Would You Trust a Self-Driving Car? When Henry Ford first put the Model T into production, do you think he ever envisioned not needing the driver? That is just what Google and a host of other technology companies have been working on for the better part of two decades. Even as little as ten years ago, to most people, the driverless car seemed like the stuff of science fiction movies. In fact, manufacturers such as Toyota, Audi, and Volkswagen have promised to debut self-driving cars in the near future. Sebastian Thrun, a German robotics developer and computer scientist who has been working with Google, highlighted how far technology has progressed in a TED Talk two years ago. With all this technology coming down the pipeline, the question that many folks are asking is not could we have driverless cars but should we?
Sharing the Road with Summer Cyclists I’m always excited for the arrival of summer. Every year I look forward to days at the beach, ice cream, and sunshine. But there’s one thing that tops them all: the Tour de France! I’ve been a huge fan of cycling for quite a few years and I always look forward to watching this event. Here are some helpful tips from Plymouth Rock Assurance in NJ for bikers and drivers when it comes to sharing the road with summer cyclists. If you’re a cyclist: Be seen. If you’re a motorist or biker: Be alert. I could go on and on but the Tour de France has started already! How To Save Money and Keep Cool This Summer With the July 4th holiday weekend past us, and a scorcher at that, lots of us are looking for how to save money and keep cool this summer. Plymouth Rock has laid out a few tips below that you may have missed last summer. Change Your Filters: It’s obvious but many homeowners forget this critical step. If you have any tips, tricks, or secrets of your own let us know.
The Basics of Boating Season We all know that summer is the start of boating season and that New Jersey has ample ways to enjoy being on the water. Plymouth Rock Assurance wants to make sure that you enjoy our state’s lakes, rivers, and coast line safely and legally. One of the first steps is to make sure you are properly trained and licensed to operate a powerboat or personal watercraft. The state of New Jersey requires that all individuals obtain a Boating Safety Certificate Education Card from a provider approved by the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau. In addition to an approved Boating Safety Certificate, a license issued by the New Jersey MVC is required if you plan to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (including jetski or waverunner) on fresh, non-tidal waters such as lakes, creeks or rivers . Your motorized boat, just like a car, is required by the state of New Jersey to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission.
New Jersey: Stronger Than the Storm Epicectus, a Greek philosopher, once said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” New Jersey is certainly proving those words to be true in the months following Superstorm Sandy. In the days and weeks after the storm, it was heartwarming to see residents come together. We helped each other clear debris and salvage belongings. Some local restaurants managed to keep their doors open so New Jerseyans could have a hot cup of coffee. We navigated through a temporary gas rationing system and waited in lines for hours. Now that it’s officially summer at the Jersey Shore, many are glad to see things start getting back to normal. There’s a reason New Jerseyans are known as some of the toughest people in the United States. Photo courtesy of: Stronger Than The Storm
New Jersey’s Best Dog-Friendly Beaches Dogs across New Jersey live for the experience of diving in and out of the cool ocean waves and digging holes in the sand. While the “Original Dog Beach,” known as Ocean Beach Dog Beach, was created in 1972 in San Diego, CA, there are now many dog-friendly beaches across New Jersey, some of which welcome dogs all year long. Local towns like Manasquan, Asbury Park, Cape May, Long Beach Island and Sandy Hook all offer dog beaches, just to name a few. Plymouth Rock recommends viewing the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in NJ at bringfido.com. Some dog beaches require that your furry friend remain on a leash (typically a maximum length of 6 feet), while others either allow dogs to be off leash completely or to at least be off leash while playing in the water. As you pack up your pooch and head to the beach, keep these safety tips from NJ.com in mind: For a full listing of dog-friendly beaches across the country, visit petfriendlytravel.com.
Check out the Plymouth Rock Mobile App Plymouth Rock Assurance has a free mobile app with great perks for our policyholders and for everyone else out there on the road. For our customers, the app offers an easy way to manage your auto insurance policy. It is a convenient way to make a payment, see your outstanding balance, and check out the minimum payment due on your account. In the event of an accident, it gives customers a simple way to start the claims process by submitting details and uploading photos from the scene. We also built our app with consideration of our fellow drivers out there on the roads. Low on fuel? One of our favorite features is “Mark My Spot.” The Plymouth Rock Assurance app is easy to use and available now for Android phones from Google Play or from iTunes for iPhone users.
Why NJ’s Car Insurance Rates Are Among the Highest in the Nation One of the biggest reasons behind New Jersey’s relatively expensive car insurance rates is rampant insurance fraud. Consider the following recent case of a chiropractor who fraudulently obtained more than $650,000 from insurance companies before getting caught. Earlier this year, the owner and operator of several chiropractic centers in central and northern New Jersey was sentenced to six years in state prison for, among other charges, third-degree criminal running activity. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi responded to the case in a recent release, “The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has made it a priority to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who defraud insurance companies, and in turn, insurance consumers, who often bear the cost of such fraud through increased premiums.” How is this kind of fraud possible?
How to Lower Car Insurance Costs | Plymouth Rock Assurance NJ Like all insurance companies, Plymouth Rock uses a variety of factors to determine your rate. Some of the aspects that influence your rate are under your control and can be adjusted to save you money. Below are some guidelines to show how you can change your coverage options to lower your car insurance costs. Please keep in mind that, in some cases, saving money on your policy means you will be assuming more risk. Choosing Higher Deductibles A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket in the event of a loss. Selecting Health Care Primary If you have health insurance that covers injuries resulting from automobile accidents, you can select the Health Care Primary option to designate your health insurer as your primary source of medical benefits. Driving Safely Your driving record is one factor that influences your rate. Dropping Coverage for Older Cars Carrying liability insurance is the law for all cars on the road, but additional coverage may be unnecessary for older vehicles.