auto Archives - 3 Kids and Us

Tips to Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

August 12, 2020 by admin

There are different factors which can affect what kind of car insurance you can get. Age, gender, what type of car you have, what city you live in, driving history, how long you’ve been driving, and many other factors affects what kind of car insurance you will get. Each state varies, but most Americans are paying on average $129 per month on car insurance. In some states like California, drivers are paying $147 per month. There are ways to reduce your Root Insurance costs. These are just a few tips on how to lower your car insurance.

Choose Your Car Wisely

The more luxury and expensive cars are going to cost more to insure. Minivans and SUVs are going to be less expensive to insure than the flashy cars. Car insurance quotes will vary depending on what kind of car you have. Also, driving slowly and safely will help lower the cost of insurance because getting traffic tickets and getting into accidents will increase your car insurance. Another tip is to drop the parts of your insurance that isn’t necessary.

Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score will affect how much your car insurance will cost. It might be best to improve your credit score before you get a car so that your insurance isn’t too expensive. Some tips for that is to make loan and credit card payments on time, keep the credit card balances low, and don’t apply for too many credit cards as this can affect your credit score.

Usage-Based Insurance

Some people may not be using their car too much, so usage-based insurance is another option. Usage-based driving is like a pay-per-mile type of program. The rate is based on how well you drive and also how many miles you drive. It can measure and keep track of it because of a small device that you install inside your car that will send the data and mileage use to your insurance company. Then, you get a discount for having a low mileage use. It can only be used in some states. Some insurance companies have them while others do not have the usage-based insurance.

Insurance Coverage

Another tip on reducing your car insurance costs is to only pay for coverage that you need. Everyone needs liability insurance so that if someone gets injured from a car accident, and if the cars involved in the accident get damaged, then it is covered. There are other coverages on insurance plans which include collision, comprehensive, medical costs, and more. Changing your insurance package to only coverage that you feel you need is one way to cut the costs of car insurance.

Other Tips on Reducing Car Insurance

There are other ways to cut your costs of insurance as well. One tip is to look around at other insurance companies and see if there is a better deal. If you are a young driver, you might want to consider keeping good grades as you might get a discount on your insurance. If you are an older driver, there might be a discount for that as well. Having a good credit score, looking around at different car insurance companies for the best quote, and using any discounts that may apply are the best ways to reduce the car insurance costs.

Fresh out of Driving School? Don’t Get Tempted into Making Any of These 6 Beginner Mistakes

January 22, 2019 by admin

You finally have that license to drive freely in the country. Nonetheless, you are still new in driving and there are going to be circumstances which will require you to have the experience to maneuver. Instead of learning through mistakes, here are 6 beginner mistakes you need to avoid.

1. Speed

Ask anybody what is the common mistakes novice drivers make and the answer will always be over speeding. Indeed, this is of the major mistakes new drivers make, but the issue is more than just the speed. The ability of a person to judge speed is usually something that develops with time and it can be difficult for beginners to accomplish this without the experience of being on the road. As more experience is gained, one will learn about the different ways to react during speeding situations. The steadier you approach it, the more likely you’ll survive any road incidents. As a beginner, take it slow and allow yourself to build the experience as time goes by.

2. Inability to Handle Emergencies

Driving experience makes it possible for one to handle emergencies appropriately. A classroom can only offer theoretical knowledge about driving, which leaves road maneuvers such as the correct application of brakes to the real world. Distracted driving and speeding make things more difficult because they compound the effects of inexperience by putting the learners at greater risks of encountering emergency situations. Avoid over-speeding and distractions so you can give yourself the time needed to learn how to maneuver successfully while on the road.

3. Braking Sharply

New drivers usually find it hard to judge how long they will take to stop after they hit the brakes. Braking sharply makes it impossible for the driver behind you to adjust their speed accordingly, and more often than not, this results in accidents. Braking gently will help avoid these situations from occurring. In case of an accident caused by you or the other driver, do not rush to apologize or admit fault. Call a car accident lawyer to help handle the case on your behalf.

4. Driving Tired

Tiredness suppresses your reflexes and places you at risk of falling asleep while on the road. This is another common mistake new drivers make. On average, you are required to make a correction after a few seconds of driving, so when you fall asleep for a couple of seconds, you could easily go off the road. Turning the air conditioning on or winding the car windows down will help to stave off the tiredness.

5. Tires and Maintenance

You might not have the experience when it comes to vehicle maintenance, but it’s imperative to ensure your tires are well maintained and replaced. Tires are usually the most crucial part of an automobile since they keep vehicles on the road. Make sure you check the tread depth and the tire pressure as well to ensure safe driving.

6. Failure to Indicate

New drivers usually forget to indicate when switching lanes or making turns. To avoid accidents, make sure you remember to signal during these situations.

Conclusion

Being a new driver, there is so much to learn about driving which you may never learn in the class. You can perfect your skills through real-world experience and by considering the pointers above.

Choosing the Perfect Car for Traveling with Family

December 27, 2018 by admin

Buying a new family car is nothing short of reaching an exciting milestone for every family. As the kids grow, the family needs change, and along them the travelling gear. Trolleys, cots and play yards are replaced with backpacks, surfboards, tents and fold-frame bikes. Nonetheless, the car-shopping time is full of excitement on all sides, with discussions, suggesting and pros-and-cons lists sprouting like mushrooms after the rain. To make things worse, manufacturers are spoiling us with yet unseen choices of models, types, colours and trims. Add the dealers’ or insurance discounts into the mix, and buying the best one really gets more difficult than it seems. However, when we’re making such a big decision, it’s important to call a spade a spade, so here is some weatherproof car-buying advice for a family that loves to travel.

Study the safety rating

While the vehicle safety should be among the first concerns for buying any kind of car, when looking for a family tourer, you should stay away from anything with less than four-star NCAP crash test rating. So, when you’ve made your shortlist, head on to your regional NCAP site and check the models to see how they fare on safety. EuroNCAP, for example, is particularly focused on child safety in its crash test assessments. If you live in Australia, the good news is that recent changes to Australian Design Rules allow for Isofix seats to be used in new cars sold in Australia without any modifications.

Chose the car body

Depending on where you live – inner city, suburbs or country, as well as how many children and pets you need to accommodate, you’re going to choose between a family hatch, saloon, estate or MPV. Five-door hatchbacks tend to be more practical than saloons of the same size, not only because of the bigger boot, but also because their design makes the interior space more flexible for fitting bulky items. While many family drivers swear by the estates, in reality, full-size saloons also have plenty of legroom in the back and a spacious boot. Multi-purpose vehicles, or people movers, are probably the best solution for families with older children who don’t need so much ‘gear’ but are keen on inviting a friend or two on a family trip.

How do you like to travel?

This is where you need to think whether a normal 2-wheel drive car will be enough or you need something with more power and clearance. Although in the last couple of years, the popularity of SUVs has exploded with manufacturers flooding the auto market with SUV-like versions of established lines in every niche, a thoroughbred high towing SUV can be immensely valuable for families who like to get the most out of their travels. Additional clearance and all-wheel, or four-wheel drive allow these vehicles to handle less than ideal road surfaces while towing a caravan or a boat trailer.

Set your budget

Unless you have your cash ready, you need to consider your financing options. Ask yourself how much you can really afford to set aside each month. For most families, the monthly new-car instalment should not go above 15% of the monthly take-home pay. The same rule applies for used cars, which are bound to be less expensive. If you’re leasing, arrange for a monthly payment of less than 10% of your take-home pay. On top of the car payments, you need to figure in the fuel and insurance costs. If you’re not sure what kind of cars you can afford through a certain monthly payment, there are plenty of online affordability calculators, listing the vehicles according to price range and the financing options.

Ask about after sale services and warranty

Buying happens once, but servicing is an ongoing process. So if you’ve settled down to two candidates, give the advantage to the one whose dealership is closer to where you live. Do you know a family that owns four cars, different models of a particular manufacturer? While the reason behind this might always be a personal preference, past experience or loyalty to a specific make, in many cases, it’s the local presence of the company’s showroom and workshop that makes the choice. Having two or more cars of the same make serviced and maintained close to your home saves you a lot of time and inconvenience.

Before swooping down on a new car, you need to research all the options, with your budget, driving habits and lifestyle in mind. Instead of sticking to individual traits like safety rating, body type or a particular make, you need to observe these as a whole and see which one would really suits your family in the years to come.

Take These Steps After Any Serious Car Accident

October 15, 2018 by admin

Source

In a minor fender bender, there may not be much to worry about. You’ll likely trade insurance information and accept whatever settlement the insurance company offers. However, that process becomes much more complex when it’s a more serious accident. The issue of paying for property repairs, medical treatments, and other damages, make it essential for you to know your rights and know how to respond.

Reacting on the Scene

Immediately following your accident, it’s vital that you take as much as action as you can. If you’re seriously injured, you may not be mobile and, in that case, there won’t be much you can do. If you are able to move about, check on others to determine needs for medical aid and to identify those involved in the accident. Once emergency personnel have been called, take the opportunity to collect contact information and auto insurance information from the other drivers.

This is also the time to collect evidence. In this regard, the best thing you can do is to use your phone to take photos of the scene. Be sure to get close-up pictures of damages to the vehicles and other property damages. Also, take photos of injuries for the purposes of documentation. This can help verify claims later on in the process.

Seek Medical Attention

You’re legally bound to seek medical attention if your accident results in a personal injury lawsuit. If the defense can show you didn’t seek medical attention and later claimed injuries as a result of the accident, you may be charged with compulsory negligence, which can limit what compensation you’ll be entitled to receive. Depending on the situation, the judge may throw the case out altogether.

From a medical standpoint, you should seek an evaluation from a doctor, even if you don’t feel injured at the time of the accident. It can take certain injuries awhile to manifest. For instance, brain trauma, neck injuries, and spinal cord damage can take a day or more to produce noticeable symptoms. A medical examination may spot these types of injuries sooner, allowing you to receive treatment earlier.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

As soon as possible, you should consult an attorney experienced in handling personal injury cases, such as Schwartzapfel Lawyers P.C., as soon as possible. It won’t be long before an insurance adjuster contacts you about the accident. He may try to get you to admit fault in the accident, or may offer you a quick settlement, which will be insufficient to pay for all of your damages. It’s wise to have already spoken with an attorney, before the insurance adjuster begins contacting you. Your attorney will handle communications with the insurance company and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement.

Keep Meticulous Records

Another part of collecting evidence is to keep all documentation, pertaining to your injuries and property damages. This includes repair estimates for your vehicle, medical bills, medical treatment records, any documentation that can establish your missed days of work, and documentation that provides evidence of any need for long-term therapy. All of this information can be used to validate your request for damages and collecting the information can make your attorney’s job easier.

Do Not Discuss Your Accident

The only person you should discuss your case with is with Michelle Linka Law for personal injury lawyer in Oshawa and only in confidential settings. This means limiting your time on social media and not discussing facts of the case on any website. The defense will be looking for statements you make online that could be used against you. Similarly, don’t post new pictures of yourself on your social media pages. In the same way, those pictures may be used to suggest your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. For instance, if you’re smiling in a photo, the defense might use it to convince a jury that you’re not experiencing chronic pain.

Continue Medical Treatments

It’s important that you don’t miss appointments for medical evaluations or treatments, including physical therapy sessions. Again, the defense might use this to suggest your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. Additionally, missing treatments or therapy can cause your condition to relapse or worsen. In that case, the issue of contributory negligence again becomes relevant.

While an auto accident can be a complex and unnerving experience, knowing how to handle it can help you protect your interests. Above all, be careful what statements you make publicly, to the police, or to the insurance company. How you respond will be used against you, if you’re not careful. This is why hiring an attorney should be done, as soon as your medical condition allows. Having a legal advocate on your side can make a significant difference.

How to Choose the Best Car Insurance for Your Family

July 24, 2018 by admin

It has that wonderful new-car smell, it comes with plenty of leg room for all your little ones, and it’s spacious enough to get all of your camping gear without feeling confined for a single moment. It’s a great feeling when you get that awesome ride for you and your youngsters, as you can already envision all the adventures that lie ahead. However, owning a car, especially when you use it to take your kids to school or soccer practice every day, let alone those lengthy trips, comes with a high level of responsibility.

It takes time to get to know your car, to learn how often you need to fill the tank, how well it handles weather changes, and how reliable it is on the road. But all of those factors aside, having a peace of mind means insuring your car properly and for all those specific family needs you’ll have. So, before you schedule your first test fishing trip ride, let’s see how you can pick the right insurance and enjoy your family car hassle-free!

Ask around

Much like with anything else you want to buy and use every day, and especially something as important as this particular safety feature, you want to see how happy other customers may be with any given insurance policy. Talk to your friends and family about their own insurances and see what perks they have, and if any of them are suitable for your own family.

On the other hand, talking to independent repair shops can be another way to learn useful information. They won’t benefit personally whether you go to one insurance company or another, and they have plenty of first-hand experience when it comes to people who have filed claims with many of them. You should always go for financially stable, reliable names in the business, even if some of their rates might be slightly higher.

Check for pricing options

Now that we’re on the topic of pricing, one could assume that the highest price always comes with the most perks, but since you have a specific situation, learning more about your price options depending on the package can make a difference in choosing the right policy.

The key here is not to be lazy or quick to make the call – use this time to get at least three or more quotes from different agencies, in order to evaluate which one fits your budget as well as your needs. Maybe the initial rate could be higher for a particular company, but they might offer reward programs for reliable drivers, or discounts on joint insurance for spouses. Check all the boxes with your insurance quotes before you eliminate your options.

Prioritize your needs

Every family is different, and as you get to know your first family car, you can already understand what you will need your policy to contain both in order to keep it affordable, and to increase safety. Have your car evaluated for its existing safety features and consider all the situations when you’ll be using it. What would an ideal policy ensure in addition to cost-effectiveness for your wallet?

Perhaps a fast-responding customer service for any of your inquires, or a more flexible policy that gives you more wiggle-room in case an unwanted situation occurs. Depending on where you live, you will see if it’s best to focus on fire and hazard protection, or burglary and theft. All these factors will affect the final price range, so make sure to cover your bases and discuss them with your insurance agent.

Know your insurance basics

We’ve already established that there is no templated solution for all family cars, and considering your own situation, you should also start a conversation by getting educated about the basics of each insurance policy. Make sure you know what the legal minimum is for your country, as having third-party protection often is the starting point for each policy. However, you should also protect your family and your vehicle with insurance that gives you access to a courtesy car in case your needs fixing, as well as a rescue service for those unexpected mishaps on the road.

Essentials such as windscreen repairs and replacements and lost or stolen keys are other details to keep in mind, but when it comes to your personal belongings, each policy comes with a different minimum rate they cover. All in all, education is key before you start a conversation with your chosen insurance agency, and it’s best to armed with information so that you find that ideal policy for your new family car!