Spring Cleaning for Your Vehicle: Car Insurance in New Bedford

While it might not seem like it right now, spring is just around the corner. If you’re ready for the snow, ice, and dreary skies to be gone and done with, just think how your car must feel. The more you can do to clean up your vehicle during the winter, the easier it will be to transition into the next season. Borden Insurance Agency in New Bedford wants to provide you with all the tips you need to keep your vehicle looking and running as it should. Massachusetts auto insurance coverage is designed to help you protect your automotive investment and to stay compliant with state law. If you have questions about car insurance in New Bedford, contact an experienced MA auto insurance agent by calling 508-999-3636.

Wash Away the Deicing Products

Living in New England means having to deal with some pretty tough winters. City workers, HOAs, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and even your own neighbors use everything in their arsenal to keep the streets free and clear or slippery snow and ice. Rock salt, sand, and deicing chemicals are used frequently around town and on the streets that you travel every day to and from the office or to run local errands. All of these products are pretty damaging to your vehicle’s paint job, framework, and tires. Start by running your vehicle through a car wash and use a spray-on wax product to provide a bit of extra protection until winter is finally done. This can help to protect the clear coat on the paint and prevent corrosion.

Clean Up the Interior of Your Vehicle

If deicing chemicals, rock salt, and sand get tracked into your car over the winter, make sure to clean it thoroughly from upholstery and other interior surfaces. The carpet, car mats, and even the dash can take a hit from all of these materials, as well as pick up dirt, slush, mud, and other debris tracked in by boots and shoes throughout the winter season. Dust off your dashboard, use wipes to do a deeper clean and use a protectant product to offer UV damage resistance. Clean the windows inside and out to make sure you can see clearly to prevent accidents and other issues. Clean the seats thoroughly, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and consider using a protectant year-round to keep them looking their best.

Consider the Mechanics

After a long, hard winter in Southeastern Massachusetts, your vehicle deserves a check-up or at least a little TLC – tender loving care. Take time to get your battery checked. Winter can be harsh on a battery and all of the related components, including the starter and the alternator. You can bring your vehicle to a local auto parts store and get a free battery test. If you are seeing signs of a weak battery, such as slow power windows or dimming interior lights, get it checked without delay. It’s still pretty cold outside, and you don’t want to get stranded in the parking lot at work or have to call someone to pick you up from the store.

Other things to check that get a lot of wear and tear in the winter include:

• brakes – especially if there’s any squeaking or grinding noises and a pedal that feels “soft” or “squishy” when you press it
• tires – check the tread to see if it’s time to replace your tires or, if the snow and ice are truly gone, get rid of your worn winter tires and put on your all-season summer tires; make sure to replace your snow tires before next winter arrives
• belts and hoses – inspect for any cracks or peeling, as well as softening; you can get your belts and hoses checked when you get an oil change; best to replace before one of these essential parts breaks down
• HVAC – let’s face it, you ran your heater every single day this winter; get the A/C and heater checked to make sure everything is ready for that first hot day, and so you won’t get any surprises when the chill returns in the fall

Check Your Massachusetts Auto Insurance Policy

Another check-up that will help you stay on top of any issues that could become a potential problem is to speak with your MA auto insurance agent about your policy for car insurance in New Bedford. Make sure that you have the right coverage for your vehicle, the type of driving that you do, and for any requirements made by your lender. Your needs can frequently change throughout the life of your vehicle, so it’s a good idea to check-in with your insurance agency in New Bedford at least once a year or whenever anything changes. New drivers, removed drivers, new addresses, a change in driving habits, end of a lease or financing program – all of these things should be reported to your insurance agent.

Contact Borden Insurance by calling 508-999-3636 and speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable agents. We can answer any questions that you might have about Massachusetts auto insurance requirements and provide you with a FREE quote for car insurance in New Bedford.