How to lower your risk for identity theft in Hattiesburg, MS

Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft – Tips When Shopping Online

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How to lower your risk for identity theft in Hattiesburg, MSCheck if the website it secure.

A simple way to check is to look for the lock symbol in the left corner of the search browser. Any website where you are putting in your credit card information or personal information should have this.

If shopping online, are you using websites you are familiar with?

While Googling something like “Best DSLR camera” is fine, when it comes to making a purchase, it should be from a reputable company. Watch out for paid advertisements from unknown sellers.  If you’re unfamiliar with the company, you could even Google the company to see what comes up. You may learn they have poor reviews. This could save you a headache. It could also be the opposite where it’s a new company & have helped hundreds of people. Regardless, buy from a reputable company or do your research first. Shopping local is always a good bet.

Never click on links in your email from an unknown person.

Many times your email will sift through the “junk mail” and place it directly in your junk folder. Other times, scammers will try to be tricky by sending email from familiar names of either a person you know or a known institution. Always look at the email address from the sender. Most likely it’s a fake email address. If a link is included in the email, never click on it.

Other tips:

Check your bank statements every month.

Your bank can do a great job monitoring and may even catch fraudulent charges before they happen. However, it’s important to check your bank statements every month to ensure every charge is correct.

Reach out to your insurance agent.

While your banking institutions and credit card issuers do offer some protection against fraudulent charges to your accounts, did you know that your homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance plan may offer additional protection if your identity is stolen? In addition to your own diligence, your homeowners, condo or renters insurance policies can offer some extra protection. For a small yearly fee (typically less than $40 per year) your insurance policy may cover expenses related to court fees, loan reapplication fees (if denied due to identity theft), notary fees and more. Some insurance plans may also include access to an identity theft counselor, someone to assist with reporting fraudulent activity and to act as a liaison to the major credit report bureaus on your behalf. Identity theft plans will vary by carrier and state, so be sure to ask your agent about plans available.

If you have questions about your home, condo or renters insurance, contact Baylis Insurance. Our agents can review your current coverage or provide a quote on a new insurance policy. Contact us today!

Auto Insurance Hattiesburg, MS

Steps to Take For Lower Your Auto Insurance Premiums

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Auto Insurance Hattiesburg, MSWhen it comes to insurance, most people think of how they can save money first. We get it, insurance can be expensive! You want good coverage, but at an affordable cost. Being a local insurance agency, we provide many choices since we represent many top insurance carriers. Here are some tips when it comes to saving money on your car insurance.

Shopping for a new car? Consider shopping insurance first.

If you have a few cars in mind when shopping for a new vehicle, consider reaching out to your insurance agent to compare possible insurance cost between the vehicles. The rough estimate of insurance cost every year could sway which car you decide on.

Save when you bundle.

Insurance carriers tend to give great discounts when you bundle your auto insurance with your home/renters/other lines of insurance. Need to insure several vehicles? Multi-policy discounts could earn you some substantial savings. Ask your agent!

Don’t drive much? Seek a low mileage discount.

If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year, ask your agent if you qualify for a discount.

Choose a higher deductible.

If your finances allow you to pay a higher deductible in the event you have a claim, you could save money by making this switch.

Ask your agent about other discounts. Do you qualify for any?

  • Paying your insurance coverage in full
  • Paperless option
  • Safe driver (accident free)
  • Electric or hybrid vehicle owner
  • Great credit score
  • Good student
  • Higher education
  • Advance quote

Did you experience a higher premium at renewal?

Reach out to your agent and ask to get a re-quoted on your policy. Since we can quote many top-rated insurance carriers, you can likely get same or similar coverage with a new carrier to save money. Life changes, so can your insurance company – but you don’t need to change your agent.

We do like to note that sometimes loyalty to the same company for 3+ years can be beneficial too. Over time, you could earn yourself a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, they can sometimes include accident forgiveness!

If you have questions about your auto insurance, reach out to Baylis Insurance. Our goal is to ensure you have the proper coverage.

5 Telltale Signs It May Be Time For New Tires in Hattiesburg, MS

5 Telltale Signs It May Be Time For New Tires

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5 Telltale Signs It May Be Time For New Tires in Hattiesburg, MSWhen it comes to vehicle safety, few things are as important as your tires and you should regularly inspect them to ensure they’re in good shape before taking your car out on the road. Tire safety is much more than just tire pressure. Familiarize yourself with these 5 signs that your tires may need to be replaced.

  1. They’re Bald – This is the most obvious, but often time the most overlooked safety hazard. Bald tires can cause hydroplaning, decreased stopping ability and are much more susceptible to flats from road hazards. Any tire shop will happily measure your tread depth. Additionally, your tires are equipped with a Tread Wear indicator that you can easily see yourself. This is a piece of tire that runs perpendicular to your tire tread. If you’ve reached this depth, you’re tires are not safe to drive on.
  2. Cracks – Aged tires, or tires that sit for long periods of times like on travel trailers or utility trailers can develop cracks in the tread. Look carefully in between your tire tread to see if your tires have cracks. If they do, they’re more susceptible to a blow out and should be replaced.
  3. Gouge in Sidewall – We’ve all hit a curb or a big pothole. If you’re inspecting your tires and find a gouge in your sidewall, the tire should be replaced. Sidewalls are thinner than the tread area of your tire and cannot be repaired.
  4. Uneven wear – A vehicle this isn’t properly aligned can cause the tires to wear unevenly which can cause your vehicle to pull in one direction or another. When inspecting your tires, be sure that they are wearing evenly. Additionally, you should align your vehicle every 30,000 miles or so.
  5. You’re driving on a spare – Never drive on a spare tire longer than it takes to get to a safe location. Spare tires are meant to be used for short periods of time and are not intended to be used for regular driving. If you’re driving on a spare tire, get to a tire shop to get a real replacement tire.

Driving can be dangerous, but even more so if you’re driving on tires that are not fit for the road. By inspecting your vehicles tires regularly, you can avoid an accident, hydroplane or another potentially dangerous situation.

Your safety is our top priority and getting you the right insurance is part of that. If you have questions about your auto or other vehicle insurance, contact our agency. We can review your current policy or provide an insurance quote.