Excitement is in the air as we get a chance to see the first full solar eclipse over the U.S. in decades. While many of us are thinking about protecting our eyes from damaging solar radiation, if you live in the area most affected by the eclipse or traveling to see it, you might want to make sure your auto and home insurance is up to date. Public safety groups are warning that the crush of millions of people coming to view the eclipse could pose some very serious issues. Here are some important things to consider so the shadow cast over the sun doesn’t lead to dark things for your insurance coverage:
Be prepared for extremely heavy traffic and delays – being in a hurry to get somewhere may lead to frustration and a traffic crash
Don’t drive distracted and be prepared for the many others around you who might be doing so as the moon obscures the sun
Turn on headlights as the sunlight fades so others can see you
Don’t pull off or stop on interstate highways or major thoroughfares where you could pose a safety hazard
Never use or block the center median crossings on highways which are only for emergency vehicles
Avoid pulling off on roadway shoulders and medians where a hot muffler could spark a grass fire
Be aware of increased pedestrian traffic and people walking but not paying attention to traffic
Make sure you have enough liability coverage if you are inviting or allowing others onto your property to view the eclipse
Before Monday’s great event, you should make sure that you have approved safety glasses to view the spectacle (there are numerous warnings about fake glasses), that you have stocked up on sunscreen, water, fuel and other essentials. Please find a safe place to watch it from.
The dog days of summer are considered the most dangerous time to be on the road. There are more of us driving, which can make too many of us hot under the collar. Whether is the heat, the traffic or the final push before school starts, a new study finds August is the month that puts you most at risk for encountering an angry, aggressive driver. It’s not just a theory; it was the top month for Instagram posts with #RoadRage.
Judging from the study, August is when we are most likely to encounter the pickup truck cutting across multiple lanes and tailgating drivers who don’t get out of the way, the guy who refuses to let you in at a merge, or the erratic driver weaving into other lanes while their attention is on their cell phone.
These crazed drivers are not only a nuisance, they are causing wrecks. Despite collision avoidance systems, accident rates in the U.S. are on the rise. Traffic experts warn that inattentive and aggressive driving is the cause for all too many crashes.
The best advice if you see one of these drivers with angry faces, often gesturing as they careen through our thoroughfares as if nobody else matters, is to avoid confrontations. Gesturing back or making eye contact can often lead to road rage.
So, what should you do?
Stay out of the left lane unless you are passing
Follow the speed limit
Don’t challenge them by speeding up or trying to block them
Avoid eye contact
Report them to authorities providing vehicle description, license plate number, location and direction of travel
As spring gives way to summer, it’s time to get your RV ready for heading to the mountains, camping or long road trips to visit family and friends. If you are getting your motor-home out of storage, here are some key steps that will keep you on the road and out of the repair shop.
Check the exterior for cracks and missing or damaged seals
Inspect and test the battery
Examine and pressurize the tires
Replace filters and replenish brake, coolant, transmission, hydraulic and washer fluids
Clean, inspect and refill LP gas lines and appliances
Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
Flush and fill the water system looking for leaks, clarity and drink ability
Check that all appliances are working
Inspect sewer hoses and waste tank valves for cracks or sticking
Here is a list of important equipment and items you’ll want to make sure that you have:
Proper extension cord with the correct amps
Surge protector for variable campground electrical systems
Drinking water approved hose
Pressure regulator and water filter for variable campsite water pressures and contaminates
Laser temperature tester to detect overheated brakes, tires and axles
Don’t forget routine maintenance practices for your RV or motorhome’s engine:
Periodically check and test batteries for proper charging
Make 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
Make sure the viscosity of your motor oil will stand up to hot weather days (10W-30 or 10W-40)
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
It’s never a bad idea to get a full maintenance check before heading out for your summer travels. Stay safe this summer!
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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.
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.
