With winter season approaching, now is the time to do a few simple tasks around your home. Not only can this prevent damage from occurring, but it can help keep your home exterior clean. Instead of giving you a long laundry list of things to check off, we go over the five most important.

Is My Home Safe?

This is simple question to ask yourself every spring and fall.

• Do you have one smoke detector on each floor of your home? Do I need to change the batteries?
• Do I own a fire extinguisher? If so, is it up to date?
• Where is my first aid/at home emergency kit? Do I need to make any changes?
• Can our family be okay if there is a major event like an earthquake, flood, tornado or other natural disaster?

Am I Protecting My Home From Water Damage?

Water damage can be a root cause of home problems. Sometimes they can be covered by your home insurance, but other times they are not. Regardless if they are covered, they are a terrible to deal with. Here are a few areas to check to lower your risk of water damage in your home.

• Check your gutters & downspouts

Once most of your leaves have fallen from your trees, simply look for debris that could be collecting in your gutters. If you see leaves collecting, remove them in order to prevent clogged gutters. If your gutters are clogged during a rainstorm, it could cause damage to your roof or siding. Also, check if your gutters are damaged & are still attached to your home. Lastly, check your downspouts. Ensure they are draining properly instead of being clogged and pooling water near your home.

• Check your roof

Loose or missing shingles on your roof can increase your risk for water damage. Make sure your shingles are in good condition before that winter storm hits. If you have a home with a flat roof, ensure it doesn’t have any buildup of leaves. When in doubt, refer out. If you aren’t sure what to look for, ask a professional.

• Are exposed pipes still insulated?

Check the exposed pipes around your home to ensure the insulation isn’t ripped or torn. Uninsulated garages are very important to check. Many people assume it is “inside” but uninsulated garages can get as cold as the outdoor temperatures. Check there for pipes that need to be insulated.

Is Air Escaping My Home?

Check door and window seals for signs of deterioration. Use weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to help keep warm air in and cold air out. You’ll also lower your energy bill. On another note, if air can get into your home, water can too.

Did I Replace My Furnace Filter?

To keep your furnace running efficiently, you need to replace the filter often. Some filters may need to be changed every month.

Are Rodents Nesting In My Home?

Rodents tend to nest in your crawlspace, attic and even in your walls. Walk the perimeter of your home & any access points in your garage to make sure you do not have any cracks or holes for rodents to enter. Also, check your vents along your foundation for holes or deterioration. As the weather gets colder, rodents are always looking for a warmer place to live.

Also, remember rodents love a food source. If you are storing food or bird seed in your garage, make sure it’s properly stored in a sealed container.

While preventative maintenance can get easily get pushed on the back burner when life gets busy, it’s still important to make the time to do it.

If you have questions about your home or condo insurance, call Trucordia!

Summer time is a great time to go on a road trip! Whether you are exploring a National Park, traveling through a state or going across the country, being on the road is memorable. Road trips are fun, but you want to be sure you are prepared for any unfortunate bumps in the road that can occur. It can be as simple as storing a few essentials in your trunk to get you out of jam.

Here are some things to keep in your car at all times:

1.) First Aid Kit

Even if you aren’t going on a road trip, this is nice to have in your trunk at all times. It might come in handy for you or someone else in need.

2.) Flashlight

This is another thing to always keep in your car, especially if you find yourself driving at night time often.

3.) License, Registration, a Copy of Your Car Insurance and Car Manual

Again, this should always be in your car stored in your glove box.

4.) Jumper Cables

Nobody wants to wake up to a dead car battery. Jumper cables can fall into the “always have in my car” category. It’s much easier than trying to hunt one down when you are in a pinch.

5.) Snacks

This can’t be stressed enough! Even if you plan to be on the road for long hours, consider packing meals in a cooler. You can always stop at a rest stop to picnic if you want to stretch your legs. If you aren’t packing a cooler, pack snacks that don’t require refrigeration like dried fruit, nuts, jerky, fruit, bars, etc.

6.) Water Bottle

Having extra water in your vehicle during summer can literally save your life if you become stranded on a hot day in a remote location.

7.) Phone Charger

If your car only has one outlet for a phone charger, consider getting a USB plug that can charge multiple devices at once. If you have a few outlets, pack a few cords! Portable chargers can come in handy too.

8.) Polarized Sunglasses

Driving in the sun is always best with polarized sunglasses.

9.) Wet Wipes & Napkins

Wet wipes and napkins are always nice for keeping your hands & face clean or cleaning up a spill in your car.

10.) Trash Bag

Keep your car clean from your snacks and other garbage with a simple trash bag. You could place things in a small can or just have a bag.

11.) Paper and Pen

Great for taking notes or writing down important information on your road trip.

12.) Blanket and Pillow

This may be nice for those long hours in the car! A blanket and pillow can add comfort to your drive.

13.) Sunscreen

Even if you aren’t outside, wearing sunscreen while driving is important for those sunny days.

14.) Cash

This works nice if you find yourself needing to pay to park or buying from businesses that only accept cash for payment.

15.) Entertainment

Especially if you are traveling with kids, being in the car for long hours can be exhausting! Think of electronics, activity or coloring books, small toys, play games like I Spy, the alphabet or license plate game.

For adults, consider podcasts or audiobooks, trivia cards or an app, word search or just a really good music playlist!

Regardless of what you do pack in your car, enjoy the American Road Trip! Be sure to get plenty of rest along the way and enjoy America’s roadside attractions.

If you have questions about your insurance, call the insurance agents at Trucordia. We have locations throughout Washington State in Olympia, Centralia, Vancouver, Tacoma and Marysville. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business Insurance. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

Having a swimming pool on your property is a luxury and takes a lot of maintenance, but oh is it worth it on a hot summer day! If you have kids, the swimming pool seems to be their favorite hangout place with their friends. While owing a swimming pool can be a fun experience if you’re willing to maintain it, it also carries a unique insurance liability risk.

Swimming pools carry many risks of injury. To limit your exposure setting strict rules around the pool for safety can greatly reduce the chances of injury occurring. Follow these safety tips when and around a pool:

1. Supervision – children should never be left unattended around a swimming pool. If your children and friends want to use the pool require an adult be present at all times. If your children’s friends are wanting to use the pool and you can’t watch, ask another parent to supervise.
2. Require walking – Water and concrete is slippery. Reduce the chances of a slip and fall injury by making sure everyone around the pool walks and doesn’t run.
3. No Glass Around Pool Rule – Glass can fall into the pool or around the deck and make for a dangerous situation.
4. Regularly Inspect – inspect the items used in and around a pool like the diving board, slide or flotation equipment.
5. Fence & Lock the Pool – Most insurance companies will require a fence of at least four feet be present around a pool.
6. Teach your children how to swim and pool safety – prevention is key. Teaching your kids how to swim as well as to avoid things in pools and spas like drains can reduce the risk.
7. Install an alarm – You can install an alarm that detects when someone enters the pool.
8. Protect your pets – Animals are attracted to water, especially on a hot day. Keep your pool area secured from pets when you’re not using it to ensure they don’t fall in.

Pools and spas are a lot of fun! By following proper safety precautions you can have a lot of great memories and your kids can have a lot of fun! Enjoy your pools responsibly. If you have questions on pool requirements for insurance purposes, we have answers. Our licensed agents can help ensure your property is insurable and that you are properly covered in the event you have a claim.

If you have other questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Trucordia. We have locations throughout Washington State in Olympia, Centralia, Vancouver, Tacoma and Marysville. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business Insurance. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

According the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 391,000 individuals were injured & 3,477 were killed from distracted driving in 2015. Insurance premiums have skyrocketed because of distracted driving and increases in traffic accidents.  Distracted driving isn’t just talking on the phone or texting but can include reading articles or email, eating, brushing your hair, or any other way you’re trying to multi-task while driving.

Consider practicing good driving behavior by mastering these 5 habits every time you get inside your vehicle.

• Put your phone OUT of reach when entering your vehicle.

The back seat or placed in your bag or purse inside your trunk, along with other belongings can be a good start. If you can’t fathom doing this, continue to ask yourself, “Can it wait?” every time you want to reach for your device. Most likely it can. It may help to put your phone on mute to avoid the desire to reach for it when it alerts you of an incoming call or new text message/email. If you feel you always have to be readily available to take a phone call, pull your car over & park it before answering the call.

• Program your GPS or identify where you need to go before driving your vehicle.

Be sure to activate voice commands so your eyes can stay on the road 100{da5271d7a1766f221ac35c013f1865b5eb7c6ddff3ebc54411621cbd24b96cb1} of the time.

• Groom Before or After, Not While Driving or Sitting at a Stop Light

If you find yourself running late often & grooming last minute, transition yourself out of the habit of grooming while driving. Practice doing this once you’ve arrived at your location or before you even start your vehicle.

• Eat While Parked

Don’t risk eating and driving. Instead, simple park your car and eat your meal before getting back on the road.

• Be a Role Model for Your Friends and Family

Not only demonstrate to your kids how you do not drive distracted, but also explain the dangers of doing it. If you find yourself riding along with a friend or family member, speak up if the driver is using an electronic device while driving. Offer to deliver their text message for them, act as the co-pilot or make the phone call.

If we all practice safe driving habits, we will all be better off.

If you have questions about your auto insurance, call the insurance agents at Trucordia. We have locations throughout Washington State in Olympia, Centralia, Vancouver, Tacoma and Marysville. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business Insurance. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.