ABCO Home Plus Insurance

01/06/2025

If you do incur a frozen pipe and need to talk about possibly filing a claim or need recommendations for a plumber, water restoration company or contractors to help repair damage, please contact our agency by email at [email protected] or by phone at 972-423-0005.

01/06/2025

If you do incur a frozen pipe, please consider the following tips to help prevent damage from water loss:

• Locate and close the main water shutoff valve as soon as possible and BEFORE temperatures rise above freezing
• Inspect pipes for damage including those in attics and crawl spaces when it is safe to do so
• As temps rise, watch, and listen for signs of water leaks
• If a pipe is leaking, do not turn the water on. Open all faucets including those outside to drain the remaining water from the pipes and call a licensed plumber for repairs
• If no leaks are detected, turn water back on slowly and continue to check for leaks before turning water on completely
• Never use torches or heat guns to facilitate thawing as they can create fire hazards

01/06/2025

As we wait for the artic blast of cold air to hit North Texas this week, please consider the following tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

• Disconnect hoses from exterior faucets and install insulated exterior faucet covers
• Keep garage doors closed to help protect water pipes located in the garage
• Open the doors on cabinets where plumbing is located to help warm air circulate around the pipes
• Let water drip from faucets especially for pipes that are located on perimeter walls
• Keep the heat in your home set at a minimum of 55 degrees F

03/09/2023

For Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners:

We’ve seen a significant increase in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts recently, and if you are an owner of one of these vehicles, we wanted to let you know that both Hyundai and Kia are offering a free anti-theft software patch for your vehicle. This patch will require an actual key in the ignition to start the engine, and it will prevent the car from being started after the doors have been locked via the key fob remote. This means that you will need to unlock the car with your key fob before it is started. Additionally, the alarm associated with an attempted break-in will be extended from 30 seconds to a full minute.

Upon completion of the work, Hyundai owners will also have a sticker affixed to their window stating the vehicle has anti-theft software installed. Additionally, both manufacturers are offering steering wheel locks as a preventative measure. Kia provides a link through their owner portal to check eligibility and order directly, while both are offering the locks through local police departments in several states. We encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agencies to see if a steering wheel lock is available. Hyundai is also finalizing a program to reimburse customers for steering wheel locks on vehicles that cannot accommodate the software upgrade.

Please contact the manufacturer to learn more about the anti-theft options available to you at:

hyundaiantitheft.com
(800) 633-5151

owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html
(800) 333-4542

Keep your Kia fit. View upcoming maintenance milestones, recommended service, and, with Kia Connect, get monthly health reports

08/08/2022

Keeping excess moisture out of your home can help prevent mold.

Here are a simple tips to try and avoid water and mold damage to your home:

1. Have your roof and attic inspected for leaks periodically and
perform maintenance as needed

2. Caulk gaps around the exterior of your windows

3. Replace rotted trim or siding

4. Clean out your gutters and downspouts

5. Repair mortar cracks in your brick and stone

6. Check for water stains on your ceilings

7. Inspect your sink cabinets periodically for plumbing leaks

8. Maintain your shower tile grout and caulking

9. Use bathroom exhaust fans

10. Clean up and dry out leaks and overflows quickly

12/20/2018

Thanks to all who voted for our agency. We appreciate your confidence in what we do.

Ms. Kimberly Holeman - recognized in "Best Insurance Agents In Dallas" , D Magazine (Dallas/Fort Worth), July 2018

08/11/2017

Reasons for higher auto rates – not just in Texas but in the country overall

Higher loss trends in the auto industry are the main contributors to this rate need (~10% year over year increase during second quarter of 2016).

People are driving more miles. In 2015, people drove 3.15 trillion miles, a 3.5% increase which is the highest annual increase in 25 years. This leads
to more accidents and is reflected in increased claims severity and frequency.

There are more new cars on the road, with increasingly complex technologies, driving up replacement and labor costs.

Distracted driving is on the rise causing an increase in auto accidents, including fatalities. The National Safety Council estimates that one in four
crashes involved cell phone use.

Medical costs are growing exponentially, affecting the amount paid on claims (over the last decade, bodily injury claim costs rose by 42%).

If you have received your auto renewal and the rates have taken a substantial increase, now would be a good time to shop the many A-rated carriers our agency has access to.

06/30/2017

Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day!

06/29/2017

Happy 4th of July from ABCO Insurance!!!

03/14/2017

02/22/2017

1 neighbor recommends The Holeman Group Inc on Nextdoor.

12/06/2016

Do You Need New Tires?

I know, you might be thinking "Why is an insurance agent talking about tires?" The answer is safety. You know it’s coming. Colder temperatures, rain and maybe even freezing rain. Cold temperatures and wet conditions can impact the performance of your tires and that can lead to auto accidents.

Do you know if your tires are ready for all of that?

When driving in the DFW area, your tires just might be the most important safety feature on your car. The right ones can get you to your destination safely. The wrong ones? Well, just look over in the ditch during the next storm.

Here are a couple of things to know about tires:

1. Check the tread - An inexpensive tool found at auto-parts stores can be used for this, or you can use a penny. Stick the coin into the groove of the tire, with Lincoln’s head down. Is some of his hair hidden? Good. Can you see all of Abe’s hair? It’s time for new tires.

2. Check the pressure — once a week. If your tires are underinflated, they are at risk of failing. In winter, if they’re overinflated, your traction will be significantly reduced.

3. Replacing one, two or all four? Experts agree that, in most cases, drivers aren’t going to find a “match set” of tires with the same tread as the older tires, if they’re looking to pair two new tires with two old ones. Replacing a pair of tires will leave your car with two tires with superior traction and two tires with mediocre traction.
One danger of not replacing all four is if the older tires in the front are bald, they have no traction, making it difficult to turn the car in rainy conditions. Buying only two new front tires can increase the chance of fishtailing or hydroplaning.

We here at ABCO Insurance know that nobody wants to spend too much time thinking about tires. The good news is you don’t have to. Just a little bit of preparation, along with some routine maintenance, will keep you driving in our fair state of Texas all winter long.