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Home > Learning Center > Insights > Safety > Accessorize
Accessorize for Safe Driving & Lower Auto Insurance Rates

Most fashion magazines will tell you how important it is to accessorize your clothing, but you may not be aware how your safety and the safety of others on the road could depend on how you "accessorize" when you’re driving. Wearing the right accessories when you’re on the road may also help keep your auto insurance rates low by helping you avoid accidents and moving violations.

Don't get behind the wheel without reading these dos and don'ts on driving accessories that are always in fashion:

Corrective Lenses
  • Do wear prescription eyeglasses or contacts. It’s mandatory if you can’t see distance at 20/20 or better when you drive. Your vision changes with age; make sure to have your eyes checked every year.
  • Do keep a pair of sunglasses in your car for beautiful (and blinding) sunny days.
  • Don’t wear your sunglasses while driving at night. It doesn't look cool and it’s dangerous.
  • Do invest in anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare if you wear glasses. One of the benefits of anti-reflective lenses include better night vision.
  • Do check with your eye doctor before investing in yellow lenses for night driving since the jury’s still out on their effectiveness.
Hearing Aids Your Driving
  • Do remember to have your hearing tested during your annual physical exam. Although your hearing isn’t as vital as your ability to see when driving, it can help alert you to hazards and dangers you may not see, like a car in your blind spot or an approaching train.
  • Don’t drive with stereo headphones that cover or go in both ears— it's illegal in many states. Headphones make it hard to hear emergency horns or sirens, and you could get distracted while wearing them.
  • Do wear a hearing aid if you need one.
Footwear Fetish
  • Do adjust your driver’s seat according to the shoes you’re wearing. There’s a big difference between driving in stilettos and driving in boat shoes.
  • Don’t drive barefoot. It’s not against the law in any state, but it’s frowned upon by most.
  • Do avoid footwear that could easily become dislodged while driving (like flip-flops). Any loose shoe (or other article for that matter) could interfere with the brake or gas pedal and cause an accident.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
  • Do secure your hair back from your face if you like to drive with the windows open or if you drive with the top down on your convertible. Long or even medium-length hair can get in your eyes and stop you from seeing what’s in front of you.
Seat belts—The best driving accessory of all
  • Do ALWAYS wear your seat belt-- it could save your life. According to the Department of Transportation, seat belts save over 14,000 lives every year.
  • Don’t ever put your seat belt strap behind you because it’s uncomfortable or because you want to keep your clothes from getting wrinkled. It would be ineffective in an accident and creased clothing would be the least of your worries.
  • Do save money on your auto insurance by wearing your seat belt at all times. Not wearing your seat belt increases your chances for injury should you be involved in an accident. It also gives police officers a great reason to pull you over.
    Being cited for not wearing your seat belt will increase the cost of your auto insurance. Buckle up for safety and save on your auto insurance!
Your Auto Insurance Policy

Anyone can become a fashionably safe driver by wearing all the right accessories when driving. However, accessories mean nothing without great coverage! If you don’t have an auto insurance policy to back you up, you’ll never have peace of mind on the road.

Make sure you’re carrying the highest limits you can afford. Generally, higher limits on your auto insurance policy cost only a few dollars more— and if you’re involved in an accident, you’ll be glad you made the small investment.

Get a quote from Esurance today then use our interactive Coverage Counselor tool to help you determine the auto insurance coverage that best suits your needs.


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