 |
|
|
Thursday, October 24 2019
 With deer season upon us, your chances of hitting a deer are much higher during fall months. Stay safe while on the road with these tips from the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. 1. Be cautious while driving during dusk or dawnDeer are most active during sunrise and sunset, especially during mating season, which is in full swing from October through December. Ensure that you and your passengers are wearing seat belts at all times, even in the back seat, just in case you have to make a sudden stop. 2. Pay attention to deer crossing signsBe alert and observe your surroundings for any signs of wildlife while on the road. Deer are abundant in forested areas, but may wander into suburban neighborhoods in search of food, so it’s important to drive cautiously even if you’re no longer in a deer-crossing zone. 3. Stay alert if you spot a deerDeer tend to travel in packs – so if you see one deer, slow down and proceed with caution. Even if you spot a deer on the side of the road or surrounding areas, remember that there could be others about to cross your path. 4. Take precautions when driving at nightNighttime driving can put a strain on the eyes, so be safe by driving at a moderate speed. If there is no oncoming traffic, turn on your high beams: You’ll not only be able to see clearer, but you’ll have a greater chance of spotting a deer from a distance 5. Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deerDo not swerve to avoid a deer collision. By swerving you put yourself at risk for a worse collision with another vehicle or running off the road. Stay in your lane and try to slow down. 6. Get comprehensive coverage for your carDid you know that physical damage to your car as a result of something other than a collision with another vehicle might not be covered by standard car insurance? With comprehensive car insurance, you will receive additional coverage and protection for car accidents involving animals. 7. Report the deer-vehicle collisionIf your car hits a deer, contact your local authorities and insurance company to file a claim. Now that you know what steps to take to minimize deer-related car accidents while on the road, be sure to check out our safe driving tips for more helpful tips! Thursday, October 17 2019
 Amazon Echo devices allow Alexa to make life easier by providing unlimited access to information. With Echo Auto, you can have Alexa in your car too, and Nationwide wants to help you get one for free! Nationwide will give away one million Echo Auto devices to qualifying new and existing auto insurance policyholders in select states1. The free Echo Auto promotion will be available beginning Sept. 25 while supplies last. Those interested in receiving one can visit nationwide.com/GetEcho or contact their local Nationwide insurance agent. “Voice services like Alexa will continue to impact our lives. Nationwide wants to leverage this technology to meet our members’ needs in new and unique ways,” said Nationwide’s President, Emerging Businesses Group and Chief Marketing Officer Terrance Williams. Nationwide will also be introducing three new features to its skill for Alexa:
Tuesday, July 30 2019
 Are you prepared for a hurricane? In an average season, about 20 storms occur. Of those storms, two are typically major hurricanes and another six vary in intensity, according to forecasters at Colorado State University. The time to prepare for a hurricane is before it hits. By knowing what to do to prepare for a hurricane, you can concentrate on safeguarding your home and belongings as best as possible. To help, here are some hurricane preparedness tips to keep you safe. DO: Create a hurricane kitCreate an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, Every home should have a hurricane kit with essentials needed to survive if you and your family are stranded in a storm. Here’s a look at some of the things your kit should have, as suggested by The Department of Homeland Security:
DO: Seal your homeCaulk windows and doorjambs, install impact-resistant windows and pre-install shutter hinges to install emergency shutters quickly. Take the time to seal every point of your home. Seal entry points like vents or cable access points. Consider installing impact-resistant windows, and pre-install shutter hinges that let you mount shutters before you evacuate. DO: Clear your guttersRemove debris from gutters to allow proper drainage during a storm. Make sure they’re free of leaves, pinecones and trash so heavy rains can flow through them freely. DO: Elevate your belongingsGet everything you can off the floor and to higher ground, like a second level or high shelves. Hurricanes often cause flooding or water damage. To prepare, try to move your belongings off the floor Even moving items up to closet shelves can keep your belongings out of water. DON’T: Leave loose items outsideMake sure your patio furniture, grill, lawn mower, bikes and all other items that are stored outside are brought in. Take some time to round up all of your outdoor items and move them inside. Anything that’s loose is easily picked up by high winds. Put these items inside your garage or basement before a storm hits. DON’T: Ignore warningsIf authorities issue an evacuation warning, listen to it. Even the most well-built homes aren’t hurricane-proof. If a storm is strong enough, authorities will likely initiate a mandatory evacuation to keep residents safe. Ignoring an evacuation order puts you and your family in danger. DON’T: Run generators inside your homePortable generators give off carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can be deadly. Keep generators outside under a canopied structure. Some homeowners buy portable generators to provide electricity if there’s an outage during a storm. If you have one, figure out where you’ll put it during the storm. Don’t keep it in your house or even in your garage with the door cracked. Put the generator at least five feet away from your home, on a dry surface and under a canopied roof. There are special generator shelters you can purchase for this purpose. If you know what to do to prepare for a hurricane, you can take steps to safeguard your family and your home. Make hurricane preparedness a priority, and talk to JD Auvil Ageny at 757-238-9575 to make sure your coverage suits your needs. Friday, July 19 2019
 Want to thank all of our outstanding, understanding and awesome clients for working with us while we shut the offices down a couple of days, so we could enjoy our family vacation! And a big shout out to Hollyn and Stephanie who held BOTH Carrollton and Chesapeake offices together, for a few days, while we went on our family vacation to Cancun, Mexico. Attached are a few pictures of our vacation for you to look at. This was our 1st family vacation without our main leader, Jim Auvil. We missed him dearly, and family vacations will never be the same. We thought and talked about him often. Although he is currently in heaven having a blast, we all could feel him watching over us! He will forever be in our thoughts and hearts. The good news is: We will meet again! Jim left this earth with an assurance that he is SAVED. Therefore, rest assured, our family will be together again one day! John 3:16: " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Thank you again our awesome clients and staff!! |
