Category: Safety

When you are driving your car, you are probably not thinking about all the ways it can protect you in a car accident. Increasing speeds and more cars on the road have led to manufacturers coming up with more innovative ways of protecting you in the event of an accident. From materials that crumple, transferring momentum, to seat belts, there are dozens of safety features crammed into your vehicle. Yet, the airbag remains a feature in question. Is the airbag really that important? Or is it an uneasy feature?

Today, we’re going to explore how important an airbag is to a vehicle’s safety rating.

History of The Airbag

Airbags have been around for a long while, though the designs have been revised throughout the years. It is believed the first airbag designed for a vehicle was created in 1941, but it wasn’t until August 18, 1953, that American inventor John W. Hetrick received credit for his work. That same year, German engineer Walter Linderer received a patent for his work on the airbag.

Both Hetrick and Linderer’s model ran on a compressed air system that were released from the bumper or by the driver. However, in 1960, such airbags were deemed ineffective and impractical.

In 1967, Allen K. Breed brought about a breakthrough in modern-day airbags. He established a mechanically based ball inside a tube for crash detection that allowed for airbag deployment in less than 30 milliseconds. Sodium azide was used for airbag deployment.

During the early years of the 1970s, Ford experimented with airbags while General Motors fitted government-only vehicles with the technology. It wasn’t until 1973 that airbags were available to the masses.

Structure of an Airbag

There are many kinds of airbags—side airbags, curtain airbags, center airbags, and even seat cushion airbags—that are designed to prevent jostling and other major injuries to the most vulnerable parts of your body.

Most airbags followed the same design: cushion, inflator, and propellant.

• Cushion – The airbag itself is made of nylon and coated with cornstarch or talcum powder. The powder prevents the fabric from sticking together during inflation. In some newer car models, the nylon has been replaced with silicone and urethane. The combination is stronger than nylon and doesn’t require any coatings to shield you from heat burns.
• Inflator – Made of either stainless steel or cast aluminum, the inflator contains a filter of ceramic and steel wire that limits propellant contamination.
• Propellant – This is how the airbag transforms from folded fabric to a massive balloon. The propellant is located within the inflator and is a solution of sodium azide and oxidizer. Combined, it forms nitrogen gas.

How Do Airbags Work?

The airbag is controlled by the ACU, a tiny crash sensor that also monitors things like brake pressure and speed. If the sensor hits a certain number, the system deploys the airbag. The impulse from the crash sensor transfers to the airbag’s inflator, which releases the propellant, producing nitrogen. This inflates the airbag at a speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

The airbag prevents your body from hitting things that could cause fatal damage, such as the windshield, the sidewall, or the steering wheel.

But are airbags important? Consider Newton’s First Law of Motion, which says that an object in motion stays in motion unless a force of equal or opposite velocity interacts with it. When you are in a vehicle, you are not sitting still—you’re moving at the same speed as the car itself. So, when you get into an accident, the car (and you) decelerates rapidly. Your body and brain will want to stay in motion. If this momentum isn’t stopped, your brain will slam into your skull, resulting in brain damage. Or, your chest wall could collapse against the steering wheel, impacting your heart, lungs, or other organs.

Studies About Airbags

This raises a question: Are airbags as effective as seat belts in stopping forward motion in an accident? Or do they need to go hand-in-hand with seat belts?

There are several studies to consider. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 1987 to 2017, airbags saved 50,457 people. Furthermore, airbags lower the severity of head injuries.

Of course, we can’t overlook that some people have been severely injured or even killed by airbag deployment, particularly at lower speeds. One study from 2005 found that, when not wearing seat belts, occupants involved in accidents at low speeds have an increased incidence of death by airbag—about 4 times higher. This is particularly true for small children and petite women.

Now, some people might assume that this directly contradicts the idea of safety. However, you have to look at the conditions. Most deaths happen when people are not wearing their seat belts. In other words, the effectiveness of airbags is directly correlated to the effectiveness of your seat belt. No seat belt, less momentum control.

This was detailed in a 2016 crash test on Indian car models. Only one of the cars (Renault KWID III) had a driver airbag, and it was one of the few that actually had a green rating for protecting the driver’s skull.

How Important Is An Airbag To Car’s Safety?

These days, almost every vehicle is fitted with airbags, so knowing how they work and how to ensure you and your passengers’ safety is crucial. You know now that airbags work in conjunction to seat belts to dispel the shock of an impact in a motor vehicle collision. Without airbags, seat belts could save your life, but you still could get severe injuries. With an airbag and seat belt, your risk of injury or death is significantly reduced. Therefore, airbags are important to safety but are only optimized by using your seat belt, too.

Elmer’s Auto Body can help keep your car safe throughout the years with expert maintenance solutions and collision repairs. For more information on our services, contact us by filling out the contact form or giving us a call.

Have you been labeled a high-risk driver by insurance companies? It is certainly frustrating to have to pay more for some things that cannot be controlled, like your age or location. The good news is that some factors that determine your high and low-risk status do not last forever. In fact, you may be a low-risk driver sooner than you think!

First, you need to know that remaining on your best behavior while behind the wheel is going to be the best way to chisel down the years. After that, consider the following factors that influence how long you will be a high-risk driver:

You Have Had No Insurance For Years, If Ever

First-time drivers and those who have had lengthy lapses in auto insurance are going to have much higher rates than those who have been covered continuously and never missed a payment. Fortunately, if this is the only thing against you, then your high-risk status can be voided within 6 months.

You will have to practice safe driving habits and pay your insurance bills on time. Otherwise, your high-risk status will be extended.

Also, once you have signed up for a policy, do not immediately look for a new one. You must stick with an insurance policy for at least 6 months before you decide to switch. If you switch too soon, any progress you made on reducing the high-risk period is going to be returned to square one.

You Accumulated a Number of Violations Rapidly

Typically, a minor infraction will take about 3 years to disappear and for your insurance rates to lower. However, if you are considered high risk because of multiple at-fault accidents or tickets, then you can return to a preferred insurance carrier once the oldest violation is 3 years old. That said, you will have to compare the cost of different carriers to see who offers the best rate.

Discuss your options with an insurance agent. If you switch to a preferred carrier on the day the oldest violation falls off, you can save a lot of money.

Keep in mind that not every preferred carrier is the same. Some only count tickets that were received in the past 2 years while multiple tickets extend the high risk term for 3 years.

Those Violations Were Severe

As noted above, minor violations take about 3 years to vanish. But what about major violations, like a DUI? In that event, it could take up to 5 years to get removed from your record. Not only that, but most states require you to take an extra step if you have a major violation. You will need to fill out something called an SR-22.

The SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility guarantees you have the appropriate amount of liability coverage for your state.

You may need to file for an SR-22 if you have the following:

• A moving violation, such as an DUI or DWI
• An at-fault accident while driving without auto insurance
• Repeated traffic offenses
• Many offenses received in a short amount of time
• Suspended or revoked license

You will need to keep the SR-22 insurance for about 3 years, but it depends on your insurance provider and the severity of the offense. After those 3 years are up, you can start shopping for car insurance, but the cheapest estimates will only show up after 5 years time.

Tips to Avoid Being a High-Risk Driver

Putting everything you have learned together, here are some ways for you to reduce the duration of your high-risk period or to avoid returning to high risk:

• Make payments on time
• Keep continuous insurance coverage
• Avoid cancellations for non-payment and do not let your policy lapse
• Get a driver’s license as soon as you can—the sooner you get it, the sooner you can add to your driver’s history
• Make sure you pay all of your tickets and taxes
• Avoid tickets and violations, because they stay on your record for many years
• Avoid filing small insurance claims, since this will cause premiums to skyrocket

Bottom Line

Dealing with higher rates as a high risk driver is only temporary. The main struggle is maintaining insurance coverage. Every time you miss a payment or your policy lapses can set you back. That is how easily your actions can affect your insurance policy. If you want to decrease the years you spend as a high risk driver, start behaving like a low risk one, and soon you will have more affordable auto insurance!

Are you a high risk driver in need of car repairs? Have questions about your status? Get in touch with us! Fill out the contact form, and a representative will get back to you.

Now that the world is dealing with a global pandemic, it has become clear that our surroundings are not as safe or clean as we originally assumed. Even if you are working hard to wear a face covering and washing your hands every time you touch a surface, there are places that we forget about simply because we spend a lot of time there. Case in point: your car. Your car travels with you wherever you go, and so cleaning it is just as important as sanitizing your hands and phone and wearing a mask.

The good news is that cleaning your car to keep you safe during the COVID-19 era isn’t difficult. You already have most of the supplies you need.

So let’s get started.

Best Products For Cleaning Your Car

The interior of your car is less resilient than your kitchen counter or a shower stall when it comes to being cleaned. The fabrics, leather, and glass can be damaged if you don’t use the appropriate items. The best items you can use are the same ones you are probably already including in your daily life, such as dish soap, disposable gloves, and a warm water-alcohol solution. A microfiber cloth is also excellent for sweeping up tiny particles of dirt and dust and leaving surfaces streak-free.

For instance, disinfectant wipes containing around 70 percent isopropyl alcohol are most effective for killing COVID-19. You can also make a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar.

The CDC states that dirty surfaces and upholstery needs to be cleaned prior to sanitizing. Vacuum up dirt and dust. Shake out the floor mats. Remove any grime that is visible. Pick up any garbage, loose receipts, and anything else that could be an obstacle later. That will help your disinfecting efforts.

Keep in mind that any imitation leather in your vehicle will have a urethane coating. If you are using an alcohol-based cleaning solution, do not use it too often or scrub too vigorously. You could damage the coating. Soap and water is the best for fabrics and leather. Use only a small amount of water when cleaning the cushions. Otherwise, you could soak the fabric, and that will result in a musty scent or mold growth.

Wear disposable gloves while cleaning out your car. This will protect you from possible contaminants.

Cleaning Products to Avoid

What about products that could damage the interior of your car? While cleaners like hydrogen peroxide, ammonia-based solutions, and bleach are all excellent for annihilating viruses, they will also ruin plastic and upholstery. Ammonia-based liquids should never be used on touchscreens, because it will destroy the anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coating.

Be sure to read the ingredients list on the cleaning products you plan to use. Otherwise, stick with the basic water-alcohol mixture and some regular soap.

Focus On High Touch Areas

Once you have gathered the items required for cleaning the interior of your car, it’s time to formulate a game plan. That means targeting the places most prone to carrying viruses and bacteria, such as:

• Door handles, outside and inside
• Gear shifter
• Steering wheel
• Turn signal
• Wiper level
• Buttons on the radio
• Touchscreens
• Climate control areas
• Armrests
• Grab handles
• Seat belts
• Seat upholstery
• Mirrors
• Seat adjustment levers

Spend some extra time on places like touchscreens and the steering wheel. According to a study from CarRentals.com, a steering wheel could have four times more germs than public restroom toilets.

Keep Some Cleaning Products in Your Car

Keep your car clean on the go, too. You can keep some disinfectant wipes in the glove compartment and some hand sanitizer in the storage on the doors or in a cup holder. If you are going to be idling in a line at the drive-thru or running some errands, for instance, you should also have some extra disposable gloves and masks in the car so you can protect yourself both in and out of the vehicle.

Protect Yourself and Others While In The Car

Once you have finished with cleaning and disinfecting the interior of your car, don’t forget to wash your own hands before hopping in and driving off. Now that your vehicle’s interior is cleaner and sanitized, you are ready to do what you have to do. You will have more peace of mind going about your errands knowing that COVID-19 is nowhere to be found in your vehicle. Just remember to repeat this process, since the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for a long time.

Need help maintaining or repairing your car? Worried about COVID-19? We have a completely safe process to minimize risk and contact. Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form to learn more!

Auto insurance is necessary but certainly not easy to get. That is why you need to do what you can to maintain it. If you don’t have insurance, you are breaking the law; if you get caught without it, then you face severe penalties, such as impoundment, jail time, and fines. You do not want that.

Unfortunately, some circumstances lead up to you opening a letter from the insurance company telling you that your policy has been canceled. It’s a terrifying reality. How can you get on if you can’t drive insured? What happens from here?

Don’t panic. There are steps you can take to understanding why you have received a cancellation notice from your insurer and ways to continue your coverage. Keep reading to learn more.

Why You Received a Policy Cancellation Letter

Every state has its own rules and regulations involving auto insurance, but most agree that missing a premium payment is worthy of cancellation. Yet, it is highly unusual to receive such a letter. Though insurance companies are free to drop policies within the first 60 days of a new policy, as soon as the policy hits day 61, the rules get much less flexible.

In other words, if two months into the policy have passed, there are only a couple legal reasons why auto insurance can be canceled.

Common Reasons For Auto Insurance Cancellation

Aside from nonpayment of a premium, here are other reasons why you received a cancellation letter from your insurer:

• You did not disclose essential information when applying. In order to give a rate, the insurance company needs to know where your car is garaged, who regularly uses the vehicle, and what kind of car you are driving. If you do not provide accurate information, it becomes material misrepresentation.
• You have multiple at-fault accidents or traffic violations. If you cause accidents or receive speeding tickets, for example, within a specific time frame (usually 36 months or 3 years), your policy may be canceled.
• You tried to commit fraud. Whether you submit a claim or someone else filed against you, you are expected to provide clear and accurate information.
• Your license or registration was suspended or revoked. If your driver’s license or vehicle registration gets revoked or suspended a few times within 3 years, the insurer may decide to remove you or another covered driver with the offenses from the policy.
• Your car is not safe. If you do not get your car inspected on time, the insurer may drop the policy. Also, if it is known your car has mechanical issues that are unsafe, your policy could be revoked.
• You are using your vehicle for business. Personal insurance policies are not meant for business. This also means you can’t use your car for things like Uber or Lyft without informing your insurance provider.

Nonrenewal vs. Cancellation

Did you receive a nonrenewal or a cancellation notice? Though the words sound similar, they are different. Here’s why:

• Cancellation: Happens during the middle of your policy. This is considered a last resort for the insurance company, which is why there are certain restrictions that limit cancellations.
• Nonrenewal: Happens at the end of your policy, before the beginning of a new one. This occurs during the interim, between periods of coverage. Nonrenewal happens more frequently, because there are less regulations. This typically means you have to find a new carrier.

Nonrenewal revolves around certain circumstances that make the insurer believe you are too much of a liability to continue coverage. For instance, if you have had several DUIs under their coverage, they may send you a nonrenewal notice.

Regardless, the insurer will inform you of the reasons why they chose to cancel or to not renew the policy. The time between the warning and when the policy is dropped differs depending on your state. For example, in New Jersey, a company must give you 15-30 days notice before canceling if you haven’t paid. You get 20 days for other cancellation reasons.

What To Do When You Receive a Cancellation Notice

A cancellation notice should not be unexpected. Most policies are canceled only in extreme circumstances, but this means that you will have some warning. Usually, the insurance company will have already reached out to you to try and assist with the issues.

For instance, if you have run into financial difficulties and missed a payment, the insurance carrier usually provides you with a grace period so you can catch up. Or, if your license was recently revoked, you can take steps to get your license back before the policy lapses. While you may not always be able to correct the issue, you can get in contact with your provider to learn more about your options.

Can You Get Car Insurance Again After Cancellation?

Yes, you can get auto insurance after receiving a cancellation notice. However, you should know that you will have to deal with higher premiums. Insurance companies check to see if you have been late with payments or if you have been canceled previously, since that helps them separate low-risk drivers from high-risk ones.

If you are between cars, one way to prevent a coverage gap is to enroll in non-owner car insurance.

That said, you also need to consider the reasons why you were canceled. Having a severe traffic violation or a long history of missed payments and at-fault accidents will make you less desirable to insurance carriers. Those who are struggling to get accepted by a preferred carrier can look at the non-standard market, which is full of lesser-known insurance companies.

Bottom Line

If your auto insurance was canceled unfairly, you can contact the state insurance department to learn more. Be sure to research your state laws first. Should the cancellation be justifiable, you can expect to see increased auto insurance quotes when you begin shopping for another policy. But remember: Restoring auto insurance as soon as possible is important. It keeps you from being labeled “high risk.”

Have questions or concerns? Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form below.