Tag: cheap car insurance in Chicago

Familiarize Yourself with 3 Types of Distracted Driving

Posted on by Active Insurance

There are many distractions that can impair your driving ability. Although many vary in seriousness, there are three that are very common, and each can pose a significant hazard to your driving. Read on to learn what they are.

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions occur when you take your eyes off the road to focus on other things. This can include looking at your phone to answer a text, reaching into the backseat to grab something, or even observing a roadside accident.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions occur when a driver removes one or both hands from the wheel. This happens when you do something like fix your hair or even change your radio dial.

Cognitive Distractions

It isn’t uncommon for your mind to wander while driving. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself thinking about whatever happened at work or fuming at another driver’s reckless driving. In either case, not paying attention to the road in this instance is a cognitive distraction.

Always be Cautious on the Road

It’s easy getting distracted while driving. Be cautious with what you’re doing at all times and never take your eyes away from the road or your hands off of the steering wheel. Be careful out there!

Does Your Insurance Policy Offer the Right Coverage?

Posted on by Active Insurance

Does Your Insurance Policy Offer the Right Coverage?

If your vehicle lacks insurance, then you’re setting yourself up for some potentially hefty fines if you’re pulled over. You might even have to deal with even bigger headaches if you end up in an accident. Luckily, there are plenty of coverage plans out there that will surely fit your needs. There are so many, in fact, that you may just feel overwhelmed! But don’t worry, Pronto Insurance is here to help you make the right call.

What to Consider

No two drivers are the same, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all insurance policy. Factors like the type of car you drive, how much you paid for it, and your driving history may contribute
to the coverage you get.

Fortunately, identifying these factors is easy, and after you’ve recognized them, you can begin mulling over the following insurance considerations:
 Liability – This is required by almost every state in the nation.
 Uninsured/underinsured motorist – If you end up in an accident with a driver that lacks
insurance or whose policy doesn’t cover damages or medical expenses, then this will
ensure that you aren’t fending for yourself.
 Personal injury protection – This can protect your family, friends, and other passengers.
 Collision and comprehensive – If your vehicle is declared a total loss, then this coverage
can help you.
 Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, mechanical breakdown – Unfortunately, cars break down when you least expect it. If you have a flat tire, leaking radiator, or other breakdown, then this coverage makes sure you aren’t left stranded or with out-of-
pocket expenses.

Your Guide to Parking Lot Vehicle Safety

Posted on by Active Insurance

Your Guide to Parking Lot Vehicle Safety

Finding out your vehicle has been broken into or stolen can feel like a punch to the gut.Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

What You Drive Says a Lot

There are certain vehicles that thieves tend to target quite often. CBS News revealed the 10
most stolen vehicles in the U.S.:
 Cadillac Escalade
 Ford F-250
 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
 Ford F-450
 GMC Sierra 1500
 Chrysler 300
 Ford F-350
 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
 GMC Yukon

Now, while it isn’t realistic to purchase a different vehicle to prevent a break-in or theft, it’s smart to take a few precautions.

Pick the Right Spot

Always make sure to park in a well-lit area at night. Additionally, you’ll want to park close to entrances or security cameras whenever possible.

Always Lock Up

In many cases, vehicles are stolen because the owner simply forgot to lock it. There’ve even been instances where keys were conveniently left inside! Do yourself a favor and avoid giving thieves an invitation by locking up.

Hide Your Valuables

This may go without saying, but thieves are often more inclined to break into a vehicle if valuables like electronics, purses, or other items are left in plain sight. Do the smart thing and hide them under your seats if possible.

4 Ways to Save Money on Gas During a Time for Saving

Posted on by Active Insurance

4 Ways to Save Money on Gas During a Time for Saving

They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can certainly keep your mind at ease! This is especially true in 2020 when so many people are trying their best to keep money in their pockets. While you may save by eating out less or limiting your shopping sprees, there are a few ways to save when it comes to gas.

Slow and Steady Saves You Big

Whether you’re a speed junkie or simply running late, putting the pedal to the metal is bad for your gas consumption. Simply put, by driving faster, you’re burning fuel at a higher rate. The best way to stop this is to watch your pace. It’ll help you save cash.

Don’t Neglect Your Tires

If we’re being honest, no one checks their tires as often as they should. However, it’s something you should make a habit. This is due to your tire pressure’s effect on your gas consumption. The less tire pressure you have, the more resistance your tires are producing, which, in turn, means more gas spent. To avoid this issue, simply check your tire pressure regularly.

Tune Ups Save You Money

How you treat your car will help it conserve gas. This means:
 Oil changes
 Air filter replacements
 Spark plug checks
 Other regular tune-ups

Plan Things Out

Let’s say you have to take your dog to the vet this week, you need some groceries, and the kids need some school supplies. Instead of spreading these errands out through the week, be smart and plan them all on one day. You can even allot some time in the trip to fill up at the station with the most reasonable prices. This approach will keep you from
driving around mindlessly and wasting gas.

If You’ve Been in an Accident, What Happens After?

Posted on by Active Insurance

If You’ve Been in an Accident, What Happens After?

Car accidents happen when we least expect them. It’s a sudden situation and one that can send you into a panicked frenzy. But what you decide to do after can be the most important factor in overcoming this unfortunate situation.

Get to Safety

After your accident, the first thing you should do is access your person. If you’re uninjured, move your vehicle to a safe area, but only if it’s safe to do so. If it’s impossible to move your car, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. If you’re
injured, try your best not to move. If you’re alone, then do your best to contact 911.

Remain Calm

The suddenness of an accident can lead to panic or anxiety. However, it’s in your best interest to calm down as much as possible. Make sure to exit your vehicle carefully and begin the next steps in the process.
Check on Other Drivers In moments like these, it isn’t uncommon for tempers to flare up, but this is counterintuitive. Instead, after exiting your vehicle, walk over to the other car to make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries, call 911.

Contact Law Enforcement

If there are no injuries at the scene, you should still contact law enforcement to assess the situation. Remember, if you’re to file an insurance claim, then a police report will be extremely beneficial.
Gather Important Information You’ll need a police report, the other driver’s information, and photos of the vehicles and scene. Make sure to get all vehicle makes and models, license plate numbers, location
details, and even contact information from any witnesses that may be willing to cooperate.

File Your Claim

Once you’ve followed these steps, it’s then time to file an insurance claim. Simply contact Pronto Insurance and let the pros take it from there!

What causes auto insurance rates to increase?

Posted on by Active Insurance

Several factors can lead to a higher auto insurance premium. Insurance companies (insurers) lose money when they cover drivers who get into accidents and make claims, so it’s in their best interest to predict driver risk factors that indicate a higher chance of a claim and charge the driver an increased premium to compensate for the elevated probability of a payout.

Based on this knowledge there are many factors that can lead to increased premiums, but some of the most popular ones include:

Accidents

If you file an accident claim with your insurance company, your premium will increase at its renewal period based on the claim.

Violations

If you are convicted of a moving violation, your premium rate may increase at its renewal period. Your driving history, length of time you’ve been insured with a company and speed you were going when cited can affect whether your rate increases or not.

Moving

Where you live (zip code) influences your rate. If you move to an area with higher theft or accident rates (city versus a rural town for example), your renewal premium could reflect this change.

New Car

A new car is worth more than an older model and will cost more money to replace if it is damaged or stolen, which could result in a spike in your premium rate.

Age and Marital Status

If you’re young, single and without children, you are considered part of a higher risk category than a married person with kids. Besides the fact that a young driver will have less experience on the road than an older driver, it is assumed a single adult may not be as serious about becoming a better driver than a married adult with kids, and that can cause increases in your auto insurance rate.

Commute

If you drive a lot and have a long commute to and from work or use your car for work, your premium rate can be higher because frequent driving leads to more opportunities for accidents to occur.

Many insurers use credit score to determine auto insurance rates, but at Active Insurance we work with companies that don’t use credit history so you’re eligible to receive the best rates from us, even if you don’t have the best credit score.

Car insurance is mandatory for all drivers and how much you pay is determined by several factors. It’s important to contact your insurance company with any questions regarding increased premium rates. Contact Active Insurance for more information about car insurance in Chicago. We provide a variety of options that fit the needs of Illinois drivers and would be happy to help you.

 

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Car Crashes On The Rise For 2015. Why?

Posted on by Active Insurance

After years of decline in fatal car crashes, new data shows a rise in car accidents and auto-related deaths for the first half of 2015. What’s the cause?

Most experts agree the common causes for fatal auto accidents are speeding, intoxication and not wearing a seat belt. However this combination of factors can’t be the only reason for the rise. As stricter laws enforce the use of seat belts, drunk driving consequences and safer cars, fatal crashes were falling in numbers over the last several years up until this year.

According to the nonprofit National Safety Council (NSC), a combination of factors contributed to the upsurge of auto accidents for the first half of 2015: gas prices were lower than previous years, the unemployment rate decreased and unpleasant weather conditions in some parts of the country even played a role. With more drivers on the road there’s naturally a higher chance for mistakes and bad decisions to be made, which increases the occurrence of accidents. But one major contributor that continues to be analyzed is cellphones.

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Though most states ban texting while driving and require hands-free devices when behind the wheel, distracted driving (specifically with talking, texting and other uses for smartphones like watching videos) continues to be examined as a contributing factor since the NSC estimates 1 in 4 crashes involve a cellphone. Even billionaire businessman Warren Buffett found it difficult to come to any other conclusion based on the data and has said, “If cars are better–and they clearly are–drivers must be worse.” (adjusted for mileage)

The record number of car-related deaths for 2015, which is estimated to go above 40,000 for the first time since 2007, has resulted in higher premiums for drivers. Some of the largest auto insurers have raised their premiums to counter the expenses related to new accident claims. If the auto accident and auto-related death rates continue to increase, more car insurers may have to increase their premiums to offset the frequency and severity of insurance claims.

At Active Insurance, we can help you find cheap car insurance in Chicago so you will be covered in case of an accident. As an independent family-owned agency, we find cheap auto insurance rates that meet the needs of our customers. Contact us today to get a free quote, and remember when you’re behind the wheel, always practice safe driving to protect you and your fellow drivers on the road. It could save a life!

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