Things to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Krissyar

This post is sponsored by Marburger Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

Many consumers (like myself) prefer to purchase used cars versus new. Since buying a used car is sometimes a sensible option, you still need to be smart about your choices.

Sometimes used cars are sold with hidden damages that can be a very costly problem – to avoid purchasing a “lemon” , here’s a checklist to help check the condition and value before buying a used car.

MECHANICS

Here are some steps to take when inspecting a used car for mechanical issues:

  • Look carefully at the car’s exterior and interior.
  • Go for a test drive.
  • Perform a leak test.
  • Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle.

The Car’s Exterior and Interior

The exterior and interior condition of a vehicle can play a significant role in the value of the vehicle. You need to check over it carefully, checking for rips, rust and for any repairs that might need made. Open the hood, get a good look at the engine and parts – dirty and rusted parts can be a sign of trouble down the road.

Take it for a Test Drive

ALWAYS ALWAYS take your car on a test drive – on local roads and highways. You need to see how the car responds and performs. On local roads you can feel how the car shifts and responds to sharp turns. You can also get the condition of the breaks with stop and go conditions. On the highway you can see if the engine runs smoothly. Keep your eyes and ears open – listen for unusual engine or break noise – and check to see how the electronics are working.

Perform a Leak Test

Any car with leaks is generally a RED FLAG. During your test drive, take a moment to park in a clean area and let the car run for a few minutes. Then move the car and do a visible inspection for leaks. Black fluid can be leaking oil, green fluid anti-freeze and pink fluid , transmission.

Take it to a Trusted Mechanic

A lot of people won’t take the time to have a mechanic inspect their car before purchase – and you may wish you would have in the future. Having your trusted mechanic take a look, or even paying a mechanic for an inspection, can be worth every penny. They can help find hidden problems that you might not be able to see, and help you get an idea if it’s worth what they are asking. If there were – or may be – any major problems especially with the engine or transmission, they can let you know.

RESEARCH CHECKLIST

Once you feel the car is in good condition, consider these steps to further research the vehicle:

  • Read reviews on the make and model.
  • Figure out a fair purchase price.
  • Make sure to decode the VIN.
  • Review the vehicle history report. (make sure it doesn’t have a salvage title)
  • Consider looking at certified pre-owned vehicles.
  • Take your time to help avoid buyer’s remorse.

Following these simple steps should help assure that you have gotten a good deal and aren’t stuck with a lemon!

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Winter Road Hacks

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Krissyar

As we in the Midwest have learned over the past few days, is that winter weather can create some inconvenient, unexpected issues. But by taking a few precautions you can prepare yourself to get through with these winter road hacks.

                      This post is sponsored by Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

1. De-Ice Your Locks with Hand Sanitizer

If you don’t have a garage and you park on the street (like me) it can get really icy – especially your locks! If you don’t have a commercial lock de-icer, hand sanitizer can do the trick! Since it contains alcohol – an ingredient that helps melt ice – it makes it the perfect de-icer! To help melt the ice, cover the end of your key with hand sanitizer and insert into the key hole, aiming to get as much product in the lock as possible. This should help melt the ice and help you get your car on the road.  A good idea to make sure that you always have some with you, is to purchase a key ring that holds the sanitizer, so its hooked to your keys.

2. Get Your Vehicle Out of Snow with Kitty Litter

Sometimes there is a lot of snow and sleet and it’s hard to get traction with your car – so use kitty litter! If you spread litter directly in front of the tires that are stuck, it can help your tires grip. Kitty litter is super cheap, so its a good idea to keep a bag in your trunk throughout the winter months.

3. Prevent Windshield Wipers From Freezing with Old Socks

Before I go to bed at night, and I know its going to snow or ice, I put socks over my windshield wiper blades. It helps keep them from freezing and sticking to the windshield. You can also lift the blades completely off the windshield as an extra precaution.

4. Cover Your Side Mirrors with Plastic Bags to Prevent Frost Buildup

If you are like me, you keep all your plastic grocery bags you know just in case (they are handy for several reasons). You should keep a few of those in your glove compartment to help your side mirrors from freezing. If you have freezing temps (especially if it comes with rain or snow) cover each mirror with a bag to help keep the elements from icing over your mirrors. This can help you save TONS of time when it comes to getting ready to leave!

These few hacks can help you with some of the  challenges we have to face during the winter season

 

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Should You Buy the Insurance for Your Rental Car?

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Krissyar

Another call I get a lot from clients, is when they are getting ready to go on vacation and they are renting a car; they always ask me “Am I covered?” as they are standing in the rental car agency about to sign the paperwork.

A good idea is a review your personal car insurance policy prior to renting a car. In some cases, the coverage you have on your car extends over to a rental. So a majority of the time the insurance that you would buy from the rental car company would be duplicate – a coverage you already pay for.

However, sometimes the rental companies coverage is a good idea to purchase – so its good to know what is covered, and what the rental company is offering.

This post is sponsored by Zeigler Ford of North Riverside.

UNDERSTAND YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

Your personal auto insurance policy includes liability coverage and any additional coverages you’ve opted for, such as comprehensive or collision. Those coverages may extend to your rental car.

  • Liability coverage pays for medical bills or damage to another person’s property if you cause an accident in your vehicle (or your rental vehicle).
  • Comprehensive coverage pays to repair your vehicle (or your rental car) if it’s damaged by a covered peril, such as theft, wind, fire or natural disasters. Your comprehensive coverage’s deductible will apply.
  • Collision coverage pays to repair your vehicle (or your rental car) if it’s damaged when you collide with another vehicle or object, such as a fence or a tree. Your collision coverage’s deductible will apply.

In addition to your auto insurance, some credit cards offer extra insurance if you pay for a car rental using that card – and some dealerships offer a ‘free’ rental if your car is in the shop due to repairs (especially if it’s under warranty) it’s always good to check.

If you want to check about extra rental car insurance through your credit card, call the 800 number and explain your situation so they can give you the details and what is covered. Most credit card ‘insurance’ is secondary, to your primary insurance company. I also suggest getting it in writing.

UNDERSTANDING THE RENTAL CAR INSURANCE OPTIONS

Rental car agencies typically break out their extra insurance offerings such as;

Liability coverage is the same as you have have on your auto policy.

Collision/loss damage waiver  isn’t technically insurance. If you damage the rental car, this waiver may help cover the cost of repairing it. The waiver typically excludes coverage for damage caused by speeding or driving on unpaved roads.

The biggest issue with NOT purchasing the rental agency insurance is ‘loss of use’. This is loss of rental income for the car that they would normally have rented out, while it’s been repaired in a shop due to the accident that you had. Your auto policy will NOT reimburse for this – so this would be something that you’d be responsible for. Which, in summer when most cars/vans are booked well in advance, can get costly. Be sure to read the rental agreement to clarify what kinds of charges you could incur, and if there is a max.

Personal effects coverage may help cover your personal belongings, such as your laptop or clothing, if they’re stolen from the rental car. If you have renters or homeowners insurance, the personal property coverage on that policy typically helps cover your personal items through what’s known as “off-premises coverage.” Off-premises items are usually only covered up to a certain percentage of your personal property coverage. The deductible on your homeowners or renters insurance will apply. Check with your agent about the limits of your coverage.

Personal accident insurance may help pay your and your passengers’ medical bills if you’re injured in a rental car accident. The III says if you have health insurance, medical payments coverage or personal injury protection on your car insurance policy, you may already have coverage comparable to what the rental company offers. Medical payments coverage and personal injury protection (not available in all states) may help pay for medical bills due to a covered car accident.

If you’re not sure whether buying rental car insurance makes sense for you, it can help to weigh your options prior to picking up your rental.

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What to Do After a Car Accident

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Krissyar

Working in insurance I get a lot of calls from frantic people after an accident. Most of the time are questions like “should I call the police?” , “Should I move my car?” and “When should I make a claim?”

Here are a few things on what to do after a car accident.

Step 1: Check for injuries. Be sure to check yourself, and passengers.
Step 2: Get to safety.
Step 3: Call 911.
Step 4: Wait for help.
Step 5: Exchange information.
Step 6: Document the accident.
Step 7: Notify your insurer.

This post is sponsored by DCH Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT of Temecula

STEP 1: CHECK YOURSELF AND PASSENGERS FOR INJURIES.

If you’re injured, call 911 or make sure someone does – if anyone is injured try not to move, and wait for the paramedics to arrive.

STEP 2: GET TO SAFETY.

If your car is a hazard, and is safe to drive, pull over to the side of the road. If not, leave it where it is and make sure to get to safety.

STEP 3: CALL 911.

Whether an accident is considered a minor fender-bender or a major collision, calling the police is important — and in some states, it’s legally required. The responding officers will fill out an accident report and document the scene. If the police can’t come to the scene of the accident, you can go to the nearest police station and complete a report yourself.

STEP 4: WAIT FOR HELP.

Turn off your engine, turn on your hazard lights and use road flares to warn other vehicles to slow down.

STEP 5: EXCHANGE INFORMATION.

After making sure you and any passengers are uninjured, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.  Here’s some of the info you need to get:

  • Full name and contact information
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • Driver’s license and license plate number
  • Type, color and model of vehicle
  • Location of accident

IF possible, take a photo of the drivers license and insurance card (trust me, this can come in handy when a claim is submitted).

STEP 6: DOCUMENT THE ACCIDENT.

In order to help protect yourself

  • Identify the officers.
    Once the police arrive, get the name and badge number of all responding officers.
  • Get a copy.
    Ask the police officers present where you can obtain a copy of the accident report.
  • Take pictures.
    Document the accident thoroughly by taking pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It might also be a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.
  • Take down names.
    Write down the names and addresses of all parties involved, including any passengers in the other vehicle.
  • Talk to witnesses.
    If there were any witnesses to the accident, take down their names and their contact information, as well.

STEP 7: CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT

I normally suggest that you contact your agent after you are home and safe – you will need a good 20-30 minutes to turn in a claim, giving your claims adjuster or agent all the details that you collected at the scene.

An accident can leave you unsure and frazzled, so by following the above steps, it can help eliminate extra work, and unnecessary worries. It also helps your insurance company process the claim quicker and more efficient.

 

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How Can an ESA Make You Feel Better?

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Krissyar

They’re the latest buzzword in mental health—making headlines for both good and bad reasons. Despite what you may have heard, emotional support animals, or ESAs, are a legitimate therapy aid for those struggling with mental health problems. Therapists have begun to sit up and take notice of the hugely positive effects that animals can have on us. Many researchers are now focusing on studying these effects and the incredible benefits that we can experience with a pet by our side.

Have you ever noticed how your day brightens up when you spend time hanging out with animals? Whether it’s your best friend’s Frenchie, or your very own Maine Coone Kitty, it’s pretty obvious to most of us that time spent with animals has a positive impact on our well-being. This is exactly the principle that health professionals and researchers are now exploring, and building upon in order to help patients improve their mental health.

So what exactly is it about animals that gives them such a strong power over our mental state? In this article, we explain some of the key reasons behind why emotional support animals can make you feel so much better.


The Impact of Animals: How They Affect Our Brains
Let’s take a deeper look into what happens when we interact with animals. Our brains are full of millions of chemicals that shape our thoughts, emotions and the way that we experience our life. When we experience mental health problems these chemicals can get all out of kilter, which, along with other factors, can cause the symptoms that we feel. Interacting with animals can help to heighten certain chemicals in the brain, which can help to alleviate these symptoms. Animals have powerful effects on us because of the particular chemicals that they help to elevate.

They Stimulate Our Brains to Produce The ‘Love’ Chemical
Researchers have been exploring the idea that a particular chemical released in the brain is responsible for the intense human animal-bond that can develop between owners and their pets. When interacting with animals, our brain releases oxytocin, which is also known as the ‘love’ or bonding chemical. This cause us to feel connected and secure, an important effect for those struggling with mental illness, which is often accompanied by feelings of isolation and loneliness.

They Help to Lower Our Level of Stress Hormones
Another amazing chemical effect that animals have on our brains is their ability to reduce the level of stress hormones, in particular, cortisol. If you have a pet, you’ve probably experienced this yourself, feeling the day’s stress melt away when you get home to some affection from them. Cortisol can be damaging to our mental and physical health, so this is an important therapeutic function of therapy animals in both physical and mental health care.

How ESAs Positively Impact Our Mental Health
So, we now know how ESAs can help us to feel better from a purely chemical standpoint, but what about the psychological impact of having an animal by your side? There are huge range of ways that animals can help us to feel better, some of which you may not even realize are happening. But that is the beauty of ESAs—they are a form of therapy that does not even feel like therapy. This integration is extremely helpful in beginning to help to heal mental health patients. Here are some ways in which pets can help with mental illness from a psychological standpoint.

They Provide a Point of Focus and Distract Us from Our Symptoms
Pets and ESAs are a wonderful diversion from our problems. Pets require us to focus on something other than ourselves which can help to stop panic attacks and interrupt cycles of depressive thinking, or even suicidal thoughts. Having an ESA forces an owner to take on tasks outside the scope of themselves, which can be motivating and beneficial for mental health. Having an ESA dog or cat can be beneficial!

They Encourage Us to Stick to a Routine
Speaking of the tasks that ESAs encourage us to get on with, these can also help owners to stay in a healthy routine. The feeding, exercise and grooming needs of pets can help to encourage us to keep a daily schedule that we wouldn’t otherwise, which helps to care for our mental health.

They Help to Foster Emotional Intelligence…and Even Encourage Mindfulness
Pets can teach us a lot about emotions. Your emotional support animal is not dwelling on what it did last week, or even what it will do in the next hour! Pets are masters of mindfulness and can set a great example for people with mental illness that struggle to embrace the present. Through their intervention, pets can help you to recognize your own emotions, and even help you to experience them and move on quickly. Think about it—have you every been around a pet in a bout of tears? Chances are, that while you were crying your pet came and snuggled up to you, alerting you to the fact you were crying, keeping you company during your tears, but ultimately reminding you that there is an important presence there waiting for your undivided attention when you’re ready.

Emotional support animals can help to heal us and make us feel better in so many ways. Whether it’s improving the chemistry of our brains, or giving us the psychological support that we need, ESAs are the perfect natural therapy to help deal with and overcome mental health issues.

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