Winter can be a harsh season for cars, especially if they’re not adequately prepared. As temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, your vehicle will need extra attention to ensure it runs without any issues. From checking the tires and battery to topping off fluids and changing wiper blades, there are several steps we at The Slocum Agency Inc. recommend you should take before winter arrives to ensure that your car is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it. 

The first thing you should do is check your tires. Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, so ensure you have enough air in all four of your tires before the cold sets in. Also, take a look at their tread levels – if they’re low, you may need to replace them with winter-specific tires. Winter tires are specifically designed for better grip and improved handling on snow and ice, which can help keep you safe during those icy drives.

Next, make sure that your battery is ready for winter. If it’s been a few years since you last changed it out, or it seems to be struggling more than usual, now might be a good time to get it tested and replaced. Cold weather can also cause some batteries to fail, so ensuring that yours is fully charged and ready to go is essential. Your car’s fluids are also essential to check before winter arrives. Make sure that your oil, coolant, and brake fluid are all topped off.

For more tips on winter driving, call us at The Slocum Agency Inc. today. We proudly serve the Warwick, RI area. 

The very reason people get insurance is so that they won’t go broke in the event of an accident. Read that thing down to the fine print! One big thing insurance won’t get you out of is your own fallibility. Even if you have auto insurance, that’s not an excuse to drive like a lunatic. That’s especially true at a time when everyone has a camera in their back pocket, and businesses may have hidden security cameras everywhere. 

No-Fault and At-Fault

There’s No-Fault Insurance, and there’s At-Fault insurance. No-Fault insurance means each individual insurance company can compensate its policyholder for minor injuries. No regard will be given to who was at fault for the accident. This is available in only twelve states. (Rhode Island is not one of them.) Of these states, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey make buying either form of insurance a choice. Otherwise, the system of insurance is based on tort liability. Each insurance company will pay for the damages suffered with each party’s comparable degree of fault in mind.

How To Tell Whose Fault An Accident Was

This is the claims adjuster’s job. They may look at police reports and speak with witnesses, but these days, they’re most likely to look at the tale of the tape. Many parking lots will have a hidden camera or three on the property. Many streetlights have cameras to catch people running lights, but they can see other things too. And everyone these days has a camera on them in the form of a cell phone. The first thing many people do in the event of an accident is take photos of the damage and send them to their insurance company and lawyer. Make sure everyone’s OK first, then start snapping pictures of the damage. 

The Slocum Agency Inc. Serving Warwick, RI 

Auto accidents are scary enough. Dealing with the aftermath can add to that stress. The Slocum Agency Inc. can help you through this difficult time. 

Though you may not think about it often, the truth is that driving is a great responsibility. While driving, you are putting your life (and others) in your hands. For this reason, you always need to drive safely. 

Here are some tips for doing so. 

• Maintain your car. If you want to ensure that you always get from point A to point B, you need to ensure that your vehicle will get you there. Changing and rotating tires will help. You also want to ensure that your car’s fluids are always full. It would help if you ensured that your lights and brakes worked well. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a bad position. 
• Give yourself enough time to get where you are going. You should never get behind the wheel in a rush. Even on a nice day, fast and aggressive driving can get you in an accident. If the conditions aren’t good (such as rain or snow), you need to give yourself even more time to get where you need to go safely. 
• You also need to give yourself enough room to turn and stop. Driving too close to others can cause accidents, so you always want to leave a little room between yourself and the car in front of you. 

To ensure you are safe, you need to keep your car in good working order. You also need to give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going and space to react! 

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to have the right automobile insurance. Give us a call today at The Slocum Agency Inc. in Warwick, RI. 

When it comes to staying collision-free as a driver in Warwick, RI, it all comes down to good driving habits. This is not to say that every accident is the driver’s fault. However, you can avoid a lot of collisions by being a good driver.

Auto insurance companies reward good drivers. At The Slocum Agency Inc., we want you to have good driving habits so that you can keep that insurance record crash-free. Follow these easy tips that will become habit soon enough.

Keep Your Focus

When you have focus, you are a better driver. Distracted driving kills Americans every single day. Keep your eyes and your mind on the road. 

Help yourself with this by planning ahead, knowing your route, keeping your phone silent and put away, and avoiding other distractions such as eating. Pick your music before you drive or wait until you get to a red light at an intersection. Stay focused.

Stay Calm

When you are driving, it is easy to get annoyed in traffic. Rush hour is too slow, traffic accidents are extending commutes, angry drivers are doing a really bad job at driving. 

Stay calm. When you are emotional when you are driving, it is a kind of distraction you may not be able to afford. Stay calm every time you drive and this becomes a good driving habit quickly.

Know Your Limits: Speeding, Fatigue, Alcohol

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents in America, and drinking and driving kills Americans every day. 

Know your limits when you drive. Obey the law, stay in the speed limit, and don’t drink and drive. Try not to drive when fatigued as well. It is a kind of impaired driving that could be fatal. 

Update Your Policy

You may want to consider updating your auto insurance policy in Warwick, RI to reflect some safer driving habits. Roadside assistance is a popular add-on, but at The Slocum Agency Inc., there are other ways we can help you to add coverage that keeps you safer. Call us for a quote today and we’ll help you to get the policy you need that honors your good driving habits.

Today, purchasing and renewing auto or motorcycle insurance is more straightforward than it was a decade ago. However, there are some common mistakes individuals make and end up making a regrettable choice. That is why at The Slocum Agency Inc. serving Warwick, RI, our team of professional agents gives clients essential details about every insurance package before purchase.

Additionally, the following tips can help you avoid making more mistakes when buying auto or motorcycle insurance:

Using a Minimum Cost Search Policy

While price is one of the top factors to consider when buying auto insurance, it should not be your top priority. Some cheap policies may provide you with maximum coverage of less than half the overall price of your vehicle or motorcycle. It is a clear indication that such an insurance company may not cover your car in cases of heavy damage.

At The Slocum Agency Inc. serving Warwick, RI, the staff look into consumer needs and consider their budget for the most appropriate offer.

Failure to Take Policy Documents Seriously

When you receive your policy documents, take time to go through them carefully and understand all the inclusions and exclusions. You should also check your name, motorcycle or vehicle model and model number, and other crucial information on the policy.

We ensure customers get all the materials necessary to learn about the policies before making an informed decision.

Sharing Inaccurate Information

The success of an insurance company is mainly based on mutual trust. While the company sticks to its policy wordings, policyholders are expected to provide truthful information when required. It is unethical and against the law to try and hide information to minimize the payable premium. When such activities are discovered, you can be charged in a court of law.

You can drive your car or ride your motorcycle without worry when covered by the right insurance company. Call The Slocum Agency Inc. serving Warwick, RI today for more information about auto and motorcycle insurance policies.

It is not easy to pick the right auto insurance for your car, especially if you have never done it before. There are so many things and factors that need to be taken into consideration. It is even more complicated because of the existing misconceptions and myths about auto insurance. The Slocum Agency Inc. serving Warwick, RI has prepared a list of the most common of them that you should know about:

Myth 1: It costs more to insure an expensive car

The truth is the price of your car does not have an impact on your insurance premiums. There are some mid-priced cars that cost more to get insured than luxury cars because their repairs are expensive. 

Myth 2: Your credit score does not affect your premiums

Unfortunately, it does. Most insurance companies use credit scores to set the rates for policyholders because the statistics say that people with higher scores are less often involved in car accidents. This means that they are less expensive for insurance companies. 

Myth 3: The state-minimum liability insurance is more than enough

Even though the state of Rhode Island requires car owners to carry the minimum liability insurance, this amount is usually not enough in case of a car accident. If you get the state minimum, you should be ready to pay more out-of-pocket. It is recommended to talk first to an insurance agent to find out what is the right amount is good for you. 

These are only a few myths about auto insurance. Now you know some of them, and you will be able to make the right decision when shopping for auto insurance. If you live in Rhode Island and you need any help, the Slocum Agency Inc. serving Warwick, RI is ready to assist you. Do not hesitate to visit our website and give us a call to ask all of your questions – our experienced agents will be glad to answer them. 

When you own a car in Warwick, RI, you need auto insurance. First of all, it’s mandatory to have the minimum to register your car (although we recommend full coverage), however, if you have an auto loan on your vehicle the bank will require full coverage to protect their investment. If you’re buying auto insurance for the first time or want to upgrade or renew a policy, our team at The Slocum Agency Inc. has put together a list of three tips to help you get started. Read on to learn more.

1. Work with a Reputable Agent

When you go off into the world to buy auto insurance, you’ll want a reputable insurance agent by your side. Our agents are friendly and available to answer all your questions and concerns. They’ll ask you a few questions to determine what kind of policies you need to look at and then help guide you in making a decision. But there’s no rush. Take as much time as you need.

2. Compare Insurance Quotes

It’s always a good idea to compare two or more auto insurance quotes to make sure you’re choosing the right policy. Your reputable agent can assist you in going over each policy in detail, comparing cost and coverage. Once you’ve chosen a policy, you can move on to the next step.

3. Bundle Your Auto Insurance Policy

Chances are you already have one or more insurance policies, such as life or home. For savings on your premiums, consider bundling all your policies under one insurance carrier. This is an easy way to save. Also, ask your reputable agent about other ways you can save on auto insurance.

To learn more about purchasing an auto insurance policy in Warwick, RI, contact the team The Slocum Agency Inc., serving this area, today. 

States can differ significantly in terms of their requirements, offerings, and costs for auto and motorcycle insurance. If you are looking for auto or motorcycle insurance in Warwick, RI, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for coverage. We can provide you with information on auto and motorcycle insurance policies at The Slocum Agency Inc.

The following are three things to know about auto and motorcycle insurance in Rhode Island.

You’re required to carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. 

As in most states, there are bodily injury and property damage liability coverage requirements in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, you need to carry a total of at least $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. You are also required to carry at least $25,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident. 

You are required to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. 

Rhode Island is a state that requires auto insurance policyholders to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. The state requires at least $50,000 total in uninsured motorist coverage per accident. 

You can receive a fine or be punished with a license suspension for not meeting requirements.

You can face significant consequences for failing to meet any of the above-mentioned requirements.

You will be expected to present evidence of your insurance coverage if you are pulled over by a police officer on Rhode Island roads. You can be cited for not carrying adequate insurance coverage.

Penalties for not meeting insurance requirements can lead to a fine of $500. You might also face a suspension of your driving privileges for a period of three months. 

Find an insurance policy in Rhode Island with our help at The Slocum Agency Inc. Contact us if you have questions on your auto and motorcycle insurance options in Warwick, RI.