Things to Include in Your Car Emergency Kit

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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.

When to Update Your Bethlehem Home Insurance

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Your home insurance policy likely sits in a drawer or on a file on your computer, and you only look at it if you absolutely need to. But what if you’ve decided to finally spring for a new couch or that 2-karat diamond you’ve had your eyes on? The problem is that these purchases can quickly cause the value of your home to sky rocket. As people settle into a property, it’s only natural to spend money on it. So how often should you really reassess your property?

Major Events 

Any time you do anything drastic to your home (remodeling your bathroom, adding an expensive garden, etc.), you’re going to want to call your home insurance agent. Saucon Insurance Agency serves the people of Bethlehem PA, and we’ve seen all the ways people go out of their way to give themselves a better home. The more people put in the effort, the better the city gets. It’s helpful to have home insurance to reflect it so everything can be repaired or replaced if a massive storm or major event destroys it. 

Once a Year 

But it’s not just major events that should cause you to think about your home insurance policy. You should be going over how your home has changed every year. You may have bought a new laptop or professional clothes. That adds up over time, so it might be time to get more coverage on your items. Saucon Insurance Agency can talk to you more about how your policy should work, and what you should be worried about when it comes to keeping your family safe. If you have questions or are looking for a few quotes to compare, give us a call today to start your search in Bethlehem, PA.

How to Save On Your Home Insurance Costs

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You are not boxed into paying a set price for your home insurance. There are a few different ways you can save on your home insurance costs, either by making a few different plan switches or by making some home improvements. Whatever you are looking for, Saucon Insurance Agency can help you save money insuring your Bethlehem, PA home. 

Up Your Deductible 

If you want to drop the amount you pay for the premium, the best way is to up the deductible. This will increase the amount of money you need to pay in order for insurance to kick in, but it will often substantially lower the amount you pay on your monthly payments. 

Security System Installation

A home security system is an excellent way to cut down on insurance costs. These systems reduce the chance of a break in. Most insurance companies also like knowing you are safe and sound. So, if you are ready to take the next step in home security, look towards a home security system. 

New Plumbing

If you live in an older home, your plumbing system may be significantly outdated. An outdated plumbing system makes your house susceptible to major plumbing problems further down the line. Anything from a burst pipe to leaks behind the shower can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars in home repairs. By updating your plumbing, you may see a drop in insurance costs. Just make sure to inform your insurance provider of the updates. 

Whether you live in Bethlehem, PA or live somewhere else, the Saucon Insurance Agency is here to assist in protecting your valuable investment. With a handful of ways to save money on your home, follow these tips and you should see a nice drop off in your principal payments. 

The 50-50 Parking Lot Hit: What You Need to Know

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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.

Be Prepared for A Winter Weather Related Power Outage

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If the power goes out during a winter weather event in Bethlehem, PA, it is vital you are prepared for the long haul. The Saucon Insurance Agency recommends you prepare an emergency kit to keep your family safe in the event of a prolonged power outage.

Stock Your Emergency Kit

Ready.gov recommends you include:

  • A power source for phones and medical equipment
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Rock salt, kitty litter, and a shovel
  • Wood for a wood-burning stove or fireplace
  • Space heater
  • Generator with extra gas
  • Extra blankets and clothing
  • Water and food

Take Action

Keep a radio handy and contact the power company for estimates on the length of time the power will be out. Close doors or hang thick blankets to block off extra rooms in your house. Family members should gather in a room with a well-ventilated heat source. Each family member should put on additional layers of warm clothes as the temperature drops. You may prevent a water catastrophe by letting water trickle. Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed to preserve food. After about 4 hours, transfer food from the fridge to a cooler, or even a snow bank. As long as you don’t open it, food can last in the freezer for about two days.

Under ideal conditions, you should be able to stay warm and safe in your home for about a week. If it is clear your resources are dwindling, contact the authorities to determine the location of the nearest warming shelter. They will be able to guide you to the proper channels if you are unable to get out on your own. Saucon Insurance Agency encourages you to make a plan before severe winter weather strikes. Bethlehem, PA experiences its fair share of erratic winter weather. Our agents can offer guidance to help you keep your family safe in the event of a prolonged power outage.

Be Prepared for a Power Outage

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Power outages in summer months are inconvenient, but they usually involve little more than buying ice and loading the food from your refrigerator into a cooler. Power outages during winter months in Bethlehem, PA can pose a greater risk to you and your family, so it is best to be prepared. Saucon Insurance Agency can provide guidance to help you prepare for major winter weather. 

Step 1: Assemble an Emergency Kit

Be sure to include:

  • Water and food
  • Extra blankets and clothing
  • Battery or solar powered radio
  • Alternative power sources for phones and medical equipment 
  • Flashlights with extra batteries
  • Rock salt (ice melt), kitty litter, and shovel
  • Heat source– ventilate safely
  • Generator and gas– never run indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Step 2: Take Action

Make contact with the power company to determine estimated time before power is restored. If it is going to be more than a few hours, it is time to act. Gather family members, extra clothing, and blankets in a central room, preferably a room with a stove or fireplace. Close off extra rooms to keep heat where it is needed. Keep water pipes from bursting by letting water trickle. Be sure you know how to turn off the main line. Do not open the refrigerator or freezer. Freezer food will last about 2 days if undisturbed. Food in the refrigerator only has about 4 hours before it becomes questionable. If outside weather permits, place food in a cooler and use snow to keep it cold. 

Step 3: Know When to Go

Ideally, you have what you need to stay warm and nourished for about a week. If that’s not the case, know when it’s time to seek help. Many local radio stations and news apps will announce shelter locations. If you are unable to drive out, contact emergency services.

The agents at Saucon Insurance Agency encourage you to be prepared for the possibility of a power outage, especially since Bethlehem, PA is no stranger to surprise winter weather events. 

 

 

Winter Driving Safety

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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.

What You Need To Know About Insurance In PA

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If you live in Bethlehem, PA, most of the laws and regulations governing the insurance industry and drivers aren’t so different than those found in every other state, but there are a few things you’ll want to know when you get behind the wheel in Pennsylvania.

The main thing to know is that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. What this means is that each driver will be expected to pay for their injuries in the event of an accident. Whoever may be at fault in any given accident, each driver involved will typically be expected to seek compensation through their insurer.

No-fault laws were first enacted to reduce the burden on the courts and, by proxy, the taxpayer. With so many traffic-related lawsuits clogging up the courts, no-fault laws came through as a swift, efficient, and seemingly reasonable solution to the problem.

Rear end laws are an interesting area of Pennsylvania regulation to look into. In Florida, the person in the rear in a rear-end collision is automatically found to be at fault, and the charge is difficult to fight. In other states, the rear-ender is typically found to be at fault, but it’s not by default. In Pennsylvania, a whole series of laws are set aside to determine fault. Your best bet to navigate these laws is to start making notes immediately after a collision so that you can make sure that you have your facts straight if you need to make your case in a courtroom.

With adequate insurance and safe driving, Pennsylvania is a great place to go for a drive. Call us for some free quotes and get exploring.

Home Insurance in Bethlehem, PA

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For some people, home insurance is not a requirement. In fact, in Pennsylvania, you are not required to have it by law. However, if you have a mortgage, you may be required to have home insurance according to the terms of your agreement. Whether you are required to purchase home insurance or not in Bethlehem, PA, do you know when you should purchase it?

Purchase Home Insurance As Soon As You Purchase the Home

The absolute best time to purchase home insurance is when you purchase a home. Once you put an offer on a home and it is accepted, you need to call us to get a great policy for your home. You want to have the insurance in place immediately, so you are protected no matter what happens.

Why Purchase Before Closing?

You may be wondering why you should purchase before closing. While you do not yet own the home, setting up the policy to begin on closing day is best practice. You do not have to ensure the policy goes into effect before closing but you want it to begin the day you officially own the home. If for any reason your agreement falls through, you will still be able to cancel the policy since it has not yet started.

What If You Do Not Purchase Before Closing?

If you failed to purchase home insurance before you closed on the home, you have not missed your window. You should, however, make the purchase as soon as possible so you can gain coverage immediately. Do not wait until something happens. Instead, protect yourself and your investment with a great home insurance policy.

We can help you find the ideal home insurance policy for your home in the Bethlehem, PA, area by calling us today.

What to Watch Out for When Purchasing Auto Insurance

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When purchasing an auto insurance policy, there are a few things you should want to focus on looking out for. You likely already know some basic steps to take but you may not know what you should avoid doing. Use these tips from Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, when you are looking for your next auto insurance policy.

  • Always make sure minimum state requirements are met. In Pennsylvania, there are minimum requirements set that you must have if you own and operate a vehicle. For bodily injury liability, you must have at least $15,000 per person. There is a limit of $30,000. For property damage liability, you must have $5,000 worth of coverage. You must also have $5,000 worth of first party benefits (PIP).
  • Make sure the company has great customer service. When you are making a decision on an auto insurance policy, you should also be making a decision on the company. Customer service goes a long way and if your cost for the insurance is just a little bit more per month with a great company, then it will be well worth it. 
  • Make sure all of your coverage options are in the policy and there are no gaps. Before you sign up, you will need to ask for a copy of the policy coverage to ensure everything is there that you are wanting. 
  • Ask for discounts. It never hurts to ask for discounts for things such as affiliations, safe driver, good student, and more. Ask about these things before you sign up for a cost. You never know how much you can save with one or two discounts that you are eligible for. 

Contact us at Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, today and we will be happy to help you get quotes for auto insurance or even take a look at your current policy to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.