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Do You Need a Special Policy if You Deliver Pizza?

Posted on by langloisinsurance

Now that I’ve gotten your attention…and made you hungry…let’s talk insurance.

With college students heading back to campus, we are getting quite a few calls at Langlois Insurance Agency about these college students taking delivery jobs for companies such as Jimmy John’s, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, pizza delivery, etc…

Did you know that if your college student is participating in this type of activity, they will not be covered under a standard insurance policy?

This is because if you deliver food in your personal vehicle, you need to purchase a commercial policy because your auto insurance policy will not cover your personal vehicle if you are in an accident while using it for work purposes.
Most parents – and their college aged children – don’t think about needing a specific type of insurance policy for their vehicle while they are driving. They assume that their personal auto policy will cover any accident. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

Will the Delivery Company Cover my Kid?

In addition, the delivery company that you are working for is not required to provide you with any insurance or insurance information. Their only obligation is to tell you that need to have insurance.

We have heard situations where students are given highly inaccurate advice and are being told, “You don’t need to get the special insurance for your vehicle because how will your insurance company find out?” Well, I am here to let you know that this advice is not only wrong, it is unethical. And, if your student gets into one little accident on the job, they will quickly find out that the insurance companies do find out if this accident occurred while working.

When your student gets into an accident delivering for a company, there is always a police report. And, this report will note that the student was driving for a delivery, which then is sent to your insurance provider. Once the insurance provider reads this report, and notes that the accident occurred during driving for business purposes, they will most likely deny the claim.

So, if you or your student utilize your vehicle for any business purposes, please give any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency a call at #815-485-2106 and we can assist you in putting together an insurance policy that meets your needs. We always love to hear from our customers!

Warmest Regards,
Matt Langlois

4 Tips For How to Handle a Hit and Run

Posted on by titan-langlois

As an insurance agent, I get many calls regarding car accidents.  Some of the most distressing to me are when your valued customer has been involved in a hit & run accident. Most of the time, collisions happen when you least expect it whether you are driving or parked. While the right thing is for both drivers to step out of the car and handle the situation, some have other ideas and try to flee from the scene. <This is when I would insert the angry face emoji>

This is always shocking and highly upsetting, but you can still be prepared for it by following these steps:

Call the Authorities

It’s understandable that you might be shaken up from the collision so it’s wise to take a moment to assess the situation. Once everything is clear, call the authorities immediately to let them know what happened. If you wait too long, the police may not be able to track down the perpetrator in time. You will also need a descriptive account of the situation when you file your claim, so make sure you get in touch with any of us here at Langlois Insurance Agency soon, while the incident is still fresh in your memory.

Get As Much Information As You Can

This may not be a simple task since the vehicle is on the move, but it is still possible to gather enough information for a claim. Your first plan of action should be to get the license plate number of the perpetrator, if possible. Also try to determine the make, model, and year of the car. If their vehicle has any damage, take note of that too so they can be tracked down easier. Also take note of which way the vehicle went to give others a starting point. After you have all the information down about the other driver, focus on your car next. Like with any collision, you have to document the entire event. Where the location was, where it happened, how it happened, etc. Then take photos/videos of your car. This documentation will help with any possible insurance claim later on.

Stay at the Scene

While it may be tempting to go follow the person that hit your car, you are actually putting yourself in a bad position if you do this. You will need witnesses when filing your claim. If, however, you flee the scene, you could lose this opportunity to speak with others who provide valuable information that you need.

Be Patient

Like with any collision, there will be a lot to handle in the aftermath. You may need someone to come tow your car depending on how severe the damage is, and making a claim is not a quick process. While it might be a frustrating time, be patient while everything gets sorted out. Talk with your loved ones to make any necessary arrangements and let everything work itself out over time.

The last thing you need after a hit and run is a massive bill to pay. Luckily, with the right coverage plan, you don’t have to worry. Give our office a call today and get in touch with our professional staff who can find you the insurance plan you need in case of any accidents down the road.

And, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency with any questions.  We always love to hear from our customers!

Warmest Regards,

Matt Langlois

What to Know Before Letting Someone Drive Your Vehicle

Posted on by titan-langlois

It happens. Sometimes we are in situations where we have to lend our vehicle to other people. Maybe you are not fit to drive and give the keys to someone who can. Maybe your family member needs to use it when moving items around. Regardless of the reason, you probably are a little cautious before letting someone else drive your car. After all, there are major consequences that can arise if something bad were to happen. Take a look at what you should be aware of the next time someone asks to borrow your car, even if it is for a minute or two.

Make Sure You Trust the Driver

While this is common sense, we still highly encourage drivers not to lend their keys to someone they do not know. Even if they are a good friend, make sure they don’t have a history of getting into wrecks. Because the second they get behind the wheel and take your car on a joy ride that ends unfavorably, you are going to be the one at fault.  This is because insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver.

Their Insurance Does Not Matter

Regardless of the fact that the person driving your car has insurance, it is not going to be their agency that covers the wreck. It will be yours since your car is covered through your agency. While the driver’s insurance may cover things like personal injury or medical expenses, you will still have the majority of the bill to take care of. Again, this is because insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver.

What to Do If You Have a Regular Driver

If it turns out that someone borrows your car more than occasionally, especially someone that you employ, please contact me so that we can discuss the situation and, if warranted, add them onto your policy.

Don’t Panic

While it is true that there are major consequences that can occur, this is really just for worst case scenarios. More than likely, you will be covered if you give someone verbal consent to drive your car. If you are nervous, feel free to give any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency a call to make sure all your bases are covered. We will be more than happy to guide you through the do’s and don’ts of lending your vehicle.

If you ever have any questions about your auto policy, don’t hesitate to get in touch with any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency. We are always here to help make life (and insurance) a little less complicated.  And, we always love to hear from our customers!

Warmest Regards,

Matt Langlois

What to Do After You Have Hit a Deer

Posted on by titan-langlois

Accidents are sudden and very nerve-wracking. Although we try to avoid them as much as possible, they still occur in great volume. On average, there are almost 1.23 million deer-related accidents in the United States every year. This number grows around the later months when mating season is in session. This causes more deer to accumulate in populated areas, making some roads very dangerous for drivers. Hitting them is sometimes unavoidable because they appear in your direct path. While we hope this never happens to you, here are the steps you should take if it does.

Move Over

We understand that during a wreck you are so shocked that your priorities are all over the place. However, you should try to stay calm and pull to the side of the road as soon as possible. You are still at risk for being hit by oncoming traffic even though the wreck has already occurred. If you are able to move your car over, do so. Once you are safe, turn on your hazard lights, check your passengers, and take a deep breath.

 

Alert Authorities

Don’t wait to give the police a call. Alert them of the situation immediately so they can handle everything. If the wreck is bad enough, they will need to direct oncoming traffic out of the way so you and others are kept safe. If the deer is still at the scene, it could block traffic and needs to be removed. When authorities do arrive, you will probably need to fill out an official report with them. Having the details fresh from the scene will be handy when filling out your insurance claim.

 

Document the Incident

When the road is safe, it’s time to start documenting. Take pictures of the scene including your surroundings, your car, the road, and any injuries you or your passengers have sustained. This will all be important information for your agent to look over when filing your insurance claim.

 

Stay Away from the Deer

Although it’s okay to check on the deer, you might want to do this at a safe distance. If the deer survives the collision, it will be rattled up and might pose as a threat if it decides to attack out of fear. Deer are known for having powerful legs and sharp hooves that provide a damaging kick.

 

Contact Langlois Insurance Agency Immediately

Like with the authorities, don’t wait to give any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency a call. The sooner, the better. We can immediately get started on your claim when the situation is fresh on your mind rather than later when you might forget some details.

 

Examine Your Car

Although you are probably more than prepared to go home, take a moment to examine your car thoroughly. If it has sustained a significant amount of damage, you should not drive home in it. You could put yourself in even more danger if you do. Instead, contact someone you trust that will take you and your passengers home while you have your car towed.

 

When you are met with a tough situation such as a car accident, the last thing you need is added stress. Having the right agent on your side will give you peace of mind. Let us take care of you today. Give our office a call at #815-485-2106 to see how we can assist you and your family.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us at Langlois Insurance Agency with any questions that you might have.  We always love to hear from our customers!

Sincerely,

Matt Langlois

Are You a Distracted Driver?

Posted on by langloisinsurance

Are You A Distracted Driver?
Did you know that 2016 was the deadliest year on American roadways since 2007? And, the number of driving-related fatalities had the largest two-year spike since 1964.

The National Safety Council (NSC) found that 83% of drivers do believe that distracted and impaired driving is a major safety concern. BUT, 64% admitted that they are comfortable speeding, texting (47%), driving while being impaired by marijuana (13%), or driving after they felt they had consumed too much alcohol (10%).

And, so many of us engage in activities (eating, daydreaming, letting our pets roam loose in the car) that we don’t feel are dangerous, but still cause so many accidents.

Let that sink in for a moment…

As a parent of three children, one who is about to get her learner’s permit in about 2 ½ years, these figures are alarming.

I mean, I can barely watch this Subaru commercial without turning into a blubbering mess.

I can’t imagine the day that I allow her to get behind the wheel of a car without me there to protect her. Especially with these statistics circling around in my thoughts.

So, what can we do about this? How can we keep ourselves, our children, and those around us safe while operating a motor vehicle?

“The good news is we know what works to save lives: high-visibility enforcement of strong traffic laws coupled with public education and awareness,” notes the NSC.

And, insurance companies are starting to take note as well. One company that Langlois Insurance Agency works with, Pekin Insurance, has put together a great website where you can learn more about the dangers of distracted driving.

Plus, it has a fun, interactive Quiz, Focus 2 the Finish, where you can find out if you are engaging in common distractions that put yourself and others at risk.

Check it out! I took the quiz and was shocked – shocked – to learn that even your trusty, local Insurance agent had a few things to improve on (Sorry, Sunny, no more road trips in the Langlois-mobile for you!).

So, let’s keep our roads safe. Because you all are on the roads.

Your loved ones are on the roads.

And, because my Olivia will be on the roads soon.

And – simply – because driving safely is so very important.

Sincerely,

Matt Langlois

Langlois Insurance Agency

Roadside Assistance: Once Call Does It All

Posted on by langloisinsurance

Roadside Rescue: One Call Does It All
Last week, I’m sitting in my office. Doing my insurance work. And, as you can see, it’s been a pretty good day at Langlois Insurance Agency — just check out my smile.

Then, I get a frantic phone call from my wife. She has a flat tire and is not happy. She’s stuck in the Jewel parking lot and is hoping that I can come and change the tire for her.

At this point, my instincts correctly instruct me not to give the lecture that she should have learned a loooong time ago to change her own tire. Seriously, this stuff should be taught as a basic life skill in high school.

But, I digress.

We’ve all been there … a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, car keys locked in the car, a battery that needs a jumpstart, or a gas tank that didn’t stretch those extra miles. Now you’re stranded on the side of the road, and you need a little emergency roadside assistance to get your car back up and moving.

Fortunately for my wife, Erin, we did have Roadside Rescue Coverage, which is part of our auto policy.
One quick phone call to our insurance carrier brought tire-changing-extraordinaire Larry to the rescue!

Do you have this coverage? I highly recommend it. It offers tremendous peace of mind if the situation arises that you or your loved one is ever stranded and you can’t quickly get there. Please feel free to call me at any time to learn more about various Roadside Rescue programs, which include tire changes, towing & winching, fuel delivery, concierge claim services, lockout service, minor mechanical repairs, and battery jump starts.

Or, if you want to start saving on your auto insurance policy today, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a free car insurance quote. Langlois Insurance Agency has great automotive insurance policies, which cover cars, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles, trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, commercial fleets, antique cars, and classic vehicles. I even have a policy that covers this super-cool auto…

Sincerely,

Matt Langlois
Langlois Insurance Agency

What are the Dangers for Teen Drivers?

Posted on by langloisinsurance

What are Some Dangers for Teen Drivers?
Did you know that motor vehicle/car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States?
According to a statistical study conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), over 2,000 teenagers (ages 16-19) in the United States were killed and approximately 200,000 were treated in the ER for injuries suffered in crashes in 2014.

As a parent of three children, I find these statistics to be quite alarming.

Overall, Illinois has done its job to reduce these numbers by banning hand-held mobile devices while driving, as well as instituting a GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing) system that gives teenagers more supervised driving time before they are fully-licensed drivers.

But, even with these extra steps in place, motor vehicle accidents still remain the top cause of teenager deaths in Illinois, and unfortunately “tough” laws alone won’t prevent these deaths.

So, the IIA (Illinois Insurance Association) created the “5 to Drive” campaign, which offers tips for talking with your teens about safe driving habits. The greatest dangers that face teenagers when driving are:
1) Alcohol consumption and driving.
2) Distracted driving. Teach them not to use cell phones, put on makeup, eat a burger, etc…while driving.
3) Extra passengers in the car while driving.
4) Speeding.
5) Always use your seat belt, even if going a short distance.
6) Driving drowsy. Always be awake and alert.
The idea behind the “5 to Drive” campaign is that parents can foster safe driving habits in their teens through real discussions of what is and is not OK when driving.

It is going to take a collaborative effort to save the lives of teen drivers. The Illinois Insurance Association will continue to discuss safe teen driving habits not only during this “Teen Driver Safety Week”, but all year long.

If you have any further questions on this topic, or about insurance your teen driver, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at Langlois Insurance Agency at #815-485-6676.

Safe driving teens!

Matt Langlois

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