Buying a new car in Newark, NJ can bring some questions about what to do with your auto insurance.

If you are buying a car on the weekend and the insurance office doesn’t open until Monday morning, you will usually have automatic coverage for new purchases that is equal to the broadest coverage you have on either your current or other cars on the policy. This means your policy will cover you for up to four days. If you don’t have comprehensive or collision coverage on the car you are replacing, then you won’t have it on the new vehicle. You may be required to have this overage if you are leasing or financing the new car. If there are multiple cars on the policy, then the new vehicle will have the greatest level of coverage to match any car listed on the policy.

It’s important to read the fine print on the lease or loan. Some leasing contracts could have a forced place clause, which means that the leasing company will arrange for insurance and add it to the monthly bill. You may also want to add additional gap coverage when purchasing a new car since this will help pay the difference from what you owe and what the car is worth at the time of an accident.

The dealership will not be responsible for contacting your insurance company, so you should contact your insurance agent as soon as possible.

If you are purchasing your first car and don’t have any existing insurance, you will have to do that before you can drive off the lot. An agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you set up a first-time car insurance policy. While you typically have four days to contact your insurance after buying a vehicle, you should notify your agent in advance if you know you are close to getting a new car.

Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Newark, NJ, to get a quote on auto insurance. 

Lending your vehicle to another person is something that you may do without thinking through the ramifications. You may even feel pressured to do this “small” favor for a close friend, who you assume would do the same thing for you. Many feel guilty not accommodating a sincere request from a friend. It is not comfortable to be caught off guard when someone asks to borrow your automobile and having to scramble around to think up an excuse not to let them. It is worse just to lend it to them without knowing what the risks really are.

Here are the things you should do:

1. Check with Your Insurance Agent About Casual Drivers

First, you need to know if other drivers are covered under your auto policy. This is a good reason to pick up the telephone and talk with your agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Newark, NJ. Ask your agent if casual drivers are covered in your policy and what the rules about them are.

2. Understand the New Jersey No-Fault Rules

New Jersey is a no-fault state. Residents must carry auto insurance to legally operate a vehicle within the state. There are the minimums for coverage under a “basic” policy which are:

• Property damage liability (PDL) $5,000 per accident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) $15,000 per person, per accident.
• Up to $250,000 for very serious injuries.

New Jersey residents have the option to choose a “standard” policy, by paying a higher premium, which has higher limits, covers more, and has the option to choose not to have any restriction on the right to sue a person who caused the accident. Ask your insurance agent about the options.

3. Consider Your Feelings

If the friend that borrows your car gets into an accident, even if it was the fault of the other driver, your insurance is going to have to pay the claim for your vehicle and its occupants. This can cause your premiums to rise, which is uncomfortable when you did not have anything to do with what caused the problem. Talk with your agent about these issues. You may do better paying for a rental car for your friend instead and making sure it is insured properly.

Summary

You need to think carefully before loaning your car to another person. If you are considering this, contact your agent at the E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agency serving Newark, NJ and the surrounding areas. Ask for an auto insurance review and a quote to be sure you have adequate coverage.

With so much information across the internet about auto insurance, it is hard to weed out misleading information from the facts. Myths aside, the process of buying a car insurance policy can be daunting especially for first-time buyers in Newark, NJ. We debunk the 5 most common auto insurance myths:-

Your credit rating has no effect on your premium amounts
Most insurance companies refer to your credit history when determining your premium rates. A suitable credit rating shows that you are able to manage your financial affairs well and less likely to file for an insurance claim.

Your gender does not count when it comes to your premium rates
More often than not, women tend to pay lower insurance rates than men. This is because they are considered safer drivers. That being said, your driving record also influences your insurance rates. 

Your comprehensive insurance policy covers anything stolen from your car
An auto insurance coverage pays for repairs to damages caused during the vehicle’s break-in rather than the cost of the stolen items. However, a renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy could compensate for such. 

Higher premium rates mean more coverage
Insurance plans differ from one company to another, thus the difference in pricing. As well, the structure of an insurance company has a huge effect on the premium rates. For instance, your insurer could be working with brokers whom they have to pay a commission resulting in higher premiums. 

One ticket automatically results in a higher premium 
While you need to avoid any traffic violations and incidents, a single ticket does not imply an increase in your premium amounts. Nevertheless, a higher number of traffic violations could skyrocket your rates.

Do you need to understand more about auto insurance in Newark, NJ? Get in touch with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for a free estimate on your auto insurance coverage. 

If you have never gone out and purchased a new or used vehicle, then there are likely several questions that you are wanting answers to. For example, you’re probably wondering whether or not you have to have insurance before you can pull off the lot with the new car. You’re also likely wanting to know if you have to have full coverage. Here at E.S.T.I.R. Inc., we want your car-buying experience to be as pleasant as possible, which is why we make getting insurance very easy. Let’s take a quick look at a couple answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about buying a new or used car in Newark, NJ.  

Do You Need Insurance?

When driving in New Jersey, it is mandated by law that you at least maintain liability coverage. So, if you’re going to the car lot and purchasing a vehicle, you will need to provide proof that you have at least liability coverage before being allowed to drive off the lot. Fortunately, it’s quite simple these days to contact an insurance agency, choose an insurance policy, make a payment, and receive proof of insurance. You can do all of this in well under 30 minutes. If you don’t currently have coverage and you need it because you’re buying a new vehicle, there’s no need to fret because you can get the proof you need in a very timely manner. 

Do You Need Full Coverage?

If you’re buying a car that you can’t replace if it was to become involved in an accident, then you should probably invest in full coverage insurance. In doing this, you can rest easy knowing the car will be replaced from a monetary standpoint if it was to be damaged in an accident. Also, you will need full coverage insurance if you are taking out a loan to pay for the car. Almost all lenders will mandate you buy a full coverage policy to compensate them for a loss if the vehicle becomes involved in an accident and you no longer make payments on it. After all, you don’t want to make payments on a car if you aren’t driving it anymore. With full coverage insurance, it’s a win-win for you and the lender. 

To learn more about the type of insurance you need to purchase a new or used car, please contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today serving the Newark, NJ area. 

All states have their own laws regarding auto insurance, but New Jersey is among the few that can be considered truly unique. If you live in Newark, NJ or surrounding areas, you need to make sure you are appropriately covered. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is therefore here to help you gain a better understanding of New Jersey’s tricky auto insurance laws. Here’s what you need to know:

New Jersey is a ‘Choice No Fault’ State

Whereas most states have "fault" laws where whoever is deemed liable for an accident has to pay for the damages and legal costs, a handful of others states have "no-fault" laws, where all drivers involved have to handle the costs. Then there are the rare few states like New Jersey, which have something called "choice no-fault" laws. Here you have the option of going with fault or no-fault insurance, also known as "full tort" or "limited tort insurance". With full tort, drivers can file suit against the at-fault driver and their insurance company, receiving full compensation for damages to their car, medical coverage, legal costs, etc. Essentially, there are far fewer limitations here. Limited tort insurance is meanwhile appealing to a lot of people because it is generally a lot less expensive, but with this policy they have very benefits. In the event of an accident, they file a claim with their own insurance provider (regardless of who was at fault) and may receive only bare minimum coverage.  

Deciding Which Option is Best for You

Now, there are pros and cons to each option, and the right one for you will often depend on your amount of risk and financial worth. The important thing to know, however, is that the decision to go with either limited tort or full tort insurance must be made at the time that coverage is purchased (it cannot be changed after an accident). To learn more, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. (serving the Newark, NJ area and beyond) today. 

The idea of not buying a policy to secure your car can be tempting. No doubt car insurance policies are usually expensive however no car cover is a very bad idea. For starters, it is worthy of note that all fifty states in the country, including Newark, NJ, are against driving an uninsured car. In addition, if you have an accident and you are wrong, you could be sued for everything you own. Instead of going undercover, there are a couple of questions about auto insurance you should discuss with your agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to help you choose the best possible policy.

What is full coverage?

There is no "total coverage". If your insurance company sells all the protective measures they had in their arsenal, there would always be things that would not have been covered. An example is the use of vehicles for illegal activities. Avoiding police, smuggling drugs or other illegal substances or people and intentional criminal offense are a good example of things you would never cover if your vehicle was damaged or destroyed.

What is the level of risk?

Car insurance risk assessment is based on a number of factors, such as age, sex, occupation, place of residence and driving time. Prices for new drivers are likely to be high, and persons with criminal records will also be labeled as higher risk. The higher the risk, the higher your premium will be.

What are my payment options?

Auto insurance is an excellent financial obligation so it is necessary to determine how to pay for it. Most insurance companies offer the possibility of paying an annual lump sum or paying half an annual amount every six months. The most frequent payment frequency is monthly, as it tries to make the budget more realistic, but in the long run, it can increase your annual costs. However, if you can afford an annual fee, it usually means you are entitled to a discount so if you can pay an invoice instantly, it’s advisable to do so.

Before you can hit the road, car insurance is the most important thing on your list of obligations! But the demand for car insurance can be a complex problem if you have not done it before and you do not know what to look for.

For more information about finding the right coverage in Newark, NJ contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

Is Liability Insurance Enough for my Older Car?

Think of liability insurance as the minimum coverage available that can protect you, the owner of the vehicle, against lawsuits. This basic policy will likely protect you from having to pay out-of-pocket to repair the automobile or property damaged during an accident of which you were at fault. Keep in mind; it does not pay for repairs to your own vehicle or property.

Liability insurance is only available if you own your vehicle outright. For some people in Newark, NJ, the cost of collision or comprehensive policies is simply not in the monthly budget. Luckily, the agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. understand how to get you the best coverage you can afford. 

Components of Liability Insurance

1. Third party insurance is the component that covers the owner of the vehicle against lawsuits.

2. Personal injury protection covers you up to $250,000 towards medical expenses. You can choose to add essential services to the policy which would cover things like nursing assistance while recovering.

3. Loss of income coverage can be added to provide coverage for up to 60 percent of your income during physician verified recovery time. 

4. Death benefit coverage of up to $10,000 in the unfortunate incidence that the accident caused a death. Funeral expenses of up to $2,000 can be added to the policy. 

How is Collision Insurance Different?

Collision insurance goes beyond liability in that it covers repairs to your vehicle or replacement of your vehicle if it is totaled in an accident.

What About Comprehensive Insurance?

Not all accidents involve driving. Comprehensive will cover damage such as a tree falling on the vehicle or hail damage. It also covers theft or vandalism. 

Proof of insurance is required to drive legally in Newark, NJ. Contact us online at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. or by phone at (973) 481-5300 if you have questions about which insurance is right for you.