Massachusetts Auto Insurance: Are You Ready for Fall Driving?
While there are lots of great tips dedicated to helping drivers prepare for the snow and ice of winter weather, you don’t see too many guides for fall driving. Whether you are new to the SouthCoast area or if this is your first year driving in fall weather, your MA auto insurance agent wants to provide you with a few tips to help keep your safe. The fall season brings shorter days, cooler temperatures, wet weather, football games, and in New England, we also have tons upon tons of autumn leaves. Tourists may come here to enjoy the fall foliage, but we’ve got to drive in it. Auto insurance in New Bedford, MA is designed to protect you in the event of an accident or another auto-related claim. However, the more that you can do as a driver to prevent accidents, the more protected you will be year-round.
Prepare for Wet Weather
The first thing you should do as a car owner is make sure that your vehicle is prepared for wet weather. That means taking a peek at your windshield wipers, which have more than likely worn out during the blazing sun exposure experienced this summer. New blades are relatively cheap and just about anyone can install them. If you are unsure of how to go about this, make sure to ask for help at your local auto parts store. Many of them will install them for free when you buy a pair of blades in their shop. Windshield wiper blades wear down with age, as well as from over-use and non-use, depending on the season. Hot, dry weather in summer can increase the wear and loss of protection. It’s a good habit to replace your blades twice a year in the fall and again in the spring. This will provide you with the protection you need so you won’t get stuck installing new blades in the middle of a storm.
Keep Your Car in Good Repair
After a long summer of trips to the beach and bumper-to-bumper traffic in the heat, make sure to take time to check that your car’s fluids are clean and topped off. If it is time for an oil change, consider draining and replacing your coolant at this time to make sure everything is prepared for the new season. As the temperature drops, the fluids in your vehicle will become thicker. This results in a much slower movement throughout the engine. In an area like Southeastern Massachusetts where there is a broad temperature range between summer and winter, it’s a good idea to change out your fluids before heading into fall just to make sure that everything is working effectively and efficiently. You don’t want to end up on the size of the road in the middle of cold autumn weather simply because you didn’t take time to make sure everything was in good repair.
Check Those Brakes!
Wet weather, slick roads, leaves everywhere – if you don’t have good brakes, then this could be a recipe for disaster. Your insurance agency in New Bedford wants you to know that bad brakes are responsible for a lot of accidents this time of year. If you are not experienced in auto repair, take your vehicle to a reputable and experienced mechanic who can check your brakes and let you know if they need to be replaced. Many people avoid changing brake pads and rotors until they hear that loud screeching noise, but that is not a safe approach. Get those brakes checked regularly and replace them before they become dangerous. This will protect not just your vehicle from damage, but the lives of you, your passengers, and everyone around you.
Inspect the Tires
While you’re getting your brakes checked, it’s a good idea to also have your tires inspected to make sure they can handle the fall weather. Some people have summer tires and winter tires, depending on where they live. While it might not be time to put on those winter treads just yet, it is still important to ensure that your tires have enough miles left on them to keep you safe during wet and slick autumn weather. If you want to check them for yourself all you need is a penny. Just insert the penny with President Lincoln’s head facing upside down, but facing outward toward you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then it’s time to get new tires. Treads that are less than 2/32 of an inch are not safe for driving in any weather.
Check Your Massachusetts Auto Insurance
Fall is a great time to visit your insurance agency in New Bedford to discuss your Massachusetts auto insurance coverage. Things can change that might require you to get additional coverage, or you might be eligible for discounts that you weren’t aware of when you signed up for auto insurance in New Bedford, MA. If you are looking for new coverage or want to update your policy, contact Borden Insurance by calling 508-999-3636. We have proudly served the SouthCoast communities since 1909 and have a wide range of coverage options for our clients in the Greater New Bedford area.