Millions of students descend upon college campuses each year on a journey to discover their career path. The things they learn won’t just come from textbooks and lectures – life experience also plays an important role in their transition to adulthood. Unfortunately, not all life lessons are pleasant ones. Consider, for example, the stress, panic, inconvenience and financial strain the two of you might experience if their belongings were stolen, or damaged in a fire while away at school. “Most college students don’t think about protecting their belongings with insurance because, until this poin ..read more

National weather forecasters report a frightening trend of more powerful, extreme weather events that have wreaked havoc on communities in the U.S. So, it’s critical that you and your family are prepared for the “Big One” or an evacuation notice that can be happen in a moment’s notice. The best thing you can do to weather one of these cataclysmic events is to prepare ahead of time. Take this emergency preparedness quiz to see if you’re ready for a natural disaster.   The post Are You Ready For A Natural Disaster? appeared first on ..read more

Americans love their pickup trucks, as demonstrated by the two bestselling models in the U.S. There are several reasons why full-size pickups account for more than two million new vehicle sales in 2019 – they’re versatile enough to handle the daily commute, get the kids to soccer practice, haul heavy loads to a construction site or simply load up with everything you stock up on while running weekend errands. Today’s trucks are more spacious and get better gas mileage, while offering the same features and comfort of a car, so there’s no wonder why these vehicles are in such high demand. If a tr ..read more

The used-car buying process isn’t always fun. Follow these simple steps to protect yourself. Buying a car is a big decision. Whether choosing a new or used vehicle, stepping onto a car lot or into a dealership and being confronted by a more-than-enthusiastic salesperson who you know works on commission can create a mixture of anxiety and frustration. It’s a tough job that usually gets little respect from consumers and serves as a stereotype – often unfairly – for anyone who’s willing to shake your hand while simultaneously reaching into your pocket. The used car business is changing, though. S ..read more

California is no stranger to wildfires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, wildfires in California destroyed 703 commercial/mixed residential structures disrupting businesses and perhaps halting operations altogether. Have you taken any measures to safeguard your California business? A wildfire can damage your business structures in three ways: Burning Embers: Wind-blown embers typically cause most building ignitions. A wildfire creates embers when it burns combustible items such as landscaping vegetation and structural fuels. Radiant Heat: Fire creates radiant heat that can i ..read more

Following a Collision with an Automated Vehicle, What Do You Do? Seven out of ten drivers wouldn’t know what to do Drivers today share the road with automated vehicles* more and more, with tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Intel and just about every automaker developing and testing self-driving cars and trucks. Auto manufacturers are phasing automated vehicle technologies into new models, including adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, blind spot cameras, parking assistance and lane departure warning systems. These semi-automated technologies are the first steps toward a fully ..read more

Summertime typically means family road trips, sunscreen and hats. However, while you’re taking personal precautions to beat the heat, make sure to do the same for your car. High temperatures and direct sunlight can cause significant damage to your vehicle’s interior, exterior and engine. If you want to keep your ride safe during the summer, then follow these tips on how to protect your car in hot weather. Drive when it’s cooler It may seem like a no brainer, but avoiding the sun when driving can help mitigate heat-related issues. Hitting the road early in the morning or later in the evening ca ..read more

By Kevin Quinn, Vice President of Claims and Customer Experience at Mercury Insurance  Drivers, it’s time to be honest. How do you really feel about semi-autonomous vehicles? Chances are that you or someone you know has recently driven a vehicle equipped with intelligent or adaptive cruise control, parking assistance or collision alert systems. If so, it’s official – you’ve driven a semi-autonomous vehicle! While there may be a lot of confusion from drivers over what semi-autonomous means or how safe semi-autonomous features may be, there’s no denying the influence semi-autonomous vehicle tech ..read more

Road signs and emojis are two very different kinds of symbols that are ubiquitous in our daily lives. While one is designed to keep our roads safer, emojis are a fun way to enhance and convey emotion in text conversations. Both are engrained in how we communicate. With the rise of mobile technology, do we now know more about emojis than we do common road signs? Take this quiz to put your knowledge to the test. Whatever the outcome may be, always remember as a driver that emojis and road signs should be kept separate and to put your phone down while driving.   The post How Well Do You Know You ..read more

Properly maintained brakes are crucial to a safe driving experience. Know what it means when your brakes begin making a noise. When it comes to driver safety, one of the most important components of any automobile is the braking system. The performance of a car’s brakes can spell the difference between avoiding a collision and a terrible tragedy. If a car’s brakes begin making an unusual noise, it’s important to have them checked by a professional to determine if there’s an issue that could lead to a serious accident. To understand the types of noises a car’s brakes can make, it helps to under ..read more