When the kids get out of school for the summer, this leaves families with more time to take to the open road for vacations, sight seeing and other road bound adventures.  Since the weather is less threatening in the summer compared to the winter, drivers often neglect to perform the necessary safety checks before they hit the road.  Below are some things that you can do to ensure that your car is properly maintained to avoid ending up  in an unsafe situation while driving.

Tires - Before you hit head out, be sure that all five of your tires have the correct tire pressure.  That’s right, 5 tires.  Don’t forget your spare.  What good is a spare if it is not properly inflated?  Tire pressure can also help you to attain better gas mileage.  Tire pressure varies with temperature, so it especially important to check the pressure if there is a drastic temperature change.  Next, check the tread of the tire.  The channels in the tread are what help to channel the water away from the tire when it rains.  If you don’t have the proper tread, water will not channel away quickly enough and this could cause you to hydroplane in wet conditions.  A good trick is to use a penny as a gauge.  If you can see Abe’s head when you put the edge of the penny into the tread, it’s time for new tires.  While examining the tread, look for uneven wear patterns.  If the tread is uneven, you should have an alignment performed on your vehicle.  This will create the proper set up to ensure the right balance.  This will help with the car’s handling and braking ability.

Fluids and Leaks – When it is time to hit the road, you need to make sure that all the fluids in your vehicle are full and there are no leaks.  Change your oil, check your coolant and be sure that your windshield wiper fluid is full.  You will also want to check all the hoses to make sure that they are not rotted or corroded.  Bad hoses lead to leaks and can drain important fluids very fast.  These routine services can all be performed by local oil change services. 

Air Conditioning – It is extremely uncomfortable traveling in a car without air conditioning during the hot summers.  If you live in a cooler climate, at the beginning of the summer travel season, you may not have run your A/C in a few months, so it is recommended to test it before it gets too hot.  If you turn it on and the air does not feel cool, you should have it checked.   A/C malfunctions can sometimes lead to bigger issues.  If your compressor fails, it could cause alternator problems because most often, the belt runs in the same loop.

Driving Speed – While this actually applies in all seasons, it is a great tip.  Slowing your speed can help you to be a safer driver, save gas, and it allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way. 

Summer is a great time to get out and explore the country.  Just remember to have your car in tip top shape to ensure safe travels! 

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

It’s in the news.  It may have occurred to a friend or a family member.  Odds are, it can also happen to you.  Identity theft has affected the lives of over eight million Americans according to the 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report from the Javelin strategy and research firm.  How can you protect yourself against identity theft?The first place you can look is to your existing homeowner’s insurance policy.  Depending on your insurance provider and your policy, you may have an identity theft clause.  This protection typically comes at no additional cost you and usually provides a fraud specialist.  This specialist can help you to restore and protect your identity in the event of theft.

If your current policy doesn’t have an identity theft clause, your insurance company may offer an identity theft rider or endorsement policy.  For an additional cost this rider can be added to a homeowner’s insurance policy.  An identity theft rider will cover any expenses accrued during the process of restoring your credit.

Another area of coverage can come from your credit cards.  In addition to checking your homeowner’s insurance for identify theft coverage, be sure to check what coverage your credit card companies can offer in case you have your identity stolen.  By knowing what coverage you already have under your homeowner’s insurance or credit card agreements, as well as your options if you need to add an identify theft rider, you will be better able to protect yourself in the event your identity is stolen.

NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change.  If you have a specific legal problem, you may want to consult your lawyer.  For any auto insurance related questions, you may wish to consult your insurance company or insurance agent.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Whether your area is susceptible to flood water from heavy rainfall or hurricanes, there are steps that a car owner in a flood-prone location can take in the event his or her vehicle becomes flooded.

If you car has been underwater, one of the first to do is to contact your auto insurance company.  Next, you should try to determine the height of the flood waters that have engulfed your car.

If the water is as high as the mid-point of the car tires or higher, you shouldn’t try to start your car.  Doing so may cause more damage.

Once the floodwaters subside, you can have your car towed to a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (or, ASE) certified technician who can inspect the vehicle for unseen water damage.  However, before having your car towed, be sure to check with your auto insurance agent or company – they may have specific requirements on where to send your car.

If you don’t happen to have your auto insurance papers in hand, you should contact your automobile insurance company through their toll-free number.  If your car is under water or is partially submerged, try to think of any items that may be damaged and be sure to relay that information to your auto insurance agent.

If your vehicle is a victim of flood waters, it is important to immediately contact your auto insurance company and give your agent as much information as possible, so they can process your claim and assist you with information on repairing or possibly replacing your flood damaged car.

NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change.  If you have a specific legal problem, you may want to consult your lawyer.  For any auto insurance related questions, you may wish to consult your insurance company or insurance agent.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

As each year passes, the number of mature drivers on the road naturally increases.  As the number of mature drivers grows, this increase adds another dynamic to the challenges faced by aging automobile owners.

There are several driving tips that can be helpful for mature drivers.  One of the easiest tips to implement is planning.  Even younger drivers can benefit from this practice.  By planning your drive, you can increase your safety and even have some fun along the way.  The following tips are a good start in helping you to stay safer on the road:

Rush hour traffic – avoid it.  It may seem like common sense, but it is advisable for mature drivers to avoid rush hour traffic if you don’t need be on the road during these times.  This includes traveling during peak hours and over major holidays.

Drive during daylight hours.  Poor visibility and fatigue can be a problem for all drivers, even more so for mature drivers.

Don’t drive during bad weather.   If driving conditions are bad due to inclement weather, it’s a good idea to wait it out.  After all, it’s better to arrive late or to even reschedule the trip than for you to get into an accident.

Don’t take unnecessary trips.  Make a list of errands and map them out before leaving home.  Try to group errands into one area if possible in order to cut down having to drive back and forth.

Chose parking wisely.  Try to park in lots or in spaces that have easy access and good visibility to avoid difficulties in backing up or trying to maneuver out of tight spaces.

NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change.  If you have a specific legal problem, you may want to consult your lawyer.  For any auto insurance related questions, you may wish to consult your insurance company or insurance agent.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

First off, don’t drink and drive. Driving is a privilege and should not be abused. If you are given a driver’s license, you are given a responsibility. That is to do your part to keep the roads as safe as possible for you, other drivers, pedestrians, fixed property and anyone or anything else on the road. Driving drunk is NOT responsible and comes with very serious repercussions. Aside from jail time, court/lawyers expenses, tickets and a suspended license, a DUI will seriously affect your auto insurance rates.

If you are served with a DUI, in all likelihood your insurance company will find out. There are 2 things that they will usually do. The first is to raise your rates, usually substantially. The second is that they may just drop you and cancel your policy. In addition you will be labeled a “high-risk” driver.

When the time has come when you are able to get your license reinstated, the DMV will require an SR-22 filing. This is a Proof of Insurance certificate provided by your insurance company showing the state that you are insured. However, many companies do not offer SR-22 policies due to the high risk. Even if the company does offer SR-22 policies, there is no guarantee that they will give you one. Remember, these SR-22 policies come with a much higher premium than a regular policy.

That being said, driving under the influence is a serious matter. The consequences are many and affect you in different ways. Do your part and be a safe, conscientious driver, and you shouldn’t have to worry!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Airbags are designed to save lives. When a vehicle is involved in an accident, sensors automatically measure the impact. If the crash is severe enough, these sensors will send a signal that inflate the bags and cushion the occupants. This all happens in a fraction of a second.

Although airbags are designer to prevent and limit injuries; there have been instances where an airbag has injured occupants. Most injuries caused by airbags are minor scrapes and bruises. In an effort to reduce injuries arising from airbag deployment; the Federal government started allowing manufacturers to reduce the energy of force in which frontal airbags are employed, without sacrificing the effectiveness.

There are certain measures a motorist can take to avoid an airbag related injury. For drivers, it’s recommended to sit with your chest at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel. However, as technology advances, manufacturers are developing new airbags that sense where the driver is sitting and deploy accordingly. If the driver is sitting closer than 10 inches, the airbag would deploy with less force. If you have an older vehicle without this feature, you can purchase pedal extenders which would allow you to sit a bit further away from the steering wheel.

It is also important when traveling with children and infants to take extra precautions to reduce their risk of being injured by an airbag. Never sit your infant, especially with a child seat, in the front. This would put the infants head too close to the airbag, possibly resulting in an unnecessary injury. Rear seats are always best for children and infants. If for some reason you are traveling with many children and one must sit in the front; make sure the oldest child is the one sitting there. Have the child sitting in the front sit with the seat as far back as possible.

Airbags are safety measures that have saved so many lives over the years. To be extra safe, make sure to follow these recommendations next time you get in your vehicle.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

In 2006 1,451 children under the age of 14 died as passengers in motor vehicle accidents, and another 200,000 more were injured. According to the NHTSA nearly half of those who died were not properly restrained in a seat belt or child safety seat.This doesn’t have to happen to you. There are a number of measures you can take to prevent injury or death to a child.

- All children 12 or under should be sitting in the back seat and properly restrained at all times. Even if you are just going around the corner, it is extremely important to properly restrain all children. Accidents can happen anywhere at anytime.

- Prior to installing a child safety seat, make sure to read all of the instructions and safety manuals. This will ensure you are installing the seat the correct way. A 2006 NHTSA report indicated out of 3,200 observed child restraint systems, 72% were being misused or not installed properly, resulting in a greater risk to the occupants of that seat.

 - Immediately after you purchase a car seat, make sure to register it with the manufacturer. This way if there are any recalls or safety concerns, you will be notified promptly by the manufacturer.

- If your vehicle was in an accident, replace all car seats that were in the car at the time of the accident. 

Taking these steps should help to keep your young ones as safe as possible. Aside from this list, safe driving will contribute the most to the safety of you and your passengers.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.