3 things to do to protect your car

Chester, NJ is not an exception to car theft. Unfortunately, many of us never think about car theft until it’s too late. Your car needs to be protected whether parked or on the move. And by protection, we mean from any form of damage. The Insurance Outfit can provide you with three major tips to keep your car safe not only from thieves but also from harsh weather and other elements.

1. Park intelligently

Park in well lit areas close to building entrances and near security cameras. If you have the choice of a parking garage, it is considered safer there than in an isolated garage. If you have to park around the roads, make sure it is around a security camera or personnel.

2. Purchase car insurance

This should probably be the first thing that rings in our minds when we talk about protection.  Auto insurance in New Jersey is a legal requirement. Therefore, when you purchase the policy, you do not just protect yourself but also follow an order to help protect others on the roads.

3. Take advantage of the security features of your car

Vehicles today come with modern security features that can help secure your vehicle from harm or theft. Some can automatically lock themselves every time you pull away. Others use lighting to scare thieves at night. Others come with tracking systems. If yours doesn’t come with one, you can always add. A tracking system will not prevent thieves from taking your car but it can help recover and locate it if stolen.

Taking steps to prevent your car from damage is better and easier than making claims when it’s too late. For all your insurance needs contact The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ today.

 

How Is Collector’s Vehicle Insurance Different From Regular Auto Insurance

Those who reside in Chester, NJ and wish to insure their entire auto collection do not always know where to turn. It can be tough to discern the differences between a collector’s vehicle insurance and regular auto insurance. Fortunately, The Insurance Outfit is here to provide the necessary insights. 

Generalities Are Used

An insurance company in Chester, NJ is usually going to rely on generalities in order to make a decision. The vehicle cannot be any less than 15 years old. In some instances, the insurer may even mandate that the vehicle needs to be at least 25 years old. The policy that is shaped by the motorist will take these factors into account. This is not something that a regular auto insurance policy will focus on. 

Depreciation Is Discussed

The motorist must prepare themselves for this discussion beforehand. The difference between collector’s vehicle insurance and regular auto insurance is that this consideration does not have to be made for a typical policy. Depreciation is always going to impact the value of a car in these instances but when it comes to collector’s insurance, the effects tend to be far more pronounced.

Separate Cars Must Be Discussed

A regular auto insurance policy focuses on the coverage of a vehicle that the motorist utilizes on a daily basis, in the majority of instances. Meanwhile, a collector car is not going to be driven regularly. A policyholder can find deep discounts by taking the time to prove to the insurance company that they are not going to be using the collector car on a regular basis. By offering proof of a different vehicle for daily usage, the motorist steers clear of higher costs.

If a prospective client has any further questions on these matters, the good folks at The Insurance Outfit are here to help. Be sure to schedule a consultation meeting as soon as possible. 

Does my auto insurance cover legal costs if someone sues me after a crash?

Everyone Has to Carry Auto Insurance

Everyone who drives in Chester, NJ is required to carry at least a minimum amount of auto insurance. Failure to carry insurance can result in fines, license suspension, and even criminal charges.

One benefit of the insurance you purchase through The Insurance Outfit or another insurance company is that your policy includes some protection which will help to cover legal costs when you are involved in an accident that ends up in litigation. Attorneys are expensive, and most people are relieved to find that they will get help with legal fees.

Auto Accident Attorneys

If you are the victim in an accident and want to sue someone else, you can hire an attorney who will work on a contingency fee. That means the attorney won’t collect until the case is over and the judgment is collected.

If you are on the other side, you will need to defend yourself in the lawsuit. If you hire an attorney yourself, that lawyer will likely charge by the hour. Attorneys often charge hundreds of dollars an hour.

What Insurance Actually Covers

When you are sued, legal representation will be provided for you. Your insurance company may have employees that work for the company, and one may be assigned to your case. If they don’t have attorneys on staff, they will hire an attorney who will defend you in the case. You should check your policy to make sure legal fees and other expenses are covered.

Being the defendant in a lawsuit is stressful, but it’s easier when you know you have someone on your side. If you live in Chester, NJ, make sure you have enough coverage. Call The Insurance Outfit today so we can get you the protection you need.

3 Tips for Buying Auto Insurance in Chester NJ

Having Auto Insurance in Chester, NJ is the law. Without it, you could face serious fines and other penalties. After all, don’t you want to protect your asset, yourself, your passengers, and others on the road? To do this, and stay within the law, you need to purchase auto insurance.. If you’re concerned about the costs or which policy is right for you, read on to learn about three ways you can save money and find the best policy when purchasing auto insurance.

1. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

When you bundle more than one insurance policy under the same insurance company, you save money on your premiums. Keep this in mind when purchasing auto insurance. Consider bundling your new policy with your existing insurance provider with whom you have other policies, such as homeowner’s insurance, life insurance, umbrella insurance, and more. Otherwise, you can even switch all your policies over to a new insurance company if this will save you money and get you better coverage.

2. Compare Auto Insurance Quotes

It’s always a good idea to go through the fine detail of two or more auto insurance policies to find the right one. A reputable agent can help you do this and lead you toward getting the best policy for the best price.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

When looking for an auto policy in Chester, NJ, reach out to The Insurance Outfit. The agents are knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to answer all of your questions about purchasing an auto insurance policy. They will help you compare quotes, bundle, and find you the best insurance provider to work with. Reach out today to The Insurance Outfit at 908-955-7561. 

Why Your Collectors Vehicle May Not Be Covered If You Have It At a Storage Facility

Owning a collectors vehicle is often a labor of love! Whether you have restored an antique vehicle or have assembled a kit car, you know how much time, energy, and effort can go into restoring and maintaining a collector car or other vehicle. Typical auto insurance is not sufficient for such cars, and many otherwise excellent agents may not understand the nuances of these special vehicles. If you own a collectors vehicle and live or store that car in the greater Chester, NJ area the team at The Insurance Outfit has the expertise that you need to protect your treasured possession.

Collector Cars Stored at a Facility Require A Specialized Policy

There are many different factors that go on into determining the right policy for your vehicle. If you use your car for everyday use, or only take it out to go to a classic car show, your policy requirements will vary widely. The same is true if you keep your collector car in a storage facility rather than at your primary place of residence. When you have your car off-premises the requirements for coverage will vary, and it will likely make sense to acquire a specialized policy for such a situation. Don’t let your hard work and labor go unprotected because of where you keep your car! Now is the time to confirm that your policy is appropriate for your exact collector vehicle situation.

Your collector car is not only a beloved personal possession, but it is also a valuable asset. Don’t be left with insufficient coverage in the event of a loss, call or stop by The Insurance Outfit and make sure that your Chester, NJ area collector car has the protection it needs and deserves.

How to make an auto insurance claim

All drivers are potentially predisposed to getting involved in car accidents and perhaps damaging their cars. In the event that you have been involved in an accident, there are certain steps you need to take to properly file for a car insurance claim and get reimbursement from The Insurance Outfit. The types of car insurance claim you can file include property damage to the stolen car or vehicle repairs and medical expenses.

When can I file for a claim?

After a car collision in Chester NJ, you should make sure you contact our local agent as soon as possible. You can file for a claim in case your car is stolen or vandalized. You can find The Insurance Outfit’s contact details on our website or on your insurance card.

What information do I need?

You may be required to complete a sworn statement that details the events of the accident. Therefore, it is important to take photos of the auto accident scene and record any personal harm resulting from the car crash. Make sure you provide the following details when contacting your local agent or the insurance company:

  • Your name and auto insurance policy number
  • The details of your insurance policy
  • Details of the car accident
  • Details of the other drivers, passengers, and witnesses
  • The license plate numbers of all the other vehicles that were involved in the car accident

Basic steps of filing for a car insurance claim

Once you have contacted the insurance company, the claim process will follow these steps:

  • You might bring in a lawyer to help you expedite the process
  • Case assignment to a professional in our company
  • Meeting with the professional to discuss the process and coverages
  • Evaluation by your claims professional to inspect your car and examine the evidence
  • Resolution of the auto insurance claim, which includes processing appropriate compensation
  • Closing of the claim

The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ ensures that its clients get reimbursements in the event that they have been involved in car accidents. If you have been recently involved in a car crash, contact us today and our car insurance professionals will help you get appropriate compensation for damage and bodily injury.

 

Why Does Your Zip Code Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

When you are pricing out new insurance policies, you are asked what zip code the car is housed or garaged in. If you play around, you may find that the prices you are quoted change based on the zip code you put in. This may leave you wondering why the zip code has such a major effect on your auto insurance price. Here is some information you should know.

Auto insurance providers obtain a lot of information about your risk levels and then use that information to provide you with a car insurance quote. If you live in a zip code where a number of car accidents happen, your car insurance will be higher than someone who houses their car in a zip code with fewer car accidents. This is because statistically speaking, you are less likely to be involved in an accident in this zip code. Likewise, an insurance company takes into account the number of car thefts in a particular zip code, and what type of car is most commonly stolen. If you have a car that is typically stolen in a certain zip code, your insurance will be higher because there is more risk your car will be stolen and your auto insurance company will have to pay out on your auto insurance policy. As such, the zip code where your car is housed is extremely important in determining what your auto insurance rates will be.

If you are looking to obtain a new auto insurance policy or to compare prices for policies in the greater Chester, NJ area, let The Insurance Outfit help. We offer fair pricing, regardless of what zip code you live in. Give us a call today to get your auto insurance quote.

What Types of Auto Insurance Are There?

Auto insurance is as varied as the different makes and models of cars that it covers. For those that want to insure their car or are just curious about what different types of auto insurance there are, the helpful and skilled agents with The Insurance Outfit in the Chester, NJ can help.

Liability Coverage

The first type is liability coverage. This is going to be the minimum required by law. The monetary amount of coverage that is required may vary from locality to locality so you should talk to your agent about what is required. Liability is going to cover the cost of deductibles and some medical bills for both the driver and the person that is involved in the wreck.

Full Coverage

Full coverage is going to be required if you have a car that has a loan or lien out against the value to help protect the interest of the bank or lender. It is going to cover most medical bills and most of the fees and other bills that are associated with the wreck. It is also going to cover the cost of replacing or repairing the car.

Collectors or Antique Insurance

This is for collectors cars or those cars that are not necessarily daily drivers. It covers things like damage that occurs to the car, the cost of replacing or repairing with like parts, and so on. This is going to be necessary for those that have collector cars and is not necessary for those that just have normal cars.

No matter what type of car you own, insurance is something that everyone has to have if they intend to drive on the road. You should take the time to talk with the agents at The Insurance Outfit if you live in the Chester, NJ area to find out what coverage you need.  

Three things you should know about car insurance

Car insurance is one of those things that every car owner in the country knows they have to have, but few people actually know the details about what kind of coverage is actually available.  Here are three things that The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ, thinks you need to know  about car insurance.

1. Rates can fluctuate dramatically

The rate you get when you first sign up for an automobile policy can be very different than when you go to renew. For example, changes in your driving record, including tickets falling off or even additional violations, can change your rate for better or for worse. Maybe you passed an age thresh hold or your state as passed new regulations. Make sure that whenever you renew, you are getting the maximum amount of savings on your policy rate.

2. You are never locked into a policy

Even if your provider has you pay for a 6 or 12 month period, you are not bound to that insurance company. They can not charge you early termination fees like your cell phone or cable company. This is important to note because if you find yourself a better deal and a better rate, you can dump your old carrier penalty free. If you have paid for six months, and you switch after three, they owe you a prorated amount of the remaining three. 

3. Ride with your pet? Better check if they are covered

A standard policy will cover injuries to people in the vehicle in case of an accident. However, it is not always a guarantee that your pet will also be covered. Make sure you check with your insurance provider to make sure your precious pooch or kitty is covered.

If you are in need of a policy, contact The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ today.

Safe Driving Tips For Teen Drivers

Teen drivers are not always the safest. This is because they are so excited that they have a license that they forget all of the different rules. They may invite their friends in the car and they are showing off instead of paying attention to the road. There are some safe driving tips that you can implement in order to keep everyone safer.

Sign a Pact

Agree on some terms so that you and your teen driver are on the same page as to what is and isn’t allowed. Identify some punishments if they do not follow. Then, have them sign the pact. Various online packs are available as well, including making sure that they don’t text while driving.

Limit Night Driving

There may be state laws involving nighttime driving for teens, and this is something to be aware of. You can limit the amount of driving that they do at night as well, such as setting and 8 PM curfew.

Limit the Number of Friends

Friends can often cause trouble when they are in the front and back seat. This is because they are rambunctious and may even be adding the teen driver on to be riskier in the way that they drive. By limiting the number of friends in the car, you can keep your teen safer.

Write Out the Rules

Have the rules posted rather than simply having a conversation. Teens are not always known for their listening skills. Better yet, have your teen write out the rules so that they are more likely to remember everything that the two of you have talked about.

At The Insurance Outfit, we are here to help you with auto insurance. Contact us today and let us find you a policy in Chester, NJ that works for you and your teen.