Category Archives: Auto Insurance

Signs You Need Your Brakes Checked

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Whether you travel in the Green Valley, AZ area or anywhere else in the country, your brakes are one of the most important parts of a safe trip.  You do not want to be driving along and suddenly need to stop to realize your brakes are not working properly.  It’s best to have them checked with your regular vehicle maintenance, but sometimes that is not enough.  You need to be aware of warning signs that there may be a problem with your brakes.  Here are some signs that your brakes need to be checked.

  • Obvious signs are the brake warning light on the dashboard or your vehicle taking longer than normal to stop.
  • Brake pads have sensors that will squeal when the brake pad gets low, and if you let them go, you will then start to hear a grinding noise.  Grinding means the pad is gone and it’s metal on metal.
  • If your vehicle pulls hard to the right or left when stopping, then it could mean a caliper is stuck, and it causes it to pull to one side.  It could be other issues, like an unevenly worn tire, poor alignment, or another issue, but it’s a sign to have your car checked.
  • When making an emergency stop with antilock brakes, the pedal pulses, and if this happens during regular stopping there could be a problem with the rotors.
  • A mush pedal, meaning it goes close to the floor before engaging, there could be a problem with the pads or hydraulics.

Insurance Center of Green Valley

At the Insurance Center of Green Valley in the Green Valley, AZ area, we care as much about your safety as making sure you have the right amount of auto insurance coverage for your unique needs.

Minimum Auto Insurance Could Fall Short

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The State of Arizona requires that people drivers have auto insurance. These laws are in place to help people who suffer a loss. While many people take out a policy to just satisfy the minimum standards, that coverage may not fully protect you. At the Insurance Center of Green Valley, our professionals are committed working with people of the Green Valley, AZ community to create a policy that provides secure coverage.

Minimum Coverage Can Fall Short

In Arizona, drivers must carry a liability policy with limits of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage. If you stop and think about today’s medical care costs, it’s quite obvious those numbers are insufficient. An injury that requires minor surgery alone would likely exceed the $15,000 minimum. A major head injury, for example, could result in complex surgery and months of rehabilitation. That could easily run into six figures of medical debt.

Consider the price of a new automobile. There isn’t a new car on the market today under the state’s minimum property damage. This year, the average price tag for a new vehicle exceeds $30,000. Once your minimum coverage has been exhausted, an injured party could file a civil lawsuit against you to recover the remainder of their losses.

Protect Yourself

The other problem with minimum coverage is that you may not be financially protected if injured. There are numerous scenarios in which you could suffer an irrecoverable loss. While everyone is supposed to carry insurance, some people shirk their responsibilities. If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may not get fully compensated. If an accident is your fault, liability insurance may only protect the other party.

It’s important not to put yourself in a vulnerable position with by having only minimum coverage. At the Insurance Center of Green Valley, we’re happy to explore options that can provide you with adequate and secure insurance coverage. We are here to serve members of the Green Valley, AZ community and look forward to working with you.

 

Simple Safety Tests to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

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Your car keeps getting you to work in Green Valley, AZ, even after all these years. But when was the last time you had it checked to make sure it is still safe to drive? Insurance Center of Green Valley offers up a few tips to help you avoid having your vehicle fall apart while operating, preventing costly and painful repair and medical bills.  Spending a few dollars on preventative maintenance can save you thousands in lost wages, expenses and deductibles.

  • Penny Test Your Tires: Take a penny and insert it between the treads of your tires with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointed down.  If you see half of Lincoln’s head or more, it might be time to replace your tires before they fail on rough country roads.
  • Jack It Up and Jiggle: Your ball joints keep your tires pointed in the right direction. Failure at high speed can cause a severe accident and you can’t see them to know when it’s time to replace them. Jack up the car so a wheel is off the ground. Try to wiggle the wheel–put a little effort into it.  If there is shifting and a thunking noise, you need new ball joints.
  • Grinding and Squealing Noise: If you can feel grinding through the brake pedal or even the steering wheel when coming to a stop, that is a warning your brakes are close to failing.
  • Check All Your Lights: It’s easy to miss when your tail lights have a bulb go out. Take one minute to walk around your vehicle and make sure high beam, low beam, brake lights and turn signals are working. It can help others avoid hitting you.

Check with your Green Valley, AZ auto repair shop and the Insurance Center of Green Valley for more inexpensive preventative maintenance tips and save your aging auto from a premature death.

 

Safety Tips for Teen Drivers

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One of the biggest accomplishments for teens is getting their driver’s license. This can be a very exciting time for them, but stressful for you. How do you keep your teen driver safe? While there is no 100% guaranteed solution, at the Insurance Center of Green Valley, we believe that good communication with your teen driver on safe driving plays a key role in how they react and respond on the open road.

Talking with Your Teen Driver

First, it is imperative that your teen driver knows how dangerous cell phone usage can be while driving. Texting while driving in Green Valley, AZ is against the law for everyone. While talking on the phone is not illegal, it is important to emphasize to your teen that it is still very dangerous, especially for the inexperienced driver.

Secondly, emphasize to your teen the importance of obeying speed limit signs.  Speeding is a major cause of teen fatalities in Green Valley, AZ and throughout the country. When teens speed, they need more distance to stop and have less time to avoid a collision. Even going 10 miles over the speed limit highly increases their chances of a crash.

Finally, talk to your teens about distracted driving. Because they are inexperienced, they do not always notice potential dangers on the road until it is too late. Even simple things like eating, drinking, or changing the radio station can be big distractions.

Communication is Key

Communicate regularly with your teens about safe driving and have a list of rules and expectations. Also, don’t forget to model the rules you set for them. They will be watching. For more information about auto insurance for your teen driver, contact one of the experienced agents at the Insurance Center of Green Valley.

5 Things That Likely Aren’t Covered Under Your Insurance Policy

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Insurance is a tricky topic that attempts to cover a variety of events in one policy. But no matter how large or small that policy is, it’s difficult for anyone to remember exactly what it says about every situation a driver may come up against. The Insurance Center of Green Valley wants everyone in Green Valley, AZ to have a better idea of what isn’t covered under most policies before they make the wrong decision. 

Natural Disasters 

When your car is attacked by a tree branch that has far too much snow or ice weighing it down, do you get ready to call your insurance company to fix the damage? If you have liability only, then you won’t get much help for this. 

Uninsured Motorists 

Did someone hit you and run off, or stick around at the accident site to let you know that they don’t actually have insurance? Most insurance policies will not cover an uninsured motorist.

Underinsured Motorist 

Arizona has limits when it comes to paying out for damages, and so too do the drivers who may hit you. If someone with a $30,000 limit hits you and the damage is $40,000, then you won’t get any help with the difference. 

Rental Car

If your car is hit and in the shop, your insurance policy likely won’t cover a rental car so you can get to work and back. 

Custom Parts 

If you make upgrades to your vehicle (e.g., new stereo, etc), these will likely not be covered in the event of an accident. 

Call Insurance Center of Green Valley in Green Valley, AZ for more details about what’s typically in a policy and what costs a little extra. We’re happy to chat with you today.

Protecting Your Car in Green Valley, AZ

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A good vehicle is something that most people depend on.  Given this importance, drivers need to protect their car with the appropriate amount of automobile insurance.  Most states, including Arizona, require that drivers maintain minimum liability insurance.  In essence, this policy will cover an individual if they cause an accident and potentially injure someone.  In does not, however, pay for the repair or replacement of the policy holder’s vehicle.  Minimum liability policies will also cover medical expenses if the policy holder causes an accident that injures someone.  It will not cover the policy holder’s medical expenses.  If the other party’s medical expenses or repairs exceed what is covered by the policy, they may sue the policy holder personally for the additional expenses.  These are all valid reasons to talk with the insurance experts at the Insurance Center of Green Valley about the types of coverage needed. 

Two policies the agents will discuss is collision and comprehensive policies.  For cars that are being financed, the lender will often require these policies to protect their investment.  Basically, collision policies provide the value of the car minus depreciation should it be damaged or totaled.   They can also provide protection if the insured is hit by an uninsured/underinsured motorist.  Comprehensive insurance protects the auto from all other damage that is not related to an accident.  This can include theft, vandalism, fire and weather damage.  Even if the policy holder has medical insurance, it is a good step to talk with the staff at the Insurance Center of Green Valley.  They will be able to provide additional information to help get the amount of coverage needed. 

The staff at the Insurance Center of Green Valley serves the Green Valley, AZ area.  Get a quote online then call them to discuss the available options.  Protecting a car is important and worth getting the needed coverage.

Buying a New Car? Get a Quote Before Deciding on the Type of Car to Get

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Are you looking to purchase a new car in Green Valley, AZ? If so, the price of the car is not the only factor you need to consider when deciding whether you can afford to buy the car you are looking at. Many people do not realize it, but the type of car you buy can have a direct affect on the amount you will pay for auto insurance. In turn, this has a direct affect on your budget and your monthly transportation expenses.

Here at Insurance Center of Green Valley, we know that the type of car you buy can affect your insurance rates drastically. Some cars are more likely to be stolen and stripped, some may be pulled over by police more often and some sustain more damage when involved in minor accidents. All in all, these actions can cost the insurance company more money. And in turn, they will pass the increased cost along to you, the consumer. Due to this, the insurance company will price insurance differently based on the make, model and year you are looking at buying.

If you are looking to buy a new car, take the time to get an insurance quote for the various makes, models and years you are considering. This ensures that you know what insurance will cost and can afford both the car payment and the insurance costs associated with the car. If you are in a hurry to buy that car, contact Insurance Center of Green Valley serving the Green Valley, AZ area for a price quote today!

 

Arizonans Driving Without Insurance: You Could Have More Problems Than the Heat

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If you are driving down Arizona’s highways without insurance, there are two kinds of heat that you can look forward to: the heat that has made Arizona famous, and the heat that drivers can expect for violating the law. Now, we at the Insurance Center of Green Valley understand that violations of automobile insurance laws are not committed through a desire to do so; most often, it is committed either because people are ignorant of it, or they simply are too intimidated to obtain the proper insurance necessary to drive an automobile.

Specifically, drivers on Arizona roads are required by law to have liability coverage – which not only works to protect you from major financial loss as a result of an accident, but to also ensure that potential victims of an accident have this liability coverage made available for them. Having liability coverage may be required, but it is required because having it is a good idea. If a cop pulls you over and he or she finds that your insurance is not up to snuff, you can find yourself in a bad situation – you could be facing fines and maybe even lose your license for a period of time. In addition, residents of Arizona can get additional insurances to provide for stronger coverage. Depending on your circumstances, it may also be advised that you look into getting umbrella coverage to ideally maximize your insurance strength.

Arizonans in and near Green Valley who are still confused about automobile insurance and what it entails may behoove themselves to get a hold of us at the Insurance Center of Green Valley either online or by phone at (520) 648-1150. With our help, you could be enjoying Arizona’s highways sooner rather than later.

5 Reasons You Need Auto Insurance

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A car accident can cost thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering costs that must be paid. Having car insurance can alleviate some of these costs from coming out of your pocket.

  1. Liability for Damages. If you are at fault, you could be paying for damages to property, other vehicles, or any injuries that others may have suffered because of the accident. Whether they were passengers in your vehicle or other vehicles, you will be responsible.
  2. Keep Your Risks Low. Without auto insurance, you are considered a “high risk” driver. Insurance companies will hesitate to give you a policy at a lower rate. You could end up paying twice as much in premiums when you do decide to get insurance.
  3. Total Loss Compensation. Having car insurance will provide you with security in the event that you are in an accident. If the accident results in your vehicle being unrecoverable, insurance may cover the cost of having your vehicle replaced.
  4. Other People’s Mistakes. You may be an impeccable driver and always pay attention when you are on the road, but there are many who do not. With the advent of texting and driving, you need to make sure that you keep your insurance up-to-date. Other drivers who are not paying attention may result in damage to you or your vehicle.
  5. Legal Issues. If you are ever pulled over by a police officer, you are required to provide them with your driver’s license and insurance information. Not having insurance can result in citations, fines, and possibly jail time depending on your history.

In Green Valley, Arizona, the Insurance Center of Green Valley is an independent agency that can help you find the right insurance for your needs.

Saving Your Car By Understanding Octane Ratings

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Taking proper care of your car requires so much knowledge and attention to detail. Tracking routine maintenance, getting mileage related services and even choosing the right gas will keep you on your toes if you want your car to last. When it comes to selecting fuel, a little understanding can go a long way. This quick guide will explain the differences in gasoline ratings so you can make informed decisions that keep your car running at its best.

The first thing to understand is what an octane rating really is. When you go to the station, there are usually a few different options that might be ok for your car. While you know to avoid diesel or other specialty fuels, is there really an advantage to choosing premium over regular? Answering that question starts by looking at the number associated with those different gasses. You may already know this, but the number refers to the octane rating. Higher numbers will cost more, and it’s usually the biggest difference in the premium levels.

So how does a higher octane rating help your car? The short answer is that it doesn’t. Unless your engine is specifically designed to run at a specific octane, you can use the lowest rating without fear. However, if you have a luxury or sport edition vehicle, double check the owner’s manual to see what rating is recommended. Engines designed for higher octane often get better gas mileage with the premium gas. There are several factors that contribute to this, but the primary reason is that higher octane fuels burn at slightly higher pressures, so when an engine is designed around those higher operating pressures, you get improved efficiency.

Even if your car does recommend a certain octane, driving lower rated fuel is unlikely to hurt the engine. Ultimately it’s best to experiment and use the fuel that gets the most mileage. The improved performance lets you know that the car is running as designed.

To make sure your car is protected from more than just fuel choices, check in with Insurance Center of Green Valley. A representative can make sure you have coverage that will take care of you when you need it most.