At the Eric L. Ash Agency, we know you’re always looking for ways to protect your family, your business, and your wallet. One topic that’s been stirring up a lot of conversation — and confusion — is how tariffs are impacting insurance rates. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Tariffs, and Why Do They Matter?

A tariff is essentially a tax on imported goods. When the U.S. government imposes tariffs on products like steel, aluminum, car parts, or electronics, it raises the cost of those goods. While this is often done to protect domestic industries, it can have ripple effects across the economy.

The Ripple Effect on Insurance

You might wonder: What does a tax on imported goods have to do with my insurance? The answer lies in replacement costs.

• Auto Insurance: Many car parts — from bumpers to computer chips — are imported. Tariffs increase the price of these parts, making vehicle repairs more expensive after an accident. That higher cost gets passed on to insurance companies, which can eventually raise premiums.
• Home Insurance: Tariffs on materials like lumber, steel, or electronics can increase the cost of home repairs after a fire, storm, or other covered loss. As rebuilding costs rise, insurance companies adjust premiums to keep pace.
• Business Insurance: For commercial clients, tariffs can impact the cost of replacing machinery, equipment, or inventory sourced from abroad, again putting upward pressure on premiums.

What Can You Do?

• Review your coverage. Make sure your policies accurately reflect the current value of your car, home, or business assets.
• Ask about discounts. At the Eric L. Ash Agency, we can help you identify safe driver, home security, or bundling discounts to offset rising premiums.
• Stay proactive. Consider higher deductibles or policy adjustments to keep your premiums manageable without sacrificing essential coverage.

Final Thoughts

Tariffs may feel like a distant political issue, but they can have very real consequences for everyday insurance costs. Staying informed and working with an experienced agency like the Eric L. Ash Agency can help you stay protected and financially prepared.

As a teenage driver eons ago.  The excitement building up to getting my license and sense of independence was through the roof.  The 2025 licensing process isn’t “like your father’s Oldsmobile.”  A lot has changed over the last few years.  Here is an easy checklist for preparing your teen driver:

Step 1: Study the Driver’s Manual
📘 Download the PA Driver’s Manual (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/pennsylvania-drivers-manual/online-drivers-manual.htmland) and review it thoroughly — you’ll need this info for the permit test!

Step 2: Get a Physical Exam
👨‍⚕️ Visit a healthcare provider for a physical. They must complete the Medical Qualification Certificate (Form DL-180).

Step 3: Gather Your Documents
📄 You’ll need:

• Completed Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180)
• Completed Parent/Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD)
• Proof of identity (birth certificate, Social Security card, etc.)

Step 4: Pass the Knowledge & Vision Tests
👓📚 Schedule your test at a PennDOT Driver License Center and pass both to receive your permit.

Step 5: Supervised Driving Practice
🚗 Complete at least 65 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night & 5 in bad weather).

Step 6: Schedule Your Road Test
📅 Once you’ve held your permit for 6 months and meet the practice requirement, schedule your road test!

Step 7: Get Licensed!
🎉 Pass the road test and receive your junior driver’s license. Remember — rules apply until age 18!

• In Pennsylvania, a junior driver’s license comes with restrictions on driving hours and passenger limits, especially for drivers under 18. Specifically, drivers cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse over 18, or if they are engaged in public service, volunteer fire work, or employed during those hours. Additionally, for the first six months, they can only carry one non-immediate family member under 18 who is not a family member, unless a parent or guardian is present.

Always looking to pass along tips to make life just a little easier.

Safe travels and good luck navigating the licensing process.

Eric

As your teenager approaches driving age (or is already there), it’s natural to feel both excitement and concern. While getting a driver’s license is a significant milestone, it also introduces new responsibilities—especially when it comes to auto insurance. At the Eric L. Ash Insurance Agency, we understand the challenges families face during this transition. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate teenage driving and manage insurance effectively.

1. Understand the Impact on Insurance

Adding a teenage driver to your insurance policy can significantly increase your premiums due to their inexperience and higher risk factors. It’s important to anticipate this change and plan accordingly. On average, parents can expect a noticeable rise in their insurance costs when adding a teen to their policy.

2. Add Your Teen to an Existing Policy

In most cases, it is more cost-effective to add your teenager to your existing auto insurance policy rather than purchasing a separate one. This allows your teen to benefit from your established insurance history and any discounts associated with your policy. Some insurers even allow teens with learner’s permits to be added at no extra cost until they obtain their full license.

3. Encourage Safe Driving Habits

Promoting safe driving not only protects your teen but can also positively impact insurance premiums over time. Consider a Defensive Driving Course.

4. Explore Available Discounts

Take advantage of discounts that can help offset the cost of insuring a teenage driver:

• Good Student Discount: Many insurers offer discounts for students who maintain a “B” average (3.0 GPA) or higher.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Bundling auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, can provide additional savings.
• Telematics Programs: Some insurers offer programs that monitor driving behavior through a mobile app or a device installed in the vehicle. Safe driving habits recorded by these devices can lead to premium discounts.

5. Choose the Right Vehicle

The type of car your teenager drives affects insurance costs. Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features and high safety ratings are generally less expensive to insure. Conversely, high-performance cars or vehicles with poor safety records can lead to higher premiums.  Reach out to us ahead of time to find out if the car you’re about to buy your teen is a good fit.

6. Regularly Review and Update Your Policy

As your teen gains experience and maintains a clean driving record, it’s beneficial to review your insurance policy periodically. Over time, you may become eligible for additional discounts or opportunities to adjust coverage levels to better suit your family’s needs.

7. Consult with an Independent Insurance Agent

Navigating the complexities of auto insurance for teenage drivers can be challenging. As an independent insurance agency, the Eric L. Ash Insurance Agency, can provide personalized guidance and help you find the best coverage options at competitive rates. Our expertise ensures that your family is adequately protected without unnecessary expenses.

For more information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact us.  We’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Best,

Eric

Take towing off your auto policy and pay for your own windshield chip repairs.  Why? Think of your auto policy, just like we do for medical insurance to cover catastrophic events whenever possible. With the insurance market a mess and rates skyrocketing, it is more important than ever to keep your auto insurance C.L.U.E. Report (loss report shared by insurance companies) as clean as possible as insurance companies are now looking at all claims (towing, glass, non-fault accidents, etc.) for eligibility when applying to be a new client and in many cases whether or not to renew a client.

Let’s talk about towing coverage.  My recommendation is to get AAA for towing and make sure to get the PLUS level coverage that provides 100 miles of towing, otherwise if you get the Classic level, you only get five miles. Now here is the hidden secret and mistake many folks make if they buy directly from AAA. Had one tonight! If you have Progressive online or through an agent, you can get a 5% discount if you provide Progressive proof of your AAA membership (copy of your card).

Many insurance companies offer more than the standard discounts, so always make sure your insurance agent or companies know your education level, where you bank (credit unions), and any other policies you have with the company you are going with. Many folks will have Progressive with separate policies for auto, toys, trailers… and you would qualify for the multi-policy discount.

Let’s talk about windshield chip repairs and the best practice. My recommendation is no more than three windshield replacements in the household in a 36-month rolling period. Keep the chip repairs off your C.L.U.E. report and pay for them yourself. If you do get a chip repair, call your agent and ask them for a recommendation as they usually work with many companies, and you may get an amazing deal. Be careful if you go to Safelite, always check the price first ,their cash prices are usually higher than independent glass shop operators. A general and important consideration is to save your windshield replacements for your cars that have any type of computers/sensors/cameras integrated on the windshield (lane departure, cruise spacing…) and require calibration as it can be expensive. Best advice I can give is don’t rely on your insurance company or agent to give you all the discounts.

Most companies will put online all the available discounts, or just make sure to discuss them all when buying a policy or doing a review. Make sure to get all the savings you are entitled to ensure you have the best coverage and rates.

Best Wishes this holiday season – Eric L. Ash, your neighborhood insurance broker.

Thirty-some-odd years ago, the excitement couldn’t be contained as I was “graduating” from my learner’s permit to preparing to take my drivers license exam.  Growing up on farmland and a rural setting in Somerset County provided an interesting back drop for driving lessons with my dad.

At the time, the two household vehicles we’re a both manual transmissions, a late 1980s Ford F-150 and a Honda Accord.  We would practice all over the dirt roads of the farmland.  At some point, I graduated to in-town Somerset driving.  This meant dealing with traffic and learning to start (from a stop) with that manual transmission on a hill.  At that time, there were no hill assist features with a manual transmission.

Boy was it ever a memorable time.  My friends and I couldn’t wait to get that taste of independence and freedom.  I was so jealous of older licensed friends that I had to rely on for transportation until my big moment arrived.   When it arrived, I drove everywhere rolling down the windows, music playing on a Pioneer detachable face CD player purchased from Crutchfield Electronics, and the gentle breeze blowing in the middle of nowhere—there was no feeling like it.  Eventually, I was old enough to get a job and save enough money to afford my first car, a 1987 four-door Chevy Spectrum (pictured) in a champagne color.  It wasn’t anything special, but it was mine and that felt pretty darn good!

What was your first car and a favorite driving memory from that time?

Enjoy the ride,

Eric