Spring Clean Your Home With Recycling

Posted on by AgentInsure

Spring is the perfect time for you to clean up your home, ditch the winter junk and just freshen up the entire home. However, it doesn’t mean you should just toss everything into the trash. There are plenty of items you can recycle. So, while you clean your home, make sure to recycle what you cat. At AllConnecticut Insurance, we not only want your home to be beautiful, but we want to beautify all of West Hartford, CT. 

Old Electronics

Old electronics often are tossed in the trash. From bulky computer monitors to cell phones and random pieces of equipment, you probably just want these items out of the house. However, electronics cause more problems in local landfills than almost anything else. With the chemicals leaking out to the plastics sitting around for tens of thousands of years, you want to avoid placing these in the trash. Your local electronics store will offer recycling programs to help rid these objects. 

Toilet Paper Rolls

These are actually some of the most obvious items to recycle, yet are also some of the most often missed. After all, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and other such rolls are made out of cardboard and can easily be tossed into the recycling. So, while going through the house cleaning everything up with the paper towel, make sure to add those rolls into the recycling. 

Plastic Shopping Bags

Many countries are no longer offering plastic shopping bags due to the amount of plastic used. It is best to save these plastic bags after individual shopping trips and then bring the bags back to the store. Most grocery stores have bins for returning plastic bags. Also, consider picking up a reusable shopping bag for future visits to the stores. 

5 Tips For Conserving the Gas in Your Vehicle

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Every automobile owner is aware of the many expenses involved in owning a vehicle. Many expenses can’t be controlled, but there are some that can. Gas is one of these expenses that can be controlled, and here is a list of 5 ways to conserve gas, which can save you money:

Go the speed limit

By adhering to the speed limit, regardless if you’re driving around town or on the highway, you can conserve your gas. You won’t have to worry about being pulled over by law enforcement, and you can simultaneously conserve gas.

Check your tires

Ensuring that you have adequate tire pressure at all times is another important way to conserve gas. If you drive with tires that have even slightly less than normal levels of air, your gas will be used up much more quickly.

Keep your air filter clean

If your air filter is dirty, then adequate levels of air flow can’t be achieved, resulting in your vehicle working harder. When it works harder, it’s also using more fuel in the process.

Don’t waste fuel

If you’re in the car waiting for someone who is running errands, turning off the engine until they return is a good idea. Also, limiting the morning warming time to under one minute can conserve gas.

Use the correct oil

If you use motor oil that isn’t appropriate for your vehicle, not only can it cause your car to function less than optimally, but it can also result in your car working harder, causing your fuel to disappear quickly.

There are many other ways to save on the maintenance of your vehicle, including shopping around for insurance. You can contact AllConnecticut Insurance to obtain a quote, which could possibly save you more than you ever thought possible.

After An Accident, Look For These Fender-Bender Fraud Warning Signs

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The moment an accident happens in West Hartford, you want to be on the lookout for fender bender fraud warning signs. While you would like to think that everybody is honest and accidents happen, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, what we see in movies and on TV about people claiming fraudulent activity in car accident is the reality, too.

Statistics

The statistics are important to understand. Many of the people who are trying to commit fraud will target the elderly as well as those with high-end vehicles. This is because they think that they can win easily, and potentially when a lot of money. This means that if you fall into one or both of the statistics and you are involved in a fender bender, you want to be extra wary.

Everything’s Fine

The people who act as though everything is fine are generally the ones you want to be concerned about. People who are genuinely upset about their vehicle want to get the cops involved and want to make a big deal of things. The ones that simply want to trade insurance information and drive off are the ones that are likely going to be the ones to contact your insurance company, claiming all sorts of fraudulent thing.

Courtroom Antics

If you end up in a courtroom because of the fender bender, look for certain antics, such as the person coming in with a cane, a wheelchair, or a neck brace because many times, a fender bender isn’t enough to cause the kinds of injuries they are claiming to have.

It’s important to have good insurance on the roads. Call and talk to us at AllConnecticut Insurance today. One of our independent insurance agents can answer questions and help to find quotes for an affordable policy.

 

 

West Hartford, CT: You Can Give Back to Others

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Giving back to others isn’t difficult. Most people think it’s about money, but often it’s about time and talents, instead. Volunteering your time to organizations like Meals on Wheels, or giving blood to help save lives, can be great ways to get to know people throughout your local community, along with finding a sense of purpose. If you’ve just moved to West Hartford, CT, you may not know anyone there. That can be stressful, but it doesn’t take long to meet people and make some friends.

A good place to start is to volunteer with organizations that are important to you, so you can get involved with others who share your interests in the kinds of things that you feel matter in your life. It’s often much easier to make friends when they are people who have similar interests. That helps you form a connection, and can also have you feeling more at home in a new place. You might want to consider adopting a pet from a West Hartford shelter, too. Adopting shelter pets saves lives, and gives you a furry companion to help you get settled into your new location.

When you think about giving back to others, also consider getting your insurance from a local agency like ALLConnecticut Insurance. When you do that, you keep more money in your community and help a business there see a larger degree of success. That’s good for you, the business, and the entire local area, and you’ll get the personalized service you expect from a local insurance agent, too. It’s an excellent way to help give back to the area.

4 Ways to Make House Sitting a Positive Experience

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Staying at someone’s home while they are gone can be a nerve wrecking experience if you aren’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to promote a good outcome for both you and your host. Here are four ways to make house sitting a positive experience.

#1: Be Clear About Expectations

When house sitting for someone else, it is very important to be clear about any expectations they have for you while they are away. Ask plenty of questions, such as whether or not you’re responsible for getting the mail, putting out the trash cans on the curb, or watering plants. By keeping this discussion open from the beginning, you can ensure that you are both happy with the final outcome of the stay and that nothing is missed.

#2: Ask Plenty of Questions

Asking plenty of questions prior to your host leaving is also an important way to make the overall experience positive. Inquire as to where they keep spare toilet paper, clean towels, and extra pillows, but also consider things like how to set the pilot light and where the breaker box is located. If you are taking care of animals in their absence, find out the name and phone number of a local veterinarian.

#3: Do What You Say You Will Do

Many homeowners have hired people to watch their homes while they were away, only to find out the other person didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. For a positive experience, don’t be this kind of house sitter! If you say you’re going to pick up the mail every day and feed the goldfish seven times, do it exactly as you mapped out in the beginning.

#4: Leave Things Better Than When You Found Them

Who doesn’t like coming home to a clean house? As a house sitter, it is important to leave things better than when you found it. Wash towels, remake the bed, and put away any dishes that you’ve used during your stay. Your host will definitely thank you for doing so.

For homeowners, it is also important to ensure you have proper insurance coverage before you leave on your adventure. To learn more or obtain a no-obligation policy quote, please contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance today.

West Hartford Independent Agents Are Assets

Posted on by AgentInsure

Have you ever been shopping for insurance, but couldn’t find a policy that suited you? Maybe you didn’t quite understand all the options and features of the policy, so you wanted to talk about it with an agent before you purchased the coverage. At ALLConnecticut Insurance, our independent insurance agents are assets. They are here to ensure you are satisfied with your coverage prior to purchasing. The following are a few more reasons you should work with our independent insurance agents.

They Offer Competitive Quotes
If you’ve searched online, then you know that there are a lot of insurance products out there. You can get coverage for your car, home, motorcycle, and boat. When you have a need for multiple insurance policies, it’s important that you save time and energy getting a quote. Our independent insurance agents can provide you with multiple quotes after they input your information. With multiple quotes, you can rest assure that these quotes are competitive.

Independent Insurance Agents Explain Coverage Options
Whether you have purchased insurance before or not, it’s complicated. It’s an ever-changing industry. Our independent insurance agents work hard to remain current on the changes so that you don’t have to. They are ready and able to answer your questions.

They Match Your Needs with Insurance Coverage
Our independent insurance agents don’t simply pick out one of the insurance policies and sell it to you. No, our agents offer you multiple insurance products based on your needs. After conducting a needs assessment, they offer you a product that is unbiased and a close fit for your insurance needs.

Don’t go without insurance. Give one of our independent insurance agents a call today. If you are too busy, take a look at all of our products online and get a quote there as well.
 

 

Car Gifting: Not as Easy as in the Commercial

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In the commercial, a spouse or child walks outside on Christmas morning to find their dream car wrapped in a beautiful gift ribbon which makes the gift apparent. As much as anyone would love to receive such a gift, and as heart-warming of a story falls behind it, there’s actually a little more to the story. The car has to be registered and insured.

Giving a Car as a Gift

A car is a great gift for a spouse, children, or even a close friend. Unfortunately, there is more to a car than with typical gifts. Ownership is registered according to the licensed driver, taxes are due annually, inspections have to be conducted and perhaps most importantly, insurance has to be maintained in order to keep the car on the road. A car is an ongoing expense and the ability to maintain said expense by the recipient must be considered before purchase. Part of any good gift is the thought and consideration behind it.

Considerations

A car requires paperwork, and the paperwork has to be passed along to the recipient of the gift in order to keep the gift. There are further expenses after the initial purchase price of a car, namely, maintenance, continued registration and inspection fees, and insurance. It’s important for the giver to assure the recipient can maintain those expenses and keep the car.

Insurance

Insurance is an expense every car owner has to pay. Some policies are less expensive and others offer better coverage, so check with the gift recipient and ALLConnecticut Insurance about how best to cover the insurance needs of a gift before making a new car available to someone you love.

How To Provide Aid At A Car Crash

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When you witness a car crash, it is a good idea to stop and see how you can help. There’s a lot you can do. Just as you would want others to stop for you, it can be you to do the good deed. Simply calling for help can make a big difference.

Before you start acting like a hero, get on the phone and call 911. This will ensure that the police know that there is an accident. Help will then be dispatched in order to help all of the victims.

The 911 operator is likely going to tell you what needs to be done. They may even stay on the phone with you as you go from car to car, checking on the victims. You will want to find out:

  • How many people are in each car
  • How critical each person is
  • Are they able to get out of the car on their own
  • Are the doors able to open

The more you can provide to the 911 operator, the better it is as they will know how much help to send as well as what supplies are needed. If you tell the operator that there are people in critical condition, they may send a chopper in addition to an ambulance – and that may be enough to save the lives of some of the people involved.

After help arrives, you can provide a statement to the police. Detailed information is what they are looking for. Once this is done, you can leave the scene, knowing you have done what you could.

At ALLConnecticut Insurance, our agents are here to help you find a policy you can count on. Call now and let an agent get quotes and answer questions so you can purchase an affordable policy in West Hartford.

 

 

Small Business Risk – Are You Covered?

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The vast majority of small business owners work extremely hard to ensure that their enterprise is a success. However, failure to evaluate risk ahead of time can sometimes cause a costly issue down the road. Here are three common small business risks to be aware of.

#1: Property Damage

Imagine walking into your location and finding everything either destroyed by a catastrophic fire or vandalized to the point of having to temporarily shut down your company. Or consider a scenario where a large and powerful storm hits your area and causes thousands of dollars in damage. What would you do? Would your small business be able to repair and /or replace all of the items necessary for operations? Property damage can happen at virtually any time, so it is vital that you keep continuous insurance coverage to help you in the event of an unexpected incident.

#2: Interruption of Business

Interruption of business is another risk that all small business owners need to know. Sometimes accidents do happen and it becomes necessary for a company to shut its doors for a little while. Often, this temporary closure allows time for repairs or other circumstances to run their course. This is where a business interruption policy can be helpful. If your business is unable to operate due to a covered claim, you could receive reimbursement for the income lost during that period.

#3: Liability Claims

Liability claims are another risk that could happen to your small business completely out of the blue. These claims include incidents of accidental injury, libel, slander, and any other time where someone other than your employees becomes harmed in one way or another. In most cases, a basic professional liability policy will adequately protect you against costly lawsuits stemming from this type of incident. If you are in a riskier industry, there are a multitude of larger specialized policies you may also consider.

Find out more about protecting your small business against these risks and more. Please contact our team at ALLConnecticut Insurance today.

Is Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters This Halloween?

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Is your home safe for trick-or-treaters this Halloween? By taking a few extra precautions, you can ensure everyone has a happy holiday. Here are three tips to consider.

Confine Your Pets

One of the first things to think about when preparing for Halloween festivities is what you plan to do with your dog or cat. Even well-behaved animals become scared by having so many unknown visitors coming up the driveway and yours may even try to bolt out the door. For the safety of both your beloved pet and the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, have a secure place in mind where you can put the animal for the duration of the evening. (Good examples include a special room, crate, or even a secure area in your backyard.)

Keep a Clean Area

Keeping a clean area is important when getting ready for the arrival of trick-or-treaters. Make sure your yard is free from any hazards, such as overgrown vegetation that could catch on clothing or items that could possibly be tripped over. You will also want to make sure certain outdoor living accessories are out of the way and that your walkway is free from any loose bricks or holes.

Ensure Your Porch is Well-Lit

Another way to prepare your home for trick-or-treaters is by ensuring that your porch is well-lit. Turn on as many different fixtures as you can to help illuminate the path to your door. Line walkways with small solar lights to help children see the way more clearly at night. However, don’t rely on candle as your main glow—these pose a fire hazard if they are knocked over or tripped on.

By keeping these things in mind, you can help lessen the chance of a visitor becoming injured. However, in case something accidentally happens, it is very important to ensure your homeowner’s insurance is current. For more information or a no-obligation policy review, please contact our team at ALLConnecticut Insurance.