Skip to main content
9 Essentials for Your Car Emergency Kit
Build your own emergency kit from 9 things you (probably) already have at home.
Overcoming tough situations on the road is equal parts preparation and action. Build this DIY car emergency kit and keep it in your vehicle so you can worry less about the unexpected and be more ready to handle it. Best of all, you might have the following items around the house already.
1. First Aid Kit:
Whether it's a bandage or a packet of pain relievers, a first-aid kit is a must-have in any road emergency kit.
Pro Tip: If anyone in your family has specific medication needs, add them to your car's emergency first-aid kit.
2. Food & Water:
It's always good to have some non-perishable food items, such as energy bars and bottled water, just in case.
3. Gloves:
Whether you just need them for warmth when stranded on the side of the road, or use them for protection when changing a tire, gloves are an important multi-use item for your car emergency kit.
4. Flashlight:
Keep a flashlight in your emergency kit, and it will come in handy whether you're inspecting your car at night or need some extra visibility under the hood.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to pack extra batteries!
5. Duct Tape:
From patching tires to reattaching bumpers and mirrors, a little roll of duct tape can go a long way.
6. Woolen Blanket:
Whether it's pouring, sleeting, or snowing, a wool blanket can help you stay warm and dry until help arrives.
Pro Tip: Opt for a wool blanket over a blend or fleece option. Not only is wool flame and odor resistant, it will also keep you the warmest!
7. USB Battery Pack:
A fully-charged cell phone is a must-have – especially in an auto emergency. Small and inexpensive, a portable USB battery pack is a worthwhile backup plan. Just remember to keep your phone's charger in the car, too.
8. Pen & Paper:
Your cell phone is great for a lot of things, but pen and paper are irreplaceable when it comes to jotting down and sharing information, emergency numbers, and important details.
9. Winter Essentials:
If you live in an area with white winters and icy roads, it's a good idea to keep some winter essentials in your car's emergency kit – a shovel, ice scraper, change of warm clothes, and a pair of boots, for starters.
Pro Tip: Hand sanitizer can be a great way to unstick frozen door locks, in a pinch.
To see how our DIY expert Chip Wade prepares his car emergency kit, watch this 360-degree video.
Read more
7 savings tips good car insurance agents suggest
You may be in a hurry to compare car insurance quotes. And you should -- the difference in rates between car insurance companies may be far greater than any discount available. But once you've found a good carrier, the job hasn't stopped. Jerry Becerra, founder of Barbary Insurance Brokerage in San Francisco, says it's important to find an insurance agent who will ask you a lot of questions. If those questions go unasked, "sometimes the dots don't get connected" and discounts are overlooked, Becerra says. "The important thing is discounts often stack on top of each other," he says. If you get enough to add up, you could save up to 40 percent on your auto insurance premium, Becerra says. Here are seven savings tips a good agent should suggest. Take a driving course Your best guarantee of low rates is keeping your driving record clean, with no accidents or speeding tickets accumulated over the…
ENJOY SUMMER DRIVING IN THE UK WITH THESE SAFETY TIPS If you’re planning a staycation this year or intend on driving during the summer months, there are some simple things you can do to keep you and your vehicle safe. According to our survey, almost three-quarters of us (73%) are planning on travelling to a UK destination in 2018. London topped the list of UK tourist hot spots that Brits plan to visit, followed by the Lake District, Edinburgh and Cornwall. All of this means that many of us will be spending a lot of time driving so it makes sense to ensure you’re properly prepared in order to avoid problems associated with dry and hot weather…
History of insurance | Medieval era
Sea loans or foenus nauticum were common before the traditional marine insurance in the medieval times, in which investor lend his money to a travelling merchant, and merchant will be liable to pay back if the ship returns safely, providing credit and sea insurance at the same time. The rate of interest for sea loans was high to compensate higher risk involved. Hence, in sea loans merchants have to pay the interest charges to the lenders for bearing the sea risk…