Planning Your Trip Across America
Have you always wanted to just get in your car and see America? To just get in your car and drive? If you are thinking about a road trip this summer, you are not alone. Whatever the distance traveled or time spent on the road, a little bit of pre-trip planning will make your adventure more enjoyable. Insurance Doctor offers some tips for planning your next long distance road trip:
Know Your Objective:
Plan how far you want to go and what you want to see. Do you have a final destination or landmarks that you want to visit? Do you have a limited amount of time? The more places you want to see, the more planning will be required.
Do Your Homework:
Get ideas and information from lots of different sources. The more time you spend planning, the more you will enjoy yourself. Use RoadTrip America as a valuable resource that can help you find maps, routes, and attractions. Ask friends and family for some suggestions.
Plan, Plan, Plan:
Once you have gathered your information, set up a tentative itinerary. Your itinerary will include routes, sightseeing opportunities, and places to stay and eat. You don’t have to stick strictly to the plan, but at least have one to refer to.
Prepare Your Car:
Make sure your vehicle is ready for a long distance road trip. Take your car in for a tune-up before heading out on the highway. Remember to carry emergency supplies and check your spare tire to make sure it is in good shape. Make sure to carry your auto insurance card with you. With Insurance Doctor, you have 24 hour claim service.
Be Flexible:
It is impossible to control everything on a road trip. You need to expect the unexpected. Road trips are adventures, and sometimes the most enjoyable memories come from straying off course a bit.
- Published in Automobile Insurance, Road Safety
The Importance of Proper Air Pressure In Your Car’s Tires
At Insurance Doctor, we believe that proper maintenance of your vehicle can reduce the number of vehicle accidents on the road and prolong the life of your vehicle. One important thing to remember is to keep the correct air pressure in your tires. It is an important part of vehicle maintenance and can actually be as important as a regular tune-up. Tires with the proper air pressure can save you money on the road.
Benefits of Proper Air Pressure in Your Tires:
Your tires will wear longer
Improved gas mileage
Better handling and performance while driving
Reduced occurrence of accidents
It’s easy to forget about checking your tires especially when they don’t look low. However, tires lose pressure slowly over a period of time through the process of permeation. A good rule to remember is to think about refilling the air in your tires when you refill the fuel in your tank. It is a good idea to check the air pressure in your tires every other time you stop to fill up at the gas station or about every two weeks. Have the air pressure checked when you have your tires rotated. Don’t forget the spare tire. You will want to make sure it is has proper air pressure in it if you ever need to use it.
- Published in Road Safety
Road Trip! Tips For Traveling Long Distance
Summer vacation is just around the corner and you might be planning a long distance car trip. If so, Insurance Doctor wants to make sure you are safe on the road and ready for your long distance trip.
Here are ten tips to help you plan and prepare for your road trip:
1. Make sure you have the contact information for your car insurance company in case you need to contact them while on your trip.
2. Service your car.
3. Check your spare tire and make sure your car jack works properly.
4. Make sure you have a road emergency kit with jumper cables.
5. Have a spare set of car keys.
6. Have a road map or atlas to back up your electronic GPS system.
7. Check local events and landmarks along your destination route that you may want to stop and see.
8. Check for possible discounts on travel through on-line discount sites and auto memberships. Make reservations ahead of time.
9. Don’t forget the charger for your cell phone.
10. Try to avoid driving in rush hour traffic in unfamiliar cities.
- Published in Automobile Insurance, Road Safety
“Click It or Ticket” Seat Belt Campaign
You have all heard the saying “Click it or Ticket”. The campaign to force drivers to wear their seat belt has taken a new aggressive approach. The fact is wearing your seat belts saves lives. Law enforcement officers are enforcing safety belt laws and handing out tickets to those people not wearing them. At Insurance Doctor, we strongly encourage all drivers to wear a safety belt when driving.
It’s hard to believe that drivers this day and time don’t wear safety belts, but it happens. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that in a recent study 18 percent of drivers still refuse to wear a seat belt – that’s a total of 48 million drivers. Most of these offenders fall into three categories: young male drivers, drivers in rural areas and drivers of pick-up trucks. The NHTSA also points out that wearing your seat belt increases your chances of surviving an accident by 45 percent.
Click It or Ticket is the most successful nationwide seat belt enforcement campaign ever. Thanks to this program, seat belt usage has climbed to an all time high rate of 85 percent. All throughout the country, the message is clear: wear your seat belt or pay the fine.
- Published in Road Safety
Child Safety In The Car
At Insurance Doctor, we understand the importance of car safety especially when it concerns children. Here are some important reminders when it comes time to travel with children in your vehicle.
Always insist that your children buckle up. Children are too young to understand the dangers of not buckling up. Refuse to start the car until everyone has on their seat belt. Remind them throughout the trip the importance of keeping on their seat belt and do not allow them to unbuckle until you have stopped the vehicle and turned off the ignition.
Make sure there is an appropriate restraint for each person in the car whether it is a seat belt or a child restraint seat. A child car seat should fit the child’s size and weight. Children grow quickly so check periodically to make sure that it is properly fitted and adjusted correctly.
Never let your school aged children ride in the front passenger seat. While air bags are designed to keep you safe in case of an accident, they can be life threatening to young children because of the force of their deployment. If you are parked in a road-side parking space, assist your children in and out of the car using the rear curb side door. This keeps them away from on-coming traffic.
- Published in Road Safety
Stay Safe When Driving Your Motorcycle
The beautiful sunny weather is almost here to stay, and if you own a motorcycle you are just itchin’ to get out and ride. But before you do, remember these six motorcycle safety tips from Insurance Doctor to keep you safe on the road:
1. Always Wear a Good Helmet – When you purchase your helmet, make sure it has a sticker showing that it meets current safety standards. The best protection to protect your eyes and face is a full-face helmet that has a built-in face shield.
2. Make Eye Contact with Drivers On the Road – Don’t assume other drivers can see you. If you can make eye contact with drivers who may be about to pull into your path, you will be safer.
3. Wear Protective Clothing – Make sure you wear protective clothing that is designed for motorcycle riders. It is made to provide protection during a crash, as well as keep you safe from flying debris.
4. Use Caution In the Curves – A lot of motorcycle crashes occur in the curves of a road. To stay safe, slow down before entering a curve and choose the correct lane position.
5. Watch Out For Hazardous Road Conditions – Wet roads, fluid spills, sand, gravel, and potholes can reduce your traction on the road.
6. Take Steps To Remain Visible – Wear bright colored, reflective clothing. Keep your headlight on whenever driving your motorcycle. Ride in the lane position where other drivers can easily see you at all times.
- Published in Road Safety
Benefits of Taking A Defensive Driving Course
At Insurance Doctor, we believe in safety first, especially when driving. Defensive driving courses are known to teach safe driving techniques to drivers. In a defensive driving class, students learn how to avoid common driving mistakes and to improve their driving skills.
Defensive driving classes are available in every state by the government and police departments to increase safety on the road and decrease accidents. Defensive driving courses include topics such as principles of safety, controlling your fear and emotions while driving, quick decision making and reactions, and emergency care.
Here are benefits of completing the defensive driving course:
Defensive driving classes will improve your driving skills.
If you receive a driving violation ticket, most states offer a reduction of points on your driver’s license and offer the additional incentive of not increasing insurance rates if you complete a defensive driving course.
In some states a defensive driving course can qualify the driver for a reduction in insurance rates.
A defensive driving course will teach safe driving techniques.
The course will teach techniques on how to handle road rage and speeding.
The defensive driving course will teach safe driving techniques in poor weather and adverse road conditions.
The course will address critical safety issues and also teach basic emergency action as well.
- Published in Road Safety
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Safety on the road is important no matter what type of vehicle you drive, but if you drive a motorcycle your chance of injury is much higher if you are involved in an accident. At Insurance Doctor, we believe in safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind when driving your motorcycle to reduce the risk of an accident:
Take a motorcycle safety course
Wear appropriate gear for protection
Wear bright clothing and use reflective material
Stay alert while driving
When riding in a group, don’t ride too closely together and identify a group leader
Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before every ride
Never drive a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs that impair your judgment
Do not speed and always obey local traffic laws
Always be courteous to other drivers
Don’t ride too closely to cars on the road – make sure you keep a distance so they can see you at all times
- Published in Road Safety
The Motor Club
Do you need a little extra protection on the road? Want that extra peace of mind? No worries because we have a plan for you. The Motor Club is a roadside assistance plan to offer you protection 24 hours a day. For just about any problem you have on the road, we’ve got you covered.
24 Hour Coverage Includes:
Emergency battery service
Lost key & lockout
Emergency tire service
Emergency delivery of supplies
Hook Up with up to 15 miles free towing service
Other Benefits Include:
$25 reimbursement for traffic violation
Travel discounts
Join today for as low as $39.95 – call Insurance Doctor for all the details and feel confident on your next drive.
- Published in Road Safety
How to Avoid Vehicle Theft
There are a lot of sophisticated theft-deterrent devices available in the automotive market, but cars still get stolen everyday. At Insurance Doctor, we are concerned for your safety and the protection of your vehicle. Here are some common sense things that you can do to avoid having your car stolen:
Lock your vehicle every time you get out.
Always park your car in a well-lighted area at night.
Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle.
Never leave personal valuables in your car.
Don’t keep a spare ignition key in the vehicle.
Use anti-theft devices in your car.
If at all possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage.
- Published in Road Safety