Parents of college students know their children often have valuable assets at school, so it is essential to know whether and how your home insurance protects those assets. Home insurance policies generally cover your children’s assets as long as you claim them as dependents and they are 26 years old or younger. However, there are significant limitations you should know in advance. Contact our Southwest Insurance Center team serving Austin, TX if you need answers concerning your home or other insurance coverage.

Limits on Home Insurance Coverage of College Students

Home insurance policies generally cover your dependent children’s computers, bicycles, and other personal belongings against theft, vandalism, or other covered perils, as well as their liability if they injure someone or damage property. However, most insurers only cover those losses for students living in university-controlled housing. Students living with a fraternity, sorority, or off-campus are often not covered, which could leave their valuable assets at risk.

Parents should also know:

• Your children typically must be full-time students.
• Some insurers set age limits at 24 or 25.
• Low claim limits for jewelry, electronics, and other items may exist.
• Damage or loss of their belongings are subject to your deductibles.
• "Off-premise" property is often covered only up to 10% of your personal property limit.

Discuss with your agent how your policy handles student property before making housing decisions and adjusting as needed. For example, many college students benefit from buying renters insurance, which tends to be affordable and offers coverage similar to their parent’s home policy.

Insuring with Southwest Insurance Center

Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX, will help develop an insurance plan that meets your needs. Visit our office or call us today at 512-280-6100 to protect your family and its possessions.

Climate change has ushered in a new era of challenges for homeowners and insurers in the Austin, TX area. As the climate landscape shifts, home insurance policies must adapt to ensure comprehensive coverage for homeowners.

Extreme Weather Events and Property Damage

The intensification of weather patterns amplifies the likelihood of property damage. Severe storms, flooding, and wildfires can result in devastating consequences for homes. Insurers are reevaluating risk models to accurately assess the impact of these climate-related events on property values and vulnerability.

Rising Sea Levels and Coastal Properties

For homeowners in coastal areas, rising sea levels present a unique set of challenges. Increased flood risks and coastal erosion threaten properties, requiring insurers to reassess coverage options. Some coastal regions may experience shifts in property values as the risks associated with rising sea levels become more pronounced.

Comprehensive Coverage for Climate Risks

Home insurance policies are evolving to address climate-related risks comprehensively. This includes coverage for damage caused by extreme weather events, flooding, and other climate-induced perils. Policyholders must review and update their coverage to ensure it aligns with the evolving risk landscape.

Mitigation and Resilience Measures

Insurers are also promoting mitigation and resilience measures. Homeowners implementing strategies to make their properties more resilient to climate impacts may qualify for discounts or additional coverage options.

Harnessing Innovation for Risk Assessment

Data analytics and technological advancements are pivotal in assessing and managing climate-related risks. Insurers leverage sophisticated models to analyze climate data, enabling more accurate risk predictions. This data-driven approach enhances insurers’ ability to tailor policies and premiums based on the specific climate risks associated with each property.

How Southwest Insurance Center Can Help You

At Southwest Insurance Center, we can help answer questions concerning home insurance. We serve the Austin, TX, area. Contact us today.   

In Austin, TX, more homeowners are integrating smart technology into their homes. Southwest Insurance Center offers homeowners the comprehensive insurance coverage they need for smart homes.

You Still Need Home Insurance Basics

Home insurance, at its core, offers financial protection to homeowners against potential risks such as fires, theft, or property damage. It typically covers the cost of repairing or replacing your home and its possessions in the event of such occurrences. A standard home insurance policy in Austin, TX, generally consists of four key components.

1. Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home, such as walls, roofs, and floors.
2. Personal property coverage compensates for losing personal belongings within the house, including furniture, electronics, and clothing.
3. Liability protection covers legal expenses if someone gets injured on your property and decides to sue.
4. Additional living expenses (ALE) cover the cost of living arrangements if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.

Smart Home Insurance Coverage 

The value of a smart home goes beyond its conventional structure. Smart devices control your home’s security, appliances, temperature, lighting, entertainment, and more. This brings convenience but also added value and risk. That’s why your home insurance policy needs to cover these devices.

Homeowners invest their hard-earned money into installing smart devices, making it crucial to consider these costs when setting policy limits. This ensures they can easily replace these devices in the event of a claim. Don’t hesitate to discuss this with your insurance agent in case they overlook mentioning it directly while determining the policy limit.

If you’re an Austin, TX homeowner with a smart home, contact Southwest Insurance Center to ensure your home insurance policy evolves with your home.

 

 

Here at Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, we have seen far too many house fires. House fires can be devastating, as all of your belongings can be destroyed, and significant damage can be caused to a home. While you cannot prevent every fire from happening, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of breaking out fire in your home. Here are some of these steps.

Never Leave Flames in Your Home Unattended

One of the ways to minimize the chances of a fire in your home is never to leave flames in your home unattended. Never leave the kitchen when you cook on the stove, never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and be sure to blow out candles before leaving the space.

Have Your Home’s Electrical System Inspected Routinely

Faulty electrical systems are a leading cause of home fires. Unfortunately, since most of the electrical system is hidden, you cannot see if there is an issue. This is why it is so important to have your home’s electrical system regularly inspected.

Prevent Fire In Your Home: Clean the Lint Out of Your Dryer

Lastly, take the time to clean the lint out of your dryer and have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. Clogged dryer vents are the leading cause of home fires.

Never leaving flames in your home unattended, having your home’s electrical system regularly inspected, and cleaning the lint out of your dryer and dryer vent are a few of the top ways to minimize the chances of a fire happening in your home. However, you cannot prevent all fires from happening. You want to ensure you have an excellent home insurance policy that fully covers you in case a fire does break out. Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, can help you find your ideal home insurance policy. Contact us today to get started.

If you own a home in the Austin, TX area, dwelling fire insurance is essential to protecting one of your life’s biggest financial investments. Wild weather isn’t exactly unheard of in Texas, and there is some level of fire risk no matter where you live. You may be thinking, “If I have homeowner’s insurance, I should be covered in the event of a fire.”

While homeowner’s insurance covers your home in the event of a fire that is not your fault, fire insurance is an extra step of protection for fires caused by cooking accidents, bad wiring, or smoking, where you are technically at fault.

Dwelling Fire Insurance In Austin

The team at Southwest Insurance Center understands how the variations in coverage can be overwhelming, particularly as a new homeowner who wants to fully cover a new investment. We’re happy to help you navigate the options in order to make the best coverage decision for your home.

It’s obvious that a fire can cause serious damage to your home and surrounding property in Austin, TX. Dwelling fire insurance covers damage from a fire that occurs as a result of an accidental fire where you are at fault. The policy also covers any damage to your personal belongings. The peace of mind in knowing that accidents do happen and we can only be so prepared for them is the biggest motivator to invest in dwelling fire insurance.

Whether you have an electrical issue in your home and something sparks, or there’s an accidental cooking disaster that leads to a fire, maintaining a dwelling fire insurance policy will allow you to breathe easier because you know you’re fully covered.

If you’re interested in seeing what dwelling fire insurance we can offer, contact Southwest Insurance Center today. We’re here to help.

Your home is probably one of your biggest and most important investments. At Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas, we want to help you, our clients, understand all of the ways you can protect your home. Keep reading to learn more about protecting your home from water damage.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

One of the biggest contributing factors to water damage is leaks which are left unrepaired. A leak will often start out small, which makes it easy to ignore for a while. Wherever there is a leak, though, water damage can happen. If you see a leak, repair it quickly. If you are not aware of any leaks,  it is still a good idea to check your home twice a year for any leaks or collecting water.

Keep Your Home Properly Sealed 

If there are parts of your home which are not properly sealed up, it can let in water during heavy rains. Parts of your home which could be vulnerable can include the basement, roof, or any area that is located downhill where rainwater can run into. You can have your home professionally inspected for these types of vulnerable areas by a home inspector or a construction contractor.

Keep Proper Insurance 

It is important to make sure your home insurance policy has adequate water damage protection. You should note that most home policies do not include flood coverage, but that is different from water damage resulting from busted pipes or leaks. You can sit down with an insurance representative to discuss the details of your policy.

If you would like to learn more about home insurance, please contact us at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX, and surrounding areas.

House fires account for thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in property damage annually. It only takes roughly 30 seconds for a very small flame to turn into a significant blaze. Therefore, it is important that Austin, TX homeowners be familiar with how to prevent a fire in their homes. Here are a few tips that the team at Southwest Insurance Center wants to share.

Test the Smoke Alarms

Once per month, you should take the time to test your smoke alarms with the simple push of a [test] button. If it doesn’t sound or the batteries are 10 years old, replace them. You may even want to ensure you have the appropriate number of fire alarms throughout the homes as advised by the U.S. Fire Administration.

Identify Potential Household Fire Hazards

Your home is full of fire hazards, probably more than you realize. While you can’t do much about the oven, other than not leaving it unattended, there are others you can locate and remove or evaluate.

If you use a toaster frequently, make sure to shake it out regularly to get the crumbs out, as they spark easily. Dust is commonly flammable, especially if there is a buildup around an electrical outlet. Make sure to unplug hair straighteners, curling irons, and the like, as they can reach high temperatures if left plugged in and on. Candles may smell great, but they are very dangerous if left where a child or pet could knock them over.

Practice Safe Candle Use

Speaking of candles, they are a common cause of home fires. In fact, they result in more than 20 home fires every single day. However, more than three-fourths of those fires are completely preventable. Make sure you are using candles safely.

Inspect the Sources of Heat

Your furnace should be professionally serviced each year to ensure it’s working properly. Because if it’s not, it could result in an unnecessary fire. If a space heater is being used in the home, keep it away from flammable items, furniture, curtains, etc. If you’re using a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned each year.

Store Combustible Materials Safely

It is imperative that any flammable materials are stored in a safe manner, which means away from the heat! Whether it is garden supplies, cleaning supplies, hairspray, or something else that is flammable, they should be kept in a cool, dark storage area. Kerosene, gasoline, and propane should be kept in their original containers outdoors.

Even with precautions in place, a fire may still occur. To ensure you are prepared and protected, make sure you have the proper home insurance. Contact us today to learn more. Southwest Insurance Center serves the Austin, TX area and can help you determine the proper amount and type of coverage for your situation.

Those shopping for homeowners insurance in Austin, TX have many options available to them regarding basic coverage and additional options. Before shopping for insurance, understand the amount of coverage and what is and is not covered by your policy. The experts at Southwest Insurance Center understand shopping for a homeowners insurance policy can be overwhelming and are ready to make the process go as smoothly as possible. 

Below are things you need to know and questions to ask before purchasing your homeowner’s policy in the state of Texas: 

Roof Repair

Depending upon the cause of the damage, some insurance policies cover the total costs to repair a damaged roof. Within an insurance policy, this is covered under “replacement cost coverage.” If the roof is older or showing signs of wear, the policy may pay less to repair the roof, taking into account the roof’s overall condition before the damage occurred. Paying based on condition is considered “actual cash value” coverage. When deciding on insurance coverage, consider replacement cost versus actual cash value to determine which coverage to purchase. 

Deductibles

Your insurance policy deductible is the amount of money you must pay before your insurance company pays for repairs or replacements. Deductibles vary for different types of damage, and the higher the deductible; the lower your premiums may be. 

Additional Coverage

It is possible to customize your homeowner’s insurance policy by adding additional coverage. For example, consider buying additional coverage if you have expensive jewelry and high-priced items in the home or if you have a pool or other buildings on the property. 

Austin, TX homeowners need to speak with their insurance agent about their insurance policy and coverage options. Understanding more about the policy and coverage options helps make the claim process easier should something happen at your home. For additional information about homeowners insurance coverage, call our agents at Southwest Insurance Center. 

Austin is a great place to live. What’s not to like about "The Live Music Capital of the World".  But even in the greatest places, there are risks. About 1 homeowner out of 20 will file a claim every year. Nothing can make filing an insurance claim fun but if you have a home inventory, filing a home insurance claim will be less stressful. At Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX, we are an independent agency locally owned and operated. We take the time to compare our many carriers to find our customers the best deals. 

A home inventory is a listing of the contents of your home. When something happens that requires you to file an insurance claim on your home policy, you may need to provide information to the insurance company about what exactly was damaged or destroyed. When you have just been traumatized by a covered peril, you don’t need the added stress of trying to figure out what is missing. 

You can create a home inventory with a pad, pencil, and something to take photos with. Go through the rooms of your home and list the contents. Include as much detail as possible. Electronic models and serial numbers are a big help. Take photos of each room. Leave nothing unopened. Go to the attic, the basement, the garage, and into every closet, cupboard, and drawer. Attach any receipts you have. 

Storing your inventory is as important as making one. It needs to be in a safe place away from your home if possible. If it is in the house store it in a fire and waterproof box or envelope. Keep track of it so you will be able to find it if you need it. 

If you are in the market for home insurance and live in or near Austin, TX, Southwest Insurance Center looks forward to finding you the policy you need and want.  

Home insurance offers valuable protection you count on to cover you in the event something bad happens to your home. What could be worse than having your home insurance claim denied? Not much. Having to be responsible for repairing or replacing your home would be a nightmare and something you want to avoid. Knowledge is power so knowing what could cause a claim to be denied can help you to avoid letting those things happen. If you live in Austin, TX,  Southwest Insurance Center is the place to go when you are looking for a trusted independent insurance agency. 

The claim is under the deductible

Home insurance policies have a deductible. It may be $500 or it can be $1000. If the claim is not more than the deductible amount, the carrier will not pay on it. 

The type of damage is not covered

If you have not read your insurance policy you may not realize there are exclusions. Not every type of damage or loss is covered. The most common exclusion is flood damage. Damage due to mold, termites, and other insects is also not covered. You can often add a rider to your policy to cover additional damage. 

Wear and tear

Homes age and if your furnace dies because of old age it isn’t going to be covered. If your roof has reached the end of its useful life, any damage resulting from leaks, etc will not be covered. You are expected to maintain your property. 

Lapsed policy

It can happen, you forget to pay your premium and your policy lapses. It would be incredibly bad timing to have a claim you need to file when your policy is not in force. 

Knowing what can cause a claim to be denied helps you to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. At Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX, we will make sure that as our clients you understand your home policy. To discuss your home insurance needs give us a call for a no-obligation quote.