The holidays are just around the corner. And while it’s easy to become caught up in the excitement of planning out-of-town travel, giving yourself peace of mind is equally important before you leave. Taking proactive measures and having adequate auto insurance can make your holiday travel less stressful.
Maintain Auto Insurance and Prep Your Car Before You Leave
The last thing you want to happen on your trip is for your car to break down in an unfamiliar place. Prepping your vehicle in advance will give you the peace of mind that you will safely arrive at your destination.
Vehicle Maintenance
While you should consider bringing your car for a check-up once a year, make an additional visit ahead of a road trip, especially if your vehicle is older. The mechanic will check your vehicle for severe issues that may prevent you from traveling.
Oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and other fluids should be checked before your trip. If you are hesitant to check these yourself, ask your mechanic to inspect the levels for you.
Tire Inspection
When you drive on tires without proper tire pressure, not only can your tires sustain damage, but it can make it more difficult to control your car or lead to blowouts on the road.
Likewise, you need to ensure that you have proper tread depth. A trick to determine if you have enough tread depth is to insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head pointed upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread may be worn down, and it might be time to replace your tires.
Emergency Kit
Assemble an emergency kit before the holidays. Emergency kits can help you in case of an unexpected breakdown. The emergency kit should include water, blankets, a phone charger, jumper cables, tire inflation canisters, flashlights, spare tires and jacks, and roadside flares or glow sticks.
Drive Safely
It should go without saying to always practice safe driving habits, but this is particularly important during the holidays when more people take to the roadways. According to Zutobi, an online driver’s education resource, traffic deaths increase 30% during holidays compared with non-holiday travel. Be alert and mindful of other drivers. Be sure to get plenty of rest before embarking on your travels.
Check Your Auto Insurance
Accidents, battery problems, empty gas tanks, and flat tires can occur when you least expect it. Reviewing your auto policy will help you determine if you need roadside assistance coverage. You may also want to review your policy and consider comprehensive and collision insurance if you do not already carry them.
Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs or replacements due to theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage. Collision coverage covers accidents involving other vehicles and stationary objects such as a tree or guardrail. A Brooks, Todd & McNeil agent can help you decide which policies best fit your needs.
Don’t Let Your Coverage Lapse
You may have noticed an increase in your auto insurance rates over the past few years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, car insurance rates have gone up over 17% in the past year alone. These increases are due to several factors, including inflation and an increase in roadway accidents.
While this can definitely tug at the purse strings and create financial stress, it is important not to allow your coverage to lapse. Driving without insurance can not only lead to tickets, fines, and even a suspended license, but it can also cost you higher rates when you apply for a new policy. Most importantly, it leaves you without essential coverage that could end up costing you much more if something happens to your vehicle while uninsured. The Uninsured Motorist coverage part of YOUR policy will also protect you FROM other drivers who have inadvertently let their coverage lapse, or who are breaking the law and driving without insurance.
Contact a Brooks, Todd & McNeil Agent Before Your Next Trip
If you want worry-free travel, contact a Brooks, Todd & McNeil independent agent before the holiday rush for personalized advice and to find out if you need coverage adjustments. To learn more about our products and services, contact us today at (800) 448-4567.