Why Car Maintenance Can Lower Your Driving Risks

Drivers who carry SR-22 certificates are deemed high-risk when they hit the road. But, even if you have an SR-22, there are ways that you can lower your on-road risks.

SR-22 requirements generally come after serious traffic violations such as DUIs, at-fault wrecks or multiple speeding tickets. Your auto insurance provider has to file for an SR-22 with your state driving authorities. The certificate verifies that you have an active auto insurance policy. You have to maintain your auto insurance while you have the SR-22 requirement — which usually lasts around two years.

If you get additional driving offenses while you have an SR-22, you often face extra penalties. This can include seeing your SR-22 period get reset to the beginning. With this in mind, it makes sense to improve your driving habits. This will make your more insurable and keep you safer while on the road.

However, improving your driving risks is about more than just following the rules of the road. You can make yourself a safer driver by paying close attention to your car. A well-maintained car is much safer than a poorly-maintained one.

How Car Maintenance Makes You Safer

When it comes to safety, some simple maintenance can go a long ways.

Performing proper maintenance on your car reduces your chances of experiencing car trouble or a catastrophic breakdown while on the road. These undesirable situations could lead to accidents and put lives in danger. Taking steps to avoid them is essential.

Car Maintenance Can Reduce SR-22 Risks

When you carry an SR-22, you must avoid further driving problems. Proper car maintenance can reduce the risks of both SR-22 carriers and drivers.

Let's look at a scenario where a lack of car maintenance might impact your SR-22 risks. Let's say you haven't changed your car's oil or serviced the engine in more than a year. One day, your engine stops working properly while you're driving, causing you to crash the vehicle. No one is seriously injured, but your engine is now unsalvageable.

Police on the scene investigate the crash and find that your lack of car maintenance helped lead to the accident. As such the authorities would likely determine you to be at-fault in the accident. This means that your insurance will be responsible for covering the accident.

But, what if you don't have the correct auto insurance? What if you don't have auto insurance at all? This means you can't meet your insurance obligations in the at-fault ruling. You are what is commonly called an uninsured or under-insured driver.

You might then have to get an SR-22 certificate in this instance. If you already have an SR-22, the penalty may start over because you didn't maintain coverage while the requirement was in place.

Maintaining Your Car to Protect Your Risks

If you don't have an SR-22 requirement, you don't want to get one. If you have an SR-22, you likely want to get rid of it without re-offending. In either situation, you can help yourself meet your goal by maintaining your vehicle properly.

Before you hit the road, take five minutes to check your car. If you notice any problems, you should avoid driving until you get the problem fixed.

Check the tires and the treads on the vehicle. If the tire pressure is low, or if the treads have become worn, your car won't be able to properly grip the road. You'll face a risk of control problems and tire failure if you don't maintain the tires. Top off your tires with air when the pressure is low. Consider replacing your tires as the treads begin to wear.
Inspect the vehicle's engine, oil, fluid and gas systems. Look for signs of leaks, corrosion, or other hazards that might lead to failure or fires. If you notice leaks, isolate them and have a mechanic inspect the vehicle.
Make sure your headlights and taillights are working. Your vehicle's lights serve as important signals while you drive. Even in good weather, drivers use their lights to increase visibility and make themselves known to others. If any of your lights fail, your vehicle will not as visible on the road. If you don't replace your lights, it could lead to traffic violations or an accident. This scenario might even mandate an SR-22.

Also, make a habit of changing your vehicle's oil, rotating the tires, and getting regular inspections. Most cars need routine maintenance about every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Maintain your vehicle according to all manufacturer and state requirements.

Adhering to proper car maintenance can help you reduce your SR-22 insurance risks. You can protect your vehicle and your driving record by doing so.

We've got you covered. Call Auto Insurance Discounters at (866) 288-6545 for a free SR-22 insurance quote.

Additional Resources

2 Comments

Safe Auto Insurance said...
When it comes to driving, safety is and should be considered as top priority in every driver’s life. Every driver on the road faces danger of auto accidents daily. Recent studies have shown that most drivers, about 34% to be exact, do not have enough protection when it comes to road safety. Most car drivers are underinsured, meaning they do not possess enough coverage. Others, on the other hand are not insured in the first place. These alarming statistics ring a bell for the state of Houston, where driving is a regular practice. Let’s take a glance at five wonderful Safe auto insurance tips that can help you stay safe on the road. learn more: http://www.autoinsurancequotestexas.us/blog/safe-auto-insurance/

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22 2019 6:52 AM

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