The Homeowners Policy & College Students

Each year, late summer brings a milestone for many families – sending a child off to college.  It is certainly a time of adjustment for parents and their young adults alike.  It is also a time for reviewing the new insurance exposures that arise from having college students.

Having a child in college creates a number of insurance exposures which can impact several areas of a homeowner’s policy.  A few of the more asked about exposures are addressed here:

Personal Property Taken to College
Coverage C for Personal Property applies to “personal property owned or used by an insured while it is anywhere in the world”.  As broad as this coverage is, it does refer to personal property of an “INSURED”. “INSURED” definition is those who are “residents of your household who are your relatives”.  Therefore, for a kid in college to be considered an “insured”, they must still be a “resident” of your household.  While the word “resident” is somewhat ambiguous and has many definitions, the vast majority of courts hold kids in college to be residents of mom and/or dad’s house.

Even though most kids in college are considered insured’s under mom and/or dad’s Homeowners Policy, there is a limitation on the amount of Coverage C available for the property they take with them.  The Homeowners Policy provides that only 10% of Coverage C, or $1,000, whichever is greater, applies for “personal property usually located at an insured’s residence, other than the residence primary premises”.

Liability Coverage for Kids
The insuring agreement for Liability provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims brought against an “insured”.  As discussed above, in most cases, kids are considered insured’s under mom and/or dad’s Homeowners Policy, and thus are protected under Coverage E – Liability and under Coverage F – Medical Payments, giving them personal liability coverage worldwide.

Premises Liability for Rented Dorm, Apartment or Rental House

While most college kids receive “insured” status for their personal liability, the Homeowners Policy has limitations on which premises are covered for liability that arises out of the premises.  Most policies contain exclusions for Claims “arising out of a premises owned by an insured, rented to an insured, or rented to others by an insured, that is not an insured location”. While a dorm room, by its nature, fits the definition of an “insured location”, to avoid any uncertainty regarding whether or not a rental house or rental apartment is considered an “insured location”, these secondary residences should be added to a Homeowners policy as insured locations.  So be sure to contact your insurance agent to make sure these locations are covered.

Liability for Damage to a Rented Dorm, Apartment or Rental House

Property coverage cannot be extended to provide coverage for damage to a rented dorm, apartment, or rental house.  As for coverage for property damage liability, there is limited coverage.  Contained within the policy is an exclusion for “property damage to property rented to, occupied or used by or in the care of the insured.  This exclusion does not apply to property damage caused by fire, smoke or explosion”.

Note:  Please be aware that every claim situation is different and every loss scenario has its own unique set of circumstances.  Coverage for a specific loss will be determined based on actual coverage purchased and is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the insurance policy that is in force at the time of loss.

This information provided to us by our friends at Standard Mutual Insurance.

Wedding Season Is Fast Approaching

If you or someone you know is going to be involved in a wedding this Spring or Summer, you might want to consider wedding insurance.  Travelers Insurance offers a Wedding Protector Plan which provides coverage in the event that something goes wrong.

What if the reception venue goes out of business a month before the wedding?  Or what if severe weather causes cancellation?  What about having the wedding dress damaged or stolen or having the bride or groom becoming suddenly ill and unable to attend?  These and a variety of other sudden or unexpected occurrences can be covered with insurance that will provide reimbursement for lost deposits or additional expenses.

The average wedding can now cost well above $20,000.  Our access to the Travelers policy can not only provide a bride, groom and their family liability coverage for the event, but also the security in knowing that all is not lost if something does go wrong.

The Travelers and Mars Insurance have you covered.

Airplane Travel - Protect Yourself From Illness

While traveling …seeing the person on your airplane wearing a surgical mask, can be rather frightening!  Are they protecting you or themselves?  As it turns out, it may be both, according to Flustore.com.  It can help you avoid breathing in the infectious germs as well as protect those around you, by you not breathing out the germs onto others.

There are several other ways to protect yourself during air travel from various infectious illnesses.  Some basic simple steps may help you get to your destination healthy.

 Drink plenty of fluids, before and during your flight.  To save money, bring an empty water bottle to the airport and fill it from a water fountain after going through security

 Wash your hands often.  When soap and water are not available, bring along hand sanitizer.

 Be rested before you travel so that your body is stronger to fight the germs

 Get vaccinated against the flu

 Bring along zinc lozenges, vitamin C and Zicam

 Avoid the seat pocket in front of you.  People put everything in there, tissues, baby diapers, used food wrappers all carrying germs you do not want





Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!  Eating healthy, reducing stress, exercising regularly and getting enough rest may be enough to help you stay healthy!

The Good and Bad of Credit Scoring

Most people are aware that one of many underwriting factors used in determining one's actual auto or homeowner insurance rate is credit scoring.  What many do not know is that a good credit score helps to lower your insurance cost.  The Insurance Information Institute, according to a recent article from Safeco Insurance, indicates that upwards of two-thirds of policyholders have a lower premium because of good credit.

The bad side of credit scoring is that the other one-third of policyholders have higher premiums due to their credit history.  The remedy is obviously trying to improve your credit in the future to more favorably affect your insurance premiums.

So, the next time you receive the privacy notice from your insurance company indicating that your credit score has affected your insurance premium, do not think that this is a bad thing.  You are most likely in the two-thirds of those policyholders who are getting better premiums because of good credit.


Frank Zimmerman

Alcohol and Tobacco Risks for Head and Neck Cancer

While tobacco and alcohol use are the main causes of head and
neck cancer, other risk factors include viral infections, sun exposure
and inhalation of carcinogenic materials.

The most common is cigarettes, but chewing tobacco has been gaining popularity, especially among young users. Although users of cigar and pipe tobacco tend not to inhale the carcinogens into their lungs, they are still at risk for lip, mouth, tongue, and throat cancers.


The use of chewing tobacco has tripled over the last 20 years, with a third of the users under age 21. Prolonged use increases the cancer risk five times when compared with a non-tobacco user. When heavy alcohol and tobacco are used together, the combined effect may increase the risk 100-fold. 75 to 80 percent of cancer cases are the result of heavy tobacco or alcohol use.


Risk also increases with age and is more often seen in men than in women. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiency can also make a person more susceptible to these types of cancer. Many believe that good oral hygiene helps prevent head and neck cancers. Genetic factors have been investigated as a cause, though head and neck cancers are not believed to be hereditary.

Information provided by : "Cure" Cancer Updates, Research  & Education

See the contents of the chemicals within a cigarette at http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm.

Life insurance premiums are higher for individuals using tobacco.
On average, the following table depicts how much more this age group will pay for Life Insurance if they use tobacco.

Age 20 - 25% higher premium
Age 30 - 50% higher premium
Age 40 - 100% higher premium
Age 50 - 250% higher premium
Age 60 - 250-500% higher premium
All numbers are approximate

Insurance Explained

Happy 2013!


We thought we would start off the New Year explaining the general principles of insurance.

Many people wonder why rates continue to go up when they have not had a claim; therefore we would like to explain the logistics of insurance.

Imagine a giant swimming pool; Insurance is much like that giant pool.

Looks refreshing doesn't it?

When you purchase a policy you are paying into that pool.
If you file a claim against your insurance policy because a roof has been damaged or a car was hit, the claim is being paid out of that pool rather than from the money you have paid in for your premiums.

In addition to that very few people stay with the same company for any extended period of time so you are starting over in a different pool every time you switch companies.

Say a neighborhood of 100 houses is hit with hail damage and they all need their roof replaced. Each roof may cost $18,000 to replace…that means one neighborhood in the U.S. could cost insurance companies $1,800,000 for one storm. Usually these storms hit several neighborhoods in any given region. Millions upon millions of dollars are paid out for just one storm.

Over the course of one’s life, it will take a long time to pay $18,000 in insurance premiums to account for the value of a roof replacement. Example: if your homeowners premium is $1,000 a year, it would take 18 years to pay enough premium to pay for the roof replacement that was claimed on your policy.

Because of the high rate of storms we have had in 2011 and 2012, insurance companies have needed to increase premium rates to be able to cover everyone within the "pool" mentioned above which we all share.

It may be very frustrating and inconvenient but we can all find comfort in knowing that if we get hit with some bad luck we will have insurance to fall back on. Insurance is there for those catastrophic losses.

We hope this has shed some light on the operations of insurance companies.

As always, if you have any questions or need clarification we are always willing to talk to you!

We at Mars Insurance hope that 2013 will be your best year yet!



Mary K. Marsh

Mars Insurance Agency Inc

Wonderful Words to Live by.... A Message from Rob Jost

December 20, 2012, is my parents 65th Wedding Anniversary.
The most important values my parents always stressed to me were my attitude and work ethic. I have always believed that I wasn't the "sharpest knife in the drawer"but I also knew that I had a positive attitude and I liked to work hard.

But this blog is supposed to be about Christmas and include a family recipe. Well here it goes...

I really believe that everyday we walk the earth it is Christmas. We take so much for granted. We are so lucky. Yes, EVERYBODY has issues; family, money, job, and health. But to me that's Life. The old saying goes "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans". My parents had issues, family, money, job, and health. My father lost his dad in 1948 and his mom in 1968. My mother lost her dad in 1951and her mom 30 years next month. Believe everyday is Christmas. Be nice to people EVERYDAY! Smile, EVERYDAY! Laugh, EVERYDAY! I believe Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

This recipe was on the kitchen wall of my wife's parents home. Since we have been married it has always been on our kitchen wall wherever we lived.

4 cups of love Take love and loyalty, mix it thoroughly with faith,

3 cups of forgiveness blend in tenderness, forgiveness and understanding,

6 cups of understanding friendship and hope - Sprinkle abundantly with laughter

2 cups of tenderness - Take it with sunshine.

1 barrel of laughter

2 cups of loyalty Serve Generous Helpings Daily!

4 cups of friendship

5 spoons of hope

6 cups of faith



Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!! Happy 2013

Rob Jost
Mars Insurance Agency Inc

The Little Christmas Cabin - Julie Shoffner

The Little Christmas Cabin


I have always considered myself a creative soul so it’s not surprising that most of my favorite holiday memories revolve around the act of making something either with someone or for someone. Whether I’m preparing a meal, baking cookies or making ornaments I have always enjoyed creating something unique and special for the people I love. Now that I am a parent I especially enjoy making things with my seven year old son. Aside from the usual cookies and candies we make, we have a special project that we work on every year for my husband. Many years ago my husband’s grandfather crafted a small log cabin that he placed under the family Christmas tree. When my husband was a little boy his mother started adding some additional details to the little Christmas cabin. A light was added on the inside as well as some little chairs and a tiny table. She even added a tiny flower painting on the wall. My mother-in-law has since passed on and my husband has inherited the little Christmas cabin. Now every year my son and I add a little something to it to make it more like a cozy little home. One year we added a Christmas tree inside. Last year we added a reindeer and some bears outside. This year my son added six little Christmas carolers. If you look close enough at the photo below you can see two tiny carolers singing by the tree. Maybe next year there will be a turkey dinner on the table too.

Another project my son and I do each year once the weather is below freezing is to make Ice Lanterns. A easy way to make your home look warm and cozy on a cold winter night. This is espcially pretty when there is snow on the ground or when you are hosting a holiday party.

How to Make An Ice Lantern:

You will need a large bucket, a plastic container smaller than the bucket (a coffee can works well), duct tape and a tea light or flamless candle.

1-fill the bucket 3/4 full of water. (if you want to get fancy you can add a bit of food coloring to the water)

2-place the smaller container inside the bucker of water but don't let it fill up with water.

3-place some rocks inside the smaller container to weigh it down so it sits about half way down into the water in the bucket but not all the way to the bottom.

4-place a strip of duct tape across the top of the large bucket so it holds down the smaller container in the water. Set aside until frozen solid.

5-run warm water over the outside of the large bucket to remove the ice from the bucket. Run some warm water inside the small container to loosen and remove it. This leaves an indentation in the lantern into which you can place the candle.

You can make several of these to line your front stairs, sidewalk or driveway!

Have a wonderful Holiday.

Julie Shoffner

Michelle Welch-Howe's Christmas Treasure

When I was a child growing up, before getting married and having a family of my own, Christmas Day was always celebrated at “moms” house with lots of family and even sailors from the Great Lakes Naval base. The Christmas Day celebration holds many great memories for me. The hustle and bustle of the decorating, the cleaning, the cooking and even the frantic clean up after we opened our presents from Santa on Christmas morning. Back in those days, my mom always prepared a sit down meal for all to enjoy. As the years have progressed, Christmas Day is still celebrated at my parents’ house, a little simpler, but with the same jubilant atmosphere. My mom now makes an easier meal that we all contribute towards and it is served buffet style. I treasure the continued tradition of my Christmas Day festivities, especially enjoying my four children appreciating the day and building it into their holiday excitement.

My mom has already designated me to carry on this wonderful family tradition of our Christmas Day gathering when she feels that it is time to pass it on. Although, I host many parties throughout the year, this one will be different and held with special honor.



Here is one of my favorite things my mom makes on Christmas Day:



SIMPLE CREAM PUFFS:

Pastry:

1 cup Water

½ cup Butter not oleo

1 cup Flour

4 eggs



Heat oven to 400 heat water & butter to heavy boil, stir in flour, stir over heat for 1 minute=should form a ball. Remove from heat, beat in eggs all at once. Drop dough approx. 3" apart on baking sheet bake 35-40 minutes cool completely & cut off tops.



Filling:

1 8oz Cool Whip

2 Instant french vanilla pudding mix

2 cups Milk



Blend milk & pudding until thick & fold in cool whip. Spoon onto puff & replace tops. Refrigerate after making.

Yield:12 cream puffs

Happy Holidays!
Michelle Welch-Howe

A Mary Marsh Christmas

Every Christmas Eve my extended family gets together and celebrates. There is close to 100 of us now and it is growing every year. That being said it is very hard to see everyone who is there. My favorite Christmas tradition is a Polish tradition, sharing of Oplatek.

Every family member gets a piece of this flat bread and we go around breaking it and sharing it with every family member.

We have family that comes from all over the country and I love it because even though we may not get to sit and talk with everyone we do at least get to say hello. The other fun tradition is that we have Santa come visit every year for the little ones….and some of the adults too! We have been doing this tradition for a long time. Here is a picture from 1986. It has now grown to many times the size of this.

The next generation is still enjoying Santa.

My favorite holiday recipe for fast and easy cookies is 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and press a fork down on it and then press the fork on it going the opposite way. Bake at 325 degrees for 6-8 minutes!



Mary K. Marsh

Spring Property Maintenance Tips

Spring thunderstorm season is already here, but it’s not too late to prepare.  Each year, properties are damaged by thousands of thunderstorms, with the most sever occurring storms during the spring and fall.  These storms can produce damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. 

You may have noticed increases in insurance costs on your home coverage recently.  Over the past few years, increased storm activities have accounted for these increased costs.  Insurance carriers pay out millions in property losses every year resulting in higher costs for insureds.

Falling trees and limbs cause millions of dollars in damage alone each year by damaging homes and cars and downing power lines.  Windstorms are the leading cause of such damage and injury.

Homeowners represent the first line of defense but often times, neglect taking their surroundings into consideration when trying to protect or prepare their property from storms.  It is important to regularly examine trees and check for damage or other troubling signs.  Good pruning can prevent many problems, but over pruning can weaken a tree.

Some potential problems are easy to spot.  These include:

•                 Cracks in the trunk or major limbs
•                 Hollow and decayed trees
•                 Branches hanging over the house near the roof
•                 Trees that look one-sided or lean significantly
•                 Limbs in contact with power lines
•                 Mushrooms growing from the bark, indicating decayed or weakened stem
•                 V-shaped forks rather than U-shaped ones.  V-shaped are more likely to split
•                 Crossing branches that rub or interfere with one another

Good pruning can help to prevent many problems. Remove diseased, damaged or dead plant parts helps to limit the spread of harmful insects and disease as well as reduce the possibility of future storm damage.  Always check local tree regulations prior to pruning.

If it is time for a new roof, replace your old roof coverage with new asphalt shingles making sure they have a Class 4 rating under Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) 2218 standard.  A class 4 rating tells you a sample of the product did not crack when hit twice in the same area by a two-inch steel ball. 

What does this mean?  This means added protection when Hailstorms hit.

When a hailstorm strikes, if you are indoors, stay there.  Because large pieces of hail can shatter windows, close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent the wind from blowing broken glass inside.  Stay away from skylights and doors.

If you are outside, move immediately to a place of shelter.

Be sure to check the exterior of your home for loose siding, gutters and roof shingles.  Be sure to repair to avoid additional damage in the future.  It is always recommended to have a contractor review and make the necessary repairs to be sure they are properly corrected.

For additional repair and safety information, review the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety at www.disastersafety.org.

Never Use Cruise Control on a Rainy Day

Cruise control is designed for normal road conditions.  It doesn't know when the pavement is slippery.  Under slick conditions, you need to be in complete control and monitoring the road conditions.  You're more likely to notice hydroplaning if you're not relying on the cruise control.  In some cars, it is possible that the wheels may actually spin faster when in or engaged in cruise control and the car hits a slippery spot.  When the tires make contact with the firm road again, the car can skid or lose control.

On most cars, the cruise control is disengaged by tapping the brake.  In an emergency situation, this adds a fraction of a second to your response time as well as the risk of the braking action itself causing a loss of control on a slippery road.

For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com

Winterizing Your Home

Here are a few simple steps that can help you stay cozy indoors during this cold, winter season and save on heating costs, as well.

• Have your heating system checked by a professional annually.  This will ensure that your system is working safely and efficiently which, in turn, will save you money.  If you heat by wood, clean your fireplace or stove.  Have your chimney flue checked for any buildup or creosote and then clean to lessen the risk of a fire.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated.  If necessary, insulate walls and attic.  This will help you to conserve energy and reduce your home’s power energy and reduce your home’s power demands for heat.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.  This will provide an extra layer of insulation keeping more cold air out.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of old newspapers; cover the news papers with plastic to keep out moisture; let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing; know how to shut off water valves.

Source: New York State Emergency Management Office website

For more information contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at marsinsurance.com

Survey: Risky Online Behavior Exposes Many to Lawsuits

Feb 16, 2010

Nearly 30% of people have cleaned up their social networking profiles for job interviews, and the economic downturn has made them more cautious about posting on social media sites.

A new telephone survey sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies reveals that more than one in four (27 percent) individuals say they have posted a comment on a news site or blog.  One third of 18 to 34 year-olds have posted a comment to news sites or blogs.  And 37 percent of those respondents making $100,000 or more have posted a comment.

The survey, which polled 1,000 Americans, shows that while some people are being cautious about putting personal information online, many are unaware of the liability exposures associated posting comments to blogs or other Internet sites.

"A foolish post or a tweet could cost you a job or even trigger a libel lawsuit," says Christine Alderman, vice president of Chubb & Son and new product and services manager with Chubb Personal Insurance.  "We all should think twice before posting any comment online."

The survey also asked respondents about obtaining permission to share copyrighted online materials.  Sixty percent of respondents said they rarely or never obtain permission to cut and paste articles, other information or artwork from copyrighted websites before emailing them out and distributing them to others.  One in four (25%) respondents said they always obtain permission.

Only 2 percent of respondents said they have lawyers review comments before posting them on their blogs.

"This raises significant risk issues for the owner of the blog," says Alderman.  "There are different schools of thought with regard to allowing comments to be posted directly to the site versus reviewing  comments before they are posted.  The safest and most conservative approach is to require pre-registration before allowing comments and to preview the comments before they appear online.  This may not be practical for everyone, but there are other ways to protect yourself."

Forty-five percent of the respondents were members of one of the following social networking sites: Facebook (37%), MySpace (19%), LinkedIn (9%), and Twitter (6%).  Nearly 60 percent of respondents earning $100,000 or more belonged to one of these sites.

The telephone survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corp.

Source: Chubb Group of Insurance Cos., www.chubb.com/personal

Find this article at http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/2010/02/16/107401.htm

For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com .

Beat the Heat!!

As the hazy, lazy days of summer approach, we all do what we can to stay cool. To help your house conserve energy and stay cooler, consider the following:

•Make certain airflow to your outdoor air conditioning unit is not blocked by shrubbery or other obstructions.

•Keep draperies, blinds and shades closed during the hottest part of the day.

•Keep windows and doors tightly closed when operating air conditioning equipment.

•Close closet doors in air-conditioned rooms.

•Close all openings into the attic from air-conditioned areas.

•Turn off unnecessary lights.

•Check your air conditioning or furnace filter regularly and clean or replace it as needed.

•Plan cook-free meals of cold cuts, fresh vegetables, fruits and salads.

•Do your cooking, showering, washing clothes, drying and ironing in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.

For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at http://www.marsinsurance.com/.



Source: American Electric Power Co.

Water Water Everywhere!

Am I protected from a flood? PROBABLY NOT!
Flooding occurs in EVERY state! Many people find out too late that they are at risk for flooding, and even worse that their property insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
• Your Homeowners policy DOES NOT cover flood loss to your home and contents.
• In certain areas, the chance of a flood is 25% greater than a loss due to a fire during a 30-year mortgage.
• 6 out of every 10 declared disasters involve flooding.
• Homes in areas where there is new construction or where there have been other events such as forest fires, may be in greater danger than in the past because of changes to the land around them.
• 25% of all floods occur outside of a high-risk flood area.
• Federally backed mortgages in certain areas require flood insurance policies for the life of the mortgage.
To ensure that your property and belongings are protected, call your independent insurance agent.
Even if you already have a flood policy, you may want to discuss coverages with your agent to ensure that your policy is up to date.
For all your insurance needs please contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com
Information courtesy of Travelers.

Bicycling "Rules of the Road"

Bicycles are considered to be toys by some people, but for others they are a means of transportation and exercise. But whatever their purpose, bicycles can be dangerous if they are not operated with safety sense in mind.
Here are some “rules of the road” for serious bicyclists:
• Bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles, so obey all highway signs and regulations.
• Ride off the right-hand side of the road, with traffic, not against it.
• Ride single file.
• Only cycles with 20-in wheels, or less, are permitted on sidewalks.
• Use arm signals to indicate stopping or turning.
• Bicycles must yield to pedestrians.
• Lights are required for nighttime riding.
• A bicycle must have a horn or bell to sound a warning when necessary.
Source: Safety Sense Enterprises, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com.

Winter Driving Tips

Preparing your vehicle for the winter season now will help ensure your vehicle is in good working order when you need it most.

1. 
   
   Have a mechanic check the following items on your vehicle: battery; wipers and windshield washer fluid; antifreeze; ignition system; thermostat; lights; exhaust system; flashing hazard lights; heater; brakes; defroster; oil level.


2. 
   
   Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. You may also want to carry a set of tire chains in your vehicle for heavy snow conditions. This depends on the laws of your state. Check your state and county laws to see what is allowed on the roadway.


3. 
   
   Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal and maintain at least a half tank of gas throughout the winter season. It may also be beneficial to carry a bag of salt or sand in your vehicle. Not only does this give a little extra weight in the vehicle but can be used to give extra traction if the vehicle gets stuck in the snow or on ice.


4. 
   
   Finally, plan long trips carefully. Listen to the local media report or call law enforcement agencies for the latest road conditions.

Source: New York State Emergency Management Office website

For more information contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at http://www.marsinsurance.com/

Safe Holiday Travels

The Holidays are in full swing and that means the busiest travel time of the year is upon us. Now many might take the train or take to the skies but most hit the highways. According to AAA an estimated 87.7 Million Americans traveled more than 50 miles over the holidays last year and 85% of those people drove.

We all know that driving can be stress full enough but when you mix in ice, snow, stress and screaming children who just want to open those presents you have sitting in back of the car things can be even more challenging. Thankfully our friends at the Better Business Bureau and Comparison Market have a few tips to keep you safe on the road this Holiday Season.

-The last thing we want is to break down on the way to grandmas but if you do you need to be prepared. Make sure to keep a Car Safety Kit with you. It should include a blanket, flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid kit, jumper cables, gloves, water, and non perishable snacks such as granola bars. This may seem like a lot but if it’s late at night and you have no way of getting help till someone passes by you need to be ready to wait.

-Keep off you phone but keep it charged! We all know talking or texting on the phone while driving is a bad idea and when you add that to ice and snow things only get worse. However make sure to keep your phone charged and accessible just incase there is an emergency. Nothing is worse than breaking down and then discovering you can’t call for help.

-Check the road conditions before you leave. Now were not just talking about what the roads look like at the moment you leave. Turn on the weather and see what things are going to look like on your way home and plan accordingly. Do you really want to get stuck at you in-laws all night?

-Make sure you have your current proof of insurance with you. It’s always a bad time when you get into an accident but it only gets worse if you forget that updated insurance card on the kitchen counter.

-Winterize your Car. Make sure the oil is changed and the tires are properly inflated. Check the condition of your wiper blades and test out your heater and defroster. Make sure all fluids are topped off and that your breaks are in good solid condition. If you have family coming from out of state especially a warm climate like Florida make sure their car is also ready for the colder conditions and have them take it to a mechanic to do so. Remember many fluids and other car parts sold and used in strictly warm weather climates won’t stand up to the cold of a Chicago winter. It’s very hard to see when that windshield wiper fluid is frozen solid.

-Its common sense but wear your seat belt. It can easily save your life in an accident and in most states it’s also the law.

-Along with wearing those seatbelts make sure your children are properly seated. Obviously infants and toddlers need to be in a child safety seat but did you know that children under 4”9” need to be in a booster seat as well.

-Take your time and slow down. We all want to get to get to that wonderful food as soon as possible but the days before and after Christmas and New years have the heaviest and most dangerous holiday traffic. There is no reason to be in an extra rush if you’re afraid of being late to the party try to leave earlier than you normally would.

-Finally never ever drink and drive!!! We all know that alcohol is a common part of the holiday festivities, and there is nothing wrong with that but please don’t drink and drive. Make arrangements to stay where you are or have a designated driver. Remember that taxi’s are also readily available to get you home safely if you can’t stay where you are at.

We hope these tips help to keep you safe over this holiday season and as always if you have any questions regarding your insurance coverage please visit us at http://www.marsinsurance.com/.

Happy Holidays!!!