Your car and Maintenance

Maintenance isn’t just what the manufacturers use to make money it is essential to keep the vehicle running well. Remember, you as parents, are committing to maintaining the vehicle that your child will be operating. You may ask for their help but in the end it is your vehicle.

So, I’d suggest, if they can, for a new teen driver to learn some basic auto maintenance tasks. Every teenager can check the oil and replace windshield wipers and even check the tire pressure in the vehicle. If you have a mechanic in the family or even one you trust to work on your vehicle ask them to show your new driver a little bit about checking the brakes and the wear on the tires. It’ll help save you money in the long run. You may find that they can a few more things on their vehicle and yours. Perhaps change the oil as per manufacturers’ time specifications etc. I don’t see them replacing an engine but the basic review of maintenance they can do.

Driving Distractions

Every driver and passenger in a car knows we are faced with distractions while in any vehicle. The passenger itself can be a distraction. No matter how much we try there will always be some type of distraction but if we are aware that they may be there we might be able to better deal with them. A good drivers education course can help you be even more aware of what distractions await you on the road.

Again, your passenger(s) may be a distraction. It’s best to let them know you need to concentrate on your driving and the drivers around you. My mother would threaten to turn around and go home when we were in the vehicle with her and made too much noise. I say be serious about it. If it’s too much for you to concentrate properly then perhaps the trip isn’t worth it.

Billboards: We’ve all seen them. Larger than life faces and catchy headlines distract us everywhere. Learn to ignore them or better yet pick up a magazine and look at it when you’re safely at home.

Pedestrians: I love to people watch as I’m sure most people do. Did you see that lady with dog? Look at what he is wearing in this heat. She shouldn’t be wearing that outfit out in public. Well first things first and the first consideration as a driver is safety. You need to notice pedestrians but don’t gawk. There are vehicles around you as well as other people.

Environmental Distractions: The sun, the rain, the snow are unavoidable but there are things to help. I wear sunglasses as many hours as the sun is out. I wore them long before my ophthalmologist recommended them. Keep a spare pair in the car just in case. You can also buy longer visors for your car to help with the glare. If you can’t see, make sure you slow down or pull over. As for the rain and snow, keep your wiper blades in good shape. Pick up a new pair and change them with the seasons. I use Rainex on my car and it just helps me tremendously in the bad weather. This isn’t an ad for it but it’s something I know I use.

Automobile Insurance

Let’s discuss the different types of auto insurance. There is:

(1) Liability Insurance. Covers what you must pay if you cause bodily injury (to a person).

(2) Property Damage. This coverage pays for damage you (or someone driving the car with your permission) may cause to someone else’s property. It usually also covers damage to telephone poles, buildings, fences etc.

(3) Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

(4) Collision. Covers for damage to your car resulting from a collision with another car, object or as a result of flipping over. It also covers damage caused by potholes. Even if you are at fault for the accident, your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible. If you’re not at fault, your insurance company may try to recover the amount they paid you from the other driver’s insurance company. If they are successful, you’ll also be reimbursed for the deductible.

(5) Comprehensive . This coverage reimburses you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object, such as fire, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, or contact with animals. Comprehensive insurance will also reimburse you if your windshield is cracked or shattered. Some companies offer glass coverage with or without a deductible.

Some states do not require that you purchase collision or comprehensive coverage, but if you have a car loan, your lender may insist you carry it until your loan is paid off.

(6) Uninsured and Under-insured Motorist Coverage. This coverage will reimburse you, a member of your family, or a designated driver if one of you is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Under-insured motorist coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver has insufficient insurance to pay for your total loss. This coverage will also protect you if you are hit as pedestrian.

Remember each state has its minimum amount of coverage for each. Talk to your insurance representative about each item as you are purchasing insurance.