Summer Driving Tips From The General

The Common just lately hit the airwaves for a nationwide Radio Media Tour to share summer season driving tricks to get you prepared to your subsequent summer season street journey. With over 75% of U.S. adults planning a street journey this summer season, highways are about to get crowded, and automobile hassle may very well be only one flawed flip or preventive test away. However right here’s the twist: A stunning 96% of drivers don’t absolutely perceive their insurance coverage protection. That’s a dangerous combo. Throughout our latest radio tour, we shared real-world options to assist drivers keep protected on the street.

To assist drivers keep away from street journey regrets, Michael TheoSenior PR Specialist at The Common, joined radio interviews throughout nationwide media shops and native stations — together with cities like New York, Boston, Phoenix, Nashville, and Dallas — to unfold the phrase about how drivers can preserve themselves and their households protected and snug in the course of the summer season street journey season.

Under are some of Michael’s responses shared throughout a kind of stay radio interviewsthe place he supplied sensible ideas and private insights to assist vacationers hit the street with confidence.

Key Takeaways for Secure Summer time Driving

• Examine your oil, brakes, and tires earlier than hitting the street.
• Overview your insurance coverage to make sure protection for street journeys or leases.
• Pack an emergency automobile equipment with necessities like jumper cables and snacks.
• Obtain The Common’s app for fast entry to insurance policies and claims.
• Summer time = extra teenagers on the street, so remember to train teenagers protected driving habits for summer season journey.

Q1: What Ought to You Do Earlier than a Summer time Highway Journey?

Nice query. You’ll need to be certain to offer your automobile a fast once-over automobile upkeep for summer season test. Additionally, when you’ve got a neighborhood mechanic—or possibly a good friend or member of the family who is aware of one thing about vehicles—have them have a look. They will spot something that would forestall a possible breakdown. That might embody checking oil ranges, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers.

I’d counsel giving your self a few week of wiggle room. That method, you’ll be able to account for any upkeep that is perhaps required.

Additionally, I’ll say—when you don’t have already got a spare tire, I’d extremely advocate getting one and taking a while to learn to correctly change it. I can say from private expertise, I ran right into a state of affairs in my mid-twenties after I was on a brief street journey with my then-girlfriend (now spouse), and I had a flat tire. I didn’t know the way to change it, and it was a really humbling expertise. Taking the time to grasp what to do in conditions like that may prevent numerous time and stress.

Q2: What are the most typical auto insurance coverage errors that smash street journeys?

, in my expertise, folks don’t spend sufficient time taking a look at their insurance policies to totally perceive their auto insurance coverage. It’s essential to know what’s and isn’t included. So take that additional time to evaluation it. Additionally, know the way to file a declare rapidly—particularly when you’re planning a street journey.

I’m going to plug The Common’s app actual fast right here. The app is incredible as a result of it means that you can evaluation your coverage, but additionally it enables you to submit a declare in case you want that in the course of the journey. I’d additionally test to see in case your coverage consists of issues like roadside helptowing, or rental protection. We don’t actually take into consideration these till we’d like them.

The Common, for instance, companions with Nation Secure Driversthey usually provide roadside help in choose states. So positively have a look to see if that’s included.

On the finish of the day, we simply need to get you again on the street as rapidly and safely as doable.

Q3: Are there basic items we needs to be packing earlier than we take any journey?

I’ll say this—earlier than any journey (and that is going to range from individual to individual), it’s actually essential to pack an emergency equipment. That may embody issues like jumper cables, a flashlight, a primary support equipment, water, and—my private favourite—snacks.

I’m not occurring any street journey and not using a bunch of predetermined snacks.

Additionally, lots of people these days have gotten out of the behavior of bringing a paper map or perhaps a compass—some type of backup navigation. We’re so reliant on our telephones, however what occurs when you lose sign or your cellphone dies mid-trip? Having that backup navigation can actually assist you out in sudden conditions.

This fall: How is The Common’s app serving to last-minute journey planners?

I is perhaps slightly bit biased right here, however I believe The Common’s app is a incredible software—whether or not you’re an present buyer or a brand new buyer.

Current prospects can test their insurance policies and speak to assist if wanted. New prospects can get a quote in lower than two minutes.

Earlier than you head out in your journey, I’d extremely advocate downloading the app and making the most of all these superior sources.

Q5: What ought to folks learn about borrowing or renting a automobile—and the way to ensure it’s lined?

I believe it’s actually essential to grasp your present insurance coverage state of affairs earlier than you resolve to both borrow or hire a automobile.

If you happen to’re borrowing a automobile—possibly utilizing a good friend’s automobile—you’re usually going to be lined underneath their insurance coverage, however there are exceptions to that. So it’s essential to know for certain forward of time.

If you happen to’re planning to hire a automobile, don’t simply assume your coverage will cowl it. Usually, it can, however you need to affirm that. Be certain to do your due diligence so you’ll be able to keep away from any state of affairs the place you’re not lined when you’re out on the street.

Q6: Is there anything you need to share?

Sure—Summer time means extra teenagers shall be hitting the street for jobs, sports activities, or simply enjoyable. It’s a good time to sit down down with them and ensure they know what to do in case of an emergency.

On the finish of the day, The Common’s aim is to offer folks a break once they want it most. We’ve made our instruments and assist easy and quick—so you’ll be able to spend much less time stressing and extra time having fun with your journey.

Able to Hit the Highway?

Whether or not you’re checking your tires or double-checking your coverage, slightly planning goes a great distance. For extra journey ideas and instruments discover our weblog or obtain The Common Insurance coverage app on the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer.