There are no two ways about it: summer heat in Texas is brutal and long lasting. It doesn’t just take a toll on people, gardens, livestock and crops; it also stresses the vehicles people drive. As a driver, you need to learn ways to prepare your car for extreme heat. Simple tasks that are performed regularly contribute greatly to the safety of drivers and passengers, the safety of the car, and also help to extend the life of the vehicle. By taking the time to check over your car each week, you may be able to save a huge amount of money on unavoidable car repairs. You will have great peace of mind in knowing that you and your passengers will be safe wherever you are traveling in the brutal heat. Maintain Optimal Fluid Levels in Your Car The North Texas Tollway Association has recommendations for drivers as to ways to prepare their cars for the sweltering summer heat that is so prevalent in Texas. Proper fluid levels will ensure the proper functioning of the car’s engine and other systems. Check the oil, transmission fluid, power-steering fluid, brake and windshield wiper fluid, and the antifreeze and coolant. The cooling system is important for passenger comfort. Don’t Let Car Overheat The leading cause of car breakdowns during the hot Texas summer is overheated cars. Drivers can easily prevent this problem and avoid being stranded in potentially life-threatening situations by making sure that the car’s anti-freeze is refreshed (even though you rarely use it.) Also make sure that the radiator always has plenty of coolant. That helps to reduce the engine temperature and ensures that any leaks are tightly sealed. Check Air Conditioning System AAA recommends that drivers have a certified technician check their car’s air conditioning system. If the air conditioning isn’t working well, that could easily be an indication of low refrigerant. Some vehicles have cabin filters that prevent outside debris from entering the ventilation system. Replacing the cabin filter can sometimes improve the quality of air flow and cooling so passengers are more comfortable. Use Higher Quality Oil Switching to high-performance synthetic motor oil is another effective way to reduce engine heat because the heat is dispersed faster. Examine Belts and Hoses Inspecting belts and hoses is just as important as adjusting car fluid levels. Cracked belts or worn out hoses also contribute to engine overheating. A cracked belt is easily recognizable because it is either unusually soft or hard. Check hose clamps to ensure that they are tight, and make sure that there is no corrosion or cracking at the ends. To be on the safe side, carry a kit filled with spare belts and hoses in your vehicle so that you can replace them as necessary. Extreme heat stresses these parts of the car, causing all sorts of damage. Inflate Tires Regularly Cars that have properly inflated tires get better gas mileage. When tires aren’t properly inflated, they are much more susceptible to blow-outs, and blown out tires on highways present a dangerous situation for you and other drivers around you. A sticker on the door jamb on the driver’s side of the car will indicate the proper tire pressure. Make sure that you also have a fully inflated spare tire. It is also a good idea, as suggested by AAA, for drivers to keep a fully stocked emergency kit in their cars. Stock car emergency kits with plenty of water, non-perishable food, flashlights and extra batteries, jumper cables, an emergency beacon or road flares, hand tools, a tire jack, and a fully equipped first aid kit. Know where the emergency and rest stops are along highways.

Although hail is not a very frequent occurrence in the Coppell, Texas area, it does happen in Coppell once in a while — and it can have a disastrous impact on your vehicles! You should always report such damage to your insurance agent as quickly as possible, but knowing how to report hail damage the right way is very important. Here are the guidelines for reporting hail damage in Coppell.

How to Report Hail Damage in Coppell

As soon as the hail damage takes place, and once the hail storm has ended, you should inspect the damage. You should make sure that you make a complete inspection of all areas of your home and vehicles so that you are completely aware of the damage. Take photos as you go, or video if possible, so that you have a good record of exactly what the damage consists of.

Contact your insurance agent to report the hail damage as soon as possible. The process for reporting the damage may vary slightly depending upon your insurance company and insurance agent, but your agent will help you with the process. Some insurance companies will allow you to file a claim over the Internet or by faxing information in, while in other cases you might need to visit the office of your own agent to sign papers and get the claim started.

Part of your claim filing process will usually be determining how much it will cost to get your property repaired to its former state — the condition it was in prior to the hail damage. Your agent may provide you with the names of local contractors who can give you appraisals for repair costs. Your compensation will generally be based upon repair estimate numbers.

The fastest way to report hail damage in Coppell, and to get your claim settled, is to work together with your insurance agent. Your agent is here to help!

Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility. Consider that over half of all motor vehicle accidents could be avoided if drivers make intelligent driving decisions. As new drivers, you are most at risk because you lack the experience (and sometimes the maturity) to make intelligent decisions at critical times. Strive to form good driving habits early, and they’ll last a (long) lifetime!

We want to help you think about things that you can do to make your driving as safe as possible. Consider the following:

Consider these sobering statistics on teen driving:

• Automobile accidents are the number one killer of our nation’s youth.
• Drivers under the age of 20 were involved in 13% of all accidents, yet they account for only 5% of all drivers.
• 5,000 teenagers die each year from auto accidents.
• Alcohol is responsible for almost half of all teen motor vehicle deaths.
• 25% of all teen accidents involve speeding.
• Half of all teenage traffic fatalities occur between 6:00 p.m. Friday and 3:00 a.m. Sunday.
• In one year, drivers 19 and under were involved in close to 3 million motor vehicle accidents.
• The price of a bad decision can include injury to yourself or others, loss of life, loss of life style or loss of personal freedom.

Ways to prevent accidents

While no one has full control over the circumstances surrounding a motor vehicle accident, there are things that can be done to reduce your chances of being the cause or being involved in one. Here are some smart decisions you can make while you’re behind the wheel:

• Drive defensively. If you assume that other drivers are not as skilled and thoughtful as you are, you will instinctively become more careful and cautious when on the road.
• Try not to speed. When you speed, you have less time to react, less time to make the right decision.
• Never drink and drive. Alcohol can seriously impair your decision-making skills and reaction time.
• Take the keys away from friends who have been drinking.
• Adults can set an example by practicing safe driving habits.

Ways to keep insurance premiums for teens as low as possible

A number of factors are taken into consideration when insurance companies set rates for automobile policies. Among those factors are the type of vehicle and the age, gender and driving record of the insured. Companies pay close attention to the number of accidents a driver has had and the traffic tickets (from speeding, running a stop sign, etc.) received. In their view, past performance serves as a meter for future behavior — therefore, these drivers pose a higher risk.

Source: Insurance Information Institute; www.iii.org