It’s easy to forget about your car insurance rates after you purchase it the first time. Autopay systems keep that bill out of sight, out of mind usually. But the truth is your rate was not set in stone when you purchased the first time, and rates can vary greatly from year to year and company to company. Synergy helps unsuspecting drivers save money every day by reevaluating their coverage and providing them with any possible discounts and the most up-to-date rates. Here are five of the most common factors that influence the price of your auto insurance. It  only takes a few minutes reach out to to a Synergy Insurance Group expert to evaluate your policy. Let’s see if we can put a little extra money back in your pocket.

Location

Your local has a lot to do with how much you pay. If you live in an area with a relatively high rate of crime, you’re going to pay more than the safer neighborhood a few miles away. If you live in a particularly congested area with a lot of traffic, you’re more likely to get into an accident (which means you’ll pay more too). If you’ve recently moved to a safer area, it may be time to get a new quote.

Marital Status

Married couples can enjoy joint auto insurance, lumping their policy together to simplify their coverage. This little trick allows both parties to lower the cost of their premium. Couples may know the benefits of a joint checking account, but they may not realize they can also save on their insurance too. As a rule, the more insurance you buy, the more you save.  Plus, couples only have to keep track of one set of documents instead of two.

Driving Record

Have you been watching your speed lately? Making full stops at the sign? Treating school zones with the utmost of reverence? If it’s been a few years since you’ve gotten a ticket, you may be able to lower your rate considerably. The cost of your premium is directly tied to your driving record, so this can be an important step. If you still need a little help improving your driving record, we have a few tips that can help here.

Credit History

If you’ve been diligently paying off your debts and building up your financial goodwill, you may be eligible for lower auto insurance rates. A clean credit history is a sign of the insured’s reliability, which can translate to big savings.

Driving Habits

The more you’re on the road, the more likely it is that trouble can find you. If you’ve recently started driving less for any reason, you can update your information and lower your rate. So, if you recently changed job and your commute plummeted by 30 miles a day, you’ll want to reevaluate your current rates.

When it comes to your rate, each aspect is rated differently (e.g., your marital status won’t be as important as your driving record). However, it is possible to lower your rate between 20% and 40% based on the above factors. Synergy Insurance can’t guarantee that everyone will qualify for lower rates, but it’s worth letting us give you a new auto insurance quote today to see what we can do. It’s definitely worth a shot!

Planning a road trip for your next family vacation? Feeling stressed or anxious before a road trip is common, but don’t let those jitters stop you from having a great trip! Our Road Trip Safety & Tips eBook is here to help make sure you, your family and vehicle are ready for what’s ahead. Between keeping the kids occupied, making sure your car is tuned up, and eating healthy on the road, we’ve got you covered for anything you may encounter. Keep this on hand for your next vacation and put those road trip jitters away for good!

The post Can You Save Money On Your Car Insurance Today? appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Between nasty weather, highway congestion, and general stress, road trips take their toll on family travel during the holidays. Every year, more than 500 fatal accidents occur between Christmas and New Year’s. Don’t be one of them. Follow these eight tips to prepare for a safe holiday road trip.  

Get a General Auto Inspection

If your car hasn’t visited the mechanic in a few months, it’s time for a general inspection before you go. They will make sure all your fluids are full, oil is changed, and catch issues before they turn into problems. Don’t let a preventable issue leave you stranded. Talk to you mechanic about your holiday plans so they can give you location-specific advice.

Replace Windshield Wipers

It’s easy and inexpensive to replace windshield wipers yourself and new wiper blades make a huge difference if caught in an unexpected rain, sleet, or snow storm.

Consider Snow Tires

If you’re traveling out of Florida to visit family or friends, check the weather forecasts through all the states you’ll be driving through. If you’re going through any mountain passes, know that snow tires are often required by state laws when there are impending winter storms.

Line Up Emergency Roadside Assistance

In case you need roadside assistance or a tow, make sure you’re covered. Check your plan and update your policy if need be.

Pack a Car Emergency First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is of the utmost importance for any road trip. From bandages and antiseptic to aspirin and antihistamines, you cannot be too prepared. If headed north through colder weather, it’s recommended to pack a snow shovel and emergency blanket, extra water and snacks, batteries, and head lamps.

Keep Phones Charged

Keep your cell phone fully charged by bringing a car charger. Also, bring a rechargeable battery pack should your car break down and you need to stay in contact with emergency services, hotels, and relatives.

Coordinate Your Plans 

Email a copy of your holiday travel plans to relatives at your destination as well as with any family or friends behind at home. Make sure everyone in the car is on the same page and prepped for what to do in case of a detour or accident. Plan your routes in advance and download road apps to stay up-to-date with weather and traffic conditions.

Auto Insurance Coverage

Does your auto insurance  provide enough coverage? Is it good for out of state travel? For more information about getting the right car insurance for you, call Synergy Insurance Group to discuss policies that will protect your family during the holidays and new year.

Before hitting the road, consider a little extra protection in case of an emergency with our Auto Accident Workbook or our Road Trip Safety & Tips eBook. These printable guides are meant to give you peace of mind if an accident were to occur, or even if you need an extra travel planning companion. Click either image to get your copy!

The post 8 Safety Tips for Holiday Road Trips appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

It’s that time of year again where little ghosts and goblins come out to play and neighborhoods take on a spooky glow. But the scariest part about Halloween can be gaps in your homeowner’s insurance that don’t cover hazardous Halloween mishaps! That’s not to say you should turn the lights out, crawl up inside, and forego the festivities. Here are five common household liability issues that arise on Halloween and how you can avoid them.

1. Trip or Treat?

The most common home insurance nightmare is a trick-or-treater taking a tumble on your property, cracking their head open, breaking a wrist, or twisting an ankle. Keep kids and parents safe by minimizing hazards that lead up to your door. This includes trimming back shrubs, evening out the lawn, fixing loose tiles, and clearing wood piles or other debris away. Walk along your entry path from the road all the way to your front door before the big night. Are there any trip hazards along the way? Is the path clear? Keep lights bright enough so everyone can see where they’re going. If you don’t plan to hand out candy, turn your porch light off. Most neighbors know to take that as a sign you’re closed for business.

2. Avoid Spooky Surprises

Go ahead, make your home spooky and give it the effect of a haunted house. But when it comes to actually scaring people, don’t even think about it. No jump scares. No popping out from behind bushes or chasing people with fake chainsaws. We hate to be a buzzkill, but homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover the blood pumping risks that come with extreme shock and awe, or fear. Did you know Haunted House Insurance is a real thing? It’s true, but only amusement parks, corn mazes, zombies runs, and similar events carry it—homeowners don’t.

3. Keep the Four Legged Furries Away

Between a steady flow of footsteps outside and your doorbell constantly ringing, your pet is sure to get excited, so it’s best to keep your pets away from the action. Scared cats and dogs could easily dart out the door. The chance for a scuffle with a neighborhood trick-or-treater is greatly increased during the festivities. Therefore keep your pets contained in a separate room, away from all the excitement.

4. Decoration Danger

Jack-o-lanterns are a tried and true way to celebrate Halloween, but they also lead to home fires every year. If you want to line your sidewalk with lanterns or line your porch with pumpkins, opt for little LED candles instead of real ones. Candlelit decorations are easily forgotten and left unattended during the festivities and can be a real danger. Don’t leave flames unattended and keep candles away from flammable objects, such as fake cobwebs and witches on straw brooms! Large lawn ornaments like inflatable pumpkins can also collapse unexpectedly, so keep them far away from sidewalks or anywhere people are walking.

5. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

With the changing of the seasons and so many different visitors arriving at your home on Halloween, now is the perfect time to take a closer look at your Florida homeowner’s insurance coverage. Give yourself and your guests peace of mind this Halloween by making sure you’re covered in the event of an accident.

With a little precaution, you’ll have the safest Halloween yet! However, if you’re looking for more protection against the proverbial ghosts and ghouls, call Synergy Insurance Group to see how we can fill in the gaps and keep your property, home, and family safe.

It’s always a good idea to review your homeowners insurance policy to get a better idea of your coverage. The holidays are a great time to go over any questions you may have with your agent. In the meantime, our Home Insurance Claims eBook goes over the ins-and-outs of your coverage, answering your holiday-related coverage questions. Just click the image to get started!

The post 5 Tips for a Fright-Free Halloween at Your Home appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Between the food, the friends, and the festivities, it isn’t hard to go overboard on the booze during the holidays. It isn’t always clear when or where you hit your limit, so make sure you enjoy a safer holiday with a few tips for drinking responsibly.

Slow Down

We get it. Family reunions on a holiday come with their share of both fun and stress. We get together and raise our glasses in toasts, but we also reach for another drink every time Great Aunt Peg asks why the children keep throwing food at each other. If you’re drinking because of anxiety, try going outside for a few minutes to breathe and reset instead of opening another bottle of wine.

Stay aware of what you’re drinking and why throughout the day. Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have, and/or limit yourself to a drink (or less) per course.

Know Your Myths

A cold shower or jolt of caffeine will not sober you up.  If you’re looking to limit the rate at which your blood absorbs the alcohol, the best thing you can do is eat.

Eating has no effect on your body after you’ve already been drinking, but it will affect your metabolism if you’re eating and drinking at roughly the same time. In other words, if you really want a couple cups of eggnog at the beginning of the party, make sure it’s to wash down some hors d’oeuvres.

Make Contingency Plans

Choose a designated driver before the party or schedule an Uber. Police officers are hyper-vigilant on the holidays, so even if you don’t feel drunk it’s likely you’re over the limit.

Driving while intoxicated is extremely risky and always the wrong choice. The problem is, once intoxicated it can seem like the right choice. “I didn’t have that much…I stopped drinking an hour ago…” the usual excuses. And why? Because calling a cab is expensive? Or phoning a friend feels inconvenient? So, plan ahead when you’re still thinking straight and keep yourself and others safe.

Call Synergy Insurance to speak with one of our friendly and helpful agents today if you’d like more information about homeowner’s insurance. We provide exceptional coverage to Florida homeowners so they can enjoy the moments that matter most, during the holidays and all year long.

Your homeowners insurance covers the basics, but what about holiday accidents? Download our Home Insurance Claims eBook today and put your mind at ease before all of the holiday craziness.

The post How to Drink Responsibly this Holiday Season appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Deep-fried turkey is mouth-watering good. Home chefs everywhere are getting ready to roll up their sleeves this Thanksgiving to prepare an unforgettable meal and for many that means trying something new—like a deep-fried turkey. If you want to join the fad, take heed first—deep fried turkeys are the cause of thousands of home fires around the US every year. Avoid an accident with a little research and take the following tips to heart!

Prepping the Turkey and the Fryer

The fryer needs to be at least 10 feet away from the house and should be placed on the flattest surface you can find. Never fry a turkey on an incline.

Ensure the turkey is completely thawed and then thoroughly dried. It takes about 24 hours to thaw a turkey for every 4 pounds, so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time. If there’s any water in the turkey at all, it will expand and cause the scalding hot oil to spill over onto the burner and start a fire.

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand at all times in case of a fire. Remember—you cannot put out an oil fire with water!

Frying the Turkey

You will not be able to leave the turkey while it’s frying (it takes about 3 minutes per pound.) Be vigilant about children or dogs going anywhere near the fryer, and appoint another (sober!) adult to keep an eye on them.

Use a fryer with a thermostat or buy one of your own, and ensure the temperature doesn’t climb higher than it should (it’s normally 350° for a vegetable-based oil.)

Finally, be careful touching the fryer as the lid and sides can become extremely hot and cause severe burns.

Synergy Insurance Group wants you to get the fabled crisp skin and delectably tender meat that deep frying a turkey can bring, we just want you to do so safely! Serving our customers is our priority and protecting you is what we do best. If you have questions about coverage, contact Synergy Insurance today to speak directly with an agent. Happy Holidays and stay safe out there!

The holidays can be stressful, and insurance coverage is probably the last thing on your mind during the hustle and bustle. Our Home Insurance Claims eBook is your one-stop guide to what exactly is and is not covered with your homeowners insurance policy. We know family time can get a little crazy, so rest assured we’ve got you covered.

The post How to Safely Deep Fry a Turkey appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

It’s not the undead homeowners need to fear when Halloween rolls around. It’s gaps in your homeowner’s insurance that don’t cover hazardous Halloween mishaps! But that’s not to say you should turn the lights out, hole up inside, and forego the festivities. Here are three common household liability issues that arise on Halloween and how you can avoid them.

1. Trip or Treat?

The most common home insurance nightmare is a trick-or-treater taking a tumble on your property, cracking their head open, breaking a wrist, or twisting an ankle. Keep kids and parents safe by minimizing hazards that lead up to your door. This includes trimming back shrubs, evening out the lawn, fixing loose tiles, and clearing wood piles or other debris away. Resist the urge to use low lighting for a more mysterious experience. Keep lights bright so everyone can see where they’re going. If you don’t plan to hand out candy, turn your porch light off. Most neighbors know to take that as a sign you’re closed for business.

2. To Haunt or Not to Haunt

Go ahead, make your home spooky and give it the effect of a haunted house. But when it comes to actually scaring people, don’t even think about it. No jump scares. No popping out from behind bushes. Or chasing people with fake chainsaws. We hate to be a buzzkill, but homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover the blood pumping risks that come with extreme shock and awe, or fear. Did you know Haunted House Insurance is a real thing? It’s true, but only amusement parks, corn mazes, zombies runs, and similar events carry it—homeowners don’t.

3. Decoration Danger

Jack-o-lanterns are a tried and true way to celebrate Halloween, but they also lead to home fires every year. If you want to line your sidewalk with lanterns and your porch with pumpkins, opt for little LED candles instead of real ones. Candlelit decorations are easily forgotten and left unattended during the festivities and can be a real nightmare. Don’t leave flames unattended and keep candles away from flammable objects like fake cobwebs and witches on straw brooms! Large lawn ornaments like inflatable pumpkins can also collapse unexpectedly, so keep them far away from sidewalks or anywhere people are walking.

With a little precaution, you’ll have the safest Halloween yet! However, if you’re looking for more protection against the proverbial ghosts and ghouls, call Synergy Insurance Group to see how we can fill in the gaps and keep your property, home, and family safe.

It’s always a good idea to review your homeowners insurance policy to get a better idea of your coverage. The holidays are a great time to go over any questions you may have with your agent. In the meantime, our Home Insurance Claims eBook goes over the ins-and-outs of your coverage, answering your holiday-related coverage questions. Click the image to get started!

The post 3 Spooky Halloween Home Insurance Nightmares appeared first on Synergy Insurance.