If you’re a fan of road trips, or driving at night in general, you understand the extra safety required to navigate dark roads. You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).

Because we’re big advocates for safety at Synergy Insurance, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.

What’s dangerous about night driving?

1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.

So what do you do?

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So, whether you’re just running to the store or driving a long distance, here are some tips to help you make a safe trip.

1. Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, taillights, etc.
2. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
3. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway – and distractions are even more deadly at night.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out!

The post Careful Driving At Night appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Most people would say their car is one of the most valuable assets they own – if not the most valuable. Despite that, however, some people make it downright easy for thieves to drive off in their pride and joy. At Synergy Insurance, we don’t want you walking out your door to an empty driveway or leaving the local mall only to find some broken glass left behind in your parking space. So take care to avoid these five common mistakes.

1. Leave your car running… and unattended. We know it can be chilly in the mornings, and who wants to wait in a cold car while it warms up? Well, a thief certainly won’t mind the chill – as he’s driving away in your car while you’re finishing that cup of coffee in your kitchen. If your car is running, you should be in it. Period. Even if you’re just running over to the ATM to get some cash or dropping off some mail.
2. Keep a spare set of keys inside the car. Law enforcement agencies say this is a great way to turn a car prowler into a car thief. They’re already breaking into your car to get a phone, or a laptop, etc. What do you think they’re going to do when they find a set of keys? They’re not going to drop them off on your porch with a nice note, that’s for sure.
3. Leave valuables in plain sight. Seems simple, but we’ve all made this mistake. You’ll just be in the store for a second, after all, so who cares if you leave your smartphone on the front seat? Or items from your other errands in the back seat? Be smart – if you have to leave items in your car, put them in the trunk, or at least hide them as best you can. And do it before you get to your next destination.
4. Leave your car unsecured. The best thieves can work wonders with a window that’s left open even just a crack. And even the worst thieves can steal a car that’s been left unlocked, with no alarm set.
5. Assume nobody would want to steal your car. Think your car is too old or too undesirable for a thief to bother? Scrap metal is worth money, so never assume that your car is safe – even if you think it’s just a “junker.”

Keeping thieves away helps to keep everyone’s insurance costs down, so avoiding these mistakes not only will save you hassle, it will save you money as well. So stay safe, not only on the roads, but in the parking lots as well!

The post Five Sure-Fire Ways to Get Your Car Stolen appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Florida is the sunshine state, and we pride ourselves on our warm weather and mild winters. The thought of “winterizing” your vehicle may seem foreign to many Floridians, but for those traveling out of state or those who might experience below freezing temperatures, it’s important to take some precautions.

Here is a list of tips to get your car winter ready:

Get an Oil Change & Fluid Check

Getting your oil changed before any road trip is important. It is especially important if you’re headed to a colder climate because you may need a different type of oil. Either discuss this with a mechanic or review your owner’s manual.

Also, check the level of antifreeze in your car. You can find instructions in your owner’s manual, or have a mechanic do it for you. You’ll also want to buy windshield wiper fluid made for the winter. It will specify on the bottle. Normal windshield wiper fluid will freeze on contact with your windshield in low temperatures.

Check Your Tires

The tires you need will depend on the weather where you are traveling. If you’re likely to encounter lots of snow then you may want to invest in a set of snow tires. You may even want studded snow tires but those will depend on the state you travel to, as they may not be allowed.

If your vehicle has 4 wheel drive or if you aren’t likely to encounter lots of snow then make sure your current tires are in good condition. Check the tread of your tires. You can do the “Lincoln test” using a penny. Insert the penny into the tread of your tire head first. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head then your tires might be too worn.

Have Your Brakes & Battery Checked

You’ll want to make sure that your brakes are in good shape if you’ll be driving in icy conditions. Many auto mechanic shops will offer a free brake inspection.

They can also likely test your battery for free. Cold weather is hard on a car’s battery so you’ll want to make sure yours is in good shape. Have them check the battery connections to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion.

Know How to De-Ice Your Car

Scraping an icy windshield in freezing temperatures is definitely not a fun way to start the day. There are plenty of home remedies to help you de-ice your car including mixing 1/3 cup of water with 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Then spray the solution on your frozen windshield. Another trick is to use a straw to blow hot air on a frozen door handle. There is also the option of turning your car on, and cranking up the heat and defroster.

Whatever you do just don’t pour hot water on your windshield. This could cause your windshield to crack. Either use one of the methods above or invest in a sturdy ice scrapper.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Bad weather increases your chances of getting stuck, and the last thing you want is to be stuck without supplies. Consider placing a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. You can order a ready-made kit online, or here is a handy checklist to use to make your own.

Review Your Auto Insurance Policy

If you plan to rent a car for a winter road trip, make sure you review your rental car insurance coverage before hitting the road. Also, snow and ice can make for messy driving conditions so you’ll want to make sure you are properly insured even for your own car.

As always, Synergy strives to provide our clients with important information to help make their travels happy and safe!

The post Seasonal Auto Maintenance appeared first on Synergy Insurance.

Auto insurance is a fact of life for American drivers, and while we all know that having car insurance is a requirement, how many of us really understand the coverage we pay for year after year? Your policy may have major gaps that could leave you exposed to a lawsuit or unable to cover all the medical costs and damages related to a car accident.

Below is a look at the minimum state law requirements in Florida and how optional coverage could help protect you and your family.

Minimum Required Coverage

The minimum amount of car insurance that is required by law in Florida is $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. Personal injury protection will cover your medical expenses and your passengers’ medical expenses if you are in an accident. This is referred to as “No Fault Insurance” in Florida because coverage is provided regardless of who caused the accident.

Property damage liability will cover damage to the other party’s vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. Additionally, drivers who don’t own their car and are leasing or financing it might be obligated to carry additional car insurance coverage. This is because the lien holder (the company who leased the car to you or who loaned you the money to buy the car) wants to make sure that their property is protected.

Optional Coverage

You should keep in mind that having the minimum auto insurance to meet state law requirements is only a starting point. Major car accidents can cause damage far beyond the minimum insurance coverage.

There are also additional types of coverage that you should strongly consider including:

• Bodily Injury Liability, which pays the other party for serious injuries you caused. It is a requirement for some drivers who have had previous accidents.
• Collision Insurance, which will pay for repairs to your vehicle.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, which covers your vehicle if you are in an accident, and the other driver either doesn’t have insurance or only the minimum amount.
• Comprehensive Coverage, which pays for damage to your vehicle that happens outside of an accident such as theft or vandalism.

There are also other add-ons to keep in mind such as roadside assistance and rental car coverage if your car isn’t drivable after an accident.

Understanding the amount and type of auto insurance coverage that makes sense for your unique situation can be complicated. Synergy can help. As an independent insurance agency, we are free to research the entire marketplace without being limited to the products of one company.

Contact us for a free review of your current policy whether you are a new or existing client. We will make sure you have the best coverage to match your driving needs!

The post Auto Insurance – How Much Do I Need? appeared first on Synergy Insurance.