Southwest Insurance Center

Riding A Motorcycle In TX: What You Need To Know

Posted on by agentinsure

Riding a motorcycle throughout Austin can be a lot of fun. There are various sights and sounds to explore, though there is also a danger with being on a road. Find out about a few things you need to know as a biker to be sure you are safe.

Avoid the Middle Lane

You may not realize it, but the middle lane is the most dangerous for motorcycle riders. This is because dirt, debris, and oil will often accumulate in the middle lane as a result of traffic. Avoid this and you will have a smoother ride.

Get the Right Equipment

You should have a few pieces of safety equipment and gear for when you are riding. This should include a helmet, a jacket, as well as boots. All of the gear will help to make your ride more comfortable and also protect you in the event that you lay your bike down.

Drive Defensively

A motorcycle is harder to see in traffic, and you can easily fall into blind spots. Learn how to drive defensively – and if you are new to riding, it may be a good idea to enroll in a defensive driving course so that you can learn a few tips and tricks to use while out on the road.

Have the Right Policy

An insurance policy is a must when you have a motorcycle. Not all policies are created the same, and therefore you want to make sure that you have the right coverage at the right price. Working with an insurance agent can ensure that you know what all of your options are.

Call us at the Southwest Insurance Center to find out about insuring your motorcycle in Texas. Our agents will answer your questions and guide you through the process to find an affordable premium.

 

 

 

How To Determine if Umbrella Insurance is Right for You

Posted on by agentinsure

There are many people who have no idea what umbrella insurance is, much less if they need it. It can be difficult to make that determination without knowing what it is or even how to see your need for it. To help you make an educated decision on umbrella insurance, we have put together a quick way to determine if it is right for you. Continue reading to help you make the decision.

  • Determine the value of your assets. If you have a lot of assets, or even just one, you need to see how much the asset is worth as the first step of this process. Homeowners and auto insurance policies all have limits that come with them. If your assets are worth more than these policies can provide coverage for, then you need to start looking at umbrella insurance policies. These types of policies will take over where your other ones stop. 
  • Take a look at the maximum limits of your current policies. If you are already maxed out with these policies, then you need to get an umbrella insurance policy. If you are not yet maxed out, then max them out and see if it will cover you before you make the decision.
  • Take a look at your liquid assets. The great thing about an umbrella insurance policy is that it will protect a lot more than your home or vehicle. It can also protect things like your checking account, savings account, and retirement accounts. You want to make sure these are protected as well. 

Umbrella insurance can be complicated so if you need further information, want to take a look at your current policies, or are ready to get a quote, contact us at Southwest Insurance Center today and we will be happy to help.

What you need to know about this year’s hurricane season.

Posted on by agentinsure

Although recent hurricane seasons have not been very active by Texas standards, the predictions for the 2016 hurricane season show that starting to change. Colorado State University recently released data predicting a total of 12 named storms. Five of those are expected to increase to hurricane strength, with two becoming major hurricanes.

Of course, a storm is only a concern if it is headed right for you, and this continues to be something that cannot be easily predicted. There have been years which were considered incredibly active, but had little to no impact because the hurricanes did not approach land. Conversely, even a relatively low activity season can have a devastating impact if just one large storm makes landfall. A good example of this is the 1983 hurricane season, which only had four named storms. However one of  those storms was Alicia, which devastated the Huston-Galveston area of the state. In the past ten years, there have been 7 hurricanes which have made landfall in the United States. This is significantly lower than for any previous ten year period. This may mean that we are due for a more active season with an increase in landfalls in the not so distant future.

Since it is ultimately impossible to predict the future, the best you can do is be prepared. Have your hurricane plan in place, make sure you are stocked with water and non-perishable food, and of course make sure that your home insurance will cover you in case the worst should happen. Even if you do not live near the coast, flooding can still be a major concern and is generally not covered by most homeowner’s policies. If you need assistance, the Southwest Insurance Center can help you to interpret your policy, and find additional flood insurance if needed. The Southwest Insurance Center is an independent agency and can help you find the policy which best fits your needs, at the correct price.

Why get coverage from the Southwest Insurance Centre, Austin TX?

Posted on by agentinsure

Just like there are many reasons make you stick with a given clothes designer, so are the reasons that make a business entity or a person stick with a certain insurance company. In Texas City, the local government expects car owners to meet a certain minimum insurance coverage to be allowed to drive on the public roads. Southwest Insurance Center is one of the insurance companies that serves a considerable number of people in Austin, Tx. Some of the reasons why people in the city love the company is:

Affordability
Going through the customer review, one of the common things that all of them say is how affordable the services at Southwest Insurance Centre are. Regardless of what your cover is, the price is always within the client’s limits.

Availability of many covers
Finding an insurance company that covers all your personal and business demand saves you the time that would have been spent hopping from one company to another. Very many customers at Southwest Insurance Centre are very pleased with the fact that you can find car insurance cover, home insurance cover, boat insurance and Austin life insurance covers among others. Commercial insurance also covers a lot of business people providing them with cover from unforeseen lawsuits and catastrophes that may affect the normal business operations.

Good customer service
Besides offering you the best rates, you will also be served by a team of very professional and attentive customer care representatives and agents who handle each problem at a time and offers you the best solution possible. The agency will also ensure that you are well acquitted with Texas insurance requirements to ensure that your decisions are well informed.

It is not enough to get cover for your property or business, get the cover from an honest, professional and affordable agency.

 

 

Should You Add More Home Insurance Coverage During the Spring Storm Season?

Posted on by agentinsure

Storms are inevitable, and most homes can take the abuse of a storm without incurring any real damage. For other homes and other storm situations and locations, the storms might be high enough and frequent enough that you should adjust coverage each spring. For those that live in the Austin, TX area, the agents with Southwest Insurance Center can help you find the right coverage for you.

In most cases, the storm season is not so terribly strong or long that you need to alter coverage. For areas where tornado, frequent wind storms, or adamant storm seasons are the norm, however, you may want more coverage in the spring storm season just to be sure that you are covered. There is something to keep in mind, however. Most basic policies do not cover hurricane or flooding so you may need supplemental policies if this is the type of storm you are dealing with.

No matter what storms you might come across, adjusting coverage to suit the weather, the seasons and the storm patterns of your geographical location might be a good idea. Another instance in which adjustment might be necessary is if your area does experience lots of snow and ice each year. Though adjusting coverage might seem like a hassle, it also can save you money if you do have a claim that needs to be made.

Storm patterns and seasons vary from state to state and location to location, so it is important that you take note of your particular area and your particular situation when it comes to adjusting coverage. For those in the Austin, TX area, the agents with Southwest Insurance Center can help you to find the perfect spring storm season coverage.  

Everyday Trash Items: What to Recycle

Posted on by agentinsure

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

Posted on by agentinsure

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

Posted on by agentinsure

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

Posted on by agentinsure

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

Posted on by agentinsure

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.