What you need to know about this year’s hurricane season.

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.

Why get coverage from the Southwest Insurance Centre, Austin TX?

Just like there are many reasons make you stick with a given clothes designer, so are the reasons that make a business entity or a person stick with a certain insurance company. In Texas City, the local government expects car owners to meet a certain minimum insurance coverage to be allowed to drive on the public roads. Southwest Insurance Center is one of the insurance companies that serves a considerable number of people in Austin, Tx. Some of the reasons why people in the city love the company is:

Affordability
Going through the customer review, one of the common things that all of them say is how affordable the services at Southwest Insurance Centre are. Regardless of what your cover is, the price is always within the client’s limits.

Availability of many covers
Finding an insurance company that covers all your personal and business demand saves you the time that would have been spent hopping from one company to another. Very many customers at Southwest Insurance Centre are very pleased with the fact that you can find car insurance cover, home insurance cover, boat insurance and Austin life insurance covers among others. Commercial insurance also covers a lot of business people providing them with cover from unforeseen lawsuits and catastrophes that may affect the normal business operations.

Good customer service
Besides offering you the best rates, you will also be served by a team of very professional and attentive customer care representatives and agents who handle each problem at a time and offers you the best solution possible. The agency will also ensure that you are well acquitted with Texas insurance requirements to ensure that your decisions are well informed.

It is not enough to get cover for your property or business, get the cover from an honest, professional and affordable agency.

 

 

Everyday Trash Items: What to Recycle

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.

Moving Beyond Liability Coverage, Why You May Need More Auto Coverage in Austin, TX

In Texas, as in most states, drivers are required to pay for accidents they cause.  Drivers must demonstrate financial responsibility.  The basic coverage is defined as 30/60/25.  This means that every driver needs a minimum of $30,000 if someone is injured.  Additionally, drivers must cover for $60,000 for an accident and $25,000 for property damage.   Often, people purchase minimum liability insurance.  While this provides protection for an accident and covers any medical costs if someone else is injured, it does not provide for the medical expenses of the policy holder if they are injured. 

Following an accident, your will have to repair your car.  Also, if you are injured, you will have medical expenses.  Further, if the policy does not provide sufficient funds to cover the medical expenses, they can sue the driver for the additional money.  These are things that may not be covered by a minimum liability insurance policy in Austin, TX. 

A more comprehensive insurance policy from Southwest Insurance Center, serving the Austin TX area, can provide drivers with better coverage.  Policies that provide coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists, personal injury, comprehensive and collision can give you peace of mind.  If the automobile is financed, many lenders will require drivers to maintain either comprehensive or collision coverage to protect their investment.  If there is an accident, the driver will be able to repair or replace the car.  If destroyed, collision coverage policies provide for the value of the car less depreciation.  A comprehensive policy is broader in that it will pay for the repair or replacement in more situations such as theft or damage. 

The team at Southwest Insurance Center is ready to help you get the coverage you need.  Compare quotes online then visit with a knowledgeable agent today!

What are the best ways to give back after the holidays?

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.