Preparing for hurricane season 2021

Preparing for hurricane season 2021

Precautionary measures can temper the ravages of these destructive storms

Hurricanes. Just the thought of them can make a person tremble in fear. Whether you’ve experienced a hurricane yourself or you’ve just heard about their destructive patterns, these bad boys know how to make their name heard. The technical definition of a hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. A major hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. To put that into perspective, imagine sticking your head out the window of a car as you travel down the highway – that’s the speed of wind you would be up against during a low-scale hurricane. Sound scary? It is. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions to take, you may be able to reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Trueway wants to share some tips to ready your home and family prior to a severe storm, may it hit. It’s never too early to:

  • Determine safe evacuation routes inland. Don’t forget about your pets!
  • Learn the different warning signs and alerts to watch for.
  • Meet with those you live with to create an emergency and evacuation plan.
  • Learn locations of official shelters. Red Cross has a great resource that will help you locate shelter in the event of a disaster.
  • Review your insurance policy with your agent. Is your property covered for such an event?

Whether the hurricane threats are immediate or they seem off in the distance, it’s important for all residents of hurricane areas to be prepared and think ahead. Hurricanes can shatter lives as well as damage property. Being prepared can help you, your family or your business minimize the impact of the storm. The best time to start is before the threat is imminent.

Stay safe through these storm seasons! Your safety is number one to us.

Call us today (855) 897-1938 to review your coverage or get a quote

Towing a Vehicle Behind Your RV

Towing a Vehicle Behind Your RV

 

When traveling in an RV, you may find it helpful to have a vehicle available for a run to the store or a short excursion without having to pack up all your gear and maneuver your rig through crowded city streets. Many experienced RV owners tow a car or truck for the convenience of having a more compact vehicle on hand. Here are the different options for towing and tips on how to do so safely.

Four Wheels Down ( Dinghy Towing or Flat Towing)

This is the most popular method for towing a vehicle behind an RV, which involves attaching a tow bar and letting your vehicle roll behind the RV on its own four tires. Benefits of this method include minimal, if any, impact on the gas mileage, handling, and wear and tear of your RV; the equipment needed to attach a car by a tow bar is cheaper than purchasing a dolly or flatbed trailer; and you don’t need a separate trailer license. However, there are a few drawbacks. Not all vehicles are equipped to be towed on four wheels so check the owner’s manual, manufacturer’s guidelines and mechanical capabilities of your vehicle before investing in this option. In addition, though this shouldn’t add miles to your car’s odometer, it will cause wear on the car tires.

Two Wheels Down (Dolly Towing)

For this method of towing, a dolly attaches to the back of your RV and the vehicle rides with two tires up on the dolly and the other two tires down on the road. Any front-wheel-drive vehicle can be towed this way. Plus, you won’t damage your car’s transmission or increase mileage while it’s in motion. The downsides of this method is that a quality dolly trailer is expensive; you may need a separate license for the dolly; it could be difficult to store at a campsite; it puts wear on the two car tires that are down; and it adds weight to the capacity of your RV. If you’re thinking about choosing this option, calculate what the overall weight will be (before purchasing the dolly) to ensure your RV will be able to handle it.

Four Wheels Up (Flatbed Trailer)

The third option for towing a vehicle is with all wheels up on a flatbed trailer that’s attached to the RV. Any vehicle can go on a flatbed trailer as long as it can be secured and as long as the trailer is built to handle the weight of your specific vehicle. Before purchasing a trailer, decide what vehicle you’re going to bring with when traveling and then compare trailer options based on the amount of weight they can haul. Similar to dolly towing, the drive shaft is off the ground so you won’t rack up mileage. Also, with this method, your tires won’t endure any wear and tear. Disadvantages of four wheels up is you’ll have the extra cost of the trailer; you may run into storage issues at campgrounds; and the weight of a flatbed trailer will use up a lot of the weight your RV can carry.

Whichever method you choose, it’s important to take extra precautions when you tow a car behind an RV. Here are some basic safety guidelines to follow:

  • Practice driving while towing the vehicle before you go on a long drive for the first time.
  • Inspect all wire, cable and chain connections every time you make a stop.
  • Obey the speed limits for towing in each state.
  • Check for road construction and plan your route in advance.
  • Avoid towing in deep sand and gravel, or in icy or snowy conditions.
  • Keep a minimum five-second interval between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Check your tire pressure often.
  • Avoid tight turns as it puts pressure on the tow bar.

If you’re new to towing, hopefully this gives you a better idea of what method to choose for your next adventure. Have a safe and happy trip!

Call Trueway Insurance for your car insurance quotes today!

Auto Insurance- Are You Covered When Hit in a Parking Lot

Auto Insurance- Are You Covered When Hit in a Parking Lot

If you come out of a restaurant or store to a dented or scuffed car, it can be a highly unpleasant feeling. There is a certain amount of safety for your car that is generally expected when one parks in public spaces. You may be wondering- did you park in an incorrect manner, or did the person not see the damage to your car? Did the culprit just drive away without a backwards glance? In any case, somebody still needs to pay for the damages. Read on to learn more about how to tell if it will be you or an auto insurance company that covers the damages if somebody hits your car in a parking lot. Trueway Insurance is a top provider of commercial auto insurance in Lake Worth. Call Trueway Insurance now for your insurance consultation!

 

What To Do

 

So what should you do in the situation that the other driver is still in the parking lot when you get back? Sometimes, people are responsible and wait for you to come back out to your car. If you are in this situation, try your best to calm down. The other driver is most likely embarrassed and as annoyed as you are. They probably didn’t have any idea that they were so close to hitting your vehicle. At least give them some credit that they stayed around to fess up! This is probably one of the best scenarios you could ask for. First, make sure to take down their first and last name, best contact number, license plate number, insurance company’s name and number, and auto insurance policy number. Next, immediately take some pictures of the damages, as in some states it may be mandated that police must come if the damages look to be over a certain amount to repair. Trueway Insurance, a top provider of commercial auto insurance, notes to be careful about taking cash or early settlements from the driver rather than going through insurance, as you don’t want to be stuck with a fixed amount of money if a repair shop says the damages are more severe than you initially thought.

 

Does Your Auto Insurance Cover It?

 

If the other driver isn’t there when you get back, then you should look for a note with the information that we just discussed above. If there isn’t a note, you may have to call the cops on a hit-and-run case. While the police are on the way, snap some photos of the damages and write down the most accurate account you can remember of when you left your car in the parking lot and then came back out to find the damages incurred. Make sure to take note of the placement of the car and the conditions of the parking lot. There are a few options when it comes to who is paying for the damage. If you have the other driver’s insurance information, then you may be able to file a claim through their carrier if they hit your car in a parking lot. Going through the  other driver’s insurance may take longer than expected, so you can also file a claim through your car insurance to speed up the process. If the other driver isn’t insured, or if it was a hit-and-run, you can use uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to take care of your vehicle.

 

Contact Us Today

 

There are different options to which auto insurance will cover damages incurred in a parking lot. Trueway Insurance is a top provider of commercial auto insurance in Lake Worth. Call Trueway Insurance today for your auto insurance needs!

Insurance Companies Like Ours Want You to Protect Your Home Against Fires

Insurance Companies Like Ours Want You to Protect Your Home Against Fires

There are ways to ensure that your home never becomes victimized by fires. At Trueway Insurance we want to prepare you, that way you never have the burden of dealing with the extensive property damage that comes from flames. This is why we are one of the best insurance companies in Lake Worth. We truly care. Our affordable insurance will get you back on your feet and in a safe home in no time!

 

Safeguard Your House

Your home is your sanctuary, and it is the place where you should feel the safest. That is why house fires can have such an emotional impact. In seconds, all your memories, valuables, and property can be destroyed. They put the safety of the people you love at risk and can destroy a lifetime of memories in mere moments. Preventing fires is easier than you might think, and taking simple precautions can protect you and your family.

 

Get Started With The Best Insurance Companies

Check out these eight easy tips to get started on how to avoid house fires:

  • Install smoke detectors. Installing alarms in your home is not only required by law, it’s also your first line of defense against a fire. Alarms should be mounted on every floor and maintained regularly. Don’t forget to:
    • Test your alarm monthly
    • Vacuum each unit every six months
    • Change the batteries twice a year
    • Replace your alarms every ten years
  • Keep it calm in the kitchen. Cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires. It only takes seconds for an unattended pan to spatter grease or overheat and ignite materials around it. Keep your kitchen safe by staying on task, rolling up your sleeves, using lids to avoid splatters, and turning pot handles inward while cooking. Learn some more ways to avoid cooking-related fires and how to put out a kitchen fire once it starts.
  • Take it outside. Sadly, smoking is still one of the leading causes of house fire fatalities. If you’re a smoker, you can reduce your risk by smoking outside and placing your extinguished butts in a can of water or sand.
  • Mind your appliances. Faulty outlets and old wiring are the main cause of most electrical fires in homes. That’s why it’s important to replace worn cords and not overload outlets. Find out what else you can do to prevent electrical fires at home.
  • Use your fireplace safely and never leave it unattended. When you light a fire, be sure to open the damper before lighting it and leave the flue open. Keep embers off floors and rugs by using a fireplace screen, and always have a professional clean and inspect your chimney annually. You should also take these important steps to protect your family and home when you use your fireplace.
  • Be a proactive homeowner. Look for trouble spots by walking around your home and property, and fix potential hazards. Don’t let flammable materials like newspaper accumulate, use the proper wattage bulbs in lights, and don’t store fuels inside your home.
  • Practice your evacuation plan. In the 1970s, people generally had, on average, 17 minutes to escape a house fire. Now, it’s less than 3 minutes thanks to new, highly flammable fabrics and raw materials used in household furniture. That’s why it’s vitally important to have a family escape plan in place. Draw one up today, get your family involved, and practice, practice, practice!
  • Have your extinguisher ready. Sometimes a fire breaks out despite your best efforts to prevent it, and a fire extinguisher can be a great way to put out the flames and prevent them from spreading through your home. To make sure your fire extinguisher is ready to use when you need it, remember to check the pressure gauge monthly, recharge your extinguisher when needed, give it a little shake once in a while to prevent the chemicals from solidifying, and replace it when it hits its expiry date.

Call Us Today!

Trueway Insurance is an insurance company located in Lake Worth. We offer the best affordable insurance in Florida. This includes those looking for cheap home insurance. We are here to provide quality for our customers because we believe in the power that insurance can have in any person’s life. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do for you or you have further questions regarding notaries and how they play a part in the insurance process, contact us. We hope you find the information you need here but if not please give us a call at (561) 318-5540. Take advantage of one of the best insurance companies today!