Car Insurance Day: Reminder to Check your Coverage & Practice Safe Driving Habits

CHICAGO, Jan. 30 -- The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following news release:

Car Insurance Day can serve as a reminder to review your auto insurance coverage and your driving habits according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).

"While you may pay the bill every month or every year, do you really understand what's covered under your auto insurance policy? Few of us do, which is why insurers want to remind policyholders to review their coverage options," said Bob Passmore, PCI's assistant vice president of personal lines policy.

Now is the time, if you haven't already, to have a conversation with your insurer or agent regarding your automobile's insurance coverage and limits. Insurers recommend you do an annual insurance check-up to ask questions about your deductible, whether you should consider purchasing additional coverage and opportunities for discounts.

"It's also a good time to practice good driving habits and encourage others to do the same," added Passmore.

Traffic deaths rose 10.4 percent in the first half of 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Roadway deaths have been steadily increasing since 2014, and distracted driving is thought to be one of the leading causes for the rise in vehicle accidents nationwide.

"Distracted driving is thought to be one of the leading causes for the rise in vehicle accidents nationwide," said Passmore. "Whether it's making a quick call, firing off a text, or adjusting the navigation system, in that short lapse of focus, all too often drivers can cause or fail to avoid a crash. And our increasingly congested roads compound the problem."

"While safety is always the first concern, these trends also could be hitting consumers' pocketbooks by putting upward pressure on insurance costs. Raising awareness about these alarming statistics and the continued threat of distracted driving can help make our roads safer and keep costs down for consumers. We hope you use Car Insurance Day to keep your heads up and put down the phone," said Passmore.

PCI promotes and protects the viability of a competitive private insurance market for the benefit of consumers and insurers. PCI is composed of nearly 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write $202 billion in annual premium, 35 percent of the nation's property casualty insurance. Member companies write 42 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 27 percent of the homeowners market, 33 percent of the commercial property and liability market and 34 percent of the private workers compensation market.

[Category: Insurance]

30FurigayJane-5760478 30FurigayJane