There is the sound of the impact, the shattering of glass, a moment of confusion and fear, then the reality sets in–you’ve been in a car accident. Once you’ve discovered that everyone is unharmed, your next thought is probably going be to call your insurance agent. There are a few things you can do to make that call, and the claims process, go more smoothly.

The first thing you need to facilitate an insurance claim is your insurance information. Most states require a driver to carry their insurance card or other proof of insurance in their car, and this document will have your policy number and, usually, a number to call to file a claim. If, for some reason, you don not travel with your insurance information in your car, you should at least carry your insurance agent’s card with your policy number and any separate phone number to call for a claim on it.

Before making the call, it’s best to have as much information as possible about the accident as well. Have the description of the accident clear in your head and do your best to assess the damage to both your car and any other cars or property involved. Take pictures if you can. If you have insurance and contact information for the other driver, that can be helpful, too. Finally, if you can get a report number from the police (if they were called), that is also very helpful.

The last thing to do before making the call is to get in the right frame of mind. First, get to a safe place away from traffic. Relax, let the adrenaline rush recede and take a few deep breaths. Think about the accident, how it happened, what damage was involved and whether or not you’re going to need a tow truck, rental car or other services that might be part of your policy. Finally, make the call and take your time to tell the complete story. Of course, it helps to have a great insurance agent like those at Rodgers-Olver-Polley Inc. serving Dunmore, PA. If you don’t already have a great agent, contact them today for a quote.

No matter where you live, be it a big city or a small town like Dunmore, Pennsylvania, fender bender auto accidents inevitably happen. And most of these claims are solved very quickly and efficiently between the two parties and their insurance companies, like Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc. who serves the greater Dunmore area. However, some of these fender benders become larger lawsuits where one claimant is asking for a lot of money, due to mysterious injuries they suffered and wages lost from missed work, among other things. This is usually fender bender fraud and disproving these claims is often tough in court. So there are a number of things you can do to ensure this doesn’t happen if you are in a fender bender in Dunmore, PA and they are listed below.

TALK TO THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE ACCIDENT

As soon as you have safely pulled over to the side of the road after the fender bender occurs, ask the other people if they are alright. If they say they are, make sure you write this statement down or clearly remember it. Then get all of their insurance information. This initial statement is critical to disproving an injury claim if the fender bender ends up in court, because most people don’t come up with lies after an accident occurs in the court’s eyes.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO

Take as many pictures of the accident, or video if you can manage to take it, as possible. This will be incredibly helpful in disproving any injury claim for the fender bender in the future, as they can be presented in court. It is also a good idea to shoot photos of the other person in the accident to see if they are injured at that time.

NOTIFY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

The sooner you notify your insurance company, the better. This way they can prepare themselves against any claims that might come from the other party in the accident, keeping this fraud case from even getting going.

Even though gas prices have been dropping rapidly, it’s still possible to spend a big portion of your transportation budget on gas for your car.  If you drive a sports car or other vehicle with a complicated engine, then you have to purchase the premium gas that your car requires.  Often, though, many people who do not have any restrictions on the type of gas that they are required to use choose to use premium gas instead.

The reason for this is that many people believe that the premium gas will extend the life of their car.  Other believe that the car will perform better or that it will prevent build-up in their engine.  The truth, however, is that premium gas rarely has any noticeable effect on a vehicle.

Multiple studies have shown that premium gas does not extend the life of an engine that does not require it.  Some sports cars do not get as hot as “regular” vehicles, causing the impurities in “regular” gasoline to stick on the engine. In the vast majority of cases with regular vehicle, however, any “impurities” in regular gas are simply burned up.  They do not leave behind a residue or cause additional wear and tear on the vehicle. 

For most car owners, this means that the money they spend on premium gasoline is wasted.  While switching to regular will probably only save a few dollars a month, it is money that can go to pay for other things.

If you’re looking for more ways to bring your transportation costs down, you may want to think about calling the agents at Rodgers-Olver-Polley Inc.  They’re experts at finding their customers discounts on their auto insurance.  It may be possible for you to save hundreds of dollars a year on a new policy.

That sweet lady who you just bumped bumpers with might seem nice, but be weary because scams come in all sizes and shapes. You might not be able to predict accurately if a case may lead to fraud. However, you’ll be able to protect yourself by being cautious. 

1. Contact the Police

One of the first steps you should make is to contact the police. Let the cops make the decision who’s at fault and the severity of the collision. Their statements can hold up in the court of law and protect you from fraud. 

2. Take Pictures 

Your smartphone isn’t just useful for taking selfies. You can put it to practical use by take photos of the accident with it. This is especially important if the damages were minor. You don’t want the other party to do additional damage just to get more money out of you. Images of the person’s driver’s license, insurance and them are beneficial as well. Having pictures of the person will hold up in court if the individual is trying to claim injuries that couldn’t have arose from the accident.

3. Listen to What the Other Driver Says 

As soon as you talk to the other driver, make sure you’re listening carefully. Listen for the other person to say if the damage was already done to their car before the accident. Keep your ear open for the other party to say if they’re okay or not. Listen for the other driver to mention other injuries he or she had before the incident. These could all hold up in court and prevent you from being liable. 

To receive your free quote or learn more about protecting yourself from fraud, contact Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc. today.

We all want to save money where we can, and squeezing a few more miles out of your tank of gas is a good way to do so. Here are five do-it-yourself tips to put a few more miles between you and the gas pump.

1. Change your spark plugs

Spark plugs ensure smooth combustion to get your engine going. When they don’t work, those misfires occur more frequently, wasting gas in the process. If your spark plugs are slated for replacement every 60,000 miles, replacing them every 40,000 will boost performance and improve gas mileage.

2. Replace air filters

Air filters capture dirt and dust and let clean air flow into the engine. When they get dirty, older cars (before 1999) can experience as much as a 10 percent loss in fuel economy. Newer models have sensors that detect poorer air flow and cut down on fuel. Doing so hurts pick-up and power. Change your filter at least once a year and check it every time your oil is changed.

3. Keep tire pressure up

Even slightly deflated tires can have a poor impact on gas mileage. Make sure you know the manufacturer’s recommended inflation level and keep the tires at that rate.

4. Lighten up on the pedal

Speed really harms gas mileage. Keeping your speed close to 55 mph and using cruise control reduce aerodynamic drag and save more than a few pennies at the pump. Accelerating hard, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, is also hard on the wallet.

5. Fix the spoiler

The spoiler is there for more than style. It prevents air flow from reaching your car’s undercarriage, which also lowers drag. It also allows more air into your radiator and air conditioner condenser, putting less strain on the electrical system.

The kind of car you drive has a lot to do with the fuel mileage you get and the insurance options available to you. Let the talented agents at the Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc. insurance company see if they can save you money on your car insurance today.

Buying a car as a present is an incredible gesture that will likely delight the recipient and grant you the title as one of the best gift givers that ever lived. Although the process of gifting a car sounds straightforward enough, there are actually complexities that could arise during the process that you must be aware of.

Title Tips

In Pennsylvania, you will need to likely transfer the title in order to give the car as a gift—especially if the present is a surprise. If you put the car in your name, both you and the recipient will need to complete the title transfer paperwork at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles. On the back of the current title, the new owner will need to provide her name, address, and signature. Any lien holder information must also be submitted at time of transfer.  

Registering the Car

In Pennsylvania, vehicles received as gifts are not subject to sales tax as long as the recipient can prove that the purchaser of the car paid the required taxes. At the time of registering the car, the recipient will fill out an Affidavit of Gift available through Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This form will prevent the sale from being referred to the state’s Department of Revenue for investigation.

Insuring the Car

Finding a personal auto insurance agent serving Dunmore, Pennsylvania needs to be on your list of things to do when buying a car as a gift. Although purchasing a car as a gift is a nice gesture, financial obligations do not end once you hand over the title. A question to consider is who will be responsible for paying insurance premiums once the car is gifted to the recipient. In either scenario, you can contact Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc. in order to discuss personal auto insurance coverage options. Taking care of the insurance details ahead of time will make your loved one even more grateful for her amazing gift.

As you are driving along the roads, you may witness a crash. It could be as simple as someone rear ending another person, or something much more severe. There is much that you can do as a witness – and it has the potential to make a big difference in the lives of everyone involved in the crash.

Call 911

This is probably one of the biggest things that you can do once you witness a crash. Don’t assume that other people are going to call. This is often what happens – everyone thinks that someone else is going to call for help, and then no one does. The sooner you call, the sooner help can get on its way.

Talk to the People in the Cars

There may be a lot of confusion going on. Many people cannot get out of their vehicles after crash because they are stunned or the doors are sealed shut. Simply by going over and talking to them, you can call them some of their nerves. You may be able to get them out of the car, otherwise you can let them know that help is on the way.

Stabilize Cars

The cars may still be in drive and the ignitions may still be on. You can stabilize these by turning the ignition off so that they are not going to move forward and causing further damage. If the cars are in the middle of the road, use caution – and see if there are others to help you move the cars to the side of the road.

Provide a Statement

Once the police arrive, you can provide a statement as to everything that you witness during the crash. Your contact information will then be collected and shared with the victims as well as the insurance companies as a witness.

Call and speak to one of our agents at Rodgers-Olver-Polley Inc. now. With our experience, we can help you to find an affordable auto policy with all the coverage you need to enjoy peace of mind on the roads of Honesdale and throughout the state.

Although driving may seem like a fairly easy task to become good at, it’s important to understand that a single mistake can lead to horrendous accidents. Fortunately, there are many tips that all teen drivers in Dunmore can follow to keep them safer when driving. 

Forget to turn on lights

Daytime running lights come in handy during a variety of situations, especially when driving during the day during a storm. But what happens when your daytime running lights come on and you forget to actually turn on you lights come night time? If you forget to turn your head lamps on, your tail lights won’t come on, either. This is why it’s so important to remember to turn on your head lamps at night. 

Forget to use signals

It might not seem like  a big deal, but when teen drivers forget to use their turning signals, this causes much chaos on the road. Not only can cause them to be rear ended, but someone might cross their path of travel because they are unaware that the teen is going to be turning. 

Not wearing a seat belt

The number one way to stay safe in a car is by wearing a seat belt at all times. Whether a person is going under the speed limit or well over it, seat belts save lives. Still yet, though, teen drivers should always go the speed limit. 

Staying safe is all about being sensible and paying attention. If you would like more information on how your teen driver can stay safer when driving, please contact Rodgers-Olver-Polley Inc. today. 

Pennsylvania has a lot of nice areas. Millions of people choose to live in the state and many more choose to visit. Some of the top visited areas include Philadelphia for a number of historic sites as well as Hershey for the famed chocolate theme park.

When you are shopping for car insurance in Pennsylvania, it’s important to know what your coverage options are. You have to maintain at least the state minimum, but you can also choose such additional options as:

– Collision

– Comprehensive

– Additional liability

– Rental car

– Much more

You may want to add your spouse to your policy at one point or another. If you have a policy and then get married, it can be quite affordable to add your spouse instead of the two of you having separate policies. Some of the reasons for this include marital status as well as a multi-car discount.

It’s a good idea to work with an agent to ensure you are getting the best possible price on your car insurance. You shouldn’t spend any more than what is absolutely necessary to get the coverage you desire. Too many people make the mistake of focusing on price alone. Our goal is to help you with spouse coverage that is affordable while still making sure that you are well protected. This way, if something happens to you or your car, you can file a claim and know that it will be taken care of.

Our independent agents will help you find a policy that you and your spouse can share. We will be happy to answer questions you have, make comparisons between the different companies in Pennsylvania, and make recommendations. Make the call today and we can begin pulling quotes to get you started.

There’s nothing wrong with tying to save some money on car insurance quotes. You might not be able to do that when you’re an anonymous policy holder with one of the mega insurers where the agents come and go. On the other hand, you can come with us and our full-time independent insurance agency and the small town flavor of Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

When you opt for us, you’re choosing established and respected career agents from whom you’ll get objective and unbiased insurance information and advice. We’re able to remain objective and unbiased because we work with multiple insurers. We want to serve your best interests. We’re not tied down to one super sized mega insurer, so we’re able to offer you choices that you won’t see from them.

Although Pennsylvania is a no-fault car insurance state, you’re still required to have insurance. We realize you want cheap insurance, but Pennsylvania’s minimum mandatory coverage just isn’t enough. You want value for our dollars though. We’ll give you value by giving you a broad spectrum of insurers, coverage and premiums available. You can then make your choice from the information we provide you with from the multiple insurers that we work with. The agents that work for the "big three" can’t give you those choices. They’re not permitted to.

Whether you’re buying a new car or just shopping agencies for quotes on your present vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re pleased to review your existing coverage with you and answer any questions you might have on that. We’ll also tell you anything you want to know about any options that we might offer you. Even if you boost your coverage, you still might save a nice chunk of money. You’ll be happy you called.