iMingle - Insuring the i Generation.

What’s the one thing about cars that hasn’t changed over the years? They’re all on four wheels? Nope – not unless you don’t consider stretch limos cars. They run exclusively on gasoline? Someone tell that to all those people driving electric and hybrid cars down the block. The answer is…they’re only driven by people! Well, if you call my ex-girlfriend a person. I’d call her more of a [EDITOR’S NOTE: What Max meant to say is he’d call her more of a wonderful human being who deserves only the best. Max is a very um, professional blogger. Moving on!]

Correction: that was the answer. But now that Google has officially received a driver’s license in Nevada, it’s all changing.  No, silly, companies can’t drive cars. But cars made by Google can drive…cars made by Google. That’s right – Google has begun creating cars that don’t require somebody to steer, apply the brakes, or really, anything.  While I think it’ll be a little while until this becomes commonplace, this experiment just may drastically change everything we know about cars. As a representative of a pretty sweet auto insurance provider, I must say – these changes are exciting, and raise a lot of questions.

Would insurance rates fall (robots don’t get distracted) or rise (human drivers aren’t at risk for massive hacking attacks)? Would people even get driver’s licenses anymore? If Google’s now in the automotive business, is this just their next step until they get into everything from pet grooming to shoe-shining? Plus, some people would still prefer to drive themselves – would one human in a sea of robots be able to cause a massive pile-up? I simply don’t know. But I’m certainly interested to find out!

Max

You know me – I’m all about being prepared, especially as it pertains to driving. That’s a big reason why I recommend protecting yourself with top-of-the-line auto insurance. But protecting your finances is just one aspect – there are other ways you can make sure you and your car are protected. All drivers should prepare themselves by carrying crucial supplies. Here are some of the more important items I recommend you carry:

• Potable water and non-perishable food: If you’ll be stranded for a long time, you may get thirsty and hungry! If you have to choose only one, choose water – the human body can go much longer without food than without water.
• Sand: This could actually be a number of items – gravel, crushed limestone, kitty litter, cement mix, etc. But the logic is all the same. If your wheels are stuck, pour some right in front of all of them to help you get some traction. Then, once you have momentum, you can move!
• Raincoat: If you have to leave your car for any amount of time, this can make your life much more comfortable! I advise raincoats over umbrellas since they allow full use of your hands.
• Flashlight and batteries: If your car breaks down in the dark, how else will you be able to see? Some flashlights actually drain a little bit of battery power even when not in use; to optimize efficiency, keep your batteries outside of the flashlight and insert when needed.
• Script for the hit 1920s Broadway musical “No, No Nannette”: There is absolutely no reason to have this. Just making sure you’re paying attention (:
• Blankets: If you’re in a cold environment and need to wait to be rescued, keeping yourself warm could save your life, or at least prevent frostbite and unhappiness.
• First aid kit: In case of injuries, treating them as best as you can until the professional help arrives may be crucial.

These are a few of the first items that came to my mind. Do you think I missed anything? And what’s your favorite 1920s musical? See you in the comments!

Max

Prom season is just around the corner – you know what that means! Students in high schools across the country will be sporting their finest (rented) clothing and painting the town red! Some of them may even be wearing outfits made out of duct tape! And they all know the proper way to travel – in an unnecessary long car with a partition so passengers can’t see the driver. That’s right, in stretch limos! America, haven’t you always wondered how that came about, when people started thinking “I’m going to a classy occasion, I better go in a car that can’t fit into many driveways?”

America in unison: “No!”

Great! Me too! The first limousinewas built all the way back in 1902, so the chauffer could sit under a covered compartment. The first “stretch limo”, e.g. the type that we all know and love today, first came about in 1928 so big bands could ride in style together. You know, like Benny Goodman? I remember listening to his music like it was just…almost 100 years ago. Fine, you caught me. I remember nothing about him. Happy?

Moving on… Inspired by such famed heroes as Benny Goodman [EDITOR’S NOTE: Max, we just caught you in this exact lie. Please don’t pretend you know anything about him again.], Americans began deciding to drive around in limos whenever they needed to go somewhere in style. Large-scale car manufacturers such as Lincoln and Cadillac used to make limos themselves, but there just wasn’t enough demand for them to justify altering their productions of scale, so now they’re made by individual limo companies. Although maybe if we shot up the demand, more stretch limos would be on the streets. You heard it, America. Demand our stretch limos! Let’s start right now! Call everyone you know!

Max

Look, I get it. It’s been a long day at work. Your boss has been threatening to fire you on account of leaving your desk to save someone from a carjacker. And then, just as you’re finally on the highway, on your way home, some jerk darts in front of you and cuts you off. You have a right to be angry, don’t you? Well, nobody’s expecting you to applaud. But considering that “letting out your anger” usually leads to more anger, we’d advise you to simply shrug it off and calm down. Let’s be honest; you’ve probably done it before too, right?

The majority of people think they’re good drivers and most others are bad drivers; the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. Except for me, of course. I’m the exception to the rule; I’m so good at driving, they named an auto insurance provider after me! But what if somebody does get angry on the road? What if somebody is showing signs of the infamous road rage? The most important thing to remember is that you should stay calm. Second, write down the license plate number if you can safely do it – e.g. not while driving. If necessary, report this person to the authorities once you can – again, your own safety is most important.

At best, someone else’s road rage can be a mild inconvenience. At worst, it can be life-threatening. You also need to realize that if somebody does angrily start to ram into somebody, get out of the car and scream, etc. that logic probably will not diffuse the situation. Arguing back will only make everything worse. If you’re involved, agree with whatever is being said. Apologize. Accept blame. Whether or not anything was actually your fault doesn’t matter. Just accept blame.  Showing that you’re not intimidated by an irrational stranger isn’t nearly as important as your well-being.

Max

Every minute, someone is injured in an alcohol-related car accident. Every fifty minutes, someone is killed in an alcohol-related car accident. I don’t think I’m being very revolutionary or earth shattering when I write: drunk driving is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. However, it’s not difficult to acknowledge this now, in the comfort of your home, while sober. It’s completely different to make that decision when people have been drinking, people insist that they’re sober enough to drive, everyone’s tired and wants to go home and sleep, and alcohol lapses people’s judgment. The trick to avoiding drunk driving isn’t by simply stating that you’ll never do it or ride in a car with someone who shouldn’t drive. The trick is to make preparations before a possible situation occurs. Here are a few helpful tips that just may save your life:

• If you go somewhere with alcohol, make sure there are enough designated drivers to transport everybody home safely.
• If going to somebody’s home, get permission in advance to sleep there if need be.
• Program the numbers for several local taxi companies in your cell phone so you have them handy just in case.
• Make an agreement with your friends, while sober, that you won’t let each other drive drunk. Then everyone will feel it’s his or her responsibility to enforce the agreement.

I’d like to expand on that last point a bit. Taking keys from a drunk person (click the link for some tips) can be awkward and confrontational. Still, it’s much better than the very possible alternative of a car crash or worse. Most of the time, the person will understand and probably be grateful after becoming sober. And if not, do you really want to remain friends with someone so irrational, who puts the lives of everyone on the road in danger and sees no wrong in doing so?

It’s a cliché phrase, but it’s also  a true phrase. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

Max

I’m sure you remember that advice from all of those commercials. Buy a ShamWow® today! It’s like a towel, sponge, placemat, and everything else you could ever want, all in one! Um, yes, that. But also, that one commercial from your local oil change stop, telling you to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Otherwise, sludge deposits will build up, wear and tear from moving parts will cause friction and possible mechanical failure, and Western Civilization will collapse as we know it. So I’ll bet you’re thinking, old predictable Max! This blog post will be about listening to that advice and keeping your car in good shape, right?

Wrong.

Yes, you should regularly change your oil, for the reasons above – except maybe not the one about collapse of society. However, changing your oil every 3,000 miles is simply not necessary. How frequently it actually must be changed depends on your car; read your owner’s manual or consult your local mechanic. Either way, most new cars have a number far north of 3,000. Changing so frequently may not hurt your car, but it will hurt your wallet. The companies that sell and change oil probably aren’t going to run up and down the streets telling you to buy less of their products, so now that you’re informed, tell your friends how they can save some green! And now that you all have more money to throw around, let me tell you about this great investment oppor [EDITOR’S NOTE: End of blog. Max, stop trying to scam our blog readers. I feel that you’re getting worse and worse as an employee as time goes on!]

Max

I’m sure you know the drill. All of us have gone through this thought process numerous times. “I’m driving my car and I’m hungry. I could stop by a restaurant, but that means I’d have to do the unthinkable – actually get out of my car! That’s unacceptable! Luckily for me, there are 20 restaurants in a three-block radius with drive-thru windows!” The ability to pick up a sandwich, fries, and Pepsi Raging Raszzberry without leaving our cars is all that separates us from the animals. What do you mean; Pepsi Raging Razzberry was discontinued over two decades ago?? You never know what you had until it’s too late. [Wipes away tear.] But have you ever wondered how drive-thru fast food came about? Well, I have too! And the answer to one of mankind’s least important questions is: nobody really knows.

Depending on who you ask, the concept of drive-through fast food was invented by Texas Pig Stand, In-N-Out Burger, Maid-Rite, or Jack in the Box. It’s one of those hot topics that can be a source of pride for the inventing parties, and nobody will ever know who’s telling the truth. For instance; who invented electricity? Was it Benjamin Franklin or Kathy Bates? The correct answer is: neither of them. It’s been around since the beginning of time, it just hasn’t been harnessed for most of our history.

So anyways, I’m glad I could help you discover this important knowledge. To which you’ll reply, “But Max, you haven’t helped me discover anything! All you wrote is that you don’t know! Isn’t it completely up to you what you blog about? If you couldn’t discover the answer, why didn’t you blog about something else?” To which I reply, I went to many a fast food restaurant in my hunger for knowledge. And hunger for other things. And now, tens of thousands of calories later, I am far too sleepy to write something else. G’nite!

Max

As the insurance provider of the i Generation, part of iMingle’s responsibility involves helping out its customers who have recently been involved in automobile accidents. While there are plenty of ways to decrease your chances of getting in an accident (Don’t text and drive, for instance) and many people go their entire lives without one, people have auto insurance to protect them in case the worst happens. As a representative of iMingle, I feel it’s my duty to help you be as prepared as possible. Here’s what to do in case you find yourself in that unfortunate spot:

1. Stay calm. Even though something terrible may have happened, keeping your cool is important to insure that this has the smoothest resolution possible.
2. Call the authorities. Depending on the severity of the accident, in some areas, the police may not respond immediately. However, that’s their call to make, not yours.
3. Check on everybody’s health. Some accidents are worse than others. If this is just a minor fender-bender, then you can move on with the next steps. But if human lives are stake, worry about insurance information later. If you happen to be certified to give first aid, respond appropriately. However, if you aren’t licensed to respond, unless specifically instructed to do something by the 911 dispatcher, wait for the emergency response professionals.
4. If possible, move the cars out of the way. Drive all the cars to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot if you can. Note that I wrote “if possible” – sometimes, the cars are damaged to the point they can’t be moved. If you can’t move them, do whatever you can do, safely, to avert traffic. Turn on hazard lights and use traffic cones if you have them.
5. Exchange information and let the insurance providers handle the rest. Make sure that all parties involved know each others’ name, contact information, insurance provider, and insurance policy number. However, do not give out your policy’s financial information, such as deductibles and limits. If money is to change hands, leave it to your providers to work out the details.
6. Document the information. Unfortunately, insurance claims can get messy and turn into a drawn-out ordeal where all sides have a different story. Take as many pictures as you can. If there are any unbiased witnesses, record their side of the story and take their contact information.
7. File an accident report, both with the local government and your insurance provider. If the police do arrive at the scene, they’ll often help with this. However, if they don’t, the onus will probably be on you. Either way, it’s usually your responsibility to contact your insurance provider and file a claim.
8. Check your policy’s specifics. Be sure you know what coverages, limits, and deductibles your policy has. It’s helpful to know when you’re dealing with finances, especially if you’re at fault. If you don’t think your current policy will adequately protect your finances if you have an accident, remember that you can alter your insurance at any time. Protect yourself now, you never know when disaster may strike! If you’re a current iMingle customer, you can call us at 1-800-352-5353, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. EST on weekdays and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST on Saturdays. And if you’re not, you can switch at any time – call us at 1-877-279-0531, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. EST on weekdays and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST on weekends.

In a crux, those are the step-by-step instructions of what you should do. Hopefully this won’t happen to you or any of your loved ones, but if it does, hopefully you’re now better-prepared to react.

Max

If you’re anything like me, you may enjoy spending time outside, getting exercise while seeing how fast you can go. Biking, running, canoeing, rowing, roller skating…these are all fun activities that I enjoy doing from time to time. Of course, as speedy as I may think I am, I’m nowhere near as fast as a random person sitting down and tapping his left foot. What on earth am I talking about? I do represent an auto insurance provider…I’m talking about cars, of course! Surely you’ve heard of NASCAR before, right? But have you ever wondered how it ever started? Well then, today’s your lucky day – here’s a (very) brief recap of how it went down!

The first attempt at a car race failed miserably. In 1887, Georges Buton “won” a race in Paris. Of course, he also came in last place. I wouldn’t really call it a race if there was only one participant! Ten years later, there was finally a “real” race – the Chicago Times-Herald Race, which had multiple participants. Various races continued to grow in popularity and participation – especially as stockcars became faster and faster during Prohibition to help bootleggers outrun law enforcement officers. As car races became more and more popular, William France, Sr. looked into a way to profit off of its newfound popularity. On February 21, 1948, NASCAR was officially born.

While many people do enjoy watching the races, I’d like to point out that the drivers are trained professionals in cars specifically designed to drive and maneuver quickly. Despite this, they still get into the occasional tragic accident. Not only is driving above the speed limit illegal, but it’s incredibly dangerous. Please, leave the blazing speed to the professionals.

Max

As you probably realize by now, I like to think that I’m a pretty nice guy. I spend quite a bit of time doing volunteer work, convincing others to do good deeds, and playing games on my computer at work. [EDITOR’S NOTE: What?!! Max, my office. Now!] Anyways, one of the nicest deeds you can do for another person, even nicer than using iMingle’s Auto Insurance Network Discount to help a friend get an additional 10% discount off auto insurance, is donating blood. I do it pretty regularly – not only do I get an excuse to spend a bit of time outside the office and away from that vicious editor, but it warms my heart that my one blood donation can save three lives!

Despite its importance, only 5 percent of eligible blood donors actually give. I won’t deceive you; it does sting a little bit, but honestly, the pain isn’t that bad. If I can put up with the pain, so can you: do I look like a tough bodybuilder, or almost like a stick figure? I won’t admit it to many, but reader; you seem like a trustworthy, upstanding citizen. Please keep it between us, but I’m a bit of a pushover.

Anyways, I hope I’ve convinced you to give it a try. Not only do you get the satisfaction that you selflessly saved other people’s lives, but you also get the satisfaction that the kind nurses have some juice and cookies with your name on it! And if you already donate, thank you for your selfless gift.

Max