Facts on Impaired Driving

Research on distracted driving reveals some surprising facts*:

20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA).

Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashed, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes). (NHTSA)

In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving. (FARS and GES)

The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

Using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)

*courtesy of distraction.gov

SAFE DRIVING FROM CWI UNDERWRITERS!!

Going Green Saves You Green

Volt and Leaf are neck to neck with their introduction into the Electric car market this year. Leaf, Nissan’s first all electric car, can move you 100 miles per charge with no emissions and is a approximately a nice $9,000 less expensive before the $7,500 tax credit. Volt, Chevy’s pride and joy of 2011, on the other hand, will travel 40 emission free miles until a small gas engine kicks into the electric and allows you to reach 340 miles (guess you don’t have to worry about it shutting down on you now, eh?).  That’s my little intro and from now forward we can expect to see a lot more reviews and “vs.” battles between electric, emission-free, green vehicles. So what do the drivers of these cars say about their transition? And another pretty important question, who insures them?

USA Today spoke to several “green” drivers and gave us a brief look at what their daily commute is like. For those worried that their car might lose power mid trip one driver states “…people don’t really drive more than 40 miles a day”. I guess that’s true since my 45 minute drive to work is only 20 miles and these engines are reaching more and more as newer models are released. A proud Leaf owners states, “When you get it serviced, there are only three things they check: windshield wiper fluid, the brakes and tire pressure. There’s no oil, no oil filter. You don’t need to go to the gas station at all.” So the drivers see the benefits in driving them, now what of insurance? Geico doesn’t offer much for electric vehicles. Matter of fact they can only be insure in California, North Carolina, and Rhode Island simply cause they are forced to offer coverage. Progressive does insure here in FL but no special treatment from them. Even the beautiful Tesla Roadster is considered a high performance car, so that policy will be a bit pricey. State Farm and Allstate follow in the tradition of Progressive. So save on gas, stick with a similar policy and enjoy the road.

High Gas Prices = Fewer Accidents

How many times has this happened to you? You have a bag full of your favorite candy. It’s set in a drawer next to you, or your kitchen, or by the computer. When the bag is full you splurge your candy. To you it’s full and it will stay full. Then one day, you pull open your drawer, pull it out and *gasp* it’s light. Too light. Now you start to spread it out as thin as you can. You don’t grab handfuls, but instead, grab a piece or two and put it away. You become very protective of it and even stop sharing with your co-workers (they’re animals). Interestingly enough, today’s economy is having that same effect on the way we use our cars.

FIVE DOLLARS! That’s the forecast for mid this year and if you’re like me, we’re dreading the pump so much that we’ll do anything so that the needle, that devilish thing that taunts us as it drops slowly but surely, stays up and takes its time on it descent. Yet, alas, there is a silver lining behind it all. What happened with your candy as its supply ran short? You were more careful with it, right? So too will you be with the way you drive and your gas consumption.

A study done by the Mississippi States Social Research Center compared gas prices with traffic stats from April 2004 to December 2008. The study showed how there was a short term effect on young drivers and an intermediate effect on older drivers. People react by making less unimportant trips or by simply doing everything they need on the way back home to reduce traveling. There was even an effect on drunk driving and if you think about it, it makes sense. What you would spend on booze is now filling up your car to get you back home or to work.

P.S. At CWI Underwriters you don’t have to drive to us to save on you policies. That would kinda be an oxymoron. We’ll take care of you over the phone or by email…telepathy available soon.

Cruise Your Way Into Summer

It’s been pretty hot these past couple of days. The sun keeps beating down and the humidity rising. You walk out of the office and can’t wait to be in your car, blow the AC, and hide behind your tints. As you get to it the door handle is burning. You flick it open and as you’re about to get in, a blast of heat completely engulfs you and, if you weren’t sweating yet, you are now. Clear enough? This heat is unbearable and I can’t help thinking of another way to move around in a much “cooler” fashion. How bout a bike? Not a pedal one (it’s too hot to exercise outside and I don’t want to be held liable of someone suffering a heat stroke). A motorcycle, motorbike, a two-wheeled motor vehicle. Come on. You’ve thought about it. I have. So what to get?

Personally I’m into the adventure-touring and power cruisers. Adventure-Touring “AT” is where off-road and touring bikes meet. Touring are those big bikes like the Honda Gold Wing, Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, and the BMW K1200LT. But to me they’re too bulky. No offense to older readers but I’m not 50. If I really wanted to ride around gloriously I’d get a power cruiser; I’ll get to that in a moment. Now most of us have seen off-road bikes. Rickety, noisy, and boney is not appealing to many who want to ride around on a bike. Luckily the Adventure-Touring is a fine blend of the two. Who better to blend these two than BMW back in 1980. They’ve picked up over the years and offer great long-distance travel with some off road compliance, making it a fun ride always.

Ahh Power Cruisers. I would probably get this over the AT simply cause of its aggressive, majestic prowess. Most Harleys are classified as   cruisers and they present a comfortable ride with a great sense of dignity. A Power-Cruiser kicks it up a notch. You want a hot-rod, sport bike, PO’d, attitude machine? Found it. Power Cruisers deliver in a way no other bike does and with bike like the Harley Night Rod and Suzuki Boulevard, you can tell from a distance.

So time to rock out a nice bike this summer. Oh, by the way, they’re great on gas and nowadays that’s definitely a plus. Have fun searching for your perfect ride and don’t forget, who better to insure it than us here at CWI.

Progressive launches Pay-as-you-drive insurance

Progressive is Florida’s fourth largest auto insurer and they have just rolled out a program that provides discounts to eligible customers who allow the insurance company to track how much they drive. Click on the link below to read the full article on how this new insurance will work..

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/housekeys/blog/2011/02/payasyoudrive_insurance_launch.html

Which cars get the most tickets?

I came into work this morning.. opened my computer and the first article that pops up is this one… which cars get the most tickets? What’s funny is that Mike (our auto specialist) is currently buying a new car and it’s on this list! Check to see if you car made the list… and if it is… drive slowly from now on!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/which-cars-get-the-most-tickets.aspx

Progressive– a great place to work!

LATINA Style magazine has named Progressive car insurance as one of the best companies for Latinas to work for in the U.S.

LATINA Style evaluates more than 800 companies in the Fortune 1000 based on their leadership programs, employee benefits and Latina representation in senior positions.

“At Progressive, we believe it’s important to have people with different backgrounds and experiences to bring new perspectives to business challenges,” said Nestor Lopez, chair of Progressive’s Hispanic/Latino employee resource group.

CWI Underwriters is proud to represent Progressive as they help the Latino community. Give us a call so we can quote your auto insurance! 888-636-6438

10 Car Maintenance Mistakes…

Do you slack off when it comes to maintaining your vehicle? Read the following article regarding your cars maintenance… It includes tips regarding your tires, oil changes, and your wipers!

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=463862&icid=autos_0606&GT1=22012

What to do after an auto accident?

Sometimes when we are involved in an auto accident we are so nervous that we don’t know what to do next. Should you get there information? Take pictures? Here are a few steps to follow after an accident to gather the correct information…

1. TURN OFF your car and, if necessary, move it to a safe place; OUT OF HARM’S WAY. The law requires that you stop at the scene of the accident.

2. Check if everyone and everything is okay, and if necessary, call 911 for medical assistance. 
 
3. ALWAYS Contact the police. By reporting the accident to the police and filing a report, you will help protect yourself from potential liability claims and legal action.  DO NOT take the any parties “word” and try handling the accident between yourselves; you are setting yourself up for a HUGE headache!

(a police report is required for a “hit and run” claim and recommended if injury occurs, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. When the officer arrives, obtain his/her name, phone number, and the police report number)

4. If your vehicle is inoperable, call a towing company (or your roadside assistance company, usually provided by your insurance company) to move your vehicle. Don’t forget to jot down their name, address, and phone number of the towing company.

5. As soon as possible, contact your insurance provider to report the accident. (HINT: if it’s not your fault, call the at fault parties insurance company)

Important Information That You Need To Know:

1. Always exchange:

- contact information (name, addresses AND PHONE NUMBERS)

- Year, make, model, license plate number

- Insurance Carrier and policy number for all vehicles involved

2. If there are witnesses, get a statement

3. Take pictures of the damages to every vehicle, injured drivers and/or bystanders and the accident scene as a whole, if possible

4. Give details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions. DO NOT ADMIT FAULT OR DICUSS THE DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN THE POLICE OR YOUR INSURANCE REPRESENATIVE.

Call your agent and ask them to provide you with an “Accident Report Form” to keep in your glove compartment to help expedite the claims process and report filing.

If you have any questions or if you want some more information about the procedures you can take click on the links below….

http://www.mapfrefl.com/Claims/claims/_KUUQYwouVXOPATe5U2M77g

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/CrashReport/

Prized Possession….Cute Travelers Commercial

Travelers has some great commercials on TV these days. CWI is proud to have Travelers as one of our top companies we place business with. Let us insure your prized possessions with Travelers. Call us! 888-636-6438. Check out how cute this commercial is…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G7bGBUlx2M]