Category Archives: Auto Insurance

Why it is Important to Winterize Your Vehicle

Posted on by

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.

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

Posted on by

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.

Why Newark Needs Better Auto Insurance Coverage

Posted on by

It’s extremely tempting to see the price tag for liability auto insurance and choose that as your policy option. The upfront cost is really all people see sometimes, especially when there are so many other things to pay for in any given month. However, the people of Newark, NJ need to think beyond just the matter at hand to all the possible scenarios that may just end up being too much to handle without better car insurance. 

The Costs of Crashes

Just one minor crash can end up being a very major affair. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. has seen people be caught unawares when they file a claim and are denied based on the terms of their policy. Without coverage, an uninsured motorist could hit you, and there would be no recourse that you would have to get your car fixed. Or you may have your car broken into to take a very expensive stereo, only to find out that the loss will be something that comes entirely out of your pocket. There are a number of situations that aren’t covered, and it’s better to find out about it before it becomes a real problem. 

A Better Way 

Newark, NJ has people from every walk of life, and it’s especially important to start looking at buying a policy that covers the many things that could possibly go wrong. Dealing with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. means talking to agents who have your best interests at heart, and having a contact number where you’re treated like a person. When something goes wrong, it’s stressful to deal with having to tell your story three times to three different people. Instead of putting yourself through that, give us a call to find out more about our quotes and policies. 

 

Layers of Rental Car Coverage

Posted on by

If you travel, you are bound to require a rental vehicle. There are also cases where you may never drive but have a day of errands or even leisure in Newark, New Jersey and find yourself needing a rental but there is a question about insurance. If you own a vehicle, you likely have New Jersey’s minimum coverage. The Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act requires all auto owners to have basic insurance to be road-legal while driving. Most rental services will offer loss damage waivers (LDW) and collision damage waivers (CDW), taking the place of your collision and comprehensive insurance but the exemptions differ and come with deductibles. In other cases, it could null and void if the accident is your fault. But there is a way to lessen the potential for disaster.

Non-owner car insurance covers drivers who do not own a vehicle but do drive on occasion. Be that a rental or a friend’s car, having supplemental insurance is never a bad idea.  Not only are you ensuring that you do not go into debt because of the unpredictability of an accident, but you are also protecting yourself from future choices. Non-owner insurance is ideal if you will be without a vehicle for a period of time. By purchasing non-owner insurance through E.S.T.I.R. Inc. , you are also avoiding higher insurance costs for when you do buy a car and insurance. 

Rental car insurance varies in price and coverage. The waivers are often confusing, and chances are you are paying too much for an insurance plan that you could obtain for yourself. Relying on a third party that is a stranger may lead you to find yourself in a bind. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. auto insurance ensures the safety of your wallet and well-being. Give them a call today.

 

Best reasons for having auto insurance in Newark, NJ

Posted on by

A big bustling city like Newark, New Jersey requires most residents to have a vehicle to get around, which means most residents will also need some form of auto insurance policy. Below are the best reasons for having an auto insurance policy in a place like Newark, NJ.

IT’S THE LAW

You need to have some form of insurance if you are driving in New Jersey, so that you can cover an accident if you are in one and not cost someone else a lot of money or cost yourself a lot of money. If you don’t have insurance or proof of insurance while driving in Newark, you may receive a ticket and an order to get insurance before you can legally drive again.

IT GIVES YOU PEACE OF MIND

There is a lot to worry about when driving on the road, from other people possibly hitting you in their cars to your car malfunctioning or a tire blowing and causing you to have an accident. One less thing to worry about with auto insurance is who is going to pay for all of this if one of these unexpected things does happen while you are driving. Without auto insurance, the cost of an accident can easily skyrocket into the tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollar range. With auto insurance, you basically don’t have to worry about most accidents costing you more than your deductible payment.

YOU’RE PROTECTED FINANCIALLY FROM LAWSUITS

You’re also protected from any lawsuits that may arise from an accident you have while driving thanks to your auto insurance company. They will go to court for you and pay the judgment if they lose the case against whoever is suing you. If you don’t have insurance, then you will have to deal with all of this yourself.

Residents of New Jersey: Keep Your Family Safe With Automobile Insurance

Posted on by

In life, one of the most important things is a person’s family in all walks of life. Keeping your family safe in your vehicle, this is certainly no exception to that – and perhaps it is among the most important places to keep them safe. In all, one of the best ways to do this is to make sure that you have proper automobile insurance. In order to operate a vehicle, a driver is required to – from the very first moment – have automobile insurance. Thankfully, in New Jersey, the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act ensures that drivers should have a basic policy available no matter what level of experience you hold. However, the basic plan is not the best out there for families and definitely skews more strongly to drivers who have fewer responsibilities (such as younger drivers).

A basic plan may be good start if you are without any other options at your disposal, but it is important to also consider plans that work the best for you. Understandably, it can be a very difficult and stressful process, trying to figure out exactly which plan is it that works for you. Thankfully for you, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. has one priority, to get you exactly the kind of coverage you need. We do this by examining your situation in life and your specific needs, and in minutes we can offer a selection of insurance options for you.

People in and around the New Jersey area who are still finding themselves confused by all of the red tape and such of insurance can contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. either online or by phone at (973) 481-5300. Insurance is important, so we will do everything we can to get you protected.