Coppell drivers, April is the month of distracted driver awareness.
Take the pledge to not text and drive. Talk to your teens about the dangers of texting and driving. Lets keep our Coppell & Dallas area roads and highways safe!
https://www.facebook.com/XtheTXT
There are scammers everywhere. They’re opportunists who find a vulnerable moment and figure out how they can proper from it. It happens frequently during automobile accidents. But, you don’t have to let yourself be victim to fraud.
1. Report to the Insurance Company
Your insurance company requires you to report every accident to them. This isn’t so they can raise your rates every time your car receives a minor scratch. Part of the reason they want you to file a report is so they can protect you in case of insurance fraud. They want to be able to represent you and protect both you and them from having to pay, especially for fraudulent claims.
2. Take Pictures
Don’t feel embarrassed or bad to whip out your camera phone and start clicking pics of everything that pertains to the accident. The other party wouldn’t feel bad if the tables were turned. You need to focus on you and protecting what’s yours. Get images of both vehicles that were in the accident. You’ll want to get pictures from all angles, so new damage doesn’t magically appear. It doesn’t hurt to get pictures of the other person’s driver’s license, insurance information and license plate. This makes it impossible for him or her to run away from the accident if it was their fault. It makes it easy to file an insurance report against them as well.
3. Avoid Traps
Some people don’t just look for a prime opportunity; they make it happen. For instance, they might stop quickly in front of you, so you’ll rear end them. Don’t fall for. Always drive the speed limit and remain far back from the car in front of you to give enough space for you to stop abruptly if you have to.
The right insurance company can help protect you from fraud during a fender bender. That’s why you should contact The Select Insurance Agency today!
Storm season is here! In the event of a tornado, you’ll want a few emergency items on hand in the room or closet you will be taking shelter in: flashlight, batteries, storm radio if you have one, water, snacks, pet food and leashes, socks and shoes (I was in the 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls and our house fell on top of us. We walked away, but I had no shoes to walk in all that debris. Trust me, you’ll want shoes!) Remember to grab your cell phone and car keys. Hopefully, we won’t need to take shelter here in Coppell, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared!
When you’ve pulled into the gas station, have you ever wondered if there really is a difference between the types of fuel? Would it really harm your engine to use regular fuel when the manual calls for premium? Would it really help to use premium fuel instead of filling up with regular? Before you make your next stop at the pump, you might keep these tips in mind for choosing the right fuel for your car’s needs.
1. Auto manufacturers prescribe premium fuel because some internal combustion engines will function more optimally using higher octane fuels. If the manufacturer doesn’t recommend it for your vehicle, then your car won’t need it and you’re simply paying extra money needlessly.
2. If your car’s manufacturer does recommend premium fuel, heed that recommendation. Cars that use premium fuel tend to be ones with higher-compression engines, turbo chargers, and other higher-performance mechanical aspects. If you use regular fuel with these engines, it may rob your car of some of its performance.
3. When you’re looking for a gas station, try to find that that offers ‘Top Tier’ fuel. This is fuel that meets EPA regulations for performance and cleanliness. ‘Top Tier’ fuels typically have more detergents and other cleansing additives than standard fuels, which will help keep down the building of deposits in your car’s engine.
4. If your car is an older one, is a heavier one like an SUV or truck, or is starting to have engine knock or other signs of early engine trouble, you might consider filling up with premium fuel to see if that improves your car’s performance.
5. Pay attention to what constitutes ‘Premium’ fuel. The designation varies from state to state, and some states require higher octane numbers than others do in order to consider a fuel ‘Premium’.
At The Select Insurance agency, we’re accustomed to customers seeking answers to all of their vehicle-related questions. So whether you’re wondering what grade of fuel you should be using in your car, or you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy, our team of independent agents will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.
Storm season for Coppell and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is quickly approaching. Here are 5 things you can do to help prevent damage from a storm.
Make sure all lawn furniture, gardening tools, sporting equipment and other outdoor items are stored away if a storm is heading your way. High winds during a heavy storm can potentially pick up these items and send them flying through a window or far away from your home.
Putting away loose outdoor items in this situation can protect your house (and your neighbors’ houses) from unnecessary damage.
Also, make sure your windows and doors are closed and secured if you know a big storm is coming.
Take time to examine the trees in your yard or surrounding your house. Storms will often snap large tree branches, which can damage your home’s siding, smash your car or even topple power lines and cause outages. Stand up on a ladder (carefully) and check how the branches are attached to the trunks of trees around your house. If the tree has a loose connection with a big branch, consider sawing it off. It might reduce some shade in the yard, but can potentially protect your home.
No matter how many preventative measures you take in your yard and around your home, the turbulent winds and heavy rains of a storm can still damage your windows. If you live in an area that frequently gets hit with high winds or is prone to hurricanes, storm shutters can prevent your windows from shattering and protect you from harsh debris. Installing impact resistant storm shutters adds an additional level of security to the fragile glass planes.
Electricity lines are vulnerable during storms. Fallen branches can easily snap the power lines, and lightning strikes can blow up transformers, causing major power outages. A whole-house surge protective device runs in the $200 to $300 range and is easy for an electrician to install.
Heavy rainstorms can lead to flooding, which can potentially wreak havoc on homes. Water damage can devalue a house and cause significant problems with the foundation. If you live in areas with a high probability of flooding, there’s a chance your Homeowners’ insurance won’t cover the repairs, so be sure to research your policy. One preventative option is dry flood-proofing your house by making the foundation watertight with concrete. This prevents water from being able to enter the enclosed areas of a house. Be sure to seek necessary professional guidance before determining a flood-proofing method for your home.
Nobody can control the weather, but if you’re a Coppell homeowner that could potentially get struck by a large storm, you should always be prepared for the worst.
Doing your due diligence now can prevent major headaches, unexpected expenses and future safety hazards. While having a good Homeowners’ insurance policy to protect your property and finances is highly advisable, it’s even better when you don’t have to use it.
Article by: Rory Joyce, PropertyCasualty 360
