According to James Lynch, chief actuary, vice president of research and education at the Insurance Information Institute (III), there are five main factors responsible for frequently rising auto insurance rates. More miles driven. Not surprisingly, the number of accidents is directly related to how much people are driving. “When you go into a recession, a […]
Types of Auto Insurance
There are several different categories of auto insurance and each covers a different aspect of your risk as a driver. Liability: If you are deemed at fault in a car accident, liability coverage will pay for repairs, medical costs for injuries suffered by others in the vehicle, plus other expenses related to the accident such […]
Auto Insurance Database Would Improve Police Ability to Catch Uninsured Drivers
“Can you go ahead and give me your license, registration and insurance card, please?” That question never signals happy times. Almost always it’s asked for a driver pulled over for a traffic infraction or involved in a crash. The law enforcement officer can quickly verify your license and registration status via a real-time statewide database, […]
Spooky Truths Regarding Halloween Safety On and Off the Road
Kids love the magic of Halloween: Trick-or-treating, classroom parties and trips to a neighborhood haunted house. But for moms and dads, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns, especially when it comes to road and pedestrian safety. In 2015, about 6,700 pedestrian deaths and 160,000 medically consulted injuries occurred among […]
Oh Deer! What to Do When You Hit an Animal
No matter where you’re driving, in a residential area or on the open road, you run the chance of hitting an animal, on accident of course. Animal accidents are common in this day and age. However, it’s important to know what to do in these situations in order to keep the road clear and safe […]
Wildlife Crossing: Tips to Avoid Animal-Vehicle Collisions
Animal-vehicle collisions are not only costly, but can be dangerous. From 2001-2011, animal collisions contributed to more than 2,080 fatal crashes nationwide. Whether a deer, dog, moose or squirrel, animals on the roadway are unexpected, and their actions can be erratic and unpredictable, creating a dangerous situation for motorists. Most wildlife-vehicle collisions occur during the […]
Wildlife on the Road
To swerve, or not to swerve: That is the question. Before leaping to an answer, consider these statistics. A collision with some form of wildlife occurs, on average, every 39 minutes. 1 out of every 17 car collisions involves wandering wildlife. 89% of all wildlife collisions occur on roads with 2 lanes. 84% of all […]
ICYMI: 7 Back to School Driving Safety Tips
Safety Tips Summer is drawing to a close and school is starting up again, meaning increased traffic on the roads. With college students packing up their cars to go back to campus, and parents dropping off and picking up kids from school, the increase in traffic congestion and distracted driving can create dangerous road conditions […]
What to do when pulled over
If you notice that a police car is following you with the lights flashing, pull over to the side of the road safely and quickly. Wait inside your car for the officer to approach, and be prepared to: Turn on the light Turn on your interior light at night and keep your hands where the […]
Why College Students Should Leave the Car at Home
The microwave, mini-fridge and “Star Wars” poster may be no-brainers, but there’s one item that should give parents pause as they guide their high school grad out of the nest: the car. Even though your child has probably been driving unsupervised for a year or two already, taking a car to college may not be […]
What to do after an accident
If you’re in an accident, first make sure no one in the car is injured. Next, check on the passengers in the other vehicle, pedestrians and anyone else nearby to make sure they’re OK. Then do these five things: Stay at the scene Leaving can result in legal consequences, like fines or additional violations. Call […]
The Parents Guide to Insurance for College Students
Saying the last goodbye in the dorm parking lot, the stark realization dawns that you can’t protect your child from every risk. It’s time to let go. But back at home, you can assemble a strong financial safety net. Knowing what your current insurance will pay for — and whether you need to buy extra […]
Driving safety tips every driver should know
When you’re behind the wheel of a car – whether alone or with passengers – driving safely should always be your top concern. We’re more distracted than ever, so it’s crucial to know the basics of safe driving and practice them every time you’re on the road. Here are some safe driving tips: Top 4 […]
Distraction is Deadly
Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,477 lives in 2015 alone. Additionally, 391,000 people were injured by distracted driving, and 660,000 is the estimated number of drivers using electronic devices while driving. The NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Get the facts, get involved, and help us keep America’s […]
What if a tree falls on my house? My car? My fence?
Trees are beautiful. Tall. Majestic. Green. And also very, very heavy. Which is why if a tree falls in the direction of your house it’s terrifying. Trees have the power to cause some pretty serious damage to your home—they’re not picky about which way they fall if a sudden storm or wind gust pops up. […]
Buckle Up!
Although most Americans (about 88.5 percent) wear seat belts, there still a sizable number who who don’t—despite being widely proven to save lives (almost 14,000 in 2015). Plus, we all know we need to click it to avoid that ticket. Teens are the population group least likely to wear their seat belts. It should come as no […]
Practice Builds Experience
Teen Drivers Are Inexperienced When inexperience meets the road, crash risks increase. Practice builds experience and reduces risk. Learn more and get free resources at DriveitHOME.org. Source: National Safety Council
Parental Influence
SETTING GROUND RULES Although teen driver fatalities have declined over the years, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of teen deaths. In fact, the United States is in the midst of an alarming overall increase in roadway fatalities. This makes it more important than ever for parents to be insistent on the rules set for […]
Distracted Driving for Teens
It just makes sense that a person can’t text and drive a car at the same time. Distracted driving causes crashes, and people can get hurt or killed. That’s why responsible drivers don’t text and drive (or talk on the phone while driving), and they don’t allow other distractions to pull their attention from the […]
Common Driving Mistakes Teens Make
Being a teen driver isn’t easy. You’re developing a new skill, and the consequences of making mistakes while doing so can have serious ramifications, such as auto accidents that result in injuries, deaths, and serious car damage. And, then there’s the impact your errors have on your car insurance rates. Knowing what types of driving mistakes […]