5 Things you should know before buying a new Car

Just like any other important purchase or investment, buying a car can be exhausting, especially if is your first car, but even though the car buying process is generally simple, do your due diligence, calculate your budget, and negotiate properly is necessary to make a smart purchase. 

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross,  we will share some new-car buying advice that could just save you money and they'll also make the process quicker and stress-free:

1. Research cars and pick the features you want:

If you aren´t sure what car you want yet, the Edmunds app and others website have just about all the information you need, including expert and owner reviews. Those sites will help you determine which make and model is best for you, allowing you to compare safety performance with gas consumption and overall cost. 

2. Get pre-approved for a car loan:

Once you have an idea of exactly the kind of car you want, you also know exactly how much of a loan you’ll need to finance it. Visit your bank and get yourself pre-approved for a car loan and then you can compare to the dealership's financing, which might actually have the lowest annual percentage rate. 

To begin the loan-approval process, have at hand your employer and salary information and balances of other debt you may have. 

3. Don’t focus on lowering your monthly payment:

You have to keep in mind that too much emphasis on lowering your monthly payment will ultimately cost you thousands of dollars more in interest and will extend the life of your loan. 

4. Test-Drive the Car:

If you've decided on a few car candidates. You should see them in person before making a decision. Get behind the wheel of those two or three models you're considering to find out which ones are as good in the real world. Once you've decided which model you want, take a long, thorough test drive on main roads and highways at a variety of speeds in the exact vehicle you plan to purchase. Leaving the radio off and the windows up, pay special attention to visibility, seating position, ease of ingress and egress, noise in the cabin, and the feel of the ride.

5. Close the Deal: 

If the price, financing and fees look right, it's time to close the deal. Once you've agreed on a price, the salesperson will take you to the finance and insurance office. Here, you'll sign the contract and purchase any of additional products, such as an extended warranty. Review the contract carefully and make sure the numbers match the negotiation. Be sure there are no additional charges or fees. A good finance manager will explain each form and what it means. 

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

Spring Car Care Tips

Currently there are some cold days outside but winter is winding down and the weather will soon warm up so we’ll be left with warm days that are bright and sunny. With more sun and rising temperatures comes an entirely different strategy for car care. 

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you three spring car maintenance tips to keep in mind:

1. Change oil and check fluids:

In winter your car spends more time warming fluids so it is recommended that every spring you at least change your oil and other fluids too if possible. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids. Spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid.

2. Rotate tires and check alignment:

Snow and ice on the road make your car is bouncing all over the place. Potholes have formed, and you’re bumping into more curbs, gutters, and bumpers than usual and these can throw your alignment way off. The result is that your wheels aren’t perfectly straight, and your tires are going to wear unevenly. The front tires wearing out prematurely and that can lead to handling issues. You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety. 

3. Inspect your brakes:

Nothing is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line. A quick measurement can give you the information to know if your brakes need to be changed now, or if you can wait until later in the year.

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com

Importance of Vehicle License Plates

Regardless of the state in which you are, If you are going to buy a new car, you will need a vehicle license plate. 

At GUARDIAN INSURANCE  AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you an interesting information that you need to know about Vehicle License Plates:

-If you live in Georgia and drive a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle on public roads, you must register it and get a license plate. You will most likely register and apply for plates when you get a new car or move to GA. You're also required to renew your plate by renewing your vehicle registration, and if your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate tag or decal.

- License plates are issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) tag offices.

- Your license plate number is actually a combination of letters and numbers and it will also have the following decals:

One listing the county where your car is registered.

One showing the month and year that your registration expires.

-To get a license plate in Georgia, you must register your car. To keep your license plate valid, you must regularly renew your registration.

- When you buy a new car, the car dealers must issue a temporary tag. These temporary license plates are valid for 30 days and allow you to operate your vehicle on GA roads until you register and title it. You must register your car with the GA DOR before your temporary tag expires.

- In Georgia, the license plate on your car belongs to you. This means you can keep or transfer plates to a new car when you sell your current car. 

Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY, we can help you whit all the paperwork for your car. 

If you need a Car Insurance, Car Registration, Car Title, Vehicle License Plate or Car Tag in the Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross areas, please Call us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666 or Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com 

Common Car Insurance Myths

When you are going to buy car insurance, it’s necessary to understand the factors that affect your car insurance policy rates and coverage.

Car insurance can help protect you, your passengers and your vehicle from many setbacks. But there are some myths about car insurance that can be problematic. At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we give you five common car insurance myths:

Myth 1. If other people drive your car, their auto insurance will cover them in the event of an accident:

In most states, the auto insurance policy covering the vehicle is considered the primary insurance, which means that the owner’s insurance company must pay for damages caused by an accident, regardless of who is driving. Policies and laws differ by state, so make sure you understand the rules before allowing another person to drive your car.

Myth 2. Liability insurance coverage that meets minimum legal requirements offers adequate protection:

Minimum liability limits may not be enough to cover expenses if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property with your car. Most states require liability coverage by law and set minimum limits on the two types of liability coverage that you must purchase:

- Bodily injury liability: May help pay for legal fees, medical expenses and lost income compensation for other people if they're injured in an accident you cause with your vehicle. The per-person limit applies to each person involved the accident. The per-accident limit applies to each accident you cause.

- Property damage liability: May help pay for someone else's belongings (their car, their mailbox or their front porch, for example) if you accidentally damage them with your vehicle.

Myth 3. By not filing a claim with your car insurance company, you can keep them from finding out about the accident, and your rates will stay where they are:

If you get into an accident with another driver, that driver may file a claim for damages or injuries. If they do, it will only be a short time until the injured party's insurance company files a claim against you and your insurance company. Once this happens, your premiums may increase. Additionally, if you were issued a ticket as a result of the crash, it can appear on your driving record and trigger a premium increase.

Myth 4. If your car is totaled, insurance will pay for you to buy a new car:

In a covered total loss, your insurance payout typically takes depreciation into account. Coverage that helps protect your vehicle (for example, comprehensive coverage or collision coverage) typically has a limit equal to the actual cash value of your car. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), insurers determine the value of your car by referring to guides that list depreciation values for vehicles.

If you drive a new car, however, some insurers offer additional coverage to help protect your investment. New car replacement coverage may allow you to replace a new vehicle that's totaled in a covered loss with a new vehicle of the same make, model and equipment. This type of coverage may only apply, however, if the vehicle is no more than a couple model years old.

Myth 5. Comprehensive coverage is all encompassing:

Comprehensive does not cover all damage to your vehicle, typically extends only to certain perils, things like theft, fire or natural disasters. Think of comprehensive coverage as a way to help protect your car if it's damaged in an accident that's not a collision.

If your car is vandalized, comprehensive may help pay to repair it. But if your car is damaged when you hit another vehicle, comprehensive coverage would not apply. (In that instance, you'd need collision coverage to help pay to repair damage to your car.)

Remember that a car insurance policy may help protect your wallet, your vehicle and even offer peace of mind. Contact us for more Information, At GUARDIAN INSURANCE AGENCY located in Fairburn, Lagrange and Norcross, we can help you choose the coverage that's right for your needs.

For more Information contact us: (706) 884-5006 or (770) 969-5666

Please visit us: www.go-guardian.com