Category Archives: Resources

The Key to Safe Traveling: Roadside Assistance

Posted on by
Reply

There’s a whole lot of Texas to see! Now is great time to plan a road trip before the summer runs out.  Road trips are a great way to spend quality time with family and friends while enjoying the beautiful scenery of a new area.  But before you all jump in the car and head out, it’s a good idea to make sure you have roadside assistance.  Long rides can cause wear and tear on your car if you do not properly take care of it.  The last thing you need is to end up on the side of the road without any professional help!

Here are a couple options you have:

#1: AAA: The most popular roadside assistance company…and for good reason! Texas AAA will take care of any problems on the road you may have 24/7.  AAA will take care of dead batteries, towing, low fuel; flat tires…the options are endless.  Not your car? No problem!  AAA covers YOU, not just your vehicle.  Your friends will be thanking you!  They offer great rates as well as discounts for shopping, dining and even prescription medicines.  They offer much more than just roadside assistance!  AAA credit cards are also available, allowing customers to earn points and use towards their travel. You can have all this and more for only about a $1 per week.

#2: Texas Department of Public Safety: Just check the back of your TX license!  If you are not a Texas resident, that’s okay too.  Just call 1-800-525-5555.  This number was designed for any non-emergency roadside assistance.  This hotline will contact the appropriate police agency for you and will come find you.  It’s simple and very convenient.

Whichever you choose, be sure to have TX auto insurance to be sure you are able to pay for whatever the damage is.  It’s better to be safe now than sorry later. Happy travels!

Submit to StumbleUponDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email

Weather Warnings as the Heat Rises Near Katy

Posted on by
Reply

After spending a long hot Monday watching the mercury rise, the National Weather Service is urging Katy, Texas residents and the surrounding Southeast area to take extra precautions against the intense temperatures.

With a strong wave of high pressure bringing hot, dry temperatures to the region, yesterday’s highs reached the upper 90s, even close to 100 in the Katy area, while coastal counties didn’t see much of a decrease, with the thermometer still managing to reach the low to mid 90s.

With such strong heat come even stronger concerns for those outdoors. Below are some of the National Weather Service’s tips for coping with the summer heat wave:

  • Working outside? Be sure to take frequent breaks and watch for signs of heat-related illness or fatigue.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Avoid strenuous activities, try to reschedule for early morning or late-evening hours when the temperatures should be cooler and more manageable.
  • Wear light, loose-fitting clothing when possible.

Have any additional recommendations? Leave us a comment below; we’d love to hear what you’re doing to stay safe and cool all summer long!

Submit to StumbleUponDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email

Hurricane Safety: Prepare Ahead of Time to Protect Your Family & Home

Posted on by
Reply

With hurricane season quickly approaching we, at Dagley Insurance & Financial Services, want to ensure that our clients and the surrounding community are sufficiently prepared. By understanding what you can do before, during and after a potential hurricane, you can better ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Below you will find wealth of tips and safety advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is an outstanding resource that can provide you with the most effective and reliable safety solutions. You can also learn what additional safety precautions, activities and projects people like you are implementing to help reduce and prevent the devastating impact of severe hurricanes.

Before a Hurricane Strikes:

  • Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutter offer the best protection for windows; a second option can include boarding up your windows with marine plywood.
  • Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure; this can help reduce roof damage.
  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutter and downspouts.

During a Hurricane:

  • Listen to the radio or TV for information; keep a battery-operated radio ad back up in case electricity goes out
  • Turn off utilities if instructed to do so; otherwise turn the refrigerator or thermostat to its coldest and keep its doors shut
  • Turn off propane tanks, avoiding using the phone except in serious emergencies

After a Hurricane:

Recovering from any type of natural disaster typically takes a good amount of time; it’s not an overnight process. Safety should always remain your highest priority. It’s always a good idea to keep your insurance information handy and in a safe place—that way if you have questions, need help assessing damage or need to place a claim, all of the information needed is at your fingertips.

Need help reporting a claim? You can always call us or fill out our online claim form—at Dagley Insurance we care deeply about your safety and the safety of your home, so please do not hesitate to call us with any questions regarding the claims process, hurricane season or how we can help you better protect your property today.

Also, make sure to take a look at our previous blog post regarding Hurricane Preparedness Week to learn more about what your emergency preparedness kit should include!

Submit to StumbleUponDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email

Texas Hurricane Preparedness Week Scheduled for May 22-28, 2011

Posted on by
Reply

Every year the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Emergency Management Coordinators and officials within the local jurisdictions join forces to recognize Hurricane Preparedness Week.

According to the Old River-Winfree Community News Blog, this year’s events are set to take place from May 22 through May 28, 2011.

The week acts as an incredible opportunity to build public awareness and reminds residents living in evacuation zones to learn their evacuation routes in advance, before a storm strikes. Being fully prepared for hurricane season is especially critical for coastal Texans—since damages are still being taken care of from previous storms like Hurricane Ike—acting as a unfortunate reminder of how powerful these seasonal storms can get.

Hurricane Preparedness Week is also meant to encourage the general public to double check and re-stock their emergency supply kits. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, emergency preparedness supplies should include:

  • First Aid Kit; including prescription medications, eyeglasses, copies of prescriptions, hearing aids, batteries, other special medical items
  • Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information to process insurance claims
  • Credit cards and cash (in the event that the power is out, banks & ATMs may not be available)
  • Battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
  • Road maps, travel plans
  • 3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
  • Manual can opener, knife, tools, fire extinguisher, flashlight, duct tape, tools, etc.
  • Extra keys
  • Blankets, pillows, extra clothing, etc.
  • Toilet paper, personal hygiene products
  • And more…

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a wonderful resource for all Texans who may have questions about how they can best prepare for hurricane season and the potential for devastating storms. If you have further questions about how you can protect yourself, your property and inevitable help safeguard your future, please do not hesitate to contact Dagley Insurance & Financial Services; we’d be happy to help!

Submit to StumbleUponDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email

Preventing Spring Water Damage

Posted on by
Reply

After a hectic winter many of us have been eagerly awaiting that perfect spring day. But those warm sunny days will also bring with them the onset of hurricane season—a wet, rainy season which includes a slew of problems all on its own.

The last thing you want to deal with this spring is household water damage, so what can you do to prepare?

Recognizing the first signs of water damage is the best way to prevent further problems— precisely why we at Dagley Insurance and Financial Services have put together a helpful list of signs you should be aware of and common causes of water damage:

1. Surface water running down primary foundation walls.

2. Broken pipes & hoses—check for burst water mains, old pipes or even ice makers that fail—all can lead to significant water damage if not remedied.

3. Common household accidents—this includes overflowing bathtubs, broken toilets, etc.

4. Flash flooding or excessive rain

5. Sewer back up—commonly results from tree roots and debris that clogs drain lines.

6. Notorious Texas hailstorms can also cause leaky roofs and windows

7. This time of the year, air conditioning systems in the attic may leak as well; now that they have been turned on and are running at full capacity, be sure to check for any inefficiencies

Being aware and proactively checking for these typical causes of water damage and leaking can help you prevent damages to not only your home but also your electronics and personal possessions.

As a Texas homeowner, there are many things you can do to combat household water damage. Always remember to keep your gutters free of leaves and other seasonal debris. Create a maintenance plan for yourself to ensure that you keep up-to-date on your landscaping—trimming surrounding shrubbery can help to eliminate clogged gutters and drain lines. Also be sure to periodically check your appliances—your shower, sink, toilet and refrigerator are all common violators that can cause water damage.

Already fell victim to water damage? Need help cleaning up after significant water issues? Why not check out our Preferred Partners Page for great local deals on home restoration and clean-up services.

Submit to StumbleUponDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email