Power Outages Are No Fun, Prepare!

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When you live in Chester, power outages are bound to happen at one point or another. Whether it is as a result of someone getting a power pole or a snowstorm, you want to make sure that you are prepared so that you aren’t having to deal with various safety issues as well as other problems.

Stock Up on Food

You cannot depend upon the food within your refrigerator and freezer because it is likely going to oil before the power comes back on. This means you need to have plenty of food stopped within your pantry that doesn’t require refrigeration or heat. It should be very easy to prepare, such as peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, and Turkey, and more.

Have Light Sources

Various light sources should be on hand, ranging from lanterns to flashlights. You also want to make sure to have plenty of backup batteries.

Obtain Heating Sources

Having a few heating sources can be advantageous. This can be something as simple as a gas grill or something more comprehensive such as an outdoor rocket stove or a solar oven. This will allow you to heat food as well as to boil water for sanitation purposes.

Avoid Restlessness

In today’s day and age, everyone depends upon electricity in one way or another to stay entertained. This includes charging a cell phone, watching TV, playing video games, and more. If there is no power, everyone is going to grow restless very quickly. Avoid this by having board games, card games, and various other things to do.

Call and speak to us at The Insurance Outfit today where we can talk to you about how to prepare for a power outage, ways to obtain the most affordable homeowners insurance policy, and more.

 

Tips for Motorcycle Safety During Deer Season

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For motorcycles riders, especially those in a relatively populated place like Chester, New Jersey, you learn to always be on-guard when you are out on the road. There are so many different things that can affect your ride and possibly cause an accident, which will result in damage and minor injury at the very least, if not much worse. However, there is an especially dangerous time of the year and that is deer season, where bucks, does and fawns are migrating through the woods and often crossing into the road at their own volition. Hitting a deer in a car is bad but hitting a deer on a motorcycle is dangerous if not deadly. Below are some tips on how motorcycle riders should prepare for the upcoming deer season in Chester, New Jersey.

Wear a Helmet

This is the law in New Jersey anyway, though many motorcycle riders don’t regularly abide by it. But if you hit a deer, the helmet you are wearing or not wearing could literally be the difference between life and death.

One Deer Often Means Many More

Just because you see one deer crossing in front of you on the road doesn’t mean you are in the clear. Deer travel in groups, so watch out for others following close behind who might dart out in front of you.

Don’t Speed 

Speeding is one of the main culprits for most accidents. So during deer season, try to keep your speed down but still safe enough to ride in traffic.

Have The Right Insurance 

Contact a company like The Insurance Outfit, who serves greater Chester, New Jersey, to make sure you and your motorcycle are properly covered during deer season.

Spread Out When Riding in A Group

As bad as hitting a deer is hitting other motorcyclists on the road who are your friends who have stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a deer. So when riding as a group, spread out a little bit. 

Advantages of Independent Insurance Agents

Posted on by AgentInsure

Buying insurance is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime. Choosing the correct coverage and policy is essential to making you feel safe and secure. In Chester, New Jersey, independent insurance agents at The Insurance Outfit can give you peace of mind. They are licensed professionals that research multiple policies to find what is best for you based on your particular needs.

  • More Options. Captive agents, agents that work for a single insurance company, have limited options they can offer when it comes to policy rates and plans. One advantage of obtaining an independent agent is that they can research many different policies. The agents will make inquiries from a multitude of companies and give you a chance to choose from a variety of insurance options.
  • Stay on Budget. Another advantage of selecting independent agents is that they will be able to help you save money. They can surf through different insurance company’s’ policies and show you a list of policies that contain the lowest prices that offer comparable coverages.
  • Fair Advice. A further benefit of having an independent agent is that they are fair and open-minded. They will not steer you toward one insurance company or another. They are there to ensure that you receive the best quality service and find the coverage that matches your needs.
  • Personal Service. One more asset to choosing independent insurance agents is the quality of service. The agents can help process claims without strict protocols that other insurance companies have to work with. They can make sure that you have not been taken advantage of and that you receive a fair settlement in the event of a loss.

The Insurance Outfit is independent insurance agency in Chester, New Jersey that maintains access to many insurance companies. The agents are available to help you decide the best program that is right for you.

 

5 Activities Your Kids Can Do Indoors This Winter

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There are a lot of activities you can do with your kids this winter…indoors. When it’s just too cold in New Jersey to play outside, you have to make some plans. Otherwise, you could end up with some very bored kids…and this is never a good thing.

#1: Play Dough

Salt dough can be made very easily. The cool thing about this dough is that it can be baked. This means your kids’ creations can go in the oven and stay around forever. You can add coloring to the dough to get as creative as you want.

#2: Music Band

Allow the kids to form their own band. If you don’t have instruments, you can make them. Fill some paper towel rolls with beans and seal off the edges and pull pots and pans out with wooden spoons.

#3: Yoga

Let the kids stretch and get their exercise in. Yoga is low impact and can be a lot of fun. Plus, there are instructional videos that you can stream on the Internet.

#4: Stories

Break out some of your favorite holiday stories to read to the kids. Or, you can let their creative juices flow by having them write and illustrate a new holiday story. Let all the kids contribute to it.

#5: Arts & Crafts

Boost the imagination of your kids by bringing out some arts and craft supplies. If you can’t make a snowman outside, maybe you can have some styrofoam balls to make an indoor snowman – and you don’t have to worry about him melting.

At The Insurance Outfit, we’re here to keep your family safe by finding a policy that works well with your needs. Your homeowner’s insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind in Chester. Call now to learn more.

 

 

5 Ways To Ready Your Car For Fall In New Jersey

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It’s important to prepare for the weather in NJ. There are five ways to prepare so you can deal with what the fall and winter months are going to bring. By taking the time to schedule the inspections and such, you can drive around town with more peace of mind.

Check Brakes

One of the last thing you want to worry about is whether your brakes are going to grip the roads or not. When there is ice or a problem on the road, you want to be able to stop and know that your brakes are capable of doing the job.

Schedule HVAC Inspection

An HVAC inspection is going to look at your heating system, the ventilation, as well as your air-conditioning. This will ensure that you are comfortable as you drive and that the defroster will take care of clearing the windows as needed.

Buy New Wiper Blades

New wiper blades should be purchased in the fall so that you are able to clear off ice, sleet, and anything else that may land on the window. If you have a back windshield wiper, these need to be replaced as well.

Have Tires Checked

Your tires need to be checked for bald spots, bulges, and more. The tire pressure can change as the weather gets colder and a significant amount of tread depth is required to grip the roads effectively, especially once it starts to snow in the winter months.

Schedule Maintenance

You should also schedule maintenance with your local mechanic. This will allow you to find out what needs to be done based on the make and model of your car as well as the amount of mileage that you have.

Call and talk to one of our independent insurance agents at The Insurance Outfit today. We look forward to helping you find a policy in NJ that works for you.

 

 

Reduce the Cost of Your Road Trip with These 3 Tips — And Make Sure You’re Insured

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At The Insurance Outfit, we know first-hand how important saving money is to drivers in Chester, NJ. Our independent insurance agents help people find ways to save on their auto insurance every day. In order to further serve the drivers of Chester and nearby New Jersey cities, we’ve compiled a few ways to reduce the costs of road trips.

Reducing the Cost of Road Trips

If you’re planning a road trip, there are a few things you can do to reduce how much the adventure will cost you. The most significant thing you can do is drive a small, fuel-efficient car. If you only have a large, gas-guzzling SUV, consider borrowing someone’s car or even renting one (although this would increase the cost of your trip). You can further reduce your expenses by driving the speed limit, using cruise control which will improve your gas mileage, and staying with friends, rather than in hotels.

Keeping Your Auto Insurance Policy

If you borrow a friend’s vehicle to save on gas, make sure you’ll still be insured while on the road. Your friend should have auto insurance that will provide you with coverage, but you should still have your own auto insurance policy that will provide coverage while driving your friend’s car.

If you have questions about whether either your friend’s or your auto insurance policy will cover you while driving your friend’s car, feel free to contact our independent insurance agents. They can review your policy, and they can help you find a different policy if yours doesn’t provide the protection you need. To get in touch with our auto insurance agents, contact us through our website or call our office.

 

Check Your Renters Insurance Policy when Moving to Chester, NJ

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If you’ve recently moved to Chester, NJ, we at The Insurance Outfit can help you find renters insurance for your new apartment or rental home. Renters insurance is location-specific, even down to the building you live in, so it’s important to update your insurance when you move. Our independent insurance agents can help you make sure you’re properly insured and if you need a new policy, we can help you find an affordable one.

Renters Insurance Is Location-Specific

Renters insurance provides tenants with important protections, like personal property coverage and liability coverage, and everyone who rents should be insured — regardless of where they live. Many renters insurance policies include similar coverages, but every policy is specific to a location.

Therefore, if you’ve moved to Chester, NJ, you need to update your insurance so that you’re insured in your new apartment. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to simply notify your insurer of your new address. You may, however, have to purchase an entirely new renters insurance policy if your previous insurer doesn’t offer insurance in New Jersey.

Renters Insurance Agents Will Help

Regardless of who your previous insurance policy is serviced through, we can  help you update your insurance coverage. It’s our way of welcoming new renters who move to Chester, NJ.

Our independent insurance agents can review your former policy and help you find similar coverage for your new home. As they help you update your insurance, they can also compare your policy’s rates with the going market rates in Chester. If there is a better deal available, they’ll let you know. To get in touch with one of our renters insurance agents, contact them through our agency’s website.

Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly This Summer and for Years to Come

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Summer is a great time of year, but the hot weather can be tough on your vehicle. In order to keep you car or truck running smoothly for years to come, you’ll need to give it some attention this summer. We at The Insurance Outfit have three specific suggestions for taking care of your car this summer.

Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly

Automobiles can run for years, reaching hundreds of thousands of miles when they’re properly maintained and operated. To ensure that your vehicle lasts a long time, be sure to:

  • check its fluids regularly
  • maintain proper air pressure in its tires at all times
  • fill up the gas tank before the empty light comes on

None of these actions takes long to do, but they can have a lasting impact on the life span of your vehicle if you see to them.

Insure Your Vehicle

In addition to properly maintaining your automobile, you also need to carry auto insurance. Your auto insurance needs may change as your vehicle ages. An older car might not need the same amount of protection as a new one. At The Insurance Outfit, we can help you find auto insurance now, and we’ll be there when you need to adjust your coverage in the future.

For help finding auto insurance, either log onto our website or give one of our independent insurance agents a call. Regardless of how you contact us, as an independent insurance agency we will compare all of the policies offered by insurers in New Jersey to help find you the best one. We’ve helped many drivers in Chester, NJ, and we’re ready to assist you, too.

Clean Your Home Faster With These Tips

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There are various home cleaning tips to help you clean your home faster in Chester, New Jersey. After all, why would you want to spend any additional time on your chores than you have to? Some of these may be completely new to you, and you may find yourself asking why you haven’t thought about these before.

Dusting Fans 
Use an old pillowcase over each of the fan blades. The dust will fall into the pillowcase when you wipe backwards, ensuring the dust falls into the case instead of on you or anything that you have recently cleaned.

Cleaning Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains can be cleaned easily using distilled white vinegar. When you are trying to get it off of your shower head and other areas, fill a bag with the vinegar and rubber band the bag over the shower head or faucet to keep it in place for a few hours. Then remove the bag and wipe away the grime.

Removing Greasy Finger Prints
Use a piece of white chalk to draw over all of the greasy fingerprints. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then wipe off the chalk. This will take the greasy marks with them.

Cleaning Stainless Steel
The stainless steel of your kitchen sink, bathroom, and more can be cleaned by using a combination of powdered laundry detergent and hot water. It will create a paste that you can apply and allowed to sit for about an hour before rinsing it clean.

There are plenty of other tips out there, and you can clean your home faster when you implement them.

Let one of our agents at The Insurance Outfit assist you with finding affordable insurance quotes and answering questions you may have about home insurance in Chester.

 

 

BBQ Tips To Keep Your Home Safer

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When you set up the barbecue at your Chester, NJ home, it is important to focus on safety. It doesn’t matter what you are grilling, safety needs to be a top concern in order to keep your home as safe as can be. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging it with smoke and/or fire.

You need to keep your grill at least 20 feet away from your home once it has been lit. Avoid using it inside of your garage or a screened in patio. This is because you need to allow the smoke somewhere to go, other than your home.

Always use caution when grilling, as various pieces of grease and oily foods can fall into the flames, causing a flare-up. There may also be hot embers that will blow off of the grill and onto flammable items, such as furniture or clothing. This is why you want to remove as many things away from the grill as possible.

It is also a best practice to keep a spray bottle of water and a fire extinguisher nearby. This allows you to keep control of flare-ups and flames.

A clean grill is a safe grill. Using a wire brush on the grates will help to remove any debris that could otherwise smoke or cause a fire.

When it’s time to clean up at the end of your grilling session, be sure everything has cooled down. Never throw hot briquettes into a trashcan, and if you are cooking with gas, be sure that you close the gas valve so that nothing leaks out.

Being a responsible homeowner means knowing and utilizing these BBQ tips.

Call The Insurance Outfit today to learn more about keeping your home safe. We can provide you with quotes for home insurance and much more in Chester, NJ.