Tax season is a great time to purchase a great used family car. With extra money, you don’t have to worry about taking money from your savings to purchase a car. At Fuhriman Insurance, we want you to purchase the right car so that you don’t have to worry about ongoing repairs after your purchase. The following are three tips to help you purchase a great family car.

Tip #1. Choose a car that is safe.

There is more to a car than getting you from point A to point B. You want a car that is going to take you and your family where you need to go safely. Before you invest in your next car, you should consider how safe it is. Many manufacturers are going beyond industry standards to incorporate additional safety features, including additional airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic tire pressure monitoring, and rollover prevention. You should choose a car that offers your family the best protections while you are on the road.

Tip #2. Ensure your new car has enough room.

It’s important that you purchase a car that’s comfortable for your family. If you have a family of four, then a sedan or an SUV is an easy option. For families that are still growing, you should consider the future. You can start by estimating how long you expect the car or SUV to last, and then determine whether you will need additional room in that time frame.

Tip #3. Choose a vehicle that is compatible to where you will drive.

Getting the most out of your vehicle is best for your entire family. The best way to do so is to consider where you drive most frequently. For instance, if you anticipate your family will travel to areas with unpaved roads, then it’s important that you purchase something rugged that will endure.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we want you to be happy with your next car purchase. If you have questions about purchasing a car or getting auto insurance, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Bicyclists face serious risks on the Gem State’s roads. They can easily suffer life-threatening injuries when traffic accidents occur. Boise motorists help to prevent such disasters when they follow these tips:

1. Always slow down if bicycles are present. A rider may unexpectedly enter your lane to avoid another vehicle’s door, a patch of sand or broken glass in the shoulder. Exercise patience; don’t insist on passing a bike when there isn’t enough room.

2. Don’t honk your horn to say hello to a familiar bicyclist, warn riders of your presence or urge them to move over. This can startle or distract cyclists just long enough to trigger harmful mistakes.

3. Keep in mind that Idaho stop sign laws allow riders to slow down and yield rather than completely halting their bikes. Bicyclists must stop for red lights but aren’t required to wait until they change color.

4. Remain alert when you travel through residential neighborhoods. Young children on bikes might not use enough caution when they enter the street. Kids don’t always understand the consequences of risky behavior.

5. Never travel with an unrestrained dog in a truck bed or a car with open windows. Some canines will jump from vehicles to attack cyclists. If you’re near a road, always use a leash when leading a dog from your car to a building.

6. Leave at least three feet between your vehicle’s mirror and a bike’s handle bar when passing. Increase the distance if you’re driving quickly or passing a child on a bicycle.

It’s also crucial to carry sufficient auto insurance. Fuhriman Insurance Agency has served Boise motorists for over five decades. Call us today to get a no-obligation quote or do so on our website, too.
 

Boise, Idaho has a large amount of wildlife in it’s untamed surrounding Rocky Mountain environs, so motorcycle riders must learn to always be on-guard when they are out on the road. Animals can unexpectedly dart out into the road which could cause an accident at any time, resulting in damage and minor injury at the very least, if not much worse. While this is a problem year-round, deer season is an especially dangerous time, as deer tend to be more prevalent than any other time of year. Hitting one on a motorcycle is dangerous, so there are a few things that motorcyclists should concentrate on when riding in Boise, Idaho during deer season.

First, don’t go way over the speed limit, even if you know the roads. This is because you may have to suddenly slam on the brakes if a deer runs out in front of your bike and excessive speed may not allow you to stop in time. Second, always wear a helmet. While this is state law anyway, many riders don’t wear helmets, endangering themselves in general but even more so when they have to stop when avoiding hitting a deer. Third, make sure you have a good insurance policy during deer season that will cover both you and your bike in the event you hit a deer. The Fuhriman Insurance Agency will cover you and your motorcycle on this front, as they serve the greater Boise, Idaho area. And last, make sure you know the warning signs when there are more deer that may cross the road. As deer travel in groups, watch out for others following close behind who might dart out in front of you. Just because you avoided one, doesn’t mean there aren’t more crossing nearby.

Having a motorcycle is more than a means of transportation. It is a way of life. So, if your motorcycle is stolen, it is a punch in the stomach. That is why you need to understand why motorcycles are stolen and what you can do to prevent this from happening. If your bike is stolen in Boise, less than a third of motorcycles are recovered. This is because most are moved out of state or sent to chop shops. At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we are also motorcycle owners and want to make sure you never have to deal with this kind of a situation. Of course, our motorcycle insurance can protect you, but it is always best to skip out on this issue all together. 

Easily Hidden

When parking your motorcycle, you might first think to hide simply it away. The problem with this is if someone sees the motorcycle and wants to steal it, nobody is going to see them taking it. It can be easy money when stolen. That is why you need to park the bike close to a point of entrance and by security cameras. 

Not Locked Down

Most motorcycles are not locked down. It might not seem to be the coolest thing to do, but if a bike isn’t locked down through the wheel, a skilled thief knows how to bypass the steering lock and, more or less, roll the bike out and take it. That is why you need to lock the wheel down whenever you park the bike. It makes it less of a target and harder to steal. 

Easy Money

The main reason motorcycles are taken is because it is easy money. A bike can be chopped and sold for thousands of dollars. So, protect your bike to avoid this kind of issue. 

If a person is shopping for insurance, it’s imperative to take into consideration the many avenues that can be traveled down. For one, the person can go through an agent that specializes in only one brand of insurance, and while this can be advantageous for various reasons, an independent agent almost always proves to be of more value. Mostly because this type of agent has the ability to shop through different brands of insurance, meaning your insurance needs can be met not only quickly but in a more affordable manner, as well. Here’s a look at two reasons it’s smart to use an independent insurance agent. 

Better assistance when making a claim

Have you ever went to make a claim with your insurance agency only to realize that the process is completely time-consuming? Probably so. With an independent agent, though, you can make a claim with the agent you have been working with, and it’s because of this that he will likely already know the specifics of your policy. By knowing the specifics, this allows him to make the claim right the first time around; this will speed up the time that it takes for you to receive compensation that is owed to you. 

Always on the search for better policies

Independent agents also help you stay ahead of the game by recommending policies that can better meet your needs. Since the agent is tied down to a specific company, this allows him to continually shop for policies that are more affordable and of better quality. 

To learn more about the benefits of going through an independent agent, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. 

You want to give your car the very best for the fall months in Boise. There are various things that you can do to ensure that your car still gets the performance, even though the weather is colder. You can also be more comfortable as you drive by having a car mechanic check on a few things for you.

One of the first things you need to realize is that batteries are affected by colder weather. This means you want to make sure that the battery is in good condition and that the charging system is working effectively. Be sure that the connections are clean and clear. You may also want to look into replacing your battery if it has been years.

Have your brakes checked. As you drive throughout Idaho, your brakes are going to be tested more throughout the fall and winter them throughout the rest of the year because of ice and snow.

Your tires need to be checked as well. You want to make sure to have sufficient tire tread depth. You may also want to look into replacing your tires with a specialty tire that is capable of gripping the roads more effectively.

Also, schedule an HVAC inspection with a local mechanic. They will be able to check such things as:

• Defroster unit
• Heating system
• Cabin air filter

There may be things you want to replace as well. Check on everything to make sure that your car is in good condition. You may want to replace wiper blades on the front and back windshields. If you are driving in any particularly snowy or icy areas, you may also want to think about snow chains.

Call us at Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. One of our agents can talk to you about coverage with your policy and work to get you an affordable rate.

 

For many people in Boise, ID, summer is a season of fitness. It’s the best time of year for enjoying the outdoors. For cars, however, the summer months can take a toll. Just as you like to stay in shape throughout the summer, it’s important to keep your car in shape during the hottest months of the year. Here are some of the best tips we have complied at Fuhriman Insurance Agency have on how to keep your car running well during the summer.

Keep Your Car Properly Maintained

Auto maintenance can’t be neglected during the summer months, even though it may be tempting to forgo an oil change in favor of a few more hours at the beach. No matter how busy you are this summer, be sure to:

• go to a car wash after driving through a construction zone to wash of debris left on your car
• keep your tires properly inflated to the PSI levels stipulated in your owner’s manual
• never skip an oil change

The third item, having your oil changed on time, is especially important if you plan on taking any road trips this summer. Skipping an oil change will could cause damage to your car’s engine during your road trip or in a few years.

Keep Your Auto Insurance Updated

It’s also easy to forget about your auto insurance during the busy summer months. If you have any significant changes to your own financial situation or your car, however, you should review your auto insurance policy with an independent insurance agent who is licensed in Idaho. They can help you make sure your policy is still current or help you find a new one if it’s not.

If you haven’t compared your auto insurance to policies that are currently on the market, log onto our website. We make it easy to find out what premiums insurers are charging right now for different coverages, and we have explanations of the different coverages available. If you need additional assistance, call one of our independent insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency.