Tag: Cheap Auto Insurance

Will 2016 Be a Record Year for Motor Vehicle Fatalities?

Are you planning to hit the road one last time before summer comes to an end? If so, we have some advice—BE CAREFUL!

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of motor vehicle deaths from January through June 2016 is 9% higher than during the first half of 2015. At this pace, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in 2016 could exceed 40,000, which would be the highest in nearly a decade.

Estimates for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend are equally frightening. The NSC estimates 438 traffic fatalities, the most since 2008. The NSC also estimates 50,300 nonfatal medically consulted injuries, which are injuries serious enough that a medical professional was consulted.

According to the NSC:

  • The estimated annual population death rate is 12.9 deaths per 100,000, which is an 8% increase from 2015.
  • The estimated annual mileage death rate is 1.3 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which is 8% increase from 2015.
  • The estimated cost of motor-vehicle deaths, injuries and property damage during the first half of 2016 was $205.5 billion.

States with the most traffic deaths:

  • Texas 1,824 (+11%)
  • California 1,702 (+9%)
  • Florida 1,590 (+10%)
  • Georgia 701 (+7%)
  • North Carolina 668 (+5%)

States with the largest percentage increase from 2015:

  • Vermont +63%
  • New Hampshire +61%
  • Connecticut +45%
  • New Mexico +43%
  • Idaho +37%

Why is 2016 on pace to be the deadliest year in nearly a decade? One reason could be lower gas prices. The NSC notes that gas prices during the first six months of 2016 were on average 16% lower than in 2015 and that this helped produce a 3.3% increase in cumulative vehicle mileage through May. Another reason could be that people continue to engage in risky driving behavior, like speeding, drunk driving, fatigued driving, distracted driving (including cell phone use) and aggressive driving.

Though some accidents just happen , most motor vehicle accidents can be avoided. In addition to avoiding risky driving behaviors, here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that can decrease the chances of getting into an accident.

  • Plan trips ahead of time.
  • Wear your safety belt—and wear it correctly.
  • Drive at the speed limit. It’s unsafe to drive too fast or too slow.
  • Be alert! Pay attention to traffic at all times.
  • Keep enough distance between you and the car in front of you.
  • Be extra careful at intersections. Use turn signals and to look out for people and cars.
  • Check blind spots when changing lanes or backing up.
  • Most of the time, having the right auto insurance coverage is all you need to recover after an accident. That’s clearly not the case with fatalities. Everyone must do their part to make sure 2016 is not a record year for motor vehicle fatalities.
  • Please contact us if you have questions about your auto insurance or would like a quote.
  • To receive regular updates about developments which may affect your business, subscribe to Setnor Byer Insurance &Risk’s weekly risk management news brief.

Ten Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

Would you be interested in finding great auto insurance coverage at the best possible price? Of course you are, everyone is, which is why we created this list of ten ways to lower auto insurance premiums. Chances are that at least one of these tips can help you save money.

  • Shop ‘til you drop. Shopping around is the best way to learn about options and compare prices. If you don’t have the time to study insurance companies, read policy forms or evaluate coverage options, let us do the work for you. As an independent insurance agent, Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk can access multiple insurance companies to find great coverage at affordable rates.
  • Before buying that new car, find out how much it will cost to insure. Checking insurance rates before your next purchase may lead you to a car with a lower total cost of ownership.
  • Opting for higher deductibles can mean lower premiums. A deductible is the amount you pay upfront before your insurance policy kicks in. If you choose a higher deductible, you could lower your costs. But beware—if you do happen to have an accident, make sure you have enough squirreled away to pay the claim.
  • Use a driving monitor system. Some companies will send you a device that plugs into your car’s diagnostic port. It tracks things like hard braking, speed, and distance travelled. If you are a safe driver, you can be rewarded with lower rates. If you are not a safe driver, this probably isn’t a very good option.
  • Maintain good credit. Studies have found a statistical correlation between credit score and the likelihood of filing an insurance claim. Insurance companies applied these statistics to create a fairly simple formula: better credit = less likely to file a claim = lower premiums.
  • Speaking of good credit, if you’re married, list the spouse with better credit on the policy first.
  • Bundle. Lower premiums are typically available to those who bundle coverage with a single insurance company. If you have multiple autos or are willing to obtain other kinds of coverage from the same company, such as homeowners’ insurance, you may be entitled to a multi-policy discount.
  • Lyft lover or member of UberPool? If you don’t drive much, you can often receive a low-mileage discount.
  • Reduce the coverage on that clunker. If you have an older-model car that’s getting up there in years, you may be able to reduce coverage on that vehicle. Chances are, it’s not worth what it was.
  • Contact Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk for more information.. We have agents ready to help you save money on your auto policy and to our insurance professionals can find out if you’re eligible for other premium discounts. There could be more savings out there for you!

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