There are benefits to growing older! At this life stage, you may be able to take advantage of several age-related discounts.

For example, as a mature driver (typically age 55 – 70), you may be eligible for discounts. After age 70, the incidence of serious accidents escalates significantly, so the discounts might cease.

Discounts may also be available for seniors who limit the amount of driving they do – for example, to less than 7,500 miles per year – or agree to only drive during daylight hours. When you retire or change jobs and work or stay closer to home – and, therefore, need to drive less – you should inform your insurance company. You may be able to get lower rates.

If you have worked for the same employer for many years, let your insurer know. Those who show stability in their employment may qualify for an auto premium discount.

If your children have turned 18, left home and are regularly not driving your vehicle, alert your insurance company, as your auto premiums may decrease.

Consider taking a senior driving refresher course, such as AARP’s 55Alive or a program run by the National Institute of Highway Safety or AAA. Participation in these programs may help you qualify for a discount.

Since your net worth may still be growing, or is at its highest at this stage of your life, consider whether it makes sense to purchase an “umbrella policy” to raise your auto liability coverage, for example to $1 million, in order to protect your assets.

If you are driving an older vehicle not worth much in current book value, consider dropping collision insurance. With older cars, the cost of collision coverage can exceed the value of the car.

For more information or if you need questions answered right away, please contact us at Yeager Insurance & Financial Services. We are proud to provide affordable insurance for our neighbors in West Virginia… including Teays Valley and Barboursville.

• Shop around and compare prices
• Maintain a good driving record
• Take the highest deductible you can afford and collision and comprehensive coverage
• Before buying a vehicle, determine the cost of insuring it
• On cars with market value less than $1,000, consider carrying only liability coverage
• Try to pay your premium well in advance of due date. No grace period applies to automobile insurance
• Review your policy periodically and update coverage accordingly
• Ask about discounts such as:
• Multiple cars on a policy
• Completion of driver education courses
• Good student drivers under age 25
• Mature driver (between 50 and 65 years of age)
• Airbags and other safety equipment
• Anti-theft devices
• Low mileage accident free record
• Auto/home insurance with same company

 
For more information or if you need questions answered right away, please contact us at Yeager Insurance & Financial Services. We are proud to provide affordable insurance for our neighbors in West Virginia… including Winfield and Poca.

 

The first step is to select a financially strong insurer

It is important to shop around to get the best price for the coverage you need. Talk to several representatives from a number of different companies. Tell them what your insurance needs are and ask them what their company will charge to cover you.

Once you have narrowed down the companies you are considering, call your state department of insurance and find out if the company is permitted to do business in your state. If they are not, do not buy the insurance and tell your department of insurance that the company is trying to do business in the state.

Check with rating agencies for a financial analysis, grade or rating of the insurance companies. These are conducted by several private companies and are only opinions. However, they can provide you with some information about how private analysts view the financial stability of a particular insurance company. Ratings are available at most public libraries or on the Internet.

Your state may also publish a complaint study indicating the number of written complaints your insurance department receives against an insurance company.

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information or if you need questions answered right away, please contact us at Yeager Insurance & Financial Services. We are proud to provide affordable insurance for our neighbors in West Virginia… including Charleston and Huntington.

Your car’s sparkling finish made it through the salt, sand and harsh temperatures of winter. But your car’s paint faces year-round hazards. According to AOL Autos¹, a car with faded paint and a dingy look sells for 10-20 percent less than an otherwise identical vehicle that just looks nicer.

Start with a good coat of wax, then be on the lookout for these common problems.

It’ll keep you, and your car, looking good for years to come.

Parking Under A Tree

Trees may provide shade, but they also produce sap and can drop twigs or branches on your car on a windy day. Your best defense is to make sure the paint is waxed. If you find tree sap on your paint, get some bug and tar remover from your auto parts store to dissolve it. Then, rinse and wax the area again to remove any residue.

Another Hazard From Above

Without going into the science of bird droppings and their reactions with paint, you can just trust us that it can wreak havoc. When a bird mistakes your vehicle for a giant portable toilet, the best thing you can do is remove it quickly. A wet cloth will usually do the trick, but be careful to wipe with a lifting motion so that you don’t grind it into the paint.

At The Gas Pump

You know the gas station rules: No smoking at the pump and don’t touch anything in the restroom (although that’s more of an unwritten rule.) But spilled gasoline isn’t just a safety hazard, it can cause long-term harm to your paint.

To prevent stains and rust, avoid topping off your tank, and clean up any accidental drips immediately.

Someone With A Bad Sense of Humor

Using your finger as a writing utensil to draw “Wash Me Plz” in dirt isn’t as harmless as you think. Dirt can act as sandpaper when dragged across your vehicle’s paint, leaving the writer’s message behind permanently.

To avoid this, get your car washed frequently to eliminate abrasive dirt from your car’s surface. Light scratches can sometimes be removed with polish or scratch remover after the car is clean.

High Speed Bug Collisions

Bugs hitting your windshield on the highway are gross, but relatively harmless. The real problem is the bug that makes your paint its final resting place. They are extremely acidic, and not easy to remove. After hitting the highway, get a car wash. For the most stubborn guts, use bug and tar remover as soon as possible.

Washing Your Car

We’ve suggested washing your car frequently, but be sure to do so carefully. Using dirty sponges or towels can do more harm than good.

Some older automatic car washes still use abrasive brushes rather than a soft cloth, which can scratch the paint. Another safe bet is a “touchless” car wash that uses high pressure water jets to clean your car.