How Come No One Uses Snow Tires?

One of the smartest things anyone can do is invest a little money in snow tires. Most people have gotten either lazy or too cheap to buy and use snow tires in the winter, claiming their "all season radials" will do the trick. Well they won't.
Snow tires have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow, and they're made from softer rubber that retains flexibility in cold weather. This allows the tire to better conform to the surface of the road. This is why snow tires keep a better grip on snowy and slushy surfaces than regular all season radials. Modern automobile safety technologies like antilock brakes, electronic stability or traction control, and all wheel drive cannot do their jobs if the tires can't maintain their grip on the road surface.
So for better automobile safety and to prevent potential insurance claims, spend a few extra dollars on safety and get snow tires for the winter.

No Slip-Sliding Away: How To Stay On The Road

One thing is easy to foretell: Unpredictable weather can cause reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions that make it challenging for even the most experienced drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself, your passengers and your car.

The following tips can help you stay safe when faced with treacherous roads:

New Car Purchase And Insurance

One way to avoid sticker shock or buyer’s remorse when purchasing a new car is to consider expenses you may encounter down the road.
For instance, experts say that while most people anticipate the purchase price, taxes and registration fees associated with a vehicle, many forget that the insurance they need to protect their vehicle could come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are ways to keep insurance costs down while maintaining the type and amount of coverage a new car typically requires.
To help consumers control car costs—from sticker price to insurance premiums—The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies offers these tips:

Tips to Secure and Insure College Dorm Stuff

The first time my friend dropped by his son’s dorm room, he was amazed at how many gadgets he and his roommate had managed to stuff in a tiny space! In addition to the necessary clothes and books, it was crammed with electronics: laptops, iPods, cell phones, printers, stereos, an electric guitar and amp, television, refrigerator, microwave oven, and one very nice bicycle. Figuring out the value per cubic foot boggled the mind! 

The only thing more surprising than the sheer value of the personal goods that kids take to college today is the frequency of theft, as your local NY insurance agent can warn you. In many dorms, the norm is to leave the room door unlocked or even open to encourage drop-ins. This creates significant security risks. In fact, dorm rooms turn up on the list of the top five most popular places for laptop theft. Also, given the portability, students drag their laptops to cafes, libraries, and other unsecured places. 

In Case of Accident: Tips for Your Car Insurance Claim

The most dangerous thing most of us do is drive a car. With more than 6 million accidents last year in the U.S. alone, a new accident is happening somewhere while you read each sentence in this post. Thus your chances of being involved in a vehicular accident and having to file an insurance claim at some point are pretty high.

As your Middletown NY insurance agents can tell you, it is important to know what to do in case it happens to you—and to be prepared.