Auto Insurance Archives - Page 6 of 16

7 things teens should know about car insurance

July 24, 2020July 23, 2020 by Kate Betts

As a teenager, car insurance might not be your favorite thing to think about. It’s not fun, admittedly, and it’s not “cool”. But it is a necessary thing, and it’s important to know the basics. So, we’ve got a quick list of things teens should know about car insurance. Don’t worry – we’ll keep it light and not-boring.

7 things teens should know about car insurance.

1. Driving safe is essential.

Okay, so the thing is that being young means that car insurance rates are kind of against you. Young drivers don’t have a lot of experience behind the wheel. It’s important to drive safe so as to avoid tickets, which have a lot of consequences – the anger of the parental units and being in trouble among them. But they can also mean higher insurance rates. (But of course the primary reason to drive safe is to avoid accidents that could hurt you and others.)

2. Getting good grades can help your rates.

There are a lot of reasons to hit the books and keep your grades up. One of those reasons is that it could help you get lower car insurance rates. That’s because it can help you score a Good Student Discount. And discounts on car insurance (particularly for teens) are a good thing. Now, keep in mind that you’ll probably need to show some sort of proof of your good grades – like a report card – and meet the qualifications set by the insurance carrier. But still – if you make good grades in school, don’t be shy about it. Ask if it can earn you a discount.

3. Drivers’ ed can also help your insurance rates.

Taking a drivers’ ed class that’s approved by your insurance company can also help you when it comes to your car insurance rates. Okay, yes, driver’s ed might not sound like the most thrilling thing out there. But you can learn valuable stuff from a class, and if you think about it, it’s just a temporary thing. It’s not like it’s forever. It’s definitely something to think about and find out about.

4. There’s a reason you need to drive a sensible vehicle.

Okay, okay, we get it. Everyone wants to drive the shiny, fancy, expensive car. But if you drive a safe, sensible car, you could (once again) have lower car insurance rates. So, yes, you might desperately want your parents to get you a fancy ride, but in reality your parents might be onto something by having you drive the family SUV or minivan. It’s a sensible plan, really.

5. It’s probably best to be on your parents’ policy.

Rather than being on your own policy for your car insurance, your parents should likely ad you to their car insurance policy. If they have good driving records this will probably help your family’s overall insurance situation. So, it’s yet another consideration when it comes to getting you properly insured. Insurance can be complicated, but it’s something your parents will likely be discussing.

6. Different coverages do different things.

It’s important for teens to understand that different insurance coverages do different things. Here are some of the common ones:

Bodily injury liability: Can help cover the other driver’s medical expenses if you injure them in an accident. Plus it can help cover your legal expenses if you get sued over the accident.

Property damage liability: Can help cover the costs of repairing someone’s property if you damage it in an accident (i.e. the other driver’s car).

Collision coverage: Can help repair your car if you’re in an accident (though you’ll still have to pay your deductible) or if you hit something.

Comprehensive coverage: Can cover damage to your car not caused by an accident, such as vandalism, animal strike, falling objects (i.e. tree branches), and hail. It can also cover theft.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist: Can help you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have enough insurance enough insurance to cover the incident.

7. Georgia has minimum limits of car insurance.

It’s also important to note that the state of Georgia has minimum limits of insurance that drivers have to have. Drivers have to carry at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage liability. Anyway – the point is that it’s essential to carry the appropriate insurance. Always make sure that you’ve got plenty of car insurance. It can bail you out of some really sticky situations.

If your family needs some car insurance quotes, our team can help. We like to make insurance easy and help people save money on their insurance. To get int ouch with us, all you have to do is fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.

How to get Atlanta motorcycle insurance

July 16, 2020 by Kate Betts

There’s something intriguing about motorcycles. If you are interested in getting a motorcycle, you might be wondering how to get Atlanta motorcycle insurance to protect yourself. Having the right insurance is important, after all. But how does one get that insurance? Our team can help you get quotes for Atlanta motorcycle insurance. Here’s now that process works.

How to get Atlanta motorcycle insurance.

1. Reach out to our team.

Naturally, the first thing you need to do is let us know that you need motorcycle insurance. Getting in touch with our team of top-notch insurance agents is easy. (We strive to make the insurance process as easy as possible. We’ve got a few different ways you can reach out to our team. That way you get to pick what’s best for you.)

Phone: There’s the phone, of course, if you want to talk on the phone with one of our agents about your motorcycle insurance. You can give us a buzz and we’d be happy to help.

Online form: You can also fill out our online form if you want to get in touch that way. The form just asks a few quick questions so we have some of the information we need to assist with your quotes.

LiveChat: You can also message us on LiveChat. If you’d rather message back and forth with us to get your quotes started, we can do that, too.

So, those are a few ways you can reach out to our team. If you’d prefer to email or text, we can communicate with our team that way. We’re more than happy to email or text if needed.

2. We’ll talk to you about your insurance needs.

The next thing that happens is one of our agents will have a conversation with you about your insurance needs. We need to know the particulars of your situation so we can best assist you with your Atlanta motorcycle insurance. We know you’re busy, though, so we won’t steal too much of your time. We’ll keep the conversation brief. Then we’ll be on our way to getting you the insurance you need.

3. We’ll get your quotes.

We’ll then embark on a quest to get you your Atlanta motorcycle insurance quotes. That way you can look at different options for your insurance. We love talking about insurance and we enjoy questing for the best insurance option for our customers. That’s what we do! We’ll search high and low to get you some great insurance.

4. We’ll answer any questions you have.

Atlanta motorcycle insurance might be confusing and overwhelming. So, if you have any questions about the quotes, we’d be happy to discuss those with you. Our team actually enjoys talking about insurance – we’re kind of nerdy that way. So, feel free to ask any questions you have, big or small. Anything that needs clarification can be clarified – just let us know.

5. We’ll be here to help with your insurance needs.

Then our team will be here to help with any insurance issues that might arise. If any questions or concerns come up, all you have to do is reach out to our team and we’ll be here to help. We know insurance can be overwhelming and scary, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Insurance is our thing.

Get quotes for Atlanta motorcycle insurance.

So, you can get motorcycle insurance by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. (And if you need renters insurance or home insurance, we can help with that too!) We would be happy to help you get the coverage you need. Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated.

How to create a teen driving contract

July 2, 2020 by Kate Betts

Teenagers can be a lot. And if you’ve got a teen driver on your hands, you’re probably very nervous. And that is totally understandable. Teens aren’t exactly known for their ability to make responsible decisions. So, what’s a parent to do when their teenager is about to get their license? You can take the time to create a driving contract with your teenager. Here are a few tips to give you a place to start with your parent-teen driving contract.

What is a teen driving contract?

The parent-teen driver contract is a set of guidelines and rules that the driver has to follow. It also gives consequences if those rules are broken. Basically, it outlines your expectations for the teen driver and it also makes sure that everyone is on the same page with both the rules and what would happen if those rules are not followed. It’s an agreement between the teen driver and the parent.

Tips for your parent-teen driving contract.

1. Convey the seriousness of driving.

The driving agreement is meant to convey that driving is a very serious responsibility. The contract makes sure that your teen knows that driving is a privilege. They need to understand that they need to be very careful behind the wheel. Driving isn’t just a convenience or a new, fun thing. It’s a big deal, one that needs to be taken seriously.

2. Clarify the rules and the consequences.

You also need to be sure your rules and consequences are written clearly. There should be little “wiggle room” or room for interpretation. Everything needs to be laid out properly, including the consequences or punishments that you establish for breaking the rules. Then the trick becomes actually sticking to these agreed-upon punishments. The rules and consequences need to be upheld.

3. Have both parent and teen sign the contract.

It’s important to open a discussion about safe driving and the guidelines. Talk about what rules are safe and fair, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Go over it together and make sure it’s something that everyone is comfortable signing. (But remember – you are the parent in the situation!) One of the goals of the contract is to get rid of any confusion concerning the driving rules and to get everyone in agreement – with signatures to prove it.

4. Make sure to include the important stuff.

When outlining your contract, make sure to look at Georgia’s laws. These can be the basis of your contract, but of course, as a parent, you may want to add your own rules that make sense for your teen and your situation. Here are some areas to look at and establish rules for:

Curfew (Remember Georgia law)
Where the teen is allowed to drive
Establish rules about cellphone use, music use, etc. (Again, remember to look at GA’s laws, including the Hands-free law)
Seatbelt use
What happens if the teen gets a ticket (i.e. speeding) or fine
What happens if the teen drinks and drives
The number of passengers they can drive (again, be aware of Georgia’s laws and the graduated licensing system)
What happens if any part of the contract is broken

It’s important to cover all the bases when you create your teen-parent driver contract. There are a lot of areas about driving that your teen needs to be aware of. The goal isn’t to scare your teen or make them feel overwhelmed with rules, but to encourage them to make good decisions and drive safely.

5. Remember that the rules can change.

Remember that you can adjust and relax some of the rules that you set as time passes. (Not the laws, of course, but the other rules.) As your teenager gets more practice in and grows up a bit, you can loosen your rules. You can evaluate as you go – maybe you can give your teen some more freedom, contingent on their good behavior. Remember to readjust the contract and consequences accordingly. You can let your teen know that they will be trusted with more when that trust is earned.

You also need to make sure that your teen is properly insured. You might be a bit afraid of the insurance rates. (You’ve heard the rumors of teen car insurance being extremely expensive.) We would be happy to help you get teen car insurance to protect your young driver. Get started with your car insurance quote by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. Our team likes to make insurance easy.

10 tips for safely driving around trucks in Atlanta

June 25, 2020 by Kate Betts

Trying to navigate the narrow, somewhat confusing streets of Atlanta can be stressful. It can be even more stressful if you have to share your space with trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. Passenger cars, even SUVs, are a lot smaller and lighter than trucks. As an Atlanta driver, you might not have a choice but to be in close quarters with a truck. Here are a few tips for safety when driving around trucks.

10 tips for driving around trucks.

1. Be aware of the “danger zones”.

Because trucks are so large and so bulky, visibility for truck drivers is very limited. There are prominent blind spots on every side of the vehicle. If you’re in a blind spot, the truck driver can’t see you. So follow this guideline – if you can’t see the driver in the vehicle side mirror, it’s a pretty good guess to say they can’t see you. To avoid being in a blind spot, slow down or get ahead of the truck so you’re not in a dangerous spot. And be really careful if you’re merging.

2. Be cautious when passing.

You’ve also got to be very careful when you’re passing a truck or bus. Admittedly, trucks and buses don’t go too fast, so you may need to pass. Here’s how to do that safely:

Check that you can see the driver in the side mirror.
Signal clearly, then move into the left lane. (Don’t pass on the right.)
Speed up, then pass the vehicle safely and quickly. (You don’t want to hang out in the blind spot.)
Make sure the truck/bus is in your rearview mirror before moving back – be sure to give the truck lots of space.

Some other considerations for passing trucks: don’t pass a truck if you’re going downhill. They can pick up a lot of speed. And if you are being passed by a truck, you need to stay to the right. Should the truck be changing lanes or merging around you, give them some space. Remember, they need some extra breathing room.

3. Don’t get too close when driving around trucks.

You don’t want to cut off a commercial vehicle. If you change lanes in front of a truck or bus too quickly, the vehicle might not have enough room to slow down or stop. Even if they can see you, they might not be able to slow the vehicle fast enough. And if you make a sudden move and change lanes quickly, you might be in a blind spot where the truck driver can’t see you. Remember – big trucks take a lot of time to stop.

4. Give the truck lots of space.

It’s important to give the truck lots of space. In other words, don’t tailgate. If you were to get hit, your car could get shoved under the truck. Commercial motor vehicles are extremely tall. And especially if you’re on an uphill, stay back just in case the bus or truck rolls back.

5. Remember that trucks need space to turn.

Large vehicles need lots of room to turn. They might swing really wide. Or they might even turn from a middle lane because they need extra room. So, don’t try to get by the truck or squish yourself between the truck and the curb. Also, be careful with where you stop. Don’t block an intersection or stop in front of the line. That way trucks can turn without issues.

6. Don’t get impatient.

Trucks and buses need some time to get going. They can’t go as fast as passenger cars. If you’re honking or being aggressive or weaving, that’s not helpful. It’s actually very distracting and thus can be very dangerous. Anyways, just try to keep calm.

7. Use your seatbelt.

Every car ride should include the split second it takes to buckle your seatbelt. Make sure you’re buckled up and that your passengers are buckled up. And if there are kids in the car, make sure they’re riding in the back and that they’re in the proper car seats. Everybody needs to be fastened properly into the vehicle. That’s extremely important.

8. Don’t drive distracted.

Also, you don’t want to drive distracted. If there’s something that needs your immediate attention, look for a safe place to pull over. Then you can take care of the issue. When you’re done, then you can get back on the road. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous.

9. Don’t drive drowsy.

If you find yourself getting too tired, you might want to take a break. Find a safe place to have a bit of a rest. Walk around a bit. Or you can switch drivers if you’ve got someone else in the car who can take over for you. You need to give yourself time to rest and recharge so you don’t get too exhausted.

10. Don’t drive intoxicated.

It’s not a great plan to drive intoxicated. Your decision-making and reaction time can be significantly impaired. If you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, be aware of the side effects – sometimes these things can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness. If need be, have somebody else drive. Don’t be shy about speaking up if you don’t feel like you should drive.

Being around large trucks and sharing the road with them can be overwhelming. They’re intimidating. But if you’re aware of the challenges trucks face and the dangers, you can take steps to stay safe when driving around trucks.

And of course, you need to have the right car insurance. Our team can help you with that. We would be happy to go over your car insurance needs with you and help you find the policy that’s right for you. (And we can help with your home insurance, too.) Get started with your quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We like to make insurance easy.

Source:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/tips-driving-safely-around-large-trucks-or-buses

Tips to keep your motorcycle from being stolen

June 18, 2020 by Kate Betts

If you have a motorcycle, it’s important to keep it from being stolen. Let’s get to the point – motorcycles can be targets of theft because they are accessible. And your bike really matters to you, naturally, so you want to protect it. By taking a few simple steps you can protect your bike and prevent motorcycle theft. It just takes a little bit of time and a little bit of remembering!

Tips to prevent motorcycle theft

1. Lock the bike.

Okay, so first things first. When you arrive at your destination, you hop off the bike, right? But here’s the key – you need to turn off the ignition. Just that second that it takes to cut the ignition can prevent your bike from being stolen. After you cut the ignition, you need to lock up the bike too. You can lock the forks (disk brakes) of the bikes, and you can get brightly colored locks. That might help dissuade people from stealing the bike.

2. Lock multiple bikes together.

You might be traveling with a group, and if that’s the case lock the bikes together. It’s probably a bit more logistically difficult to steal multiple bikes that are locked together than a lone bike, right? So, coordinate with your friends and figure out how you are going to get the bikes locked together.

(And if you are on your own, you can lock the bike to an object that can’t be taken apart and can’t be moved – i.e., a light post.)

3. Get an anti-theft device.

You can also get a very loud alarm that will be very noisy if someone tries to mess with your bike. That way people will be alerted if there’s a motorcycle thief on the loose. Alarms can be helpful.

4. Check on your bike.

If you’re out at a public event, check on your bike from time to time. (Particularly right after you arrive.) Of course, you don’t want to be super paranoid about it, but still, it can’t hurt to have a quick look at the motorcycle every so often.

(Also, if possible, you can park the bike close to a security camera. You never know when camera footage could come in handy.)

5. Keep important motorcycle-related documents safe.

You probably want to be careful with the motorcycle’s title. That means stowing it safely in your house rather than leaving it in your saddlebag or in the bike’s compartment. The title is an important piece of paper, after all, and you don’t want anyone to get their hands on it.

And speaking of important pieces of paper, you should keep your insurance information and your motorcycle registration with you when you take your bike out. If something happens, you might need to show these things. Don’t lose track of them.

6. Distinguish your bike.

You can also customize your bike with a unique symbol. That way it looks distinctive. Also, it’s not a bad idea to take pictures of your bike (including your symbol) so that you can show them to the police if need be.

7. Take care when you’re selling the bike.

If you are selling your motorcycle, it’s important to be careful. When someone comes to test drive the bike, don’t give them the title until you’ve had the chance to do a background check and the payment has gone through. (And you should also check the buyer’s personal information against their ID.) You wouldn’t want someone to steal the bike just as you’re trying to sell it.

Keeping your motorcycle safe is important. By taking a few simple steps, you can prevent motorcycle theft and keep your bike from being stolen. And that’s not a bad plan, is it?

Along with preventing motorcycle theft, it’s important to get the right Atlanta motorcycle insurance. Our team would be happy to help you with that, or with helping you get insurance for a car you currently have or a new car. Get in touch with us by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We like to help people save money on their insurance and we like to make insurance easy.

8 tips for RV safety in Atlanta

May 28, 2020 by Kate Betts

There are a lot of different ways to vacation. Maybe you’re planning on taking an RV trip with your family. Packing up and taking a trip is a great way to spend time with your family and have some bonding time. But driving an RV is not the same as driving a regular car. It’s bigger than a car, and heavier, and taller. That means that you’ve got to take some extra care to stay safe. Here are a few quick tips for RV safety.

8 tips for RV safety in Atlanta.

1. Know the weight the RV can handle.

It’s important to know the weight capacity of the RV. How much weight can it handle? You don’t want to overload the vehicle. Be sure to take note of the weight capacity – and follow it. Yes, you might be tempted to pack the RV to the roof, but don’t overwhelm the vehicle. The RV can only take so much.

2. Do a pre-trip inspection.

The RV also needs to be ready for the trip. It’s important to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle to make sure that the RV can handle the hours on the road. (You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road, right?) So, be sure to check over the following:

Tire pressure
Tire tread depth
Headlights
Taillights
Turn signals
Belts
Oil levels
High/Other towing equipment
Windshield wipers

Basically, make sure that your RV is all set and ready to roll! Even though your RV might do what you want it to under normal circumstances, it never hurts to make sure everything is working properly before you set off on your adventure.

3. Know the height of the vehicle.

You also need to know the height of your RV. Of course, an RV is a lot taller than a car, even if you’re used to driving something like a pick-up truck. Maybe it seems obvious, but remember – that RV is taller than one might think.

4. Be careful with your speed.

It’s also a good idea to slow down and take it easy with your speed. It’s especially crucial to be cautious when it gets dark or dusk starts falling. (And don’t forget to use your headlights appropriately when needed.) Maneuvering an RV can be much more challenging than driving a car, so drive at a safe, reasonable speed. (And slowing down is particularly important if you come to a curve in the road where it’s hard to see who’s coming.)

5. Don’t forget your seatbelt.

You also need to make sure everyone is buckled up safely. The seatbelt is a safety measure that can protect you should something happen. The RV is large and might seem indestructible, but wearing seatbelts is crucial. It just takes a second to click the seatbelt, and it’s a second that is well worth it.

6. Clear out food and trash.

After your trip, unpacking and cleaning might feel like the last thing you want to do. Still, take a second to clean out the RV. Take care of any leftover food. Get rid of the trash. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to deal with a messy RV later.

7. Store the RV safely.

Okay, so you can’t exactly park an RV anywhere. It’s not like you can just stick it in a driveway. When you pick a spot to store your RV, make sure that it’s safe and secure. Your RV is valuable, so you need to protect it. Besides, you’ll feel better knowing that you’ve got a nice, cozy place to stash your RV.

8. Know what to do if an accident happens.

Not that you want to think about getting into an accident, but it’s not a bad idea to know what to do if something happens. That way you won’t be as flustered or panicked. Here are three quick steps to remember:

Pull off the side of the road if possible
Call the police
Check that everyone’s okay

In the moment, remembering these three things can help you handle the situation.

RVs can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to stay safe. Even just a few simple things can help you as you embark on your trip. Don’t overlook the basics of RV safety and focus on having a relaxing, enjoyable trip.

And if you need RV insurance, we can help. Our team would be happy to help. Get started with your quotes for Atlanta RV insurance by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. It’s important to make sure your RV is properly insured. (And we can also help with Atlanta home insurance, auto insurance, and renters insurance.)

7 reasons to do a review of your Atlanta car insurance policy

May 21, 2020 by Kate Betts

So, car insurance. Perhaps not your favorite two words to hear next to each other. You might not be too fond of paying your premium, and you might not want to look at your policy. But it’s important to review your Atlanta car insurance regularly. Before you groan and scoff (an understandable response), we can assure you that there are plenty of good reasons to do a review of your Atlanta car insurance policy on a regular basis. It could help you ensure that you’ve got the coverage that’s right for you – at the best possible rate.

7 reasons to do a review of your Atlanta car insurance policy.

1. Make sure you have enough coverage.

There’s a lot of risks associated with driving, and that’s why car insurance exists. When you review your Atlanta car insurance policy, check your coverage limits. Do you have high enough levels of coverage? Do you want to raise your levels of coverage? Don’t underestimate how expensive a car accident can be or how bad the fallout from a serious accident can be. Remember, your bodily injury liability coverage can cover the other driver’s medical expenses if you injure them in a car accident. Then property damage liability can cover the damage to the other driver’s car if you hit them. The point is that it’s important to make sure you have high enough limits of coverage.

2. Check your discounts.

When you do a review of your Atlanta car insurance, you can also take a look at the discounts being applied to your policy. Do you think you could qualify for any other discounts? Check and see if your situation has changed, allowing you to score some quick savings on your insurance. There are a few common car insurance discounts that people can get…

Safe driver
Low mileage
Multi-car discount
Good Student discount

Hey, if you’re going to be reviewing your policy, you may as well see if you can get some savings out of it by looking into discounts!

3. See if there are any coverages you want to add.

When you’re reviewing your policy, see if there are any potential coverages you want to add to your policy. You might have the option to add coverages that could be helpful later on.

4. Think about bundling.

When you have to insure both a home and a car, you might want to consider bundling your home and auto insurance. That means you get both coverages from the same carrier. This might help you save money because a lot of carriers offer a multi-line discount, and that could help you save a bit of money on your insurance. Evaluating your car insurance policy gives you the chance to consider whether it’s time to bundle and whether that’s the right move for you. There are plenty of benefits to bundling, not the least of which is the convenience factor of only having to deal with one insurance carrier.

5. Check your deductible.

Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim (and then the insurance company pays the rest according to the policy’s limits). Looking over your insurance gives you the chance to remind yourself of your deductible and ask yourself if it’s still right for you. There’s often a relationship between deductible and premium – if you choose a higher deductible, you could see a lower premium. So, if you’re in a position where you could raise your deductible, you could get lower rates. However, you don’t want to raise your deductible so high that it would be a huge burden to pay if you ever face a claim. There needs to be a balance.

6. Evaluate if your coverage still suits your needs.

Things change from year to year – and even month to month. So, when you review your Atlanta car insurance, you have to make sure your coverage still suits your specific situation. Think about where you’re at now and make sure your insurance is just right. (And hey, this is also a great time to make sure you’re familiar with what your policy does and doesn’t cover. It never hurts to refresh your memory and give your policy a once-over.)

7. See if you can save money.

Evaluating your car insurance policy is also a great time to get car insurance quotes and see what other options are out there. By getting multiple quotes, you could save money on your insurance and see what kind of rates are available to you. It can’t hurt to check and see if there’s coverage that’s better suited to your needs – or less expensive. You never know – you could find that you could get the same coverage you have now at a lower rate. And wouldn’t that be great?

The thing is that you don’t have to get car insurance quotes on your own. Our team can help you get the coverage you need. Atlanta car insurance is a big deal, and you might feel stressed out just thinking about it. But we like to make insurance easy. To get started with Atlanta car insurance quotes, fill out your online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.

Tips for having an auto roadside emergency kit

May 15, 2020 by Kate Betts

You never know what might happen on Atlanta roads. Cars, unfortunately, are not infallible, and they can break down and refuse to cooperate. When that happens, it’s probably going to be a less painful experience if you have a car emergency kit stashed in your trunk. You never know when your car could refuse to start, get overheated, or start making an ominous “click-click-putter-cough” sound that necessitates pulling over. To avoid a total disaster, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are some tips about putting together an auto roadside emergency kit.

Tips for your roadside emergency kit.

1. Include the car-related items.

Well, first and foremost, having car-related items in the back of the car can come in handy. Your car emergency kit should include…

Jumper cables
Flares
Motor oil (2 quarts)
Antifreeze (1 gallon)
Washer fluid
Ice scraper – yes, Atlanta is hot, but it’s a handy thing to have.
Fuses
Tire inflator and tire pressure gauge

These things are simple, but they can make a big difference. For example, having some jumper cables can spare you the hassle of having to wait for a tow truck if your car won’t start because your battery is dead. Conversely, you can help out a friend if their car won’t start if you have cables in your car. (Then you’d be their hero!)

2. Have items for you and your family.

There are also items that can make a breakdown much more comfortable for all involved. Think about including the following…

Non-perishable food (i.e. snack bars)
Water
A blanket
First-aid kit
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Gloves
- Tape
- Wipes
- Scissors

You never know when one of the kids is going to get a boo-boo and need some first-aid, or when the car isn’t starting and snacks are an immediate necessity.

3. Don’t forget other handy items.

And then there are the miscellaneous items that can be extremely useful. Things that might make you go, “You know what I need right now…” when you’re in a predicament.

Here are a few more things to throw into your emergency roadside kit:

Flashlight and batteries
Pocket knife
Rags/Paper towel
Tools
- Different screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Wrench

4. Customize your roadside kit.

You can make adjustments to your kit as needed so that it’s suited to you and your family’s needs. You have to consider what you would need in the event of a breakdown or an emergency when you’re putting together your kit. So, feel free to add things as needed. (And yes, it might seem like you’re toting around a lot of stuff with you on the off-chance that you’ll need it. But think of the benefits of being prepared. If it’s just a minor issue, you can take care of it on your own and get back on your way.)

5. Show everyone the contents of the emergency kit – and how to use them.

Well, first of all, it’s important that you’re familiar with your roadside emergency kit and it’s contents…meaning that you know how it all works and would be comfortable using it in a pinch. (For example…jumper cables.) Learn how to use all of these items safely.

Then you can make sure that your family knows what’s stored in the emergency kit. Imagine if someone took the car out, got stuck on the side of the road, and needed a flashlight. Thinking they don’t have a flashlight, they stumble around in the dark. And then get home only to have you tell them that there was a flashlight (and batteries) in the car the entire time.

Anyways, make sure everyone knows how to safely use these items, and make sure that the kids know not to get into the things they shouldn’t.

So, we’ve established that a roadside emergency kit could come in very handy if something happened – like if you broke down on the side of the road. But something that could also come in handy in the event of an accident or incident involving your car is Atlanta car insurance. Our team can help you get the coverage you need to protect yourself from the risks involved with car-ownership and driving. Get in touch with us by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

What to know about your insurance if you’re going through a divorce

April 2, 2020 by Kate Betts

If you’re going through a divorce, the last thing you want to deal with is more stress. And for a lot of people, insurance is synonymous with stress. You’re already going through enough, and maybe you just want to know what to expect through. What should you know about your home insurance and car insurance if you’re getting divorced? We’ll explain.

What to know divorce and insurance.

Where to start?

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to begin. Here are a few tips for handling your insurance:

Take a look at all of the insurance policies that you and your spouse had.
Figure out the policies that you’ll need and make notes of the changes you need to make.
Take some time to handle health insurance for your whole family.
Determine if you’ll need any additional coverage.

So, take it step by step. Review your policies and remind yourself of what coverages you have and take some notes.

Home insurance.

When it comes to home insurance, this is (of course) the policy that protects the structure of your house. But what happens if one of you is moving out, leaving the other with the house? The spouse who remains will likely want to change the policy so that it only lists their name. So, that’s something that needs to happen. Another thing that needs to happen is a review of the insurance policy. Some things to look at…

Is the structure of the home insured for its replacement cost value?
Likewise, are your belongings insured for their replacement cost value and not their actual cash value.
Is your deductible set where you want it?
Have you bundled your home and auto insurance?
Does your coverage still fit your needs? (Have you gained any valuables, etc.?)

Anyways, it’s important to make sure that the coverage for your house still fits.

Auto insurance.

You’ll also have to handle your car insurance. It’s essential to keep the proper coverage for your vehicle, of course, as it’s what protects your car from damage and protects you from the fallout of damage that you could cause to someone else’s car…or someone. Anyways, you’ll need to make the appropriate adjustments to the policy. If you are not going to be living in the same household, you may need to get separate car insurance policies. As a part of the divorce, you’ll need to take your spouse off of your car insurance policy. You also may want to consider other coverages, such as rental reimbursement, towing, or roadside assistance, as you review your car insurance policy.

Health and life insurance.

Health insurance should be addressed in the final divorce decree. It should be made perfectly clear who’s paying for what, particularly if there are children involved – it needs to be perfectly clear as to who will provide coverage. (Typically whoever had the coverage for the kids before the divorce will carry on with providing it.) You also may want to establish who will be paying for medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed.

As far as life insurance goes, it’s important to review these policies to be sure that they’re still doing what you need them to do. It may be necessary to change beneficiaries. If you depend on your ex-spouse’s income for living expenses, you’ll need to make sure you’re still named as a beneficiary. (But check with an attorney before making changes to your beneficiaries.) The divorce decree should also explain who’s going to carry life insurance, how much, the beneficiaries, and the accrued cash values.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to close all joint accounts – this can help you avoid credit snafus later on.

Divorce is, of course, something that is emotional and stressful, and insurance is probably the last thing you want to deal with. Take things one day at a time, one policy at a time. And let us know if you need help getting your insurance quotes. If you give us a call, message us, or fill out our online form, we’d be happy to help.

Does it cost more to insure a new car?

June 19, 2020March 19, 2020 by Kate Betts

If you are thinking about buying a new car, you might wonder if you have to worry about your car insurance rates. That new car might be very tempting and very shiny, but how much is it going to cost to insure? You’re already going to be paying a lot of money for the vehicle, after all, and you’re a bit apprehensive about what those insurance rates are going to look like. Does a new car cost more to insure? Well, insurance rates are complicated, but here are a few things that you can keep in mind.