Aaron McDermid

State Farm Insurance Agent Serving Mesa, and the greater Phoenix areas in Arizona

As a U.S. Army Veteran, University of Nebraska graduate, and State Farm Agent with 17 years of experience, I help individuals, families, and businesses explore insurance coverage based on their needs and circumstances.

My team and I serve customers from two McDermid State Farm Agency locations in Mesa, Arizona, with a focus on personalized guidance and responsive customer service.

Community involvement has also been an important part of my experience. I have served three terms as President of the Superstition Mountain Rotary Club, serve on the Board of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce, and am a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.

My military service, insurance experience, and involvement with local organizations have helped shape my approach to service and leadership. I am proud to be a Good Neighbor to the Mesa and surrounding Arizona communities.

August Insurance Considerations for Arizona Families

August brings significant changes for many Arizona households. Students return to school, college move-ins begin, roads become busier, and more teenage drivers may be commuting to school, work, sports, and other activities.

At the same time, Arizona's extreme heat and monsoon season continue to affect drivers and vehicles. Heavy rain, blowing dust, flash flooding, and extreme temperatures can create additional challenges on the road.

For households with changing drivers, vehicles, addresses, or living arrangements, the beginning of the school year can be a useful time to look at current insurance information and determine whether anything has changed.

What Should Arizona Families Consider When Adding a Teen Driver?

Adding a teenage driver is an important milestone for many families and can change a household's auto insurance needs.

Before a teenager begins regularly driving to school, work, or activities, families may want to consider:

• Whether the teen is listed appropriately on the policy

• Which household vehicle the teen regularly drives

• How the vehicle is primarily used

• Current annual mileage

• Where the vehicle is parked or stored

• Existing liability limits and deductibles

• Available roadside assistance options

• Insurance information the teen may need while away from home

• Potential teen driver or student programs and discounts

Coverage options, eligibility, and available discounts can vary. A conversation with an insurance agent can help clarify how a new driver may affect an existing auto policy.

What Auto Insurance Changes May Be Relevant During Back-to-School Season?

A household's driving patterns can change significantly when school begins.

An auto insurance conversation may be helpful following changes such as:

• Adding a licensed or permitted teen driver

• Purchasing a vehicle for a high school or college student

• Adding or replacing a household vehicle

• Changing a daily commute

• Sending a student to college with a vehicle

• Changing where a vehicle is regularly parked or stored

• Driving more frequently for school, work, sports, or activities

• Adding another household member who regularly operates a vehicle

Depending on the household and policy, an insurance review may include liability coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage, deductibles, household driver information, annual mileage, vehicle usage, roadside assistance, rental car coverage, multi-vehicle options, and applicable discounts.

Back-to-School Driving in Arizona

The start of a new school year can bring changing traffic patterns around schools, crosswalks, bus stops, parking lots, and drop-off areas.

Families with new drivers can use this time to discuss topics such as:

• School-zone speed limits

• Pedestrians and crosswalks

• Crossing-guard instructions

• School buses and applicable stopping requirements

• Phone use and distracted driving

• Congestion during school drop-off and pickup

• Following distance

• Crowded student parking areas

• Passenger safety

• Arizona requirements that may apply to newly licensed drivers

Leaving additional travel time may also help new drivers avoid feeling rushed when encountering school traffic or unexpected delays.

Does a College Student's Auto Insurance Need Change When They Move Away?

A student's move to college can affect how and where a vehicle is used.

Whether a student attends Arizona State University, a community college, another Arizona University, or an out-of-state school, factors such as vehicle location, mileage, parking, and living arrangements may be relevant to an existing auto policy.

Families may want to discuss insurance when a college student:

• Takes a vehicle to campus

• Leaves a vehicle at home

• Regularly drives another household vehicle

• Changes their permanent or campus address

• Parks in a dorm, apartment, or campus lot

• Attends college away from home

• Purchases or registers a vehicle

• Uses a vehicle for work or delivery activities

An insurance agent can review how changes in address, vehicle location, mileage, and driving habits relate to the student's policy information and coverage options.

Arizona Extreme Heat and Student Vehicles

August temperatures in Arizona can be demanding on vehicles. Extreme heat may contribute to battery, tire, cooling system, and other mechanical problems.

Before regular school commuting begins, families may find it useful to check:

• Tire pressure, tread, and overall condition

• Battery condition

• Coolant and other vehicle fluids

• Air-conditioning performance

• Windshield wipers

• Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals

• Brakes

• Spare tire or tire repair equipment

• Emergency and roadside supplies

• Current insurance and registration information

Water, a phone charger, a flashlight, and basic emergency supplies can also be useful additions to an Arizona vehicle emergency kit.

Because parked vehicle interiors can reach dangerous temperatures quickly, children and pets should not be left unattended in a parked vehicle.

What Should Teen Drivers Know About Arizona Monsoon and Dust Storm Conditions?

Arizona's monsoon season continues during August, which means teen and college-age drivers may encounter heavy rain, blowing dust, lightning, reduced visibility, or flash flooding.

According to Arizona dust-storm driving guidance, when conditions make it necessary to pull over, drivers should move completely off the paved roadway when it is safe, stop the vehicle, set the parking brake, turn off vehicle lights, remove their foot from the brake pedal, remain buckled, and wait for visibility to improve before returning to the roadway.

Drivers should avoid stopping in an active travel lane.

Water-covered roads and flooded washes can also be hazardous because water may be deeper or moving faster than it appears.

When Should a Arizona Household Consider an Insurance Review?

Insurance needs can evolve as households, vehicles, properties, and routines change.

Common life changes that may prompt a conversation with an insurance agent include:

• Adding a teen or other household driver

• Purchasing or replacing a vehicle

• Sending a student to college

• Moving to a new residence

• Changing where a vehicle is kept

• Changing a commute or vehicle usage

• Making significant changes to a home

• Starting or changing a business

• Other significant household changes

An insurance review can provide an opportunity to look at current drivers, vehicles, addresses, coverage limits, deductibles, and other policy information.

Connect With McDermid State Farm Agency in Mesa, AZ

For questions about State Farm auto insurance or other insurance options, the McDermid State Farm Agency team serves customers from two Mesa, Arizona locations.

McDermid State Farm Agency 1113 S. Signal Butte Road, Suite 109 Mesa, AZ 85208

McDermid State Farm Agency 6835 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102 Mesa, AZ 85209

Call, text, or visit either Mesa location to ask about insurance options, request a quote, or discuss an insurance review. Coverage, eligibility, discounts, and availability vary by policy and individual circumstances.