Aaron McDermid

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

My team and I serve customers from two McDermid State Farm Agency locations in Mesa, Arizona. We focus on personalized guidance, responsive customer service, and helping customers better understand their insurance options.

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 Mesa and communities throughout the greater Phoenix area.

September may signal the beginning of fall across much of the country, but in Mesa and the Phoenix area, summer temperatures often remain well into the month. Arizona families may still be dealing with extreme heat, monsoon storms, blowing dust, heavy rain, and changing road conditions.

September also brings busy school schedules, high school and college activities, football season, Labor Day travel, and more teen drivers commuting to school, work, practices, games, and other activities.

With changing schedules and driving habits, September can be a useful time to review current drivers, vehicles, addresses, coverage limits, deductibles, mileage, and other insurance information.

Labor Day weekend is often associated with road trips, family gatherings, outdoor recreation, and the unofficial end of summer. For Arizona drivers, however, September can still bring triple-digit temperatures and challenging driving conditions.

Before a Labor Day weekend road trip or other September travel, drivers may want 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

Keeping drinking water, a phone charger, flashlight, and basic emergency supplies in the vehicle can also be helpful when traveling through Arizona.

Because parked vehicle interiors can reach dangerous temperatures quickly, children and pets should never be left unattended in a parked vehicle.

September 11 is Patriot Day, a time when communities across Arizona and the nation remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and recognize the service and sacrifice of first responders, military members, and others who serve their communities.

As a U.S. Army Veteran, service has played an important role in both my personal and professional life. The values of responsibility, preparation, and helping others continue to influence how I approach serving our customers and the Mesa community.

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, sports, or other 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 adding a new driver may affect an existing auto insurance policy.

When Can an Auto Insurance Review Be Helpful?

Changes in a household's vehicles, drivers, addresses, or routines may affect existing insurance information.

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.

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 can also help drivers avoid feeling rushed when encountering school traffic, construction, crashes, or unexpected delays.

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 available coverage options.

September can also be an opportunity for Arizona homeowners to consider changes that have taken place around the home during the year.

Homeowners may want to review their insurance information after:

• Completing renovations or additions

• Installing new features or equipment

• Making significant home improvements

• Purchasing higher-value personal property

• Adding home security or safety features

• Changing how part of the property is used

• Making other significant household or property changes

Home insurance needs vary based on the property, household, coverage selected, and other individual circumstances.

Insurance needs can evolve as households, vehicles, properties, businesses, and daily 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

• Buying a home

• Making significant changes to a home

• Getting married

• Welcoming a new family member

• Starting or changing a business

• Other significant household changes

An insurance review provides an opportunity to discuss current policy information, coverage options, deductibles, limits, drivers, vehicles, and other changes that may be relevant.

Our team can assist customers looking for information about:

• Auto Insurance

• Homeowners Insurance

• Renters Insurance

• Condo Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Business Insurance

For questions about State Farm auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, business insurance, or other available 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

Reach out for a quote or insurance review! We are here to help take care of what matters most to you!