http://www.eebins.com/blog/View Evans Ewan & Brady Insurance Agency, Inc's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.eebins.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:6e276177-b2cf-4b35-8a53-b0a708f598b4urn:uuid:4fd5f80b-f80d-40a8-97b7-83f35b2ba12eHow fire-safe is your home? An inspection of rural homes last year in three states most afflicted by house fires showed that 80 percent did not have a smoke alarm in every bedroom. Even in our mild Central Texas winter, we use fireplaces and small he...Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:47:31 -0600<p>How fire-safe is your home? An inspection of rural homes last year in three states most afflicted by house fires showed that 80 percent did not have a smoke alarm in every bedroom. Even in our mild Central Texas winter, we use fireplaces and small heaters more often, and increase the risk of accidental fire and burns. February 5 &ndash; 11 is National Burn Awareness Week, so take time to learn how to protect yourself and loved ones from in-home fires.</p> <p>Kitchen Tips</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children</span></li> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Store flammable liquids away from the range or other heat source &ndash; a pilot light can set vapors on fire.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left: 0in;">Living Areas</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do not run extension cords under rugs or carpets, or looped over nails or sharp objects that could cause fraying</span></li> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep space heaters at least three feet away from curtains, furniture and papers</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left: 0in;">Garage and Storage Areas</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do not store oily or greasy rags because they may ignite.</span></li> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do not store gasoline or other flammables near a workbench or pilot light.</span></li> <li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do not store anything next to furnaces, water heaters or other heat sources.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left: 0in;">These and more home fire safety tips are available in this <a href="/img/~www.eebins.com/Home-Tips-FireSafety.pdf">free download, &ldquo;How Fire Safe is Your Home?&rdquo;</a></p>urn:uuid:60859420-aae6-40d7-9808-e2e2fcaefb07Did you know that living in Georgetown and around Williamson County may be good for your health? In 2011, County Health Rankings ranked our home field first among Texas counties as a healthy place to live. Counties were scored on a wide range of fact...Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:44:24 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Did you know that living in Georgetown and around Williamson County may be good for your health? In 2011, County Health Rankings ranked our home field first among Texas counties as a healthy place to live. Counties were scored on a wide range of factors so that counties could evaluate areas for improvement. 2012 rankings will be out in March. </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">It&rsquo;s not the first time Georgetown and other Central Texas cities have earned high rankings for quality of life and business climate. Last year, Austin was named #6 overall among best cities for job growth by <em>Forbes</em> magazine, and the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood area ranked #1 for small cities. The growth of Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown have been the foundation of our agency&rsquo;s success since 1979, and we look forward to serving the home, auto and business insurance needs of long-time residents and newcomers for many years to come.</p>urn:uuid:dab3b40d-11ef-4539-b6ef-93496379680eShould I insure my jewelry separately, or is it covered under my home insurance policy? If you just received a new piece of jewelry as a gift over the holidays, or you inherited something in the last few years, or if the price of gold has you wonderi...Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:43:25 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;"><strong>Should I insure my jewelry separately, or is it covered under my home insurance policy?</strong></p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">If you just received a new piece of jewelry as a gift over the holidays, or you inherited something in the last few years, or if the price of gold has you wondering what those gold earrings are really worth, then get an appraisal. Many companies limit jewelry coverage limits to $ 500 to $1,000.&nbsp; We have a company that will include $10,000 of jewelry at no extra charge.&nbsp; We can show you how to properly insure your jewelry.&nbsp; We will take the confusion away so you have what you need and want.&nbsp; </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">By scheduling jewelry, your coverage is much broader. For example, if you lose a piece of jewelry, it is covered. Your deductible is waived when you schedule jewelry. With the rising cost of gold, heavy gold pieces should be reappraised. Last year, a home insurance client in Georgetown reappraised her five-year old gold ring. She didn&rsquo;t realize the value of the item, and the insured value was raised from $10,000-$12,000 to $25,000 after the piece was reappraised.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Read more about <a href="http://www.eebins.com/blog/Insuring_Your_Jewelry.aspx">protecting your valuables</a> from loss.&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:66d0ee07-981b-4735-9ded-33cbabc89298With home loan rates at historic lows, many people are refinancing their existing mortgages. When you are refinancing, call us. Refinancing doesn&rsquo;t affect your policy or rates, but it may affect your escrow account, billing and renewal cycle. I...Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:38:43 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">With home loan rates at historic lows, many people are refinancing their existing mortgages. When you are refinancing, call us. Refinancing doesn&rsquo;t affect your policy or rates, but it may affect your escrow account, billing and renewal cycle. If you are refinancing your house, please call our office and make sure that we know about it. Every so often, a mortgage company or bank forgets to fax us or send over your paperwork. We&rsquo;ll verify that your mortgage and insurance paperwork are in order so you have continuous billing.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">If you&rsquo;re refinancing with the same lender, it is still important because loan numbers can change, and your loan and insurance paperwork aren&rsquo;t always tied to your name. We&rsquo;ll make sure your new loan number matches the number on your homeowner insurance policy, reducing the chances of any billing issues.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Refinancing can also change the terms of your escrow account and could affect your monthly insurance payments. We can do a quick review of your homeowner policy and your new loan information and escrow account to ensure you&rsquo;re on track.</p>urn:uuid:25b614bb-f5e9-4efc-9294-20ef642430e6Is it time for Winter Storm 2012? &nbsp;It's February in Central Texas, and on any given year, we may get a Texas storm that freezes our roads for a day or more. We want Georgetown and Austin-area drivers to be prepared to drive safely in icy conditi...Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:29:56 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.25pt;">Is it time for Winter Storm 2012? &nbsp;It's February in Central Texas, and on any given year, we may get a Texas storm that freezes our roads for a day or more. We want Georgetown and Austin-area drivers to be prepared to drive safely in icy conditions. (It&rsquo;s more important in our warm climate because a lot of drivers do not have experience driving in these conditions.)</span></p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.25pt;">When driving in winter weather conditions:</span></p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Take care pulling out of streets and give cars plenty of time to slow down or stop</p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Watch more closely for runners and walkers &ndash; our active Central Texas lifestyle means people get their exercise even on the coldest days, and sidewalks may not be clear.</p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Take corners carefully &ndash; not too tightly.</p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Does your car have anti-lock brakes? Do NOT pump your brakes on an ice patch. Let the anti-lock mechanism take over. </p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Older car without anti-lock brakes? Pump them gently to prevent wheels from locking.</p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Back your car into the driveway so you have better vision when pulling out.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">(Sources: Texas Department of Insurance and Insurance Information Institute)</p>urn:uuid:93a422d6-8bc6-4419-a243-dd557328ebcc<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/airlineticket_thumb.jpg' align='left' />When packing for vacation, you are excited about the adventure ahead &ndash; whether you&rsquo;re headed from Central Texas to the beach or a more exotic location abroad. But as the headlines told us in January: a dream vacation can turn into a night...Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:53:53 -0600<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white;">When packing for vacation, you are excited about the adventure ahead &ndash; whether you&rsquo;re headed from Central Texas to the beach or a more exotic location abroad. But as the headlines told us in January: a dream vacation can turn into a nightmare when an accident happens.<br /> <br /> </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">In January 2012, the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/costa-concordia">Costa Concordia</a> cruise ship ran aground on the shores of Italy, leaving 11 dead, 26 missing and many injured or stranded. Thousands of survivors&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">had to evacuate the ship, leave their belongings behind, seek medical attention and find their way back home.<br /> <br /> </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">What would you do in this kind of emergency? There are two ways to help protect yourself in unforeseen circumstances while traveling abroad:</p> <ul> <li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #222222;">Travel medical insurance</span></li> <li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #222222;">Vacation insurance</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We represent carriers with a wide range of policies designed for the occasional and the frequent international traveler, as well as health insurance for persons who are living overseas for an extended period of time.<br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /> <img alt="" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/airlineticket_thumb.jpg" /><br /> Are you planning a trip abroad this spring or summer? Maybe you&rsquo;re thinking about a Caribbean cruise, a trip to the Olympic Games in London or hiking the Great Wall of China. No matter your destination, take time to learn more about these&nbsp;<a href="https://producer.imglobal.com/international-insurance-plans.aspx?imgac=59942&amp;frames=0&amp;app_method=1&amp;CFID=3623316&amp;CFTOKEN=7bfaa5bc8a253a75-0BE56270-1F29-DFD5-143C84D0228AC39A" target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: white;">international health insurance and vacation insurance policies</a>, and call us at&nbsp;<a href="tel:512-869-1511" value="+15128691511" target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: white;">512-869-1511</a>.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> </p> <map id="rade_img_map_1327531195251" name="rade_img_map_1327531195251"> <area shape="RECT" coords="32,85,363,394" href="http://" /></map>urn:uuid:949acf15-0b83-40f0-be99-c790124b4078Why lowering your insurance coverage is not the best way to save money. Reducing your home or auto coverage may expose you to financial liability issues. We consider insurance just that: investing now in order to avoid large payments in the future. T...Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:17:57 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;"><strong>Why lowering your insurance coverage is not the best way to save money.</strong></p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Reducing your home or auto coverage may expose you to financial liability issues. We consider insurance just that: investing now in order to avoid large payments in the future.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">There are a few factors that could safely lower your home and auto policies. Together, we work with customers to determine if any adjustments can be made. Examples would be raising your deductibles, getting multi-policy discounts, taking defensive driving, getting good grade discounts and many other money saving ideas.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Customers may realize the biggest savings when they purchase both a homeowner&rsquo;s policy and an auto insurance policy from us. &nbsp;By packaging your home and auto policies, you may get an additional credit of up to 20% on your home and a 20% credit on your auto.&nbsp;&nbsp; Many companies only write a 1% deductible on clause 1 of your homeowners. Clause 1 is for wind and hail damage. We represent companies that still write clause 1 deductibles for $250, $500 or $1,000.&nbsp; </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">We encourage you to review endorsements with our account managers to make sure you have all the endorsements you need and remove any you may not need.&nbsp;&nbsp; Remember, homes typically appreciate in value.&nbsp; You should evaluate your insurance policies every year to make sure that you have enough coverage and also to maximize any savings opportunities available to you.</p>urn:uuid:5c841c38-676b-462e-bb4b-d1d07b7b13b5Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady is proud to announce it has added Accident Fund Insurance Company of America to its list of workers&rsquo; compensation insurance carriers. Though not mandatory in Texas, workers&rsquo; compensation insurance protects your bus...Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:00:56 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady is proud to announce it has added Accident Fund Insurance Company of America to its list of workers&rsquo; compensation insurance carriers. Though not mandatory in Texas, workers&rsquo; compensation insurance protects your business and helps care for injured employees. </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">&ldquo;We&rsquo;re pleased to add this carrier to our list of workers&rsquo; compensation providers,&rdquo; says Lisa Roppolo, Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Commercial Lines Manager. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re proud that our business customers now have choices from many of our country&rsquo;s top carriers.&rdquo;</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Workplace safety is a priority all-year round, though wintertime may pose additional dangers. Icy conditions in parking lots and on roads. Learn about cold weather safety for employees in this downloadable document, <a href="/img/~www.eebins.com/Biz-Tips-ColdWeatherSafety.pdf" target="_blank">Cold Weather Fact Sheet</a>, also <a href="/img/~www.eebins.com/Biz-Tips-ColdWeatherSafety-SP.pdf">available in Spanish</a>.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">For more information about Employers Rights and Responsibilities for Workers&rsquo; Compensation in the State of Texas,&nbsp;<a href="/img/~www.eebins.com/Biz-WorkComp-EmplRightsResp.pdf">download&nbsp;this fact sheet</a>&nbsp;or visit the State website, http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/dwc/index.html.</p>urn:uuid:dd1acc69-3ada-46e4-8b16-acc1ca93e16eWant to learn more about four local wineries in Georgetown, Salado and Rogers? The San Gabriel Wine Trail Festival on Sat., January 28 includes a chartered bus tour leaving from Georgetown. Guests visit Georgetown Winery, Rising Star Vineyards, Salad...Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:46:26 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Want to learn more about four local wineries in Georgetown, Salado and Rogers? The San Gabriel Wine Trail Festival on Sat., January 28 includes a chartered bus tour leaving from Georgetown. Guests visit Georgetown Winery, Rising Star Vineyards, Salad Creek Winery &amp; The Dancing Bee Winery. Each stop includes three tastings and a souvenir wine glass. If you choose to drive the tour on your own, designate a safe driver who will enjoy sparkling water only at each stop.</p>urn:uuid:a9d44735-22b6-4c06-847b-39551fb065e8Ask Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady - Why should I insure a vehicle I&rsquo;m not currently using?&nbsp; Many times, people mistakenly believe that because they aren&rsquo;t using a particular car, then it doesn&rsquo;t need to be insured. For example, you m...Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:45:11 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;"><strong>Ask Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady - Why should I insure a vehicle I&rsquo;m not currently using?</strong>&nbsp;<br /> Many times, people mistakenly believe that because they aren&rsquo;t using a particular car, then it doesn&rsquo;t need to be insured. For example, you may leave a car at your summer home or another second residence for several months out of the year. </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Even left in the garage, your car is subject to vandalism, fire, theft and other physical damage occurrences. For example, if your garage were to burn in a fire, your car is not covered by homeowners insurance.&nbsp; Remember, too, that with many insurance companies, auto rates may be better when you have continuous coverage.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:b24da3d0-ded8-4542-bb23-df9055545995Our first hard freeze of this season came in early December, and Central Texans should expect more freezing temps in January and February. Every year, homeowners face the threat of indoor flooding if pipes burst during a hard freeze. When the weather...Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:41:27 -0600<p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">Our first hard freeze of this season came in early December, and Central Texans should expect more freezing temps in January and February. Every year, homeowners face the threat of indoor flooding if pipes burst during a hard freeze. When the weather forecaster predicts freezing temperatures overnight or during the day, remember to leave your faucets at slow drip. Open cabinet doors so warm air can circulate underneath sinks. Outside, cover faucets with Styrofoam protectors available at the hardware store. (And don&rsquo;t forget to bring in those tropical, heat-loving potted plants, especially ferns, hibiscus and bougainvillea, if you can).</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">What if your pipes freeze? If you discover that pipes are frozen, don&rsquo;t wait. Take measures to thaw them immediately using a hair dryer, or call a plumber for assistance.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt; background-color: white;">If pipes do burst in your home:&nbsp;<br /> 1. Turn off the water first, then mop up spills. Don&rsquo;t let the water do more damage than it already has.<br /> 2. Call your insurer as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster doesn&rsquo;t need to see the spill before you can take action, though he or she will want to inspect all damaged items. Take photos of damaged areas and items.<br /> 3. Make temporary repairs and take steps to protect your property from further damage. For instance, remove carpet or furniture to avoid further damage.<br /> 4. Make a list of damaged property.<br /> 5. Remember to save receipts for what you spend&mdash;including additional living expenses if you must leave your home until repairs are completed&mdash;and submit them to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. If you need to know what is included on your list, then please call us at 512-869-1511.</p>urn:uuid:cfdcbe21-7869-4db4-8b88-504a15cdee68At Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, we want a safe and happy holiday season for all. The combination of fireplaces, candles, Christmas trees, children and pets can make our homes more accident-prone this time of year. Tree Safety If you ha...Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:29:43 -0600<p style="background-color: white;">At Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, we want a safe and happy holiday season for all. The combination of fireplaces, candles, Christmas trees, children and pets can make our homes more accident-prone this time of year.<br /> <br /> Tree Safety<br /> <br /> If you have a Christmas tree in your home with small children and pets around, remember to put small or breakable ornaments out of reach.<br /> <br /> Curious children and playful pets can easily topple a tree -- use safety gates if you have especially small, active or curious little ones around.<br /> <span style="background-color: white;"><br /> Beware of toxic decorations like old tinsel and some older ornaments whose enamel may contain led.<br /> <br /> If you enjoy a fresh cut tree, keep it watered so that it does not try out and become good kindling for a fire.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fire Safety<br /> <br /> Enjoy a fire safely with a screen, and if you have them, close the doors to the fireplace at the end of the night. <br /> <br /> If you like the effect of fire salts but be warned they may contain heavy metals that may cause upset stomach or vomiting if ingested.<br /> <br /> Keep candle wicks trimmed to 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch before lighting.<br /> <br /> Never, ever leave burning candles unattended, and double check all candles are snuffed out before leaving the house or going to bed.<br /> <br /> Home insurance provides peace of mind, but good safety habits are a way to prevent accidents this holiday season.</span></p>urn:uuid:aa36f61c-43f3-4496-b36f-1a65df8549f4If you&rsquo;re like most people shopping for a new car, safety ranks high among things you&rsquo;re looking for. Every new car must meet certain federal safety standards, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean that all cars are equally safe. There are still im...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:19:52 -0600<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you&rsquo;re like most people shopping for a new car, safety ranks high among things you&rsquo;re looking for. Every new car must meet certain federal safety standards, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean that all cars are equally safe. There are still important safety differences, and some vehicles are safer than others.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We encourage you to consider the following safety features when purchasing a car. Safety features may affect your rates, so talk with us before you buy about applicable discounts or incentives.&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. Crashworthiness</strong><br /> These features reduce the risk of death or serious injury when a crash occurs. You can get a rating of crashworthiness from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety&rsquo;s Web site (http://www.highwaysafety.org).</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. Vehicle structural design</strong><br /> A good structural design has a strong occupant compartment, known as the safety cage, as well as front and rear ends designed to buckle and bend in a crash to absorb the force of the crash. These crush zones should keep damage away from the safety cage because once the cage starts to collapse, the likelihood of injury increases rapidly.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. Vehicle size and weight</strong><br /> The laws of physics dictate that larger and heavier cars are safer than lighter and smaller ones. Small cars have twice as many occupant deaths each year as large cars. In crashes involving smaller and larger vehicles, heavier vehicles drive lighter ones backwards, decreasing the forces inside the heavier car and increasing them in the lighter car.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. Restraint Systems</strong><br /> Belts, airbags and head restraints all work together with a vehicle&rsquo;s structure to protect people in serious crashes. Look closely at a car&rsquo;s lap/shoulder belts and airbags because in some circumstances, a deploying airbag can cause serious injuries and even death. The greatest risk of injury occurs when you are on top of, or very close to an airbag when it starts to inflate. Choose a car that allows you to reach the gas and brake pedals comfortably without sitting too close to the steering wheel. Some cars offer telescoping steering column adjustments that may help.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. Side airbags</strong> are designed principally to protect your chest. They may also keep your head from hitting interior or intruding structures. Head restraints are required in the front seats of all new passenger cars to keep your head from being snapped back, injuring your neck in a rear-end crash. To prevent neck injury, a head restraint has to be directly behind and close to the back of your head. Look for cars that have this type of restraint. If the restraints are adjustable, make sure they can be locked into place. Some don&rsquo;t lock, so they can get pushed down in a crash.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>6. Anti-lock brakes</strong><br /> When you brake hard with conventional brakes, the wheels may lock and cause skidding and a lack of control. Anti-lock brakes pump brakes automatically many times a second to prevent lockup and allow you to keep control of the car. If you were trained to brake gently on slippery roads or pump your brakes to avoid a skid, you may have to unlearn these habits and use hard, continuous pressure to activate your antilock brakes. Anti-lock brakes may help you keep steering control, but they won&rsquo;t necessarily help you stop more quickly.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>7. Daytime running lights</strong><br /> Daytime running lights are activated by the ignition switch. They are typically high-beam headlights at reduced intensity or low-beam lights at full or reduced power. By increasing the contrast between a vehicle and its backgrounds and making the vehicles more visible to oncoming drivers, these lights can prevent daytime accidents.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>8. On the road experience</strong><br /> Other design characteristics can influence injury risk on the road. Some small utility vehicles and pickups are prone to rolling over. &ldquo;High performance&rdquo; cars typically have higher-than-average death rates because drivers are tempted to use excessive speed. Combining a young driver and a high-performance car can be particularly dangerous.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.iii.org">Insurance Information Institute</a></p>urn:uuid:5cd287c3-69be-46f9-8e62-90d809d055a2As holiday travel approaches, you&rsquo;ll want to be sure your home is prepared for your absence. Loss control experts recommend the following to keep your home safe and worry free: &bull;Turn off the water supply to your washing machine, refrigerat...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:14:59 -0600<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As holiday travel approaches, you&rsquo;ll want to be sure your home is prepared for your absence. Loss control experts recommend the following to keep your home safe and worry free:</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Turn off the water supply to your washing machine, refrigerator/ice maker, and toilets.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Install several light timers to go on and off in different rooms at various times. Consider putting a radio on a timer as well.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Have a neighbor or relative pick up your mail. If you will be absent more than a week, have the post office stop delivery.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Lock up. Almost half the burglaries committed occur where a door or window has been left unlocked.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Wedge a rod between the door and frame of a sliding door.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Never leave a spare key hidden near your door.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Don&rsquo;t put your name and address on luggage tags; they can be interpreted as signals of your absence from home. Use a business address instead.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&bull;Unplug electrical appliances such as televisions, microwaves, and computers. This will protect them in case of an electrical storm.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Planning and preparing for your time away will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your holiday travels!</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: Central Insurance</p>urn:uuid:979455d6-5687-47dc-bc94-1b7bfcab06f6Q: How do I insure a new car? Will it be covered when I drive it off the lot?&nbsp; A: Many car dealerships are offering great end-of-the-year sales and a lot of new cars are sold each December. Remember, dealerships sell cars, not insurance. They m...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:13:17 -0600<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: How do I insure a new car? Will it be covered when I drive it off the lot?&nbsp;<br /> <br /> A: Many car dealerships are offering great end-of-the-year sales and a lot of new cars are sold each December. Remember, dealerships sell cars, not insurance. They may tell you that you have 14 days to update your auto policy, but that varies by carrier.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Why take a chance? Call us before you shop or pick up your new car. We can add a new car to your policy before you pick it up at the dealership. We will need the&nbsp;VIN&nbsp;Number and time to review coverage options over the phone or in person. We cannot make changes to your policy by voicemail or email.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A few years ago a family drove a new car off the lot and the car was totaled that weekend. That&rsquo;s why they&rsquo;re called accidents. We&rsquo;re here to help, so please call us before you drive away in your brand new wheels.</p>urn:uuid:e4326395-84b0-455b-b541-03a63585a175Coming up soon: the 2011 Heritage Society Holiday Home Tour. On December 10 and 11, tour-goers will enjoy charming, restored, historic homes decorated in holiday finery that celebrate the past and present of old Georgetown neighborhoods. Docents give...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:12:00 -0600<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming up soon: the 2011 Heritage Society Holiday Home Tour.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On December 10 and 11, tour-goers will enjoy charming, restored, historic homes decorated in holiday finery that celebrate the past and present of old Georgetown neighborhoods. Docents give tours as well as offer information about the history of each residence with interesting facts and tidbits.<br /> <br /> Learn more:</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Historic Georgetown<br /> (512) 869-8597<br /> <a href="http://georgetownheritagesociety.com">georgetownheritagesociety.com</a></p> <p> </p> <div><br /> </div>urn:uuid:0285e4db-cfd5-4d42-ad72-dbab6e9cb68e&rsquo;Tis the season for sharing and caring. At Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, our staff and families enjoy supporting a variety of local organizations, such as: Georgetown Blue Santa&nbsp;- collect toys or drop-off a new toy at one of ma...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:08:31 -0600<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&rsquo;Tis the season for sharing and caring. At Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, our staff and families enjoy supporting a variety of local organizations, such as:</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bluesanta.georgetown.org/donate/">Georgetown Blue Santa</a>&nbsp;- collect toys or drop-off a new toy at one of many barrels around Georgetown<br /> <a href="http://www.childrenatheartministries.org/page.aspx?pid=1640">Texas Baptist Children&rsquo;s Home</a> - sponsor a child and help make his or her holidays special<br /> <a href="http://www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/SheriffsOffice/BrownSanta/AdoptAFamily/tabid/2467/Default.aspx">Williamson County Brown Santa</a> - collect toys for this county-wide effort to bring smiles to kids faces at Christmastime</p> <p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'lucida grande', verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Together, we help insure our entire community enjoys holidays that are merry and bright! From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.</p>urn:uuid:3215d70f-b1cc-4923-a148-e9cc60e7388fThe team at Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady is all smiles this fall. For the fourth year in a row, Central&nbsp;Insurance Company awarded our agency as the Southwest Regional Model Book of Business winner. That puts us at the top of the list of agencies in f...Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:39:52 -0500<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;">The team at Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady is all smiles this fall. For the fourth year in a row, Central&nbsp;Insurance Company awarded our agency as the Southwest Regional Model Book of Business winner. That puts us at the top of the list of agencies in five states -- Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Wow! Plus, we were recognized as Centrals&rsquo; largest Personal&nbsp;Lines Agency in the United States. All of this from right here in Georgetown, where we are helping thousands of homeowners and drivers get the best insurance policies for them.</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt;">We are proud to represent Central Insurance among many top-rated insurance carriers, because that means we can offer you an excellent choice of policies and rates plus outstanding customer service. </p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt;">Here&rsquo;s what Central&rsquo;s senior vice president of personal lines, Mike Guth CPCU, had to say about us: &ldquo;Our organization is proud to be represented by the Evans, Ewan, &amp; Brady agency. Under the leadership of Ken Ewan, the agency has grown to become Central&rsquo;s largest provider of personal insurance products. We value the partnership that we have with Mr. Ewan and his team of insurance professionals.&rdquo;</p> <p style="line-height: 14.25pt;">Thanks Mr. Guth! We are proud to work with Central Insurance.</p>urn:uuid:a61aca02-8a76-4421-9c08-f9fceca1b3f2Did you know that more than half of all fatal home fires occur while people sleep? &nbsp; Smoke detectors save lives. That&rsquo;s why every home or apartment needs more than one smoke detector. Smoke detectors give you extra minutes to get out of ...Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:57:16 -0500<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; line-height: 19.05pt;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Did you know that more than half of all fatal home fires occur while people sleep? &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Smoke detectors save lives.</strong><br /> </span></p> <p class="Pa2">That&rsquo;s why every home or apartment needs more than one smoke detector. Smoke detectors give you extra minutes to get out of your home because they know about the fire before you do.</p> <p class="Pa2">By the time that you smell smoke, you have lost precious time to get your loved ones out safely. </p> <p class="Default">As we turn back our clocks on November 6, it&rsquo;s a good time to replace the old batteries in your smoke detectors. is the time to test them and make sure that you have enough of them in all the right places around your house. The typical smoke detector should be replaced every 8 to 10 years.</p> <p class="Pa2">Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady recommends at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement and the attic. We all have multiple smoke detectors on each level of our home and encourage you to do the same.</p> <p class="Pa2">Here are some important tips to remember when installing smoke detectors:</p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>To be extra safe, install one both outside and inside all sleeping areas.</strong> Having at least two smoke detectors in your home makes it far less likely that both will be inoperative at the same time. </p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Think about whether your home should have a hard-wired or battery operated smoke detector.</strong> If your smoke alarms are hard-wired into the home&rsquo;s electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician conduct the initial installation or install replacements.</p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>For battery powered smoke alarms,</strong> all you need is a screwdriver for installation. Some brands are self-adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or ceiling.</p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>If your home&rsquo;s smoke detectors are powered by electricity,</strong> add at least one battery-powered detector in case of power outages. </p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>Test your alarms while your children sleep to make sure they will wake them up.</strong> Sometimes the sound of a smoke alarm doesn&rsquo;t wake younger children.</p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong></strong></p> <p class="Pa4" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><strong>Follow the manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions to clean your smoke detectors.</strong> Excessive dust, grease or other materials may cause them to operate improperly. Vacuum the detector&rsquo;s grillwork.</p>urn:uuid:d54575b1-3051-460c-a4d4-087267e0d64eYour social teenager is a natural multitasker. But multi-tasking is not a skill we want to see in new drivers. Your teen might think she can sing along to her favorite song, sip a soda, call a friend or worse, send a text -- all while driving. But be...Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:31:30 -0500<p>Your social teenager is a natural multitasker. But multi-tasking is not a skill we want to see in new drivers.</p> <p>Your teen might think she can sing along to her favorite song, sip a soda, call a friend or worse, send a text -- all while driving. But behind the wheel, only one thing deserves our attention, whether we are 16, 36 or 76: Driving.&nbsp; </p> <p>October&rsquo;s National Teen Driver Safety Week asks us all to talk about &ldquo;driving now and texting later&rdquo; with our teens &ndash; whether that&rsquo;s our kids, grandkids, babysitters or friends. If they need a better reason, here are three:</p> <ul> <li>Last year the City of Austin banned all texting while driving.</li> <li>In 2009, state lawmakers made it illegal for drivers to text in any school zone in Texas.</li> <li>And, it is illegal for drivers younger than 18 to use a cell phone while driving.</li> </ul> <p>A car accident is more than just an inconvenience or visit to the body shop. Other effects:</p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Financial: Our customers typically see fee increases after their teen driver is added to their policy. Incidents of car accidents are higher among drivers under the age of 25. And if a teen driver causes a car accident, then he or she will have to pay higher annual premiums until they can prove to be an accident-free driver. </p> <p style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Emotional: Teenagers have enough on their minds and harming someone else while driving is a burden no one should have to carry.&nbsp; </p> <p>In our always-on society, we must remember that a car is transportation &ndash; not a place to hang with friends, like your living room; not a virtual office on wheels; or dining room table.</p> How do you talk to teens and friends about texting? Share your tips on our<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evans-Ewan-Brady-Insurance-Agency/139230172781849" target="_blank"> Facebook page</a> or comments section.urn:uuid:d518244b-cb19-4702-ae27-2d0e1cb3b9a8Evans Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency wants to remind everyone to be prepared for natural disasters, as we watch and listen about the Wildfires in Central Texas.&nbsp; Many people had to evacuate their homes over Labor Day weekend and are now the f...Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:19:01 -0500<p>Evans Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency wants to remind everyone to be prepared for natural disasters, as we watch and listen about the Wildfires in Central Texas.&nbsp; Many people had to evacuate their homes over Labor Day weekend and are now the facing unfortunate reality of damage to their home or business.&nbsp; There are many disaster resources that suggest to have on hand a disaster supply kit and to have a disaster plan for your family and business.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Consider having at least 3 days of the following supplies:</p> <p>Food &amp; Water</p> <p>First Aid Kit</p> <p>Cash</p> <p>Extra Clothing</p> <p>Prescription Medications</p> <p>Flashlights &amp; battery powered radio</p> <p>Basic Tool Kit</p> <p>Whistle</p> <p>Garbage Bags, toilet paper, disposable eating utensils, etc.</p> <p>Map</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>See these reputable websites for information to help you stay prepared:</p> <p><a href="http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html">http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://texashelp.tamu.edu/">http://texashelp.tamu.edu/</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Now is a good time to review your personal and business policies to be sure you are covered in case of a natural disaster.&nbsp; Evans Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency will be glad to review your current policy with you.&nbsp; Please contact us at 512-869-1511 with any questions, or to request a quote for your home and auto, or business. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At Evans, Ewan and Brady Insurance Agency, we are keeping our thoughts with all of those people throughout Central Texas who have suffered a loss at this difficult time. </p>urn:uuid:d0564656-65ad-4f8d-9dcf-52c0a9cf21a0<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004254077Small.jpg' align='left' />Waiting to find out your&nbsp;home insurance rating and subsequent premium information can be nerve-racking. The annual or monthly premium amount that you will be charged is so important, it can even mean the difference between buying the home of you...Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:24:12 -0500Waiting to find out your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eebins.com/homeowners/default.aspx">home insurance</a> rating and subsequent premium information can be nerve-racking. The annual or monthly premium amount that you will be charged is so important, it can even mean the difference between buying the home of your dreams and settling for less.<br /> <br /> But home insurance rates don&rsquo;t have to be mysterious and mystical. You can actually get a sense of your potential premium if you know what actually does and doesn&rsquo;t matter when it comes to premium rating. In order to help you get better acquainted with the rating system, let&rsquo;s debunk a few myths surrounding home insurance rating. <br /> <br /> <strong><img alt="" style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004254077Small.jpg" />1. Pets have nothing to do with premium</strong>: It&rsquo;s true that Fluffy, Rover and Goldie may have absolutely no impact on your home insurance rating, but if those names belong to certain breeds of dog, it actually may. Some dogs, with the reputation for extreme owner protectiveness, may be viewed by your home insurance company as a greater potential liability and thus may drive your rates higher. <br /> <br /> <strong>2. If I&rsquo;ve had claims, my premiums will rise</strong>: Whether you are facing home insurance renewals, or a brand new policy on a new residence, you might automatically assume that your past claims will affect your premiums. In truth, that isn&rsquo;t always the case. If your past claims indicate that you might be a higher risk due to your lifestyle or behavior, then yes, your rates may be affected. But claims that arise from natural events or incidents you could not prevent or guard against may not affect your rates at all.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. The claims experience of other homeowners has nothing to do with my rates</strong>: Insurance companies must look at you as an individual when underwriting your home insurance policy. They will take into consideration things such as your experience, the age and location of your home and the features of your home (such as swimming pools and outside buildings). In many ways, underwriting a home is like trying to divine the future, and one way to accurately do that is to look at the claims of other homes in the area. While certain owner-specific claims experience isn&rsquo;t applicable, environmentally prompted claims, as in hurricane or wind damage, can indicate the future claims experience of others in the area. <br /> <br /> When planning your home insurance moves and working on budgeting in your premiums, remember that it&rsquo;s best to deal with concrete facts than hearsay.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx">Contact your agent</a> and talk to him or her about your home insurance rating concerns and let them help you separate fiction from finance-impacting fact. <br /> <br /> <strong>Let Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency get you the best rates for your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eebins.com/"><strong>Austin Home Insurance</strong></a> today!</strong>urn:uuid:e4ac1b00-ed60-42db-be83-d8b13e876918<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004159198XSmall.jpg' align='left' />This could be the world&rsquo;s shortest blog post if we simply addressed the subject of the title, because the way your car is titled has no affect on the type of&nbsp;auto insurance coverage you need. But we are going to go a step further and tell ...Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:55:58 -0500<img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Auto Insurance" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004159198XSmall.jpg" />This could be the world&rsquo;s shortest blog post if we simply addressed the subject of the title, because the way your car is titled has no affect on the type of&nbsp;<a href="/automobile/default.aspx">auto insurance coverage</a> you need. But we are going to go a step further and tell you why.<br /> <br /> An automobile does not need to be owned by a business in order for it to be used for business purposes and, therefore, need&nbsp;<a href="/business/commercial_auto_quote.aspx">commercial auto insurance</a> coverage. Many business owners use their own cars for business-related travel, and even get tax write-offs for wear and tear. The IRS isn&rsquo;t asking for titles to be in the business&rsquo; name because sometimes, a business doesn&rsquo;t actually need an entire vehicle as an asset.<br /> <br /> When you have your personal automobile covered by personal auto insurance only and you use the vehicle for business purposes, then you are flirting with disaster because if you suffer an insurable incident while driving for business purposes, your insurance company can deny the claim. <br /> <br /> <strong>Commercial auto insurance</strong> is designed to protect both personally owned and business-owned vehicles while they are operated on a business basis. Anything from running errands, carrying client property, or travel to meetings can qualify as a business purpose. In addition, it covers the liability created by transporting business or client property. <br /> <br /> If you want to get a blended policy that has more flexibility in coverage, you can get one that covers your auto for both personal and business use and includes certain members of your family. This way, you can cover your car for both personal errands such as grocery store runs, and business errands like picking up a client from the airport. <br /> <br /> <strong>Having the proper insurance is vital</strong> in ensuring that you are paying for protection that you will actually be able to utilize. When you have the wrong auto insurance, you are paying for coverage that is likely to result in denied claims and leave you financially exposed and liable out of your personal or business pocket for accidents and injuries. Instead of leaving yourself open to this potential damage, <strong>get the right protection</strong> on your vehicle and drive with confidence.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 1.2em;"><strong><em><a href="/contact.aspx" style="font-size: 1em;"><strong><em>Contact us</em></strong></a> today and be sure you have Austin Car Insurance coverage that fits your needs!</em></strong></span>urn:uuid:e30d4edb-010b-4e14-a584-503f29891b10<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000009764212XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Agent vs. Internet&mdash;Which One Gets the Best Deal on Auto Insurance? The internet gives consumers access to multiple insurance quoting systems that can help them save time and money when shopping for auto insurance. Often, consumers assume that ...Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:47:03 -0500<strong><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Austin Car Insurance" src="http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000009764212XSmall.jpg" />Agent vs. Internet&mdash;Which One Gets the Best Deal on Auto Insurance?</strong><br /> <br /> The internet gives consumers access to multiple insurance quoting systems that can help them save time and money when shopping for <a href="http://www.eebins.com/automobile/default.aspx" target="_self">auto insurance</a>. Often, consumers assume that these valuable quote algorithms give them access to the same service as a local agent and choose to use them instead of an insurance professional. Unfortunately, this is probably a mistake.<br /> <br /> <strong>Discovering Opportunities for Discounts</strong><br /> <br /> An insurance agent can interact with you, find out about your life and driving habits, and help identify possible discounts that you are qualified to get. This&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx" target="_self">one-on-one contact</a> better allows an agent to ferret out these important discounts, something that an internet algorithm simply can&rsquo;t do. Each day, insurers are developing new opportunities for discounts including for items like cell phone apps that can be employed while driving to keep a driver&rsquo;s focus on the road. Online algorithms don&rsquo;t stand a chance against an agent when it comes to keeping up with these developments. <br /> <br /> <strong>Reviewing and Understanding Coverage Options</strong><br /> <br /> There are many different coverage options that you can choose from when shopping for <a href="http://www.eebins.com/other/general_inquiry.aspx" target="_self">auto insurance</a>, and each will affect your quote and risk exposure differently. When sitting at home, trying to navigate online quote systems, it can be next to impossible to figure out what coverages you need, what limits to choose and what deductibles are reasonable. Agents can help you go through the coverage options and tweak limits and deductibles so you get a policy that is both affordable and helpful in the event of an accident. <br /> <br /> <strong>Working with Various Companies</strong><br /> <br /> The algorithms you use online for auto insurance quotes have access to a limited and fixed number of insurance companies. This does not give you the broad range of options that your local auto insurance agent will. In addition, because agents work with these companies on a one-on-one basis every day, they know how each company handles its underwriting and this can help get you matched up with a company that is going to get you the best rates for your situation. <br /> <br /> Auto insurance is an important and often required coverage to carry. In order to get multiple quotes and the best price for you, there&rsquo;s no need to rely on websites. Instead, you can get the service of a live and thinking agent who knows how to get you the best deals on insurance and where to put your policy so you can afford the premium.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Be sure you're getting the best deal on your&nbsp;</em></strong><a href="http://www.eebins.com/automobile/default.aspx" target="_self"><strong><em>Austin Car Insurance</em></strong></a><strong><em> from Evans Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance today!</em></strong>urn:uuid:80116ebc-2a1d-4878-b825-4e6e8abae569<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/blue-cars.png' align='left' />A car insurance policy is not a static line of coverage. Oh sure, it can be, but it really shouldn&rsquo;t be. After all your life changes, as do the medical and liability expenses that can accompany an accident. This means that you must make an effo...Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:30:32 -0500<p><img longdesc="Blue cars" alt="Blue cars" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.eebins.com/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/blue-cars.png" />A <a title="Car Insurance" href="http://www.eebins.com/automobile/default.aspx">car insurance policy</a> is not a static line of coverage. Oh sure, it can be, but it really shouldn&rsquo;t be. After all your life changes, as do the medical and liability expenses that can accompany an accident.</p> <p>This means that you must make an effort at least annually to make adjustments to your car insurance policy in order to ensure that it is as effective and accurate as you need it to be.</p> <br /> <br /> <h2>Annual Car Insurance Adjustments to Consider</h2> <p><strong>Adjust your average annual miles driven:</strong> Your insurer needs to know about how many miles you drive per year in order to assess what kind of risk you pose to them. Every year, make sure you report any major changes to them.</p> <p><strong>Take advantage of applicable discounts:</strong> You can get discounts when you add anti-theft devices to your car, such as alarms and steering wheel locking devices. In addition, some apps&mdash;like the State Farm iPhone app, Steer Clear&mdash;offer drivers discounts when they are downloaded and utilized. And don&rsquo;t forget the discounts you get for taking defensive driving classes. Every year before you renew, consider which of these discounts you might now qualify for.</p> <p><strong>Add uninsured motorist coverage:</strong> If you don&rsquo;t already have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, then you need to consider adding it to your policy. Without it, you could be stuck with some major bills after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. </p> <p><strong>Adjust your limits:</strong> Your limits might be fine for your risk exposure this year, but next year the rising cost of medical care and changes in your driving habits could mean that you need to increase your limits to help reduce your exposure. In addition, cars and other personal property are only getting more expensive. Just another reason keeping a tight rein on your limits is so important. </p> <p><strong>Change your deductibles:</strong> As the years go by, your ability to support your current deductible may change. In lean years, you might have fewer savings to commit to a deductible, and as you pay off debt you might find you have more disposable income to put toward that responsibility. Keeping your deductible at an accurate level for your budget will help to control your risk exposure and your premium. </p> <p>The next time your car insurance policy is getting ready to renew, remember these points and update your policy so that it works with your current life&mdash;not the one you had when you originally took out the policy. </p> <h2>Austin, Texas</h2> <p><strong>Austin</strong> is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. Austin has a population of 790,390 (2010 U.S. Census). The city is the cultural and economic center of the Austin&ndash;Round Rock&ndash;San Marcos metropolitan area, with a population of over 1,716,291 (2010 U.S. Census), making it the 35th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. </p> <p> Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, Inc has been <strong>serving the needs of Texas drivers since 1928</strong>.&nbsp; There are many options when it comes to car insurance and our agency can help tailor a policy to fit your specific needs. Now is the best time to get your car insurance information to us. Regardless of the renewal date of your current policy, we always recommend you submit your information to us and allow us to comparatively quote your car insurance. Better price is just a click away!<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">Call us today at <strong>(512) 869-1511</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Austin car insurance</span></a> quote.</span></p>urn:uuid:d34794c0-b359-4b31-b9d8-2b096aff15b6<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000003174859XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Between deductibles, limits, maximums and co-insurance percentages, it can be pretty challenging to understand all the ins and outs of your health insurance policy. But in order to utilize the policy properly and make health care decisions that your ...Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:12:47 -0600<p><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Health Insurance" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000003174859XSmall.jpg" />Between deductibles, limits, maximums and co-insurance percentages, it can be pretty challenging to understand all the ins and outs of your health insurance policy. But in order to utilize the policy properly and make health care decisions that your policy affords you coverage for, you need to take the time to understand all of these terms. By far, one of the most confusing concepts is that of in-network and out-of-network providers, but it&rsquo;s also one of the most important when it comes to choosing health care providers. </p> <p><b>In-Network Providers</b></p> <p>Your insurance company has worked with a group of medical treatment providers and facilities to deliver treatment to insurance policyholders at a pre-negotiated price. When you see one of these individuals or go to one of these centers, it is considered to be an in-network visit. This entitles you to in-network coverage which will have a lower co-insurance cost and lower overall service price than an out-of-network visit.</p> <p>If you do not already have a regular doctor that you see, then working within your insurance company&rsquo;s network should be no problem. But if you already have a set of doctors and specialists that you have established a relationship with, you may want to check with a potential insurer to make sure these doctors will be considered in-network before you take out a new policy. </p> <p><b>Out-of-Network Providers</b></p> <p>If you see a practitioner or go to a facility that is outside of this network and that hasn&rsquo;t agreed to offer services at the insurance company&rsquo;s discounted rate, then you are going to an out-of-network facility</p> <p>In some insurance policies, you might have no coverage at all if you see an out-of-network provider unless it&rsquo;s an emergency and there was no in-network option available. Some policies allow for a reduced co-insurance payment if you see an out-of-network provider. </p> <p>By creating a network of providers, your insurance company is better able to control costs and premiums. When you visit a medical practitioner out of their controlled network, they must limit the amount of coverage they can afford you for the visit because otherwise, their insurance costs would be less controlled and could skyrocket out of control, making affordable premiums a thing of the past. </p> <p><strong><em>Find out more about your&nbsp;</em></strong><a href="/health/default.aspx" title="Round Rock Health Insurance" target="_self"><strong><em>Round Rock Health Insurance</em></strong></a><strong><em> options from Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady today!</em></strong></p>urn:uuid:7455469b-5990-4485-b5bc-c98adb187f53<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/auto_quote_short_btn.jpg' align='left' />Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, Inc has been serving the needs of Texas drivers since 1928.&nbsp; There are many options when it comes to auto insurance and our agency can help tailor a policy to fit your specific needs. We are locally own...Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:17:53 -0600<p>Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency, Inc has been <strong>serving the needs of Texas drivers since 1928</strong>.&nbsp; There are many options when it comes to auto insurance and our agency can help tailor a policy to fit your specific needs. </p> <p>We are locally owned and operated in <strong>Georgetown, Texas</strong>, and conveniently located at <a href="http://www.eebins.com/locations.aspx">2404 Williams Drive</a>.&nbsp; All of our staff either live in Georgetown or the surrounding area which makes them familiar with the driving risks you face.</p> <strong>Why do you need auto insurance?</strong><br /> <p> It's really all about protecting yourself financially. </p> <ul> <li type="disc">If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it. </li> <li type="disc">If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive. </li> <li type="disc">If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth. </li> <li type="disc">Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Questions to ask your agent</strong><br /> Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion: </p> <ul> <li type="disc">How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.) </li> <li type="disc">What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims? </li> <li type="disc">What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.) </li> <li type="disc">What's the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.) </li> </ul> To learn more about auto coverage, check out this <a href="http://agents.travelers.com/AgentHQPublic/AgentHQJump.aspx?j=CTOOLS&amp;pa=7986-19&amp;p=URL_EDM" target="_blank" title="Travelers Auto Coverage Information">interactive tool</a> from Travelers.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">Call us today at <strong>(512) 869-1511</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.eebins.com/automobile/default.aspx"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Round Rock auto insurance</span></a> quote.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.georgetowntxautoinsurance.com/automobile/quick_insurance_quote.aspx"><img src="/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/auto_quote_short_btn.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Short Auto Quote Form" /></a><br /> </span>urn:uuid:9d410c79-4002-4625-87a7-4f6e3a61807bPutting your life together is difficult after any traumatic event, but after a fire it can be especially challenging. Not only will you need to deal with the emotional aftermath of the event, but you also need to organize the belongings that you have...Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:57:35 -0600<p>Putting your life together is difficult after any traumatic event, but after a fire it can be especially challenging. Not only will you need to deal with the emotional aftermath of the event, but you also need to organize the belongings that you have which are salvageable while arranging a place for your family to live for as long as it will take to make your home livable again. When you understand all the steps you need to take after a fire BEFORE it happens to you, you might be better prepared to deal with the aftermath. Here is a list to help you in the event that you are affected by a fire.</p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: decimal;" start="1"> <li style="color: black;">First, make sure you and your family have a safe place to stay. Make sure you have a place to sleep, clothes to wear and a place to bathe. If you need certain medications that you no longer have access to or you need eyeglasses, prosthetics, food or any other basic living essential, contact your local charitable and emergency management organizations like the Red Cross and they should be able to offer you a temporary supply or contact information to a group that can.</li> <li style="color: black;">Notify your loved ones about where you will be so that they know you are in a safe place. Your fire might make the evening news, and leaving your friends and other loved ones to find out about it that way is probably not a good idea. Make some calls and ask others to spread the word for you so that no one in your circle is unduly concerned about your family&rsquo;s well being. </li> <li style="color: black;">Do not linger on the premises until you get the all-clear from the police and fire department.</li> <li style="color: black;">Call your <a href="http://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx">insurance company</a> to have an adjuster come out as soon as possible. You should do your best to leave the site intact until the adjuster arrives. Do not sort through the rubble or begin any cleanup efforts until after the insurance adjuster has met with you and completed the list of personal effects that are missing or damaged. You should also give your adjuster copies of any pictures you have of your home and contents taken before the fire. </li> <li style="color: black;">If possible, try to find your driver&rsquo;s license, social security cards and other important personal documents first along with copies of your insurance policies. Leaving them exposed to the elements could open you up to the risk of identity theft, something that you really don&rsquo;t need to deal with during this difficult time. </li> <li style="color: black;">Remove items that are salvageable and find out how to properly clean them. You may have some personal items that can be salvaged after a fire but don&rsquo;t assume that just because they look intact that they actually are. Find out how to restore them so that they are once again safe to use. </li> <li style="color: black;">Call your post office and utility companies. You may want to have your mail held until you are once again able to inhabit your property, and you should consider having your utilities temporarily shut off.</li> </ol> <p>For more details about how to safely handle yourself after a fire, you can visit the <a href="http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/index.shtm">U.S. Fire Administration website</a>.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Call us at <strong>512-869-1511</strong> for more details on <a href="http://www.eebins.com/homeowners/default.aspx">home insurance in Round Rock</a>, Georgetown or Killeen Texas.</p>urn:uuid:c7f929f9-c018-43b9-a1c5-4e0f89f02c25<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000003652050XSmall.jpg' align='left' />When many people think of their homeowners insurance policy, they think simply of the actual home itself; of the structure whose roof rests over their head each night. But your homeowners insurance policy, when understood properly, is so much more th...Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:23:13 -0600<p>When many people think of their <strong>homeowners insurance policy</strong>, they think simply of the actual home itself; of the structure whose roof rests over their head each night. But your homeowners insurance policy, when understood properly, is so much more than just simple protection for your dwelling and attached structures. In fact, it contains many different categories of coverage that you may eventually find useful. </p> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal; margin-top: 0in;" start="1"> <li style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><strong>Loss of use:</strong> Have you ever considered where you would go if there was a fire in your home that made it uninhabitable until repairs were completed? And who would pay for the temporary dwelling you must inhabit? Your homeowners policy, if it has loss of use coverage, would pay for the hotel, apartment or other suitable dwelling you need to run to for safety after an insurable event. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; height: 199px; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Homeowners Insurance" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000003652050XSmall.jpg" /><strong>Liability:</strong> Sure, a pool party sounds like a lot of fun, but you never know whether or not one of your guests might get hurt during a backyard brouhaha. And it isn&rsquo;t just parties that keep you exposed to injury liability&mdash;a neighbor tripping on your walkway or a stray branch falling on someone&rsquo;s car can also result in a costly claim against you. Your homeowners insurance liability portion can protect your personal finances against these claims. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><strong>Other structures:</strong> The dwelling coverage on your homeowners insurance policy covers your home and any attached structures&mdash;but what about your detached structures like sheds, guest houses, greenhouses and detached garages? The other structures coverage in your homeowners insurance policy covers each of these structures within limits. Make sure you read your policy for a full understanding. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><strong>Contents:</strong> All of the items inside your home&mdash;your computers, furniture, clothes, and pricey electronics&mdash;would be expensive to replace if they were damaged in a fire, theft, hurricane or other covered peril. The contents coverage in your homeowners insurance policy will either give you actual cash value for the items (meaning that they will pay you what your item was worth, including depreciation) or replacement value so that you can buy a new, replacement version of the damaged items. </li> <li><strong>Endorsements:</strong> While endorsements are not automatically included in all policies, they can be included to cover expensive items you own that might not be covered under contents. For instance, you can get special endorsements to cover expensive art, jewelry, antiques and even furs. Remember, in order to get a special endorsement to cover your more valuable possessions, you must speak with your agent. </li> </ol> <p>If you are unsure of all the different items your <strong>homeowners insurance</strong> protects, see if your agent can meet with you and go over the policy. After all, if you don&rsquo;t know what coverage you are paying for you just might miss out on the opportunity to use your policy to make you whole after an insurable incident. </p>urn:uuid:ac775d22-7833-481a-8487-e314f6c885eb<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/texas.jpg' align='left' />Round Rock is a city located in the state of Texas as part of the Austin&ndash;Round Rock&ndash;San Marcos metropolitan area. In August 2008, Money Magazine named Round Rock as the seventh-best American small city in which to live. Round Rock was the...Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:38:13 -0600<p><strong><img style="margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Round Rock" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/texas.jpg" />Round Rock</strong> is a city located in the state of Texas as part of the Austin&ndash;Round Rock&ndash;San Marcos metropolitan area. In August 2008, <em>Money Magazine</em> named Round Rock as the seventh-best American small city in which to live. Round Rock was the only Texas city to make the Top 10.&nbsp;Round Rock is the eighth-fastest growing city in the nation, and one of the best-managed cities in Texas. The city has maintained high quality of life while becoming a major center for economic growth in Central Texas. </p> <p>Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady specialize in <strong>Round Rock homeowners insurance</strong> as well as <a href="http://eebinsquotes.consumerratequotes.com/consumer/default.aspx">car and auto insurance</a> in Georgetown, Killeen, Pflugerville, Austin, and surrounding areas of Central Texas. Homeowners insurance protects you from financial losses caused by storms, fire, theft, and other events outlined in your policy. Carrying the right amount of coverage is essential to protecting your family and belongings. Apply for <a href="http://www.eebins.com/homeowners/default.aspx">homeowners coverage</a> today.</p>urn:uuid:b5b84b5f-9e85-4715-9835-65e43f54405a<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004970572XSmall.jpg' align='left' />If you just look at its surface, you can see that jewelry is made up of precious gems and metals. But if you take a deeper look&mdash;into the lives behind the jewelry&mdash;you can see its additional, and staggering, significance in our lives. A rin...Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:50:19 -0600<p><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Insurance" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000004970572XSmall.jpg" />If you just look at its surface, you can see that jewelry is made up of precious gems and metals. But if you take a deeper look&mdash;into the lives behind the jewelry&mdash;you can see its <strong>additional, and staggering, significance in our lives</strong>. A <strong>ring</strong> symbolizes a husband and wife&rsquo;s pledge to build a life together, a <strong>gold bracelet</strong> demonstrates parents&rsquo; love for their daughter as she enters adulthood, or an <strong>antique heirloom brooch</strong> represents a family&rsquo;s legacy, lovingly <strong>passed down through multiple generations</strong>.&nbsp; Losing jewelry, or having it damaged or stolen, often <strong>hurts us more</strong> than the loss of a television or a wallet because not only must we cope with the loss of an item of financial value, we also must <strong>grapple with the loss of a cherished memory</strong> and tangible representation of emotion. Fortunately, a <strong>jewelry insurance policy</strong> can go a long way toward mitigating the loss.</p> <p><a href="http://www.eebins.com/homeowners/default.aspx" title="Insurance" target="_self"><strong>Homeowner&rsquo;s insurance policies</strong></a>&nbsp;usually cap the maximum amount paid out for jewelry.&nbsp; &nbsp;If your jewelry carries a value higher than the maximum amount specified in the policy, you will want to schedule your jewelry on your policy.&nbsp; To schedule your jewelry, you will provide an itemized list to your insurance agent of each piece of jewelry and its value.&nbsp; You will also want to ensure that each and every piece of jewelry you own is appraised to its full value and thoroughly photographed and documented in case of theft or loss. </p> <p>It is recommended that you have your jewelry pieces independently appraised. Some jewelry insurers require policyholders to have jewelry valued at over a certain amount, such as $50,000, appraised. But the <strong>danger in not knowing the exact value</strong> of your pieces is that you could pay too much in insurance premiums or find yourself with too little coverage on the unfortunate day that have to make a claim. </p> <p>Your agent or insurance company can help you find approved appraisers and can let you know if there are any certifications that they require an appraiser to hold before they will accept their appraisal. Other important questions to ask of your agent include whether you will have to pay a deductible, whether jewelry is covered everywhere (such as when worn or transported during international travel), and whether the jewelry will be replaced or you will be reimbursed with cash in case of loss. </p> <p>Some antique or one-of-a-kind jewelry <strong>items are irreplaceable</strong>, but your insurance policy should reimburse you with the <strong>funds you need to create a new legacy</strong>, and new memories with your loved ones.</p>urn:uuid:6a0ba873-21e1-4057-b424-5b56bb90fbe5<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/iStock_000006105871Small.png' align='left' />Choosing auto insurance policy coverage can be confusing because there are so many different options available. This drives many consumers to simply choose the minimum coverage required by their state in order to satisfy the law rather than their nee...Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:42:29 -0600<img alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; margin-left: 7px; width: 250px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/iStock_000006105871Small.png" />Choosing <a href="http://www.eebins.com/automobile/default.aspx">auto insurance policy coverage</a> can be confusing because there are so many different options available. This drives many consumers to simply choose the minimum coverage required by their state in order to satisfy the law rather than their need for financial security. <p></p> <p>But the states have very low requirements when it comes to auto insurance and leaving your family&rsquo;s future in their hands is a dangerous proposition. Instead, take a look at the basics of auto insurance below.</p> <p><strong>What is auto insurance?<br /> </strong>Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.<br /> <br /> Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li>Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car. </li> <li>Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. </li> <li>Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses. </li> </ul> <p>An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.<br /> <br /> Most auto policies are for six months&nbsp;or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.</p> <p>Now is the best time to get your auto insurance information to us. Regardless of the renewal date of your current policy, we always recommend you <a href="http://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx">submit your information to us</a> and allow us to comparatively quote your auto insurance.&nbsp; <strong>Better price is just a click away!</strong></p>urn:uuid:d632067d-4182-4b7e-b678-6f2be8798c27Read through our latest stories from around the web: Use these&nbsp;preventative tricks to keep your home from needing&nbsp;unnecessary repairs. All the facts about&nbsp;insurance regulations in Texas. Man&nbsp;sues insurer over arson allegations ...Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:43:59 -0500<h2>Read through our latest stories from around the web:</h2> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;">Use these&nbsp;<a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/preventative-medicine-for-home-foundations/" title="Housing" target="_blank">preventative tricks</a> to keep your home from needing&nbsp;<strong>unnecessary repairs</strong>.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;"><strong>All the facts</strong> about&nbsp;<a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.blogspot.com/2010/10/facts-about-insurance-regulation-in.html" title="Insurance in Texas" target="_blank">insurance regulations</a> in Texas.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;">Man&nbsp;<a href="http://eebinsurance.livejournal.com/1197.html" title="Fire Insurance" target="_blank">sues insurer</a> over <strong>arson allegations</strong> after home burns down.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;"><strong>New law</strong> to affect <a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.typepad.com/blog/2010/10/driving-law-in-texas.html" title="Auto Insurance" target="_blank">driving in Texas</a>.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;"><a href="http://www.eebins.com/blog/Increasing_Liability_Limit_Minimums_for_Texas.aspx" title="Auto Insurance" target="_self">Auto insurance</a>&nbsp;liability <strong>rates go up</strong> in Texas.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;">Be safe and&nbsp;<a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&amp;friendId=550736657&amp;blogId=540242286" title="Halloween Safety Tips" target="_blank">accident-free</a> this <strong>Halloween</strong>!</span><br /> <br /> Keep checking back with us for more stories.urn:uuid:4f3451d5-7eb1-4df0-8c73-98202dd89ede<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000002860278XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Currently, a vehicle owner in the State of Texas is required, at a minimum, to carry the following limits of coverage on their&nbsp;auto insurance policy: $25,000 Bodily injury for each injured person with a minimum of $50,000 cumulative for mul...Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:11:55 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Currently, a vehicle owner in the State of Texas is required, at a minimum, to carry the following limits of coverage on their&nbsp;<a href="/automobile/" title="Auto Insurance">auto insurance</a> policy:</p> <ul> <li>$25,000 Bodily injury for each injured person with a minimum of $50,000 cumulative for multiple-person injury accidents.</li> <li>$25,000 Property damage liability for property damage caused by an accident. </li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">With the cost of medical bills increasing, you probably realize in looking at those numbers that they are a bit out of whack with current medical expense levels. That is why the state of <strong>Texas is increasing its minimum auto liability limits</strong> on January 1, 2011. The new limits will require you to have at least:</p> <ul> <li>$30,000 bodily injury for each person injured with a minimum cumulative limit of $60,000 per accident.</li> <li>The $25,000 property damage limit will remain the same.</li> </ul> <p><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; height: 200px; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Auto Insurance" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000002860278XSmall.jpg" />Having legally required auto insurance liability minimums helps to guarantee that people who are injured or suffer from property damage after an accident are recompensed. But the legal minimums <strong>do not necessarily give you all the insurance coverage</strong> that you might need. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">For instance, if you are driving a car with three people inside and you have an accident, $60,000 may cover the treatment for injuries of two of the passengers, but it may not cover any of the medical expenses for the third. If the accident is your fault, <strong>that makes you liable for the additional medical expenses</strong> not covered by the policy.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The property damage minimum of $25,000 can also be just a small drop in the bucket if you cause an accident that involves a luxury car or other property like someone&rsquo;s home. And again, without enough insurance coverage, you will be liable for making the payments that exceed your insurance policy&rsquo;s limit.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Working with an insurance agent will allow you to <strong>determine what the most reasonable policy limits really are</strong> for your area and amounts that can <strong>adequately protect your assets</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 15px;">Contact us at Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady for your own quote on&nbsp;</span><a href="/automobile/quick_insurance_quote.aspx" style="font-size: 15px;" title="Georgetown TX Auto Insurance"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Georgetown TX Auto Insurance</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> today!</span></p>urn:uuid:b4a81578-9c24-4b88-b5df-b077350ef6b9Check out our most recent blog posts: How Insurance Works Crews begin cleanup on Hermine damage Official says Texas budget cuts could gut insurance regulation Homeowners Insurance an Issue in Texas Gubernatorial Campaign General Auto Insurance Rates...Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:41:53 -0500<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Check out our most recent blog posts:</strong></span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3380780" title="How Insurance Works" target="_blank">How Insurance Works</a><br /> <a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.blogspot.com/2010/09/crews-begin-cleanup-on-hermine-damage.html" title="Georgetown TX Homeowners" target="_blank">Crews begin cleanup on Hermine damage</a><br /> <a href="http://eebinsurance.livejournal.com/1018.html" title="Georgetown TX Homeowners" target="_blank">Official says Texas budget cuts could gut insurance regulation</a><br /> <a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.typepad.com/blog/2010/09/georgetown-tx-homeowners-insurance-an-issue.html" title="Georgetown TX Homeowners Insurance" target="_blank">Homeowners Insurance an Issue in Texas Gubernatorial Campaign</a><br /> <div style="text-align: left; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;border: medium none;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/evansewanbradyinsurance/blog?bID=539482327" title="Georgetown Auto Insurance" target="_blank">General Auto Insurance Rates Fall As Fewer Vehicles Are Stolen</a><br /> </div> <br /> Be sure to check back for more postings and ask about your Georgetown TX Homeowners Insurance quotes.urn:uuid:0b6a5f34-89f6-425c-959a-3181d15c4ece<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000005070197XSmall.jpg' align='left' />This summer&rsquo;s extreme heat is wreaking havoc on home foundations and concrete slabs all over the Country. Untreated structural problems can devastate property values &ndash; often lowering them by as much as $10,000 to $20,000 (not to mention t...Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:48:37 -0500<p>This summer&rsquo;s extreme heat is <strong>wreaking havoc on home foundations</strong> and concrete slabs all over the Country. Untreated structural problems can <strong>devastate property values</strong> &ndash; often lowering them by as much as $10,000 to $20,000 (not to mention the costly repairs). And, foundation problems often lead to interior damage as well as damage to pipes and plumbing, both above and below ground.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Structural Problem Warning Signs:</span></p> <ul> <li>Gaps between bricks &amp; door &amp; window frames </li> <li>Doors &amp; windows sticking, hard to open </li> <li>Sheetrock cracks over interior doors or windows </li> <li>Cracks in ceramic tile or fireplace boxes or fronts </li> <li>Stress cracks in exterior bricks or siding </li> <li>Water leakage, inside or outside </li> </ul> <p>&ldquo;Preventative medicine&rdquo;, i.e., foundation maintenance, can &ldquo;help keep the &lsquo;Foundation Dr.&rsquo; away.&rdquo; Here are some <strong>helpful tips for preventing damage</strong> to your home&rsquo;s foundation:</p> <ul> <li>Keep the soil around the entire foundation at a constant moisture level. Most soil has a tremendous capacity to absorb (and lose) water. This means that the soil will swell when it is very wet and it will shrink when it is very dry. This creates significant stresses on the concrete slab which is resting on top of the soil. Keeping the soil around the house at a constant moisture level, regardless of outdoor temperatures is key to foundation maintenance. </li> <li>Inspect the foundation perimeter for cracks several times a year. Cracks that appear to be growing warrant inspection by a foundation professional. </li> <li>Allow for root growth when planting bushes and trees. Roots growing under foundations are potential problem makers. <img alt="" src="/img/~www.eebins.com/iStock_000005070197XSmall.jpg" style="margin: 20px 25px; width: 215px; float: right; height: 335px; border: 1px solid #a5a5a5;" /> </li> <li>Review your homeowner&rsquo;s insurance policy. It may cover some foundation or plumbing repairs. </li> <li>Provide proper water drainage, both current and future, away from the slab. </li> <li>Eliminate any standing water and fill in low spots or holes on the property. </li> <li>Flowerbeds should be maintained so that the slab is at least three or four inches above ground. This will prevent water from seeping in through weep holes or brick veneer walls, or under siding. </li> <li>Homes should not be allowed to go for a substantial period without being heated or cooled. Eliminating major temperature variations can reduce the slab&rsquo;s potential for expansion and contraction, which in turn can cause foundation damage. </li> </ul> <p><a title="Georgetown TX Homeowners Insurance" href="http://www.eebins.com/homeowners/default.aspx"><strong>Inspect your property</strong></a>&nbsp;on a regular basis. Attend to noticeable structural damage as soon as possible to minimize the damage and cost of repairs.</p>urn:uuid:7896d181-b1b8-4c7b-b94a-82a2587a537cThere are many ways to connect with us, so click on one or all of the links below to join us! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Yahoo Live Spaces Blogger Typepad Wordpress Live Journal MySpace Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:25:33 -0500There are many ways to connect with us, so click on one or all of the links below to join us!<br /> <br /> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgetown-TX/Evans-Ewan-Brady-Insurance-Agency/139230172781849" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="http://twitter.com/EEBInsurance" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/companies/evans-ewan-%26-brady-insurance-agency-inc" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li> <li><a href="http://pulse.yahoo.com/eeb.insurance" target="_blank">Yahoo</a></li> <li><a href="http://cid-e9221413329463eb.profile.live.com/" target="_blank">Live Spaces</a></li> <li><a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a></li> <li><a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.typepad.com/blog/" target="_blank">Typepad</a></li> <li><a href="http://evansewanbradyinsurance.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Wordpress</a></li> <li><a href="http://eebinsurance.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Live Journal</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.myspace.com/evansewanbradyinsurance" target="_blank">MySpace</a></li> </ul>urn:uuid:0b1a6d94-c900-415e-a716-0a2fb52a502c<img src='http://www.eebins.com/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/trusted_choice_small.png' align='left' />September magazine promotes the value of Trusted Choice&reg; agents to almost two million readers. Do you need a financial guru? This month Real Simple magazine readers learned that yes, you need a financial guru for your insurance needs: a Trusted ...Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:12:25 -0500<h2>September magazine promotes the value of Trusted Choice^&reg; agents to almost two million readers.</h2> <img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.eebins.com/trusted_choice_small.png" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" /><br /> Do you need a financial guru? This month Real Simple magazine readers learned that yes, you need a financial guru for your insurance needs: a Trusted Choice&reg; agent. A Sept. 2010 article in the Guide Section under Money discusses the six financial pros you should turn to for help saving money instead of trying the do-it-yourself approach. Among the named pros were a financial planner, an accountant, an <a href="http://www.eebins.com/employees.aspx" title="Insurance Agents">insurance agent</a>, an estate-planning attorney, a mortgage broker and a medical-billing advocate. Real Simple reaches 1,950,000 readers each month.<br /> <br /> We at <strong>Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency</strong> are an Independent Insurance Agency and take pride in being part of the Trusted Choice^&reg; family. <a href="/contact.aspx" title="Contact us">Email</a>, <a title="Locations" href="/locations.aspx">visit</a> or call us at <strong>512-869-1511</strong> today for a free insurance quote.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a title="IIABA.net" target="_blank" href="http://www.iiaba.net/IAMag/NewsViews/081910national.html#simple">IIABA.net</a>)urn:uuid:3e063d52-53ff-451a-a4c7-4dc5483e5d85We are Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency specializing in Georgetown TX Homeowners Insurance as well as auto, life, health and business insurance in Georgetown, Belton, Pflugerville and Austin in Texas. Contact our professional and experienced...Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:23:32 -0500We are Evans, Ewan &amp; Brady Insurance Agency specializing in <strong>Georgetown TX Homeowners Insurance</strong> as well as auto, life, health and business insurance in Georgetown, Belton, Pflugerville and Austin in Texas.<br /> <br /> <a href="hhttp://www.eebins.com/contact.aspx">Contact</a> our professional and experienced <a href="http://www.eebins.com/employees.aspx">employees</a> who will be happy to give you an insurance quote or fill out an <a href="http://www.eebins.com/category.aspx?id=QUOTE">quote form</a> and an agent will be in touch with you in a timely manner.<br /> <br /> Also be sure to follow us on <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/EEBInsurance">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgetown-TX/Evans-Ewan-Brady-Insurance-Agency/139230172781849">Facebook</a> or subscribe to this blog using our RSS feed to get all the latest the latest news and insurance tips.