As we transition into warmer seasons, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and protection. Explore our latest articles for tips on safeguarding your spring and summer adventures, preparing your home for unpredictable spring storms, and maintaining a secure garage environment.

Plus, find insightful guides on understanding life insurance options tailored to different generations, essential insurance advice for recent college graduates, and expert tips for navigating the insurance claim process effectively.

Protect Your Fun in the Sun

When temperatures rise, opportunities for fun heat up. There is so much to do in spring and summer, including road trips with friends and family, pool time and outdoor adventures.

However, with more activity and travel comes an increased risk of accident or injury. But without the proper insurance coverage—auto insurance, homeowners insurance and umbrella insurance—these incidents could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Here are a few tips to help ensure you have the right insurance protection for your warm-weather escapades.

Review your auto insurance coverage before hitting the road.

The road trip is practically an American tradition. As the weather warms, millions of people will explore the nation by car. But before you start mapping out your route, experts recommend reviewing your auto insurance coverage. Here are a few things to consider.
  • Policy particulars: Driving across state lines? Auto insurance minimum requirements vary by state, but most require bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Knowing what your policy does and doesn’t cover can help you make any necessary policy changes to keep you protected.
  • Fill the gap: If you owe more for your car than it’s actually worth, you may want to consider gap insurance. In the event of an accident, this policy is designed to help cover the difference between the loan and the vehicle’s value.
  • RV or camper: If you plan to travel by RV or camper, you’ll need separate recreational vehicle insurance.

Get rental protection wherever you journey.

Many people opt to put the wear and tear of a road trip on a rental car, not their personal vehicle. Keep in mind, however, that your auto insurance policy might not extend to your rental car. Check with your agent to see what is and isn’t covered.

And what about protection in the event a trip gets canceled or interrupted? Travel insurance can help you recoup expenses should your plans change unexpectedly.

Keep the backyard fun flowing.

A backyard pool can be a great hangout on a hot day, but it can also be dangerous, particularly for children, pets and people who can’t swim. And what if someone gets hurt while jumping on a trampoline in your backyard?

Pools, trampolines and swing sets can be hidden dangers. In the insurance world, they’re considered attractive nuisances, meaning that while they’re a lot of fun, they also offer an increased risk of an accident.

AAA Is Here To Help!

AAA offers several types of insurance to provide peace of mind when you’re having fun in the sun this year.
Auto
Home
Life
Boat / RV

How to Prepare Your Home for Spring Storms

Have love for spring flowers but not so much for spring  storms? You’re not alone. Spring weather can harm you, your family and your home—causing billions of dollars in property damage each year, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

So before that April shower pitter-patter turns into wind, thunder, hail and lightning, review these tips to protect your home and family from spring storms:

Check your home’s surroundings

Determine whether any trees need to be trimmed away from your home and/or nearby powerlines. Also, secure outside furniture and move yard items indoors if a storm is approaching. Did you know? Lightning strikes the ground about 30 million times each year in the United States, injuring about 1,000 people

Clean up after last year

Use spring as an opportunity to remove any debris from your gutters, drains, spouts and roof to help those April showers flow smoothly off your home. Here’s something to keep in mind: High winds and hail cause the majority of roof problems yearly, so keeping your roof well-maintained is an important step to help prevent spring storms from damaging your home.

Test your sump pump

Call a plumber to verify your sump pump is clean and draining properly in preparation for spring’s downpours and even drizzles. Keep in mind that while a pedestal sump pump can last 25 or 30 years, a submersible sump pump may last only between five and 15 years.

Prepare a first aid kit (or two)

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so equip your home and car with a complete first aid kit. For a list of what to include in a home kit—from dressings and bandages to compresses and instructions—visit redcross.org.

Have a family plan

For spring storms and other natural disasters, create a list that includes an evacuation route, shelter location, communication plan and a way to receive emergency alerts, like weather alerts from AAA.

Know your coverage

Review your homeowners insurance policy, and consider adding coverage extensions—like water backup or flood coverage. But don’t stop there. Also think about other ways you can prepare your home for spring storms, like a battery-powered generator, for when your home loses power.

Are You Storing Trouble in Your Garage?

Garages were originally intended to be a space to store and protect vehicles from thieves, vandals, harsh weather elements and other threats. But for many homeowners, the garage has evolved to become a room with a completely different purpose. Whether attached or detached from the home, the modern garage has been transformed into a storage space; a home gym; an auto repair or restoration shop; a craft or woodworking shop; an artist’s studio; or a game, recreation or sports room.

Regardless of the way the space is being used, it’s important to consider how easily the garage can become a fire hazard simply because of what’s often stored there, from highly flammable products (cleaners, oil, gasoline, paint, propane) to stacks of old newspapers, magazines and other materials. You may call it a studio, salon or even showroom, but here are a few tips for keeping your garage from becoming a target for disaster.

Make Your Garage a Fire Safety Zone

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the 6,600 garage fires that occur, on average, annually in the U.S. tend to spread farther and cause more injuries and damage ($457 million) than home fires located elsewhere. When it comes to fire prevention, maintaining a safe space hinges on being smart about garage storage and maintenance.

Put Safety Precautions in Place to Avoid Home Fires

First things first: Outfit the garage with a smoke detector, heat alarm and fire extinguisher (or two) that’s easy to access in an emergency.

Avoid Hazardous Storage

Store oil, gas, paint, chemicals and other flammable products in a shed away from your home. Keep items at risk for burning (papers, wood, etc.) on shelves placed well away from appliances.

Follow the Three-Foot Rule for Fire Prevention

If the garage houses your water heater or boiler, keep all items at least three feet away.

Charge Smart for Fire Safety

Plug only one charging appliance into a garage outlet at a time. Avoid using an extension cord for charging. Also ensure electric and plug-in hybrid cars can plug into properly outfitted outlets.

Watch for Leaks and Hazardous Chemicals

If you routinely park your car, motorcycle or other vehicle in the garage, regularly maintain it and watch out for leaks, which can be hazardous.

Upgrade Older and Outdated Doors

If the garage door has a lot of miles on it, consider replacing it with a new one made with heat-and fire-resistant materials.

For more information about fire protection and free fire-safety resources, visit usfa.fema.gov.

How To File an Insurance Claim

You’ve put in the work to find the right home and auto insurance policies, but there’s been an accident, and now that policy is doing exactly what it was intended to do, which is protect your assets. The question now is, how do you file an auto or property claim to ensure your policy will cover repairs?

An insurance claim is a request you make to your provider to pay for damages covered by your insurance policy. That can include repairs to your vehicle, replacing damaged property or providing reimbursement for medical bills. Follow these four steps for filing a claim.

1. Contact your insurance agency.

Contact your insurance provider to learn about what’s covered, claim deadlines, necessary forms and repair cost estimates. A claim representative will walk you through the process and help you with any questions.

  • TIP: You can also call AAA to assist you after an accident for car rentals, towing and more.

2. Gather documents and supporting materials.

Take pictures of the damage, write down what happened and exchange information if another party was involved. Also, be sure to keep all of your bills and receipts from expenses related to the incident (medical, repairs, rentals, etc.).

3. File the claim.

Contact your insurance carrier from this list for immediate assistance. You can also get in touch with your AAA Insurance Agent for help working with your carrier.

4. Prevent further damage.

Once you’ve filed the claim, protect your vehicle or home from additional damage. For example, cover broken windows to keep rain out, or remove tree limbs to avoid more property damage.

Be prepared to receive a visit from a claim adjuster if there was damage to your home or property. To help them, and to make sure you aren’t missing anything, make a list of everything that was damaged, destroyed or stolen.

Frequently Asked Questions

AAA has made filing an insurance claim as easy as possible, but you still may have questions. Below are answers to some of the questions our agents are most often asked.
How do I know when to file a claim?
There are many common events you might want to file a claim for, particularly if there was extensive damage to your property.
How does filing a claim affect my rate?
Your insurance policy is reviewed during your renewal period, and any claims from that year may impact your rate. Different types of claims can impact your rates in various ways. For example, your rate may increase if you were the at-fault driver in an auto crash. For home insurance, you can likely expect an increase if you’ve filed multiple claims within a few years.
How long will it take to settle my auto claim?
Auto insurance claims are typically settled within 30 days, depending on the type of claim and other factors. However, if your claim involves medical coverage, you can expect an extended time frame due to medical insurance and health care billing.
How long will it take to settle my home claim?
Home insurance claims can take months to settle, depending on the state. (You can look up your state’s laws to see the average time frame.) To help speed things along, keep a home inventory with accurate information.
Do I need an estimate for the repairs?
Yes, you’ll most likely need to get two or three repair estimates. To speed up the process for car insurance repair and receive a faster cost estimate, you can submit photos of the vehicle damage to AAA with AAA Accelerate in the AAA Mobile app.

Life Insurance by Generation

People at different stages of life have different priorities and needs. That’s why it makes sense to get life insurance coverage that’s tailor-made for your situation rather than seeking a one-size-fits-all answer. Life insurance can be an essential part of financial and legacy planning, and your age, family, finances and personal goals are all important factors when it comes to deciding what coverage is right for you. After all, there are different types of life insurance with different features and costs, and some are more suited to certain situations than others.

Whether you’re young and single, married with a family, or an empty nester looking forward to (or already enjoying) retirement, there are options that can help you protect the ones you love. And while no two people have the same life insurance needs, here’s a look at how the different choices fit different generations of Americans.

Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964)

For some Americans, financial peace of mind is a critical part of an enjoyable retirement. People are living longer than ever before, and that increased life expectancy can mean there is a need for their retirement savings to last longer.

Baby boomers who are still working may want to consider ways to protect and grow their upcoming retirement plans, and to help protect their loved ones. One option is permanent life (also referred to as whole life or cash value life insurance). Most permanent life insurance policies accumulate cash value in a way that’s sort of like the way a home builds equity as you pay the mortgage. As long as you pay the premiums on time, a portion will go to the cash value.

The cash value can be borrowed from in the future to help pay for things such as home improvements or to help supplement your retirement income. (Just be sure to repay any withdrawals from your policy so that the death benefit is not reduced.) Permanent life insurance policies can help provide coverage for your lifetime and build cash value to use in the future.

Baby boomers who are retired may be thinking about health issues, final expenses, leaving a legacy or making sure their savings will last long enough. There are permanent life insurance policies available to older adults that can help lighten the burden of these issues for a surviving spouse or family members. For example, a universal life insurance policy is highly customizable and can provide a lifetime of coverage with flexible premiums and benefits to help meet your specific needs. A policy can be designed to help increase the inheritance you leave to beneficiaries and help ensure that your legacy is preserved.

Gen X (born 1965–1980)

Many Gen Xers can have a mix of financial obligations that life insurance can help pay for. Some of those obligations (like final funeral, medical and legal expenses) can be significant, but there can be daily living expenses (home loans, utility and grocery bills, for example) that also need to be paid. A 2022 study from the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA) indicated that 49% of Gen Xers reported financial insecurity—higher than any other generation.

If you have family members who rely on you now, your life insurance could help them carry on financially after you’re gone. It’s a way to help care for those you love, whether they’re your spouse and children or members of your extended family, such as grandchildren. Life insurance benefits could provide them with essential health care, or it might allow them to stay in their home. It could even help the next generation of your family get a college education.

While you are in your income-earning years, a universal life insurance policy can provide lifetime coverage while allowing you to build cash value, tax-deferred. You could use the funds to help supplement your retirement income and depending on your policy terms, you may not have to be 59 ½ years old to use the money. These withdrawals, however, can reduce any death benefits received by beneficiaries.

Millennials (born 1981–1996)

One reason millennials should consider life insurance: They are likely to have debt. An overwhelming 73% of U.S. millennials were living paycheck to paycheck in the spring of 2023 as they dealt with mortgage bills, auto loans, credit card payments and other expenses.

Not all millennials are income earners. Individuals such as stay-at-home parents provide a valuable contribution to a household, even though they may not be earning a paycheck. Their contributions should be factored into any life insurance decisions. A surviving spouse may need to pay for services like child care and housekeeping that were previously performed without financial compensation.

Term life insurance is an option as it provides protection for a specific period of time, called the term length—typically 10 to 30 years—and term life insurance rates are also usually less expensive. The cost of term life insurance can make sense when you have a financial obligation such as paying for your dependents’ college tuition or paying off a mortgage.

Depending on the terms of your policy, you may be able to add a return of premium rider at an additional cost to your term life insurance policy, this rider may allow you to receive a return of all your premium payments at the end of the term period as long as your premiums have been paid on time and the policy hasn’t lapsed.

For coverage after the term, choices may include getting a new term policy; getting a combination of term and permanent insurance; possibly extending coverage past its expiration date on a year-to-year basis; or, depending on the term policy you have now, possibly converting it to permanent life insurance.

Gen Z (born 1997–2013)

According to the 2023 Insurance Barometer Study conducted by industry research groups LIMRA and Life Happens, 44% of Gen Z adults said they intend to purchase life insurance within the next year.

There are many scenarios that make life insurance a good idea for people who are young and single, even if they don’t yet have financial dependents. You may have older parents who depend on you for their care (or who will in the future). You may want to leave funds for family members, such as nieces or nephews, or even make a financial contribution to an alma mater or a charity you care about. Conversely, you probably don’t want to leave them with any debts or loans (such as cars or education) for which they could end up being responsible.

And life insurance policies can provide value other than a death benefit. Universal life insurance, for example, offers the option to build up cash value that can be used toward business opportunities or to supplement retirement income.

Life insurance rates can be lowest when you’re in good health, so even if you’re not making a lot of money yet, you’ll probably be able to fit life insurance into your budget. If you’re young, now may be the best time to buy a policy—so you’ll be covered when it’s time for marriage, kids or other responsibilities.

AAA makes life insurance simple.

No matter your age, life insurance can be a valuable part of your family’s financial security. And while getting coverage and ensuring that it continues to meet your needs may feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to know the kind and amount of coverage that’s best for you is to meet with a life insurance specialist for a needs analysis. This quick and simple conversation uses easy-to-answer questions that will help give you and your insurance agent a clear picture of the type of policy and amount of coverage that’s right for you. Since your life is constantly changing, you may want to do these updates annually (or whenever life presents you with a major milestone) so that your coverage keeps up with your needs.

Everything New College Grads Need to Know About Insurance

It’s called commencement for a reason, college grads: You’re beginning a new phase of life. In it, you’ll have a few real-world concerns—such as insurance. What kind of coverage do you need? Which types are most important to you now? It helps to be familiar with the majors—the “big four” types of coverage most people will eventually have. Here are the insurance basics.

Auto

Of all types of insurance, auto is certainly a priority. Not only does common sense dictate that you need this insurance, but most states require motorists to have it. Here are some tips for finding a policy that gives you the coverage you need without the budget-busting premiums.

Shop around: Get at least three quotes. And remember that the lowest price isn’t always the best price. Reputation and reliability matter a lot.

Increase your deductible: Doing so lowers your premiums. Just be sure you can cover the higher deductible if you have a claim.

Consider insurance costs before you buy a vehicle: The make and model of the car itself partly determines your premiums.

Drive safely: Always, of course. Bonus: A clean driving record means lower premiums.

Renters

Like many other freshly minted college graduates, you’ll probably rent an apartment or a house before buying property. Renters insurance, then, is a smart move. Contrary to what many people think, your landlord’s insurance will not cover your possessions in the event of a fire or other disaster. Renters insurance also provides liability coverage for protection from lawsuits.

Another good thing about renters insurance: It’s relatively inexpensive, giving you lots of protection for a relatively modest financial commitment. Plus, if you pay on time and avoid excessive claims, when it’s time to purchase a homeowners policy, your history can help demonstrate that you’re a low-risk customer.

Health

This is vast terrain to explore on your own. But thankfully, most employers hiring college grads for full-time jobs offer health insurance coverage. Take advantage of it, especially if you can also get dental and vision coverage; sometimes, disability and life policies are also available through your employer.

If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, you can purchase coverage from an individual insurer or a government marketplace (visit healthcare.gov for more information). Remember: Under the federal Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare), your parents can keep or add you to their plan until you’re 26.

Life

Some experts say you don’t need to buy life insurance unless you’re married or someone else depends on your income (children, for example). Companies do not have to offer their employees life insurance. And even if they do, they could discontinue the benefit.

You may think you don’t need life insurance if you’re young and healthy—but you can get lower premiums since rates are based partly on age as well as health.

It’s important to learn the difference between the two types of life insurance—term and permanent—and decide which is best for you. Term covers you for a specific period of time—say, 20 years. As for permanent, as long as you pay premiums on time, permanent coverage is designed to last your entire life.