ALERT!
TEENAGE
DRIVERS
Remind
your child, driving is a privilege and not a right!
DID
YOU KNOW:
- 16 year old
drivers are in the highest rated category of drivers for
insurance purposes….. Why? Youth and inexperience!!
- According to
insurance statistics, if you’ve had your license for 3 years
or less, the chance you will be involved in an accident
is considerable. DID YOU KNOW? Insurance Companies charge
for this statistical data on the front end…. betting teenagers
will have an accident.
- Some of the
most frequent claims due to inexperience include: Pulling
the vehicle out in front of someone… Rear ending another
vehicle… Hydroplaning in the rain… Parking lot fender benders…
Why? Inexperience, problems judging distance and road conditions,
speeding and distraction such as cell phones, the radio
and or a passenger
- Even if your
child volunteers as a sober driver, she or he will also
receive an Open Container Violation if another teenager
has an open container in the vehicle. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE
or let others in your vehicle drink!!!
- Insurance follows
the car and not the driver. If you lend your vehicle to
a friend who then has an accident in your vehicle, your
policy pays out first, to your policy limits. You might
also be added into any further judgments as well.
Please
familiarize yourself with the open container law and talk
to your child about this. Also explain the consequences of
a DUI. Let them know about the expense of a DUI and what it
means to have an SR22 on your record. For more information
on this go to:
The
Statistics
25% of all teen accidents
involve speeding.
- Alcohol is
responsible for almost half of all teen motor vehicle deaths…in
July 2003 the legal limit will go from .10 to .08. Never
get in car with someone who has been drinking.
- Half of all
teenage traffic fatalities occur between 6:00 P.M. on Friday
and 3:00 A.M. on Sunday…. CURFEWS exist for a reason. Remember,
this is the time when it is most difficult to see the road
and the highest numbers of other drivers who are tired and
or intoxicated are on the road.
- In one year,
American drivers 19 and under were involved in close to
3,000,000 motor vehicle accidents. Davidson County’s population
in a 2002-2003 census is ONLY 569,891!
- Auto accidents
are the #1 killer of our nation’s youth.
- Tickets will
impact premium…. many companies consider speeds of 16 miles
or over a MAJOR violation. Excessive tickets, which can
be as few as two per household with certain companies could
result in cancellation ….DUI or reckless driving with a
youthful…immediate cancellation. Please see the points chart
on the final page.
PARENTS
- TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN…. with driving comes a huge
responsibility not only to themselves personally, but also
to your family…. touch on liability issues and umbrella policies.
Also, come up with a DRIVING CONTRACT for your child and review
this contract. Give us a call at #383-9061 if you would like
to see sample contracts adapted by insurance carriers for
their clients.
WAYS
TO REDUCE PREMIUM:
- Purchase an
older car (BUT one that is in good working condition) to
eliminate the need for comprehensive and collision coverage
- Take driver’s
training
- Look into Good
Student Credits
- Increase Deductibles
- Some college
students can receive a reduced rate if he or she is included
as a driver on the parent’s policy but away at school 100
miles or more without a car.
- REVIEW Youthful
Driver Questionnaires
REVIEW
OF CARS:
Bigger
is better, but make sure your child can safely handle the
size car he or she drives. The rollover factor with trucks
and SUVs is high, so sometimes a large car is a good option.
Also, look at the used car rating statistics and vehicle safety
reports through the institute for highway safety and www.msn.com
car information.
One
thing to think about, some parents surprise their child with
a car on his or her birthday. Instead try purchasing the car
several months in advance and help your child practice driving
the vehicle. Also, when driving show your children how to
properly navigate tricky intersections, stops and heavy traffic
areas. Explain to him or her how some people by mistake or
intentionally violate traffic laws and drive recklessly in
these areas.
TEACH
YOUR CHILD THAT THERE IS NO BETTER PROTECTION THAN DEFENSIVE
DRIVING!!!
For
more information on safe cars and other information please
go to
Citation:
www.highwaysafety.org
WHAT
TO DO IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Tell
your child to always call the police; young drivers can be
intimidated out of this important step. Don’t forget to carry
an insurance ID card too. This is the law in Tennessee now
and forgetting to carry this card can result in a fine and
may be as severe as a license suspension.
Be
sure to give your teenager a “what to do in an accident card”.
Any agent should have these available to give out to teenage
drivers.
Watch
out for:
Cell
phones, CD changers, the radio, eating in the car and friends
in the car:
Please
talk to your child about not using the cellphone while driving.
Unless it is an emergency a call can wait until you have arrived
at your destination.
Some
parents put the CD changer in the back of the vehicle to avoid
changing while driving. The radio is also a hazard. It only
takes one second of looking down to cause an accident. At
least have an agreement where the radio/ cds are only changed
when the car is at a COMPLETE stop.
NO
EATING IN THE CAR, the car is not a restaurant.
Citation:
http://www.travelerspc.com/personal/auto/auto_teentips.cfm
http://www.iii.org
The
Graduated License
Highlights
of restricted license for 16-year-old driver:
- One passenger
in the car for the first year of driving, unless the passenger
is 21 years of age or older and or a sibling (sibling can
be under 21)
- All siblings
from same household may be transported to school only with
a permission note
- No driving between
11:00pm and 6:00am unless accompanied by a parent or legal
guardian 21 or over with a valid license. You may drive
to and from work or for a school function with a valid permission
note
- A forged approval
note/permission note will result in the driver remaining
on learner’s permit status until age 18
- All passengers
and the driver must be seat belted
- Driver must
maintain a safe driving record with 6 points or less: cannot
contribute to an accident, and cannot get a second seat
belt violation or a second moving violation in order to
move to the next level
- If a driver
receives 6 points or more, or a second seat belt violation,
they must remain under this restricted program for an additional
90 days
- Involvement
in a fatal accident will result in the driver remaining
on learner’s permit status until age 18
MOST
IMPORTANTLY…Parents… purchase an Umbrella Policy.
Umbrella
Policies are inexpensive for their value and provide you with
added protection in the event the event you or your child
is found negligent in an accident resulting in damage and
or injury.
Think
of an Umbrella Policy as Catastrophic Coverage
Umbrella
policies come in increments of 1 million dollars
Umbrella
policies pay defense costs
POINT
CHARGES:
6-15 miles over ………. 3 points
16-25
miles over ……... 4 points
26-35
miles over ……... 5 points
36-45
miles over ……... 6 points
46
and over …………... 8 points
Accidents….
Property damage accidents…..3
points
Bodily
injury accidents ……... 4 points
Fatality
……………………… 8 points
For
more information go to:
The
Insurance Information Institute: www.iii.org
Preventive
Maintenance!
Stop Water Backup Damage Before It Occurs
Each year the backup
of sewers and drains causes millions of dollars of losses
to homeowners.
If you are concerned
about Water Back Up of Sewer and Drain Insurance Coverage
please call Wade & Egbert Insurance Agency at 383-9061.
No
one ever
wants to experience the inconvenience, expense and damage
of a water loss. To prevent a loss from occurring, it is important
to check your home each year. The following measures are easy
safeguards that could save you time and money:
Making
Sure Your Drainage System Works Properly….
A. Have your gutters
and downspouts checked annually or semi-annually. Downspouts
should extend several feet or more away from the foundation
to prevent shifting and leakage into basement walls. Gutter
extensions can be purchased at any local hardware store. Also
make sure that gutters are free of leaves and debris. The
installation of gutter guards is an excellent measure to prevent
backups within the gutter.
B. If gutters connect
to storm sewers, make sure to
keep drain lines clear.
C. Several different
types of anti-backflow devices are available for installation
into sewer and /or drain lines in the basement of your home.
The costs to install this device depends on the plumbing in
your home and the difficulty of installation. A qualified
plumber can assist you in determining your specific needs.
D. Installation
of a Sump Pump or a Skimmer Pump (for smaller problems) can
also prevent basement flooding.
E. Grade your yard
so that the earth slopes away from the house.
F. Watch what you
put down the drain!
Never pour grease
down a drain. It solidifies in either the drain, property
owners line or main sewer.
Paper products
do not deteriorate quickly and should be disposed of in
the garbage.
If
it has a rind, it doesn’t go down the disposal. Porous substances,
even small chicken bones, can be processed by your disposal.
Never put artichokes, lemons, oranges, limes or onions down
a disposal though.
These food are difficult if not impossible for the disposal
to breakdown.
G. Examine tree
and shrub roots around sewer lines. Trees and shrubs seeking
moisture often make their way into cracked
sewer lines. Eventually these roots can grow and break
the line causing a backup of debris, but there are ways to
prevent this.
Watch where greenery
is planted and have roots trimmed if necessary.
Old
or damaged pipes can be replaced with new plastic pipes,
which are not prone to crack.Check with a plumber before
purchasing replacement parts yourself. A good plumber has
access to better quality pipes and plumbing pipes than those
found in most home stores.
Copper sulfate
products can also be purchased to kill roots, but these
products should be used with extreme caution.
What
Immediate Action Should You Take in the Event of a Loss?
REMEMBER: In the
event of serious damage enlist the help of professionals as
soon as possible. It always helps to have the job done
correctly as soon as possible.
- Take
photos before the clean-up, during the clean-up and after
all repairs are complete.
- Itemize any
property losses
- Wet-vacuum
and /or remove spillage
- Mop the floors
and wipe the damaged walls with soap and disinfectant
- Flush out and
disinfect plumbing fixtures
- Clean or remove
drapes and carpets. Repair or remove wall board or wall
covering
- Clean up appliances
and ductwork.
For more information,
please call (615)383-9061. We will be happy to answer any additional
questions. |
