Getting a new or new-to-you car can be exciting, especially during the holiday season. Whether Santa is bringing you a new ride or you plan to haggle for a deal on your own, chances are you’ve had visions of that new car smell dancing in your head.
Of course, it’s never enough just to get a new car – you’ll need car accessories as well. After all, ‘tis the season for giving, and there is nothing wrong with giving yourself a little extra this season – especially when it comes to your safety.
As you prepare to get behind the wheel of your new ride, we recommend investing in a few upgrades that could better protect you, your vehicle, and the contents inside of it. Continue reading to find four easy ways you can make your vehicle safer for thousands of miles to come.
Phone Dock or Mount
These days, nearly everyone has a cell phone – usually a smartphone. These little devices contain details about our lives and serve as our connection to the world around us. Unfortunately, they can also be a major distraction while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving was a component in the deaths of 3,179 people in 2014 and approximately 431,000 injuries that same year. Even the simple act of reaching for a phone can be risky while driving. A dock gets phones out of the hands of users and stations it in a fixed location for charging and easy access. It also makes it possible to use the phone as a mounted GPS instead of a handheld one.
In-Car Safe
It’s never a good idea to store valuable possessions in a vehicle, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Every year, more than a billion dollars worth of belongings are stolen from vehicles in the U.S., and most are never recovered. If you frequently carry expensive laptops, tablets, camera equipment or other belongings with you, consider investing in an in-car safe to help deter thieves. Some safes bolt into your center console, under the seat, and even inside a trailer hitch. It doesn’t guarantee your items won’t be stolen, but it certainly makes it harder for a thief to make a quick getaway.
Bluetooth Audio Kit
Bluetooth technology has the power to save lives when it keeps drivers from texting or talking on the phone while driving. Many cars have this technology built into them, but don’t fret if yours does not. There are aftermarket Bluetooth kits that connect to the auxiliary port in your vehicle’s stereo system and wirelessly broadcast phone calls, talk-to-text, and even music inside your car.
Quality Affordable Car Insurance
All drivers here in the Waukesha area are required to carry car insurance, but just any coverage will not do. Don’t undermine the value of your new vehicle with a cut-rate policy that could leave you high and dry when you need to file a claim. Instead, give yourself the gift of a quality, affordable car insurance policy that includes protection for your vehicle against collision and non-collision losses, as well as protection for you against litigious or underinsured drivers.
