Dustin Awtrey Agency

Happy Wednesday!! 😀 IT'S NATIONAL CHEWING GUM DAY!!🍓
Creator | C. Knighten

There are many inventions that came to be as a 'by product' or mistake turned frutiful, due to trying to resolve other problems or invent useful products. For example, Dr. Spencer Silver, at 3M, tried to creater an incredibly strong aerospace adhesive, and instead ended up with one of the World's favorite inventions......Post-It Notes!

Interestingly enough in 1860, chewing gum was created as a by product of another experiment. Thomas Adams, an American inventor and photographer, was workting with chicle from Mexican sapodilla trees, initially trying to vulcanize it into rubber. When that failed, he turned the 'error' into chewing gum. Later in 1871, he launched, 'Adams New York Chewing Gum', paving the way for the modern gum industry!

Why were these amazing products discovered......like the Microwave Oven, X-Rays,Super Glue, Silly Putty, The Skinky, and another one that has saved people worldwide... penicillin? Well......the bottom line.....because the inventor was paying attention to the error!! The key here......never give up....while you may have a goal in mind....never discount your mistakes or 'by-products' they become worldwide sellers!!😃😎

We wish you a great day and grab a pack of chewing gum.....I mean, honestly...when was the last time you blew some bubbles with your kids?? 😁

Happy Monday! 😀IMPORTANCE OF KEY MILESTONE REVIEWS!🙂
Creator | C. Knighten

What are Key Milestones? 🧐Well, they are defined as any change that effects your current coverage....and, they should always be addressed as quickly as possible to ensure that well....you are insured!! Let's identify these 'life events' that require your agents attention.

KEY MILESTONES:
💍 GETTTING MARRIED OR DIVORCED | COMBINING ASSETS:
Marriage often means combining households, which makes you eligible for multi-car or bundling discounts.
👩‍🦰UPDATING BENEFICIARIES:
Life insurance policies must be updated to ensure assets go to the correct person.
📑SEPARATING POLICIES:
Divorce requires splitting joint auto and home policies to remove legal liabilities for an ex-spouse.

👶 EXPANDING YOUR FAMILY:
🏫ADDING LIFE INSURANCE:
Having a baby or adopting means you need enough life insurance to cover your child's future upbringing and education.
🩺HEALTH PLAN UPDATES:
You must add a newborn to your health insurance policy within a specific enrollment window.

🏡BUYING, SELLINGN OR REMODELING A HOME|
🏘️HIGHER DWELLING LIMITS:
Home renovations increase your property's value, meaning your old coverage limits will no longer pay for a full rebuild.
💲LIABILITY SHIFTS:
Selling a home or moving into a rental requires transitioning to a renter's policy to protect your personal belongings.

💼SWITCHING CAREERS OR RETIRING
👥LOSING GROUP BENEFITS:
Leaving a job means losing your employer-sponsored life and disability insurance, which you must replace with private coverage.
🚙COMMUTER DISCOUNTS: Retiring or working from home drops your annual mileage, which can drastically lower your auto insurance premiums.

💡THE COST OF WAITING
🧓OUTDATED BENEFICIARIES:
Old policies that include your ex-spouse or a deceased relative can legally bind the payout to them.
☢UNDER INSURED HAZARDS:
If a remodeled home burns down, an old policy will only pay out based on the home's original, lower value.
💸MISSED SAVINGS:
You could be overpaying by hundreds of dollars a year by missing out on newly applicable bundling discounts.

STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN!
🔺AUDIT: Gather your current home, auto, life, and health policy declarations pages.
🔺MAKE A LIST: Write down every major personal, professional, or financial change from the last 12 months.
🔺SCHEDULE: Contact an independent agent to run a comprehensive gap analysis.

We wish you a great day and note, we are always happy to review your current policies and share where the 'gaps' are.....it could save you thousands out-of-pocket, if an unforseen event occurs. 🙂

Happy Friday!! 😃 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten | Sozo Digital Media
Source | Star Trek Humour

We love brining punnies to bighten your Friday and put a smile on your fact....besids, we have to admit that we truly love "Dad Jokes"....yes, we know we should seek help!! LOL!🤣

This week's punny from Star Trek Humour, has a dual meaning.....and while we hope that you get a laugh out of this one.....we also want to empahsis the importance of having a 'designated' driver....not the one in your golf bag🤨......whenever you plan to go out and enjoy adult beverages.

WHY BRING THIS UP NOW??🤔
Drunk driving and alcohol-related traffic crashes spike significantly during college football 🏈weekends!!

NATIONAL AND GENERAL STATISTICS:
😵FATALITIES:
Nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic deaths in the United States involve an alcohol-impaired driver.
🥃ANNUAL TOLL:
In recent tracking years, 11,904 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes....averaging one death every 44 minutes.
👨‍🦰HIGH-RISK AGE GROUP:
Drivers ages 21 to 24 account for the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes.
🏈GAME-DAY WINDOWS:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that fatal crashes spike sharply on weekends, particularly during the 90-minute window immediately after large public sporting events conclude.

There are lots of new students in area colleges, and with it being their first time to spread their wings and experience independence.....well, they don't always make the best choices, especially under the influence!

As a parent, you want to give them the room to grow, but also be certain that they understand the value of their own life and those who may ride with them. it is always smart to have a "designated driver that will not enjoy adult libations!!

We wish you a great Friday and wonderful weekend....and remember, be safe out there!!

Happy Wednesday!! 😀 IT'S A 'TWOFER' SORT OF WEEK!🛻
Creator | C. Knighten

We just added Homeowners of America, and now....we want to share another great option....Hagerty Classic Car Insurance!😃

While regular auto insurance treats your '67 Mustang like a commuter car...you know, depreciating it every year, only paying "actual cash value" if the worst happens..... when instead, your classic is appreciating, not depreciating. Here's why Hagerty Classic Car Insurance is built differently:

💰 GUARANTEED VALUE® — NOT DEPRECIATED VALUE
You and Hagerty agree on what your car is worth upfront. If there's a covered total loss, you get that FULL agreed amoun, with no depreciation games, no lowball "market value" surprises.
📉 LOWER PREMIUMS
Classics are driven with care and kept for weekend drives, shows, and parades, and Hagerty's premiums reflect that. You're not rated like a daily commuter.
🛣️ FLEXIBLE USAGE | ACTUALLY DRIVE IT
No fixed mileage limits. Ice cream runs, road trips, car shows .....your classic is meant to be enjoyed, not trapped in the garage.
🔧 COVERED BEYOND THE CAR
Spare parts coverage, vehicle-under-restoration coverage (your insured value grows as your project comes together!), safety apparel, flatbed roadside assistance designed for classics, and a claims team that actually knows collector cars and the BONUS: you choose your repair shop!
🏁 MODIFIED & HOT RODS WELCOME
Hot rods, resto-mods, replicas, lowriders — Hagerty covers many of the cars other carriers turn away.

Between Hagerty's Guaranteed Value® and being able to choose who repairs your prize.....they are truly a no brainer! So, iif your classic is sitting on a regular policy, you're probably underinsured. Look up what your car's really worth and then....give us a call!! ☎️📞

Happy Monday!! 😀 MEET OUR NEWEST CARRIER!🏠
Creator | C. Knighten

As an Independent Broker it is our objective to continue to find great carriers with excellent reputations to bring our community the best options that North Alabama can provide!

Unto that endeavor, please meet our newest carrier.......
🟥HOMEOWNERS OF AMERICA! About the company:
🔺Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Chicago, IL
🔺HOAIC is rated "A" (Exceptional) by Demotech and...
🔺A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

STANDARD HOME POLICY COVERAGE (HO-3):
🔺Dwelling — coverage ranges from $50,000 to $750,000
🔺Personal property — up to 75% of your home's insured value
🔺Loss of use — 20% of dwelling coverage if your home becomes unlivable
🔺Personal liability — from $25,000 up to $500,000
🔺Medical payments — $500 to $5,000 for guest injuries
🔺Other structures — 2% of dwelling coverage (10% in Texas)

OPTIONAL ENDORSEMENTS / ADD ONS:
🔺Equipment breakdown: up to $100,000 for appliances, HVAC, water heaters, pool equipment; plus up to $10,000 for spoiled food
🔺Replacement cost on personal property: pays to buy brand-new replacements instead of depreciated value
🔺Inland flood coverage: for flooding not covered by a standard policy
🔺Service line coverage: up to $10,000 for damaged underground utility pipes/wires
🔺Cyber coverage: up to $50,000 for identity theft/cyberattack expenses (legal fees, etc.); $100 deductible
🔺Pet coverage: kenneling fees if you're displaced, plus vet or burial costs if your pet is hurt in a covered disaster
🔺Mortgage extra expense: up to $250/month (capped at $10,000) plus up to $2,000 in mortgage acquisition costs if your home is destroyed and must be rebuilt
🔺Increased jewelry, watches & furs: extra theft coverage for valuables above standard limits
🔺Refrigerated personal property: up to $500 for food lost in a power outage

DISCOUNTS:
🔺Available discounts vary by state: examples include up to 15% for wind mitigation (certain building codes or hip roofs).

CLAIMS REPORTING: 24/7 claims reporting by phone, email, or online.

Please note: coverage isn't available in every state, and there's no online quoting or mobile app.....you need to call your local agent to learn more!

If you have questions or are interested in a quote, please reach out today....we are always happy to help!😀

Happy Friday!! 😃 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten | Sozo Digital Media
Source | Vince The Sign Guy

It is our goal each and every Friday......to take the stress out of your day and give you another great punny to put a smile on your face and a laugh in your heart!! Besides, they ake awesome joke material to share with the kids!

This week's punny is a reminder that not only are speed bumps a part of many neighborhoods, but as our entire market grows, they will become more common place over time. So, what are the benefits of 'speed bumps'?

🚗ACCIDENT REDUCTION: They lower vehicle speeds, which reduces the likelihood and severity of crashes.
🚙PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: Slower speeds protect pedestrians and cyclists sharing the roadway or parking lot.
🚕DETERRING CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC: Drivers often avoid streets with physical obstacles, reducing excess traffic volume on residential roads
🛻CONTROLLING AGGRESSIVE DRIVING: They discourage reckless habits like speeding, street racing, and sharp turning in tight spaces.

In fact, local officials in Priceville, have discussed procedures and policies for installing speed bumps on municipal roadways like Memorial Drive Northwest. However, the key for neighborhoods....the placement must be requested and approved prior to installation.

NO matter what...we hope you 'slowly" get over any phobia you have in refernce to speed bumps!!

We wish you a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! 😀

Happy Wednesday!! 😀 IT'S NATONAL CONSTRUCTION APPRECIATION WEEK!👷🏗️
Creator | C. Knighten

Hard hats off to all the amazing people who build our communities....literally, from the ground up! 😄 This week we focus on celebrating the incredible dedication, skill, and grit of construction professionals everywhere.

Let's be honest, without their hard work, we wouldn’t have:
🚙Safe roads and bridges connecting our families and businesses.
🏫Modern schools and hospitals supporting our communities.
🏢Innovatively designed homes and offices where life and work happen.
🏗️Critical infrastructure that keeps our daily lives running smoothly.

LOCAL PROJECTS IN DECATUR INCLUDE::
🏞️SOUTH BROOK: A $400 million, 80-acre mixed-use development on the former Decatur Country Club site featuring housing, restaurants, and green spaces.
🏟️WILSON MORGAN PARK RECREATION CENTER: A major $45.8 million recreation center project under construction.
⚾️SPORTS & EVENTS CENTER: Ongoing construction of a $30 million ball field complex and a $5.2 million event center.
🛣AL-67 RESURFACING: A $2.6 million ALDOT project resurfacing 11.4 miles of Alabama 67, scheduled for completion in late 2026.
🚧CITY ROAD RESURFACING: The City's 2026 Road Resurfacing Program covering maintenance across all five municipal districts.
🏘️HOUSING EXPANSION: Over 1,500 recently approved homes, including downtown townhomes, Southwest Decatur apartments, and new subdivisions.

Yes, Morgan County we have a lot going on, and we have construction professionals to thank for these great civic improvements! "Thank-you" to everyone working on a job site today.....our future is in your hands!🔨

Happy Monday!! 😀 IT'S NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK!🐄🐓
Creator | C. Knighten

Each year during the 3rd week of September, we focus on National Farm Safety & Health Week! This coincides with one of the budsiest seasons of the year for farmers......it's harvest time! And, strangely, Alabama's harvest season is one of the longest in the United States, from March through November, depending on the crop.


In an average year, between 400 to 500 farmers and agricultural workers will lose their lives from work-related injuries. Nonfatal injuries happen to roughly a third of the farm population tens of thousands reported annually.

One of the most important topics stressed this week.....the importance of tractor safety and rural roadway safety. Half of the farm fatalities reported yearly are from transportation incidents.

Self-Care is another topic of high importance, from safety and health for youth on farms, women working on farms, to ensuring that the farmer him or herself, is not neglecting their own care. Safety often hinges on quick decisions, getting enough sleep, proper meals and hydration, along with any necessary medications.

Due to the expansive acreage of some farms, understanding which services can reach your property quickly is highly important information. To ensure prompt attention from emergency services, it is wise to keep a list of farm's addresses in each farm vehicle. When a life is in the balance, every second counts!

ESSENTIAL FARM SAFETY TIPS:
🚜EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE: Inspect machinery daily, replace missing power take-off (PTO) shields, and ensure Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS) are installed on tractors.
🐓GRAIN BIN SAFETY: Never enter a grain bin alone or without a harness, lifeline, and respirator; always use the buddy system!
🚦ROADWAY TRAVELl: Check that lights, flashers, and clean slow-moving vehicle emblems work before heading onto public roads.
🪲CHEMICAL STORAGE: Keep all pesticides, fuels, and toxic materials locked behind secure doors out of the reach of children.
🛌FATIGUE PREVENTION: Take scheduled rest breaks and stay hydrated to prevent costly, exhaustion-related accidents during long shifts.
🦺CLOTHING AND GEAR Wear tight-fitting clothes, steel-toed boots, and appropriate eye or hearing protection for the specific task.

We owe so much to our farmers and simply want them to know.....we truly appreciate everything you do!! Have a great week and be safe!😀👨‍🌾

Amazing group of young leaders......Congratulations, Gentlemen and Ladies!

Solemn Friday!! 😥 TODAY IS PATRIOT DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE & REMEMBRANCE!🙏
Creator | C. Knighten | Founder Sozo Digital Media, LLC

I will never forget watching the second plane fly into the South Tower........I was already reeling from watching the first one smoking and going up in flames. I was trying to fathom how this type of accident had occurred???

But then.....the plane struck the South Tower....I sat down hard.....dropped my purse, and my mouth fell open as the realization of what was occurring hit me.....This was not an accident.

There are too many Americans who did not witness this .....too many that do not remember the horrific terrorists attacks committed by Radical Islam.

TIME FRAME OF THE 9/11 ATTACKS:
Morning Timeline (All times in Eastern Daylight Time)
🔹7:59 AM – American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston for Los Angeles.
🔹8:14 AM – United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston for Los Angeles.
🔹8:14 AM – Contact is lost with Flight 11 and it is hijacked.
🔹8:20 AM – American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles.
🔹8:42 AM – United Airlines Flight 93 takes off from Newark for San Francisco.8:42 AM – United Airlines Flight 175 is hijacked.
🔹8:46 AM – Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower (Floors 93–99) of the World Trade Center.
🔹9:03 AM – United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower (Floors 77–85) of the World Trade Center.9:28 AM – United Airlines Flight 93 is hijacked over northern Ohio.
🔹9:37 AM – American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the western side of the Pentagon
🔹9:45 AM – United States airspace is completely shut down.
🔹9:59 AM – The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
🔹10:03 AM – United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew revolt against the hijackers.
🔹10:28 AM – The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses, leaving the Twin Towers in ruins.
🔹10:50 AM – Part of the damaged western section of the Pentagon collapses due to raging fires.

On this day, we remember....the innocent lives who were lost in these attacks. We honor the brave people who stepped in and helped....civilians, policemen and women, firemen and women.....the amazing service dogs who helped find so many!!

There were more .......EMT's, every person who worked in hospitals caring for the injured..... I don't know about you, but I will never forget.....for this should never happen again on American soil.

We wish everyone a great Friday and wonderful weekend....and pray that you, too, will never forget! 😔