You make investments, investments of time as well as investments of money. Life, however, can jeopardize these investments through any number of unforeseen problems. No one can be protected from everything all the time, but there are steps you can take to help protect the investments you have made. At Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX, we love having the opportunity to educate our clients and future clients on important insurance topics and ways to help them protect their investments. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about umbrella insurance. 

What Is Umbrella Insurance 

You may be familiar with homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, life, and health insurance. So, what is umbrella insurance? Umbrella insurance is an additional type of insurance which you can purchase to supplement any insurance you already have. The purpose of umbrella insurance is to keep you protected in the event that your regular policy does not cover the extent of expenses incurred during an event. This can apply to car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, health insurance, and others. 

Who Needs Umbrella Insurance?

Anyone can benefit from umbrella insurance, however, individuals who are more at risk of liability, as well as individuals with substantial assets should definitely consider investing in this additional type of coverage. In this way, you can be sure that your finances are not put in danger if an event super cedes a current policy. 

What is Covered Under Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance can be very flexible. These types of policies can also be customized to suit your particular needs. An umbrella policy can cover expenses that supersede an auto policy, homeowner’s policy, health policy, or others. 

If you would like to learn more about umbrella insurance, please contact our friendly staff at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX today. We will be happy to answer your questions. 

The state of Texas is the largest in the continental United States. For those that are in the Austin, TX area, finding a way to explore all that the state has to offer is a great idea. When you are looking to tour the state and countryside, it would be a good idea to do so in your very own RV due to the comfort and safety amenities that they provide. When you get an RV, you should also get an RV insurance policy due to the benefits that they provide. 

Unique Liability Protection

One of the advantages of an RV insurance policy is that they can provide you with some very unique liability protection. When you have an RV, you are going to be taking on liability risk when you are driving and when you have guests over when not on the road. This is unmatched by other forms of vehicles. With RV insurance, you will receive coverage for this unique risk.

Protects Assets

Another advantage of an RV insurance policy is it will give you coverage for your assets. Anyone that owns an RV will want to keep their asset properly protected. When you get an RV insurance policy, you are going to receive coverage for both the RV as well as all of the personal items that you keep within it. 

Getting a proper RV insurance policy is a great idea for any RV owner in the Austin, TX area. Due to the benefits that it provides, speaking with the Southwest Insurance Center is a great option. When you do work with the Southwest Insurance Center, you are going to receive the support that you need to pick the right policy. This process will include getting a full understanding of your options and personalized needs. 

Operating a motorcycle in Austin, TX is different than operating a car. While you do still need to be insured, there are also some other safety tips to follow.

Wear the Right Gear

Wearing a helmet is the most important way to protect your head from severe injuries. You also want to wear other protective gear that can help minimize your injuries in the event of a skid or accident. You may even want to have reflective tape to make it easier for drivers to see you. 

Follow Traffic Rules

Make sure to follow the speed limit. The faster you go, the longer it takes you to stop. 

Ride Defensively

You don’t want to assume that other drivers can see you since many motorcycle accidents are caused by a driver violating the right of way. Stay out of blind spots and signal in advance. Be on the lookout for any turning vehicles.

Take Motorcycle Safety Classes

Complete formal riding education programs and take a riding course in order to learn more about riding techniques. Ask your agent at Southwest Insurance Center to see if you can get a discount on your insurance after taking certain courses. 

Don’t Drink and Ride

This can not only cause harm to you but also others. In addition to drinking, drowsiness and fatigue can also impair your abilities so make sure you are well-rested. 

Prepare to Ride

Along with certain safety tips in Austin, TX, you should also prepare to ride and make sure your motorcycle is fit for the road. Check your tires for any signs of wear, under the motorcycle for gas or oil leaks, and make sure all lights are functioning and that coolant and hydraulic fluid levels are adequate. Once a month, check the mirrors, throttle, clutch, and brakes. 

Contact Southwest Insurance Center to get a quote on motorcycle insurance.

The water sources in Texas provide a number of opportunities for recreational water sport and boating. However, there is no Texas law that requires you to have boat insurance. It is important to note that there are still risks and while you are obligated to follow different strict operational requirements, there are still no guarantees. There are a number of reasons to have boat insurance and the different options you have. 

With boat insurance in Austin, TX not required, it’s important to understand the coverage options you do have. Many home insurance policies do cover damage to your boat but these policies won’t provide any liability coverage. You will also need a separate boat insurance policy to cover a boat that is more expensive or to pay for injuries or damages to others. 

There are different boat insurance policies that you can get. Replacement cost policies will pay to replace or repair your boat. Cash value policies will pay to replace or repair your boat minus current deprecation. With this type of policy, you may pay less in premiums but you will get less cash if you use your policy. A policy with an agreed-upon value will pay to replace or repair the boat up the set value that is stated on your policy.

It’s important to understand your policy in Austin, TX and discuss any concerns with an agent at Southwest Insurance Center. Since boating insurance is not required you may want a policy that suspends coverage during the time you aren’t using your boat. There also may be limits on your policy if you plan on using it in the ocean. You need to make sure your policy fits your needs. Don’t forget to ask about restrictions on underage drivers. 

Contact Southwest Insurance Center to get a quote on boat insurance.

There are many forms of insurance that someone in the Austin, TX area may need to get. When you are shopping for personal insurance, an important form of coverage to consider is life insurance. As you are shopping for life insurance, the two most popular options to consider are term and whole life insurance. You should carefully consider the advantages of each option before deciding which type of insurance coverage to get.

Whole Life Insurance

A whole life insurance policy can be advantageous as it will give you insurance coverage for the rest of your life. Further, while the premium payments can be higher than other options, they will build up and accumulate in an account. This means that your insurance policy will not over give you life insurance coverage but it can also be a conservative savings and investment account to add to your portfolio.

Term Life Insurance

A term life insurance policy can be ideal for someone that is looking for the most amount of coverage while having lower monthly premiums. When you are shopping for a term life insurance policy, you will be able to create your own policy based on your needs. This will allow you to choose the amount of coverage and the length of coverage. With a term life policy, the premiums you pay will not add up and are lost once you pay them.

When you are looking for a life insurance policy in the Austin, TX area, you need to carefully consider your needs. To ensure that you are making the right choice for your situation, you should call the team at Southwest Insurance Center. When you work with the Southwest Insurance Center, you will receive personalized guidance and support. This will ensure you get into the best policy for your situation. 

Commercial insurance is an important investment for business owners in Austin, TX. At Southwest Insurance Center, we offer commercial insurance to suit business owners operating in any industry. 

The following are four steps to go through to buy commercial insurance coverage for your company.

Figure out what your company’s risks are

Commercial insurance is all about covering the financial risks that your company faces. Therefore, the first thing you want to do when you are buying a commercial insurance policy is to determine what these risks are.

Every company faces some financial risks. Your risks could include equipment damage, property damage, expenses from lawsuits, and more. Look at your company’s setup and operations. Then, you can identify all the risks you need your commercial insurance policy to cover. 

Learn what the various types of commercial insurance are

Commercial insurance needs vary significantly by company. There are many different types of commercial insurance you need to understand to determine which types you need on your policy.

Just a few of the types of insurance you may need are commercial property insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, malpractice insurance, and commercial liability coverage. 

Acquire quotes from various providers

There are numerous providers offering commercial insurance in your area. You should get quotes from multiple providers. This will allow you to compare policies and find the one that best suits your needs. 

Select a policy and factor commercial insurance into your company budget

Analyze the available quotes and choose the best one. Then, you’ll need to determine your budget. Commercial insurance premiums are an added expense you’ll need to include in your budget. 

Are you interested in exploring your commercial insurance options in Austin, TX? Explore your options with us at Southwest Insurance Center. 

Standard home insurance policies typically offer general coverage against various physical and liability hazards. A dwelling fire insurance policy offers coverage that is more specifically tailored to damage to your property in the event of a specific hazard. This type of policy provides residents of Austin, TX protection against fire and smoke-related damage. House fires can be devastating and one of the leading causes of house fires is due to cooking.  Southwest Insurance Center has put together a few tips to help you reduce the risk of a cooking-related fire.

Stay in the Kitchen

When cooking on the stovetop, it is important that you never leave a stovetop unattended. It only takes a second for a distraction to turn into a serious, life-threatening event. Make sure to avoid overfilling pots and pans, which may boil over and lead to a fire. Keep heat temperatures as low as possible while cooking on the stovetop.

Have Lids Nearby

Grease fires are extremely dangerous because the source of the fire is liquid, which can splash and adhere to clothing, skin and other surfaces while the grease is still burning. Pay close attention while you are cooking with grease or oil and if you notice the grease is starting to smoke, immediately turn the heat down and remove the pan from the heat until smoking stops. The smoke is an indication that the oil is too hot and about to ignite. If a grease or oil fire does break out, turn the heat off and smother the fire by putting a lid on the pan. If you can’t safely put a lid on the pan, use a fire extinguisher or toss some baking soda on the flames.

Distractions can quickly lead to a cooking fire, so you should never cook while you are intoxicated or sleepy. It’s also extremely important that you use caution when children are in the kitchen with you while cooking. Never let children play near the oven and supervise children that are learning to cook.

Residents of Austin, TX that want to learn more information about dwelling fire insurance should contact Southwest Insurance Center.

Owning a property in the Austin, TX area can be a great long term option. This city is one of the fastest-growing in the country and provides a lot of opportunities to property owners and residents. If you do own a property in Austin, you need to carefully consider all of your insurance needs. One form of insurance that you might need is flood insurance. There are several situations when getting flood insurance could be beneficial. 

When Required

One of the most common situations, when people get flood insurance, is when it is required by a lender. All lenders are going to order flood searches on a property that they finance. If they determine that you are in a high-risk zone, the lender will likely require that you carry flood insurance. If you do not carry this insurance when it is required, you will be in default under your loan documents. 

When at Risk

Even if flood insurance is not required for you to have, you should still consider getting it when you are at risk. If you believe that you are at risk due to a local waterway, you should check your current home insurance policy to see if the flood damage is covered. If it is not covered, you need to get an additional flood insurance policy to mitigate this concern. 

If you do own a property in Austin, TX and think that you could benefit from flood insurance, or if it is required, you should call the Southwest Insurance Center. The rules and regulations around flood insurance are complicated and hard to understand. The Southwest Insurance Center can help you to evaluate your options and get into a flood insurance policy that properly protects you and your home. 

Many people in the greater Austin, TX area are unfamiliar with the benefits that come with having a personal article insurance policy along with their homeowner’s or renter’s coverage. Southwest Insurance Center is here to answer all of your questions on this topic and help you determine if a personal article policy is right for you.

Protect your high-value items with a personal article insurance policy

An often overlooked fact of homeowner and renter policy coverage specifications is the coverage limit on single items. Most policies will stipulate the maximum amount of coverage that it provides for single items like jewelry, artwork, electronics, and other items. If you are the owner of any items that have significant value, it’s time to make sure that you have any additional coverage that you may need.

High-value items are also typically sentimental in value. This means that their loss will be especially painful if they aren’t also covered monetarily. It makes sense to do a regular review of your belongings and personal items to determine which exceed the maximum allowed coverage levels. Following the review, sit down with your local insurance agent and determine which personal article policies are right for your needs. With the appropriate coverage in place, you can rest assured that you will have the protection you need in the event that you experience a covered event. Don’t wait to find out too late that your policy does not provide adequate protection!

If you are in the greater Austin, TX area and would like to learn more about the personal article policy options that are available, call or stop the Southwest Insurance Center today! We can answer all of your questions and help you determine if there are gaps in your current insurance policies.

The propane tank on your RV is an essential element in your ability to stay comfortable while you’re on the road. These tips from Southwest Insurance Center are designed to help newer RV enthusiasts keep cozy without risking the safety of your Austin, TX rig.

• Before your first outing with a new propane system, spend some time looking over your owner’s manual. Note things like suggested maintenance schedules, cautions, and other important information.
• Don’t fill your propane cylinders over 80% capacity. This ensures that excess gas doesn’t escape from the tanks and end up seeping into your appliances. Liquid propane in your appliances can contribute to fires and damage the regulators in your system.
• Check your camper batteries before each outing. Many propane systems are connected to your main battery source. If your battery gets low, your propane system could sound an alarm that sends everyone onboard into a frenzy. Often, propane system manufacturers will make the low battery sound a little different from other alarms.
• Shut off all the electricity in your RV before changing or checking your tanks. Be sure to seal off gas valves to your appliances as well to prevent gas from seeping out during the service.
• Make sure your onboard carbon monoxide monitor is always working. This is especially important in older rigs with propane systems that may not be equipped with more modern safety features. Propane gas is colorless and odorless. Manufacturers add scent to the mixture that causes the gas to smell like rotten eggs to warn you of a leak. However, this can be easy to miss if you are asleep or outside your rig. A functioning monitor is your best bet to stay safe.

Find the perfect coverage for your on-the-road dreams at Southwest Insurance Center. Visit our Austin, TX area representatives for more information on RV insurance.