How to Minimize the Chances Of Your Car Being Broken Into

Posted on by agentinsure

One of the most common reasons you would need to file a claim with your auto insurance company is that you were involved in an automobile accident. Another common reason you may file a claim is that your vehicle was broken into. While you cannot prevent all burglars and thieves, there are things that you can do to minimize the chances of your car being targeted. Here are some tips brought to you by Southwest Insurance Center, an auto insurance provider in the greater Austin, TX area.

Secure Your Vehicle 

One of the best ways to minimize the chances of your car being broken into is to secure your vehicle. This includes ensuring your doors are locked, your windows are rolled up, and your security alarm, if your vehicle has one, is activated.

Park In Well Lit Areas

Another tip that can help to minimize the chances of your car being broken into is to park in well-lit areas. It is safer for thieves to target vehicles parked in dark areas, as they are less likely to be spotted. Parking under a light in a parking lot or using motion-activated lights in your driveway can help deter thieves.

Be Mindful About What Is Visible In Your Vehicle

Lastly, always be mindful of what is visible in your vehicle. You should never leave items such as money, cell phones, electronics, or shopping bags visible in your vehicle. You want your vehicle to look empty to help minimize the chances of your car being targeted by criminals.

By securing your vehicle, parking in a well-lit area, and being mindful of what is visible in your vehicle, you can minimize the chances of your vehicle being broken into. Unfortunately, though, some thieves will target any vehicle for any reason. As such, it is essential to have auto insurance that protects you in case your car is broken into. Here at Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX region, we can help you select a policy that meets your needs. Schedule an appointment with one of our auto insurance agents today.

Two Types of Life Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Leaving something behind for your family’s financial benefit is always an intelligent choice. To do this, you need to have a life insurance policy. There are two main types of life insurance that you can pick from. Each of them works a little differently from the other. It’s a good idea to know what each of them is like and how you may benefit from each of them. When you’re ready to get life insurance, call us at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX to get started.

Whole Life Insurance 

Whole life insurance comes with a lot of great benefits. It’s a type that doesn’t have an expiration date. When you start with a whole life policy, it stays good regardless of age. One reason this type is so popular is that you can keep it your whole life and not worry about outliving the policy. It also comes with another vital benefit. These policies start building a cash value over time. After a few years, there is a cash amount that you can borrow against to take care of a financial emergency. Whole life policies are more expensive than term-life policies, but their benefits keep them a popular choice.

Term Life Insurance 

With term life insurance, it will expire after a certain number of years if the policyholder doesn’t pass away during its term. When a term life policy expires, you are no longer covered by life insurance. However, these policies are generally much more affordable than a whole life policy. These policies often fit into people’s budgets better and make getting a larger amount of insurance coverage possible.

Get All Types Of Life Insurance

Call us at Southwest Insurance Center in Austin, TX when you need life insurance to help care for loved ones.

Ways to Minimize the Chances of a Fire In Your Home

Posted on by agentinsure

Here at Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, we have seen far too many house fires. House fires can be devastating, as all of your belongings can be destroyed, and significant damage can be caused to a home. While you cannot prevent every fire from happening, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of breaking out fire in your home. Here are some of these steps.

Never Leave Flames in Your Home Unattended

One of the ways to minimize the chances of a fire in your home is never to leave flames in your home unattended. Never leave the kitchen when you cook on the stove, never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and be sure to blow out candles before leaving the space.

Have Your Home’s Electrical System Inspected Routinely

Faulty electrical systems are a leading cause of home fires. Unfortunately, since most of the electrical system is hidden, you cannot see if there is an issue. This is why it is so important to have your home’s electrical system regularly inspected.

Prevent Fire In Your Home: Clean the Lint Out of Your Dryer

Lastly, take the time to clean the lint out of your dryer and have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. Clogged dryer vents are the leading cause of home fires.

Never leaving flames in your home unattended, having your home’s electrical system regularly inspected, and cleaning the lint out of your dryer and dryer vent are a few of the top ways to minimize the chances of a fire happening in your home. However, you cannot prevent all fires from happening. You want to ensure you have an excellent home insurance policy that fully covers you in case a fire does break out. Southwest Insurance Center, serving the greater Austin, TX area, can help you find your ideal home insurance policy. Contact us today to get started.

Dos and Don’ts of Filing an Auto Insurance Claim

Posted on by agentinsure

Things can get pretty stressful following a collision. To ensure you are properly compensated, you want to ensure that you correctly file an auto insurance claim with your Austin, TX insurance company. Here are a few dos and don’ts to follow from Southwest Insurance Center.

Do Document Absolutely Everything

No matter whether you think it is relevant or not, take note of it. Your insurer can use what is necessary and put aside the rest. Take pictures of all vehicles involved, the scene of the accident, the road, the weather, obstructions, etc. Don’t forget to take down eyewitness information. Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured.

Don’t Throw Away Your Receipts

After an accident, you will be out money for medical expenses, auto repairs, property repairs, and a variety of other expenses. Make certain that you keep the receipts (or at least copies of them) of anything you pay for. More often than not, these expenses are refundable, but you will need to provide proof of these costs to your insurer.

Do File Your Claim ASAP

It is important to understand that the claims process needs to get started as soon as possible, which means you need to file your auto insurance claim at your very earliest convenience following the accident. In fact, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of your insurer, as most insurance policies will require that you file within a certain time period—typically within 24 hours.

If you need help filing your auto insurance claim, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Southwest Insurance Center. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have and guide you through the claims filing process. Alternatively, if you are looking for auto insurance in Austin, TX, let us help you assess your individual needs and provide you with an auto insurance quote.

Do All Texas Homeowners Need Dwelling Fire Insurance?

Posted on by agentinsure

If you own a home in the Austin, TX area, dwelling fire insurance is essential to protecting one of your life’s biggest financial investments. Wild weather isn’t exactly unheard of in Texas, and there is some level of fire risk no matter where you live. You may be thinking, “If I have homeowner’s insurance, I should be covered in the event of a fire.”

While homeowner’s insurance covers your home in the event of a fire that is not your fault, fire insurance is an extra step of protection for fires caused by cooking accidents, bad wiring, or smoking, where you are technically at fault.

Dwelling Fire Insurance In Austin

The team at Southwest Insurance Center understands how the variations in coverage can be overwhelming, particularly as a new homeowner who wants to fully cover a new investment. We’re happy to help you navigate the options in order to make the best coverage decision for your home.

It’s obvious that a fire can cause serious damage to your home and surrounding property in Austin, TX. Dwelling fire insurance covers damage from a fire that occurs as a result of an accidental fire where you are at fault. The policy also covers any damage to your personal belongings. The peace of mind in knowing that accidents do happen and we can only be so prepared for them is the biggest motivator to invest in dwelling fire insurance.

Whether you have an electrical issue in your home and something sparks, or there’s an accidental cooking disaster that leads to a fire, maintaining a dwelling fire insurance policy will allow you to breathe easier because you know you’re fully covered.

If you’re interested in seeing what dwelling fire insurance we can offer, contact Southwest Insurance Center today. We’re here to help.

Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Posted on by agentinsure

When you buy a car in Austin, TX, one of the first things you need to do is insure it. This is a legal requirement that helps protect you and other people. However, are you aware of what your auto insurance coverage options are? You need to understand the different types of auto coverage before selecting one. That is why, here at Southwest Insurance Center, we take you through the different types of auto insurance coverages in the market.

Bodily Injury Liability

This coverage cautions you financially if you cause an accident and people are injured. The coverage will help pay for the medical treatment of the injured party, preventing you from paying out of pocket.

Property Damage Liability

This type of liability helps pay for any damage to other people’s property caused by your car. This includes vehicles, fences, businesses, etc. Any damage to your vehicle after an accident is not covered by this policy.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects you against financial loss when your car is exposed to risks like theft, natural disasters, vandalism, and collision with an animal. The policy will help cover the repairs or to replace your vehicle.

Collision Coverage

This type of auto insurance helps cover the expenses of repairing your vehicle after you hit another car or object. For instance, if you hit your fence as you reverse, the insurance company will help pay for the repairs.

Uninsured/ Underinsured Auto Coverage

If you are involved in an accident, and the driver at fault lacks adequate insurance or is uninsured, this coverage helps with the repair expenses. In addition, if you have been injured, the coverage will take care of the medical costs.

One of the major benefits of having insurance in Austin, TX is that you do not get into a financial loss if anything happens. Therefore, if you are still wondering whether coverage is right for you, you can reach out to us at Southwest Insurance Center. We understand that insurance can be confusing for first-timers, so we will help you find the right coverage.

How To Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Posted on by agentinsure

Your home is probably one of your biggest and most important investments. At Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas, we want to help you, our clients, understand all of the ways you can protect your home. Keep reading to learn more about protecting your home from water damage.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

One of the biggest contributing factors to water damage is leaks which are left unrepaired. A leak will often start out small, which makes it easy to ignore for a while. Wherever there is a leak, though, water damage can happen. If you see a leak, repair it quickly. If you are not aware of any leaks,  it is still a good idea to check your home twice a year for any leaks or collecting water.

Keep Your Home Properly Sealed 

If there are parts of your home which are not properly sealed up, it can let in water during heavy rains. Parts of your home which could be vulnerable can include the basement, roof, or any area that is located downhill where rainwater can run into. You can have your home professionally inspected for these types of vulnerable areas by a home inspector or a construction contractor.

Keep Proper Insurance 

It is important to make sure your home insurance policy has adequate water damage protection. You should note that most home policies do not include flood coverage, but that is different from water damage resulting from busted pipes or leaks. You can sit down with an insurance representative to discuss the details of your policy.

If you would like to learn more about home insurance, please contact us at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX, and surrounding areas.

How Does Commercial Insurance Protect My Small Business?

Posted on by agentinsure

Are any small business owners reading this post in Austin, TX? Here at Southwest Insurance Center, we love supporting small businesses in any way we can. Austin is a fantastic place to start a business and run your own company; the rich culture, tourism, sights, and sounds all make for a great backdrop to building your dream business. But does you venture have commercial insurance already?

You’ve probably looked into commercial insurance throughout your time as a small business owner. Commercial insurance can be very overwhelming; how much coverage do you really need? Is it worth the cost? We’re here to explain the ways that commercial insurance can protect your small business, give you peace of mind, and help you grow.

Commercial Insurance Protection

1. Commercial liability insurance protects your business against lawsuits or claims from third parties about your business.

2. Commercial property insurance protects one of your greatest investments – your office, workspace, warehouse, or other location where you conduct business. If your property is damaged in a fire or other natural causes, property insurance protects your building.

Property insurance also covers your inventory, machinery, and other items that are essential to the functioning of your business (that are housed in your workspace).

Remember that insurance exists to mitigate the risks associated with the policy. If operating your small business has substantial risk, looking into commercial insurance is a wise decision so you can protect your investments and your bottom line.

If you’re a business owner in the Austin, TX area and are interested in looking at the coverage options we offer, contact Southwest Insurance Center today. Our team of experts can help you decide what the most suitable commercial insurance coverage is for your business to thrive.

Talking to Your Parents About Life Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Families are often hesitant to discuss life insurance details. Although these can sometimes be uncomfortable conversations, they are also important conversations. At Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin, TX, we want to help our clients feel comfortable and empowered when discussing this topic. Keep reading to learn more about discussing life insurance with your parents.

Why It’s Important

Discussing life insurance with your aging parents is important because when parents pass, adult children are usually the ones who handle arrangements. These adult children need to know the details of the life insurance plans that are active. If there are no life insurance plans active, adult children will want to discuss the importance of finding a plan to relieve the financial burden in the future.

Questions to Ask

When discussing this important topic, you will want to ask specific questions to ensure that you have the information you need to handle your parents’ final arrangements in the future. You will need to know who holds active policies, how much the policy will provide, and any other details concerning the policy such as loans that have been taken out against it.

You will also want to take note of your parents’ wishes concerning their final arrangements. It will be very important to them that they feel heard and that their wishes are respected in a compassionate way.

If your parents do not have an active life insurance policy, you will want to discuss with them the importance of shopping for something now, so that their final wishes can be handled in the appropriate way without additional financial burden.

If you would like to learn more about our insurance products, please contact us at Southwest Insurance Center serving Austin TX, and the surrounding areas.

Do I Need Boat Insurance in Texas?

Posted on by agentinsure

Anyone who lives in Austin, TX has likely shared the enjoyment that boating can offer both residents and tourists of the area. Southwest Insurance Center is here to answer all your questions about boat insurance in the great state of Texas.

Many marinas in Texas now require boat insurance in order to park your vessel on their property. Other than that, most boating insurance is for the peace of mind of the boat owner, as we can’t control every water situation we’re in, whether you’re the best boat captain on the water or not. 

Boat insurance can protect you in the event of an accident. Whether you’re at fault or not, boater’s insurance provides a financial cushion that will give you great peace of mind every time you get on the water with family and friends. 

If you’ve spent any significant sum of money on your boat, investing in boat insurance is a wise move. Don’t throw away the thousands of dollars you’ve invested in your vessel by not properly insuring it before you get out on the water to enjoy it. 

Standard coverage for a boat includes:

1. Physical damage to the boat that occurs during an accident, dangerous weather, etc

2. Property damage to another person’s property in the event of an accident

3. Theft or vandalism to your boat that needs replacing

As you can see, a simple insurance policy can set you up with a great amount of protection in various scenarios when out on the water. If you live in Austin, TX, have a boat, and need some guidance as you build a plan that will protect your assets, contact the team at Southwest Insurance Center. Our team of experts can help!