The Basic just 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 street journey. With over 75% of U.S. adults planning a street journey this summer time, highways are about to get crowded, and automotive hassle might be only one unsuitable flip or preventive test away. However right here’s the twist: A stunning 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 street.
To assist drivers keep away from street journey regrets, Michael Theo, Senior PR Specialist at The Basic, 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 comfy in the course of the summer time street journey season.
Beneath are a few of Michael’s responses shared throughout a type of dwell radio interviews, the place he supplied sensible ideas and private insights to assist vacationers hit the street with confidence.
Key Takeaways for Secure Summer season Driving
- Test your oil, brakes, and tires earlier than hitting the street.
- Assessment your insurance coverage to make sure protection for street journeys or leases.
- Pack an emergency automotive equipment with necessities like jumper cables and snacks.
- Obtain The Basic’s app for fast entry to insurance policies and claims.
- Summer season = extra teenagers on the street, so be sure you educate teenagers protected driving habits for summer time journey.
Q1: What Ought to You Do Earlier than a Summer season Highway Journey?
Nice query. You’ll need to be certain to present your automotive a fast once-over automotive upkeep for summer time test. Additionally, when you’ve got an area mechanic—or perhaps 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 would stop a possible breakdown. That would embody checking oil ranges, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers.
I’d counsel giving your self a few week of wiggle room. That approach, you possibly can account for any upkeep that may be required.
Additionally, I’ll say—in case you don’t have already got a spare tire, I’d extremely advocate getting one and taking a while to discover ways to correctly change it. I can say from private expertise, I ran right into a state of affairs in my mid-twenties once I was on a brief street journey with my then-girlfriend (now spouse), and I had a flat tire. I didn’t know change it, and it was a really humbling expertise. Taking the time to know what to do in conditions like that may prevent lots of time and stress.
Q2: What are the commonest auto insurance coverage errors that destroy street journeys?
You realize, in my expertise, individuals don’t spend sufficient time their insurance policies to completely perceive their auto insurance coverage. It’s essential to know what’s and isn’t included. So take that additional time to assessment it. Additionally, know file a declare rapidly—particularly in case you’re planning a street journey.
I’m going to plug The Basic’s app actual fast right here. The app is unbelievable as a result of it permits you to assessment your coverage, but in addition it helps 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 help, towing, or rental protection. We don’t actually take into consideration these till we want them.
The Basic, for instance, companions with Nation Secure Drivers, they usually 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 need to get you again on the street as rapidly and safely as potential.
Q3: Are there staple 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 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 with no 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 in case 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 Basic’s app serving to last-minute journey planners?
I may be a bit of bit biased right here, however I feel The Basic’s app is a unbelievable software—whether or not you’re an present buyer or a brand new buyer.
Present prospects can test their insurance policies and call 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 benefiting from all these superior sources.
Q5: What ought to individuals learn about borrowing or renting a automotive—and the way to ensure it’s coated?
I feel it’s actually essential to know your present insurance coverage state of affairs earlier than you determine to both borrow or lease a automotive.
For those who’re borrowing a automotive—perhaps utilizing a pal’s automotive—you’re sometimes going to be coated below their insurance coverage, however there are exceptions to that. So it’s essential to know for positive forward of time.
For those who’re planning to lease a automotive, don’t simply assume your coverage will cowl it. Sometimes, it’ll, however you need to verify that. Be sure that to do your due diligence so you possibly can keep away from any state of affairs the place you’re not coated when you’re out on the street.
Q6: Is there anything you need to share?
Sure—Summer season means extra teenagers can 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 Basic’s aim is to present individuals a break after 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 bit of planning goes a good distance. For extra journey ideas and instruments discover our weblog or obtain The Basic Insurance coverage app on the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
