When the kids get out of school for the summer, this leaves families with more time to take to the open road for vacations, sight seeing and other road bound adventures.  Since the weather is less threatening in the summer compared to the winter, drivers often neglect to perform the necessary safety checks before they hit the road.  Below are some things that you can do to ensure that your car is properly maintained to avoid ending up  in an unsafe situation while driving.

Tires - Before you hit head out, be sure that all five of your tires have the correct tire pressure.  That’s right, 5 tires.  Don’t forget your spare.  What good is a spare if it is not properly inflated?  Tire pressure can also help you to attain better gas mileage.  Tire pressure varies with temperature, so it especially important to check the pressure if there is a drastic temperature change.  Next, check the tread of the tire.  The channels in the tread are what help to channel the water away from the tire when it rains.  If you don’t have the proper tread, water will not channel away quickly enough and this could cause you to hydroplane in wet conditions.  A good trick is to use a penny as a gauge.  If you can see Abe’s head when you put the edge of the penny into the tread, it’s time for new tires.  While examining the tread, look for uneven wear patterns.  If the tread is uneven, you should have an alignment performed on your vehicle.  This will create the proper set up to ensure the right balance.  This will help with the car’s handling and braking ability.

Fluids and Leaks - When it is time to hit the road, you need to make sure that all the fluids in your vehicle are full and there are no leaks.  Change your oil, check your coolant and be sure that your windshield wiper fluid is full.  You will also want to check all the hoses to make sure that they are not rotted or corroded.  Bad hoses lead to leaks and can drain important fluids very fast.  These routine services can all be performed by local oil change services. 

Air Conditioning - It is extremely uncomfortable traveling in a car without air conditioning during the hot summers.  If you live in a cooler climate, at the beginning of the summer travel season, you may not have run your A/C in a few months, so it is recommended to test it before it gets too hot.  If you turn it on and the air does not feel cool, you should have it checked.   A/C malfunctions can sometimes lead to bigger issues.  If your compressor fails, it could cause alternator problems because most often, the belt runs in the same loop.

Driving Speed - While this actually applies in all seasons, it is a great tip.  Slowing your speed can help you to be a safer driver, save gas, and it allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way. 

Summer is a great time to get out and explore the country.  Just remember to have your car in tip top shape to ensure safe travels!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

With the weather getting warmer, motorcycle riders are firing up their bikes and enjoying the first warm days of the year.  If you are one of these lucky riders to be hitting the streets, or exploring some of the backcountry on an off-road bike, before you do so, make sure that everything is working in proper order and that your motorcycle insurance coverage is up to date.

Motorcycle insurance covers the basics such as damage, rider injuries, and other parties involved in an accident.  Standard policies don’t usually cover additions to your bike.  Knowing this, you will want to check your policy if you have made any modifications to your bike.  If you add custom parts to your bike and don’t update your policy, your current policy may not cover these parts in the event that they are damaged or stolen.

Another key component you may want to add to your policy is guest passenger liability.  Some default policies will not cover a passenger in the event that you are both riding and your guest is injured.  If you ride with passengers, you will want to review your current policy to see if guests are covered. 

A very important coverage you may also want to think about is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.  PoliSeek offers specific policies for motorcycle riders for their protection.  This type of coverage will protect you in the event that you are in an accident and the other party does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages or medical expenses.

If you have any questions or need a free quote on motorcycle insurance contact PoliSeek Motorcycle Insurance representative today.

A deductible is an amount of money which, in the event of a covered loss, you are required to pay prior to the insurer being liable for any damages. The purpose of a deductible is to eliminate the expense of processing small claims.

Is it better to have a higher or a lower deductible?  This is a question that is often asked, and the answer can be different for everyone.  The answer boils down to the amount that you are willing to pay for your auto insurance policy, and the amount you are willing to pay out of pocket to repair your vehicle. 

Often, those that carry a low deductible live in a more congested area where the probability of an accident is much higher. Carrying a lower deductible can mean that you will have a higher premium for the overall plan.   You may want to elect to have a lower deductible if you have been in many accidents or live in an area where you are more likely to be involved in an accident, such as a large city. 

Carrying a higher deductible will result in having a lower premium for your policy.  Drivers may want to have a higher deductible if they have not been in an accident, or live in an area where being in an accident is less likely.  People who drive or live in rural areas may carry a higher deductible to reduce the overall cost of the premium.

When it comes to choosing which scenario to consider, you should review your past driving record and consult with an insurance professional.  For more information or to receive a free quote, please contact a PoliSeek Insurance specialist or call 866-540-7335.

Buying an RV is an investment for your vacationing future.  People say that RVing is a way of life.  It’s a lifestyle that many don’t understand unless they actually experience it themselves.  The sense of freedom that is felt from traveling the country in an RV is enjoyed by thousands every year.

If you decide to buy an RV, it is important that you have insurance.  Aside from standard insurance policies for RVs, you might want to consider additional Purchase Price Protection.   Purchase Price Protection coverage is usually available for vehicles that are less than 10 model years old.  The policy will protect the price you paid for the vehicle in the event of a total loss.  Unlike other policies that give you what it is worth at the time a claim is made, this policy will give you added comfort knowing that if something happens to your RV, you will be protected and will likely have the opportunity to buy another one of equal value.  In this sense, you don’t have to worry about the depreciation of the vehicle. 

This is just one coverage that PoliSeek offers for you to protect your RV.  For a full listing of other coverages, please visit https://www.poliseek.com/rv.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

When you purchase an insurance policy there are generally two types of costs associated with the policy: the premium and the deductible.  The premium will likely be either twice a year or in monthly installments.  This rate is based on your driving history, what kind of car you drive, etc.  The deductible is the portion that will not be covered by the premium.  Usually the minimum deductible is $500.  Typically, if you choose a lower deductible, your premium may be higher.  If you choose to have a higher deductible, your premium should be lower.  The costs vary so that insurance companies can stay competitive with their rates.

A typical deductible will cover claims that would arise from damage to or the loss of the owner’s vehicle.  The damage can be caused by accidents, vandalism or theft.  When damage occurs, the policy holder is responsible for the deductible, and the insurance company will be responsible for the rest, depending on the policy.  Let’s look at a simple example.

If you were to get into a car accident and the total damage was $2500, with a deductible of $500, the policy owner pays the $500 and the insurance company would pay the remaining $2000.

Insurance is essential to saving money.  If you don’t have insurance and you are in an accident, you can be held be responsible for all damages and medical injuries as a result of the accident.

For more information please contact your PoliSeek insurance policy representative.  

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Motorcycle insurance is often rated in a very similar way to auto insurance.  Factors taken into consideration are:

1) How often will you be riding the bike?

2) What type of bike is it?  (Premiums will be different if it is a sport bike or a cruiser, as they are with cars) 

3) Your driving history 

4) Will you be using the car for transportation to work, and if so, how far is your work place from your home? 

Rates will be similar to car insurance, or often lower, and you should always consult your insurance company to be sure that you have the correct coverage for your riding style and needs.

In most states, having insurance for an off-road recreation vehicle is not required.  That being said, it is still a good idea to carry some sort of protection for yourself and your off-road vehicle.  If you were to get into an accident with your off-road vehicle and it was damaged and you were hurt, with no insurance, you would potentially be paying medical bills for parties involved and would incur out of pocket expenses to have your vehicle repaired or even replaced. 

Having the right off-road vehicle insurance can ensure you are protected in the event of an accident.  Off-road vehicles can include snowmobiles, dirt bikes, dune buggies, four wheelers and others.  For a more specific product offering, contact PoliSeek to get a quote that specifically meets your needs for motorcycle insurance, or off-road vehicle insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Planning a family vacation for the summer is always exciting.  There are so many places to go and explore right here in the US.  One of the ways in which you can travel is by RV.  Many might be saying, “That’s great, but I don’t have an RV”.  If this happens to be your plan, you can always rent one.  Renting an RV is a fraction of the cost of owning one, and it can enable you to create a memorable experience on the road.

If you choose to rent an RV and take the family on a fun vacation, you may be thinking about some of the costs associated with this, especially insurance.  There are a few things to think about. You will want to check your policy or contact your insurance company to see if an RV rental is covered under your current policy.  Some companies include it, while others will charge a small fee.  If your company happens to charge a fee, you may want to check with the RV rental company to see if they offer extra insurance coverage.  To make sure you are protected, you should compare the two and see if either choice is more affordable.  Try to find the best fit for your price and coverage needs.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

There are times when an automobile is involved in an accident that is so severe the car is a total loss.  What is a total loss?  How is it determined?  Put simply, a total loss is when the cost to repair the car is greater than the vehicle’s actual cash value.

The longer explanation involves a combination of factors: total loss is when the cost of repairing the automobile, plus its salvage value, plus rental reimbursement expense during repair equals or exceeds its actual cash value.  (Salvage value is the money an auto insurance company would recoup when selling the damaged vehicle through a licensed salvage vendor.)

In general, most auto insurance companies will declare a car to be a total loss if it could not safely or physically be repaired to its pre-accident condition.  Also, a total loss would also occur if the vehicle were stolen and not recovered.

It’s important to note that there are state thresholds that can dictate when a car is considered a total loss and when it’s not.  There are some cases where a vehicle may have sustained damage and the cost to repair doesn’t exceed the state’s threshold.   The threshold varies from state to state.  In order to determine what your state’s threshold is, contact your auto insurance agent for more information.

If a car is declared a total loss, what will the auto insurance company pay for?  This can depend on the individual situation.  The auto insurance agent or insurance company can advise what it is willing to cover and how it determines what constitutes a total loss of a vehicle.

NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change.  If you have a specific legal problem, you may want to consult your lawyer.  For any auto insurance related questions, you may wish to consult your insurance company or insurance agent.

Purchasing toy hauler insurance not only covers the structure of the hauler, but also the contents within it.  Coverage for atv’s, motorcycles, snowmobiles and other toys will take care of damages that happen on the trail.  Toy hauler insurance will cover these vehicles in the event something happens to them while being towed in your toy hauler.

Toy hauler insurance can cover damage that occurs during an accident, fuel fire, or any other unfortunate mishaps that occur en route.  When choosing toy hauler insurance you will want to make sure that you have enough insurance to cover the value of the hauler and the contents within it. 

If you don’t have enough coverage and something should happen, you may not be able to replace your toys or hauler because your insurance settlement may be lower than what the toys and hauler are worth.  Proper coverage ensures that you will receive the proper payout from your insurance provider to fix the damage, or replace the hauler and its contents all together.

With summer on its way, more people will be taking their toys to the lakes, dunes and other recreational spots.  If you don’t have toy hauler coverage or don’t think you have enough, now would be the time to contact a professional with toy hauler insurance questions.

It’s in the news.  It may have occurred to a friend or a family member.  Odds are, it can also happen to you.  Identity theft has affected the lives of over eight million Americans according to the 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report from the Javelin strategy and research firm.  How can you protect yourself against identity theft?The first place you can look is to your existing homeowner’s insurance policy.  Depending on your insurance provider and your policy, you may have an identity theft clause.  This protection typically comes at no additional cost you and usually provides a fraud specialist.  This specialist can help you to restore and protect your identity in the event of theft.

If your current policy doesn’t have an identity theft clause, your insurance company may offer an identity theft rider or endorsement policy.  For an additional cost this rider can be added to a homeowner’s insurance policy.  An identity theft rider will cover any expenses accrued during the process of restoring your credit.

Another area of coverage can come from your credit cards.  In addition to checking your homeowner’s insurance for identify theft coverage, be sure to check what coverage your credit card companies can offer in case you have your identity stolen.  By knowing what coverage you already have under your homeowner’s insurance or credit card agreements, as well as your options if you need to add an identify theft rider, you will be better able to protect yourself in the event your identity is stolen.

NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change.  If you have a specific legal problem, you may want to consult your lawyer.  For any auto insurance related questions, you may wish to consult your insurance company or insurance agent.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.