{"id":6395,"date":"2022-11-02T13:06:16","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T13:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/?p=6395"},"modified":"2022-12-27T10:56:40","modified_gmt":"2022-12-27T10:56:40","slug":"how-to-safely-hit-the-road-in-california-for-thanksgiving-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/how-to-safely-hit-the-road-in-california-for-thanksgiving-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safely Hit the Road in California for Thanksgiving This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With COVID no longer as big a threat as it\u2019s been, millions of people are expected to take to the highways and byways of California for Thanksgiving. Will you and your loved ones be among that impressive crowd? Don\u2019t forget your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/car-insurance-quotes-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">car insurance<\/a>, along with these 6 tips to help Golden State motorists stay as safe and stress-free as possible during their holiday travels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Winterize Your Ride before Your CA Trip&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What does that mean in a state so diverse in its climate and topography? You definitely experience a different winter if you\u2019re in San Diego than if you live in or near Mount Shasta up in the north.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you live in or are traveling to blustery winter weather, you need to make sure your radiator has anti-freeze and possibly even mount snow tires. Remember, wherever you live or roam in the state, you should check the condition of belts, hoses, wiper blades, and brakes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if your winters are gentle, it\u2019s a great excuse to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/prepare-your-car-winter-is-right-around-the-corner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get your vehicle in travel condition<\/a> before the holidays. You\u2019d hate to miss dinner altogether because your car is stuck on the side of some forlorn road and you\u2019re waiting for a tow truck.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Pack an Emergency Kit for Your Thanksgiving Trip in California&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If it does happen that you become stranded for any reason, you want to be prepared for the worst. That means packing and keeping an emergency kit. At the very least, you should include the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Flashlights and batteries&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water bottles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First aid kit&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emergency road flares&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-perishable foods&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cellphone charger&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blankets (if you\u2019ll be traveling in a part of the state that gets cold)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Charge Your Phones before Leaving Home&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, it seems that almost everyone in a typical American family has a phone\u2060 \u2014 from oldest to youngest. That might be a bit of a hassle when it comes to your monthly phone bills, but it can be a good thing for holiday travel in California.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to get all those phones fully charged before you hit the road. Don\u2019t count on being able to use the car\u2019s phone charger, since that won\u2019t work if you have a road emergency that involves a dead battery. The more fully charged phones you have before you travel, the likelier you\u2019ll be able to get help when you need it most.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/how-to-safely-hit-the-road-in-california-for-thanksgiving-this-year-2.jpg\" alt=\"phone charging\" class=\"wp-image-6396\" width=\"480\" height=\"319\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Let Others Know Your Travel Plans&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This tip is especially important if you\u2019ll be traveling in parts of California that are more desolate \u2060\u2014 and there are still plenty of those areas. The last thing you want is for your vehicle to break down in a part of the state where the snow cover is thick and cellphone service is iffy at best.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Send a text to loved ones telling them when you leave your home, what route you\u2019re taking, and when you expect to arrive. That way, they\u2019ll have useful information to share with authorities if you don\u2019t show up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Don\u2019t Drink and Drive&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This advice is always critical. As it pertains to your holiday plans, drinking and driving could come into play if you expect to leave for a return home on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe you don\u2019t live that far from your holiday destination, and you\u2019re going to arrive and leave on the same day. That\u2019s fine, but take it easy on the holiday spirits if you do.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the state of California, an adult motorist\u202fis considered impaired with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/handbook\/california-driver-handbook\/alcohol-and-drugs\/#:~:text=It%20is%20illegal%20to%20drive%20with%20a%20blood%20alcohol%20content,to%20legally%20operate%20a%20vehicle.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.08 percent<\/a>. Depending on sex, body weight, and the amount of time after that last drink, a driver can reach a legal impairment level on as few as two drinks. You might think you\u2019re fine, but your skills behind the wheel can be negatively affected.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t think the answer is to put your minor child in the driver\u2019s seat because they barely had one drink. In California, drivers under the age of 21 are considered impaired with a BAC reading of as little as 0.01.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Check (and Possibly Upgrade) Your Car Insurance&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The worst time to reacquaint yourself with your auto insurance coverage\u202fis after a collision. Before you undertake your holiday road travels, give it at least a quick scan to see if you think your policy will keep you financially secure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you only have liability coverage in order to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/best-auto-insurance-prices-in-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pay as little as possible<\/a> for your policy, this might be a good time to consider adding comprehensive and collision too. After all, liability only covers others if you\u2019re involved in an at-fault accident. It doesn\u2019t cover the perhaps significant and costly damages to your own vehicle. It might be worth the additional investment to keep you out of a desperate financial situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also a good time to add roadside assistance if you don\u2019t already have that benefit on your car insurance policy. Roadside assistance is a guarantee of 24-hour qualified help, even on weekends, in the dead of night, or on holidays.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Call the 800 number you\u2019re given, and you\u2019ll get assistance in the form of a driver who can bring you gasoline, tire change assistance, a battery charge, or a tow to a service garage\u2060 \u2014 whatever help you need, whenever you need it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your independent auto insurance agent can interpret your existing coverage\u202fand help you determine whether you should <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/switch-auto-insurance-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">switch carriers<\/a> or upgrade. Plus, since independent agents have access to policies from multiple carriers, they can help you shop for the most affordable car insurance to make your holiday travels safe and secure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find Affordable Auto Insurance in California Today&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Call your independent Cost-U-Less Insurance agent at <a href=\"tel:(800)%20390-4071\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(800) 390-4071<\/a> for affordable car insurance before you travel. You can also get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quick quote online<\/a> or find a Cost-U-Less <a href=\"https:\/\/locations.costulessdirect.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">location near you<\/a>. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and enjoyable holiday!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/rate.costulessdirect.com\/\">Get a Quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:8003904071\">Call Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-very-light-gray-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/locations.costulessdirect.com\/\">Find Your Office<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With COVID no longer as big a threat as it\u2019s been, millions of people are expected to take to the highways and byways of California for Thanksgiving. Will you and your loved ones be among that impressive crowd? Don\u2019t forget your car insurance, along with these 6 tips to help Golden State motorists stay as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6866,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[697,712],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6395"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6395"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6418,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6395\/revisions\/6418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}