What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

At Southwest Insurance Center, the agents who serve the Austin, TX area offer their advice to their customers to ensure they always have the right type of car insurance in place at all times. Collision insurance is a good choice for those who don’t necessarily want the added expense of a comprehensive policy. They have to remember, however, the limitations a collision policy bring with them.

Hitting Another Car

Collision coverage protects you against damages caused by any type of collision. Whether you hit another vehicle or they hit you, the damage that results would fall under the protection of a collision policy. This would also include limited coverage for any injuries sustained by either party from the collision. Collision policies are designed to cover only the damages that are the result of an accident that involves a collision.

No Comprehensive Coverage

Collision coverage does not cover any of the other types of damage that a comprehensive policy does. It will not cover theft, broken windshields, or any other type of damage that is often claimed. Rocks that are kicked up and damage windshields or chip paint off of your car are not covered by a collision policy.

While many people sometimes confuse collision and comprehensive policies, they are quite different. In Austin, TX, the agents at Southwest Insurance Center are always available to explain the differences and go over your policy with you to make sure you have the types of coverage you both need and want. Contact the office today to set up a consultation and go over your policies. Reviewing your policies and bringing them up to date may save you money!

 

Do You Have Adequate Fire Insurance for Your Dwelling?

Fire insurance is a key part of a comprehensive insurance plan for any dwelling, but when you own structures that are uninhabited the requirements can be different. The team at Southwest Insurance Center is here to help you determine the appropriate level and type of fire insurance for your dwelling in the greater Austin, TX area. Dwelling fire insurance is necessary for clients who own a rental or other investment property in which they do not reside. It is also appropriate for sheds and other outbuildings that are not inhabited. 

Your Homeowners Policy May Not Provide the Fire Insurance Protection That You Need

When you own property, such as a rental unit or another investment property, your homeowner’s policy will likely prove insufficient for adequate coverage. Your homeowner’s policy will cover the structure in which you live, but not other property that you may own but in which you do not reside. The same may also hold true for sheds and other outbuildings that are on your property but are not inhabited.

Don’t be confused about your fire protection! Now is the perfect time to work with your professional insurance agent and review all of your current coverage. Many clients overlook Dwelling Fire Insurance when they review their insurance protection needs. You do not want to be caught without adequate coverage in the event of fire damage to one of your dwellings! Clients who are looking to protect rental units will want to learn more about rental interruption coverage and other policy options that can protect you from loss of income.

Interested in learning more about how Dwelling Fire Insurance can help to protect your Austin, TX area assets? Contact the team at Southwest Insurance Center today to schedule a consultation.

Why Liquor Liability Insurance Makes Sense for Texas Alcohol Servers

It’s no secret that plenty of alcohol gets consumed in the Lone Star State, many of it in sports bars, restaurants, hotels, and social clubs. What you may not know, however, is that just 1 out of every 3 alcohol servers in the state carries liquor liability insurance. This simple omission can turn into big trouble for your dram shop or other business – even as it places extra burdens on your clientele and community. The most obvious hazard in not carrying liquor liability insurance is vulnerability to lawsuits. Take cases like the recent incident in Galveston, in which bartenders who served an intoxicated patron got slapped with charges after the patron caused a fatal car crash. Cases like these frequently lead, not only to criminal prosecution, but also to massive lawsuits from plaintiffs whose lives have been ruined. Contrary to what some might assume from the state’s political climate, Texas is actually one of the more lawsuit-friendly states in these cases. It only takes one multi-million dollar lawsuit to destroy a business – which is why purchasing liquor liability insurance just makes good sense. You’re not only protecting your own establishment from potential ruin; you’re also sparing your customers from the need to sue in the first place because of their overwhelming medical bills. You’re also helping local medical services, which not be able to extend or get recompensed for those services without some form of financial coverage in place. Different insurance have different ways of writing liquor liability coverage. For example, one policy may cover damages related to assault and battery, while another may not. Some force you to pay defense costs out of your insurance limits, while others cover defense costs separately. Don’t just go with the lowest price; ask an insurance expert which coverage options you’ll need in order to protect your business!