​Are firearms covered under homeowners insurance?

​No matter how carefully you clean and maintain your firearm, unexpected things can happen. Even if you store them in a fire-resistant safe, there is no guarantee that they won't be severely damaged in the event of a disaster. 

For this reason, many people choose to purchase insurance for their firearms. There are a number of companies and organizations that provide specialty firearm insurance. However, before you purchase a separate policy, make sure to check with your homeowners or home insurance company and ask if they provide coverage for firearms. 

Most home insurance policies have a section called "unscheduled personal property" which provides some amount of coverage for personal belongings that aren't otherwise listed. This might include items such as computer equipment, but can often cover firearms as well. 

That having been said, keep in mind that insurance companies often have coverage limits for firearms, not just in terms of a dollar amount, but the specific quantity of firearms. In other words, they may place a limit on the number of guns the policy will replace in the event that they are destroyed in a covered disaster. As always, policy specifics vary from provider to provider, so be sure to ask yours about firearm coverage limits.

Is actual cash value the same as replacement cost? What's the difference? 
When you think of the monetary value of a particular piece of property, how do you arrive at a number? Do you think back to the sticker price you paid at the store? If it's a relatively recent purchase, that may be fairly accurate, but what if you've owned the property for a few years? Do you factor in wear, tear, and depreciation?

These are all important things to consider, especially when it comes to replacing a piece of property damaged by a covered loss. That's why insurance companies generally divide the value of a reimbursement into two categories: actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost (RCV). They may sound relatively similar, but they actually can function quite differently. 

Actual cash value coverage
To begin, let's take a look at a plausible example. Let's say that you recently purchased a brand new TV for $4,000, and unfortunately, it was destroyed in a fire. If the personal property portion of your home insurance uses ACV, the payment will likely be less than the initial $4,000 you paid at the store. 

This is because ACV takes the initial cost of the item and deducts depreciation from it. So, how does a claims adjuster determine depreciation? In many cases, they don't (or can't) inspect the piece of property in question directly. Instead, the value is based on the "life span" of the item. If your TV had a life span of 10 years, then it would have $400 per year deducted from the ACV for every year that you owned it. In this case, if you had this TV for three years before the fire, it would have depreciated by $1200, and the ACV payment from your insurance company would be $2800 (minus your deductible, of course). 

This is just an example, and the method by which a carrier determines an item's value and life span will vary from company to company. Regardless of the particular method used, the life span value is meant to account for the normal wear and tear property undergoes, as well as the normal decrease in value that most items experience over time. For example, a TV isn't likely to increase in value, or even maintain its value over the years. Even if it's in great condition, the older it becomes, the more its value has depreciated. 

Replacement cost coverage
Replacement cost coverage is a little more straightforward. This refers to a payment which equals the initial cost, or the cost you would have to pay to replace the property today, without factoring in depreciation. 

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Let's look at the example of our unfortunate TV that was lost in a fire. If your insurance policy coverage is RCV, it would pay to replace your property at full cost (again, minus your deductible). In other words, it would allow you to buy a new TV, or one that was similar in kind and quality to the one you lost in the fire. Of course, this payment won't exceed the personal property coverage limits outlined in your policy. That's why it's important to make sure that your coverage limits are equal to the value of the property you're insuring. 

Whether your coverage is ACV or RCV, if you have high-end electronics, expensive art, or other rare and expensive valuables, you may need to consider an additional endorsement to your existing policy. Depending on your coverage limits, the personal property portion of your homeowners insurance policy may not be enough to cover RCV reimbursement for such items.

How do I know whether my insurance policy uses actual cash value or replacement cost reimbursement? 
If you already have an insurance policy, such as a home or property policy, then you'll want to review your declarations page. This document simply outlines the specifics of your policy. In addition to stating whether your coverage is ACV or RCV, it should show other helpful information, such as your premium, your coverage limits, and any deductibles you may have. If you need another copy of your declarations page, your insurance provider or agent should be able to help you get a hold of one. 

How does actual cash value and replacement cost coverage work with different insurance policies? 
Homeowners insurance. Coverage is normally split between personal property coverage and dwelling coverage. Most homeowners insurance offers replacement cost coverage for the dwelling (your actual home), and possibly other structures, such as a storage shed or detached garage. 

On the other hand, the personal property portion of your coverage will more than likely be actual cash value. However, many insurance carriers will allow you to upgrade your personal property coverage from ACV to RCV if you are willing to pay a higher premium. 

It is important to keep in mind that the type of coverage offered will likely depend on the age and condition of your home. This is especially true for your home's roof - while your dwelling may be covered at RCV, if your roof is old or worn, it may only be covered at ACV. 

Renters insurance. As you may know, renters insurance is designed to cover your personal belongings inside a home that you rent rather than covering the dwelling itself. Like homeowners insurance, the type of coverage your renters insurance offers will depend on your carrier and the specifics of your policy. While renters insurance coverage is often ACV, it is certainly possible that your provider offers an upgrade to RCV. Fortunately, renters insurance is often affordable, and policyholders can typically get RCV while maintaining a relatively low premium. 

Auto insurance. Cars are notoriously bad at maintaining their value, and it is often said that they begin depreciating the moment you drive them out of the dealership. For this reason, auto insurance coverage is normally actual cash value and many insurers do not offer replacement cost coverage. Those that do will often do so through an endorsement, although they will usually have fairly strict requirements in terms of the vehicle's age and mileage. 

Which is better: actual cash value or replacement cost?
Generally, receiving the replacement cost as reimbursement is more helpful for policyholders than actual cash value coverage following a disaster or incident of theft. If you're concerned that your property won't be adequately covered with ACV, then RCV could be just the thing you need. However, selecting this option for your policy will come at a greater premium, sometimes substantially so. Furthermore, your carrier may have strict guidelines or restrictions regarding what property they will cover at replacement cost, and what condition it must be in before they will do so. 

For these reasons, it is difficult to say that one option is better than the other in the long run as it will depend on your specific insurance needs - you may find that changing your policy to RCV isn't worth the increased premium. If, for example, you live in an area that has a very low risk of disasters or theft, or if you simply don't have a lot of property to cover, you might be satisfied with the coverage that ACV provides. While RCV is recommended for certain property (like your home), you may find that other less valuable items simply don't justify the increased premium.

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If you're shopping for insurance and trying to decide whether or not you should go with actual cash value or replacement cost coverage, you should always speak with your insurance provider or insurance agent for further guidance. However, at the end of the day, only you can decide what type of coverage is best for you!

Metal buildings were once primarily used as barns, but now Texans love to live in them and call the "barndominiums."

Barndominiums are affordable to build, easy to maintain and more energy efficient than most conventional construction rural homes. ​

Your barndominium could be a metal home out in the country or a dual-purpose home with agricultural and living space. And Germania has unique coverages for the barndominiums that Texans love. 

Not only can our office provide you with coverage on your barndominium, we can provide coverage while you build it. We can provide a builders risk policy to protect your project from the ground up. Self contracting? No problem! Hiring a contractor? No problem!

120 years of protecting rural Texas Property means we know a lot about protecting homes that are so Texas unique. Just ask the generations of Texans who have trusted Germania to protect their property. 

If you've ever heard that fateful "POP!" while driving, followed by the tell-tale sound of flapping rubber, then you likely know the headache that comes along with a flat tire. But changing a tire doesn't have to be a daunting task! Read on as we show you how to change a flat tire in four simple steps, and with a little practice, you'll be a pro. ​

How to change a flat tire
First and foremost, make sure that you are in a safe location before attempting to jack up your vehicle or change a flat tire. In the best case scenario, you should try to find a parking lot or driveway - somewhere away from the flow of traffic. Of course, that's not always possible, so if you're on the shoulder of a road, make sure the tire in question is facing away from traffic.

Step 1: Loosen the lug nuts. Using your lug wrench from your roadside emergency kit, break loose the lug nuts from the studs, but don't remove them completely just yet. If you have a hubcap, you may have to remove it first in order to access the lug nuts. 

As you loosen the lug nuts, the weight of the wheel may shift, pressing against the other lug nuts, which makes them more difficult to remove. To prevent this, break them in a star-shaped pattern, moving from one nut to the opposite rather than moving in a circle. 

Sidenote: Although your vehicle likely comes with a lug wrench, it is essential to make sure that it fits ahead of time, especially if you have custom wheels. If needed, auto parts stores sell lug wrenches with various fittings that work with most standard wheels. 

Step 2: Jack up the car. Now that the lug nuts are loose, you'll want to jack the car up into position before removing the wheel. Most jacks are stored in the trunk near the spare tire, but this is certainly not always the case. Your owner's manual should tell you where you can find it.

It's important to remember that there specific places the jack must be positioned beneath your car. If you apply the force of the jack to a spot that can't support it, you could damage your car. Again, your owner's manual should help you identify these spots. 

Before jacking up the car, make sure to engage the parking brake or chock the other wheels to prevent it from rolling as you do so. It's also a good idea to try and find a level place to perform your tire change. Slide the jack into position and raise the car until the tire is just barely off of the ground. 

The exact process of jacking the vehicle will depend on the type of jack you have. However, most manufacturers include scissor jacks, which require you to crank the lever clockwise to raise it and counter-clockwise to lower it again. 

Step 3: Remove the wheel. With the car raised, finish removing the lug nuts and place them in the hubcap to prevent them from rolling away or otherwise getting lost. You can now remove the wheel from the lug studs by placing your hands on either side and pulling it towards you. You should always wear gloves when removing a tire as there are often sharp bits in and around the tire, especially if it is flat or damaged. 

Step 4: Mount the spare tire. You can now attach the spare tire. Use the valve stem as a guide to make sure it's facing the proper direction; the valve stem should always be facing out and away from the vehicle. 

After mounting the spare onto the lug studs, carefully replace the lug nuts by hand at first to ensure that you don't cross thread them. Then, tighten them partially with your wrench, but don't apply too much force as you could knock the car off of the jack - wait until the vehicle is on the ground to finish tightening. Lower the vehicle, allowing the weight to press down on the tire, and finish tightening the lug nuts with your wrench. 

Finally, place the damaged or flat tire in your spare compartment. It's possible that a tire shop could repair it if the damage isn't too great. 

Of course, changing a flat tire isn't the only time you may need to change a tire. The steps above will help you with a number of tire maintenance and brake maintenance tasks! 
How long can you drive on a spare tire?
The answer to this question greatly depends on what kind of spare tire you have. For some vehicles, the spare tire is the same as the other four, complete with the wheel and hubcap. In that case, as long as the tire pressure is maintained, the mileage is no different than the others. 

However, many spare tires are smaller, temporary tires known as "donuts." They're not meant to withstand the same speeds or mileage as a regular tire. If your spare is a donut, try to drive below 50 mph and don't travel more than 50 miles while it is attached.
How long does it take to change a tire? 
Like any skill, you get better at changing a tire with practice. The better you are, the quicker the process. If you have a few tire changes under your belt, it may only take you 10 minutes to change your flat tire, especially if it's a vehicle you've worked on before.

However, if you are changing a tire for the first time, it could easily take up to 20-25 minutes or more. It may take you some time to find the jack, the lug wrench, figure out how to get the spare out of the compartment, figure out where to place the jack, and so on. 

Of course, even 25 minutes can feel like an eternity if you're stuck on the side of the road with a flat. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare ahead of time and minimize the time spent on certain steps. 

For example, it's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the location of certain tools, like your jack and your lug wrench. Take a few minutes to locate your spare and practice getting it out of the compartment. Look at your owner's manual and make sure you know where the jack points are beneath the vehicle.

If you're up to it, you can even go through a few practice runs from the safety of your driveway. This is an especially helpful tactic for parents with teen drivers, but can be good practice for anyone who doesn't change tires regularly.
How long can you drive on a flat tire? 
The short answer is not at all. If your tire has completely lost the air within, your wheel will quickly grind the rubber to a pulp and begin scraping against the asphalt. Not only does this destroy the tire, the wheel and possibly the suspension can suffer, too.

Driving on a flat tire isn't just damaging, it's dangerous. Without air in the tire, it loses all the traction it needs to properly brake, steer, and maintain control. 

However, we don't get to choose when we get a flat and that moment frequently occurs while we're driving in the middle of the road. Often, you're left with no choice but to travel a short distance to an exit or an off ramp to find a safe place to stop.

In such a case, you can drive for several hundred yards at a very slow speed (15 mph or less) in order to get to safety. Although your tire will more than likely be destroyed, your rims may be fine. In any case, you'll be out of harm's way, and that is priority number one. 
 

Changing a tire isn't always simple and sometimes, you need a helping hand.  When you add Germania's Roadside Assistance Service to your personal auto policy, help is never far away! 

Congratulations on your new ride!
​Don’t forget to take the next steps with your Germania agent to ensure you’re covered when you’re behind the wheel. Whether you are adding a new car to your driveway or replacing an existing vehicle, you should report the change to your agent as soon as possible. The sales staff at the car dealership may offer to notify your agent or insurance carrier for you, but the named insured on your policy should always follow up on this request.
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Notifying your agent of a vehicle change can:
• Ensure you are sufficiently covered in the event of an accident or loss
• Maximize your premium savings by applying any new discounts you may now qualify for, 
• Avoid insurance verification issues with a lienholder, police, or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
​
Please contact your Germania agent if you have
any questions about adding a newly acquired car
to your policy.

This is where life begins. Now let’s talk about how to protect it with a Decreasing Term Life Insurance Policy from Germania Life. #BurtnettInsurance  #GermaniaLife #lifeinsurance #lifehappens #MoreThanAMortgage #LifeInsuranceAwarenessMonth

Whataburger, kolaches, Tex-Mex and a lot of people's exes. So, it's no surprise that Texans also have unique places to live. Call us to find out more about our barndominium insurance! 🤠 #barndo #barndominium #BurtnettInsurance #Texasbarndominium

Texas insurance companies may sell several types of policies. If a company offers you a policy with less coverage than you want, ask if other policies are available. You may also be able to add endorsements to your policy for additional coverage.  Purchasing a home insurance policy doesn’t have to be confusing. Contact our expert home insurance agents to find out about the different Texas Homeowners Insurance Policy Types and which one offers the best protection for your valuable investment.