In this issue of our Automotive Maintenance Series, we will provide  tips for maintaining your car's air conditioning system. A few quick checks before your next long drive can assure safety and might also prevent insurance claims.

If you will be relying on your car during an upcoming road trip, it's advisable to have your car’s air conditioning system checked out by your local auto tech, even if  has been cooling properly, so far. That way, you won’t find yourself stranded on the road during the dog days of summer with nothing but hot air belching from the vents.

Certainly, if your air conditioning system is not cooling as it should, that appointment with your auto technician should include check to see that the electric cooling fan motor near the condenser is working properly.  A lack of air flow across the condenser could be the problem.

While you're at it, you might want to have your mechanic check the FREON® level and pressure. Gone is the time when you’d just stop by your auto repair and service shop to have the air conditioning system recharged with refrigerant when it was not cooling sufficiently. Now, it is considered more serious if your system has a refrigerant leak.

Why have attitudes about refrigerant loss changed so drastically? It has to do with the fact that scientists now know that FREON®, a chlorinated fluorocarbon (CFC) contributes to the depletion of the earth's ozone layer. As a result, auto manufacturers now use much improved materials in the lines, seals and hoses of their air conditioning systems to resist refrigerant leakage. Also, the newer Federal and state regulations now require that repair shops have the correct equipment and training for handling refrigerants.

If you are wondering if properly maintaining your vehicle might impact your auto insurance, then it is time to check with your insurance agent for the details. Here at the the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency, in Timonium, MD, we are available to answer your auto insurance questions and/or to assist you with a no-obligation car insurance policy review upon your request.

This Auto Maintenance Series is especially for  car owners like yourself located in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania who understand the need for vehicle safety and wish to protect their investment through on-going maintenance. As seasons change  - especially during the heat of winter, assuring that your vehicle is road ready can be critical.

Taking good care of your windshield wipers and maintaining the wiper blades on your vehicle is more important than you might think.  Part of safe driving is being aware of your surroundings.  You must be able to rely on wipers that leave your windshield with a consistent, clean clear view when the weather takes a turn for the worse bringing rain or other inclement conditions.  Obscured vision could cause you to collide with another vehicle or even drive off the road.

Your windshield wipers not only offer you clear vision during rain.  They also keep your windshield clear of spattered mud, road tar, insects, bird droppings and other messy deposits.  When your windshield wiper blades are worn, they will not remove such debris.  Instead, theyoften smear the mess and obscure your vision even more.  By switching out your wipers regularly, you avoid these problems and assure that your drive is safe.

When Should You Change Windshield Wipers

The first clue that your windshield wipers are past their physical prime is often streaking and skipping during use.  You will also know that they need replacement when inspection shows discoloration,cracking and other signs of wear.  Moreover, the wiper blades might chatter or squeak on your windshield when they need to be replaced.  Some newer wiper blades come with a wear-indicator showing when they need to be replaced.  The rule of thumb: Change them at least once per year (every six months is preferable).

Clean, intact windshield wiper blades could make a difference in your family's safety. So if you have been procrastinating about changing wiper blades, take a few minutes to make this a priority.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we want you to be safe and accident-free.  As you prepare your vehicle for safe driving, don’t forget to see that your auto insurance coverage is up to date as well.  And, if you have had recent changes in drivers or vehicles, check with your insurance agent to be sure that you are fully covered and are receiving the best rates available.

In this issue of the Homeowners Maintenance Series, we are moving to your home's attic – where sometimes-overlooked minor problems become major problems for tyour home's well-being and safety.  Follow these tips  for a safe and healthy attic…

Seal any unwanted openings...

Look for openings in your roof or attic walls that allow access to animals like birds, chipmunks, squirrels and others; and seal these openings.  Whether or not you find such openings, it's still advisable to search the attic area for animal nests in case any critters have already made your attic their home.

Check out the insulation...

Be sure that you have enough insulation to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you're not sure how much you should have, check the guidelines at EnergyStar.gov.  Next, examine for coverage, assuring that there are no bare spots in your insulation and that the insulation is not obstructing vents.

Check for moisture and leaks...

Typically, if you have a moisture problem, you will be able to smell mustiness and mildew.  Be especially on the lookout for green algae or black mold; and, if found, you can kill it using a bleach/water solution. If you do find mold and remove it, you will want to check back periodically to assure that it was completelyeradicated and does not regrow.

Important Safety Advice...

Even if your attic appears to be free of outside breaches by animals and fromm moisture damage, be sure to inspectany  electrical wiring and connections for wear, exposed wires and/or other damage; and, if found, arrange for a more thorough inspection and repair by a licensed electrician as soon as possible.  FEMA reports that approximately 10,000 residential attic fires are reported each year, resulting in some 30 deaths, 125 injuries and $477 million dollars in property damage, with one-third of these fires spreading to involve the entire structure.  The leading cause, according to FEMA, is electrical malfunction (about 43%); and the most common heat source for these attic fires is electrical arcing.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we strongly encourage you to be sure that your home is properly insured for fire damage and related injuries.  To be sure you have adequate coverage, contact your insurance agent for an up-to-date assessment of your current homeowners policy.

This Homeowners Maintenance Series is especially for those homeowners around Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania who understand the need to protect their biggest investment and keep their home safe through regular maintenance.  As summertime temperatures soar, preparing your home for the seasonal changes is important, and well-maintained air conditioning is top priority.

Central Air Conditioning

• Disconnect electric power to the outdoor condenser on your air conditioner before beginning inspection and maintenance.
• Your air conditioning unit must pull in enough outside air to cool and circulate inside your home.  So,  it is important to ensure that the outdoor condensing unit is free from obstruction by outdoor furniture, leaves, newspapers, debris, etc.
• Poor efficiency, reduced air flow and even evaporator icing can occur if the filters are clogged.  So check the filter and clean or replace if/as necessary.  You should replace disposable fiberglass filters, but you can wash electronic or electrostatic filters.
• Secure all access panels on your air conditioning unit and be sure no fasteners/screws are missing or loose.

Window-Mounted Air Conditioning

• Safety first -- before doing any maintenance, unplug the unit from the wall, remove the front access cover and the outdoor cover. You might even wish to completely remove the air conditioning unit from its mounting frame.
• Vacuum out the condenser coils with a soft brush attachment.
• Examine the condenser coil.  If you notice any bent cooling fins, they may be straightened to avoidcompromised cooling capacity and air flow. To straighten the bent fins use a coil fin comb, matching  the comb's teeth count to the coil finsl and then carefully drawing the comb across the bent coil fins to straighten them.
• Examine the foam filter and replace it if damaged. If intact but dirty, wash the filter with soapy water, rinse and dry before replacing.
• When maintenance is complete, return the unit to its frame before reinstalling the outside and front  covers. Then, plug the unit back in the wall and run it for a few minutes to assure proper function.

Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, we welcome the chance to help homeowners like yourself as you strive to protect your home and family.   Don't forget to check with your insurance agent to assure that your home is still properly insured for its total value if you have upgraded the systems or made other home improvements in the recent past.

If your home or business has suffered significant damage, perhaps from fire or, as many did during the recent east coast natural disasters -- from the earthquake in Virginia to tropical storm Lee (and don't forget Hurricane Irene), then then finding a building contractor for repairs is undoubtedly a priority. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns to exercise caution when choosing your contractors so that you avoid being a victim all over again.

You would be correct to suspect those who claim to be contractors seeking jobs by going door-to-door or handing out flyers, especially if they require you to sign a contract on the spot. Furthermore, be skeptical of those who require large up-front deposits or payment in full in advance.  If they turn out to be unscrupulous, they will likely begin the job but then disappear before the work is done. Why? If your "contractor" turns out to be an unscrupulous scam artist to whom you pay a large amount up front, chance are that they will begin the job but will then disappear before completion.

It would be wise to ask a lot of questions if a so-called "contractor" proposes doing temporary repairs to your building's damage at a large cost before focusing on the issue of permanent repairs that will be ultimately needed.The Insurance Information Institute points out that the insurance settlement you receive is typically intended to cover both initial temporary repairs if/as necessary as well as permanent repairs for a given loss. Therefore, if a large portion of your funds are spent on such a temporary fix, it is possible that you will not have enough funds remaining to cover the permanent repair job.  See more advice from the Insurance Information Institute (III): Beware Crooked Contractors (Video).

So how can you know that a contractor is honest and reputable before you sign any contract to have repair work done?  Your best assurance will come choosing a contractor who haseither done work for you or someone else you trust in the past. Don't know such a contractor? Ask your insurance agent who can probably refer you to someone who is reliable. Likewise, your local building/trade associations might make a referral.  But if you must use a contractor who has not done work for you before, regardless of the source of the referral, always check references before signing the contract.  

Whether you are the victim of a widespread natural disaster or just a home or business owner with property in need of repairs, if you will be working with contractors, consider the following tips:

• If you have a loss due to property damage, be sure to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to discuss your options and receive assistance.
• Check the contractor’s reputation and see if they have any complaints filed with the local builder/trade organizations or the Better Business Bureau.
• Ask for a written estimate that all work to be done and showing all taxes or other fees.
• Require a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor to be sure that the firm has active workers' compensation and disability insurance to cover any workers’ accidents. If not, then you could be liable for such accidents on your property.
• Obtain a written contract that specifies all associated costs and payment schedulefor the project. It should also lay out all work to be performed. Never sign a contract that is not comprehensive and specific.
• Determine who is responsible for obtaining all permits and licenses related to your job and insist that it be included in any contract that you sign.
• Ask for a written guarantee in which there is a stated duration as well as noting exactly what is guaranteed and whether there are any stipulations or restrictions.
• Make your payment by credit card or check but never by cash.
• Be sure to read carefully any contract cancellation clauses. You should be able to cancel a contract within three business days of signing.  

Here at the William M. Sparks insurance Agency, we are experienced in helping our policyholders recover from losses with as little discomfort as possible.  We'd be pleased to have you contact us at your convenience to discuss any of your insurance needs -- including how to be best prepared to handle damage to your home or commercial building.