Insurance FAQs: Answers for Texas Drivers, Homeowners & Businesses
Straight answers to common questions about independent insurance agencies, insurance brokers, auto and home insurance, business coverage, trucking insurance and surety bonds.
Lavon Insurance is an independent insurance agency serving Lavon, North Texas and customers throughout Texas. So, if you’re searching for an insurance broker, an independent insurance agent or a local insurance agency, these answers explain how we help you compare coverage from multiple insurance companies.
40 answers across 7 topics. Choose a topic to jump ahead.
Independent Agency & Insurance Broker Questions
Understanding the difference between an independent insurance agency and the terms people use when shopping for insurance.
What is an independent insurance agency?
An independent insurance agency works with multiple insurance companies instead of representing only one carrier. As a result, customers can compare available coverage, pricing and policy options from different insurers in one place.
Is Lavon Insurance an insurance broker?
Lavon Insurance is an independent insurance agency. People often search for an “insurance broker” when they want a professional who compares options from several companies.
In Texas, that role is filled by licensed independent agents. So, if you’re looking for an insurance broker in North Texas, we can review options from multiple carriers for you.
What is the difference between an independent agent and a captive agent?
A captive agent represents one insurance company, whereas an independent agent can quote several. Consequently, an independent agent can re-shop your coverage with other carriers if your rate goes up.
What is the advantage of using an independent insurance agent?
An independent agent isn’t limited to one company’s products. Instead, depending on the type of insurance and eligibility, the agent compares coverage, deductibles, limits and pricing from multiple carriers, so you don’t have to contact each company yourself.
Can Lavon Insurance compare multiple insurance companies?
Yes. In fact, Lavon Insurance works with multiple insurance carriers. However, available companies vary by type of insurance, location, risk characteristics and underwriting eligibility.
Does it cost more to use an independent insurance agency?
Generally, no. Premiums are set by the insurance carrier based on underwriting factors, and independent agents are paid by the carriers they place you with. In addition, having access to multiple carriers makes comparison shopping easier.
Auto & Home Insurance FAQs
Common questions about car insurance, homeowners insurance and protecting your household.
Can Lavon Insurance help me compare auto insurance?
Yes. We help eligible Texas drivers compare available auto insurance from multiple insurance companies, including liability-only and full coverage options.
What information is needed for an auto insurance quote?
Generally, you’ll need each driver’s license information, vehicle identification numbers, where each car is garaged, driving history, current insurance, annual mileage and the coverage limits you want to consider.
Can I bundle home and auto insurance?
Many insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts when eligible home and auto policies are placed with the same carrier. That said, discounts and eligibility vary by company, and the cheapest bundle isn’t always the best coverage.
Can Lavon Insurance help with homeowners insurance?
Yes. Likewise, we help Texas homeowners compare available homeowners insurance based on the property, desired coverage, deductible, prior insurance and other underwriting factors.
Why are Texas home insurance rates different from other states?
Texas properties face significant weather exposures, including hail, windstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Moreover, construction costs, claims history, location and property characteristics also affect premiums.
What is a wind and hail deductible?
Many Texas homeowners policies use a separate deductible for wind and hail, often a percentage of the dwelling limit. For example, 2% on a $400,000 home means you pay the first $8,000. A deductible buyback can lower that amount.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, including rising water. Instead, flood coverage is a separate policy, and it often has a waiting period before it takes effect.
Do I need an umbrella policy?
An umbrella policy adds liability protection above your home and auto limits. Therefore, it becomes more valuable as your assets grow or if you have a pool, teen drivers or rental property.
Texas Auto Insurance Requirements
Quick answers to the Texas-specific auto insurance questions we hear most.
What is the minimum auto insurance required in Texas?
Texas minimum liability limits are 30/60/25: $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. However, those limits can be used up quickly in a serious crash.
Is PIP required in Texas?
By default, Texas auto policies include Personal Injury Protection unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.
Does Texas require uninsured motorist coverage?
In Texas, insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Texas. Even so, a policyholder who doesn’t want it may reject it in writing.
Is Texas an at-fault state?
Yes. Texas follows an at-fault system. Therefore, the driver who causes a crash is generally responsible for the damages, usually through their liability insurance.
Can I choose my own body shop in Texas?
Yes. Under Texas law, an insurer can’t require you to use a particular repair shop. Your insurer may recommend one, but the choice is yours.
Business Insurance FAQs
Answers for small businesses, contractors and growing companies.
What types of business insurance does Lavon Insurance offer?
Depending on eligibility and carrier availability, we help businesses with general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, business owner’s policies, cyber and other commercial coverage. For details, visit our business insurance page.
What is general liability insurance?
General liability insurance helps protect businesses against certain claims involving bodily injury, property damage and other covered liability exposures. Because coverage varies by policy, review exclusions and limits carefully.
What is a business owner’s policy?
A business owner’s policy (BOP) combines general liability and commercial property coverage in one package. As a result, it’s often a cost-effective starting point for eligible small businesses.
Does a small business need commercial insurance?
Yes, in most cases. Even small businesses face liability, property, vehicle, employee and contractual risks. Ultimately, the right coverage depends on your operations, employees, equipment, vehicles, customers and contracts.
Is workers’ compensation required in Texas?
For most private employers, no. Texas lets employers opt out, but those employers generally give up certain legal protections if an employee sues over a workplace injury. In addition, many contracts require coverage. Learn more about workers’ compensation.
Trucking & Commercial Auto Insurance FAQs
Coverage questions from owner-operators, fleets and businesses with work vehicles.
Does Lavon Insurance offer trucking insurance?
Yes. We work with trucking and commercial transportation risks throughout Texas, subject to carrier underwriting. To learn more, see our trucking insurance page.
What insurance does an owner-operator truck driver need?
Coverage needs vary. Generally, an owner-operator may need commercial truck liability, physical damage, motor truck cargo and general liability, depending on contracts, operating authority and what’s hauled. Leased owner-operators often need bobtail or non-trucking liability.
What is commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used for business. Depending on the policy, it may include liability, physical damage and other commercial vehicle exposures.
Does my personal auto policy cover a vehicle I use for work?
It depends on how the vehicle is titled and used. Occasional work use may be covered by some personal policies; however, a vehicle owned by a business or used mainly for work usually needs commercial auto coverage.
Can you insure a business with multiple commercial vehicles?
Yes. In most cases, depending on the vehicles, drivers, operations and carrier eligibility, a commercial auto policy can insure multiple business vehicles under one policy.
Surety Bond FAQs
Answers about license, court, title and utility bonds in Texas.
Does Lavon Insurance offer surety bonds?
Yes. We provide access to an online bond platform for many bond types, and we help with bonds that need extra underwriting. See all Texas surety bonds.
Can I purchase a Texas bond online?
Yes. Many common surety bonds can be quoted and purchased online. However, availability, pricing and underwriting requirements depend on the specific bond.
What is a surety bond?
A surety bond is a three-party guarantee between you (the principal), the party requiring the bond (the obligee) and the surety company. Unlike insurance, if the surety pays a valid claim, you’re generally required to repay it.
How do I get a Texas title bond?
If you have a vehicle without a valid title, a Texas title bond is the route to a bonded title. First, TxDMV sets the bond amount; then we issue the bond, often the same day.
Can a surety bond replace a utility deposit?
Often, yes. Many Texas utilities accept a surety bond instead of a cash deposit for business accounts. See our utility deposit bonds page for details.
Do attorneys refer clients for court bonds?
Yes. Attorneys refer clients for probate bonds, appeal bonds and other court bonds. In fact, we have a dedicated referral partner program.
Lavon & North Texas Insurance FAQs
Questions about where we work and how to reach us.
Does Lavon Insurance only serve customers in Lavon, TX?
No. In fact, Lavon Insurance serves customers throughout Texas, with a strong local focus on Lavon and surrounding North Texas communities.
What North Texas communities does Lavon Insurance serve?
We regularly help customers in Lavon, Wylie, Murphy, Sachse, Rowlett, Rockwall, Fate, Royse City, Nevada, Josephine, Princeton, Melissa, Farmersville and Greenville, as well as customers elsewhere in Texas.
How do I find an insurance agent near me?
First, when comparing local insurance agencies, consider whether the agency offers multiple carriers, provides personal service and has experience with the coverage you need. Lavon Insurance is based in Lavon and helps Texas families and businesses compare options, mostly by phone or email.
How can I get an insurance quote from Lavon Insurance?
There are three easy ways: submit information through our secure online quote form, book a consultation or call us at (972) 853-8884.
Do you offer help in Spanish?
Yes. Simply send a text message to 972-853-8884 for assistance in Spanish.
Talk With Lavon Insurance
Whether you need personal insurance, business coverage, a surety bond or help comparing carriers, we’re here to help. Better yet, most questions take just one call.
Explore Our Community Trackers
In addition to answering questions, we publish local data so North Texas residents can see real risks in their communities.
Crash Tracker
Quarterly reported, serious-injury and fatal crash trends using TxDOT data.
View Crash Data →Severe Weather Tracker
Active National Weather Service warnings and hail history for our service area.
View Weather Data →All Community Trackers
Crime, fires, construction, schools and development across North Texas.
All Trackers →These answers are general information, not a guarantee of coverage or legal advice. Coverage, discounts and eligibility vary by carrier and policy terms. Texas License No. 3318921 · NPN 21550532.