Skip to content

Abernathy Insurance Agency Blog

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Insurance

Save Money With These Smart Home Devices That Make Your Home Safer

Homeowners today have never had more ways to save money through technology. Here are five smart home devices that will help you cut down on your bills and improve your home’s safety. Better safety can mean fewer...

Read More


Defensive Driving Techniques to Avoid Accidents and Insurance Claims

If you want to reduce your risk of traffic accidents and the insurance claims that accompany them - which could cause your premium to go up - you need to drive defensively. Here are some driving tips to help you avoid...

Read More


Simple Household Pest Control Methods

No one likes the thought of having pests in their home, whether they be rodents, cockroaches, ants, or any other common household pests. If pest activity is common in your area, it is important to take steps to prevent...

Read More


Landscape Maintenance Tips for Your Yard

You've worked hard to create a beautiful garden for your yard, but there is more to yard maintenance than simply mowing the lawn and watering the plants. There are plenty of other tasks you'll need to complete in order...

Read More


Upgrading Your Windows - How to Choose What's Best for Your House

You may not give the windows on your home much thought, but they can actually make a big difference not just in your comfort level, but also in the value of your home. You'll have a wide range of options to choose from,...

Read More


Tips for Saving Money on Heating and Cooling Your Home

If you're like most people, you like to keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. However, running your heater or air conditioner constantly uses a lot of energy, and your electric and gas bills...

Read More


How to Make a Fire Safety Plan

No one likes to think about the possibility of a fire in their home, but this is one situation where it definitely pays to be prepared. This is especially true if you have children or pets in your home. Read on to learn...

Read More


Swimming Safety: 10 Tips for Summer

Summer is here and people are flocking to the water - whether it’s the beach, a lake, a river or a backyard pool. But, wherever there’s water, there’s also danger. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...

Read More


Why a basic Homeowners policy isn’t always enough

Sometimes a basic homeowners policy just isn’t enough. So as your career advances and your income increases, it’s important to keep your insurance protection up to date. This helps you avoid expensive gaps in coverage...

Read More


10 Tips to Help Prevent Identity Theft

Shopping online. Visiting the doctor. Buying gas. In nearly all of the things we do from day to day, there’s the risk of identity theft. You could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster thinking you’re...

Read More


How to Update your Home — Without Spending Thousands

It doesn’t take a massive remodel, or a big budget, to make your house feel a little more like home to you. Inside or out, small improvements can make a significant difference - and whether you’re handy or not, you can...

Read More


I Just Bought a New Car. What Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

Congratulations! After weeks of research, comparing makes and models, and taking test drives you finally bought that brand-new car you wanted. But before you take that well-deserved road trip, check one more item off...

Read More


What Car Drivers Need to Know about Motorcycles

Fall is here, and there are still plenty of motorcycles on the road. And the key word here is “see.” People driving cars and trucks often fail to notice the motorcyclists around them, partly because they’re not...

Read More


How to Make Your Family Vacation a Great One

Summer is here, which means it’s time to think about family vacations! (If you haven’t been thinking about them all year, that is.) The family part of family vacations, however, can make things a little complicated. You...

Read More


Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring is a time for new beginnings, and cleaning and organization around the house are very popular this time of year. If you’re ready to tackle the monumental spring cleaning chore, read on for some helpful...

Read More


Is your home as efficient as it could be? An energy audit can tell you

Drafty windows. Leaky faucets. Dirty air filters. All are common issues in homes across the country, and they’re not just annoying-they also cost you money in decreased energy efficiency and higher bills. The U.S....

Read More


Five Common (and Potentially Costly) Homeowner Mistakes

Owning a home is usually a great experience. But it can also be a hassle, especially when unexpected issues pop up-whether you have a minor breakdown or a major catastrophe, it’s almost certainly going to require time...

Read More


6 Tips for Getting to Work on Two Wheels

Did you know that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States commute to work by bicycle, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? That’s a lot of cars off the road each day, a lot of gasoline saved and a ton of...

Read More


Summer Driving Tips

Summer’s almost here. The sun will come out of hiding, and people will, too. As crowds swell at the beach, in parks, and even on roadways, it all makes for some challenging driving conditions. More people are out and...

Read More


Abernathy Insurance Agency, Inc to acquire Mascott Insurance Services, LLC

Abernathy Insurance Agency (AIA) is happy to announce our upcoming acquisition of Mascott Insurance Services. Effective May 1, 2018, Mascott Insurance will be part of AIA. Mark Abernathy, AIA’s Chief Operating Officer,...

Read More


Insuring Jewelry: How to Know if Your Coverage is Enough

A ring from a loved one. A bracelet handed down through generations. A watch or necklace marking a special occasion. Every reason you treasure a piece of fine jewelry is a reason it should be insured. However, calling...

Read More


Tips for Buying a Safe Car

You’ve heard all the talk about driverless cars - but unfortunately, we’re still years away from living in a world where you just tell your car where to go, kick back and relax with a book (or, more likely, your phone)....

Read More


Do You Need Umbrella Insurance?

One of the most certain things in life is uncertainty. Your dog could bite the neighbor’s kid. Your teen driver could hit a cyclist. A guest could fall down your stairs. A rainy morning commute on worn-out tires could...

Read More


Safety Tips for Summer Thrill Seekers

The family summer vacation is a time-honored tradition, and it often includes a trip to one of our country’s incredible amusement parks. But, while the rides and other attractions at these parks are typically safe, it...

Read More


Want a Safer Home? Consider these Inexpensive Fixes

Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too.But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can...

Read More


Love Bites – Get Umbrella Coverage

In today’s economy, everyone is pinching pennies. So why worry about umbrella coverage? Shouldn’t a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered?Unfortunately, we live in a world of lawsuits. Large damages can be...

Read More


Teen Driving Safety

Talking to Your Teen About Safe DrivingWhen teens begin to drive, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council, the sobering statistics start to pile up:Car...

Read More


Car Shopping With Safety in Mind

You’ve heard all the talk about driverless cars. Yet we’re still years away from living in a world where you can just tell your car where to go and then kick back and relax with a book or your phone.Even still,...

Read More


7 Driving Habits That Are Bad for Your Car

No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, you’ve probably done things like: Shift into drive while the car is still rolling backward. Ride the brakes on steep hills. Roll into the gas station on empty. Guilty? If so,...

Read More


Burglary Prevention: Should You Leave the Lights On?

It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But does that really work? Or is it just a waste of electricity — particularly this...

Read More


Device Insurance: Cover Your Personal Electronics With the Policy You Already Have

It seems everyone these days has a smartphone. Or a smart TV, a tablet, or an ebook reader. Or all of the above – and more.When you add it all up, you may find you have thousands and thousands of dollars tied up in...

Read More


Safety Tips for Your Summer Swims

When the sun is out and the weather is warm, people flock to the water — whether it’s the beach, a lake, a river or a backyard pool. But, wherever there’s water, there’s also danger.According to the U.S. Centers for...

Read More


What Should Go in Your Home Safe (or Safe-Deposit Box)?

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to clean the cobwebs out of the corners, organize the closets and so forth. While you’re at it, don’t forget to revisit the important documents and other items you have in your...

Read More


Identity Protection Tips for Tax Season

What’s the most important number for you this tax season? The amount of your refund? The amount you owe? The number of hours spent poring over all the other numbers? All of those are pretty important, but none of them...

Read More


How to Avoid Animal-Vehicle Collisions

About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S....

Read More


Burglar-Proof Your Home for the Holidays

It's not unusual, when you set out on that holiday trip, to look back at the house a little nervously. Sure, you remembered to lock the doors, but just how secure are things? What might happen while you're away?One way...

Read More


Healthcare Enrollment for 2016

KEY DATES November 1, 2015 Open Enrollment starts - first day you can enroll in a 2016 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2016.December 15, 2015* Last day...

Read More


Your Home Maintenance Checklist for Fall

Fall brings more than just changing leaves and shorter days. In many areas, it also comes with a shift in weather conditions that can have a serious impact on your home. And, for California, there is the added impact of...

Read More


4 Ways to Help All Children Have a Great School Year

It's back-to-school time, and, if you have school-age children, your household is likely bustling with activity and filling up with books and backpacks. There are other households and school districts in your community,...

Read More


Keep Cool While Keeping Your Energy Costs Down

Two thirds of households in America have air conditioners, according to the U.S. Department of Energy - and they spend a total of $11 billion each year running them. Our guess is that most of those households (which may...

Read More


Getting Your Boat Out of Storage and Into the Water

Summer is near, and you're ready to get out on the water. But is your boat ready? Even if you've kept it properly stored for the winter and protected from the elements, there are still a number of things you need to do...

Read More


Why You Need A Personal Umbrella

Do you: Own a home or rental property? Have a swimming pool? Have kids? Drive and have kids who drive? Own a dog that insurance companies view as aggressive (e.g., Doberman, Chow, Pit-bull, Akita, Staffordshire Terrier,...

Read More


Spring Into Home Maintenance Mode

Spring is a time for rejuvenation, and, as the weather gets warmer here in Southern California, and the days grow longer, there's a sprightly energy in the air. Many people decide it's the perfect time for reorganizing...

Read More


How to Create Your First Garden This Spring

From genetically modified crops to the environmental and health effects of pesticides, more and more California residents are questioning whether they should grow what they eat. Wherever you stand on the issues...

Read More


Protect Your Small Business with a BOP

As a business owner, you strive to make decisions that are right for your business, your employees and yourself. This includes decisions about business insurance in California. You know you need solid coverage. You don'...

Read More


Make Home Safety a Priority While You’re Away for the Holidays

The holidays can be a great time to get out of town to visit family you rarely get to see, hit the slopes or flee to the beach. Regardless of how you spend your time away, you need to ensure your house stays safe while...

Read More


Protect Your Most Cherished Possessions

If you're like most people, there are certain items you own that you can't imagine ever losing - possessions you deeply cherish or those that would be impossible to replace due to the cost of re-purchasing them or...

Read More


Keep Water from Going Where it Shouldn't

One of the most disheartening experiences is to find flooding or extreme water damage to your home. At Abernathy Insurance Agency, we know you want to protect what's important. That's why we're offering these tips to...

Read More


Home Security Tips

Everyone wants to keep their home safe from burglars or intruders, but not everyone wants to have an alarm system installed. There are plenty of people who prefer the do-it-yourself route, whether it's home improvement...

Read More


Five Sure-Fire Ways to Get Your Car Stolen

Most people would say their car is one of the most valuable assets they own - if not the most valuable. Despite that, however, some people make it downright easy for thieves to drive off in their pride and joy. At...

Read More


Protect Your Family From the "Silent Killer"

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that results when certain fuels do not burn completely. And it can be deadly. That's why it's important to know how to prevent it, detect it, and protect yourself...

Read More


The Christmas Tree Conundrum: Real or Faux?

The kind of tree to display at home during the holidays can provoke debate as much as Coke vs. Pepsi or Chevy vs. Ford. When it comes to Christmas trees, do you choose live or artificial? Do you cut your own at local...

Read More


Football Season Is Here - Enjoy & Be Safe!

Finally, we're welcoming fall, that eagerly anticipated season when we get to enjoy cooler temps, colorful leaves and, of course, football season in California. Football brings with it a whole host of seasonal...

Read More


Our Safeco Community Hero: Vote to help earn $10,000 for Learning Works charity!

Just one click could help Learning Works charter school win up to $10,000 from Safeco Insurance. That's right - just one click! Mikala Rahn, Executive Director of Learning Works, recently earned a Safeco Community Hero...

Read More


A Different Season Means Different Dangers For Motorcyclists

Fall is a wonderful time to be outside on your bike, thanks to the crisp, cool weather and changing colors of the landscape. Staying safe on the road in autumn requires some special precautions, however. Because we at...

Read More


Get Rental Reimbursement Coverage...

BEFORE The Accident Happens! Accidents happen. And when it does, the less you have to worry about the better. One way to plan ahead is to make sure you have Rental Reimbursement Coverage now. What Is Rental...

Read More


When Things go BOOM in the Night - Fireworks Safety

For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories - whether at home or away But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Each year, homes in...

Read More


Do You Own a Classic Car of the Future?

There's nothing quite like driving a speedy, shiny classic car that turns heads and starts conversations. In fact, the beauty and elegance of old collectibles - like the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, the 1963 Corvette Sting...

Read More


A Time to Celebrate Mothers

As the second Sunday of May nears, it's time to think of ways to celebrate mothers - although, of course, that's a worthy pursuit at any time of year! At Abernathy Insurance Agency, we thought it would be fun to give...

Read More


Shopping For A New Car? Call Us Before You Buy!

When shopping for a new car, you might hear that "automatic coverage" applies to new vehicle purchases. While not a complete "urban legend", it can be a (expensive) killjoy if misunderstood...and something happens. The...

Read More


Be the Pinnacle of Health & Wellness This Winter

It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the winter months can be a challenge even in Southern California. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days - not to mention kids...

Read More


What Every Apartment Owner Should Know

Apartment ownership can be a great investment - as long you know and adequately protect yourself from the risks particular to residential rentals. Read on for more information and make sure you're protected!

Read More


Make Sure Your Holidays Stay Happy … and Safe

You'll no doubt hear the phrase "Happy Holidays!" about a thousand times over the next month. Here at Abernathy Insurance Agency, we'd like to change that a little bit: "Happy - and Safe - Holidays!" While the holidays...

Read More


Tips for Preparing for Your Holiday Driving Trip

Millions of Americans will do some traveling this holiday season - the majority of it by car. Of course, winter weather creates a unique set of challenges on the roadways whether you're simply driving around in town in...

Read More


After An Accident: What You Should (And Should Not Share)

Washington Post article on what information you should - and should not - share after an auto accident. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-color-of-money-what-information-to-share-after-an-auto-accident/...

Read More


A Home Inventory Will Help You Know What You Own

Why should I have a home inventory? - Your furniture and appliances, clothing, sports or hobby equipment, and electronic goods are all regarded as personal property. Like many people in California, you may own much more...

Read More