Making changes to your policy does not have to be difficult, as long as you have the right company behind you.  So many people try to save money by going with a second rate insurance agent.  What they then notice is that when they try to make any changes to their policy, it is either very difficult, or will cost them extra.  At Poliseek.com, making changes to your policy can be quick and easy.  If you need to talk to a representative, one is always available. 

If you just need to make quick changes to your policy, Poliseek.com offers an online interface that can help you make the changes you need.  Simply visit http://www.poliseek.com/service and a host of options are there for you.

On this page you can do the following:

•             Add or change a driver
•             Add or remove a vehicle
•             Change and manage your policies (Auto, Home)
•             File a claim
•             Make a payment

 If you need to do something, or need an answer for something that is not seen in the main section, you can visit the frequently asked questions page, http://www.poliseek.com/questions, or if you still need further assistance, you can use the contact page, http://www.poliseek.com/contact to find the appropriate number to call.

Rest assured that PoliSeek.com is devoted to customer service and wants to make purchasing and managing insurance policies an enjoyable experience.

While much the country is still enjoying summer like conditions, a few states in the west have already received their first snow fall of the year. So far snow has only been seen at higher elevations and drivers have not yet had to face adverse conditions. However, snow in the mountains means that it won’t be long before most of the country has to deal with winter driving and getting their car ready for snow.To help you better prepare, here are some car maintenance tips and winter driving considerations.

Car Preparation Tips

• Before the snow falls, check your tires. Ensure that you have proper tread. Also, if you have summer tires, put on your winter tires, or change to all season tires.

• During the winter, make sure you always have at least a half a tank of gas in your car. This can help it to start up more easily in the morning and can also keep you safe if you get stranded. If you get stuck and have to wait for help, your car is your source of heat.

• Change your windshield wipers and check fluid. If your windshield wipers do not clear your window appropriately, it can make it difficult to see. Also, making sure that you have windshield wiper fluid specifically for winter can help to melt ice and frost that builds up on your window.

• Always have a phone charged and readily available in case you should get stuck and need to call for assistance.

Winter Driving Tips

• Drive slower. Leaving more room between you and other cars is essential because snow makes roads slippery and you will not be able to stop as fast.

• Learn the capabilities of your car. Know how to handle your car if it is front wheel, all wheel, or rear wheel drive. Also be aware if your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). Understanding your cars capabilities will better help you to avoid accidents.

• If your car does not have daytime running lamps (DRL) turn your headlights on when driving to increase your visibility to other drivers.

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.

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.

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.

While a condominium doesn’t need as much insurance as a house, if you own a condo you will need to have more insurance than a renter.  Some of the insurance coverage you need includes personal property and liability. But how do you know if your current condo insurance policy covers enough?  You can check by asking your insurance agent and condo association the following questions:

* What are your ownership and insurance responsibilities in the condo association’s master deed?

* Which areas of the structure are you responsible for?

* Does the policy you are considering include broad water damage coverage for problems such as sewer and drain back-ups?

* What are your condo’s interior features and which parts of the structure do you own?

* Are there any discounts available if you carry multiple policies, or have a security system and fire resistance?

* Does your condo association provide comprehensive or blanket coverage to protect you against other condo owners who may not have adequate coverage?

* Do you have expensive personal items such as jewelry or furs that you may need additional personal property coverage for?

Typically, your condo association buys insurance for the building itself and for the common areas.  As a condominium owner, you need to insure not only your personal possessions that are kept in the condo, but also any built in units such as cabinets, fixtures, appliances, and shelves, as well as coverage for injures or damage to people or property that you would be liable for.  By checking with both your condominium association and your insurance company, you can determine if your condo insurance covers your needs.

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.

If you’ve ever been in an accident you know that it can be a traumatizing experience. Knowing what to do can really come in handy. Don’t panic. Try to relax and stay calm. The first step is to make sure everyone involved is ok. After you’ve done that and called the police, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company. Here are some things you should know if you ever need to file a claim:

* You are required by your policy to report any accidents to your company; even if it is not your fault. Chances are they will find out anyway; whether it is from the adverse party’s company or from your motor vehicle record. You may also be required, depending on your state, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

*Before reporting your claim, try to have as much information at the ready. Your insurance company will need to know who was involved, where it happened, how it occurred and any other pertinent information. Also make sure to have your vehicle information at hand and any information from the police department or witnesses.

*Make sure to know how much time you have to submit a claim. Some companies have different statutes of limitations, so be sure to know the timeframe in which you can file a claim.

*Cooperate with your insurance company in their investigation. Give a recorded statement with as much detailed information as possible. Be sure to disclose any injuries that may have resulted from the accident.

Once the claim is file and liability has been determined, the at fault party’s company will take care of your damages. If the other driver was at fault, you’ll have the option of whether to let their company repair the vehicle or have yours do it and get reimbursed. Whichever way you go, remember that you can choose the shop of your choice. You are not required to go to the insurance company’s recommended body shop; although they might lead you to believe that. Whatever shop you choose, make sure you get a written guarantee for the repair work.

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.

Will your auto insurance cover your rental car?  Should you take or turn down the coverage a car rental agency usually tries to sell you?  It depends on what your own auto insurance covers.  Some companies will provide rental car coverage only if you are renting a car on vacation.  This is why you should call your auto insurance company or your agent to find out.Several states require that your insurance company provide coverage when you are renting a vehicle.  As mentioned, some insurance companies will only cover rental cars if you are specifically on vacation – the coverage is not extended for rentals on a business trip.

The car rental agency offers insurance to you to help to cover any accidents that might happen while you are on your trip.  Generally, it is okay for you to turn down the coverage, but only if you have the same or better protection from your personal auto insurance company.  Also, you may already have rental-car insurance provided by your credit card.  Both options can give you big savings over what the car rental agency offers.  Before you say no to the coverage, though, make sure that your auto insurance or credit-card coverage protects you – otherwise you could be driving your rental uninsured.  Also note that the rental agency’s coverage can include things like “loss of use” and “diminution of value” coverages that are almost never found in personal auto policies.

Keep in mind that since auto insurance is state regulated, the cost and coverage will vary from state to state.  You should check with your auto insurance company to be sure which coverage you either have or need.

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.

It happens.  You are out to dinner with your family, shopping at a local mall, or perhaps attending a show or event.  Parking in these locations can sometimes be difficult to find on your own, so you chose to use the valet service.  When you are finished with dinner, your shopping, or the show and get your car back, it’s not exactly in the same condition as it was when you dropped it off.  There’s damage.

So, who is responsible?  You can consult the operation manager of valet facilities to resolve the issue.  If you find major damage then you should consult your auto insurance agent for an initial survey and investigate coverage from the valet company.  This is something that you should immediately bring to the attention of your auto insurance company.

Just as it’s a possibility when you park your car on your own, scratches and damages can occur with a valet.  This is especially true if the parking space is small and cars are parked behind and next to each other in a crammed lot.

Additionally, accidents can occur while a valet drives your car.  Sometimes, the valet has to drive a car on city streets to park in a designated valet parking location.  These types of accidents are part of the risk inherent when you give your car keys to someone else to drive, regardless of whether or not it’s the fault of the valet or someone else.

Should an accident happen to your vehicle, call your auto insurance company to inform them and be sure to complete any claims paperwork from the valet service.  Reputable valet companies should have a claims process in place in the event of any damage to your vehicle.

What can you do to prevent damage or accidents to your car in these situations?  You can either self park if possible or you can make a specific request to the valet to park it in an isolated area and then get your keys back. This way, since the car is an isolated area, the valet service doesn’t need to move it to get other cars out and as such won’t need the keys.

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.

Actual cash value (ACV) is a term that refers to a method of computing what an insurer (such as an auto insurance company) will pay an insured, after a loss, for a specific insured item (such as a car).  Generally, ACV is determined by subtracting depreciation from replacement cost.  Replacement cost is the typically the preferred method of insuring.  However, ACV is often a less costly method of insuring articles like cars.

There are several different methods by which your auto insurance company may calculate the amount it will pay you for a loss.  ACV, sometimes known as market value, is the standard that insurance companies normally prefer when reimbursing policyholders for their losses.  The ACV represents the dollar amount you could expect to receive for an item like your car if you sold it in the marketplace.  The auto insurance company determines the depreciation based on a combination of objective criteria and subjective assessment.  The objective criteria are calculated using a formula that takes into account the category and age of the property and the subjective assessment comes from the auto insurance adjuster’s visual observations of the car or a photograph of it.  In the case of auto theft, the insurance company would deduct from its replacement cost an amount for wear and tear prior to the time it was stolen.

Certain property may be subject to a special valuation basis other than replacement cost or actual cash value.  To find out about ACV and to learn if your auto insurance company has special valuations, contact your agent to learn more.
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.