The winter months present a number of potential headaches for the homeowner, including ice dams.  Ice dams are dams of ice that form on roofs and cause water to back up. Ice dams form when the snow that touches the roof melts, and then that water freezes again before running off your roof.

Gutters are not the only place where ice dams form. Blocked or clogged gutters can fill with ice and provide the foundation for an ice dam.
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Ice Dam Prevention

• Perform regular maintenance on your roof and gutters.
• Keep your heating system well maintained.
• Heated cables can equalize the temperature on your roof, which can prevent unequal melting that causes ice dams.
• Protect your roof by installing water and ice shield under the shingles at the edges of your roof, chimney and skylights, and around any vents.
• Steaming away ice dams is a professional only option because it requires commercial steaming equipment that heats water and dispenses it under pressure.
• The best way to address the problem of recurring ice dams is to improve the insulation and ventilation in your attic.
• Remove snow with a long-handled roof rake.
• Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant.

The rain, snow and cold weather has arrived. It time to shop for new winter clothes, time to consider how to protect your home from the winter conditions that are fast approaching. With temperatures falling and meteorologists predicting a colder than normal winter, the easiest and most cost efficient way to keep your home’s heat inside, while keeping your heating bill respectable, is to add fresh insulation to your attic, ceilings, basement, and walls. 
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Time For Home Insurance Check Up
Let us provide you with an insurance check-up to make sure you have the best possible coverage. We have many ways to save you money on your homeowners insurance. We can also determine if you have the right homeonwers insurance for your individual needs.

Prepare For Winter
Have an emergency kit ready; an emergency kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.  Include the following: water, flash lights and batteries, first aid kit, whistles to signal for help, basic tools, manual can opener, small supply of food, radio, candles, lighter, blankets and rope.

The following is a checklist for what homeowners ought to be doing when prepping for the cold season. Stick to it, and you're sure to have a warmer and more relaxed winter experience (scraping and digging out your car notwithstanding).

• Reverse ceiling fan rotation
• Inspect your furnace and replace filters
• Insulate water pipes
• Turn off all outside water and sprinklers
• Clean wood stoves and chimney’s
• Install window insulators
• Store summer tools and prep winter ones
• Get a programmable thermostat
• Make sure you caulk or repair and replace any siding that is failing
• Stock up on emergency supplies
• It's always wise to provide an outside air supply for combustion appliances like gas stoves and furnaces. You may need a professional to check this for you
• Make sure your recreation vehicles get the same care as your home
• Seal cracks in windows, doors, foundations, and ducts
• Replace batteries in smoke detectors
• Clean gutters
• Add insulation where needed
• Check for leaks in gutters, windows and roofs
• Cut shrubs away from your home

Striving for High Levels of Service
As our name implies, we strive to make your insurance experience positive. We understand you have many options when it comes to getting insurance, so we are going to strive to give you first class customer service you deserve.
 

Personal Insurance
Our goal is always to give our clients the best possible combination of coverage, price, and service. We are not in the business of offering low-cost insurance that does not meet the needs of our clients. 
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There are many ways we help our clients with their personal insurance while keeping our promises. By believing that insurance is about understanding the needs of our clients and then developing personal insurance solutions around your needs, our clients will be better off. 

Here are some ways in which we provide unique insurance solutions for our clients. 
Home Insurance – Do you have true replacement cost coverage. Are you insuring your loss of use if your home were destroyed?
Auto Insurance – We recommend buying more than the state minimum requirements for liability coverage. The small additional premium can help protect your financial future. 
Motorcycle Insurance - 24-Hour Roadside Assistance, your bike breaks down in the middle of a long road trip. Count on roadside help with this coverage
Watercraft Insurance - Protect your watercraft and trailer, including options for agreed value and emergency services.
Here is how we get you the right insurance. 

We place your personal insurance with the right companies.  
We understand that not all insurance companies are alike. Some companies have great motorcycle rates, while others offer competitive rates on homeowner or renter’s insurance. We have many years of experience, which helps us know which insurers keep their promises. If insurers stop keeping their promises, then we stop using them. All our insurance companies have proven records of accomplishment of delivering on their promises. That means they pay their claims promptly and with minimum problems. 

Our staff is licensed and trained.  
We believe that having a team that is licensed and trained is the best way to deliver on our promises. We promise to take the time to understand your needs and be transparent in all our dealings with our customers. We may not be perfect, but we will always work hard to make sure your needs are our number one priority. 

We find the right personal insurance coverage for your needs.  
We can provide personal insurance options that fit your individual needs. That may mean a personal umbrella for added protection, competitive coverage for a vacation home, life insurance, disability insurance, or even mortgage protection coverage. It may also mean we advise you to increase your deductibles on older vehicles. If you have a custom home, we would recommend adding the feature to your homeowner’s insurance that is designed to provide the needed replacement coverage in the event of a loss. 
You may need special personal insurance coverage.  
There are many special or unique kinds of personal insurance coverages that you may require. These can include identity theft, coverage for fine arts, guns, and other collectibles, plus others. If you are traveling to a foreign country, you may need special health insurance or trip cancelation coverage. All these safeguards are part of how we try to keep our promise to you. 
 
We provide only the personal insurance you need.  We can provide the necessary personal insurance coverage and limits; we will not try to sell you something you do not need. If you are a young family, we might recommend term life insurance, but if you are in your later years, term life insurance might not be your best option. If you are a high net-worth individual, we are going to recommend at least a $1,000,000 personal umbrella policy to protect you and your family. These policies can often include coverage for reputation management services and defense services, which are part of the policy. 

We would rather teach than sell.  
Our office is located where you live and work. We love to meet with our clients and educate them on what kind of individualized personal lines insurance is best for them. We do not use call centers; we have licensed professionals ready to serve you. Our team is here to help you along every step of the way, from designing a competitively priced personal insurance program to helping you settle a claim. 

We use our experience and knowledge to help you with all your personal insurance needs by presenting you with the best possible combination of coverage, price, and service. Our promise is to help you understand your personal risks, provide you with competitive options, and be there for you when you have a claim. We will respond to your requests promptly and look out after your interests first. 

Strive Insurance Group, Inc. is a full-service independent insurance agency that has been serving the insurance needs of the Dallas area since 1984 (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance). Don't worry, nothing has changed, but our name. In addition to having a presence in the Dallas and North Texas area, we have also expanded to Austin and Central Texas with agent representation and the same professional service.

We represent, and have established a strategic alliance, with only the highest quality insurance carriers. In doing so, we can provide you with the service and protection to meet your dynamic needs. As your needs change, we can review and collaborate to decide which insurance company or companies are best suited to your situation.
 
Give us a call
 

Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are popping up in cities across America, but they have been popular in Europe for years.  We are at the beginning of this new form of personal transportation, which creates a few questions regarding risk, liability, and insurance coverage.
 
Scooter usage Facts (Forbes)

• Only 4.4 % of riders wear helmets
• 80% of accidents are results of falling
• Head trauma is the most common type of injury 

Most cities do not have regulations or rules regarding scooters because they do not qualify as motor vehicles.  Some cities require a driver's license and helmet, but these are mostly on the honor system.  Users can rent a scooter then leave it anywhere they want, even in your front yard or in front of your business.
 
Insurance companies are busy trying to figure out who is liable in the event a scooter injures someone.  What if the scooter rider injures someone while on the job, will the injuries be covered under workers' compensation?  Will liability be the responsibility of the employer’s insurer?  Many insurance policies may not address scooters specifically.  Depending on the circumstances, some electric scooter-related injuries may be covered, while others may not.
 
Right now, most insurers will not cover scooter crashes.  Auto insurers also will not cover scooters, as they are not defined as an automobile.  Scooter companies have strict waivers that are included in the rental agreement limiting any liability to the rental companies.  One company offers a $1,000,000 liability policy, but all claims would be subject to extensive investigations.
 
Most legal experts agree that riders will bear the legal liability arising from accidents because of the terms to which the rider agrees to when downloading the app.  The laws, the courts, and the insurance industry are often slow to respond to new technology, and this may be the case with electric scooters.  Relatively few laws specific to electric scooters have been passed.
 
We recommend you contact your insurance agent to discuss if your personal insurance provides any coverage, or if you need to add coverage to your program.
 
Drones and Insurance
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released guidelines on the use of drones for commercial and personal use. Many businesses are considering, or actually using, drones as part of their business.  Just a few drone applications include real-estate sales and appraisals, making commercials, construction projects, and even security.
 
Most drone users have little or no aviation experience, so even if you follow the regulations and the laws, you might experience a pilot error or unplanned equipment failure.  With some models tipping the scales of up to 55 pounds, rogue drones can pose a significant threat to people and property—and to your personal liability.  That is why it is smart to add an insurance review to your pre-flight checklist.
 
Here is a link to the FAA rules
 
Here Are Some Things to Know

1. Drones must weigh less than 55 pounds, and operation must be less than 400 feet above the ground.
2. Drones must be in your line of sight at all times.
3. The operation must also be within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset.
4. Operators need to obtain a pilot certificate with the U.S. Airspace by passing an aeronautical test. 

Will My Insurance Cover Drone Operations?
Each insurance policy is different. But generally, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover your liability if your drone causes a covered loss. It always pays to check with your agent.
 
Driverless Cars 
Every year auto manufacturers come out with new technology that improves the operation of their vehicles. 
 
There is no question that self-driving cars are in our future, and there are many questions that come with this kind of technology.  A transport scholar at the University of Minnesota believes that by 2030, every car on the road will be driverless.  According to another expert source, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there will be 3.5 million self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads by 2025, and 4.5 million by 2030.
Most states have already enacted legislation or executive orders around legal issues involving self-driving cars.
 
Key Issues around Self-Driving Cars

1. Legal liability.  If an accident occurs, there will undoubtedly be litigation involving the vehicle’s owner and the manufacturer.
2. There may be a no-fault system put into place.
3. There may be fewer accidents, but the cost of repairs will go up due to the technology within vehicles.
4. With a greater need for shared vehicles—especially in large cities, there will also be the need to understand who is legally responsible for injuries, and assurance that there will be enough insurance to cover these injuries.
5. Will you be able to obtain excess insurance for ridesharing cars if needed?  Each state has different minimum insurance requirements, so if you are going to be traveling across state lines, it will be important to understand your risks.
6. The degree of driver control over a vehicle could also affect the division of liability between driver and manufacturer.

The question is no longer will auto insurance change—it will definitely change, the real question is when and how it will change.  That is why it will be important to have a professional insurance agent to help guide you through all the legal issues.  There are currently some self-driving vehicles on the market.  It will be important for you to seek the advice of a professional insurance agent to help educate yourself on your risks.

COVID-19 has created many questions about your personal insurance risks and coverage. Here are a few things to consider regarding your personal insurance policies.
Most standard personal insurance policies exclude injury or loss due to communicable disease. We recommend you consult with your agent for a review of your individual personal insurance coverage.

Most personal insurance policies exclude liability for any business operations.  Working from home would be considered incidental and may not fall under the business exclusion. If you have clients in your home, it might impact your insurance.

What If I damage company-owned equipment? Your employer should have coverage for the business owned property.
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What if I use my personal auto for business purposes? Most personal auto policies provide coverage for incidental use, going to the post office, getting supplies, etc. If you are using your personal vehicle for deliveries, Uber, or other business-specific tasks, you may need to amend your insurance policy.
We are committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, life or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available with the lowest rate possible.

Every one of us has certain things that keep you up once in a while. It might be your job, the kids, illness, or other life’s problems. Our goal to make sure that protecting your family with the right insurance does not keep you up.

Here is how we help you sleep at night

1. We never sell you a policy. We ask questions and educate you so that the coverage you but the right fit for you.
2. Insurance is a complex transaction, so we work hard to make sure you understand how insurance works before you make a decision.
3. Our team is licensed and have years of experience that help us better educate you.
4. We are here to answer any questions you may have regarding your insurance decisions.

According to an Insurance Journal article, here are the top issues that keep people up.

• Flood and other natural disasters
• Identity theft
• End of life issues
• Eldercare

We can provide valuable information regarding each of these so that you can make the right decision for you and your family. We hope you noticed that we don’t just offer a quick insurance product. That is because we will only offer you an insurance solution after we fully understand your needs.

Insurance coverage made easy. When it comes to buying your insurance, you have options.  You can go to a captive insurance agent, an agent that represents one company, or you can go to an independent insurance agent that represents many companies.  Strive Insurance Group, Inc. (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance Agency, Inc) is a full-service independent insurance agency representing many insurance companies.  This means that we shop many different insurance companies to obtain the best rate and coverage for your insurance.  We do this at no additional fee or service charge to you.  Simply put, our goal is to find you the best coverage and rate for your auto, home, business, or life insurance.  Whether you need a business insurance quote or an auto insurance quote, we can help.  To obtain an insurance quote, click on the tab and enter your information into the form.  If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact one of our insurance agents. 
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Connect with us and let us show you how we do it
 

A Home Insurance Update
Are you dashing through the snow to grandma’s house?  Do silver bells keep ringing in your ear?  If you are getting into the Christmas spirit, remember your homeowner’s insurance can play an important role in helping keep your home a warm and safe place for the Holidays.

With a little preventive action and a solid home insurance policy, those risks can fade into the background, allowing you to enjoy these next few weeks to the fullest.
Now is a good time to review your personal insurance policies, making sure they’re up to date. While many of your risks are probably covered, a few might not be as explained below.

Here are some examples of some crazy Holiday related insurance claims:

• A man was going to clean his pool for a Holiday party, and carried the bleach from the front of his home to the back.  He did not realize the lid was partially open and bleach dripped all over the carpet.
• The Smith family put up a nice big Christmas tree in their family room.  They instructed their daughter to water the tree every day.  Their daughter did just that, but there was a hole in the Christmas tree stand and the water leaked all over their hardwood floors.
• Parents wanted to surprise their kids with a 65-inch TV.  They hid it in the garage with a tarp over it.  One of the kids accidentally put the car in drive instead of reverse and ran into the hidden TV.
• A family tied their fresh Christmas tree to the top of the car and headed home.  A short while later, the tree came loose and hit the car behind them.
• A local family decided to use a deep fryer to cook the Christmas turkey.  The men all gathered in the garage and dropped the frozen bird in hot grease. The result was a totally destroyed garage an ruined Holiday. 

Insurance coverage made easy. When it comes to buying your insurance, you have options.  You can go to a captive insurance agent, an agent that represents one company, or you can go to an independent insurance agent that represents many companies.  Strive Insurance Group, Inc. (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance Agency, Inc) is a full-service independent insurance agency representing many insurance companies.  This means that we shop many different insurance companies to obtain the best rate and coverage for your insurance.  We do this at no additional fee or service charge to you.  Simply put, our goal is to find you the best coverage and rate for your auto, home, business, or life insurance.  Whether you need a business insurance quote or an auto insurance quote, we can help.  To obtain an insurance quote, click on the tab and enter your information into the form.  If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact one of our insurance agents. ​

The holiday season is filled with fun, parties, food, gifts, overeating and unfortunately some risk. One of the fasted growing risks for many people are stolen packages by porch pirates.  According to proopertycasualtiy360, over 26 million packages are stolen during the holiday season.  Need more bad news?

Your homeowners or renter’s insurance generally may not cover this loss as it tends to be under your deductible.  There could be coverage if you have personal property off premises insurance.  Also for theft coverage to apply generally, you need proof of loss by a broker indoor, etc.
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Call our office for a review of your homeowner’s insurance, as each policy is unique to your circumstances.
Things To Do

• Delivery confirmation is a good way to prove the package was delivered.
• Thieves will follow delivery trucks, waiting for the perfect target.
• These thieves commonly strike during working hours as many homes are empty at that time.
• You can insure your packages.
• Consider having a person there when the delivery is scheduled.
• Install a security camera.

What To Do If A Package Is Stolen

• Track your package. Check the delivery confirmation and tracking number.
• Make sure a neighbor did not pick it up for you.
• Contact the seller.  Different retailers have different policies and processes for handling stolen items, but usually, you are entitled to a refund or a replacement item.
• File a claim with the shipping company.
• Check your Credit Cards for Purchase Protection.

​Homeowner’s Insurance Countdown
There are many factors that go into determining your homeowner’s insurance premiums. We thought it might be fun to address our “top ten list” of things every homeowner should know before purchasing insurance. Remember, as your agent we can help you identify the best possible combination of coverage, price and service.

• You are a statistic. To an insurer, you are a set of risks. An insurer bases its premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your "risk factors" including your occupation, who you are, what you own, and where you live. To us, you are a person and we value our relationship with you.
• Know your home's value. Before you buy a policy, it is important to know your home's replacement cost.
• Insurers differ. As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can be priced differently by different companies. You can save money by comparison shopping.
• Don't just look at price. A low price is no bargain if you don’t have the right coverage.
• Go beyond the basics. A basic homeowner’s policy may not promise to entirely replace your home.
• Look for discounts. Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk.
• Be sure that you have the proper documentation if you have a claim. Your idea of fair compensation may not match that of your insurer. Your insurer's job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.
• Know your policy. Keep your policy updated, and reread it before you file a claim so there are no surprises.
• Check your deductibles. It may benefit you to increase your deductible, especially if you have a good claims experience.
• Your policy excludes Quake and Flood. Check with us and we will provide you with a quote.

Many homeowners have experienced premium increases. Our agency works very hard to bring our clients the best possible combination of premiums, coverage and service.
What Can We Do To Help?
We are an independent agency.  This allows us to search the market for the best possible combination of premiums, coverage and service. We compare insurance company’s rates and use the competitive market to your advantage. Here are some ways to save on your premiums:

Uber, Airbnb and VRBO may increase your personal liability risk
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We live in a digital world that now allows us to share everything from our car, bike, boat, apartment and even our home with total strangers. Smart phones, and the applications that can be added, offer many useful tools, but some of these things create new and increased liability for you. Before you decide to jump into the sharing economy consider the following:

• Do these sharing sites have the ability to protect your confidential information? Many times you are giving your credit card information to companies that may not have the ability to protect it.
• If you use Airbnb to sublease your apartment, you might check your lease. Many lease agreements have “no sublease” clauses that do not allow for this kind of activity. Also, some big cities are now actually considering outlawing the Airbnb services as it reduces hotel/motel taxes.
• Uber offers a taxi service where individuals can offer rides to those who subscribe. Are you confident that these individuals have had proper background checks? Are they experienced drivers?  Do they have the correct insurance? Remember, even in states that have mandatory auto insurance laws, over 25% of drivers don’t have insurance.
• Personal auto insurance issues should be considered if using your car for hire. There is a big difference in the auto insurance world between a car pool for work and being paid to deliver people.
• If you rent your primary home to others, it may limit your personal insurance coverage. Call out office for a review.

The use of the new sharing economy will most likely continue and may be a good way to save money. However, if you have an uninsured claim, the cost may be much greater than the savings. Be aware that using these services may increase your risk of loss. The insurance industry will respond over time to the sharing economy, but in the meantime, there are limitations and restrictions in your current homeowner’s and personal auto insurance policies of which you need to be aware.

Strive Insurance Group, Inc. is a full-service independent insurance agency that has been serving the insurance needs of the Dallas area since 1984 (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance). Don't worry, nothing has changed, but our name. In addition to having a presence in the Dallas and North Texas area, we have also expanded to Austin and Central Texas with agent representation and the same professional service.

We represent, and have established a strategic alliance, with only the highest quality insurance carriers. In doing so, we can provide you with the service and protection to meet your dynamic needs. As your needs change, we can review and collaborate to decide which insurance company or companies are best suited to your situation.