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Tag: vacation

Smartphone Apps That You Need This Summer
Smartphone Apps

Even if you are spending less time behind your computer screen this summer, chances are that you still have your smartphone with you at all times. Luckily, there are many new smartphone apps that are helping to make your summer vacation much more enjoyable. Consider downloading these apps to take full advantage of the season.
- 8tracks – much more than the typical music streaming apps, 8tracks allows you to choose a genre or theme to discover new music, bands, or artists. It will also create a special mix depending on your music taste everyday.
- Mixologist Drink & Cocktail Recipes – if lounging by your pool and enjoying and adult beverage is on the top of your list of things to do this summer, you will love this app. This app allows you to mix up perfect cocktails to enjoy at your next summer party. You can also search for the best drinks for the season and the most popular bars in your area.
- Ultraviolet UV Index – although the hot summer sun may be fun, it can also be very dangerous. The Ultraviolet UV Index app gives you a real time account of what the UV situation is like outside no matter where you are in the world.
- Waze – if you are planning any roads trips for the summer, you cannot hit the road without Waze. This navigation app is the biggest community based traffic reporting app that helps to save you time while on the road. It can alert you to traffic jams and provide alternate routes to ensure that you are not stuck in any gridlocks this season. If you find any issues while on the road, you can also contribute to the app to warn others.
For all of your insurance coverage needs this summer to ensure you are covered in case of any unfortunate situation, contact Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona.
July 17, 2015
Tips to Help Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on the Road
It’s an exciting time in teens’ lives when they first begin driving, but it’s also an extraordinarily dangerous time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults ages 14 through 18.

Despite this, the NHTSA says just 25 percent of parents have a serious talk with their kids about the key components of safe driving. So, with National Teen Driver Safety Week coming up October 19-25, here are five recommended rules to spell out before your teen gets behind the wheel:
1. Absolutely no alcohol.
  There is no legal limit for alcohol when it comes to teen drivers. Having any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal for all those under 21, everywhere. On average, according to the NHTSA, 25 percent of deaths in motor vehicle crashes involve a teen driver with a blood-alcohol content of .01 or higher.
2. Seat belts required.
  Drivers and passengers ages 16 to 24 historically use seat belts less often than other groups. Let teens know that seat belt use is non-negotiable. It’s the easiest way to protect themselves in a crash. And, set a good example by buckling up yourself.
3. Never speed.
  Teenagers may like to push the limits, but the road isn’t the place to do so. Speeding doesn’t simply put them at risk for a ticket. It increases the risk of a deadly accident as well.
4. No calls, no texts.
  It’s never a good idea for anyone to call or text while driving, but, because teens lack experience behind the wheel, distracted driving is all the more risky. Reaction times are slower when someone is distracted. Even worse, sending or reading a text means a driver’s eyes aren’t on the road.
5. Only one passenger (or zero, depending on your state’s licensing guidelines for young drivers).
  As the number of passengers rises, so does the risk of a fatal crash, the NHTSA says. Think back to when you were a teen driver — how different were your actions when you had friends in the car versus when you were alone?
Let young drivers know that driving is a privilege and that you’ll take away the keys if they don’t drive safely. Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together, and leading by example go a long way in ensuring your teen makes smart decisions when they get behind the wheel.

But there’s another simple step you can take to get on the same page about your family’s rules of the road. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts your rules in writing to clearly set expectations and limits. Work with your teen to outline hazards to avoid and consequences for breaking rules.

Keep it on the fridge and update it as your teen gains experience and more driving privileges.

Link to Parent / Teen Driving Agreement http://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/pdf/patk_2014_teenparent_agreement_aap-a.pdf

Contact Us!

At Saks Insurance, LLC, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 480-545-1144 or send us an e-mail to service@saksinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
December 14, 2014
A Little Extra Caution Can Go A Long Way While Driving At Night
Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — and cooler temperatures — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.

You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).

Because we’re big advocates for safety at Saks Insurance, LLC., we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.

What’s dangerous about night driving?
1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.
So what do you do?

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some tips to help you make a safe trip — whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed all the way to Flagstaff.

Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, tail lights, etc.
1. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
2. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway — and distractions are even more deadly at night.
Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out!

Contact Us!

At Saks Insurance, LLC., we can work with you to make sure you have the coverage that you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 480-545-1144 or send us an e-mail to service@saksinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
December 7, 2014
RV Campsites – Finding a great place to camp in your RV
“Wherever you go, there you are.”

Whoever said that must have been an RV owner — after all, one of the best things about vacationing in an RV is the fact that your “hotel” is pretty much anywhere you decide to stop.

Of course, there’s a little more to finding a great camping spot than just pulling over and hoping for the best, so we at SAKS INSURANCE, LLC. put together some tips and resources to help you find the best spots on your next trip.

Plan ahead

Just as you would book a hotel before you leave on a vacation, it’s best to make reservations for your RV trip, regardless if you’re staying at a private RV park or a campground on public property. As anyone who has been to The National Forest Campgrounds in Arizona can tell you, spots fill up quickly during peak travel seasons and often sell out.

Public or private?

From basic accommodations to luxury RV resorts, you have many choices. State and national parks tend to have simple campgrounds, but they often offer the best in natural beauty! Whether you go public or private, you’ll want to factor in whether the site has hookups for your RV, how much you’re willing to spend and how close you’ll be to attractions you want to visit — particularly if you aren’t towing a separate car and need to use the RV for all of your travel.

What about parking lots?

Some shopping centers and truck stops will allow overnight camping, while rest areas generally prohibit it. Always be certain that you have permission to camp before setting up for the night.

The Family Motor Coach Association recommends the following if you stay in a private parking lot:
- Park out of the way.
- Avoid using slide-outs and awnings if possible.
- Do not use your leveling jacks on asphalt.
- Limit your stay to one night and leave the area cleaner than you found it.
- Purchase fuel, food or supplies as a thank-you when feasible.
- Do not put personal items, such as chairs or a grill, outside.
How to find campgrounds

RV campground directories are available at bookstores, libraries and some RV supply stores, and they can be very useful to keep with you as you travel. You can also contact local and state tourism bureaus for camping information. Naturally, you have plenty of online resources to choose from as well:
- S. National Parks reservations and other public campgrounds: www.recreation.gov
- National Recreation Reservation Service: www.fs.fed.us/recreation/reservations
- Guide to Federal Recreation Passes: http://store.usgs.gov/pass
- Reservations for Canadian parks: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/voyage-travel/reserve.aspx
We know insurance is just about the last thing you want to have on your mind when you’re on vacation, so give us a call at 480-545-1144 before you leave to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need!

Here’s to safe travels and happy RVing!
September 26, 2014
Safeguard Your Home Before Vacations

The weekend is here, and you can’t wait to get on the road to your vacation getaway. You’ve spent all week packing, and are positive you didn’t forget a single thing! However, did you make sure to take all the measures necessary to protect your home against invaders? Have you done what you can to decrease your energy expenditure while you are gone? Here are some tips for securing your home before you head out on vacation:
• Secure a neighbor as an emergency contact. Give them the contact information for where you will be staying in case there is a problem with your home.
• Install light-timers, and program them to turn on in the evenings. This will help deter burglars who are looking for empty homes at night.
• Contact the Post Office and have your mail held..
• Check all windows, blinds, and doors to make sure they are secure before you leave.
• Adjust your thermostat. No one is going to be in your home, so this is an easy opportunity to cut down on costs.
• Unplug any electronics that are not in use while you are gone. This can protect you against any possible shortages that may cause a fire.
• Discard any perishable items in your fridge and empty your trash.
• Make sure your smoke detectors are in working order.
• Set your alarm system before you leave.

If you will be away for an extended period of time be sure to turn your water off. There is nothing worse than coming home to water damage from broken plumbing.
From all of us Saks Insurance wish you a safe, and fun summer vacation! For any questions about insurance in Arizona, please contact Saks Insurance. We make it our mission to find you the best coverage, and the most affordable price. Contact us today for all of your insurance needs!

July 18, 2014