Tips for Truckers to Stay Healthy on The Road

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Tips for Truckers to Stay Healthy on The RoadMaintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially during these challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic, is very important for every truck driver in America. Here are four ways to stay healthy on the road.

  • Choose More Nutrient Dense Meals

There are a few ways to do this.

First, start packing your own meals.

Packing your own meals will not only save you time and money, but it can also help save you calories. Instead of focusing on what not to eat, focus on what you should eat more of. Food choices such as vegetables, fruit and other higher fiber snacks and meals is a great start. Want to pack your own meals? Consider buying a cooler that acts as a refrigerator for your truck. All you have to do is simply plug it into the accessory plug.

If you are dining out, consider choosing meals that are vegetable dense. Skip the fried food if you can or look up the calories on a restaurant’s website. All these things can help.

Again, instead of focusing on what not to eat, focus on eating what you should be eating more of. So, if you have the mindset of eating as many vegetables, fruit and other higher fiber meals, you are off to a great start.

  • Move Your Body

Driving = sitting for hours and hours on end. Many truck drivers may experience easy weight gain from lack of movement as well as high calorie food choices. So, find a way to move your body as much as you can. Ideas: dedicate 30 minutes of walking, make a habit of doing body weight strength exercises such as pushups or squats outside of your truck, or even find time to hit the gym. Any effort in moving your body is positive.

  • Follow Good Hand Hygiene

We all know the importance of good hand hygiene with the COVID-19 pandemic. Wash your hands often, but also wash your hands well. Experts say washing your hands for 20+ seconds and thoroughly washing between your fingers, on top of your hands or scrubbing the tips of your fingers is all beneficially.

  • Get Quality Sleep

There are many ways to get quality sleep, but the first step is making sleep a priority. Shoot for 7 hours a night. How can you get good, restful sleep? Create a dark environment, consider a white noise machine or wear ear plugs to block out noise, limit caffeine intake 5 hours before bedtime, limit or avoid nicotine and other stimulants and lastly, make sure you have a good pillow!

While we can’t keep you healthy or make your lunch, we can find you a great rate on truck insurance. Contact our agency for a quote with our top carriers to help you find the best rate. Contact us by calling us, emailing us or filling out a quote form through our website. We look forward to earning your business!

Don’t delay — start thinking about winterizing your RV today

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RVs in a campground

Unless you’re headed to a warmer climate for the winter — or you live in one already — fall is the time to start preparing your RV for winter (as long as you’re done using it for a while, that is).

The elements can wreak havoc on your RV’s systems and exterior, but with these five tips from the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) and Kampgrounds of America, you’ll protect your investment and make sure it’s ready to go in the spring!

Before we get started, though, remember to always check the owners’ manuals for both your RV and any appliances you have — and follow those specific instructions.

  1. Drain and blow out the water lines. Frozen water will do a real number on your RV’s water system. So clear the lines and drain the tanks, and then add nontoxic antifreeze following the specifications in your manual. Note that you should NOT use automotive antifreeze. Need help? Check this step-by-step KOA list for more detail: http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/step-by-step-rv-winterizing-checklist.asp
  2. Clean the interior. You don’t want food to spoil and risk mildew on bedding and clothing, so remove all of it from your RV. (You also want to get anything out that will attract animals and insects looking for a cozy winter home.) After you clean the interior, open up the cabinets and fridge and leave them that way. Close your blinds to keep the sun out, too.
  3. Then, tackle the exterior. Clean all surfaces, including tires (which should be properly inflated), and then put an RV cover on if you have one. Make sure awnings are dry before you roll them up, and close all the windows and doors.
  4. Watch the battery. Actually, don’t watch it — disconnect it, particularly if you won’t be driving your RV for at least 30 days.
  5. Find a good place to park. After you’ve spent all this time getting your RV protected for winter, don’t park it somewhere unsafe, where a tree could fall on it or high weeds will attract insects.

Bonus tip: While you’re not driving your RV, call your insurance agent — you may be able to save money if it won’t be on the road for an extended period of time.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Top image by Flickr user Grand Canyon National Park used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

Active Deer Season & How to Lower Your Risk for a Collision

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How to lower your risk for a deer collisionDid you know that there is an increased chance of hitting a deer from October to December? Yes, this is considered deer season so it’s important to keep an extra eye out for deer this time of year.

Being informed is key to staying safe on the road. We’ll go over a few things to help lower your chances of hitting wildlife while driving this time of year.

When Should You Be Most Alert?

While wildlife can show up any time, you should be extra cautious around dawn and dusk when animals are most active. If you are driving on the highway or even in rural areas, keep a close eye on each side of the road since that is where many animals will be. If you are driving with someone in the car, ask your passenger to help you watch out for wildlife.

If an Animal Jumps Out in Front of You, Should You Swerve or Brake?

Always hit the brakes. While it is natural to want to swerve to avoid hitting the animal, you will want to hit the brakes, hold onto the wheel and stay in your lane as best as you can. Swerving while driving fast can increase your risk for an injury or car accident.

If I do hit an animal, am I covered?

First, you will need to know a few details of your current auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive and collision insurance can provide you with insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle when you make contact with an animal while driving. It is important to keep in mind, however, that if you decided to swerve, missed the deer or animal and strike a tree then you could be covered by collision insurance on your auto policy. Because every insurance carrier is different, their claims department will handle it with the coverage they feel is most fitting to the situation.

Interesting fact

What states have shown the most auto insurance claims for deer or wildlife collisions? West Virginia, Iowa and Pennsylvania had the highest November claim frequency according to Highway Loss Data Institute.

If you have questions about your current auto or vehicle insurance coverage, reach out to our agency. We can go over your current coverage, re-quote you for a better rate, or simply answer any questions you have about auto insurance.