How Many Drivers Can You Add to Your Auto Policy?

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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?

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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.

Update Your Fleet for Maximum Employee Protection

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Harrison, NJ, 07029 is a nice area for many people interested in access to the city at an affordable cost. The recent plans to revitalize the city are underway, so in the next few years the city is going to be a hotspot for many businesses and professionals alike.

With easy access to many cities, many businesses will use their cars to travel back and forth. Commutes can place strain on business vehicles due to wear and tear, so it is essential for business owners to know how to maintain their business cars in order to save money on their insurance and protect their employees.

Install Gadgets to Monitor Driving

Advances in technologies have made it easier to monitor cars remotely. Business managers can install these devices to ensure that their vehicles are driven safely, so that their insurance premiums remain low. The benefits of installing these devices include:

  • These devices provide businesses with the ability to monitor warning lights, such as the check engine and battery light.
  • These devices provide businesses with the ability to easily locate the car if it is stolen.
  • These devices allow managers to monitor live trips while employees are driving.

With all these features, it is easy to see why so many business owners are opting to equipment their cars with new technology so that they will have more control over their employees’ safety.

Keep the Cars Maintained

Maintaining business cars is essential for employee safety. By having the oil changed, fluids checked, and the condition of the tires checked, managers will reduce the instance of the car stalling or getting a flat tire during heavy travel times. Since disabled vehicles can cause even more confusion, businesses are not only protecting their drivers, but other drivers on the road.

After implementing all the safety measures possible to protect your employees call us to determine whether you qualify for a better rate on your commercial insurance policy. Our agents are always standing by to provide you with commercial insurance quotes using the latest technologies to provide you the best quotes possible. 

Can Your Business Survive a Disaster?

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As a business owner in Newark, NJ, there is a lot to think about. One day after a quick lunch at Gencarelli's, you decide to take a walk through Branch Brook Park before heading back to the office. You start thinking about your insurance coverage. Is your business covered in case of fire damage? What about a burst water pipe? Even if you have adequate levels of damage protection, your company could be down for weeks or even months during remediation and reconstruction. Who will pay the bills when your business income has been interrupted?

Since E.S.T.I.R. Inc is a local company as well, our commercial insurance agents understand your concerns. We can answer your questions about the different types of insurance policies for businesses. For example, some business property damage policies cover damage from smoke, vandalism and even sinkholes. However, if you are concerned about glass breakage or water damage, you may need additional endorsements. Our agents will be happy to look over your current policy to ensure you are protected.

Business interruption insurance is usually not standard coverage on a property damage policy. You might need a separate policy if you have concerns about the financial impact of delays to your business operations due to building damage. Business interruption insurance often covers operating expenses and lost profit until the damage is resolved, as well as costs for your business to continue operating at a different location if necessary. Policies will vary based on your company's circumstances. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc, our experts can give you a business insurance quote based on the coverage that will best suit your company's needs.

To consult with the Newark insurance specialists at E.S.T.I.R. Inc, please contact us today. We want every business in the 07107 area to have the policy that best protects their financial future.

 

Harrison, NJ Homeowners Insurance

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If you live in Harrison, you’ve worked hard and know the value of the money you’ve earned. That hard work has paid off with owning a home for you and your family. Now you need to protect that home from any personal injury claims that might be filed by somebody who gets hurt on your property. All it takes is for the cable guy to trip on your front steps, tear the cartilage in his knee and break his arm trying to break his fall. Now you have a personal injury claim, and you have to defend it. That’s what homeowners insurance is for. Without it, you’re looking at paying thousands and thousands of out-of-pocket liability. You just don’t that that kind of money sitting around.

On a covered peril like the cable guy, homeowners insurance that we set you up with can pay his medical bills, lost earnings and any future permanency. If he sues you, it can even pay your court costs and retain attorneys to represent you, all at no cost to you after your deductible. That’s a pretty sweet deal.

We’re independent insurance agents right here in Harrison. We live and work in Zip Code 07029 just like you do. Our kids might even go to the same school. Because we’re independent agents, we offer homeowners insurance coverage from several different insurers, and not just from one giant super sized insurance company. Due to our unique position, we give you objective and unbiased choices of who your insurer will be, what coverage you’ll have and how much you’ll pay in premiums. Other agents just aren’t allowed to do that. If you’re looking for new homeowners insurance or want to increase your coverage, just call us. We’re happy to talk to you.

How To Protect Against A Sinking Foundation In Newark

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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.

Understanding Gap Insurance

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It’s common knowledge that your brand new car depreciates in value as soon as you drive it off the lot in Harrison, NJ. In fact, it continues to depreciate as you drive it. Each mile you drive and each day the sun beams down on your shiny, clear coat, you are losing value. The difference between what you owe the finance company and the value of your car is considered a gap; this is the amount you are responsible for paying to your insurance company if you total your car.

How Gap Insurance Works

Fortunately, car insurance companies offer coverage called Gap insurance that will help you cover the cost of a total loss to your vehicle. With Gap insurance, your insurance company will pay the actual cash value of your car and they will pay the difference between what you owe the finance company and what they already paid. Gap insurance is imperative if you have a brand new car because you can protect the value of the car and your wallet, by opting in for the coverage.

It is important to keep in mind that some companies may only pay a percentage of the difference, so ask questions and compare your options to ensure that you are fully covered.

Getting Gap Insurance

The best agents in 07029 offer Gap insurance because they realize it truly protects their customers and many people are interested in the coverage. The process is simple, once you call around for insurance quotes for your new vehicle ask the insurance companies whether they offer Gap insurance coverage for your new vehicle.

Adding Gap Insurance to Existing Coverage

Adding cap insurance coverage to an existing policy is possible under certain restrictions. Each insurance company establishes their own restrictions, so you should contact your insurance provider to add gap insurance.

Opting out of Gap insurance is like throwing money down the drain since you are losing money each time you drive your car. To avoid paying the finance company if you are in a wreck, you can purchase Gap insurance for a few dollars and have the peace of mind knowing that you are covered if you are in a wreck with your new vehicle.

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

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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.

What Losses are Covered by Home Insurance in Harrison, NJ

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Homeowners policies are extensive, but they don’t provide unending coverage against anything that could happen to your home. Instead, home insurance operates on a set of listed perils that cover common issues that befall homes. In some areas, you can purchase additional insurance protection for perils that aren’t included in this list, which most often includes flood insurance for Harrison, NJ.

To get an idea of what you can file claims about with a basic home insurance policy, here are a few of the listed perils. Fire and fires caused by lightning is one of the most common protections offered by homeowners insurance. There is some complexity with fire related claims, as some claims may be denied if an investigation reveals that the fire was intentionally set by one of the occupants of the home. If lightning strikes your home and causes damage, particularly damage to the electrical systems of the house, this is also covered.

The next common natural disaster that gets covered is wind and hail damage. You might not think that these could cause all that much of an issue, but if the wind speeds are high enough and the hail is large enough, your house and property can take a beating.

For accidents that aren’t caused by nature, one of the most common situations you may end up dealing with are vehicles that have hit your home or garage. This particular listed peril also covers aircraft impact, although that’s thankfully not a common situation.

Have questions about listed perils available on homeowners insurance in Harrison NJ? Talk to our independent agents to find out all of the options your home qualifies for.

About E.S.T.I.R. Insurance Agency in Harrison, NJ

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Everyone needs some sort of insurance policy in their life, either for personal or commercial reasons, but the monthly payments represent a significant overhead. Instead of sticking to paying too much for your insurance, there are a few ways you can talk to us to see if you can bring down your insurance payments.

One way that a monthly premium is determined is through your credit score. While this isn’t a huge factor when setting up insurance, if you have a significantly improved credit score compared to when you first created your policy, it’s worth getting in touch and seeing whether it makes a difference with your policy.

Changing the maximum coverage level for the contents of your house or apartment with homeowners and renters insurance helps to adjust the premium as well. If you increase your coverage level, your monthly premium is adjusted accordingly. You may want to look into specialty insurance if you are increasing your coverage level due to assets such as a boat, which can have its own separate insurance policy.

If you change the deductible, you are altering the amount of financial liability you have before the insurance company covers the bill. A lower deductible is great if you want to avoid paying large lump sums when accidents happen, but it’s not as good if you aren’t able to afford the higher monthly premium. Raising your deductible generally brings down your monthly premium.

Talk to our independent agents at E.S.T.I.R. in Harrison, NJ to find out what options you have for your insurance. Our NJ insurance agency has a free online quote system to make it easy for you to sign up and get the information you want.