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.

 

Why Independent Insurance Agents Matter

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When you live in Newark, you need insurance for all sorts of different things – your home, your car, and everything else. Instead of trying to do everything alone, you can work with independent insurance agents who can make sure that you make better choices.

For years, people have been saying that independent insurance agents will become obsolete. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The main reason for this is because independent insurance agents know how to stay above the trends and react quickly to change. They know how to embrace social media, market themselves and communities, and more.

When it comes to purchasing insurance, you want people who are savvy and committed to the community. This is why it is beneficial to work with independent insurance agents. They can make sure that you understand the various options available in the marketplace. They can also tell you which insurance companies you want to do business with and which ones you should avoid.

Insurance companies will often put their needs first, which means your needs come second. Is not the way you want to purchase insurance. Independent insurance agents don’t work for specific company and therefore they have no hidden agenda. Their goal is simply to make sure that your insurance needs are taken care of.

Agents can save you time and money and do a lot of the work for you. They already know what companies are out there and what the coverages, so they can make intelligent recommendations to help you buy a better policy for your home, your family, and every other aspect of your life.

Call now and our independent insurance agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. will guide you through the various New Jersey insurance companies and the options that are available to you. It can give you greater confidence when purchasing policies.

 

 

 

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

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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. 

Ensure You Don’t Get Tricked into an Insurance Claim This Halloween

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This Halloween, kids throughout Newark, NJ will be coming up to homeowners and saying “trick-or-treat.” The holiday tradition of going house-to-house dressed up is a treat for homeowners, as they get to see the many varied costumes, as well as for kids who get candy. If you’re a homeowner, make sure Halloween is a treat for you, and you don’t get tricked into a home insurance claim.

Halloween Accidents Lead to Home Insurance Claims

Anytime there’s an accident at your home, you might have to file a claim against your home insurance policy. The risk of an accident occurring increases on Halloween as kids will be coming up to your front door in the dark, and candles may be used in decorations. To reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring on October 31, you can:

  • keep your front yard clear to reduce falls
  • avoid decorating with many candles to reduce the likelihood of a fire
  • secure any expensive outdoor decorations you have to reduce the possibility of theft

Check Your Home Insurance Coverage

Additionally, you ought to review your home insurance coverage before kids come trick-or-treating. Specifically, look at your home insurance policy’s:

  • liability coverage, which may cover injuries from falls
  • fire protection, which might cover house fires
  • personal property coverage, which might cover theft

If you’re uncomfortable reviewing these coverages on your own, contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. We have knowledgeable insurance agents who can explain and review these different coverages with you. To reach them, simply send us a message online or call our office. We look forward to hearing from you, and hope you have a safe and fun Halloween.

What Students Need To Know About Obtaining Health Insurance

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If you are a student in Newark, there are several things that you need to know about obtaining health insurance. The affordable care act, also referred to as the ACA, requires that you have health insurance. Who provides the health insurance is entirely up to you.

There are three main ways for you to get health insurance in today’s marketplace. These include:

  • Your school
  • Your family
  • An individual plan

More and more universities across the United States are requiring health insurance coverage – and they may even include it within your tuition. This means you will have to look to see what you are spending your money on. If your school offers coverage, be sure it includes dental and vision as well. You also want to make sure that you have calendar year coverage and not simply semester coverage.

If your family plan has you included, this can offer great savings. If you are out of town or out of state, your doctor may not be within the network, however. This means that you may spend a lot of money on co-pays. It may also not provide you with full coverage if you play sports at the school.

Finally, you have the ability to explore an individual plan or you can determine all of the levels of coverage. You will want to explore deductibles and co-pays.

Regardless of where you obtain health insurance, you want to compare rates in order to make sure that you are getting the best deal and the highest level of coverage. You also want to do what you can in order to maintain a high level of health.

When you call us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we are able to help you learn more about obtaining health insurance in Newark. Contact us today to obtain quotes from multiple insurance companies throughout New Jersey.