Arizona Insurance Blog – Page 10

Seven Shopping Strategies For New Car Buyers

New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most important factor when shopping for a new car (46 percent), followed by make and model (31 percent).

Safety and performance come in a distant third, tied at seven percent. But whether you’re turned on or turned off by the dizzying array of car choices, trim options, “expert” reviews, incentives and other deals, it definitely pays to approach car buying strategically.

So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you find yourself having trouble keeping a clear head, just keep these 7 strategies, in mind:

Decide how much money you can spend and what type of vehicle best suits your needs. Just looking for the basic transport capability of a small or medium sedan? Or do you need the hauling capacity of a van or SUV? Something practical? Something sporty? Something in between?
Research crash tests and accident data available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Shop around for financing. If you can, apply for and get approval for a loan from a bank, credit union or other financier before you even visit the dealership. Being a “cash buyer” gives you an advantage when you do finally meet with the dealership’s financing person.
Test drive the car. Try to drive in conditions that will be similar to those under which you’ll drive every day.
Check pricing for your desired make and model at two or three dealerships and use that information to help you negotiate the best deal.
Get a firm quote, in writing. This should include not only the cost of the car, but any fees and the sales tax.
Inspect your new car carefully before driving off the lot. Make sure all the options you’ve ordered are included and that the body and paint are free of scratches or dents.

Finally, it’s important to consider the cost of auto insurance, although it seems that few people realize that what they pay for insurance can add significantly to the vehicle’s total cost.

Wise car buyers know to shop around for insurance and find out how costs compare. They also know to visit an independent insurance agency – like CityScape Insurance. We can check with several companies to find the best combination of coverage and price.

Arizona Wildfires

Arizona is a beautiful state that enjoys a unique set of seasons, cool winters, no fall, and sweltering hot summers. This summer alone we’ve seen 19 wildfires spark up so far and the season is still heating up. To keep you and your family safe and out of harms way we’ve provided a few tips to consider when fire danger is this high.

A surprising fact: wildfires can happen in almost every state

While wildfires strike more frequently in the West, nearly every state has been devastated by fires in the last century. Each year hundreds of homes are destroyed as more people choose to live closer to nature.

Know what your insurance covers and how much you need

It’s beneficial to know if your insurance policy covers repair or rebuilding costs. If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss you can rest assured knowing your home insurance carrier will pay for additional living expenses while your home is being repaired or rebuilt—typically for up to 12 months. It’s important that you review your policy for detailed coverage explanations and exclusions.
Business owners should also consider business income insurance, which is designed to cover the costs of replacing lost profits, payroll and operating expenses if you are shut down while repairs are being made.
It is important that you review your insurance policy once a year to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild based on current construction costs. We recommend you work with an independent appraiser to get a precise estimate and make sure you inform us about any special or unique features of your house.

You can reduce the chance of losing to wildfire

No building is fireproof, but there are steps you can take to better the chances when wildfire strikes.

Define your defensible space—a 30-foot, non-combustible zone around your home.
Choose fire-resistant plants and trees.
Remove or prune low hanging tree branches.
Cut grass and weeds regularly and keep your roof and yard clean, especially from dry yard debris.
Stack wood piles or other burnable materials at least 30 feet from your home or other buildings on your property.
Keep signs and addresses visible so firefighters can easily locate your property.
Rate your roof—is it fire resistant?
Recycle yard debris and branches instead of burning.

When a wildfire strikes, protect yourself and your family

If a wildfire starts in your area, monitor local news reports for evacuation procedures. Prepare for evacuation by turning off gas valves and pilot lights, closing all windows and doors and packing your car for quick departure, if there is time and it is safe to do so. Return to a burned area only when local authorities have instructed you to do so.

Stay safe this summer and always be on the look out for possible dangers around the house.

Here’s a look at the wildfires that have flared up and burned acreage in Arizona this wildfire season, according to the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention.

Odonnell Fire – April 21, 2014
Brown Fire – April 23, 2014
Fisher Fire – May 7, 2014
Redington Fire – May 8, 2014
Squaretop Fire – May 13, 2014
Iron Fire – May 13, 2014
Basin Fire – May 15, 2014
Research Fire – May 23, 2014
Badger Fire – May 23, 2014
Barlow Fire – May 25, 2014

Skunk Fire – June 10, 2014
Black River Tank Fire – June 14, 2014
Galahad Fire – June 20, 2014
Jack Fire – June 25, 2014
Slide Fire – June 25, 2014
Dehose Fire – June 25, 2014
Oak Fire – June 26, 2014
San Juan Fire – June 26, 2014
Assayii Lake Fire – June 26, 2014