car insurance

Driving safety is paramount, and with advancements in technology, there are numerous gadgets available that can significantly enhance your safety on the road. Whether you're a daily commuter or an occasional road tripper, these five gadgets can make a big difference in ensuring you and your passengers stay safe.
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According to NHTSA, over 450,000 vehicles are sold annually in the United States with fraudulent odometer readings, resulting in losses exceeding $1 billion for American car buyers each year. Mileage fraud, also known as odometer tampering, is a serious crime that can cost car buyers thousands of dollars. In this blog post, we'll discuss what mileage fraud is, how to spot the signs, and how to protect yourself when buying a used car.
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If the hood of your car unexpectedly pops open while you're driving, it can be a dangerous situation and should be handled with caution. Here's what may happen and what you should do:
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Are teens really the worst drivers out there? Is texting the main reason for car accidents, or is it driving under the influence? Here are some interesting statistics about life on the road.
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Having adequate RV insurance is essential to protect your investment and peace of mind while traveling. As with auto insurance, your rates are based on the make and model of your RV, your driving history, and other factors. You may have the option to add RV coverage to your regular auto insurance, but this isn't always recommended. Because your RV is both a home and a vehicle, it may require specialized insurance to provide the right kind of coverage. Each person's RV insurance needs are unique, so choose a policy tailored to your specific requirements and budget.
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While a Tesla might seem out of reach for many of us, the electric vehicle (EV) market has evolved quite a bit since Elon Musk launched that iconic brand in 2003. In fact, the company actually helped to revolutionize the EV industry, first and foremost by making the vehicles more accepted by the masses. Musk also showed the public that EVs are not just slow-moving clunky cars, but that they can be sporty, stylish, and fast.
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Road trips always seem like a great idea, but when there are kids in tow, it's not always as free-wheeling as one may have imagined. There's likely to be fidgeting, potty breaks, and are-we-there-yets, punctuated by the occasional, but often brief, nap-induced silence. But, it needn't be so. While every road trip involves an inevitable speed bump or two, here are a few suggestions for a smooth ride to keep smiles and sanity intact.
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No matter the app or online reservation platform, renting a car can often be a headache. It's rarely clear which add-ons are necessary, costs range widely between rental companies, and what type of insurance you need. Here are some tips for navigating the rental car market.
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New parents have their hands full. While the nine months leading up to the birth of a child afford plenty of time to research the best gear and make necessary preparations, the list of concerns for that fragile bundle of joy can be intimidating. And selecting the right car seat is one of the most challenging. Between reviews, recalls, budgets, and difficult-to-understand instructions, the world of car seat shopping is not for the faint of heart. But it needn't be so complicated: once you know the lingo and your needs, it's just a matter of finding the right fit for your vehicle and family.
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Roadside breakdowns can be more than a mere inconvenience, emergencies of this nature, if not prepared for and handled correctly, can be dangerous for all involved, including other drivers. Following a few basic steps can ensure that you and your vehicle make it through the breakdown as easily and safely as possible.
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After watching gas prices skyrocket, savvy buyers in North Carolina are thinking twice about big purchases like vacations, automobiles, and homes. While speculation seems to be vacillating between optimistic and decidedly less than, consumers are left with questions and not many answers. Does it make more sense to drain your savings to pay for a new vehicle or to finance with any number of loan options?
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Distracted driving is defined as engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from driving: It can be considered manual, when you move your hands from the wheel; visual, when you focus your eyes away from the road; cognitive, when your mind wanders to other tasks; or any combination of the three. Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world's largest telematics provider, just released its 2022 U.S. Distracted Driving Report, and the results are staggering, with distracted driving levels at their highest point since the pandemic's onset. "Over the past two years, distracted driving has been like a pandemic within a pandemic, increasing at alarming rates and changing drivers' behaviors as the pandemic wears on. As more drivers hit the nation's roads, this intensified distraction will put even more people at risk," says Ryan McMahon, vice president of strategy at CMT.
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Your son or daughter headed to college will most likely need computer equipment, cell phones and sometimes tablets.
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As winter thaws into spring blossoms, summer beckons with backyard cookouts and campfires under the stars. Like many people in North Carolina, spring also means an overhaul of all the recreational toys and gear that make those summertime adventures comfortable, including the family camper. Here are some considerations when readying your RV for all the camping and travel expeditions ahead.
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Choosing a new car is an exciting but potentially stressful endeavor. With so many options, plus some limiting factors such as budget and availability, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some of the top factors to consider when you're ready to purchase your next vehicle.
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The holiday season is upon us, meaning it's time to be jolly, gather with friends and family, and, hopefully, stay safe. But in addition to the things we're all wishing for, the holidays can bring some unwanted gifts in the form of accidents, damages, or injuries that might result in an insurance claim. So what are the most common holiday-related insurance claims and how can you avoid them? Read on to find out.
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When it comes to automobile efficiency and safety, new technology has a lot of benefits. These advanced safety systems can help you avoid serious crashes, prevent you from hitting an animal or child, help you to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and keep you apprised of traffic issues or obstacles while you're on the road, day or night. Most people would agree that this is a good thing for auto consumers.
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If you're a typical American family, chances are you spend a lot of time in the car: driving to and from sports practice and music lessons, dropping kids off for playdates and sleepovers, taking road trips to visit friends and family, and the like. So if it's time for an upgrade, you really want to find the right vehicle for your family and lifestyle. Here's what you should think about when planning for a new family-mobile, to make sure your loved ones stay safe on the road.
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Recreational Vehicle (RV) sales soared during the pandemic, as stir-crazy families across the U.S. realized that road trips might be the safest and only way to get out of the house. And according to recent consumer reports, the trend shows no signs of slowing.
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If you're thinking about purchasing a new car, it makes sense that you might trade in your current vehicle to help you with a down payment. Or maybe you have a vehicle you no longer need and are just looking for a way to make some extra cash. But what's the best time to trade in your car so that you're getting the maximum benefit? And how do you decide? Here are a few things to consider before pulling the trigger on a trade-in.
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Good tires that are in good shape are critical to safe driving. Every driver should know a little bit about how to assess their tires and how to purchase new ones when they're needed.
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A used car can be a great investment and often makes much more sense than buying new. But one major downside is that you don't always know what you're getting. With just a little bit of knowledge, however, you can become a confident used car consumer.
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This summer, during these unprecedented times, families are taking to the road as a way to vacation in the safest way possible during the pandemic. While driving may minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19, it isn't always the safest way to travel - in fact, the summer months are some of the most dangerous to be on the road. Here are the top 10 risks that you should be aware of if you're planning on taking that summer road trip.
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Whether you use a single vehicle or an entire fleet for your business, keeping them running smoothly is critical to fulfilling your business goals. And if employees are using those vehicles, that adds in another layer of complexity. Here's what you need to know about how to keep your business vehicles well maintained, and keep your employees safe on the job while using them.
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If there's one thing that research points out, it's that teens are, literally, the worst drivers. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers, and the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16-19 than among any other age group. So while your teen is probably thrilled to be driving, and you're probably thrilled to not be driving them everywhere, it's important to continue teaching them how to stay safe and smart on the road. Luckily, teenagers are stubborn but still pretty impressionable. Here are the most important things you can instill in your brand new teenage driver, and guidelines to have them follow.
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You get rear-ended at an icy intersection or sideswiped in a parking lot: an inconvenient, but manageable problem. You alert your insurance and contact your mechanic to discuss repairs. But if your car is a recent model, what comes next might be more involved than you anticipated. New technology is driving up the cost of previously simple and inexpensive car repairs, as well as insurance premiums.
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Getting married this summer? Read on for ways that marriage affects insurance and other financial considerations to handle before tying the knot...
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If you don't have the resources to handle it, a flat tire can ruin your plans, and sometimes, your day. But, under the right circumstances, anyone can safely change a tire. Here's what you need to know to be ready for a flat, how to change it yourself, and when to call for help.
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Even if you're used to it, driving on ice and snow can be nerve-wracking even during clear skies. But when a storm rolls in, driving can get extremely scary, as well as dangerous. Whether you live in a climate that gets severe winter weather or are just traveling through one, here are some tips for safer driving in a storm:
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As the end of the year approaches, it's a good time to take inventory, reflect on the past, and make plans for future goals. You might consider your relationships, professional life, health, financial situation, or all of the above. Don't forget to also take stock of your insurance coverage and make necessary adjustments based on things that have changed over the past year. Here are some of the most important areas to consider:
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We've all got plans for the holidays and winter season: trips to take, winter activities to try, and the everyday to-do lists that don't stop just because the cold weather has arrived. But difficult conditions have a way of causing plans to go awry or causing damage that we just didn't expect. Here are some of the extra insurance protections you should consider purchasing this season, in case things don't go exactly the way you planned.
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In many areas of the U.S., freezing temperatures, icy roads, and stormy driving conditions are on their way. And while winter weather might be lovely to look at from inside a cozy house, it's not much fun to drive in. Make sure your automobile is up to the challenge by getting it winter ready.
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Every week there's a new recall in the news, and it seems that no auto retailer has gone unpunished for some minor or major manufacturing defect that has put its customers at risk. Problems and safety concerns have been discovered with everything from airbags to brakes to backup cameras, and sometimes entire vehicles have been recalled. Whether your vehicle is new or old, it's important that you know when a safety issue arises, and the steps you can take to get your car fixed. Here are some tips for keeping up on and dealing with recalls.
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If you're a new parent, a car seat is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll purchase but it must be installed properly to be safe. Unfortunately, studies show that a large majority of parents make at least one mistake when installing a new car seat. But it doesn't have to be complicated, and there is help out there. Follow these guidelines for proper installation and to keep your child safe in the car from day one:
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Good tires are essential for safe driving and a smooth ride. Regular tire maintenance is relatively simple and inexpensive, and can greatly extend the life of your tires. Here are the basic things you need to know to maintain your current tires or to purchase new ones.
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It's summer, which means that millions of Americans will soon start packing their cars to go camping, visit the beach or faraway relatives; or to take part in recreational activities like surfing or biking only to find that there's not enough room for all of their stuff. Fortunately, there are many ways to carry that extra gear or cargo on the roof of your vehicle but it's important that you do it safely. Here's all you need to know about securing your stuff before you hit the road.
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We're all distracted these days. In every moment, there are dozens of things competing for our attention, and well, driving is no exception. Loud music, texting, or an unruly kid in the back seat can threaten to take our focus away from the road just long enough for an accident to happen.
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According to the National Safety Council, someone is killed in a car accident every 15 minutes, and many more are injured each day. Car accidents remain a leading cause of death in the U.S. year after year, and yet, reducing our risk on the road isn't something most of us think about once we've passed the exam and joined the ranks of everyday drivers. Here are some basics to review to make sure that you're doing your part to be a responsible driver, and to protect yourself and your community.
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The weather has cooled in North Carolina, the leaves are falling, and summer tourists have headed home. Even though it's back-to-school time, fall is truly one of the best times to embark on a casual road trip, plan a weekend getaway, or take a family vacation. Here are some of the best places to see stunning fall foliage, take advantage of off-season deals, and find the best autumn adventures.
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Winter hasn't raised its icy head yet, but the calendar never lies and we're inching closer to those shorter days and cooler nights. Now is the time to get ready, starting with how you get around, namely, your car, boat and RV.
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Summer is here and families of all shapes and sizes are looking for affordable ways to relax, learn, adventure and enjoy the season with their loved ones. Here are our top five suggestions for a fun, flexible, family-friendly getaways.
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The Federal Highway Administration database claims that the total number of reported collisions in the U.S. are around 300,000 per year, with many more going unreported for various reasons. Colliding with an animal is a traumatizing experience for all involved, and it's important that every driver knows what to do when it does. Here are some tips to avoid hitting animals in the first place, and how you should handle it if you do.
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Spring is here, and summer is close behind. Time to start daydreaming about driving off into the sunset...
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Does your car really need checked out every year? Keeping up on your automobile's maintenance may seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, learning a few basics and getting on a regular schedule will go a long way towards keeping your car in tip-top shape, and making sure you're not blindsided by major, expensive repairs.
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Unpredictable weather, at least in most parts of the country, is here. Suddenly, regular activities like driving and walking outdoors have become more hazardous. Whether you're going about your daily tasks, celebrating the holiday season, or taking part in fun winter activities, here's how to make sure you're safe and protected.
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Ah, freedom... if learning to drive is on the horizon for your teenager, he or she is probably thrilled about the prospect of getting to travel outside the confines of your schedule and neighborhood. You, on the other hand, might be thrilled about not having to drive them everywhere but the excitement ends there.
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It's only July. But for those in North Carolina that have a child heading to college in the fall, you may be a little or a lot concerned already, depending on their maturity level and how far away he or she will be when September comes around. Here are a few ways to help an aspiring adult along with the process before they leave the nest, hopefully, for good.
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Purchasing a car isn't as simple as it used to be when your only option was a Model T in a single color: black. With so many choices, makes, models, special features, etc. it's hard to figure out where to begin.
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They may be your own, or they're your grandkids or your friend' kids, but driving with kids is a task that should always be taken seriously. Having kids in the car can be quite distracting. Perhaps they are fighting in the back seat, or maybe one is asking you for a snack while the other has to make an urgent bathroom stop. Paying attention to the road and to the kids is a trying experience. Read these tips to find out how to keep your pint-sized passengers safe and sound, for any trip at any age.
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You're expecting, and there's so much to consider: pink, blue or gender neutral colors for the baby's room? Which parent will stay home, or will daycare be an option? Midwife, birthing center or hospital? Another thing you may want to think about before your new bundle of joy comes into the world is how it will affect your insurance. You'll be surprised at all the different ways having a child can impact all different types of insurance. Here are a few:
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Taking to the open road in a home on wheels is a dream for many Americans. If you are considering purchasing a recreational vehicles (RV) this summer, it's important to understand what type of insurance you'll need in order to make an informed decision.
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Spring break is on the way and summer will follow soon after. If you're planning to take a road trip, long or short, make sure you and your vehicle are safe and ready to go by following these recommendations:
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From cell phone contracts to Internet packages, bundling is a popular way for companies of all kinds to hook you into multiple services, usually at a discount to you. Insurance companies are no exception, and bundling policies can often lead to significant savings and a streamlined experience for the consumer. But if you don't read carefully, you may end up with a policy that costs the same or more than maintaining separate policies and really doesn't save you much time or inconvenience at all.
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There is no shortage of distractions in the modern world. Distracted driving has become a national issue, and many schools and public agencies are scrambling to raise awareness of the problem. The National Safety Council estimates that one in four car accidents involve cell phone use, but many people still believe that talking or texting while driving is harmless. Using electronics while driving is only one of the dangerous habits that have become all too common for today's drivers.
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Business vehicle ownership in North Carolina, or anywhere, carries with it a high-risk potential for lawsuits, legal problems and property damage. If you use automobiles as part of your daily business, your risk is multiplied with every additional vehicle and driver. Here's all you need to know about commercial auto insurance, and to keep yourself, your employees and your business protected.
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Dangerous road conditions can occur any time of year, but winter is prime time for difficult driving in many Northern climates. Be prepared for whatever comes your way on the road by following these safe-driving suggestions:
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Jack and Sara, the newly engaged college sweethearts we've been tracking during their romantic summer road trip, have had quite an eventful adventure. When we last checked in, they were recovering from having crashed their car into their host's garage in New Orleans, from the unfortunate theft of Sara's fancy camera from their Nashville motel room, and from Jack's debilitating bout of food poisoning. What additional surprises might the road have in store for our lovebirds?
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By now, we should need little convincing that sensory overload while driving can lead to unsafe decisions on the road and sometimes accidents. But what about sensory underload?
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They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, from the rounded-off, vintage "teardrop" types to the mirror-shiny Airstreams and the clever pop-up models. Some are strictly no-frills, utilitarian shelters for lonely fishermen to park by the river for a few days; others are incredibly appointed bastions of luxury that seem as long as a city block and can keep a family of 12 comfortable and. Summer is at its peak, and it's not just the hot sunshine, sandals, and barbecues that remind us; it's the amazing assortment of travel trailers moving all over the U.S. highways. Families love to travel in the summer, and what better way to do it than with a mobile house on wheels towed behind your car or truck, providing all the comforts of home in virtually any new locale you desire?
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When we left Jack and Sara last month, college sweethearts Jack and Sara were en route to New Orleans during the first leg of their summer-long road trip. Conscientious travelers, they had obtained short-term insurance for their car, travel health insurance to ensure they'll have medical coverage should they venture into Mexico. With so much preparation and protection, what could possibly go wrong?
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Most new parents would probably admit that their driving habits changed after having children. The one-time daredevil of the highway has transformed into a doting dad who never pushes the speedometer past a sluggish 65 mph; the lady lead foot who laughed in the faces of cops is now a minivan-loving, law abider who cruises so slow she would try the patience of a turtle.
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For most of the children in the North Carolina, the end of August means those lazy dog days of summer are coming to a close, and those books and desks are what will be opening up next. For parents, the back-to-school season is a great time of year to look over insurance policies, and make sure they are up to date. Here are some insurance situations to consider as the kiddos hit the books.
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Spring is fast approaching and for some drivers that means it's time to shop for a new car. The following cars are rated as the top ten most expensive cars to insure. However, at the end of the day, several factors affect your car insurance premium, not just the price tag on your dream vehicle.
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If you have a domestic employee, such as a gardener, housekeeper, or nanny, who drives his or her own auto while working for you, there is a potential for you to incur liability arising from their driving that would not be adequately insured. If your employee negligently causes an accident, you as the employer can be drawn into the lawsuit and held liable. Your employee’s own insurance, if any, will protect you up to its policy limits, but you are on your own after that. And your personal auto policy may not respond to cover the difference. The courts have ruled in different ways on these types of loss situations.
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