Motorcycle ownership can be exciting, however, it can also be dangerous. The rules of the road for motorcycles are a bit different than for other vehicles. A motorcycle safety class is a great way to become an expert on your bike and how to be safe with it. 

You are New to Bike Ownership

If you have never owned a motorcycle before, then a motorcycle safety class could be a great option for you. Although you might be excited to simply hit the open road with your new bike, you should realize that there are risks involved with driving a motorcycle. If you are very new to driving a motorcycle you may not be aware of these risks. The instructor in a safety class can help you understand everything you need to know in order to bike safely. 

Bonuses

Some insurance companies may offer discounts for individuals who take a motorcycle safety course. Taking the course will make you less of a risk to insure. Your education will make you a better safer driver and thus a better risk for the insurance company. 

Problems in the Past

If you have already had problems in the past with traffic violations, speeding, or even DUI, then a motorcycle safety class would be a great way to get a fresh start for yourself. Driving a car can be dangerous enough, but a motorcycle carries with it an entirely new set of risks. Many bikers love the freedom they get from riding. With that freedom, however, comes a responsibility to be as safe as possible. This is for your sake as well as for the other motorists on the road. 

If a motorcycle safety class is being offered near you, take advantage of this opportunity. If you would like to learn more about motorcycle safety and insurance contact Southwest insurance Center serving Austin, TX. 

The agents of Southwest Insurance Center strive to provide their customers with the types of policies that will offer the features they want. A policy that includes a double indemnity clause can benefit families in Austin, TX who have unique needs. A family with several children or if there is a family member that needs ongoing medical care, a double indemnity policy can be a godsend if something happens to you.

What Is Double Indemnity?

A double indemnity clause will pay double the face value of a policy if the insured dies under certain circumstances. In most cases, if you are killed in an auto accident or other type of unexpected event. If you pass away from an illness or natural causes most policies will only pay face value. Since an accidental death is so unexpected, the double indemnity clause provides the additional financial support a family will need during this devastating time. 

Who Benefits the Most?

With a double indemnity clause, the family of the deceased normally has the most to gain. When the policy is purchased, the insured can designate where the money will go if they pass away. For example, if there a family member who has ongoing medical needs, part of the money can be put into a trust that will continue to pay their medical expenses. 

If you want to learn more about double indemnity policies and live in the Austin, TX area, call the agents at Southwest Insurance Center. They can answer your questions and show you how a double indemnity policy works so you are fully informed. Call and schedule an appointment today with one of their agents! They can help!

 

Commercial insurance is a broad category that covers all the different types of insurance that a business might need. The choices can be complex and confusing. This is why it is best to work with an agent at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX and the surrounding communities. Your agent will analyze the risks for your business, discuss the different types of commercial insurance coverage available, and help you decide what coverage is the best solution for your needs.

Business Interruption Insurance

Most businesses live or die based on cash flow. There may be some money put aside for emergencies along with adequate insurance for property damage and the legal requirements of insurance coverage for workers. However, even with these things in place, there is a risk that business owners need to think about in a serious way. What happens if the business cannot operate for an extended period? How can a business continue to pay its bills, when there is no cash flow coming in?

This is what business interruption insurance is for. Consider an example of a business in an area hit by a major natural disaster. Even if the commercial property is intact, with minimal damage, there may not be electricity for an extended period. The roads may not be passable. Residents may not return quickly. Tourism may stop. How long can a business last under these conditions?

Save the Business from Failure

Some bills continue, even if a business completely stops operating. That is the calculation that needs to be made. Use an adequate estimate of the worst-case scenario of how long a business may be prevented from operating to see what level of business interruption insurance is appropriate that will cover the needs.

Contact your agent at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX, to get a comprehensive commercial insurance review including considerations for business interruption insurance and to get recommendations for adequate coverage.

Your family and friends will always be excited when they learn that you have purchased a new motorcycle. They will probably inquire a lot of things about your new ride, but one inevitable question that will always come up will be; "can I go for a ride?" If we are talking about a car, you might not hesitate to throw your car keys to your friends and tell them to enjoy their ride, but if it’s a motorcycle, you need to pause and think before you agree to their request.

The two fundamental questions that you need to ask yourself when your friend borrows your motorcycle are; does my friend have motorcycle insurance? And how does your motorcycle insurance policy from Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX cover other riders?

Does Your Motorcycle Insurance Cover Your Friend?

Typically, your motorcycle insurance policy may help to meet the cost of repairs, property damage, and medical expenses if you lend your motorbike to your friend and he/she wrecks it. However, whatever that is covered will largely depend on the type of coverage that you have on your policy. If your friend has a motorcycle insurance policy, then it might come in to cover other costs resulting from the accident.

What Happens After the Crash?

Motorists in all states are required to carry liability coverage. Therefore, if your friend injures another person or damages some else’s property while riding your motorbike, it’s your liability coverage that will cater for the resulting loss. However, your liability coverage in Austin, TX won’t cater for your friend’s medical expenses if he/she is the one who was at fault. The collision coverage might help to repair your motorcycle if your friend crashes it while the medical payments coverage will only come in if your friend wasn’t at fault. You should also keep in mind that every coverage has a limit.

Contact Southwest Insurance Center today for your motorcycle insurance policy.

Our friends in Austin, TX love to spend their hotter days out on the water. Texans love their recreational toys, from boats to jetskis and all vessels in-between. At Southwest Insurance Center, we want to protect your favorite watercraft all year-round. You may be surprised by the wide range of vessels that can be covered by a boat insurance policy!

Different Kinds of Boat Insurance

Boats 

All sorts of boats can be insured with a boat insurance policy. If you’re a boating enthusiast you’re probably already familiar with the astounding amount of different models out on the water today. Just a small sample of insurable boat types include:

• Walk-Arounds, Cuddy Cabin, Center Consoles, and Bow Riders – Typically used for fishing and recreation with seating for passengers, with or without a cabin in the bow. 
• Ski Boats – High horsepower, flat bottom boats designed to tow skiers and other high-speed sports.
• Pontoon Boats – Also known as "party boats", these feature wide, flat platforms floated on pontoons.
• Sailboats – Used in professional sports, fishing, or recreation. The main source of propulsion comes from the sail with or without the help of a motor.

Personal Watercraft

Yes, even your favorite personal watercraft (or PWC) can be covered with boat insurance. At its most basic, a personal watercraft is a jet-propelled marine recreation vehicle that features handlebars and a saddle for one to three passengers. However, there are plenty more types of PWC that could be covered by boat/marine insurance!

A Necessity

Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover some limited boat damage, but it typically won’t cover you for liability. Only a real boat insurance policy could cover your vessel for damages caused by you or injuries you sustain in an accident. 

If you’re boating around Austin, TX allow Southwest Insurance Center to find the perfect policy to protect your favorite watercraft today!

One of the questions that we at Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area are asked is whether someone can have multiple life insurance out on their life. Here is what you should know about this topic. 

Can You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies?

Yes, you are able to have multiple life insurance policies out for the same person. And in fact, many people have multiple policies, so it is not as uncommon or rare as it may sound. 

Why Would You Want Multiple Life Insurance Policies?

There are a few reasons why someone may have or want multiple life insurance policies.

First, they may have one policy offered by an employer and want a second policy that offers more coverage than the free or discounted one that their employer provides. 

Second, they may be locked into a policy with a great rate. If they try to increase their policy due to changes in their life, they may lose that rate. In these cases, taking out a second policy may be cheaper than changing the first policy. 

Third, some parties may wish to have a policy that covers their children with their ex-husband and wife, and a separate policy for their new spouse and children. In this case, having two different insurance policies with different beneficiaries can help prevent fighting among the separate families and make it clear who gets what policy. 

Are you in need of a new life insurance policy? If so, contact Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area. We can help you find the right insurance policies for your needs. 

Commercial Insurance is tailored to cushion your business financially against risks such as legal suits and natural hazards. However, there are several myths associated with the policy. Here are some of them; 

1. A really small business does not need to have an insurance cover

Small businesses are not immune losses emerging from liabilities, downtimes, equipment theft, and natural disasters. Small businesses are also susceptible to lawsuits that could adversely affect the profitability. 

2. The landlord has an insurance cover, so I do not need one

While the landlord could have an insurance cover for the premises, this does not cover the building’s contents. You need to apply for an insurance cover on your equipment, inventory, and any improvements you have made to your rented space.

3. My business is home-based and therefore covered under my home insurance

Running your business from home does not mean that your home insurance automatically covers the business. Should you have a home office or business equipment in your residence, you should consult commercial insurer such as Southwest Insurance Center know so that they provide a cover for such as well.

4. My insurance policy covers me against any loss

Under the commercial insurance policy, only business-related assets and equipment are covered. 

5. I do not need a commercial vehicle cover as I drive my personal vehicle

If you use your personal car to carry out business related activities such as ferrying work equipment, driving your clients or going to meet with them, this is considered a commercial activity. Have your insurer amend your current policy to cover such business operations.

Need to learn more about commercial insurance?  At the Southwest Insurance Center we write commercial insurance in Austin, TX. We work with qualified agents who will advise you on the ideal coverage options for your business. You can also get a free estimate of your policy on our website. 

No one plans for their RV catching fire. However, this is something that can occur. An RV can catch fire if it is involved in a car accident if it gets caught in a forest fire, if embers from a nearby fire ignite the RV or if a fire breaks out in the kitchen of the RV. If you have RV insurance, you may know that certain things are covered by RV insurance and other things are not. At Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, we believe it is important that every RV owner know what is and what is not covered by their insurance policy. Here is what you need to know about fire damage. 

The type of RV coverage you have, and the reason for the fire, determine whether your insurance policy covers fire damage. If the fire was caused by an accident, the fire would be covered if you have collision insurance on your RV. If the fire were caused by vandalism or cooking in your RV, comprehensive RV insurance would cover the fire damage. As such, in order for all forms of fire damage to be covered, you will want to make sure you carry full coverage RV insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage to fully protect your RV. 

If you are wondering if your RV insurance policy covers fire damage, bring it to Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area. We would be happy to read over your current RV insurance policy with you and discuss what is and is not covered. If needed, we can help you find a new RV insurance policy that helps to fully cover and protect your RV.