Road trips are great! We love them, but they can be dangerous, especially to young drivers taking on unknown roads with potentially faster speed limits and other pitfalls. As a leading provider of car insurance in Northeast Philadelphia, we decided to create a safe guide for any of our clients or potential clients to check before they plan their next road trip.

Check Your Car Battery

Double-check your car’s battery to ensure that it has a tight connection and there are no signs of visible corrosion. If you spot corrosion, disconnect the battery and clean the connectors with a wire brush. If you’re not savvy with how to remove and clean a car battery, check with an expert. It’s recommended that drivers have their car batteries professionally evaluated annually after it’s two years old.

Check Your Car’s Belts and Hoses

The belts and hoses in your car’s engine are critical when it comes to maintaining the functionality of your car’s cooling and power steering systems. It’s important to have them inspected to see if they are cracked or damaged. Belts need to be tightly installed, so make sure you have them verified and checked that they do not contain much slack. Also, ask a professional to check for any leaks.

Check to Make Sure Lights and Electrical Equipment Are Working

It’s crucial that all interior and exterior lights are in full working order on your car. Replace any bulbs that have run out of life. Also, check to ensure your windshield wipers are functioning properly. Check the air conditioning system and if you have any doubt, have the car serviced by a mechanic. The last thing you want is to have the vehicle overhear halfway through a road trip!

Double-Check the Brakes

If your car’s brakes are making a squeaking sound, then your brake pads are worn out. This could impact your stopping time and distance, leading to a potentially fatal accident. If the brakes are making any odd noises, or don’t feel right, they may need more fluids. When in doubt, seek some advice from a professional mechanic, it may just save your life, or someone else’s.

If you’re looking for quality and affordable car or home insurance in Philadelphia, PA, click here for more information!

Car insurance pricing takes into account risks that have not only to do with the driver and the vehicle but also national and local environmental risk and regulation. Since 2011, the average national car insurance prices have increased by 23.12 percent, including rates for Philadelphia car insurance.

These increases are the result of several calculated factors.

Legislation and Regulation:

Each U.S. state has its own governing body that regulates insurance prices. These set the required minimum level of coverage that residents must carry, determine if and when insurance companies can change rates, and consider insurance legislation regarding fraud and more.

Philadelphia sits at just over $1,000 above the U.S. national average for annual car insurance prices, making your choice of car insurance provider crucial in terms of securing the best rates, with the most complete coverage for you and your vehicle.

Population and Crime:

More populated cities with higher instances of traffic congestion, crime, and uninsured drivers often have higher insurance premiums. Philadelphia has experienced 12 years of straight growth recently, after a decade of population decline. With this growth comes increased pricing on car insurance rates, as the risk of accident, crime, and uninsured drivers increases with the rise in population. A staggering 12 percent of American drive without insurance.

Weather:

Natural disasters and various other events lead to huge increases in costly claims for a given area. This causes insurance companies to raise rates in order to account for their losses.

Last year, Hurricanes Florence and Michael generated massive insured losses across parts of the USA, substantially impacting rates.

The Greater Philadelphia area’s position near the Atlantic Ocean has made it vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, and to flooding from storm surges along the Delaware River.

Economy and Behavior:

Americans are increasingly reckless behind the wheel, with cell phones, alcohol, drugs, other passengers, and even the cars themselves distracting our drivers.

Unfortunately, back in 2017, Philly was ranked 191 out of 200, in the Allstate nations best drivers report.

There are also more people driving in the USA than ever before, with mileage across U.S. roads steadily increasing since 2011. As of earlier this year, gas prices remain among the lowest they’ve been in the past decade, encouraging Americans to drive more. However, more drivers on the road lead to more accidents, claims, and increased rates to compensate for the risks and losses.

Freedom Insurance Group, Inc. works hard to keep rates for auto insurance in Yardley and across Philadelphia as affordable as possible. For the best competitive rates in your area, bespoke quotes, and amazing coverage as a promise, get a free quote here today.