Tag Archives: E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

I Remodeled My Home: Do I Need To Increase The Value of My Home Insurance Policy?

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If you have remodeled your home, you may have increased the value of your home. This may leave you wondering if your home insurance policy should be increased as well. Here is some information you need to consider.

Home Insurance Does Not Pay You the Value of Your Home

One common misconception about home insurance is that home insurance covers the value of your home. However, they do not. They cover what it would cost to rebuild or repair your home after an event. For example, if your $250,000 home was damaged in a fire, insurance would not pay you $250,000, if your policy limits are that high. They would pay what it would cost to rebuild your home to the same level it was before. This may only be $150,000 or $200,000. This is important to keep in mind as many people confuse the two.

Reasons to Increase Your Value After Remodeling

If you have remodeled, you may have used materials that are more expensive to repair than the materials you previously had. For example, marble is more expensive to replace than porcelain tiles. As such, if you have used expensive materials in your remodel, you will want to increase the value of your home insurance policy so these items are included if you need to file a claim.

Deciding whether to increase or decrease your home insurance policy is a big decision. You should let someone with experience and expertise guide you. When you have questions about a home insurance policy or are looking to purchase a new one, let E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Newark, NJ help. Call us now to get answers to your question or get started pricing out your new insurance policy.

Three Common Driving Distractions You May Be Unaware Of

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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.

Ways to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

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If you own a home in Newark, NJ, you know how severe the winter weather can be on plumbing pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and cause flood damage to your home, which is costly to repair.  Addressing a few items before the harsh winter sets in can decrease or eliminate the risk of frozen pipes.  Here are some preventative measures you can help protect your plumbing.

Plumbing Location

Some pipes are more likely to freeze than others due to their location. There are three areas where they are more at risk to freezing. Any exposed plumbing in unheated areas of your home, plumbing in the exterior walls, and any plumbing located outside you home.

Preventative Measures

For interior exposed pipes, such as in the basement, attic, or crawl space, inexpensive foam pipe insulation is often enough for moderately cold weather.  For severe cold temperatures, it’s better to use thermostatically controlled heat tape that automatically turns on when it drops to a certain low temperature. Pipes located in an under-insulated exterior wall, it’s best to have insulation shot into the wall or to open the wall and add insulation.  There is no quick or easy fix for these areas, and it may pay to have the plumbing rerouted. Outside plumbing, you can install frost-proof spigots or a faucet insulator and close the interior shut-off valve that leads to the faucet. Don’t forget to unhook and store the garden hose because if it freezes, it can actually cause an interior pipe to burst.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. provides homeowner’s insurance to those in the Newark, NJ area, so we know how damaging the climate can be to homes. We want to help you protect your home investment. Contact an agent today to discuss your home coverage.

Using Auto insurance as a Means to Save: How It Can Protect Your Wallet

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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. 

Why it is Important to Winterize Your Vehicle

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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.

Does Location Affect Your Home Insurance?

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Location location location seems to be the mantra of real estate shoppers. The reasons vary from ideal commute to work, views, crime rates, school systems, proximity to nature and many more. But many people do not consider the insurance ramifications when choosing the location of their real estate purchases. The fact is that the location of a home has a direct impact on the insurance that the home needs, and even the insurance rates for the home.  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves Newark, NJ and the surrounding areas and can help you consider your insurance options for any location.

It is all about risk. If the home is located in an area that has an increased risk for any reason then the need for insurance increases,as does the likelihood of that insurance being used rise proportionately. But what defines an area with increased risk and rates? The answer can vary. FEMA.gov lists official areas that are rated according to the risk of natural disaster, that is a great place to start when identifying insurance needs and potential danger. But when it comes to other factors that are not natural disasters the risk/rate can vary even by neighborhood or city block. Careful consideration when purchasing a home and insurance for that home is vital to keep your family covered no matter what.

Contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to discuss the insurance needs of a home you may be considering and to make sure you are fully covered for any disaster in your unique Newark, NJ neighborhood.  It is important to consider all of the variables when purchasing a home and insurance for it.

 

 

Should You Increase Your Auto Insurance if You Are Planning on Driving Through a State With Higher Minimum Coverage Requirements Than You Carry?

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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.

Keep your family and home protected in 2017

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Whether you have purchased your first home that you intend on starting your family in or your next home after the kids have left for college, it is always important that you protect your nest and your family with the right home insurance. You Newark NJ area home is the heart of a bustling metropolitan area and should be protected against weather mishaps like hurricanes as well as the unforeseen incidents. When you have the right home insurance backing you, it allows you to live your best life, with peace of mind in your own home. 

Our agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. understand how important your home is to you and that protecting it is at the top of your priority list. We also know that purchasing home insurance for the first time or choosing a new insurance can be a tricky process filled with many questions. Our agents encourage you to come to our offices prepared to ask, inquire, and voice any of your concerns that you may have. We will happily walk you through the process of choosing the right policy to protect your home and your family. Here at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. , your needs are our priority.

Do not hesitate! Call our office today to talk to one of our knowledgeable agents about how we can help you protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind. Stop by our office and we will be happy to help you sort through your options, answer your questions, and address your concerns. Don’t wait to protect your home and family from the unpredictable. Contact us today!