Important Tips for First Time Car Owners in New Bedford, MA

Owning a vehicle can make it a lot easier to get around and take care of errands. It can also give you a feeling of freedom, knowing that you can just get in your car and go anywhere you want. While car ownership can be very exciting, there are also inherent responsibilities that car owners must attend to in order to take care of their new investment. Even if you purchase your vehicle outright, you will still need to get auto insurance in New Bedford, MA, according to state law. In addition to New Bedford car insurance, you will also need to maintain your vehicle regularly to keep it in safe and proper working order. If this is your first time owning a car or if you have not put much thought into the responsibilities of car ownership, then this is the article for you.

Keep All of Your Documents

When you buy a car, you will be handed a big folder of paperwork. Don’t just toss this into a basket at home or shove it into your glove box – take time to read it. This packet will contain everything from your contract to the owner’s manual for your new vehicle. While you might not think it is important now, one day you will need this. If you purchased the vehicle used, save any paperwork that came from the previous owner, such as service history records. If you did not get a manual, you can download one online or purchase it from a large retailer like an auto parts store or Amazon. Going forward, save all of your service history records, including everything from oil changes to 50,000-mile services. Keep them in a safe place all in one spot so you can find it easily when you need it.

Find a Mechanic You Trust

Your MA auto insurance agent wants you to know that the best New Bedford car insurance is the dedication that you show as an owner to keep your vehicle in safe working condition. All of the car insurance in New Bedford can’t protect you from breakdowns and blowouts if you don’t stay on top of vehicle maintenance. Find a mechanic that you trust, whether that means going to the dealership or working with an independent and certified auto center in the South Coast area. You want a mechanic that is experienced, authorized to perform repairs on your make and model of vehicle, and that you trust to perform quality services. While it is ideal to find someone in the local area in case you need to tow your vehicle in for repairs, it is essential to find a mechanic who meets all of the other criteria first.

Make an Emergency Kit

Living and working in Southeastern Massachusetts means preparing for certain weather conditions. These days, people are more aware than ever about the need to prepare for just about any type of emergency. Your provider of auto insurance in New Bedford can offer tips on emergency kit strategies to keep you safe and get you back on the road following a breakdown, blowout, or accident year-round. Some New England residents have an emergency kit for fall, winter, and early spring that includes blankets, de-icing chemicals, snow shovels, ice scrapers, and other seasonal items, as well as late spring to early fall “road trip” emergency kit for summertime travel in warm weather. There are specific tires for different times of the year, so why not make an emergency kit that will provide you with the tools you need for the season?

Get Quality Insurance Coverage

While there are plenty of “cheap” policies available that will provide you with the bare minimum coverage to meet the requirements for auto insurance in New Bedford, MA, it pays to dig a little deeper. Working with an independent agent, such as Borden Insurance, can offer you a wide range of opportunities for your New Bedford car insurance that will cover you in the types of situations and conditions that apply to you the most. If you do a lot of commuting to the city for work, you want to make sure you are covered for the risk that makes sense for your situation. However, if you only drive around town doing local errands and dropping the kids off at school, your set of risks and concerns will be different.

A good MA auto insurance agent will match you with the policy that suits your needs best, considering everything from the scope of coverage to the deductible amount, premium cost, and payment plan. Borden Insurance has proudly served the South Coast communities since 1909, offering quality insurance programs designed to give our customers peace of mind. Give us a call at 508-999-3636 to speak with an agent or to get a FREE quote for car insurance in New Bedford and anywhere in our service area.