Caring for Your Car in the Fall – 3 Tips

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The leaves are changing colors and the air is crisp. Fall is here, which means it is time to tackle a few routine car care tasks before the weather turns colder. Here are three tips to consider.

#1: Perform Routine Maintenance

While it is important to maintain your vehicle all year long, fall is a great time to perform tasks you may have forgotten. Get your oil change and have your brakes checked out by a professional. Ensure your battery is up to full capacity. Replace your windshield wipers. Completing these service items is much easier while the weather is still nice than when it starts to turn snowy.

#2: Check Your Tires

Checking your tires in the fall is also pretty vital, as worn ones can become a hazard during winter weather. Look for any cuts or nicks on the tread wall that could cause problems later. Have them rotated, as necessary. And make sure your spare is in good condition and ready to go in case of a blowout or flat.

#3: Put Together an Emergency Kit

Fall is the perfect time to put together an emergency kit to keep in your car during bad weather. Make sure you have basic items including flares, basic tools, and a first aid kid. Add other items specific to cold weather, such as a blanket, dry clothing, deicer, chains, and snacks. There is no telling whether or not a sudden ice or snow storm in the coming months could leave you stranded, which could make compiling these items ahead of time a smart move.

What else should you do in the fall to prepare for the upcoming winter? Review your auto insurance policy, of course! Please contact our team at Martin Insurance Team LTD to schedule your no-obligation policy review.

3 Ways to Save on Your Road Trip from Palos Heights, IL

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There are lots of ways to save on both road trips and auto insurance. Listing them all would be one long post. We at Martin Insurance Team LTD have compiled a brief list of three of the best ways to reduce the cost of a road trip, along with a suggestion on how to save money on auto insurance.

3 Ways to Save on a Road Trip

Some of the biggest costs associated with road trips are related to food, fuel and fun. To reduce these costs on your next road trip, you can:

  • pack food, so you don’t have to eat out for every meal
  • drive the speed limit, so you’ll use less gas
  • avoid going places during peak season, when prices for activities are at their highest

Each one of these will save you a little money. Together, the savings they provide will add up to a significant amount.

The Easiest Way to Save on Auto Insurance

As is the case with road trips, there are many ways to save on auto insurance. The easiest way to save on auto insurance, however, is to shop for a policy with an independent insurance agent who is licensed in Illinois. Independent insurance agents, like those at our office, are able to compare policies at different insurers and find the company that’s offering the best rates on auto insurance.

If you don’t already have a relationship with an independent auto insurance agent who serves Palos Heights, IL, contact us at Martin Insurance Team LTD. You can reach our agents through our website, and they’d be happy to help you see how much you might save by shopping around for a new auto insurance policy. Send them a message today.

 

 

3 Reasons to Have Seperate Renters Insurance Policies

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Having a roommate is a great way to save on expenses. Purchasing renters insurance is important in case of an incident. So, how do you determine whether or not to add your roommate to your existing policy or for each of you to have a separate one?

While most carriers allow up to two unrelated adults to share a policy, it is usually wise to each have your own. Here are three reasons to get separate renters insurance policies when you have a roommate.

Reason #1: Individual Coverage

One reason having separate renters insurance policies is important is that it provides individual coverage. This means that your policy only covers your personal property—not your roommate’s. So, if most of the items in your apartment belong to your roommate, then you aren’t having to pay extra for a higher coverage limit. Likewise, if you have more items than your roommate, you can ensure you have the appropriate level of coverage without having to worry about their stuff, too.

Reason #2: Separate Liability

Liability coverage is one major reason why tenants opt to purchase renters insurance. In the case of situations where a policyholder has a roommate, this is another area where having separate policies is important. If your roommate does something away from the house that is considered a serious liability claim, you are not responsible if you’ve taken the time to each have your own policies. If you are on a shared policy, then you would be considered liable.

Reason #3: It Keeps You from Being Connected

Another reason to consider having a separate renters insurance policy than your roommate is that it keeps you from being connected. This means that if one of you ever moves out or you are no longer on good terms, your insurance coverage (and any resulting claim checks) is not tied together.

Learn more about renters insurance and how having a policy can protect you. Contact us at the Martin Insurance Team LTD today for a no-obligation quote.

Winter Activities For Kids To Do Indoors

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When you live in Evergreen Park, Illinois, it’s important to have some winter activities planned for the kids to do indoors when the weather is just too cold to go outside. The kids may be home for several weeks, so the more you have planned, the easier it will be to keep everyone happy.

Arts & Crafts

It’s always a good idea to have some arts and crafts supplies around. Regardless of age, kids want to express their creativity and having kits and paper, markers, and other things around can make it easier. To give kids an idea on what they can make, you can choose a category, such as:

  • Holiday gifts
  • Decorations
  • Ornaments
  • Necklaces

It doesn’t matter what it is – but it’s a great way for them to use their mind to create something unique.

Have a Party

You’re probably not the only parent around who is trying to think of ways to keep the kids occupied. Throw a party and invite a bunch of your kids’ friends. The theme of the party can be dance, pajamas, s’mores, or anything else that you can think of.

Create a Story

Tis the season for reading a lot of different holiday books. Instead of reading the same ones over and over again, let your kids write their own. It can be about a specific holiday or about winter in general. Then have them illustrate the whole story and share it with you one evening before bed. It may become your favorite tradition during winter break.

Get creative and do things that your kids love to do. Have plenty of supplies on hand so they can jump from one activity to the next without growing bored.

Call the Martin Insurance Team today to learn about homeowner’s insurance. We can talk to you about coverage, quotes, and more.

 

 

As a Tenant in Palos Heights, IL, You Need Renters Insurance

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If you rent an apartment in Palos Heights, IL, you should have renters insurance. Everyone who rents should have this type of insurance. Here’s why, along with how Martin Insurance Team can help you find a policy.

Renters Insurance Protects Tenants

As a tenant, you shouldn’t rely on your landlord’s insurance to protect you. Your landlord’s insurance policy covers your landlord; it doesn’t include coverage for you. Your landlord’s insurance might insure the building you live in, but it won’t insure your belongings or provide you with liability coverage.

Renters insurance is designed to protect you, insuring the things that your landlord’s insurance doesn’t. For instance, a renters insurance policy might afford you the following protections (depending on the terms):

  • personal property coverage
  • medical payments coverage
  • personal liability coverage
  • damage to others’ property coverage

A renters insurance policy that has these protections will protect you from a host of risks, which may include fire, vandalism, theft and other perils.

Renters Insurance Is Inexpensive

Renters insurance policies are generally inexpensive and at Martin Insurance Team we can help you find the lowest-priced policies available in Palos Heights, IL. We have a team of independent insurance agents who are licensed in Illinois and serve Palos Heights. As licensed, independent agents, we can compare policies from every insurer in Illinois and show you how much each company prices their policies at. You’ll be able to choose the lowest-priced quote that we can find.

Shopping for renters insurance only takes a few moments once our agents begin comparing quotes. To get started, contact our agents through our website. They’ll quickly get started helping you find an affordable renters insurance policy.

 

Extend Your Vehicle’s Life With These Easy 3 Tips

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There are two important aspects of caring for a vehicle: maintenance and insurance. Maintaining your car will extend its life, and properly insuring it will ensure that you’re protected if something happens on the road. At Martin Insurance Team LTD, we have collected a few tips for the former, and our independent insurance agents can help you with the latter.

Properly Maintaining Your Car

Although large repairs grab people’s attention, auto maintenance rarely involves a major repair. Instead, maintaining a vehicle requires regular attention to small things, like the oil level and tire’s air pressure. You can extend the life of your vehicle by taking time to see after these details. Be sure to:

  • keep your tires properly inflated
  • fill up the gas tank before the it’s empty
  • have your oil changed according to the schedule outlined in your car’s owner’s manual

The last item, getting your oil changed at the suggested intervals, is especially important. During an oil change, most mechanics look at all the other fluids in your car. If you forgo an oil change, they won’t have a chance to look at the other fluids, and one of the fluids could become low.

Properly Insure Your Car

The easiest way to take care of your insurance needs is to contact an independent insurance agency, like ours. Through our website or over the phone, we can help you assess your coverage needs and find a policy that provides robust protection without high premiums. Because we’re an independent agency, we can compare the premiums on every policy in Palos Heights, IL and show you the most competitive options.

We’ve served many drivers in Palos Heights and other parts of Illinois, and we’d be happy to serve you. To get started with your auto insurance needs, log on our website or give us a call.

 

3 Ways to Protect Your Home Against Water Damage

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Every year, water damage accounts for many of insurance claims that homeowners throughout Illinois file. In a large number of claims, the source of the water damage is within the home – and quite preventable. Here are three ways you can reduce the likelihood that you’ll have water damage in your home this year.

Protect Your Home Against Water Damage

Protecting your home against water damage mainly involves guarding against potential leaks. To prevent leaks and minimize the damage they cause, you can:

  • familiarize yourself with your home’s main water supply, and find out how to shut it off
  • check your appliance’s water supply lines monthly for cracks or breaks
  • re-caulk your showers and bathtubs every six months

Checking lines only takes a few minutes, but re-caulking showers and bathtubs can be a project. You only have to do this once in a while, though, and it’s an important way to prevent water from leaking and causing serious damage to your home.

Find Insurance with Water Damage Coverage

Many homeowners assume that their insurance policy includes coverage for water damage, because many policies do include this coverage. Not all policies protect against water damage and among those that do, some have deductibles that make filing a water damage claim impractical.

If you’d like a homeowners insurance policy that provides adequate protection against water damage, contact us at Martin Insurance Team. Serving Palos Heights, IL, homeowners insurance agents at our office have helped many homeowners in the area find insurance policies that include water damage coverage. They’d be happy to help you shop around for a good policy, too. Since we only have independent insurance agents, you can trust our agents to find the most robust and affordable policies available. To speak with an agent, call our office today.

 

How To Buy Life Insurance In Palos Heights

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Buying life insurance in Palos Heights, Illinois is one of the most important things that you can do. It protects you and your family in the event of your death.

There are several things that you need to know about buying a policy.

  1. Know your options – Various types of life insurance are out there. This includes term life, whole life, and universal life policies. Each one offers various pros and cons that you will want to explore. Term life for example can range between 5-30 years, while whole and universal life is designed to check you for your entire life. Whole life can also provide you with retirement benefits down the road.
  2. Determine the award amount – The award amount is the amount given to your beneficiaries upon your death. You can keep it simple with approximately $50,000, or go all the way up to $1 million. You will need to determine how much your family needs to cover such expenses as college, debt, home, and more.
  3. Ask questions – Ask questions about life insurance from your insurance agent. Get guidance so that you can make responsible decisions about the best policy for you and your needs. Don’t be shy to ask for pros and cons about whole versus universal life, and gain a full understanding about what it is that you are ready to buy.
  4. Compare quotes – Compare quotes from multiple life insurance companies. While many different companies offer term, whole, and universal policies, the price can vary dramatically and you want to get the best possible price so that it works within your budget while protecting you at the same time.

Call us at the Martin Insurance Team to learn more about life insurance. We can get you quotes to find an affordable policy.

 

Auto Insurance: Safety Tips for Summer Driving

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Summer driving conditions can bring an entirely different set of dangers than any other time of year in Illinois. Whether drivers are dealing with soaring temperatures or summer road trip traffic jams, there is plenty to distract even the most careful and aware drivers while on the road this summer. Protect yourself and your loved ones while on the road with comprehensive and affordable auto insurance coverage from your local, in dependent agents at Martin Insurance Team.

Summer Road Trip Safety

Before you head out on the road this summer it is important to make sure your car is in the best shape possible. Take the time to give your car a little TLC with some much needed car care maintenance. After a harsh winter season your car needs to be checked for possible dangers before making a long trip. Check your tires for wear, fill all fluids, replace spark plugs as needed and check all hoses and belts for any issues.

Once your car is ready for the road you’ll need total insurance coverage before embarking on your big road trip. With the help of the independent agents at Martin Insurance Team you can easily compare quotes online from multiple national providers to find the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget. 

Start Comparing Quotes Today

Don’t get caught without the right level of auto insurance coverage when you need it the most this summer. Instead, visit Martin Insurance Team online today to start comparing quotes from top national providers online in just minutes. Our team of experienced agents are ready to help you through every step of the insurance buying process to make sure you and your family have a safe and happy summer travel season. 

 

Tips To Buying Life Insurance In Palos Heights

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Buying life insurance is something to consider in Palos Heights. It allows you to have the coverage for yourself in the event of your death. The benefit will then go to the family members you have designated as dependents so that they have the money to go on.

The money that your family can receive as a result of life insurance can be used for burial expenses, living expenses, paying off debt, sending kids to college, and more.

When you buy life insurance in Illinois, there are tips to follow to ensure you get the best policy possible for the money.

  • Compare the difference between term, whole, and universal life insurance policies.
  •  Decide what amount you want for the policy as you want to provide sufficient coverage for your loved ones.
  •  Make comparisons between policies between several different life insurance companies as the offerings and costs can vary dramatically.
  • Work with an independent agent to ensure all of your questions are answered sufficiently.

When you work with an independent agent at Martin Insurance Team, we will make comparisons on your behalf so you have all of the most relevant information at your fingertips. We can also help to figure out what amount your policy should be written for based upon present and future goals as well as your budget.

There are many options out there and you want the best policy that you can afford. By following a few basic tips, you can ensure you have a life insurance policy that will work best for you as well as the rest of your family.

Call and talk to one of the agents at the Martin Insurance Team today. We will help you to find a life insurance policy that works best for you in Palos Heights, Illinois.