Fuller Insurance Blog

Tips for Driving Safely With Children

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages three to 14.

Reduce the risk and implement these tips for safe driving when there are children in your vehicle:

 

1. Young Children
   • When children have outgrown a convertible safety seat, they should use a booster seat until they are 10 years old.
   • Even when young children are tall enough to use an adult seat belt, they should ride in the backseat until they are 13 years old.
2. Toddlers
   • Keep toddlers in a rear-facing, convertible safety seat for as long as possible.
   • When the child outgrows the safety seat, toddlers should sit in a forward-facing safety seat complete with a full harness.
3. Infants
   • Always drive with infants in a rear-facing safety seat.
   • Once a child exceeds the manufacturer's height and weight limit of the seat, infants should continue to ride facing the rear in a convertible safety seat.

Remember, car seats are only effective in keeping children safe if they are installed correctly. Before driving with any child passengers, double-check that the safety seat is mounted correctly, locked in place and that all buckles and straps are intact.

Are you a safe driver? Take the National Drivers Test from GMAC Insurance and find out how you score against your family and friends on Facebook.

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Florida Bicycle Riders: Do You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

I came across a disturbing article that shows the bicycle fatality rates by state. In the graph below, you see that Florida leads the nation in the number of bicycle deaths where an automobile is involved in the accident. In parentheses beside the state name, you see the estimated percentage of uninsured motorists in the state.

If we do the math, we see that Florida has about 114 bicycle deaths each year that involve an automobile. Plus, almost 1 in 4 drivers in Florida are uninsured.

 

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Census and Insurance Research Council.

Why is this important? If you are involved in a bicycle accident with an uninsured (or underinsured) driver, your own uninsured motorist coverage may cover your injuries. The purpose of your uninsured motorist coverage is to protect you against uninsured drivers and can be used even if you are not in your car at the time of the accident. 

So, before you take your next bicycle ride, take a look at your auto insurance policy to see if you have enough uninsured motorist coverage.

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Hybrid Car Owners: Get An Extra 10% Discount From Travelers Auto Insurance

If you own a hybrid car, like a Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid, then you can now receive an extra 10% discount on your car insurance from Travelers Auto Insurance. This extra 10% hybrid car discount is in addition to any other discount you qualify for, like a homeowners discount or safe driver discount. For more information, check out the Hybrid Travelers website - a special website dedicated to hybrid car owners.

Since I am writing about auto insurance discounts, I came across another good article about how to cut your auto insurance costs from Daily Finance. This article does a good job of covering all the possible ways you can save money on car insurance. One thing I would add would be: Don't let your auto insurance lapse! Whenever you let your auto insurance lapse you will generally have to pay a higher rate to reinstate it.

For more great ways to save on car insurance, call Shelley Carmichael at Fuller Insurance.

 

Progressive Snapshot Discount: Save An Extra 30% On Car Insurance

Are you ready to save an extra 30% on your auto insurance? Do you want an exclusive discount? Its time you consider the Progressive Snapshot Discount.

The Snapshot device is a little gadget that you plug into your car's on-board diagnostic port (OBD) port.

The OBD port is where your mechanic plugs in their computer  to read your car's computer.  The OBD port gives your mechanic the information he needs to repair or service your car. The OBD port is usually located below the steering column. 

 

The Snapshot device records three things about your driving:

1. how many times you brake hard
2. how many miles your drive
3. when you drive

The Snapshot device sends this information to Progressive through the wireless data network (don't worry, the device does not track where you drive, only how you drive). You can view your driving log using the Snapshot tools on the internet.

After 30 days you receive an initial discount based on your driving habits. At the end of six months you receive your Snapshot Discount, which could be up to a total of 30% in addition to any other discounts you qualify for. When your six months is done, you return the device to Progressive in the same packaging, postage pre-paid.

If you are a "safe driver," now is the time to prove it and claim your additional Snapshot Discount with Progressive Auto Insurance.

Trusted Choice Brand Launches New Website

Trusted Choice, the brand of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, recently launched a new consumer website. This new website is much better than the old one and includes great information on auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life/health insurance, and business insurance.

Check it out at http://www.trustedchoice.com.

Confused About Auto Insurance? Try These Tools

Let's face it - auto insurance is confusing. You have a choice of different insurance companies, you can purchase auto insurance on-line, on the phone, or from an agent, and you may not be sure you have the right coverage. 

PLUS you want a competitive rate!

Auto Insurance is a big expense for the average household, so why not learn more about what you are paying for?

Travelers Insurance Company just released two internet tools that can help: Auto Insurance Basics and Better Coverage Basics. Let me know what you think about these tools by posting your comments on our blog.

Hulk Hogan Needed A Personal Umbrella Policy

Why do you need a personal umbrella policy? Hulk Hogan's son and a friend were in a 2007 car crash. The friend was critically injured in the crash -- the friend's family sued Hogan.

Hogan settled the lawsuit with the friend's family for an undisclosed amount. Hogan had $250,000 in auto insurance coverage but did not have a personal umbrella policy. Hogan's assets are estimated to be $30 million.

Question: How much more did Hogan have to pay to settle the lawsuit, above the $250,000 in liability coverage he had on his auto insurance policy? We don't know. But, if he had a personal umbrella policy he could have been protected.

If you have assets to protect, you need to consider purchasing a personal umbrella policy. Call Fuller Insurance for a personal umbrella quote today!

Read more about Hulk Hogan suing his Ex-Wife and Insuance Broker from the Insurance Journal.

Auto-Owners Insurance Company Receives J. D. Power Award

For the third consecutive year in a row, Auto-Owners Insurance Company received the J. D. Power and Associates award for "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience."

If you are ready for a better auto insurance company, lower rates, and a great Trusted Choice agent, call Fuller Insurance at 850-622-5283 for a quote with Auto-Owners Insurance Company.

Walton Area Chamber Members: Check Out The New Postcard

Walton Area Chamber Members in Santa Rosa Beach, Freeport, and the surrounding area need to check out our new postcard (see below). You will receive a postcard in the mail soon.

Ready to save money on auto insurance AND get a $10 gas card? Call Fuller Insurance for an auto insurance quote today. Just for getting a firm quote you receive a $10 gas card for Chevron gas. Plus, save an extra 10% on your auto insurance with Auto-Owners Insurance Company.

Call Shelley Carmichael at 850-622-5283 for a quote or more details.

 

 
 

 

Travelers Insurance Mobile Tools For iPhone, Android, and Blackberry Smartphones

UPDATED June 16, 2011: Travelers announced yesterday they launched the Auto Accident Help app for Android devices and phones. Now Android users can file accident reports on the scene and prompt Travelers to start the claims process right away.

To download Travelers iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps, go to the Travelers Mobile Tools page or visit the Travelers mobile website.

We continue to see that Travelers offers excellent auto insurance rates and coverages for well qualified individuals. For a competitive Travelers auto insurance quote, give us a call at 850-622-5283 or get a Florida auto insurance quote online. 

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Travelers Insurance Company announced new mobile applications for the iPhone and Blackberry smartphones.

The new mobile tools provide Travelers Insurance customers and non-customers auto accident help including what steps to take after an auto accident, create and email Travelers an accident report, start an auto claim immediately, and guidance on what photos to take and what information to record.

For more information about Travelers Insurance or to request a Travelers auto quote, call Fuller Insurance at 850-622-5283 or visit http://www.FullerInsurance.us.