The Atlantic Hurricane Season has begun and continues until November. Have you thought about protecting your car? Here are a few ways you can prepare and protect your vehicle this hurricane season.

1. Park in a safe place

If you are without a garage or porch, be sure to park away from trees, poles, wires or other objects that may fall on your car. Don’t park in an area which is likely to flood, if possible.

2. Service and fill up

When a storm threatens, service your vehicle and fill up the gas tank. There may be an emergency causing you to leave home or it may be awhile before petrol stations are open again. You can also keep extra jugs of gas in the trunk.

3. Keep a travel pack

Store an emergency backpack for each member of your family in the vehicle. In the event of an emergency evacuation, this can save you valuable time. This pack should have water, food, clothing, and a basic first aid kit.

4. Secure documents

Take the original documents out of the car and make copies. It may be a good idea to place the copies in a sealed, watertight bag in the glove compartment before the hurricane hits. Your original papers should also be placed in a sealed, watertight bag in an easy-to-grab location in your home.

5. Keep records

As a precautionary measure, take photographs of your vehicle before the storm. If it does get damaged, you will have proof of its condition for your insurance company.

You can talk to a representative agent or get a quick quote by giving us a call at (868) 622-8500 / 7292 / 5614 or email us at infott@genac.com.

With technology intertwining more of our lives, the impact on the insurance industry is vast with multiple applications. The advancements in technology also allow for more vehicle owners to acquire gadgets and gizmos to utilise. We must acknowledge that there are many who use technology inappropriately while on the roadways to detrimental effects.

According to the US Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts Research Note for April 2020:  “Often discussions regarding distracted driving centre around cellphone use and texting, but distracted driving also includes other activities such as eating, talking to other passengers, or adjusting the radio or climate controls”… “Eight per cent of fatal crashes, 15 per cent of injury crashes, and 14 per cent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2018 were reported as distraction-affected crashes” in the US.

These behaviours are frequently seen on our roads from drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users. As insurers, we are also aware of the negative impacts of irresponsible phone use in vehicles.

But we must also highlight how technology can transform transport and our industry.

Here’s a look at how new integrated technology positively impacts vehicle security:

1. Cameras in vehicles are very common, as are the need for them as we use the roadways daily. Dashboard cameras provide useful information in the event of a collision. We all have had, or heard of situations, where the people involved in a crash say the other party is at fault. When a vehicle operator has a dash-cam mounted, those differences will be easy to decipher. The footage can be easily transferred to smartphones and shared with the insurance company and its assessors.
2. Vehicles are huge investments for many and the loss of one could be detrimental for a family or business. Installing a car alarm is also a great idea for owners. The alarms will not only alert you but also your neighbours that there might be nefarious activities afoot.
3. Installed tracking devices increase the likelihood of vehicles being recovered in the event of a theft. The gamut of systems also allow for GPS location alerts, customisable alerts and vehicle immobilisation.

At General Accident Trinidad and Tobago, policyholders who utilise these technologies in their vehicles have access to a range of discounts that reduce insurance costs.