The holiday season is upon us and as any auto insurance agent is well aware, the holidays are peak driving times.
They are also times when automobile insurance agencies get a higher number of claims, as accident numbers tend to rise on holidays for various reasons.
This Thanksgiving, skip the phone call to the auto insurance agency and not the dessert by following these helpful holiday travel tips!
Practice Good Auto Maintenance
Avoid a holiday call to an insurance agent due to a breakdown or accident caused by always keeping cars in their best condition.
Practice routine maintenance all year and before leaving on a long trip to see relatives for the holiday, undergo a mechanical inspection to ensure everything is working properly.
Auto insurance agencies stress that pre-travel inspections become more important the older the vehicle gets.
Plan According To The Weather
Check the weather forecast well in advance and then plan accordingly.
The easiest way to avoid weather-related accidents and that dreaded call to the automobile insurance agency is to adjust travel times so there is less need to drive in bad weather.
If there is no avoiding the rain or snow, be sure the car is equipped to safely navigate it with good all-weather tires, wiper blades, and plenty of extra windshield washer fluid.
Stay alert, drive slower, and if necessary, get off the road if things seem too dangerous.
Travel At The Safest Times
Try to avoid traveling at times when more traffic volume is expected.
Traditionally, the worst times to drive for the Thanksgiving holiday and the times that result in the most accident claims to insurance companies are the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward.
Plan the drive around those peak times for increased safety and less hassle.
In addition, map the route ahead of time with a phone or onboard mapping program to help with frustration-free directions.
Leave Extra Travel Time
Accept that the trip will take longer than usual in most cases due to increased traffic volume and plan accordingly.
Leave extra traveling time to reduce the stress that can result when driving takes longer than it should.
Avoid counting the minutes, instead concentrating on alert, safe, and defensive driving.
Reduce the chance of being involved in an accident and the need to make that call to the auto insurance agency by padding the trip with enough extra time that will prevent a late arrival even if the trip takes longer.
Prepare For A Safe Trip
Automobile insurance agencies also recommend good safety planning when preparing for a long holiday drive.
When traveling with kids, bring snacks, drinks, and activities to keep them occupied so they do not become a distraction.
Keep pets contained in travel carriers or strapped into the rear seat with travel harnesses.
Pack emergency needs in the vehicle that could be helpful in the event of a breakdown or getting stuck.
Keep Turkey Day With Grandma Happy With Safe Driving!
Auto insurance agents know that Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that brings more people onto the roads as they drive to meet with family and friends for this special occasion.
With good care and extra time, everyone going over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving can avoid problems and those calls to their automobile insurance for help!
About
Proactive planning tips from auto insurance agencies such as Service Insurance Group can help to make the holiday a happy one.
If looking for any type of personal or business insurance, the Agents at Service Insurance Group shop for the right personal or business insurance policy to fit individual needs – call them at (979) 300-7345 to get a quote!
