Accidents Happen, Are You Prepared? 4 Things to Keep in Your Car

Statistics show that at some point in your life, you will likely be involved in a car accident. Regardless of how minor or serious it may be, it can be a major inconvenience. As The Scouts say, “Always be prepared!” to make the aftermath of an accident a bit less stressful.

• Proof of Insurance: Most states require drivers to carry minimum car insurance policies, in case of an accident. After a collision, make sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the other party, regardless of how minor the accident may seem. Make sure you keep your current proof of insurance in your car as well as the toll free number of your insurance provider, and a towing company. You might also want to keep a business card in your car so that you can easily hand over information the other driver can use to contact you. Also, it’s recommended that you call the police to the scene of even a minor accident, so you have an official report on record for the insurance company.
• Flashlight: If your fender bender happens at night, you’ll want to have a good quality flashlight with working batteries or a hand crank model that you charge on demand. Carrying a flashlight in your car is a good idea in general, even if you don’t expect to ever use it. It can be used to assess damage to your car, injuries that may not be visible in dim light, and can come in handy if you have a mechanical breakdown.
• First Aid Kit: It’s also a good idea to carry a first aid kit in your car in case of a car accident. You never know when you may need bandages, sterile gloves, scissors or all the other stuff that comes in one of these kits. Newer cars may come with these already included in the glove box, however, if you don’t have a kit, you can always buy an emergency kit at your big box store. Make sure you regularly inspect your kit to make sure all items are in supply, and replace items that are past the expiration date.
• Camera: Finally, you’ll always want to keep a disposable camera or a cell phone with a camera feature in your car. There’s nothing worse than the he said/she said of a car accident, and having a photo to show the scene, road conditions, and damage could save you frustration in the long run.

We hope you’ll never have to use these items, but in case you do, at least you’ll be prepared, just like those trusty Scouts.