If you were watching your favorite TV show last night, you probably couldn’t avoid the commercials from car companies and dealerships mentioning that “now” is the time to buy a car, and give you all of these “too good to be true” deals for a buy or a lease. Unfortunately, most of those deals come with the itty-bitty fine print that we all overlook, screwing us over in the end.

Here’s another article from Nationwide Insurance that give us a few (obvious, but ignored)

tips to help you in the search for the perfect car with the perfect deal.

Buying a car isn’t as easy as shopping for groceries. It’s a lot like buying a house.

There are many decisions to make and it shouldn’t be rushed into. So what do you do now?

First off, answer these questions:

• What do you want?
• What can you afford?
• Does that car fit your lifestyle and your budget?
• Used or new? The new car could come with a warranty to cover repairs, lower maintenance costs and a greater choice in features, options and colors. However, the used could have a lower purchase price and insurance cost and less depreciation.

Next, do some research. You’ll be in a much better bargaining position with a private seller or dealer if you’re armed with information like:

• New and used car prices and features
• Vehicle safety and reliability data
• Used-car history
• Owner satisfaction ratings

Be sure to make your most important decisions – such as what you can afford and what you will and won’t compromise on – before you start shopping. That way the only bumps you should experience are the ones in the road.

Speaking of bumps, make sure that when you get a car you get it insured immediately!!! You don’t want to run into anything without being covered, because that can not only cause a bump in your car, but a bump in your life.

Can you believe we’re halfway through the summer? I sure can’t. Boo.

Is anyone planning a roadtrip in the next couple of weeks before this beautiful season comes to a close? Be sure to have that gas tank full, and your car full of your buddies to keep you company for the long ride

Also, it is very important to have your car inspected before any long trip you’re taking. Even if you’re car has recently been inspected, it doesn’t hurt to have an oil change and your tires checked. Oh, and don’t forget to check to make sure you have your registration and proof of insurance with you (as you should whenever you drive), because who knows when you may run into the po-po..

Speaking of insurace, did you know that we cover all types of vehicles, from the typical auto and motorcylcle, to RVs and even off-road vehicles! Wow!

So, have fun on your travels, and be safe out there!

According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), public support for automated traffic enforcement technology is strong and growing.

Results of a 2007 survey showed that a majority of respondents favor the use of cameras to photograph the license plates of vehicles running through red lights (70%) and driv­ing at speeds far in excess of the legal limit (60%). In 2001, 65% supported red light cameras and 52% supported speed cameras.

 Even the best drivers may find themselves involved in an auto accident at some point. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know what to do. An accident can leave you feeling shaken, or you may be faced with serious injuries or property damage. Even if the incident is only a minor fender-bender, it could very well set your nerves on edge.

Though some accidents are dif­ficult—if not impossible—to pre­vent, you can prepare yourself to deal with the aftermath. First, be sure to carry adequate auto insur­ance. If something goes wrong, at least you’ll know you’ll be protected financially.

Next, learn what to do at an accident scene. Knowing how to handle the situation can help you regain a sense of control and soothe your frayed nerves. Here are some specific steps to take immediately after a motor vehicle collision:

1. Stay calm. Once an accident has occurred, it’s important to keep your composure. Don’t accuse the other driver or accept blame. Leave it to the police and your insurer to determine who was at fault. Focus your attention on dealing with the situation at hand.

2. Assess injuries and call for help.  Even before you call the police, please check to see if anyone at the scene is injured. If so, try to assess the severity of the injuries and seek medical attention immediately.

3. Leave the scene “as is.” It’s best to leave an accident scene untouched until the police arrive. However, if your vehicle is obstruct­ing traffic, you may need to move it to prevent further damage.

4. Obtain information about the other driver(s). Take down the name, address, telephone number, license number, insurer, and insur­ance policy number of every driver involved in the incident. Also, note each vehicle’s year, make, model, and license plate or registration number. Ask to see each driver’s license and registration. These two documents provide most of the information you’ll need. If the other driver involved in the accident does not own the vehicle, request information on the owner anyway. Keep a checklist of this information in your glove compartment to help remind you what to ask.

5. Identify eyewitnesses. If pos­sible, obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any eyewitnesses.

6. Notify authorities. Call the po­lice. If you do not notify them at the time of the incident, contact them as soon as possible after it. Having a record of the accident, even if it was only minor, can help protect you from any unfounded claims that may arise later.

Finally, give us a call. Remember, we’re here to help. If an accident occurs, we can let you know what follow-up actions to take. We can also begin pre­paring your claim and tell you what to expect next. We hope you’ll never experi­ence an auto accident. But, if one should happen, we’re just a phone call away.