“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

That’s a quote from author Hal Borland — but another favorite saying might be even more appropriate for this time of year: “Be prepared.”

After all, warmer weather brings plenty of risk to go with its beauty. If you aren’t ready, you could find yourself with more spring cleaning than you bargained for after heavy rains, hailstorms, and other hazards.
Here are five things you can do to get yourself and your property all set for the season.

1. Give your home’s exterior a check-up. This includes your roof, gutters, downspouts, and even your paint. Look for shingles that have come loose, or spots where any have blown away. You’ll want to get those fixed as soon as possible, before moisture starts getting in. Gutters and downspouts should be clear of debris, and if winter weather has worn your home’s paint down in spots, touch it up because exposed wood can lead to rot. Don’t forget your windows, either. Give them a good cleaning, and while you’re at it, make sure the screens are intact and the seals are still solid.

2. Prepare for extreme weather. The maintenance tips above will help with that, but it’s important for you and your family to be as ready as your home. Make sure you have an emergency survival kit and a disaster plan so everyone knows what to do when something unexpected happens. Learn about what to do both before and after heavy rains, hail, flooding, and tornadoes whether you think you’re at risk or not.

3. Get your outdoor appliances and tools ready. Now is the time to get your air conditioner serviced, so it’s operating perfectly when the weather heats up and you really need it. It’s a good idea to clean out the grill, too. Take care to check for cracked or leaky lines if you cook with gas. A little love now will go a long way in the coming months for yard tools like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers.

4. Don’t forget your home’s interior — including the attic. Yes, spring is the time when everybody vows to clean out the junk and get organized. If that’s on your list, good for you. At the very least, you should check on a few things inside, even if you aren’t tackling a deep clean. Look in the attic for any issues, such as moisture or signs of wildlife who got in to escape the winter cold. Clean up any droppings and seal up any openings. Around the rest of the house, see if you’ve got air leaks, which can drive up your energy bills. And don’t forget to change your smoke-detector batteries when the clocks spring forward!
​
5. Make this the year you do a home inventory. You’re taking steps to protect your home, which also helps to protect all of the stuff inside it. But what if something happened and you lost everything? Would you remember everything you had? Spring is the perfect time to do a home inventory — while that doesn’t protect your stuff, it does make replacing your possessions a whole lot easier after a disaster. If you’re handling spring-cleaning duties, take some time to jot down some notes and take pictures of your stuff (or better yet, use an app). If you’re not quite in spring-cleaning mode, try starting an inventory anyway; you just might be inspired to get organized!

How to Stay Safe After a Winter Car Accident

The days are short. The air is cold. And, roads are often slick with rain, snow or ice.
 
It’s winter driving season in Texoma. And, while most people know what to do to try to avoid an accident, many don’t know what to do after one. It’s vital knowledge to have, because the aftermath of a crash can be just as dangerous as the crash itself — especially when it’s cold and snowy.
 
Here are five things to do (or not do) if you’re in an accident this winter to help keep yourself and others safe:
 

1. Make sure everyone’s OK — then get off the road if you can. The safety of everyone involved in a crash is the first concern, of course. So, check on the occupants of each vehicle and call for emergency assistance if it’s needed. Then, if the vehicles are drivable, get them off the road as soon – and as carefully – as possible.
   
   
2. Stay in your car if you can’t safely move away. If you can’t get your car off the road, but you can get off the road, wait until there’s no traffic around and then move well out of the way. Otherwise, stay in the car so you’re protected from other vehicles.
   
   
3. Stay visible — and warm. Turn on your hazard lights and put up road flares so other vehicles know something is wrong. And, grab your vehicle emergency kit (you have one, right?) for blankets and extra clothing. If you’ve run off the road and you’re still in your car, make sure nothing is blocking your exhaust pipe. Otherwise carbon monoxide may build up.
   
   
4. If you’re stranded, stay put. Running off the road in a remote area is scary, but resist the urge to try to walk for help. You risk getting lost, especially during a storm, if you set off on foot.
   
   
5. See a crash? Don’t always stop to help. Being a Good Samaritan could cause more problems than it solves. So, if those involved aren’t in immediate danger, call 911 and let the professionals help with medical aid and traffic control.

 
It’s not always easy, but keeping a cool head after an accident will do more than help everyone get through a stressful situation — it will help keep everyone safer, too.
 
And, remember, if something does happen on the road this winter, your Wichita Insurance agent is here to help with your auto accident claim. If you’re unsure whether you’re carrying the right coverage, call now before it’s too late!

4 Things to Know About Taxes and Identity Theft

In 2014, almost 18 million people in the U.S. were victims of identity theft. Two-thirds of them said they suffered a direct financial loss because of it, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
 
During tax season, your personal information is particularly vulnerable. After all, your Social Security number (SSN) is on W-2 forms, your tax return and other financial documents being sent through the mail, transported to accountants and otherwise used to complete your annual IRS ritual. So it’s a good time of the year to be especially vigilant.
 
To help, here are four things you should know about identity theft — from what thieves can do to how you can help protect yourself — from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Federal Trade Commission:
 

1. Thieves won’t just open new accounts — they can (and will) file “your” taxes. Someone with access to your data could file a fraudulent tax return and claim a refund under your name. You may not know until you go to file your own return and it comes back rejected. If it happens, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.
   
   
2. Scammers will try to reel you in. Ever get a call or email from someone asking you to verify your account information or SSN? Legitimate organizations, especially the IRS, won’t do that. If there’s a problem with your tax return, the IRS will contact you by mail.
   
   
3. Technology can help. If you send tax forms or other sensitive documents via email, password-protect them. Furthermore, security software can help keep your data safe, and password generators will help ensure your various login credentials aren’t easy for a thief to figure out. As for analog documents, such as tax records, store them in a locked desk or filing cabinet and don’t send them through the mail unless it’s certified.
   
   
4. Reporting the crime is a must. Ninety percent of identity-theft victims don’t alert the police, says BJS. But you should. A police report can help prove to financial institutions and businesses that someone stole your identity. It also allows you to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, get inaccurate information removed, stop debt collectors from reporting fraudulent accounts and more. Because once criminals have your information, they may use it to perpetuate many types of fraud.

Protecting your identity is, of course, something to be mindful of all year round – not just during tax season. For more tips, visit IdentityTheft.gov. And, to discuss adding identity protection coverage to your home insurance policy, contact us at Wichita Insurance today.