Auto & Car Insurance Articles, Topics on Autos and Auto Related Information » Auto Safety

Tips for Preventing Your Car from Being Stolen

AutoCareInsurance — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:00:19 +0000

There is nothing more disheartening than coming out of your home or from a store to discover that your car has been stolen. Not only is it upsetting to have your vehicle and all of its belongings taken from you, you might also face auto insurance rate increases or other hassles when filing a claim. Therefore, in order to avoid all of the extra stress, it is a good idea to take some proactive steps toward keeping your vehicle safer from theft. Here’s a look at a few simple things you can do to help deter a potential car thief.

· Close your sunroof and windows when parking your vehicle.
· Never leave a set of spare keys in your vehicle.
· Do not leave your motor running in your vehicle, even if you are running in somewhere for “just a second” or to warm it up on a cold morning.
· Keep your car in your driveway rather than parked on the street. If you must park in the street, choose an area that is well lit. If you have a garage, use it.
· Turn your car wheels sharply away from or toward the curb when parking
· If you have a manual transmission, park the vehicle in reverse or in first gear. If you have an automatic transmission, place it in park.
· Don’t leave valuable items in plain site on the floor or on the seats of the car.
· Install burglar alarms, steering wheel locks and other anti-theft devices.

In addition to taking these steps to keep your vehicle protected from theft, there are a few things you should do to keep your identity protected and to make it easier to recover your vehicle and to file any necessary claims. Some of these include:

· Keep your proof of insurance and vehicle registration in a safe place outside of your vehicle.
· Make photocopies of your vehicle registration and proof of insurance for other drivers in your family.
· Never keep anything in your vehicle that contains your social security number, your name and address or any other personal information.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim – and you will be able to count on your vehicle being right where you left it the last time you saw it.

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Keeping Your Child Safe While Riding in Your Car

AutoCareInsurance — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:00:04 +0000

Keep Kids Safe

Did you know that approximately 500 children between the ages of 4 and 7 are killed each year in automobile accidents? In addition, thousands more are injured when involved in these accidents. Yet, the Partners for Child Passenger Safety reports that only about 19% of children between these ages use booster seats. This is an unfortunate fact, as booster seats can significantly reduce a child’s risk of suffering from injury or death.

Why Your Children Should Use Booster Seats

Many parents think they are protecting their children when they strap them up with an adult seatbelt, but the reality is that these seatbelts are too large for children. In fact, using an adult seatbelt on a child without using a booster seat can actually be more dangerous to the child than wearing no seatbelt at all. This is because a booster seat helps elevate your child so the seatbelt can properly fit over his or her hips. If the seatbelt is out of proper position, it can cut across your child’s neck and into his or her stomach. As a result, your child can suffer from serious neck or abdominal injuries.

When to Move Away from the Booster Seat

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Once your child has grown out of a forward-facing child seat, he or she should use a booster seat until he or she is at least 4′9″. Even if your child is 4′9″, however, you shouldn’t set the booster seat aside until your child is able to be belted with the car’s seatbelt properly. You will know your child is ready to move to the car’s seatbelt when he or she is able to sit with his or her back to the rear of the seat and with both feet flat on the floor. Your child should also be able to sit with his or her knees bent and with the lap belt across his or her thighs.

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Staying Safe While Driving an RV

AutoCareInsurance — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:29:34 +0000

If you love to travel, owning an RV may be one of the best decisions you ever make. By allowing you the freedom to get up and travel whenever and wherever you like, RV ownership can be a dream come true for the avid traveler. At the same time, it is important for you to keep several safety tips in mind before you hit the road. Otherwise, your trip may not be quite as fun as you had hoped.

Considering Your Size

If you aren’t used to driving an RV, it will take some time for you to get adjusted to the massive size of your vehicle. Unfortunately, many RV accidents occur because the driver failed to properly account for the extra weight and size of the vehicle. Therefore, you need to be aware of your RV’s height and to be aware of clearance levels when passing beneath overpasses, bridges and other possible obstacles.

Keeping it Properly Maintained

The last thing you want while taking a dream vacation is to have your RV breakdown. Not only will this cut your vacation short, it is also more difficult to receive mechanical assistance when driving an RV rather than a car. Therefore, it is important to inspect your RV thoroughly before you hit the road. Some of the checks you should make before heading out include:

· Look for cracks in hoses and belts and make replacements as necessary
· Make certain the headlights, tail lights and turn signals are all working properly
· Check the air pressure on the tires and make certain the tires have an ample amount of tread depth
· Make sure your towing or hitch equipment is working properly
· Test smoke alarms and check fire extinguishers
· Clean your vent hood in order to prevent grease fires when cooking

Despite taking all of these precautions, it is still possible to break down while on the road. Therefore, be sure to carry a cell phone with you as well as a list of emergency numbers you can call if you break down. You should also provide someone you trust with your itinerary in case of emergency.

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Have you been a Victim of Road Rage? You’re not alone.

AutoCareInsurance.com — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:06:18 +0000

Avoiding Road Rage

In this economy, stress is everywhere. From loss of jobs and income to loss of retirement and stocks, people driving in the U.S. are feeling the pressure of a struggling system. This stress can cause road rage to become an even higher risk for drivers every time you get behind the wheel.

Type in ‘Road Rage’ into Google and click on the News section, and its everywhere! There has never been a time with more irritated drivers on the road than in the recent past. Take a look at some of the samples:

‘Road rage‘ attack on bus driver
Man wanted in road-rage slashing surrenders to authorities
21 Million Drivers Have Been Victims Of Road Rage In The Past Year
Johnson City man arrested for pulling gun during road rage incident
Trucker arrested in road rage incident on Interstate 83 near …
Champlin fugitive wanted in road rage death is caught
Driver arrested in road rage incident
Authorities see rise in road rage incidents
Report: Road rage incident may have led to crash in Fridley
Road-Rage-April 22, 2009

The list goes on, and that’s headlines just from today only! What can be done about road rage, or more specifically, what can you do to avoid being caught in it?

Tips for Avoiding Road Rage

1. To quote Bill Murray speaking to the groundhog while driving a stolen truck in the comedy film GroundHog Day, “Don’t Drive Angry.” Sure, that’s easy to say, but not always easy to do, because of all the other drivers who don’t have your best interest in mind. So how do you avoid anger while driving? One suggestion is to pull over, stop the car, get out and count to 10. Or 20. Think about what it is that’s causing the anger, and try to breathe and relax. Being angry while driving can quickly escalate to Road Rage if you’re not careful. Do you find yourself getting angry at home, and work, as well as behind the wheel? You may need to speak with a doctor or therapist about what’s really behind the anger problem.

2. Music can Soothe the Angry Beast. Feeling like tailgating and cutting people off? If you’re rocking out or rapping with style, you may try a bold switch to soothing music, like jazz or classical music to change the mood in your car. Or if you haven’t had your tunes crankin’, you may need to flip the radio on and find your favorite song to take your mind off the stress of driving. Just don’t take your hands off the wheel!

3. Plan Ahead. Simply stated, most people who drive a lot have some kind of commute in their day. Want to avoid the rush and therefore, the rage? Check google maps before you leave work or home to see where the traffic clogs are, so you can avoid them and the stress. Change your schedule, leave 20 minutes early, or just be patient so being ‘late’ won’t be an option. Everyone on the road is trying to get somewhere, and avoiding that rush feeling will help eliminate the urge to get angry while driving.

4. Don’t Engage the Anger. It takes two to tango, as they say, and if you’ve found yourself cut off or worse, only you can stop the rage that could ultimately lead to an accident or worse. Remember: no one can make you angry if you choose not to respond. Don’t engage a person who wants to ‘fight’ on the road, use self control to ignore or leave the situation. Take the next exit, slow down or simply ignore an angry driver could save you from serious stress.

Don’t become another headline! Drive safe, stay buckled, and avoid road rage while driving today.

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Tips for Making Your Teen a Safe Driver

AutoCareInsurance — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:27:53 +0000

Are you feeling a bit nervous about your teenager getting behind the wheel? If you are like most parents, the thought of your child starting to drive can be a nerve-wracking experience – and for good reason. The unfortunate reality is that thousands of teenagers are involved in traffic-related accidents every year, many of which are fatal. Therefore, in order to keep your teenager as safe as possible while on the road, there are several things you should keep in mind.

Be a Positive Role Model

Whether you realize it or not, you are a role model to your teen driver. He or she will learn a great deal by watching you and how you handle yourself on the road, so be certain to obey traffic laws and to squelch the road rage while driving. You should also be diligent about wearing your seatbelt and be insistent that your teen does the same.

Provide Supervised Opportunities for Experience

As your teen learns to drive, it is important for you to take an active role in the experience. Make it a point to ride with your teen as he or she drives in a variety of different situation, including heavy traffic conditions and inclement conditions. You should also put your teen driver in various situations that will further test his or her driving skills, such as driving at night, driving in an urban setting and driving in a rural setting. Ideally, you should provide your teen with at least six months of supervised driving experience before you let him or her go alone.

Place Restrictions on Driving

In order to keep your teen safe, you should also put certain driving restrictions in place. For example, even if your state doesn’t require it, you should place restrictions on the number of passengers your teen driver can have. Not only do passengers cause a distraction, but teen drivers also tend to take more risks when they are carrying other teenage passengers.

Restrictions should also be placed on cell phone use. Some states and municipalities have laws against using cell phones while driving, but you should place your own restrictions on their use whether it is against the law or not. Make it clear that cell phones are meant for emergencies only and shouldn’t be used while driving.

Finally, restrict how frequently your teen drives during the nighttime hours. According to statistics, the majority of teen auto accidents take place between 9:00 pm and midnight. To prevent your teen from becoming a statistic, restrict driving to daytime hours while he or she learns how to drive and then gradually allow nighttime driving as your teen becomes a more experienced driver.

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Getting Prepared for Hot Weather Travel

AutoCareInsurance — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:25:53 +0000

With spring just getting started and summer on the horizon, it is important for you to start considering how to protect your vehicle as well as yourself during hot weather conditions. The reality is that hot weather conditions can wreak havoc on your vehicle and can present their own set of challenges when it comes to staying safe on the road. By following these car and driver safety tips, however, you will keep your car in good condition while also making certain everyone in your vehicle stays safe and secure.

Getting Your Vehicle Prepared

One of the biggest problems vehicles face in hot weather conditions is overheating. To prevent this from occurring, make certain your radiator is functioning properly and that it is filled before you hit the road. If you are planning to travel over a long distance, you might also want to consider traveling during the early morning and late evening hours in order to reduce the amount of stress being placed on your vehicle.

Before you start your trip, you should also check all of your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Remember that heat makes molecules spread apart, so your tire pressure may read a little higher than normal when the weather is hot. This is okay so long as they are not significantly overinflated. It is better to have your tires slightly overinflated than it is to have than underinflated during hot weather conditions.

Keeping You and Your Passengers Safe

In addition to making certain your car is in proper working order, you also need to take some steps to ensure the comfort and safety of you and your passengers. To do this, you should first check to make certain your air conditioning is working properly, as being cooped up in a vehicle without air conditioning can be quite uncomfortable and potentially dangerous when the temperatures are high. To that end, you should also never leave any passengers unattended in your vehicle, as cars can heat up to very high temperatures within a short period of time.

To further ensure the comfort of you and your passengers, you should also select clothing that is made with light-colored, natural-fiber fabrics and you may even want to consider wearing sunscreen to keep your skin protected from the sun’s rays. Placing window shades in the window is also a good idea if young passengers will be traveling with you and, of course, keep plenty of drinks on hand so everyone can stay properly hydrated.

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Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While on the Road

AutoCareInsurance — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:39:59 +0000

Did you know that there are certain foods that are particularly dangerous to eat while you are on the road? Although eating in general is a distraction that puts you at a greater risk of getting involved in an accident, the following foods are particularly problematic for drivers:

Coffee – coffee is hot and easily spilled, which is a recipe for disaster
Soup – just like coffee, it is easy to accidentally spill coffee and to burn yourself while driving, which can cause a very dangerous reaction
Chocolate – it may be sweet and tasty, but chocolate has a tendency to melt and leave a mess behind on your fingers, which can be difficult to clean off while you are trying to drive
Chili – it is difficult to eat chili without making a mess even when you are sitting at a table – the risk for spillage and distraction is high when eating this meal while on the road
Hamburgers – a favorite fast-food treat, hamburgers are greasy and filled with condiments that easily squeeze out and make a mess on your clothes and steering wheel
Tacos – tacos fall apart easily and can leave quite the mess in your vehicle and on your shirt, causing you to become distracted as you attempt to clean up after yourself
Fried chicken – leaves grease on your hands, which means you will need to continually remove them from the steering wheel to wipe them off – but, you will still leave a greasy mess on your steering wheel anyway
Barbecued food – like fried chicken, barbecued foods have the tendency to leave your fingers a sticky mess, making it difficult for you to remain focused on the road
Filled donuts – bite into one of these and the filling might squeeze out the other end, leaving your clothing and steering wheel a gooey mess
Soft drinks – they aren’t hot, but soft drinks are also prone to spilling and the carbonation can result in uncomfortable fizzing in the nose

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eating is one of the most distracting things you can do while driving. In general, being distracted while driving is considered to be responsible for 25% of vehicle crashes reported to the police, so keep the eating to a minimum in order to stay as safe as possible behind the wheel.

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Top 5 Tips for Remaining Safe While on the Road

AutoCareInsurance — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:28:00 +0000

If you want to save money on your auto insurance, the best thing you can do is avoid filing a claim. To that end, it is a good idea for you to take the appropriate steps to prevent an accident from occurring. Not only will this help keep your insurance rates low, it will also keep you and your loved ones safe. By following these top 5 safety tips, you will significantly reduce your chances of being involved in an accident and will help keep your insurance rates low.

Don’t Drive While Under the Influence

The most important step you can take to avoid an accident is to never drive while under the influence of alcohol or any type of drug. Remember, even prescription medication can result in delayed reaction time and can increase your chances of being involved in an accident.

Keep Distractions at Bay

Talking on your cell phone, applying makeup, reading your mail or trying to perform other tasks while driving is a recipe for disaster. Give the road the attention it deserves in order to stay safe.

Keep Your Car Properly Maintained

Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle will ensure it is working in proper order, which means it will stop when you want it to stop and handle the way it needs to handle when it comes time to avoid an accident. Establish a regular maintenance schedule to make certain your car is safe to drive.

Beware of Other Drivers

Never trust other drivers to do the right thing when on the road. Be wary of their actions and take steps to avoid aggressive behavior. Don’t allow yourself to submit to road rage, maintain a constant speed and keep a safe distance between you and other drivers.

Remain Aware of Your Surroundings

In addition to being aware of other drivers, make sure you are also aware of road conditions and weather conditions. Adjust your mirrors so you can see all the way around you and be sure to check your mirror every 15 seconds so you can remain aware of conditions as well as other drivers.

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Being Prepared with Roadside Assist

AutoCareInsurance.com — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:11:02 +0000

Getting stranded on the road is the last thing you want to happen while you are out on a drive, whether you are heading to work or you are on a road trip across the country. Therefore, in order to give yourself peace of mind, you might want to look into getting roadside assist. There are many places to purchase roadside assist, ranging from your auto insurance company to private companies. In order to get the best deal, be certain to explore all of your possibilities.

Roadside Assist from Your Auto Insurance Company

Getting roadside assist from your auto insurance company is generally the best route to go. This way, you don’t have to make any extra payments for the coverage, as it will automatically be included in your regular monthly premium. In addition, when you get your roadside assist coverage from your auto insurance company, you can often get a break on the price because you already have a policy in place. In fact, your auto insurance company may automatically include this coverage in your policy, so be sure to check before exploring other options.

Roadside Assist from a Tire Company

Many tire companies will offer roadside assist coverage if you find yourself stranded because of your times. In fact, many automatically include roadside assist coverage as part of your tire warranty. Just keep in mind that this coverage likely will not help you if you find yourself stranded for reasons other than a blown tire.

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Roadside Assist from an Auto Club

Another option is for you to join an auto club in order to obtain roadside assist. Auto clubs will typically provide you with roadside assist coverage regardless of the reason you are stranded, but these clubs can potentially be costly to join. Be certain to do some comparison shopping before joining an auto club so you can find the best deal possible.

Roadside Assist from the Dealership

When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, you may be able to purchase roadside assist coverage. If you purchase a warranty with your vehicle, roadside assist is often included as part of the warranty. Be certain to ask if it is included and to find out what you need to do in order to use the coverage if it is provided.

Roadside Assist with a Credit Card

Some credit cards offer roadside assist coverage as a benefit to their cardholders. Some of them charge a small monthly fee for the service, which may be worthwhile if you cannot obtain coverage from other sources.

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Many Drivers Remain Distracted by Cells on the Road

AutoCareInsurance — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:18:54 +0000

A recent press release issued by NRMA Insurance reports that Generation X drivers talk while behind the wheel more than any other age group. In fact, the insurance company found that 52% of those in the Generation X age bracket admit to chit-chatting on the phone while driving. These new findings go against the grain of what many had assumed, which is that Generation Y drivers were likely to be the biggest behind-the-wheel talkers. In reality, only 37% of Generation Y drivers admitted to talking on the phone while driving. Of those over the age of 40, on the other hand, only 24% admit to using their phones while driving.

“While we were surprised that Generation X scored so highly,” said John Hallal, who is spokesperson for NRMA Insurance. “The figures are a concern for all age brackets.”

Obviously, cell phone use while behind the wheel is a concern for everyone on the road. Regardless of the technology used, research has shown that drivers who use their cell phones while driving are at a greater risk of being involved in an accident.

“And although many mobile phone users do tend to use hands-free technology while driving, the conversation always has the potential to distract the driver from what is happening on the road,” continued Hallal in the press release. “We are therefore reminding NSW drivers that a busy lifestyle should not compromise safe driving habits. If you lose focus while behind the wheel, even if it is only for a split second, the consequences can be serious.”

Another surprising finding was hat men are more likely to use their cells while driving than females. In fact, 36% of the men responding to the survey admitted to talking while driving, while only 29% of females made the same claim. Nonetheless, for the safety of everyone on the road, both of these figures should be greatly reduced.

“We are encouraging all drivers to stop in a safe place to make a call or send a text and then continue the drive with your mind focused on negotiating the traffic,” advised Hallal in the press release.

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