Are You (and Your Insurance) Ready for Summer?

Whether you’re lounging by your backyard pool, getting out of the house to see new sights, or attending weekend barbecues with family and friends, there’s magic in summer fun.

With so many carefree possibilities, seasonal risks may not be top of mind. But it’s also easy for the summer season to suddenly lose its magical luster due to common insurance claims.

Because the RBFCU Insurance Agency team cares about the safety and well-being of our members and their loved ones, we’ve compiled a list of common summer insurance claims. With it as guide, you’ll be better prepared to avoid trouble.

Motor vehicle accidents

Memorial Day and Labor Day represent summer travel bookends. Those 100 days are also known as a peak season for serious automobile accidents, especially for young Texas drivers. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, between 2010 to 2019 more than 7,000 people died in accidents involving a teen driver in the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.¹

That’s why summer is such a pertinent time to remind teens and young adults of the risky habits that are typical of less-experienced drivers.

Talk to your teen driver about why it’s smart to:

• Keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
• Avoid distractions from peer passengers and smart phones.
• Wear a seat belt.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when tired (which can be as dangerous as driving under the influence).
• Refrain from nighttime driving when possible.
• Observe the speed limit.

Of course, mature drivers can also make similar costly mistakes, especially when they become drowsy while driving. And while it is difficult to determine the exact number of crashes that are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 91,000 crashes involved drowsy drivers in 2017 and killed 663 people in 2020.²

Regardless of age and driving experience, all drivers should be cautious of seasonal concerns such as flash floods, roadway hazards, overheated vehicles and glare from the sun.

In Central and South Texas, flood waters can rise fast and present fatal consequences even when there are just inches of water on the roadway. Keep in mind the phrase “Turn Around Don’t Drown^®” and never drive through flooded roadways or around barriers blocking low water crossings. Stay safe and find an alternate route to your destination.

Drivers of every age should always exercise caution and good sense behind the wheel. And remember, good automobile coverage can help protect you or your loved ones if there’s an accident.

Summertime fires

Ready for summer grilling, roasting marshmallows and using candles to light your outdoor meal? Whether your summer fun includes a grill, fire pit, chiminea or campfire, remember that any flame can create a potentially dangerous situation. And don’t forget safety precautions related to Fourth of July celebrations featuring fireworks and hand-held sparklers.

Before every gathering for summer fun, make sure you are set up for fire safety.

To minimize the risks of summertime fires:

• Make sure your gas grill is working properly by checking gas tank hoses for leaks.
• Maintain a 3-foot safety zone around the grill and a 10-foot zone around the fire pit, chiminea or campfire. Never leave a fire unattended – or young children alone near any flame.
• Keep a hose, bucket of water or a shovel and dirt nearby for open large flames (e.g., campfires and fire pits).
• Handle fuel, fire, matches and lighters carefully while keeping them out of the hands of anyone who may not use proper caution with them.
• Develop a family plan for fire safety awareness, including how to escape from a house fire.
• Treat fireworks with special care. Always have a fire extinguisher or water source accessible. Use caution around houses, dry grass or trees and always consult your city and county regulations regarding fireworks usage.

»TIP: With the right personal insurance or homeowners coverage, you’ll protect your family if an accident were to occur.

Storm damage

We wait all year for summer’s beautiful weather, only to encounter some of the year’s harsher weather hazards. Unpredictable summer weather can include flash floods, tornadoes, hurricanes or hailstorms. These events can endanger family members and pets, as well as cause serious property damage.

Extreme weather appears to be happening more frequently. But, by being prepared, you can protect both your property, and more importantly, the lives of those you love.

To prepare for adverse summer weather:

• Use a weather app on your phone to receive weather updates and warnings.
• Trim trees and heavy limbs so that they’re less likely to fall on your home or vehicles due to high winds.
• Secure loose items like grills, patio furniture and wind chimes that might cause damage if airborne when bad weather looms.
• Keep gutters clean and in good repair so they’ll drain heavy rains away from your foundation.
• Have a plan of action to move people and pets to safety. Identify safe places in your house for tornadoes or hurricane winds.
• Create a disaster kit with items you might need during or after a severe weather event.

»TIP: Before summer arrives, it’s smart to make sure that your rental, homeowners and flood insurance coverage is up-to-date with the protection you need.

Home burglaries and vehicle thefts

Summer might be peak vacation season – but it is also the peak season for home burglaries and car thefts. With homeowners headed out for weekend fun or vacations and more cars in tourist areas, home burglaries and auto thefts actually increase during the summer months. Remarkably, the number of home burglaries actually increase by 10% during June, July and August. And did you know that the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over half of all auto thefts are due to driver error?³

To protect against home burglaries and theft:

• Wait until you are back home to share travel information or photos on social media.
• Carefully choose house sitters, pet sitters and plant sitters.
• Refrain from leaving the car key or fob in your car — even if you are just leaving your car for a minute.
• Invest in a steering wheel lock and an auto tracking device.
• Secure doors and windows.
• Keep shades and curtains in your home closed — and store packages and other valuables out of your car (or at least out of sight).
• Invest in good lighting around your home and park your car in well-lit, high-visibility areas.

»TIP: When it comes to protecting your property, it’s smart to put the right homeowners, personal and automobile insurance in place.

The takeaway

While no one can protect themselves and their loved ones against every conceivable summertime hazard, taking the time to minimize potential risks and making sure you have the insurance coverage you need can provide extra peace of mind this summer. And, with that in place, you can relax and enjoy summer’s magic even more.

Of course, should you decide you want to review or increase your existing insurance coverage, you can always reach out to an RBFCU Insurance Agency professional for guidance and support at any time of the year at 1-888-564-2999 or insurance@rbfcu.org.

Information in this article is general in nature and for your consideration, not as financial advice. Please contact your own financial professionals regarding your specific needs before taking any action based upon this information.

RBFCU Insurance Agency LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBFCU Services LLC. RBFCU Services LLC is affiliated with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU). Insurance products are not deposits; are not obligations of the credit union; not NCUA insured; and not guaranteed by RBFCU Insurance Agency LLC, RBFCU Services LLC or RBFCU.

Insurance coverage, discounts and other features are subject to individual eligibility and availability.

¹Gross, Andrew. “Summertime Blues: The Return of the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers” AAS Newsroom, 1 June 2021. https://newsroom.aaa.com/2021/06/summertime-blues-the-return-of-the-100-deadliest-days-for-teen-drivers/.

²“Drowsy Driving: Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

³Ibid.

Sources

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“Burglary Statistics: The Hard Numbers | National Council For Home Safety and Security.” Alarms.org, 19 December 2019, https://www.alarms.org/burglary-statistics/#ftoc-heading-2.

“The Catastrophic Weather Types in Texas | 2021training.com.” 2021 Training, https://www.2021training.com/the-catastrophic-weather-types-in-texas/ (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

“Climate Change Indicators: Weather and Climate | US EPA.” Environmental Protection Agency, 1 August 2022, https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/weather-climate.

“Distracted Driving | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

“Drowsy Driving: Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

“Summer Safety Tips” U.S. Fire Administration, Website flyer. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/summer_safety_flyer.pdf (Accessed: June 26, 2023).

“Flash Floods.” Texas Department of Transportation, https://www.txdot.gov/safety/severe-weather/flash-floods.html (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

“Fireworks Safety Tips.” National Safety Council, https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks? (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

Gross, Andrew. “Summertime Blues: The Return of the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers.” AAA Newsroom, 1 June 2021, https://newsroom.aaa.com/2021/06/summertime-blues-the-return-of-the-100-deadliest-days-for-teen-drivers/.

“How to Check for a BBQ Gas Leak | Griller's Spot.” Griller's Spot: The BBQ Blog for Grilling Enthusiasts, 16 July 2015, https://www.grillersspot.com/checking-for-gas-leaks/.

“How to prevent car theft: 4 ways to fend off thieves.” USA Today, 31 July 2019, https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2019/07/31/how-to-prevent-car-theft/1771034001/.

Johnson, Dave. “The 5 Best Free Weather Apps for iPhone and Android.” Business Insider, 14 June 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-free-weather-app.

“Parents: 4 Safety Tips to Protect Your Teen Driver this '100 Deadliest Days' Season.” DriversEd.com, 23 June 2022, https://driversed.com/trending/2018-100-deadliest-days.

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“Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan.” Ready.gov, 23 June 2021, https://www.ready.gov/home-fire-escape-plan.

“Pictograph: Have a 3-foot Safety Zone Around Your Grill.” U.S. Fire Administration, https://www.usfa.fema.gov/gallery/pictographs/pictograph21.html (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

“Teen Safe Driving: How Teens Can Be Safer Drivers.” NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving (Accessed: April 26, 2023).

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