If you live in Texas and own a home, there's no doubt your roof has taken a beating this year. Freezing weather usually visits us early in the year followed by some epic hail and wind. If that's not enough, your roof has baked under intense heat and UV rays. At the end of the summer and beginning of fall, guess what? We can see some more epic hail and wind.
We do things bigger in Texas, after all.
Appraise the Roof
Here we are in the fall, cooler weather has reminded us we actually do get a third season (winter is always subject to interpretation). Your roof probably hasn't gotten a lot of attention from you unless you've recently had a new roof installed due to the . . . you guess it . . . epic hail and wind.
It's a good time to be proactive to inspect or have your roof inspected before you notice something wrong with it. Simple maintenance to prevent debris and loose limbs from blocking or contacting your roof drainage system and shingles is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Up On The Housetop Click, Click , Click
If you're new to town or consider yourself a local, you know this is the time of year for extension ladders to appear. Soon, houses on your block will appear festive and illuminated. It's the season of Christmas light installation.
Some brave souls will install lights themselves, playing a delicate game of chutes and ladders with hopefully NO chutes. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, make sure to have proper health coverage,
Others will hire out to light up their gables, avoiding the physical risk. But as an independent insurance broker, we can't help asking, what about the liability risk?
Hire Pro and Hire Insured
If you are hiring for installation, make certain you are hiring a reputable company with a good track record of doing quality work and using quality equipment.
You also want to make certain before a boot hits the ladder leading up to your roof that the person or company installing your lights carries their own general liability insurance covering them or anyone else they have contracted to install. Since electricity and heights are involved, assure they are carrying proper insurance coverage due to the risky nature of hopping around roofs and scaling ladders.
You don't want to take the word of the installer regarding adequate insurance coverage. They should be happy to show you or have made available online their certificate of insurance.
If there's a slip, fall or tumble injuring someone, you don't want to have your insurance coverage pay the bill.
If you are found liable for an injury occurring, your homeowners insurance policy spells out the limits you have for personal injury, but ideally, you don't want your carrier paying for anything. Reduce your liability and protect yourself by requiring your installer to be covered.
This is a time of year to enjoy family, friends and fall weather with the peace of mind knowing your home is taking care of you because you take care of it.
If you have any questions about preparing your home well for remainder of the fall or winter weather, let us know. If you would like to know more about Insurance For Texans and how we help Texas homeowners find quality home insurance, well, we'll be more than glad to talk to you about that too. As an independent insurance agency, we have a few ways to do just that.
We hope your Thanksgiving is full of the cheer only living in Texas can bring.
