February 2021

Did You Know Certain Car Safety Features Can Lower Your Premium?

When shopping for a car, many people look at a variety of features on a vehicle, such as interior and exterior color, make and model, stereo, electronics and other options that will make their drive time more pleasant. However, few consider the effect the safety features can have on lowering their insurance premiums. The next time you go car shopping, look for some of these safety features that protect not only you and your passengers but your wallet as well.

Size and weight. Many potential buyers think bigger is better, but that's not necessarily so when it comes to cars. Very large vehicles, such as SUVs, often have the potential to roll over and can be less safe than midsize sedans. Make sure to review your vehicle's safety ratings.

Restraints. Far from the days when only seat belts were offered, today's vehicles now have more extensive restraint systems. Some of the key elements to look for are locking head restraints, side airbags and lap and shoulder belts with crash tensioners.

Make sure you can reach the pedals without putting yourself too close to the steering wheel. Steering column airbags can cause serious injury if they're too close.

Daytime lights. More vehicles now feature daytime running lights that allow them to be more visible to all motorists no matter the weather, decreasing the chances of daytime accidents.

Backup cameras. Video systems that allow you to see what is happening behind your vehicle dramatically increase safety by eliminating blind spots. Backup cameras can help prevent collisions and save lives.

Other safety features like warning systems and anti-lock brakes can help reduce the likelihood of a crash and further reduce the likelihood of claims.

Next time you're in the market for a new vehicle, check with us about potential discounts on premiums based on specific vehicle features. We are just a call or email away.

Quick Corned Beef Hash

Why not give a nod to St. Patrick's Day with this delicious and easy breakfast recipe? Enjoy with scrambled eggs or add a fried egg on top.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

• 2 cups cooked corned beef, shredded

• 2 tablespoons water

• parsley to garnish

Melt butter in a large iron skillet over medium heat.

Add onions, potatoes, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for 5–6 minutes until potatoes start to brown.

Add corned beef along with 2 tablespoons of water and mix well.

Cover and steam the meat for 1–2 minutes.

Serve with eggs and garnish with parsley if desired.

Quick Quiz

Each month I'll give you a new question.

Just send us an email and submit your answer.

William Shatner was born on March 22 of which year?

Last month's winners were:

Brenda Mendoza

Emalee Mann

Mayra Mendoza

Get Our Free Working From Home Survival Guide

As we continue to social isolate, working from home (WFH) life can start to feel overwhelming. I’ve put together a helpful guide to help you bust some bad habits and help you become your most productive self.

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Defying Convention: The Story of Josephine Baker

On International Women's Day this March 8, we collectively honor the wonderful women in our lives as well as the fierce females who have shaped history. One such exemplary feminine figure is the multitalented Josephine Baker, the American-born French entertainer known for defying convention and leading a lavish lifestyle. But behind the glitz and glamour of her showbiz career lies the fascinating storied life of a woman truly ahead of her time.

Born in St. Louis in 1906, Baker overcame poverty, life on the streets and two early unsuitable marriages to become the "highest-paid girl in vaudeville." After an opportunity to tour Paris, she transformed herself from ingenue to all-singing, all-dancing diva.
However, it wasn't long before war blazed through Europe and Baker was recruited into the Deuxième Bureau, France's military intelligence agency. Her busy touring schedule provided the perfect cover for her wartime activities as a spy for the French Resistance, which included smuggling information in invisible ink on sheet music.

After the war, Baker returned home to the States to champion civil rights causes. During her tireless campaigning, she formed an adoptive family comprised of children of different ethnicities she dubbed the "Rainbow Tribe" and became the only official female speaker at the historic 1963 March on Washington.

Over a decade later, the formidable icon passed away after a rousing retrospective revue in Paris, fulfilling her own prophetic words: "I shall dance all my life. I would like to die, breathless and spent, at the end of a dance."

Check Out our New Insurance Agent App 

Submit a claim the right way, pay bills, check your policies, get an auto ID card, email/text/call your agent or customer service person, inventory your valuables... you can do it all anywhere with our new app. Click on the image above for a short video, then click on Apple or Google to get it:

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or

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True or False: Insurance Is Cheaper for Leased Cars

Cars are significant investments for millions of Americans, from the price of the monthly payments to gas and maintenance costs. It’s helpful when you can save on car insurance. Some wonder whether insurance is cheaper for leased cars or cars that you buy outright.

However, the idea that insurance is cheaper for leased cars is nothing but a myth. Car insurance is not based on how you purchase a car. Car insurance is primarily based on your driving record and the make, model and year of the car.

One of the considerations with leasing a car is that you may have to add the lender to your insurance policy, given that they have an interest in the vehicle. Thus, if you get into a crash and make a claim, the lender will be able to recover the portion they are still owed.

Besides that, the coverage options for car insurance on a leased versus owned vehicle should remain the same. The premium has to do with the condition of the car and the cost to make repairs, not the lease option. Typically, the newer, more expensive and rarer the vehicle, the higher your insurance premium will be due to the higher cost of making repairs.

Whether you buy or lease a car, consult with us for sample quotes before you make a decision that could cost you thousands in the long run. We are always here to help, and we’re just a phone call or email away.

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