Tag: lowcostinsurance

Homeownership is the landmark of the American Dream. But as is the case with most major purchases, your home will come with some not-so-evident responsibilities like obtaining homeowner’s insurance. If you’re new to the game, then it’s important to familiarize yourself with a few things to do when filing an insurance claim in the event your home suffers damages.

Contact Your Insurance Company

The first step in successfully filing an insurance claim is to contact your insurance company to report the incident that resulted in damage to your home. If you fail to do so, the claim process could potentially become prolonged or ineffective.

Assess Damages and Don’t Make Repairs (Yet)

Obtaining photographic evidence of your home’s damages is a must. It’s the reason why it’s so pivotal to photograph or video record damages to your property. Remember that it’s just as important to leave all damages as they are if possible until your home is inspected by an insurance adjuster.

Be Honest with the Adjuster

Once your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damages to your home, be sure to be transparent and as forthcoming as possible. Answer all questions honestly and don’t be afraid to join him/her when they do their inspection to ask questions.

Keep Your Receipts

Once you’re given the go-ahead for repairs, we suggest keeping all receipts for purchases or hired work. This is so that your insurance company has the documentation needed to effectively and correctly complete your claim.

All insurance companies work differently and have varying types of coverages. Despite this, it’s important to secure a policy as soon you can so that you’re fully covered in the event of a car accident. Failing to do so can cause plenty of headaches down the road due to having to handle repairs and such on your own. Avoid this by getting covered today. If you ever find yourself in an accident, then you should never neglect to inform your insurer. Here are a few reasons why.

Your Car May Have Suffered Unseen Damages

Let’s say you get into a minor accident with no noticeable damages and don’t feel the need to get the authorities or your insurer involved. What happens if, a few days later, you begin noticing your car making weird noises? Many insurers require you to report a car accident even if no damages have occurred. Be sure and do so as soon as possible.

The Other Driver May be Uninsured

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver and fail to report it to your insurance company, then all expenses like car repairs, hospital bills, and even lawyer fees may be left to you to pay for. By contacting your insurer immediately after an accident, you will receive the support you need to get through the situation.

It’s in Your Agreement

It’s an almost universal fact that insurance companies from around the nation require clients to report accidents. If an accident goes unreported, then it can mean potential insurance issues for the client.

We’re Here to Help

When push comes to shove, it’s important to remember that your insurance company is here to help you. Whether your accident was a minor fender bender or a serious crash, know that we’re here to help you move forward in an effective, professional, and hassle-free manner.

In this day and age, doing anything online is the way to go. You can order food, get your groceries, and even find all the entertainment you’ll ever need with a simple finger swipe. So, what about buying car insurance on your smartphone or computer? As you can imagine, if you’re not doing it online, you’re not doing it right!

It’s Fast

Gone are the days of calling an insurance company only to be placed on hold for what seemed like hours. You don’t even have to drive to their office for the deal that best fits your insurance needs! When you shop for car insurance online, it can be done in only a few minutes!

It’s Easy

Sure, insurance can be overwhelming for anyone to take on. After all, with terms like deductibles and all kinds of percentages and rates, you’d be crazy not to get confused! However, when you shop for car insurance online, it’s all made easy. You can look at all available policies and options and pick the best one!

You Can Weigh Your Options

Imagine shopping for car insurance just a few years ago. You’d have to call or visit countless companies to figure out which one is best. Now you can weigh all of your options from the comfort of your couch! You can also read reviews to see what others are saying about their policies!

Anywhere, Any Time

Let’s say you’ve spent all day at a dealership negotiating. You’ve been there so long that, by the time an arrangement’s been reached, it’s way past closing time and you still need coverage to drive off with your new set of wheels. Luckily for you, with online insurance shopping, you can find the best rate anywhere, any time!

If you’re anything like most people, then you’re probably not a fan of tax season. And why would you be? Arranging forms, looking over your expenses, and filing paperwork is far from a fun experience. But then there’s your tax return and the many possibilities it comes with. Will you spend it on lottery tickets? Dump it all on a vacation? If you’re not
exactly sure, then we have a few ideas that can benefit you financially and emotionally.

Invest It

Sure, you could take your tax return to Wall Street and invest in stocks and bonds, but that’s not exactly what we’re talking about. We mean investing in your retirement! Whether it’s an IRA, a work-based retirement plan, or any other type of portfolio, putting
some money away for the future is never a bad idea.

Tackle Some Debt

2020 was a year where many were forced to take on some debt as they tried to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly suggest you make the right move and decrease your debt and lower your interest with your tax return.

Rainy Day Funds

If last year taught us anything, it’s that things can go bad when you least expect it. It’s the reason why putting some money away into an emergency fund is more important than ever. Calculate your tax return and put enough money away to help you through several months in case you ever need it.

Enjoy It

Being responsible is great but living a little can be just as important. Once your tax return comes in, put some money on the side to invest it in yourself. It can be a simple vacation, a new pair of shoes, or just a delicious dinner. Whatever the case, it will surely
make a difference.

When it comes to taking a quick road trip with your child in tow, it’s all pretty simple, right? You just sit them in their car seat, strap them in, and you’re ready to go! But, while this is something most parents are familiar with, there are additional steps you can take to be extra safe. After all, your child is your priority, and you’ll take every step
necessary to keep them out of harm’s way.

Never Leave Your Child Unsupervised

Let’s say you’re taking a quick trip to the gas station, your AC is on, and your car is parked under a nice, cool shaded area. Your child should be okay in your car for a couple of minutes alone, right?

Not at all.

As you probably already know, children are curious and waste no time exploring, touching, pressing, and so much more. This could mean bad news if your little one was to do something they’re not supposed to in your vehicle. Avoid this issue and make a habit of never leaving your child alone in your vehicle.

Keep Horseplay to a Minimum

Giggling and laughing is music to any parent’s ears. However, it can become distracting and dangerous in a car. The last thing you’ll want is to get into an accident because you were trying to keep your rowdy children calm and collected. Set some rules, enforce
them, and keep your family safe at all times.

Choose Toys Wisely

If there’s anything your child needs, no matter the time or place, it’s their favorite toy. However, evaluate the toy’s safety as it relates to your vehicle. Will it become a choking hazard with all the movement on the road? Can it cause injury if an accident were to occur? If the answers are concerning, it may be time to choose a safe road toy for your
little one.

Over the last few years, electric vehicles have climbed in popularity and become an appealing option for drivers looking for a new set of wheels. What were once boxy and somewhat unattractive vehicles have become luxurious, fast, and advanced machines that turn heads. Now that you’re looking for a new car, will you make the switch to electric? Here are a few things to consider before a decision.

Average Mileage

If you’re commuting for hours on end between home and work and live a busy lifestyle that has you running errands in your spare time, then an electric vehicle is a no-brainer. Just think of the money you’d save on gas! However, if you’re currently working from home or are blessed enough to live close to everything you need, perhaps electric should be a second option.

Charging It

Sure, electric vehicles mean little-to-no trips to the gas station, but you’ll still need to charge it. With that said, do you have easy access to electricity at home? If you live in an apartment complex or home with more vehicles than driveway space, then charging your new electric car may be next to impossible. And that’s definitely something to consider.

What Do You Want Out of Your Vehicle?

If you’re looking to go electric, then you more than likely care about saving money on gas and your carbon footprint. However, it’s important to evaluate what you need out of your vehicle. For instance, if you’re accustomed to a truck to make heavy hauls, then it may be difficult to make the switch.

Long-Distance Travel

If you’re a weekend warrior who hits the road for long-distance adventures, then consider this. Many electric vehicles are not exactly the best when it comes to long travels because the range of their power source is just not there. Of course, you could pay a few extra tens of thousands of dollars for an electric vehicle that will fit your travel
needs, but that may not be within your budget.

In a previous blog post, we discussed some not-so-common things to do to keep your car in top shape when not driving it often. At Pronto Insurance, we know just how much a vehicle means to you and your loved ones, which is why we want to offer some more valuable information! Continue keeping your car in great shape and enjoy the benefits it can bring later.

Mind the Rubber Parts

Your vehicle includes very important rubber parts like hoses and belts that are meant to last a long period. However, factors like temperatures, age, and use can shorten their lifespans. Not surprisingly, disuse is an even bigger culprit!

The longer your car stays inactive, the more likely those rubber parts are to dry, crack, and cause leaks or weaknesses. We recommend checking these components before, during, and after leaving your car parked for long periods of time.

Keep it Clean

Not everyone has a garage or access to a top-of-the-line car cover to protect it from the elements or bird droppings. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your car’s exterior often. If you notice a large amount of dust buildup or droppings that can potentially damage the paint, it may be time to give your car a wash.

What You DON’T Need

There are many myths out there about things you need to do if your car is going to be unused for a while. But we’re here to set the record straight. If you won’t be using your car, you definitely don’t need to:
• Use nitrogen on your tires to prevent leaks – it’ll leak out just the same for an extra cost!
• Flush your transmission fluid – most car manufacturers today provide “lifetime” fluid!
• Change out your coolant/antifreeze – again, most modern coolant and antifreeze last a lifetime!

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.