Lisa runs a daycare in Fort Worth, and one of the kids’ favorite things to do is play on the outdoor playground. With swings, slides, and climbing equipment, it’s a fun and important part of their day. LIsa's kids are definitely not alone. Free play outside is great for all kids!
But as hail season gets closer, Lisa is starting to worry. She’s seen what Texas hailstorms can do to cars, roofs, and even windows, and now she wonders—what would happen if her daycare’s playground equipment got hit? Since she leases her space, it is one of her biggest assets to replace and she wanted to make sure that she was covered.
Lisa isn’t alone in thinking about this. Many daycare owners in Texas face the same problem with outdoor property damage. Outdoor equipment is expensive to replace, and storms can cause serious damage. But there’s a way to protect your daycare from the financial stress of replacing equipment after a storm.
Lisa knows how unpredictable the weather can be in Fort Worth. Last year, her neighborhood was hit with hail the size of golf balls. It damaged cars, destroyed roofs, broke windows, and left dents in fences. Daycare providers all over North Texas had financial damages from that storm. If her outdoor playground equipment got damaged, where would the kids play? And how much would it cost to replace everything?
Daycare business owners need to think about hailstorms because they’re a fact of life in Texas. It doesn't matter if you are in Ft Worth like Lisa, down on the coast, or even out on the High Plains, the crazy Texas weather is excellent at creating natural disasters. Playgrounds, shade canopies, and other outdoor equipment can all be damaged by hail or other types of storms. Without the right coverage options in place, replacing or fixing them could be a big expense.
Lisa decided to talk to an insurance expert about how to protect her daycare. She learned that property insurance can cover outdoor equipment like playgrounds, fences, and shade structures if they’re damaged by hail or other storms. But not all policies from the various insurance companies are the same.
Some daycare insurance policies automatically include outdoor equipment in their property coverage, while others leave it out or limit what they’ll pay for approved claims. The independent agent that was working with Lisa made sure to review her daycare’s commercial insurance policy to find out if her playground was covered. If it hadn’t been, she could have added additional coverage to make sure her daycare wouldn’t be left with a big bill after the next hailstorm.
During her talk with the experienced daycare insurance agent, Lisa also learned how important it is to keep up with routine maintenance on her playground equipment. Regular maintenance can help prevent accidents and make it easier to file an insurance claim if something goes wrong. Being able to prove her proactive work can also help on the annual insurance premiums since it helps with child safety.
Now Lisa makes sure her staff checks the playground for loose bolts, cracked slides, and worn-out surfaces every week. She keeps a log of the inspections and any repairs they make. That way she has proof that she’s been taking care of it. The parents love her ability to show how they are proactively taking care of their children this way as well.
Lisa wanted more than just a generic daycare insurance program. She needed something made specifically for daycares in Texas that could be customized to her specific school program that helps the children in her neighborhood. That’s when she found out about True Texas Education Insurance from Insurance for Texans. This coverage was built with Texas daycares in mind, including protection for outdoor equipment against hailstorms.
The team at Insurance for Texans asked questions first, and then walked Lisa through her options and helped her understand what her daycare needed. Now, she has the peace of mind that comes with knowing her playground—and her daycare’s budget—are protected from financial losses that can spring up with the next super cell storm.
If you’re like Lisa and wondering what hail season might mean for your daycare, now is the time to act. Protect your outdoor equipment and keep your daycare running smoothly, no matter what Texas weather throws at you.
Click the button below to learn about True Texas Education Insurance and get the coverage your daycare needs today!