Auto Insurance

Tips for Keeping Your Car Clean

Posted on by AgentInsure

Because you’re so busy, it can be hard to keep your car clean. In Astoria, OR, the agents at Linda Dugan Insurance understand that keeping your vehicle clean can be manageable with a few quick tips.

Keep Microfiber Cloths Handy

Microfiber cloths are great for picking up dust. Keep one or two in the glove compartment or storage area in your vehicle. Wipe down the dashboard, steering column, radio controls, and the speedometer glass. Water isn’t necessary unless the layer of dust is extremely thick. This should be done at least once a week to avoid buildup.

Microfiber cloths can also be used to clean the inside of the windshield. After a time, the inner side of the windshield harbors a thin layer of film. This film should be cleaned every two weeks or sooner. Spray a small amount of either water or window cleaner on the cloth and clean the surface. This is also a good time to clean the review mirror.

Wet Wipes and Cotton Swabs

Keeping a small container of wet wipes can help you clean a liquid spill quickly. Of course, this is a temporary measure. If you spill coffee, the wipes can absorb some of the moisture immediately. You may need to go back later and catch some of the spillage that seeped into an area that is hard to reach.

You can purchase a travel size package of cotton swabs for your vehicle. They are useful when you need to clean out tiny hard-to-reach crevices, such as the corners of the cup holders or beneath the parking brake. Soak the tip with cleaning fluid and rub the stained areas.

At Linda Dugan Insurance, the independent agents in Astoria, OR can help adjust your current auto policy or start a new one.

 

3 Benefits of Auto Insurance

Posted on by AgentInsure

Purchasing auto insurance is a matter that affects all motorists universally. No matter what type of vehicle you have or how skilled of a drive you may be, auto insurance will still play a major factor in your ability to drive and maintain a vehicle. That said, the following is a closer look at three benefits of purchasing auto insurance. 

Lawsuit Avoidance

Firstly, one of the top benefits of having auto insurance is that it helps you avoid very costly lawsuits. If you are involved in an accident without coverage, you could be on the hook for thousands or maybe even millions! Purchase a high-quality lawsuit to avoid such things. 

Peace of Mind

In addition to that, maintaining an auto policy provides us with peace of mind. The road can be a scary place. This fear will only be magnified if you are driving without coverage. However, by purchasing an auto insurance policy, you will feel that much more confident while on the road. 

Protect your Health

Lastly, another top benefit of auto insurance is protecting your health. Given that there is always the potential of a serious accident occurring, auto insurance policies help by providing monies for medical bills and other things necessary for recovery.

Overall, if you need auto insurance in Astoria, OR, Linda Dugan Insurance is the way to go. No matter how much or how little coverage you want to purchase, Linda Dugan Insurance can create a custom package perfect to suit your insurance-related needs! Never get caught without insurance in Astoria, OR, call Linda Dugan today to start your policy and hopefully save some money! 

Will Auto Insurance Cover Vandalism?

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Some Oregon motorists mistakenly believe all auto insurance plans pay for repairs to any kind of damage. The truth is that many policies only cover traffic accidents. If you want an insurer to pay for vandalism-related losses, you’ll need to buy extra coverage. You may be required to purchase it in some situations.

Comprehensive policies cover a variety of non-collision damage. In addition to vandalism, they often compensate drivers for losses linked to fires, hail, flooding or theft. Motorists usually buy this type of coverage in combination with collision insurance. It frequently appeals to owners of fairly recent or high-value vehicles. As with any insurance plan, actual compensation varies depending on the policy terms and the results of an insurer’s investigation.

Is it Required?

Oregon state law only calls for motorists to obtain liability coverage. However, the terms of some auto loans require drivers to purchase comprehensive insurance. Banks, credit unions and other lenders want to fully protect the value of borrowers’ cars. They know that it can become difficult to recover the borrowed funds if a storm, fire or vandals heavily damage a vehicle without the right coverage.

Making a Claim

Astoria, OR motorists should report car vandalism to the local authorities as soon as possible. Insurers normally want to see police reports before they pay for repairs. It’s wise to take photos and contact the insurer before visiting a repair shop. Drivers ought to take steps to prevent additional damage, such as protecting broken windows with plastic.

If you need comprehensive auto coverage at affordable rates, turn to the friendly insurance experts at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria OR. This independent agency finds the best prices and most suitable policies for local motorists. To learn more and compare quotes, please call the Linda Dugan Insurance office at 503-440-3909.
 

Why does Location Impact my Car Insurance?

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When people in Astoria, OR look for car insurance, there are a few factors that everyone expects to impact their car insurance rates. For example, people with better driving records are likely to receive better rates on their car insurance; however, there are also a few factors that impact car insurance premiums that people aren’t expecting. One of these commonly overlooked factors is location. Location actually plays a big role when insurance companies calculate premiums for car insurance in Astoria, OR. Read below to figure out why!

Everyone understands that certain locations are safer than others. In fact, locations that are safer to live in will receive a lower car insurance rate. It makes sense that a car parked in a safe area has a lower chance of being broken into. This means that insurance companies are less likely to have to pay out claims for car theft and damage in this location. They will reward a car living in this location with a lower insurance rate. Consider the safety of an area before moving because it impacts the well-being of the family as well as car insurance rates.

In addition, some areas have significantly higher costs of living than others. When the cost of living drives up the cost of goods, the cost of car insurance will rise as well. If people are worried about their car insurance rates, they should avoid moving to an area with a high cost of living. Property taxes and real estate taxes will all impact car insurance rates.

People with questions on their car insurance policies should contact Linda Dugan Insurance. Linda Dugan Insurance has a reputation for finding an insurance policy that will meet the needs of everyone. Contact the office today for more information!

 

 

Is your car protected?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Much like your home, your car is an important aspect of maintaining your livelihood. You need it to get from point A to point B and the last thing you want to worry about is your car being taken away because it is unprotected. Unfortunately, the truth is that even when you follow the rules of the road, drive carefully, and never drive when you are physically impaired; your car still may be on the bad end of an accident. Our independent agents at Linda Dugan Insurance understand how important it is to protect your car while it’s on the road. 

When it comes to auto insurance, it is just as important to make sure you have the right insurance according to the state of Oregon as it is to have auto insurance that fits your budget, needs, and car. Driving around without auto insurance is against the law and can ruin your piece of mind. Many times, when you are a 5 star driver, you can come in contact with an inebriated or simply irresponsible driver that can cause an accident and snatch your car right out of your grasp. The right auto insurance can protect your car from everything from fender benders to full blown accidents that result in a totaled car. 

Whether you are purchasing your first auto insurance or changing over your insurance for a more comprehensive plan, our independent agents at Linda Dugan Insurance will walk you through the process, step by step, to make sure you are leaving the office with all of your questions answered and the right insurance for your car and budget. 

Why wait? Come down to our offices today to talk to our agents about how we can help you purchase the right auto insurance for your car.

How Does Location Impact Car Insurance Costs?

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People living in Astoria, OR know that car insurance costs can vary widely across the region. People will often shop around to find the least expensive option for insuring their cars. How exactly does location impact car insurance costs? Dugan insurance has some important advice that readers can learn from below.

First, everyone knows that weather varies by location. Some parts of Oregon are close to the coast. While Oregon isn’t often hit by hurricanes, it is always a possibility. Car insurance companies know this and therefore will charge higher rates for insuring cars due to the added risk of damage from hurricanes. While living on the coast is nice, it can contribute to higher car insurance costs. 

Next, some neighborhoods are safer than others. While people have numerous reasons for desiring a safe neighborhood to live in, this also impacts car insurance rates. Locations with high crime rates mean that there is a higher chance of having a car broken into or stolen. Therefore, choosing a safer neighborhood will keep car insurance premiums lower. Choose the neighborhood carefully.

Finally, some parts of town have more treacherous roads. Insurance companies track the accident rates across certain cities and streets. If a car will be driving the more dangerous roads regularly, there is a higher chance of the car being involved in the accident. To cover against these potential losses, a car insurance company will raise insurance rates in areas with more accident-prone roads. Keeping a car off of roads with higher accident rates will wind up in lower car insurance prices.

When it comes to shopping for car insurance in Astoria, OR, location matters just as much as it does in real estate. Crime rates, weather conditions, and accident rates all impact premiums for car insurance. Make sure to take these into consideration when deciding where to live or insure a car. Contact Dugan Insurance for an auto insurance quote today.

Choosing Whether to Buy Used or New When Buying a Car for Your Family

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When it comes to your family, you know that you strive to always protect them to the best of you ability. And while buying a new car is most definitely an excellent way to protect them with today’s latest technology, going to the lot and purchasing a brand new vehicle is out of many people’s budgets. With this in mind, you should keep an open mind about which car suits your family best. 

Complete lots of research

Just because you’re buying a used car doesn’t mean it won’t feature some of today’s best technology. Many cars that were manufactured during the past 15 years have life-saving features integrated into them. Take for example an anti-lock braking system. This type of system has been known to greatly reduce accidents that are normally caused by the tires locking up when hitting the brakes hard. You should definitely buy a car that has anti-lock brakes, and this is regardless of whether or not you choose to buy new or used. 

As part of the car shopping process, you will need to research which used vehicles have anti-lock brakes and which ones don’t. In doing this, you can make your shopping experience much more enjoyable because you won’t be wasting you time looking at cars that don’t have the features you want. 

There are many other safety features to consider looking for when buying a used car, including:

  • Airbags
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Adaptive headlights 
  • Backup camera

To learn more about buying a used car for the family that sports some of today’s best safety features, contact Linda Dugan Insurance today

5 Tips for Cleaning Your Car in Astoria

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If your car is dirty, you may not pay too much attention to the state of your interior. Crumbs and dirt aren’t going to kill you, so it’s a task you may put off time after time. However, accidents are caused for a number of reasons and objects in the car or poor visibility can distract you more than you realize. Here are 5 tips for keeping your car clean. 

1. Take Out the Trash

The wind moves in mysterious ways, and those ways can cause paper to fly everywhere — even in your face. Stick the trash bag where you’ll see it and remember to use it. 

2. Lessen Your Distractions 

How many times have you had your phone in your lap where it either fell or otherwise distracted you? Buy a phone holder for your car, or make one out of a large binder clip so you stay safe on the road. 

3. Drinks and Food 

If you run out of cup holders, don’t just throw your drinks on the floor. They can cause accidents by rolling into dangerous places, like under your brake pedal. Use a shower caddy to hold your fast food, and rolls of tape or even your shoe for drinks to cut down on edible threats. 

4. Headlights and Windows

You need clear headlights and windows to drive. When you’re at the pump, just make sure you get the grime off so you can see straight. You can also clean your headlights with window washing fluid so you stay bright. 

5. Clean Coverage 

Clean automobiles also need clean and up-to-date insurance policies. Linda Dugan Insurance serves Astoria, OR and provides information, assistance and coverage to the many drivers here. Call for a quote today to see what can be done for you. 

How to Wash Your Car Like a Pro

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Nothing beats the look of a freshly washed car. However, if you have ever attempted to wash your vehicle on your own, you may end up with small soap spots or dirty areas, no matter how many times you wash over the vehicle. You’d take the vehicle in for a professional wash, but that really adds up. Instead, you just need to know how to wash your car like a pro, and at Linda Dugan Insurance, we have a few tips to follow, whether you live in Astoria, OR or not. 

Only Use Vehicle Designed Products

Never ever use dish soap or detergent designed for anything other than washing a car. These products can harm your vehicle more than anything else. 

Rinse First

Before breaking out the soap, always rinse off the vehicle. This helps prep the vehicle, soften up debris while also cooling off the surface of the vehicle. Washing a hot vehicle can not only result in you burning your fingers but you scorching the soap and burning the paint at the same time. 

Move in Sections

You want to know why you end up with soap spots on your vehicle? The soap dries before you can rinse it off. To avoid this you need to wash the vehicle in small sections. Wash by the panel (or part of a panel) and only move on after you have rinsed off the soap  from the individual panel. Water is your friend here, so always keep the vehicle wet both before and after applying the soap. 

Clean Off Contaminants As Quickly as Possible

Notice a bird used your vehicle as target practice? Clean this off as quickly as possible. The longer it sits on your vehicle, the greater the chance it eats away at the paint and causes permanent damage. 

Contact one of the friendly, independent insurance agents at Linda Dugan Insurance today.

Stay Defensive With These Driving Habits

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A defensive driver is a safe driver. They also are less likely to be involved in an auto accident or receive tickets while on the road. This, in turn, reduces their insurance rates while keeping them safe and sound inside of their vehicle. At Linda Dugan Insurance, we want to make sure all drivers not only save money on their insurance but stay safe whenever out on the road. That is why we offer these safe driving tips for drivers in Astoria, OR or anywhere else they may travel. 

Mindful of Surroundings

Driving is more than keeping eyes on the road. It is understanding the surroundings. From whether there is a grass median or a railing to sidewalk placement, pedestrians and how close vehicles behind the car is following them, all of this plays an important role in defensive driving and staying safe. The more alert and mindful a driver is, the safer they remain. 

Remove Distractions

Distractions come in many forms. From cell phones to noisy passengers, each and every second a person spends not concentrating on the road and traffic around them is a second too long. Removing distractions is a must for a driver to stay defensive. For someone who needs access to their cell phone, cars do now come equipped with a hands free mode (new stereo systems have this as an option as well). Before someone sets foot in the driver’s seat, they need to cut out all potential distractions. 

Never Depend on Other Drivers

It is impossible to know what another driver is thinking, what they are doing or how defensive they are driving. Other drivers may have something else on their mind or they might be distracted with kids in the back seat. A defensive driver should only depend on themselves and what they can control.