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

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.

Gas Mileage: Are You Getting the Best?

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 Lend A Hand At A Car Accident

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.

 

Giving The Gift of The Road: Buying A Car For Your Loved One

During the holiday season, gifting a car to a loved one is considered a very generous gift. Giving a car can bring independence, peace of mind, and relieve financial stress for your recipient. For some, it can simply be an upgrade of their current car, and for others, it can be life changing. As you consider giving the gift of the road to your loved one, there are a few logistics to factor into your plan.

It is important to factor in the paperwork involved in purchasing a car. The title will be in your name in the initial purchase. Once you surprise them, you will want to transfer the title to your loved one’s name. This will require you both to make a trip to the DMV. In the state of New Jersey, the title transfer will have you write "GIFTED" in the price section, and state law ensures that you do not pay sales tax on a gift transfer.

There are additional costs that come with car ownership. Is fuel, maintenance, and insurance something that you will include in the gift? Is it something that your recipient can easily incorporate into their budget? For gas and maintenance, maybe consider a gift card to a popular gas station or mechanic. For insurance, it is important to know that New Jersey requires all registered vehicles to have Liability, Personal Injury Protection, and Uninsured Motorist Coverage. 

You can easily work with a local Newark area E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agent to find the right coverage for your loved one. Even if you are not covering the insurance costs, delivering a car with an affordable and comprehensive insurance quote is one way to make the gift of giving this holiday season, even more memorable. 

Driving Tips for Teens: Listening to Music While Driving

It’s very exciting when a teen gets his driver’s license for the first time. From wanting to visit friends and driving back and forth to school each day, many teens form a new way of living once they are given the freedom to drive on their own. Many of them also prefer to listen to their music really loud when driving. And while music is a great way to pass the time when driving, it can also be a distraction when it’s turned up too loud. 

Teens should do their best to keep music in the car to a level in which they can still hear police sirens. After all, when a police car or fire truck comes up behind them, they need to be aware so they can pull over. If their music is too loud, though, they will be breaking the law by not getting out the way. 

Teens should also keep their music to a minimal noise level when they have other passengers in the car. It’s a well-known fact that having too many passengers can be very distracting, and when music is added into the mixture, this greatly increases your teen’s chances of being in a car wreck. 

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your teen is aware of the fact that music can be distracting. Because of this, you should never set a poor example and drive around with your music too loud. By setting a good example, your teen is much more likely to be a safe driver. 

To learn more about safe teen driving in Newark, or to review your teens auto policy, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today. 

How Many Drivers Can You Add to Your Auto Policy?

From visiting the Newark Reservoir to taking a long stroll at White Clay Creek State Park, there are so many things to do in and around Newark, New Jersey.  While you're driving from one attraction to another, you'll definitely want to make sure you are driving in a car that has insurance on it.  If you intend on letting someone else besides yourself drive your car, it is imperative to ensure they are covered under your car insurance policy.  Here's a quick look at adding drivers to your policy. 

You can essentially add as many drivers to your policy as you see fit; however, there are a few things to keep in mind.  First and foremost, the primary driver listed on the policy must be the actual owner of the car — meaning the title of the car must be in that person's name.  Secondly, the driving record of anyone you add on as a driver will affect your premium.  

If you intend on letting someone drive your car and you haven't added him or her to your policy, you'll want to contact your insurance company and see if the person can at least be added during the period of time that the person is going to be driving your car.  Some insurance companies will allow you to do this free of charge.  Take for instance that you and your cousin Sally who lives in Minnesota are taking a road trip to Kentucky.  Since it's such a long trip, there's a good chance that Sally will be driving your car part of the way, so you'll want to make sure she is covered on your policy.

To learn more about adding drivers to your auto insurance policy, contact one of our reputable insurance agents today.  This will help you rest assured that you are not liable for property or personal damage if another driver was to have an accident while driving your car. 

Does Past Damage Affect Auto Insurance Costs?

Throughout Irvington, New Jersey, there is a lot of charm to attract tourists and residents alike. The population is around 50,000 and provides a lot of the big city features while still keeping the history preserved. The township was founded in 1692 and there are museums and buildings that help to tell the story of the area.

When you purchase auto insurance, the insurance company is going to look at a few different things prior to quoting you for insurance. This includes any kind of past damage that may have taken place.

Past damage comes in the form of looking at your driving history. If you had a crash in Irvington a year ago, whether you were the cause of the accident or not, it is going to impact the cost of your insurance.

Past damage can also be seen with an inspection. Some auto insurance companies will want you to take your car into a location for an inspection prior to them insuring you. This ensures they can document previous damage to avoid having to pay for something that happened prior to the policy becoming effective.

It’s always a good idea to work with an insurance agent in New Jersey to find out what it’s going to cost to get a policy. If you have had damage in the past, either through an accident or some other event, you will want to make sure it has a minimal impact on insurance costs.

We are independent agents, which means we work with some of the top insurance companies in Texas. This makes it easier for us to search the best deals. We will get quotes from multiple companies so you can compare and make an educated decision on the most comprehensive policy at an affordable price.

How To Protect Against A Sinking Foundation In Newark

Within Newark, NJ, residents are less than 15 miles away from New York City. Many people make the commute each day by car or by train into NYC for work. There’s a considerable number of homeowners within the city and there are various industries to support residents as well.

One of the worst things that could happen to your home in Newark, NJ 07107 is a sinking foundation. This is often caused by shifts within the soil after the home is constructed. As the soil shifts, the foundation can crack and literally begin to sink. This can lead to damages to the porch as well as throughout the interior of your home.

There are things you can do to protect against such problems. You will want to obtain a home inspection in NJ before you move into a home. If you notice any damage to the foundation, you can also have a company come in and provide additional support.

You will also want to look at your homeowners insurance policy within 07107. Your insurance may cover against a sinking foundation, porch problems, and more. However, there are going to be instances when it will and will not be covered. You don’t want to be denied a claim, so it’s important to read the fine print.

As you shop for homeowner’s insurance, you will want to look at maximizing the coverage to protect against anything. One of our agents can guide you through the process. This way your home in Newark will have the coverage you need to make repairs to the foundation or anything else that has been unexpectedly damaged. While homeowner’s insurance doesn’t take care of wear and tear, it does take care of other things.

Call and talk to one of our agents today so we can find a policy that is affordable and makes sense.

Is A Learner’s Permit Going To Raise My Car Insurance?

Newark, NJ is one of the largest cities within the state. It is right across the river from New York City and many people make the commute into the Big Apple for work. Many people are homeowners and the home value for the homes in the 07107 area are a little higher than the average for the state.

When you have a young driver in your home, he or she starts out with a learners permit. The moment that this is obtained, you need to call and make the update to your car insurance because they will be getting behind the wheel of your car.

The rule of thumb is that new drivers are high risk because of their inexperience. A learner’s permit in Newark doesn’t automatically mean a high cost of car insurance. We recommend working with one of our agents in NJ where we can talk to you about options. We take a three step approach to helping you.

1. Learn of your needs

2. Explain coverage options

3. Find quotes

When you follow these three steps, you can ensure you get car insurance with someone in the house that has a learner’s permit without spending more than what is necessary. It is likely that you will see an increase within the cost of the policy, but it doesn’t have to be a lot. We work with multiple insurance companies in Newark, so comparisons can be made quickly. You will be able to see who charges what and then make an educated decision.

Our agents can find a policy within 07107 that is manageable and provides you with the coverage you need. This way, in the event of an accident, you can file a claim knowing you have to pay very little out of pocket to make the repairs and get the care that is needed.

Types of Losses not Covered Under an Auto Insurance Policy in Kearny, NJ

When you buy auto insurance in Kearny, NJ, you should understand what your policy does and does not cover. Every policy will at least include a minimum amount of state-mandated bodily injury and property damage coverage. More extensive coverage, sometimes called full coverage, includes collision and comprehensive and, in many cases, emergency towing services and rental car reimbursement.

You can buy auto insurance that will pay for loss due to an accident, an act of vandalism, or theft of your vehicle. A policy may cover loss of certain personal property inside of your vehicle. Even if you were totally to blame for an accident, your car insurance company will pay to fix the damage to your car. What a car insurance policy will not pay for is the cost of routine maintenance, upgrades to your vehicle, or any fraudulent act that you perpetrate in order to collect money from your insurer.

Routine maintenance includes such things as buying new tires, getting new brakes or running your car through a $25 car wash. If you happen to suffer a blowout and subsequently get into an accident, your insurance company will probably honor a claim for the body damage to your vehicle and also pay to get you a new tire. If you decide that your car needs a new custom paint job or you want some cool hubcaps, that expense is on you and not your car insurance company.

Try our easy-to-navigate real-time quote service. You can get quotes in a matter of minutes from a number of excellent car insurance companies. We know that the most important factor for you is getting a great price for the level of coverage you choose. Our rate comparison tool is simple and free to use. Go ahead and give it a try.