Is your family like the many others who eagerly anticipate summer road trips? If you have done a summer road trip in the past, then you know that you can't just hop in the car and go.   Before you drive off to enjoy the open road, it's important to be prepared for your trip.   Take the time to check the vehicle you'll be driving and to pack properly; but remember to review your auto insurance policy.  Following these few guidelines should make your road trip the kind of memorable adventure that you and your passengers hope for.

Have your car checked by your mechanic...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published some great advice for planning a safe and stress-free summer road trip. Of course, it includes doing a complete inspection of the vehicle you'll be driving.  They caution not to wait until the last minute.  They recommend that you check the following systems on your car, truck, SUV or van well in advance of your road trip. Some or all of these checks should be done by a trusted mechanic.

• Cooling System —coolant level and need for service
• Fluid Levels — engine oil, windshield, transmission, brake, and power steering fluids
• Hoses and Belts —fittings and signs of wear
• Air Conditioning System – components and cooling function
• Lights — interior lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, headlights, brake lights and trailer lights, if any
• Tires – air pressure and wear on the tread for all tires including spare tire
• Wiper Blades – wear and tear on both passenger’s and driver’s sides

Check your insurance with your agent...

Will you be doing all the driving or sharing the driving with someone else?  Will you be driving your own vehicle, someone else's or a rental car?  Your auto insurance agent can help you assure that you will have proper coverage, no matter what your arrangements.  Don't wait until after an accident occurs only to find that your insurance will not cover your claim.

Will you rent a car for your road trip?

Although the car rental company can provide insurance coverage, your current auto insurance policy might cover your rental vehicle.  Moreover, your credit card company might also offer some reimbursement, should there be an accident.  Well before the time for your trip, take the time to ensure that you will be fully covered but without duplication by finding out what coverages the rental company offers and what options the credit card company offers and then by calling your insurance agent for advice.   To learn more, see what the Insurance Information Institute (III) advises regarding car rentals and insurance.

Be prepared, in advance, for roadside emergencies...

Seasoned travelers recommend packing a Roadside Emergency Kit to help, should you be stranded during your road trip.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests that your kit should include fresh drinking water, non-perishable food, a flashlight,basic repair tools, jumper cables, flares and white flag as well as work gloves.  Of course, you will want to take along a cell phone and have a charger in the vehicle. Even though GPS devices are popular navigational tools, it's still wise to take along a map of your travel route as a back-up reference.

Plans Complete? Enjoy your trip...

Whether you plan all stops in advance or pick your route and make your plans on the fly as you go, the time you devote to preparing before taking to the road will e time very well spent.

From this issue of our Homeowners Maintenance Series come the following tips to help maintain your garage door in good working order. A few quick checks could prevent insurance claims while ensuring safety for your family.

Examine your automatic garage door opener to be sure that it both opens and closes the door as it should.

The manual function of your garage door is just as important as the automatic door opener.  Take a moment to see that the door is balanced and lifts  easily and smoothly. The door remains open on its own to about 36 inches off the ground. If it does not, then servicing by a trained technician should be done; and be sure they check the overhead spring. 

Proper manual operation is important in the event of a power outage or if your automatic garage door opener is lost. In fact, FEMA recommends that you locate your garage door’s manual release lever well before a power failure ever makes it necessary, and be sure to let your family know how to operate it as well.

An important garage door safety check...

For safety purposes, the reversing force of the garage door must be set properly.This is the function that prevents the tragic consequences of the garage door closing - and remaining closed - on a small child or a pet.

Here's how to check that function: Place a 2" thick block of wood in the location on the ground where the door comes down. Then, close the door. If it working properly, it will pop back up immediately upon hitting the wood block. If it does not, be sure to have the door checked by a professional.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency  in Timonium, MD, we urge you to check the function of your garage door regularly to prevent injuries to children, pets and others as they leave or enter your garage.This would also be a good time to check your insurance liability by having your insurance agent review your homeowners policy for adequate coverage levels if you have not done so recently.

In this issue of our Automotive Maintenance Series, we will provide  tips for maintaining your car's air conditioning system. A few quick checks before your next long drive can assure safety and might also prevent insurance claims.

If you will be relying on your car during an upcoming road trip, it's advisable to have your car’s air conditioning system checked out by your local auto tech, even if  has been cooling properly, so far. That way, you won’t find yourself stranded on the road during the dog days of summer with nothing but hot air belching from the vents.

Certainly, if your air conditioning system is not cooling as it should, that appointment with your auto technician should include check to see that the electric cooling fan motor near the condenser is working properly.  A lack of air flow across the condenser could be the problem.

While you're at it, you might want to have your mechanic check the FREON® level and pressure. Gone is the time when you’d just stop by your auto repair and service shop to have the air conditioning system recharged with refrigerant when it was not cooling sufficiently. Now, it is considered more serious if your system has a refrigerant leak.

Why have attitudes about refrigerant loss changed so drastically? It has to do with the fact that scientists now know that FREON®, a chlorinated fluorocarbon (CFC) contributes to the depletion of the earth's ozone layer. As a result, auto manufacturers now use much improved materials in the lines, seals and hoses of their air conditioning systems to resist refrigerant leakage. Also, the newer Federal and state regulations now require that repair shops have the correct equipment and training for handling refrigerants.

If you are wondering if properly maintaining your vehicle might impact your auto insurance, then it is time to check with your insurance agent for the details. Here at the the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency, in Timonium, MD, we are available to answer your auto insurance questions and/or to assist you with a no-obligation car insurance policy review upon your request.

This Auto Maintenance Series is especially for  car owners like yourself located in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania who understand the need for vehicle safety and wish to protect their investment through on-going maintenance. As seasons change  - especially during the heat of winter, assuring that your vehicle is road ready can be critical.

Taking good care of your windshield wipers and maintaining the wiper blades on your vehicle is more important than you might think.  Part of safe driving is being aware of your surroundings.  You must be able to rely on wipers that leave your windshield with a consistent, clean clear view when the weather takes a turn for the worse bringing rain or other inclement conditions.  Obscured vision could cause you to collide with another vehicle or even drive off the road.

Your windshield wipers not only offer you clear vision during rain.  They also keep your windshield clear of spattered mud, road tar, insects, bird droppings and other messy deposits.  When your windshield wiper blades are worn, they will not remove such debris.  Instead, theyoften smear the mess and obscure your vision even more.  By switching out your wipers regularly, you avoid these problems and assure that your drive is safe.

When Should You Change Windshield Wipers

The first clue that your windshield wipers are past their physical prime is often streaking and skipping during use.  You will also know that they need replacement when inspection shows discoloration,cracking and other signs of wear.  Moreover, the wiper blades might chatter or squeak on your windshield when they need to be replaced.  Some newer wiper blades come with a wear-indicator showing when they need to be replaced.  The rule of thumb: Change them at least once per year (every six months is preferable).

Clean, intact windshield wiper blades could make a difference in your family's safety. So if you have been procrastinating about changing wiper blades, take a few minutes to make this a priority.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we want you to be safe and accident-free.  As you prepare your vehicle for safe driving, don’t forget to see that your auto insurance coverage is up to date as well.  And, if you have had recent changes in drivers or vehicles, check with your insurance agent to be sure that you are fully covered and are receiving the best rates available.

In this issue of the Homeowners Maintenance Series, we are moving to your home's attic – where sometimes-overlooked minor problems become major problems for tyour home's well-being and safety.  Follow these tips  for a safe and healthy attic…

Seal any unwanted openings...

Look for openings in your roof or attic walls that allow access to animals like birds, chipmunks, squirrels and others; and seal these openings.  Whether or not you find such openings, it's still advisable to search the attic area for animal nests in case any critters have already made your attic their home.

Check out the insulation...

Be sure that you have enough insulation to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you're not sure how much you should have, check the guidelines at EnergyStar.gov.  Next, examine for coverage, assuring that there are no bare spots in your insulation and that the insulation is not obstructing vents.

Check for moisture and leaks...

Typically, if you have a moisture problem, you will be able to smell mustiness and mildew.  Be especially on the lookout for green algae or black mold; and, if found, you can kill it using a bleach/water solution. If you do find mold and remove it, you will want to check back periodically to assure that it was completelyeradicated and does not regrow.

Important Safety Advice...

Even if your attic appears to be free of outside breaches by animals and fromm moisture damage, be sure to inspectany  electrical wiring and connections for wear, exposed wires and/or other damage; and, if found, arrange for a more thorough inspection and repair by a licensed electrician as soon as possible.  FEMA reports that approximately 10,000 residential attic fires are reported each year, resulting in some 30 deaths, 125 injuries and $477 million dollars in property damage, with one-third of these fires spreading to involve the entire structure.  The leading cause, according to FEMA, is electrical malfunction (about 43%); and the most common heat source for these attic fires is electrical arcing.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we strongly encourage you to be sure that your home is properly insured for fire damage and related injuries.  To be sure you have adequate coverage, contact your insurance agent for an up-to-date assessment of your current homeowners policy.