MA Auto Insurance Agent: Planning a Safe Fall or Winter Trip
It can be a lot of fun to plan a road trip in the fall or winter months. Whether you are going for business or pleasure, there’s a lot of beautiful landscape to see when traveling through New England during this time of year. A trip to the mountains for skiing, a weekend to the woods to take in the autumn leaves, holiday vacations, family gatherings, corporate events – the list of possible road trip adventures is seemingly endless. Car insurance in New Bedford or anywhere, is designed to protect your vehicle from damage or loss in an accident. Safe driving tips can often earn you lower premium costs because they minimize risk. Car insurance for New Bedford residents should be purchased based upon the intended use of the vehicle, such as daily business commutes, or regular road trips out of town.
Before a change of residence or heading off on a big trip consider contacting your local Massachusetts auto insurance agency to make sure the information and billing is current and up-to-date. The more you communicate with your MA auto insurance agent at Borden Insurance Agency, the easier it will be to ask questions, ensure adequate coverage, and receive the services you need. While some vehicle owners view New Bedford car insurance as merely a requirement of the auto lender and Massachusetts laws, it is a tool that you can use to your to protect your auto investment, your assets from liability and provide you with peace of mind. Whether you are driving to visit family during the holidays or enjoy a leisurely drive through the countryside, it feels even better knowing you are protected with quality insurance.
Vehicle Maintenance
When was the last time you brought your vehicle in for an inspection or maintenance? While most car owners check the owner’s manual and perform the suggested manufacturer services at regular intervals, sometimes life gets a bit busy, and oil changes, tire rotations, and 60,000-mile inspections get overlooked. If you are planning a road trip, take stock of the condition of your vehicle and make sure to schedule a visit to the local mechanic or dealership to ensure that everything is in safe working condition. Your tires should be checked to make sure they are correctly inflated and that they have good tread and grip for the season. Consider adding snow tires to provide even better traction once winter fully arrives.
If you have recently had service and know that your vehicle is in good condition, you should still take a moment to check all fluid levels and tire pressure immediately before your trip. Using antifreeze and freeze-prevention fluids, checking the oil and other essential fluids will give you peace of mind during your trip. Include extra items, including de-icer, ice and snow scrapers, and other tools that might be helpful if it starts to snow during your trip. They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is exceptionally true when it comes to preparing your vehicle for a road trip or even your daily commute when the seasons and weather conditions begin to change.
Know the Route
If you are traveling someplace new, take time to check out the route that you will be taking, along with any alternate routes that can be used if the weather becomes too dangerous. Some roads may be closed, or chains may be required, so it pays to be prepared. You should also plan on leaving early during the fall and winter months, just in case there are delays on the road. Slower speeds, accidents, and weather conditions may result in a stoppage on the highway or traffic jams that make you later than expected. If you have hotel reservations, keep contact information written down on paper and your cellphone, so you can contact someone to update them about your weather-related delay.
If you use an app for GPS navigation, be sure to limit the filters on it such as eliminating routes that include ferries or dirt roads. But don’t merely count on your vehicle’s GPS or maps on your phone to get you to your destination. Think “old school” when it comes to navigation and have a printed map or map book available in case you are unable to connect to your phone service or the internet during your trip. Sometimes we rely too much on technology and don’t stop to consider that some parts of the country may cause connection difficulties. Adding extra time to your itinerary helps to prevent anxious driving, tendencies to speed, or frustrations on the road. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when planning a road trip is to neglect consideration for fuel and pit stops that will need to be made throughout the experience, resulting in delays.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Any long-distance travel should include an emergency kit, but especially in the fall and winter. An emergency kit should consist of essential first aid items, emergency blankets to keep your warm, extra clothing, and cold-weather gear, as well as enough food and drink for each person in the vehicle, should you become stranded. Don’t count the snacks and beverages you got at the last gas station. Make sure to have things like granola bars, protein snacks, and freshwater available inside the cab of your vehicle in case of an emergency. Have a sturdy shovel, grit, gloves, and other tools necessary to dig your car out of a snowbank so you won’t have to wait for a snowplow or emergency vehicle to help.
Speak with your MA auto insurance agent for more tips that you can use to enhance your road trip experience and your New Bedford car insurance policy. Borden Insurance is a reputable Massachusetts auto insurance agency that has proudly served the Greater New Bedford area and Southcoast communities since 1909. Give us a call at 508-999-3636 to get a FREE quote for car insurance in New Bedford or to go over details on your existing policy.