Your Long Island business might have grown to the point that you are considering a small fleet of company cars for your sales and service staff. The right auto insurance is vital to financially protect your investment in a company car fleet. It might be a good idea to discuss your specific needs with your agent to obtain the best possible quote for your commercial auto insurance policies.

Typically, bodily injury liability coverage is necessary in case you or one of your employees causes an accident that injures someone else. Property damage liability insurance might be needed in the event you damage someone’s property in an at-fault accident. Your company fleet might also need collision coverage, which can help cover the cost of repairs if one of your vehicles is damaged in a collision. It is also worth considering comprehensive coverage, in case one of your cars is stolen or damaged in a mishap other than a collision.

Personal injury and medical payments insurance may cover healthcare bills or funeral expenses for an insured individual who is hurt or killed in one of your company cars. Uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance can also be an option, as this could provide coverage for injuries and damage if one of your company cars is involved in an accident in which the party at fault has either no insurance, or inadequate coverage, to pay for your damages.

It is important that you make your expectations regarding use of a company vehicle clear to your employees. You may also want to make sure all employees at your company have good driving records, carry proof of insurance, and know what to do in case of an auto accident.

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A cracked windshield may not seem like a major problem, but it could turn out to be a serious hazard over time. It’s quite easy to end up with a crack or chip from flying stone or other debris. A comprehensive auto insurance policy might not only cover you for damage from an accident, it can also cover the repair of a cracked windshield.

A small crack in your windshield may spread, and eventually obstruct your view, making it difficult for you to see pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. This could lead to an accident, and a claim on your insurance. If your windshield is already compromised and you are involved in a collision, the windshield is also more likely to shatter. The windshield also contributes to the overall structural strength of your car, which is critical in an accident.

It is important that you have your windshield repaired or replaced if it becomes chipped or cracked in order to avoid a more serious situation. It is vital that the structural integrity of your car is maintained and your view of the road is unobstructed, so that you may reduce your risk of an accident and a claim on your auto insurance policies.

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It is important that you make sure your car is in good working order before you hit the road for a long trip. It would be unfortunate to spend part of your long-awaited vacation in an auto repair shop because disaster unexpectedly struck. You may want to contact your Long Island agent before setting out on your trip to make sure your auto insurance policies are current, and give you the coverage you need to financially protect your car and passengers.

There are some items to check before embarking on your journey:

• Check your tires and the tire pressure. Also, make sure that your spare is in good shape.
• It may be wise to check all fluids such as water in the radiator, transmission and brake fluids, engine oil, and windshield wiper fluid.
• You may want to make sure that all lights are working and that your air conditioner is functioning well.

It may make sense to take a fire extinguisher and flashlight on your trip, as well as jumper cables and water bottles. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have the contact information for your insurance agent in case of an accident. Ensuring you have adequate auto insurance is especially important before taking your car on a lengthy vacation trip.

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Proper auto maintenance is crucial for preventing car fires, keeping your family safe, and avoiding claims on your auto insurance. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it is a good idea to have your auto thoroughly inspected at least once a year for any potential hazards that could cause a fire or other problems.

Some potential vehicle fire hazards include fluid leaks, cracked hoses, loose wiring, or wiring with exposed metal. These kinds of hazards may warrant an immediate trip to your Long Island auto repair professional. Changes in the way your vehicle runs or sounds may need to be investigated too. Loud exhaust tones, smoke coming from the tailpipe, or backfiring could be signs of trouble that may cause a vehicle fire. It is important to have these kinds of problems repaired right away. Your insurance policies for your auto may not cover damage done to your vehicle from simple lack of maintenance.

Should your auto catch on fire, the NFPA recommends you pull immediately off the road, put the car in park, turn off the ignition, put on the emergency brake, get yourself and all passengers out, and stand at least 100 feet away from the vehicle. It may be dangerous to open the hood as more oxygen may feed the fire, and cause you injury. It may be better to call 911 and wait for emergency services to arrive. Once the fire is out and you observe the damage, you may need to contact your auto insurance agent for help in filing a claim.

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Organizing a home inventory for your insurance company may seem tiresome and tedious, but knowing the value of what you own can help to determine how much home insurance you need in order to give you the right financial protection. You might be especially happy you put in the effort if a fire or natural disaster were to hit your Long Island home.

Following a catastrophic event, it may be difficult to think clearly. Your house itself and your possessions may have been damaged or destroyed, and you might find it hard to recall everything that you own. This is one reason why it is important to organize a detailed home inventory when you take out your home insurance policy. Once you have done your inventory, keep it in an electronic format that can be accessed from a remote location.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a home inventory should include a detailed description of your personal possessions, any appraisals you may have had done, and receipts to show what you paid for things. The III offers free software called Know Your Stuff that you can download to create a home inventory that is securely stored online, and can be accessed from any location. Following a disaster, your home inventory might help you qualify for any available financial assistance. It could also help speed up the claims process for you, as you recover from your losses.

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Changes in family situations happen every day. Perhaps your grandmother has come to live with you, and in order to give her some independence, you want to teach her how to drive. One of the first things you may need to do is contact your Long Island auto insurance agent to obtain coverage for grandma.

When teaching an older person to drive, it may be important to provide a non-threatening learning environment. You may want to review road laws, explain how to contact emergency personnel, and go over a practice written driving test. Some aspects of the aging process may impact driving ability. Should your grandmother be taking any prescription medication, you may want to discuss with the doctor or pharmacist whether or not the medication may impair driving ability.

Your grandmother may require eye glasses while driving, and you may want to make sure her seat is adjusted for maximum view. It also may be a good idea to keep the windshield, windows, and mirrors clean, and discourage your grandmother from driving at night or on poorly lit roads. Should your grandmother wear a hearing aid, you may want to encourage her to turn off the radio and put the windows up.

A car with power steering and brakes may be easier for your grandmother to drive as her muscle strength may be somewhat diminished with age. Patience may be the most important quality to have when teaching grandma to drive. Also important is obtaining the right coverage through your Long Island auto insurance company.

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Whether moving, regardless of the distance, your possessions have to be packed and transported. One of the first things you may want to do is find out if your Long Island auto insurance policy provides financial protection if you rent a moving van, and for your possessions as they are in transit.

There are ways to get the most for your money out of your rented moving van:

• You may need to make it clear to the rental agent the distance you will be driving the moving van, so that you are charged for the correct distance.
• You may have a certain amount of mileage that is included in the rental price. Some companies offer unlimited mileage. You may want to shop around for the best deal.
• The busiest times for rental van companies tend to be mid-May to mid-September. Therefore, you may need to make an appointment well in advance during those times.
• Rather than purchase boxes from the moving van company, you may want to order them online, which may be a less expensive alternative.
• It may be wise to return the van with a full tank of gas as the rental company typically charges more for gas than market price.

Moving may be exciting, but packing and hauling your possessions to your new home can be exhausting. You may not want to be caught unprepared financially. Should you find that your Long Island auto insurance policy does not provide you with coverage when you rent a moving van, you may want to purchase insurance from the rental company.

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Your son or daughter may turn 16 and get that first car, either as a gift or by working to pay for it. Either way, it is important for your teenager to know how to operate their car correctly to avoid damaging it, and how to properly maintain the car. You may want to make sure your teen’s car has the right Long Island auto insurance for financial protection in the event of an accident. However, damage done by poor maintenance on the part of the vehicle’s owner will most likely not be covered by your auto insurance.

Two of the most important aspects of auto maintenance are the wheel alignment of the vehicle and the condition of the tires. Car wheels may be knocked out of alignment by going over speed bumps and railroad tracks too fast, and hitting curbs and potholes. Cars that remain out of alignment will cause the driver to have difficulty keeping the vehicle driving straight as it will pull to the right or left. Poor alignment may also cause tires to wear quickly and unevenly.

Having tires that are in good condition is important for safety. Tires may wear quickly when teenagers drive too fast and have to hit the brakes to stop suddenly. Air pressure in tires should be checked regularly and kept at the weight recommended in the vehicle owner’s manual. Worn tires may not have enough tread to stop quickly enough when the brakes are applied, especially in rainy conditions. It may be important to educate your teenager on alignment and tire issues to avoid accidents and claims on your Long Island auto insurance policy.

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