​It can be unpleasant to open your insurance bill to pay your premium, only to discover that your premium payments have increased upon renewal.  We know that most people who carry insurance policies on their homes, cars, and businesses may be unfamiliar with how insurance policies are developed and changed.  So, we thought we might help you understand the why.
Insurers base their policy prices on several variables.  These cost components fluctuate up and down.  Premiums are currently rising in many states.  Remember, insurance companies are competing for your business, so they try to keep their rates competitive.
 
To help us through the process, we wanted to break it down between home and auto insurance.
 
Home Insurance

• The increased cost of construction materials and labor to repair or replace the damage to your home. Even though you did not have a claim, this impacts all insurance rates.
• Storms and other natural disasters. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, and other severe weather events have become more frequent, destructive, and costly. In 2021 alone, the United States sustained 20 weather events with losses exceeding $1 billion.
• The older your home, the higher the insurance cost will be.
• Lawsuit frequency has increased, and settlements are at all-time high.
• Supply chain in the production and delivery of appliances, materials, tools, and other key construction elements added to delays and cost hikes.

Auto Insurance 

• Inflation hits the cost of buying and repairing vehicles.
• Lawsuit frequency has increased, and settlements are at all-time high.
• After COVID, accident rates increased, causing insurers to pay more for claims.
• Increased healthcare costs. Medical costs have increased for accident-related injuries.
• Crime has caused more auto thefts and break-ins, affecting all drivers' rates. There is a 20% increase nationally in stolen vehicles between 2020 and 2021.
• Your driving record may be accident-free, but if you have tickets or other violations, these will impact your premiums.

 
Proven Ways To Help Keep Insurance Costs Down

• Keep your home well maintained
• Be a safe driver
• Pay premiums annually
• Ask about discounts offered by insurers
• Bundle your home and auto together
• Increase your deductibles
• Have your agent review your insurance program and market your coverage the right insurer.

Strive Insurance Group, Inc. (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance Agency, Inc) is an independent insurance agency representing many insurance companies.  This means that we quote with 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.  Our insurance agency's reputation for representing the best insurance companies, providing excellent customer service and competitive pricing to our clients has been earned and proven for over 30 years.  We take great pride in finding you the best coverage and backing it up with prompt personal service.  

We represent, and have established a strategic alliance, with only the highest quality insurance companies. In doing so, we can provide you with the service and coverage 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
 
 
 

What are multi-policy discounts?
Everyone who owns an automobile and home has the opportunity to save money. Insurance companies will offer you discounts if you place your home and auto insurance with them, because insurance companies want your business.  These discounts may also apply to your motorcycle, boat, RV and even your personal umbrella policy.
​
Multi-policy advantages
There are advantages to have all your personal insurance through one insurance company. These advantages include premium savings, saving you time, a better way to manage your insurance and having just one agent to oversee your insurance program.

Multi-policy discounts will vary depending on the insurance company. Usually we see discounts ranging from 5% up to 20%. Bundling your insurance can offer the convenience of a single bill and easier claims handling when you need it.

Things to remember about multi-policy discounts

• Whether you are single or have a family, you can take advantage of multi-car discounts.
• Use an independent agent to search the market for your best options.
• Bad driving habits will raise your premiums, so be sure to keep a clean record.
• Remember to insure your boat, RV and motorcycle as well.
• Most major insurance carriers have policies and discounts readily available for people living together.

 
 

As a homeowner, you carry homeowner's insurance to protect yourself in case of damage to your home. A devastating storm can leave flooding waters, property damage, and personal injuries in its wake. Perhaps one of the least expected dangers that follow a storm is fraudulent contractors.

After recent storms and major disasters, a few unscrupulous contractors use a trick to defraud homeowners every year - convincing them to sign away their rights through an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form.  Most contractors are professional, and will do what is right. But there are some who follow major disasters and try to take advantage of you.

A contractor or repair company representative will often tell you that an Assignment of Benefits or "AOB" form is necessary for them to do work on your home. They may promise it will make the process easier for you as it will allow them to "handle everything." They might even offer to lower or eliminate your deductible if you sign the form immediately.

Don't allow contractors to start work before the damage is assessed by your insurer. Most importantly, don't sign an AOB form. We are here for you and can help you navigate the claims process and avoid contractor abuse and fraud.

• Use well know contractors
• Ask for a written contract
• Ask to see proof of insurance and licensing from the contractor
• Make sure your agent and insurance company is involved. 
• Have your claims adjuster inspect all damage?

​Call our office for help, we are here to serve you. 

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.
​
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.

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. 
​
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
 

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. 
​
Connect with us and let us show you how we do it
 

We hope you never have an accident or loss.  But if you have a loss, knowing that your claim is covered by insurance will help.  That’s what insurance is all about.  And, if you understand the claim filing process, you will find you will have fewer headaches and have your claim resolved much faster.
​
Here are some tips to help you file your claim
Our agency is here to help you through the entire claim process.

1. Always read your insurance policy so you know what is covered and what is not covered.
2. If you are unsure if your claim is covered, it is always good to call our office, or talk to the insurance company.
3. For auto accidents (depending on the damages), you may need to report the accident to the DMV.
4. After the loss, you need to provide notification to the insurance company. This may be as simple as contacting our office or the company directly.
5. Document as much as you can. If you are involved in an auto accident, take photos with your smart phone. Get as many witnesses as possible.
6. You have an obligation to prevent further damage. For example, if you have roof damage you will need to patch the roof with plastic or other material to prevent any further water damage.
7. Understand that the claim process will involve working with a number of people. Our office can help take some of the work off your plate, but you will have to talk to the adjuster at some point to review the claim and settlement.
8. Before accepting any settlement, make sure you are satisfied with the amount.
9. Remember, all losses will be subject to your deductible.
10. Use our agency as your resource; we are here to help you manage the claim process.

 
Our employees are committed to developing ongoing communication with our clients, and striving to exceed your expectations. You are not buying a product; you are managing your risk. Remember, insurance is not a product; it’s a promise and a trusted relationship.

Our insurance agency's reputation for representing the best insurance companies, providing excellent customer service and competitive pricing to our clients has been earned and proven for over 25 years.  We take great pride in finding you the best coverage and backing it up with prompt personal service.  We have been serving the Dallas/Richardson, TX area for over 25 years and have recently expanded to the Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock area. 
 

A Flood Insurance Update
In a recent study by the Federal Government, over 45 million American homes are at risk from flooding waters. This does not include those in coastal waters. It may be time for you to consider flood insurance.

In case you have not noticed, flooding is occurring all over the country.  In addition, other conditions can alter the flood outlook, including changing the climate or the effects of El Nino or La Nina.  Our community has continued risks from flooding, and we want you to be informed.

Many weather experts tell us that if you are in a 100-year floodplain, or live close to waterways, you actually have about a 60% chance each year of having a flood.

Flood insurance can be purchased as a separate policy, covering your home and personal property. Flooding is excluded under most homeowner’s insurance policies. We can help you secure flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. If you live in a low-risk area, premiums start as low as $150.00 per year for your home.
Flood insurance will not cover any vehicles, mold, money, or temporary housing expenses. You can determine whether you’re in a low or high-risk flood area by reviewing the flood maps at FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, or by consulting with our office

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. ​
 

Personal and Business insurance
The modern day customer is looking for value, ease of services, and quick responses.  In an era of impersonal internet companies, slick advertising, and “branding,” it can be hard for consumers to determine where to find the best insurance program for their needs.  To provide the best possible combination of coverage, services, and pricing, you need to look no further than your local independent agent.
​
Our Approach to Insurance Is Different
The best way to get the insurance that is right for you is to develop a relationship with your insurance agent.  The good news is that this process is not complicated or time consuming.

• We respond quickly.
• Insurance protects what is important to you, and we understand that.
• We gain an understanding of your individual needs.
• We educate rather than sell.
• Finding the right insurance coverage is an important purchase, because everyone’s needs are unique.
• Our professional team is trained and licensed.
• Insurance is too important to be ordered online like a book.
• Don’t wait for an un-insured claim to happen before you look for the right agent and coverage.

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 are moving into Hurricane season and we to remind you of how important it is to have the right kind of insurance and to be prepared. Hurricanes bring two big problems: water and wind. Depending on where you live, you may need to buy these separate policies in order to cover hurricane damage:

• Flood insurance: No homeowner’s insurance policy will cover floods, including water from a storm surge. To get coverage, you’ll need flood insurance.
• Windstorm insurance: Homeowners insurance policies in some hurricane-prone states won’t pay for windstorm damage. If you live in one of these states and want coverage, buy a separate windstorm insurance policy.

Here are some basic emergency preparedness suggestions to include in your planning process.

• Create a family communication plan for children and adults to have. Put copies in children's backpack and in your wallet or purse.
• Flood insurance is not covered under your homeowner’s policy. While hurricanes are generally covered, if a flood ensues later, it may not be covered. You will need a separate flood policy.
• Install hurricane shutters.
• Prune all trees around your home.
• Keep a mobile emergency kit in your car.
• Monitor radio and local TV stations for evacuation orders. Act without delay to avoid traffic.
• Assemble/replenish disaster supplies kit: FEMA recommends three days of food and water for each member of the household, including pets. You can assemble a kit yourself, or purchase a pre-assembled kit online or from many local stores.  Store items in your household designated safe location.
• Discuss with your family the safe locations for shelter in the places you are likely to spend time: home, school, work, place of worship, etc.
• Find out your vulnerability to flooding, wind, and storm surges, and whether you live in a mandatory evacuation zone. Visit the FloodSmart.gov website to see updated flood maps.

Our insurance agency's reputation for representing the best insurance companies, providing excellent customer service and competitive pricing to our clients has been earned and proven for over 25 years.  We take great pride in finding you the best coverage and backing it up with prompt personal service.  We have been serving the Dallas/Richardson, TX area for over 25 years and have recently expanded to the Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock area.