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Don’t Forget This Tip for Keeping Car Insurance Premiums Down

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , , ,

Many factors determine what you’ll pay for car insurance—things like how expensive your vehicle is, how old you are, and how good your credit is. But don’t forget one of the most important rating factors if you want the cheapest car insurance: keeping your driving record clean!

Driving safely in Florida can keep your Car Insurance Premiums Down

While driving safely may seem like common sense, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of basic defensive driving principles. Driving safely helps you avoid costly tickets which raise your insurance rates—and it also helps you—and your passengers—stay safe from auto accidents.

Now that kids are back in school there may be more traffic, and thus more distractions, on the road. We’re also still in our summer weather pattern and may face driving through heavy rainstorms. Florida drivers, who pay some of the most expensive car insurance premiums in the U.S., need all the help they can get. Here are some tips from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles that could keep you from getting a ticket and/or being in a car accident and seeing your car insurance rates rise because of it.

Drive defensively. This means being constantly aware of what is happening around you.

  • Are there children playing next to the road, and could they run out into the street?
  • Is someone backing out of a driveway up ahead?
  • If it’s raining, do you have your wipers and lights on, and are you slowing down if necessary?
  • Are you following the vehicle ahead of you too closely?

Defensive drivers do everything they can to watch for danger and avoid a crash.

Avoid bad drivers. If you see someone tailgating, failing to signal, speeding, swerving, or changing lanes unexpectedly, back off! Their distraction could cause an accident—and even if it’s not your fault, you don’t want to be caught up in a situation like that.

Never drink and drive. It’s just not worth it. Aside from the danger to yourself and others, if you drive while impaired and are cited for DUI, expect your car insurance to skyrocket.

Focus on the road. Don’t talk or text on your cell phone, adjust the radio, eat or drink, or turn to look at others in the car while you’re driving. Pull over and stop if you must do any of these things.

Don’t drive aggressively. Aggressive drivers often cause accidents. If you find yourself yelling at other drivers, speeding up so that other drivers can’t merge in front of you, or tailgating, you might be an aggressive driver! And if another driver makes you angry, let it go. Report a dangerous driver to the police—don’t try to “teach them a lesson.”  

L & M Insurance Group—your source for car insurance

While it’s true that good drivers will pay less for their car insurance, L & M Insurance Group can still help you find an auto insurance policy if your driving record isn’t perfect. Because we are an independent insurance agency, we write with many different car insurance companies. Whether you have a clean driving record or violations, good credit or bad credit, PIP claims, or if you need an SR-22 or FR-44—we have a partner company who will write your business. Give us a call at 813-672-4100 or click here for a car insurance quote.

Need a commercial auto policy? L & M Insurance Group writes commercial auto policies for every type of business! Call us today at 813-672-4100.

For more information on safe driving:

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

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Is Bundling Your Insurance Policies Right for You?

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance Tagged , ,

You’ve probably seen TV commercials that talk about bundling your insurance coverage, and you may be wondering if bundling—buying more than one type of insurance policy from the same insurance carrier—is right for you. Could you save a significant amount of money by buying your auto insurance and homeowners insurance from the same company, for example?

Maybe. But maybe not. Here are some things to think about if you’re considering whether or not to bundle your insurance coverage.

Will bundling save you money?

The most popular reason to bundle insurance is to save money on policy premiums. Bundling discounts vary by company, but usually range from 5-25%. In Florida, however, you might not get much of a discount—one study found that Florida consumers saved less than those in other states on bundled policies, only about 6.7%.

In certain situations, you also won’t save much, if anything, by bundling your insurance—if you have a less-than-pristine driving record, for example. We’ve found that companies that offer a good rate for your auto insurance may not be competitive for your home insurance, or vice versa.

Some consumers like the convenience of dealing with one insurance company for multiple policies. But this convenience can sometimes be a disadvantage if you want the most cost effective insurance. Once you place your policies with one company, you may be less likely to shop around for a better quote at renewal. While it may be tempting to “set and forget” your insurance coverage, if you do so, you may wind up paying more than you need to. Premiums tend to inch up at renewal each year. It’s good practice to review your coverage and your premiums yearly, or if you have a major life change such as marriage, divorce, or a move.

Other ways to save on insurance

Insurance premiums are based on a number of factors, including the value of what you’re insuring, your credit record, and where you live. Bundling may save you money, but not always. Your best bet is to contact an independent agency, like L & M Insurance Group. Our agents will shop for the best rates and coverage for your situation, whether it’s with one insurance carrier or more than one.

Bundling is also not the only way to save on your insurance coverage. Talk to your agent about ways to lower your insurance costs. Ask about discounts (for example, some auto insurance companies offer a discount if you have a homeowner’s insurance policy, even if it’s not with them) and consider raising your deductibles. Also, if your credit improves or a moving violation comes off you driving record, your insurance premiums may go down.

And if you’re still interested in bundling your insurance, remember to compare the price you’d pay for bundled policies with the two lowest cost individual policies. And always be sure you’re comparing similar coverage when you compare insurance quotes.

We know shopping for insurance is no one’s favorite activity. That’s why an independent insurance agency like L & M Insurance Group is an excellent choice to represent you. We can do the comparisons for you—we partner with many great auto and homeowners insurance companies, as well companies that write insurance for boats, RVs, jet skis, and so on. We also write life, health, and business policies. We’ll work with you to create an insurance package that will work with your budget and provide the insurance coverage you need. Please give us a call at 813-672-4100 (or contact us online) for a free quote today!

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Five Reasons to Work With an Independent Insurance Agent

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Commercial Insurance, Homeowners Insurance Tagged , ,

When you need insurance coverage, you have many decisions to make. One of the first ones may be whether to go with a captive insurance agent, or an independent insurance agent.

What’s the difference? The main one is this: a captive agent works for one insurance company and sells only the insurance products that company offers, while an independent agent represents many different companies.

Both types of agents are licensed professionals and can help with your insurance needs. However, working with an independent agent from an agency like L & M Insurance Group offers many benefits. Here are five of the most important ones:

More choices

Independent agents have more options than captive agents when deciding which insurance company will best protect your assets. For example, L & M Insurance Group represents more than 80 high-quality insurance companies. After taking your information, our agents will do the comparison shopping for you. Not only will we check premiums, we’ll also take into account coverage options and service. After all, if you have a loss, you want to know that your insurance company will be able to pay your claim in a timely fashion.

More flexibility

What if your circumstances change during the policy term—maybe you buy a more expensive home or add a teenage driver to your policy? It’s possible that change may make you ineligible for your current insurance policy, or make your premium skyrocket. An independent agent can offer you a quote with a different company he or she represents, if necessary. This is much more convenient than having to start the entire insurance shopping process all over again.

Competitive rates

We know insurance coverage in Florida can be costly. As independent agents, we’re not limited to the insurance offerings of just one company. Instead, we’ll compare the rates of multiple companies to find the most cost effective option for you.

Personal relationships

L & M Insurance Group agents will be happy to explain your insurance coverage in understandable terms and answer any questions you may have. And don’t forget, the agents at L & M Insurance Group live in the same community you do. We understand the risks and challenges of living in the Tampa Bay area, as well as Florida’s insurance requirements. And while much of our work with clients takes place over the phone or via email, we are always available to consult in person if you need us.

One-stop shopping

L & M Insurance Group, like most independent agencies, offers multiple types of insurance—everything from home and auto, to renters, umbrella, or business policies. Even life and health.  We can help you purchase every type of insurance you need.

As an independent agency, L & M Insurance Group will work hard to get and keep your business—for life! Think of it this way—we don’t work for any one insurance company, we work for you. Please give us the chance to earn your trust and your business.

Give us a call at 813-672-4100, or contact us online, if you’d like to know more about what L & M Insurance Group can do for you.

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Are You Paying Too Much for Your Car Insurance?

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , , Leave a comment

Even though many insurers offered pandemic discounts during 2020, car insurance rates in Florida continue to be some of the costliest in the U.S.  You may wonder how insurance companies decide what to charge, anyway—and if there’s anything you can do to pay less for your car insurance. Aside from your driving record, here are six things that could be affecting your car insurance premiums. While some of them are common sense, you might be surprised by what factors insurance companies use to set their rates.

Your vehicle

Not only does the value of your vehicle influence the price of your car insurance, if your vehicle is popular with car thieves, it costs more than the average to repair, or has a poor safety record, you could be paying more for your car insurance.

Where you live

If you live in an area with an above-average crime rate, you’ll likely pay more.

Your commute

The farther you drive to and from work each day affects your insurance rate, because insurance companies figure the more time you spend on the road, the more likely you’ll be in an accident—whether you’re at fault or not.

Your credit record

Insurance companies have found a link between poor credit and increased insurance losses.

Your age

Younger drivers with less experience are more likely to be involved in an accident.

Your discounts

Different companies offer different types of discounts, but some of the most common include safe driver, low mileage, good student, vehicle safety features, claim-free, prior coverage, homeowner, and multi-car or multi-policy discounts.

Of course, we think the best way to make sure you’re not paying too much for your car insurance is to give L & M Insurance Group a chance to quote your policy—we write with many great insurance companies, both standard and non-standard, and we’d love the chance to earn your business!

If you haven’t shopped around for a better auto insurance rate recently, it’s time to do so.

Let L & M Insurance Group do the comparison shopping for you! Since we represent so many insurance companies, we can find the best rate for your situation, whether you have good credit, bad credit, a clean driving record or one that’s not so stellar. We also have companies that will write your policy if you’ve had a PIP claim, you need an FR-44 or an SR-22. Please call us at 813-672-4100, or click here for an auto insurance quote.

L & M Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency serving Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, Lithia, and surrounding communities in the Tampa Bay area. We have more than 30 years in the insurance business, and our agents are experts in personal insurance, business insurance, Medicare insurance, and Life insurance.

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L & M Insurance Group Combines Personalized Service with Insurance Companies You Can Trust

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, News Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Independent insurance agencies like L & M Insurance Group, offer many advantages to insurance consumers. One of the main ones is that we are independent—we represent many different insurance carriers, and therefore are able to offer our clients a choice of tailor-made policies. Part of our commitment to you is that we’re always trying to find new and better markets for our clients.

Many clients turn to an independent insurance agency to save money. But just because you go the independent route doesn’t mean you’ll have to scrimp on service or sign up with an insurance company you’ve never heard of. While it’s true that we do represent some smaller, lesser-known companies, here are a few of our partner companies that you might not realize we work with:

Did you know?

We now represent Allstate, a company that historically has only sold policies through their own captive agents. Allstate may or may not be a good fit for you, but they are well known for their leadership and expertise in personal lines, claims and customer service, as well as their financial stability.

We also represent Nationwide Insurance. The Ohio-based insurance carrier provides a range of insurance and financial services, including auto, home insurance, and commercial policies.

Travelers has been around for more than 165 years and is a top-10 writer of personal insurance in the U.S. In addition to personal lines, they also write landlord policies and commercial policies for many types of businesses.

Mercury Insurance has been named one of “America’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Forbes Magazine several times. They offer auto, home, condo, renters, and business insurance. We’ve found that Mercury is a good fit for families with young drivers.

The Hartford offers a full line of personal and commercial policies. They also have special programs for drivers over 50, and The Hartford is the only direct auto and home insurance program endorsed by the AARP for their members. 

In addition to the companies listed above, we also represent Progressive, Safeco, GMAC, and many other financially stable insurance carriers. Whether you need insurance for your home, car, motorcycle, boat/personal watercraft, or you need commercial insurance for your business, we can get you covered.

Personalized service

So if you want to combine the personalized service of an independent agency with the benefits of a big-name insurance company, look no further than L & M Insurance Group. We will be happy to compare insurance rates of both well-known insurance companies (like Allstate) with our lesser-known carriers, and explain the benefits and drawbacks of your options. Give us the chance to serve you—please call us at 813-672-4100 if you’d like a quote, or get things started online by clicking below for an auto or homeowners insurance quote.

Home insurance

Auto insurance

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What Should I Do if I Get Into an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , Leave a comment

One day as you’re out running errands, another driver runs a Stop sign and smacks into your car. You’re both able to move out of the intersection, but when you go get his insurance information, he tells you he doesn’t have insurance. That’s just great—now what?

Unfortunately, if you’re in an accident in Florida, you have a higher than average chance of that happening. Florida has most uninsured motorists in the U.S.—a full 26.7 percent, according to statistics from the Insurance Information Institute.

What you should do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver is not that different from what you would do if the other driver has insurance:

  1. Call the police. Having a police report will help with the claims process, whether or not the parties involved are insured. Get the name and badge number of the responding officer.
  2. Stay at the scene of the accident. Unless you need to leave to seek medical attention or to avoid a dangerous situation, you should not leave until after the police arrive and you’ve reported the accident.
  3. Get some basic information. Record the contact information of the other driver, the make and model of the vehicle, and the time and location of the accident. If there are witnesses, get their contact information also. Snap photos of your car and the other vehicle, including its license plate.
  4. Make a claim if necessary. Since Florida is a no-fault state, you would already need to make a claim on your own policy if you are injured. But since the other driver had no insurance, if you need insurance help to take care of injuries that exceed your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) limit, or if your vehicle is damaged, you’ll also have to make a claim on your own insurance policy if you have the appropriate insurance coverage (see below).

Can you sue the other driver?

Of course, you could try taking the other driver to court, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to collect, even if you win. Many uninsured drivers simply don’t have the funds to pay.

What about uninsured motorist insurance?

You may be wondering right now about the place of uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in this situation. Remember, UM covers your and your passengers’ injuries once you’ve used up your PIP coverage. In a minor accident, PIP may be enough, but for a more serious accident, you may need to tap your UM coverage. Note: uninsured motorist coverage will also pay if the other driver in underinsured—i.e., he or she does have liability insurance, but not enough to cover the severity and expense of treating your injuries. UM will also cover you if you’re in an accident with a hit-and-run driver.

For vehicle damage by an uninsured motorist, your collision coverage pays, less your deductible.

Of course, we hope you never have to deal with this situation, but given the statistics, it’s better to be aware of the possibility and prepare for it if possible. L & M Insurance Group agents are standing by to give you an auto insurance quote, explain insurance coverage options, or simply answer your questions regarding what coverages are most appropriate for you. Please give us a call at 813-672-4100, or contact us online for all your insurance needs.

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Insurance 101: Terms You Should Know

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Uncategorized Tagged , , Leave a comment

Just like any specialized industry, insurance has its own vocabulary. When you’re shopping for a new policy—or trying to make sense of the policy you already have—it helps to understand some of the most commonly used insurance terms. Plus, understanding these terms can also help you get the best insurance rate. How? Because understanding a few key terms will help you compare policies accurately, buy the coverage you need, and even help determine how much money you’ll receive if you make a claim!

General terms

There are a few general terms that apply to several different types of insurance. For instance, you probably know that a deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. An endorsement (also known as “rider”) is an amendment to the insurance policy that changes its coverage, terms, or conditions. Some examples of endorsements include a change of address when you move, adding or removing a vehicle or driver on an existing auto policy, or adding coverage for sewer backup to a homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners insurance terms

One of the most important sets of terms you should know is actual cash value versus replacement cost. These terms are most often found in a homeowners insurance policy.

Actual cash value refers to the amount you would be reimbursed for replacing damaged or destroyed property with comparable new property, minus depreciation. Replacement cost is the amount needed to replace damaged or destroyed property or personal belongings without deducting for depreciation, up to the policy limit. If you make a claim thinking you have replacement cost but you actually have actual cash value, you could receive thousands of dollars less than you expect.

Car insurance terms

Occasionally, clients become confused about the different types of injury and liability coverage available in a car insurance policy.

Some states, including Florida, are no-fault states, meaning that drivers must carry insurance for their own injuries, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. This coverage is called personal injury protection (PIP). It covers both the named insured and his or her passengers.

Property damage pays for damage you cause to another vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident.

Bodily injury refers to coverage for injuries you cause in an at-fault accident.

Uninsured motorist pays for your injuries (once you have used up your PIP) if you’re hit by a driver who does not have bodily injury liability insurance or is underinsured.

Still have questions?

These are just a few of the more commonly asked-about insurance terms. There are many more. If you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask your agent to explain. Personal service is one of the prime benefits of working with an independent insurance agency like L & M Insurance Group. Please give us a call at 813-672-4100 if you have questions about your policy. Please click here for a car insurance quote, or here for a homeowners insurance quote.

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Partner With Your L & M Insurance Agent to Get the Best Rate

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , , Leave a comment

We know car insurance in Florida can take a big chunk out of your budget. Choosing an independent insurance agency like L & M Insurance Group is one way to get the best deal—our agents are experts in the local insurance market and we represent dozens of great standard and non-standard car insurance companies. We’re committed to helping you find low-cost car insurance—but there’s something you can do to help us do that.

Information please

To give you the most accurate rate, your L & M Insurance agent will need some information from you. We keep all your personal information confidential, but we do need certain details in order to give you an accurate quote. Taking a few minutes to compile this information will help us to serve you better.

Here are some things we’ll need:

  • Make, model, and year of all vehicles to be insured.
  • VIN numbers of vehicles.
  • Names and ages of all drivers in household. If you have a teen driver in the household, does the student driver maintain a 3.0 grade average? You might qualify for a discount. Also let your agent know if your young driver is living away at school, whether or not he or she took a car with them.
  • Driving record information for each driver. Agents will pull reports that show claims and violations, but be sure to tell your agent if there is anything new not on record yet.
  • Your current insurance coverage and limits if you already have insurance. You can find this information on the declarations page (“dec page”) of your current auto policy. This helps us quote the same coverage you are currently carrying so you get a fair cost comparison.
  • Your insurance history: how long you’ve been insured overall, and how long you’ve been with your current company. Discounts are available for maintaining continuous coverage.
  • Your address and where vehicles are kept when you’re not driving since your location can affect your premium.
  • How much you drive. If you’re working from home now and putting very few miles on your car, let your agent know. There are insurance companies that will reward you for that.
  • Any business use of your vehicles. If you use your vehicle in your work, drive for a ride share service (Uber/Lyft), or deliver pizza, you’ll need a commercial auto policy. Don’t just assume a commercial policy will cost you more. Ask your agent if you have questions.
  • If your vehicle has any of the newest special safety features, like automatic emergency braking, lane-assist, or blind spot detection. While many safety features are now standard and insurance companies account for that, some are not yet common and might earn you a small discount.

Communication with your agent is key. If you don’t or can’t give your agent full and accurate information, he or she cannot give you the most accurate quote. It often backfires if you hide things from your agent because you think you’ll get a cheaper rate. It could cost more in the long run because you could be charged an additional premium, or you might have a claim denied. If your agent had the most accurate information to start with, he or she likely could have placed you with an insurance company more appropriate for your needs.

Your neighborhood insurance agency

The agents of L & M Insurance Group call the Tampa Bay area home, too, and we take pride in being able to help our neighbors with their insurance needs. Remember, even though we represent many quality insurance companies, we really work for you. If you need a car insurance quote—or information on another type of insurance coverage—please give us a call at 813-672-4100 or contact us online. Thank you for giving us the chance to serve you!

L & M Insurance Group also offers commercial auto policies, homeowners and renters insurance, health insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and real estate investors policies.

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Looking for Cheap Insurance in Florida? Don’t Make These Mistakes

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance Leave a comment

Since Florida auto and homeowners insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation, we understand why you’re looking for ways to save on your insurance premiums. However, before you search for your next insurance policy, remember the purpose of insurance: to protect you financially in case of a claim, whether it’s to repair or replace your car, rebuild your house, replace your personal belongings, or protect your liability if you’re responsible for injuries or property damage. You need your claims to be paid, and you need the amount of the payout to make you whole financially, or protect you financially from a lawsuit. That’s why it’s important to find the right balance between a cheap insurance premium and insurance coverage that is adequate and appropriate for your financial situation.

So when you are looking for cheap insurance in Florida, don’t make these mistakes—they could cost you big.

Not carrying enough coverage.

Homeowners: Some people mistakenly insure their homes for real estate market value. In many cases, that’s not enough if your home is completely destroyed. If that happens, you’ll need to receive enough money to rebuild it. If you’ve only insured it for market value, you’re unlikely to receive enough money in a claim payout to do that. A better way to keep the cost of homeowners insurance down is to raise your deductibles—talk to your L & M Insurance Group agent about whether this option is right for you.

Auto: In the case of auto insurance, the mistake some people make is not carrying enough liability coverage. To fulfill the Bodily Injury section of the Florida Financial Responsibility Law, if you’re in an at-fault accident and you injure someone, you must carry Bodily Injury Liability coverage in the amount of 10,000 per person, 20,000 per accident at least. The problem is, those limits are likely far too low. According to Consumer Reports, the average payout for a car crash injury that doesn’t leave the victim incapacitated is $22,000. And what if more than one person is injured?

If your insurance limits aren’t high enough, you’re on the hook for the rest of the claim—or open to a lawsuit. Again depending on your financial situation, you will likely want to purchase higher limits of Bodily Injury Liability—the insurance industry recommends $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident, and at least $50,000 for Property Damage Liability.

“Looking for cheap insurance in Florida may seem like a good idea, but going with the cheapest price, regardless of the strength of the insurance company or the quality of its customer service may have consequences.”

Price is important. But it’s not the only consideration. If you have a claim, or any kind of problem with your insurance, you’ll want an insurance company that will be easy to work with—and will pay your claims. An independent agency like L & M Insurance Group can steer you away from companies with shaky financials or poor customer service.

Not buying flood insurance.

Flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, and Florida, flat, surrounded by water and a target for hurricanes, is almost entirely at risk for flooding. Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area, between 2014 and 2018, more than 40 percent of all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims came from outside of high-risk areas.  And flood damage is expensive—just one inch of water can cause $25,000 worth of damage, according to FloodSmart.gov. (L & M Insurance Group has several competitive private insurance companies that write flood coverage, often for less than you’d pay through the NFIP.)

Not checking insurance rates at renewal.

At least once a year, it’s a good idea to review your insurance coverage, and check that you’re still getting the best deal you can for your circumstances. Just remember, when comparing rates from different companies, compare “apples to apples”—that is, each quote you get should be for the same type and limits of coverage.

As an independent agency, L & M Insurance Group will help you make the most of your insurance money. We represent multiple financially sound auto and homeowners insurance companies, not just one. We take pride in helping our neighbors in Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, and surrounding areas find the most cost effective insurance options for them. Please call us at 813-672-4100 or contact us online for a no-obligation quote.

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Avoid the Dangers of Summer Driving

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , Leave a comment

Summer is here, and just about everyone is longing for a getaway. As Florida opens back up, more residents and tourists will be on the roads. More driving can mean more accidents and breakdowns, but one way to avoid the dangers of summer driving is to prepare your vehicle for the effects of extreme heat.

Here are a few precautions to take before you hit the road this summer (perform these checks yourself, or have a professional mechanic take care of them).

Inspect your vehicle

Check the pressure and condition of your tires monthly, including your spare tire. Under-inflated tires can overheat, increasing the chance of a blowout, especially if the roads themselves are hot. It’s hard to steer a vehicle after a blowout, which may cause an accident. Tire condition also affects your ability to steer in a storm when roads are slippery.

Check all fluid levels, including coolant, oil, transmission, power steering, and brake fluids. Your vehicle’s fluids help it run smoothly without overheating, something especially important when it’s already hot outside. See your owner’s manual for how often you should flush and replace coolant and other fluids.

Inspect belts and hoses to make sure they’re in good condition and firmly attached.

Be mindful of the age and condition of your battery, and keep a set of jumper cables in your vehicle. It’s not uncommon for Florida’s extreme heat to shorten car battery life.

Keep your cool by keeping your AC system working well. Aside from personal comfort, being too hot can affect your driving by making you sleepy, distracted, or irritable. Check the cabin air filter and replace if necessary to keep the cool air flowing. And remember, it can be warmer in the backseat of a car or SUV, so if you’ve got passengers or pets there, make sure they’re comfortable, too.

Don’t let your gas tank get too low. If there’s a power outage, due to high temperatures or storms, gas pumps may be out of commission.

What else can you do?

Reduce the chance of an accident (and higher insurance rates!) by practicing safe driving habits such as obeying speed limits and driving defensively.

Monitor the weather—a sudden summer storm can close roads or make them hazardous to drive on. Be prepared for a breakdown.

Have an emergency kit in your vehicle, and make sure you have water on hand.

Know if your car insurance policy covers roadside assistance. This optional coverage is usually inexpensive, and may give you peace of mind. Check with your L & M Insurance Group agent if you’re not sure if you have this coverage.

No one wants to be stranded by the side of the road on the way home from the beach, or to try to avoid an accident when a tire blows. Take a few basic precautions, and you’ll be ready to hit the road for summer adventure.

If you need car insurance, please give us a call at 813-672-4100 for a free quote! If you prefer, click here to contact us online.

For more information:

Safe Summer Travel

Prevent Accidents With Basic Car Maintenance