Uninsured Drivers

Have you ever wondered how many drivers out there have no auto insurance?  Do you cringe at the thought of one of those drivers hitting you on the road and not being able to be compensated for their negligence?  Well, I have been researching this for a few days now and it is astounding how many drivers actually drive without insurance.  In the U.S. 13.8% of drivers have no car insurance even though the state they live in may require drivers to carry it.  That is 1 in every 7 drivers!  Not only that the number of drivers without insurance is higher then the unemployment rate!  Imagine that!  Who do you think pays for those drivers that are uninsured?  Yep, you guessed it right!  All of us insured drivers are paying for those that are not insured.  Doesn't seem right.  It also appears that most people responsible enough to carry car insurance also have uninsured motorists coverage so they can be protected by those who do not have it.  This is a good thing if you are worried about you being compensated for somebody elses mistakes.  It only costs about 12-15 dollars a month more for uninsured motorists on your vehicle so why not add that to your coverage and protect yourself from those who won't.  You can call us anytime at Schrader & Murphy Insurance to get a quote on adding this to your policy.  Just thought you might like some friendly advice and a chance to possibly protect yourself better in case you get caught up in the middle of an accident with one of those uninsured motorists.  Take care now and drive defensively!

5 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER AN ACCIDENT

It is that time of the year again where the weather is going to play a major role in your driving habits.  I have listed what things you need to do in case you have been in an accident and the order that they should be taken place.  I suggest that everyone slow down and drive safely.  Look out for the animals and for the children that are crossing the roads.  Keep these things in mind.

If you're ever in an accident, it's easy to forget what to do right away. Follow these five steps to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and everyone else involved:

1. Call the Police. Even for small accidents, call 911. Police will help redirect traffic and document the incident.
2. Avoid Additional Damage. Move your car from the roadway as soon as possible to prevent additional collisions.
3. Get the Right Information for the Insurance Process. You'll need the other driver's name, license, phone number, insurance information and license plate number.
4. Document the Accident. From taking pictures of the damage and the overall accident to interviewing witnesses and taking down their information. The more accident evidence you can gather for the insurance claim, the better.
5. File an Accident Report. File a state vehicle accident report (available at police stations and DMV websites) to help speed up the claims process.