There are a large number of Austin, TX dams that, while generally safe, could burst and cause severe floods. We’ve seen this problem happen at Southwest Insurance Center, and want to protect you from this danger by providing high-quality flood insurance.

Dams are Not Considered in Flood Risk Assessment

Flood maps are drawn up by FEMA to gauge parts of a city or county that are the highest risk of floods. These are based on the location of rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds, and the intensity of rain in an area. However, FEMA does not take the location of dams into account when drawing up these maps.

As a result, somebody who lives near a dam may be, technically, in a low risk area. However, a burst dam will cause severe and life-threatening flooding throughout an area. As a result, anybody living near these areas needs to look into flood insurance right away.

Floods Caused By Dams are Covered 

Flood insurance typically doesn’t limit what kinds of floods that it covers. The only types that it usually doesn’t include are those caused by a homeowner’s negligence. Therefore, flood insurance will pay to repair damage caused by a burst dam. 

This type of coverage will pay for essential items in the home, such as the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems. They also help pay for appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. Carpets, window treatments, and other types of permanent items are also covered. Personal property is also included, including clothing and much more. 

Find the Coverage That You Need

If you live downstream from a dam in Austin, TX and are worried about what will happen if it bursts, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Southwest Insurance Center. Our experts will find you a flood insurance policy that meets your needs and provides you with a maximum level of protection.

Making sure that you have the right type of insurance in place is very important. Most people are aware that they need to have auto, home, and other types of insurance at all times. However, one type of insurance that not all people think about is umbrella insurance coverage, which will provide you with general and blanket liability insurance on top of your other policies. There are several reasons why someone may need to have umbrella liability insurance in place. 

Significant Assets

One of the main situations in which someone should have umbrella insurance is if they have a lot of personal assets. If you are a public person, or are commonly known to have a significant personal wealth, you need to make sure that you are properly protecting this. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that you have an umbrella insurance policy in place that will provide you with liability protection.

Higher Levels of Risk

If you have a certain type of job or other risk factors that make you more prone to being sued for liability, you should consider getting personal umbrella insurance as well. For example, if you are a journalist, you are a higher risk of being sued for either slander or libel. This type of risk is almost never covered by your home insurance policy. Instead, your umbrella insurance will kick in and provide you with the coverage that you need. 

If you are in the Austin, TX area and are considering your liability insurance needs, you should speak with the team at the Southwest Insurance Center. The professionals at the Southwest Insurance Center will be able to review your personal situation and current levels of liability protection. They will then be able to provide you with suggestions for additional umbrella insurance and ensure that you get into a policy that provides you with enough liability coverage.

 

Generally, an RV is a recreational vehicle that either has a motor attached or is a trailer pulled by another vehicle. It is not exactly a home or building but is not exactly an automobile either.  That makes insuring it a little complicated, but the agents at the Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX have policies that will fit your needs regardless of the type of RV you have.

The area around Austin, TX, as well as the rest of the state, is popular for camping year round for the most part. A lot of people enjoy having these types of vehicles, and Texas a great place for that type of activity.

For a small trailer that is pulled by a car or light truck, you may only need to add that to your automotive policy. While pulling the trailer, the trailer is considered part of your car or truck. When you have an RV that has a motor built in, it is called a motorhome, and that is where it gets a little tricky. For those types of vehicles, you will need a separate policy.

Basic liability is required in Texas for your vehicles, and that includes your RV. There are other types of coverages that are not required, but might be a good idea in order to protect your property. Just like with car insurance, there is a collision and comprehensive coverage. There is also vacation liability, which covers you while you are camping. 

Some people stay in their camper year round, or for extended periods, and extra coverage here is also a good idea. The contents of your RV should also have some coverage as well.

Stop by the Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX, or visit us online, to get more information about coverage on your RV.  We welcome new customers and can help you find the policy you need. We also encourage existing customers to update their policy regularly.

The short answer to why you should have boat insurance in Texas is that it is required by law, similar to auto insurance, according to Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX. But even if boat insurance were not required, it would still be a good idea.

A motorized boat is a big investment and would cost quite a lot of money to replace if it were to be damaged, either by an accident while on the water or some other event whether it happens on your trailer in your driveway, tied up at a marina, or even being transported to and from your home.

Besides, boat insurance is relatively cheap, just a few hundred dollars a year. The exact cost will depend on the size of the boat, where it typically operates, and other factors. The peace of mind that you’re covered is well worth the cost.

The question therefore arises, what kind of boat insurance should you buy? Collision insurance protects your boat against accident or some other kind of mishap. Comprehensive insurance will cover other things, particularly liability in case you are involved in an accident and are judged to be at fault.  You should also check to see if your policy can cover things like loss of personal items and health care costs resulting from an accident.

A boat that you can take out on the water almost anytime you want can be one of the greatest joys imaginable. Whether you like to fish, or just take the family and friends out on a weekend excursion, a boat is a great vehicle to own.

If you have any more questions about boat insurance, feel free to contact Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX.

 

Motorcycle ownership can be exciting, however, it can also be dangerous. The rules of the road for motorcycles are a bit different than for other vehicles. A motorcycle safety class is a great way to become an expert on your bike and how to be safe with it. 

You are New to Bike Ownership

If you have never owned a motorcycle before, then a motorcycle safety class could be a great option for you. Although you might be excited to simply hit the open road with your new bike, you should realize that there are risks involved with driving a motorcycle. If you are very new to driving a motorcycle you may not be aware of these risks. The instructor in a safety class can help you understand everything you need to know in order to bike safely. 

Bonuses

Some insurance companies may offer discounts for individuals who take a motorcycle safety course. Taking the course will make you less of a risk to insure. Your education will make you a better safer driver and thus a better risk for the insurance company. 

Problems in the Past

If you have already had problems in the past with traffic violations, speeding, or even DUI, then a motorcycle safety class would be a great way to get a fresh start for yourself. Driving a car can be dangerous enough, but a motorcycle carries with it an entirely new set of risks. Many bikers love the freedom they get from riding. With that freedom, however, comes a responsibility to be as safe as possible. This is for your sake as well as for the other motorists on the road. 

If a motorcycle safety class is being offered near you, take advantage of this opportunity. If you would like to learn more about motorcycle safety and insurance contact Southwest insurance Center serving Austin, TX. 

The agents of Southwest Insurance Center strive to provide their customers with the types of policies that will offer the features they want. A policy that includes a double indemnity clause can benefit families in Austin, TX who have unique needs. A family with several children or if there is a family member that needs ongoing medical care, a double indemnity policy can be a godsend if something happens to you.

What Is Double Indemnity?

A double indemnity clause will pay double the face value of a policy if the insured dies under certain circumstances. In most cases, if you are killed in an auto accident or other type of unexpected event. If you pass away from an illness or natural causes most policies will only pay face value. Since an accidental death is so unexpected, the double indemnity clause provides the additional financial support a family will need during this devastating time. 

Who Benefits the Most?

With a double indemnity clause, the family of the deceased normally has the most to gain. When the policy is purchased, the insured can designate where the money will go if they pass away. For example, if there a family member who has ongoing medical needs, part of the money can be put into a trust that will continue to pay their medical expenses. 

If you want to learn more about double indemnity policies and live in the Austin, TX area, call the agents at Southwest Insurance Center. They can answer your questions and show you how a double indemnity policy works so you are fully informed. Call and schedule an appointment today with one of their agents! They can help!

 

Commercial insurance is a broad category that covers all the different types of insurance that a business might need. The choices can be complex and confusing. This is why it is best to work with an agent at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX and the surrounding communities. Your agent will analyze the risks for your business, discuss the different types of commercial insurance coverage available, and help you decide what coverage is the best solution for your needs.

Business Interruption Insurance

Most businesses live or die based on cash flow. There may be some money put aside for emergencies along with adequate insurance for property damage and the legal requirements of insurance coverage for workers. However, even with these things in place, there is a risk that business owners need to think about in a serious way. What happens if the business cannot operate for an extended period? How can a business continue to pay its bills, when there is no cash flow coming in?

This is what business interruption insurance is for. Consider an example of a business in an area hit by a major natural disaster. Even if the commercial property is intact, with minimal damage, there may not be electricity for an extended period. The roads may not be passable. Residents may not return quickly. Tourism may stop. How long can a business last under these conditions?

Save the Business from Failure

Some bills continue, even if a business completely stops operating. That is the calculation that needs to be made. Use an adequate estimate of the worst-case scenario of how long a business may be prevented from operating to see what level of business interruption insurance is appropriate that will cover the needs.

Contact your agent at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX, to get a comprehensive commercial insurance review including considerations for business interruption insurance and to get recommendations for adequate coverage.

Your family and friends will always be excited when they learn that you have purchased a new motorcycle. They will probably inquire a lot of things about your new ride, but one inevitable question that will always come up will be; "can I go for a ride?" If we are talking about a car, you might not hesitate to throw your car keys to your friends and tell them to enjoy their ride, but if it’s a motorcycle, you need to pause and think before you agree to their request.

The two fundamental questions that you need to ask yourself when your friend borrows your motorcycle are; does my friend have motorcycle insurance? And how does your motorcycle insurance policy from Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX cover other riders?

Does Your Motorcycle Insurance Cover Your Friend?

Typically, your motorcycle insurance policy may help to meet the cost of repairs, property damage, and medical expenses if you lend your motorbike to your friend and he/she wrecks it. However, whatever that is covered will largely depend on the type of coverage that you have on your policy. If your friend has a motorcycle insurance policy, then it might come in to cover other costs resulting from the accident.

What Happens After the Crash?

Motorists in all states are required to carry liability coverage. Therefore, if your friend injures another person or damages some else’s property while riding your motorbike, it’s your liability coverage that will cater for the resulting loss. However, your liability coverage in Austin, TX won’t cater for your friend’s medical expenses if he/she is the one who was at fault. The collision coverage might help to repair your motorcycle if your friend crashes it while the medical payments coverage will only come in if your friend wasn’t at fault. You should also keep in mind that every coverage has a limit.

Contact Southwest Insurance Center today for your motorcycle insurance policy.

Our friends in Austin, TX love to spend their hotter days out on the water. Texans love their recreational toys, from boats to jetskis and all vessels in-between. At Southwest Insurance Center, we want to protect your favorite watercraft all year-round. You may be surprised by the wide range of vessels that can be covered by a boat insurance policy!

Different Kinds of Boat Insurance

Boats 

All sorts of boats can be insured with a boat insurance policy. If you’re a boating enthusiast you’re probably already familiar with the astounding amount of different models out on the water today. Just a small sample of insurable boat types include:

• Walk-Arounds, Cuddy Cabin, Center Consoles, and Bow Riders – Typically used for fishing and recreation with seating for passengers, with or without a cabin in the bow. 
• Ski Boats – High horsepower, flat bottom boats designed to tow skiers and other high-speed sports.
• Pontoon Boats – Also known as "party boats", these feature wide, flat platforms floated on pontoons.
• Sailboats – Used in professional sports, fishing, or recreation. The main source of propulsion comes from the sail with or without the help of a motor.

Personal Watercraft

Yes, even your favorite personal watercraft (or PWC) can be covered with boat insurance. At its most basic, a personal watercraft is a jet-propelled marine recreation vehicle that features handlebars and a saddle for one to three passengers. However, there are plenty more types of PWC that could be covered by boat/marine insurance!

A Necessity

Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover some limited boat damage, but it typically won’t cover you for liability. Only a real boat insurance policy could cover your vessel for damages caused by you or injuries you sustain in an accident. 

If you’re boating around Austin, TX allow Southwest Insurance Center to find the perfect policy to protect your favorite watercraft today!

One of the questions that we at Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area are asked is whether someone can have multiple life insurance out on their life. Here is what you should know about this topic. 

Can You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies?

Yes, you are able to have multiple life insurance policies out for the same person. And in fact, many people have multiple policies, so it is not as uncommon or rare as it may sound. 

Why Would You Want Multiple Life Insurance Policies?

There are a few reasons why someone may have or want multiple life insurance policies.

First, they may have one policy offered by an employer and want a second policy that offers more coverage than the free or discounted one that their employer provides. 

Second, they may be locked into a policy with a great rate. If they try to increase their policy due to changes in their life, they may lose that rate. In these cases, taking out a second policy may be cheaper than changing the first policy. 

Third, some parties may wish to have a policy that covers their children with their ex-husband and wife, and a separate policy for their new spouse and children. In this case, having two different insurance policies with different beneficiaries can help prevent fighting among the separate families and make it clear who gets what policy. 

Are you in need of a new life insurance policy? If so, contact Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area. We can help you find the right insurance policies for your needs.