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So I’m driving down the road and the news program on the radio has a guest from the Governors Highway Safety Association. Seems that they have just done a lot of research into the root causes of many of the accidents you hear about. Guess what they concluded? Technology is wrecking our society, sorta speaking.

Gadgets from fancy phones to music players and even fiddling with a GPS is causing an estimated quarter of all accidents on the road, and the number may actually be higher.

From the article: ‘”Most distractions involve more than one of these types, with both a sensory – eyes, ears, or touch – and a mental component. For this report, distraction occurs when a driver voluntarily diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver’s eyes, ears, or hands..’”

The lesson for you and your family is “the more tech, the more likely a wreck”. Keep your family safe from distractions. Talk to your drivers about avoiding texting and other dangerous activities while driving.

Need more info? Here is the full report.

OR contact TEAM ATD and ask how we can help.

Sometimes the best strategy is to stay put. The National Weather service has issued severe storm and tornado warnings for much of northern Ohio for this afternoon. We have already experienced a lot of rain already and with the threat of more we have a lot of nature related threats to keep an eye on.

What can I do?

• The best thing to do is hunker down. You should avoid driving if you don’t have to. High winds and rain make for some pretty formidable driving conditions.
• If you have to drive, take it slow and test you brakes frequently to make sure they are dry and functioning.
• Turn your headlights on in any rainfall.
• If the rain starts to get so heavy you cannot see, turn on your lights and four way flashers should you have to slow down or pull over to a safe area.
• Avoid driving through large puddles. It doesn’t take much to hydroplane a car.
• At home, make sure you have plenty of water and food for a day or two.
• Check to make sure you have a working flashlight and a portable radio in case of temporary power failures. Candles are also helpful but should never be left unattended when burning. Never use candles if you intend to get some rest or take a nap.
• Also make sure that you have  pales and buckets and cleaning supplies. A wet/dry shop vac can come in handy should you get into a basement water backup situation.
• Don’t shower or talk on the phone in an electrical storm. Also, be sure to turn off all non-essential electronics, especially computers and vital gear at the first sound of thunder.
• Surge protectors should be used to protect your expensive electronics. Make any surge protector you use has both Amp and Volt protection such as those from APC.
• Let someone know where you are and check on elderly neighbors and friends who do not have help nearby. Know where your kids are.
• Take time to read your insurance policy, you may need to know what is and isn’t covered.

There are many other steps you can take, we felt these are a few of the most important ones to aid you in the next several hours as the unstable weather crosses our area. If you need assistance or would like to discuss what is covered in your insurance policy please contact TEAM-ATD today.

April showers may bring May flowers, but it can also greet you with unexpected trouble if care is not taken when drivng on slippery surfaces. We all know driving in the rain can be a harrowing experience, but it becomes considerably more so if you are going too fast or following to closely.

Often times in rain related accidents a wedge of water builds up in front of the cars tires, and if  going too fast, the tires themselves can actually begin spinning on the surface of the water. If you have ever had this experience before, you know that hydroplaning feels like driving on ice–a terrifying situation you want to avoid at all costs.

Here are some tips on how to prevent and handle hydroplaning and keep you and your loved ones safe……

Preventing Hydroplaning:

• Slow down when it starts to rain. High speeds are the number one cause of hydroplaning, and slower speeds can help you avoid the issue before it arises.
• Rotate your tires and replace them when the tread becomes worn. Treads are supposed to shunt water away from the wheels–once they wear down, you are far more likely to lose control.
• Turn off cruise control at the first sign of rain! This otherwise convenient driving system can be deadly if it continues spinning the tires while you are hydroplaning.

Handling Hyprolaning when it occurs:

• Take your foot off the accelerator as soon as you feel the car hydroplaning. Slowing down in this way is far preferable to slamming on the brakes, which in non-ABS-equipped cars can send you into a deadly skid.
• Turn in the direction you are drifting to get the maximum friction from all four tires. If you need to avoid an obstacle, tap the brakes.
• Wait until you can feel the road again beneath your car. The effect should be instantaneous and easy to sense, like you have once again landed on pavement.
• Proceed with caution and test the brakes periodically to ensure that they aren’t flooded.

So please so down and take your time in order to get to where you need to be in the safest way possible. After all, you don’t want to miss it if the sun comes out tomorrow! – Team ATD

Ohio is notorious for its freeze thaw cycle. Every year about this time we emerge from the comforts of our homes often bewildered by the damage that has taken place to our streets. For those of us who commute great distances it is just a matter of time before you hit the inevitable frame bending, teeth jarring, wheel busting pothole.

You can be the best driver in the known universe and somewhere there is a pothole with your name on it. The downside is under most policies your deductibles usually cover the majority of pothole damage repair costs.

What about the city?

Cities have themselves covered in most cases as Potholes are covered under “sovereign immunity” status. Meaning if your vehicle is damaged while driving on locally maintained roads Cities are not responsible, similar to act of nature clauses. However, some municipalities have ordinances in place stating that if vehicle damage by a pothole that has been reported to the city for repair, the city may be responsible for covering your insurance deductible. Several municipalities also allow you to appeal to City Council under “moral claim”, but it is far from likely a city will choose to cover these costs.

How about state or federal roads?

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a claims process as well. You can submit a reimbursement claim for your deductible due to damage caused by potholes or if the damage was less than the deductible but caused on state roads (system of roads includes all Interstates, as well as US and state routes outside of municipalities). ODNR CLAIMS FORM HERE

So what can you do to protect yourself?

• Slow down. You only have seconds to react so the slower you go, the better chance you have of spotting a rim buster.
• Use great caution when reacting to a pothole, such as changing lanes. You don’t want to cause a worse accident trying to avoid the lesser one.
• If you hit a pothole and notice steering or performance problems be sure to pull clear of traffic to inspect possible damage. Don’t stop and get out near moving traffic.
• If you notice a vibration, steering wheel is off-center, unusual tire wear or the vehicle handles different then prior to hitting the pothole have your vehicle checked by a certified mechanic. You don’t want to continue driving at any speed if there is a problem.

Here’s hoping you (and your cars front end) get through the spring without issue. If you need help or would like more information on what you polciy covers contact your TEAM ATD representative. We’re always here for you!

We all get excited those first few days in March when we get a glimpse of warm weather and the snow melts away. Unfortunately for all of us here in Northern Ohio, Winter doesn’t end for another week or so. Starting tonight the rain will once again turn to the white stuff and driving conditions may deteriorate.

So what better time to refresh our winter driving tips, hopefully one last time.

• First and above all, slow down. Plan to take a little extra time to get to your destination. People who are constantly in a hurry often make bad decisions due to stress.
• Make sure you have plenty of assured cleared distance between you and the car in front of you. It doesn’t matter if you have 4 wheel drive or not, all cars break the same. It takes distance for momentum to be slowed to the point of a safe stop.
• Gradually accelerate, and turn. Many times the best defense is to lift your foot off of the gas pedal under and over bridges and through turns. This is the best defense against spinning out.
• Try out your anti-lock breaks on an empty section of your street on in a vacant part of a parking lot to make sure you are comfortable with how they operate in snowy conditions.
• Don’t use your cruise control in poor weather conditions.
• Don’t use your cell phone, but make sure it is fully charged when you head out to your destination.
• Be leery of snow covered cars or trucks. Those chunks of snow can fly off at any point.
• Don’t forget a jacket and gloves in case you get a flat or get stuck for awhile.

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The best defense against acclimate weather is to avoid driving unless you have too.

Your friends at Team-ATD are hoping you stay safe this weekend!..

You’ve seen the ads on TV, call XYZ Insurance and we guarantee we can save you money. Or, they proclaim an average savings over their competition of hundreds of dollars. What they’re not telling you is it could cost you everything if you have cut-rate coverage and are in a serious accident.

We know price is a big factor when making a decision on who to go with for insurance but is that the most important factor?

You should be sure you are not sacrificing your family’s long term financial health for short term gain. The most important thing about insurance is making sure that you have the coverage needed at the time of a incident. If you are opting for low limits and decreasing and/or declining coverage you could be at a bigger loss than if you were to pay that little bit more premium per month!

Sure you may have enough to cover a fender bender, but that may not always be the case. There are more than six million car accidents each year in the United States. Many accidents are car-truck accidents where the contents of the truck can be anything from an entire load of cars, to high tech equipment. In fact large trucks made up three percent of all registered vehicles and seven percent of all vehicle miles traveled. All the more reason to make sure you have proper coverage to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances.

So check your policy. In fact, bring it in and we will check it with you. Protecting your family or business is what we have been about since 1902. Team ATD, we are here for you!

Don’t settle for the bare minimum…

We hope Mr. Alexander Pope can forgive us for altering his famous quote, but lets face it some accidents are unavoidable. You can be the best driver in the history of the world, and that guy next to you in traffic texting on his phone while drinking coffee and eating a bean burrito could come across your lane at any minute forcing you into a situation.

Life is not always fair, but with Team-ATD your insurance can be. This is where accident forgiveness comes in. Many of our insurance carriers provide accident forgiveness but most of them require that you are with them for a set number of years before providing you with forgiveness. At Team ATD, we tailor your policy to suit your needs. The more cautious you are on the road, and those with the best driving records with least amount of claims have the best opportunity at being rewarded when it comes to accident forgiveness.

What types of accidents trigger an increase in premium?

• Any accident that is deemed “at fault” is subject to premium surcharge/increase. This can be an accident with another vehicle which is deemed your fault or an accident where just your vehicle is involved (example – slipping on ice and loosing control).
• Not “at fault” accidents and Comprehensive losses will not affect your premium. Please do not hesitate to contact a Team ATD agent with any questions….
• Some carriers require you to have a clean record for 4 to 5 years. So check with us and let us shop around and find the best solution for you.
• Different policies have different approaches to forgiveness. Some policies allow only a single incident over a period of time, while other premium policies will allow for multiple incidents over the same period without effecting your bottom line. The costs vary from policy to policy.

The bottom line is, know what is in your policy before an accident happens. Contact Team ATD to find out how to protect yourself and your family. We are always here to help.

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Northern Ohio’s weather can be described as having multiple personalities. The age old saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes”, and that is never truer then when it comes to the chilly days of February and March. Just like today when predicting the coming days, forecasters are whisy-washy as to what exactly we can expect. Just this morning a forecast said “it depends on the way the front moves” that we may get either freezing rain, sleet, snow, and how much of each.
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Always with potential for bad weather situations you need to be prepared, we offer you some sound advice from travel experts.

• If you have to go out in hazardous conditions, Slow down..drive with extreme caution. Drive below the speed limit until you are sure you are on a good clean surface, free of ice and debris.
• Keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you. At least one car length for every ten mile per hour (30mph – 3 car lengths).
• Turn on your lights, daytime running lights don’t illuminate taillights.
• Use turn signals, while most do this already we all know many people ignore the basics.
• Keep a blanket in your car. You never know when you might get stuck somewhere on the road.
• Keep a wool stocking cap and gloves as well.
• Purchase a 12v adapter for your cellphone. If you ever do get stuck, this will significantly improve your chances of contacting help.
• Keep a spare key hidden in case your locked out of your car. Newer vehicles have features such as on-star which allows you to call and have your vehicle unlocked. Make sure you have the number in your cell phone.
• If you are driving long distances, a bottle of water or two could also be useful if stranded or stopped for a period of time .
• Keep a  small first aid kit in the car.
• Know that if you have to pull over, be sure to use your flashers and use extra caution when outside the vehicle to keep aware of any nearby traffic.

Talk to Team ATD on how we can help, with items like towing insurance and rental vehicles if you should be without access to your car due to accident.

We are right here when you need us. Be safe out there!