Having a car is a practical necessity for many people. Due to the importance of a vehicle making sure you have proper insurance is very important.  For those that are in the Bethlehem, PA area, there are several types of coverage that need to be in place in order to stay in compliance with the law other parties. 

Property Damage Liability

In the state of Pennsylvania, you will be required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance on your vehicle. One part of this is property damage coverage. While you should likely have more coverage than the minimum, the state requires you to have at least $5,000 in property damage coverage. This will cover the damage of the other party’s vehicle in the event you are found at fault in an accident

Bodily Injury Liability

The state will also require you to carry a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage. This will provide medical coverage to those that are involved in an accident.  The state requires you to carry coverage amounts of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

While the state requirements only require you to have liability insurance, you will likely need to have additional collision and comprehensive insurance in the event you have an auto loan. These types of coverage will provide you with coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged in an accident if it is stolen, damaged, or involved in an accident with an animal.

If you are in the Bethlehem, PA and are in need of auto insurance, the Saucon Insurance Agency will be able to provide you with valuable services.  The Saucon Insurance Agency will be able to help you to better understand your insurance needs and make sure you get into the right policy. 

Some people can get confused when they come across the term “toy insurance.” In fact, this kind of insurance is not something that covers your child’s teddy bear or doll. Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, offers toy insurance covering all-terrain vehicles of the sort that farmers and ranchers use for their work and some like to use for recreation.

Operating an ATV in safety is a little different from operating an automobile. The National Safety Council lists some rules for using your ATV.

• Generally, depending on the engine size, no one below the age of 12 or, for larger ATVs, below the age of 16 should operate an ATV.
• ATVs are not made for passengers. Only one person should ride one at a time.
• Be sure to wear appropriate gear when operating an ATV, including goggles, helmets, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
• Be careful when using attachments such as cargo carriers. They can change the stability of the vehicle.
• Do not operate an ATV on a paved road, highways, and streets.

The Consumer Product Safety Council notes that accidents do happen when using an ATV, some of which have resulted in deaths.  In 2012, the most recent year that complete statistics are available, 573 people died while operating an ATV, 58 being children under the age of 16. In 2015 there were 97,200 ATV-related injuries, 28 percent involving children under 16.  An ATV can be dangerous if operated recklessly. It weighs up to 600 pounds, is motorized, and can go up to 65 miles an hour.

For all questions concerning ATV safety, toy or other kind of vehicle insurance, feel free to contact the Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem, PA.

Dosomething.org is a global movement of teenagers that counts over five million young people as members. To avoid any criticism for age discrimination in this review of this topic; here are some teenage driving statistics that this group of young people reports about teen drivers:

• The highest rates of auto accidents for any age group are caused by 16-year-old drivers.
• Within the first year of driving, 20% (one in five) of 16-year-old drivers will have an accident.
• More than half (56%) of teens admit to talking on a mobile phone while driving.
• Distracted driving, such as talking on a cell phone or texting while driving, doubles the probability of having an accident and reduces the reaction times of teen drivers to the equivalent of those found in 70-year-olds.
• Motor vehicle crashes cause one-third of the deaths of young people between 13 and 19-years-old.
• The chance having an accident caused by a teen driver increases by the number of additional passengers.

Use of Commercial Vehicles

The company policy about employees who are authorized to drive company vehicles is a business risk decision. Like all decisions of this kind, insurance coverage and the cost of it, are key factors that the business owner should consider when making the decision about who is permitted to drive a company vehicle. Many companies require an employee to be 25-years-old in order to be allowed to drive commercial vehicles for the company because this is normally the age where the insurance rates are more reasonable. Each policy is different, so check with your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem PA, for the specifics.

The experts advise business owners to exercise caution when allowing a younger person to drive any vehicle. For example, if the business owner asks an employee to drive a few blocks to pick up food for lunch at the office that is considered a commercial use of that vehicle, even if it is the owner’s private vehicle. When an owner asks an employee to do something as part of their work, then this task is a commercial activity, not a private trip in the vehicle. Business owners need to be careful not to create liability risk by mistake.

Summary

Check with your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem, PA, to make sure you have adequate coverage, which includes adequate vehicle insurance for the business owner’s private vehicle that includes coverage for the occasional use of the vehicle by others (including employees) and commercial insurance to cover the potential liabilities for company-owned commercial vehicles.

Not everyone is a safe driver in Bethlehem, PA and whether you want to believe it or not, you may be another culprit at times. If people are constantly telling you to slow down or be more careful, then you likely do not have the best driving habits. They may even be scared to ride with you. Driving safer can help you keep your auto insurance premiums low too so if you want to be a safer driver, use these tips from Saucon Insurance Agency.

• Remove distractions. The one device that causes the most distractions while you are driving is your cell phone. You do not need your cell phone to drive and if you are guilty of using it while driving, you should consider putting it in another place where you cannot reach it. That text can wait and texting while driving is illegal anyway.
• Use your blinkers. No matter what, if you are turning, you should use your turn signals. They are there to tell other drivers what you plan to do and to keep everyone aware. Use them as they are meant to be used to stay safer.
• Go the speed limit. Sure, driving fast may be fun but it can also be dangerous. Don’t test the limits. Always follow the speed limits for the area because they are posted for a reason. 
• Wear your seatbelt. It is the law to wear one while driving and even if you do not like the way it feels, it is there to protect you. Always put it on no matter how short your drive may be. 

Driving safer really takes just a few minor adjustments. This can make a huge difference though. If you need an auto insurance policy to protect you on the roads, be sure to reach out to Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA.

If you live in the Bethlehem, PA area, then you know that a car emergency kit is essential.  It may not seem so important until you need it, and then you’ll wish you had made one.  There is nothing worse than breaking down at night miles away from any timely assistance.  Having an auto club membership or a vehicle under warranty with roadside assistance is great, but it can’t always be counted on for a breakdown or an emergency.  Cell phones are great to call for help unless there’s no service or the battery is dead.  Be prepared by building a car emergency kit to leave in your vehicle. 

Emergency Kit Essentials

1. A fully equipped first-aid kit.  You can put one together or purchase one that has the necessary basic kit, such as an assortment of Band-Aids, gauze pads, adhesive tape, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, cream, and ointment, and a pair of scissors.
2. A fire extinguisher (Class B and C) that can put out flammable and combustible liquids and electrical fires.
3. Portable reflective warning triangles.
4. A tire gauge. Check the pressure in your spare on occasion.
5. Foam tire sealant that can repair some flats when you are unable to change the tire.
6. Jumper cables that are at least 10 feet long and covered with at least 8-guage rubber.
7. A waterproof flashlight and extra batteries, rags, gloves, rain poncho, bottled water, nonperishable snacks, and a warm blanket.
8. A tow strap or rope, multipurpose utility knife, and duct tape.
9. Windshield ice scraper, folding shovel, and some cat litter for traction on ice.

Saucon Insurance Agency

At Saucon Insurance Agency, we make it our goal to help you protect your family and assets.  Contact an agent today about your auto insurance in the Bethlehem, PA area.

You’re sitting in your car in a parking space at the mall and start to back out. You’re checking behind you on each side — and then you feel an impact. It’s very common to have a slow-speed fender-bender in which two cars back out of parking spots at the same time and hit each other. But this dual responsibility changes how your insurance policy might treat the accident. Before you assume that the other guy was at fault and that his insurance will pay, contact your agent, such as Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem, PA, to discuss further steps.

50-50 Responsibility, 50-50 Payment

These accidents are often truly neutral in terms of blame. Both of you share equal fault, even if the two of you really didn’t realize you were both backing out at the same time. In situations like these, it’s common for insurance agencies to split the payments. In other words, you might get reimbursed for half of the costs of repairing the damage to your car, and the same would happen in the other guy’s case. It’s entirely possible that adjusters would find one person more at fault than the other, but unless there are witnesses, surveillance video, or damage that is clearly not the fault of one party, the adjusters often write the fault of the accident off as split between both parties equally. And if the hit was slow enough, the damage might not even top your deductible, in which case you’d end up paying for all of the repair to your car anyway.

Contact your agent after the accident, even if you and the other party decide to forget about trading information. An agency like the Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, can advise you what to do next.

Winter is here, which means cold weather and plenty of ice and snow for Bethlehem, PA. While we all have places we must go each day such as work, school, and other activities, there are times when this can be dangerous during the winter. At Saucon Insurance Agency, our hope is that all of our customers and their families stay safe when driving throughout the winter. Here are some safety tips to use throughout the season.

Safety Tip #1: Keep Up with Local Weather Reports

It is not a matter of if, but when the roads will ice over in Bethlehem, PA. We recommend that you make it a habit to regularly check the local weather reports. If the roads are too treacherous for driving, make the smart choice and stay home. It is also good to get familiar with weather terminology. Terms such as advisory, watch, or warning are used to let you know the severity of an upcoming storm.

Safety Tip #2: Winterize Your Vehicle

Have your vehicle inspected by a local mechanic, or examine it yourself. It needs to have adequate amounts of antifreeze to prevent freezing. Your tires should have plenty of tread or they may need to be replaced. Make sure that your thermostat and defroster are in good working order so you stay warm while on the road.

Safety Tip #3: Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

If you are stranded in the cold, an emergency kit will come in handy. Your kit should include essentials such as a first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, blankets, warm clothes, water, and snacks.  Call your insurance agent as soon as possible if you need assistance while on the road. At Saucon Insurance Agency, we hope you stay safe and warm all season long.