car-insurance-driving-in-snow.

Driving in ice and snow can be very hazardous. Each year, thousands of insurance claims are filed for drivers who have skidded into other cars or stationary objects while driving in icy conditions.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate the roads safely when winter weather comes to town.

1) Don’t go out. It seems simple enough to say, but many people do not realize just how important it is to stay in when the roads are hazardous.

If you simply have to get to the store for that quart of milk, you might want to think about better planning—lay in supplies of food and do your errands in batches while the weather is good.

If you are going to be driving no matter what, get snow tires. Check your state’s laws about studded tires or chains; some states do not allow them between certain periods. Have your snow tires put on early in the season; make sure they are well-maintained and checked periodically.

2) Decrease your speed. Most accidents on icy roads can be contributed to driving too fast for conditions. This does not mean the posted speed limit; it means driving at a speed which allows you time to correct for possible hazards. You will need at least three times the stopping distance on ice as on dry pavement, so slow down and give yourself plenty of time to negotiate corners and intersections.

When you are driving in ice, you should also brake gently. You should not ever slam on brakes while on ice; this is a recipe for disaster. Instead, slowly brake in increments, giving yourself time to stop safely. Stop well before a stop sign or traffic light; better to be a few feet back than in the middle of an intersection.

3) Use your lights. Even in broad daylight, your lights will help you stay visible to other motorists. Use your windshield wipers to keep your screen free of snow and debris. De-ice your windshield before you begin driving by starting the car, letting it run for a few minutes, and scraping the ice from your windshield.

You should also use lower gears. Many cars and trucks come equipped with four-wheel drive. This has actually increased the problem with driving in snow, because many four-wheel drive owners mistakenly believe they can navigate roads with four wheels they would not tackle with two. Instead of relying on four-wheel drive, engage your low gear to keep traction.

4) Be careful on bridges. Bridges often form icy patches well before the regular roadbed, so use extreme caution when crossing them, even if the temperature is above freezing.

5) Know how to handle a skid. If you begin to skid, take your foot off the accelerator, and steer “into” the skid. What this means is that you turn your front wheels in the direction you want to go, opposite what the rear wheels are doing. If you have front-wheel drive, do not steer but put the vehicle in neutral while you regain traction.

6) Keep sand or litter in your trunk. Not only will this help weight your vehicle down, giving you more traction, but it is very useful if you get stuck. Do not spin your wheels if you are stuck—this only makes the problem worse. Instead, “rock” the vehicle gently by shifting from forward to reverse and back again.

Besides sand, you should also keep an emergency kit in your car. Road flares and a jack can be lifesavers in dangerous conditions. If you are stranded, do not leave your car unless help is within sight.

Instead, turn on your flashers, put out flares if needed, and call for help. Keep blankets and hard candy, as well as water, in your car at all times in case you are stuck for some time.

Enjoy driving- be safe and get cheap teen auto insurance quotes now.

car insurance and technology

joe johnson : I heard something about a technnology geek being able to disable cars electronic system- what about this- let me know if you thnik if auto insurance companies would take away the safety car insurance discount?

Response : Joe, recently car insurance website did discuss this.

First the New Threat to your car:

One hundred car owners got an abrupt wake-up call last year when a disgruntled former dealership employee in Austin, Texas, used an Internet-based vehicle immobilization system to reach out and touch their lives.

Electronic boxes installed by the used-car dealer receive a signal through a pager system. The horn honks, for example, when a payment is due. If payments are delinquent, the ignition is disabled.

Working from his home, moving alphabetically down a list of unsuspecting — and paid up — customers, the fired employee remotely set off car horns and disabled engines.

The damage that can be done by a few malicious keystrokes grows as cars become rolling high-tech showcases.  Like any vandalism or theft, any physical damage due to car hacking is covered by your comprehensive car innsurance, , but that doesn’t reduce the creepiness of corporate monitoring, the tedium of repairing a stolen identity, or the nagging fear that your safety has been compromised.

A recently released report from the computer security company McAfee pulled together research done by several universities to evaluate the potential security threats to a cars’ electrical components, which can be found in everything from radios to anti-lock brakes to electronic stability control systems to infotainment systems.

The threat to your car and your privacy is real, the studies find.

“It’s not just theoretical. Attacks can take place,” says Tim Fulkerson, senior director of marketing for McAfee Embedded Security.

Even the auto industry agrees. The subject has “kind of been lurking under the radar,” says Peter Byk, an engineering specialist in the SAE International ground vehicle standards group, which formed a committee this spring to begin discussing safety and privacy concerns.

The McAfee report looked at the potential for cybercriminals to track a driver’s location, steal personal data from Bluetooth, disrupt navigation systems, disable emergency assistance systems and to unlock cars and start them remotely using cell phones.

So far the potential risks uncovered by researchers haven’t translated into major problems in real life.

“We’re not aware that anything like this is happening in the real world,” says Russ Rader, spokesperson for the Highway Loss Data Institute. “There’s no indication that theft claims are going up as electronic systems proliferate; theft claim frequency is going down.”

The National Insurance Crime Bureau also has not received reports of vehicles being hacked, says spokesperson Frank Scafidi. “People should not be losing sleep over the report.”

At the same time, he acknowledges “there is no such thing as a totally secure system.”

Fulkerson says the goal of the McAfee report is to raise consumer awareness of the potential security threats. In addition, as more electronic bells and whistles are added to vehicles, the potential for problems rise.

Even something as simple as an MP3 player that is plugged into your car’s stereo system should have antivirus protection, Fulkerson says.

Virtually every automaker offers some sort of onboard connectivity as mobile technology develops to meet consumer desires and needs. But what are the ramifications of being connected while behind the wheel?

We already know that drivers’ insistence on seamless connectivity with the outside world creates huge safety issues of its own.

But it’s clear that drivers are willing to give up some of their privacy as well. For navigation to work, the computer has to know where you are. For “phone home” to dial correctly, your contacts need to be accessible. Data goes out, data comes in.

More than 6 million drivers in the U.S. use General Motors’ OnStar telematics system to ask for directions, access e-mail, get weather reports and ask for emergency services. Its GPS functionality also allows authorities to track a stolen car.

(They’ll trade their information for cheaper car insurance rates  as well. An OnStar subscription is a key component to State Farm’s In-Drive program , which tracks driver behaviors and mileage and rewards low-risk drivers with discounts up to 50 percent.)

In a telling indicator of the kind of pressures the marketplace will witness in coming years, OnStar recently backed off proposed changes to its privacy policy that would have maintained its data connection to customers’ cars even after they ended their $199-a-year subscriptions. Before customers challenged the decision, OnStar had planned to keep the pipeline open and reserve the right to sell data gathered — aggregated and without private information attached, of course.

Research funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and conducted by the University of California San Diego and the University of Washington found that a cybercriminal with a laptop could access the internal network of two 2009 autos “to take over a broad array of safety-critical computer systems.”

The research found, for example, that brakes could be disengaged while the car was in motion, making it nearly impossible to stop; or activated, forcing a sudden stop.

Another study, by Rutgers University and the University of South Carolina, found that radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, designed to keep track of vehicle tire pressure, can be used to track a vehicle and can pose a threat to passenger privacy if a cybercriminal uses a powerful long-distance reader.

Perhaps worse, the threats aren’t necessarily all linked to the car. A Facebook password stored in the car’s electronics systems, allowing updates on the fly, could tip off a stalker or burglar if he or she gained access to it.

 As the number of electrical components in cars increases each year, it creates an increasing number of avenues for potential hackers to breach auto security, Byk says.

For example, the idea of someone potentially using RFID tags in a malicious manner “probably wasn’t even considered” by automotive engineers, Byk says.

Andre Weimerskirch, chief executive officer of ESCRYPT Inc., one of the partners in the McAfee study, says components must be protected so any potential attacker “needs to get through a security wall.”

Weimerskirch says he’s seen an increase in concern by auto manufacturers in the past couple of years, as they try to “anticipate risks and want to mitigate them.”

The committee formed by SAE International members this year is discussing things such as  testing and design standards for embedded electronic devices, Byk says, and plans to come up with strategies to identify and prevent potential security breaches.

Another topic will be how to mitigate the potential harm if a security breach occurs.

But hacking into an auto isn’t a simple task. “It requires a certain amount of technical know-how to execute,” he says. Cybercriminals not only need to have strong computer skills, they also have to be good at hacking.

Part of the problem for the automobile industry is that the electrical components in vehicles are constantly evolving. The situation mirrors that of a home computer. You need to install various updates and patches when security flaws are found, and the auto industry now faces a similar challenge, Byk says.

“You just don’t put a flag in the ground and say we’re done,” Byk says. “It’s constantly moving.”

Auto insurance comapnies and car safety feature discounts

As an insurance person, I think that auto insurance companies would not remove this discount on the basis of this threat. The makers of cars would take the necessary steps on this alongwith the computer tech geeks to remove such threats. Overall the safety devices have stopped car insurance thefts and hence you can go on with your car insurance discount. Its nice to discuss and stay informed of all such things which are happening around us and these are just our views.

Get your car insurance quote now.

car insurance fraud

Car insurance frauds- stop them to get cheap car insurance for you.

Car insurance frauds are not uncommon, but the number and quantum that is being paid for the car insurance frauds is getting very high and this is what is also driving car insurance rates higher. You would think that based on the law of large numbers the car insurance rates should climb down, since the number of cars are increasing year after year. The safety standards and technology is also making fatal accidents lesser than why are car insurance rates getting higher.

Its because of the frauds and the natural calamaties which are on a rise. Natural calamaties is something out of control but car insurance frauds can be controlled.

Car insurance frauds

The “accountant” tapped the bumper of van before during gradually along the Tampa rush-hour traffic. The van driver said that he was fine. He then called an accident referral service.

When the dust settled months later, $52,000, crowned the Bills all paid by the “accountant” auto insurance.

This type of result is not surprising in Florida, where staged auto accidents, excessive injury claims and other types of car insurance fraud and abuse cost Floridians $658 million in higher premiums this year are expected.

The insurance Research Council estimates that a claim in 10 ceded Florida no-fault insurance system is fraud, and a third is exaggerated or overbilled. Around 27 percent of the personal injury protection receivables include a visit to a pain clinic, the IRC says, while a third of them that an MRI and 43 percent are part of chiropractic.

Television and viewing lawyer and accident referral services and pain clinics set the airwaves. People in car accidents involved be pushed immediately a referral service, with the implication they get much money for their injuries.

A note about its influence: The Florida State Fairgrounds new performing arts venue is the 1-800-ASK-GARY amphitheatre. An owned by Sarasota chiropractor referral service bought the naming rights over the past year.

Much of the blame is on the feet of Florida no-fault insurance, according to which all the drivers continue to $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage for injuries in a car accident, regardless of who for the accident officer was created.

View point out that amount.

“What people hear: ‘ I got in an accident.” I’m going to get $10,000, ‘ “Insurance information said Institute spokesman Lynne McChristian.” In reality, the money usually to a sophisticated Web of doctors and the referral is services that our customers for scout.

If a referral service call someone, she says to often a pain management clinic, sent are, which can be monitored by a doctor, McChristian. Some of these clinics exist “only, fraudulent insurance companies into account.”

Florida is also tops in the nation for questionable car insurance claims bound to staged accidents with more than 3,000 in 2009. This is almost twice as many as New York and California, the second and third, according to the national insurance Crime Bureau (NICB place).

In other cases car owners have conspired airbags, with auto body shops to set off to help a total of cars on which no longer wanted to pay it.

“Innocent people insurance is this fraud, underwriting,” says Frank Scafidi, spokesman for the NICB.

Suspicious activity runs the gamut. Scafidi says, that it things like could include:

Claiming an accident took place as it is never done.That someone drive you car into a tree and tell you, it was a hit and run.Invent an accident to explain existing damage.

Scarier are organized fraud rings, where several people get together in a car and drive in such a way that causes an innocent driver that, of which the vehicle. Everyone in the vehicle, the members of the ring was then claim the hit soft tissue was not persistent injuries which show X-rays, up to Scafidi says.

To commit “the strict only makes easier and more lucrative” fraud, he says.

At the end of the money is to pay, scammers from the pockets of the other riders in Florida.

We compared auto insurance quotes for a 24 year old male on a paid off 2006 Honda Accord.

Our driver would numbers anywhere from $96 $656 per year for $10,000 worth of personal injury protection coverage in Pensacola. Move it in the hotspot Hialeah was cover Miami, and $10,000, outside in medical payments $1.168 to $2.820 annually would cost.

With the deductible already at $1000 is also no way, these bonuses do not do some car insurance comparison cut.

Reform efforts have become a business and political priority in Florida and another strict State Michigan. The average personal protection claim even in Michigan dwarfs that Florida and average prices are the highest in the country.

Florida State CFO asked recently the Florida Bar, permanent law prohibiting referral services. Bloomberg news reports that the Florida Division of insurance fraud referral services investigates accident, and said that the FBI has begun to requests.

Enforcement and insurance companies work law to the problem on the road.

An accident report says the only time, a law enforcement officials his or her own opinion, rather than only state facts can offer, Scafidi. For example, the officer may require, that the scene of the accident and the scenario outlined are not.

Insurance companies can also judgments on a case by case basis. Decision as to whether a claim is questionable says “all subjective”, Scafidi. Sometimes car insurance companies will forward questionable to examine claims on the NICB for the Agency and to investigate.

State Farm alone, the full time has investigation present claims of more than 1,000 employees,. You direct some of the NICB and amounted to offices, says state farm spokesman Lisa Weathersbee.

State farm is common to try with the NICB currently, insurance fraud through an advertising campaign to combat car, which began earlier this year.

Rather than only State Farm customers, the insurers decided for a wider campaign which calls for all Florida motorists, the NICB to contact if they suspect fraud Weathersbee says.

“Car was was affecting every Floridian of wallets and personal safety, so we wanted to inform all Floridian,” she says.

You can help in preventing car insurance frauds, and get cheap car insurance. Just inform if you find out about this.

car insurance and text driving

Auto insurance news :
Auto insurance news : Texting and driving, ban cellphone use when driving ? Missouri tragedy raises questions on teen safety and teen car insurance. Raises questions on US transportation decision.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he won’t back a proposal to prohibit drivers from talking on cellphones, even hands-free devices, giving a boost to car makers and mobile-phone companies that stand to lose if regulators impose a ban.

Do you agree with this as a teenager, student driver or even an adult after knowing about the Missouri news? Today, lets forget about getting cheap car insurance or cheap teen car insurance the consequences of this on car insurance rates, since obviously some or the other insurance company is going to bear the brunt for paying auto insurance claims… high amounts, which is going to increase the car insurance rates for young drivers or teen auto insurance- since the accident below is going to be put under this age group. Lets focus on should talking on cellphone be banned since this is also a distraction?

Here is the incident :

WASHINGTON (AP) — A texting pickup truck driver who caused a deadly highway pileup in Missouri last year has federal accident investigators taking a hard look at the use of distracting devices behind the wheel.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lay out information gathered in its investigation over the past year and a half at a meeting Tuesday to decide the cause of the accident and make safety recommendations.

The board says a 19-year-old driver was texting just before his pickup crashed into the back of a tractor truck, beginning a chain collision. The pickup was rear-ended by a school bus, which in turn was rammed by a second school bus.

The pickup driver and a 15-year-old student on one of the school buses were killed. Thirty-eight other people were injured in the Aug. 5, 2010, accident near Gray Summit, Mo.

Nearly 50 students, mostly members of a high school band from St. James, Mo., were on the buses heading to the Six Flags St. Louis amusement park.

Investigators are seeing texting, cell phone calls and other distracting behavior by operators in accidents across all modes of transportation with increasing frequency, NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said. It has become routine for investigators to immediately request the preservation of cell phone and texting records when they launch an investigation, she said.

In the last few years the board has investigated a commuter rail accident that killed 25 people in California in which the train engineer was texting; a marine accident in Philadelphia in which a tugboat pilot was talking on his cellphone and using a laptop; and a Northwest Airlines flight that flew more than 100 miles past its destination because both pilots were working on their laptops.

“This is trending very hot and it’s a growing concern for the NTSB,” Hersman told The Associated Press.

The board has previously recommended bans on texting and cell phone use by commercial truck and bus drivers and beginning drivers, but it has stopped short of calling for a ban on the use of the devices by adults behind the wheel of passenger cars.

The problem of texting while driving is getting worse despite a rush by states to ban the practice, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said last week. In November, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to forbid texting while driving.

About two out of 10 American drivers overall — and half of drivers between 21 and 24 — say they’ve thumbed messages or emailed from the driver’s seat, according to a survey of more than 6,000 drivers by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

And what’s more, many drivers don’t think it’s dangerous when they do it — only when others do, the survey found.

At any given moment last year on America’s streets and highways, nearly 1 in every 100 car drivers was texting, emailing, surfing the Web or otherwise using a handheld electronic device, the safety administration said. And those activities spiked 50 percent over the previous year.

The agency takes an annual snapshot of drivers’ behavior behind the wheel by staking out intersections to count people using cellphones and other devices, as well as other distracting behavior.

Teen car insurance and distraction
What is important is any distraction is dangerous for new drviers, teen drivers or student drivers since the lack of expereience would slow down the reflexes. Teen safety is in danger and teen car insurance would be high.

Would appreciate your views and comments on whether cellphones should be banned when driving- not to use at all – you would not text or talk?

Stay safe and have a safe and Merry Christmas.
Kamlesh

teen auto insurance and ways to spy

michael turner : Is there any way to spy on teen drivers – this is for their safety and getting cheap teen auto ins- yes saving is important. Spy- get them safe and get cheap teen auto ins for huge savings

Response : Michael Turner, thanks for the awesome question comming from you. Obviously, of course your teenager doesn’t text with you in the passenger seat.

Of course she doesn’t do a big, smoky burnout while you stand in the driveway. As a parent you are worried- and the insurance companies are with you to help you.

If you ever wondered what happens once your spawn turns the corner, you have another option: a private eye.- the wait is over.

StreetEyes is a new service aimed at parents and business owners who want to see how drivers perform once their backs are turned. StreetEyes says its operators will follow at a discreet distance, filming the car, capturing its speed and tracking it by GPS, then report back to you, at a cost of $30 for a 20-minute session. The rate gets cheaper if you book more sessions.

“Being an insurance agent for almost 10 years, I have been dealing with the anguish parents feel about their teens starting to drive,” founder Jim Lipjanic says.

StreetEyes enters an already competitive snooping-on-teens market. A worried parent has several other options, and some of those could result in a car insurance rate discount.

Four other ways to snoop

Progressive’s Snapshot discount  , for example, plugs a black box into your car for an extended period, sending data back to the insurance company that tells it how much you’re driving, when (between midnight and 4 a.m. is the worst), and whether you take chances it doesn’t like (hard braking and speeds over a certain point). After a few months, Progressive calculates your discount and takes its box back.

State Farm’s In – Drive  works similarly, piggybacking through OnStar technology to monitor driving. But the program keeps right on monitoring as long as you’re a participant with an active subscription.

Ford’s  MyKey technology lets parents reconfigure the key given to teenagers with limits on speed, stereo volume , and a “belt minder” chime. It’s standard on all Fords built since 2010.

Various phone apps allow parents to block calls and texting while a car is moving. Other apps will track your child’s speed, report his location, even upload video (recorded in a constant loop) in the event of an accident. Prices for the software range from free to as much as $300.

And none of them will creep out your 16-year-old daughter as much as a stranger trailing her in a van.

You can know how your teen drives, gurad your pressure and more over save and get cheap teen auto ins with the main focus of teen safety.

Get your cheap teen auto insurance quotes here- now.

Kamlesh