Car Insurance

Car insurance can be quite expensive, especially if you have a certain type of vehicle. However, there are ways to lower your car insurance costs which can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Here are a few of them to help you get started.

1. Keep Your Car in the Garage

Whenever you can, park your car in the garage. If you don’t have a garage or carport, try to park your car as close to your house as possible. Make sure it is in an area that is well-lit and in plain sight of surveillance cameras. If you can, put a car cover over your vehicle to protect its paint from external elements and prevent people from seeing inside. It will also give you an additional layer of security if someone tries to break into or steal your vehicle.

2. Choose the Right Type of Coverage

If you need to lower your car insurance costs, you may want to rethink your coverage. The only time you really need comprehensive insurance is if you have a loan on your vehicle. This is normally required by the lender who holds the title. Once the car is paid off, you can drop your coverage down to collision coverage or PL/PD coverage if your vehicle doesn’t have much value. If you prefer to keep the more expensive types of coverage, you can offset the cost by readjusting your deductible amount.

3. Raise Your Deductible

One of the easiest ways to lower your premiums is to raise your deductible. However, raising your deductible increases the amount of out-of-pocket costs you will have to pay if you ever file a claim. If you are paying higher premiums with a lower deductible, call your insurance agent and see if you can reverse that and pay more on your deductible and less on your premiums.

4. Enroll in a Safe Driving Program

Many car insurance carriers are offering a safe driving program. This involves installing a small beacon in your vehicle that monitors your driving habits. The better your driving score, the lower your premiums will be. You can also boost your scores by taking a defensive driving course and turning in your certificate of completion to your insurance agent.

You are required to carry a state minimum amount of car insurance on your vehicle in every state. However, you can lower your premiums by reducing your risk of damage or theft. If you have more questions about how to lower your car insurance costs, contact us at Abatelli Insurance today!

The thrill of owning a car and visiting a used car lot to purchase one for yourself can be overwhelming. At that moment, it is understandable if you are not thinking about long-term life goals and how this purchase will affect them. However, there is one important factor that must not be ignored during a car’s purchase – the car’s history.

Why Do You Need the Car’s History?

You should determine the car history to make the right purchase. You do not want to purchase a stolen car or one with a title that has not been revoked. You will only find out about such information by getting a detailed car history.

Also, the kind and quality of insurance you can get on the car depends on how safe it is for use. Insurance companies will usually only provide coverage for vehicles that meet certain standards. While they may insure vehicles with past accident records, they are not likely to provide coverage for those that have not been cleared for road use. 

How Can You Evaluate a Car’s History?

1. Free Check

The VINCheck website allows you to check a car’s history quickly and for free. The only requirement is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which can be found on the official documents or on the car’s windshield. The VIN system was introduced in 1954 and standardized in 1981 as a method for tracking vehicle history. You can use the VINCheck easily while you are in the car lot. However, it is not very thorough given that it is a free evaluation that does not provide information about accidents.

2. Paid Checks

You can do a more thorough background check using AutoCheck and Carfax, which require you to pay a fee. For example, the single report plan from AutoCheck comes for $24.99, and it is the cheapest. These reports provide extra information such as ownership and usage history, service history, questionable title brands (salvage, flood, fire, or hail). Though this is a more thorough report, it will not account for accidents that were not reported.

3. Independent Inspection

It is helpful to go along with a trusted mechanic on your purchase trip. If you do not have a personal mechanic, have your friends or colleagues refer you to one. The mechanic will perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle’s parts, identifying which parts have been replaced and whether it is a good buy. However, note that their verdict is not to be relied on solely as a go-ahead for the purchase.

Don’t forget to get car insurance for your new purchase. Contact us today at Abatelli Insurance to get started.

Teaching your teenager to drive can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. While driving is another step in their journey towards independence, putting them in charge of your much-prized possession can be quite risky. Regardless of your feelings, you have to teach your teenager how to drive safely.

In this article, we will discuss some of the safe driving tips that will help them be more responsible drivers and might even do the same for you.

1. Buckle your seatbelts

Always make sure that your children buckle their seatbelts immediately after they enter the car. Do this every time they enter your car until they imbibe the habit and you no longer have to remind them.

2. Avoid using the cruise control when it’s raining

Cruise control is an incredible feature that enables your car to maintain its speed while driving on a highway. However, it is not a smart option for driving in the rain. This is because rain makes the roads wet and slippery, and with the cruise control on, the chances of the car wheels slipping and the driver losing control of the car increases. Therefore, educate your children on the dangers of using cruise control when it’s raining.

3. Avoid speeding

It is a known fact that speeding is a common cause of accidents. Depending on the extent of the accident, the victims might get off unscathed or with a few scrapes. On the other hand, they might also end up losing their lives. Therefore, remind your teenager that being a few minutes late is better than speeding.

4. Make use of the side and rear-view mirrors

The side and rear-view mirrors of a car are vital for safe driving as they enable drivers to see clearly behind and on either side of the vehicle. For this reason, your teen must always have optimum access to these mirrors. That is, they should ensure the mirrors are always adjusted to their height and size preferences.

5. Avoid using your smartphone while driving

Despite their many benefits, smartphones have become a huge distraction for drivers, especially teen drivers, who are more inclined to use these devices while driving. Many teen drivers believe that they can multitask – that is, drive and use their cell phones simultaneously. However, driving requires the driver’s total attention, and taking your eyes off the road even for a few seconds can result in a fatal accident. Teach your teens never to use their phones while they drive.

Finally, let your teenager know that they can’t always be in charge. There may be times when they get involved in accidents that aren’t their fault. Having the right auto insurance policy in place will protect your teens in the event of an unfortunate accident. If you want to know more about auto insurance, contact us at Abatelli Insurance. We are here to assist you with all your insurance needs today!

With every technological update, car thieves become more ingenious and adopt new tactics to steal cars. Car theft is a situation no one is ever prepared for. According to the Insurance Information Institute, $6.4 billion were lost to motor vehicle theft in 2018. Keeping these statistics in mind, it is important to take active steps to prevent your car from being stolen.

How to Prevent Your Car from Being Stolen

1. Place your keys in aluminium foil

Some car thieves use certain devices to intercept the signals from your car keys surreptitiously. When they get hold of these signals, they gain access to your car and steal it. Therefore, you should wrap your car keys in metallic items like aluminum foil to block the signals and protect your car from relay attacks.

2. Etch your VIN Number on your car window and mirror

Another method of protecting your car from theft is to etch your VIN number on your car window and mirror. This method is inexpensive, but it will discourage potential car thieves as they will have to change the window and mirror.

3. Hide an old phone or tablet in the car

When you have to park your car in a seemingly unsafe place, make sure to keep an old phone switched on and hidden in the car. Also, ensure that the phone is synced with your Google account and connected to Wi-Fi at all times. This will help you track your car easily using the “Find my phone” feature.

4. Tug the spark plug

Another efficient but inexpensive method of preventing car theft is to pull a spark plug. Any car needs a spark on its cylinder to “come alive.” By pulling the spark plug, the spark won’t be supplied to the cylinder, and the ignition won’t be initiated. This method is effective in places where criminals cannot open the hood to identify the problem.

5. Always lock your car doors

One of the easiest ways to prevent thieves from stealing your car is to lock its doors. Therefore, even if you are running an errand and will be absent only for a few minutes, make sure to always lock your car doors.

6. Always use a well-lit parking space

Nefarious activities like car thefts can be easily executed under the cover of darkness. Therefore, always make sure to park your car in a well-lit space to avoid all chances of theft.

7. Do not leave valuables in your car

Some thieves are not interested in your car but its contents. Therefore, by emptying it of valuables, like jewelry, gadgets, and other expensive items, you will make your car less susceptible to thefts.

Car theft is a common crime in the United States. Unfortunately, despite following the tips mentioned above, your car can still be stolen. The only thing close to total protection is getting your car insured. If you would like to know more about the right coverage for your car, reach out to our experts at Abatelli Insurance. Our team of professionals can help you with your car insurance needs. Contact us today to get started.

Finding the right auto insurance policy can be a lengthy process. There are various factors that help decide your premium, including your driving history. In addition, there are other variables at play that you may not be fully aware of.
While you may think it’s a good idea to reduce or eliminate coverage to help reduce your auto insurance premium, you must look at all of the factors involved that impact the cost of your premium. Here is a thorough overview of the factors involved in calculating your auto insurance so that you can make an informed decision.

1. The Type of Vehicle You Have

   Certain vehicles cost more to insure. A common example is luxury vehicles that often come with custom accessories that are expensive to replace if damaged. Therefore, driving a luxury vehicle will raise your auto insurance premium. High-risk vehicles are also difficult to ensure. These are vehicles where the likelihood of you being in an accident or your vehicle being vandalized is relatively high. In this current age of technology, many of the recent vehicles are made with innovative security features such as anti-theft devices or anti-lock brakes. If you have these features installed in your vehicle, you may qualify for a lower premium. Research shows that vehicles created with high-quality security features are less likely to suffer serious damage.

2. Your Driving Record

   Your driving record is considered when figuring out your auto insurance rates. If you have a good driving record, it should be easy for you to find a great auto insurance policy. If you have been in a few accidents, you are going to pay a higher premium. If you have one parking or speeding ticket on your driving record, your rates will stay relatively unchanged. However, try to avoid receiving multiple tickets. If you are an inexperienced driver, you’ll have to pay more for insurance until you can develop a reputation as a good driver.

3. The Amount of Time That You Drive

   Insurance companies will look at how much you use your car. If you drive your vehicle regularly, that will impact your auto insurance rates. If you have a lot of miles on your vehicle, insurers may believe that you are a high-risk driver. On the other hand, if you only use your vehicle a few times a week, you should be able to find relatively lower rates.

4. Your Neighborhood

   Your neighborhood does impact your auto insurance premium. If you are staying in a neighborhood with a high rate of accidents and potential theft, you’ll have to pay more for auto insurance. Generally, staying in an urban neighborhood means you will pay slightly higher premiums than staying in a rural area. Where you park your car also impacts your premium. Parking your car in a garage is considered safer, and as a result, your premium will be lower.

5. Extent of Coverage

   All auto insurance policies include liability coverage. You have the option to choose whether you want collision coverage, which protects your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident, or comprehensive coverage, which covers your vehicle in multiple scenarios. If you opt for comprehensive coverage, your premiums will be a little higher. Your deductible also impacts the amount of your premium. It is the amount you will have to pay out of pocket before your insurer handles a claim.

As you can see, there are multiple variables that help determine your auto insurance rates. If you are looking for a reliable insurer for your car in Whitestone, Flushing, Bayside, Little Neck, and surrounding cities of New York, you can check us out at Abatelli . We will help you find a suitable insurance policy for your car in no time. Contact us today!

All car owners know that having car insurance is required by the law. Without an active policy, you can be fined or have your driver’s license revoked. A car owner might even be imprisoned if they cause an accident and are found without insurance at the time of the accident. However, even with legitimate car insurance, certain actions carried out by a car owner can render their policy invalid.

Things That Can Render Your Car Insurance Invalid

 1.Wrong Home Address: Insurance premiums can be higher depending on how dangerous or safe the area you live in is. While you might want to reduce insurance costs by giving another address where the crime rate is low, the insurance company can invalidate your policy if they discover this. Also, if your car is ever stolen, you will have to explain why you have a different home address on your claim form before payment can be made, which might then lead to no insurance at all.

2.Unclarified Car Modifications: Whatever modifications you might have done to your car should be clarified and made known to your insurer so that they can make the necessary changes to your insurance policy. A modified car can be more prone to theft and might become even more dangerous depending on the part which was modified. You might have to pay a higher insurance premium to cover the modification, which is why any changes should be clarified before buying insurance.

3.Failing to Inform Your Insurers of Accidents: Any accident you are involved in, no matter how minor it is, should be made known to your insurer even if you decide not to make a claim or you decide to sort out the expenses yourself. This is because the other driver involved in the accident might decide to make their own claim. Also, if you end up making a claim for another accident later on and the damage of the first one is still present and doesn’t match the current report, you might end up not getting paid.

4.Allowing Others to Borrow Your Car: You may be fully insured, and the person who wishes to borrow your car may have their own policy as well. However, if you or the driver in question does not have a policy that covers borrowed cars, you might not be able to place a claim if they get involved in an accident while driving your car.

5.Change of Occupation: Lastly, your car insurance can become invalid if you fail to inform your insurers about your change of occupation. This is because such a change may affect the level of risks you are exposed to, ultimately affecting your premiums. For instance, if you have to drive a longer distance to reach your new workplace, you are exposed to higher risks of accidents and would therefore be required to pay higher premiums.

These are a few circumstances that might invalidate your car insurance. If you are looking for a reliable insurer for your car in Whitestone, Flushing, Bayside, Little Neck, and surrounding cities of New York, you can check us out at Abatelli. We will help you find a suitable insurance policy for your car in no time. Contact us today!

If you have recently been involved in an accident it could, unfortunately, translate to financial liabilities on your vehicle, depending on how badly it was damaged. If you have insurance, congrats! However, navigating the car insurance claim process can be tricky. There is a lot of emphasis placed on buying insurance, but not many people know what to do during the claims process. In this guide, we will break down the car insurance claim and what to do if you ever get in an accident.

Talk to Your Claims Representative

The first step of the claims process is talking with a claims representative after your accident. This claims representative will discuss damage to your vehicle, estimate of repairs, your policy coverage, and other relevant information to ensure you’re on the same page with your insurer. It is often easy to monitor the progression of your claim by logging into your account on your insurer’s website.

Use a Rental Car

While the claim validation is ongoing, you will need to make arrangements for a rental or another car you can use while the process continues. Most auto insurance policies have a rental reimbursement allowance which will cover the daily charge of your vehicle, eliminating additional out-of-pocket costs.

Await the Investigation

When there is more than one vehicle involved in the accident, you will need to wait for the insurance representative to conduct an investigation. This investigation will cover all parties involved and ensure that all areas are covered. The representative will determine liability, cost of repair and parties to be settled.

Repair Your Vehicle

Once the investigation is complete, your vehicle can then be repaired at any auto repair shop of your choosing. Some insurers have partner shops they will recommend for you but the decision rests in your hands, especially if you have a repair shop you already trust.

Give Feedback

Although it may not seem important, feedback is crucial to help you improve the processes of your insurer. This will help them to fix any problems they may have with their processes and offer better service to you and other customers the next time around. Giving honest feedback is a critical procedure that will help your insurer fine-tune their process and make your next claims experience faster and better.

If you have never gone through the claims process, this is a guide that will help you get through smoothly. If you are having problems during your claims process, contact your insurer for immediate resolution. If you are looking for a reliable insurer for your vehicle, you can check us out at Abatelli. We will help you to find a suitable insurer for your vehicle in no time. Contact us today!

One of the largest problems with driving is that we are unable to predict the actions of others sharing the roads. No matter how good of a driver you are, there’s no guarantee that you won’t be involved in an accident at some point. Because of this, it’s essential to drive defensively. Driving defensively can help you identify threats on the road in order to respond in a way that ensures your safety. 

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving is a way of driving that makes use of various techniques and tactics to help you stay safe and keep away from problems caused by other road users. Safety is the key element in defensive driving, as you are likely to react to hazards that can protect you from accidents and injuries. By adopting a few simple defensive driving habits, you can enjoy safer drives. 

Defensive driving techniques

• Avoid distractions

Driving whilst distracted is a leading cause of car accidents across the U.S. Your attention needs to be on the road at all times when behind the wheel. Losing focus on what’s happening around you increases your chances of being involved in a car accident. Before driving away, put your phone out of reach, set the radio on a station and leave it, finish any food or drink, and ensure passengers are entertained. All of these actions can help prevent distractions – and, therefore, keep you safer.

• Keep a safe distance from other motorists

Ensure there is adequate space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Ideally, this should be three seconds in normal driving conditions. When it’s raining, the road is wet or covered with leaves, there is fog, or the driving conditions are poor, it is advisable to leave extra space so that you have plenty of time to stop if needed. 

• Check your blink spot

Even if you have a vehicle with the latest tech that lets you know someone is in your blind spot, it’s good practice to check for yourself before merging and moving. Sometimes, technology fails to recognize a pedestrian or motorcyclist. It takes a fraction of a second to check, and it could be the difference between a safe journey and a disastrous one.

• If in doubt, yield

Some impatient drivers may not be as willing to wait for other road users. Even if you have the right of way or another vehicle is intent on driving off first even though you were the first one to approach the stop sign, do not get angry or move into their space. If you are in doubt of which vehicle’s turn it is, yield until safe to move.

• Anticipate dangers

Be aware of everything that is happening in front of you. Are you near a car weaving through lanes at a high speed? Is the driver in front of you on their phone? Is the car behind you too close? Becoming more aware can help you to spot hazards and respond to them before the worst happens.

These defensive driving tips can help you to keep safe on the road. For all of your auto insurance needs, visit Abatelli Group, Inc. We are ready to help you find reliable insurance today.

Auto insurance is there to help protect our pockets and vehicles when we need it the most. While many of us have this reliable coverage, not all of us understand what it does and does not cover. Lawsuits are a common part of getting into a car accident, with many drivers suing others for damages and injury. To understand if your auto insurance can help you with these fees, read on.

Most drivers have liability insurance. This coverage consists of two basic components, including:

• Bodily injury liability coverage – This covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses of anybody injured as a result of an at-fault driver’s actions. It can also help to cover legal fees if the injured party files a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
• Property damage liability coverage – This covers damages resulting from a covered accident in which you were at fault, including the other party’s vehicle repair or replacement costs or any other damage to someone else’s property.

In short, car insurance can help to cover some legal fees. If you are being sued, then your car insurance company should cover legal fees and be able to hire an attorney on your behalf. If you are suing someone, however, then you will need to find your own lawyer and pay your own associated legal expenses. However, if you win the lawsuit, then you may be able to collect these legal fees from the at-fault party.

For all of your auto insurance needs, visit Abatelli Group, Inc. We are ready to help you find reliable insurance today.

Simple steps to keep more money in your pocket.

Car insurance. Whether you hate it or love it, the expense is pretty much a must. While you may not have a choice in paying the monthly bill, there are ways you can reduce your cost to better fit your budget. Here are just a few easy ways to shave down your auto insurance expense.

Bundle policies

Are you and your spouse on the same insurance policy? Is your homeowners insurance from a different provider than your auto insurance? Whenever you combine coverage with one carrier, you’re guaranteed to save money. This can come in handy if you have multiple drivers in the household or have several policies to keep track of.

Switch up your commute

Insurance providers base your annual premium rate on how many miles you drive, among other factors. If you can, look for ways to lower your mileage, whether than means working from home a day or two or hopping on public transport. Reducing your annual mileage can help you save money on auto insurance and gas!

Become a defensive driver

Did you know that completing a traffic school course voluntarily could reduce your premium? Many insurance carriers have discount programs in place for drivers who elect to take a defensive driving course. Get in touch with your carrier to see if they offer a discount for completing a course.

Finding affordable auto insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. To get started on quality coverage, contact Abatelli Group, Inc., serving motorists in Whitestone and neighboring cities in New York.