How to Drain Water From the Side of a House

How to Drain Water From the Side of a House

Do's and don'ts of washing your car

Do's and don'ts of washing your car

How To Prepare Your House for a Windstorm

You never know when a disaster will strike, and having the right insurance will protect your investment and your resources. Windstorm insurance covers damages caused by high winds. Windstorm insurance covers roof damage, window damage and damage to personal property if the wind enters the house and causes damage. Windstorm insurance can also cover detached structures such as garages and sheds.

So, having windstorm insurance is just smart. But smarter than having the windstorm insurance is also taking preventive measures to protect against the damage of a windstorm. How? We are glad you asked!

Annually, have your roof inspected by a professional. Monthly, walk around your house and inspect the roof. Look for loose shingles, downspouts or gutters that seem loose or are bending. If you see any of these, get them fixed right away. If a windstorm hits, it could take off the shingles and cause water damage. The windstorm can also rip away damaged downspouts or gutters and cause not only water damage, but roof damage as well.

Each spring and fall, have dead tree limbs removed. Little limbs can seem insignificant, but they can get blown into your gutters and cause damage. So, twice a year have someone remove the dead tree limbs. If the tree is on public property, contact your city and let them know the problem. Keep track of notifying the city if there is damage before they take care of the problem.

Each year, check shutters and outside decorations. Make sure they are securely fastened. If you have decorations that are not fixed in place, make sure they are in an area where a windstorm won't carry them into a window. For patio/deck furniture, this is easily solved by using zip ties to loosely anchor the furniture.

If you have sheds or other types of buildings, take the time to anchor those into the ground. Most home improvement stores sell anchors and will tell you how to use them. It won't take more than 30 minutes to safely anchor those buildings.

So, be smart and have windstorm insurance, but be smarter and prepare your house for high winds.

Start protecting your home today. Call Reliable Insurance Managers at (713) 227-7283 for more information on Katy windstorm insurance.

Free Christmas Dinner! - Reliable Insurance Managers, Inc.

Free Christmas Dinner! - Reliable Insurance Managers, Inc.

Halloween Health and Tips to Insure Your Family's Safety

Halloween Health and Tips to Insure Your Family's Safety





Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.

Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Going trick-or-treating?

Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Save on Auto Insurance With These Tips

If you own a car, you know that having insurance on your car is required. While this expense is mandatory, it does not mean it has to be costly. When it comes to insurance for your vehicle, there are several ways to save money on your policy.

• Plan your purchase. If you plan to purchase a vehicle, talk with your agent about insurance costs for the different models you are interested in. The type of vehicle you own is a big factor in the price of your auto insurance policy.
  
  
• Drive less. How many miles do you drive each year? Many insurance companies offer discounts for drivers that drive under 7,500 miles each year. Taking public transportation or carpooling doesn’t only save you on gas, but also on your insurance costs.
  
  
• Are you driving an older car? If so, consider dropping the collision coverage. Any claims filed will only pay what the vehicle is worth, and chances are, it’s not much if your car is more than seven years old.
  
  
• Ask your agent for discounts. Your vehicle might be cheaper to insure if it has airbags or an alarm. You might also be entitled to a discount if you are a member of a professional organization or if you have homeowners insurance with the same insurance provider. Ask your independent insurance agent what discounts you may qualify for.
  
  
• Be a responsible driver. Avoid traffic violations and do all you can to stay out of accidents. A clean driving record can be a huge factor in lowering your auto insurance rates.
  
  
• Raise your deductible. Raising your deductible can help you pay less for your car insurance. For example, raising your collision deductible up to $1,000 can save you about 30 percent off your monthly premium.
  
  
• Keep credit healthy. Insurers are starting to use credit scores more and more to set insurance rates. A higher score could mean a lower premium.

Paying for auto insurance does not have to break the bank. If you are looking to lower your costs, use these tips and talk to your agent about more ways to save.

See how much you can save today. Call Reliable Insurance Managers at (713) 227-7283 for more information on Houston auto insurance.

The Consequences of Car Accidents on your Car Insurance

Sometimes, regardless of how careful you are on the road, an accident happens. If this occurs and you are found at fault, your Houston auto insurance premium rates will likely increase. The reason is not that you are seen as being negligently involved in the incident, but rather that you are now seen as a greater risk.

If you are found at fault when an on-road accident happens and your auto insurance cost becomes more expensive, it is advisable to understand how fault is determined.

• If there was not another vehicle involved in the incident, you will be found at fault by your insurance company.
• When two or more vehicles are involved in the collision, blame must be assigned. There are some common incidents where it is easy to determine who is at fault. Where it is not so easy to assign blame, the police examine the scene and deliver a report determining fault.

Insurance companies usually have their own system to determine how much they will raise the policy costs of an at fault driver. Each insurer assigns a number of points to each type of accident. If the driver is then found at fault for that kind of accident, the set number of points will be placed on the driver’s record. Premium increases are determined by the number of points recorded. The driver will carry these points on his record for many years to come, and, as a result, pay an increased premium for all of those years. If the driver changes his insurance agency, the points still remain on his record.

Some insurance agencies, due to customer loyalty, refrain from penalizing their clients. This is usually only done when the client has been with the insurer for many years, or when his driving record is a good one. Including accident forgiveness on your policy is another way to prevent a penalty in the event of an accident. Most insurance companies charge extra for this added protection, and only award it when a client has an impeccable driving record. If you change your insurer, you would need to apply for accident forgiveness on your new policy.

Accidents happen, but there are ways that you can stop the occurrence from increasing your car insurance rates. For more information about how this can be done, call  Reliable Insurance Managers at 713-227-7283. We will happily answer all your questions.