When is getting umbrella insurance a good idea?

People all over the Austin TX area need to spend time considering their personal insurance needs. For most people, this will including having a home, auto, health and other forms of insurance. For some people, having additional personal liability insurance could be a good idea. There are several situations in which someone should consider getting an umbrella insurance policy. 

Additional Coverage

One of the reasons why people get umbrella insurance is that it will give coverage on top of their base policies. While the liability coverage you receive from your home and auto coverage can seem substantial, there are situations where it is not enough. For those that want coverage against the risk of significant damage or injuries, having the additional umbrella insurance is a necessity as it can be much higher in coverage. 

Covers for Unique Situations

Another advantage of having umbrella insurance is that it can protect you from some unique situations that are not included under normal insurance policies. When you have an umbrella insurance policy, you will get personal coverage against slander, libel, false arrest or malicious prosecution, or causing mental anguish. Due to these unique forms of coverage, those that are in certain professions should consider having umbrella insurance a complete necessity.

There are clearly many situations in which having umbrella insurance is a good idea. To make sure that they are properly covered for their umbrella insurance needs, people that are in the Austin, TX area should call the team at the Southwest Insurance Center. The insurance professionals at the Southwest Insurance Center could help anyone to get into a policy that provides the right level of umbrella coverage. This will ensure you are properly covered for all of your liability risks, which should provide peace of mind. 

How Auto Insurance in Texas Will Protect You

Owning a car in the Austin, TX area is a necessity for a lot of people. Due to the importance and expense of this asset, you also need to ensure that you are properly covering yourself with insurance. For those that are in this area, getting a quality auto insurance policy could protect a car owner in many ways. 

Protection from Liability

Being sued for liability is a recurring risk that all people need to take seriously whenever they get behind the wheel. If you are sued for damages following an accident, the expenses to pay restitution can be significant. Due to this, you should make sure that you have liability insurance on your car whenever you are on the road. The state of Texas will also require that you have this insurance at all times. 

Will Give Coverage for Your Car

While you may only be required by law to get liability insurance on your vehicle, most car owners will also benefit from a full collision and comprehensive insurance policy. This full vehicle insurance policy will give you coverage for a wide variety of situations including if your car is damaged, stolen, or vandalized. This coverage is normally also required if you took out a loan to finance your vehicle’s purchase.

Those that are in the Austin, TX area and own a car need to take their auto insurance needs seriously. When you are shopping for your next car, you should contact the team at Southwest Insurance Center. When you do reach out to the team at the Southwest Insurance Center, you can find out more about how a full auto insurance policy will protect you. The team will also review your full personal situation to figure out what type of insurance is right for you. 

When Umbrella Insurance is Smart Buy for Business Professionals

You hold a position of importance at your place of employment in Austin, TX. You own a beautiful home and have a decent nest egg stored away for the future. But it could all disappear when you skip purchasing Umbrella Insurance from Southwest Insurance Center. How does this unique insurance work?

Umbrella Insurance Helps You when the World Falls Apart

Your umbrella policy provides a high level of liability insurance in the instance of somebody being injured through your actions.  This injury may be physical or economical. It kicks in after your more traditional home or auto insurance maxes out on any particular instance.  If you are held personally responsible for a financial disaster at your workplace, it can also help out in certain circumstances.

Keep Your Savings and Retirement Safe

Why is it a smart buy? When you have enjoyed a successful life, you now have more to lose when you are suddenly responsible for somebody’s exorbitant medical bills or other types of expenses. Your umbrella policy can prevent you from emptying out your savings account, selling the house, or going into debt to fulfill your obligations.

Send the Kids to College Anyway

You tell your children that everybody makes mistakes. Make sure that yours does not hinder their chances at having a better life. Leave the college fund intact when you use your umbrella insurance and maintain the lifestyle you and your family have enjoyed.

If you have more questions about how you can keep all of your plans for the future together with umbrella insurance, give your local Austin, TX agent from Southwest Insurance Center a call today.

3 Tips for Choosing Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle insurance is like having a safety net when you’re on the road, something that should appeal to all those without an exterior frame to protect them. Choosing insurance can feel like a bit of a minefield because of the many plans, policies, and premiums available, but it doesn’t have to be. Southwest Insurance Center wants you to have a better idea of what it means to pick the coverage that’s right for you. 

1. Compare Plans 

This is probably the best advice you’ll get if you live in Austin, TX. All motorcycle owners are seen as having a bit of daredevil in them, and this is reflected in the coverage levels and price of the plan. Even if it seems like you’re getting one standard-issue quote after the next, it’s important to check several sources before you really have an idea of what it should cost you. As you compare, keep in mind the reviews of every company. Sometimes paying a little more is worth it for a company that’s easier to work with. 

2. Consider Comprehensive Insurance 

Liability only for motorcycle drivers can be a tempting choice because of its appealing price tag. However, motorcycles are expensive to buy and replace if anything happens to them. And considering they’re more likely to be stolen and stripped due to their sheer portability, a comprehensive policy may be the only thing that recuperates your losses. Unless you have a bike you know you wouldn’t mind losing, you should talk to someone about comprehensive. 

3. Pick the Right Partner 

Southwest Insurance Center is here to help the people of Austin, TX get the motorcycle insurance they need. Give us a call today to learn more about how the right policy can protect you when it counts. 

Does My RV Insurance Cover My Motor Home if I Put It In Storage?

As much as we would like to, we can’t travel all of the time. This means that our RV probably spends a few months each year in storage. The agents of Southwest Insurance Center serve residents living in Austin, TX and assist them in making sure their RV is protected whether you have it out on the road or neatly tucked away in storage. Keeping your insurance coverage intact while your RV is in storage is very beneficial.

What Your Policy Covers

Most RV insurance policies cover your RV no matter where it is. If you are traveling, you’re covered. If it has been put in storage, your coverage will remain in place unless you choose to cancel it.

Storage Insurance

Since you won’t be putting your RV on the road, you may be able to lower your costs by choosing a policy that has a storage option. With storage insurance, your liability coverage drops because you will not be using your RV to camp or putting it on the road. Once you take it out of storage, you will need to notify your agent so the liability can be put back into effect.

Who’s Responsible?

Most storage facilities have a policy in place that will cover damage to RVs on their property if an event happens on the property that is not the RV owner’s fault.

If you own an RV and live in Austin, TX, call the agents of Southwest Insurance Center and talk to them about their RV insurance policies. They can find the right policy to cover all of your recreational and RV insurance needs.

 

Common Types of Boat Insurance

Whether you are considering purchasing a boat or you already own a boat, one of the most important things many people in Austin, TX forget to invest in is boat insurance. Many people make the mistake of assuming that their boat is covered under another insurance policy, such as their home or auto, but this isn’t always the case.  Contacting Southwest Insurance Center about insurance coverage for your boat ensures that should there be a theft or damages associated with the boat, you are covered. So, what are the most common types of boat insurance? Here are the three most common types.

Hull Insurance

Hull insurance is designed to cover damages to the boat as well as any damages to the property of others that is caused by your boat. Hull insurance generally includes the cost of repairs to the boat and if there is a total loss, the hull insurance will pay coverage for the agreed value amount of the boat.

All Risk

An all-risk policy is designed to generally cover any risks that aren’t specifically excluded in the boat insurance policy. For instance, coverage may include pollution liability, ice damage, mechanical breakdown, freezing and reef damage liability. You may also have the option of including medical insurance as a rider to your All Risk policy.

Third-Party Liability

Third-party liability insurance is designed to cover damages to the property of others that is caused by your boat. This type of insurance also typically covers incidental damages due to a liability caused by medical expenses, rescue operations, towing and fuel spills. The rules and regulations for docking in a marina vary, so it’s important to find out if your marina requires a third party marine liability policy.

Just like other insurance policies, there are ways you can save on the monthly premiums. For instance, if you store your boat in a covered shelter, you may qualify for a discount, so be sure to discuss any available discounts with your insurance provider.

To learn more information about boat insurance, residents of Austin, TX should contact Southwest Insurance Center.

Life Insurance Policy: To Take Control Over The Unexpected.

You never know what could happen. This is one of the random aspects that make life beautiful, but it also makes some people very uncomfortable. After all, if you build a life for yourself and your family,  you probably want to know that your hard work will not just fade if you are gone. At Southwest Insurance Center we understand, and we offer quality life insurance to help negate your worry about what could be. We serve Austin, TX and the surrounding areas with quality insurance services for all aspects of your life. 

Life Insurance To Fit Your Needs:

We offer policies that fit your specific needs. For example, if you are a single guy without any assets to insure yet you do not want to leave the expense of an unexpected funeral on your parents or closest relative then you can buy a small policy and leave a designated funeral home as the beneficiary. If you run your own business and have a lot of balls in the air at any given time a policy that covers your business completely with possibly some umbrella coverage to boot will keep your employees with jobs if something were to happen to you. If you are a family man with a steady job that keeps your family comfortable and stable, ensure continued stability with a basic life insurance policy that covers at least your mortgage and enough for your spouse to live on during the aftermath. 

Contact us at Southwest Insurance Center for a life insurance quote that fits your specific needs and allows you to feel a little better about the things you cannot control in life. We serve Austin, TX and the surrounding areas. 

Does my small business need workers compensation insurance even though I only have a few employees?

Austin, TX is a great place to live, raise a family, and own a business. One thing Texas is known for is supporting businesses and people who work hard.

That’s one reason why Texas laws are designed to give your business flexibility.  Most states require businesses to pay for workers compensation insurance if there are employees, but Texas is different. 

You can choose whether or not to offer workers compensation 

If you want to discuss all the different options you could have with a workers compensation policy, we at Southwest Insurance Center would be happy to spend the time you need to explore your options.  You can choose coverage tailored to your business and its specific needs.

If you decide not to have worker’s compensation insurance at your business, you need to let your employees know when they are hired, and if the status changes. 

Opting out carries risks 

With workers compensation policy, there are limits as to how much an employee may be compensated for an injury. Without the policy, an injured employee can sue your business for an unlimited amount if there is a qualifying injury. The business would have to pay for the judgment without help. 

Kinds of worker’s comp

There are three basic kinds of worker’s comp benefits:

  1. Medical benefits 
  2. Income benefits 
  3. Death benefits 

Almost any injury will qualify if it occurred while working unless the injury was caused by the employee’s own reckless or illegal behavior. 

If you have a business in Austin, TX, you want to protect your workers to the best of your ability anyway. Having worker’s compensation insurance makes sure that if an employee is injured he or she can get the necessary care right away. If you are thinking about whether or not your business could benefit from worker’s comp insurance, please call Southwest Insurance Center today. 

 

What to do if your home becomes uninhabitable

There are many events that can make our home uninhabitable, from fires, wind and water damage, to situations caused by natural disasters. When your home insurance policy has coverage for these events you will have a greater number of options available to you. In fact, there are policies that can help you to find alternative housing so that you don’t have to worry about becoming a burden to your friends and family. The team at Southwest Insurance Center is here to help residents in the greater Austin, TX community have the coverage they need should there home suffer from damage that makes it uninhabitable.

Options if your home can no longer be lived in safely:

When your home is damaged to the point that it is dangerous to live there, you need to leave. The health and safety of your family are much more important than material possessions, even if your heart is breaking as you leave your home. A comprehensive home insurance policy will provide coverage for alternative housing if your home is damaged by a covered event. This is coverage that you will want to make sure that your home policy contains because it can help to ease the trauma of a catastrophic event. 

No one wants to consider the possibility of their home being damaged or destroyed to the point that they can no longer live there. However, we all know that it is better to be as prepared as possible for these types of situations. The team at Southwest Insurance Center is here to help you find the right home insurance policy that can protect you and your family.  Now is the time to ensure that your Austin, TX home insurance policy has the coverage that you need.

Should I Add a Second Car to My Auto Insurance Policy?

Many people have more than one car. When you get a second car, the question often comes up whether it is a wise idea to add the second vehicle to the first automobile insurance policy. That may or may not be the best solution.

When is a separate auto insurance policy a good idea?

Here are some things to consider:

Authorized Drivers: If there will be different driver’s who are authorized to drive each vehicle, it may be better to have a separate auto insurance policy for each one. If one of the authorized driver is very young, such as a teenager, it is likely better to restrict that driver to a lower-valued automobile and have a separate policy.

Use of the Vehicles: If there is any commercial use of one vehicle but not the other one, the policies need to be separate. If a vehicle will tow something, like a boat on a trailer, it may need to have a separate policy and additional coverage for what it tows.

Value of the Vehicles: If there is a significant difference in the value of the vehicles, perhaps having separate policies for them is a better way to protect a very valuable one with more comprehensive coverage.

Coverage and Deductibles: Some insurance companies apply the same coverage and deductible to all the vehicles under one policy. Others allow for these amounts to differ. This may affect your decision.

Specialty Autos: Vintage or antique vehicles need separate auto insurance.

Your Agent Will Help You Decide

There are many reasons why having separate auto insurance for more than one vehicle makes perfect sense. Work with your agent at Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin TX and the nearby area, to get adequate coverage that is the best fit.

Your agent will check the quotes for the insurance with different insurance companies and compare them with the vehicles combined or separate and then give you a recommendation of the best options.

Call to speak with your agent at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX to get an auto insurance review and a quote for new auto insurance coverage.