Fall 2021 will likely be filled with many of the same activities you do every year: apple picking, visiting farmers’ markets and, of course, admiring the brilliant leaf show. But the season ahead may also mean the return to commuting after a long break. Are you ready to get back into the driver’s seat? Here are seven ways to prepare for your fall commute.
Getting Back into Your Fall Commute: Seven Ways to Prepare
1. Do some basic car maintenance.
Happily, your wallet may have benefitted from savings on gas and parking if you haven’t been driving regularly. Your car, however may not have fared quite as well. Check your oil and windshield fluid levels, wiper blades and the air in your tires. Have your car battery checked in advance, in case you require a boost or a new battery (hint: CAA Members save on new batteries). Need to fill up the tank? You may be surprised by the gas prices in your area if you haven’t been to the pumps in a while.
2. Clean your car interior.
If you’re going to be carpooling classmates or work colleagues, welcome them with a cleaned car. Wipe down high-touch areas such as door handles, locks, window buttons, centre console and entertainment display with antibacterial wipes or whatever your car manufacturer recommends. Your passengers will be thankful for it.
3. Take your car out for a test run when traffic is light.
If you haven’t been behind the wheel in a while, you may be a little rusty. When traffic isn’t heavy, drive around the neighbourhood, cross some roads that don’t have lights for oncoming traffic and head onto a nearby highway to get your confidence level back up.
4. Adjust your commute time.
Though it’s predicted that many Canadians will be adopting a hybrid commute, road traffic will be heavier than what we’ve seen over the past year. That increased traffic will add to commute times. So, plan accordingly and give yourself a little extra time.
5. Check your car registration.
Make sure your car registration and plate stickers are up-to-date. If not, schedule an appointment with a ServiceOntario location near you or renew your documents online.
6. Revisit your car insurance.
Did you adjust your car insurance when your driving decreased? You may need to re-adjust it. The start of a new season is a great time to check that your auto insurance still meets your needs. CAA Auto Insurance¹ offers complimentary policy reviews – regardless of who your policy is with, and you don’t have to be a CAA Member to get one. See if you’re enjoying benefits like protection for your driving record and insurance rate after your first at-fault accident, and if you’re saving as much as you can be (hint: CAA Members save up to 20% on auto insurance²).
7. See if CAA MyPace™ Pay-as-You-Go Auto Insurance payment program makes sense for you.
If you’ll be driving less than 9,000 km annually, CAA MyPace can help keep your insurance costs down. As Canada’s only pay-as-you-go insurance payment program, this insurance lets you pay for the distance you drive. Just pay a base rate plus your first 1,000 km, and then purchase coverage in 1000 km increments as you need it.
Whether you’re returning to your usual fall commute or a lighter one, it pays to be prepared. These seven simple tips can make a difference between a good fall and a great one. For a complimentary auto insurance review, visit caasco.com/falldrives or call 1- 855-245-3716.
