Texas landlord home insurance is different from a standard homeowner's policy in several ways.Because of this a landlord will usually get a specialized type of homeowners insurance.This is sometimes called a dwelling policy.Personal property (contents) is not usually standard with a landlord home policy.There is often an option to get this at extra cost.That is a good idea if the home is furnished with appliances and or furniture.You will probably be able to select the dollar amount of this coverage that you want.Personal property theft is normally excluded from coverage.Personal liability and medical payments to others coverage will probably by optional with a landlord's home insurance policy.There will probably be an option to have liability coverage added with extra cost.This is usually inexpensive and I recommend getting liability coverage.Texas has standardized packages of coverage and most landlords get a Texas Dwelling Policy (TDP1, TDP2, or TDP3 package.) TDP1 is the least expensive and covers basic risks.TDP2 covers some additional perils including rupture or bursting of water pipes, fall of trees, glass breakage, and collapse of building.TDP3 includes TDP2 plus trees, shrubs, plants, special form (broader coverage) on the building, and additional living expenses.(Please note that your actual policy may vary from my description and you should ask your agent to explain all details of any policy that you get).In many cases I suggest the TDP3 policy because it has better coverage for only slightly more than a TDP1 plan.Then ask about your options to upgrade by adding things like some content coverage, personal liability, and medical payments to others coverage.Your agent should discuss all available discounts with you.This can include things like an alarm system, newer home, updated electrical or plumbing, claims free, good credit, and senior citizen discounts.Flood coverage will not be included with your policy.If you are in a high risk area this is essential.If the home is not at high risk the cost will be very low.I usually suggest getting at least some flood coverage.Another consideration for landlords is a renter's insurance package for the tenants.This is important for them and you.You want their property to be covered to reduce the possibility of a claim against you if they have a loss.For example, if there is a fire and they have $50,000 in property destroyed, they might claim it was your fault because the home had an issue with the electrical system.You could also have exposure for a liability claim in the event of an injury.I suggest requiring the tennant to have a high level of liability coverage.A renter's package policy is usually inexpensive and is typically in the $100 to $300 per year range.Consider making renters insurance a requirement in your lease.You may want to require proof of a 1 year paid-up policy at move in time.Ask your agent to advise you about how much coverage is sufficient.

Asthma is unfortunately one of those diseases for which there is still no cure.However, this does not mean that a person who has it cannot live a normal life.The key is that it should be diagnosed.It is one of those diseases that can be kept in strict control if it is diagnosed early enough.The trouble is that early symptoms of asthma seem to be just fatigue, and is usually interpreted as such.As more and more time goes by with nothing being done to keep it under control, the more your chances are of getting a severe asthma attack.And, as the statistics show, over 5000 deaths a year are attributed to asthma attacks.The frightening part, according to the statistics, is that even people with mild cases can have fatal attacks.This means that if it is too mild for the person to take asthma as a serious possibility, there is still a chance that it might be too late before he or she can make that choice.According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), in the past few years, the statistics have been alarming.Over twenty million people are reported to have asthma - and these are just the diagnosed cases.Even more frightening, the incidence of the disease among children has risen.Especially hard hit have been poor children in urban areas - a clear indication that atmospheric pollution and asthma are closely linked.Over 65% of reported cases all over the world are from America.That is definitely food for thought.It has been observed that children whose parents have it are more likely to develop it, as well.In fact, asthma statistics show that about 40% of all children whose parents are prone to it develop the disease, as well.In spite of all the bad news, the good news is that if it is diagnosed in time, it can be kept under control.Even if it is hereditary, you can feel sure that you can live a normal, active life.In fact, if it is hereditary, diagnosis will only become easier.It is too easy to dismiss early stages of asthma as just breathing trouble, or getting out of shape.An attack that is quite mild can even be dismissed as a persistent and irritating common cold, or a bad case of flu.Once it is diagnosed, you can avoid things that will trigger attacks, and, with proper medication, it will not even be a real factor in your life.

Do you need to add a driver to your insurance? Adding resident drivers to insurance policies is a requirement.Since car insurance is all about rating risks for particular situations, insurance companies are very interested when new risks are added to a household.Each driver is a new risk.Basically, if there's a licensed driver who lives with you, they need to be added to all insurance policies as a driver.Adding Drivers for Different Situations.There are a couple of situations that might compel you to add a driver to your insurance policy.For instance, if your teenage son or daughter just got their license, they should be added to an insurance policy.Even if they don't own a vehicle, they need to be added to mom's or dad's policy.Yes, it will cost more money to rate your teenager.Simply put, it costs more money to insure a teenage driver than an adult - go figure.But you don't want to risk not adding them.More on that below.Another reason you should add a driver is when another person moves in.Whether it be a friend, a parent, or significant other, every driver must be added to all auto policies in the household.This allows the insurance company to rate for the new driver.If the new driver has their own policy, then it shouldn't affect your rates.Neither should it affect their rates when you're added to their policy - remember it goes both ways.But you'll need to discuss that part with your agent.The Risks of Not Adding a Driver .If you decide not to add a driver to your policy your insurance company will not like that.If they find out there's another driver living at your residence, they could potentially cancel your policy making it more expensive for you to get another auto policy in the near future.In addition, not adding drivers to your policy could affect a claim situation.If the other driver has an accident in your vehicle, claims will investigate why they were driving your car.If they discover your teenage son or elderly mother was living with you at the time, they could deny your claim.If it's a liability claim, you could be out tens of thousands of dollars - sometimes more.The risks are too high not add a driver to your auto policy.Adding a new driver is easy, sometimes free, but overall, it's just the right thing to do.

How much insurance claims adjusters can make per annum is the subject of considerable interest and speculation to those interested in a career in claims.As unstable weather continues into the fall, and the Atlantic hurricane season reaches its stride, its important to correctly understand the financial landscape of the adjuster industry.Some folks have heard from their girlfriend's brother or an estranged uncle that claims adjusting is a money tree.The money tree sits there blooming Benjamins, apparently just waiting happily to be plucked by any newcomer with the inside scoop.And as an added bonus, you really don't have to do work.The opposite extreme is my own previous misconception of the monetary compensation for claims adjusters which is that they made next to nothing and it was essentially a dead end job.This is as far from the truth as the money tree concept but, I would hazard to guess, a much more prevalent misunderstanding.So how much money does an insurance adjuster really make?According to the U.S.Department of Labor, claims adjusters earned an average of $44,220 in 2004.The top ten percent earned more than $72,620.The bottom ten percent earned less than $27,220.This seems like a fairly significant disparity.What type of adjuster is at the bottom and what type at the top?The answer to this question depends largely upon the type of claims adjuster you are referring to.In general, there are two types of adjusters. staff adjusters who are salaried employees of an insurance carrier, and independent adjusters who are independent contractors working for adjusting firms.This initial difference will make as much of a difference in pay structure as the type of claims actually handled - from worker's compensation to multi-million dollar commercial properties.Staff adjusters are typically going to be earning less than independent adjusters and in some cases dramatically less.$25,000-$60,000 is a reasonable salary range for a career staff claim adjuster.An independent adjuster in a good year, however, especially if he or she works catastrophe claims, can make well in excess of $100,000.Staff adjusters can make a good stable living.For independent adjusters, the opportunity can be a little more interesting and, I think, exciting.Independent adjusters working catastrophe claims make essentially a percentage of the amount of each claim they settle.This system of payment is known as a fee schedule and is formulated differently for each insurance carrier represented and storm situation confronted.For example, an independent adjuster handling hurricane claims may receive a fee schedule that pays $500 for claims between $3,000 to $5,000, $650 for claims between $5,000 and $7,500, and $750 for claims between $7,500 and $10,000.An adjuster will receive between 60-70% with the other 30-40% going to the adjusting firm they work for.Hurricane adjusters can easily average $10,000 settlement per claim and thus average between $400 and $500 dollars in their pocket per claim.A good adjuster should be closing 2 to 4 claims per day with superb adjuster closing 4 to 7.Making over $1,000 a day as an independent adjuster working catastrophe claims is common and very attainable.In this way, a good independent adjuster can surpass six figures income in less than six months.So, is this the money tree after all? Well, not so fast.Remember that catastrophes, especially catastrophes sufficient to employ significant numbers of adjusters, are relatively few and far between.During "dry" spells for independent adjusters, work can be scarce and competition fierce for the claims that do come along.That said, there is a tremendous and exciting opportunity for very real, very lucrative money when disaster does strike.Whether its operating on staff or as independent contractor, claims adjusting offers potential for solid and, in some cases, spectacular income.