Protect Your Vehicle: Insurance Companies in Massachusetts

protect your vehicle in autumn weatherWhile there are numerous resources available to help drivers deal with the snow and ice of winter, there are fewer that focus on the unique challenges presented by autumn weather. Borden Insurance, your Massachusetts car insurance agent wants to share some safety advice with you, whether you’re new to the SouthCoast or just haven’t driven in the fall weather before. Shorter days, cooler temperatures, wet weather, football games, and, in New England, tons upon tons of autumn leaves all characterize the fall season. We have to drive through the fall foliage that brings tourists here.  The representatives of Borden Insurance Agency in New Bedford, Massachusetts are there to advise you in the event you have an accident or other claim related to your vehicle. As a driver, the more you can do to prevent accidents, the safer you’ll be all through the seasons.

Consider the Weather and Plan Accordingly

As a car owner, the first thing you need to do is make sure your car can handle driving in the rain. So, check out your windshield wipers, which may have faded from all the direct sunlight this summer. The cost of new blades is minimal, and anyone can change them out. Do not hesitate to consult an employee at your neighborhood auto parts store if you are unsure of how to proceed. When you buy a new set of blades from many of these stores, the installation is on the house. Old age, excessive use, and seasonal inactivity all contribute to the deterioration of windshield wiper blades. Protection can degrade more quickly in the summer’s hot and dry conditions. The best time to change your blades is in the fall and again in the spring. In this way, you won’t have to worry about installing new blades in the middle of a storm without the necessary protection. Take care of your vehicle and keep it in top shape.

Check that your car’s fluids are clean and at the proper levels after a long summer of driving to and from the beach and sitting in hot, congested traffic. To get your vehicle ready for the new season, now is a good time to change the oil and possibly the coolant as well. Your vehicle’s fluids will thicken with the drop in temperature. As a consequence, the engine as a whole moves much more slowly. If you live in Southeastern Massachusetts, where summer and winter temperatures can vary widely, you should change your fluids before the onset of fall to keep your car in tip-top shape. You wouldn’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere during a blizzard in late autumn because you didn’t check to see if everything was in working order.

Smart Driving: Dependable Maintenance

Wet weather, slick roads, and leaves everywhere could be disastrous if you don’t have good brakes. The New Bedford branch of your insurance company wants you to know that faulty brakes are a leading cause of accidents at this time of year. Take your car to a trusted mechanic who can inspect the brakes and advise you on whether or not they need to be replaced if you lack experience with auto repairs. It’s not safe to wait until your brakes start making a screeching noise before getting new pads and rotors. Inspect and replace your brakes at regular intervals to avoid any potential safety issues. Avoiding accidents and safeguarding the lives of yourself and your passengers are two of the many benefits of doing so.

It’s not just your brakes that need to be checked before the fall weather sets in; tires should be inspected as well. It’s common for some people to have both summer and winter tires, depending on the climate where they reside. Even if it’s still too early to switch to winter tires, you should make sure your current set has plenty of tread to keep you stable on the road in the wet and slick conditions typical of late fall. It only costs one cent to verify this with the coin-operated machines. Simply insert the penny so that Lincoln’s head is down, but the rest of the coin is facing outward. Indicative of the need for new tires is a complete view of President Lincoln’s head. No amount of weather will make it safe to drive on treads that are less than 2/32 of an inch.

Borden Car Insurance in New Bedford

Visit your New Bedford insurance agent in the fall to review your Massachusetts car insurance policy. Your needs for auto insurance in New Bedford, MA may change over time, and if they do, you may become eligible for discounts that were not previously available to you. Call Borden Insurance at 508-999-3636 if you need insurance or want to make changes to your current policy. Since 1909, we’ve been happy to serve the Greater New Bedford area and its surrounding communities as one of the leading insurance providers in the state.