Headlight Restoration… What Is It?

Have you ever driven at night and noticed that the headlights of the driver in the opposite lane is making it hard for you to see them?

Cloudy headlights are more than just a cosmetic issue, it can also pose a serious threat to one’s safety. 

Headlights can become cloudy or hazy from age. Today’s headlights are made from a polycarbonate plastic that has a UV protectant on it. But with excess UV exposure and other environmental factors such as rock chips, the UV protectant can deteriorate over time leaving your headlight lens exposed to the elements. When this happens, your lens can become hazy or cloudy reducing the effectiveness of your headlight by up to 80%. 

Want a local solution? Jason, owner of Bondy’s Glass of Port Angeles, offers headlight restoration for a $25 fee. He has also agreed to restore any Allstate Customers headlights when they come in for a Windshield Service, free of charge. 

Please call Jason Bondy at Bondy’s Glass at 360-452-6639 or visit them at 1919 E. First Street in Port Angeles, WA. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is provided as a public service with the understanding that Allstate nor Elwood Benefits Inc. makes any warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy or dependability of the information in this blog. Additionally, neither Allstate nor Elwood Benefits Inc. will be held accountable for any commercial providers or their products or services.

How Does An Accident or Ticket Affect Your Insurance?

Questions like this come up all the time. Tickets and accidents can affect your auto insurance a great deal. 

When you get a ticket or are involved in an at fault accident, these will be reported to your driving record which can affect your premium. 

Tickets and accidents can remain on your insurance for 3-5 years. 

At Matt Elwood’s Allstate Agency, we strive to help you save money and make sure you are covered. We offer our Platinum Package, which includes Accident Forgiveness and a Safe Driving Bonus check every 6 months as long you don’t have an accident. 

Depending on the type of ticket, you may be able to get enrolled in a Defensive Drivers class, and have the ticket removed from your record and policy. This decision is up to the court. 

If your rates do go up, call us and we can make sure you are taking advantage of all discounts available to you to offset the increase. 

One way to make sure you are taking advantage of your discounts is to bring all of your insurance to one company. Another way of saving money is to raise your deductibles for a while so you pay more when an accident occurs but pay less each month. 

Have questions? We’re here to help! Just give us a call at 360-452-9200 or visit our agency at 707 East Front Street in Port Angeles and we can assist you with your insurance questions. 

Car Insurance For Teenagers

Is your teenager excited about getting his/her license? Are you absolutely terrified?

You have plenty of things on your mind about your newly licensed driver, but your insurance should not be one of them. We have many options to keep you and your child covered, but to also keep your premiums low. 

When purchasing a vehicle for your teenager there are a few things to consider. When having comprehensive and collision coverages on your vehicle, the premiums are higher. If you were to buy a vehicle that is older you have the choice of not buying these coverages. 

Comprehensive covers damage to your vehicle outside of a collision accident, such as a rock chip to your windshield or if you were to hit a deer. Collision covers to repair or replace your vehicle if you have an at-fault accident. You have the choice of both, one or none of these coverages.

We also have discounts to take advantage of including DriveWise®, Smart Student and Allstate eSmart. With Port Angeles High School starting on September 3rd, it’s a great time to talk to your teen about setting up an incentive plan to make sure they keep up those grades, which in turn will keep your premiums low!

While you are out shopping for vehicles, we can help you weigh the cost and risk of the vehicles you are looking at. Just give us a call with the year and the VIN # and we can give you a price estimate.

Still have questions? Please call our Agency at 360-452-9200 or visit us at 707 East Front Street, Port Angeles, WA to review your policy and help you manage the cost of having a teen driver. 

Car Burglaries on a Rise

As you have probably read in the Peninsula Daily News article, there have been a rise in car burglaries in Port Angeles.

Things to remember….

In the event of a burglary, any damage to your vehicle will be covered under your Comprehensive Coverage. Comprehensive covers the broken glass, damage to the car from vandalism and in the event of a theft, the fair market value if the car is not recovered. All coverage is subject to your deductible.

If your personal belongings inside the car are stolen, then those items would be covered under your renters or homeowners insurance policies, also subject to deductible. It is always best to check with your insurance agent to make sure the claim makes financial sense.

The best way to deal with car burglaries is to lock your car doors, don’t leave valuables inside and be vigilant. Report all suspicious activity to the Port Angeles police department using their anonymous online tip form.

If you notice that your vehicle has been burglarized, please notify the police, and then call your Allstate Insurance Agency at 360-452-9200.  

9 Ways To Save on Auto Insurance

Are you looking for ways to keep your auto insurance premiums manageable? Here are 9 ways you can save on your insurance (without sacrificing coverage.)

1.    Driving Record

Your driving record plays a big role in how much you pay for insurance. By keeping a clean record for 3-5 years, you can save hundreds of dollars! Being a cautious driver can help save on your insurance premiums. 

2.    Driving Course

Defensive driving courses are an easy way to achieve an extra discount. Make sure to call us before taking the class if you’re using it for a discount so we can verify that your policy qualifies. 

3.    Anti-Theft Devices

Installing an alarm or other anti-theft device can lower premiums on your vehicle. Make sure to discuss all features with us, sometimes even power locks and a remote can count!

4.    Your Credit Score

While insurance uses a different formula then the credit bureaus, your credit still affects the rate you pay. Good credit can save you hundreds (even thousands) on your premiums! Make sure to review your report on a regular basis and have any mistakes corrected.

5.    Where You Live

Rural areas pay less for insurance than the big cities do. It’s all about risk and with a large population, there are more chances for an accident. Therefore, where you choose to live can impact your rates. Consider visiting us before purchasing a home if you’re concerned about the costs (it is based on the zip code). 

6.    Your Vehicle

The vehicle you choose to purchase also makes a difference! Some vehicles cost a lot more to repair than others, which drives up their rates. Easy way to avoid buying a money-sucker? Call us first and let up quote the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line. 

7.    How Often You Drive

If you take public transportation and only drive on the weekends, you’ll pay less than someone with a long commute. Make sure to review your annual mileage and daily commutes with us (especially if they change) so that you can receive the extra savings. 

8.    Raise Your Deductible

A higher deductible (your out of pocket cost in a claim) means a lower monthly rate. If you have enough in savings to comfortably cover your deductible, then you’ll save on your insurance costs and benefits in your specific situation. 

9.    Your Agent

And the best way to save? Work with a local agent! You’ll get the coverage you need plus you’ll have an advocate working on your behalf to find the best rate, all the discounts, and an easy explanation of any gaps in your coverage. It’s the #1 way to control your risk, maximize your savings, and protect your family. 

We want to be your agent! Call us at 360-452-9200, visit our Agency Website, or come into our office at 707 East Front Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362 to discuss your policy today. 

What is Rental Reimbursement Coverage (And Do You Really Need It)?

You may have noticed in your auto policy documents the term Rental Reimbursement. What is it? How does it work? Do you REALLY need it?

Essentially Rental Reimbursement is a coverage that helps you when your car is in the shop getting repaired from a covered claim. For example, a fender bender or a wind storm that caused a tree branch to fall on your car. 

What will you drive? How does it work?

This is where Rental coverage comes into play. The insurance company will pay a certain amount per day (based on your policy) towards a rental car. This way, you can still make it to work and family events. 

Do I really need it?

We highly recommend this coverage, however there are some instances that you may not need it. If you own multiple vehicles, live close to work or town, or work from home, you may not need the rental coverage.

If you are not sure what coverage is best for you, please give us a call at 360-452-9200, or visit our Allstate Website and we can discuss exactly how much the coverage will cost and the different levels that are offered. We look forward to helping you choose the right coverage for you!