Insurance of many types can help in "rainy day" situations when things go wrong. And umbrella insurance is perfectly named because it definitely helps with those "rainy day" situations. But is getting that type of insurance really necessary and worth the cost? The short answer is "yes." And here’s why.

Cost of Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance is surprisingly inexpensive, especially in light of the benefits. Because it is typically sold in $1 million increments, $1 million is in many instances the least expensive investment in umbrella insurance. But the cost for that type of coverage can be as low as only a couple hundred dollars per year.

What Umbrella Insurance Covers

Umbrella insurance covers various issues that are not covered by other types of insurance. Here are a few examples:

• Umbrella insurance provides additional coverage when there is a claim involving your home. Although you have homeowners’ insurance, your policy doesn’t provide adequate coverage. Your umbrella coverage kicks in.
• A car accident occurs that involves a great deal of damage, and your liability insurance coverage is not adequate. Umbrella insurance steps in to help make up the difference.
• An issue comes up that might not seem typically related to certain insurance policies. Those issues include ones like libel and slander, and umbrella insurance helps out.

Those are just a few of the many situations with which umbrella insurance can help. There are many more situations in which umbrella insurance can help.

Why It’s Worth It

When you compare the minimal cost of umbrella insurance with all of the benefits, plus the peace of mind gained, making the choice to obtain umbrella insurance is the obviously wise one.

Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX would be happy to tell you more about umbrella insurance and help you navigate the questions and concerns you might have. Just give us a call to let us know how we can help.

Whether you’re a regular rider or take to your bike for the occasional joy ride, protecting your motorcycle investment is important. However, far too many owners opt for standard coverage without looking at the different add on’s. These go a long way in protecting not only you but your gear as well. At Southwest Insurance Center, we want to make sure you are properly protected, whether riding in Austin, TX or in other surrounding areas. 

Accessories and Custom Equipment

Do you like to mod your motorcycle? Maybe you have a few accessory additions you’ve installed onto the motorcycle. Did you know these additions and improvements may not be covered with traditional motorcycle insurance. If you’re into outfitting your bike, make sure to consider this kind of common motorcycle insurance add on. 

Carried Contents and Personal Belongings

If you are one to take the bike out for extended road trips, chances are you’ll have a good amount of personal belongings stored both on the bike and even in small trailers. When this is the case, you need to protect your personal belongings with the carried contents insurance options. 

Roadside Assistance

Whether your bike is stuck or it’s disabled, the last thing you want to do is leave it to get help. Motorcycles are too easily stolen to just leave out in the open. Instead, you’re better off to invest in roadside assistance. This helps protect not only the motorcycle but you as well. There are even options here that include lodging and food expenses if your bike needs to see the shop for repairs. 

It doesn’t matter if you live in Austin, TX or in the surrounding communities, it is important to protect your motorcycle and yourself at the same time. At Southwest Insurance Center, you’ll receive assistance identifying the available motorcycle insurance add on’s available to you. 

Owning a boat in Austin, TX may mean not getting to use it all year round. Because of your schedule or the time it takes to get to the lake, you may only be able to use your boat during limited times throughout the year. 

Your homeowner’s policy through Southwest Insurance Center may already cover your boat when it is safely stored at home, but this kind of policy has limitations. For instance, it won’t cover a more expensive boat, liability coverage, or medical bills if someone is injured while you are out using your boat.

Can I Be Forced to Insure My Boat?

Texas does not require boat owners to insure their boats. However, if you still owe on the loan, you probably have a requirement in the terms and conditions that you have an active insurance policy on the boat continuously until it is paid off. This protects their investment because accidents like fires can happen even when your boat is in storage.

Even if you own your boat outright, you may still be required to prove insurance at certain facilities. To protect themselves from liability, some marinas, for example, may need you to insure your own property.

What if I Own My Boat Outright?

While Texas does not require boat owners to carry special boat insurance, holding an insurance policy protects you from liability and defends you against claims in case your boat is in an accident. Just like with an automobile accident, having insurance will pay medical bills and boat repairs. Your insurance agent can deal with these issues and save you the time and trouble.

Southwest Insurance Center can help you explore the options that best fit your needs if you are in the Austin, TX area. Call today to compare rates.

New graduates are already faced with a number of necessities that they may not be equipped to handle. They may be even less able to cover everything they need when they’re actually in school. So then why would any young person decide to purchase life insurance when they have so many other responsibilities on their plate? See why it may make more sense than you think. 

Stakes Are High 

There’s little debate that student debt can accrue faster than anyone thinks. Southwest Insurance Center has seen how students in Austin, TX may underestimate just what they need just to be able to survive. What they may not know is that while they’re in school (or soon after they graduate), they may leave someone else on the hook to cover their debt should something happen to them. It can mean that collectors come after a spouse or loved one of the debt holder to get what they’re owed. Ultimately, many people would have a very difficult time shouldering that burden if the student is unable to take care of their debt on their own. 

How Life Insurance Helps 

Life insurance can be the best way to plan for the future because it provides the relief necessary to those in charge of the student’s affairs. The best part is that practically every graduate can get a policy that works for them. Even a small amount of coverage can go a long way for those you love. Term insurance may be an excellent option because you can choose just how long you have the insurance, and it will end at the date you specify. Call Southwest Insurance Center if you’re in Austin, TX, and want to take the steps to plan for a brighter future. 

Commercial businesses may face a number of different threats on a daily basis in Austin, TX. However, when owners get used to everything functioning on status quo, they may lose sight of these very real dangers. It’s one of the reasons why most businesses are underinsured. See where you’re most likely to experience a problem in Austin, TX, and what you can do to stop it. 

Litigation Concerns 

Antitrust laws, unfair competition, sexual harassment: they’re all ways that a business can come under scrutiny for what they do and how they handle problems. A legal battle can drain a company’s resources extremely quickly, whether the claims are warranted or not. If you don’t think you have enough leverage if something like this happens to you, it’s time to find out more about how the right commercial insurance from Southwest Insurance Center can help. 

Virtual Dangers 

Hackers have been proliferating over the past few decades because there’s so much to be gained from getting into the right system. Criminals use everything from social baiting to advanced cryptography to ransom your information. Even juggernauts like Apple can have a difficult time predicting what they’ll do, so it’s not always a matter of investing in better security. 

Crime 

Burglaries and vandalism may not be very common where you are, but that doesn’t mean you can get complacent. Your business is too important to your lifestyle to leave yourself undefended from criminals of all kinds.  

Southwest Insurance Center can give you more information about the threats in your area, and what you can do to get the right amount of coverage. Whether you’ve recently expanded your business or you realize you’re not quite as prepared as you want to be, give us a call today to find out more!

It might seem appealing to hold off on purchasing life insurance because you’re young or healthy. However, you could find your loved ones in a predicament if you believe you don’t need life insurance. The consequences of not purchasing a policy through Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX and the surrounding area, could be tremendous. 

1. Your Loved One’s Business or Assets

Whoever steps up to the plate to take care of the expenses when you die could find themselves in debt. It could affect their business or assets. This is especially the case if they have to take out a loan and end up not being able to pay for it. 

2. Business Expenses

If you pass and own a business, especially with another person, the debt of your business will fall into the hands of your next of kin. If you have a partner, you could harm him or her financially when you pass, but an insurance policy can help. 

3. Family Financial Ruin

If you have a home that’s not paid off, young children or debt, think about what your family is financially going to do without you. You could leave them without a way to pay off the home, take care of the children or pay off debt. 

4. Stress

Your loved ones will be stressed enough after your passing. Relieve them of some of the stress they have by having an insurance policy that allows them to focus on mourning you. If you pass unexpectedly, it makes it even harder on your family. When your family doesn’t have the money for the funeral they want for you, it’ll leave them with a permanent regret. 

Contact Southwest Insurance Center, serving Austin, TX and the surrounding area, to open a life insurance policy by calling 512-280-6100. 
 

 

At Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, we have learned that there are a lot of misconceptions out there surrounding flood insurance. Flood insurance is not typically included in your home insurance policy. It is an add-on policy that you can purchase. But many people do not know when they should buy it or if they should. Here is some information that you should consider if you are on the fence about buying this type of insurance. 

Your Flood Risk Zone

If you live in a home zoned as an A or V flood zone, your risk of flooding is high. In many cases, lenders require you to purchase flood insurance if you live in one of these high-risk flood areas. If you live in one of these areas, buying flood insurance is something you should do, even if it isn’t required. If you live in a flood zone B, C, or X, you have a low to moderate risk of flooding. It is up to you to decide if you should purchase flood insurance. If you live in a D zone, the risk has not yet been assessed, typically because it is an area that doesn’t have a lot of residents or is slowly being build up. 

The Risk For Low to Moderate Flood Zones

Over 20 percent of all homes that are flooded are zoned as a low to moderate flood zones. This is one out of five houses. As such, you should not disregard buying flood insurance just because you view your risk as being small. If you cannot afford to replace your home without causing yourself financial hardship, you should consider insuring it with flood insurance. 

If you are looking to obtain a quote for flood insurance in the Austin, TX area, let Southwest Insurance Center help. Call us today to get started on your free quote. 

There is absolutely no doubt that our society has become more litigious by the day. This is a fact the professional and knowledgeable staff at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX does not shy away from. Protecting yourself from a lawsuit is an important consideration that you should be well acquainted with especially if you are a homeowner.

Umbrella Insurance is very basic protection for the "in between" areas of your basic home, auto, life or commercial insurance policy.  Umbrella insurance used to be considered for only the very wealthy, however, it is never pleasant to lose your hard-earned home to a lawsuit judgment from an auto wreck that exceeded your auto liability insurance ceiling.

Umbrella insurance can protect you, your business and your family if you are liable for excessive amounts of damages where you, your business, or a family member were found to be at fault.  

Whether or not you decide to take out an umbrella insurance policy is contingent upon, like any other insurance product, what type of lifestyle you lead. Are you in a position to incur a loss as a result of certain aspects of your lifestyle? Is your business vulnerable?  Umbrella insurance policies pick up where typical insurance policies end.    

An umbrella policy can benefit anyone because anything can happen. However, if you fall within a certain professional background or have inherent risk involved with your business or personal lifestyle, now would be a great time to think about whether this extra added arm of insurance is right for you and your family. 

Come in today to speak with the agents at Southwest Insurance Center. Serving the Austin, TX location and the surrounding areas we would love to set your mind at ease regarding this additional protection.  

If you have guests sleep overnight in your RV in Austin, TX, you may be liable for anything that happens while they are there. This doesn’t mean you should never invite guests over. Instead, maybe it’s time to consider what additional insurance options are available for your peace of mind. Your Southwest Insurance Center agent can help by providing information and quotes on the various coverage options. 

Texas RV Coverage

Your car insurance may cover personal injury and collision liability for accidents, but the limits won’t cover extensive damage to your RV in Austin, TX. Also, it likely won’t cover perils such as theft or natural disasters. 
This is where optional coverage comes in. Work with your Southwest Insurance Center agent to customize your RV policy to your personal situation.

RV Coverage

For your expected or unexpected guests, choose from the following, especially if you will be traveling with people outside your immediate family. See the vacation coverage for more information on protecting yourself when you are vacationing but not on the road.

• Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damages suffered by others if you cause an accident. 
• Comprehensive covers costs if your RV is damaged by a non-collision incident.

• Collision coverage helps repair or replace your RV in case of a collision.
• Vacation liability helps with costs of others’ injuries or property damage. However, this coverage is meant to cover you for vacation purposes, not road operation.
• Roadside assistance coverage covers you for RV mechanical breakdowns.
• All Perils covers all risks and accidents that could possibly occur, with a few exclusions. Customized Austin, TX RV insurance for named perils include coverage on events you specify, such as acts of God and other events. In Austin, TX that covers things like theft, wind, hail, and storms.

Speak with your Southwest Insurance Center agent by calling 512-280-6100 or visit us online today.

 

Austin, TX residents like you love riding motorcycles around the beautiful Texas landscape. However, what happens when you get into an accident? Will your rates increase? That’s what we at Southwest Insurance Center are here to help you find out.

Rate Increases Aren’t Always Automatic

One thing that is important to understand is that rate increase aren’t always automatic after an accident. Rate increases are common if the person driving the motorcycle was at fault or if they had no-fault insurance. It is also likely if the crash was very severe and the bike was wrecked. Increases are caused by an insurance company feeling uncertain about the safety of a specific driver.

Typical Rate Increases

If your insurance company has told you that there will be a rate increase after your motorcycle crash, it is important to know a typical rate increase. The Insurance Services Office suggests raising it by a minimum of 20 percent all the way up to 40 percent. However, some companies may increase rates by as much as 100 percent, particularly in dangerous motorcycle accidents caused by the driver.

Other Concerns

Another problem that often affects motorcycle drivers after an accident is a subrogation. This occurs when your insurance company wants some reimbursement after an accident if you pursue a lawsuit and win. Motorcycle accident lawsuits are common, and insurance companies may feel they are obligated to some of that money. However, these demands are illegal, unlike a rate increase. Thankfully, most companies won’t try this sort of thing.

Protecting Yourself From Increased Rates

If you live in Austin, TX and you’re worried about increased motorcycle insurance rates, please contact us at Southwest Insurance Center today. We will work to decrease your rates and keep you from paying excessive amounts of money.