Borrowing a car
A good article from our friends at Safeco Insurance. I’m borrowing my friend’s car … am I covered? Most people have an idea of what’s covered and not covered under their various insurance policies. But at Insurance Consultants, Inc., we get a lot of questions about borrowing or loaning a car. Now that spring is almost here, and you might be looking to borrow your neighbor’s truck for a home-improvement project or a trip to the local landfill, we thought it was a great time to provide a little more information. Generally, insurance coverage follows the vehicle rather than the driver. So in most instances, as long as the owner of the car has insurance, it’s covered even if someone other than the owner is driving it — as long as they have the owner’s permission. The borrower’s insurance is considered secondary, meaning that in the event of an accident, it could apply if the owner’s insurance is insufficient to fully cover the damage. It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to what is called “permissive use” coverage. For example, permission must be given by the owner, unless the borrower has a reasonable belief that they are allowed to use the car. However, the borrower cannot give permission to someone else. So if your teenager allows one of his or her friends to drive your car to the Saint Charles County Fair, your coverage likely won’t apply. Coverage might also be denied if the borrower operates the vehicle in a negligent or criminal manner. And if the borrower is using your car for business purposes, your personal auto policy likely won’t cover that. If you have a regular long-term arrangement to either borrow or lend a car, the borrower should probably be added to the owner’s personal auto policy. Those who don’t own a car, but often borrow one, might also consider “named non-owner coverage,” an endorsement that provides bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorists coverage and more. Ultimately, it’s usually safe to loan your friend your car for occasional errands or projects. And the same goes for borrowing a car. Just make sure it’s for “normal” use. You’ll want to confirm that the car has coverage and that your insurance, whether you’re the owner or borrower, will apply. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions — after all, you don’t want to wait until after an accident to get...
read morePreparing for Winter Weather
Getting ready for winter weather Fall has arrived, but there’s still time to get ready for winter weather, including storms. Extreme cold is always a possibility here in Missouri, so we at Insurance Consultants Inc. have compiled some tips to help you stay safe and limit damage. Preparing your home Perform basic winter maintenance — insulate your walls and attic, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and insulate water lines that run along outer walls. When temperatures drop, keep water taps slightly open so they drip continuously, and keep the cabinets under sinks open to allow warmer air in. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney or flue inspected each year. Make sure your house has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test them monthly. Check your emergency supplies and ensure that you have adequate food and water, along with a battery-powered radio, in the event of an extended power outage. You’ll want a week’s worth of supplies, or more if you live in a remote area. Never use gas-powered generators or barbecue grills indoors. These can allow deadly carbon monoxide to build up. Preparing your car Have your vehicle serviced according to manufacturer recommendations. Check the antifreeze level. Keep the gas tank near full, which helps avoid ice in the fuel lines and the gas tank itself. Replace wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture. Make sure your tires are in good shape and have the proper air pressure. Check to confirm your battery has a good charge, your heater and defroster are working well, and that your emergency lights are functional. Preparing yourself Always wear temperature-appropriate clothing, such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc. Remove any wet clothing immediately. And keep spare clothing in your car trunk throughout winter in case you are stranded or stuck. Stay hydrated. You might think this is more important when it’s warm outside, but it’s just as vital in winter. Be mindful of physical exertion and the amount of time you’re spending outdoors. Shoveling snow is hard work, so don’t overdo it! Winter is a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to skiing and trips to Hidden Valley. So get your house, car and body ready, and have a great season! Content provided by Safeco...
read moreNight Driving Dangers
A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — including skiing — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads. You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC). Because we’re big advocates for safety at Insurance Consultants Inc., we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger. What’s dangerous about night driving? Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts. So what do you do? Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some tips to help you make a safe trip — whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed all the way to Hidden Valley Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, taillights, etc. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway — and distractions are even more deadly at night. Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out! Content provided by Safeco...
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