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Over the last year, many of us have been doing almost everything from home, such as schooling and working. Now, you may be thinking that you won’t have to keep up with your car maintenance much because you haven’t been driving, but this is far from the case. In fact, staying parked for lengthy periods is bad for cars! But don’t worry, we have a few tips to keep your wheels running (even when they aren’t!).

Check for Rodents

Rodents and other critters love to nestle into the tight, warm corners of cars, especially when they’ve been parked for extended periods. In many cases, they’ll bring in food, chew through wires, and make a mess without you noticing!

While there are several different ways to deter these intruders, mothballs and peppermint oil seem to do the trick. However, avoiding using these in the cabin and air intake vents so you don’t get overwhelmed by the smell when driving.

Keep Your Tires Healthy

Sure, the lack of movement means your tire tread is untouched, but your tires are still subject to some very serious damage. A parked car will develop flat spots over time. However, you can combat this issue by rolling your car back and forth often to keep the tires from sitting on the same spot. If you’ll be taking to the road after a long period of not driving, make sure to do a full tire inspection before heading out.

Oil Changes STILL Matter

You may be thinking that an oil change can wait, especially if your car’s mileage has stayed the same, but that’s far from the truth! Changes in temperature and moisture levels can potentially damage the inner workings of your vehicle. Avoid this problem by changing your oil every six months, no matter how little you drive.

Filing an insurance claim can be stressful, especially if it’s after a serious car accident. During this stressful period, it’s easy to make mistakes that can potentially cause numerous problems as you try to file a claim with your insurance company. It’s why it’s so important that you remain calm, but what’s even more important is recognizing and knowing some common mistakes to avoid.

Waiting Too Long

The best time to file a claim is immediately following a car accident. The quicker your insurance company is aware of the problem, the faster it can start working for you. Try your best to remain calm in this situation and avoid filing the claim at a later time.

The Wrong Protection

In most states, drivers are required to purchase the minimum amount of insurance. However, this can be an issue if you get into an accident where the damage cannot be covered by your policy. Keep this in mind the next time you’re upgrading your coverage because the last thing you’ll want is to be financially stranded with insufficient protection.

Lacking (Or Wrong) Information

One of the best ways to ensure that your insurance company does its best for you is by providing it with critical information about your incident. Failure to do so can mean delays, errors, and even denials in claims. Before making the call, make sure to make note of what exactly happened, where, who was involved, and any other pertinent information.

Although most road trips are relaxing and peaceful, others can also be tiring, somewhat stressful, and even kind of boring. So, what can you do to make yours a great one? Pronto Insurance has the information you need!

Talk About it First

If you’re making the drive with others, discuss the road plan, set times for rest stops, and what needs to be packed and/or prepared beforehand to prevent boredom. If you’re making the trip alone, then let others know where and when you’ll be going. It may even be a good idea to have a friend or family member check on your home while you’re gone.

Rest Up

Very long drives can be grueling for the body and mind, so it’s important to get a good night’s sleep before heading out. Get at least seven hours of sleep and avoid starting a trip immediately after work. Never begin a long drive when tired.

Stay Hydrated

Much like sleep, your hydration is paramount when it comes to long road trips. Avoid headaches, exhaustion, and cramps caused by dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids before the trip and make sure to pack enough water for the road.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Comfort is a priority when it comes to long hours on the road. Wear clothes that won’t cause discomfort like soft t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, hoodies, and the most comfortable shoes you can find.

If you’ve ever seen a vehicle parked outside a home for a long time, how bad did it look? Were the tires flat? Was the body rusted with dust everywhere? You’d hate for that to happen to your vehicle, and if you plan on storing it away for a few months, then the worry of its condition dropping is probably weighing heavily on your mind. Here are a few tips to ensure that it remains in good condition!

Use a Cover

If you’re unable to leave your car in a garage or storage unit, then we highly recommend using a cover. It’ll help keep it clean while minimizing the risk of damage from Mother’s Nature’s elements. Keep in mind that covers vary in size and material, so be sure to do some research when searching for one.

Fill the Tank

Rust forming inside of a gas tank is one of the most common issues with cars that’ve been stored away for long periods of time. You can avoid this by filling yours up.

Change Your Oil and Filters

Your vehicle’s oil is full of impurities like moisture, metal filings, and sludge that can potentially corrode important components. We recommend changing it and the filters before a lengthy stationary period. However, make sure to drive it a few miles before storage to ensure that the oil circulates through the engine.

Tire Care

Another big concern when storing a vehicle is tire damage. In many cases, tires will crack and develop flat spots after just a few months. You can avoid this by keeping your tires properly inflated. If you’re looking at a few months of storage, however, we recommend jacking up the car so it doesn’t rest on its tires.

Give it a Thorough Cleaning

The last thing you’ll want is to return to your car after a few months and find old, stale, and disgusting trash hidden away on the floor, seats, and trunk. Avoid this is by giving your vehicle a thorough cleaning before it’s stored.

Car breakdowns happen when you least expect them, and, boy, do they happen often! How many times have you found yourself stuck on the side of the road or in a parking lot waiting for a friend to come to give you a jump or a tow truck to pull your car away? It’s extremely inconveniencing, and if you’re considering utilizing roadside assistance as a feature in your insurance policy, then read on to learn more!

Your Safety

Believe us, there’s nothing safe about being stranded on the side of the highway, but with roadside assistance, your issues will be dealt with promptly to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible.

Getting You Moving

A car breakdown can cost time and money. Roadside assistance is designed to get you quick help and back on the road even quicker! Whether you’re out of fuel or out of options, assistance will help you faster than the time it’ll take you to convince any of your friends to rescue you.

It Gives You Peace of Mind

Driving with the fear of a breakdown is no way to drive at all! That’s why you should consider roadside assistance as an add-on to your insurance policy. It gives you peace of mind in knowing that you’ll be taken care of if your car sputters and shuts off.

We count on our insurer to do the right thing for us when we need them most. If we’re ever in a vehicle accident, we expect them to be by our side to help us get back on our feet as fast as possible. However, this isn’t always the case for everyone.

There are plenty of recorded cases where insurance companies have gone out of their way to avoid their responsibility. This begs the question: is your insurer taking care of you?

Five Red Flags

Here are a few red flags when it comes to knowing if your insurer is doing what it can to take care of you:

Weigh Your Options

Choosing the right insurance company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a vehicle owner. Make yours a good one by doing your research. Search websites for internal information and take to forums to read reviews other customers leave. Above all, know that Pronto Insurance is here to watch your back when you need it most.

Cooler weather is upon us to give us some much-needed relief from the hot summer. While you may feel the urge to update your winter wardrobe immediately, you may want to make sure that your car is ready to take on the cold first.

Watch Your Tires

Colder weather means your tires will likely lose some much-needed tire pressure. It’s the reason why you should check your pressure regularly, especially if you’ll be taking a lengthy trip. If your tires are looking a bit bald or worn, replace them.

Visibility is Important

Brisk mornings with fog and dew will be much more prevalent for the next few months. It’s the reason why it’s so important to keep your visibility to a maximum. Remember to replace your worn windshield wipers and top off your wiper fluid tank with non-freezing windshield fluid instead of water.

Change Your Oil

Regular oil changes are important for your vehicle’s longevity. However, it may be a good idea to start the season off with new oil and a new filter as well. Doing so will ensure that your car runs efficiently through the changing seasons and leaves you with one less thing to worry about.

Top Off Your Antifreeze

Antifreeze is the fluid most of us forget about year-round. Do yourself a favor and check your antifreeze levels now to help keep your car in top shape.