2023 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership - Page 9
Signs to Look Out for When Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced
Your car battery plays a crucial role in granting you the ability to navigate through everyday life in today’s society. The battery provides the source of energy needed for all of the other electrical components of your car to function properly as well. Like everything in life, a battery’s lifespan is finite and will need to be replaced at some point down the line. Here are five signs that indicate your car battery may need to be replaced.
You have difficulty starting the ignition/turning over the engine.
Having a hard time getting your car to start may be an indication that it is time to replace your battery. As a car ages, the components that allow the car to function properly become less effective. As a result, it takes more time for the battery to receive a charge from the alternator. In other words, it takes the engine more time to turn over. As with anything in life, procrastinating, especially when you see warning signs that something needs to be done, could result in costs that could have been avoided had to taken action earlier. If you try to turn the engine over and hear a clicking sound, it’s likely that your car battery is already dead. The safest action to take is to take your car to an experienced mechanic at the first signs of trouble.
Dashboard lights and lighting issues.
Do you ever notice any icons on your dashboard being illuminated? If so, do not ignore them. This is your car trying to tell you that something is wrong. Oftentimes, there may be an issue with battery or one of the car’s computers. Whenever you notice one of these signs, consult a mechanic to be safe.
Another indication there may be a problem with your car’s battery is that your headlights are dimmer than usual. In order to ensure your safety while driving, make sure that you consult a mechanic as soon as you see any signs of trouble with your car.
Electrical malfunctions.
Your car battery is responsible for providing power to all of the electrical components of your car. So, if your battery is weakened, it may result in malfunctions of anything that relies on electrical power to run. For example, if your power windows or door locks suddenly doesn’t seem like it’s responding normally, your battery may be on its last legs. If you notice any unusual occurrences related to electrical functions with your vehicle, it’s time to have a mechanic take an extensive look.
Poor performance in cold weather.
Generally speaking, car batteries do not perform well when it’s cold. Batteries tend to not have as long of a lifespan in cold weather due to the fact that they need to have maximum flow of energy due to slow-moving engine oil. If you’re not careful, your battery can actually freeze. Consider having your car battery replaced before the cold season.
Strange odor.
If you notice a foul smell coming from your car, it may be an indication of a failing battery. A smell similar to that of rotten eggs means that a battery is leaking gas. Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can leak out if a battery is damaged. Sulfuric acid is extremely dangerous and, if not disposed of immediately, has the potential to corrode other parts of your car. If you notice a foul smell coming from your car, it’s best to take it to a maintenance garage to have a professional take a look at it right away.
Read moreEssential Items for Your New Home
Buying your first home is one of those memorable accomplishments that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Once you have signed on the dotted line and taken official ownership of the property, you’re going to want to—if you haven’t already—think about some essential items to pick up for your home to make your experience of living in your home that much more enjoyable. Here is a substantial list of items to consider purchasing after you’ve bought your home.
Safety Equipment:
Smoke Alarms: You should have smoke alarms installed in every room of your house including each bedroom, outside your bedrooms, and on every level of your home. If your home has a basement, don’t forget to install a smoke alarm there, too.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Not to say that Carbon Monoxide is more dangerous than smoke, but it is an odorless, colorless gas that can prove deadly if it isn’t detected sooner rather than later. Be sure to install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, especially in places where people sleep.
Fire Extinguishers: It’s always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy in case a fire breaks out while you’re cooking in the kitchen.
Safety Ladder: If you live in a home that has more than one level, seriously consider purchasing a ladder. Ladders can make the difference between life and death in the event of an emergency.
First-Aid Kit: Having a healthy stash of bandages, ointments, wipes, and other products is a good idea in case someone gets injured in your home.
Emergency Kit: Water, canned foods, flashlights, batteries, a can opener, flares, dust masks, tools like a wrench or pliers, maps of your area, a cell phone and a charger, prescription medications, eyeglasses, matches, personal hygiene items, pet food and supplies, an extra change of clothes.
Essential Items for Security of Your Home:
New locks: Any time you purchase a new home, it’s important to change the locks immediately to ensure the safety and security of yourself and your family.
Motion-sensor lights: These kinds of lights illuminate when they sense movement in a given area. They’re not expensive and are relatively simple to install.
Home safe: A secure box in which to store valuable documents like IDs or passports, birth certificates, banking information, and other sensitive information is always a good idea.
Window treatments: Believe it or not, installing blinds is one way to deter criminals from breaking into your home.
Video doorbell: Cheaper than security cameras, video doorbells can provide you with the peace of mind you want by giving you access to video footage of any action taking place at your front door. You can also link this capability to your smartphone, so you can always keep an eye on these areas even when you’re away from your home.
Read moreHere’s What You Should Never Store In Your Basement
Are you one of those people who uses your basement as a storage area? You’re not alone. While many people choose to use their basements in this way, oftentimes, basements tend to evolve into entertainment rooms or—if you have a family—playrooms.
No matter how you choose to use your basement, you should always remember that there are certain items that you should never store there.
Here’s what you should avoid storing in your basement.
Printed photos: It’s easy to damage printed photos. Consider converting your personal stored photos to digital, so that you always have them.
Important documents: Personal documents such as birth certificates, passports, financial documents, or a will should always be stored a secured area. Consider storing them in a secure safe with a combination that only you know. That way, only you can access these documents when you need them and don’t have to worry about someone stealing them.
Antiques or family heirlooms: If your family has passed down certain items through the generations, you certainly understand how precious they are. While they could hold monetary value, they certainly hold sentimental value that can never be replaced.
Highly flammable or hazardous items
Firewood: In the event of a housefire, firewood will only help the fire spread faster and wider. If it gets wet, you are looking at a situation in which it can get especially smokey when you burn it. On top of all of this, it presents an open invitation to insects and rodents.
Paint, chemicals or household liquids: Basements are typically where your furnace, water heater, and dryer are located. If you have flammable liquids stored in this area, you are potentially writing an excellent recipe for disaster.
Book and magazines: Books can have both sentimental and monetary value. Don’t store them in the basement if you want to make sure they remain well-preserved.
Electronics: Climate issues and moisture control can present dangers in most unfinished basements. Additionally, they can leave your electronics exposed to water and moisture risks.
Furniture or artwork: If you’re a collector or art pieces, you’ve probably spent a pretty penny or at least a few in your collection. It’s not worth the risk of damaging them by storing them in the basement.
Clothes, shoes and jewelry: If you’ve ever splurged on shoes or jewelry for yourself or a significant other, you’ll want to make sure that where you store these items is secure and able to protect these items from the risk of damage.
Call us at 301-948-2010 to discuss adding the Extended Water endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy with ERIE. It’s great protection to have in place to give you the peace of mind knowing you’re well protected against an insurance claim.
Read moreDo I Have Coverage If I Purchase a New Car Over the Weekend?
If you are a current customer that holds an auto insurance policy with ERIE, you can rest assured that, if you purchase a new car over the weekend when offices are closed, your vehicle is automatically covered. Although you do have coverage for your new vehicle, there are a number of important facts you should be aware of.
Coverage for an old vehicle never simply goes away when you trade in or purchase a new one. If your new car is titled in your name, your auto insurance coverage will carry over.
When you purchase a new vehicle to be added to your auto policy, it is covered.
When coverage is rolled over to a new car, you get the broadest coverage possible. What this means is the policy that contains the most coverage that is listed on your current policy is what will be applied to your new car.
Here’s a scenario to explain this situation in more detail. You’re married with a son or daughter who is of legal driving age. Your spouse’s new car is covered with the highest limits and multiple endorsements. However, you chose to not give your teenager the same coverages because they are driving a much older, high mileage vehicle. When you purchase the new car, the broadest coverage that is currently listed on your policy is what will be applied to your new vehicle, as stated above.
Here are a few exceptions to be aware of:
If your car is not insured with a policy from ERIE, your coverages will not automatically roll over to your new car. You must have a current ERIE policy to get this coverage. It’s best to call us at 301-948-2010 to speak with one of our licensed professionals to help you add the car to your policy before you drive off the dealership lot to go home.
If you buy a motorcycle or an RV, coverages will not roll over. The rollover only applies when you are purchasing a vehicle of the same type. To put it plainly, motorcycles and RVs are not sedans, so the rollover would not apply in such a case.
If someone at the car dealerships requests that you verify your insurance coverage before giving you the keys to your new ride, you can access you can access your auto ID card directly from your online account or your mobile app. You can also call us to have one of our agents email you a copy of your ID card.
If you are not exactly sure what kind of car you want to purchase, it’s best to call one of our agents to discuss possible makes and models of vehicles you are considering. One of our agents can tell you how the cost of your insurance premium will be affected based upon the kind of car you buy. They can also offer suggestions on how to save money on your auto insurance.
Once you purchase your new vehicle, here are three types of coverage you should be aware of:
Liability coverage: Inform us of your newly purchased vehicle before your current policy expires. If you buy the vehicle within 30 days of the end of your policy period, report that to us within 60 days of getting your car.
Comprehensive and collision coverage: When coverages roll over from an existing policy, the lowest deductible applies. If you didn’t have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy for your old vehicle, coverages will apply, but you’re still responsible for a $500 deductible. Coverages cease seven days after acquisition of the vehicle or once your report it to us.
Here’s what we’ll need to know about your new car:
What is the year, make and model of the vehicle?
How many miles are you expecting to drive the car in one calendar year?
How far do you typically drive for work or for pleasure?
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
Titling and lienholder information for the vehicle
If I buy a new car, will my insurance cost increase?
New cars cost more than used cars, so they tend to cost more to insure. However, you can pay less for your insurance if you have a safe driving record or if your newly acquired vehicle has certain safety features installed.
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