Back to School-College Edition

Back to school season has hit here in the Carolinas. College move in is approaching and you’re shopping around for dorm supplies and laptops, but don’t forget to put insurance on your shopping list.  Are you and your inexperienced drivers ready? High Rock Insurance wants to make sure your family is safe and protected this school year.

We want to give you the best coverage for the best price. We don’t turn away inexperienced drivers, we encourage them. One way to learn is by doing! That being said, the best thing to do for your new college student is to make sure they have adequate coverage. Check your policy, are they covered? Even if your student will not be taking a car to college, they still need to be on your policy if they will be driving when they come home on breaks. Some students even borrow friends cars while on campus. Don’t leave them high and dry in case of an accident, update your policy to suit everyone in the family.

Have you checked your child’s car lately? Ignore the wrappers, practice uniforms, and chargers; what do they keep in their car? If the answer is nothing else other than junk, let’s change that. Anything can happen while on the road, especially if your child plans on taking their car off to college. Do they have emergency supplies? The The National Safety Council suggests this list of supplies you should be keeping in your car:

• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
• Compass
• First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
• Drinking water
• Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
• Car charger for your cell phone
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Rain poncho
• Additional items for cold weather include a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, cat litter for traction and blankets

The last thing your child will need to be prepared as a college driver is teaching them how to change a tire. This is a great skill to have. It may not happen in their car, but it can happen when they are driving with friends and other family. Linked is a great video to share with your child via Bridgestone Tires. We are also attaching a printable PDF to put in your child’s emergency kit, for those times they may not have service to watch the video. Whatever your family does, we hope you do it safely! Enjoy your last week of summer and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us here at High Rock.