Stonewall Grace Insurance

Stay calm to avoid road rage

Posted on by AgentInsure

Road rage is becoming more of a problem as roads get more crowded and people feel stressed. People have even been killed in a fit of road rage, which is doing anything while driving to endanger another person. Sometimes there are fights – or even shootings – when people eventually stop their cars. Road rage happens when people feel their space has been invaded.

"With road rage, you’re basically driving under the influence of impaired emotions," says Leon James, PhD, a professor of psychology at University of Hawaii. He said controlling thoughts, feelings and actions are the key to avoiding letting emotions get out of control.

Here are some tips to avoid letting yourself get to the point of having a road rage event.

  • Slow down. Drive slower and in a more relaxed way. That will keep the stress level down .
  • Remember courtesy. Yes, you may be right, but ask yourself is it worth getting upset about.  It certainly isn’t worth getting into an altercation and going to jail over.
  • Give the other driver the benefit of the doubt. They may have no idea what they have done.  Remember you may also have done something unintentional as well, that bothered other drivers.
  • Music soothes the savage breast. Listen to light music that is relaxing. Avoid loud, hard driving music with a lot of bass  that can actually make you more stressed.
  • Pay attention to yourself. If you are stressed already, it will be easier to get upset at another driver. Try relaxation techniques such as deep breaths and if you are driving, stretch and flex your hands to help them relax. A little intentional de-stressing and help.

While you are relaxed, visit Stonewall Grace Insurance for all your automotive insurance needs. Let our professionals find the policy that is right for you and your family.

A First-Time ATV Owner’s Guide to ATV Insurance

Posted on by AgentInsure

These days, more and more people are discovering the great outdoors with the help of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).  While these recreational vehicles can be an exciting way to explore those backcountry trails, they can be tricky for new riders.  Following these easy tips will help keep your ATV riding safe and enjoyable.

Keep Things Simple. 

If you’re a first-time rider, don’t buy the most souped-up ATV on the market, even if it is the flashiest.  A simpler machine will be easier to control and won’t overpower you.  In general, try to look for ATVs with an automatic transmission and a 200-400cc engine.

Safety First

There are few things less fun than an ATV ride that ends with a trip to the emergency room.  At minimum, always make sure you wear a proper motorcycle helmet, goggles, over-the-ankle boots, gloves, long pants, and long sleeves.  You might also invest in shin pads, a chest protector, and knee, elbow, and wrist guards for additional protection.

Practice

Many states require new ATV owners to complete a safety course if they’re under a certain age.  But you don’t have to be a kid to benefit from these classes.  As you get started riding an ATV, you’ll also want to stick to simple, flat terrain until you get the hang of riding.  As you gain experience, you can graduate to more challenging trails and routes.

Insurance and Paperwork

Many states require ATVs to be titled like cars; additionally, you often must have a permit and pay fees to ride on public trails.  Even if your state does not require ATV insurance, you may want to have it on hand for liability purposes, as homeowner’s insurance may not cover liability if you ride off your property.  Also, insurance can cover you in the event your ATV is ever stolen.  Make sure you register and insure your ATV appropriately, and look into season passes through the U.S. Forest Service.

At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we are committed to helping you stay safe when you’re out on the trails.  Call today to learn more about insurance coverage for your ATV, RV, or any other recreational vehicles you might own.  Our agents look forward to helping you.

How to Give Back to Your Local Community

Posted on by AgentInsure

At the beginning of the year, many people make resolutions that they struggle to keep. One resolution that will have a lasting effect and be easy to keep is giving back to your community. Giving back to your community creates a sense of joy that’s hard to mimic. And, it’s contagious. When others see you giving back, they will be motivated to do the same. The following are ways you can start giving back to your community.

Collect Supplies for Victims of Disasters

Whether you know a family who has experienced a fire or a flood, you can help them. You can organize a drive within your local area and give them the supplies they lost during their ordeal. With supplies and other resources, many families can get back on their feet in a few months; however, in the absence of your help, it may take longer.

Cook for Homebound Individuals

There are many seniors who are homebound due to illness or lack of resources. These individuals may not have the food they need to eat a home-cooked meal each day. If you only donate to a few homes, you will find that you can lighten the burden of so many who do not have access to assistance.

Repair Clothing for the Homeless

When a person is homeless, one of the last things they may be concerned with is what they have to wear. However, their clothing is critical to their survival. You can mend and donate old clothing and give it to homeless people so that they are warm during the cold months.

At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we believe that giving back to your community will ultimately help you. We encourage you to make a difference by volunteering or donating money to charities within your community.

While you are giving back, you should put your safety first. Make sure you have adequate auto insurance by comparing the coverage you have to the coverage on our website. If you have any questions about the coverage we offer, we will gladly answers your questions over the phone or in person.

Learning About Driving Abroad

Posted on by AgentInsure

Driving abroad requires a lot of attention to detail. Particularly if you are going to be flying overseas first, you are also going to be dealing with a rental car. Following a few tips can help to keep you safer on the foreign roads.

Your Rental Car

Know about the rental car that you are going to be driving. The steering will may be on the other side and manual transmission may be the only option. Ask a few questions about where windshield wipers and headlights are located if you cannot find the right away before you drive off of the rental car lot.

The Roads

Familiarize yourself with the roads that you are going to be driving on. This includes researching what road signs are going to look like. You may also need to prepare for driving on the other side of the road. There may also be some different laws, and it’s a good idea to know what they are so that you don’t inadvertently get pulled over.

Directions

The directions to where you are going are important, and you may not want to depend solely on paper maps. You can likely rent a GPS on your rental car company, and this will ensure that the international maps have been loaded.

Other Details

Knowing more about the city you will be driving in can help tremendously. Many European cities have narrow streets and heavy congestion, which can be overwhelming if you have never driven there before. In some instances, you may want to park your car and take public transportation.

At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we are committed to helping you stay safe on the roads. Call today and learn more about auto insurance, coverage, and ways to get an affordable auto policy. Our agents look forward to helping you.

 

The Other Coverages Renters Insurance May Provide

Posted on by AgentInsure

One of the main protections included in renters insurance policies is coverage for your personal belongings, which may include your kitchen table, laptop computer, and wedding dress (each policy has its own limits, conditions and exclusions). This is not the only protection that renters insurance affords, however. In addition to protecting your possessions from common perils, renters insurance can also protect you. Here are some of the ways a renters insurance may provide you with valuable protection.

Coverage That Protect You

If you compare several renters insurance policies, you’ll find that the additional coverage options they include varies widely. Some will have many supplemental coverage, while others may only have a few — if any. The following are a few of the more common additional coverage:

  • medical payments coverage, which is intended to help pay for medical expenses that arise from an injury a guest sustains while visiting you
  • additional living expenses expenses, which provides financial assistance if a covered peril makes your home uninhabitable
  • liability coverage, which affords protection if you’re found liable for a covered incident
  • property damage to others coverage, which may pay for damage you cause to another’s physical property

In a renters insurance policy that has these coverage options, each of them will be governed by specific terms and conditions found in the policy. These details may vary from policy to policy. Therefore, it’s important to review exactly what these coverage options provides you when selecting a policy.

Agents That Help You

For additional help understanding the different coverage included in renters insurance policies, contact us at Stonewall Grace Insurance. We’ve assisted many tenants who live in Buena Vista, VA, and our independent insurance agents would be glad to help you. You can reach us through our website or by calling us.