The day your teenager becomes a driver is stressful enough for any parent. In 2009, some 3,000 teens were killed in automobile accidents and 350,000 were injured, according to the Centers for Disease Control. So  what they drive shouldn’t add to the worry.

Some teens will inherit the family car, while a few may be treated to something new (or newer). The good news for parents on the hunt for a safe and well-equipped used car is that great options abound. Yahoo compiled a list of the top 10 best used cars for teens. In compiling this list, a price point of $15,000 was selected to ensure that the cars met parameters typically set by parents, including multiple airbags, anti-lock braking systems, and other safety features that bring peace of mind.

As with any used automotive purchase, favor cars with the least signs of abuse and the most complete maintenance records. One hint provided by Yahoo insider was to stick with 4 doors because it keep auto insurance premiums lower. Forthwith, we proffer nine cars that any parent would be proud put the kids in, and another that’s more in the realm of childhood fantasy:

2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz C230

Let’s face it, some folks are die-hard European-car buffs, and for them this option from the metalsmiths in Stuttgart provides an affordable way to keep a young loved one in the family auto fold. Look for the Sport model with its 201-hp V6, which will help new drivers merge into the flow of highway traffic with ease. Safety and trim quality are typically solid Mercedes fare. As with any European car, the key is having as complete a service history as possible. With that, a 60,000-mile car can double that figure without too much fiscal pain.

2008-2009 Volkswagen Jetta

2005-2006 Subaru Outback

2007-2008 Mini Cooper

2009-2010 Hyundai Sonata

Like a racehorse that starts at the back of the pack and slowly charges to the fore, Hyundai’s tenacious battle for its share of the U.S. market is starting to pay off. The Sonata is a good example of what’s right with the brand, a mid-size sedan that offers the standard complement of modern safety features, 30 mpg from its four-cylinder power plant and styling that borrows liberally from Mercedes’ handsome C-class. What’s more, Hyundai’s well-known affordability means that fifteen large gets you an almost new car for used car money.

2000-2001 Porsche Boxster

The beginning of spring is the time for cleaning up and cleaning out. Take a day or a weekend to wash the windows, put away the sweaters and blankets and organize your life after the long winter season. Not only is this the perfect time to clean out your messy closet, but it’s also the perfect season to organize your insurance records.

At least once a year it’s a good idea to shake the cobwebs off your insurance policy documents and review your coverage. Here are some quick tips for spring cleaning your insurance and making sure your polices are up-to-date and offering you the protection you need.

What to look for in your:

Auto Insurance Policy
Review your coverage limits and make sure they still adequately cover you,  anyone else listed on your policy and your vehicles. Are there any new drivers in your household? Be sure to add them as a driver on your policy. Are you eligible for any new auto insurance discounts? Check with your agent to see if you qualify for any discounts that can help you save on your car insurance premium. (Hint: If you own a home, combine your home and auto with the same provider and you can usually save up to 20% on your home insurance.) Also, make sure you aren’t insuring vehicles or drivers that are no longer in your household.

Home Insurance Policy
Take a look at your dwelling coverage to make sure you have enough coverage to replace your home back to its current condition after a total loss. If you have made any upgrades to your home since you last reviewed your policy, you will want to make sure the replacement value of your home does not exceed your coverage limits. Also consider if you have enough Contents Coverage to replace the items in your home. If you have acquired any expensive items (jewelry, electronics, etc) recently you will want to make sure these are covered under your policy, otherwise, you might need to schedule an endorsement on your policy to cover these items individually. Also, check your liability coverage  if you have recently become more at risk for a lawsuit (for example, if you added a swimming pool or trampoline onto your property). You might need to disclose information to your insurance company or add additional coverage.

For a complete outline of what is typically covered under a home and car insurance policy, visit Bucci Insurance online.

Too many Americans believe that the coverage limits of their homeowners insurance policy are linked to the market value of their home, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

In the I.I.I.’s 2011 Insurance Pulse Survey, conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation, nearly half (48 percent) of survey respondents came to that mistaken conclusion.

One out of three respondents to the Pulse Survey reported that they purchased less homeowners or auto insurance as a way to save money. A better strategy would be to take a higher deductible, which can substantially reduce insurance costs. Home and car owners can then put the savings into a purchasing the right amount and type of insurance for their specific needs.

Following are the five biggest auto, home, flood and renters insurance mistakes consumers can make, with suggestions to avert those pitfalls while still saving money:

. Insuring a home for its real estate value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. Home insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings.

A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save up to 25 percent on your premium payments.

2. Selecting an insurance company by price alone. It is important to choose a company with competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service.

A better way to save: Check the financial health of a company with independent rating agencies and ask friends and family for recommendations. You should select an insurance company that will respond to your needs and handle claims fairly and efficiently. Bucci Insurance has been a leading insurance provider in Rhode Island for over 30 years.

3. Dropping flood insurance. Damage from flooding is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies.Coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as from some private insurance companies. Many homeowners are unaware they are at risk for flooding, but in fact 25 percent of all flood losses occur in low risk areas.

A better way to save: Before purchasing a home, check with the NFIP to determine whether the property is situated in a flood zone; if so, consider a less risky area.

4. Only purchasing the legally required amount of liability for your car. In today’s litigious society, buying only the minimum amount of liability means you are likely to pay more out-of-pocket if you are sued—and those costs may be steep.

A better way to save: Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars worth less than $1,000. The insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident.

5. Neglecting to buy renters insurance. A renters insurance policy covers your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to an insured disaster, such as a fire or hurricane. Equally important, it provides liability protection in the event someone is injured in your home and decides to sue.

A better way to save: Look into multi-policy discounts. Buying several policies with the same insurer, such as renters, auto and life will generally provide savings.

For more information visit Insurance Information Institute online or contact Bucci Insurance Group today!

Myth 6. If another person is driving your car, his or her auto insurance will cover them if they get in an accident.
In most states, the auto insurance policy covering the vehicle is considered the primary insurance, which means that the auto insurance company for the vehicle must pay for damages caused by an accident.

Driver distractions or inattentive driving play a part in one out of every four motor vehicle crashes. That is more than 1.5 million collisions a year and 4,300 crashes daily, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Text messaging, changing radio stations, even turning around to talk to passengers can prove deadly, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Not only can a crash cause physical and mental trauma, but it also can put a dent in your wallet by increasing your auto insurance costs.

A Bucci employee was driving in today and actually saw someone reading the newspaper while driving. Your car is not your living room, driving a car requires your undivided attention. n January 2010, the National Safety Council (NSC) released a report estimating that at least 1.6 million crashes (28 percent of all crashes) are caused each year in the U.S. by drivers talking on cellphones (1.4 million crashes) and texting (200,000 crashes). The estimate is based on data of driver cellphone use from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and research that quantifies the risks using cellphones and texting while driving.

Rhode Island recently passed a bill making it illegal to text while driving, in support of the nationwide campaign “Drive Now, Text Later.” Some of the carelessness often lies within the fact that drivers are self absorbed, they are unaware of the implications f their actions on others. If your textting causes you to swerve into another car, you have not only endangered your own life, but the life of another.

Before you text and drive, or read and drive consider how important it really is compared to the importance of your safety and the safety of others.

If you’re a business owner, it’s good to know that your Businessowners Policy does not provide coverage for vehicles, which means an additional policy is necessary.  While some states only require that you have liability insurance, many other states make it mandatory that you have uninsured/ underinsured motorists coverage and/or medical payments coverage. It is up to you whether or not you want to purchase physical damage coverage for your vehicle your business owns, leases, or hires.

You can receive separate coverage for each vehicle listed on your policy according to the different characteristics and uses of each. You will be asked by your insurance agent how you plan to use your vehicle, who will be driving them, and what your intentions are with them to determine what coverage is best.

According to the I.I.I. you have three options for which vehicles you chose to cover: 1. Autos your business owns 2. All autos your business owns, hires, or leases 3. All autos used for the business including those that owners and employees personally drive. It is suggested that you buy the third choice due to the fact it is the only option that protects your business from liability when an owner or employee drives while on business.

Bucci Insurance understands the importance of keeping yourself, your business, and your employees protected, that’s why if you have any questions about insuring your business vehicles, they would be happy to help!

According to GoLocaProv, a national report was released a few weeks ago of the deadliest drivers in the United States. Surprisingly, the results revealed that Rhode Island drivers are among the least dangerous in the nation (Ranked 48^th of 50 to be exact).  Virginia and Connecticut followed right behind with 49^th and 50^th. What states were claimed to be the deadliest? North Dakota, Montana, and Kentucky.

Disagree? So do a lot of people. Some said they would have ranked the Ocean State a 7 out of 10, 10 being the worst and others went as far as saying we’re actually “horrible…the worst.”

To have a better idea of where the numbers came from,  it is good to know that these results were based off of the ratio of fatal accidents to the number of drivers- based on the assumption fatalities are a good measure of bad drivers. It also took into account, DUIs, ignoring stop signs, careless driving and the fact that some states require more driving time.

Tom Frank, the state coordinator for the National Motorist Association, is still skeptical believing there is zero correlation between traffic fatalities and the quality of drivers in a state. He instead, insists it has to do with the distance drivers are to the nearest hospital, and not just that, but a good quality hospital.

What do you think is a good factor to base the quality of drivers on?

No matter what you state you drive in, be sure to do so safely (and have the right amount of auto insurance)!

Our lovely Gloria Rubio from Bucci Insurance will be voicing her words of wisdom September 12 on the Spanish radio station, Poder 1110. With over 10 years of experience in the Insurance industry, she looks to inform the Spanish community and educate them on auto insurance. She hopes to explain what it is people are signing, what is being covered by their current policy, and most importantly what type of coverage is actually need. She will emphasize that not all insurance policies are the same because not all people are the same. Depending on your financial risk, the correct amount property insurance will differ.
With Gloria’s charming and caring personality she plans on creating an awareness of insurance- which will ultimately give people peace of mind. Not only will you be protected but those around you will be too.

Remember this morning when you picked up that coffee on the way to work or last night when you went through the drive-through to pick up a hamburger, think about how you probably could not resist the coffee or hamburger and you started to consume them while driving. When you are sipping your coffee or biting out of your hamburger you probably feel immediate satisfaction, but you need to realize this immediate satisfaction will soon be gone when you start to make some risky driving choices because of them.

Everyone has eaten or drank something while driving; Nine out of 10 times you probably made a mess by spilling something or getting food on your clothing, because I know I sure have. On the way to work this morning I was eating a sticky breakfast bar and managed to get it all over my pants, so while driving I attempted to clean it up. Let me tell you that is a BIG mistake. I was not paying attention to the road and had to stop short when the car in front of me put on their brakes. I was lucky enough to catch it in time, but I could have easily not looked up from cleaning off my pants and rammed into the car in front of me. That is why you should never eat or drink while driving! Trying to consume things while driving can almost be as risky as talking or texting on your cell phone when in the car.

Some research has shown that most problems occur when people are trying to clean up the messes that they have made while eating and driving. It seems that the issue is more about spilling things than eating or drinking things. It is scary to think that spilling your small Dunkin Donuts coffee could lead to an accident. Now, you are probably want to know what the worse foods to eat while driving are and we are ready to tell you the top 10.The Providence Journal listed the top 10 most dangerous foods to eat while driving as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

1. Coffee – Probably the one thing that almost everyone drinks in the car is the most dangerous because it always manages to spill out.
2. Hot Soup – I’m not really sure why or how you can eat soup in the car, but again the same as coffee always manages to spill.
3. Tacos – Need I say more. This food is probably one of the most dangerous foods to eat sitting still, let alone trying to operate a vehicle while eating it.
4. Chili – Again, I am not sure why you would choose to eat this and drive, but just think of the spilling and dripping that can occur.
5. Hamburgers – All the condiments inside this bad boy are a disaster waiting to happen.
6. Barbecue – While delicious, very messy. The sauce will get all over anything that you touch.
7. Fried Chicken – Very, very greasy.
8. Jelly-filled Doughnuts – Think about this: Have you ever been able to eat a jelly doughnut without the center coming out? No, so don’t eat it while driving.
9. Soft Drinks – Common to have in the car, but these drinks can easily lead to spillage, which means a sticky mess all over your car.
10. Chocolate – It melts. This means all over your hands, your sterling while and your seats.

Eating while driving is messy and dangerous. It means that you are being occupied with something else other than the road. This can result in an accident, and no one wants that to happen because you could not wait 5 minutes till you got home to eat your jelly doughnut. Stay safe while driving and come to Bucci Insurance for all of your auto needs. We are  here to help you with your specific auto insurance policy.

Rhode Island is the 13^th most expensive state for auto insurance! Rhode Island has an average premium of $1,595.97. It is crazy to think that our little state is in the top 15 for most expensive auto insurance. This information was found recently on the NY Times Bucks blog, which came from Insure.com based on a study that Quadrant Information Services preformed for them. The data was comprised from average auto insurance rates of more than 2,400 vehicles across 10 zip codes in each state. They surveyed the rates from six large insurance carriers in each state.

Now, you may be wondering why are rates are so high. Well, there are a few things that drivers in Rhode Island are required to have when it comes to auto insurance. In Rhode Island you must carry liability insurance coverage on all registered vehicles. The minimum coverage for injuries sustained by one person in an accident is $25,000, for all injuries in an accident is $50,000. Aside from purchasing liability insurance, Rhode Island drivers must also purchase uninsured motorist coverage. This helps when you are involved in an accident where someone does not have auto insurance.

Figuring out if your auto insurance is too high or if it is the right insurance for your needs can be tricky. That is why Bucci Insurance Group is here waiting for your call to help you out with all your auto insurance questions. We will make sure that you are covered with all the basics and requirements for auto insurance in our state, as well as customizing your policy for your specific auto needs. We can help to give you discounts, maximum benefits and an unmatched service that will make this 13^th most expensive auto insurance worth it!

Rhode Islanders make sure that you are always maintaining the insurance coverage required and that you have proof of it in your car. Wondering if your car is too expensive to insure? Insure.com has posted a list of the most to least expensive cars to insure, check it out!