Are Accidents More Likely To Occur Closer To Home?

Navigation: Main page » Insurance

 Print this page Submit articleComment article

Author: John Machmiller

Article source: http://www.carinsurance.com/. Used with author's permission.

If you are going to be involved in an accident, chances are it will happen close to your home. Progressive Insurance polled 11,000 of its policyholders who experienced accidents in 2001. They found that 52% were involved in accidents within five miles from there home and 69% were involved in accidents within ten miles from their home. Only 17% of those polled experienced accidents beyond twenty miles from his or her home (Strillacci, 2002).

To some people, this is major news and would deter them from driving. I would hope this statistic would not do this to you. I anticipate this article will actually give you confidence in driving short, and long, distances from your home as well as show you the important role insurance plays in our lives.

As I already showed statistically, you are likely to get into an accident within 10 miles from your home. Before this scares you into never driving again take a moment to think about that statistic. It makes sense. For most people, their 'comfort zone' is close to home. People usually grocery shop, go to church and go to work within a few miles of their home. And when you compare that amount of people to the amount of drivers who travel for a living or drive long distances to see relatives or for vacation, you can see how that statistic came about.

Now, knowing that the statistic is skewed, the next question to answer is 'Will it make sense to drive longer distances to go grocery shopping, to go to work, to go to church, etc.?' In order to answer that question, you need to address the needs of time and money. You will also need to address the perils of driving shorter distances versus driving longer distances.

Before you extend your 'comfort zone' of driving, you have to analyze your costs of time and money. If you wish to drive further to meet your needs, you may have to wake up earlier, get home later, go to bed earlier, spend less time with your family, etc. And, if you wish to drive further to go grocery shopping, you will have to consider bringing a cooler to keep your cold food from spoiling until you get home. Other additional costs include adding mileage to your vehicle. This extra mileage lowers your vehicle's re-sale value. It increases the frequency of oil changes and tire changes. It also increases the chances of having other engine problems with your vehicle. Another cost to consider is the ever-increasing cost of gasoline.

Before you extend your normal driving 'zone,' you will also need to evaluate the perils you will face in driving short and longer distances.

Some of the dangers of driving within ten miles of your home include sharing the road with people with short attention spans. These people are running an errand and are only going four blocks from where they live. People may not be wearing safety belts. Again, many may have a false sense of security since they are not traveling a long distance from their home. Another concern that affects some is if it is really rainy out, flash flooding can become an issue.

When you drive longer distances however, you also face hazards. For example, you are sharing the road with people who may be sleep-deprived. You may be sharing the road with people who have become mesmerized from their long trip; and as a result they are in a hypnotic state that causes their senses to become dulled. And as you probably have seen many times you may also be sharing the road with someone going the speed of Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.

It might not make sense to extend your 'comfort zone' due to time and money restraints. Even if you can extend your 'comfort zone', regardless of the costs of time and money, you still face perils and the possibility of being involved in an accident. What do you do?

Make sure your insured. Insurance is known as 'risk transference.' With insurance, you are transferring the risk of financial loss that comes with an accident to the insurance company. As to which insurance company to use and how much insurance to purchase, that is another article in itself. Just do the necessary research, and purchase as much insurance as you can afford. And, as a result of transferring your risk, you are left with the peace of mind knowing that regardless of the distance you are driving and the perils you are facing, you will be covered for the limits you chose to purchase.

So, the next time you are leaving to go four blocks to run an errand and someone reminds you of the statistic that accidents usually occur within ten miles of your home, smile for two reasons. First, knowing that you are going to face perils on the road regardless of the distance you are driving. And, second, knowing that with your insurance you are transferring the risk to the insurance company for the limits you chose to purchase.

Reference: Strillacci, L. (2004, November). Car Accidents Tend to Occur Close to Home. Retrieved December 22, 2003 from http://info.insure.com/auto/collision/accidentlocation502.html

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com for Auto Insurance Specialist

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online... anytime!

The Art Of Perfume Notes - What Are They?
What exactly are perfume notes? Take note of this quick guide which details what notes are, and how they effect the fragrance.

The Benefits of Interactive Online Characters
This Stanford University study surveyed the leading research on virtual agents and suggests that "social intelligence in automated interactions is good busine...

Creative Soap Crafts
Soap is fun and easy to make. The following soap recipe will quickly have you on your way to your first batch of soap. Have fun with unlimited color and shape p...

Home Improvement Loans in UK – Manufacturing Home of Your Choice
Home improvement in UK can provide you with a safer and more comfortable home along with improving equity in your home. There are various loan types for home im...

How To Get Your Visitors To Tell A Friend
Does your website offer visitors a quick and easy way to recommend it to a friend? If not, you're missing out on a potential gold mine of free traffic. The bene...

What Is A Power Song and Where Do I Get One?
Power Songs are oral prayers expressing your true self, your nature, your individuality, your power. All cultures have power songs but you can have your own pow...

Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans
There are some things to consider when creating plans for your home. There are two situations that call for plans or blue prints, either you are building a new...

Develop a Great Network - Pay It Forward for Maximum Success
Too many people try to just be a "card tosser," sharing their business cards with anyone who wants one, and taking cards from whomever is handing them out. The ...

Dog Trick To Cure A Nuisance Barker: Training Buddy to “Speak” on Command
All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily to speak, and the way to go about it is to call your dog, show him a treat and say "Speak." He will not unders...

Hemorrhoids – What Do I Need To Do?
A lot a people have hemorrhoids and don't understand what they really are and what they need to do about them. Here is some information to get these people goi...

The Key to a Successful Business
The thought or idea that you have today may well turn into a million dollar idea in a years time! Maintaining good records and following a strong business plan ...

7 Money Saving Tips for Your Wedding
7 tips to save you money when planning your wedding ceremony and reception.

5 Hot Job Negotiations Tips!
Most employers expect you to negotiate a job offer. If you don't do it like a pro you can leave thousands on the table untouched!

Buying Used Dell Laptops, PCs and Servers on eBay - How to be successful
Two years ago I needed a way to refresh more PC's and Laptops at my company without spending more. New Dell laptops were great but expensive and over the years...

Five Steps to Create Your Software Product with Outsourcing
Do you want to take advantage of low cost outsourcing but don't want to write a huge specification? Here are the quick and easy steps to get a complete spec be...

Bourbon BBQ Sauce
If you are seeking a very unique flavored bbq sauce for your next barbeque then you must try bourbon bbq sauce.

Procrastination. Id love to but...
You know you need to do it. So why don't you? What keeps you from action? You can shift your perspective as easy as 1-2-3.

The Price of Gas Really Doesnt Matter!
Is the high price of gas keeping you from heading out on that long trip you've always wanted to take? Well think again. There are bigger concerns than the pri...

The Radionics Natural Healing
It is the science which studies the radioactive and the energetic properties of the waveforms which are realized and used through graphics circuits on drew tabl...

How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture - Forever!
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave you out of pocket but also very frustrated and annoyed at your cat for being such a bad little kitty. ...

Debt Negotiation Vs. Debt Management
Here are some points to consider about debt consolidationa and debt management, versus debt negotiation.

Marketing Smarter To Earn More
An accountant once told me that he never met anyone who didn't want to make 30% more money. Whether you want a better lifestyle or to take more vacations, buy a...

Can You Anticipate The Cell Phones Of The Future?
We have become a society that demands the most technologically advanced equipment, and cell phones are no exception. That's why the cellular telephone industr...

How To Gain Confidence Quickly And Effortlessly When You Feel the World is Against You
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you? No matter what you try, you just can't succeed, causing you to have a total lack of self-confidence. Now yo...