BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY & INSURANCE TIPS

Summer in Wyoming is winding down and kids are back to school.

Before your days are filled with packing lunches and running kids to school and practice, take a few moments to focus on school safety and insurance tips for your family.

School is an exciting time for kids and therefore they might not be as attentive as they should be when walking or biking to school. Practice walking or biking to school with your children and show them the proper way to use the crosswalk; follow the direction of a crossing guard; and watch for distracted drivers. Show your child where to secure their bicycle and how to use a bike lock. If you, or someone they know, will be picking them up after school, show them where to meet and to stay in that location. For children that will be riding the bus, accompany them to their bus stop and show them how to safely get on and off the bus. Always remind them to stay away from the curb until the bus has fully stopped and the doors have opened. Also, remind them to listen to the driver while in the bus and to stay seated until they arrive at the school.

School days can also bring increased traffic and congestion.

School buses stopping for children, kids riding bikes or hurrying across the street before the bell rings, rushed parents dropping off kids, are just a few examples. It is very important for drivers to slow down and be aware of their surroundings.

Be extra careful driving through school zones or near bus stops. According to the Transportation Research Board, 25,000 children are injured annually and more than 100 killed on average while walking to or from school as a result of speeding. In addition, the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for a child. Be sure to stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus, never pass a bus while it is stopped and has the stop arm extended. Look for children crossing streets outside of marked crosswalks.

Do you plan on driving your children to school? Be an example of a safe driver by obeying all school zone speed limits, stopping for children crossing the road and following proper school drop off procedures. This is also a good opportunity for you to double check your vehicle insurance coverage.

Visit with your agent to make sure you have sufficient coverage in case of accidents.

Young drivers should be reminded to pay attention and slow down in school zones, avoid using cell phones to text or make calls while driving, and avoid other distractions while behind the wheel. If you have a new driver, consider enrolling them in a driver's course.

Not only will it assist them in learning good driving skills, it may qualify you for Safe Driver discounts on your insurance. You can visit with your insurance agent to see if any discounts will apply.

If you have children heading off to college, you will still want to protect them. Visit with your personal lines (homeowners and automobile) insurance agent about coverage for your college student to ensure they are covered.

A good option might be to purchase a separate renters insurance policy. If your college student is out of town or out of state, it's a good idea to find an in-network physician with your health insurance company. By having this lined up, your child will have peace of mind should they need medical assistance while away from home.

You can visit with your insurance company or employer's human resource office regarding the specifics of your plan's coverage.

If you do not have current health coverage, you may dial 2-1-1 or reach out to Enrol Wyoming (www.enroll.wy) for assistance in navigating the marketplace. The Department of Insurance (DOI) can also provide information and resources for locating coverage for you and your family. You can reach the DOI by calling 307-777-7401 or visit https://doi.wyo.gov/home.