Resources & Tips (Old)
Resources and Helpful Tips Here you will find a variety of resources and helpful tips in the form of checklists, infographics and more. Whether you are looking to understand the meaning of an auto insurance term, creating or updating your home inventory, or looking...Do’s and Don’ts If You’re Involved in a Crash
Accidents happen. You may or may not know what to do, and what not to do, if you are involved in a crash.
After the screeching of tires and crunching of metal is over, the first thing is to make sure everyone is okay. Then it’s time to deal with the other driver, see if there are any witnesses, and exchange information – but you are rattled, upset and maybe not thinking clearly.
Here are key things that you should do:
- Get the name, phone number and insurance policy number of the other driver(s)
- Get the license plate numbers, year, make and model of the other vehicle(s)
- If possible, take pictures that not only show the damage but the position of the vehicles – what lanes they are in, etc.
- Get names and contact information of any witnesses
- Be observant of the actions of the others involved
- Call the nearest law enforcement agency and make a report
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Things you shouldn’t do:
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Don’t lose control of your emotions
- Don’t let the other party take a picture of your driver’s license (the National Association of Insurance Commissioners warns that information can be used by identity thieves)
- Don’t leave the scene before you exchange information
- Don’t accept money from the other party to avoid reporting the crash to insurance
While you should report all accidents to your insurance company, law enforcement may not need to be called for a minor non-injury collision. Be sure to obtain all the pertinent information in case you decide to file a report.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has produced a Wreck Check safety pamphlet that every driver should carry. You can find a link from the California Casualty Resource Page, www.calcas.com/resources.
There are a few other important things our adjusters want people to know:
- Make sure to get the correct contact information and license plate of the other vehicle(s) involved
- Make sure to give your best contact number or email to help speed up their claim
- Make sure to report any hit-and-run crashes to law enforcement and provide as much information as possible
6 Tips to Keep Your Child Safe This Summer
With summer time comes rising temperatures, and for babies those temperatures can become deadly if they get trapped in a hot car. Even the most attentive and caring parents make mistakes – including accidentally leaving or locking a child in a car. Sometimes, children climb into unlocked, parked cars in the driveway without their parents realizing it, and when they do it is often too late. Regardless of how it happens, children left in hot vehicles are in grave danger within a matter of minutes.
Here are some tips for making double & triple sure that your child is safe this summer:
- Never leave your child in the car. No exceptions: No matter how brief your errand or how quick your stop, NEVER leave a child in the car. Under any circumstances, even with the windows cracked or completely rolled down, there is no safe amount of time to leave a child in the car.
- Get involved if you are a bystander: If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately. If they are in distress due to heat, the National Highway Safety Administration recommends getting them out as soon as possible.
- Remind Yourself: Oftentimes, children’s car seats are behind the parent’s seat, out of sight, and if your child is asleep it can be easy to forget they are even with you. Remind yourself out loud to remember the child; give yourself visual cues; place your purse or briefcase in back by the child- so when you exit the car, you are reminded; place the diaper bag in the seat next to you where you can see it. If you are changing up routine (for example, if Dad usually drives the child in the morning, but today Mom is doing so), it is easy to forget. New parents have a lot on their minds and accidents can happen.
- Prevent kids from wandering into the car: Don’t let children play in your car unattended. Lock your car doors and trunk, and keep keys out of any child’s reach. That way, you minimize the risk that they climb into your car without you knowing they have done so.
- Make it routine: Make it a habit to physically open the back car door and check for anyone left behind every single time you get out of the car.
- Have back up: Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled. That way if you forget and they are absent, they will alert you.
For more car safety tips, visit the National Highway Safety Administration.
Got a Snowmobile? We Can Cover That.
Taking a ride on your snowmobile can be risky business. California Casualty has protection in case you or a family member accidentally runs into someone else gliding across the ice and snow.
Our snowmobile policies can provide coverage for:
Bodily injury and property damage liability- Comprehensive and collision
- Uninsured motorists
- Towing assistance
California Casualty also has the insurance you need for your RV.
Our Agency Services department can help insure high-performance snow machines and all-season, all-terrain vehicles such as quads and side-by-sides.
California Casualty wants to make sure that you can explore the great outdoors knowing that you have the insurance protection you need.
TAKEAWAY: Find out about the many insurance products California Casualty and our partner companies can provide for your snowmobile, ATV or RV at www.calcas.com/other-insurance.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter: