The Walker Insurance Blog

Greetings on Veterans Day  11/11/11   Today, we celebrate Veterans Day and give thanks for all those who have worn the uniform of America's Armed Forces.   America owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have served in our Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we remember those who have served in previous wars, those who are serving today, and those who did not live to become veterans.   On this Veterans Day, take time to thank one of our Nation's veterans. They come from different generations and different backgrounds. But they are united by a commitment to honor, duty, and love of country that has kept America free. They continue to strengthen and inspire our Nation. And we will never forget what we owe them.

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Earthquake Insurance: To Buy Or Not To Buy?   11-8-11

A series of earthquakes in Oklahoma over the weekend demonstrates that even if you don’t live in earthquake-prone California, earthquake insurance may be worth checking out.

The New York Times reports that a quake late Saturday night centered near Sparks, about 44 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, and is the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the state.

No serious injuries were reported, but it appears there was some minor damage to roads and buildings.

The quake was preceded by smaller tremors earlier in the day, including one with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, centered in Prague, about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City, according to USGS.

Oklahoma’s earth-moving activity has scientists puzzled, according to the NYT. It cites a research seismologist with the Oklahoma Geological Survey who notes that since mid-2009 the state has had 10 times more earthquakes than normal:

Unlike earthquake-prone California and Japan, Oklahoma does not rest atop the fractious areas where two tectonic plates rub against each other. But the state’s geophysical activity has only been surveyed in earnest for about 50 years, Mr. Holland said, making it difficult to draw conclusions or put the recent activity into context.

But the state does have faults that are buried deep, like the Wizetta Fault, also known as the Seminole Uplift, east of Oklahoma City, where pressure can build.

Coming in the wake of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia that shook the East Coast in August, the latest seismic activity in Oklahoma is a reminder that many parts of the U.S. face risks from earthquakes and that home and business owners should reassess their need for earthquake insurance.

Earthquakes are not covered under standard U.S. homeowners or business insurance policies, but coverage is available for earthquake damage in the form of supplemental policies and endorsements available on some companies’ homeowners policies.

Earthquake insurance provides protection from the shaking and cracking that can destroy buildings and personal possessions.

Just give us a call to learn how earthquake coverage might be purchased to cover your home.  Thanks!

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Is Your Car Prepped for Winter Driving?  11-3-11

Experts say taking a few steps to prepare your car can save you trouble when driving conditions deteriorate.

Unless you do all of your driving on, say, a Caribbean island, the truth is that most of us will have to deal with cold weather — and possibly snow and ice — on the road.

The consequences of such driving can be difficult on motorists and their vehicles. Batteries and other parts wear down faster, and street conditions can lead to hazards. The total rate of crashes increases significantly during the winter months, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fortunately, there are many precautions and best practices that can greatly reduce the hassle factor for drivers this winter, experts say. So consider these tips as temperatures dip:

Prevent trouble before it starts. Get your battery checked out, as well as your antifreeze levels. These should be checked in the fall. You should check not only for the level of the fluid, but what accounts for the fluid. The best mixture is 50/50 water to antifreeze.

Make sure you are keeping up with oil changes. And, your tires need to be checked to make sure they have plenty of tread for the most dependable driving in snow or ice. Thin tread can cause an accident even if you drive carefully.

Clear your vehicle of all ice and snow. Too often, motorists simply scrape off enough ice and snow on the windshield to see. But the wet, slick stuff that gathers on lights, hoods and trunk surfaces also present obstructions. Snow must be removed from headlights and brake lights — and the headlights should be turned on — to ensure that other drivers can see you.

This kind of accident prevention will help you see upcoming hazards more clearly, of course, but there’s no guarantee you’ll avoid all icy patches. So if you do hit a slick spot, don’t panic. If you start to spin out of control, let off the brake and steer in the direction of your slide.

Get unstuck without damage. We’ve all gotten caught in a slick brew of ice and snow somewhere. It’s a short-term problem that could cause long-term headaches if you don’t get out of the mess the right way. Avoid spinning the wheels, which can cause severe (and costly) transmission damage. Most cars today use a computer to control transmission operation. Spinning the wheels registers as speed increasing, but the computer doesn’t know the car isn’t actually moving. If the wheels do gain traction, the speed will drop suddenly with the engine locked to the drive wheels. This can be catastrophic to the transmission. The best way to get out is the old-fashioned rocking-back-and-forth method. Or wave down a passerby to help push the car out.

Go to these resources from Uncle Sam. The Federal Citizen Information Center posts what it calls ‘Glove Box Tips’ online. (They’re short and can print out small enough to fit in the glove compartment.) Among the tips in the “Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter” link: Replace old windshield wiper blades and clean road grime from all headline/brakelight surfaces with a dry rag to avoid scratching. (For more, visit the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence website.) 

Taking these steps should help reduce winter driving problems and make the drive more enjoyable.  Of course, always give us a call if you suffer damage to your vehicle so that we can discuss your options with you.

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Thunderstorm Safety Tips   11-1-11

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Flood Insurance: What It’s All About  5-17-2011