5 Things to Keep In Mind If Your Kid Is Taking A Car To School

1. Be sure to take your car in for regular maintenance checks.Many students have a long drive from their hometown to school so it’s important to change the oil regularly and check for other required maintenance to avoid breaking down on the road.
2. Tell your insurance agent that a car will be at school.One factor used to determine car insurance rates is location, so your insurance company needs to know where it’s being driven. Failure to notify your agent about the location change could potentially result in a denied claim down the road.
3. Make sure your student knows what to do in case of an accident:
   1. Exchange information with the other party including name, phone number and insurance information. Do not share driver’s license numbers or home addresses; this can put you and your property at risk.
   2. Take pictures of the damage and write down details about the accident. This is important because you may forget details later.
   3. Always call the police, even if it’s minor. The police are your best resources in a confusing situation and filing a police report can help facilitate the claims process.
   4. Have your student download the WreckCheck App. It guides drivers through the steps to take following an accident and helps you determine what information to share.
4. Make sure your student knows what to do if a friend wrecks your car. As a general rule of thumb, auto insurance follow the car, not the driver. For example, you let your friend Bob drive your car and he gets into an accident. Your car insurance will pay out for any claims. Keep in mind that you need collision coverage to pay for damage to the car.
5. Ask about insurance discounts.Many insurance companies offer “away at school” discounts when students are attending a college more than 100 miles away from home. Some companies also offer a “good student discount” for good grades.

The content of this post is sponsored by Neckerman Insurance. They are a family owned Madison business who has been around for over 100 years! We highly recommend them to anyone in the Madison area looking for a reputable insurance agent!