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BIMA
What is BIMA?
Barmore Insurance Marketing Associates is a managing general agency that provides member agencies access to standard Commercial Lines and Farm & ranch Insurance product portfolios of some of the top national insurance carriers in the United States.
Where is BIMA located?
BIMA is a division of Barmore Insurance Agency, Inc., established in 1952 and located in Houston, Texas.
How do I become an agent for BIMA?
To apply for BIMA membership, complete the BIMA application provided on our web site and submit to BIMA for review. If you have questions, you may e-mail at insurance@barmore.com or call us at 800.376.3196.
Are there volume requirements in BIMA?
There are no minimum volume requirements in BIMA; however, BIMA offers financial incentives for an Associate who produces $100,000 or grater premium volume.
Will BIMA be the contact with my insured?
No, BIMA’s contact will be with the member agent only. You will continue to be the contact for your insured and binders, certificates of insurance and the policies will be mailed to you for distribution to your insured. If you wish, you may place the clients of your choice in the company service centers that we have available. This is an efficient way to service your clients at very little cost to you.
Will there be several BIMA agents in each city?
No, there will be no more than one BIMA Associate in any county in Texas.
What are the advantages or BIMA?
There are many benefits but one of the main benefits is access to the competitive insurance products of top-of-the-line insurance companies without the volume, staffing and automation commitments required to obtain a direct appointment to represent the companies.
How will I know how to work with BIMA?
BIMA will hold orientation for all new members which will give a brief overview of our products and how to submit applications for quotes.
How will a claim be serviced?
Claims will be serviced directly by the company. All of our carriers offer a 24-hour claim reporting number for the insured to report a claim.
If I am interested, what should I do?
Give us a call, we would love to talk to you about BIMA.
What is Ordinance or Law Coverage?
Ordinance or Law coverage pays for loss or damage (if building property is damaged by a covered cause of loss) caused by the enforcement of any ordinance or law requiring demolition of undamaged portions to remove certain materials such as asbestos, or the increased cost of construction to rebuild with superior construction materials as mandated.
What is Replacement Cost?
Replacement cost provides coverages on basis of replacement cost without depreciation, instead of an actual cash value basis for real property.
Is Flood covered on a Commercial Package Policy?
Flood damage is excluded on the standard Commercial Package Policy. Flood coverage can be purchased on a separate Flood Policy. Flood insurance covers building and business personal property against direct loss by flood.
What is Peak Season coverage?
The peak season limit of insurance endorsement modifies personal property insurance to cover predictable inventory increase during specified periods without reporting requirements.
What is Employee Dishonesty Coverage?
Employee dishonesty coverage reimburses the employer for loss, up to a specified amount, sustained by the employer by reason of any dishonest act of an employee or employees that are covered. It is a fidelity bond.
What is an Umbrella Policy?
An Umbrella Liability policy provides excess liability coverage over the primary coverages. An Umbrella Liability Policy comes into play when primary insurance limits have been exhausted.
What is Boiler & Machinery Coverage?
Boiler & Machinery coverage pays for loss or damage resulting from sudden and accidental breakdown of equipment. A major note of importance is that this coverage may be purchased whether or not a boiler is on the premises because of the machinery and equipment protection offered.
Who needs Employment Practices Liability coverage?
Corporate entities or organizations with at least 1 employee.
What does Employment Practices Liability provide?
Employment Practices Liability provides protection for organizations against liability relating to employment practices including discrimination, harassment and wrongful terminations. Some of the most common claims arise from sex and race discrimination, wrongful termination and sexual harassment.
What is Fiduciary Liability Insurance?
Fiduciary Liability Insurance pays on behalf of the insured, legal liability arising from claims for alleged failure to prudently act within the meaning of the Pension Reform Act of 1974. Fiduciary Liability is a third party coverage that is designed to protect the personal assets of those individuals with fiduciary responsibility for their company employee benefit plans (pension and welfare plans). Most businesses sponsor employee benefit plans and therefore have a need for this coverage.
Personal Homeowners & Automobile Insurance
Does my homeowner policy adequately cover my Jewelry, furs, cameras, musical instruments, and silverware?
Some personal property such as “Business Personal Property”, “Jewelry”, “Watches”, “Furs”, “Money” and “Bankcards” are subject to coverage limitation in the Texas Homeowner policy and may be increased by buying special endorsements. Ordinary breakage (which is breakage other than caused by a covered peril listed in your policy) of your fine collectibles such as Hummel’s, fine crystal or china is NOT covered under the basic Texas Homeowner policy. This coverage may also be added to your policy by specifically scheduling these items and applying the additional premium for the breakage coverage. The basic Texas Homeowner policy provides coverage for “Silverware” but subject to your deductible and policy limits and exclusions. This coverage may also be increased by specifically scheduling the items and applying the additional premium for this coverage.
I want to insure my home for the right amount; isn’t that the market value?
Not necessarily. As a homeowner, you want to be able to REBUILD your home after a loss occurs. This rebuilding cost, the amount necessary to restore your home to its pre-loss condition, is referred to as replacement cost. In many cases, this amount may be more than the market value of your home. This may be true even if your home is new. By using the latest replacement cost estimating tools, we can help you calculate the proper amount of insurance for your home.
Is flood coverage included in my property coverage?
Flood coverage is NOT included on the property policy. Flood coverage can be purchased on a separate Flood policy.
What Home discounts are available?
Some discounts are required by the state, while others are optional with insuring companies. County mutuals, however, are not required to give any discounts. Discounts may include the following: alarm system; sprinkler system, impact-resistant roofs, age of home, noncombustible roof, good claim experience for three consecutive years, other policies with the same company, house insured to full replacement cost, and home security devices.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is an amount stipulated in the policy to be paid by the insured in the event of a covered loss.
What are standard, preferred, and nonstandard companies?
A “standard” company’s rates are somewhat higher than a “preferred” company’s. A “nonstandard” company sells at high rates to drivers with poor driving records or other problems. Many insurers actually are groups of companies. An insurance group might consist of a “preferred” company, a “standard” company, and a “nonstandard” company.
Is my Texas Personal AUTO Policy good in Mexico?
Mexico does not require automobile insurance. However, be advised that in Mexico you can be held criminally responsible as well as financially responsible for any auto accident you cause. In addition, the police may detain you until they determine who is at fault if you are in an accident that results in an injury. You will have to show that you either have insurance recognized by the Mexican government or the financial ability to pay any judgment against you. Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto liability policies. You can buy Mexican liability insurance from Texas agents who specialize in it.
How are car insurance rates determined?
Your age and, for younger drivers, marital status; county where you keep your car; your car (rates are higher for cars that damage easily, cost more to repair than others, and theft probability); how you use your car; your deductibles (you can reduce your premium by raising your deductibles); your policy limits; optional coverage’s; surcharges (dollar penalties are added for accidents resulting in property damage of $1,000 or more, moving violations); discounts; and an insuring company underwriting eligibility requirements. Texas encourages competition to keep car insurance rates in line. Most insurance companies set their own rates based on their experience and approved by the Texas Commissioner of Insurance.
What auto discounts are available?
Some discounts are required by the state, while others are optional with insuring companies. County mutuals, however, are not required to give any discounts. Discounts may include the following: defensive driving and driver education courses, airbags and other passive restraints, drug/alcohol education, anti-theft devices, two or more cars on the policy, policy renewal with good claims and driving record, policies with the same company, anti-lock brakes, a parent or family whose young driver is away a school without a car; full-time college and high school students with a “B” or 3.0 grade average; cars with automatic daytime running lights; membership or adult leadership in certain youth organizations; and your age (some companies offer discounts to drivers age 50-64).
When full coverage is requested, does it include towing and rental?
Not necessarily. Some vehicle owners interpret “full coverage” as only “Liability”, “Other Than Collision”, and “Collision”. A vehicle owner may request other optional coverages such as “Personal Injury Protection”, “Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection”, “Medical Payments”, “Death Indemnity and Disability” coverage, “Extended Non-Owned Coverage for Named Individual”, coverage for “Sound receiving and transmitting equipment, and coverage for tapes, cd’s”. My interpretation of “full coverage” would include all of this protection. Each individual should define what “full coverage” means to them when they order their insurance protection.