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When Buying a Used Car: Tips to Avoid a Lemon Are you in the market for a car but can’t afford one straight off the show room floor? Maybe a used car is your answer if you’re up to the task of finding a reliable one. Some people describe the process of finding a good pre-owned vehicle as “navigating a pile of lemons”. Then, when you finally do discover a used car that seems to be in good condition and meets your needs, tracking down its history can be another challenge.

Don't be Fooled by Appearances

Every used car seller will see that their car appears as close to show-room perfect as possible. But you should not be fooled by appearances. Whether you are buying from a dealer or a private owner, you’ll need to look “below the surface”. That means doing a test drive, paying attention to the noises and odors as well as driving performance and handling and then checking all lights, gauges, and systems for proper function. If possible, have the car checked by a professional.

Checking a Used Car's History

Perhaps a wise first step is to check out the car’s history with a report from an agency like CARFAX to list any accidents and VinCheck at the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) to see if the vehicle was reported as stolen and not recovered or reported as a salvage vehicle.

If the vehicle history shows no accidents and no theft/salvage, it could still have had severe damage such as exposure to severe weather and flooding which can wreak havoc on the vehicle. Unfortunately for buyers, a car’s water damage is more easily concealed than collision damage.

Look Carefully for Water Damage in a Used Car

Fortunately, there are some common sense checks you can perform, yourself, to help reveal severe storm water damage.

Use your nose. Does the interior of the car or the trunk smell musty or moldy? This is a glaring sign of water damage resulting in mold – an obvious deal breaker.
Look at the upholstery and carpeting. Do they appear much newer than the expected for the age of the vehicle? Do they appear to be ‘factory installed’ and do the colors match the rest of the interior? If not, you might suspect replacement to conceal water damage.
Check the condition of the wires under the dashboard. Are they flexible when you bend them or do they seem brittle? Wires that tend to crack often suggest water damage.
Examine the trunk, glove box and area under the seats. Do you see an unusual amount of grit, dirt, mud and/or rust? If so, it is possible that the car was exposed to standing water.
Check under the hood. Is the engine area unusually clean? Often, the effects of water damage – the mud and grit – will be removed by pressure washing the area.

Don't Forget Your Insurance Agent

When you are considering buying a car – whether new or used – don’t forget to check with your insurance agent about getting your auto properly insured.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we welcome the opportunity to answer your auto insurance questions and to help you explore your coverage options. Feel free to contact us at your convenience.

Heavy snow on your home's roof can result in damage Ol’ Man Winter can take his toll on your home and business unless you take steps to protect your buildings from snow and ice damage.

Heavy snow accumulation can do damage even as it melts. Here are a few things to consider:

Blowing snow will typically accumulate on the leeward side of many roofs and should be removed to avoid damage to your roof. If you are unsure, consult a roofing contractor.
Melting snow can result in costly moisture damage. See that snow is removed from outside stairwells, windows, and walls.
When snow melts on the roof and water runs down and refreezes at the much cooler roof's edge, it may cause damage to your roof. This is often caused by a warm attic. To be sure the attic stays cold in the winter, check the insulation level.

Insurance Tip

Well before damage occurs, be sure that your home is protected adequately with home owners insurance. Why not call your insurance agent for a policy review if you have any question.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency in Rockville, MD, we are ready to help you review your home owners insurance policy at your convenience.

Find out how the Page Family found an unexpected resource to help their son. When you purchased your life insurance policy, you likely intended it to be used for your final expenses and for providing for your family after your life ends. However, it might surprise you to know that many life insurance policies might actually be a source of financial support during your lifetime?

In this video, see how the Page family utilized their life insurance policy to help their son accomplish things he never would have been able to do otherwise. (Video – time: 4:19).

Could it be that you have important expenses to cover for your family right now? If you have life insurance, it could offer you the necessary financial assistance – without losing your death benefit.

Perhaps you are a young person not planning to purchase life insurance until you establish your career or get married? If so, this video might change your perspective.

No matter what your circumstances, we here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency are experienced and ready to help you explore the many life insurance options for your future. You might be amazed at what you find out.

Photo from the Life Foundation (lifehappens.org).

truck-drivers-tips-for-holiday-driving The American Trucking Association’s premier group of professional truck drivers, known as America's Road Team – together having millions of accident-free miles – is now offering advice on navigating highway traffic and sharing the roads safely with large trucks and other vehicles. According to PRNewsWire, over 84.4 million motorists will be traveling 50 miles or more during this year-end holiday season. The ultimate goal of ATA’s Share The Road Program is to assure that everyone arrives safely at their destinations.

Common Sense Advice for Motorists

Be mindful of weather changes during cold weather – especially in the early mornings and evenings.
Allow plenty of time for your trip and anticipate delays and road condition changes
Try to avoid Ice, hail and snow. If you must drive in poor weather travel during daylight.
Prepare you vehicle for long distance travel to avoid becoming stranded at the roadside.
Plan your route in advance to avoid sudden lane changes at the last moment – a cause for highway accidents.
Take along a travel emergency kit including battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.
Leave extra driving space between you and the vehicle in front to avoid snow and ice blowing onto your windshield.
Pay attention to your visibility as you pack your vehicle. Don’t allow luggage and other items to obstruct.
Be patient and avoid speeding: Reduce your speed and allow extra stopping distance during highway congestion.
Do not cut in front of large trucks. They take longer to stop because of their size and weight.
Be aware of a large truck’s blindspots: If you can't see the driver in his mirrors, then he can't see you.
Avoid distractions while driving – from cell phones to GPS devices and avoid eating, drinking and interaction with passengers.
Assure that driver and all passengers use safety belts. Their use reduces the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.
Completely remove ice and snow from your vehicle for maximum visibility and to avoid blind spots.

Insurance Tip

Well before your trip, contact your insurance agent to ensure that you have appropriate auto insurance coverage in effect, and don’t forget your insurance card whenever you travel.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we are ready to help you with all your insurance needs.