When is the Best Time to Buy Gas?

Even if you buy an inexpensive car to save money, gas prices can still break the bank. But did you know that filling up at certain times during the day and week may result in lower prices? Gas station managers might not want you to know that, but we're happy to share the information so you can save a few bucks.

Try filling up on Wednesdays. Oftentimes, gas stations will hike their prices beginning on Thursdays to take advantage of weekend travelers. Though this may not be true every single week, it is usually the case before a holiday weekend.

Whether you fill up on Wednesday or any other day, try doing so between 8 am and 10 am. Gas station managers often check the competition's prices in the morning and they're likely to raise their own prices between 10 am and noon if prices are trending upwards.

Apart from pumping gas at specific times, there are other ways to conserve gas and therefore save money. Try the following gas-saving tips:

• Lighten the load by removing anything from your car that isn't necessary, such as an empty rooftop carrier or camping equipment that was used a few weeks ago.
• Avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration; coast as much as possible.
• Ensure that your tires are inflated to the correct air pressure.
• Don't idle while parked. Turn off the ignition.
• When driving under 60 mph, turn off the air conditioning and roll down the windows to preserve gas. When driving over 60 mph, roll the windows back up for improved aerodynamics.
• Park in the shade when possible to limit gasoline evaporation.
• Form a carpool with neighborhood parents or nearby coworkers.

Learn about how you can save on coverage. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at (817) 461-4781 for more information on Arlington auto insurance.

Inspect Your Home For Free

Many contractors agree that every $1 you spend on home maintenance could save you $100 on future repairs. But it’s hard to perform maintenance on small issues if you don’t find out about them until they become bigger, more expensive issues. Because of this, you should inspect your home at least once each year to catch any areas that may need attention. The best part? You can complete the task yourself for free in a single afternoon.
Before getting started, put on sturdy shoes and gather a pair of work gloves, a ladder and a flashlight. The goal is simply to take a good, hard look at everything, which is not as simple as it sounds. It’s easy to miss potential problem areas if you’re not sure where to look. Try using the following list and add anything you wish to inspect.
Interior

• Inspect the walls, floor to ceiling, for cracks, bubbling, signs of water damage etc.
• Check faucets for drips or leaks
• Inspect the attic for rotting trusses and ample insulation
• Inspect the basement for rotting or soft floor joists

Exterior

• Scour wall faces, top to bottom, for signs of damage, including cracks in the foundation
• Inspect paint for peeling or chipping
• Check for gaps or cracks around doors and windows that may need resealing

Roof

• Look for damage to shingles, including curling, blistering or missing shingles
• Check for loose panels, leaks and any other damages
• Take a peek at your gutters, which may need to be cleaned

If you find any problem areas, hire a professional to make the necessary repairs as soon as possible to keep your home in great shape. While this simple DIY home inspection is helpful to many homeowners, you may also want to hire a professional home inspector to complete a more thorough evaluation every five years or so.
The right coverage provides valuable protection. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at (512) 454-4567 for more information on Arlington home insurance.

New Technology with New Cyber Risks

More and more, businesses are finding it necessary to adopt new technologies to keep up with the evolving, highly competitive market. Websites, online shopping and social media have already become more popular than phone calls and in-person visits. But, whether your company uses minimal technology or completely relies on it for everyday operations, these new technologies present new risk factors.

What are these risks? Here are a few examples:

• Hackers steal sensitive customer data (Think about the Target scandal a couple of months ago)
• A severe storm causes a power surge that results in a loss of data
  
• An employee accidentally leaves a work laptop at an airport and data is stolen
  
• A fraudulent employee leaks data to external sources
  
• Thieves steal computer equipment and the stolen data is not backed up
  

It may sound like this is the kind of stuff you see on the news and that it could never happen to your business—but it very well could! Approximately half of all businesses report up to five cyber risks that cause worry, while over a third of all businesses experience a data breach each year. You can minimize your risk by installing firewalls, consulting with an online security expert and backing up all data. However, some amount of risk will always be present.

Another great way to protect your business is to purchase cyber liability insurance, which offers financial compensation if you experience a data breach. Why would you need money to deal with a data breach? There are a variety of things you must do to “clean up” after such an incident. Some of those may include:

• Replacing electronic equipment
• Retrieving lost or stolen data
  
• Creating safer online practices and installing new firewalls
  
• Reimbursing customers for fraudulent charges
  
• Providing identity theft protection services to customers at risk
  
• Reputation damage control with PR services
  

Talk to an agent today to determine your unique cyber risks and find the coverage that’s right for your business. We’ll protect you from the unforeseen. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at (817) 461-4781 for more information on Arlington business insurance.

5 Safety Tips for Your Teen Driver

Teenagers take pride in their first driver’s license, flashing it around like a badge of honor and bragging to friends new behind-the-wheel privileges. But this is a troublesome time for many parents, who worry about their children’s safety. Teens enjoy showing off and they also carry a misguided sense of invincibility, which, when paired, can lead to dangerous road behavior. In fact, car crashes are the leading cause of death for drivers between ages 15 and 20.

As a parent, you are your child’s first driving teacher. It’s important to lead by example, following safety precautions and traffic laws at all times while on the road. The values you instill in your teenager can guide his or her actions on the road and teaching your teen to drive safely can prevent him or her from becoming another tragic statistic. Keep an open line of communication between you and your teen as you teach him or her the following road safety tips:

• Buckle up: It’s been proven time and time again—seatbelts save lives. Every individual in the car should be buckled up. Also note that it’s not safe to pile more people into your car than you have seatbelts for.
• Follow the law: Traffic laws were created to keep everyone safe. Obey speed limits, lights and signs. Speeding is the leading cause of teenage accidents and it can easily be prevented.
• Prepare before driving: Get all of your gadgets situated before shifting into gear. Turn your music on, set you GPS and tuck away your phone. Playing with these devices distract your attention from the road, which could lead to dire consequences in as little as a few seconds.
• Avoid cell phone usage: Never text, surf the web or play games on your cell phone while driving. Even taking or making phone calls can quadruple your risk of crashing. If you absolutely must take a call, use a hands-free headset. Avoid having emotional conversations that may distract your attention while behind the wheel. 
• Always drive sober: Let’s face it—teenagers will party. Rather than telling them not to, explain the importance of choosing a designated driver. Your teen should never drive after drinking or using drugs, nor should he or she get in the car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Encourage your teen to call home, at any hour, if a dangerous situation arises.
  

Insuring your teen driver adds another layer of protection. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at (817) 461-4781 for more information on Arlington auto insurance.

Home Owners Insurance: An Important Step in Buying a Home

When buying a house, a first-time home owner may not think about home owners insurance. They’re too busy worrying about finances, moving, and finding that perfect media room or kitchen. However, it’s good to remember that home owners insurance is an important aspect of investing in real estate—one that is often required with most lenders.

Home owners insurance is the best way to be sure that your house and the assets within are protected in case of an accident or natural disaster. Most policies are chosen during the final closing of your new home and most lenders require home owners insurance to protect the portion of the property that they own.

The first step to acquiring home owners insurance is to assess the value of your home and assets. This may involve creating an inventory list and/or taking pictures of your possessions, depending on your insurance company’s requirements. This allows you to determine the best category of insurance for optimal coverage.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as your agent assists your search for home owners insurance

• Home owners insurance is divided into a variety of categories based upon the value of your assets
• Many companies offer several types of coverage—learn where you fit in
• Talk to your insurance agent to ensure you’re getting as much coverage as possible
• Appropriate coverage will assure that you have little to no loss in case of accident or disaster

Buying a home is a big occasion. Protect your real estate and property investments with home owners insurance. Call your local insurance agent to learn more about your Arlington home insurance coverage options.

Keeping Your Motorcyle Safe This Winter

Any serious biker knows that riding in the winter, even in many southern states, is entirely too bone-chilling to enjoy. But before you store your precious motorcycle for the winter, there are some cautionary steps you should take to prepare your bike for storage. The following list will ensure that your motorcycle will be ready to ride as soon as the weather grows warmer.

• Storage location: The best place to store your motorcycle is inside in a heated space, like a garage or shed. Find a safe corner away from windows and sources of moisture where your bike can stay for a few months. If this is not an option, you can opt for a commercial storage facility with heat or a garage or shed with no heat. Avoid storing a bike outdoors.  
• Wash and repair: Give your bike a good wash and wax to remove any contaminants that may cause corrosion.  Top off all fluids and lube the chain and cables. Perform any necessary repairs or routine maintenance as outlined in the owner’s manual.  
• Tire care: Check the tire tread and replace them if needed. If not, inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure. Parking your bike on a sheet of plywood or atop wooden boards can help maintain the life of your tires.  
• Oil change: Dirty oil can wear your engine down prematurely, so now is a good time to perform an oil change. Drain the old oil and refill the engine with an oil of the viscosity recommended in the owner’s manual. Double check to see if a different grade is needed during the winter.  
• Fuel stabilizer: Add fuel stabilizer to your gas tank according to the instructions on the packaging. Start the engine and let the motorcycle run for a few minutes so the stabilizer can travel through the fuel system.    
• Battery: Your battery can drain, even when not in use. You may choose to remove the battery and charge it during the winter. But an overcharged battery can cause just as many, if not more, problems than a dead battery. Invest in a battery minder and charger, which will cycle on and off to keep your battery in good condition.  
• Cover: Avoid covering your motorcycle in a plastic tarp because they trap moisture. Instead, purchase a breathable cover designed to fit your bike model.

Even a stored bike should be insured. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at 877-596-2559 for more information on Dallas motorcycle insurance.

Keeping Thanksgiving Safe

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many people, but it’s also the number one day for home cooking fires across America. It’s easy to lose track of what’s cooking when there are so many tasks involved in planning a holiday meal. However, safety should always be a top priority to ensure a happy holiday for everyone.

Cook With Care

The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. When frying, grilling or broiling food, always remain in the kitchen. Feel free to complete other household tasks while simmering, roasting, baking or boiling, but remain in the house and listen for timers going off. Wear clothes that fit snugly, especially while cooking over the stove; dangling sleeves can easily catch fire.

Avoiding and Treating Burns

Use the back burners when possible and turn pan handles inward to reduce the risk of accidental tipping. Protecting your hands is a must when preparing for the holiday. Wear oven mitts or use potholders when handling hot objects.

If you do get burned, immediately submerge your skin in cool water for three to five minutes. If your clothes catch fire, take part in the good ‘ole stop, drop and roll. If any burns appear to be higher than a first degree burn, seek medical help as soon as possible.

To Fight or To Flee?

If you think you can safely fight a small fire, try some of these methods. Keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby for smothering grease fires that ignite inside a pan. Simply don the oven mitt and slide the lid over the pan, then immediately turn off the burner. If a fire ignites in your oven or microwave, leave the door shut and turn off the appliance right away. Do not open the door until the fire is completely out.

If a fire appears too big to contain or extinguish, exit your home immediately. Close any doors behind you as you leave to prevent spreading. Alert everyone in the house to leave and call 911 on your way out.

The Dangers of Turkey Fryers

Turkey fryers are the biggest fire hazard one can face on Thanksgiving. These top-heavy fryers have a tendency to tip over, spill hot oil and overheat. These appliances should only be used outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Birds must be completely thawed and dried before being lowered slowly into the fryer. Cover your skin to protect against oil splatter. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and call 911 if a fire ignites.

A safe holiday is a happy holiday. Call Pickard Insurance Agency at 877-596-2559 for more information on Arlington home insurance.