Eight Tips For The Road Ahead

FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Long stretch of road into the mountainsBe Safe, Be Smart On A Long-Distance Road Trip

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a buddy or with your spouse and a car full of kids, there are few things more “American” than the long-distance road trip. Countless vacation travelers will drive the highways looking for fun and making memories with every mile. If traveling down the “holiday road” is in your plans, take the time to prepare for your trip. You’ll have a more enjoyable vacation if you plan carefully. Here are a few driving tips, courtesy of CityScape Insurance

1) Maintain your car. Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule, and be sure to check the battery and tires.

2) Plan your trip and know where you’re going. Call ahead for proper and safe directions to get you to your destination safely and have maps of the area on hand to help you navigate once you are off the main road. You’re more likely to make good decisions, even in dangerous situations, if you’re clearheaded and know where you’re going.

3) Be alert. Seems obvious, but driver inattention is surely the cause of a lot of accidents. If you stay focused behind the wheel and plan carefully, you will have a wonderful summer road trip.

4) Take precaution with a cell phone. Cell phones can be a lifesaver when you need immediate access to emergency services after an accident. Keep your phone within easy reach and get to know its features. However, use it prudently. Reports suggest that driving while talking on the phone increases accident rates.

5) Wear your seat belt. Whether or not it’s required by law in the state through which you’re driving, always wear your seat belt as a safety precaution.

6) Protect your car against theft. Help deter criminals from taking your car with steering wheel locks, switches that disable fuel or ignition systems, and electronic tracking devices.

7) If you’re in an accident. Taking immediate steps if you’ve been in an accident can protect your family and your car from further damage. Stop immediately and make sure your car is not blocking traffic. Turn off your car to keep it from overheating or catching fire. Warn oncoming cars using road flares or orange triangle reflectors. After you have protected yourself and your family, call your insurance company immediately.

8) Make sure your auto insurance is up to date. Before you even leave the driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected when you’re on the road and far from home. An independent insurance agent or broker can provide the personal service and advice you need to travel in confidence.

Contact us to learn how we can keep you safe on your next road trip. Drive on knowing CityScape Insurance is here to protect you and your family.

Switch and Save 15% or More

FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Switch today and save hundreds on your car insurance!

Save Money

In today’s society it’s not easy living a decent life and juggling the bills so naturally saving money on our auto insurance sounds fantastic. Though it sounds great and we’re all ready to cut costs where we can the question you have to ask yourself is what else are you cutting?

Many insurance carriers such as State Farm, Geico, Progressive, and Freeway Insurance claim they can save you $100’s on your car insurance, save 15% or more, auto insurance as low as $29/mo, so easy a caveman can do it, and so on. What they aren’t telling you is they will sell you a bare bones policy leaving you with next to no coverage in the event of an accident. Now don’t get me wrong, these carriers do provide excellent products, they’re just trying to appeal to those consumers who want the cheapest insurance policy possible. We agents have heard one too many horror stories about being underinsured and quiver at the idea of a state minimum policy. To make sure your current policy doesn’t fall short in the event of an accident we’ve broken down the crucial coverage you should have on your policy and how it works for you.

Bodily Injury & Property Damage

Chances are if you drive a car and have ever had to deal with anything pertaining to auto insurance you’ve heard the term “BI & PD or Bodily Injury and Property Damage”. This is your basic form of liability insurance and is a state requirement to operate a motor vehicle. In the State of Arizona the minimum limits required are $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage. This is coverage afforded to others in the event you’re found at-fault for an accident. Though this may look like a lot of coverage, it’s pennies in most cases. The average cost for an ambulance transport in Arizona ranges in-between $860-$1,200, and an emergency room visit starts around $1000 & up. These figures don’t include additional costs for x-rays, chiropractor visits, treatment costs, possible surgery, or medications. With a state minimum policy it will only cover up to $15,000 in bodily injury per person and a maximum of $30,000 per accident. If you were to get into a head on collision with another driver and three passengers just imagine how expensive that can become, we haven’t even factored in your injuries yet.

Aside from the injuries sustained in the event of an accident you also have to factor in the cost of property damage. This includes the other parties vehicle, light posts, fire hydrants, electrical poles, fences, buildings, etc… Depending on where you reside it’s very likely that most vehicles on the road cost more than $10,000 to replace. For instance you crash into a brand new 2014 Ford Fusion, it will run you around $22,000 to replace the vehicle if declared totaled. With only $10,000 in coverage afforded by the policy, this will leave you on the hook for an additional $12,000. Hope you were saving the hundreds of dollars by switching as promised because the insurance company will be coming after you for the additional cost.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Though an optional coverage in Arizona it’s highly recommended that you carry it. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage can be added to any auto policy up to the limits of the Bodily Injury coverage carried. For instance if you carry the state minimum policy ($15,000/$30,000/$10,000) you can add up to $15,000/$30,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This valuable option will cover you in the event the other driver is at-fault and does not carry enough insurance to cover the cost of your sustained loss.

Additional Coverage Options

Aside from the basic coverage outlined above there are several other options to consider when purchasing a policy such as: medical, comprehensive, collision, roadside, and accessory coverage. If you would like to learn more about these valuable coverage options please feel free to contact us.


Next time you shop your auto insurance take a moment and ask your agent what the policy really covers before making a costly decision. If you don’t have an agent or would like a second opinion please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to provide a free coverage review.

We love hearing from our readers so please leave your comments or requests below. Like what you read? Subscribe to our blog and receive email notifications as we publish future articles.