DRIVING TIPS

If you are in an accident, do NOT say the words, "I am sorry" when you get out of your car.  They could be interpreted as an admission of guilt when police and investigators determine fault for the collision.

Another common action – or in this case, inaction, that ends up costing driver's money following a crash is failing to alert their insurance company. A lot of drivers, weary of watching their rates rise, choose to forego contacting their insurance company and pay for damage out of their own pocket. Experts caution against this approach. Drivers can always call their insurance company for advice, and then determine whether they want to follow through with a claim. Also, there's never a guarantee the other driver will follow through on promises to pay for repairs

Lock your car manually.  It is possible thieves can mimic the frequency of your remote and break in.

If your car is damaged and whoever did it is no where to be found, you should STILL file a police report; your deductible will be lower.

It is a fairly new law that states if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able, you are to move into the far lane.*

The Four Rules for Safe Refueling: *
1) Turn off engine 
2) Don't smoke 
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off 
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.

Dial *HP (for Highway Patrol) to report all roadway incidents that do NOT require 911*

Do not re-enter your car while refueling; doing so could cause a spark, then cause a fire

Do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows  and WAIT a couple of minutes before turning on the AC. The interior of your car must have a chance to dispel a dangerous toxin called Benzene which has built up in the heat.

Do not stop if you see an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket over it; instead dial 9-1-1.  It is most likely a trap.

Do not use your windshield solvent to wipe off eggs thrown at your window; it will seriously impair your visibility and cause you to pull off the road.  Better to keep driving to the next gas station.

Do not pull over for any unmarked car signaling you.  Call 9-1-1 to verify it’s legit

Do not go over to help someone...even an older person; eep your distance and call 9-1-1. 

Parking Garages: Be aware of your surroundings.  Check in, around, and under your car before getting in.  If next to a big van, enter from the passenger door. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the building from which you came and ask to be escorted back to your car.  Better to be paranoid than dead!

Do not sit in your car in a parking lot (putting things away, putting on lipstick, etc.). As soon as you get in, lock the doors and leave.

Do not drive off  if a stranger manages to get into your car.  Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you.

If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights, stick your arm out the hole, and wave like crazy

Gas: Enter your  zip code in the site below for gas stations with the cheapest prices (and the highest) in your zip code area; updated every evening. http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

Fill tank in morning; fill tank when half-full; fill tank at slowest speed; don’t fill up if there is a gasoline truck pumping into storage tanks.  The following Companies allegedly do NOT import oil from the Mideast: Sunoco, Conoco, Sinclair, BP/Phillips, Hess, ARCO.

Put on your sunglasses when driving in the rain at night; your visibility will improve

Do not have engine running while filling your gas tank.

Do not re enter your car while refueling (may generate a static charge)

Do NOT get out of your car, once you have started the engine, to remove a piece of paper on your back window; it may have been put there by a potential hijacker

IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

(You may want to cut out this section and place in your glove compartment)

Think safety first.  If at all possible, pull out of driving lanes into closest, safest spot for the cars involved.  Stay as far from moving cars as possible. If you can't move your car out of traffic, put on your hazard lights, stay in the car with your seat belt buckled, and call 911.

Check for injuries.  Take time to determine if you or anyone else has ANY signs of an injury. If so, call 9-1-1.  Unless you have first aid training, do not move anyone who is injured unless they are at risk of further injuries where they are

Check with local police, Department of Motor Vehicles, or your insurance company when you must file accident report. If filed, your insurance company will be notified.  Minor accidents may be able to bypass.

Look for eyewitnesses. Get full name, street address and day and evening phone numbers for each. Even if no police report is taken, you can provide this info to your insurance company.

Make a plan if your car is being towed. Taking it to a dealer, mechanic or body shop you trust is ideal, even if you need to pay a bit because it's being towed further away.  If it goes elsewhere, you could end up paying for a second tow later on.

Remember to remove all your personal items before it is towed.  You will not be covered if they are stolen.

Take notes. Jot down the time of day as well as the streets where the collision occurred. Note the road conditions, weather, speed limit sign, traffic signals and accident results, such as skid marks

Take pictures of everything, including close ups. Keep a throw away camera or use your cell phone.  DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT IT. (I had a minor fender bender…not my fault.  When I went back into my car to get my camera, the perpetrator drove off).

Double check the other party's information by writing it down yourself by copying it from the person's driver's license and insurance card versus having them write it down for you. Also compare the vehicle description, including the VIN, from the insurance card with the car itself. Make note of any discrepancies.

Call your insurance company. Be very cautious if you opt to try to handle the repair costs between the parties involved. Check your state laws and decide in advance how to handle it if your car repair costs go up if they find more extensive damage once they have your car apart or if a person decides they are injured later.

Consider visiting a doctor. Even if you are not seriously hurt, it may be wise to see a doctor within the day or so after the crash. Soreness and stiffness can be signs of a more serious injury. If they are, it should be diagnosed and treated promptly. You don't want to wait until months later to discover the lingering problem you have is a result of the car accident.

INSURANCE TIPS

(How to save on insurance by avoiding break ins)

Lock Your Doors at all times when you leave your car

Keep it Tidy; they will even take a cigarette lighter

Conceal all purchases before (Not After) You Park.

Get an alarm. May also help with insurance costs

Completely Close Windows and Sunroofs to insure car alarm works and works quickly

 Stick with your Original Audio System. An original audio system can often fall under your auto insurance policy during a theft claim, where a custom unit is more difficult to file in a claim (if at all). Besides, custom equipment is more valuable to the thief.

Park in a busy, well-lit area, and avoid concealment from larger vehicles, fences, or foliage.

Combine several visible simple, inexpensive physical theft deterrents like steering wheel locks (The Club), steering column collars, or brake pedal locks.

Layer your Defenses with warning devices such as alarms, wheel etching, or decals; immobilizers; and even tracking systems (LoJack is one). "None of them is foolproof, but if they're used in tandem they can really keep the chances down."   

Doo Dahs