until you need assistance, and that’s going to be a bad time to find that out.

Build an RV Insurance Policy

You want to look forward to your RV parks adventure this year, and next year, and you should. Build an RV parks insurance policy that will provide every coverage that you need. At Outdoor Insurance Services we want The Woodlands, TX community to have all of the RV coverage that they need. Call us for a quote today.