Drive is a pleasure, but you have the responsibility to drive safe, that’s why you must be fully prepared before driving your car.No matter if you’re planning a short or long trip, you must take your time and check your comprehensive coveage, this way you will be able to avoid possible problems on the road.
In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive coverage checklist that covers all the essential steps you should take before driving your car. Continue readding to know more about this checklist.
Takeaways:
Check tire pressure, tread depth, and brake pads.
Verify that your car's fluids are at the appropriate levels.
Test your headlights, brake lights, and windshield wipers.
Ensure your air conditioning and heating are functioning correctly.
Check your car's battery and replace it if necessary.
Review your auto insurance policy and make sure it covers you adequately.
Consider purchasing additional coverage if you're planning a long trip.
Look for discounts on your auto insurance policy.
Pack a first aid kit, spare tire, and tools in case of an emergency.
Bring jumper cables, a flashlight, and non-perishable snacks and water.
Use a GPS or map to plan your route and check for road closures or construction.
Secure your home before leaving by locking doors and windows and setting up a security system.
Bring a phone charger, cash, and credit cards for emergencies.
Pack entertainment options like books, music, or games.
Bring a camera to capture memories along the way.
To do list:
First of all, we will check our vehicle’s condition.
Check Tires and Brakes, that’s just an essential check. Imagine one of your tires is worn-out or damaged, that would make your car gets less traction. That tire could also blow out, and that would cause you suffer an accident. In addition, if your tires and breaks are all in good conditions, you’d save fuel.
Check Radiator and Breaks’ Fluid Levels, that may sound quite obvious, but imagine you’ve not checked it out, your car’s engine may end up overheating, and that would end up bad for your engine. In the other hand, if your breaks’ fluid are low, well, you know, your car may not stop when you really need it.
Check Lights and Wipers, that may sound quite stupid, I know, but imagien this situation, you’re driving on the I-405, and a heavy rain begin in front of you, then you try to use the wipers but, it doesn’t work, and you can’t see nothing, that would put you in danger. It’d happen the same for your lights, if your car’s light don’t work, and a police officer finds out, s/he’d give you a fine becuase of this.
Check Air Conditioning and heaters, that may not seems to be essential, but think about this situation, you’re driving on the US-2 or the route 66, and your AC doens’t work, would you get a pleasant drive? No. Furthermore, let’s say you’re driving and your windshield is completely foggy, that would make you cause an accident.
Check Battery, this is something you will have to check from time to time during your driving life. If your vehicle’s battery doesn’t work or it’s completely empty, you won’t be able to continue your trip.
Something you should do always before and after you buy any car insurance policy.
You should always check the declaration page of your policy. Let’s say you added comprehensive coverage from a car insurer, as you know, comprehensive coverage protects your car against non-collision damage, so for this example, comprehensive coverage will cover water damage, but it specifically says it will only cover water damage from natural disasters. In that case, if your car receives water damage due a water pipe, that won’t be covered.
Consider Additional Coverage, sometimes you need to add roadside assitance for a long trip, this way you will get towing to the nearest repair shop without any cost.
Check for Discounts, that’s a must to do in anyone’s list. If you’re a good driver or a good student, you may apply for some discounts, in case you want to receive all the information by email, you could opt for paperless discount or even better, if you renew early your policy, you will be able to get good discounts for that.
Some essential items you must put inside your vehicle before a short or long-distance trip:
First Aid Kit, that’s quite obivous, no need to explain why, imagine you or any of the passengers of your car suffers any injuries because of an accident. First Aid Kit would help while waiting for the ambulance.
Spare Tire and Tools, like I said above, if any of your tires blows out, you will also need a spare tire and the tools to replace that damaged tire.
Jumper Cables, that would help you or other drivers to start the vehicle.
Flashlight and Batteries, you may need it in the dark, letting others see you while you’re outside in a place with low vision.
Water and Non-Perishable Snacks, sometimes traffic jumps may be quite long, specially when that traffic jump is caused by the snow. Having some water and non-perishable snacks would keep you hydrated and nourished while waiting the road being restored.
Some itmes you will need during your trips:
Use GPS or Map, this way you will find the correct road to reach your destiny.
Check for Road Closures or Construction, you can always visit the Federal Highway Administration to check the national traffic and road closure in the country.
Plan for Rest Stops and Gas Stations, you can always browse on the Internet some good places to stop, rest up, get great meals for cheap prices, and full your vehicle’s gas tank.
Some tips before you leave your home:
Secure Doors and Windows, just check all the doors and windows are locked, you don’t want breaks your home and rob something.
Alert Neighbors or Family, that’s a good way to tell them to pick all your post mail you receive, this way you won’t let possible robbers you’re not at home, you can also tell your neightbors to check your appartment’s entrance. Robbers tend to place small pieces of plastic in the edge of the door, this way they know if that appartment has people living in or not. It’s also good to ask your neightbors to check your fence’s graffities, robbers often to mark their possible assaults on the fence.
Set Up Security System, installing and setting an alarm in your appartment would help you feel more secure while doing any trip.
Some indispensable items you must bring while having a trip:
Phone and Charger, that’s one of the most basic ways to help you take some assistance in case of accident, you can take pictures in case of an accident, you can also safe other driver’s contact information, and so on.
Cash and Credit Cards, that will help you pay any additional expensense during your trip, in addition you will be able to buy some souvenirs from your trip.
Entertainment Options, long trips may also need some entertainment, I know, we all have smartphones, tablets to watch any video or play videogames. However, you’re doing this in your normal life, perhaps you’d be able to exit form your confort area and play family games. A good music playlist will always help the driver to keep driving happy.
Camera, your camera not only will help you take incredible beautiful pictures, but also will help you take pictures of possible damage in case you suffer an accident.
FAQs
Q: What should I do if I don't have adequate auto insurance coverage?
A: You have only 1 option, add more coverage to your policy.
Q: What should I do if my car breaks down during my trip?
A: First of all, be sure there is not any vehicle running next to you, wear on the reflective vest, place the reflective triangle 12 or 15ft far from your vechicle, then using your emergency kit placed in the hidden slot of the trunk try to fix the problem. In case you can't fix it, you should call for roadside assistance or a tow truck. If you have comprehensive coverage you may have roadside assistance.
Q: How can I ensure my home is secure while I'm away?
A: Just check all the doors and windows are locked, you don’t want breaks your home and rob something. Tell your neighbors or family to pick your mail while you're on the trip, this way robbers won't notice you're not at home for a while.
Conclusion:
If you follow all these tips, you’ll drive safely and happy during all your trips, no matter if these are short or long-distance trips. It’s very important you check your tires and breaks regularly, that would safe your life. Be sure to inform your family or neighbors about your trip, but don’t say it on Facebook, Tweeter or Instagram, otherwise you’d be calling possible robbers to break into your home.
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