by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
It’s a good idea to do an occasional review of your auto and home insurance policies; you’ll sleep better at night knowing you are protected against expected surprises if you have a claim. You might also find savings if a traffic ticket falls off your record or you are driving an older vehicle with a decreased value.
If you’ve never had a review, here are seven examples of when you should contact your insurance adviser for one:
- You got married. Newlyweds often pay less for insurance than when they were single. You can also find discounts by combining your autos with one insurance company. You should ask if all those expensive new gifts you received might need extra protection.
- You got divorced. You probably are no longer sharing a vehicle and moved into a different residence. You’ll need to inform your insurance company to set up separate auto and home or renters insurance.
- Your teen got a driver’s permit or license. You need to let your insurance company know if they are driving your vehicles, or if you bought them one. Make sure that you take advantage of good student discounts and additional multi-vehicle savings.
- You bought or inherited valuables such as antiques, fine art, jewelry or other collectables. Your standard homeowners or renters insurance policy provides limited coverage of high dollar items. This is a good time to purchase scheduled personal property endorsements to cover your new valuable possessions.
- You’ve added on to your home or done extensive remodeling. Improvements to your house mean there is more to protect. Contacting your insurance company is a good way to make sure that you have enough coverage. This also applies for a new gazebo, shed or hot tub.
- You’ve gotten your first apartment. You need renters insurance to protect your possessions and to provide liability coverage. Many renters think their landlord’s insurance covers them (it doesn’t) or that they don’t have enough things to cover. Renters insurance is a great value, costing between $15 and $30 per month – compared to the expense of replacing electronics, beds, clothing, bicycles silverware, kitchen and cooking items, etc.
- You’ve retired. This often means you are driving less, which could significantly reduce your insurance costs. Drivers over 55 also often get discounts from their insurance companies and you can further reduce your premiums by completing a driver safety course.
Knowing more about your insurance could save you money on your premiums and heartache if you ever need to make a claim.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
So did you take some time off this Labor Day? It’s the last hurrah of summer and one of the last chances to get in a vacation before winter. Getting away could also save your life.
Numerous job-site studies have found almost half of all American workers don’t use their vacation time, despite the fact that over 60 percent say work stresses them out. Stress can be a killer, causing heart disease, digestive disorders, lack of sleep, high blood pressure and weight gain. Health experts warn that not taking your vacation time can be dangerous to your health.
That’s compounded by employers demanding more from their employees, who often clock in well over the standard 40 hour work week. A government study found that job stress leads to more accidents, absenteeism and even violence in the work place, resulting in $300 billion dollar cost to U.S. businesses each year.
So why would we skip vacations? Many of us say we can’t afford them – monetarily or because of work demands. However, research shows workers who take time to de-stress and relax actually save businesses billions of dollars by reducing health care costs and through increased worker productivity.
With that in mind, Expedia looked at the research and came up with 12 reasons why you need to take your vacations:
- Time off boosts brain power, improving memorizing new skills
- Time away from work fully recharges a depleted brain
- Being away from work allows the brain to connect and consolidate, creating better problem solving
- Workers who take time off live longer (reducing risk of disease by 21 percent)
- Time off helps the heart (men who skip vacation increase their risk of heart attack by 30 percent)
- Relaxation prevents coronary heart disease
- Vacations improve worker quality
- Time off stimulates creativity
- Worker performance increased the more vacation employees used
- Vacation time helps prevent depression
- Time off improves sleep
- Taking vacations improves attitudes and motivates employees to achieve higher goals
For those looking for one last great summer adventure, Expedia has collected data and released a list of the top 10 destinations for Labor Day 2016:
- Atlanta
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- San Francisco
- Denver
- Seattle
- Las Vegas
- Charlotte, NC
If Europe has been on your travel radar, the strong dollar compared to the Euro has made many trans-Atlantic destinations even more affordable this year.
And, if you are packing the car and hitting the road for the three day weekend, you are not alone. Fuel prices are some of the lowest in decades this Labor Day. That means more Americans will be on the nation’s highways and byways and unfortunately traffic crashes are expected to rise. The National Safety Council is urging all drivers to remain attentive, avoid alcohol before taking the wheel, get plenty of sleep, never use a cell phone or other devices while driving and have everyone in the vehicle wear their seat belts.
Don’t let a flat tire or heat drained battery detour your fun if you choose to drive to your Labor Day destination; check out our list of summer auto care tips.
So, where is your favorite place or thing to do for Labor Day? Let us know so we can share it with others.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
What’s your dream car? Maybe it’s a 69 Camaro Z28, a 70 Chevelle SS 454 , an old GTO, or possibly a Shelby Cobra. If you’re lucky, it’s more than a dream and it’s parked in your garage. You call her your baby and you bring her out on special occasions or for a sweet cruise in the summertime. Driving it brings back memories of simpler times and you love the looks of others as the gleaming chrome catches their eyes as you pass by. In fact, investors are paying a pretty penny for the cars from our or our parent’s youth.
Owners of classic and collector vehicles know their vehicles require lots of tender loving care. They need special maintenance, they need to be washed and waxed, and they have to be stored in a safe, dry location. But many may not know they also need special insurance coverage to protect their full value.
While standard auto insurance is based on actual cash value and depreciation, collector policies are based on the stated or agreed value of the vehicle (between you and the insurance company) and what it would cost to replace or repair it. This protects your investment, especially since the worth of many collector cars continues to go. Collector auto insurance policies offer the same coverage options as standard auto policies: liability, collision and comprehensive and medical pay.
If the insurance is better, you’d think it would cost a lot more. However, collector car insurance typically costs less than standard auto insurance because classic and collector vehicles are usually driven less and are considered a better risk. However, these policies often come with restrictions:
- That the vehicle must be stored in a locked, safe garage or storage facility
- The vehicle is at least 15 or 25 years old
- Limits on the miles it can be driven
- It is not used as a regular commute vehicle
- That all drivers have a clean driving record
Many people don’t insure their collector vehicle because they store it or drive it so seldom, but that could be a big mistake. Classic car auto insurance pays the agreed value if the vehicle is damaged in a fire or flood, during transportation or if it is stolen. It also covers the higher cost of repairs if someone scratches the paint or chrome, or steals a specialty part.
There are many choices to insure your classic vehicle. California Casualty provides collector vehicle insurance through our partner Condon Skelly. Unlike most classic insurance providers, Condon Skelly does not limit mileage or require seasonal coverage, while still offering competitive rates.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Really…you were driving 50 in a 65 speed zone, weaving into my and other drivers’ lanes while oblivious to the dangerous conditions you were causing. Then you looked up from your texting to glare at me as I passed and noticed what was causing your erratic driving. Really?!
It certainly wasn’t safe and it was illegal. You were in one of the 46 states that specifically ban texting while driving. It is a citable offense and could lead to serious charges if you caused a crash while texting.
Not only were you endangering yourself, but dozens of others around you as you blithely tapped away at your phone – on the Interstate no less. Thankfully, this time there was no crash and hopefully not the next time, but the odds are against you.
In your smug defiance, did you know?
- 3,179 people were killed and another 431,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers
- One-third of drivers in a 2015 survey admitted to texting while driving and 75 percent said they have witnessed others doing it
- 10 percent of fatal crashes and 18 percent of injury crashes were reported as caused by distraction
- For the first time in a quite a few years, the number of fatalities on the nation’s roads and highways increased in 2015
- August is one of the deadliest months on American roads
- More drivers are using their mobile devices to surf the internet to check sites such as Snapchat and Facebook
- The average text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, comparable to driving the length of a football field blindfolded
So, what can we do about drivers like this? WE must continue educating all drivers, especially younger ones, about the carnage caused by all forms of distracted driving. Barring that, technology may come to the rescue with devices that block all texts and phone calls while a person is behind the wheel, or another that prevents the car from operating if the phone is not secured in a special docking mechanism.
In the meantime, here are 10 actions to stop distracted driving:
- Turn off phones and other devices and stow them away
- Spread the word with a cell phone message telling callers you’re driving and will get back to them when you are off the road
- Pull over if you need to make or receive an important call
- Use passengers to make a call or respond to a text for you
- X the text – don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read email while you are driving
- Know the laws about whether you can use a hand-held cell phone behind the wheel
- Prepare in advance and program your GPS device before you start the car – if you need to change or review the directions, do so only after pulling over and stopping
- Secure pets to keep them from being a danger or distraction
- Mind the kids or other passengers and pull over to interact with them or address any issues or behaviors
- Focus only on driving – never multi-task, refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking or any activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road
Recognizing the danger of distracted and reckless driving, California Casualty is a proud partner of Impact Teen Drivers, a nonprofit that educates parents and teens about the realities of bad choices and behaviors behind the wheel. Their programs have reached millions of young drivers, employing peer-to-peer messaging, focused school presentations and community workshops to prevent the number one killer of teens today. Learn more or lend your support to this important organization here.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
There are a lot of decisions that come into play when deciding which vehicle best suits you. Some say that your car reflects your personality, especially the color. Car color expresses to the world what we want others to think of us. Gender and age can influence this choice as well.
Nancy Lockhart, a color marketing manager, says “color preferences change throughout time and may differ by region or vehicle type.” She that a luxury sedan is more attractive in black and white colors, and sporty versions are more likely red and colorful shades.
Here is what your car color says about you:
-White looks fresh, young, modern look to the world.
-Black declares itself as important, sophisticated, and classic.
-Silver is the color of security and style.
-Red projects action, power, and masculinity.
-Blue is practical and happy.
-Beige exudes quiet and peace.
-Yellow is positive attitude and joy.
-Green is a tie with an interest in nature.
-Orange says that you are comfortable with value and saving money.
Trends can rapidly change across the U.S. and regionally. The latest research predicts that brighter and bolder colors are becoming more and more popular with consumers. What does your car color say about you? Share with us in the comments.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Summer is here and the adventure of the road is calling. If you are thinking of a road trip, Wallet Hub has their annual recommendations for the best states to visit. After factoring in the cost of fuel, lodging and tolls, road conditions and the number of fun and scenic attractions you can see, Oregon was determined to be the best summer destination in the U.S. The rest of the top ten were:
- Nevada
- Utah
- North Carolina
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Idaho
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Vermont
Before you load the car and head out, make sure your vehicle is ready for the rigors of the road. The dog days of summer can take a toll on your vehicle so here are some summer car care preparations to help you avoid a breakdown on a sweltering day:
- Periodically check and test batteries for proper charging (summer heat drains batteries faster than the cold of winter)
- Be sure your cooling system has the proper anti-freeze/coolant and all belts, hoses and the water pump are properly working (never open a hot radiator cap; the liquid inside is a scalding 200 degrees or hotter)
- Check the air conditioning system for leaks and proper coolant
- Verify the viscosity of your motor oil will stand up to hot weather days (10W-30 or 10W-40)
- Check the tires for tread and proper inflation
- Make sure the spare tire is inflated and there is a jack and tire changing tools
- Test your windshield wipers and change them if they are streaking
Consumer Reports advises that you should also have a basic safety kit that consists of:
- Cell phone and spare battery
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Warning light or reflective triangles
- Tire gauge
- Jumper cables
- Foam sealant for flat tires
Things you should know how to do in case you have a roadside emergency:
Some repairs may be more complicated. That’s why it’s important to have a reliable backup. Whether the battery let you down, your spare tire went flat or you locked the keys in the car, for as little as $1 a month California Casualty’s towing and roadside assistance pays for:
- Lockouts
- Flat tire repair
- Fuel
- Oil
- Dead battery start
