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DePaulo Agency

2 Windsor Drive
Scotia, NY 12302

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Full Coverage vs. Liability Auto Insurance: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to auto insurance in Scotia, NY, drivers have several options to choose from. Two of the most common types of coverage are full coverage and liability auto insurance. At DePaulo Agency, we offer both coverage options to cater to the unique needs of drivers in the area.

Understanding Full Coverage Auto Insurance

Full coverage auto insurance is a comprehensive plan that offers protection beyond the minimum requirements set by the state. This type of insurance typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which covers damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident or other incidents like theft, fire, and natural disasters. Drivers who opt for full coverage can enjoy peace of mind knowing their investment in their vehicle is protected.

Pros and Cons of Full Coverage

Pros:

  1. Greater protection for your vehicle.
  2. Covers damages from a wide range of incidents.
  3. May be required by lenders if you have a car loan or lease.

Cons:

  1. Higher premiums compared to liability insurance.
  2. May not be cost-effective for older vehicles with lower value.

Understanding Liability Auto Insurance

Liability auto insurance is the minimum coverage required by law in Scotia, NY. It covers the costs of injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. However, it does not cover damages to your vehicle. This option is more affordable than full coverage but offers limited protection.

Pros and Cons of Liability Insurance

Pros:

  1. Lower premiums compared to full coverage.
  2. Meets the minimum legal requirement in New York.

Cons:

  1. Limited protection for your vehicle.
  2. You may have to pay out of pocket for damages to your car in an accident.

Choosing between full coverage and liability auto insurance in Scotia, NY ultimately depends on your individual needs and budget. At DePaulo Agency, we can help you navigate your options and select the coverage that best suits your requirements. Contact us today to learn more about auto insurance and how we can help protect you and your vehicle.

What Auto Insurance Coverage is Right for Me?

Deciding how much insurance or which auto insurance coverage to obtain can be confusing for some people, but it does not have to be. At DePaulo Agency, we suggest that you start by answering the following questions:

What is Required?

While most states require at least liability insurance, some states have no requirements at all. It is important to understand what you must have before deciding what to purchase. In Scotia NY, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, which is:

  • $10,000 for property damage per accident
  • $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 per death per person per accident

For those outside of New York, check your DMV’s website for your state’s requirements.

Do You Own or Are You Buying?

If you own your car, you are free to decide what type of insurance you have beyond the legal requirements. If you are currently buying the car or if it as collateral for a loan, you might be required to carry additional coverage. Be sure to check with your lender.

How Much Is Your Car Worth?

If the value of your car is low, liability insurance coverage might be enough for most people. The more value the car has, the higher the coverage limits you should purchase.

Do You Have Enough Savings for Repairs?

You need to be sure that if you need to repair or replace your vehicle, you have the money necessary to do so. If you do not have enough in savings, you should consider higher collision and comprehensive coverage for your car so you do not end up without a vehicle.

What is Your Net Worth?

Higher net worth individuals have a lot to lose should they be taken to court. The higher your net worth, the more coverage you should consider.

The answers to these questions should give you a good idea of where to start with your coverage. Give DePaulo Agency of Scotia, NY a call today. We can discuss your coverage options according to your needs.

5 Tips to Avoid a Traffic Accident

There are plenty of ways to get into a car accident. It’s not easy to prevent, but here are five tips to help you avoid a traffic accident. With the independent insurance agents in Scotia, NY, at the DePaulo Agency, you’ll be able to have auto insurance in no time.

1. Prevent Distractions

Keeping your eyes on the road is one of the best ways to avoid an accident. When your attention is pulled elsewhere, it is easy to miss a car swerving into your lane or when busy traffic come to a halt.

2. Eating

Forget about grabbing a quick bite on the way to work. Eating takes your hands off of the wheel and your eyes on the road every time you dip your fries into the ketchup.

3. Cell Phone

Other than following the GPS to get to your destination, you should keep your phone out of view. Texting or watching videos are great ways to cause an accident.

4. Watch for Road Signs

Missing a road sign might seem like a frivolous thing, but you could easily hit another vehicle if you are not paying attention to the traffic signs.

  • Construction signs – can let you know if a lane ahead is closed or if there are workers nearby.

  • Stop signs – if you miss a stop sign, you may t-bone someone.

5. Be on the Defensive

Avoid other drivers that are distracted or driving recklessly. You may think you’ll get a rush from outmaneuvering the vehicle in front of you, but all will get is a ticket or perhaps worse.

Stop by the DePaulo Agency in Scotia, NY where agents will work to get auto insurance for your vehicle. They’ll also be able to help you set up policies concerning life insurance, homeowners insurance, and commercial insurance.

 

Safety Tips To Protect Your Car From Theft

At DePaulo Agency, the agents constantly helping clients find ways to protect their cars from theft. While Scotia, NY  is a quiet community, there are still instances of theft that must be dealt with on occasion. Agents are able to identify possible areas of risk and help their clients take the necessary precautions that will help them to prevent any type of financial loss.

Never Leave Valuables Laying Out

Never leave valuables such as cell phones, wallets, purses, or jewelry laying out in the open where everyone can see them. If you carry valuables with you, make sure to stick them in the trunk. so that they are out of sight and inaccessible if a person tries a smash and grab maneuver.

Always Lock Your Car

Always keep your car locked and your windows up. You may be able to keep your windows rolled down a short distance but avoid opening them more than a half an inch or so. This prevents an intruder from sticking something through the window and engaging the door lock.

Set Your Alarm

Most new cars that come off of the lot today have alarm systems already built in. In addition to locking the doors, make sure to set the car alarm. If any attempt is made to enter the vehicle, an alarm will sound that will act as a deterrent and causing most would-be thieves to scatter.

Residents of Scotia, NY can turn to the agents of DePaulo Agency if they have questions about lowering their risk of theft when it comes to their cars. Schedule an appointment today and have your auto policy evaluated to ensure you’re getting the best coverage possible. 

Is Comprehensive Auto Insurance Worth It?

Comprehensive auto insurance can mean different things to different people, but essentially you’re getting coverage on yourself and your car as well as any other car, person or property you may hit. There are certain events, such as hit-and-run accidents in Scotia, NY, that may not be covered under comprehensive auto insurance, but most major events will fall under the comprehensive package. 

Is It Worth It?

If you’ve been given a car by a relative for free and you know you have savings to buy another car should it be totaled, you probably don’t need comprehensive coverage. You may want to up the limits on your policy if you haven’t looked at it in a while, but buying comprehensive coverage is likely not necessary. However, most people aren’t sure of how they’ll get to work if their car is no longer an option, nor are they prepared to buy something new or pay for expensive repairs if they do happen to cause an accident. It can be extremely stressful on the responsible party, and one that they’re not ready to bear. In this case, buying the comprehensive auto insurance is both helpful for your finances and for your state of mind. 

Making Better Choices 

DePaulo Agency can help you decide on a better policy if you should need one — whether it’s comprehensive or not. We won’t push you toward one decision or the other, we’ll just give you the facts and the possible consequences of each potential option. Insurance can get confusing, and sometimes people just need a short conversation to sort out more about the basic facts and situations. To find out more about about comprehensive coverage in Scotia, NY, call DePaulo Agency to speak to our staff and get the answers you need today. 

Driving in Scotia and Avoiding Road Rage

Did you know that aggressive driving directly influences about 66 percent of traffic fatalities? Yes, you read that right. If road rage could be better treated and handled, there are far fewer deaths that would occur on our roadways. This is why it’s imperative to make sure you are avoiding road rage as much as possible. Fortunately, there are several tips you can follow to help ensure you stay as safe as possible while traveling, as well as keep those safe who are traveling with you. 

Make sure you have a firearm permit

If you’re going to carry a firearm on you when traveling, you will need appropriate licensure. Even more important is that you make sure you won’t use the firearm in any type of road rage incident. With firearms being used in more than 30 percent of aggressive driving incidents, it makes sense that keeping these guns at bay during road rage is the smartest move to make. 

Avoid drinking and driving

Abusing alcohol and other drugs is a sure way to end up in a vehicle accident that involves road rage. When this happens, regardless of whose fault it is, having alcohol or drugs in your system and being behind the wheel of a car will land you in jail for at least a DUI. To avoid road rage, make sure you are aren’t drinking and driving or abusing drugs. 

To learn more about avoiding road rage in Scotia, contact DePaulo Agency today. A qualified agent is ready to answer any questions you may have about road rage, as well as provide you with great advice on topics related to insurance. 

The Most Important Things to Consider Before Driving Abroad

Scotia, New York, located just outside of Schenectady, gets incredibly cold in the winter. Snow buries the entire upstate New York area every winter due to the weather coming off the nearby Great Lakes, making it one of the snowiest parts of the continental United States. In other words, you might be looking to get out of Scotia come winter, maybe on an international trip to somewhere warm. So if this is your plan, or you’re just heading out of the country from Scotia, New York any other time of the year, and you’re planning on driving in this foreign destination, you should consider a few things.

First off, research whether you can drive in your ultimate destination with just your American driver’s license. Each country has different rules about drivers and their licensing requirements. Many require foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit, or IDP, which can be purchased for a small fee from the National Auto Club or AAA. You must also be 18 to obtain an IDP.

Yet when it comes to auto insurance, international coverage usually can’t be done through your insurance provide in the United States. Of course, there are a few exceptions. For travels to South America, Asia, Europe or most anywhere else, coverage will need to be obtained from an independent insurance company that specializes in insuring those who drive abroad, like the Depaulo Agency, who serves the Scotia, New York area.

Considering the nature of insurance is to protect you from the unforeseen and unpredictable things in life, there is no better time to have an auto policy when driving internationally. You never know what to expect on these types of adventures, which is exactly why you are going on it in the first place. That, and to escape the cold.