Many auto renewals have gone up due to stricter driving restrictions from insurance companies. Since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we like to take this time to remind our clients to be cautious of their driving.
Please review the rules of the road for drivers, passengers, and others:
- Put all electronic devices out of reach from you before you drive.
If you are using your phone as a GPS or to play music in your car, you still shouldn’t touch it. It will still count as distracted driving. If you are expecting a call or text, pull over and reply/answer. Other than that, you shouldn’t have your phone’s sounds on as they can cause distracted driving.
- Talk with your teens about responsible driving.
Set restrictions for your teen driver on curfew and heavily on what NOT to do while they’re driving. Set a good example of responsible driving for them. Avoid road rage, using your mobile devices, and any distracted driving.
- When you are a passenger, offer to take/make the phone call for the driver so their full attention is focused on the road.
I don’t know about you, but my anxiety goes up when my driver is distracted. Be a responsible passenger and help the driver out.
- Seat belts are the best defense against unsafe drivers. Always make sure you and every passenger has their seat belt on.
We know this is one of the most tedious tasks, but it’s such a simple rule to follow. Once it’s on, it’s on. Every driver and passenger needs their seat belt on.
- All pedestrians and bicyclists should focus on their surroundings and not on their electronic devices.
Even if you are driving responsibly, the people around your vehicle may be distracted. Pay close attention to their actions because you’ll never know what they’ll do.
For our MAPFRE/American Commerce clients,
Effective March 15, 2019. their following CT auto guidelines as follows:
- Named Insureds who have not been licensed for 36-months are ineligible
- All members in the household (rated and list only) must meet eligibility criteria
- Driver exclusions will no longer be available at New Business. Underwriting will continue to consider exclusions on renewal business
- BI Limits of 500/500 or higher will no longer be offered at NB or endorsement
- Speeding violations greater than 20 MPH over the posted limit are changing from a minor violation to a major violation and are considered as ineligible
- Cell Phone violations are changing from a minor violation to a major violation and are considered ineligible
