How to Safeguard Your Home from Fire

Everyone knows that fire is dangerous, but what about the havoc it can wreak on your home? Tackett Insurance Inc. wants every Memphis, TN homeowner to learn more about the common causes of house fires, how to detect and prevent them, and the first steps you should take if your home catches fire.

Keep Smoke Alarms Maintained

Many homeowners fail to maintain their smoke alarms properly. An alarm that does not work can’t sound a warning, so when a fire occurs, there’s no way to know about it until it’s too late. To ensure your smoke alarms work properly, clean them and check the battery at least once a year. Replace the entire unit every ten years.

Practice Safe Home Heating

It’s easy to get comfortable heating with a furnace or space heater, but you should also be mindful of the fire risks. Create a safe heating environment by keeping curtains and drapes away from heat sources. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including wooden furniture.

Get Your Electrical System Checked

A well-maintained electrical system can save you from a costly fire. A fire can start when a faulty appliance causes an electrical short, causing an electrical fire. Have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician to ensure the wires in your home are safely connected and that no wires are exposed. If you notice any exposed wires, have them quickly covered with a plastic sheath to prevent a short from occurring. If you have a natural gas system, inspect your gas line to ensure it’s safely insulated and that no cracks or holes are present.

Summary

Fire can cause significant damage to your home and can be frightening. Knowing what causes fires and how to prevent them can be helpful. Even if you do everything correctly, unforeseen troubles can cause fire damage and loss to your home. If you live in Memphis, TN, and need a home insurance policy to protect yourself from the cost of fire damage, please reach out to Tackett Insurance Inc. today.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

When you rent an apartment or condo, you are not usually covered under your landlord’s insurance policy. Some landlords offer a tenant’s insurance as an add-on, but this will likely not cover everything you own. A renters insurance policy will protect your personal belongings in case of a covered accident or disaster. 

Your personal belongings are typically covered under a renters insurance policy if they are stolen or damaged due to a risk that is covered under the policy. If you have questions in Memphis, TN, consult Tackett Insurance Inc. 

Know About Your Renter’s Insurance 

If you live in a condo or apartment, your policy will likely cover some things that most homeowners’ policies do not, including the common areas of the building, such as the lobby or gym. 

Renter’s insurance covers a variety of items, including damage from a fallen object, a lightning strike, or a broken heater. It can also cover medical expenses if someone is injured in your home due to negligence. First and foremost, renter’s insurance can assist you in rebuilding your life if your belongings are destroyed.  

If your home is destroyed due to a covered cause, renter’s insurance may cover the cost of re-renting your home or finding a new place to live. It can also cover temporary housing costs if your home is uninhabitable. 

Renters’ insurance can protect your personal belongings if your apartment is robbed or a natural disaster hits your neighborhood. It also gives financial security if someone is hurt on your property in an accident. 

Finally, it offers financial protection if your property is damaged due to an accident (e.g., a gas leak) or damaged by a guest who isn’t covered by their own insurance policy. 

Bottom Line 

The primary purpose of renters insurance is to provide financial protection against losses that would cause significant inconvenience if they occurred. It will cover the cost of replacing your personal possessions such as furniture, clothing, electronic equipment, and other valuables in the event of a covered loss. Are you stranded in Memphis, TN? Consult Tackett Insurance Inc.

What to look for when selecting your condo insurance

Residents in the greater Memphis, TN area can rely on the team at Tackett Insurance Inc. for all of their insurance needs, including condo policies. We can answer any questions you may have and help you find the right policy for your unique needs. Call or stop by today.

Things to look for when reviewing your condo insurance options

When selecting your condo policy, considering the following suggestions can make your search shorter and more effective. Take a look:

  • Protection for your unit. Many condo buildings have regulations stating that all owners are responsible for damage within their units, no matter who may be at fault. You’ll need coverage if your upstairs neighbor has a plumbing problem that causes water damage to your unit or some other similar scenario.
  • Review your condo board rules and regulations to ensure that you have the coverage you need. Your condo board may have minimum protection levels as part of your insurance requirements. Be sure to familiarize yourself with such standards before finalizing your policy.
  • Review available discounts. Some insurance carriers provide discounts to their clients. This can happen if you have more than one policy with them or own your residence free and clear of any financing. Double-check so that you don’t miss out on any savings!

Give us a call today, and we can help!

If you live in Memphis, TN, or the surrounding area, you can turn to Tackett Insurance Inc. for your condo insurance needs. We’re here to help you find all of the insurance you need to protect yourself and your family. Reach out to us today. You’ll be glad you did!

Do You Really Need Condo Insurance?

When buying a condo, you may be wondering whether you need insurance for it. To insure your condo, you may not want to spend that much money every month (or year). That being said, if you ever find yourself needing insurance, you will wish that you had it. 

Here are some reasons why you need condo insurance:

If you have a loan, you may be required to have insurance. Most mortgage companies require you to have condo insurance to protect your investment. 

Your condo association may also require it. Depending on where your condo is, the association may also require insurance to protect its community. 

If you can’t afford to fix your home if something occurs, you want to have insurance at that moment. Your insurance will cover most damage that occurs to your condo. If you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars lying around, you will need insurance to pay for the damages. If your pipe leaks, you could be looking at damage to the walls, floor, and ceiling below. This could add up! 

It will even cover the possessions that you have inside your condo. It will cover (to a certain extent) the cost of replacing your possessions, including your clothing, furniture, and even the artwork on your wall. You may need an umbrella policy if you have some expensive pieces of jewelry or art. This extra policy shouldn’t cost you too much extra, but it will be worth it if your jewelry is stolen. 

If you want to ensure that your condo is protected, don’t hesitate to contact us at Tackett Insurance Inc. in Memphis, TN. 

Why should someone in Memphis get life insurance?

Anyone who lives in the Memphis, TN area will want to know that they have the right personal insurance plans. A form of insurance coverage that everyone should consider getting is life insurance. This is a unique form of coverage that can provide you with a way to protect the financial needs of those you care about. There are various reasons someone will want to get a life insurance plan here.

Coverage Offers Financial Support for Dependents

Every breadwinner should want to have a life insurance plan because it can offer financial support for their dependents. If there are people that rely on your income to meet their basic needs, ensuring these needs are protected is very important. If you get a life insurance plan, you can create a policy specifically to meet your needs. This will allow you to build it to ensure that any expenses will be covered. 

Use Insurance as an Investment

You can also consider getting a life insurance plan as an investment opportunity. With a whole life insurance plan, you will enjoy the long-term benefits that come with this form of insurance support. This includes having a policy’s cash value that grows with interest and each payment. This makes it an excellent addition to a personal insurance plan. 

As you are looking to get a life insurance plan in the Memphis, TN area, it is a good idea to call the team at Tackett Insurance Inc. There are many great reasons to get a life insurance plan. Starting your search with Tackett Insurance Inc. is a smart idea. Contact our office to get the support you need when choosing a life insurance policy. 

Do people in Memphis need auto insurance?

People in the Memphis, TN area will always benefit by having their own car. When you are looking to purchase a vehicle in this region of Tennessee, you can quickly find that protecting your car is important. A great way that you can protect yourself and your car is by getting insurance for it. An auto plan is needed for people in this area for a variety of reasons. 

Coverage is Needed to Protect the Car

One of the reasons that you need auto insurance is so you can protect your car. There is a big investment that comes with a vehicle purchase and protecting it is very important. If you are insured, you will have the support that will help to mitigate various risks including theft or accident damage. 

Coverage is Required for Drivers

Another reason that you will want to get an auto insurance plan is that it will likely be a requirement. If you ever intend to drive your car in this state, you will have to carry liability insurance. With this type of insurance, you will have protection if you cause an accident that has damages. If you do not have this insurance in place, you could be found in violation of state driving laws and can face various penalties in the future. 

Anyone that owns or leases a vehicle in the Memphis, TN area is going to need to have auto coverage. If you are evaluating your needs for insurance here, you can start your search by calling Tackett Insurance Inc. With so many choices to make when looking for coverage, working with Tackett Insurance Inc. is a great option. The team here will give you any support that you need to understand all of your needs and pick an ideal plan. 

Are you required to have renters insurance in Memphis?

Renters insurance is something not many people understand. It is a personal type of insurance that protects your possessions and assets in a couple of different ways. At Tackett Insurance Inc. in Memphis, TN, our team of experts customize your insurance to what you need and can afford. Our agency has been serving the locals for more than 100 years. 

As to whether you need to have renters insurance, neither the state nor the city requires it, but some landlords or management companies may. Always read your lease carefully. But just because it isn’t required doesn’t mean you don’t need it and shouldn’t have it. Less than 50% of renters have a policy and that is needlessly reckless. It is affordable and provides valuable protection. 

If your rental was damaged by, let’s just say, a fire, would you be able to afford to replace the damaged items? What if your entire living area was damaged? Could you easily replace all your possessions? If your answer is no, what would you do? If you had renters insurance, you wouldn’t have to worry, you would have the money to replace your possessions. 

No one likes to think about being sued, but it does happen. It happens a lot more often than you probably think. Would you be able to pay for legal fees and a potential judgment against you? You could lose all your savings and even go into debt if you don’t have enough saved. 

Where would you go if your rental was damaged? Loss of use coverage will help pay for a hotel and temporary rental while your unit is being repaired. It beats moving back home and living in your parent’s basement or a friend’s guest room. 

In Memphis, TN, you can be comfortable calling Tackett Insurance Inc. and asking important questions about renters insurance.

How Tennessee Renter’s Insurance Covers You When You Travel

When you have renter’s insurance in Tennessee, you are likely starting off with a general liability policy. There is more to renter’s insurance than that. With additional coverage such as property coverage, you are more protected against financial risks. What many renters do not know is that their renter’s insurance covers them when they travel.

At Tackett Insurance Inc., we want Memphis, TN renters to have the most thorough coverage possible when they are renting their homes. That coverage goes where you go.

Learn more about how renter’s insurance covers you when traveling right here.

Property and Contents Coverage

You can include property and contents coverage in your renter’s insurance policy in Tennessee. If anything happens to your property, through loss, theft, vandalism, or accidents such as fire or weather, you can have those contents replaced.

When you are traveling, if you lose or break something covered in your renter’s insurance, you can have that replaced or repaired with an insurance claim. If something happens to a laptop, phone, or other valuable, your renter’s insurance will cover it.

Liability Coverage

When there is an accident or problem when you are on vacation, your liability coverage with your renter’s insurance will cover it. Your liability coverage on your renter’s policy covers you, and not your building. If something happens while you are away, you can make a claim with your renter’s insurance.

Get a Quote

If you want the most thorough coverage in Tennessee, update your renter’s insurance policy today. At Tackett Insurance Inc., we want Memphis, TN renters to be protected wherever they go. Call us for a quote today.

How to Protect Your Car from Theft

Auto theft is a common occurrence these days, with thieves getting savvy every day. There are many ways to prevent yourself from being a victim of car theft by taking preventative measures and ensuring car security. Investing in the right auto insurance policy is also a way to protect your car from theft. In case it gets stolen, you can be compensated for your loss. If you’re in Memphis, TN, Tackett Insurance Inc. can help with guidance on auto insurance companies that cover theft. 

Lock doors and close windows

When doors are unlocked, you make it easy for a thief to break in. It’s critical to make it a habit to check whether doors are locked at all times. If you leave the windows open, a thief can easily reach in and unlock the door from inside, then steal what they want.

Be smart about where you park and avoid dark, unattended areas

If you don’t want to fall victim to car theft, park your car in areas that are easily accessible and with good lighting. This will make it hard for a car thief to break in and steal anything as they fear being seen. Have a motion sensor installed if it isn’t in a completely lit place.

Don’t leave the keys in the car

Thieves can easily drive away with your car if you leave the keys on the ignition. If you are stepping out to run an errand, ensure you don’t leave the engine running. Otherwise, your car becomes an easy target for theft.

Install safety features

Car safety features and anti-theft devices are necessary when it comes to protecting your car from auto theft. Install alarm systems to go off when there is an attempt to break in and, if possible, have visible locks on the steering wheel and window etchings to keep off thieves.

If your car doesn’t have an antitheft system, have one installed. Your car has a higher chance of getting recovered fast, and this is discouraging to thieves. Ask your insurer about the discounts for these anti-theft systems. 

There’s so much you can do to protect your car from theft. It’s important to remember that lives are crucial, so don’t resist when confronted by a carjacker. You can also contact Tackett Insurance Inc. serving Memphis, TN to learn more about policies such as comprehensive auto insurance that cover your car against theft and other issues apart from collision.

Is it ever too late to buy life insurance?

The reality is unless you have a terminal illness that will cause your death within months or days, it is never too late to buy life. Life insurance isn’t really about you, it is about your dependents. Even if you are elderly, you may have dependents who count on your income to survive. Talking to your local independent insurance agent will help you to understand what you need. In Memphis, TN, that agency is Tackett Insurance Inc.

Life insurance is the easiest to get and the least costly when you are young, which makes it the ideal time to purchase it. Whole life insurance stays with you for your entire life and if purchased when you are young, it will always be well priced. With term life, the policy has a term limit. You may buy it for a very good price, but when the 20 years of the term are up, you will lose that rate. You may be able to continue your policy, but the rate will be adjusted by your new age. 

When it comes to the potential of being too late to buy life insurance, a lot will depend on your health. To get the best policies, you usually need to get a physical exam. If you have any issues, you could potentially be denied. Policies that don’t require a physical are available but are usually of a smaller payout amount and are more expensive. 

If you are older and want to get a life insurance policy, talking to your local independent insurance agent is a good place to start. They represent a wide selection of carriers and can make sure you get the most for your money. 

If you live in or near Memphis, TN, Tackett Insurance Inc. has a team of experts who can help you will all your life insurance needs.