Now that you know more about how to avoid potholes, what do you do if it’s too late and you’ve already hit one?

Here are some additional tips to help you through the hazards of late winter driving.

If you do hit a crater, have your car inspected.  Wheel damage can be dangerous – it could cause a tire blowout or other serious problem while you’re driving. Such damage often can’t be seen without close inspection. If you take a hard hit, have a mechanic take a look at your vehicle to be sure you haven’t suffered hidden damage that could cause you to have an accident.

Do the right thing – wash regularly.  The temptation to postpone washing the car until that next storm hits (In a week? Two?) or the roads dry out (Maybe in June?) should be ignored.  Getting road salt, de-icing chemicals and dirt removed promptly will preserve the car’s finish and help prevent pitting of metal trim. Don’t forget the undercarriage wash, which will help reduce corrosion on exposed surfaces under your vehicle, including wheels, brakes and exhaust system parts.

And while you’re at it… Take the time to clean your front and rear lights after driving on wet roads. Dirt and salt can build up on the lenses and substantially reduce your visibility. A little window cleaner and a paper towel can go a long way toward helping you avoid hazards in the road, and helping other drivers avoid you.

Don’t forget to check your auto insurance policy, too, to determine the types of damage it covers and the amount of your deductible. If you purchased supplemental tire or wheel insurance, either through your auto insurer, your car dealer or the tire manufacturer, you may have coverage that will reduce your out-of-pocket expense for repairs. Plymouth Rock Assurance also offers its customers a variety of auto-related discounts from retailers that are located throughout New England. Check out our ways to save!

Take the time to make sure your car is properly inspected and maintained, especially during this pothole season, to help you arrive at your destinations safely.  

The winter isn’t over yet, but you probably feel like you and your car have had enough. With the recent break from those continuous storms, we have been seeing (and feeling) a new crop of potholes on the roads. Here is Part 1 of our series on pothole season. It includes a few tips to help you avoid potholes and the damage they can cause. 

Avoid potholes.  You don’t want to swerve around dangerously, but be careful to hit as few open potholes as possible while still driving safely. Minor bumps won’t do much, if any, damage but some holes are deeper than they look. A hard hit, especially at high speed, can set you up for costly tire or wheel damage. 

Re-route around the worst roads.  Continuous driving over heavily patched roads with lots of bumps and dips will increase wear and tear on tires, shocks, ball joints and other parts of the wheel and suspension systems. Do your best to stay on well-maintained roads. 

Beware the rain-filled pothole.  You know enough to avoid potholes you can see, but road divots take on different characteristics in the rain. What looks like a puddle can throw your wheels out of alignment, break a tie-rod, or worse. Keep this in mind when driving in rainy conditions. Slow down and take special care when puddles appear on an otherwise flat stretch of road. 

As highway and road crews try to keep up with the holes, you may be able to help. WHDH-TV News (Channel 7) recently featured a story about an app that the City of Boston is trying to develop, called Street Bump, which would track where the potholes are in the city so that public works crews will be aware of the roads that need to be fixed. Check the story out here: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12003500731123/smartphone-app-to-detect-boston-pothole-problems/

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon, and be careful driving out there!

We’re excited to announce the relaunch of Plymouth Rock’s public website at plymouthrock.com.  The new site is designed to provide you with an enhanced online experience. Improvements include completely new navigation, cleaner design, a lighter look and feel and user-focused content.

We invite you to take a tour of the new site. We think you’ll agree that it offers fast, easy ways to get information, find an agent, or contact us.  

As you view the website, you’ll notice that we’ve introduced a new character who appears throughout the site. He’s an insurance-savvy guy, smart, occasionally funny, and a friendly face for all who visit our website. We’ll be working to give him a bigger public introduction – keep your eye on our Facebook page for the details during the next few weeks.

Great news! In our commitment to making your life easier, Plymouth Rock customers can now make payments anytime with our new 24-hour automated telephone payment services. Just call our toll-free number at 866-353-6292 and enter a policy number to:

• Obtain billing information
• Make a payment (by credit card, debit card or one-time withdrawal from a checking or savings account)
• Get agent contact information
• Request assistance from a Customer Service representative

Plymouth Rock now also accepts bill payment by MasterCard and Visa credit and debit card –convenient payment methods that provide even more flexibility! And remember, there’s no additional fee to use any of our payment methods.

Four easy-to-use payment methods:

• Check
• Electronic withdrawal (from a checking or savings account)
• MasterCard or Visa credit card
• MasterCard or Visa debit card

Five convenient payment channels:

• By computer - From the link in your electronic bill - From your Plymouth Rock eServices online account at plymouthrock.com
• From a mobile device (must have made at least one payment by computer)
• By phone - Call our 24-hour automated telephone payment services at 866-353-6292
• By mail – To the address on your payment stub on your Plymouth Rock invoice
• At a Plymouth Rock agent’s office

Plymouth Rock’s many ways to pay are just another way we offer you more than just insurance!

Winter is here along with its challenging driving conditions. Below are some driving tips that may help you navigate slippery roads more safely:

• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights, as well as the hood, trunk and roof.
• Know the current road conditions.
• Pay attention. Distractions are dangerous any time, and overcorrection on a wet road after a distraction can be deadly.
• Slow down. Remember that the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
• Leave plenty of room for stopping. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse weather conditions.
• Watch for slippery bridge decks. Bridges can be icy even when the rest of the pavement is not.
• Don’t use your cruise control in wintry conditions. It can contribute to sliding on a slippery road.
• Don’t get overconfident in your 4×4 vehicle. Four-wheel drive may help you get going faster than other vehicles, but it won’t help you stop any faster.
• Don’t pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, remember to “stomp and steer!” when you need to stop.
• Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Even on dry roads, trucks take longer to slow down or come to a stop. Don’t cut them off and don’t follow too closely.

Please use extra caution when weather conditions reduce your visibility.  At Plymouth Rock, we want you to arrive at your destination safely.