Auto Insurance / Car Insurance

Getting into a collision can be shocking and scary — and, unfortunately, most people will experience at least one in their lifetime.  While you can hope for the best, it’s also helpful to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Familiarize yourself with what to do following an accident so you can try to stay calm and collect the information you need if it happens. From checking on yourself and your passengers to filing a claim, here’s what you need to know about dealing with an accident. Make sure everyone’s okay. Examine yourself and any passengers for cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Take a moment to check for pain in your neck, shoulders, and other parts of your body. Move your vehicle. If you’re able, pull onto the shoulder to be safer and avoid blocking traffic. Call emergency responders. Dial 911 to report the accident and any injuries. The operator will dispatch emergency services as needed. It’s important to get a police report for your claim to provide evidence. Exchange information with the other driver. Regardless of how the accident happened, it’s good practice to exchange information with the other driver. Take pictures of their driver's license, insurance card, and license plates to help support your claim. Don’t assume fault. When talking to the police, the other driver, and witnesses, watch your words. You can answer the officer’s questions about what happened, but you don’t want to say you were at fault. The insurance investigation will make that determination. Take photos of the scene. This is another crucial step for your claim. Take pictures of your vehicle and the other car(s), as well as any visible injuries you and your passengers sustained. File an insurance claim. Finally, get in touch to start the claim process. If you need to seek medical treatment after the accident, keep a record of that. If your vehicle wasn’t towed from the scene, you can decide whether to take it to a body shop of your choice or an insurer-recommended one. Reach out if you need to file a claim, update your coverage, or have questions about your policy.

When was the last time you reviewed your homeowners and auto insurance policies? If it’s been more than a year, it may be time to check-in. Both large and small life changes can affect your coverage needs, but it’s easy to forget in the bustle of everyday life. January is a perfect time to sit down with your policy documents or reach out so we can discuss the state of your coverage. Not sure if a check-in would benefit you? Benefits of Reviewing Your Policies Savings: Checking in can make you aware of certain discounts you may qualify for. Maybe you’ve maintained a record of safe driving or installed a home security system, which could both lower your premiums in some cases. Information Gathering: Do you have an up-and-coming teen driver or a large home renovation in the works? Let’s talk about these life changes before they happen, and look at how they may impact your coverage and premiums. New Asset Protection: Purchasing a new car or other large asset, such as luxury jewelry, artwork or antiques, may require updates to your insurance policy. When to Update Your Coverage Home Renovations: Finishing your basement, building an addition to your house or adding outdoor structures will likely require changes to your coverage. It’s important to have enough coverage for the updated replacement cost of your home. Life Changes: Getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving or having a child reach driving age are all life events that should prompt a discussion about your coverage needs. Car Finances: Buying a new car, getting a new auto loan or paying off your current loan can have implications for your car insurance. Reach out to make sure you have the right policies. Homebuying: A home purchase usually requires a new or updated homeowners insurance policy. You may be able to bundle your home and auto coverage for potential savings. A new year can be a great time to check in about your insurance coverage. Get in touch to review your current policies and discuss whether changes are needed.

Keeping your car neat and tidy can be hard, especially if you have kids or pets. If you’re not careful about eating and drinking in the car, spills and crumbs can leave a permanent stain. And this time of year can present even more challenges to a clean vehicle. Winter weather like snow, ice and freezing rain can leave the floor (and seats) of your car wet and grimy. Follow these five tips to keep the inside of your car clean, even when the weather is working against you. Declutter the interior and trunk. Cars tend to be a catchall for your belongings. Follow the rule of carrying out what you brought into your vehicle as often as possible. Once a month or so, take time to declutter everything, including the trunk. Protect the floors. Keep carpet and floor mats from being damaged by wiping up mud, slush and road salt after using your vehicle. Consider buying all-weather mats, which offer more protection and are easier to clean. Dust surfaces. Keep wipes or microfiber cloths in your car so you can easily clean dust and grime from the dashboard, steering wheel and surfaces. Clean and vacuum seats. Whether fabric or leather, regular use can cause wear and tear to seats. Protect them with conditioners and vacuum them regularly to keep dirt from building up. Prevent food and drink spills. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try to avoid eating and drinking in the car. If you have to do it, try to use spill-proof containers and steer clear of messy foods. Following these tips can help you keep your car clean this winter and all year. If you have any questions about protecting your car with insurance, reach ou t for help.

In the past few years, credit card balances have trended upward nationally. While debt may be an unfortunate fact of life, there are steps you can take to improve your finances. Paying down debt takes time, but you’ll feel less stressed if you can maintain control over your budget and build your savings instead of making debt payments. Whether you’re struggling with credit card balances, medical debt or loans, these tips could help you create a solid foundation for your financial life and find an approach to managing debt that works for you. 1. Start budgeting. Making a budget is the first step towards getting — and staying — out of debt. Sticking to a budget will help you track the money coming in and going out of your accounts so you can avoid overspending. You can categorize your expenses and identify what to cut back on. You can also use your budget to determine how much debt you can pay off each month. 2. Choose a debt payoff method. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by debt. If you don’t know where to start, consider using one of these two popular payment approaches: The Snowball Method : Start with your lowest balance and throw everything you can at it while making the minimum payment on everything else. This approach helps you reach your first “win” faster, which can motivate you to keep going. The Avalanche Method : Start with the loan or credit card that has the highest interest rate. This method may take longer to clinch your first victory, but it will help you save on interest in the long run. 3. Get help from a professional. If you can’t or don’t want to do it alone, consult a professional for help. Credit Counseling : You may find this through a nonprofit organization with certified counselors. You can discuss your finances, then they can help you make a plan for paying off debt and gaining control of your money. Debt Consolidation Services : Also known as debt relief, these companies could help you consolidate multiple balances into a single payment. They may also negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debt for less than you owe, but be sure to use a reputable company. Financial Planners : If you’re looking for a long-term guide, financial planners can help you manage your budget, savings and debt to support your goals. Managing debt takes time, but it’s worth it. If you have questions about your homeowners, renters or auto insurance (financial or otherwise), reach out today.

For most Americans who drive a car, auto insurance is part of life. You might not even think about it very often — until you need it. However, just as your policy or premium may change from time to time, there are also some life changes that require you to update your insurance coverage. Here are four common reasons you should get in touch to update your auto policy. Moving Where you live can affect your car insurance premiums. Are you moving to a new city or state? Venturing out to the suburbs or even a rural area? You’ll want to update your car insurance, which may even save you money. If your move involves buying a new house, reach out about bundling your car and homeowners insurance to make things simpler. New Driver Getting your first driver’s license is an exciting milestone. If you have a new driver in your household, you can add them to your existing auto insurance policy. Your teen may even qualify for a discount based on good grades or other factors. We can review your options together. Marital Status If you’re getting married, you and your spouse may be able to save by having both of your cars on the same policy. On the other hand, you may be looking for your own policy after a divorce, so you can get in touch for a quote. Retirement Retiring often means the end of your daily commute. You may be able to switch to a low-mileage policy and see your premiums go down. If you have questions about your auto insurance or need to update your information, reach out for help.