Westland Insurance

Recent statistics show that approximately 46% of teenagers and 89% of all drivers text on their cell phone while driving. These numbers are expected, but still very alarming. Texting is certainly a quick and efficient way of sending a message to someone, be it your boss advising you of additional information for the upcoming meeting, your wife asking you to bring home supper, or a friend inviting you over for drinks.

It seems harmless to take 30 seconds to reply to that important text message, but it is 30 seconds that you have your eyes off the road. In those 30 seconds, you may not see the traffic light turn red, the driver in front of you stop, or the pedestrian crossing the road.

Texting while driving has been named as one of the major contributors to causing traffic accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Motor vehicle accidents will cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket. This has quickly become a growing problem for Canada and the United States, as more and more people rely on their cell phones for conducting personal as well as company business. Fast paced, hectic schedules make pulling over and safely answering a call or text seems like time that cannot be taken. Instead, we choose to risk ourselves as well as the lives of others in order to save a minute or two.

Recently, texting and talking bans have been implemented in several provinces, including Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This law came into effect on January 1, 2010, for these two provinces. In BC, if you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer because of texting while driving, you face a fine of $164.00 plus 3 points on your driver’s license. You will also face higher auto insurance premiums. These penalties, along with the risk of injuring or killing yourself or someone else, are definitely not worth it. Take a minute or two to pull over and answer your phone, or better yet, wait until you reach your destination. No phone call or text is important enough to die over.

Labels: Auto Insurance Vancouver

After several months of beautiful spring and summer weather, once the snow starts to fly, it seems like we all forget exactly how to drive according to the winter weather conditions. Roads can become snowy, icy, and extremely treacherous, all in a matter of a few short hours. It would be nice to park the car in a warm garage for months, but this isn’t a practical idea for most people. Instead, we need to follow a few simple rules that will help reduce the chances of becoming stranded in the cold, or being involved in a nasty collision. Safety and preparation are the two essential keys to survive another season of frigid weather.

• First and foremost, bring your car in for a routine maintenance check before winter begins. Your vehicle should be in top running condition in order to last through the harsh temperatures and heavy snowfalls that come with winter. Your local mechanic or service station will check and top up your windshield fluid, oil, and antifreeze, as well as check and replace – if necessary – your battery, air filter, and wiper blades. Make sure that your tire pressure is equal and correct, and that your tires are not leaking air.
• Keep your gas tank level at least half full at all times. This will help to prevent the gas line from freezing when the temperature drops.
• Before driving anywhere, even to the gas station or convenience store, brush off your entire vehicle. This includes the hood, roof, headlights, and taillights. Snow left on the hood could blow up onto the windows, reducing visibility. When you scrappy your windows, scrape them entirely, not just a small area for the driver to see out of. You need to use your full range of visibility, especially in winter.
• Always drive according to the weather conditions. This applies to all seasons, not just winter. Slow down and allow yourself more time for breaking on icy streets. Keep ample space between you and the vehicle in front of you, just in case they make a sudden stop. Many winter accidents are caused by following too closely and not having enough time to stop before sliding into the back of another vehicle.
• If you are traveling long distances, make sure that you are prepared in case you become stranded. Monitor the weather reports before you travel and be prepared to change your travel plans. If you find yourself traveling in poor conditions, safely pull over if possible. It is better to arrive late to your destination to not arrive at all. Always bring a fully charged cell phone and an emergency kit. This kit should include blankets, extra clothes and boots, a flashlight, high energy food, and water. Never talk or text on your cell phone while driving. If you find it necessary to use your phone, pull over to make or answer the call.
• Also carry an emergency car kit with essential winter equipment. This kit would include a tow chain, road flares, jumper cables, a small shovel, a brush and window scraper, and kitty litter or sand for tire traction.
• If you happen to get stuck, stay in your vehicle. NEVER leave and try to walk for help. Hypothermia can set in very quickly, causing you to become disoriented and Can lead to death. Run your engine every hour to keep warm, and crack your window open to avoid getting the gasses inside the vehicle. Tie something brightly colored on the antenna to alert passing motorists.
  
  
  
  

Labels: Auto Insurance Vancouver

The Christmas holiday season is a time for celebration, cheerfulness, thinking of others, and spending time with family and good friends. For many, it is also a time to eat and drink. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a drink or two to toast loved ones or ring in the New Year. However, you must know your limit and drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption could lead to regrettable sexual jaunts, embarrassing phone calls or text messages, and inappropriate behavior at family and office Christmas parties. This behavior can severely – and permanently – damage your reputation and any chance for advancement up the corporate ladder.

The biggest and most dangerous decision people make while drinking is getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and believing they are fine to drive. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of injury and death during the holidays; it is also one that can be avoided – 100%.

There are many misconceptions associated with drinking and driving. Following are some of the most common myths:

Larger people can handle their alcohol better than smaller people. While it is true that an individual’s size plays a factor in how they are affected by alcohol, there are several aspects that must be considered. Everyone has a different metabolic rate. This means that the body processes food and alcohol at different rates for everyone. A person weighing 200 pounds may have a slower metabolism than someone weighing 150 pounds. Therefore, alcohol stays in the body for a longer period of time. After the first drink is consumed, the effects are already taking place.

If you drink beer instead of hard alcohol, then you will be fine to drive. To be blunt, alcohol is alcohol. True, whiskey may have a higher alcohol percentage than a bottle of beer, but that just means that an individual is more likely to consume more beers; thus, becoming even more impaired. Alcohol – no matter what kind, affects the body.

Coffee will sober you up. Coffee contains caffeine, which will make you feel as if you are more awake, but it will not counteract the effects of alcohol. Alcohol impairs your judgment and vision, slows reaction time, and lowers your inhibitions. The only factor that can eliminate these effects is time.

If you roll down the windows and breathe fresh air, turn up the radio, or splash cold water in your face, you will sober up faster. Again, only time can eliminate the effects of alcohol on the body. These tactics are mere distractions that will not change your level of impairment at all.

The truth is, when you drink and drive, you risk more than just losing your good reputation. You also risk losing your job, your livelihood; even your family. You will accumulate hundreds – perhaps thousands – in fines and court costs. You will have a criminal record, which will prevent you from traveling out of country. Worst of all, you could severely injure or kill yourself or others – including your family. This is not a present that anyone wants to wake up to on Christmas morning.

So, by all means, have a great time during the holiday, but be responsible as well. If you choose to consume alcohol, then also choose to appoint a designated driver or arrange to take a taxi home. If you notice that someone on the road is driving erratically and could possibly be impaired, do not hesitate to call the police or 911. This way, everyone can arrive home safe and enjoy the season.

Labels: Auto Insurance Vancouver

On an average day in BC 44 vehicles are stolen*. This means that over 15,000 British Columbians each year find themselves victims of auto theft. In the event your car is stolen, you should immediately contact the police with the following information:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Color
• License plate number
• VIN
• Approximate time of theft
• Location
• Witnesses (if any)

Following your report to the police, your next contact should be to your insurance company.

Preventative measures, however, could prevent this tragedy from ever happening.

Some tips to consider:

• Install an anti-theft device
• Never leave the keys in the vehicle, or the vehicle running, while unattended.
• Keep doors locked at all times, and windows up.
• Never store valuables or packages in plain sight.
• Have your VIN etched into windows and other parts of your car, making resell on the black market more difficult.
• Engrave your stereo and other on-board valuables with your driver's license number.
• When parking on the street, turn your wheels, use your emergency brake, and park between other cars (making it harder for a thief to tow).
• Avoid parking in long-term lots if at all possible.
• Park in a safe, well-lit, or well-traveled area at night.
• Avoid parking behind fences or hedges.
• At home, light your driveway all night. Elsewhere, park in well-lit areas near pedestrian traffic.
• After opening an automatic gate to underground parking, watch out for thieves waiting to slip inside. Wait for the gate to close behind you.
• If you see any suspicious person or activity near a vehicle, call the police immediately.

*Based on claims reported to ICBC in 2007.
**www.icbc.com

Labels: Auto Insurance in British Columbia, Auto Insurance Vancouver, Auto Theft in BC, Autoplan, Car Insurance in BC