On the surface, the idea of auto insurance is straightforward. You, the policyholder, pay a company a monthly fee. In turn, that company pays the bill if you get in an accident. However, many nuances play into what you are covered for and how much you pay for the coverage.  

Because of the complex nature of insurance, many myths are accepted as truths. The Martin Insurance Team will clear up some of these myths for residents of Evergreen Park, IL.

Car Color Matters

Red cars are more likely to be pulled over than any other cars. While true, this phenomenon does not affect your initial insurance quote. Other seemingly insignificant aspects of your car, though, do affect your quote. Make and model matter as do engine size and likeliness of theft. Interestingly, these things mean new cars are not always more costly to insure.

Credit Score Does Not Matter

The Martin Insurance Team factors in a policyholder’s credit score when setting premium rates. This practice is not allowed in some states, but it is in Evergreen Park, IL. Your credit-based insurance score does not factor in your job, income, or gender to determine a score. Statistical research shows that policyholders with higher credit scores are less likely to be involved in accidents. Thus, these people qualify for lower premiums.

All Claims Raise Rates Drastically

Many people worry a single claim will raise their rates drastically. The main things auto insurance companies look at when determining rate increases are driving history, accident severity, and fault. If the policyholder has a clean history and the accident was minor, rates may only increase slightly. Furthermore, if the accident was the other driver’s fault, rates may not rise at all.

Martin Insurance Team agents serving the residents of Evergreen Park, IL and the surrounding areas have superior experience in dealing with the auto insurance needs that their clients may have. In addition to auto insurance we specialize in many other types of insurances that may assist you in keeping your own personal ducks in order. 

Speaking of Ducks and Other Critters…

Small vermin or critters in your engine can cause a myriad of problems aside from the foul odor they create. Your engine can be ruined resulting in your car being totaled. If you have found a deceased critter in your engine you have thought about what would happen if it found itself in a smaller crevice of your car. It is not a bad idea to speak with an agent about how and if your car insurance would cover such a loss if it were to occur. 

Again if you have had the experience of a critter in your car, you should try a little tenderness in removing it. A scared kitten snuggling in the cold for warmth in the cockles of your engine can be coaxed out with soothing tones as opposed to loud clangs on metal. Some auto part stores carry different engine covers or you can use a piece of wood or plastic strategically placed to prevent direct entrance near the windshield. 

Contact us today in person and feel free to come in if you are in Evergreen Park, IL or in driving distance away from our South Pulaski Rd. location. The professional staff at Martin Insurance Team Agency are here to keep the critter of confusion about what is covered by your auto policy far and away from your mind.   

When you are signing up for auto insurance, an insurance agent will ask how many accidents and tickets you have had over the past three to five years. It is important that you are honest with them, or your rate could increase when they discover the truth, and they will discover the truth. But this can leave you wondering how an insurance company can determine this information. Here are a couple of the ways an insurance company can determine how many accidents and tickets you have.

Insurance Reporting System

Insurance companies use a reporting system that any insurance agent or broker can access. This reporting system allows an insurance company the ability to see if you have filed any auto insurance claims and what for. The amount of the repairs and who was at fault are just a couple of the things that this type of system reports. This system only works if insurance companies report accidents. Fortunately, most companies use this system both to report accidents and check driving records, though tickets do not appear in this system.

Department of Motor Vehicles

The other way that insurance companies determine how many accidents or tickets you may have is based on your driving record with the department of motor vehicles. You are required to report all accidents, and police officers report your tickets. This is currently the best way to determine the driving record of an individual. This is also the method that employers use when they are hiring you for a driving record.

If you are in need of an insurance company, contact Martin Insurance Team in the greater Evergreen Park, IL area. We can help get you the best insurance policy for your needs regardless of whether you have accidents and tickets or not.

Let’s Address The Most Interesting Fact About Car Insurance

• Insuring your young adult children on your policy must be done correctly

The agents who make their employ at Martin Insurance Team are just that – a team! However it is important to bear in mind that we are a team of professionals. There is not an amateur on the team. In addition to that we are people who reside in the community. We are parents, we are sons and daughters. We remember back to that time when we first  hot the road, new license at hand. It is with this in mind that we issue this warning. Insure your young adult driver properly. Make certain that they are listed on the policy in the appropriate capacity. Let your agent know what car your young adult driver will be using primarily and for what purpose, whether it is to drive to school or work, during the weekend or during the week. 

Interestingly enough many people don’t add their young adult to the policy as a driver.  

The Martin Insurance Team of Evergreen Park, IL is in business to know how to deliver the detailed insurance product you desire to protect your automobile, your life and the lives of others you may encounter on the road. Unlike direct purchase policies we are are able to provide personal service and answer all of the questions you may have about auto insurance as well as other insurance products. Feel free to contact us in person by stopping by our office in Evergreen Park, IL. If you reside in other areas that we serve in the surrounding counties we are worth the trip if you require personal service or we are easily accessible on the internet, by phone, fax, or email. 

Driving during the winter can be dangerous. In Evergreen Park, IL, we can sometimes experience treacherous road conditions due to ice or snow on the road. At Martin Insurance Team, we want all our customers to be safe while driving this winter. Use these tips to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared for the winter weather.

Stay Informed About the Weather

If you do not already have a habit of checking the weather reports before leaving your home, this is a good habit to start, especially in the winter. Know the different terms that describe weather conditions. Weather terminology such as advisory, watch, or warning can give you a good idea how severe the storm may be.

Stay Prepared with a Vehicle Emergency Kit

Hopefully, you will never be stranded during an icy storm. However, it’s good to prepare for the worst. Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes essentials such as a first aid kit, shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight, extra batteries, water, and snacks. In the event that your engine is off, you will need to keep warm. Include blankets, warm socks and gloves, and extra hats in your kit.

Prepare Your Vehicle by Winterizing It

Winterizing your car means performing maintenance on it so that it works properly throughout the winter. Make sure you have adequate levels of antifreeze in your vehicle. Also, test your heater and defroster and make sure they are working well. Good tires are also critical this time of year. If yours do not have plenty of tread on them, it might be a good time to buy new ones. At Martin Insurance Team of Evergreen Park, IL, we hope you stay safe while driving this winter. If you need help, give us a call.

Your home insurance is a big part of your home being safe in case of disaster. When it comes to filing a claim or changing your coverage, an adjuster is going to be a big part of the process. Adjusting can be either changing your insurance needs or it can mean meeting with an adjuster to file a claim. For those in the Evergreen Park, IL area, the agents with Martin Insurance Team can explain fully.

The adjusting process can refer to two or three different instances but the most common is when you have an adjuster come to assess a home and make estimations about coverage needs, or when an adjuster comes to evaluate a claim. For the first instance, an adjuster will come and do a walkthrough of the interior of the home as well as a walk around of the exterior. He or she will then work to estimate how much the home is worth and how much rebuilding would take to help estimate coverage needs.

When you are dealing with an adjuster that is coming to assess a claim, they will set up a time to talk with you and come to your home to assess the damage. They will take an account of what happened, take the time to take photos and accounts of what happened, and will assess the damage to determine an accurate and feasible course of action.

This is going to be a process that will move quicker if you are willing to meet on the schedule of the adjuster. Your adjuster in either case will talk with you about what they find and about what they are doing. For those in the Evergreen Park, IL area, the agents with Martin Insurance Team will help you find the right insurance.  

Wintertime in Evergreen Park, IL can get very cold.  While you may know the steps to take to prepare your home and yard for the colder weather, did you know that your car needs to be winterized too?  At Martin Insurance Team, we want all our clients to be well-informed and protected while driving this winter. Use these tips to make sure that your vehicle is prepared to handle the cold weather this season.

Tips to Winterize Your Car

If you have never heard of “winterizing” your car, it means that you perform regular maintenance on it each winter.  This ensures it can handle the colder weather and potentially hazardous driving conditions of winter. You can do much of this yourself, or hire a mechanic to take care of it for you. 

Tip #1: Make sure that your thermostat works and that the heater and defroster are both fully functional.  You don’t want to be caught in the cold without them working.

Tip #2: Winter road conditions can be treacherous.  Make sure that your tires have plenty of tread to handle them.  If not, replace with winter tires or all-weather tires.

Tip #3: Keep your gas tank full. While this is not always possible, keep it at the full level as much as you can because a full tank of gas can help to keep the fuel line from freezing when it gets really cold outside.

Tip #4: Check antifreeze levels. Adequate levels of antifreeze will help to prevent freezing.

Remember to always check the weather in Evergreen Park, IL and anywhere else you are going before you head out the door.  And if you need us, give us a call. Your friendly agents at Martin Insurance Team are here and ready to help.