Posted by Michelle Rue on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 11:18 AM
Spring is quickly approaching ( the official first day is this Saturday, March 20th!) which means warmer weather and more time outside! It's important to know what to expect from your car in the summer time and how you can be fully prepared for the season.
Auto Insurance companies love to insure people who are educated about their car's needs. Sometimes, you even get a discount for being prepared!
Warm weather can be just as harsh on your car as cool weather. It's important to have everything in place to keep the chances of your engine from over heating and being damaged.
Things to do to prepare for summer:
1. Check antifreeze/coolant levels. Keep these levels filled to prevent your car from overheating
2. Check your tire pressure frequently. Changes in temperature can cause the air pressure in your tires to fluctuate.
3. Purchase a window covering (sun shade). Covering your windshield with a specially designed cover can lower temperatures in your car by quite a bit.
4. Get squeaky clean. Winter weather can make your car filthy! Giving your car a nice wash- including waxing, keeps your car from getting as scratched and damaged throughout the summer and winter.
5. Check your air conditioning to make sure it is working properly.
Stay tuned for more ways to prepare for summer as the weather continues to warm up!
Thanks photogirl7 for the photo!
Posted by Michelle Rue on Wed, Mar 17, 2010 @ 09:45 AM
Happy St. Patrick's day! Today many people will celebrate the Irish holiday with green beer, cabbage soup and a beef dish. It's fun to get dressed up in green and enjoy a green beer or two, but be careful.
Police forces are out in full force on days like today. Holidays tend to be a time where people enjoy a few too many drinks and then try to drive home. Don't be one of these people today.
Plan ahead. Before you go out with your friends and enjoy some green beer make a plan to have someone be the sober driver. If everyone in your group plans on participating in the festivities then find a good friend to pick you up. No one wants to ruin their fun St. Patty's day by getting a DUI.
I know you have heard all of this before, but its good to be reminded. If you choose to drink and drive you aren't just putting yourself at risk.
Happy St. Patty's day! Make it a smart one!
Thanks BluEyedA73 for the photo!
Posted by Michelle Rue on Tue, Mar 16, 2010 @ 03:18 PM
Daylight savings is an exciting time of the year for some people. This means that the days seem to be longer because the sun stays up later. But, this new change in time schedule causes many people to be "off" for a few days.
Humans are creatures of habit. We enjoy having the same thing for breakfast every morning, having daily rituals (like brushing our teeth twice a day, or taking a shower in the morning or at night), as well as a waking up at the same time. Time changes tends to throw us off for a couple of days until our bodies adjust. So what does this have to do with car accidents?
Because a majority of people's sleep schedules are "off" there is an increase in the chances of accidents. A study done at the University of British Columbia has shown that "there is a 17% increase in accidents the Monday after daylight savings."(1) The cause of this increase can be pointed towards sleep deprivation. Drivers who are tired tend to be less responsive on the road.
Although, we have already made it past the Monday following daylight savings some of us are still adjusting. Provide extra caution on the roads for the rest of the week. Keep in mind that other drivers may be sleepy so, pay attention.
Source:
1.Sleep Deficit, Fatal Accidents, and the Spring Shift to Daylight Savings Time (Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 1/1/1998)
Thanks to chispita_666 for the photo!
Posted by Michelle Rue on Sat, Mar 13, 2010 @ 10:15 AM
Excited to finally get insurance on your new car, you hopped online to get a free quote. You were excited until the company mentioned that they wanted to check your credit score before offering you a quote. You freak out because you don't have the world's best credit and you thought that it wouldn't affect this one aspect of your life. Now your insurance policy may double in price because you couldn't pay a couple of bills. Now what?
Well, first it's important to know why some companies choose to use credit reports as a measure of liability.
There actually is a correlation between being fiscally responsible and being a responsible driver. Research has showed that people who are responsible with their money, tend to be more reliable when it comes to other aspects of their life. On average they care more about taking care of their car, not receiving traffic tickets, and paying their insurance bills on time.
Insurance companies realize that there are a large portion of drivers who don't have great credit scores. Because it is still important that these drivers are insured, some companies have made it their selling point to not check credit scores.
If you are one of these drivers, look for companies who use your driving record instead.
Posted by Michelle Rue on Fri, Mar 12, 2010 @ 02:42 PM
Going through a divorce is not something most people look forward to. Not only is it emotionally draining, but it is also a struggle dealing with all of the various policies and accounts that the two of you have together.
One of those accounts may be your auto insurance. Many couples have found that buying a joined auto insurance policy saves them money, but now what? Will you lose your policy? Can the policy be split?
Like many things with a divorce, it depends a lot on the type of relationship the couple has after the split. If the couple is still able to be friends and will continue some kind of relationship due to children, or other circumstances then it might be best to keep the policy in place.
However, many of us know that the chances of a couple remaining in good standing with one another isn't very common. In this case it is usually best that each person gets their own policy.
If one person is planning on keeping the vehicle(s) that were previously shared, then it usually makes sense for the policy to follow the vehicle(s). If the vehicle(s) is going to be sold than the policy can be canceled.
Like I said before, it depends on the relationship and each person's individual needs. Make sure not to leave your auto insurance in the dust though. Some people have had problems with their ex canceling their policy without informing them. You don't want to be driving without insurance, so make sure your auto insurance is covered.
Thanks .ygor for the photo!
Posted by Michelle Rue on Thu, Mar 11, 2010 @ 12:33 PM
Sooner or later most of us are bound to run into some unsafe drivers. People forget that they have responsibility for the safety of others while on the road and therefore choose to drive dangerously.
It can be scary to see a drunk driver swerving from lane to lane, or to have an angry driver cutting you off. So what can you do to not feel powerless in these situations?
Several states have made it a recent priority to cut down the amount of drunk and aggressive drivers on the road. There have been websites created where you can call in and report reckless driving. Also, you can always call your local police department to report the driver. Try to get a description of the driver as well as their license plate number and make and model of the car they're driving. The better description you have, the higher the chances are of the police catching them.
If you are sharing the road with an aggressive or intoxicated driver stay away from them. You are not a police officer so do not follow closely behind them or try to avoid them from passing you. Doing this only puts you and other drivers in more danger.
Drive safely and report any behavior that makes you feel in danger.
Posted by Michelle Rue on Thu, Mar 04, 2010 @ 03:29 PM
Leasing is sometimes the most financially efficient way to get a car. But, just because you are leasing doesn't mean that your responsibilities as a driver are any different.
If your state requires auto insurance, then you still need to meet the minimum requirements of your state. Most of the time the bank, or dealer you are leasing the car from has insurance requirements of their own.
Typically companies (either banks or auto insurance dealers) require the driver to purchase at least comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Comprehensive coverage - this covers the cost of damages of the policy holder's vehicle NOT caused by an accident.
- Collision coverage - this covers the cost of damages of the policy holder's vehicle in the event of an accident.
Remember, you have primary responsibility of a vehicle, whether you own it or are leasing it.
Posted by Michelle Rue on Tue, Mar 02, 2010 @ 12:13 PM
On my way to work yesterday I saw an accident where a teenage boy had slid into the car in front of him. Everyone was fine, and the damage wasn't too bad, but the boy was frantic. He had no idea where his insurance card was, what information to get from the other driver, or basically what to do period.
It's to be expected that a new driver would be scared and nervous in this type of situation, but they don't have to be unprepared.
This accident made me think that it would be a good idea to jot down a few things that parents might want to consider telling their new drivers, just incase they are involved in an accident.
#1 ALWAYS carry your driver's license with you!
- No matter how far you are driving you should always have your driver's license. You can be severely penalized for driving without a license handy.
#2 Have your car insurance information with you and know where it is.
- It doesn't do a whole lot of good to carry insurance information with you if you can't find it when you need it most. Put it in a place that you will remember and where it can't get lost. There is usually a clear slot on the driver's side sun visor that is a great place to put this information.
#3 Call police, right away.
- Call the police the second the accident occurs. This allows for proper documentation of the accident and also allows for safe direction of traffic around your accident.
#4 If you are feeling hurt at all, stay in your car!
- It is never a good idea to get up and move around if you are injured. Stay in your car and wait for paramedics to arrive.
#5 Get information of the other driver(s) involved
- Once the police arrive they can help you gather this information. In the mean time ask the other driver(s) for their insurance information, make note of their license plate number, and write down their driver's license number.
- This also benefits you if the driver decides to take off. If you can at least get their license plate number you have a better chance of not having to deal with all of the damages yourself.
Hopefully, this information can help make your new driver a little more confident on the road. It is always comforting to know what to do incase something scary, like an accident, occurs. Hopefully they will never have to deal with a situation like this, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!
Posted by Michelle Rue on Fri, Feb 26, 2010 @ 09:37 AM
A new year, calls for a new look, right? Have you been thinking about buying a brand new sports car in 2010, but can't decide which speed-machine would fit you best? Well, maybe these numbers will help make your choice a little easier.
It's not a shock to most people to find out that sports cars are more expensive to insure. But just HOW MUCH more?! Well, I took a look around and found that these 2010 vehicles are the top 10 most expensive cars to insure this year:
Posted by Michelle Rue on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 @ 10:51 AM
When the economy starts to fall, it makes sense that households are forced to cut back. Sometimes this means less dinners out, not as many leisurely activities, but for others it can mean cutting out necessities, like car insurance.
It's scary for people when they have to start prioritizing things that they had originally considered a necessity. Although, some drivers argue that auto insurance isn't a necessity, to others it is. Some families have realized how important it is to have everyone they love to be financially protected. So if you are one of these families, that finds auto insurance to be a necessity, but are struggling with figuring out how to pay for it, what should you do?
First, look at your current policy and see if there are any areas where you could cut back. Of course, it is nice to be fully taken care of, but if you are having to risk not being insured at all, there are likely some areas where the insurance could be decreased yet still be helpful.
After you have done this, check to see if you are receiving all of the discounts you are eligible for. Are you in the military? Are you a woman driver? Are any of your children who are 16 or older above average students? There are many discounts out there available that aren't offered unless the customer asks about them, so ask!
I really support you making auto insurance a priority and wanting to keep your family covered. I understand that times are tough and cut-backs are necessary, so I am here just to make sure you look in every corner to see the options available. If you are still having trouble figuring out how to make auto insurance affordable for your family please contact me. I am more than happy to help you figure out a way to make it work for your situation!
Thanks to futureshape for the photo!