Monthly Archives: May 2021
Renting a Car for Your Vacation!
Vacation season is in full swing and you may be in the process of planning an annual getaway. While you look for ways to maximize your budget, don’t leave one important decision to the last minute: renting a car for your vacation.
Rental Car Damage Waivers
“Deciding whether to buy ‘damage waivers’ or insurance at the rental car counter can be a confusing experience,” said Rick Crawley of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “Optional rental car insurance can cost between $7 and $25 per day, depending on the rental car company, vehicle make and model and type of waiver. Those daily charges can significantly add to the cost of your rental.”
Helpful tips for renting a car
You may want to follow these three tips to help you decide whether or not you should buy the coverage:
1. Consult with an independent insurance agency like Avalon Agency Insurance. We can review your policies and find out if the coverage you have on your personal vehicle provides protection for you in a rental car.
2. Check with your credit card company. Some credit card companies provide coverage at no charge if you use their card for the rental. Some restrictions may apply so be sure to ask for a description of the exact coverage provided.
3. Take your personal auto insurance policy and details of your coverage with you to the rental car counter. You may be asked questions about your coverage that these documents can help answer. If you’re in doubt, you’ll have your agent’s name and phone number readily available. “We want people to have the information they need to make more informed decisions about car insurance,” said Crawley.
Knowing whether you need to buy additional coverage can save you money and give you peace of mind. Then, you can enjoy your vacation. Don’t start off your trip questioning your decisions. Take control by talking with your independent agent or broker and knowing the answers to those inevitable questions.
Hopefully, these tips for renting a car for your vacation will help you enjoy yourself a lot more!
To learn more about all that your independent agency can offer you, contact us at Avalon Agency at 914-234-5678
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Cars, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, New York, New York Insurance, Renters Insurance, Safety, Summer, Uncategorized
Make Your Vehicle Safe from Car Theft
A car is stolen in the US every 43 seconds. Professional thieves can break into and then drive away with your car in less than two minutes. You can take steps to make your vehicle safe from car theft.
The Statistics
About 240 per 100,000 registered motorists will be a victim of auto theft in the course of a year. Keeping your vehicle safe is everyone’s responsibility. The police, government officials, insurers, vehicle manufacturers and other citizens work together in a cooperative effort to prevent auto theft and fraud. There are a number of easy steps you can take to protect your property as well.
Tips
Some of these steps are simple, while others require a little more effort. For starters, never leave your car running while unattended. Always turn off the engine and roll up the windows, even when leaving your car for a short time.
Do not leave your keys in the car! Nearly 20% of cars stolen still have the keys in the ignition. Using removable or hidden radios, stereos and CD players is good idea for protecting your audio system (as well as discrete placement of speakers).
To lessen the chance of thieves seeing your car as an easy mark, keep your valuables hidden. Do not leave your GPS out on your dashboard. Parking in well lit and busy areas is another way to deter thieves. Locking your car and garage can be another factor in keeping your property safe.
A Bit Much
Park in well-lit Areas
This definitely makes a point.
Another option is to cover your garage windows, thus keeping prying eyes from seeing your vehicles and other valuables. This can also make it more difficult for criminals to see if you are or are not home.
Installing and having alarm systems and anti-theft devices (such as ignition cut-off switches, fuel cut-off devices, steering wheel locks and hood locks) slows a thief down and decreases the chance of theft.
Talk to your Insurance Agent
Many insurers offer a discount, ranging from 5% to 25%, on comprehensive coverage to policy holders who have these equipped. Making your car easy to identify by either etching your car’s VIN onto the windows and under the hood and trunk lid of your car, or by using a dye or electric marker can be very helpful if your vehicle is stolen. There are lists available of the most frequently stolen vehicles that you can check before you purchase a car as well.
It is also important to keep your documents safe by never leaving your vehicles title in your car’s glove compartment. If you are stopped, the police officer will ask you for license and registration, so you need to keep the registration in the car when you are driving. But thieves can use the title to sell your car or to impersonate you if they are stopped by the police. So it is important to keep a copy of your car’s VIN, license plate number, insurance identification and vehicle registration in safe place as well. If your vehicle is stolen you will need the information to complete police and insurance reports.
All of this may seem like a lot of extra effort. But compared to the aggravation of having your car or property stolen, it’s well worth the trouble to make your vehicle safe from car theft.
Call us for an automobile insurance quote today!
Avalon Agency Insurance Pound Ridge, NY All Lines of Insurance for New York, Connecticut and New Jersey
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Cars, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety, Summer
