Philadelphia Area: Tips For Driving in the Rain

Even the most experienced drivers can get nervous while driving in the rain, being properly prepared for the wet weather driving conditions can save your life. Below are a few tips and techniques to remember in order to keep you safer.

• Allow more travel time.
• Make sure your car is in good condition, including the tires and windshield wipers.
• Consider safety features such as stability control, traction control and all-wheel drive
• Turn on your headlights; a good rule to follow to turn on your lights whenever you use your wipers.
• Do not try to cross running water.
• After driving through a puddle, tap your brake pedal to help dry your brake rotors.
• Leave a safe following distance between fellow drivers

These are just a few things to remember when driving in the rain. For more information and a free car insurance quote visit our website www.kimberleyvassal.com

Car Accident Tips: Important Things to Remember

If you have ever been involved in a car accident you know how stressful it can be. Below are a few tips to remember if you are ever involved in a car accident brought to you by Progressive.

• Stay calm: Keeping a normal demeanor helps you stay in control of the situation.
• Make sure you and your passengers are OK: Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares.
• Call the Police: Call 911 or the appropriate emergency number to report the accident.
• Contact your insurance company and report the claim: The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner they can start working to resolve your claim.
• Do not admit fault: Do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your claims representative.
• Exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the accident: Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident.

For more information and a free auto insurance quote visit our website today at www.kimberleyvassal.com!!!

How An Umbrella Policy Works

“Umbrella liability insurance is so named because it acts like an umbrella, sitting on top of your auto and homeowners liability policies to provide extra protection.” For a free insurance quote visit our website today at www.kimberleyvassal.com

Take the Auto Insurance Quiz

MSN.com recently posted an Auto Insurance Quiz. It allows you to tests your knowledge of auto insurance coverage before you are involved in an accident. Therefore, you will be more aware of whether or not you are properly protected in the event of an accident. To take the Auto Insurance Quiz click here. For more information or any other questions you may have concerning Auto Insurance visit our website at www.kimberleyvassal.com

Video: Winter Driving Tips

Below is a short video explaining some important tips and techniques about driving in winter weather. For more information and a free car insurance quote visit our website at www.kimberleyvassal.com

Tips and Techniques: Driving in Snow and Ice

Winter is approaching us. Therefore, Kimberley Vassal Insurance would like to remind you of some helpful tips and techniques for driving in winter weather. The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all. If you are unable to avoid driving, here are some helpful Tips and Techniques to take into consideration. Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. Below are some more helpful tips and techniques for driving in winter weather. For more information contact a Kimberley Vassal Insurance Agent today at www.kimberleyvassal.com

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Some Advice If You Are Involved In an Accident

If you drive a car, chances are you will be involved in some kind of accident in your driving career. Although none of us plan on being involved in an accident, odds are you will. It is important to prepare for an accident, here are seven simples rules that I recently read about in an article.

1) Stay calm – This is the most important thing to remember when an accident occurs. This will be a very stressful time, and for you to collect the data you need about the accident, and ensure your safety, you need to remain calm.

2) Keep the conversation simple – Be sure to check on the other driver and see if they are ok, but be very careful about too much conversation. NEVER admit guilt, even if you were completely at fault. The determination of guilt is better left to an officer of the law, and admitting anything at the scene won’t solve anything and can actually put you in a very bad position legally.

3) Contact the authorities – Even in a minor accident it is important to contact the police immediately. This ensures that an accident report is filled out, something the insurance companies need later to process any claims.

4) Gather whatever witness you can – Most accidents occur in well traveled areas, usually during times of reasonable traffic levels so there should be a witness or two that saw what happened. Some people will be hesitant to come forward, but once asked directly they will usually relay their observations on the accident to the police. In the event of a major accident, with any type of injury these witnesses become critical if a court appearance is required and can be your salvation.

5) Exchange contact information – Now that you have the basics covered, spend a little time exchanging contact information with the other driver. You will need at a minimum: their name and address, their drivers license number, their insurance companies name, and hopefully a phone number to reach them. Most current police reports will also contain this information, but it is a good idea to try and gather it directly as well.

6) Take good notes – By now you should be waiting for the police to arrive and you should take a minute to go over what happened in your head. Make notes about which way you were heading on the road, your approximate speed, any obstructions, and the general road conditions. Avoid discussing this with the other driver, and never directly engage them in a debate about the accident.

7) Contact your Insurance Company – Even if the accident was minor, contact your insurance agent as soon as you get home. The sooner they are aware of the accident the better. They will ask you for the particulars of the accident and any information you may have about the other driver and their insurance. Give them the information you collected at the scene. They will also ask if there were any injuries and if anyone was taken to the hospital. Answer all of their questions honestly.

For more information or questions contact a Kimberley Vassal Insurance Agent today by visiting our website at www.kimberleyvassal.com

Motorcycle Insurance

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a casual rider, or a hardcore motorcyclist, our motorcycle policy offers protection for you, your bike, and your accessories. All you need to do is choose the type of coverage and deductibles that best cover your motorcycle and your lifestyle, and we’ll do the rest. We offer competitive prices plus convenient payment plans, and we’ll place your coverage with a company that has the financial stability to be there when you need them the most. We hope you never have a bad day, but if you do, our motorcycle insurance coverage is designed to help turn a very bad day around.

And no doubt you’ll qualify for some of our discounts that will make your motorcycle insurance premiums even lower. We want you to enjoy your ride with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re covered. Why not get started today and save with a free motorcycle rate quote? It’s as easy as 1-2-3! For more information contact a Kimberley Vassal Insurance Agent today at 800.511.9377 or www.kimberleyvassal.com

Commercial Automobile Tip!

When employees or a principal of a company are required to rent/lease a vehicle for business, it is important that the vehicle be leased in the companies name in lieu of the individual employee or principal’s name, this will assure protection under the companies commercial automobile policy.

All company commercial automobile policies should include hired and non-owned liability coverage. For more information visit our website by clicking here or feel free to call us at 800.511.9377.

National Underwriter: Unusual Claims

In a recent National Underwriter’s article it explained many unusual claims that were very interesting and comical; I thought I would share one of the many interesting claims that hopefully will not happen to you.

An agent from Effler Schmitt Company in Toledo, Ohio wrote, “The insured had been driving through an animal safari, and the car in front had been feeding buffalo before they moved on, It was then that several buffalo decided they were still hungry and started pushing and ramming the front of the car until the hood and front end were damaged. Luckily the insured was able to make an escape.” This is just one of the many unusual claims found in this article and a good example of why you should always be insured.

For information on Getting an Auto, Home, or Business Insurance Quote visit our website by clicking here or call us at 800.511.9377.