Put Your Phone Down and Drive

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Wow... Is it really that big of an issue to have an entire month dedicated to distracted driving awareness? The more I think about it, yes, when I'm driving I do notice people on their phones and they are not usually talking. Smart phones have given us the ability to be up to date with ‘virtually’ everything every minute of the day and so most of us take advantage of the cyber world, driving or not. 

Recently, the Texas Department of Transportation issued a campaign called, “Talk/Text CRASH” to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. The purpose for this campaign is to urge Texans to put their cell phones away and concentrate on the road. I’m sure everyone has seen the, “YOU TEXT. YOU TALK. YOU CRASH” and the, “DRIVE NOW. TALK OR TEXT LATER,” signs on the highways.  Or… maybe you've been too distracted with other things besides driving and didn't notice these signs. These signs are apart of the campaign.

TxDOT estimates that over 100,000 crashes last year were attributed to driver’s not having their complete attention on the road while driving. That’s just in Texas. While texting is not the only cause of distractions while driving, it is the easiest to detect. The National Safety Council found that there is not a safe way to use a cell phone while driving. The SMARTest thing we can do is cut out the distraction by putting your phone away and concentrate on driving.

So please, put your phones down and drive. For your safety and the safety of others, just drive! If a situation arises and you absolutely have to use your phone, pull over. With the rising numbers of accidents and deaths because of distractions while driving, don’t chance it.  Life is too precious so leave the LOL’s (laughing out loud), TBH’s (to be honest) and SMH’s (shaking my head) until you’re not driving, 4COL (for crying out loud).  There should be an automatic reply of DND (do not disturb) when you receive a text while you’re driving. I wonder if there's an app for that. 

Roadside Safety – 101

It’s never fun to have car issues and be stuck on the side of the road. No one has time for that. Seems we are all always in a hurry and being on the side of the road is never on the list and can be flat out annoying. If you do get stuck, make sure to be and stay as safe as possible. Your safety and the safety of those in the car should be your main concern.  

Here’s a few tips to help when you are up against a roadside annoyance… I mean emergency:

1. Move as far away from the road as possible.  If at all possible, look for an emergency lane, exit, rest stop or a parking lot.  You never want to pull over or stop in hard to see places like over hills, bridges, blind corners and narrow roads. If none of these are an option, at least try to get to the right shoulder and out of the flow of traffic.  

2. Turn your hazard’s on. This will help alert other drivers to move over if possible.

3. Stay in your car until you’re out of traffic. Do not get out of your car if you are stuck in traffic.  In this situation, stay in your car and wait for Roadside Assistance. (We’ll talk about that in a bit.)

4. Get out of your vehicle.  Only if the coast is clear and you can exit safely, then get out of the car. Whatever side has the least or no traffic is the side you want to pick to exit on. You are better off climbing over to the passenger side and getting out that way if there’s heavy traffic on the driver’s side.

5. Set flares out or reflective triangles. This will make you more visible to oncoming traffic. If you don’t have flares or reflective triangles, you can raise the hood of your car to indicate you are having car issue and could use some help.

6. Give Farmers Roadside Assistance a call. You can call Farmers Roadside Assistance 24/7 at 800-435-7764 and someone will be happy to get you help. It’s a good idea to put the number in your phone instead of having to track it down in an emergency situation.

7. Have an emergency supply kit in your car at all times. It’s always a good idea to be prepared. Always have a first aid kit in your car. A blanket, flashlight, snacks and some water are great things to keep on hand. Fix-a flat, tools and a spare tire could always come in handy if you blow out a tire or have a flat.

8. Stay calm. It won’t do anyone any good to panic. Stay calm and follow the steps above and all will be fine.

In a roadside emergency it is key to keep yourself and anyone in your vehicle safe. Follow these steps and you should be just fine. 

Ask and You Could Receive Lower Premiums

Several factors go into play for setting up premiums for car insurance. Your agent will need to check out your driving record, what kind of car you drive, how safe the car you drive is, your occupation… These components, and a few more, are what needs to be taken into consideration when figuring out what sort of premiums you will have.

Let’s talk about your driving record and how it can help with your premium. Good thing, if you are a safe driver, Farmers has a safe driver discount. The longer you go without any accident’s or moving violations, the lower your premium will be.

Are you looking into buying a new car? Make sure to check out the Top Safety Picks List¹.   This list will help you pinpoint those vehicles that are considered safe and could also lead to a lower premium. Vehicles that have safety features (anti-lock brakes, security system, air bags, automatic seat belts) could help with savings on your premium. Safety for your family and possible lower rates? Not a bad deal.

Teenage driver in the house? How can there possibly be a way to cut cost for that? Well, I’m glad you asked because there is! Good students can account for a policy discount.  If they live away at school, that can also bring a discount as well. You can set up a separate plan for them, but your chances to get a discount are better when you add them to the family plan.

 
Purchasing multiple polices could also result in additional discounts. Add home, multiple vehicles, an RV and you could save on premiums that way as well.  Even a life insurance policy will add to your savings.

Are you a nurse, teacher, firefighter, or a doctor? These occupations and a variety of others could also provide added discounts and bring down your premium. 

You can also choose to go with a higher deductible. Monthly premiums will be lower but it will also mean that in case of an accident, your out of pocket will be higher.

It’s always a good idea to review your insurance annually. Farmers offers a Farmers Friendly Review® where an annual reminder is sent to you, reminding you to meet with your agent to review your policy or policies and make sure your coverage is still a good fit. It also is an opportunity to check and see if there are any new discounts to offer as well.  If there is ever a life changing event, as in a marriage or sending a child off to college, please do not hesitate to call and we can set an appointment to review your insurance at that time as well.

¹ Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Top Safety Picks. The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.

Don’t Get Caught In a “Storm” Without an Umbrella

The unexpected can happen at any time. Don’t get caught with not enough coverage if something big (or small) happens to you or your place of business. Farmers® offers Umbrella Coverage policies that are flexible and policies that can be “made-to-order” for you and/or your business.

Farmers® Personal Umbrella

We would all love to think, “It won’t happen to me because I am always very careful”. While I don’t doubt that, unfortunately accidents do happen even to those who are careful. Hopefully you won’t ever have to worry about being sued for more than what your current homeowners, automobile, etc., policies cover. But, do you want to really wager all you’ve worked so hard on, for you and your family, on a “hopefully”? A Farmers® Personal Umbrella policy gives added protection beyond what your current policy covers, sort of like filling in the gaps.*

A few more advantages to having an Umbrella are:

     1.      Worldwide coverage.

     2.      Coverage that may not covered claims under your current policies, such as slander, libel or defamation of character.

     3.      Defense costs and attorney fees are not covered under primary policies. These claims will be with a Personal Umbrella policy.

Farmers® Commercial Umbrella

Fortune 500 or Mom and Pop, all businesses are vulnerable. Accidents can happen and when they do, you want to be prepared. For instance, are there stairs at your place of business?  What if a client fell down them and suffered life altering injuries?  An incident such as this could make the company liable for medical bills that could add up to be millions.   Will your current business liability policy cover all expenses? If not, will the company be able to cover what wasn’t covered? It’s important to know that when faced with a multi-million dollar lawsuit, it may not just be your current assets that are at risk but potentially your future earnings as well.  Contact me so we sit and go over what a Farmers® Umbrella policy has to offer.

You’ve worked hard to build your company. Keep your current and future earnings yours and don’t leave yourself vulnerable. Farmers® Commercial Umbrella policy can give you peace of mind in knowing your assets will remain your assets.

Like an umbrella, Farmers® Umbrella polices work as a shield or a protector. Protect yourself, your family and/or your business.

Cost? Great news! These polices are surprisingly low. Give me a call today and we can go over your current policies and answer any questions. Let’s get you into a “made-to-order” Umbrella policy.

*Subject to policy limits and exclusions

Bringing Back, "Staying Safe During Tornado Season"

It’s that time of year again… Tornado season. Are you prepared for it? Do you have a basement or a storm shelter? If not, do you know the safest place in your home to go?

Here are some helpful tips to prepare for tornado season:

1.      If you don’t have a basement or a storm shelter, know where the safest place in your home is to take cover. (If you live in a mobile home, make sure you know the closest shelter. The force of a tornado is something that a mobile home cannot with stand so do not stay there.)

a.      Closet

b.      Bathtub

c.      An interior room without windows

d.      Lowest floor in your home

e.      Hallway

2.      Have an overnight bag ready with 2 or 3 days’ worth of clothes just in case you are not able to stay in your home because of a tornado.

3.      Stay up to date with the latest storm information. Most TV stations have apps that you can upload to your phone, in case the electricity goes out. You can set the app to text you with any weather updates as well.

4.      Make sure your phone is charged and you have your charger with you.

5.      Have your shoes on. Sturdy shoes are best in case you have to trample through debris.

6.      It’s best to have cash, just in case phone lines are down and you’re not able to use a credit card.

7.      Meteorologist are pretty good about warning the area of bad weather. When they do, head to the gas station and fill your car up with gas.

8.      Watch vs. Warning alerts:

a.      Tornado Watch – There is a possibility that a tornado may develop in the area. Stay alert and make sure you are ready if a warning is issued.

b.      Tornado Warning – This indicates that either one has been sighted or one has developed on a weather radar. Have your supplies ready, get to a safe place and hunker down.

9.      Make sure you are current with your home owners insurance before tornado season.

10.   Stay calm.

It’s also important to know what to look for during tornado season:  

1.      Dark, often green sky

2.      Hail

3.      Big, dark low lying clouds (watch for rotation with these)

4.      Funnel cloud(s)

5.      Roaring noise, often describe to sound like a train

6.      Flying debris

We obviously can’t control the weather so why not be proactive.  Make a check list, stay updated with the weather on your phone or TV, and stay calm.  

Farmers Insurance - Kirkwood Agency
130 Hill St
Keller TX  76248
(817)898-0370

Community Event - Opening Day Picnic Lunch

BASEBALL IS FINALLY HERE!!!!

Take me out to The Kirkwood Agency!
Take me out to the Opening Day Picnic Lunch!
We will have peanuts and cracker jacks!
If you can't make it to the Ballpark, we are the next best thing!
There will be, be a give away for... tickets to an upcoming game!
For it's Friday, April 10th from 11am to 2......p..... m!!!!!!

Join us at the Kirkwood Agency for an Opening Day picnic!! If you can't make it to the Ballpark, we are the next best thing (as the song above states!) We will have Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Peanuts, all your Ballpark favorites! We will also be giving away tickets to an upcoming game!

So come on out and have some Ballpark favorites for lunch!  

We would love to see everyone in the community come out so bring your friends!

See you there! 

Kirkwood Agency
130 E Hill St.
Keller TX 76248

Don’t Strip Down to Nothing When Budgeting. Having the Right Insurance is NO Accident

Budgeting... When I think about it, one question that comes to mind is, ‘Where and what can I cut?’ What about you? Cable, vacations, eating out? What about insurance? Do thoughts of cutting coverage's come to mind? What about flood insurance? Do you think, “What if I cut flood insurance? Do I really need it? I can’t remember the last time it even rained where I live?” Here’s a question you don’t want to ask yourself in the event of a flood, “Why did I cut out flood insurance?” Do you want to ask yourself that question or think, “Phew! Sure am relieved I decided not to cut my flood insurance.”

Here’s a few “What If’s” to ask yourself:

1.  What if I only purchase liability coverage for my vehicle?  Legally, you would be good. BUT what if you were in an accident.  If in the event you are sued, and costs go above what your coverage is, will you be able to pay out-of-pocket? Will the minimum cover any and all expenses? Not likely. It’s never a bad idea to make sure you have the right coverage at all times, and not just the minimum to fall in line with the law.

2.  What if there is a flood?  Living in Texas, the weather is almost never predicable. I've always heard it said, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute or two.” The sun will be shining bright one moment, pouring rain the next, with a possible a snow storm shortly after. It doesn't take much rain or melting snow to cause havoc on the wallet. Whether it’s your home or place of business, there is always a flood risk and not all policies include flood insurance. Give us a call and we will be happy to sit down and look through the different coverage's to make sure you are covered.

3. I’m on a budget. What if I went with the company that gave me the cheapest quote? Make sure, that if you did go with the cheaper quote, that the company you decided to go with has great customer service, can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that is financially sound. There are so many insurance companies out there. Doing your homework will only benefit you.

4. What if I just rent? Shouldn't it be my landlord who carries the insurance?  Coverage over the building, yes. Your possession within the building, no. In the event of a fire, it will not cover your lost possessions or any other additional living expenses that may arise from the fire. Also, if you were to be found at fault for an injury in your home, renters insurance provides liability coverage.

5. What if I only insure my home for the real estate value? Will I be covered in the event of a total loss?  There are a few factors that need to be taken into account when insuring your home. Basing coverage on what you paid for your home or what it’s currently valued at may not be enough. Consider the contents and what it would actually cost to rebuild your home and replace what was lost.

  

Have anymore, “What if” questions? Give the office a call. We will answer any questions and make sure that you are not under insured when disaster strikes. Don’t gamble with your possessions.  Let us help get you into the right coverage today!