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Does a fifth wheel need RV insurance?

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The climate of Richardson, TX, means more sunny days for road trips. At Collum Insurance Group LLC, we want you to understand your RV’s insurance requirements so you don’t get any unwanted tickets while traveling.

Motorized RVs require separate insurance.

In the U.S., owners of motorized RVs must insure their vehicles. Although a fifth wheel doesn’t require RV insurance, it is still a smart idea to insure it against loss. Not sure what kind of RV you own? Let’s review.

A recreational vehicle (RV) has two main formats: motorized or towed. A motorized RV or self-propelled motorhome doesn’t require a separate vehicle to tow it; a driver can step inside the RV and drive it.

A towed RV refers to a fifth-wheel, truck camper, or popup camper. It requires a tow hitch on a truck or SUV to attach to the motorhome. Without the truck or SUV, the fifth wheel or camper would sit where you parked it.

Insurance Differences in RV Types

As long as you can drive the RV itself, meaning it’s motorized, it would help if you bought an RV insurance policy for it. You cannot use the insurance you purchased for your truck or SUV to cover your liability or damages to your own motorhome.

Conversely, the law of each state considers a fifth wheel or camper installed onto a truck as it would a trailer hauled by a truck or SUV. The insurance you bought for your automobile covers your liability while towing your camper or fifth wheel.

Here’s why you still need to buy an RV policy: the insurance on your truck or SUV won’t cover the cost of repairing or replacing your towed RV or the items stored in it. Imagine purchasing your fifth wheel out-of-pocket a second time and replacing everything you towed in it, too! Instead of spending that money, save it by buying an RV policy.

Contact Our Insurance Agents Today

Contact Collum Insurance Group LLC today for an RV policy that protects you from financial loss. Don’t leave your Richardson, TX, driveway without an RV policy that protects your vehicle and personal belongings.

The Risks of Riding Without Motorcycle Insurance

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Riding a motorcycle delivers the exhilaration of the open road but also comes with serious risks. Theft, vandalism, physical injury, and liability issues can lead to financial devastation without the proper coverage. Motorcycle insurance helps protect motorcyclists from these risks and can provide peace of mind. At Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX, we are proud to offer comprehensive motorcycle coverage to help keep your investment safe both on and off the road.

Legal Risks

Riding without motorcycle insurance jeopardizes your financial stability and exposes you to significant legal risks. In Texas, all riders must have at least liability insurance to protect against bodily injury and property damage they cause in an accident.

Financial Risks

The financial implications of riding without insurance may include exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses if you are found at fault in an accident. You may be liable for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and property damage.

Health Risks

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries and high medical expenses. Without insurance, you could be responsible for any medical bills incurred. If the accident leaves you permanently disabled or with long-term health complications, the ongoing medical costs could be financially crippling without insurance.

Personal Risks

Riding without coverage also poses certain personal risks. Your personal assets could be at risk if you are found liable for damages in an accident and are unable to pay. This includes your savings, property, and future earnings.

Get the Coverage You Need to Stay Protected

Motorcycle insurance can help you avoid the multitude of risks that come with riding and storing your bike. At Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX, we offer complete coverage to protect you while riding. Call 972-387-1863 to speak to an agent today.

Can You Cover a Jet Ski Under a Boat Policy?

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Optimal Watercraft Insurance Policies That Cover Your Needs

At Collum Insurance Group LLC, we offer boat policies that cover a wide range of equipment types, which we refer to as watercraft insurance. This kind of insurance safeguards an array of watercraft, including boats up to yacht length, jet skis, Sea-Doos, and other floating devices.

Articulating Your Watercraft Policy

You can conveniently insure all your watercraft under a single policy, regardless of whether some are dry-docked in Richardson, TX, and others are moored at Lake Lewisville. This strategy can save you time and money because you don’t need to obtain separate insurance policies for each. Instead, compile a list of every watercraft you aim to insure, including their Hull Identification Number (HIN) and Engine Identification Number (EIN). These numbers perform the same function as a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on an automobile or motorcycle.

Collaborating With Your Insurance Agent

Present this comprehensive list to your insurance agent. Make it clear to them that you want a watercraft policy that ensures coverage for all items on your list. This implies your speedboat and personal watercraft, such as jet skis and Sea-Doos, enjoy coverage under the same policy. A single policy simplifies the record-keeping process, and it could potentially lower your premiums.

Including Endorsements

Enhance your watercraft insurance by adding endorsements. Essentially, endorsement infers an add-on or scheduled item covering a specific watercraft item. Typically, this item doesn’t come as a standard with a boat or personal craft, prompting the owner to buy it separately. Examples of common endorsements include radar systems for fishing and custom storage on a houseboat. Contact Collum Insurance Group LLC, serving Richardson, TX, to frame your watercraft policy today.

How Does Motorhome Insurance Cover My Personal Property?

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Motorhome insurance exhibits similarities with both auto and home insurance. In Texas, motorhomes must meet the exact minimum insurance requirements as cars. However, coverage for the motorhome’s interior and personal belongings is optional. Our team at Collum Insurance Group LLC, serving Richardson, TX, is here to help you find the best motorhome insurance that suits your needs.

Auto Insurance-Like Aspects of Motorhome Insurance

Certain facets of motorhome insurance coverage in Texas overlap with auto policies. For instance, Texas law necessitates motorized RVs to hold "auto" insurance, covering a minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury per person and $60,000 per accident, in addition to $25,000 in property damage per accident. Most policies also include coverage for underinsured motorists. Other optional coverage that bears resemblance to auto policies includes:

  • Collision: Covers damage to the motorhome.
  • Comprehensive: Insures against non-collision damages resulting from vandalism, hail, or other incidents.
  • Roadside assistance: Given the substantial size of motorhomes, which exceeds vehicle size limits for most auto towing packages, motorhome owners typically add this coverage to evade out-of-pocket towing expenses.

Home Insurance-Like Facets of Motorhome Insurance

Motorhomes harbor similarities with homes on wheels as they house personal and household items. Typically, motorhome policies include personal property coverage, though coverage limits often fall short of the cumulative value of the owner’s clothes, electronics, appliances, and decor. It’s prudent to assess and periodically update your motorhome’s personal property value. If your personal property surpasses the policy limits, consider incorporating a rider to expand your policy limits, thereby ensuring adequate protection.

Experiencing the Collum Insurance Group LLC Difference

Given the many choices inherent in motorhome insurance, engaging with a reputable insurance agent is beneficial. Our Collum Insurance Group LLC team, serving Richardson, TX, will guarantee that your motorhome and other insurance coverage align seamlessly with your needs. Call us today at (972) 387-1863 to arrange an appointment.

What is Cyber Liability Protection and Why Should You Include it in Your Umbrella Policy in Richardson, TX?

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The growing trend of cyberattacks, online scams, and identity theft has become increasingly worrisome for individuals and business owners alike. If you’re looking for a way to protect yourself or your business investments from potential cyber threats online today in Richardson, TX, opting for cyber liability protection is highly advisable. At Collum Insurance Group LLC, we work with you to ensure all aspects of your life are always secure and insured.

What is Cyber Liability Protection?

Cyber liability protection is an insurance policy designed to protect individuals and investors from potential liabilities or financial losses due to cyberattacks, online data breaches, or digital vulnerabilities. If you run an online business or use the Internet for transactions or investments, cyber liability protection in Richardson, TX, is always recommended.

What Cyber Liability Protection Covers

Cyber liability protection can help cover data breach responses, network security patches and updates, business disruptions, and legal expenses. In some cases, it also protects against defamation or media liability and cyber extortion threats or incidents.

Include Cyber Liability Protection in Your Umbrella Policy

Including cyber liability protection in your umbrella policy ensures coverage in a high-risk environment, preventing potential financial losses. Liability coverage will also help protect your reputation while complying with current internet and online environment regulations.

If you’re seeking ways to protect your household or commercial investments online, Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX is here to assist. Contact us to learn more about cyber liability protection and determine if it’s right for your needs today.

Renters Insurance with Roommates: What You Need to Know

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Sharing a rented apartment or house with roommates can pose challenges when determining responsibilities. Renter’s insurance is one such issue. You might wonder if all roommates need individual policies or if a collective one would suffice. At Collum Insurance Group LLC, we’re committed to helping renters in Richardson, TX understand their insurance needs. Let’s explore what you need to know about renter’s insurance to ensure you’re well covered.

Are All Roommates Required to Have Renter’s Insurance?

It’s advisable for each roommate to have their own renter’s insurance policy. Some landlords require individual policies for each tenant, while others leave it to the tenants’ discretion. If you haven’t already, it’s wise to discuss with your roommates the possibility of purchasing renter’s insurance to cover their possessions.

Individual Vs. Shared Items

A common misunderstanding is that renter’s insurance isn’t essential if shared items in your home, such as furniture and TVs, are not yours. But remember, renter’s insurance isn’t limited to expensive items only. It also covers personal items, clothing, jewelry, and electronics, among others. Your insurance agent can help you decide on an adequate coverage level that suits your needs.

Collum Insurance Group LLC: Proudly Serving Richardson, TX Renters

At Collum Insurance Group LLC, our team of skilled insurance agents takes great pride in serving the Richardson, TX community. Whether you’re a renter needing to understand your insurance requirements or an individual planning to buy a home and looking for home insurance, we’re here for you. Contact our team or drop by our office today to speak with an agent and learn more.

If I Have An Accident with My Classic Car, Can I Repair It Myself?

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Classic car owners enjoy driving, showing, and discussing their vehicles with others. For many, part of the pride and bragging rights comes from knowing they restored and now maintain their car. 

Their care and craftsmanship brought the car back to its glory days, so they seek classic car insurance policies that allow owners to self-repair their vehicles if they are in an accident. Contact the Collum Insurance Group LLC team for assistance if you need a classic car or other insurance and live in or near Richardson, TX.

Approved Repair Practices for Classic Car Insurance

Classic cars and everyday drivers are not the same, and neither are their owners, so their owners have different needs when they are involved in accidents.

While insurance companies encourage the use of preferred repair providers for everyday vehicles, they are more flexible with classic cars. Depending on the specific policy, insurance companies often allow classic car owners to take their vehicle to a specialist shop that is several times more expensive than a mainstream shop for a comparable repair. They are more forgiving about the cost of authentic replacement parts.

Some, but not all, classic car insurers allow owners to locate the needed parts and repair the car themselves. If you want the ability to repair your vehicle, speak to your agent about your interest so they can search for a provider that meets your needs, understanding that your rates may reflect this flexibility.

Working with Collum Insurance Group LLC

The Collum Insurance Group LLC team wants to provide classic car insurance that best fits your needs. If you live in the Richardson, TX, area, call us today at (972) 387-1863 or stop by so we can address your classic car insurance needs.

Have You Checked Your Storage Unit Lately?

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Renting a long-term storage unit can be helpful, but the unit often fades into the background in the renter’s mind. The renter might start out checking on the unit frequently, but as time passes, they may stop going over so often — and may even just not check-in for several months. If you’ve rented a storage unit and plan to keep it for a while, don’t let it become one of those things you never check up on. That increases the risk of someone getting into the unit and taking your belongings. Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX wants to be sure you know how to keep your stored belongings safe.

As They Say, out of Sight…

If you’re not actively taking things out or moving things into the storage unit, it’s going to become very tempting not to check it at all. What will you do, open the door, stare at your stuff, and close the door? It seems like a pointless errand, but the few minutes you spend looking at what’s in the unit are actually critical for keeping everything safe. When you check in frequently and make sure your stuff is OK, that helps you catch problems when they’re still small. Maybe you notice that something from the next unit over has leaked and seeped under the wall into your unit; you can notify the facility staff before that leak becomes bad. Or, maybe you notice signs that someone tried to get into your storage unit, and you can have the facility staff increase security and check all the units.

No one wants to find that their storage unit has been compromised, and storage facilities should notify you if someone’s broken into your unit. But the staff can’t be everywhere at once and certainly can’t be in your unit all the time. Your vigilance helps keep your belongings where they should be. You should also have coverage for your stored items, and Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX, can help you out.

Protect Your Personal Items from Theft with RV Insurance

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Embarking on journeys exploring the beauty of the outdoors in an RV is an unrivaled experience. Having suitable RV insurance ensures that you and your assets are adequately safeguarded on your travels. If you’re uncertain about the type of coverage you need, specialists at Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX, are here to assist!

An Overview of RV Insurance Coverage

In Texas, the law mandates RV owners to possess liability coverage. This type of coverage protects other individuals in the event of accidents that you are accountable for. We recommend collision and comprehensive insurance coverage to protect your RV against potential pinch points such as theft, damage, or loss. Collision coverage helps absorb the expenses resulting from damage to your vehicle caused by accidents. Conversely, comprehensive coverage offers protection against theft and damage resulting from non-collision incidents like harsh weather conditions, acts of vandalism, fires, and animal incidents.

Here are some factors you may want to consider when selecting your RV policy:

  • What’s the worth of your RV?
  • Do you still owe finances on your RV, or do you completely own it?
  • How frequently do you use your RV?
  • Have any value-boosting modifications been made to your RV?

A qualified agent from Collum Insurance Group can help you make well-informed insurance decisions to safeguard your valuable investment.

Securing Personal Belongings Within Your RV

RVs offer ample space for personal items such as laptops, cameras, camping equipment, smartphones, sporting goods, and other possessions. Ensuring the security of these items is crucial to avoid financial loss, necessitating personal property coverage. In case your assets are stolen or damaged while on your journey, personal property insurance will cover their replacement cost.

Where To Procure RV Insurance in Richardson, TX

Personal property coverage is indispensable if your RV houses several precious items during your travels! To add this coverage to your RV insurance policy, reach out to Collum Insurance Group LLC in Richardson, TX.

Keep Your Motorcycle Updated With These Three Safety Features

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Motorcycle Safety Features to Consider for Enhanced Road Safety

If you own a motorcycle, there are key safety features to consider adding if your bike doesn’t already have them. Whether you’re upgrading your existing ride or on the hunt for a new one, these features can significantly enhance your safety.

1. Adaptive Headlights

Adaptive headlights are a must-have for both old and new model bikes. They automatically adjust with the changing weather and darkness levels, allowing you to focus on the road ahead. You can also add an adaptive light for turning the bike, ensuring maximum visibility.

2. Anti-Lock Braking System

It’s surprising that not all motorcycles come standard with an anti-lock braking system, given its advent nearly 30 years ago. If your bike lacks this feature, consider adding it promptly. Especially when traveling on highways, it allows proper braking and protects both you and other road users.

3. Electronic Throttles

Installing an electronic throttle can help maintain a steady speed on your motorcycle and facilitate cruise control for longer trips. It also simplifies speed management in different weather conditions, like wind and rain. While some bikes already have this feature, many basic models still operate with mechanical throttles that lack these capabilities.

Get Your Personalized Motorcycle Insurance Quote in Richardson, TX

If you’re searching for motorcycle insurance solutions in Richardson, TX, allow our team at Collum Insurance Group LLC to assist with a personal quote for your needs.