Author: elmers2021

Now that the world is dealing with a global pandemic, it has become clear that our surroundings are not as safe or clean as we originally assumed. Even if you are working hard to wear a face covering and washing your hands every time you touch a surface, there are places that we forget about simply because we spend a lot of time there. Case in point: your car. Your car travels with you wherever you go, and so cleaning it is just as important as sanitizing your hands and phone and wearing a mask.

The good news is that cleaning your car to keep you safe during the COVID-19 era isn’t difficult. You already have most of the supplies you need.

So let’s get started.

 

Best Products For Cleaning Your Car

The interior of your car is less resilient than your kitchen counter or a shower stall when it comes to being cleaned. The fabrics, leather, and glass can be damaged if you don’t use the appropriate items. The best items you can use are the same ones you are probably already including in your daily life, such as dish soap, disposable gloves, and a warm water-alcohol solution. A microfiber cloth is also excellent for sweeping up tiny particles of dirt and dust and leaving surfaces streak-free.

For instance, disinfectant wipes containing around 70 percent isopropyl alcohol are most effective for killing COVID-19. You can also make a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar.

The CDC states that dirty surfaces and upholstery needs to be cleaned prior to sanitizing. Vacuum up dirt and dust. Shake out the floor mats. Remove any grime that is visible. Pick up any garbage, loose receipts, and anything else that could be an obstacle later. That will help your disinfecting efforts.

Keep in mind that any imitation leather in your vehicle will have a urethane coating. If you are using an alcohol-based cleaning solution, do not use it too often or scrub too vigorously. You could damage the coating. Soap and water is the best for fabrics and leather. Use only a small amount of water when cleaning the cushions. Otherwise, you could soak the fabric, and that will result in a musty scent or mold growth.

Wear disposable gloves while cleaning out your car. This will protect you from possible contaminants.

 

Cleaning Products to Avoid

What about products that could damage the interior of your car? While cleaners like hydrogen peroxide, ammonia-based solutions, and bleach are all excellent for annihilating viruses, they will also ruin plastic and upholstery. Ammonia-based liquids should never be used on touchscreens, because it will destroy the anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coating.

Be sure to read the ingredients list on the cleaning products you plan to use. Otherwise, stick with the basic water-alcohol mixture and some regular soap.

 

Focus On High Touch Areas

Once you have gathered the items required for cleaning the interior of your car, it’s time to formulate a game plan. That means targeting the places most prone to carrying viruses and bacteria, such as:

• Door handles, outside and inside
• Gear shifter
• Steering wheel
• Turn signal
• Wiper level
• Buttons on the radio
• Touchscreens
• Climate control areas
• Armrests
• Grab handles
• Seat belts
• Seat upholstery
• Mirrors
• Seat adjustment levers

Spend some extra time on places like touchscreens and the steering wheel. According to a study from CarRentals.com, a steering wheel could have four times more germs than public restroom toilets.

 

Keep Some Cleaning Products in Your Car

Keep your car clean on the go, too. You can keep some disinfectant wipes in the glove compartment and some hand sanitizer in the storage on the doors or in a cup holder. If you are going to be idling in a line at the drive-thru or running some errands, for instance, you should also have some extra disposable gloves and masks in the car so you can protect yourself both in and out of the vehicle.

 

Protect Yourself and Others While In The Car

Once you have finished with cleaning and disinfecting the interior of your car, don’t forget to wash your own hands before hopping in and driving off. Now that your vehicle’s interior is cleaner and sanitized, you are ready to do what you have to do. You will have more peace of mind going about your errands knowing that COVID-19 is nowhere to be found in your vehicle. Just remember to repeat this process, since the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for a long time.

Need help maintaining or repairing your car? Worried about COVID-19? We have a completely safe process to minimize risk and contact. Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form to learn more!

Auto insurance is necessary but certainly not easy to get. That is why you need to do what you can to maintain it. If you don’t have insurance, you are breaking the law; if you get caught without it, then you face severe penalties, such as impoundment, jail time, and fines. You do not want that.

Unfortunately, some circumstances lead up to you opening a letter from the insurance company telling you that your policy has been canceled. It’s a terrifying reality. How can you get on if you can’t drive insured? What happens from here?

Don’t panic. There are steps you can take to understanding why you have received a cancellation notice from your insurer and ways to continue your coverage. Keep reading to learn more.

 

Why You Received a Policy Cancellation Letter

Every state has its own rules and regulations involving auto insurance, but most agree that missing a premium payment is worthy of cancellation. Yet, it is highly unusual to receive such a letter. Though insurance companies are free to drop policies within the first 60 days of a new policy, as soon as the policy hits day 61, the rules get much less flexible.

In other words, if two months into the policy have passed, there are only a couple legal reasons why auto insurance can be canceled.

 

Common Reasons For Auto Insurance Cancellation

Aside from nonpayment of a premium, here are other reasons why you received a cancellation letter from your insurer:

• You did not disclose essential information when applying. In order to give a rate, the insurance company needs to know where your car is garaged, who regularly uses the vehicle, and what kind of car you are driving. If you do not provide accurate information, it becomes material misrepresentation.
• You have multiple at-fault accidents or traffic violations. If you cause accidents or receive speeding tickets, for example, within a specific time frame (usually 36 months or 3 years), your policy may be canceled.
• You tried to commit fraud. Whether you submit a claim or someone else filed against you, you are expected to provide clear and accurate information.
• Your license or registration was suspended or revoked. If your driver’s license or vehicle registration gets revoked or suspended a few times within 3 years, the insurer may decide to remove you or another covered driver with the offenses from the policy.
• Your car is not safe. If you do not get your car inspected on time, the insurer may drop the policy. Also, if it is known your car has mechanical issues that are unsafe, your policy could be revoked.
• You are using your vehicle for business. Personal insurance policies are not meant for business. This also means you can’t use your car for things like Uber or Lyft without informing your insurance provider.

 

Nonrenewal vs. Cancellation

Did you receive a nonrenewal or a cancellation notice? Though the words sound similar, they are different. Here’s why:

• Cancellation: Happens during the middle of your policy. This is considered a last resort for the insurance company, which is why there are certain restrictions that limit cancellations.
• Nonrenewal: Happens at the end of your policy, before the beginning of a new one. This occurs during the interim, between periods of coverage. Nonrenewal happens more frequently, because there are less regulations. This typically means you have to find a new carrier.

Nonrenewal revolves around certain circumstances that make the insurer believe you are too much of a liability to continue coverage. For instance, if you have had several DUIs under their coverage, they may send you a nonrenewal notice.

Regardless, the insurer will inform you of the reasons why they chose to cancel or to not renew the policy. The time between the warning and when the policy is dropped differs depending on your state. For example, in New Jersey, a company must give you 15-30 days notice before canceling if you haven’t paid. You get 20 days for other cancellation reasons.

 

What To Do When You Receive a Cancellation Notice

A cancellation notice should not be unexpected. Most policies are canceled only in extreme circumstances, but this means that you will have some warning. Usually, the insurance company will have already reached out to you to try and assist with the issues.

For instance, if you have run into financial difficulties and missed a payment, the insurance carrier usually provides you with a grace period so you can catch up. Or, if your license was recently revoked, you can take steps to get your license back before the policy lapses. While you may not always be able to correct the issue, you can get in contact with your provider to learn more about your options.

 

Can You Get Car Insurance Again After Cancellation?

Yes, you can get auto insurance after receiving a cancellation notice. However, you should know that you will have to deal with higher premiums. Insurance companies check to see if you have been late with payments or if you have been canceled previously, since that helps them separate low-risk drivers from high-risk ones.

If you are between cars, one way to prevent a coverage gap is to enroll in non-owner car insurance.

That said, you also need to consider the reasons why you were canceled. Having a severe traffic violation or a long history of missed payments and at-fault accidents will make you less desirable to insurance carriers. Those who are struggling to get accepted by a preferred carrier can look at the non-standard market, which is full of lesser-known insurance companies.

 

Bottom Line

If your auto insurance was canceled unfairly, you can contact the state insurance department to learn more. Be sure to research your state laws first. Should the cancellation be justifiable, you can expect to see increased auto insurance quotes when you begin shopping for another policy. But remember: Restoring auto insurance as soon as possible is important. It keeps you from being labeled “high risk.”

Have questions or concerns? Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form below.

High risk is a term that can apply to a lot of things right now, like traveling and gathering in large groups and, yes, even driving. However, it is not the act of driving but the driver that is high risk. Those who are stamped with being high risk means that they could lose eligibility for some insurances. Yet, most people do not realize there are certain things that can impact their auto insurance rates that are not obvious.

Here are several things that designate a driver as high risk:

 

Are You a High Risk Driver? Here Are The Signs

When it comes to getting auto insurance, you need to know whether or not you are considered low or high risk. The main difference between the two is that those who are considered to be a low risk driver will have less of a chance of filing a claim, whereas those who are high risk have a greater chance of filing insurance claims.

 

You Don’t Have a Great Credit Score

Many Americans these days struggle with maintaining good credit, especially if you are dealing with student debt and other financial struggles. Although insurance companies cannot deny you for having poor credit, you may receive a higher rate. See, credit scores are a gauge for financial stability and responsibility, so if you have made mistakes in the past and are still paying for it, you are considered high risk.

Those who have good or excellent credit scores may be eligible for a Financial Stability Discount from some insurance providers, so now is the time to look into ways to lower your risk.

 

Never Had Auto Insurance Before

Driving without car insurance is illegal, so you want to have it as soon as possible. There are also no exceptions for those who have never had auto insurance before now. If you have a driver’s license and a vehicle, most insurance companies are going to assume that you have been driving without insurance at some point. That translates into a high-risk rate now.

 

You Are a Young Driver

Nothing makes you more of a high-risk driver than being new behind the wheel. Teenagers and those who have no driving experience have a higher chance of getting into accidents, which heightens the chance of filing a claim. All new drivers go through something of a probation period where the rate is higher. Once you have established yourself as a good driver, the rate should decrease.

 

Too Many Traffic Violations, Tickets, or Accidents

Sadly, even on minor violation or accident, even if it was not your fault, will increase your insurance premium. It is certainly frustrating to have a slip-up several years ago only to have it haunt you again when you go to get a new insurance policy. Some carriers have introduced Accident Forgiveness, but that is an extra option that costs you a small fee.

Now, the more violations you have, the greater risk you pose. In fact, if you have multiple traffic violations that total over six points, you may lose eligibility for a preferred insurance carrier. Note that a ticket does not need to be issued in order for insurance points to be placed on your record.

 

DUI or DWI

Have you gotten a DUI or DWI recently? You may have received a notice of cancellation from your insurance provider. If you didn’t consider yourself lucky. Most insurance carriers do not allow for a major violation, such as driving while intoxicated. The DUI/DWI will also stay on record, so that will affect rates later on.

 

You Are Single and Don’t Own a Home

Since some insurance companies have something called a homeowner discount, where people who own homes pay less for auto insurance, it is the opposite for those who rent. Insurance companies believe that buying and affording a home means you are stable and responsible.

Again, this only applies to some insurance policies. Many do not consider home ownership as a deciding factor.

Yet, what home ownership can determine is whether or not you are married or a parent. Married with children brings with it more discounts for you and more stability (and a promise of safer driving) for the car insurance company.

 

Who is Considered a Low-Risk Driver?

Even if you have a pristine driving record, there are some things that insurance companies look at that you cannot change, like your age, gender, and the distance from your current place of employment.

Insurance companies consider the following low-risk populations:

• Women
• Adults (25 years or older)
• Rural address/residence
• Married
• Parents

For example, if you are a 30-year-old woman who has been driving for many years, has never gotten into an accident, and lives far from the city, you will be considered low risk. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old male college student with bad credit and an apartment is considered high risk.

Yet, many policies and rates will decrease over time. Regardless, you can work actively towards becoming a better driver and decreasing traffic violations. The more reputable your history, the better off you will be.

 

Conclusion

Do you fall into some of these categories? You may be paying more than low-risk drivers because of it. Just remember that the longer you go without tarnishing your record, the less you will have to pay—eventually. Understanding what a high-risk driver is happens to be the first step!

Are you a high-risk driver in need of affordable vehicle repairs? Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

There are many reasons you may want your driving record. Some companies require employees to have a clean driving record or you may be in the market for new insurance and want to be sure there are no surprises. If you live in New Jersey, these are the steps you need to take to get your driving record.

Request Your Record Online

New Jersey allows you to request a copy of your driving record online. In order to do so, you will need to set up a user ID and password. You will also need a copy of your New Jersey driver’s license or state-issued identification. There is a $15 fee that must be paid by credit or debit card.

Request Your Record by Mail

If you prefer requesting your driving record by mail, you must complete Form DO-21, Driver History Abstract. You can access the form and fill it out online or you can print the form and fill it in by hand. You can also receive copies of the following using the DO-21 form:

• Order of Suspension
• Schedule of Suspension
• Restoration Notice
• Mailing List
• Summons
• Accident Report

Accident reports cost $5 while all other reports are $15. You will need to provide dates for each of the reports requested. You must also supply a copy of your New Jersey driver’s license. You must also include a check or money order for $15, payable to NJMVC. The application must be mailed to:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Abstract Unit
225 East State Street
PO Box 142
Trenton, NJ 08666-0142

 

Visit the Motor Vehicle Commission Office

You may also get a copy of your driving record by visiting a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Office. You will need to bring your New Jersey driver’s license, a $15 fee in the form of cash, check, money order, debit or credit card. You can complete the Application for Driver History Abstract prior to going to the office or you can fill it out once you arrive. Offices are located in the following towns:

• Baker’s Bason
• Bayonne
• Camden
• Cardiff
• Delanco
• Eatontown
• Edison
• Flemington
• Freehold
• Lodi
• Newark
• North Bergen
• Oakland
• Paterson
• Rahway
• Randolph
• Rio Grande
• Salem
• South Plainfield
• Toms River
• Vineland
• Wayne
• West Deptford

Third-Party Vendors

Another method for obtaining your driver’s license in New Jersey is through third-party vendors. You can find many vendors online who will obtain your driving record for you. The cost is usually higher than if you obtained the record directly from DMV and it may not be as accurate. However, many companies will send you the record immediately. It can take several days to get your record from the Motor Vehicle Commission. If you are under a time limit, using a third-party vendor may be the best option.

Insurance Agent

Your insurance agent may also be able to provide you with a copy of your driving record. Agents have the ability to access driving records and may be willing to print an extra copy for you. If you need a certified copy, however, this will not work as the agent will be unable to certify it even though it came directly from the agency.

Understanding Your Driving Record

Once your driving record arrives, you may find that you have difficulty understanding the information included. The top five lines of the driving record are identifying information such as your name, address, driver’s license number and the type of license you hold. Below that information is any event that was documented against your license. These events are listed in order from most recent to oldest. The first column shows the date the event occurred. The next two columns are the code used by either the state or municipality to designate the charge. A written description of the event follows. The next column is used by the state. IF there is an “X” in the CMV column, the offense was committed in a commercial vehicle. If there is an “X” in the HZM column, the offense was committed in a vehicle carrying hazardous materials. An “X” under FTL indicates there was a fatality and one under PA means that the offense is being appealed. The final column is the date the charge was posted by the state.

Common Codes Used by New Jersey

The code “SUS” indicates that the state has taken a suspension action against you while RES indicates they are in the process or have restored your driving privileges. DMV means that the state is in the process of taking action, ISS means you have an insurance surcharge and CIS means compulsory insurance. The last code is normally found in charges related to an accident. Download Explanation for Abstract of Driver History Record

Common Violation Descriptions

Because the state has limited space for the description, they are often abbreviated. Common events found on driving records include Failure to Wear Seatbelt, Operating During a Suspension Period, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Failure to Appear, and Failure to Comply with a Court Installment Order. The last violation indicates that you failed to make payments on a fine as stipulated by the courts.

Correcting a Mistake

If you see a mistake on your driving record, there are steps you can take to correct them. For example, if an accident that was determined to be no-fault is listed with you at-fault, you can usually clear that up with a simple police report submitted to the Motor Vehicle Commission. If there is an error, you need to try to correct it as soon as possible.

Your driving record contains a significant amount of personal information. It is critical that you protect it as much as possible. A poor driving record can lead to high insurance costs and may keep you from getting a dream job. Knowing what is on your driving record can protect you from a surprise in the future. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we know mistakes happen and are here for you should you be involved in an accident. Schedule your appointment today by calling or filling out the easy online form.