Category: Auto Insurance

Auto insurance carries many benefits for drivers. Many of us would be ill-prepared to cover an accident or some other mishap out of pocket. Auto insurance can cover accidents and other non-moving incidents, which benefits drivers. Drivers have various choices regarding auto insurance. Aside from liability coverage, drivers have options for car insurance. The L & S Agency Inc. team is committed to helping Buffalo, NY drivers explore their options. 

What is Auto Liability Insurance?

Auto liability insurance covers damage or injuries that other drivers may sustain if you’re at fault for an accident. All states have preset limits that every driver must carry. New York requires all drivers to carry $10,000 in property damage coverage, $25,000 for bodily injury, and $50,000 for death. All accidents that involve two or more people require $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death. Auto liability coverage covers medical and property damage for at-fault accidents and injuries. In essence, auto liability coverage only provides for the other driver’s car, property, and injuries if you’re at fault for an accident. This form of insurance doesn’t cover your injuries or your property damage. However, all drivers are legally required to invest in auto liability insurance, but more insurance is required to cover your injuries and car.

My auto loan is paid in full. Should I reduce my coverage to liability only?

Maybe. If you own a late-model car and can’t afford to cover accidents and other unexpected incidents out of pocket, auto insurance is likely still a necessary investment. If your vehicle is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy, liability insurance is appropriate. Full coverage insurance isn’t a wise investment if your car is worth less than your comprehensive and collision policy. If you have questions about auto insurance, call us. We’re happy to help you explore your options.

Buffalo residents know that about 90 inches of snow can fall during a single winter. This can make for hazardous driving conditions. At L & S Agency Inc. serving the greater Buffalo, NY region, we are passing along these top tips for driving on snowy roads.

Be Prepared in Case You’re Stranded

As soon as the first snow falls, prepare your car in case of emergency. Create an emergency preparedness kit that includes a blanket, gloves, hats emergency drinking water, and high-protein snacks. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but keep it in your vehicle in case you get stranded.

Switch to Snow Tires

For many other parts of the country, all-season radials may do the trick. But for Buffalo drivers, it’s wise to switch to actual snow tires for the winter season. When spring comes, you can change back to your regular tires. The extra traction and peace of mind are well worth the added time and expense.

Check Your Battery

Cold temperatures drain car batteries faster. If you have an older car battery, you might be better off bringing it in and getting a new one. An auto parts store or car dealership can check the battery and let you know the best course of action.

Know How to Drive Out of a Skid

If your rear wheels skid, steer in the direction you want to go. If your front wheels skid, straighten the steering wheel and gently ease off the gas.

Avoid High Speeds

Even if you have a high-performance vehicle or an SUV that drives great in the snow, your fellow drivers on the road may not feel so confident. Avoid speeding or driving in an aggressive manner, as this puts everyone in danger.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

To make sure you have adequate car insurance, contact L & S Agency Inc. serving Buffalo, NY. We’re here to help you during snowy Buffalo winters and all season long.

Getting a new car on the road can be an exhilarating experience, but there are certain precautions that need to be taken. That’s where the professionals at L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY come into play. We are able to walk all of our clients through the ins and outs of a comprehensive auto insurance policy. Before you have the chance to hit the road, these policies are a must. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before making a final decision.

How Do These Policies Differ From Collision Insurance?

It is important to be able to differentiate between the two. Motorists will often assume that they are one and the same when nothing could be further from the truth. Collision policies offer coverage when accidents occur. On the other hand, comprehensive auto insurance policies are designed to offer coverage to the motorist for all of the other issues that may arise when they are not actually driving the car.

What Problems Arise When I’m Not Driving?

Many motorists will make the mistake of failing to consider the problems that can take place when they are not behind the wheel. This will leave them liable for any damages that do not occur as the direct result of a car accident. Let’s say that the car becomes damaged as a result of a storm or storm-related conditions. With a comprehensive auto insurance policy, the necessary peace of mind is offered.

Is This Insurance Required?

In a word? Yes. If the car is being leased or financed, comprehensive auto insurance is a requirement. Once the vehicle is paid off, the choice is yours but skimping on this type of coverage is not advisable under any circumstances.

Reach Out To Us

Comprehensive auto insurance policies can be tough to understand. When you are ready to get started, schedule a consultation with L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY. Our team is on hand, ready, and willing to take all of the guesswork out of the decision-making process.

Choosing the right insurance policy is a priority when you are a motorist in Buffalo NY. There are a few things that vehicle owners need to be aware of when it comes to auto insurance. L & S Agency Inc. provides auto insurance policies to New York state residents. 

The following are three things you should know about auto insurance in New York:

The state of New York requires drivers to have insurance coverage to register their vehicles.

You need to show that your vehicle is insured to register it at a New York DMV. 

Motorists in New York can get in a lot of trouble if they’re not carrying auto insurance. Those who are caught without insurance can be cited by the police. You could have your vehicle registration and driver’s license suspended if you’re not insured and you’re caught driving on public roads in New York. 

New York State requires no-fault, liability, and uninsured motorist coverage.

There are minimum auto insurance requirements that motorists in New York must meet. Motorists need $50,000 in no-fault personal injury protection coverage per person per accident. Motorists also need $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. 

Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional in New York. 

Motorists don’t have to buy collision or comprehensive coverage in New York. However, purchasing these types of coverage is important if you want full coverage that will pay for damages to your own vehicle in an accident. 

Give Us A Call

The auto insurance policies we provide at L & S Agency Inc. will give you peace of mind and fulfill your insurance coverage responsibilities in Buffalo, NY. Get in touch with us today to get a policy quote. 

As the winter season approaches here in the snowy Buffalo, NY area, it’s important to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather and snow. Here are some tips from us at L & S Agency Inc. to help you prepare your car for winter.

Tips to prepare your car for winter

1. Check Your Tires

Make sure that your tires have enough tread on them and are properly inflated. This will ensure that you have better traction in snowy and icy conditions.

2. Change Your Oil

Get an oil change before the cold weather sets in so that your engine can stay lubricated and run more efficiently in colder temperatures.

3. Check Your Fluids

Top off all of your fluids, including windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid to keep everything running smoothly throughout the season. 

4. Inspect Your Battery

Colder temperatures can put additional strain on an old or weak battery, resulting in a dead battery when you least expect it. Make sure you get yours checked out before winter sets in! 

5. Check Wiper Blades & Lights

Make sure your wiper blades are still functioning properly so that snow won’t impair visibility while driving in bad weather. Also, check all of your exterior lights to make sure they’re working correctly as well! 

By following these tips, you will ensure that your car is safe and prepared for winter driving! From what tips, or if you want to explore your auto policy, give us at L & S Agency Inc. a call today. We proudly serve the Buffalo, NY area and would be glad to help you find a policy that meets your needs and your budget.

AT L & S Agency Inc, we are pleased to provide auto insurance to residents in the greater Buffalo, NY area. We strongly recommended to our customers that they participate in a defensive driving course. When you hear this, you may wonder why we encourage this. 

Here are a few benefits associated with participating in a defensive driving course:

You Can Learn to Drive Safely

One of the reasons why you should consider participating in a defensive driving course is so that you can learn to drive safely. No one is perfect, and everyone can learn. As such, there is always something new for you to learn by participating in one of these courses. 

You Can Decrease Your Chances of Being Involved in an Accident

Another benefit associated with participating in a defensive driving course is that you can decrease your chances of being involved in an accident. Statistics show that those who take defensive driving courses are involved in fewer accidents. 

You May Be Able to Get a Discount On Your Auto Insurance Policy

Lastly, many auto insurance companies offer you a discount if you participate in a defensive driving course or a safe driver driving course. This can be a great way to learn safe driving techniques while also possibly getting an auto insurance discount. 

Get or Update Your Auto Insurance Coverage

A defensive driving course may teach you new tips to help keep you safer on the roads, can help to decrease the chances of you being involved in an accident, and may be able to help you get a discount on your auto insurance policy. If you are in the market for a new auto insurance policy, the team at L & S Agency Inc, serving the greater Buffalo, NY area, would love to help you. Call or email us now to get started. 

Like most types of insurance, your needs don’t usually remain the same forever. Like your life, your insurance needs to evolve and you need to review your auto policy to make sure the coverage you have is what you really need. L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY is locally owned and customer service oriented. We place the needs of our customers first while working to find the best fitting auto insurance policy for the best price. 

When should you review your auto insurance policy?

The most obvious time to review your auto insurance policy is when your policy renews. The top page of your policy is the declaration page and this has all the relevant information you need to consider before actually renewing. Have you paid off your car loan? Do you need to keep collision and comprehensive coverage? Is your liability coverage adequate? Do you need to add roadside assistance coverage? 

Another time to review your auto policy is when you get a big increase in your policy premium. What has changed since your last renewal? It may be time to look at other carriers and your independent insurance agent can help. 

If you are adding a new vehicle or a new driver, checking your coverage is important. Do you need gap coverage? If you just purchased a brand-new vehicle, your insurance coverage needs to be enough to pay for the loan you have on your vehicle. Is your deductible where it should be? Is your liability coverage where it should be?  Especially if you have added a teen driver, you may want to increase your liability coverage. 

You should review your auto insurance coverage at least yearly and your insurance agent should be doing some comparison shopping for you to make sure you are getting the best deal. 

Get Auto Insurance Today

Contact L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY when it is time to review your auto insurance policy. 

Rental vehicles are used when you cannot use your car for some reason, and this happens when there is a car accident or you are renting a car for your vacation or excursion. Your auto insurance is part of this process. How does this work? For expert advice, reach out to L & S Agency Inc. serving Buffalo NY.  

Rental Vehicles and Auto Insurance: What You Need To Know

Renting a Vehicle and Having Insurance Coverage

You have rental car coverage if you have any automobile insurance policy legally in the state of New York if you have fewer than five vehicles and do not have only a truck. This type of vehicle does not include rental car coverage. 

Your policy would pay for any damages to the rental vehicle, even if the cost is higher than a $10,000 property damage liability limit, for example. 

Rental Reimbursement Insurance

If you have Rental Reimbursement insurance you would use this if there was damage to your vehicle and you needed to use alternate transportation during a repair or until your vehicle can be used, such as due to an auto accident. A different type of insurance, Comprehensive,  automatically gives you a rental car if your vehicle is stolen. This helps you not worry about driving while you and your agency are resolving your auto accident or vehicle theft problem.

Call Us Today

Contact L & S Agency Inc. serving Buffalo, NY today so you can get the coverage you need for your rental vehicle and other insurance needs. 

Before you can decide if basic auto insurance is the right choice for you, it is important to know exactly what basic insurance is in New York. In New York, the required coverage is 10/25/50. New York has an additional requirement for death in an accident. At L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY, we know that as independent agents we work for our customers and we are responsible for making sure that your auto insurance meets your needs. 

 

Auto Insurance Facts to Consider

With 10/25/50 insurance you get $10,000 in property damage, $25,000 for injuries to one person, and $50,000 for more than one person. The death benefit is $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for more than one person. If you have a lot of assets, this may not be enough coverage to sufficiently protect you. In which case, basic coverage is not for you. 

If you have a car loan or lease, you won’t be able to get away with just basic coverage. You need to protect the vehicle as well, so you need to have collision and comprehensive coverage. This means basic insurance is not the right choice for you. As a matter of fact, you don’t even have that option. 

Once your car loan is paid off or you buy your leased vehicle, you have the option of having only basic coverage. But if you count on your vehicle for the things you do every day, is it a good idea? If you need your car to get to work and if you don’t have the money it might take to repair or replace your vehicle, then basic insurance is probably not the right insurance for you. You need the additional protection collision and comprehensive offers.

Contact L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY when you are ready to discuss exactly what type of auto insurance is right for you. 

 

Like almost every other state in the union, New York has auto insurance requirements for drivers. It has to do with protecting other drivers from you. That requires liability coverage. At L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY, our award-winning agents place the needs of our clients first and work with you to make sure that you have the auto insurance that you need at a price you can live with. 

The minimum required auto insurance in New York is $10,000 in property damage, $25,000 for the first bodily injury and double that if it results in death. $50,000 for the entire accident in bodily injury, and $100,000 if there are multiple deaths.  

If you have an auto loan or a lease, you will have additional requirements. You will be required to have collision and comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle. Collision coverage will pay for repairs or for the replacement of your vehicle if you are the responsible party in an accident or if you are the only driver in an accident. Comprehensive coverage is for things that might damage your vehicle which are beyond your control. Things like hail and other weather-related damage, glass coverage, vandalism, and theft of your vehicle. 

You may want to have collision and comprehensive coverage even if it is not required. If like most people, you count on your vehicle to perform your daily activities, you need it to get repaired in the event it is damaged. Unless you can afford to do this easily out of pocket, you need insurance to help. 

If you are in the market for auto insurance, L & S Agency Inc. in Buffalo, NY has a team of experts to help with the search. Give us a call or stop at the office for a no-obligation quote.