Author Archives: AgentInsure

Tips to Avoid Fender Bender Fraud

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Fender bender fraud raises car insurance premiums for all drivers out on the road every year by costing insurance companies enormous sums of money. As a driver, you can do your part to minimize another driver’s chances of pulling off insurance fraud with the following five helpful tips:

Always get a police report written up

Sometimes, drivers are tempted to forego the police report because it usually takes a lot of time to wait for the police to arrive on the accident scene. However, any time you’re exchanging insurance information with another driver, you should also be having the police come in to observe and mediate the proceedings. 

Look for witnesses

It’s often hard for drivers who are shy to get the witness testimony they need because they’re reluctant to question bystanders. However, doing so could really help you out later on. If you have numerous witness testimonies backing you up and supporting the idea that a claim is fraudulent, you’ll be able to protect yourself from unfair claims on your insurance policy. 

Take pictures

After the accident, take pictures of everything. Pictures are especially useful in proving that an individual was not really severely injured at the time of the accident. You therefore might even want to get pictures of the other drivers involved if possible. 

Communicate with your insurance company

If your suspicious of fender bender fraud, you should tell your insurance company. Your insurance company knows how to investigate suspicious cases. If you want to prevent your rates from going up because of an unfair claim, notify your insurance provider of any suspicions right away. 

Interested in learning more? For an auto insurance authority located in the Newark area, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. 

The Benefits of Insuring Your Home In Newark, New Jersey

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It’s critical to have homeowner’s insurance wherever you live, but especially in Newark, New Jersey, the biggest city in the Garden State. There are a number of different reasons for this and some of the most important ones are listed below so you can be sure you set up the right home insurance policy in Brick City.

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM UNEXPECTED DISASTERS

One of the most important things homeowner’s insurance does is protect your home against unexpected disasters, like a fire that breaks out and burns part of the house down, or a broken pipe that leads to flooding and mold within the house itself, or a blizzard that causes a roof to collapse. These types of disasters can really cost you if you don’t have homeowner’s insurance and lead to economic problems that most people would have trouble fully recovering from.

PROTECTING THOSE WHO ARE IN YOUR HOME

Homeowner’s insurance policies also cover people in the home as well, namely those who are living in your home if they happen to hurt themselves. These liability aspects to homeowner policies will keep homeowners from being sued when people hurt themselves in the home and also pay for their medical expenses in case an accident happens while they are visiting or even living there.

IT GIVES PIECE OF MIND

Owning a home is a lot to worry about in general for most people and anyone who is a homeowner also knows the money and worry they put into their house on a regular basis. So just having the piece of mind that your home will be protected from just about anything by a good homeowner insurance policy is worth it. Make sure you have the right one through a company like E.S.T.I.R. Inc. who serves the greater Newark, New Jersey area.

How Well Do You Know Your Home Insurance Policy? Tips to Consider in Manassas

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While most people know they need home insurance, they may not know about just how many variations are available within the policies. The contracts and terms can be adjusted to fit your property, and they can be updated when you need to drop or add coverage. Consider these facts, so you know whether or not you need to change your home insurance. 

Mold, Belongings and Floods 

Many people might call on their home insurance policy if they experience common problems like water damage from flood or a mold infestation in the structure of their home, but they may be surprised to find out that they’ll have to shoulder the costs of this on their own. Also, your belongings very well may not be protected either. Replacing your things after a theft or natural disaster can be astronomical, and the emotional burden of having lost your possessions makes it far harder to do. Repairs can also run you into the thousands, which can be impossible for the average homeowner. 

Customizing Your Home Insurance Policy 

If you buy an expensive piece of jewelry or art piece, then you likely don’t think to update their insurance policy. However, even if your possessions are covered, there’s generally a cap at how much the insurance company will pay for. The beauty of insurance is that you have the ability to change your policy if you need to. Look for a company who you can count on when you have questions. 

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves the people of Manassas, and can help you find a policy that works for you. We’re happy to give you the facts of insurance and then let you make the final call. Contact us if you need a quote!. 

Proving Fender Bender Fraud, Steps You Can Take to Clear Your Name

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Often times when a fender bender occurs there is some confusion as to who caused it and what the proper course of action is. Though may states are considered no fault states, which means that blame cannot be assigned to one party or the other, there is still some importance in establishing what truly happened. In cases where you are involved in a fender bender that is not your fault and in which fraud is a factor, knowing how to prove that fraud is present is a big help.

The first step in any accident is to establish a clear time line. This means that you take the time to think about what series of events led to the accident in the first place. Were you at a red light, a stop sign, a turn, a parking lot, this type of information can be very helpful in determining what happened and what to do next. After the time line has been established, you will need to collect evidence.

This does not mean collecting things like fingerprints or any other sort of evidence of this nature, but rather things like witness statements, cell phone records to prove you were not using your phone, red light cameras is there are any present, and things of this nature. If you have witnesses be sure that you have their statements taken by a third party that is not partial so that they will stand up in court or any other legal setting. With the right evidence and possibly the assistance of an attorney, you should be able to clear your name and prove that the fender bender was a fraud to keep your rates from going up and your driving record from being marred. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you to get your information in order and stop false claims.

Giving Back to Princeton- Ways and Tips To Success

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Giving back to your community is the best way to support it. The people who surround you are the ones that matter. If you really want to help your community thrive, follow these tips to give back in many different ways.

  • Donate food to your local food bank. There are many people who cannot afford food on a daily basis and that is where food banks come in. Unfortunately, food banks do not always have all of the food they need to feed the community. You can help out by donating non-perishable food items.
  • Donate clothing and old coats. When you go through your closet to clean it out, instead of throwing away all of your old clothes and coats, consider donating them instead. If they are still usable, opt for this route instead.
  • Donate blood. There are blood banks and blood drives everywhere. You can only donate once in a specific period of time but the blood you donate can be used to save lives. This is an easy way to make a difference, as long as you are not afraid of needles.
  • Volunteer at your local homeless shelter. These shelters are always looking for more volunteers. Give some of your time to brighten the day of people in your community.
  • Adopt a pet. Instead of buying a pet, you should adopt one from a local animal shelter. Give them a forever home and do not waste your money on a pure-bred.
  • Donate to a local charity. If you do not have time to give, you can always give money to local charities. 

Support your local community and get all of your insurance through E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Princeton, NJ. They offer many different insurance plans to meet your needs. Contact them today for more information and to ensure that you are covered. 

House Sitting Is More Than Watching Their TV

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So the neighbors asked you to watch their house while they are off vacationing in the Bahamas. Outside of being especially jealous of their travel plans, you begin to wonder what exactly you should do inside their home. After all, they have that nice cable package with the premium channels you decided not to spring for. Sure, indulge in some TV watching, but house sitting is so much more than just watching the television. As E.S.T.I.R. Inc. points out, there are plenty of chores you need to stay on top of. 

Freezing Pipes

In Newark, NJ freezing pipes during the winter can be a problem. When you leave the house, make sure the heat is down around the 50 degree mark. This helps prevent the pipes from freezing, which is one of the most important jobs you have while house sitting. 

Flush the Toilet

Depending on how old the house is, you might need to work the gaskets in the toilet from time to time. Older homes can have leaks, flooding or backups. Flushing the toilet every day or so keeps everything flowing properly. 

Bring in the Mail

House sitting is all about making the house look as if it is lived in. A dead giveaway is when the mail starts to collect. So, bring in the mail and the newspaper daily. A buildup of this is a sign to others the home owners are out. Even if you don’t go inside on a give day at least pick up the paper. 

Lights On and Off

Turn on different lights. Again, house sitting isn’t just keeping the house functioning but making sure other people believe someone is living inside. Changing the lights on and off throughout the time you watch the house gives off this impression. 

5 Tips Before You Decide on a Commercial Insurance Policy

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Commercial insurance doesn’t just mean that you’re keeping an eye out for potential property disasters, it’s also about caring for your employees and customers as well. If you don’t have enough coverage, it can cripple your business with excess costs and legal matters. Use these 5 tips before you decide on a policy. 

1. Consider Your Area 

Manassas gets its fair share of rain but even if it didn’t, floods can still happen practically anywhere. Water, windstorms, and earthquakes can cause major damage, but they’re not generally covered under normal policies. 

2. Looking Ahead 

Right now you may not see very many threats to your business, but you need to keep in mind what might happen in the future. Some ‘customers’ or even employees are only there to catch you on a technicality so they can sue you. Commercial insurance gives you a means to fight off their accusations. 

3. When You Need Repairs 

A large insurance company may not be very organized when it comes to getting a claim covered. Do you really need to be transferred three times when your business needs to be addressed ASAP?

4. Mobility and You 

Mobile equipment is often not on your property, which means you need an insurance policy that will extend for all of your tools — not just what’s located on your grounds or official office. 

5. Getting a Partner 

A good insurance company can explain the terms of your commercial insurance to you in a way that makes sense, and even give you specific tips based on your business so you’re better protected. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is here for the people of Newark, NJ, and we want to talk to you about your policy. Give us a call today!

Gas Mileage: Are You Getting the Best?

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When was the last time you checked your gas mileage. If you’ve recently purchased a newer vehicle, then you probably have one that tells you the gas mileage you are getting. And while this feature can prove to be of the utmost value, it’s still important to make sure check your mileage using a handy calculator as this will help determine whether or not the gas mileage sensor is correct. To get the best mileage possible, make sure to follow these other helpful tips. 

Do you have a lot of stuff in your trunk?

If you are constantly toting around heavy items in your car, this can cause the gas mileage to decrease. A few hundred pounds can reduce gas mileage by two to 10+ miles per gallon which over the time period of a year, can cost you hundred of dollars on gas that otherwise wouldn’t have had to be spent. 

Do you invest in maintenance?

Another factor that will greatly influence the type of gas mileage you get is maintenance. The better maintenance you have performed on your car, the better the mileage you’ll get. With this mind, you should not look at investing in maintenance as something to dread. In fact, it very well can save you lots of money over the life of your car. 

To learn more about improving gas mileage and taking care of your car in the best manner possible, contact a local insurance agency today. If you live in the Princeton area, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today. We can answer any questions you may have as well as help you process claims. 

How to Educate Your Employees to Keep them Safe in Newark

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Educated employees not only perform better on the job but the are also safer on the job as well. But how should you go about educating your employees in order to keep them safe? The E.S.T.I.R. Inc. services greater Newark and can assist with any and all of these kinds of situations. They have informational access to education courses in the area to help inform your employees of not only how to properly complete a task at hand, but how to stay safe while completing the task. 

Educating your employees can change drastically depending on the industry you are in. From food services and preparation to construction and manufacturing, each line of work has its own set of health risks. Courses and classes offered on these different forms of safety offer insights into how to avoid the spread of germs in a kitchen to avoiding construction zone accidents. 

When selecting the right kind of courses for your employees, there are other forms of insurance you need to look into as well. While educating your staff does reduce the potential for injury, mistakes do happen and accidents do occur. By investing in workers compensation insurance, you can protect not only your staff but yourself as a business owner as well. Professional liability insurance can help with coverage in other ways, so if you need assistance with locating courses to improve employee education on safety or if you are in need of specific insurance plans to protect the business, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. servicing Newark, New Jersey can help with this. 

Proper safety techniques are required in any business to maintain a healthy work environment. This is why educating your employees on how to stay safe while on the job is a must. 

How To Lend A Hand At A Car Accident

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As you drive in Newark, you may notice that there is a car accident. If the police haven’t arrived yet, consider pulling over and lending a hand. There are a few things you can do in order to have a dramatic impact on the outcome.

Call 911

The sooner you call, the sooner help can be on its way. Be specific as to location, the number of cars involved, and anything that may be relevant. The operator may provide you with additional instructions as well.

Keep Your Car Out of the Way

Remember that there are going to be police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances arriving. Keep your car at least 100 feet away so that it doesn’t need to be moved when help arrives.

Check on Everyone

There may still be people inside the cars of the accident. Talk to them, let them know you have called 911, and see what you can do. Even if they cannot get out of the car, it can be reassuring if there is someone talking to them. It can help to keep blood pressure even, too.

Shut Down the Vehicles

The cars may still be engaged, which can lead to more fluid leaking as well as other problems. Put the cars in park and then turn off their ignitions.

Wait for Help to Arrive

You may have to wait a while to be spoken to, but the police will want to have a conversation with you because you may have witnessed the crash. Your contact information will be taken as well, which can be used by others as the investigation continues.

Call us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. now to learn how our agents can help you every step of the way. We can find quotes from insurance companies in New Jersey and answer questions about coverage.