It is that time of year again. Winter often brings glacial temperatures and when temperatures start to tumble, the water that supplies your home’s faucets and fixtures can be in the danger of freezing inside of the pipes. Because water expands as it turns into ice, frozen pipes are prone to bursting, which can result in costly water and plumbing damage throughout your home. At the highest risk of freezing are pipes that run along exterior walls of your home and those in unheated or uninsulated places, such as attics, basements, or garages.

Before the temperatures outside start to plummet below freezing, it is important to understand how to prevent pipes from freezing. Read on below to learn more about how to prevent pipes from freezing and keep the water running in winter weather.
 
 
TIPS TO PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING IN THE WINTER

1. Set your thermostat to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
2. Open cabinet doors where piping is present
3. Keep your attic door/hatch open if water filled pipes are present
4. Let water drip from all faucets during extreme cold
5. Ensure all water filled pipes are well insulated to reduce the risk of freezing
6. Do not forget to disconnect garden hoses and secure the valves and faucets
7. Seal any air leaks

  
 
For more information on how to prevent pipes from freezing in your home, click to read Selective’s “How to Help Protect Your Property From Extreme Cold”.


Information from © Selective 

We said it last year and we will say it again. There will be mail delays as the holidays approach. There’s been a ton of news surrounding the new first-class service standards that, for some addresses, add 2-3 days to the delivery timeline. These delays continue to affect insurance customers who send their payments by mail.  Many don’t even receive their bills until AFTER the payment is due.  Mailed payments are taking over a week to get to the right place.  When a payment deadline is missed, insurance companies asses late fees and send cancellation notices.  For this reason, we recommend paying your insurance bills online or by phone.  Most carriers offer these options, and we encourage our clients to take advantage of them. 
 
If you are billed directly by your company, go to their website or go to our BILLING page to find the right link.  Check their sites for information on online billing options.  We can provide your policy number or any other information needed to assist you in setting up your account.
 
If Brock-Norton is billing you, we now offer the ability to pay your insurance premium online via ACH or credit card with ePayPolicy.  The ePayPolicy service is fast and secure.  Please contact us if you’d like more information.

Winter weather could leave you stranded. In recent years, many areas of the country have been hit with some heavy snow and ice storms – sometimes unexpectedly. Take the example of I-95 in Virginia earlier in January 2022. People were stuck on I-95 for 36 hours. Most people did not have the proper supplies ready to help them during that scary situation.

Winter car emergency kits are important to keep handy for these situations. Kits should be well-stocked with a mixture of first aid supplies, utility tools, and non-perishable foods. These kits should be kept on a location that is easily accessible from the driver’s seat, so you are ready when and if you find yourself in a situation caused by bad winter weather. Be sure to check them every six months and remove expired items. 
We here at Brock-Norton Insurance Agency have compiled a winter vehicle car kit checklist to help you prepare for wintry weather travel. You probably already have a few of the items in this check list in your garage, but they, and a few other things should be placed into your car.
 
Vehicle emergency supply kits should include:

• Backpack or Durable Canvas Bags to Store all of these items
• Blankets (1 person & extras)/ Emergency Survival Blanket
• Sleeping Bags
• First Aid Kit
  • Gauze
  • Medical Tape
  • Bandages (Different sizes)
  • Antibiotics
  • Ointments
  • Aspirin
  • Nonlatex Gloves
  • Wet Naps
  • Scissors
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers
  • Instant Cold Compresses
  • Necessary Medications
  • First Aid Guide
  • Antiseptic Towelette
  • Sting Relief Pads
  • Alcohol Wipes
  • Q-Tips
  • Pain Killers (Tylenol/Ibuprofen)
• Winter Weather Tools
  • Ice Scraper
  • Snow Brush
  • Small Shovel
  • Windshield Wiper Fluid
  • Blanket
  • Gloves
  • Beanies
  • Hand Warmers
  • Sand/Cat Litter for Traction
• Jumper Cables
• Flares
• Reflective Triangles
• Brightly Colored Cloth to Hang out Window
• Snow tires
• Road Maps
• Compass
• Cell Phone Charger/Car Charger (Could be Solar Powered)
• Jump Starter Power Bank for Car Battery, Phones, Laptops or Other   
  Electronic Devices
• Tool Kits/Utility Tools
  • Pliers
  • Wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
  • Swiss Army Knives
  • Vice Grips
• Paper Towels/Towels
• Small and Large Trash Bags
• Flashlights and Extra Batteries
• Battery or Hand Cranked Portable Radio
• Tow Ropes
• Tire Chains
• Batteries of all Different Types
• Cable Ties
• Bungee Cords
• Emergency Candle
• Emergency Instructions
• A Few Cans of Compressed Air
• De-Icer for Windshields, Door and Locks
• Large Ziplock Bag of Ice Salt
• Bottled Water 3 Days’ Worth for Drinking
• Extra Water
• Non-Perishable Food 3 Days’ Worth
  • High Energy Foods
  • Unsalted Nuts
  • Dried Fruits
  • Canned Foods
  • Hard Candy
  • Energy Bars
• Toys, Book, and Games for Children
• Extra Baby Supplies
  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Medicine
  • Clothes
  • Gloves
  • Hats
  • Baby Formula
• Clothes & Extra Clothes
  • Gloves
  • Hats
  • Scarves
  • Snow Boots
  • Jackets/Coats
  • Long Sleeve Shirt and Pants
  • Heavy Duty Work Gloves
• Antifreeze
• Portable Potty
• Extra Oil for Your Car
• Manual Can Opener
• Help Sign or Distress Banner
• Inflated Spare Tire, Wheel Wrench, Tripod Jack, and Tire Pressure Gauge
• Reflective Vest
• Fire Extinguisher
• Hand Sanitizer
• Coveralls
• Duct Tape
• Whistle
• Poncho or Umbrella
• Light Stick or LED Strobe Light
• High Visibility Safety Blanket
• Quick Spark Fire Starter Kit
• Car Escape Tools (Window Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter)
• Extra Medication
• And if you are travelling with your pets, you should have these following items in the kit:
  • 3 days to a weeks’ worth of canned or dried food
  • A weeks’ worth of bottled water for your pets
  • Food and water bowls
  • An extra collar, harness, and leash
  • A sturdy pet carrier plus carrier liners or disposable litter trays
  • Lights that can we attached to your pet’s collar or harness
  • Liquid dish soap and a towel
  • A two-week supply of your pet’s medication in a sealed container
  • Medical and Ownership Papers either printed or on a USB
  • A pet waterproof jacket and booties
  • Pet First Aid Kit

 
Here are some good tips to remember for any trip: 

• Do you have a full gas tank? Make sure it is kept full.
• Do not drive through a flooded area.
• If powerline falls on your car stay inside your car. You could get shocked. Wait until someone that is trained can remove it before exiting your vehicle.
• What are your antifreeze levels? Check them to make sure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
• Your battery and ignition system should be in top condition. If they are not have them serviced before taking your trip.
• How do your brakes look? Check for wear and fluid levels. If there is more wear than normal please take your car to get them replaced.
• Check your exhaust system. Check for leaks and crimped pipes. If there needs to be repairs please take your car in to be repaired. Be aware of carbon monoxide. It can be deadly and gives no warning.
• How are your car’s heater and defroster working? That will be important if you get stuck in the snow.
• Are your lights and flashers working? If not get them fixed.
• What is your oil level? If it is low please fill it back up. Also check for the weight. Heavier oils solidify more at colder temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
• Ensure that your thermostat works properly.
• Check your tire pressure. Refill if necessary. 

Snowy morning. BMW 4 series ($45,000) and Tesla Model S ($77,000) up ahead.
Do you have enough Liability coverage to protect you in case you hit one?  or both?
What if someone is injured?
​
The state of Virginia requires all auto policies carry at least $25,000 for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage.
What's on your policy?

Brock-Norton recommends limits of $100,000 / $300,000 / $100,000 or higher.
​Talk to us about how you can improve your protection. ​