Summertime was made for fun-from beach vacations to family barbecues, road trips, and dips in the pool. But unfortunately, sometimes during all that fun, there’s a mishap or two….
Make sure that your home and property are fully protected in case anything happens. Use this guide as a reference on how to insure yourself and your family for summer fun.
Swimming Pools
Your swimming pool is probably covered under your homeowner’s policy. That being said, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough to cover the following situations.
Injury or drowning
If someone is hurt or drowns in your pool, you are responsible. It doesn’t matter whether or not you gave them permission to swim. Your personal liability coverage is designed to cover these instances. Typical homeowner’s policies carry $100,000 of liability protection. If you have a swimming pool, you need considerably more. Experts suggest either increasing your personal liability (with the maximum being $500,000 or $1,000,000 depending upon the state) or adding a personal umbrella policy. Umbrella policies start at $1,000,000 in coverage. In addition, take steps to prevent these tragedies by securing your pool with a fence and self-latching gates. Make sure children never swim unattended. Install alarms that alert you if someone is entering the water.
Pro Tip: Make sure your pool meets the local municipal code. We’ve seen some insurance companies refuse to pay if the pool is not up to code.
Tree falls into your pool
Summer storms can be intense, and could cause your tree to fall on your house or into your in-ground pool. If a tree falls into your pool, your homeowner’s insurance could cover a reasonable expense to remove it if it was felled by a covered peril and if it struck a covered structure (like your pool) and damaged it. No more than $500 will be paid for any one tree and no more than $1,000 total for any one claim.
Trampolines and Swing Sets
Trampolines and swing sets are considered attractive nuisances, places on your property that can attract children but also put them in danger. (Swimming pools are, too.) You will need to safeguard them, such as by making sure they are in a fenced area.
Trampolines
Trampoline injuries or deaths are covered under your personal liability insurance as part of your homeowner’s policy. Check with your insurance agent to see if you have enough coverage for a trampoline accident. Also, check to see whether there are any individual limits to that coverage. Protect against these accidents by installing an enclosure to secure the trampoline so there are no unsupervised guests. Always supervise children while they are using the trampoline and enforce the rule that only one person uses it at a time.
Swing Sets
Swing set accidents also are covered by personal liability. Make sure your homeowner’s policy has adequate coverage. Supervise children whenever they are using the swing set. Inspect your set regularly and cover sharp corners or protruding nails that could cause injury. Check that there is a minimum of 22 inches between swings and that the slide is no longer than 10 feet. Also, make sure there’s at least 10 feet of clearance around the swing set.
Dog Bites
Dogs spend time outside with us in the summer. Sometimes that can lead to circumstances where dogs can bite. If your dog bites a third party, you are responsible. Liability coverage protects you in this instance. It pays for the bite victim’s medical expenses and covers your legal fees if they sue you.
Make sure that your dog’s breed is not restricted by your insurance policy. Some policies will not cover breeds such as Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, or Rottweilers. California Casualty does not currently have such restrictions.
If your dog is a victim of a bite, pet insurance can help cover that emergency vet visit. You also may be able to be reimbursed by the other dog owner’s liability coverage.
BBQ Grill Fires
Backyard barbecues are a favorite summertime activity. We may not think about them being dangerous, but they can be. Practice summertime fire safety. Keep your grill away from the house and any other structures. Store your charcoal or propane safely and away from the heat. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Always supervise young children when around a grill.
If a grill fire spreads to your home or property, and causes costly damage, your homeowner’s policy will likely cover repairs, minus the deductible.
If a guest is injured by a fire on your property, and you are legally responsible for that bodily injury, your liability insurance will cover that person’s medical expenses. If you are not liable, but your guest was injured through his/her own fault, then Coverage F – Medical Payment to Others may cover your guest’s medical bills.
Boats and Personal Water Craft
Small boats like kayaks and canoes may be covered under your homeowner’s policy as personal property. If you have a boat, you will need a separate boat insurance policy. You also need one for personal watercraft such as jet skis.
Boats – The costs of insurance will vary depending on the value of your boat and where you keep it. For a California Casualty property contract, the policy will cover up to $1,500 for boats and a trailer for 16 named perils but not for theft away from the residence.
If you’re transporting your boat on a car trailer, your auto insurance will likely cover any accidents.
o If you are at fault for a car accident, your auto liability will extend coverage but there will be no physical damage coverage for the boat or trailer.
If you want physical damage coverage for the trailer, it needs to be added to the auto policy. If you want physical damage coverage for the boat, it needs to be included on the boat policy.
If your boat is parked at your house and is damaged, your homeowner’s insurance may cover it. Otherwise, your boat policy will cover accidents on the water.
Personal Watercraft – Your jet ski or other personal watercraft will need its own policy to protect you from vandalism, accidents, and liability for injuries to people riding your personal watercraft. This type of policy is available through the Agency Services division of California Casualty.
Rental Car Accidents
If you’re heading on vacation this summer, you might be driving a rental car. Your own auto insurance may cover a rental car, minus your deductible, or the credit card that you used to book the car may come with insurance. If not, you will want to make sure that you are covered by purchasing rental insurance through the rental car company. Here’s what you will need to think about.
Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver – Optional in many states, this type of coverage pays for the rental car if it is damaged or stolen. There usually is a deductible, for which you’re responsible. If your auto policy covers collision damage, make sure that it also covers “loss of use.” For a rental company, getting a car repaired in the shop means it loses the income it could be getting from renting the car. The rental company can charge you the daily rental rate for each day the vehicle is out of service.
Personal Accident Insurance – This optional policy covers you, the driver, in the event of an accident, including ambulance transportation and medical bills.
Supplemental/Additional Liability Insurance – This optional policy covers the other driver and passengers whom you may injure in an accident. It also covers any property damage. You likely have liability on your own auto policy. Check to make sure the liability limit is enough. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance with the rental car company or get an umbrella policy from your current insurer.
Personal Effects Coverage – This optional policy covers your possessions if they are damaged, lost, or stolen, something your homeowner or renter’s policy may already cover.
Have a great, fun-filled summer!
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.
School’s out, which means if your child is old enough, he or she may find themselves home alone without you. Navigating the house on their own, or with a babysitter, can definitely help kids build independence. However, you also want to make sure they’re safe.
For those times when your child may be home alone or with a babysitter, here’s a list of important summer safety tips.
Lesson 1: Basic First Aid
Decide what first aid your child may be capable of providing. If he or she gets a small cut or scrape, for example, your child can clean the wound and put on a band-aid.
What You Can Do: Prepare a first aid kit with those supplies that you would like him/her to use for such things as minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Go over the items in the first aid kit and show your child how to use them. Then have your child role-play and practice with them. Discuss when they might need to call for help if the injury seems more serious than they can treat with the kit.
Pro Tip: If your child has a smartphone or device and is allowed to use it, download the Red Cross First Aid App.
Fire safety at home is important. Fires can be scary but even the sound of the smoke alarm can be frightening.
What You Can Do: Let your child hear the sound so they know what to expect. Then discuss the fact that they need to leave the house and contact a trusted adult such as a neighbor or someone by phone. If there’s an active fire that they see, they can call 9-1-1. Since your child can be anywhere in the house when the smoke alarm goes off, practice how to leave each room. Remember the rule of 2/2/2. Practice two ways out of every room, two times of the day (day and night) at least two times a year.
Lesson 3: Emergency Contact List
Help is just a phone call away. Share the emergency list with your child.
What You Can Do: Post the list of parents’ work and cell numbers, family, and friends who will be available to your child as needed. Include neighbors who can be a nearby onsite resource. The list also should include 9-1-1 for big emergencies (and your house address should the dispatcher need it). However, explain to your child the types of situations that would necessitate dialing 9-1-1.
Pro Tip: Involve your family member or neighbor and have your child give them a quick call to ask if it’s okay to put their names on your call list. That will give your child practice making the call.
Lesson 4: Bad Weather or Emergency Situations
Even in the summer, bad weather can strike. If your child is at home alone or with a sitter and there is a severe storm or another emergency situation, make sure they know what to do.
What You Can Do: Make sure your child or sitter knows how to check the weather, on their phone or your local weather channel, and have them sign up for emergency alerts. Also, make sure they know where you keep your emergency kit if they need to take shelter. Go over the family disaster plan with them so they know exactly who to call and where to go. It’s important to discuss emergency scenarios with your child and sitter before you leave them alone, so they won’t panic and will know exactly what to do.
Lesson 5: Home-Alone Rules
Depending upon your child’s age and maturity, and your own comfort level, set rules for when they are home alone or with a sitter.
What You Can Do: Go over the rules with your child. Practice them and explain their importance. And then write them down as a reference, that they can look at. Here are some rules you may consider.
Limit cooking and stay away from fire sources.
Decide if your child will be allowed to use the stove, microwave, or toaster. If not, make sure there are plenty of cold meal options and snacks. If you do allow cooking of any kind, review the safety rules. Make sure your child knows what materials are dangerous for the microwave, and not to fish out a stuck piece of toast from the toaster with a metal fork. Decide on the rules for knives. Make sure your child doesn’t do anything alone that he or she hasn’t already done successfully under your supervision. Finally, ensure that your child knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it in the event of a kitchen fire. (Also, if this happens, your child should call an adult and 9-1-1.)
Keep the house locked and don’t let strangers know you are alone.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked when your child is home alone or with a sitter. If there is a security system that will be set, teach your child how to enable and disable it. Let your son or daughter know not to answer the door, even for delivery people. If someone calls and asks for you, provide a script of what to say; for example, “he or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?” Write that by the phone so your child doesn’t have to remember it. Be clear on whether your child is allowed to leave the house, and under what circumstances. If he or she does leave for any reason, instruct your child to tell you. You should always know where your child is.
Set rules for the phone, computer, smart devices, and TV.
Screen time is a big draw to kids home alone. Set the rules so they know what is allowed and what is not. You may allow gaming but not social media, or a movie marathon but not long text conversations. Make sure your child does not share that they are home alone, whether on social media, text or other interactions.
Specify the way your child will check-in.
You will want reassurance that your child is all right. Ask him or her to check in with you at specified times and in specific ways. Decide whether a text or call will suffice and how often. Make it a rule that they have to answer you right away if you call.
If your child is new to being left alone, start small. Leave for a short errand. Praise your child for following the rules. Continue to model safety practices, and before long, you’ll be surprised at how responsible your child can be when home alone.
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’ve ever wrestled a wriggling, uncooperative toddler while trying to apply sunscreen, you’re not alone. It’s summer and the kids are excited, which means sun safety sometimes falls by the wayside. Even your older kids may ditch their hats and sunglasses to bask in the sun or they may “forget” to reapply sunscreen after a swim.
Yet it’s so important to protect young skin, which is especially vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays. Just one or two blistering sunburns can double your child’s lifetime risk for melanoma, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Given the high stakes, how are you possibly going to get your kids to practice sun safety? Don’t worry. Unlike the sunscreen-on-the-toddler scenario, we’ve got you covered.
1. Get them into the habit of applying sunscreen.
Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, make sunscreen a part of your – and their — daily routine. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Note that children’s sunscreens often have the same ingredients as adult versions. They’re just packaged in a cuter bottle. If that cute bottle gets your child to apply it, it’s worth the investment. The bottom line: the best sunscreen is the one your child agrees to wear.
Lead by example and apply sunscreen yourself at least 30 minutes before you go outside. Depending on your child’s age and ability, help or encourage them to do the same.
For younger kids, make it fun.
Put “cheetah” spots of sunscreen and have them rub them in.
Pretend the sunscreen spray is a dragon’s breath.
Set a timer and count down together. Sing a song that lasts as long as the application.
Ask them to stand in front of a mirror and watch to see if you’ve missed a spot.
For older kids, add sunscreen to their daily chore chart.
If your child is sensitive to the feel of sunscreen, try different types. Sunscreen comes in spray, stick, and lotion and can be thick or thin, scented or unscented.
Pro Tip: Check the active ingredients, and look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sunblock ingredients are less irritating if your child has sensitive skin.
2. Teach your child when to reapply sunscreen.
If you’re out in the sun, you’re going to want to reapply your sunscreen to avoid burning. A good rule of thumb is to reapply when kids are wet and sweaty, after swimming, or before the timeframe stated on the sunscreen label. Remember to use a waterproof sunscreen that won’t come off in the pool or when they sweat and that sunscreens need about 30 minutes to absorb into your skin so account for the overlap time.
For older elementary kids and teens, have them set a timer.
For younger kids, give them a few minutes warning. Then ask where he or she wants to be when you reapply. Having a choice gives them some control and encourages cooperation.
Schedule reapplication right before a break for a favorite snack. (Snacks after sunscreen!)
3. Let them choose their sun protective wear.
Sun protective clothing, hats and sunglasses help keep dangerous rays away from sensitive eyes and skin. Involve your child in the choice so that they are more likely to wear the item.
Go shopping with your child for hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. Let them pick out an ensemble…. even if it doesn’t match (sorry, moms!).
Consider UV blocking shirts that provide added protection. Avoid tank tops that expose kids’ shoulders.
Find a pair of sunglasses that fit your child well. Add a strap that will keep them in place during energetic play.
Model wearing your own protective sun gear. Young children might enjoy a matching set! Older kids may be more likely to enjoy “trendy” sunglasses or hats. So, look for ones that have their favorite character or celebrity on the package.
4. Know when to go out and when to seek shade.
The sun’s rays are strongest during midday. Encourage your child to stay out of the sun during the hottest times. Sun safe hours are before 10 am and after 4 pm; that’s when you can offer unlimited outdoor play. During other times, you will want to limit your child’s time in the sun and encourage them to seek shade when possible.
Play the shadow game. If your child’s shadow is shorter than he/she is, it means it’s time to find shade. Challenge your child to find all of the shady spots nearby.
Set up a shady play area. Include drinks, snacks, games, chalk, balls, dolls, and even a water table to entice children to stay there. For the beach or places where there is no shade, play tents and sun canopies can protect from UVA and UVB rays.
Summer rides in the car can also expose your child to dangerous UVA rays which pass right through glass. Add transparent window films to your car windows or provide a light blanket to cover your child’s exposed legs.
5. Explain sun safety in an age-appropriate way.
You want your child to understand why sun safety is important. That ultimately will help them to practice it. Do it in a way that your child can understand and not be frightened.
For preschoolers, you can share that the sun can burn you and that will hurt.
For elementary school students, share the basics and say that sunburns can damage your skin.
For teens, you can go into detail and share the long-term damage that can occur later in life.
And for those young adults looking to get a “healthy summer tan,” let them know that there is no such thing. Even tans will damage their skin, and cause wrinkles. Encourage them to use tanning lotions with sunscreen instead.
Be consistent with sun safety precautions and you and your family will enjoy the summer sun that much more!
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.
It’s a well-known fact that plants produce oxygen. But did you know that some plants also “clean” the air that we breathe? It’s true. These plants can remove harmful chemicals, from paint fumes to furniture polish. This can help reduce respiratory problems, allergy symptoms, and headaches. But it’s important to note, that not all plants do this. And some that do are not safe for pets and young children, because they are considered toxic if consumed.
If you’re thinking about adding some house plants that promote indoor air quality, and are also good for pets and your youngsters, here are some great options to add some safe greenery to your space.
Why are chemicals in my air, anyway?
You don’t have to live in a chemical plant to be exposed to VOCs, volatile organic compounds. VOCs are emitted as gases from certain things that are common in our homes. Cleaning products, paints, cosmetics, printer ink, and even building materials can create these pollutants.
The NASA Clean Air Study and other studies looked at different plants’ effects on reducing VOCs. We culled the list to include those plants that were safe for pets, too.
Named for the long leaves that resemble a spider’s legs, these plants remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. These chemicals are found in household products such as glue, paint, lacquer, nail polish, and stain removers. Formaldehyde also is in some cosmetics, dishwashing liquids, building materials, and insulation.
Spider plants are great plants for beginning gardeners. They are easy to grow; you can even start them from cuttings. They just need water and bright indirect light.
Pro tip: A spider plant’s dangling leaves may attract curious kittens. Make sure your plant is in a safe place where your cat cannot knock it over.
This plant is named for its round, flat leaves that, with a little imagination, resemble coins. According to tradition, these plants are supposed to bring luck. Money plants are lucky in other ways; they soak up toxins in the air like formaldehyde.
This plant likes bright indirect light. It’s also a great plant for beginners. You can grow it in water or soil.
This is a big, bold plant that commands attention with its feathery, arching fronds. It naturally purifies the air by absorbing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, pollutants found in many common household products.
Make sure you have enough space if you’re growing it indoors. It can grow as tall as six or seven feet. An Areca Palm needs indirect sunlight and enough water to keep it moist. Because it grows big, your Areca Palm will need repotting every couple of years.
4. Boston Fern/Sword Fern (scientific name: Nephrolepis exaltata)
Fondly known as a living humidifier, the Boston Fern loves humidity. It will naturally put moisture back into the air and is great for sinuses and allergies. It also is an air-purifying superstar. It absorbs formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, pollutants found in many household products.
Boston Ferns do need indirect sunlight in a spot that isn’t too warm, and regular watering to keep the soil damp. Since they love humidity, Boston Ferns do well in bathrooms and kitchens.
5. Wax Plant (scientific name: Hoya Carnosa)
This low-maintenance plant is named for its green waxy leaves, and it produces clusters of tiny starry flowers. The Wax Plant is great for anyone frequently exposed to chemicals found in paint, gasoline, or smog. It absorbs VOCs like benzene.
It’s a tropical plant that thrives in bright indirect light and high humidity. It’s easy to grow a Wax Plant from cuttings. Place them in a water jug for 2-3 months until the roots are well developed, before planting.
6. Moth Orchids (scientific name: Phalaenopsis)
These colorful, long-lasting flowers look exotic but actually are very hardy. Their flowers resemble moths in flight, which was the inspiration for their name. These beautiful plants are great at absorbing paint fumes.
Interestingly, Moth Orchids get their nutrients from the air. You may see them grow roots above the soil. Don’t cut them off as the plant needs them to thrive. Moth Orchids need indirect sunlight and prefer higher temperatures and humidity.
While the Barberton Daisy comes in traditional white, it also blooms in yellow, orange, red, and pink. Its bright colors make it a favorite house plant. The fact that it also filters out benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene is a bonus! These chemicals are found in adhesives, cleaning fluids for rugs, paint removers, spot removers, and typewriter correction fluids.
Indoors, they can flower any time of the year. They love direct sunlight and moist soil. They usually last for a single growing season but your Barberton Daisy can last for two to three years with good care.
Also called Red Ivy, the Purple Waffle Plant has beautiful gray-green leaves with purple undersides. Its coloring makes it a popular plant for homes and offices. An added bonus is that Purple Waffle Plants are very good at removing VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and octane. These are common pollutants found in paint, cleaners, hair spray, and more.
This plant likes medium to bright light indoors. It thrives in moist soil. Purple Waffle Plants will produce white flowers in the summertime.
What to Do If Your Fur Baby Eats a Toxic Plant
While the plants on this list are safe for pets, not all plants are. If your fur baby ingests any part of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian immediately. You may be asked to bring your pet in for treatment. For emergencies like this, pet insurance can help. Find out more about what pet insurance can cover by talking with a California Casualty customer service representative.
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.
There’s a reason why a tornado strikes immediate fear for those in its path. These violent storms can flip cars, uproot trees, and destroy entire properties. Their powerful winds can even lift objects hundreds of feet off the ground and leave complete devastation in their wake.
Here’s what you need to know to keep your home, your vehicle, and your family safe from tornadoes and high winds.
What is a tornado?
A tornado is a spinning, funnel-shaped cloud usually formed as part of a thunderstorm. Tornadoes can be over a mile wide and as much as 50 miles long. Their narrow funnel shape extends from sky to ground with winds that can reach speeds up to 300 mph. (To put that in context, the average car can be moved by a 90-mph wind.)
While certain regions of the country have been dubbed “Tornado Alley,” it’s not true that tornadoes are prone to occur in those places. Tornadoes can occur anywhere and anytime and have been reported in all 50 states.
How do we predict tornadoes?
Tornados, and their paths, are notoriously difficult to predict. Even meteorologists who study the weather don’t know for sure how they form. However, the National Weather Service is able to track conditions that can contribute to tornadoes—and issue tornado watches and warnings as needed.
A tornado watch means to prepare for severe weather. A tornado warning means that a funnel cloud has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.
What are the warning signs of a tornado?
By the time you see warning signs, that means a tornado is well on its way. You’ll need to act fast. Here are just some signs to look for:
Large hail without rain
Dark or greenish sky
An approaching cloud of debris
A loud roar like that of a freight train
How do you prepare for a tornado?
You can take the steps to protect your home, your car, and your family right now.
1.Sign up for severe weather alerts. You can get critical and timely information from local media broadcasts and the emergency alert system on your TV or desktop and mobile devices. In addition, your local utility company, township, city, or state may offer free alerts. Check with your electric or gas company, and with city hall or municipal government.
2. Develop a family disaster plan. Your plan of action will identify where you and your family will shelter in place, and what to do if you get separated. It also will address any special needs of family members and your pets.
3. If there is not a safe space in your home to wait out a tornado, research local public shelters. For example, if you live in a mobile home, tornadoes can easily turn over mobile homes. Plan to go to a public shelter.
4. Gather emergency supplies in case you need to shelter in place. Keep them together in an easily accessible place. Include water, nonperishable food, and medication. Pack a first aid kit.
5. If there is a tornado watch, store items like outdoor furnishings that could become flying debris. Make sure cars are parked well away from trees.
How do you stay safe during a tornado?
If you’re home…
Go immediately to a safe place such as a basement, storm cellar, center hall, or small interior room in your home. Choose the lowest floor possible and avoid windows. Also, avoid places where heavy items like refrigerators may be directly above you. If a tornado strikes, it could come crashing down.
For added protection, get under a table. Cover yourself with thick padding such as blankets or even a mattress. This will help in case the ceiling falls in.
If the power goes out, use flashlights rather than candles if you need a light. An open flame can create a fire hazard if gas lines are damaged by severe weather.
Have a weather radio or your phone tuned into local weather. Tornadoes can be accompanied by flooding. Know when the tornado is gone and it is safe to emerge.
If you’re driving…
Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Pull over.
Tune into your local weather radio station, or if you are traveling, call the weather emergency number listed on the signs along the highway.
Park in a low, flat location. Avoid bridges or overpasses.
If you can, leave your car and get to safety inside a sturdy building.
If you cannot find adequate shelter, then stay in your car with your seat belt buckled. Put your head down below the windows. Cover your body with a coat or blanket and your head with your arms.
What do you do after a tornado?
Once it is safe to venture out, it’s time to inspect the damage. Wait until daylight and make sure to look around safely. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Stay out of damaged buildings. Make a plan to clear away debris and downed trees from your yard.
If your home, car, or property suffered damage from the tornado, you will want to take the following steps:
Secure your property from further damage.
Take photos to document what has happened.
Alert your insurance company, determine if you are covered for the damage, and file a claim.
You have home and car insurance for a reason. Put it to work if you need it. Make sure you and your family are fully protected in the event of a tornado, and any damage that follows, such as flooding. Call a California Casualty agent today at 1.866.704.8614 or visit our website www.calcas.com.
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.
Keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road safe in these four common high-pressure situations when you need to pull over on the side of the road.
Pulling over on a highway
Tip #1: If you need to pull over, do not panic or make sudden moves.This could cause you to make rash decisions. Check your surroundings and know the positions of the other vehicles on the road. This will help ensure that you don’t cut them off.
Tip #2: Don’t go left.The left side of a highway usually has less space. If there’s no barrier, it also might put you close to oncoming traffic. Put on your right turn signal. Start moving to the right as soon as you can do so safely.
Tip #3: Look for a wide shoulder.Avoid construction zones and places that are overgrown with trees. The ideal spot has a wide shoulder next to flat grass to allow your vehicle as much distance from the highway as possible.
Tip #4: Be aware of road conditions.Weather can make the roads slippery, such as black ice which can cause dangerous conditions. As you’re traveling right, adjust your speed accordingly. Be aware of any debris.
Tip #5: Activate your hazard lights so other vehicles are aware you are there.This is especially important in the dusk or dark. Do not exit your vehicle. You are much safer inside your car. However, if you must get out, stay on the side opposite to the highway, and never turn your back on traffic. Follow steps, if needed, in the next section on roadside assistance.
Tip #6: Give yourself ample time and space getting back onto the highway.Getting up to highway speed takes time. Turn off your hazards and put on your turn signal. Start to accelerate in the shoulder lane. When you are up to speed, safely merge back into traffic.
Roadside emergencies
Tip #1: Recognize there is a problem.You might notice that your car is in trouble due to noises, smells, or lights on the dashboard. Put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are having an issue. Be aware of other cars around you as you look for a safe place to pull over.
Tip #2: Find a safe place to stop. Avoid stopping at a corner or the bottom of a hill where your car might surprise other drivers without enough room for them to slow or stop. If you can make it to a freeway exit, a rest stop, or a parking lot, do so. If not, a wide shoulder on the side of the road will work. Try to stop under a street light if possible.
Tip #3: Mark your spot.Don’t exit your car until it’s safe to do so. If you’re on a busy road, get out the passenger side and stay away from traffic. Set up emergency flares or fluorescent cones that warn other drivers you are there. Then return to your vehicle.
Tip #4: Call for roadside assistance if you need it.You may have roadside assistance through your insurer, but if you don’t, you can call a local towing service. There also are some apps that will connect you with service providers, such as HONK and Urgent.ly. Check with your local municipality as well. The state of California offers a free Freeway Service Patrol program to help clear the roads from broken down vehicles.
Tip #5: If you can, take care of simple repairs. You may be able to fix your flat tire or jumpstart your car.
Tip #6: Be careful of anyone who stops to help. Use your best judgment. Some people who offer to help may wish to cause harm. Err on the safe side and lower your window only enough to talk. Let the good Samaritan know that professional assistance is on its way.
Police stops
Tip #1: As soon as you hear the siren or see the flashing lights, put on your hazards.This lets the police officers know that you saw them and that you’re slowing down.
Tip #2: Search for a place to pull over that’s large enough for two cars.Most officers will permit you to go a short distance to a driveway, business parking lot, or gas station. If the car is unmarked, make sure you are in a safe place, such as in a well-lit area with people around or near an open business.
Tip #3: Turn off the ignition and wait. It may take several minutes for the officer to exit the car. He or she may be getting information about your car. Be patient and wait. Do not get out of your car.
Tip #4: If it’s a marked vehicle, roll down your window.If it’s an unmarked car, wait until the police officer approaches and asks for credentials before you roll down your window.
Tip #5: Be calm when you talk with the officer.The officer will most likely ask you for your license, registration, and insurance card. Let them know if you do not have one of the required documents.
Tip #6: If you get a ticket or citation, do not argue. Be respectful. Thank the officer if you get a verbal warning. After the officer has returned to his or her patrol car, pull out safely into traffic
Tip #1: Listen for a siren. A police, ambulance, or fire truck siren can be heard for a good distance. If you think you hear a siren, shut off your radio or music.Try to determine the direction where it is coming from. Look for flashing lights.
Tip #2: Put on your right turn signal and slow down. Continue listening for the siren and looking for lights. Identify a place where you can safely pull over to the right of the road.
Tip #3: Check your mirrors and make sure the way is clear.Pullover and park your car. You can leave the engine running as you shouldn’t be there for long.
Tip #4: Watch for the emergency vehicle and wait until it has passed.When you do pull out, you will want to stay at least 500 feet behind it.
Tip #5: Check your mirrors, put on your turn signal and carefully pull back into traffic.You may need to wait your turn, as other drivers will be doing the same thing.
Drive safe.
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
