
Q&A
Insurance Agent
Everyone’s rates are going up. What can I do to manage my insurance costs?
First, carefully review your coverage and your deductibles. You don’t want to compromise coverage, which can place you in a difficult situation when you have a claim. Many folks in our area truly are underinsured. Once you’ve determined that you have enough coverage, work closely with your agent to make sure you have taken advantage of every discount you quality for. State Farm offers numerous discounts to make sure clients can truly afford the coverage they need.
How do I know I have enough coverage?
In North Texas we are exposed to almost every kind of weather. It’s important to be sure you are prepared if that hailstorm damages your home, for example. The average home valuation in our area is $650,000. A 2% deductible is standard on home insurance. So, you need to make sure you have that 2% set aside in case you need it. Make sure you are working with an agent you can trust to give you sound guidance about possible issues.
My teen will become a licensed driver this year. What can I anticipate?
You may see a small increase in your auto insurance premiums for a youthful driver. But if you take advantage of the discounts available to you, it can be very small. State Farm offers a Good Student Discount, a Driver Training Discount, a Student Away at School Discount, and more. It’s possible to reduce your costs by as much as 40% by taking advantage of these opportunities.
I’d like to retire before I turn 65. How can I make that happen?
We offer permanent life insurance products that can help you retire early. The money you invest in this kind of product will grow and you will already pay income tax on it. So, when you reach the point where you are ready to draw out that income it is tax deductible and tax deferred. These are good products to consider, particularly if your employer does not offer life insurance or does not offer the amount of coverage you need. We have options for everyone.
I work for a small business that doesn’t offer adequate health insurance. What should I do?
Your health insurance coverage should change over the years as your needs, your life, and your family change. You need to consider what risks you have and select coverage to manage those risks effectively. Think about what would happen if you needed surgery and three months to recover. Do you have the short-term disability coverage to afford the medical care you need, meet your normal expenses, and allow you the time off from work to recover? Short-term disability insurance can help you protect your savings and give you peace of mind for this type of situation. Depending on what kind of health coverage you need, we can offer benefits for as little as $6 to $8 per month.
About The Expert

Christie Rhyne
State Farm
Christie Rhyne is a 14-year State Farm agent. Her fully-licensed, bilingual team members specialize in insurance and risk management. Her agency services Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Their goal is to understand your needs and create an insurance plan created specifically for you. Living readers voted her Best Insurance Agent in 2023.