Author: agentinsure

What Catonsville Residents Should Know Before Driving Abroad

Posted on by agentinsure

For those traveling abroad from Cantonsville, Maryland, you should ask yourself one very important question: do you plan on driving on your international vacation? If the answer is “yes,” then you’ll probably need to do a few things in preparation for your trip to ensure that your plan to drive doesn’t turn into a scene out of National Lampoon’s European Vacation. Or worse.

The first thing you will want to do is find out whether or not your American driver’s license will allow you to drive in this foreign country. Each nation has different rules about drivers and their legal requirements to be behind the wheel. Many countries want foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit, or IDP, which can be purchased for a small fee from AAA or the National Auto Club as long as you are 18 years of age.

Next know how auto insurance works in foreign countries, as international coverage usually can’t be done through your insurance provider in the United States, with a few notable exceptions. For travelers who are headed to Canada or Mexico, captive agents can provide full coverage, as these are neighboring countries to the USA. Yet for those who travel to places like Asia, Europe, Australia or anywhere else in the world, coverage must be obtained from an independent company like HBW Insurance Group, serving the greater Cantonville, Maryland area, who specializes in auto insurance plans for those who drive abroad.

Since insurance is meant to protect against unpredictability and few things are more unpredictable than driving in a foreign country, purchasing international auto coverage only makes sense. It’s better to have piece of mind anyway, so you can enjoy this international adventure.

Give Back After The Holiday Season

Posted on by agentinsure

There are many ways that you can give back after the holiday season, particularly within the community of Catonsville. You don’t need to be the wealthiest person out there – you can simply give your time and a few other things along the way.

Go through your home and decide what you are using. There may be old coats that you can give in order to keep people warm, old clothes that can keep people on the street dressed, and even food within your pantry that you can donate to your local food bank.

There are a few ways to help some of the less fortunate as well. This includes:

  • Putting food on the table for a family that doesn’t have the ability to do so on their own
  • Help out at a soup kitchen
  • Volunteer at your local chapter of Meals on Wheels, a food delivery program
  • There are few other ways that you can give back as well. You may want to think about:
  • Donating blood at a local blood bank
  • Visiting the Department of Veteran Affairs to see how you can thank the different veterans within the community
  • Pledging a certain amount of money to a local charity
  • Adopting a pet from an animal shelter instead of going to a pet store
  • Volunteering at different community organizations, to build homes, provide job training, and more

The more you can do, the better you may feel throughout the holiday season. You may take for granted all that you have – and there are many people, even within your own community, that have very little.

Think about buying your insurance with a community insurance agent, too. AT HBW Insurance Group, our agents can help you find affordable quotes, and more.

 

Preparing For A Power Outage

Posted on by agentinsure

There are many ways that you can prepare for a power outage in Catonsville, Maryland. Even if you don’t think that the power is going to go out, having some items on hand can ensure you have nothing to worry about. A little preparation can certainly go a long way.

It’s a good idea to stock your kitchen with some items that don’t require refrigeration, and don’t require cooking. Some of the foods you may want to include purchasing include:

  • Jerky
  • Peanut butter
  • Granola bars
  • Canned and dried fruits
  • Tuna packs

If you have access to a grill, you can also purchase various other items, including canned soups, allowing you to keep them.

Another way to prepare for a power outage is sanitation. You want access to hot water, which can include heating the water in a solar oven or a fuel-efficient rocket stove. With hot water, you will be able to do laundry, sanitize dishes, and even purify water.

Various other survival items should be collected as well. This includes blankets during the colder weather as well as battery-operated fans for the warmer weather. Flashlights and lanterns should also be purchased so that you can see in the dark. If you find that your power goes out throughout the year, it may be wise to invest in a generator.

Having some toys and games that don’t require electricity can also be important, particularly for maintaining sanity. Kids are used to spending time on their tablets and in front of the TV, so you want to make sure they have some way to pass the time.

Call us at the HBW Insurance Group today. What you can learn about homeowner’s insurance from our independent agents can help you in the event of a power outage and more.