Author: agentinsure

Packing a Home for a Move the Smart Way

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When facing a home move people realize quickly that their inventory has probably grown a lot bigger since their last move. And that can result in a daunting challenge of figuring how to pack everything up, especially if one has to move quickly due to work or to close out escrow in a home sale. So here’s a few tips on how to pack efficiently versus working to exhaustion.

Filtering out your belongings to what should be kept versus what should go to charity or be sold in a garage sale is a great way to reduce the move amount significantly. We all pile up lots of belongings that we really don’t have any plans to use regularly. And that takes up a lot of space otherwise. So a good spring cleaning and going through everything for what should be let go is always the first step in an efficient move. Not only does it reduce the load, it can also produce valuable charity tax deductions or even helpful cash.

Once filtered, the items that are to be packed should be organized for multiple purposes. Clothing often provides great packing material for protecting items that would otherwise need to be bubble-wrapped. Containers should also be a good size, durable, and squarish to maximize space. Odd-shaped containers or round storage loses space in vehicles. And every container should be labeled with a permanent marker (labels rip off to easily).

Finally, it doesn’t hurt to ask for help when packing and moving. A bit of elbow grease from friends and relatives can go a long way to making the packing process happen a lot faster.

FM Insurance is there to help and support Oklahoma City, OK residents. Home moves can be stressful, but good planning and smart thinking can avoid problems and make a move a lot easier.

Keep your cool behind the wheel with these road rage prevention tips

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Don’t underestimate the seriousness of road rage. Road rage is actually a leading cause of automobile accidents according to some authorities like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to keep everyone safe out on the road by assuaging hot tempers- including your own hot temper. The following are three important road rage prevention tips to keep in mind on a daily basis:

Pay attention to traffic reports

Stay informed about traffic out on the roads and you can avoid heavy congestion. A heavy concentration of drivers always makes disputes and accidents more likely, so do your part to minimize traffic. 

Report dangerous behavior

If repetitive reports are received by the police of a driver behaving erratically and dangerously, that driver might be taken off the road by having his or her license suspended.

Reporting dangerous behavior can help keep people who can’t handle driving off the roads. This, in turn, will lower the risk of car accidents caused by road rage. 

Don’t run late all the time

Being in a hurry is one of the biggest reasons why drivers are quick to lose their temper. It’s also more likely that you’ll make another driver lose his or her temper if you are being pushy and aggressive to get where you need to be on time.

Leave a few minutes earlier and you’ll probably find that much of the stress of your daily commute is prevented. 

Are you looking for the right auto insurance policy to keep you protected financially? Contact us at FM Insurance to learn more. 

ATV’s and Road Conditions from FM Insurance

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All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) are more than just modes of transportation. An ATV is more about spending leisure time than getting from one place to the next. Many people envision only three and four wheelers when they think of ATV’s but there are those with more traditional seating arrangements. The one commonality between all  ATV’s is the ability to tread across rough terrain. However, even these rugged machines must be drive carefully. This is especially true when the road conditions are poor. 

Driving on Different Terrain

Most surfaces are fine for driving an ATV, but one must be careful when trekking through wooded areas. There are many sticks and rocks which can topple the vehicle or jostle the rider/driver. Even in a four-seat UTV, a large rock can severely damage the vehicle’s undercarriage. These obstacles are often concealed by fallen foliage and pine needles. It’s best to drive slowly and search for established paths. Another treacherous surface is gravel. It’s very difficult for the tires to gain a purchase as the individual rocks skid across the ground.  It’s best to ride slowly across gravel surfaces and never make any sudden turns. The most dangerous of all the terrain is ice, because it poses multiple threats. The risk of hydroplaning is always immanent when crossing ice so it’s best to drive slowly. You should also avoid ice in unfamiliar areas. Whenever ice is present there may also be water. A seemingly harmless patch of ice might actually be concealing a deep puddle. If the temperature is in the low thirties, the ice can shatter and expose the vehicle, driver/rider and passengers to frigid waters. 

 

 

How to Help Local Homeless Shelters

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Even as many of us enjoy the holiday season, homelessness remains a serious problem in Oklahoma City. People often lose their homes after becoming unemployed or falling ill. Everyone can help these individuals by taking steps to support local homeless shelters:

1. Try volunteering at a nearby shelter. These organizations frequently rely on volunteers to prepare meals, clean rooms and advise residents about housing or employment. Other possible tasks include welcoming visitors to the organization or tutoring children who lack homes.

2. If you have more money than spare time, think about sending a cash contribution. Homeless shelters can’t meet all of their needs with volunteers and donated supplies. In addition to funding repairs to their buildings, they need money to pay heating and cooling bills.

3. Another option is to donate extra goods to a local shelter. For example, you could give food, clothing, books or toys. The needs of different shelters vary, so it makes sense to call ahead before dropping off such items.

4. If you own a business, there may be a number of additional ways you can help the homeless. You could place a cash donation container in the checkout area of your restaurant or shop. The IRS permits substantial tax deductions for companies that donate excess food.

5. Spread the word and remind other people about the importance of helping the homeless. For instance, you could share this blog post with friends, link to a homeless shelter on your website or write a letter about homelessness to a magazine.

Finally, remember to support local businesses. They often directly or indirectly assist nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma City. Consider purchasing insurance from an agent in your community. The helpful staff at FM Insurance has served local residents since 2006.
 

How to Prepare for Driving Abroad

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Preparation is critical when you are going to be driving abroad. Particularly if you are crossing the pond, there is quite a lot to know because you may be dealing with foreign languages and even driving on the “wrong” side of the road.

Insurance

You should always have auto insurance in place, even if it is for a rental car. If there is an accident or your car gets hit in a parking lot, it’s easier to file a claim than to have to pay out of pocket. Your rental car company may be able to provide all the coverage you need. It is also possible that your auto policy will cover you if you travel to Canada or Mexico.

Road Signs

Do the research to find out what the road signs look like in the country you are traveling to. This will make it easier to know how to drive and adjust your speed accordingly. This can prevent getting into trouble when you arrive and see a road sign for the first time.

GPS

You want to make sure you know where you are going, and a GPS can be the best thing to have. Don’t depend solely on a map app as it can cost you a lot of money with roaming charges from your cell phone company.

Requirements

You also want to check on the requirements for driving in a particular country. A standard driver’s license may not be enough. You may be required to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). These are easy enough to get and most auto clubs will help you with them for a small fee.

Call to find out more about auto insurance. Our agents at FM Insurance are happy to discuss policies, coverage levels, and answer any questions you may have. We can also get quotes from some of the best insurance companies to help you compare rates.

 

 

Hit and Run in Oklahoma City: Understanding Your Policy

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Have you ever been involved in a hit-and-run accident? If so, you know firsthand how aggravating it can be to receive compensation for any damage, especially if the at-fault driver is never caught. Fortunately, though, there are several ways in which auto insurance can be used in your favor after a hit-and-run takes place. The most important thing you can do to ensure you are covered is by speaking with a qualified agent serving the Oklahoma City area. 

First of all, collision coverage will prove to be of the utmost benefit when it comes to hit-and-run accidents. Probably one of the most notable features about collision insurance is that it doesn’t matter whose fault the accident is, benefits will still be paid out to cover the damage. This means that even if you aren’t at fault, you will likely have the opportunity with collision coverage to make a claim with your own insurance company on your policy; this is regardless of whether or not the other driver is found.      

You’ll also find that having personal injury protection (PIP) to be of immense value after a hit-and-run accident takes place. Although policies vary from one insurance provider to another, many PIP benefits include giving you protection against lost wages as well as expenses accompanied with taking care of your children if you’re in an accident and become unable to care for them.        

If you have yet to take a look at your current policy to determine the type of coverage you’ll have in the event that you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you’ll definitely want to speak with an agent at FM Insurance who serves the Oklahoma City area.

 

Autumn Car Care Tips

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There are various autumn car care tips that you should follow. Throughout autumn as well as winter, Oklahoma City is going to experience snow, ice, sleet, and colder temperatures. There are ways for you to prepare so that you don’t experience any car problems.

Find a Mechanic

Find a mechanic that you can trust. This can be a local one or the one that is at your dealership. This will ensure that you can go to have various things checked, including:

  • HVAC system
  • Defroster
  • Brakes
  • Tires
  • Battery

Set a Schedule

Set a schedule for when certain things need to happen. This includes having your air filter replaced, your oil replaced, and more. Depending upon the age of your car, you may need to have your spark plugs replaced as well.

Make Some Replacements

There are some replacements that you may want to consider so that you are prepared for autumn as well as winter. If it has been a while since you replaced your battery, you may want to add it to the list. Your wiper blade should also be replaced in the autumn so that it is capable of clearing the windshield as needed.

Use a Tire Pressure Gauge

It is a good idea to have a tire pressure gauge in your car at all times. Check the tire pressure to ensure that it matches what is recommended for your car – and this is found in the owner’s manual. You may need to add or subtract air from the tires in order to meet the ideal pressure as the temperature fluctuates.

Call us at FM Insurance today so we can talk to you about car insurance. Our independent insurance agents can help you to find a policy that makes sense in Oklahoma City. We work with some of the top insurance agents in Oklahoma to get you the coverage as well as the quotes to help you make the best decision.

 

Insure Your Belongings with Renters Insurance

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Serving renters in Oklahoma City, FM Insurance helps tenants ensure that their belongings are properly insured. While personal property coverage is only one of several coverage options that a renters insurance policy may contain, it is one of the most important protections. Here’s why you should have a renters insurance policy that includes robust personal property coverage.

Insuring Your Belongings

Few people can afford to replace all of their belongings, which is why there’s renters insurance. Unless you’re independently wealthy, in which case you probably would own, not rent, a place, replacing all of your belongings would place a significant strain on your finances. Many people couldn’t afford to replace everything they have.

Renters insurance protects your belongings against a host of risks. If your possessions were damaged in a covered incident, a rental insurance policy’s personal property coverage would reimburse you for the loss. Depending on the type of coverage you have, you may be reimbursed for the depreciated value of your damaged items, or you might receive their replacement cost. Precisely how much a policy pays is determined by its terms and conditions.

Finding Renters Insurance

Even robust coverage doesn’t need to cost a fortune. By comparing policies with an independent insurance agent, you can see which insurer offers the most coverage and has the lowest premiums in Oklahoma.

If you have an apartment in Oklahoma City but don’t have renters insurance, contact one of our independent insurance agents. They can be reached through our website or by calling our agency. In just a few minutes, our renters insurance agents can help you begin looking at policies that will protect your belongings.

 

Tips For Buying Flood Insurance In Fort Worth

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Buying flood insurance may be a necessity based upon where you live in Fort Worth, Texas. If you are within a Special Flood Hazard Area, you will need to obtain flood insurance within the federal standards, at a minimum.

There are some important tips to help you buy a flood insurance policy that sufficiently protects your home and is affordable.

A flood is defined as a temporary condition and you will want to ensure that the policy covers damage from all possibilities from a flood, including an overflow of water, mudflow, as well as the collapse of land as a result of the flood.

Learn about what your homeowners insurance covers in terms of a flood. Your flood insurance should fill in what your homeowners policy doesn’t cover so you have all the protection needed if you are affected by a flood at any time in Fort Worth.

Take the time to compare policies. There are many companies who are licensed to issue policies in the state of Texas and our independent agents work with many of the top companies. This makes it easier to get quotes, compare them, and see who has not only the most affordable policy, but the best overall coverage.

Find out about what your community has experienced in the past. Especially if you have just moved to the area, it can be important to learn about past floods and claims made on insurance policies. An insurance agent can help you with this so that it does not fall entirely on you to do.

The more information you have, the easier it will be to make an educated decision on the best policy for your home.

Contact one of our independent agents at FM Insurance to learn more about flood insurance. We can answer questions, search for quotes from multiple insurance companies, and much more.

 

 

Oklahoma City Home Insurance

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If you own a home and have a mortgage, you’re going to be required to have home insurance. If you’re buying a home in the immediate future, you’ll need to bring proof of home insurance with you when you close on your house. Most lenders will require coverage to permit the premises that they have an interest in to go uninsured. 

One of the basics of home insurance is to protect you from hazards like a fire, an explosion, or a storm. Take tornadoes for example. Oklahoma City sits in the middle of "tornado alley." It’s not unusual for us to see more than one tornado in a single day. Sure, your home insurance is likely to cover you in the event of damage or destruction from a tornado, but a standard home insurance policy will probably leave you paying out-of-pocket for repairs or replacement of a home and its contents. That could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Insuring your home for its replacement value rather than its actual cash value should give you enough coverage to rebuild your home. We can arrange that for you along with special coverage for any particularly valuable personal property.

We’re independent insurance agents who live and work in and around Oklahoma City. Our families and businesses are established in our communities. We want to live here, but we recognize the risks too. Be prepared for them with sufficient home insurance. You can get an online quote, call us or just stop in. We’ll be happy to look at your existing policy. We’ll give you honest and objective answers and information. You might be surprised if you learn you’re not even covered for tornadoes. We’ll give you a wide range of options to choose from.