Everyday Trash Items: What to Recycle

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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

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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!

Ways To Avoid Fender Bender Fraud

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Accidents are a fact of life but it is a mistake to fall victim of fender bender fraud if you are in an accident. At some times, it is easy to give the other driver the benefit of the doubt, especially if it seems as though it actually was an accident. However, if you do not take the right precautions, you may become the victim of something much bigger and end up paying more out of pocket in the long run. Follow these rules when you are involved in a fender bender so you can protect yourself on the roads.

  • Take note of the accident and how it happened. Take pictures of everything you can think of while you are there. This includes both of the vehicles, the damage, the license plates, their driver’s license, and even the area of the road where it occurred. 
  • Always contact the police so you can get a police report. The police office that comes to the scene of the accident will serve as an impartial observer in the case that the other driver tries to change their story or pin the accident on you. 
  • Always be truthful from the beginning. If the case does go to court, then by staying truthful, you are more likely to not become a victim of fender bender fraud. 
  • Make sure you get their insurance information and make the claim as soon as possible after the accident. Share their information with your insurance agency so you can get everything handled as soon as possible.
  • If there are injuries from the accident, encourage everyone to go to the emergency room for evaluation.

Following these steps will help you to better protect yourself on the roads in the case of an accident and contact Southwest Insurance Center for all of your insurance needs. 

3 Tips for Avoiding Fender Bender Fraud

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If you’ve ever been involved in an auto accident, you know just how scary the situation can be. But how do you know who you can trust and how do you keep yourself from being a victim of fraud? Here are three tips for avoiding fender bender fraud to consider.

Tip #1: Don’t Immediately Say It Was Your Fault

After an accident, it can be very easy to apologize or claim that the accident was your fault. This can lead the other party into thinking he or she has a right to inflate physical damage and injuries—a common example of insurance fraud. Instead, you can simply apologize for the inconvenience of the situation, but be sure to let the insurance companies really determine who is responsible.

Tip #2: Write It Down

As soon as you are safely able to do so, write down a full account of what happened in the incident. By doing this while your memory is fresh, you can help ensure you get the facts as clear and concise as possible. If the police department will respond, having a copy of their final report will also be helpful. Having this information ready if the other party tries to claim damages can be incredibly helpful in the effort to prove your case.

Tip #3: Never Walk Away from an Accident without Exchanging Information

Many people believe that if they get into a minor accident where there is no damage that they do not need to exchange information or take photos of the other vehicle. This is wrong and ultimately very dangerous. If a third-party decides later to fraudulently file suit for property damage or injury, you could be liable simply because the burden of proof is on you. By ensuring you get this information right away, you can help protect yourself if the situation ever goes any farther.

Do you have the right auto insurance coverage to suit your needs? Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at Southwest Insurance Center for your no-obligation policy quote.

Save Gas and Save Money With These Tips

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It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. Everyone loves to save money on gas. Unfortunately, simply finding the gas station with the cheapest price is not always enough. Gas prices fluctuate so much that it is best to incorporate some gas saving ideas into your daily routine. Follow these tips to get started.

  1. Drive safely. Driving with extra caution can really help you save money on gas. By quickly accelerating and braking harder, you are using more gas than you need to. In fact, these actions can lower your fuel efficiency by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city. Take some time while driving and save some money on your gas. 
  2. Remove any excess weight. The more items you have in your vehicle, the more gas it will take to get it from point A to point B. If you have a lot of stuff in your trunk, take an afternoon to remove some of the items that you do not need in there. Your wallet will thank you when you go farther on a tank of gas. 
  3. Get a newer model car. The newer cars have more efficiency. In fact, every year, the fuel efficiency gets better than before. You do not need to have a new car every year but if you have an older car, you may want to consider an upgrade. This is especially true if your vehicle is over 10 years old. 

Saving money on gas is great but you also need to have good auto insurance. Contact Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX to take a look at your current policy or find you a new one. Save on gas with these tips and save on insurance by finding a better option. 

How to Protect Yourself While House Sitting

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If you are a professional house sitter, then you know the rewards that accompany your job. You get the benefit of living in a nice home while the owners are away. An added benefit is the fact that you temporarily live for free. There aren’t too many professions that give you the ability to live in prestigious homes for free on a regular basis.

Although house sitting is nice, there are some dangers that come along with the profession. At Southwest Insurance Center, we want you to be safe while you are working hard at your job. Before your next assignment, keep the following safety tips in mind.

Always know what to do during a weather-related disaster. You should know where the first aid kits and flashlights are, just in case you need to use them.

Know where the fire extinguishers are in the home. Fires are one of the many threats to you while you are house sitting. When you take the time to learn where the extinguishers are, you reduce the chance of fires getting out of your control and threatening you and the home.

Learn how to use the intrusion system effectively. Most alarm systems include the ability to press a button and reach emergency services. If you know this, and you know how to use the system, then you could potentially save your life during an intrusion.

Know some defensive moves for your protection. There may be a time when you have to protect yourself from an intruder. If you know a few defensive moves, you could prevent an intruder from overtaking you.

At Southwest Insurance Central, our goal is to ensure you are safe, including when you are driving. You can visit our website to learn more about our auto insurance products.

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

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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.