As winter weather strikes, the risks of traveling increase as well. But not all winter weather situations have to be dreadful. With the addition of a few items to your car, you'll be able to handle almost anything that drifts your way. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security advises drivers to prepare a winter emergency safety kit for every vehicle that contains a few items critical to your safety. Whether you have a minor slide off or a significant crash, the following items will help you mitigate a variety of winter emergencies.
A key component to remaining safe is maintaining body temperature. For that reason, it is recommended that every driver keep at least two blankets or a sleeping bag handy for added warmth. Experts also recommend keeping extra clothing in a vehicle; specifically warm weather clothing such as jackets, boots, hats and gloves. If blankets or extra clothing are not available, floor mats and seat covers are a viable secondary option for warmth. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also recommends keeping a bottle of water in the vehicle. Not only does this help avoid dehydration, it also keeps drivers and passengers from eating snow, which can further lower body temperature.
Drivers and passengers are also encouraged to stay in their vehicle as much as possible. While in the car for an extended period of time, it is best to run the engine for no more than 10 minutes every hour. When the vehicle is running, leave the downwind window slightly open for ventilation and ensure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow. This keeps poisonous gas from the exhaust filtering into your vehicle. If you must leave your vehicle during the emergency, it is recommended that you secure a line of rope to yourself to avoid getting lost or disoriented.
Another key to survival in winter emergencies is obviously drawing attention to the accident. Lighting an emergency flare or shining a flashlight draws attention to an area that may not have been previously observed. This is particularly important for travelers in rural areas. Equally as important is a cellular phone in order to contact emergency services. It is also a good idea to keep a cellular phone battery charger or booster in the vehicle. If road flares or a flashlight are not available, a secondary option may be to tie a brightly colored fabric, such as a handkerchief or towel, to the antenna, mirror or door handle of the car. Ultimately, the goal is to catch the eyes of people that may be in the area so be creative and as resourceful as needed.
Not all emergencies, fortunately, are of the disastrous type. However, even minor incidents can present significant challenges to the unprepared. The first item that belongs in a car for winter weather is an ice scraper. The more important part of that item is using it! It is not a good idea to travel with ice or snow covering portions of your car. Before putting a vehicle into drive, make sure it is cleaned off. In the event of a slide off, it is beneficial to have sand or cat litter available for tire traction. Bags of sand are also handy for adding weight to trucks that have a lighter rear end and therefore a tendency to slide. The occasional slide off can also lead to tire damage, so it is a good idea to have a tire repair kit and pump handy for minor repairs. Cold weather is also hard on car batteries. To give your car the jump-start it needs, keep a pair of booster cables or a battery charger handy. Finally, for those times that you may be caught in deep snow courtesy of a plow truck, having a shovel available is beneficial.
While the optimal choice would be to avoid winter weather emergencies as a whole, you never know when an emergency will arise. Above all, the most important tool for safely mitigating winter emergencies is maintaining your cool. By remaining calm and rationale, your chances for a safe rescue are dramatically increased.
About the Author
Jill works for Inside Real Estate a company devoted to top service for people looking for their next home. They have sites covering El Paso Texas real estate and Corpus Christi Texas real estate. They also keep a blog covering Corpus Christi real estate statistics
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
What Is Liability And Collision Car Insurance?
As the population increases, more cars are filling the highways. With so many vehicles on the road, chances of car crashes have significantly increased. Even if you think you are a good driver, car insurance is vital for every car owner. Car insurance is required by law in all states and protects you if an accident occurs. Without insurance, you risk having to pay enormous costs in the event of a car crash. Liability Insurance and Collision Insurance are two important types of car insurance that everyone should understand.
Liability Insurance
The laws in most states require a car owner have at least liability insurance on any vehicle they drive. Liability pays for damages resulting from an accident where you have been deemed responsible.
Liability insurance is divided into two categories:
Bodily injury liability covers the policyholder or another covered policyholder if someone else is injured during a car accident. Bodily injury covers loss of wages, medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and other expenses associated with the accident.
Property damage liability covers the policyholder or another covered policyholder if they damage someone's car or property during a car accident. If you crash into someone's property such as a house or fence, liability insurance will pay for repairs. State laws usually mandate minimum amounts, but higher amounts are recommended.
If you are in an accident where you are not necessarily at fault and the other driver does not have liability car insurance, you are protected by insurance known as uninsured motorist coverage.
It is suggested that you acquire at least $500,000 or $1,000,000 liability. You will rest easy knowing that you will be covered for all damages
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance is the insurance which pays for damages to your car if you are in an accident and you are deemed responsible. Your insurance policy will pay for costs up to the fair market value of your vehicle. You are covered in such instances as when your car hits another vehicle, when your car hits property such as a lamp post, and if your car hits a parked vehicle.
Advantages of having car insurance include:
If you car is leased or financed, the lender may mandate that you have collision insuranceIf you have a new car, collision coverage will pay for any repairs or replacements you need
Collision coverage is optional and deductibles vary from $250, $500, and $1000. If you have an old car that is not in great shape, coverage will only pay for the cash value of the car. Collision coverage is not required by law. However, if you are involved in a collision, you will be responsible for fixing any damage or replacing your car.
The amount you pay for car insurance depends on the make and model of your car, your driving record, your age, gender, marital status, and where you reside. When you decide to purchase car insurance make sure you compare quotes from at least three insurance companies. Ask insurers how much liability and collision insurance needs to be purchased to meet your individual or business needs. Check the terms and conditions to make sure they meet state regulations.
When you drive a car, you are carrying a tremendous amount of responsibility. You never know when an accident may happen. You may think you are a great driver, but that does not mean that all of the others on the road are great drivers. It is important to protect yourself in case of an accident. Without car insurance, you may end up in a financially devastating situation that will stay with you for many years.
About the Author
Auto club offering travel and car insurance Ontario, and roadside assistance discount packages to its members.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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