Month: March 2020

Tips to Reduce the Risk of a Cooking Fire

Posted on by agentinsure

Standard home insurance policies typically offer general coverage against various physical and liability hazards. A dwelling fire insurance policy offers coverage that is more specifically tailored to damage to your property in the event of a specific hazard. This type of policy provides residents of Austin, TX protection against fire and smoke-related damage. House fires can be devastating and one of the leading causes of house fires is due to cooking.  Southwest Insurance Center has put together a few tips to help you reduce the risk of a cooking-related fire.

Stay in the Kitchen

When cooking on the stovetop, it is important that you never leave a stovetop unattended. It only takes a second for a distraction to turn into a serious, life-threatening event. Make sure to avoid overfilling pots and pans, which may boil over and lead to a fire. Keep heat temperatures as low as possible while cooking on the stovetop.

Have Lids Nearby

Grease fires are extremely dangerous because the source of the fire is liquid, which can splash and adhere to clothing, skin and other surfaces while the grease is still burning. Pay close attention while you are cooking with grease or oil and if you notice the grease is starting to smoke, immediately turn the heat down and remove the pan from the heat until smoking stops. The smoke is an indication that the oil is too hot and about to ignite. If a grease or oil fire does break out, turn the heat off and smother the fire by putting a lid on the pan. If you can’t safely put a lid on the pan, use a fire extinguisher or toss some baking soda on the flames.

Distractions can quickly lead to a cooking fire, so you should never cook while you are intoxicated or sleepy. It’s also extremely important that you use caution when children are in the kitchen with you while cooking. Never let children play near the oven and supervise children that are learning to cook.

Residents of Austin, TX that want to learn more information about dwelling fire insurance should contact Southwest Insurance Center.

Comprehensive & Collision Coverage — What is the Difference?

Posted on by agentinsure

An auto insurance policy involves three types of coverage — liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. According to the insurance professionals at Southwest Insurance Center, liability is generally state-mandated. Each state sets forth its minimum insurance criteria.

The difference between comprehensive and collision coverage is a crucial distinction for car owners living/driving in and around the Austin, TX metropolitan area.

Collision Coverage reimburses for damages and losses that are the result of an impact of your car with another vehicle or object. In general, collision insurance is not a legal mandate but maybe a lender requirement for those who lease or borrow money to buy their car. Collision coverage is provided despite who caused the accident.

Collision coverage would likely have these triggers for insurance reimbursement –

  • You hit a tree after losing control of the automobile.
  • You dent your bumper by backing up into a cement pole in a dark parking lot.  

Comprehensive coverage for drivers in the Austin, TX area would include insurance coverage for anything else that may happen — other than that of an automobile collision. Examples of typical comprehensive coverage include damage or loss from –

  • A fire.
  • A car window was left open during a rainstorm.
  • Vandalism.
  • A tree falls on your car.
  • Mother Nature — like a car hit by large hailstones.
  • Striking an animal — this may vary by policy.

Collision and comprehensive insurance reimburse the insured for damage and loss (i.e., physical damage) to the insured and insured’s automobile, as long as the event is not explicitly excluded from the insurance policy.  When an automobile owner purchases both comprehensive and collision coverage, their policy will be considered a ‘full-coverage’ auto policy.

For additional information regarding insurance for your automobile, contact the insurance professionals at Southwest Insurance Center at 512-280-6100.