Blog

Between all the misconceptions about Auto Insurance and the helpful details people don't know about it, there is much to learn before buying a car or choosing a provider. The type of car you have, the features of the car, the engine of the car are all going to affect your insurance rates but color does not matter. For some reason, people choose to believe that a red car is going to land you with more tickets and in fact raise your insurance rates, it's not true - the color of your car will not play a role in your payments. People also tend to believe that auto insurance is going to pay for any automotive repairs they have, unfortunately this is not true either. So what is true? As long as you don’t have the base liability insurance, your insurance will cover your car even if you were the one that caused the accident. Collision insurance is usually optional but it will cover you if you’re at fault. Most people don’t know what ‘totaled’ means. Totaled means your car has been damaged in an accident and it is either beyond repair or the cost of repairing it is greater than what it’s actually worth. Your insurer will give you as much as the car was worth before the accident happened, not the post-crash value. Although auto insurance covers a large variety of unplanned costs, it will not cover anything that may have been stolen if your car was broken into. With that being said, if you have homeowners insurance, those items will typically be covered under that policy. Bundling your insurance packages and adding anyone in your household who is of driving age will usually lead to lower costs. Although it’s always smart to still shop around and get at least 3 other quotes before committing to one company. For some more useful information, go to http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/cauto.htm While the lowest rates play a huge role in which company you end up picking, you should also research to see what their customer service is like. When you are dealing with your insurance after an accident, you will want to speak with someone who is going to handle it the most efficiently. If you’re looking to buy a new car, there are several factors that will affect your insurance. The price of the vehicle, how much it typically costs to have repaired, safety records, likelihood of it being stolen, high end cars come with high insurance costs, bigger motors mean more horsepower which will mean bigger rates, sports cars will have higher insurance prices, your age, your driving record and where you live will all affect your insurance quote. Where you live will greatly impact your insurance. Those who live in major cities with a significant amount of traffic like New York City or within a one hour radius of it, like Long Island, are going to pay much more for insurance than people who live in Upstate New York and drive through empty back roads. The closer you live to work, the lower your insurance costs are going to be. If you drive less than the average amount expected each year, you will qualify for cheaper rates. The cleaner your driving record is, the less you will have to pay on insurance. Taking a defensive driving course can decrease your rates up to 10%! Paying a higher deductible means more will be covered which will save you much more money in the long run if you end up getting in an accident. The better your credit score is, the lower your rates will be. The more safety features you add to your car, the better your insurance rates will be. Every ten years, the insurance rates should decrease on a vehicle so you’ll want to check to make sure this is happening if your car is over 10 years old. Paying in full will save you more money than paying month by month. There are a number of discounts that many insurance companies offer but many don’t know about. Here are just a few - teens with good grades, college-age drivers that attend school 100+ miles from home, being over the age of 50-55, being retired, business group members, alumni groups, professional associations, group plans offered through work. The company that offers the largest discounts may not be the ones offering the best price. Sometimes it’s the companies that offer the least amount of discounts that have the lowest rates because they have it so low already they cannot afford to give away any more savings. It is also good practice to shop around at the end of each year, loyalty does not come with any kind of savings with insurance companies. Do your research, shop around and shop for take advantage of discounts.

Many welcome Fall with it’s pumpkin flavored everything, it’s endless sweaters, it’s cooler temperatures, it’s apple picking and much more. What people don’t realize though is with Fall weather conditions come dangerous fall driving conditions to watch out for. Between the leaves changing colors and the lower temperatures, there is a lot to look out for when driving. The first rainfall after a significant period of dry, humid days is going to make for very slippery roads. It mixes with all the dust and oils that have accumulated over time and can leave you slipping and sliding if you’re not careful. The leaves are going to start to fall and litter the roadways. Not only can these leaves cover road markings and make them hard to read but they may also cover potholes in the roads that can lead to damage to your vehicle if you drive over them. There will be an increase of traffic when school starts back up after summer vacation. Make sure to leave a little earlier to get from point a to point b to avoid stressing over being late or getting frustrated and creating road rage. Remember to always bring your vehicle to a stop when there is a school bus with it’s lights flashing, no matter what lane you are in or what side of the road you are on. There are going to be drivers who will be distracted by the changing of the leaves colors. Expect to see some of them slow down or even come to a stop on the side of the road to take pictures. The cool fall mornings are going to create fog so it’s best to keep a distance between the cars around you to avoid any accidents. Make sure not to use your high beams for it will only bounce off the fog and make it even harder to see, instead use the low beams. Temperatures will drop overnight which is going to cause frost on windshields. It will also make for more slippery bridges and overpasses. Driving before the windshields have been defrosted can be very dangerous. The sun is going to be rising setting earlier. It will make for more difficult driving to and from work because the angles are going hit your windshield and/or rearview mirror with such intensity while rising and setting on your way to and from work. Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car. Look out for deer! It’s their mating season so they are likely to be out and about much more often. Keep your eyes peeled at night when your driving around areas that may have them. Wash the inside and outside of your windshield or the glare from the sun is going to make it even more difficult to see with a dirty windshield instead of a clean, streak-free one. Tires are known to lose pressure with the introduction of lower temperatures. Fill up your tires and keep checking them. While the conditions aren’t quite as bad as they will be in the winter, these conditions still deserve enough attention to make sure everyone is educated on them. It can decrease accidents on the roadways if people know what to look out for and what precautions to take.

There are several factors to consider when deciding on all season tires or snow tires. When it comes down to it though, it really depends on where you live and what conditions you typically drive in year in and year out. For those of us who live in the Northeast and experience all four seasons, snow tires will most likely be your best bet. All Season All season tires get better fuel economy and are designed to perform in a variety of conditions like wet roads and light winter driving but will not handle as well in more extreme weather. They will not provide as much gripping and handling as you would receive with winter and summer tires but if the conditions don’t require it then all season tires will be fine. Winter and Snow Tires Winter and snow tires are designed to perform on all conditions that range from heavy snow fall to black ice. This is accomplished through tread rubber, tread depth, tires patterns and biting edges. Anyone who experiences cold enough temperatures is going to experience a stiffening of tread rubber in their all season tires as well as a decrease in tire pressure which decreases the amount of traction they will produce. Winter tires are build with a flexible tread rubber that will adjust itself to provide the best grip. Snow tires also have a deeper tread depth so it can allow for more snow build up without causing a decrease in performance. The different tread patterns on snow tires will channel snow and slush and will have the ability to expel water. Finally snow tires have more biting edges and high sipe densities which is essentially more slits along the tire treads to provide for more traction on ice. Anyone who lives in the Northeast should seriously consider buying snow tires. Here they are more of a need than a want. It is also important not to keep snow tires on all year long or they will wear very quickly. Their material is not meant for dry conditions. It’s usually a good rule of thumb to put your snow tires on around Thanksgiving considering you never know how early the first snow fall will be. Snow tires tend to be switched out around Easter time or the end of March depending on how late Easter falls.

DIY projects always seem like a great idea. It's going to save me money and it's going to feel good knowing I did it myself! Then in the middle of the project I usually realize I've gotten myself way in over my head and there is a very slim chance I'm going to be able to finish this. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, make sure you’re answering these five questions before starting your next project whether it be changing your oil, building your transmission or anything else. How long will it take? Do your research, see how much time that specific project normally takes a do-it-yourselfer. Make sure you have that time available in your schedule. Maybe it’s more beneficial to pay a professional to do it while you get other chores done. Finally, realize you are going to be out of a car until you get the project finished. Do you have the tools? Automotive repairs normally require a significant amount of special tools, most of which you will not find in your typical shed. These tools are going to cost a good amount of money and you’ll need to take the time to learn how to use them. It may not be worth it if you don’t find yourself needing these expensive tools for anything else. Do you have the space? If you live in an apartment complex, it’s going to be more difficult to get these kind of projects done. Without a garage, you’ll have to keep your car in the same spot for however long the job takes. You are going to have the equipment all over the place and people may need to take up the spots around you. Even with a garage, most of the time they are shared with other tenants or needed for extra storage. Unless you have your own garage with a good amount of space to maneuver, it is not going to be easy to get this job done. Do you know how to do it? Watch several tutorials about it on YouTube and scope it out. With each and every step, ask yourself if this is something you would be capable of. If any parts seem a little tricky or too complicated, it may be more beneficial to have a professional do it. A car is not something you want to do a botch job on! What are the risks of injury? Safety should always be the most important factor when thinking about starting a project. No project is worth a broken leg or a broken hand. There is a chance with these projects that the car can fall on you or the transmission can crush your hand. This could mean having to be out of work for several weeks which might make things difficult without that income. When starting a DIY project make sure you are always being safe and smart about it. Have a bail out plan just in case things go awry. Have the phone number of a tow truck on hand. If you have answered all of these questions and still feel confident you can accomplish your project, good luck and have fun!

We’ve all heard the words “drive safe” when grabbing our keys and heading for the door. Of course we’re not hitting 90 on the highway and making lefts on red but there are many other factors that can cause accidents. While these factors may not seem like a big deal at the time, they are the ones that cause the greatest number of accidents on the roads today. Every time you find yourself behind the wheel, traveling out of the state or down the street, make sure you’re keeping these tips in mind: Stay alert When driving, make sure you are always observing your surroundings. By zoning out, your response time is going to decrease and it will also decrease your awareness. You should not be behind the wheel if you’re tired. Those who drive while drowsy are twice as likely to be involved in an accident than those who are awake and alert. If you do find your eyes drooping while your on the road, pull off somewhere and take a nap or make a pit stop for caffeine. Avoid distractions When driving, your attention should always be on the road ahead of you. It is so common to drive past another vehicle that may be swerving in and out of lanes or slowing down and speeding back up. While passing them, you’re most likely going to witness them eating, using their phone, checking on kids or maybe even trying to apply make-up! These cause for very distracted driving and if you put two of these drivers within a close enough proximity to each other, there is going to be a high chance of an accident. Stopping off for five or ten minutes is well worth a later arrival time if it means keeping your car intact and the people inside it safe. Create a buffer zone Tailgating is never the answer. As frustrated as you may get with a left lane driver who is not hitting the speed limit, tailgating them is just going to increase your chance of an accident. Be patient and keep enough space ahead of you in case the car has to stop short, you will still have enough time to stop without plowing into the back of their car. Accidents happen all the time and 9 times out of 10, none of the drivers involved saw it coming. Keep your hands on the wheel Whether your reaching for the bag of chips on the passenger seat or your dancing along to the music, there is never a time where a driver should take their hands of the wheel. Your tire could hit something you didn’t see or you may need to swerve out of the way of something, if your hands aren’t on the wheel, you will not be able to control the outcome of this situation. Adapt to weather conditions With fog, you’re going to want to drive at a slower rate than you normally would considering visibility is low so you may not see something in your way or the lines on the road. With rain or ice, you will want to be more cautious around turns, start making your stops way in advance and keeping it slow. With a bright, shining sun you will want to make sure you always keep sunglasses in the car and put the visors down. Communicate with others Signals should never be ignored. Any time you’re changing your position on the road, communicate with those around you and let them know what direction you’re headed. You can also use hand signals to show others where you plan on moving to. Also, giving a quick “Thank You” wave will not only show the other driver your appreciation but it will decrease the likelihood of creating an aggressive driver if they felt you may have cut them off. Don’t expect others to communicate with you Always be defensive while driving.If you notice a driver around you that is driving erratically, drifting, changing lanes without signaling or one who can’t keep a steady speed, keep as much space as you can between your vehicle and their’s until you feel you can safely pass them. The next time mom tells you to “Drive Safe” realize that she is referencing these tips to be smart, alert and defensive when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Accidents don’t just affect you and your safety, it affects those around you who also have loved ones. As safety is most important, accidents are also going to cause a large amount of money to fix between insurance, repair bills or a purchase of a new car.

Most new car  buyers are unaware of these common mistakes made that can cause damage to the vehicle. Whether the adrenaline of being behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle has gotten to you and you're hitting the gas petal a little too hard or you're trying to get a better price on your regular maintenance checks by bringing it to an unqualified technician, you're car is suffering. It may seem like a good idea now but it's going to create problems in the long-run. Here are a few ways to avoid damaging your new car  - Keep it clean. It’s new, it’s shiny so why worry about bringing it to the car wash? Well like our previous blog post has mentioned, dirt, bird droppings, gasoline, tree sap, etc. can eat away at your car’s paint if left on the car. By getting your car washed regularly, you will be able to get most of these elements off easily without any paint damage. Not only should you be keeping the body clean but it is important to take a wet rag and wipe down the engine bay from time to time. It’ll pay off when you try selling the vehicle, the buyer will want to pay top dollar as soon as they see the clean engine bay. Be gentle. You may be tempted to see how the new car runs which may cause you to be aggressive with the gas and the brake. Fact is, the first couple thousand miles of a car should be taken carefully without redlining and slamming on the brakes. This is going to cause your car’s performance to decrease more so than someone who treats it well. Also, don’t assume that because the car is brand new, you can wait a little longer for your first oil change. The first oil change is the most important and needs to be taken care of on time. Keep track. Make sure you’re taking any paperwork you receive from service appointments and put them away in a folder for future reference. When it comes time to sell the car, the buyer is going to want to know everything about it’s current condition. This paperwork will allow them to trust your car is still in good quality and may even result in getting more money for the car. Research your technician. If you’re paying higher monthly payments or your insurance increased with a new car, you may try saving money by getting routine maintenance done by someone who is offering cheaper prices. Where ever you schedule these appointments, make sure you’re researching the technician first to make sure they’re qualified and that they do quality work. Bringing it to someone who isn’t qualified will only cause you’re car more expensive problems because they’re using the guess and check method. When buying a new car, make sure to treat it well so you don’t run into expensive problems down the road.

As long as you keep your driving record clean, you’ll always get the lowest car insurance rates. That is the common misconception we all believe to be true. The fact is though, it doesn’t matter how well you drive - it all depends on how well you pay your bills. Consumer Reports has recently done a study and found out that somebody with a DWI on their record is paying a significant amount less for insurance than someone who the insurance company feels has poor credit. Defensive driving courses will also save a boat-load of money on car insurance year over year. This too is a common misconception, as it does save you money, it is only saving you somewhere around $97 every year. Here are some tips that will save you more money on your car insurance than you think: Shop around. Many people sign onto one insurance company and never look back. They renew with that same company for years and years without looking at quotes from other companies. J.D. Power conducted a U.S. Insurance Shopping Study in 2014 and concluded that “Drivers who switch to a new insurer average $387 in annual savings. Take an hour out of one day of every year and get quotes from 10 other insurance companies to see how much you could save. Remember, you do not have to wait until your car insurance is up in order to switch. If you pre-paid and want to switch to a different company, your current insurance company will have to reimburse you that money. Check your credit report for mistakes. If there are any, have it corrected and ask the insurance companies to score you again. Start shopping around a month or more before your policy expires, a gap in coverage can cost you. Make sure you’re asking the insurance companies what discounts you qualify for, a majority of life changing events will qualify you for certain discounts (getting married, changing professions, etc.) So as you should continue to drive safely and keep your record clean, also keep in mind that there are other ways to keeping your car insurance rate low.

The paint on your car can be damaged by so many factors, many don't even realize it. Dead bugs and bird droppings are more commonly known to ruin your paint but tar, tree sap, wildfires, gas from the pump, coffee/soda, dirt or lawn sprinklers can also do a great amount of damage to your vehicle's paint job. The best way to protect your car from paint damage is to have it waxed at least once every 3 months. It's not going to keep all of it off but it won't be as easy for all of it to get stuck to your car, the small percentage of spills or droppings that do mark up your car will be easier to remove if it's waxed. It is important to follow these steps to clean these markings off before they scratch your paint and eat through the coats: The most efficient way to get rid of these markings is to clean it as soon as you see it. If you're able to attend to it quickly, all you need is a soft towel and a quick detailer and it should come right off. Taking quick action is also ideal because it will clean the mark without removing any existing wax. For markings that have had time to settle in, there are three different methods of cleaning: If it's just one spot, you'll want to consider a Bug remover. After you treat the spot, you should spray some wax over the area you just treated. Larger areas should be treated with a safe scrub bug sponge. While the car is soapy and sudsy, you should take this sponge and wipe the bugs off, for tougher areas you can use a boars head hair brush. After you have the whole area clean, you need to reapply wax to the entire area. Finally, you can use a detailing clay and a clay lubricant to wipe these marks up. For more than one mark, make sure to remodel the clay to make sure you're using clean clay. This too will require some waxing afterwards. Your car's paint can be seriously damaged with any one of these factors and if left untreated, it can lead to an expensive touch up. Make sure you're tending to these marks as quickly as you can to avoid a damaged paint job.