Don't Have a Chevy Chase Vacation! Be prepared for Vacation Season Safety!

It's that time of year when your kids get out of school and you're packing your bags for that family vacation. Planning for any type of get-away, big or small, can be very detailed. It's easy to forget something important in the hustle and bustle of vacation planning and packing. While there is so much to think of, we want to help you with 3 useful checklists that will highlight the important items you may forget during the family excitement.

If you are driving long distance for your vacation, we offer this checklist for your vehicle and your journey:

Check all fluid levels for your vehicle; coolant, oil, power steering and brake fluid


Check your tires for wear, damage, or any issues that could create danger


Check all your lights, signals, and horn are working properly


Check the condition of your brakes


Check the condition of your windshield wipers as well as your windshield wash supply


Check the working condition of all seatbelts, and be sure there are enough seatbelts for every passenger


Pack a copy of your vehicle registration and current auto insurance in your vehicle

Many people don't think about the possibilities of what could happen to their home while they're away. Here are some dos & don'ts for you to remember when leaving your home vacant for any length of time.

Do ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home while you're away, including picking up your mail on a regular basis (overflowing mail is the first sign you are away)


Don't alert people on social networking sites that you are going away - save the excitement for when you return and share your vacation photos


Do advise your local police department you will be away for some time and would appreciate extra patrolling in your area


Don't close your curtains if you normally have them open. Not only is it a signal that something is 'different' at your home, but also a friend or officer checking on your home needs to be able to see inside to verify everything is all right


Do use a timer on your lights rather than leaving them on or off for extended periods


Do unplug electronics such as televisions, computers, portable phones or any item that could be damaged in a power surge. Something unpredictable such as a severe storm could occur while you are away


Do turn off all gas pilots and water faucets as a precaution much like unplugging your electronics


Don't leave a spare key outdoors. When you are gone, that leaves your home very vulnerable

And last, but not least, do your homework before you make the trip. It's always good to get to know the area you will be visiting as best as you can before you travel there. These days, technology makes this really simple. You can use the internet not only to learn about the place you will be visiting, but also to plot your stops along the journey. Research any hotels you plan to stay at on the internet as well. Websites such as yelp.com share consumer reviews that may be helpful to you regarding hotels or places to eat along the way. Make a checklist to verify you have packed important items such as medications, phone chargers, identification and personal items you will need that can't be purchased elsewhere.

Vacations and road trips are one of the best activities you can share with your loved ones. Enjoy these special times to the fullest while staying safe and protecting your home at the same time. As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!

For more tips, useful information and other valuable news follow us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast and keep reading our blog. If you have questions about your insurance, contact one of our 3 convenient coastal locations and speak to one of our knowledgable Trusted Choice agents. 

Most importantly, as your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!

We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisors, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com ,  SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso, Mark Strickland, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail or in person: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone: 228-466-4498 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 228-466-4498 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting  fax:888-415-8922,  FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast, or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel !

We have 3 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS. We write coverage in 40 different states and can assist you with Mississippi insurance, Louisiana insurance, and Alabama insurance and many other states. Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!  

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!