As summer winds down, we begin to welcome signs of fall:  cooling temperatures, a new school year, changes in the landscape, earlier sunsets to name a few.  Not only might your routine change when summer ends, but your daily commute is affected by shorter days and weather changes as well.  You might even be drawn to drives through the countryside if you enjoy the changing foliage.  

Pleasant though it might be, the changing season also calls for you to stay alert.  Cooling temperatures often bring rain, and  when combined with falling leaves can be as slippery on the roadway as ice.  Deer are more visible and not just on rural roads, especially from October to January and typically from dusk to dawn,  Days get shorter as fall sets in; so you'll find yourself driving more often in the dark.  Traffic patterns and volume change once school is in session, causing greater caution when driving.

Here is what ERIE Insurance says about being prepared when driving this fall. 
This advice should make your driving time safe as you enjoy the fall changes.

Even the most cautious drivers in the safest vehicles may face the unexpected at some point.  That's where good Auto Insurance is needed.  If you have not reviewed your Auto Insurance coverage recently, there is no time like the changing of seasons to do that.  Here at William M. Sparks Insurance Agency, we are prepared to help with sound answers to your questions and a thorough review of your policy, whenever you are ready.  Reach out to us by phone (410-252-8304) or visit our website (https://wsparks.com/personal-insurance/auto-insurance.html).

We are a society that depends on our vehicles. Just look at our landscapes – dotted with parking lots everywhere. We are accustomed to parking and leaving our cars unattended, sometimes for long periods of time most often with no concern. However, your parked vehicle can be a prime target for thieves known as Parking Lot Pilferers.

This is especially true in peak shopping seasons such as Christmas when people tend to do high volumes of shopping and stow their purchases in their car as they go about shopping in different stores. These thieves will often lurk around parking lots, targeting those vehicles in which they can see packages or other valuables. They have no interest in stealing the car but will gain access to items in plain view by breaking the window or punching the lock.

So how can you protect against such a crime or at least diminish the risk? Here are some tips that could help you avoid damage to your vehicle or loss of personal belongings.

• Always lock your doors, even if you know you’ll be right back.
• Close all of the car windows when leaving your car unattended.
• Always try to leave your vehicle in well-lit area with traffic moving about.
• Avoid parking near larger vehicles or shrubs that tend to hide your car from view. Thieves prefer such isolated vehicles because they can break in without being seen.
• Do not keep any personal items in plain view by someone walking past the car.
• Be sure to secure all packages out of sight before leaving your vehicle.
• Remove all portable accessories, such as GPS units and other electronics when leaving your car.

Auto Insurance Tip

Don’t wait until you have become a victim of a Parking Lot Pilferer. Check with your Insurance Agent to be sure that such thefts and damages are covered by your auto insurance and/or homeowners insurance.

Feel free to contact any of our very capable and experienced agents at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency here in Lutherville/Timonium, MD to discuss your insurance questions.  We can help you review your current insurance policy and explore your options to be sure you have the best coverage and protection according to your circumstances.