It’s that time…you have a teen driver. Over the years, your children have come to you for help with a myriad of things. You supported your children in learning their ABCs, as well as how to pet a dog safely and tie their shoes. It all seems like child’s play compared to the most nerve-wracking lesson: teaching a teen driver.

It’s natural to be concerned about how today’s distractions in cars will influence your child’s driving ability. Providing them with the appropriate knowledge can help them in recognizing the risk. Even if you delegate the hard work to a driving school (a wise decision that might lower your insurance rates), you’ll almost certainly have to get into a car with your teenager at some time. But teaching your teen driver doesn’t have to be a super stressful experience if you remember these three rules of the road.

Be Patient

If you lose your cool, you’re going to create a bad experience for your child. If you’re constantly yelling and stressing out, your teen may even eventually be afraid to drive, not because they’re afraid of what’s on the roads, but who’s in the passenger seat. Don’t push your child too hard or too fast. An argument in the car can cause your teen driver to adopt aggressive driving habits.

Be Positive

Yes, you want to teach, and your inclination is going to be to say something, as you lurch forward and back while your teenager gets used to the brake and gas pedals. But whatever you say should be as pleasant and supportive as possible.

Not only do you want to model good driving techniques, but you also want to model safe driving behaviors. This is a formative period for your child—and a dangerous one. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than any other age group.

Be Sure to Practice

Because teaching your teenager can be stressful, you might find yourself – consciously or subconsciously – finding other tasks to complete instead, like cleaning out the garage you were ignoring for years.

The more your teenager practices, the more likely they will become a safe and responsible driver. If you plan on getting your child their own car, it is great to practice in that so they will be comfortable in the future.

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“SIA has been our trusted partner for more years than I can remember. They take care of everything – our business, rental property and all of our personal policies. They always go the extra step to make sure I am taken care of and are always there when I need assistance. Most importantly – I trust them!”
Stefani Laszko – Mythos Technology – Temecula, CA – Client Since 2007

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

If you have a garage, you should obviously try to park your car there for the best protection. Your car will look better longer, and that could mean more money for you at sale or trade-in time.

Other than purchasing a cover, you can prolong the life of your car outside in other ways.

Wash Your Car

Wash it often. You’ll keep paint-damaging debris from accumulating.

Try to avoid both the brushless and brush-style drive-through car washes, often found at gas stations. Both can scratch the finish. However, if you wash the car yourself, use car-wash soap, not dish soap. Dish soap removes grease, but it strips the chemicals that give the paint on your car its long-lasting shine.

Keep an Eye on Your Battery

A car battery’s life depends on many factors, but figure a new one will last three to four years. A service shop and some auto parts stores can test your battery’s change. To get a hint, look at the battery terminals.

Drive Once a Week – Minimum

This might not be on your to-do list if you work from home or order groceries. But climb in, fire it up, and run it 15 or 20 miles up and down the highway. That will help keep the battery charged.

This also warms up the oil enough to drive off moisture that can damage the engine. It pumps the oil onto the engine’s internal surfaces to keep them properly slick to reduce wear the next time you start the engine.

Security is a Must

• Lock it. Even in an area without much theft.
• Close it. Leaving the windows or sunroof open, even a bit, can let in weather extremes that damage your interior.
• Park thoughtfully. If your car is parked where you live, try to keep the area lighted to discourage vandalism. To protect your car door from dings in a parking lot, try to find a well-lit spot that won’t invite others to park immediately next to you.
• Remove valuables. Thieves often walk down lines of cars in crowded parking lots in daylight and glance inside for a purse, briefcase or smartphone. Then they smash a window for a quick grab.

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Its so amazing to have your own personal insurance agent. Someone who knows who you are when you call. Remembers conversations from years ago. Its the personal relationship for me. I feel like family, not a account number paying a payment or making changes. Thanks for always being there for me when I call. I appreciate our professional relationship that feels like a personal relationship. Jen you ROCK!”
Shamara Charles – Los Angeles, CA – Client Since 2017

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Cars back in the good ol’ days were built simply. Now-a-days, there is much more technology involved in maintaining your vehicle. Here are the rules of car maintenance and how they’ve changed over the years.

Cabin air filter

Then: What?

Now: Cabin air filters, which are used to improve the quality of the air within a vehicle, were made common items in the year 2000. The filter can be found behind the glove box, under the dashboard or under the hood, and it should be updated every year or so. You may decide to do this maintenance on your own, but you may end up tying yourself up in knots in the process.

Fluids

Then: Dipsticks were used to determine if you had appropriate oil and automatic transmission fluid. You just eyeballed the reservoir for brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluids. Lastly, you’d remove the radiator cap and check for coolant.

Now: Some vehicles no longer have oil or transmission dipsticks, instead depending on sensors to alert you to a problem. Remove the radiator cap and proceed under the hood to a separate reservoir tank where you can check whether the coolant level is low. During routine maintenance, mechanics will usually top off all fluids.

Engine air filter

Then: You’d pop open the hood, spin a wing nut, pull off the air cleaner cover and drop in a new filter.

Now: It’s not that simple anymore. You must be careful not to break the air cleaner’s electrical air sensor wire, which is typically integrated into the housing. Consider replacing the filter every year or two, depending on how much you drive.

Wash and wax

Then: Used dish soap and water, a sponge to wash, hose to rinse. You used a leather chamois to dry and applied wax several times a year.

Now: The hose is the only thing that the previous method has going for it. The rest may cause vehicle paint to fade and scratch. Use a wash mitt and a microfiber drying towel with specially designed car-wash soap (less abrasive). Also, find out if ceramic coatings are better for your car’s body than traditional wax.

Air conditioner

Then and now: Needs attention only if there’s a leak in the system. If a technician says you need a freon recharge, either there’s a leak that should be fixed first or you’re being scammed.

Brakes

Then and now: Check your brake pads as part of your routine maintenance. Replace them before they become worn out. The frequency of this maintenance may vary depending on the vehicle, but it will most likely be every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. It’s also important to consider how you drive. Brakes will wear down faster in city driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic, than on the interstate.

Tire tread

Then: If there was enough tread left to touch Lincoln’s head on a penny, upside down, you were good.

Now: A penny still works, but to get a more precise reading, it’s easier to buy a tire depth gauge from the auto-parts store for a few bucks. Usually, a 1/16-inch tread or less is considered unable to pass safety inspection. To prolong tread life, get tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Headlights, taillights and signals

Then: You’d pull out the bad bulb and push in the new one.

Now: Modern vehicle lights — halogen, xenon or LED — may last for as long as you own your car. And if not, many remain pretty easy to replace in most cases.

Tire pressure

Then: If it looked low, it probably was.

Now: Modern radial tires have a flat-bottomed posture, which provides them a larger footprint for improved traction. So, instead of guessing, use your own dial-type or digital tire gauge to check tire pressure every month (or every other refueling). To establish the correct levels, use the tire-pressure number displayed on a decal on the driver’s door jamb; the side of the tire indicates maximum pressure, not suggested pressure. In modern automobiles, front tires frequently demand different pressure levels than back tires.

Wiper blades

Then: You’d buy a rubber insert and slide it on to replace the worn blade.

Now: Buy a package that has the blades already fastened into their springy holders. It comes with a batch of adapters to make it fit the wiper arm on your car.

Oil changes

Then: Changed oil every 3,000 miles; easily done at home.

Now: Schedules vary by car; changes could be once a year or wait as long as 15,000 miles, particularly for newer cars requiring synthetic oil. Check owner’s manual (or trust your dashboard service reminders, which should be set to match the manual). Have it done professionally; it’s difficult to remove a modern vehicle’s underbody panel.

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Its so amazing to have your own personal insurance agent. Someone who knows who you are when you call. Remembers conversations from years ago. Its the personal relationship for me. I feel like family, not a account number paying a payment or making changes. Thanks for always being there for me when I call. I appreciate our professional relationship that feels like a personal relationship. Jen you ROCK!”
Shamara Charles – Los Angeles, CA – Client Since 2017

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Car Insurance Scenario

A squirrel crosses the road in front of you — and naturally, you stop. Unfortunately, a lead-footed, tail-gating motorist slams into you from behind. While the squirrel is unscathed, the rear end of your vehicle is heavily damaged. What should you do about rear end damage?

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Rear End Damage

It’s almost impossible to put a price range on this kind of damage. Rear bumper replacement costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a bumper up to $10,000 or more if the frame of your car is bent.

Your Insurance Coverage

Since you are not at fault in this scenario, the other driver’s insurance should cover the damage to your vehicle as well as any injury you sustain, assuming he is insured.

Damage to Your Car

In the scenario given, damage to your vehicle would be taken care of, first, by the property damage portion of the other party’s liability policy. The requirement for property damage in California at the time of posting this blog is only $5,000. If your fellow motorist is only carrying the required state minimums, you may end up responsible for the costs to repair your car.

Let’s say the other driver is completely uninsured, or is carrying low coverage levels, your own collision coverage would likely cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, minus your deductible. If you did not purchase collision coverage for your policy, your only other option would be under your uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage. This coverage kicks in to repair or replace your vehicle if the person who hit you is uninsured or not carrying enough coverage to fix your car. The maximum limit for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage is $3,500.

Your Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in a rear-end accident. There are roughly three million new whiplash cases every year in the United States. In many cases, mild to moderate whiplash claims can result in anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 in medical costs. If the driver who hit you doesn’t have proper coverage, you may be on the hook for these medical costs.

Should You File a Claim?

In the given scenarios, it’s the other person’s insurance that should cover both your vehicle and your own injuries. If the other driver is uninsured you may have to make a claim under your own uninsured policy coverage. This could also be true if their insurance is simply insufficient. In all of these scenarios, it is recommended that you report the claim to your insurance carrier to better protect yourself.

It’s important to fully understand what the various aspect of your policy mean. Your experienced, local independent insurance agent can walk you through your policy. We’re here to ensure that your policy is right for you and your needs.

 

First in the series: Essential Car Insurance | Bumper Damage
Previously in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Suspension Damage

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“I reached out to Sarah at Stromsoe Insurance and she was awesome. Sarah broke down my current coverage and explained how everything worked. I was with another insurance company before and they kept raising my rates, so I decided to switch my insurance over to Stromsoe Insurance Agency. I had a great experience working with Sarah and the Stromsoe team and they were able to save me a good amount of money on my car insurance.”
Paul Senn – Temecula, CA – Client Since 2020

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

What is Gap Insurance?

If your vehicle is totaled or stolen, and you owe more than the car’s depreciated value, gap insurance will help you pay off your debt. Only the initial loan or leaseholder on a new vehicle is eligible for this form of coverage. Gap insurance helps pay the gap between the depreciated value of your car and what you still owe on the car.

How Does It Work?

Say you bought a brand-new car for $25,000. You still owe $20,000 on your auto loan when the car is totaled in a covered collision. Your collision coverage would pay your lender up to the totaled car’s depreciated value — say it’s worth $17,000. If you don’t have gap insurance, you would have to pay $3,000 out of your own pocket to settle your auto loan on the totaled car. If you have gap insurance, your insurer would help pay the $3,000.

Keep in mind that, in the above scenario, the car insurance reimbursement goes completely to your auto lender to pay off a car that’s no longer driveable. If you think you would need help buying a new car after yours was totaled, you might want to consider purchasing new car replacement coverage.

Is Gap Insurance Worth it?

If you’re thinking of buying, keep in mind that you may only be able to get it if you’re leasing or financing a new vehicle. Then consider how much you owe on your vehicle loan compared to its worth. (A site like Kelley Blue Book will give you an estimate of how much your car is worth.) Do you owe more on your vehicle than it is worth? Could you afford to pay the difference out of pocket if your car is totaled?

You may want to consider gap insurance in the following situations:

• Made less than a 20 percent down payment
• Financed for 60 months or longer
• Leased the vehicle (carrying gap insurance is generally required for a lease)
• Purchased a vehicle that depreciates faster than the average
• Rolled over negative equity from an old car loan into the new loan

Do You Need to Buy at the Dealership?

Gap insurance isn’t just available at auto dealerships; many insurers have it as part of a car insurance package. According to the Insurance Information Institute, purchasing gap insurance from an insurance carrier is often less expensive than purchasing it from a car dealership. For more information on how gap insurance can protect your financial future, talk to your local, experienced independent insurance agent today.

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Arranging for new car insurance was easy as faxing the sales receipt directly from the dealership to the office. Thanks for the personal service and prompt attention.”
Bob and Sarah Sandor – Fallbrook, CA – Client Since 2000

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Car Insurance Scenario

You’re driving to work when your car drops into a huge pothole, damaging your car’s suspension. What should you do about suspension damage?

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Suspension Damage?

Costs can vary dramatically depending on the damage and your vehicle. The suspension system is made up of a variety of parts and repair costs can quickly add up. A full suspension replacement may run up to $5,000.

• Strut / Shock Absorber replacement – between $488 and $597
• Wheel Alignment – between $115 and $302
• Ball Joint Replacement – between $225 and $285

Your Insurance Coverage

Damage from “colliding” with a pothole, would be paid by your collision coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Should You File a Claim?

Collision comes with a deductible. In all cases, contact your local independent insurance agent to determine if the damage is  enough to make a claim worthwhile.

Filing a collision claim will normally result in a premium increase. Its often best to save your insurance for major repairs and pay smaller ones out of pocket. However, if your entire suspension needs to be replaced or you can’t afford the repairs, using your insurance may be a necessity. If you have questions, you can always talk to your experienced, local independent insurance agent to see what is right for your situation.

TIP: If you incur damage to your suspension, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. Consider having your vehicle towed instead. Also, take photos and, if needed, a video of the scene while you’re there.

 

First in the series: Essential Car Insurance | Bumper Damage
Previously in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Cracked Windshield
Next in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Rear End Damage

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Great experience overall. I was looking for new car insurance that would cover me when I drive for UBER. My agent Sarah Long was very helpful and found me a great policy with full coverage and ride share coverage. The new policy is cheaper than what I was paying before and the customer service is great!”
Joel Wigand – Murrieta, CA – Client Since 2020

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Car Insurance Scenario

You’re driving along the highway when you get stuck behind a big rig. You get closer, looking to pass, but the big rig kicks a rock at your car, cracking the windshield. What should you do about a cracked windshield?

How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Cracked Windshield?

In most cases, assuming you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, your claim payment will be subject to your deductible. However, if you do not carry comprehensive coverage, you will be paying out-of-pocket for your windshield.

A small crack can be repaired, even without insurance. However, windshield replacement, especially if you are cruising in a high-end car, can be pricey.

According to Safelite, repairing one small crack on a hypothetical 2016 Toyota Camry will set you back roughly $110. On the other hand, entire windshield replacement can cost $410. Repairing a windshield on a high-end car can easily push the price into the thousands.

Your Insurance Coverage

Windshield replacement or repair would be covered by comprehensive auto insurance. It’s important to get a crack repaired, before it spreads across the windshield.

Should You File a Claim?

There often isn’t a downside to making a claim for a windshield replacement. You’ll get a new windshield, many times for the cost of your deductible and in numerous cases your premium won’t be affected come renewal time. If you have questions, you can always talk to your experienced, local independent insurance agent to see what is right for your situation.

 

First in the series: Essential Car Insurance | Bumper Damage
Previously in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Deep Paint Scratches
Next in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Suspension Damage

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“10/10 I was very pleased with my experience. Bobby was amazingly helpful and so nice. I believe he found me a great deal for my car insurance. It was so quick and easy! I really appreciate the kindness i felt over the phone! Thank you for making what could have been a stressful situation so simple and not stressful at all!”
Megan Switzer – Murrieta, CA – Client Since 2020

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!