This is a common question we receive from clients shopping for a new vehicle.  I prefer to refer to the Insurance Institute  on Highway Safety.  Each year they evaluate all new model year vehicles on basis of over-all vehicle safety.

To determine crashworthiness — how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash — the Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2011 a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests.

Click here to visit their site.

IIHS · Insurance Institute on Highway Safety · vehicle safety

If you’re helping one of your children go off to college for the first time, or return to college, we may be able to help you save some money and gain some extra protection.

Here are four things to consider about insurance when a child enters college.

1. You could get a discount on your auto insurance. Because you’ll have one less driver living at home when your son or daughter goes off to school, your household might get a discount — as long as they don’t take a car along. If he or she does take a set of wheels, contact our agency. We can review your auto insurance to make sure your child is properly insured.

2. Your homeowners insurance might extend to his or her belongings. Usually, the belongings of your child-turned-college-student will be covered by your homeowner’s insurance but it’s best to be sure. If for some reason the coverage doesn’t extend, consider purchasing renter’s insurance. Students who live off campus may not be covered by their parents’ homeowners policy and may need to purchase their own renters insurance.

3. Student loans might call for extra protection. If student loans are involved, you might want to consider life insurance for your son or daughter. It can help financially in the case of an unexpected tragedy (although no one wants to think about that). If a tragedy never occurs (thankfully), your son or daughter can also opt to carry the life insurance to the next stage of life – making it a wise investment.

4. Insurance can help in the most unexpected cases. Accidents happen — sometimes tragically. Extra liability coverage through a Personal Catastrophe Liability policy, commonly called an umbrella policy, can help protect you should a lawsuit ensue from a big mistake.

Most importantly, let our agency know of the changes happening in your household so we can double check your specific situation and coverage needs.

college students