How to Avoid Common Personal Insurance Gaps

Date: January 22, 2025 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Insurance plays a crucial role in your life’s financial security and stability. The various policies and coverages that make up your insurance portfolio can potentially ensure you’re able to endure accidents, natural disasters and unexpected circumstances that might otherwise incur devastating financial losses. These risks may be particularly prevalent for those who fail to identify and address common coverage gaps.

This article can help you understand how and why specific gaps in your insurance could have significant financial ramifications for you and your family. Rinehart, Walters & Danner Insurance is focused on assisting you in not only identifying and understanding these possible pitfalls but also filling them and ensuring that your personal lines insurance portfolio offers fortified financial protection.

Common Personal Insurance Gaps

Your personal lines insurance portfolio may consist of several types of policies, each covering risks and exposures that might otherwise lead to significant financial losses. Despite how you may have assembled an appropriate collection of policies, each one might still be prone to having coverage gaps that could leave you vulnerable to unexpected situations. The aftermath of an accident or other losses is the worst time to realize you’re underinsured, so it’s essential to identify and address gaps before coverage is needed.

Consider the following common personal insurance coverage gaps:

Home insurance

Also known as homeowners insurance, this type of policy can be rife with coverage gaps if you’re not careful and do not work with a qualified professional. Be particularly mindful of the following possible gaps:
o Natural disaster exclusions—Certain natural disasters are often explicitly excluded from standard home insurance policies. For example, flood insurance must typically be purchased separately. Homeowners in certain parts of the country may also need coverage for earthquakes and windstorms.
o Coming up short of the 80% rule—Insurance carriers typically enforce the 80% rule, which states that homeowners must retain enough coverage to pay for at least 80% of the estimated cost of a complete rebuild of their home. Failing to do this could lead to lesser payouts following covered losses.
o Neglecting scheduled property coverage—Home insurance typically includes some coverage for personal possessions, but limits are often insufficient for those with significant valuables, such as fine art and jewelry. Additional coverage options, such as scheduled property coverage, may be necessary to ensure policyholders can recoup losses involving treasured items.

Auto insurance

These policies may also be referred to as car insurance and are often legally required. Still, while one of the most commonly purchased types of insurance, auto coverage is easily misunderstood, necessitating awareness of the following possible errors:
o Fulfilling only minimum requirements—While most states require motorists to carry certain levels of coverage, such as third-party liability coverage, simply complying with such mandates may not be enough. For example, many states do not require collision coverage, but if you crash your car, this part of a policy could be critical in ensuring you can repair or replace your vehicle.
o Lacking gap coverage—Aptly named, lacking this component of an auto insurance policy could represent a significant hole in your coverage. Gap coverage can be critical in offsetting losses if you’ve financed your vehicle. If your car is totaled or stolen and you still owe more on your loan than the vehicle’s current value, this coverage can make up the difference and limit out-of-pocket losses.

Life insurance

The right life insurance policy can provide financial stability and peace of mind for you and your loved ones. However, insufficient or outdated coverage could have dire ramifications, exacerbating the already difficult circumstances of a grieving family. Avoid this hardship by considering the following potential shortcomings in your coverage:
o Relying on group coverage—Life insurance offered by an employer can be a valuable employee benefit; however, one should not depend on this as your only form of coverage. Group life insurance plans are typically tied to employment status, meaning that being let go or retiring would result in no remaining coverage.
o Insufficient limits—As a person’s circumstances change, they may need to adjust their life insurance policies. For example, having a child or gaining a dependent typically increases expected expenses. Without making adjustments to life insurance, payouts could be insufficient to provide for a deceased’s family.

Personal umbrella insurance

This type of insurance may not be as well known as others, but for many people, it can be just as important. An umbrella insurance policy casts an additional layer of financial protection over various liabilities that might exceed the coverage limits in other policies. Consider how personal umbrella insurance might help fill the following coverage gaps:
o Inadequate auto insurance—Even if you’ve fulfilled your auto insurance policy’s minimum liability coverage requirements, severe accidents could have greater costs. If several people are severely injured, many vehicles are damaged or losses otherwise amount to a sum greater than your auto coverage can handle, personal umbrella insurance can offer additional aid and limit out-of-pocket losses.
o Insufficient home insurance—Certain accidents and other incidents at your home could be exceptionally costly. For instance, if your home has attractive nuisances, such as a swimming pool, or you regularly host large gatherings, accidents affecting multiple guests or inflicting significant injuries could quickly exhaust the liability coverage limits in your home insurance policy. Without umbrella coverage, you’d be saddled with paying the remainder out of pocket.

How to Avoid Coverage Gaps

Now that you have a better understanding of common coverage gaps and the potential consequences of being underinsured, you can take steps to shore up your insurance portfolio. Consider the following steps:

Appraise your belongings. One of the most effective ways to ensure you’re adequately covered is by being current on the value of what you’re insuring. Save receipts and document the condition of your possessions, and consider enlisting the assistance of professionals to appraise certain items, such as fine art and jewelry.
Assess liability risks. Whether considering home, renters, auto or umbrella coverage, certain policyholders may need to manage greater liability risk levels. For example, if you have children or pets, you may want to retain more coverage in your home insurance policy. Similarly, additional financial security may be advisable if you have a teen driver listed on your policy.
Consider recent life events. When your circumstances change, you should revisit your insurance policies. Getting married, having a child, buying a home or car, or moving should all trigger this process. Neglecting to account for life events in your insurance portfolio could lead to you being underinsured and your policies’ limits being incapable of covering losses.
Understand endorsements and options. Familiarize yourself with all of the features and enhancements that might be available. While a standard home insurance policy may be sufficient most of the time, specific exclusions, such as for floods and hurricanes, could mean the difference between weathering a financial storm alone or being buoyed by financial aid.
Enlist assistance. The knowledge and experience of a qualified insurance professional can be invaluable as you seek to purchase or reassess the components of your personal lines coverage.

Get the Right Coverage

In the wake of an accident, damage to your home or other incident involving financial losses, the last thing you want to hear is that your insurance isn’t capable of what you expected. Coverage gaps can quickly lead to unexpected expenses, potentially incurring far-reaching fiscal consequences that might upend your entire life.

At Rinehart, Walters & Danner Insurance, we’re committed to making sure that you and your family are adequately insured. Contact us today to learn more about personal lines coverage options and to ensure you’ve identified and remedied any coverage gaps.

Winter Driving Safety Tips Everyone Should To Know

Date: January 8, 2025 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Losing control of a car is undoubtedly one of the most frightening experiences behind the wheel. Unfortunately, it is a potential side effect when the temperatures turn frigid and the roads get slick with ice or snow. Being familiar with winter driving safety is critical to keep you and other drivers safe.

One of the most dangerous winter driving hazards is skidding, which, at high speeds, could result in a nasty crash. To prevent an unnecessary skid, slip or accident, consider the following accident prevention techniques.

Slow down ahead of turns and curves, as this will allow you to prepare for potential icy spots.
When at a curve, apply power slightly to the gas and steer steadily. Do not change directions abruptly and refrain from braking suddenly.
Be prepared for lane changes. Check your rearview mirror and blind spot, and then signal your direction to alert other motorists.
When changing lanes, move over in a long, gradual line with minimal steering changes.
Look out for ice patches, piles of wet leaves and shady areas. These areas are skidding hazards.
Anticipate stops by slowing down gradually, well ahead of intersections. These areas are generally slicker than other parts of the road because of the excess starting and stopping traffic.
Drive at reduced speeds. Slow your speed and increase your following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This will allow for a larger buffer in case you start to lose control.
Avoid overpowering in deep snow.

Use a light foot on the accelerator (rather than slamming on the gas to move forward).

If You Start to Skid

If your car starts to skid, do not panic. Steer in the direction that the vehicle is sliding until you feel the wheels regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and keep rolling.

If you need to brake before your tires regain traction, apply the brake carefully so that you do not lock your wheels.

If you have an accident

In the unfortunate event you end up in an auto accident, we are here to help. Click here to learn what to do after an auto accident or contact us by clicking here.

4 Fall Driving Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Date: October 9, 2024 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Fall can be a particularly dangerous time to drive. Fortunately, by considering the following guidance, you may be able to limit your risk of accidents:

Watch for children.
With school back in session, you should be mindful of increased foot traffic, as well as the frequent presence of school buses.

Prioritize lighting.
As the days get shorter, you may find yourself driving in the dark more often. Be sure to turn on your headlights as soon as it starts to get dark.

Consider driving conditions.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds and take your time when changing lanes or making other maneuvers, as fog, frost and fallen leaves can all affect your visibility and traction.

Be mindful of animals.
Many animals may become more active during the fall, including deer. Take particular care to watch the sides of roads at dawn and twilight, as this is when many animals are most active.

How to Safely Secure Your Road-Trip Cargo

Date: June 12, 2024 Author: Rinehart Insurance

When faced with the dilemma of transporting oversized items that won’t fit in your vehicle’s trunk, simply strapping them to the roof may not be the best plan. Do you know how to safely secure your road-trip cargo?

Secure the Load

Safety extends beyond the confines of your vehicle, and it’s crucial for drivers to help ensure the safe transport of cargo by doing the following:

Use sturdy rope, netting or straps to securely fasten cargo to your vehicle.
Cover the entire load with a durable tarp if necessary.
Avoid overloading a trailer or vehicle.
Inspect the load to confirm that it is securely fastened.
Periodically check the load when en route to your destination.

Safety Regulations

Most states have unsecured-load regulations designed to help protect other drivers and pedestrians. Drivers bear the responsibility for safe operation of their vehicles, including the transport of secured loads.

Prioritizing the safe and secure transport of your cargo is crucial to safe driving and could help you avoid accidents and liability claims. We hope you now feel confident on how you an safely secure your road-trip cargo.

What Is Rental Car Insurance And Do I Need It?

Date: May 22, 2024 Author: Rinehart Insurance

When renting a car, the rental company will typically ask if you’d like to purchase insurance coverage for the vehicle. It’s at this point when you have to ask yourself: Do my personal insurance policies provide the coverage I need, or should I purchase insurance through the rental car company?

Although standard auto insurance policies may extend to rented vehicles, you should never assume you are protected. Examining your own auto insurance policy will show you the types of coverage you already possess and where additional coverage may be needed. Since auto policies differ, it’s a good rule of thumb to contact your broker so they can help you navigate your policy and determine if you have the appropriate amount of coverage when renting a vehicle.

Examining Your Insurance Policies

When deciding whether or not your personal insurance will cover your rental car, there are a few different coverages you should have. If you answer yes to all of the following questions, you may not need to purchase additional coverage:

Do you have liability, collision or comprehensive car insurance? Liability, collision and comprehensive insurance are the three main coverage options available when purchasing car insurance. Although it is not always required to purchase all three coverages, they can optimize your protection in the event of an accident.
- Liability insurance provides coverage if you damage or injure another person or their personal property.
- Collision insurance provides coverage if your vehicle is involved in a collision, either with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive insurance provides coverage if your car is damaged by a variety of exposures such as theft, vandalism or natural disasters.
Does your policy cover administrative fees, loss of use or towing charges? It’s always a good idea to check see whether your insurance company pays for—or provides a rider for—additional fees associated with rental cars. This coverage can be helpful if a car you rent is lost, stolen or damaged.
Do you have a renters or homeowners policy that will cover your belongings if lost or damaged? Your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers your personal belongings from theft, fire or vandalism within your home. Policies often include off-premises coverage that can extend your coverage to outside your residence. Therefore, if personal belongings in your vehicle are stolen or damaged, your homeowners or renters insurance policy may be able to cover a percentage of your losses. Not all insurance carriers will extend coverage to protect personal belongings within your vehicle—always check with your broker to see what your renters or homeowners policy covers.

What Is Rental Car Insurance, and What Does It Cover?

Car rental companies provide additional coverage that is often used to supplement insurance you already possess.

Rental car agencies offer four different coverage options:

Supplemental liability insurance: Most car rental companies need to have the minimum amount of liability coverage required by the state, but oftentimes it isn’t an adequate amount of coverage. If you have a personal car insurance policy with a high liability limit, you may not need additional protection.
Loss damage waiver (LDW)/collision damage waiver (CDW): This is not insurance per se, but rather a document that can alleviate your financial responsibility should your rental vehicle be damaged or stolen. This also includes loss of use coverage if the rental company charges you for the amount of time the car could not be used while being repaired, as well as other administrative fees the car rental agency assesses. The LDW may become void if the incident occurred from the driver of the rented vehicle exhibiting reckless behavior, speeding or the vehicle being driven on unpaved roads.
Personal accident insurance: This will cover the driver and any passengers within the rented vehicle for any medical bills caused by a car crash. This coverage is useful if you do not already have health insurance or personal injury protection insurance.
Personal effects coverage: This covers any personal belongings that are stolen from the rental vehicle. If you already have renters or homeowners insurance, this may already be covered under your policy.

The coverages offered are oftentimes the same as what you already have for your personal car insurance. Again, to avoid paying for coverage you already have, review your policy before renting a vehicle.

Does Your Credit Card Provide Rental Insurance?

Many reputable credit card companies offer rental insurance to their customers. To utilize this secondary form of coverage, you must put the total amount of the car rental on your credit card. In many cases, credit card companies will also require you to deny any insurance offered by the car rental agency in order to access their coverage. In the event that your rental car is in a covered incident, the credit card company will help cover costs of damage or theft up to a certain dollar amount. Various rental car fees can be covered by your credit card, but this can vary by provider.

Before purchasing any additional coverage through the car rental facility, call your credit card company to see if your card offers car rental insurance. Since most credit card rental insurance is classified as a secondary form of coverage, you may need to rely on your personal auto insurance coverage first.

Ask About Your Policy

Deciding on your rental car coverage can be a tricky endeavor. Before purchasing any extra coverage, talk to your insurance broker about your personal auto insurance policy and whether you may need to purchase any additional insurance. No one wants to pay more for their auto insurance, and you shouldn’t have too.

If you have any questions or are unsure if rental vehicles are covered under your policy, contact Rinehart, Walters & Danner today.

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Why It Is Important to Have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage

Date: April 17, 2024 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Car insurance is a vital safeguard for drivers that is often legally required by states. Specifically, auto liability insurance (a standard component of a car insurance policy) can help pay for damages you cause to others in an accident, saving you from costly out-of-pocket expenses. For example, if you rear-end another car, your liability coverage may help pay for damages to the other party, including their vehicle repairs and medical costs, up to your policy’s limits. If you didn’t have liability coverage in this scenario, you would be personally responsible for paying those expenses.

Yet, despite its importance and potential legal requirements, some drivers still don’t have auto liability insurance. Or their liability limits are too low to pay for the damages they cause. These individuals can put you in financial jeopardy if they cause an accident. This is why uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance is essential.

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage may help pay for car repairs and medical costs for you and your passenger if the driver at fault doesn’t have enough insurance or no auto liability insurance at all. Depending on location and insurer, this type of coverage may be offered jointly or separately. If you or your passengers are injured due to the negligence of an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may seek compensation for injuries and damages through the UM and UIM portions of your policy.

How Does Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work?

If you are in an accident with another person found to be at fault, but they do not have enough insurance to cover the damage, your UIM coverage can kick in. For example, if the medical and property damage totals $200,000, but the other driver’s insurance only covers up to $100,00, you can claim the balance against your insurance provider up to the policy’s limits.

In the case of a hit-and-run accident, you may also be able to leverage your UM coverage; however, depending on location and insurer, there may be additional requirements regarding property damage. For instance, some insurers may require hit-and-run claims for vehicle damage to go through your collision coverage rather than UM/UIM.

Critically, UM/UIM coverage won’t provide a payout until the other driver’s fault is established. This stipulation can affect when money is received for damages.

How Much Coverage Do I Need?

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when reviewing UM/UIM insurance options. Perhaps the most important aspect to understand is the liability limit amount. When choosing your coverage, you can set the limit of your UM/UIM coverage; this establishes the maximum amount the insurance company may pay for an applicable UM/UIM claim. Generally, this limit should be the same as your auto liability limit (i.e., the maximum amount your insurance would pay if you caused damage to others).

It’s important to note that the UM/UIM limit cannot exceed your auto liability limit. Thus, if you want higher limits on your UM/UIM coverage, you must first increase your auto liability limits. Alternatively, you may consider “excess UM/UIM” coverage (which would kick in after your initial UM/UIM limit is reached) as part of a personal umbrella policy, which could offer greater liability protection.

If your insurer offers personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage, you may be able to leverage that insurance after an accident, regardless of fault. However, these coverages—which may not be available in all locations—have their own rules and may not offer sufficient protection involving an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Speak with your Rinehart, Walters & Danner Insurance agent to discuss your circumstances. They can help recommend coverages and walk you through key policy details.

Final Considerations

Driving comes with many inherent risks, and accidents happen every day. As inflation and other factors cause prices to rise, more people may be skimping on their insurance. Without UM/UIM insurance, you could be left on the hook for damages you didn’t cause if an uninsured driver hits you.

Don’t let irresponsible drivers risk your financial security. Contact us today to learn more about UM/UIM coverage and other insurance solutions that can help protect you after an accident.

Why It Is Important That You Understand Auto Liability Coverage

Date: February 28, 2024 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Auto insurance is one of the most frequently purchased types of coverage in the United States. However, while these policies may be common, they can still be complex and nuanced. Policyholders must be diligent and meticulous to ensure they fully understand their auto coverage and have ample financial protection.

One of the most common and crucial components of an auto insurance policy is adequate auto liability coverage. Any time a driver gets behind the wheel, they risk being involved in accidents that could harm others and incur devastating financial consequences. This article provides an overview of auto liability coverage and its importance.

What Is Auto Liability Coverage?

The liability portion of auto insurance is strongly advisable and is usually required by law. Although minimum requirements may vary among states, all drivers are generally mandated to carry certain liability coverage to ensure they can pay for losses for which they are at fault.

Liability coverage can insulate drivers from significant losses affecting third parties, including the following:

Bodily injury—If a policyholder is responsible for an accident that injures another party, such as a pedestrian or occupants of another vehicle, this coverage can help pay resulting expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Legal expenses
Property damage—If a policyholder is at fault for damaging someone else’s property, such as by colliding with another vehicle or crashing into a building, this coverage can provide financial assistance to compensate affected parties and pay for costs arising from resulting lawsuits.

Most auto insurance includes three separate liability limits within a policy. These clauses establish the maximum amount of financial aid capable of being covered and generally are listed as the following:

Bodily injury liability limit per person
Bodily injury liability limit per accident
Property damage liability limit

Another type of coverage that could help you financially protect yourself in an accident is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage, which is sometimes sold separately as uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage, can often be added to your personal auto insurance policy to help you avoid high out-of-pocket costs if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any liability coverage (uninsured motorist coverage) or doesn’t have enough liability coverage (underinsured motorist coverage).

Ensuring Adequate Coverage

Motorists should consult with a qualified insurance professional to understand applicable auto insurance requirements. Failing to comply with relevant laws could lead to significant fines and legal penalties. Their lender may also require those who purchased their vehicles with the help of an auto loan to adhere to additional requirements.

Even if not mandated to do so, carrying sufficient auto liability coverage is strongly advisable. Without suitable insurance, an accident could lead to devastating out-of-pocket costs that jeopardize a driver’s financial situation.

It’s also essential to understand the limitations of auto liability coverage, which should not be relied upon to cover a policyholder’s own losses. Such financial assistance generally must be acquired through including additional coverages in an auto insurance policy, such as the following:

Collision coverage—This may help pay for damage sustained by a policyholder’s vehicle resulting from striking another car or stationary object (e.g., building, fence, tree)
Comprehensive coverage—This may provide coverage for incidents not included in collision coverage, such as fires, crime and severe weather.
Medical payments coverage—This may provide financial assistance for a policyholder and their passengers if they are injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Making Sure You’re Covered

Auto liability coverage is an essential form of financial protection for any person who owns or operates a motor vehicle. For more information or guidance regarding optimal auto insurance solutions, contact Rinehart, Walters & Danner today.

Should I Bundle All My Insurance Policies Or Not?

Date: November 29, 2023 Author: Rinehart Insurance

If you’ve ever shopped around for insurance, you’ve likely been asked if you want to bundle your policies. In other words, combine your home or renters, auto and life insurance policies with the same carrier. Although you have the option to shop around individually for each policy, it almost always makes sense to have the same carrier cover as many of your policies as possible.

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Benefits of Bundling

The discount—Most policyholders bundle their policies because of the promise of a discount. The amount varies by provider but can generally range between 5-25 percent.
The option of a single deductible—With bundled policies, your deductible may be cheaper in the event of a claim that affects multiple policies. For example, if your home and auto policies are with two separate carriers, and a hailstorm damages your home and your car, you’re responsible for paying both your home and auto deductibles before receiving payment. But if you bundle your policies, your provider may offer you the option to pay only the higher of the two deductibles.
Less chance of being dropped—If you’ve made claims or gotten tickets, having your policies bundled with one provider can decrease the chance of them dropping you.

When It Doesn’t Pay to Bundle

It isn’t always better to bundle your policies with one insurance carrier. Here’s when it may be better to split them up:

If you have tickets or past claims that make your auto insurance expensive – In this case, it may be cheaper overall to buy each policy from separate providers.
When premiums increase—Bundling discourages people from price shopping, which makes it easier for providers to increase their rates. Most assume that you won’t go through the effort of shopping around when your policies renew.
If policies aren’t technically bundled—Some carriers may insure you with an affiliated company. Although you may get a discount with that company, you’ll lose the convenience of paying your premium with one familiar provider.

A Few Tips to Consider

Although discounts are the main reason people bundle their insurance policies, never assume that bundling is the cheapest option. Your needs and circumstances will dictate whether you should combine your policies with one carrier. Consider the following tips:

Shop for new coverage when your policies renew. Ask for the price of the individual premiums as well as the price of the bundled premium. Then you can decide whether it is worth it. Just make sure you compare the same coverage when shopping for quotes from each carrier.
Ask if the provider uses a third-party insurance company. Remember that you may save money but lose the convenience of dealing with one provider and a combined bill.
Ask an independent insurance agent to get prices from multiple companies so you don’t have to do the legwork. An agent that is loyal to a particular carrier may be able to offer discounts that you can’t get alone.

With multiple factors contributing to the price of your insurance premiums, it is important to shop around in order to get the best rate for your insurance needs. Feel free to contact us to determine if bundling is right for you and help you take advantage of all available discounts.

6 Tips For Driving In The Rain and Thunderstorms

Date: August 2, 2023 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Driving in the rain or during a thunderstorm can be pretty nerve-wracking for most people. Worrying about having an accident or being stuck on the side of the road can be very overwhelming. It can also be very dangerous. However, a few tips and adjustments can take away some of the anxiety and help you stay calm during your commute.

Driving in the rain and thunderstorms

If you happen to get caught driving in the rain or thunderstorm, don’t panic . There a extra precautions you can take to make your trip a safe one.

A few tips to keep in mind:

Turn on your headlights, wipers and defroster to increase visibility.
Drive in the tracks of vehicles ahead of you and reduce your speed.
Allow for increased space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
If you hydroplane, hold the steering wheel straight and remove your foot from the gas.
Do not use cruse control during inclimate weather.
Pull off the road in an open area away from trees to avoid a lightning strike.

Helping you to avoid claims is just one of the many value-added services we provide. In the unfortunate event you do have an accident, we will help you through the process. Give us a call during business hours or click here to view our after hours claim contacts.

5 Critical Defensive Driving Tips You Should Know

Date: July 5, 2023 Author: Rinehart Insurance

Being a defensive driver entails utilizing various road skills to defend yourself against potential accident hazards. Using proper defensive driving techniques will help keep both you and other drivers safe on the road. With this in mind, be sure to implement the following defensive driving guidance the next time you get behind the wheel.

Eliminate distractions

The first step in being a defensive driver is to reduce distractions while you drive. As such, it’s important to make sure the road is your sole focus—avoid using your cellphone, adjusting the radio, programming your GPS, eating, drinking or applying makeup behind the wheel.

Remain alert

In addition to eliminating distractions, it’s vital to be fully aware of your surroundings on the road. This practice will help you better detect upcoming hazards, allowing you to respond as quickly and safely as possible. Check your mirrors often, and try to scan road conditions approximately 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Specifically, keep an eye out for other drivers, nearby pedestrians and road obstructions (e.g., traffic cones or construction work).

Follow the rules of the road

This includes wearing your seat belt, obeying speed limits, using your turn signals and avoiding driving with excess passengers in your vehicle. Also, make sure you approach intersections with caution—never run a red light or stop sign. Even if you have the right of way, look around to confirm it’s safe to cross the intersection before doing so.

Avoid aggressive driving (and drivers)

Aggressive habits—such as switching lanes frequently, braking or accelerating suddenly, and tailgating other drivers—can increase your likelihood of being involved in an accident. Try to be as predictable and forgiving as possible by always leaving at least a four-second distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, avoiding abrupt lane changes and keeping a steady pace. If another driver is displaying aggressive habits, try to distance yourself from them or pull over when it is safe to do so.

Be extra careful in adverse conditions

In severe weather (e.g., heavy rain, snow and fog), road conditions can be significantly more dangerous. Take additional precautions by reducing your speed, increasing your following distance, braking earlier and using your headlights.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Your Vehicle

Even the most defensive drivers could contribute to an accident on the road if operating an unsafe vehicle. Make sure you keep your vehicle in good shape by taking it for routine oil changes and fluid checks, ensuring the tires are properly inflated and performing other maintenance as needed. For additional driving safety tips and auto insurance solutions, contact us today.