Keep It Cool and Prep Your Car for Warmer Weather

When the cold days wear off, and the sun starts to sizzle down on us, we tend to waste no time in getting ourselves ready for the new weather. We wear lighter clothes, hydrate more, and even lather our skin with a bit of sunblock. Wouldn’t it be great if we gave our vehicles the same treatment? At Pronto Insurance, we want to help you prep your car and keep it working as it should during the sizzling hot weather.

Your AC is a Priority

Summers can be brutal, and taking on the road without air-conditioning is entirely out of the question. If you want to avoid driving around in a foul mood and soaked in sweat, we recommend you make sure your AC is working properly before the weather gets even hotter. Giving it a test run will let you know if you’re all set or if it’s time to make some repairs.

Check Your Coolant

Your vehicle’s coolant is its natural hydration. Without it, overheating becomes a huge danger that can potentially leave you stranded when you least expect it. We recommend you check your coolant levels even before spring begins. It’s always a good idea to carry an extra container of coolant in your trunk, especially if you drive an older vehicle.

How’s Your Battery?

As you can imagine, the blazing summer heat can negatively affect your car battery. If you wish to avoid any malfunctions while out on the road, it’s always a good idea to have your battery charge checked. Now, doing so allows you to replace your battery before the weather gets even hotter.

Help When You Need It

Did you know some insurance plans come with the added benefit of roadside assistance? At Pronto Insurance, we know this feature can be a difference-maker in unexpected situations. Give our insurance agents a call today for more information about this comprehensive service.

These 3 Signs Could Indicate It May be Time for a New Vehicle

Car payments can be a major monthly headache. It’s the reason why so many drivers keep their cars running for as long as they possibly can. However, no matter how hard you may try, there is always a point when your car just won’t work any longer. At Pronto Insurance, we want to share the 3 most common signs that indicate it is time for a new set of wheels.

Safety Concerns

Older cars tend to have a few quirks in them that need to be done in order to work. Maybe the gas cap needs to be jiggled in order to twist off. Or perhaps the seat reclining lever needs a bit of a shimmy to let you adjust your seat. But, if you find yourself doing these same things to your seatbelt, your brakes, or any other component that’s vital for your safety, it’s time to say goodbye to your car.

You’re Hemorrhaging Money

Sure, not having a car payment is a godsend. And yes, you’re going to have to make some repairs to your vehicle eventually. But, if you’re finding yourself frequently paying mechanics, your gas efficiency is in shambles, or insurance costs are steadily rising, you may be spending way too much on your old car.

Bad Looks

Some older vehicles look great and are full of charm. But it’s safe to say that many other older vehicles have definitely seen better days. Chances are, you can probably tell which category your vehicle falls under. If your set of wheels is an absolute eyesore and you have an opportunity to score a better-looking set of wheels, run with it!

Protection Always

No matter what state your car is in, it’s important to remember the best protection you can give it is car insurance. At Pronto Insurance, we’re ready to help you find the protection that best fits your need, so you can keep hitting the road with peace of mind. Contact us today for more information about our insurance services.

Your Car Insurance Costs Are Dependent on these 4 Vehicle Factors

Time and time again, people are told their car insurance costs are directly related to their age, gender, driving record, and so on. While this is true, it’s important to remember just how much impact your vehicle will have on your insurance costs. In fact, at Pronto Insurance, we want to share the four factors that are most commonly related to your car insurance.

The Size

We can probably all agree small cars are enjoyable to drive. You can zip and zoom around everywhere and fit it into the tightest spots. However, in many cases, smaller cars can speed up quickly, cut people off, and maneuver in a way that can potentially cause accidents. For this reason, bigger cars are considered “safer” and therefore a bit less expensive to insure.

The Value

Value is in the eye of the car owner. It may not be surprising to learn a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars will be much more expensive to insure than one that costs five grand. This goes for foreign luxury or sports cars, which are pricier to repair than their American counterparts.

The Age

New cars have cutting-edge features and parts that make driving them a good experience. But, for all this technology, you’re probably looking at spending a pretty penny if your brand-new vehicle needs repairs compared to an older car. This, as you can imagine, translates to insurance prices, which will be much higher for newer vehicles.

The Safety Features

Today, some of the highest-ranked vehicles are considered the best due to their safety features and rankings. They often come equipped with warning systems backup cameras and even have the capacity to avoid accidents when you least expect them.

Insurance companies love safety features, and a vehicle that is maintained. It’s possible to even be charged less for protection depending on these additional factors. Contact Pronto Insurance to get started today.

Squeaky Clean: The Dos and Don’ts of Car Washing

There’s nothing better than hitting the road with a clean and pristine-looking vehicle, ready to make an impression. While you could easily wait in line at an automatic car wash, sometimes it is good to put in the elbow grease and put in the work yourself.
When that time comes to clean your car, you need to know how to do that without causing damage. If you are ready to get scrubbing, follow these tips to ensure you are doing everything as you should.

Not Every Soap Works

If you were to ask anyone what type of soap you should use to wash your car, chances are they’ll say dish soap. It’s advice that has been passed down for years. But it’s surprisingly really bad advice! While dish soap cuts right through grease to leave your pans spotless, the chemicals in it can wear off your car’s wax and even damage the paint. Avoid this issue by only using car-specific soap.

The One-and-Done Rule

No, this doesn’t mean you should wash your vehicle once and then never touch it again. This tip is specific to the items you use to wash your vehicle and the probability of dropping them on the ground: if you drop your wash cloth once, it’s done. If you fail to follow this rule and continue using your cloth, the small stones and dirt particles on it can cause havoc on your paint’s finish. Avoid the trouble, grab a different wash cloth, and move on.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

One of the best things you can do to have your car looking beautiful by the time you’re done is keeping it wet until it’s time to dry. When you wash your car in direct sunlight, you lose the ability to do so. This means you could end up with spotty, blotchy patches where the water and soap suds dried up with the sun.

Microfiber is the Way to Go

We understand it’s easy to use an old t-shirt or kitchen towel to dry your car. However, these items are way too abrasive for your car’s paint and could cause scratches. Do the right thing and get yourself some microfiber towels that will help keep your car looking pristine for years to come.
There are many ways to keep your vehicle maintained. At Pronto Insurance, we can help with the bigger concerns such as your insurance needs.

Running on Empty: How Much Should You Panic When the Gas Light Turns On?

No matter how careful, watchful, and responsible you are, there is a good chance you’ve experience the sudden dread that comes with a gas light turning on. Immediately you’ll panic and hope to see a gas station in your vicinity. The stress is real, but is actually validated? Will your car stop running within the next few minutes?

At Pronto Insurance we want to help you prevent and accident and stay safe on the road.

Hey, There’s Still Some Left

While the E indicator is extremely alarming, it doesn’t actually mean you’re out of fuel. In fact, if your car was made in the last 25 years, the E indicator simply means you have reached your vehicle’s reserves. Sure, this doesn’t mean you can go on a road trip and back, but you have plenty of time to fill up.

Surprisingly Plenty of Time

Now that we know what your gas light indicates, you might be wondering how many miles you actually have left. The truth is it depends. As you can imagine, gas mileage and the reserves of each vehicle vary, and when the gas light turns does too. However, in most cases, most vehicles have between 30 and 30 miles once you get to your reserves.

Making It a Habit Is Problematic

You may also be wondering if it’s a good idea to fill up every time you get to that point. The short answer is no. As your vehicle ages, impurities build up at the bottom of your gas tank. This is normal, however, if you let your car get to the point where it has no choice but to suck up that gunk, you may be harming your engine’s efficiency and longevity.

5 Lesser Known Driving Violations That may get you Pulled Over – Part 2

Pronto Insurance previously shed light on some of the not-so-common reasons why police officers may pull you over. The topic is vast, and the information we share with you may keep you from getting reprimanded by the law. So, to help prepare you, even more, we’ve decided to share additional insight into this topic.

Being Too Loud

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the rumble of your exhaust pipe as you sit at a stop sign. And there’s definitely nothing wrong with jamming out to your favorite hits when you get behind the wheel. However, when these situations get a little too loud, you may have some noise complaints heading your way. After all, it’s important to remember you share the road with many others, so being mindful is a must.

Overcrowded

Imagine pulling up to a traffic light, looking over to the vehicle next to you, and seeing upwards of ten people crammed inside it. At the very least, it looks a little off, doesn’t it? If police officers see this, they may think it’s suspect and outright dangerous, so pulling the car over is a must.

Out of the Bar, Into the Car

This seems like an obvious one, but just in case it doesn’t, walking out of a bar and into a vehicle may look outright wrong to a watchful officer. At the very least, the officer will pull the car over to ensure the person behind the wheel is the designated driver. At the worst, the driver is in heaps of trouble.

Litter Bug

Throwing trash out of your car window is not only an environmental wrongdoing but is also a significant hazard and could potentially cause a crash. If a police officer sees you littering, you should expect flashing lights immediately.

The Bad Kind of Tailgating

There’s a big chance you’ve been on the wrong end of a tailgater. You’ve glanced at your rearview mirror and gone from “what is this person doing,” to “cut it out!” In all fairness, tailgating is a huge safety hazard that can cause serious accidents. It’s the reason why, if officers see it, they’re sure to pull over the driver at fault.