Prepare Your Car for Long-Term Storage

You’ve needed this vacation for years and you finally have the time to go enjoy yourself. Now, you just need to leave your vehicle for an extended period of time and want to make sure it is well taken care of until you get back. If you need to store it for longer than a few weeks there are a few things you should do. Cross Creek Insurance, Inc. serves Hope Hills, NC, they can provide a few tips on how to prepare your vehicle for long-term storage.

The elements can cause extreme damage to the exterior of your vehicle when left unattended. In the summer, the sun can cause paint to crack, chip, and fade. The seats, dash, and other interior parts can become discolored. In winter, the snow and salt can seep into your car and cause it to corrode. Place a car cover over your vehicle if you are going to leave it open to the elements.

Leave it Topped Off

Make sure that all of your fluids have been replaced and filled before your trip. The engine could be destroyed if you leave it with used fluids sitting around. A fluid stabilizer will keep your gas from breaking down while you are away and corrupting the gas line.

Batteries Don’t Last Forever

Remove the battery and clean the connections. Batteries that sit without being used can become corrosive and start to destroy the engine. If you have a trusted neighbor or friend, you should have them start the car and drive it around the block once a week to preserve the battery until you return home.

Animal Prevention

Small animals, such as squirrels and mice can find tiny holes in your cars’ exterior when no one is looking. To prevent creatures from building a nest in your vehicle plug the tailpipe and other obvious holes. You could also place mothballs or other pesticides in and around the vehicle to keep the animals away.

In Hope Hills, NC, Cross Creek Insurance, Inc. agents are available to help you with beginning and maintaining an auto policy for your new or used vehicle.

What type of auto insurance do I have to have in NC?

If you live in Hope Hills, NC, then you know how important it is to be covered when you’re on the road.  It’s important to know exactly what you’re required to have and what kind of insurance you should strongly consider, however.  

Basic auto insurance policies in North Carolina are designed to protect the other driver in the event that you are found to be at fault in an accident.  The law is interested only in making sure that the victim of the accident is taken care of.  That means that if you are found to be at fault in an auto accident, your basic insurance policy would not pay you anything for your own damage and medical expenses.

In fact, even with the minimal required insurance, you would still be required to pay for some of the cost out of your pocket.  Your deductible would be paid to the insurance company, who would then pay for damages up to the limit of your coverage.  With required coverage limits so low in North Carolina, it is possible that you would need to pay even more money in the event of a serious accident.  In many cases, this can bankrupt a family as they contend with their own expensive medical costs and repairs.

To make sure that you are covered, you may want to consider a collision policy.  This type of coverage will cover your own damages and medical costs.  

If you’er thinking of getting a new auto insurance policy, or if you just want to save some money on your existing policy, call the agents at Cross Creek Insurance.  They have years of experience helping Hope Hills, NC residents.

Does Your Car Gas Make a Difference?

There was time when people filled up at the pump and only two choices existed: leaded or unleaded. There was, of course, diesel, but that was often on a separate pump used by truck drivers or people who owned a specific, smoke-belching European car. Today, however, people have at least four if not five choices, with three of them ranging from basic unleaded to premium, and a related cost range to match. So, no surprise, drivers eventually find themselves asking the question, is there something better with a premium fuel versus the regular one? In some cases, particularly with blends. Some brands make a point to include detergents and solvents designed to break down gunk in an older engine.

Generally, however, the big difference between premium and general unleaded fuel is the octane. Normal engines easily run with an octane level of 87. Some believe that higher performance engines need or run better with a higher octane. While it is true that a higher temperature is needed to burn a higher octane cleanly, that doesn’t automatically produce better engine performance. However, it does burn with less gunk. The fact is not burning all fuel completely leaves a residue, and that creates buildup. More buildup eventually makes a car engine run worse and have problems. So a hotter, cleaner burn is an advantage over the long-term. And, again, many quality brands include their detergents in premium fuel, which only helps keep the engine running smoother over its life.

Cross Creek Insurance provides consumer insurance serving the Hope Hills, NC, area. And one of the best ways of saving insurance for when it really matters is following preventive care for one’s car. Premium gas isn’t necessary to run a car, but it does make a difference that could matter in the long run.

What you need in your car to avoid fender bender fraud

Fender bender fraud is on the rise again in the United States.  This classic scam, in which a team of scam artists work together to create an accident, then bill you and your insurance company for thousands of dollars in made up damages, can cost you a lot of money and time.  Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

One of the most important things you can do is keep a kit in your car that contains everything you need to deal with a minor accident.  Make sure you have these items readily available.

  1. Important paperwork.  Your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are all required in the state of North Carolina.  Make sure you have these available to show a police officer after an accident.  Many times, scam artists will try to convince their victims to keep the accident out of official records.  By having these documents, you’ll be prepared to deal with the police.
  2. Camera.  The camera on your cell phone can work if it takes good pictures.  Documenting the damage to both cars is a good way to present proof to your insurance agent later of the actual damages that occurred as a result of the accident.
  3. First aid kit.  More important than the physical damage to property is the health tool that these scams take on their victims.  Be prepared by carrying some basic first aid items in your car such as bandages and tweezers.  

Of course, it’s also important for residents of Hope Hills, NC to be prepared for minor accidents with good auto insurance.  Contact the agents at Cross Creek Insurance to get a policy that gives you enough coverage to protect yourself from these scams.

Fender Bender Fraud

Most people don’t realize that  often, injury claims occur weeks to months after the crash. Cross Creek Insurance offers several ways to protect yourself from fraud:

Notify the police. In the day of cell phones, it’s easy to call the police from the site. Even though police don’t always respond to minor accidents, you want to either wait for the police to arrive on the scene. If not, go to the station and file a report so that there is a public record.
Take plenty of pictures. Take pictures of all the vehicles involved, even if there is no visible damage. In a fraudulent claim, lack of damage can make a difference.
Get all the information. Name, addresses, phone numbers, license numbers of the individual and the car itself and insurance details of all the motorists involved are important. Take done similar information from any witnesses.
Be careful what you say. By admitting any fault on the scene, it could be used against you. Be cautious about what you say and don’t say, not only to police officers but to the other motorist and to the witness, and what you might say in a phone conversation that might be overheard.
Listen carefully to what the other motorist says.  Even if there is not evident damage, listen for the other motorist or their passenger if they complain of  discomfort or an injury. If the other motorist tries to blame or bully you, especially if he or she is at fault. Automatically insisting that they need an ambulance.These can be tipoffs that a fraudulent suit may happen.
Hire a lawyer. An auto accident attorney can investigate the crash, shift through the collected evidence and even request medical documents so they can dispute any legal action in the future.

 

 

 

Tips for North Carolina Drivers to Increase Gas Mileage

Getting the most miles per gallon while driving in North Carolina should be a priority. Not only will reducing gas mileage help save you money, but also lower your carbon footprint. Driving efficiently and keeping your vehicle up to date will make the most significant difference in fuel economy.

Drive Smarter

Avoid certain driver behaviors that decrease your car’s gas mileage. This includes excessive braking, rapid acceleration, and cruising over the speed limit. After a car reaches speeds above 50 miles per hour, fuel economy decreases. Cruise control helps you maintain a consistent speed to avoid these issues. Idling can also burn up gas and should be avoided when possible.

Lighten Loads

Pulling cargo or storing items on your roof can both have a detrimental effect on your vehicle’s gas mileage. Not only does the weight from the loads affect fuel economy, but also cargo stored on the roof makes your car less aerodynamic.

Maintain Your Car

Check your tire pressure at least once a week to ensure the pressure isn’t too low since this could hurt fuel economy. Always use the recommended grade oil for your car too when it’s time for an oil change. Changing the car’s air filter can keep the car running efficiently in order to avoid excessive fuel consumption.

Get a New (or Newer) Vehicle

Ditch your old gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient car. Within the past decade, car manufacturers have made tremendous strides in increasing vehicles’ gas mileage. Compare your current car’s average highway and city MPG to newer models on the market.

If you do decide to upgrade your car, make sure you have the right amount of insurance coverage. Contact the independent agents at Cross Creek Insurance to discuss either your current auto policy or make arrangements to take out a new policy on your vehicle. 

How You Can Help Following a Car Accident

Many people are traumatized following a car accident. The jarring movements from the accident can cause injuries and leave victims discombobulated. If you witness an accident, you play a critical role in ensuring that everyone is safe and emergency personnel are on their way. The following are a few steps you can take to make sure traffic accident victims are safe.

Remain at the Scene

After you’ve witnessed an accident, it’s important that you remain at the scene until the authorities arrive. Your perspective is important to everyone involved in the relationship. Without giving your statement to the police, the victims may have to pay for damages they incurred.

Make Sure You Are Safe

When you stop to check on those involved in an accident, you have to do so safely. Your safety should be your primary concern. To ensure that you are not in an accident from distracted onlookers, make sure you park a safe distance from the accident and always observe your surroundings to ensure you are not in danger.

Call 911

After ensuring you are safe, you have to contact 911. When you call emergency services, they will contact all necessary personnel. By making one phone call, you could potentially save the lives of individuals involved in an accident.

Ensure Victims Are Safe

There are a lot of things going on following an accident. As a result of this, you must make sure that everyone is safe. You can help people out of their cars and to the curb to ensure they are no longer in danger.

Give Victims Your Contact Information

After giving the authorities your statement, you should give the victims your contact information. Additionally, taking down their information will help you keep your statements straight. With their information, you can properly identify each driver involved in an accident. 

Witnessing an accident is a great time to ensure your car insurance policy is comprehensive. If you live in Fayetteville, NC or the surrounding area, Cross Creek Insurance is happy to assist you with finding the perfect insurance policy for your vehicles.

Ask an Insurance Agent: Does my Auto Insurance Cover All Damage After an Accident?

Living in the great Dunn, NC area gives residents here plenty to be grateful for. But accidents can happen in the blink of an eye on the road. Whether you love near Heritage Bible College or out near Plainview, disaster can pay a visit to even the safest driver. As your local independent agent, we want to help make the roads a safer place for all.

Are You Protected in the Event of an Accident?

When looking for auto insurance coverage many people tend to shop with a budget in mind. Often times this can leave them without a level of coverage that they feel comfortable with.

Because insurance laws vary from state to state, many residents also choose to follow the state minimums requirements without bothering to look at additional coverage options. If you are unable to name the coverage options for your current policy and what type of damage it covers, it may be time to look at an upgrade.

At Cross Creek Insurance, we can connect you with top national carriers to help you find a policy that gives you comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. And because we service the greater Dunn area, you can get a policy breakdown from your insurance agent at any time.

Go With a Local NC Insurance Agent and Save

No one wants to pay for vehicle damage out of pocket after an accident. With the right auto insurance policy you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about issues like that in the event of an accident.

Visit Cross Creek Insurance online to shop and compare quotes online in just minutes. Affordable and complete insurance coverage is just a few mouse clicks away.

3 Tips For Getting Car Insurance Quotes

Lumberton, NC is a small city of approximately 20,000 people. There’s the Lumber River that provides a lot of recreation as well as golf courses, batting cages, and more. Southern hospitality reigns supreme in this area and people from all over the country come to visit as a way of seeing the parks and other attractions.

When you want to get car insurance cheap, it pays to get quotes. However, there are some tips to follow to ensure you get the best possible quotes.

1. Work with agencies

When you work with insurance agencies, you get the help from independent agents. We will search for the cheap quotes in Lumberton for you so there’s no need to contact all of the insurance companies individually.

2. Look at the discounts

The insurance discounts can come in all shapes and sizes. This includes veteran status, homeowner and marital status as well as various organization affiliations. When you work with agencies, one of the perks is that they know all about the discounts and will ask question in order to maximize your savings.

3. Make apples-to-apples comparisons

You will want to decide on the coverage you want before actually receiving the quotes. As you start to get the car insurance quotes, make sure you are making comparisons equally on the level of coverage. You can always choose to add more coverage once you see what the quotes are coming in at, but they need to include the same levels of liability, collision, comprehensive, and other coverage options.

Take the time to contact our independent agents today so we can help you get the cheapest possible quote on car insurance in NC without sacrificing coverage. We can answer concerns you have and place several options in front of you.

Hope Mills Takes Care of Its Residents

The beginning of Hope Mills NC 28348 is all in the name. It began as a grist, lumber, and saw mill because of the abundance of water. The town developed with a “can do” attitude and the community spirit of taking care of everyone. Located in Cumberland County, the community has two corn mazes. If your family wants to experience country living then visit Gallberry Farms. Experience corn hole, corn box, and tube slide. Cumberland Road Fun lets you explore your active side with laser tag, a set of batting cages, and miniature golf. A historic downtown lets you and yours do plenty of shopping finding items unique to the regions. If a bit of urban you desire Fayetteville NC is within the hour. Hope Mills NC gives you the best of both worlds.

Neighborhoods in Hope Mills are close knit with neighbors knowing each other. The area is friendly with strangers as well. To get out and about a car is needed. I as your local agent can help you find the best rate. Check out other agents websites and get some car insurance quotes. Then come visit me. All sorts of discounts exist on policies depending on the choices you make. Consider combining your homeowner policy with your car insurance policy. Putting the two together opens up other possibilities and may make you eligible for an umbrella policy which has special options. If you have an older home renovating with certain materials or adding environmentally recommended items also give discounts with premiums and tax breaks.

Enjoy rural life, raise your kids, and know your neighbors. Once in a while stop into my office. We can discuss the options and find the best policy for you.