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.

Whether you live in Buda, TX or anywhere else in the country, sharing the love and joy during the holiday season is a beautiful thing. It is also an important time to look back over the year and appreciate everything you have, as there are many others who are not as fortunate. During the holiday season you can help out at soup kitchens, clothing drives and donation centers often are overflowing with locals wanting to do their part and give back to the community. At Southwest Insurance Center, we do the same. There are some fantastic ways for you to still give back after the holidays. 

Some Extra Cans of Groceries

When you go to the grocery store, pick up an extra can of vegetables, beans, tuna fish or really anything else that has a very long shelf life or is not perishable. After a month or so, you’ll have several bags full of canned food you spent under $1 at a time. Take it to your local food pantry or soup kitchen. These locations often struggle to stay full after the holidays due to the drop off in donations. You can help stop this. Talk to your local food banks to see what is on their need list. 

Nursing Homes

Many residents of nursing homes live far away from their children or grandchildren and don’t often have the means of visiting outside of the facility. Spending an hour or two here a week is often enough to brighten the spirits of residents. Whether it is reading a book with someone struggling with their vision or simply calling out numbers during bingo, a few hours is enough to brighten their week. 

Make it a Family Affair

Whatever you decide to do, make it a family affair. Young children who learn the importance of giving back are more likely to do it themselves. 

Contact an agent with Southwest Insurance Center about your insurance needs today.