The changing of the seasons is nice; the heat is replaced by crisp, cool air, we can dig out our favorite sweaters and hoodies and most of us can stop mowing the lawn. However, there is one part of the upcoming winter that I’m dreading – that first storm of the year that starts warm but chills down so quickly it turns sleet and melted snow into a glaze of ice. Traffic will be snarled as drivers with worn tires try to navigate around town. We’ll know the ones who haven’t checked their tire tread; they’ll end up slipping and sliding, causing accidents and clogging major thoroughfares. It happens every year, and if you’ve never seen it yourself check out this video (be aware it does contain some adult language).
And that’s in Colorado, where people should know about having the right tires for winter conditions.
Before you lose your grip this winter, make it a point to have your tires checked. They are the essential piece that keeps your vehicle on road surfaces, protecting you and your children, even when streets become slick with snow and ice.
How do you know which tires will give you the best grip and control when temperatures plunge and roadways freeze? Consumersearch.com analyzed owner reviews and expert tire tests from around the world to come up with its four best snow tire picks for 2015:
Bridgestone Bizzak WS80 (best winter tire)
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 (best studded snow tire)
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (best winter performance tire)
Michelin Latitude X-IceXi2 (best winter tire for SUVs and trucks)
Many of us wonder if the tires on our vehicles have enough rubber for treacherous conditions. One determiner is the penny test. Car experts say using simple coins can determine how much tread is left on your tires.
Take It Easy
The Weather Channel says no matter what type of vehicle you drive or the tires you choose, staying off roads in severe winter conditions is your best bet. If you must travel, they offer these safety tips:
Decrease speeds and leave plenty of room to stop
Brake gently to avoid skids
Turn on lights and keep lights and windshields clear and clean
Use low gears to keep traction
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads that are likely to ice up quickly
Let’s face it, even in the best weather conditions accidents happen. Don’t be skating on thin ice when it comes to insurance – make sure your auto insurance policy offers the best protection at the best value. Call a California Casualty advisor today for a free, no hassle policy review and comparison at 1.800.800.9410; the savings could warm your heart and pocketbook.
From pulling weeds to cleaning floors, it seems that work around the house never ends, but it’s a lot easier to tackle before winter storms and cold weather move in. As we enjoy the last few months of summer, now is a good time to do maintenance that will prevent damage, prepare your home for winter, and add lasting value.
Do an energy audit and start fixing insulation and cracks
Insulate hot water pipes
Clean patio furniture
Scrub your concrete
Patch concrete and asphalt cracks
Prune or remove problem trees and shrubs
Clean exhaust fans
Fix the fence
Make your landscaping “critter proof”(deer, rabbits and other animals can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your plants and trees)
Doing regular maintenance can not only protect your home, but it can enhance the value of your largest investment. Most realtors and home repair experts say simple projects can add thousands of dollars to your home’s worth. Wikihow.com is a great resource with tips that give the best payback:
Clean and reduce the clutter around your home
Spruce up your yard
Repaint the interior and exterior
Upgrade your lighting and light switches
Add wood trim
Don’t forget another vital piece to preserving your home and all the things that come with it; insurance. Now is the time to get a home insurance update and policy comparison to make sure your precious items are fully covered at the best value. Have you made improvements that could land you big discounts? Don’t forget that bundling your auto and home can offer big savings. Call a California Casualty advisor today for a no hassle policy review at 1.800.800.9410.
Time is a precious commodity for most of us. We are busy working, getting children to appointments and events and trying to maintain a home life. Since time is short, you should get the best value for it, and a new survey by Insurance.com finds shopping for auto insurance gives the best time-per-dollar payback of goods or services available.
Insurance.com talked to to 2,000 women and men under age 25 who said auto insurance had the best payback with an average of $540 for ten minutes of effort, or $54 per minute.
Cellphone plans were second with an average annual savings of $179 for 97 minutes of shopping, a per-minute savings of $1.86.
Cable or Satellite TV netted a savings of $1.72 per minute followed by new car shopping at $1.29 per minute.
Determine how much coverage you really need. A new vehicle with a bank loan may be required to carry full coverage but a rebuilt beater may not.
Know your driving record. It will affect your premiums.
Evaluate insurance companies using the BBB and rating services like JD Powers A.M. Best for reliability.
Call body shops and ask how the company is to work with after a claim.
California Casualty sets a high standard for auto insurance companies with a 99 percent customer service rating and a claims satisfaction of 96 percent. California Casualty also provides the best value with exclusive benefits to group members and associations that are not available to the general public: professional discounts and highly competitive rates, flexible payment plans including EZ Pay and summer and holiday skips and reduced or zero deductibles for vandalism and collision that happen to your vehicle at the place where your work.
For maximum savings and satisfaction, call a California Casualty advisor today for a policy review and comparison at 1.800.800.9410.
As Americans hit the roads for the summer driving season, your vacation trip can be less expensive if you maintain your vehicle for the best gas mileage. Here are six tips from Carcare.org on increasing the miles you get from each gallon of fuel:
Tune up – properly tuned vehicles can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent
Tire Pressure – proper inflation can net a 3 percent gas mileage improvement
Motor Oil – get a 1 or 2 percent increase in mileage by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer
Air Filters – replacing clogged filters adds mileage and improves auto performance
Gas Cap – damaged or missing caps allow fuel to vaporize
Fix It – getting a serious maintenance problem like a faulty oxygen sensor fixed can improve mileage by as much as 40 percent
The U.S. Department of Energy also has an entire webpage filled with tips on driving more economically and estimating the gas mileage of every vehicle on the road.
There could be a big liability problem with the growing trend of “Ride-Sharing.”
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) reminds people that personal auto insurance policies will not provide coverage if a car is used in a ride-sharing program, otherwise known as transportation network companies (TNCs).
NBC Today reports that thirteen states and the District of Columbia are issuing warnings to passengers that they may not be covered by insurance if a hired ride-sharing driver has an accident. The report also talks to two men stuck with medical bills after a crash in a ride-sharing vehicle.
Ride-sharing is a new transportation trend in major cities around the country where a company uses a smartphone app to connect drivers with people needing a ride for a fee as part of an organized program. “Insurers support innovative ideas, however the drivers and passengers that ride in these cars must know where they stand regarding insurance coverage, said Kelly Campbell, PCI vice president. “Personal auto insurance policies are not intended for commercial activities and contain a specific ‘livery’ exclusion which bars coverage if the car is used to transport passengers for a fee. These exclusions have been upheld in the courts for decades.”
In other words, there may be a coverage gap, especially if the driver is involved in a serious crash while working as a TNC employee. Commercial ride-sharing operators need commercial insurance coverage to protect their vehicle, pay for any injuries they sustain and to cover loss of income from an accident.
While a person’s medical and auto insurance might follow them if they use ride-sharing, the driver’s insurance may not pay their medical bills following a crash.
Consumer Reports wrote a recent article warning drivers about the issues incurred with being a part-time taxi driver.
Make sure your auto and home coverage is up-to-date, contact a California Casualty advisor at 1.866-552-3278 or go to www.calcas.com.
California Casualty, provides auto and home insurance to teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866-552-3278 or www.calcas.com.
It’s time to face the music. Halloween is over, daylight savings has passed, November is here and…
Winter is coming.
It’s time to stock up on Sweaters, crank up the furnace, and last but certainly not least…
Prepare your car for the winter season.
Around here, we’re all about safety preparations. A few simple steps and check-ups could help keep you, your family, and your car safer this winter.
Recommended Winter-Specific Maintenance:
Check your antifreeze: Antifreeze is essential for your car’s winter protection. Make sure the level is full and that the mixture is close to 50% water and 50% antifreeze.
Inspect your tires: Winter conditions often result in slick or icy roads. Your tires are your last defense. Make sure you have checked your tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. Also, be sure to check tire pressure.
Replace your wipers & check wiper fluid: Make sure your wipers can handle any snow, water, or sleet that falls on your windshield. Also make sure that you have plenty of windshield washer fluid- as you’ll be using plenty over the winter months. Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid.
Stay on top of maintenance procedures: Before winter hits is the perfect time to make sure you’ve taken care of annual maintenance. While car trouble is a bummer ANY time of the year, it can be especially complicated and frustrating in winter conditions. Avoid the stress: Make sure you’ve inspected, checked, or cleaned your car’s:
Battery and battery posts
Engine oil
Brakes and brake fluid
Spark plug wires
Radiator
Ignition
Emergency Flashers
Exhaust
Defroster
This list is a good starting point. To be sure that your car is in the safest-possible working condition before winter hits, take it to your mechanic.
The National Safety Council recommends stocking your car with the following items in case of an emergency:
A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack in case of tire issues
A shovel
Jumper cables in case of battery issues
A bag of salt or cat litter for icy or slick road conditions
A basic tool kit
Working flashlight and extra batteries
Reflective triangles and brightly colored or reflective clothing
Compass
First aid kit
Exterior windshield cleaner
Ice scraper and snow brush
Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container
Scissors and string/cord
Non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy
Items to keep you warm, such as heavy mittens, blankets, socks, sweatshirts and a hat
