The Common lately hit the airwaves for a nationwide Radio Media Tour to share summer time driving tricks to get you prepared to your subsequent summer time highway journey. With over 75% of U.S. adults planning a highway journey this summer time, highways are about to get crowded, and automotive bother could possibly be only one mistaken flip or preventive examine away. However right here’s the twist: A shocking 96% of drivers don’t totally perceive their insurance coverage protection. That’s a dangerous combo. Throughout our current radio tour, we shared real-world options to assist drivers keep protected on the highway.
To assist drivers keep away from highway journey regrets, Michael Theo, Senior PR Specialist at The Common, joined radio interviews throughout nationwide media retailers and native stations — together with cities like New York, Boston, Phoenix, Nashville, and Dallas — to unfold the phrase about how drivers can maintain themselves and their households protected and snug through the summer time highway journey season.
Beneath are some of Michael’s responses shared throughout a type of reside radio interviews, the place he supplied sensible ideas and private insights to assist vacationers hit the highway with confidence.
Key Takeaways for Secure Summer time Driving
- Verify your oil, brakes, and tires earlier than hitting the highway.
- Evaluate your insurance coverage to make sure protection for highway journeys or leases.
- Pack an emergency automotive package 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 highway, so make sure to educate teenagers protected driving habits for summer time journey.
Q1: What Ought to You Do Earlier than a Summer time Highway Journey?
Nice query. You’ll wish to be sure that to provide your automotive a fast once-over automotive upkeep for summer time examine. Additionally, when you’ve got a neighborhood mechanic—or possibly a pal or member of the family who is aware of one thing about automobiles—have them have a look. They’ll spot something that might stop a possible breakdown. That would embody checking oil ranges, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers.
I’d recommend giving your self a couple of week of wiggle room. That manner, you possibly can account for any upkeep that may be required.
Additionally, I’ll say—should 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 scenario in my mid-twenties once I was on a brief highway journey with my then-girlfriend (now spouse), and I had a flat tire. I didn’t know find out how to change it, and it was a really humbling expertise. Taking the time to grasp what to do in conditions like that may prevent a variety of time and stress.
Q2: What are the commonest auto insurance coverage errors that spoil highway journeys?
You recognize, in my expertise, folks don’t spend sufficient time taking a look at their insurance policies to completely perceive their auto insurance coverage. It’s necessary to know what’s and isn’t included. So take that additional time to assessment it. Additionally, know find out how to file a declare rapidly—particularly should you’re planning a highway 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 assessment your coverage, but in addition it enables you to submit a declare in case you want that through the journey. I’d additionally examine to see in case your coverage consists of issues like roadside help, towing, or rental protection. We don’t actually take into consideration these till we want them.
The Common, for instance, companions with Nation Secure Drivers, and so they provide roadside help in choose states. So undoubtedly have a look to see if that’s included.
On the finish of the day, we simply wish to get you again on the highway as rapidly and safely as attainable.
Q3: Are there basic items we must be packing earlier than we take any journey?
I’ll say this—earlier than any journey (and that is going to differ from individual to individual), it’s actually necessary to pack an emergency package. That may embody issues like jumper cables, a flashlight, a primary assist package, water, and—my private favourite—snacks.
I’m not occurring any highway 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 should you lose sign or your telephone dies mid-trip? Having that backup navigation can actually assist you out in sudden conditions.
This autumn: How is The Common’s app serving to last-minute journey planners?
I may be a little bit bit biased right here, however I feel The Common’s app is a incredible software—whether or not you’re an present buyer or a brand new buyer.
Current clients can examine their insurance policies and get in touch with assist if wanted. New clients 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 benefiting from all these superior sources.
Q5: What ought to folks learn about borrowing or renting a automotive—and the way to ensure it’s coated?
I feel it’s actually necessary to grasp your present insurance coverage scenario earlier than you determine to both borrow or lease a automotive.
In case you’re borrowing a automotive—possibly utilizing a pal’s automotive—you’re sometimes going to be coated beneath their insurance coverage, however there are exceptions to that. So it’s necessary to know for positive forward of time.
In case you’re planning to lease a automotive, don’t simply assume your coverage will cowl it. Usually, it should, however you wish to affirm that. Ensure that to do your due diligence so you possibly can keep away from any scenario the place you’re not coated when you’re out on the highway.
Q6: Is there the rest you wish to share?
Sure—Summer time means extra teenagers will likely be hitting the highway for jobs, sports activities, or simply enjoyable. It’s a good time to take a seat down with them and ensure they know what to do in case of an emergency.
On the finish of the day, The Common’s purpose is to provide folks a break once they want it most. We’ve made our instruments and assist easy and quick—so you possibly can 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, a little bit planning goes a good 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.
