Is Liability Insurance Enough for my Older Car?

Think of liability insurance as the minimum coverage available that can protect you, the owner of the vehicle, against lawsuits. This basic policy will likely protect you from having to pay out-of-pocket to repair the automobile or property damaged during an accident of which you were at fault. Keep in mind; it does not pay for repairs to your own vehicle or property.

Liability insurance is only available if you own your vehicle outright. For some people in Newark, NJ, the cost of collision or comprehensive policies is simply not in the monthly budget. Luckily, the agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. understand how to get you the best coverage you can afford. 

Components of Liability Insurance

1. Third party insurance is the component that covers the owner of the vehicle against lawsuits.

2. Personal injury protection covers you up to $250,000 towards medical expenses. You can choose to add essential services to the policy which would cover things like nursing assistance while recovering.

3. Loss of income coverage can be added to provide coverage for up to 60 percent of your income during physician verified recovery time. 

4. Death benefit coverage of up to $10,000 in the unfortunate incidence that the accident caused a death. Funeral expenses of up to $2,000 can be added to the policy. 

How is Collision Insurance Different?

Collision insurance goes beyond liability in that it covers repairs to your vehicle or replacement of your vehicle if it is totaled in an accident.

What About Comprehensive Insurance?

Not all accidents involve driving. Comprehensive will cover damage such as a tree falling on the vehicle or hail damage. It also covers theft or vandalism. 

Proof of insurance is required to drive legally in Newark, NJ. Contact us online at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. or by phone at (973) 481-5300 if you have questions about which insurance is right for you.

There are lots of questions that are never answered when you first sign up for auto insurance. Normally, the facts are about limits and premium payments, not about odd circumstances like whether or not a windshield crack is covered. If you live in Newark, NJ though, it does help to know how these things work. 

A Cracked Windshield 

The answer is usually that a cracked windshield is covered if you have comprehensive coverage, but there’s a major caveat to this piece of good news. Normally you won’t even begin to reach your deductible because the cost to repair will be so low.

Hitting a Large Animal

Should you hit a large animal (like a deer), then you’ll likely be covered under collision or comprehensive insurance. It all depends on the type of policy you have, but for those who want to stay safe in Newark NJ, it helps to have this type of precaution in place. And make no mistake about it, it is almost better for you to hit the animal than to try to swerve out of the way at the last second. 

Rear-ended or T-Boned

Essentially, if you have a specific type of collision, it still falls under general accidents for the insurance company. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. wants you to know that if you that if you do happen to be rear-ended, make sure you get out of the way of oncoming traffic first.  

There are so many scenarios that may happen on the road, and thus somewhat futile to discuss each one in detail. At the same time though, knowing the specifics can make it easier for you to choose between one policy of the other. Call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. if you need more information about how different accidents work under your policy.

When going out of town for a business trip or for vacation we often use a rental car to get from place to place. And we’ve all been there. You just land from your flight, gather your luggage, make it to the rental car counter, and are faced with the question, "Do you want to add on our rental car insurance?"  So what do you do?

Typically, if you have your own car insurance for your car at home, your coverage will extend to a rental car also. For car theft or car crashes, as long as you have comprehensive and collision coverage your insurance will cover the damage. The worst is you may be stuck with paying the deductible should any damage occur.  This is also true for any damage that you may cause to other cars. If you have the bare minimum insurance coverage, it may make sense to add on some supplemental coverage at the rental car counter.  Any injuries from a car accidently are typically covered by your own health insurance, so anything additional would be repetitive. Further, anything that is stolen from your rental car will be covered under your home owners or renters insurance.

If you are in doubt, you can always take the additional route of paying for your rental car with a credit card that provides additional coverage. Before traveling, call your credit card company to verify the amount of rental car insurance the card will add if you pay for the rental using your American Express, Discover, Visa, or another major credit card.

We understand that residents from Newark, NJ love to travel and at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we are here to help. If you are planning travel and have questions about your own car insurance policy, feel free to ask our experts to make sure you are covered.  We proudly serve the people of Newark, NJ. Stop into our local E.S.T.I.R. Inc. office to speak face to face with our insurance pros today.  

Believe it or not your zip code directly affects your insurance premium.  Why?  Because where you live determines the likelihood of a car accident or other reason for an auto claim and what that claim might cost.  The higher the chance of a claim the more the insurance company needs to charge to accommodate for this future event.  

For starters, urban residents typically pay higher rates than people who live in rural areas. This is because the chances of accident occurring in a densely urban population is much higher than a rural area. 

Insurance companies then look closely at your zip code to determine risk.  What they look at includes:

Weather:  Insurance companies will take things like snow, hurricanes, and tornadoes into consideration.  If you live in Florida or Oklahoma, for example, you may pay a higher premium than if you live in Arizona.  

Crime:  Is there a lot of crime in your zip code?  If so, you could very well see higher insurance rates.  Auto theft and vandalism are serious crimes that raise rates.  

Local roads: How are the roads in your area?  Are they full of pot holes or are they evenly paved?  The road conditions in your zip code affects the likelihood of an accident.  If roads are riddles with potholes, the chances of an accident increase and it is the job of the insurance company to know this.  

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we understand how insurance works.  Our experienced agents work with customers in the Newark, NJ area to get the most affordable auto insurance for the best coverage.  To talk about a new auto insurance policy in Newark, NJ call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today to get started.  

When you are driving, you should be paying attention to the road. Unfortunately, we are all human and there are things that can cause us to become distracted. While cell phones are in the news often for being one of the biggest distractions that people face while driving, there are many other things that can distract us as well. Here are a few common distractions that you may not even be aware are distracting you while driving.

The Radio

One of the biggest distractions drivers on the road face, without even realizing it, is the radio in their car. If they do not like what is on the radio, they may look down and change the station. In the amount of time it takes you to look away, your eyes are off the road. It may not seem long but it doesn’t take long for someone to suddenly stop or for a child to run in front of your car.

Your Kids

Another common distraction in the car is your children. If your kids are being loud, crying or otherwise demanding your attention, you may be focused on them, and not the road. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do but try to tune your kids out for their safety and yours.

Food

The last thing that is a common distraction for many drivers is food. You may be eating while driving, sipping your coffee or even reaching for a piece of gum. It is highly advised that you avoid eating while driving and only sip on your drinks when stopped at red light.s

Learning about common driving distractions can help you stay safe on the road. Having the right auto insurance company can also help protect you while on the road. If you are in the greater Newark, NJ area and are interested in obtaining a new auto insurance policy, give E.S.T.I.R. Inc. a call. We can help identify the right coverage amounts for you at an affordable price. Call us today for a free price quote.

When insurance just seems to take a bite out of your paycheck every month, it can just start to feel like another bill you have to pay. But your electricity bill isn’t something that helps you save money while your insurance does. Start looking at it a different way, and you may just find yourself better protected over time.

Living in Newark NJ

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves the people of this city, and we know that there are dangers that lurk at every turn on the road. People make mistakes of course when they drive, but they also make mistakes in life too. For instance, you may have an uninsured driver hit you, and then be unable to pay for the damages to your car. Or if you have liability only and then cause an accident, you may find that the limits of that liability do not cover all of the expenses. Even small accidents can end up becoming large hits to your savings account. 

Keeping Your Future Protected

The people of Newark, NJ need a knowledgeable source of information when it comes to making the best arrangements for themselves now. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can provide you with more information if you’re looking to get a new quote or a better policy. We want you to be able to hold onto the savings that you’ve built up, and not spend them unnecessarily. Our agents keep your budget in mind, but also your future needs as well. It will always be more beneficial to make the sacrifice when you sign up for insurance rather than be hit with bills you can’t afford later on. Give us a call today for more information of how it can all work for you. 

It is winter in Newark NJ, which means that we have plenty of cold days. Snow and ice are common this time of year, which is why it is important to winterize your vehicle.  The professional insurance agents E.S.T.I.R. Inc. want you to be safe and your car running in tip-top shape throughout the season, which is why we believe you should prepare your car for the cold by winterizing it.

What Does It Mean to Winterize Your Car?

Winterizing your car basically means that you perform regular maintenance on it each winter to ensure your drive is safe and smooth. It helps your vehicle to handle the cold weather and potentially treacherous road conditions. Some of the things you should do or have a mechanic do, to get your car in shape for winter include:

• Check that the thermostat and defroster are in good working order.
• Examine your tires and make sure they have plenty of tread or replace them.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of antifreeze.
• Keep your gas tank at full whenever possible to protect the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep an emergency kit of essentials in your vehicle.

Why These Steps Are Necessary

By taking these simple steps, you can protect yourself against potential road hazards. For example, if you encounter snow and ice, it is important to have good tires. If your tires lack tread, you increase your risk of losing control of the vehicle. To stay warm, you need the heater and thermostat to work while driving. And if your vehicle breaks down, an emergency kit can keep you safe until help arrives. Always remember to call your insurance agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. of Newark, NJ if you need assistance. We are here to help.

If money is tight in your household, you may have the minimum amount of auto insurance that the state requires. This helps to keep your auto insurance premiums low. However, the minimum amount of auto insurance that you are required to carry varies from state to state. As such, if you are traveling out of state for work or for pleasure, you may find yourself wondering if you need to increase your coverage if one or more of the states you will be traveling in has higher minimum coverage requirements.

What most people do not realize is that even thought your policy limits say they are good in the state you reside, they are actually good nationwide. And if your current minimums do not meet the minimums in other states, your auto insurance automatically boosts the limits up to the minimum when you are in these states. And no, you don’t have to notify the insurance company you are traveling in these states or on vacation. It is something that is automatically done if you are in an accident in the state.

The only time this is not the case is if your auto insurance specifically states that the policy amounts do not automatically adjust in another state. This may occur if you are involved in multiple accidents out of state. Unless your policy specifically precludes it, your insurance will self adjust when you are in other states with higher minimums than you carry, ensuring you don’t have to change your policy amounts as you travel.

If you are looking to increase the coverage amount of your auto insurance policy, or are simply shopping around for a new one, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help. We provide a full range of insurance products, including auto insurance, to the greater Newark, NJ area. Call us today or stop by our office to learn more about our products, get answers to your questions or obtain a quote for an auto insurance policy.