Now you can use price and plan benefits as the basis for your purchasing decision because the standard plans are identical from company to company. The only difference is which plans the company offers.

Some Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

If I already have a Medigap policy, will I be able to buy one of the standardized plans?

Maybe. You can apply for a policy. However, unless you are eligible for open enrollment or guaranteed issue when disenrolling from a Medicare+Choice plan, companies may reject your application because of your current health condition. If you are accepted for coverage, you should not have to meet any pre-existing condition waiting periods to have continuous coverage.

I will turn 65 within the next few months. What should I do about Medigap insurance?

First, learn what Medicare covers and what gaps you want covered with a Medigap policy. Don’t forget to ask your employer if your current policy will convert to a supplement after you are eligible for Medicare. If you or your spouse do not have employer or union group coverage, then select one of the ten plans that offers you the benefits you want at the best price. If you apply for Medigap insurance within six months after you enroll in Medicare Part B, or qualify for guaranteed issue when disenrolling from a Medicare+Choice plan, companies must accept you regardless of any health conditions you have, and they cannot charge you more than they charge others of the same age.

I am already 65 and I have coverage through my former employer. What should I do?

If you are satisfied with your coverage and pay no more than a comparable private insurance policy would cost, you do not need to do anything. If your policy is expensive or has very high deductibles or co-payments, you might want to purchase a standardized Medigap plan. Do not drop your current coverage until you have been accepted by a new policy. If your employer group health plan does not offer the same benefits as a Medicare supplement, you should inquire if your employer would be willing to purchase a Medigap policy for you. Other-wise, you may want to consider purchasing a Medigap plan in addition to current coverage through your former employer.

I am a retired federal, state or municipal employee with benefits through Medicare and my federal, state or municipal benefit plan. Should I change to one of the standard plans?

You probably have better benefits through your plan than you can get through any of the standardized Medigap plans. You should carefully review your current benefits with a representative from your group. It is unlikely that you need to replace your coverage.

I plan to continue working after I am 65. What do I need to do?

If you work for an employer with 20 or more employees and are covered by health insurance, or you are married to someone who does, you probably have comprehensive coverage. The employer plan pays first and Medicare pays second. You should not enroll in Medicare Part B until you stop working. When you stop working, you may be able to convert your employer plan to a Medicare supplement. Otherwise, you can purchase one of the standard plans.

I cannot afford a Medigap policy. Is there anything I can do to protect myself?

Depending on your income, you might be eligible for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, a special Medicaid program that pays for the Part B monthly premium, and covers your hospital deductible plus your 20 percent co-payment and deductible for physician charges.

We can help you determine which of the companies we represent will best meet your needs and provide the most valuable combination of tailored coverage, quality service and fair pricing.

Please contact a Bell Insurance agent for a compressive review of your insurance policies to protect your family and property this summer season.

Get A Detailed Quote from Bell Insurance Inc.

1. Replace income for dependents
   If people depend on your income, life insurance can replace that income for them if you die. The most commonly recognized case of this is parents with young children. However, it can also apply to couples in which the survivor would be financially stricken by the income lost through the death of a partner, and to dependent adults, such as parents, siblings or adult children who continue to rely on you financially. Insurance to replace your income can be especially useful if the government- or employer-sponsored benefits of your surviving spouse or domestic partner will be reduced after your death.
2. Pay final expenses
   Life insurance can pay your funeral and burial costs, probate and other estate administration costs, debts and medical expenses not covered by health insurance.
3. Create an inheritance for your heirs
   Even if you have no other assets to pass to your heirs, you can create an inheritance by buying a life insurance policy and naming them as beneficiaries.
4. Pay federal “death” taxes and state “death” taxes
   Life insurance benefits can pay estate taxes so that your heirs will not have to liquidate other assets or take a smaller inheritance. Changes in the federal “death” tax rules between now and January 1, 2011 will likely lessen the impact of this tax on some people, but some states are offsetting those federal decreases with increases in their state-level “death” taxes.
5. Make significant charitable contributions
   By making a charity the beneficiary of your life insurance, you can make a much larger contribution than if you donated the cash equivalent of the policy’s premiums.
6. Create a source of savings
   Some types of life insurance create a cash value that, if not paid out as a death benefit, can be borrowed or withdrawn on the owner’s request. Since most people make paying their life insurance policy premiums a high priority, buying a cash-value type policy can create a kind of “forced” savings plan. Furthermore, the interest credited is tax deferred (and tax exempt if the money is paid as a death claim).

Please contact a Bell Insurance agent for a compressive review of your insurance policies to protect your family and property this summer season.

Process:

Step 1: Obtain an Application for a Motorcycle Learner’s Permit (DL-5) and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator’s Manual.

Step 2: You will be given a vision screening test and are required to pass the motorcycle knowledge test. Upon successful completion, you will be given the learner’s permit.

Step 3: Following the receipt of the learner’s permit, you can either schedule your skills test at a local Driver License Center or schedule training through the Motorcycle Safety Program or by calling the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation Motorcycle Safety Program at 1-800-845-9533. If you choose the Motorcycle Safety Program, at the end of the training, a skills evaluation is administered by a certified Rider Coach. If you pass the skills evaluation, you are not required to go to a Driver’s License Center to take the skills test; the licensing examination is waived.

Paying to much for motorcycle insurance?

For more information about motorcycle insurance just fill out our Request-A-Quote form, or just pick up the phone and Call Bell Insurance at the location nearest you (numbers located at the top of every page).  A Bell Insurance agent will be happy to help you find the best insurance to fit your needs at the best possible price.

Please contact a Bell Insurance agent for a compressive review of your insurance policies to protect your family and property this summer season.

Occurrence and Consequences
In the U.S. during 2004, 4,767 teens ages 16 to 19 died of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. During 2005, nearly 400,000 motor vehicle occupants in this age group sustained nonfatal injuries severe enough to require treatment in an emergency department (CDC 2006).

The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash (IIHS 2006).

In 2005, teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the U.S. population and 12 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths (IIHS 2006).

The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers; the risk increases with the number of teen passengers (Chen 2000).

Cost
Persons aged 15 to 24, who represent only 14% of the U.S. population, account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females (Finkelstein et al. 2006).

Groups at Risk
In 2004, the motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers age 16 to 19 was more than one and a half times that of their female counterparts (19.4 per 100,000 compared with 11.1 per 100,000) (CDC 2006).

Crash risk is particularly high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive (IIHS 2006).

Risk Factors
Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate hazardous situations or dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations (Jonah 1987).

Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next). The presence of male teenage passengers increases the likelihood of these risky driving behaviors among teen male drivers. (Simons-Morton 2005).

Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking (NHTSA 2006a, NHTSA 2006b).

Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2005, 10% of high school students reported they rarely or never wear seat belts when riding with someone else (CDC 2006b).

Male high school students (12.5%) were more likely than female students (7.8%) to rarely or never wear seat belts (CDC 2006b).

African-American students (13.4%) and Hispanic students (10.6%) were more likely than white students (9.4%) to rarely or never wear seat belts (CDC 2006b).

At all levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash is greater for teens than for older drivers (IIHS 2006).

• In 2005, 23% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had a BAC of 0.08 g/dl or higher (NHTSA 2006b).
• In a national survey conducted in 2005, nearly 30% of teens reported that within the previous month, they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. One in ten reported having driven after drinking alcohol within the same one-month period (CDC 2006b).
• In 2005, among teen drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving, 74% were unrestrained (NHTSA 2006b).

In 2005, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight and 54% occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (IIHS 2006).

“College students living off-campus are ideal candidates for renters insurance, since many bring with them thousands of dollars worth of personal items, such as computers, stereos and bicycles,” said Koken. “Students should never assume that their landlord’s insurance will cover any losses.”

If a college student lives in a rented apartment, house or condominium, the landlord’s insurance will not cover the student’s personal property in the event that it is stolen or damaged as a result of fire, theft, or other unexpected circumstances. Renters insurance protects personal property against damage or loss and also protects the owner in the event that someone is injured on the premises.

Renters should carefully consider what type of coverage they need. Personal property coverage applies only to repairs or replacements of damaged, destroyed or stolen personal belongings. Liability insurance provides coverage against a claim or lawsuit resulting from bodily injury or property damage to others caused by an accident which took place on the policyholder’s property.

For more information just fill out our Request-A-Quote form below, or just pick up the phone and Call Bell Insurance at the location nearest you (numbers located at the top of every page).  A Bell Insurance agent will be happy to help you find the best insurance to fit your needs at the best possible price.

For a compressive review of your insurance policies to protect your family and property contact a Bell Insurance representative right away.

If you are a 16 or 17-year-old resident of Pennsylvania you will need to show:

• One form of identification from List A, and
• Your Social Security Card.

If you are 18 years of age or older and you are a resident of Pennsylvania you will need to show:

• One form of identification from List A,
• Two forms of proof of residency from List B, and
• Your Social Security Card.

New Residents of Pennsylvania

New residents of Pennsylvania who hold a valid driver’s license from another state in the United States must get a Pennsylvania Driver’s License within 60 days after moving to PA and surrender their out-of-state driver’s license and/ or ID card.

If you are a new resident of Pennsylvania and your prior state’s driver’s license has been expired for more than six months or you do not possess your prior state’s driver’s license you will be required to apply for a PA Learner’s Permit and take the Vision, Knowledge and Road Tests.

New residents of Pennsylvania who hold a valid driver’s license from Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory or possession may transfer their valid driver’s license to a PA Non¬Commercial Driver’s License.

New residents of Pennsylvania who hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) from another state in the United States may transfer their CDL to a PA CDL.

If you are a 16 or 17-year-old new resident of Pennsylvania you will need to show:

• One form of identification from List A,
• Your Social Security Card, and
• Your out-of-state driver’s license and/or ID card.

If you are 18 years of age or older and you are a new resident of Pennsylvania you will need to show:

• One form of identification from List A,
• Two forms of proof of residency from List B,
• Your Social Security Card, and
• Your out-of-state driver’s license and/or ID card.

Safety Checklist

• Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a month), including the spare.
• Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread.
• Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
• Check tire pressure before going on a long trip.
• Do not overload your vehicle. Check the tire information placard or owner’s manual for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle.
• If you are towing a trailer, remember that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the towing vehicle.

Safety Tips

• Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road.
• Do not run over curbs, and try not to strike the curb when parking.
• Remember to check your tires once a month!

There’s Safety In Numbers

You can find the numbers for recommended tire pressure and vehicle load limit on the tire information placard and in the vehicle owner’s manual. Tire placards are permanent labels attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove-box door, or inside of the trunk lid. Once you’ve located this information, use it to check your tire pressure and to make sure your vehicle is not overloaded–especially when you head out for vacation.

Checking Tire Pressure

Because tires may naturally lose air over time, it is important to check your tire pressure at least once a month. For convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets. Remember, the tire inflation number that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper pounds per square inch (psi) when a tire is cold. To get an accurate tire pressure reading, measure tire pressure when the car has been unused for at least three hours.

Step 1: Locate the correct tire pressure on the tire information placard or in the owner’s manual.

Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.

Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire valve with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure.

Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of pressure are what you will need to add.

Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.

Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure (except in cases in which the front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure).

Checking Tire Tread

Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear even with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires. You can also test your tread with a Lincoln penny. Simply turn the penny so Lincoln’s head is pointing down and insert it into the tread. If the tread doesn’t cover Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

Why? Well, here’s the reason: airbags inflate at speeds up to 200 mph – faster than the blink of the eye. They’re designed to explode out of the dashboard and side panels of the car to protect the driver and front seat passenger from hitting hard surfaces like the dashboard or windshield during a collision. Now imagine that same explosive force hitting a child in the front seat of a car as they are jolted forward. Thats dangerous.

That’s why the SAFEST PLACE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12, TODDLERS AND BABIES (INCLUDING NEWBORNS) IS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

How can your family reduce the risks associated with airbags? Read on!

THE AIRBAG SAFETY CHECK LIST

1. Children 12 and under (including newborns and toddlers) should ride buckled up in a rear seat. Parents should use child safety seats, booster seats or safety belts appropriate for their age and size.
2. Infants must ride in the rear-facing child seats securely fastened in the back seat of the car. Parents may be tempted to put babies in the front seat of the car don’t do it. The place for children is, and always has been, in the back seat.
3. Make sure everyone buckles up with both lap and shoulder belts on every trip. Move the driver and front passenger seat as far back from the dashboardas practical.
4. Parents with infants that require constant attention should have another adult ride with them. Why? Because it’s easy to get distracted.
5. Airbags only inflate in front end crashes and collapse immediately to prevent suffocation. But airbags or not – always wear your safety belt.

THE FIVE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AIRBAGS.

1. Why are airbags dangerous to children, newborns and toddlers?

Airbags are designed to inflate in the blink of an eye – that takes an incredible amount of force. That same force can severely hurt or kill passengers and drivers who are too close to the dashboard. It’s always best to buckle all children under 12 in the back seat.

2. How come airbags work for adults but not for children?

An average size adult who is wearing their seat belt correctly is not likely to come in contact with the airbag until it’s completely inflated. Unbelted or improperly belted children can easily fly off the seat when a driver slams the brakes to avoid a crash. That throws them to the dashboard where the force of the airbag inflating can cause serious injury or death.

3. Why are children safer in the back seat?

There are more head-on crashes than any other type. In the back seat, children are farthest away from the impact and from the risk associated with an inflating airbag.

4. Isn’t it less safe to have a baby in the back seat where the parent can’t see them?

No. The risk of having a serious crash is far more likely than the baby having a life threatening problem in the back seat. It’s best to think of it as if you are putting the baby down for a nap. This way drivers can concentrate on the road.

5. Are short adults at risk with airbags just like children?

In general, no. As long as adults are correctly belted and at least 10 inches from the steering wheel the airbag will be fully inflated before they hit it.

In the Kitchen

• Always turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so children cannot pull pots down on themselves.
• Cook on back burners whenever possible to reduce risk of small children burning a curious hand.
• While cooking, put babies or toddlers in a playpen where you can see them but where they cannot be splashed by hot grease, spilled foods or an overturned pot.
• Never carry or hold hot liquids or foods near your child or while you are carrying or holding a child.
• Put guards on stove controls, or remove stove knobs when not in use so children cannot turn on the stove by accident.
• Keep all electric appliances away from the reach of children, fasten cords out of reach, and supervise children when there are appliances present.
• Sharp knives should be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet out of children’s sight and reach.
• Lock all cabinets storing household cleaners, abrasives, products and toxins, and keep these products in their original, clearly-marked containers out of children’s sight and reach.
• Kitchen cabinets should be fastened with childproof latches (available in hardware stores) to keep children from toppling items onto themselves.
• Secure unstable cabinets or shelves by bolting them to walls or floors.
• Store plastic bags and plastic wrap out of children’s reach — they can easily suffocate in a matter of minutes.
• Store sharp-edged aluminum foil dispensers, waxed paper and plastic wrap dispensers out of small children’s reach.
• Teach older children safe use of sharp knives, proper way to walk with them (points down) and always to wash, dry, and put sharp knives and other implements in locked drawers out of smaller siblings’ reach.
• Young children should be supervised by an adult when using a microwave. Do not allow children to heat jelly donuts or any liquids in the microwave – the centers can be scalding hot while the outside is cool to the touch.
• Don’t heat baby bottles or formula in the microwave. The center can be scalding while other parts are cool to the touch.
• Remove tablecloths – children can pull everything onto their heads by yanking on the cloth.

In the Bathroom

• Keep all prescription and nonprescription medications, and all cleansers, toiletries, cosmetics, razor blades, any product that is labeled “keep out of the reach of children” and other hazardous items out of children’s reach in locked cabinets.
• Be sure that all tub and shower areas have non-slip mats.
• Set hot water heater for below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent scalding.
• Test water temperature with the inside of your elbow before bathing young children. Babies and young children should be bathed in water that feels warm but not hot.
• Always supervise children under six in the bathtub. Small children can drown in just a few inches of water.
• Keep any bathroom electrical appliances away from water sources (e.g. bathtubs, sinks) and out of children’s reach.
• Put toilet lid locks on all toilets if you have a child under 3 years old.

In the Living Areas and Bedrooms

• Cover all electrical outlets with clear childproof plastic covers.
• Cover all radiators with secure radiator covers.
• Look for hard sharp edges (fireplace hearths, sharp corners in the home or on furniture) and install foam padding where children could bang their heads in a fall.
• Heaters, fireplaces or woodstoves must be surrounded with childproof screens.
• Make sure all toys are safe, with no sharp edges, and are not a choking hazard (e.g., small button eyes, detachable pieces, strings, ribbons, etc.)
• Keep small items like coins, nails, buttons, and keys out of children’s reach.
• Install safety gates (not accordion-style) on top and bottom of stairs.
• Gates should have a pressure bar or other fastener that is too strong for the child to release.
• Keep all houseplants out of children’s reach. Poisonous plants should be given away until children are older.
• Keep all alcohol in a cabinet that is kept locked at all times.
• Cover all trash containers securely. Young children are likely to rummage through the trash and come upon dangerous items like glass, etc.
• Wrap curtain cords, Venetian blind cords, etc. up out of children’s reach. Children can strangle themselves on these cords.
• Be sure curtains are securely fastened so children cannot pull them down or pull curtain rods onto their heads.
• Place window guards in open windows – these should be so sturdy that children cannot force or push them out.
• Do not use walkers. Children can fall down stairs or run into furniture. Jumpers or swings are safer alternatives.
• Never leave your child unattended on a table or bed. Always have one hand on your child when they are on a high surface.

Anytime you plan to work on your own vehicle, there are some important safety precautions that you should follow.

• Before you even begin looking under the hood of your car, be certain that the parking brake is engaged and the car is in “park.” As an extra precaution, chock the wheels to ensure that the car doesn’t roll.
• If you must work underneath your car, be sure that it is supported properly. Your jack is not designed to support the car alone. You’ll need to use jack-stands or ramps.
• Try to work on the car only with the engine turned off. If a circumstance arises where you must start the car as you’re working on it, make sure you aren’t wearing jewelry, loose clothing or anything that could catch in moving parts.
• Never smoke when working on a vehicle.
• Wear protective clothing or accessories appropriate to the work you’re doing. These may include work gloves and safety glasses or goggles.
• Use the right tool for the job — even if that means you have to rent them.

Travel Checklist

Before going on a trip, you can save yourself a lot of aggravation by checking your vehicle thoroughly.

1. Check the engine oil, even if you change it regularly. Locate and pull the dipstick. Wipe it clean with a cloth. Reinsert the dipstick, and pull it out to get an accurate reading. The level of the oil should be between the “add” and “full” marks on the stick. If the level is below the “add” mark, add a quart of oil. Always use the kind of oil recommended for your vehicle. If you’re not certain which weight to use, check your service manual.
2. Check the transmission fluid with the engine running and up to operating temperature. Locate the dipstick and check the level in the same manner as described above. In this case, the hash marks on the stick indicate one pint. On most vehicles transmission fluid should be changed about every 30,000 miles.
3. Check the coolant level at the coolant-recovery tank. The “minimum” and “maximum” fill-marks should be visible on the side of the tank. If the level is low, top it off with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
4. Check the belts. On newer cars the accessory belt, also called a serpentine belt, drives the air-conditioning compressor and power-steering unit as well as the alternator. Check the belt for cracks, tears and other signs of wear.
5. Check the wiper blades. Good visibility is especially important for highway driving. Sometimes you can recondition the rubber blades by wiping them with washer fluid on a soft cloth. If the blades are badly worn, replace them before taking a long trip. Wipers should usually be replaced once a year. Don’t forget to check the rear wiper if you have one. Top off the wiper fluid if necessary.
6. Check the tire pressure. Proper pressure enhances your car’s handling and may improve your fuel economy. Inflate your tires to about 2 pounds below the recommended maximum pressure. (The maximum pressure appears in raised lettering on the sidewalls of most tires.) If improperly inflated, tires wear unevenly and prematurely.
7. Tip: Follow the Abe Lincoln rule of thumb for checking tread wear on your tires. Insert the edge of a penny into the tread, with Abe Lincoln’s head pointing down. If the edge of the penny rests in the bottom of the tread and you can see the top of Abe’s head, your tires are worn and should be replaced soon.
8. Check your headlights, brake lights and turn signals. Have someone stand outside your car and check as you turn lights off and on. If you’re by yourself, perform the check in a garage with the key in the ignition but the engine turned off. That way you’ll be able to see the reflection from the lights as you run through each check.

It’s also a good idea to have your vehicle professionally serviced before taking a long trip.

Vision Safety

Driving with a dirty windshield is aggravating, and it can also be a hazard. Here are some window-cleaning tips:

• Ordinary household glass cleaner with ammonia is fairly effective at cleaning windshields and car windows. It’s good at removing dirt and grease, but it tends to leave streaks. A second application may be necessary to get rid of the streaks. Professional glass cleaners that contain no ammonia are also available. These products are effective but usually more expensive.
• Another option is to use car-wash soap, water and a wash mitt. (Dish soap is not recommended, as it may damage your car’s paint finish.) To clean up bird droppings, sap and other stubborn substances, let the soapy water sit for a few minutes before wiping the spot with the wash mitt. Use a hose to rinse the soap and dirt away, then dry and polish the windows with clean towels.
• Another effective technique is to clean the window with a mild solution of vinegar and water (applied to the glass with a spray bottle), then wipe the glass dry with newspaper. The newsprint ink works as a polishing agent.
• To improve the looks of a badly neglected windshield, try glass polish. Apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions, much as you would car wax. Let it dry to a haze, then hose it off, and polish the glass with a clean cloth. Use a toothbrush to remove any residue from cracks and crevices.
• The inside of the windshield can become hazy from smoke and chemical vapors given off by the vinyl and plastics inside the car. Use spray glass cleaner for the window interiors, spraying a cleaning cloth rather than the glass to prevent spraying surrounding areas. Before cleaning side windows, roll them down partially so it’s easier to clean the area along the windows’ top edge.

Tip: For hard-to-reach spots along the curve of the windshield or rear window, turn your hand palm down and support the towel on the back of your hand. This makes it easier to reach high, curved parts of the window.

• Don’t forget to clean your rear-view and side mirrors.
• What you take with you as an emergency or road-maintenance kit depends to some extent on the time of year you’re traveling. If you’re taking a winter trip, carrying an extra blanket, an ice scraper and a candle are all good items to take with you. If snowy or icy conditions are a possibility, you may want to carry a bag of cat litter to aid traction if you should get stuck.
• Regardless of the time of year, it’s important to have jumper cables in your vehicle in case you need help with a battery failure. Flares or orange cones are also a good idea in case of roadside emergencies.
• A first-aid kit is good to have on hand, as well as a basic tool kit. A basic automotive tool kit might include a socket-wrench set, adjustable wrench, replacement fuses and other basic tools.
• Aside from a reliable spare-tire, you may want to carry a tire-inflater kit or a portable air-compressor in case of a flat tire.

It’s also essential that you carry a tire-pressure gauge in your vehicle, and check your tire pressure before leaving on a long trip. This will not only help ensure tire safety, it will aid your car’s performance and gas mileage by using the proper inflation.

Pre-Trip Checklist

Here are some important items to check on your vehicle before leaving on a trip:

• Check all lights. Check your headlights (high and low-beam), brakelights, turn signals, parking lamps and (if you have them) fog lights to make sure they are all operational. You may even want to clean your headlights using glass cleaner to improve night visibility on the road.
• Check wiper blades. Inspect them for cracks or tears, and make sure they’re operational. If they’re in good shape, it’s still a good idea to clean the rubber blade using a little glass cleaner.
• Check all hoses . Look for any cracks or holes in hoses, and replace any that are not in good shape.
• Check all belts. Inspect all belts to ensure that none are worn, loose or frayed.
• Inspect the battery. If there is corrosion on the terminals, you can clean it away with a toothbrush and a pasty solution of water and baking soda.
• Check all fluids. Check the reservoirs to ensure that your coolant and wiper fluids are at the proper levels. Check your oil using the dipstick. Check transmission fluid, power-steering fluid and brake fluid. You may want to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for advice on checking all the fluids.