July, 2025 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership
What Happens To My Car If I Don’t Change The Oil Regularly?
If you don’t change your car’s oil regularly, several serious problems can develop over time. Here’s what can happen:
- Oil Breaks Down
Oil loses its viscosity and ability to lubricate properly. It becomes thick, dirty, and less effective at reducing friction between engine components.
- Engine Wear and Tear
Without proper lubrication, engine parts rub against each other with more friction, causing accelerated wear. This can lead to:
- Overheating
- Warped parts
- Increased metal shavings in the oil
- Sludge Buildup
Old oil can turn into sludge, which clogs passages in the engine. This restricts oil flow and can suffocate the engine internally.
- Poor Performance and Efficiency
You might notice:
- Reduced gas mileage
- Sluggish acceleration
- Rough idling
- Engine Overheating
Oil also helps regulate engine temperature. Without fresh oil, overheating is more likely, which can warp or crack engine parts.
- Complete Engine Failure
Neglecting oil changes long enough can lead to the engine seizing up entirely — often a death sentence for the engine, requiring a full rebuild or replacement.
Bottom line: Changing your oil regularly is one of the cheapest ways to protect one of the most expensive parts of your car. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule (often every 5,000–7,500 miles, depending on the car and oil type).
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Why You Should Have A Whole Life Insurance Policy
Whole life insurance policies offer several benefits, especially when compared to term life insurance. Here are the key advantages:
- Lifelong Coverage
- Benefit: As long as premiums are paid, the policy remains in force for your entire life.
- Why it matters: Provides peace of mind knowing your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit no matter when you die.
- Guaranteed Death Benefit
- Benefit: The payout is fixed and guaranteed.
- Why it matters: Offers financial security to loved ones and can help cover estate taxes, final expenses, or income replacement.
- Cash Value Accumulation
- Benefit: Part of your premium goes into a savings component that grows tax-deferred over time.
- Why it matters: You can borrow against this cash value or withdraw funds for emergencies, retirement, or other needs.
- Level Premiums
- Benefit: Premiums remain the same throughout the life of the policy.
- Why it matters: Easier for budgeting compared to policies where premiums may increase with age or health changes.
- Dividends (for participating policies)
- Benefit: Some whole life policies pay dividends (usually from mutual insurance companies).
- Why it matters: Dividends can be used to reduce premiums, buy additional coverage, or be taken as cash (though they are not guaranteed).
- Tax Advantages
- Benefit: Cash value grows tax-deferred; policy loans are generally not taxed.
- Why it matters: Offers a way to accumulate wealth without immediate tax impact, if managed properly.
- Estate Planning Tool
- Benefit: Death benefits can be used to pay estate taxes or passed to heirs tax-free (if structured properly).
- Why it matters: Helps preserve family wealth and ensures assets aren’t depleted to cover final expenses.
When Whole Life Insurance Might Make Sense:
- You want permanent coverage.
- You’re interested in using it as part of a wealth-building or estate plan.
- You’re in a high tax bracket and value the tax-advantaged growth.
- You want to leave a legacy or create liquidity for your heirs.
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What Do I Do When A Flood Disaster Strikes?
Handling a flood effectively requires both immediate response and preparedness, and knowing how your insurance covers flood damage is crucial to your financial recovery. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
During a Flood: What to Do
- Stay Informed
- Monitor alerts from local authorities via radio, weather apps, or emergency broadcasts.
- Pay attention to evacuation orders and flood warnings/watches.
- Evacuate Safely
- If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Don’t wait — floods escalate fast.
- Know your evacuation routes in advance.
- Never drive through flooded roads (“Turn Around, Don’t Drown”).
- Protect Yourself
- Move to higher ground or the highest level of your home if trapped.
- Avoid walking through floodwaters; just 6 inches can knock you off your feet, and water may be contaminated or electrically charged.
- Secure Property (if time allows)
- Move valuables to higher floors.
- Shut off gas, electricity, and water if instructed to and safe to do so.
After a Flood: What to Do
- Stay Out Until It’s Safe
- Wait for official word before returning.
- Beware of structural damage, mold, gas leaks, and contaminated water.
- Document the Damage
- Take photos/videos of all affected areas and items.
- Don’t discard damaged property until an insurance adjuster has seen it, unless absolutely necessary.
- Contact Your Insurance Provider
- Notify them immediately to start your claim.
- Follow their instructions for inspections and documentation.
- Clean Up Safely
- Wear gloves, boots, and a mask.
- Ventilate the area and dry out as much as possible to prevent mold.
Insurance Coverage for Floods
Homeowners Insurance:
DOES NOT typically cover flood damage from natural disasters like overflowing rivers or heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or Private Flood Insurance:
- Separate policy required, often through FEMA (via NFIP) or private insurers.
- Covers:
- Structure (foundation, electrical, HVAC, appliances, etc.)
- Contents (furniture, clothing, electronics)
- Policy limits vary (e.g., $250,000 for structure, $100,000 for contents under NFIP).
Key Points:
- Must have purchased the policy 30 days prior to the flood (NFIP rule).
- Some private flood insurers offer more flexible terms and higher limits.
- Temporary housing may not be covered under NFIP (some private policies do).
How to Prepare in Advance
- Buy flood insurance (NFIP or private).
- Keep an up-to-date home inventory for claims.
- Install sump pumps, elevate electrical systems, and use flood-resistant materials.
- Have an emergency kit with water, food, meds, flashlight, and documents.
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What Is Hydroplaning & Why Is It Dangerous?
Hydroplaning (also known as aquaplaning) occurs when a layer of water builds up between your vehicle’s tires and the surface of the road. This causes your tires to lose contact with the road, leading to a loss of steering, braking, and traction control.
Why Hydroplaning Happens
Hydroplaning typically occurs when:
- Water on the road is more than 1/10 of an inch deep.
- You’re driving at higher speeds (usually over 35 mph / 55 km/h).
- Tires are underinflated, bald, or worn out.
- The vehicle is lightweight or has poor tire tread design for wet conditions.
Why It’s Dangerous
- Loss of control: Your car may skid or spin.
- Inability to steer or brake: You can’t change direction or slow down safely.
- Higher risk of collisions: Especially in heavy traffic or when turning or braking suddenly.
How to Avoid Hydroplaning
- Slow Down in Wet Conditions
- Drive under the speed limit when it’s raining or the roads are wet.
- Avoid sudden acceleration or sharp turns.
- Check Your Tires
- Ensure tires are properly inflated.
- Replace tires that are bald or have shallow tread (minimum safe tread depth is 2/32 inch; 4/32 inch is better in rain).
- Consider rain-optimized tires if you live in a wet climate.
- Avoid Standing Water
- Steer clear of puddles, especially on outer lanes where water tends to collect.
- Drive in the Tracks of the Car Ahead
- Let other vehicles “clear” the road ahead of you.
- Avoid Using Cruise Control
- It may delay your reaction time and reduce control if you start to hydroplane.
What to Do if You Hydroplane
- Stay calm.
- Ease off the gas pedal gently.
- Do not brake suddenly.
- Steer in the direction you want to go—don’t jerk the wheel.
- Wait until traction returns, then regain control gradually.
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