Do remain calm and professional.

Do call the police and, if necessary, the ambulance.

Do obtain the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all drivers, witnesses, and injured persons.

Do take pictures of the vehicle and surroundings and any other pertinent information. With the high availability of cameras and camera-phones, a photo is easy to capture and can be useful later on.

Do be completely honest and forthright. Dishonesty can invalidate your coverage.

Do save all receipts for repairs, towing, rental car, medical bills, and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

Do report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.

DON’Ts

Don’t leave the scene of the accident. It’s Illegal.

Don’t drive an unsafe vehicle. If you have any question as to the safety of your vehicle after an accident, don’t even think about driving it away. It’s not worth the risk.

Don’t accept any claim settlements at the scene of the accident.

Don’t admit liability on your part. Relate just the facts to the police officer.

In order to participate in the program, you had to take a course in a classroom. In 2009, the rules were expanded to allow for course providers to offer their content online.

The logistics of the program are as follows:

1. Sign up for the course, and pay the course fee (usually between $25 and $50 per person)
2. Participate in at least 6 hours of course instruction (online or in the classroom)
3. You will receive a certificate of course completion. Provide a copy of this certificate to us in order to get the insurance discount
4. Enjoy the savings for 3 years.

You may participate in the program as often as you like. If you have multiple vehicles on your policy, each principal driver can take the course to make sure that you maximize the discounts.

In addition to the savings on your premium, you can also avoid dangerous situations and activities by following the safety guidelines that are taught in the course.

For more information or to register to take the course online, you can visit http://www.newyorksafetycouncil.com/

Cold Weather Safety

When the temperatures start to drop, it’s more and more important to make sure that you are driving in a safe vehicle. Check the tire pressure and tread to make sure that they are at safe levels. Your tire shop can help you identify any problems with the tread or tire pressure. Remember that the tire pressure changes with the air temperature.

Don’t let your fuel supply drop too low. If you become stranded, your car is your primary source of heat. It’s a good idea to fill up before it drops below 1/3 tank.

Maintaining Vehicle Control

When your tires come in contact with snow or ice, your ability to steer and slow your vehicle is greatly reduced. With this in mind, you should keep your speed and following distance at appropriate levels. The more ice there is,  the slower you should go. This is not a time to race or do any crazy driving stunts. It’s important to maintain full control of your vehicle at all times.

Winter Storm Suggestions

If there is a winter storm, you should be extra careful to drive only when necessary. Let someone know where you’re going and what time you will return. Bring a snow shovel, flashlight, blanket, and extra food and water.  You want to be able to keep warm and visible if your vehicle becomes stuck. Check the weather forecast and news reports before you leave home. Beware of areas with high winds, drifting, and freezing rain. Stay well below the speed limit and extra far behind the person in front of you.  Make sure that you always have plenty of fuel in your vehicle.