SafeAuto Insurance Offers Tips for Memorial Day Travel

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - May 23, 2008) - Based on more than a decade of experience in the automobile insurance industry, SafeAuto Insurance Company is offering tips to help drivers save on gas and keep safe during Memorial Day travel. SafeAuto, a company that provides minimum coverage to uninsured drivers, tracks its most recent customer reports in order to provide sound advice that applies to all drivers.

"Traveling for Memorial Day weekend is a tradition, and this year gas prices are top of mind for all drivers," said SafeAuto president and chief operating officer Jon Diamond. "Our customers know that if they need assistance we'll be there for them. However, all drivers planning on Memorial Day travel should 'play it safe'."

SafeAuto recommends the following tips for Memorial Day travel:

Ensure proper tire pressure. It is estimated that, on average, Americans waste two million gallons of gas each year because of underinflated tires.

Drive the speed limit. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Make sure your insurance coverage is up to date. Don't leave on a trip without your insurance premium paid in full and make arrangements to pay during your trip if a scheduled payment will be due. If an insurance policy has lapsed and a current carrier won't renew it, be sure to get reinsured before getting behind the wheel.

Conduct necessary repairs and maintenance. Car problems that seem minor during quick drives around town may become a major issue during a long trip. If a vehicle has been in minor, unreported accidents that have affected performance, check with the insurer to see what repairs may be covered.

Be prepared for a breakdown. Even the most reliable vehicle may develop engine trouble, get a flat tire or lose the charge in its battery. Make sure to have water and snacks, activities to occupy any child travelers, and an emergency plan including access to a charged mobile phone, roadside markers and roadside assistance. If your insurer doesn't automatically provide roadside assistance as a benefit, check whether you can add it on top of your policy or consider the purchase an independent plan.

Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Memorial Day is the start of summer and an increased chance of getting caught in downpours. Don't wait until you're caught in a rainstorm and you can't easily see the road to think about replacing the old wiper blades. If you've noticed a lot of streaking take a look at the actual blade. Are there visible gaps between it and the windshield? Does the blade appear dry and cracked in appearance? If so, replace them.

About SafeAuto

SafeAuto Insurance Company was started in Ohio in 1993. As a provider of minimum insurance coverage and serving an underserved market, the company quickly expanded into Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas. Today, the company provides minimum insurance coverage to automobile drivers in 14 states. SafeAuto is a direct-to-consumer auto insurance company that does not rely on a middleman, which ultimately saves its clients money. The company specializes in minimum coverage to meet the law's requirements for automobile insurance coverage in every state in which it operates.

For more information visit http://www.safeauto.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Dace de la Foret Paul Werth Associates 614-224-8114, ext. 235