Umbrella insurance has the rainy-day connotation, and that’s exactly what it was made for: an extremely rainy day. Most events you’ll see in your lifetime will fall into certain categories. For example, if you get into a car accident, you’re not going to say that you need to make a call to your umbrella insurance carrier. However, there are times when you really will need this type of extra consideration in your life for things that can’t be predicted, and it’s better to be on the right side of the line than the unprepared side. 

1. You Can Relax 

What have you invested in during your lifetime? If your home were to be involved in a catastrophe that wasn’t a part of your insurance coverage, could you afford the damage? Would you have to file bankruptcy? Is that loss going to come anywhere close to what umbrella insurance will cost you? Making the right moves now is a necessity for a better tomorrow. 

2. No More Questions, No Explanations

When you sign a car insurance policy, you’re probably used to asking lots of questions (and if you’re not, you really should be.) Umbrella insurance takes care of all the little events that no one could have prepared for or anticipated. There will be no explanations or justifications or long arguments about how you deserve this or that. That’s exactly what you don’t have time for. 

3. You Have Options 

Southwest Insurance Center has policies that can help you determine which type of coverage is best for you. Our agents can take your information, get you a quote and steer you towards a policy that can protect all you’ve managed to build. Give us a call today for more information if you live in Austin, TX. 

When you decide to invest in an RV, you want to make sure that you purchase insurance. Regardless of whether you plan on using it in Austin or throughout Texas and beyond, it needs to be insured – and finding the right policy is critical.

It’s Required

One of the first reasons you need to have RV insurance is because it is required. It is a recreational vehicle, and all vehicles need to be insured in the state of Texas. You are going to be driving on the roads, and therefore you need to have at least the minimum level of insurance. There are various other levels of coverage that should be explored as well.

It Offers Protection

RV insurance in Texas is going to offer you a significant amount of protection. You want to do everything you can to protect your finances. You get into any accident you don’t want to be responsible for paying out-of-pocket. This could be something as simple as property damage or something that involves multiple people or vehicles. It is going to be much easier to file a claim with an insurance company than to drain your bank account.

It Gives You Peace of Mind

Having RV insurance is also going to provide you with peace of mind. You will feel more confident when you are driving around on the road knowing that you have sufficient coverage. As far as what that coverage is, it can vary significantly from company to company. This is why it is advantageous to talk with an independent insurance agent who can explain the various levels of coverage and help you to decide what it is that you need for your vehicle.

Contact us at Southwest Insurance Center now to learn more about RV insurance. Our agents look forward to helping you every step of the way.

 

While you may be excited about being a new boat owner, there are still some areas concerning your safety  and the safety of others that is important.  Regardless of how many years of experience you may have, or the type of boat you may have, adding boat insurance can add coverage to reduce financial losses, whereas good safety habits will help you remain as safe as possible while on the water.

Common Boat Safety Tips

In general, everyone boarding the boat should have a basic understanding of general safety rules prior to departing.  Below are five basic boating safety tips:

1. Weather

Check the weather forecast prior to departing.  If while on the boat you notice a sudden change in the weather, such as dark clouds or high winds, that’s a good sign to head back before the weather conditions worsen.

2. Lifejackets

Make sure that everyone on board has access to a life jacket and knows how to properly wear one. Many drowning victims were not wearing lifejackets.

3. Checklist

Be prepared by making a check list of all the safety items that need to take place prior to heading out to make sure nothing is overlooked

4. Experience

Make sure you or someone traveling with you has the training and experience to properly operate a boat, are mindful of other boats, monitor’s their speed  and the speed of others and steers clear of other watercraft and larger vessels. Also be sure to have a means of communication with others outside of your boat.

5. Float Plan

Make sure that you alert someone to your proposed itinerary –  where you’re planning to go and how long you plan to be  gone so others will know if you become missing.

For more information and other boat safety tips, please contact Southwest Insurance Center online.

 

 

 

Most business owners understand the need to acquire insurance, but may not be aware of all their coverage options. Business insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to understand what’s available to create a package that best suits your business. 

Three Types of Liability – Not all liability insurance is the same. There are three primary types: general, product, and professional.  General covers accidents that occur within your business, product covers unexpected injuries that emerge from product defects, and professional is oriented towards service-oriented businesses providing work with mistakes, errors, or other forms of negligence.
Business Interruption Insurance – Disasters happen. If your business is suddenly rendered unable to operate, this coverage ensures the bills you’d normally incur will be covered during the time it takes for you to get back on your feet.
Key Person Insurance – If your business relies heavily on the skills and assets of a particular individual whose loss would be catastrophic to your income, consider acquiring this type of coverage, which offsets the loss of an important individual due to disability or death.
Data Breach Insurance – With data breaches becoming ever more common, and more companies storing sensitive customer data electronically, this insurance is vital. It can help a company take preventative measures to avoid data breaches and handle any consequences that arise from a data breach.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance – For the unexpected moments, umbrella insurance covers the things you can’t foresee and don’t have coverage for elsewhere.

The best way to build a package appropriate for your business is to talk directly to skilled insurance professionals, like those at Southwest Insurance Center, Inc in Austin, TX. They can discuss your business and its unique needs and recommend a solid package that protects your vital assets and insulates your business from the unexpected. Email an agent today for a quote.

Riding a motorcycle throughout Austin can be a lot of fun. There are various sights and sounds to explore, though there is also a danger with being on a road. Find out about a few things you need to know as a biker to be sure you are safe.

Avoid the Middle Lane

You may not realize it, but the middle lane is the most dangerous for motorcycle riders. This is because dirt, debris, and oil will often accumulate in the middle lane as a result of traffic. Avoid this and you will have a smoother ride.

Get the Right Equipment

You should have a few pieces of safety equipment and gear for when you are riding. This should include a helmet, a jacket, as well as boots. All of the gear will help to make your ride more comfortable and also protect you in the event that you lay your bike down.

Drive Defensively

A motorcycle is harder to see in traffic, and you can easily fall into blind spots. Learn how to drive defensively – and if you are new to riding, it may be a good idea to enroll in a defensive driving course so that you can learn a few tips and tricks to use while out on the road.

Have the Right Policy

An insurance policy is a must when you have a motorcycle. Not all policies are created the same, and therefore you want to make sure that you have the right coverage at the right price. Working with an insurance agent can ensure that you know what all of your options are.

Call us at the Southwest Insurance Center to find out about insuring your motorcycle in Texas. Our agents will answer your questions and guide you through the process to find an affordable premium.

 

 

 

There are many people who have no idea what umbrella insurance is, much less if they need it. It can be difficult to make that determination without knowing what it is or even how to see your need for it. To help you make an educated decision on umbrella insurance, we have put together a quick way to determine if it is right for you. Continue reading to help you make the decision.

• Determine the value of your assets. If you have a lot of assets, or even just one, you need to see how much the asset is worth as the first step of this process. Homeowners and auto insurance policies all have limits that come with them. If your assets are worth more than these policies can provide coverage for, then you need to start looking at umbrella insurance policies. These types of policies will take over where your other ones stop. 
• Take a look at the maximum limits of your current policies. If you are already maxed out with these policies, then you need to get an umbrella insurance policy. If you are not yet maxed out, then max them out and see if it will cover you before you make the decision.
• Take a look at your liquid assets. The great thing about an umbrella insurance policy is that it will protect a lot more than your home or vehicle. It can also protect things like your checking account, savings account, and retirement accounts. You want to make sure these are protected as well. 

Umbrella insurance can be complicated so if you need further information, want to take a look at your current policies, or are ready to get a quote, contact us at Southwest Insurance Center today and we will be happy to help.

Although recent hurricane seasons have not been very active by Texas standards, the predictions for the 2016 hurricane season show that starting to change. Colorado State University recently released data predicting a total of 12 named storms. Five of those are expected to increase to hurricane strength, with two becoming major hurricanes.

Of course, a storm is only a concern if it is headed right for you, and this continues to be something that cannot be easily predicted. There have been years which were considered incredibly active, but had little to no impact because the hurricanes did not approach land. Conversely, even a relatively low activity season can have a devastating impact if just one large storm makes landfall. A good example of this is the 1983 hurricane season, which only had four named storms. However one of  those storms was Alicia, which devastated the Huston-Galveston area of the state. In the past ten years, there have been 7 hurricanes which have made landfall in the United States. This is significantly lower than for any previous ten year period. This may mean that we are due for a more active season with an increase in landfalls in the not so distant future.

Since it is ultimately impossible to predict the future, the best you can do is be prepared. Have your hurricane plan in place, make sure you are stocked with water and non-perishable food, and of course make sure that your home insurance will cover you in case the worst should happen. Even if you do not live near the coast, flooding can still be a major concern and is generally not covered by most homeowner’s policies. If you need assistance, the Southwest Insurance Center can help you to interpret your policy, and find additional flood insurance if needed. The Southwest Insurance Center is an independent agency and can help you find the policy which best fits your needs, at the correct price.

In today’s world, recycling household items are a daily part of people’s lives but what some don’t realize is that a majority of what is thrown away into the garbage can be recycled. It’s easy to get confused as to what you can and cannot recycle but with a bit of knowledge, recycling can be easy.

Paper Items
Each day, cards, coupons, and junk mail is received and barely looked at.  Instead of them throwing them into the trash, throw them in the recycling bin.  Newspapers, magazines, phonebooks, and office paper are other weekly items that can be recycled as well as the plastic or brown paper bags that are used to carry groceries.

Cans and Jars
The cans your soup, vegetables, and coffee comes in are also all recyclable.  All soda cans are also recyclable. All glass jars can be recycled and should be rinsed out of any food remnants before putting into a recycling bin.  Cooking glass, such as Pyrex pans, cannot be recycled as well as the single-use plastic coffee pods that are now used in many newer machines.

Food Containers
Plastic or cardboard milk and juice containers, egg cartons, and thin cardboard boxes that hold mixes or cereal can be recycled. Surprisingly, the plastic cereal box liner, mesh bags that hold oranges, and clear plastic containers that hold strawberries and/or other fruit cannot be recycled.  

Making the most of what we use on a daily basis is what most families strive for.  Making sure your home insurance is up to date is also something that should be revisited to make sure the home and assets inside are covered. Contact Southwest Insurance Center to see insurance options available and to get a quote.