car 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.

Take These Steps After Any Serious Car Accident

October 15, 2018 by admin

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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!

Interesting Electric Car Facts That Will Make You Want to Buy One

May 11, 2018 by admin

As electric cars steadily become more and more popular, the electric car vs gas car debate heats up. Check out these electric car facts that will make think!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to use an electric car?

If you’re searching for a new car, an all-electric model might be just what you’re looking for. Over 48 million American households can meet their daily driving needs with an electric car.

Although electric cars aren’t entirely mainstream yet, the technology continues to improve. Drawbacks that turned potential owners away before–like a high cost, performance issues, long charge time, and limited range–are quickly fading away.

More and more manufacturers have been selling electric cars and sales have skyrocketed over the past few years. Electric vehicles offer a step up from the traditional gas-powered vehicle–like smooth acceleration, a quiet engine, and instant torque.

Electric cars aren’t just for the elite these days–anybody can own one. Some car companies are going as far to commit to converting to electric car only production in the near future. Even luxury car companies like Tesla are offering more affordable electric models for their customers.

Are electric vehicles poised to take over the industry? Check out these electric car facts that will make you want to run to your nearest dealership and get one for yourself.

Interesting Electric Car Facts

Electric cars are some of the most talked about vehicles in the automobile industry today. The market is booming–electric vehicles are behind the record-breaking number of new car registrations.

But as much as you might have heard about electric cars–how much do you actually know about them? Take a look at some of these facts about electric cars, and you can decide for yourself whether gas or electric cars are the future of the industry.

1) They’ve been around for a long time

Electric cars might be seen as an example of the changing industry in the 21st century, but did you know the first electric car was actually invented almost 200 years ago?

The first prototype was created in 1832, and in 1895 an inventor developed the first six-passenger electric car.

In New York City, all taxis were once electric vehicles. In the 1920s, the combustion engine and the expansion of U.S. highways led to the electric car becoming less desirable. Now, in the 21st century, they’re finally making a comeback.

2) They’re eerily quiet

One of the first things you’ll notice while driving an electric car is the silence.

Compared to a gas car, an electric car is virtually sound free. Even when pressing down on the accelerator, an electric car glides over the road with little engine related noise.

The silence has even made them dangerous around some pedestrians, who may not know the car is on and step in front of it while it’s in motion. In order to help, Nissan added a soft whining sound for all speeds below 20 miles per hour.

Driving an electric car means you won’t have engine noise competing with your music–and you can hear the sounds of nature or busy city life outside your car. With an electric vehicle, you can look forward to a future of peace, silence, and maybe even a song or two.

3) They’re a lot of fun to drive

Electric cars aren’t just good for the environment–they’re a lot of fun too. When you step on the accelerator, the car shoots forward almost instantly.

You can also use your brakes a lot less when driving an electric vehicle. Stepping on the brakes recaptures some energy to feed back into the battery. This helps you go farther without recharging and makes for an easier ride–all you have to do is lift your foot off the accelerator and the car will slow down by itself.

4) They put gas cars to shame

Never let it be said that electric cars pack less of a punch.

Electric vehicles take energy efficiency and engine power to a whole new level. They have extremely high torque power, which means that the pickup is fast.

In the electric car vs gas car debate, comfort is where the electric car rises above its competition. Riding in an electric vehicle is comfortable, smooth, and fast.

5) They have no exhaust

Unlike gas cars, electric cars don’t have any visible tailpipe exhaust. In fact, most vehicles don’t have a tailpipe at all.

With an electric car, you can actually see the difference that you’re making in the environment. By reducing gas emissions, you’re contributing to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint.

Regardless of how quickly electric cars develop, each new car bought and used is a good start to improving the environment and slowing down global warming.

6) They let you skip the gas station

Electric vehicles make refueling simple.

Instead of buying gas or changing the oil, all you have to do to recharge is plug into your charging station. Electric car charger installation in your home has never been easier–and you can recharge overnight before you go to work the next day.

Although charging at home is usually enough to get you where you need to go, there are over 5,000 charging stations across the country, and more are being built every day.

Up to 80% of battery energy in an electric car is transferred directly to engine power. In a gas car, only 14-26% of the battery energy is used.

7) They can actually save you money

When it comes to picking between gas or electric cars, the cost can be a big factor.

While the overall price of electric vehicles might still look expensive compared to gas-powered cars, it can actually save you a lot of money. Switching from gas to electric will be less expensive in the long run.

Electric cars can also save you money on maintenance–fewer moving parts mean fewer things that could break. You’ll only have to worry about changing out the battery, which lasts up to 15 years and usually comes with a warranty.

Owning an electric car can get you some perks too. Electric vehicle users are eligible for a tax credit up to $7,500, and some states offer bonus incentives.

The Bottom Line

While the electric car vs gas car debates still continues–these electric car facts might give you a little more insight on why electric cars are better suited for the rapidly changing technological world.

Whether you’re already planning on buying a new car or just looking around at your options, buying an electric car means planning for the future. You can make a difference for the environment–and get a smooth, affordable ride while you do it.

Important Things Moms Should Have in Their Car

February 8, 2018 by admin

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As a mom, you are expected to get everything in order. Whether you’re going grocery shopping, taking or picking up your kids from school, going on a road trip with your entire family, you need to be prepared for anything.

If you spend a lot of time driving around every day, your vehicle becomes, by default, your second home. So, it’s always a good idea to bring some essential items that you and your children may need while you’re on the road.

For those moms who want to have their bases covered, our friends from Alpha Car Finance have put together a list of important things that you shouldn’t leave home without.

Water

In case your kids or anyone gets thirsty, it’s handy to keep a couple of bottles in your car. You may find yourself staying in the car or at the park longer than expected. So, even if the water’s not cold, it should be enough to quench your children’s thirst until you get home.

Snacks

It may be the source of those annoying crumbs that you need to clean up later, but it’s either that or not having anything to feed your hungry kids.

First aid kit

For those scrapes and other boo-boos your kids might get along the way, you need to keep an all-purpose first aid kit in your car. Have some bandages, medicine, antiseptic, and some cotton, ready in case of an emergency.

Wet wipes

This is not just essential for kids but also for grown-ups, too. Messy incidents can happen anytime, anywhere. So, be sure to have a supply of wet wipes ready.

Hand sanitiser

Speaking of messy incidents, you can quickly protect yourself and your kids from harmful germs and bacteria. With just a few sprays, you can disinfect your kids’ hands from whatever unsanitary surfaces or things they may have touched.

Umbrella

In case you missed the latest weather report, you can always protect yourself and your kids from getting drenched in a sudden, heavy downpour or take cover from the blazing sun.

A spare phone charger

Nothing sucks more than having your mobile’s battery holding on for dear life just when you need to send an urgent call or text message. So, in case you forget to top up your phone, have an extra charger or a power bank handy in your vehicle.

Flashlight and fresh batteries

This will come in useful when you need to look for something at night or in dimly-lit areas.

Garbage bags

You can put all your rubbish conveniently in one place and easily drop it off at the nearest trash can.

Keep a list

In case you forget to bring your mobile or its battery eventually dies, keep a written list of emergency phone numbers in your glove compartment.

Items for entertainment

If you’re going to be driving for a long time, you need to keep your little rug rats entertained so they won’t get bored. Have some activity or sticker books, small toys, and some crayons stashed away in your car to keep them occupied until you arrive at your destination.

Extra clothes

When you have little kids, expect to have some unintentional spills to happen along the way. So, keep a change of clothes at hand. Put them in a handy tote bag and store them in your trunk.

For pets

In case you also need to bring your furry, four-legged family members, be sure to have some extra items for your pets like a food and water bowl, a leash, pooper scooper, and waste bags.

Are there other essential items you keep in your car? We’d love to know. Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.