Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it’s advisable to put together an emergency roadside kit to carry with you. A cell phone tops the list of suggested emergency kit contents since it allows you to call for help when and where you need it. Suggested emergency roadside kit contents: 

• Cell phone 
• First aid kit 
• Flashlight 
• Flares and a white flag
• Jumper cables 
• Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire 
• Work gloves and a change of clothes 
• Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak!) 
• A jug of water and paper towels for cleaning up 
• Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines 
• Extra windshield washer fluid 
• Maps 

Source: NHTSA

Whether you're a new driver or one with years of experience, it's always good to review safe driving habits. Even if you know what good habits are, there can be times when you're put in a situation where you have to make a decision to drive.  When in doubt, let someone else drive, pull over or call a cab.  

Avoid Fatigue

The best way to stay focused while driving is to avoid fatigue. Schedule your trip to allow for frequent breaks. Stopping for food or beverages, taking time to pull over at a rest stop just to stretch your legs, staying overnight at a motel or local bed-and-breakfast, and sharing the driving are all good strategies for avoiding fatigue and staying alert behind the wheel. Driving when overtired is just as dangerous as driving drunk.

If you’re traveling with children, find out how to best keep them safe. Make sure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and that any children riding with you are in the car seat or booster seat best suited to protect them. All children 13 and younger should ride in the back seat. And remember, all passengers in your vehicle should be buckled up! 

Go to NHTSA's, child passenger safety recommendations to find out how to select the right car seat for your child. Contact your local police or fire department for local resources on obtaining a free inspection from a certified technician. 

Summer Safety Alert! 

There are other dangers to children in and around cars that you should know. One of those dangers is hyperthermia, or heat stroke, from being left unattended in a parked vehicle. Never leave children alone in the car—not even at the convenience store with the engine running. Vehicles heat up quickly – even with a window rolled down two inches, if the outside temperature is in the low 80s°, the temperature inside the vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes. 

Vehicles can be a danger to children even if they are not in the vehicle. Make sure you walk around your vehicle before you get in it and back out of a driveway or parking spot. At that summer campground, park, near the beach, children can be running and playing—totally oblivious to a vehicle. As a driver, know that every vehicle has a blind zone. As the size and height of a vehicle increases, so does the blind zone area. Large vehicles, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and vans, are more likely to be involved in backovers than cars because they have the largest blind zones. 

Make sure to lock vehicle doors at all times when not in use. Children may enter vehicles on their own because the vehicle was unlocked or the keys were left out and accessible. Many incidents can happen as a result of an unlocked vehicle. 

Visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety to find out more about how to keep children safe from ―nontraffic hazards, including heat stroke, backover, power windows, vehicle rollaway, seat belt entanglement, and trunk entrapment. 
Remember that long trips can be especially tough on children. Stopping along the way makes the trip easier and less tiring for them as well — and more of an adventure, too. Bring along a few favorite books or soft toys to keep the little ones content and occupied. The trip will seem to go faster for them, perhaps lessen the number of times they ask, "Are we there yet?" and let you keep your attention on driving better. 

A very active tropical cyclone season is projected for 2024 in the Atlantic basin, according to a forecast released by Colorado State University’s (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science.

Led by senior research scientist Phil Klotzbach, Ph.D., also a non-resident scholar at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), the CSU Tropical Meteorology Project forecasts 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes during the 2024 season, which starts on June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. A typical Atlantic season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The 2023 season produced 20 named storms and seven hurricanes. Three reached major hurricane intensity. Major hurricanes are defined as those with wind speeds reaching Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

One hurricane and two tropical storms made continental U.S. landfalls last year. Category 3 Hurricane Idalia struck Florida’s Big Bend region near Keaton Beach on Aug. 30 with wind speeds of 115 mph. It was the third hurricane, and second major hurricane, to make a Florida landfall over the past two seasons. Idalia caused storm surge inundation of 7 to 12 feet and widespread flooding in Florida and throughout the Southeast. 

Other named storms that made U.S. landfalls in 2023 included Tropical Storm Harold, which made landfall near South Padre Island, Texas, on Aug. 22; and Tropical Storm Ophelia, which made landfall near Emerald Isle, N.C., on Sept. 23.

“The widespread damage incurred from Idalia last year highlighted the importance of being financially protected from catastrophic losses and that includes having adequate levels of property insurance and flood coverage. Beyond Florida, we saw significant impacts from Idalia in southern Georgia and the Carolinas. All it takes is one storm to make it an active season for you and your family, so it is time to prepare as the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season’s start nears,” said Sean Kevelighan, CEO, of Triple-I.

Kevelighan added, “This is an ideal time for homeowners and business owners to review their policies with an insurance professional to ensure they have the right amount and types of coverage, allowing them to be financially protected for property damage caused by either wind or water. That also means exploring whether they need flood coverage, which is not part of a standard homeowners, condo, renters, or business insurance policy. Additionally, homeowners can make their residences more resilient to windstorms and torrential rain by installing roof tie-downs and a good drainage system.”

Flood policies are offered through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and dozens of private insurers. The installation of a wind-rated garage door and storm shutters also boost a home’s resilience to a hurricane’s damaging winds, according to the Triple-I, and can potentially generate savings on a homeowner’s insurance premium.

Private-passenger vehicles damaged or destroyed by either wind or flooding are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

Triple-I offers numerous hurricane season preparedness tips. These include:

• Developing a photo/video inventory of your possessions and your home’s exterior, which will ease the claims-filing process.
• Preparing a hurricane emergency kit with a minimum two-week supply of essential items, such as drinking water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and extra batteries.
• Creating an evacuation plan well before any storm warnings are issued.

“We anticipate a well above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean this season,” Klotzbach said.

Klotzbach added, “Current El Niño conditions are likely to transition to La Niña conditions this summer/fall, leading to hurricane-favorable wind shear conditions. Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are currently at record warm levels and are anticipated to remain well above average for the upcoming hurricane season. A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification. Our forecast is of above-normal confidence for an early April outlook.”

CSU’s 2024 forecast calls for a 62% percent chance of a major hurricane making a mainland U.S. landfall (average from 1880 to 2020 is 43%), 34% for the U.S. East Coast including the Florida Peninsula (versus 21% historical average), and 42% percent for the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville, Texas (versus 27% historical average).

Memorial Day is often thought of as the kick-off of summer vacation season.  There are many great things about summer but few can match the fun of a family vacation road trip. Families, friends, colleagues—we all start talking about where to go this summer. Families make plans to spend time together – that trip to the shore, the cabin in the mountains, camping at the lake. Friends start lining up their days off to take that long-talked about fishing trip or head to that rented beach house. 

Whatever getaway you plan, before you hook up that new boat or camper, or before you put your family or friends into your car, SUV, pickup, or RV, take the time to review some summer road travel safety tips. Prevention and planning are much easier than dealing with the consequences of a breakdown, or worse yet, a highway crash.

Before you hit the road

The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) FY25 Workplace Safety Grant applications will be accepted from Monday, June 3, 2024, beginning at 8:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024. Applicants may request up to $25,000 to administer workplace safety training.

Applicants are encouraged to download and complete prerequisite application documents before starting their application. The Office of Safety considers Workplace Safety Grant applications based on the “compellingness” of each grant. The DIA strongly encourages early application. For more information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/workplace-safety-grant-program

In 2018, motorcycle rider deaths accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle crash deaths. While there was a 5% decrease in motorcycle deaths over the previous year, this was still a loss of 4,985 lives with the greatest frequency of occurrences happening in June, July & August. Based on miles traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles, in 2017, was nearly 27 times the number in cars according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways. But it’s especially important for motorists to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists such as size and visibility, and motorcycle riding practices like downshifting and weaving to know how to anticipate and respond to them. By raising motorists’ awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road.

tips for motorists

• Research and state-level data has and continues to consistently identify motorists as being at-fault in over half of all multi-vehicle motorcycle-involved collisions.
• NHTSA-funded research has shown that people behind the wheels of passenger vehicles are distracted more than 50 percent of the time.  Road users should never drive, bike, or walk while distracted.  Doing so can result in tragic consequences for all on the road, including motorcyclists.
• It may seem inconsequential, but the improper use of a vehicle’s rear-view and side-view mirrors contributes to collisions, particularly with smaller vehicles like motorcycles.  With roughly 40 percent of a vehicle’s outer perimeter zones hidden by blind spots, improper adjustment or lack of use of one’s side-view mirrors can have dire consequences for motorcyclists.
• If you are turning at an intersection, and your view of oncoming traffic is partially obstructed, wait until you can see around the obstruction, sufficiently scan for all roadway users (pedestrians and motorcyclists included), and proceed with caution.  Slow your decision-making process down at intersections.
• One’s reaction time and ability to assess and respond to a potential collision, such as a lane change, is significantly hindered if there are large differences in speed among vehicles in traffic.  When approaching a congested roadway, being diligent in modifying your speed to match that of the cars in traffic can be a lifesaver, particularly for motorcyclists.
• Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Though it may seem as if there is enough room in a single lane for a motor vehicle and a motorcycle, looks can be deceiving. Share the road, but not the lane: a motorcyclist needs room to maneuver safely.  
• Because motorcycles are smaller than most vehicles, they can be difficult to see. Their size can also cause other drivers to misjudge their speed and distance.
• Size also counts against motorcycles when it comes to blind spots. Motorcyclists can be easily hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Always look for motorcycles by checking your mirrors and blind spots before switching to another lane of traffic.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows motorcyclists to anticipate your movement and find a safe lane position.
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle—it may not be self-canceling and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn it off. Wait to be sure the rider is going to turn before you proceed.
• Allow more follow distance – three or four seconds – when following a motorcycle; this gives the motorcycle rider more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. Motorcycle riders may suddenly need to change speed or adjust lane position to avoid hazards such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.

tips for motorcyclists

• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and use reflective tape and gear to be more visible. If you're in an accident, the best chances of protecting your brain is by wearing a helmet. 
• Be sure your motorcycle helmet meets the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. While all motorcycle helmets sold in the US are required to meet the federal standard and have the DOT certification label, there are retailers that sell "novelty helmets” that do not meet safety standards and will not protect you in a crash. There are also fake DOT labels being sold to put on these unsafe helmets. Purchase from a reputable source.
• Never ride while impaired or distracted—it is not worth the risk of killing or injuring yourself or someone else. Plus, a DUI costs $10,000 on average, and can lead to jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and higher insurance rates.

As a cyclist, you've chosen a sports activity that puts you on the road with a lot of vehicles.  No one needs to tell you that drivers have a lot more physical protection than you do on your bike, and it's the cyclist who is most at risk of injury. In 2018, 857 cyclists died in motor vehicle accidents, which is the deadliest year in almost 30 years. (NHTSA)  While you take every precaution to be safe on the road, there are many factors out of your control, and it's possible that something could happen.

If you're involved in an accident, the impacts aren't just physical...they can also be financial.  Be sure that you and your loved ones are protected in case something happens. Below are several issues to consider in order to build a solid protection plan. If your current agent or company isn't suggesting such protection options then perhaps it's time to consider a new provider. 

auto insurance

liability insurance

disability

life insurance

Time to review? We're glad to assist.

If any of the above has hit a nerve, Murphy Insurance would welcome the opportunity to assist you. We can review the policies you currently have to be sure that you're well protected. 

Use our contact form to let us know how we can help.  Or, if you have a specific request, use one of our quote forms.

Republished: May 2023

Where you travel, the vehicle rented, the rental contract and other factors can all impact coverage, so it really depends on the situation. Below is a general overview, as it relates to a Massachusetts Auto Policy (MAP), of issues to consider.

• A MAP is not worldwide. It only covers you in the U.S., it’s territories, Puerto Rico and Canada.
• As long as you have comprehensive and collision coverages on any of your own vehicles, it would cover physical damage to the rental car. Note that this only applies to a 'private passenger vehicle'. A U-Haul truck or 10 person passenger van are commercial vehicles and would not be covered.
• Some rental companies limit where a vehicle can be operated. Driving the car beyond these limitations violates the contract, and your insurance would not cover.
• Most rental agencies require all drivers to be listed and paid for at time of rental. If you allow anyone else to drive and there is an accident, there is no coverage.
• Most rentals consider the rental contract void if driving under the influence. This also voids coverage. MAP excludes “regular use” of another vehicle. If you rent for an extended period, it’s best to check with your insurance company. To avoid this issue, you can add a “Use of Other Autos” endorsement for the rental period and then have it removed.
• Many rental companies often require the auto to be replaced with a new one if a total loss occurs. The MAP only pays for Actual Cash Value not Replacement Cost, which is something to consider.
• If you damage a car and it can’t be rented to others, the rental agency may expect you to pay for lost rental time. Loss of use is not covered by a MAP.

The Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company can be a solution for situations not covered by your auto policy such as "loss of use". However, you should never assume that the CDW absolves you of all issues. Always read the contract and clearly understand  what is and what is not covered. Also, if you rent a car using a credit card that offers some type of insurance protection, be sure to read the contract and understand coverage limitations.

If you’re planning to rent a car, our Associates are always glad to review specifics of your auto policy protection. However, it’s ultimately your responsibility to understand the terms and requirements of the rental contract and determine if your policy provides the coverage you need.

The risks of becoming temporarily or permanently disabled and the resulting financial impacts are very real and often underestimated. Consider…

• Statistics from the 2000 US Census indicated nearly 20% of the nation’s population had some type of long-lasting condition or disability. (Source: www.naic.org, February 2007)
• The younger you are the greater the chance of being disabled vs. dying.
• Almost 30 percent of people between the ages 35 and 65 will experience a disability that lasts at least 90 days during their working careers. (Source:www.soundfinancialplan.com)
• Approximately 1 out of 7 people between ages 35–65 can expect to become disabled for five years or longer. (Source: www.soundfinancialplan.com)
• Most people spend 65% – 75% of their income to cover monthly expenses.
• Savings can be quickly wiped out. If you save 10% of your annual income, you could wipe out 10 years of your contributions if you were unable to work for a year.
• Approximately 2/3 of initial Social Security Disability claims are denied, and it can take up to 17 months to get funding. (Source: USA Today Online, July 2007)
• 48% of all home foreclosures are brought about by a disability. (Source: National Underwriter, May 2002)
• Half of all bankruptcies result from illnesses or the inability to pay medical bills. (Source: Washington Post, February 2005)
• Disability benefits from an employer’s plan are usually taxable while benefits from policies purchased by an individual are income tax free.

NOTE:  This information is only a general description of the available coverages and is not a statement of contract. All coverages are subject to all policy provisions and applicable endorsements. Some coverage may be subject to individual insureds meeting underwriting qualifications and to availability within a state.   For further information contact a Murphy Insurance Agency Associate.