Kelly Scott: Allstate Insurance

It only takes a few minutes for a dog to suffer from the effects of heatstroke if left inside an overheated vehicle. Why is this? Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat.... Instead, they cool themselves mainly by panting. So, when they are left inside of a parked vehicle that can reach 100F in just minutes, panting alone isn't enough for your dog to escape the heat, even when in the shade. While few things are more exciting for dogs than a ride in a vehicle, even on seemingly mild days, an enclosed vehicle can be deadly. This is the time of year to be extra aware!

While floods are best known for causing extensive water damage to homes and businesses, sewage from sanitary sewer lines can back up water through drain pipes. Causes of water backup include but are not limited to blockages occurring when tree roots seek moisture or when a city sanitary main gets clogged. Property insurance policies do not generally cover water backup unless the additional water backup coverage is purchased before the incident.... The purpose of a 15-30 minute insurance review is to make sure that your insurance coverage is up-to-date and adequate. We also want to make certain that you are receiving every discount available to you. If this is a concern and/or it has been awhile since we've reviewed your policies, let's talk.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and even death. If you inhale CO, it rapidly bonds with hemoglobin, displacing oxygen. It is known as the "Invisible Killer" since it is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas. ... How can you avoid it? Never use a generator inside your home, basement, garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. If you are boating, avoid areas where engines or generators are running. Never use your outdoor grill inside, even inside of your garage. Charcoal and gas grills create large amounts of carbon monoxide. Install CO detectors. If this post even saves one person, it's worth it!

When it comes to walking dogs in warmer weather, it's best to put the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds first. Experts say that if it’s too hot for the back of your hand, then it’s also too hot for dog paws. So what can you do?... Avoid mid-day walks. Walk them in grassy areas. Consider a pair of dog booties. Your dog will thank you. Woof!

Today, we honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice. Join us as we remember these heroes.

Just like this sign, insurance can be a bit confusing. That's precisely why we're here. How long has it been since you've reviewed your policies?... Let's make sure you have the coverage you think you have.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and dog-moms out there!

According to the California Avocado Commission, Americans currently enjoy about 81 million pounds of avocado on Cinco de Mayo each year. Now that's a lot of guacamole!

For Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, they created the La Voiture Noire. It was a tribute to the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic from the 1930s. Starting price...$19 Million... Yikes! Now that's a lot of car to insure.

Is there something you've been putting off that we need to talk about?

When a button battery is swallowed, the saliva triggers an electrical current. This creates a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus within a couple of hours. The disturbing part is that it might not be so obvious at first that there is an issue.... Instead, it may seem like a child has a cold or flu. Repairing the damage caused by button battery ingestion is painful and can involve multiple surgeries. It's a good reason to keep loose batteries locked away and to place a piece of duct tape over remote controls and toys to create a more secure battery compartment. Here's to keeping our children safe!

In today's lawsuit-happy world, being sued is a real possibility if you're ever found at fault in a major auto accident or if you experience a serious mishap on your property. That's why carrying higher liability limits and/or a personal umbrella policy makes sense. If you select lower limits to save money, it could end up costing you BIG in the long-run.... Do you own a home? Do you let someone else occasionally drive your vehicles? Do you sometimes drive on icy roads? Do you have young drivers driving your vehicles? It's better to have higher liability limits and never need them than to need them and not have them! May all of the drive-thrus you use already exist before you get there!

There’s just something inspiring about the start of the year and that clean slate a new calendar delivers. It’s an opportunity to throw out last year's script and write a fresh new story. Yet, despite the best of intentions, more than one-half of New Year’s resolutions fail. ... How can you improve these odds? Put things in place to help automate your end-result. It starts by making sure that your insurance program is doing all of the things you want for the short term as well as the long term. It's a solid reason to request a policy review.

Here's to the end of 2020! We hope that 2021 is your best year yet. Thank you for being the best part of our agency.

True friendship is walking into your friend's house, and your Wi-Fi connects automatically. But, when you connect to Wi-Fi in a public place, cybercriminals can eavesdrop on Wi-Fi signals, allowing attackers to access everything that you are doing online. Protect yourself by using your own virtual private network or hotspot.