Summer Driving and Car Insurance

Whether it's a leisurely, romantic drive down a country road, a fun-filled family vacation, or a raucous road trip across the country with friends, summer is prime time for excursions in the car. With the windows down, the music on, and the right company (or perhaps no company at all) a nice drive can be both fun and relaxing.

Summer road conditions, however, aren't always as smooth and easy as one might expect. Accidents do happen in the summer in the Ohio. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, car accidents are the number one cause of death for adolescents, and they occur most frequently in the summertime.

Summer car accidents, fortunately, aren't always deadly, but they do almost always result in an increase in car insurance costs. Preventing summer driving accidents is crucial, not only for physical safety, but for economic reasons too.

Keep the following tips in mind the next time you're ready to hit the road:

Stay Home During Stormy Weather Summer thunderstorms can pop up out of nowhere, and be stunning to behold. Sometimes, it's tempting to go out for a drive to better experience one, or to "chase" one. It's more prudent, however, to stay home. Summer rains make roads slick; this is especially during the early stages of a storm, when the thin coating of water and oil (and sometimes sand) can make roads dangerously slick.

Be Cautious in Flash Floods Because summer storms can come on fast, they sometimes result in flash flooding. To prevent accidents and damage to your vehicle, always assess how deep water is before attempting to drive through it. For your own safety, abandon a car in the event that it stalls while crossing water.

Don't Drive Too Fast in Hot Weather When the sun is shining, it's tempting to want to experience the thrill of driving at high speeds. But driving too fast for too long on a hot road can actually cause tires to blow, which can result in a serious crash. In hot weather, drive the speed limit or slower, and take frequent breaks to give the tires a chance to cool off.

Make Sure Tires Can Handle a Heavy Load Car trips are common in the summer, and it's not uncommon to see cars laden with all sorts of baggage, sports equipment, coolers, extra friends and relatives, pets, and more. Before loading up, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tire failure as a result of overloading can result in a serious accident.

Put the Phone Down, Keep the Radio Low, and Pay Attention These are common sense tips that are too easily forgotten during the carefree days of summer. But focusing on the road is just as important in the summer as during the icy, snowy days of winter. By driving carefully this summer, you'll not only keep yourself, and your friends and loved ones safe, you'll keep your car insurance premium down. And who doesn't want a few extra dollars to spend on ice cream?

For more information about auto insurance, contact Strachan Novak today.