J.A. Edwards & Co., Inc. / Since 1902

Independent Insurance Agents - Auto/Home/Life

J.A. Edwards & Co., Inc.

 

Considerations when buying Auto Insurance

 

Purchasing the auto insurance that is right for you can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. By learning the basics on how to get the most for your money, you can save on your auto insurance and feel confident you have adequate coverage. J.A Edwards & Co., Inc. offers these tips to lead you in the right direction when you purchase your car insurance.

  • Be a safe driver. Drivers with good driving records can save as much as 60 percent over drivers who cause accidents.
  • Enroll in a driving class. Drivers who complete a state-approved defensive driving course, or drivers under the age of 21 who take a driver training course, could qualify for savings.
  • Buy a car that includes safety features such as anti-lock brakes, alarms or other security features, airbags, and automatic seat belts.
  • Choose a higher deductible (what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in), which can mean paying less for your policy.
  • Eliminate unnecessary coverages. If you drive an older car with little cash value, consider eliminating "collision" or "comprehensive" coverage, which pays for damage to or theft of your car.
  • Insure more than one car with the same company, and you may be eligible for savings.
  • Insure your car and home with the same company. You could save money if you have more than one type of policy with the same insurance company (for example, an auto policy and a homeowners policy). The more good business you give the company, the more valuable you are as a customer.
  • Look for low-mileage discounts if you car pool or do not put a lot of miles on your car annually.
  • Check for student discounts such as a good student credit for maintaining a B average, or if a driver in your household is living away at school and not driving as much.
  • Buy a safer car that will cost less to repair and less to insure. Check crash-test reports, repair records and manufacturer recalls of any car you are considering. A consumer protection magazine can be very useful or check car sites on the Internet.

 

 

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is considered the fastest growing crime in America, according to the FBI. Review the following helpful tips to reduce your losses from identity theft if your wallet or purse is stolen.

- Photocopy both sides of your credit cards
and other important documents and keep these in a separate, easily accessible location. As a result, you will have all of your vital information and can quickly call your credit card companies and cancel your cards.

- File a police report
 as soon as you can in order to prove to credit providers that you acted diligently and took the first step toward an investigation of the crime.
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- Immediately call the three national credit reporting organizations
 to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. This alert means that any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they must contact you to authorize new credit. These three credit organizations are Equifax at (800) 525-6285, Experian at (888) 397-3742 and Trans Union at (800) 680-7289.
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- Contact your bank
 as soon as possible if your checkbook is stolen.
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You may purchase some "peace of mind" by obtaining I.D. Theft Coverage for a $25.00 annual premium. It may be written on a separate policy or it may be added onto you Homeowners Insurance Policy. While most credit cards will enable you to dispute unauthorized charges, this $10,000. insurance protection actually goes farther as it  serves to cover legal fees that may develop in the course of restoring your credit and your good name.
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Established in 1902, J.A. Edwards & Co., Inc. is an independent insurance agency and a member of The Insurance Association of Agents & Brokers of N.Y. offering a full range of insurance products including AUTO, HOME & LIFE. 
For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please contact us.
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Edwards Insurance , 24 E. Main St., Clifton Springs, NY 14432 -- (315) 462-6234 / (800) 719-9816