Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer – celebrated across the country with boating trips, long camping weekends, and backyard grilling and pool parties. But it also marks one of the year’s deadliest times on the road.
If you and your family are planning to travel by car this holiday weekend, use these defensive driving techniques to stay safe out there.
7 Principles of Defensive Driving
1. Be aware of your surroundings – Avoid tunnel vision, making sure to keep track of any pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, or cars around you. Maintain an awareness of the road in front and behind, as you’re susceptible to the ripple effects of traffic events such as rear-endings, collisions, and other unexpected road emergencies. Also, stay alert to the weather — rainy, snowy, icy, foggy, and windy conditions can change from minute to minute.
2. Anticipate bad moves by other drivers – Assume other drivers are going to do the wrong thing. For example: turning without signaling, changing lanes into a blind spot, or crossing multiple lanes to make the off-ramp. Most of the time, they won’t make the dangerous move, but if they do, you’ll be prepared.
3. Avoid distractions – Distracted driving comes in 3 flavors: visual, manual, and cognitive.The first takes your eyes off the road; the second, your hands off the wheel; and the third, your mind off the road. Cellphones, passengers, snacking, daydreaming and GPS controls are common culprits. Before you set off on the road, make sure your phone’s tucked away, food’s already eaten, and kids are strapped in and occupied. Stay focused on the road while driving and remember you can always pull over if you need to.
4. Leave yourself an out – Especially on busy highways, try not to get boxed in by cars on all sides. Always leave yourself an out in case you need to move to safety quickly. For instance, if your tire blows, a deer jumps out in front of you, you encounter debris on the road or the car in front of you collides with another, you may have to change lanes, pull over or reduce speed – fast.
5. Be seen – One of the most dangerous places on the road is in another driver’s blind spot. Always position yourself where you can be seen. Use your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and when posted signs require them. Also know that if your car’s color doesn’t stand out, other drivers may not see you easily. Position yourself strategically and remember you can always use your horn as a last defense.
6. Follow the laws – Control your speed and follow all traffic laws. Knowing right-of-way rules will keep you safer at every intersection. Maintain safe distances from other vehicles and don’t tailgate. Finally, make sure you and your passengers wear seat belts at all times. By following the rules of the road, you can proactively reduce the chances of getting into an accident.
7. Expect the unexpected – In the spirit of principle #2, remember that anything can happen at any time on the road. And when it comes to car accidents, it’s often the unexpected that’s the catalyst for a crash. For this reason, the best offense is defense — and solid defensive driving skills.
You can’t control road conditions, weather, or random chance, but you can control how you react to all of them. Make safety a matter of habit, and always respect other drivers and the law.
Finally, consider defensive driving courses – either for you or your young driver. No matter the driver’s experience level, these courses are designed to help drivers anticipate situations and make safe, well-informed decisions.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Do you know the difference between a Category 2 and 3 hurricane? Do you know why a 5 is so bad? Are you clear on what safety precautions you’d need to take when expecting a Category 2 versus a 4?
Read on to better understand what the 5 hurricane categories really mean and what impacts each can bring to your home and community. Understanding the details will help you think through how to better prepare for hurricane season.
It’s All About the Wind Speed
The category numbers — 1 through 5 — come from the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Meteorologists rely on this scale to better understand a hurricane’s expected magnitude and predict the damage that will come when the storm makes landfall.
Ratings focus on sustained wind speed for the simple fact that with higher wind speeds come more damage — not only direct wind damage but also storm surges, rain-induced flooding, tornadoes, and more.
Wind speeds: 74-95 mph
Danger level: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage.
Threat to homes, structures, and property: Winds can damage roof, shingles, siding, and gutters on well-built framed homes. Trees may topple and branches snap off. Protected glass windows generally remain intact.
Community impacts: Potential damage to power lines and poles, leading to short-term power outages.
Take note: Injuries to people and animals are limited and typically come from flying debris.
Wind speeds: 96-110 mph
Danger level: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage.
Threat to homes, structures, and property: Framed homes susceptible to major roof and siding damage.
Community impacts: Near-total power loss expected with outages lasting days to weeks. Significant structural damage to mobile homes, apartment buildings, and shopping centers. Flooding of low-lying areas is possible.
Take note: Stock up on filtration systems for potable water.
Wind speeds: 111-129 mph
Danger level: Devastating damage will occur.
Threat to homes, structures, and property: Major damage and/or removal of roof decking and gables possible on well-built framed homes. Mobile homes and poorly constructed homes are often destroyed. Many trees will be uprooted or snapped, blocking roadways.
Community impacts: Water and electricity unavailable for days to weeks after the storm passes. Extensive inland flooding is possible.
Take note: Make sure to be well-stocked with food and water if you choose not to evacuate.
Wind speeds: 130-156 mph
Danger level: Catastrophic damage will occur.
Threat to homes, structures, and property: Well-built framed houses subject to severe damage, including loss of most of the roof and/or some exterior walls. Shopping centers and apartments also typically sustain severe structural damage.
Community impacts: Power outages will last weeks to months. Neighborhoods in the strike zone will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Take note: Sheltering in place is typically not recommended, but if you do, ensure you have a good supply of food, water, medications, etc.
Wind speeds: 157 mph or higher
Danger level: Catastrophic damage will occur.
Threat to homes, structures, and property: Complete or almost-total destruction of framed homes, mobile homes, shopping centers, apartments, and commercial buildings.
Community impacts: Nearly all trees will be snapped or uprooted, with many becoming airborne and acting as projectiles. Long-term water shortages should be expected, as well as a very long time to rebuild the community. The area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Take note: You should not be anywhere near this storm. Evacuate well ahead of time.
As with any natural disaster or extreme weather event, make sure you stay informed via local news and weather alerts. Listen for and follow evacuation orders.
Finally, remember that although the best hurricane preparations come well before hurricane season itself, it’s never too late to get informed and prepared.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
If you’re like most boat owners, you probably only use your boat a few months out of the year. And after all those summer trips are done, and your boat’s cleaned up and ready for storage, you might be tempted to cancel the insurance.
After all, if your boat won’t even be on the water, why would you need coverage?
Turns out, there are some compelling reasons to keep your insurance throughout the year, not the least of which is that it can actually save you money in the long run. Here are 4 top reasons.
1. Accidents Don’t Have an Offseason
More than half of the claims are filed for accidents that occur between September and January. The majority of those are for theft, vandalism, fire, and flooding. Boats are typically unattended during this time, which increases accident risk. When you carry boat insurance, these claims are covered by comprehensive coverage, costing far less than out-of-pocket payments would for repair and replacement in the event of an insurance lapse.
2. It May Be Required
If your boat is financed by a lender, you may be obligated to carry insurance year-round. Even if you own your boat outright, some marinas may require boats on the premises to be insured.
3. Don’t Count on Your Homeowner’s Policy
Many boat owners assume that damage to their boat is covered under their homeowner’s policy. Most times this isn’t the case, as the boat would probably only be protected if damage occurred while on the covered property. And even then, a homeowner’s policy might not fully cover the damage and/or leave the owner with coverage gaps (for example, many homeowners policies have length and horsepower limits that apply to boats). Boat insurance policies are crafted to meet specific needs and protect against risks inherent to boating.
4. It Makes Financial Sense
Depending on your insurer, signing up for a full 12-month policy can make you eligible for discounts or loyalty benefits, saving you money over the long term. Also keep in mind that many insurers already adjust the off-season monthly premiums to be lower than the on-season ones, so an annual policy, in the end, does offer better protection dollar for dollar than one for just several months. And don’t forget that as your boat ages you may find it more difficult to secure insurance if you cancel your policy. Finally, if you insure your boat with the same company as your car or homeowner’s insurance, you can most likely get a multiple policy discount.
Just as with homeowners and car insurance, a policy protecting your boat against damage and liability not only provides peace of mind but is a wise financial decision. And given the risks specific to boats, choosing a year-round policy is even smarter.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Routine keep up and maintenance will prevent breakdowns and help keep your car in good working condition for years, but when you put off signs of trouble or little things like appointments to get your oil changed, you risk a break down every time you get behind the wheel.
Not taking care of your vehicle can also cause major internal damage which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Yahoo has created a list based on a survey given to mechanics on The Ten Worst Things You Can Do to Your Car. Here were the results.
1. Putting off routine maintenance – This includes: checking your battery and brakes, aligning your tires, getting your oil changed, etc.
2. Ignoring the check engine light – The check engine light is the generic indicator that something is wrong with your vehicle and you should take it to a licensed mechanic.
3. Not changing the oil – When you don’t change your oil it can cause poor engine performance or even complete engine failure.
4. Failing to check tire pressure – Even with new tires, you will lose about one PSI every month. Poorly or overinflated tires could lead to a blowout and/or accident. You should continue to check and fill them monthly as needed.
5. Ignoring transmission, brake, coolant, and other fluid services – These fluids all play a part in making sure your vehicle is functioning properly.
6. Continuing to drive an overheated vehicle – This can easily lead to an engine fire and completely total your vehicle and/or cause series injuries to the driver.
7. Not changing fuel and air filters – Not changing these filters will degrade your vehicle’s performance and cause wear and tear on the engine.
8. Having someone unqualified service the vehicle – Don’t fall victim to cheap parts and faulty repairs. Look at reviews and make sure your mechanic or repair shop is properly licensed.
9. Using generic aftermarket parts and not manufacturer quality parts – When you use generic parts, you do not know if they have been properly inspected. This could lead to more issues in the future.
10. Trying to service your own vehicle – Although you may know how to do a few things yourself, when you take your vehicle to a professional, you can receive a full service and they will inspect and make sure everything in your vehicle is functioning properly and suggest needed maintenance/repairs.
Are you guilty of any? If so, it’s probably time to take your car to the mechanic before it’s too late.
Make sure your vehicle is covered, under the hood and on the road. Speak with a California Casualty representative today to review your auto policy so you can have peace of mind the next time you get behind the wheel. Click here or call 1.800.800.9410.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Email Marketing Specialist, Torrie Willett
Torrie has been with us for two years and is based in our Kansas Office.
Let’s get to know Torrie!
What made you want to work in Internet Marketing at California Casualty?
I wanted to manage all aspects of email marketing and this cool girl named Demian (who is now my work best friend) made such a good impression on me in the interview, I knew I would fit right in in the Internet Marketing department!
What is your favorite part about your job?
I’m very passionate about email marketing, especially to our niche audiences here at CalCas. In my position, I get to be the lead for all email efforts and challenge myself with every new campaign.
A few added bonuses include my awesome co-workers in our Internet Marketing Department and our tradition of getting Greek food every Thursday.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
Teamwork really does make the dream work and there is always knowledge to gain.
Also, salt n vinegar almonds are the best flavor – we like to snack…..a lot.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
Try new restaurants with my hubby
Snuggle with my pooch
Go to brunch with my girlfriends
And enjoy lots of red wine underneath the pergola on my patio!
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I have a yellow lab named Harley Jane…I love red wine…I am a foodie…I love to cook…I am tiny and my work friends (Matt) never let me forget it.
If you want to learn more about Torrie or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
