It is good to know that the number of accidents as well as injuries are at their lowest since the United States government began keeping records. Even so, vehicle accidents still happen every five seconds, someone is hurt in a crash every 11 seconds, and a fatality occurs every 12 minutes. (Refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] 2004 Early Edition Report.) Seat-belt usage, now required in all 50 states, and reduced drunk driving, brought about by nation-wide campaigns, has resulted in fewer accidents, injuries and deaths.
Here are a number of ways you help avoid injuries and accidents: Be cautious of your surroundings and other drivers when behind the wheel. Wear your seat belt. And observe and obey the speed limit.
The time of day and the time of year you travel can make you safer according to the above NHTSA study. Most traffic crashes happen on Saturday and Sunday nights between 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. December and August are the months when most mishaps occur. Plan your trips if you can to avoid these times – it’s the wise thing to do.
Consider insurance as part of the cost of driving your Mazda. It may be a “necessary evil,” but it is reassuring to know that you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and anyone else who may riding in your car, or riding in another car or as a pedestrian if your Mazda is involved an accident.
Buying liability insurance on your used Mazda (or if the Mazda you bought new has a lot of miles on it) is a way to keep insurance costs down. Liability insurance covers medical bills but not the car itself. Insuring your Mazda if it is old or has many miles on it may not be worth it since the car itself is probably not worth much anymore. Although just buying liability insurance is more economical for you, it still provides adequate protection in case of an accident.
But buying collision insurance (the kind of insurance that protects the car itself) on your new or slightly used Mazda is a good idea. That way, since even little fender-bender accidents cost a lot to repair these days, you will be covered for the major cost of the repair.
People save a lot of money just buy comparing rates between companies. “Quotes,” as the insurance business likes to call them, are available free. The fastest way to get a quote today is on the internet. First click on one of the sites listed on this page. You will need to provide your date of birth, the number of drivers in your household over the age of 16, zip code, make and model of your Mazda and whether or not you currently have auto insurance. There is no obligation to buy.
It is wise to talk with a trustworthy insurance agent about your insurance needs even after you obtain quotes online. S/he is an expert in the field and can explain why there may be a difference in quotes. S/he can also go over with you the various types of coverage available, untangle confusing area in policies, help you fill out forms, and ultimately recommend the best Mazda auto insurance for you. Remember to sign up with companies that have a good reputation for paying when an injury or accident occurs and who treat their customers with respect.
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