Don't Get Taken for a Joy Ride: Know the Four Steps to Keep Safe if Your Car Breaks Down

COLUMBIA, SC – June 22, 2009 – With summer temperatures hitting the South, drivers are anxious to get to the beach, park, or off to their vacation destination spot. We all know that cars don’t last forever and could have mechanical problems.

If you are ever in an accident or your vehicle breaks down, remember your safety is your priority, said Allstate agent Kevin Shealy.

 The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following precautions when your car breaks down or you experience an accident:

1. Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine the damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle to a safe place before getting out. If you’ve been involved in an accident, motion the other driver to pull up to a safe spot ahead.
2. If you can’t drive the vehicle, it may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help or use a cell phone to summon help. Under most circumstances standing outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic is a bad idea.
3. Carry flares or triangles to use to mark your location once you get to the side of the road. Marking your vehicle’s location to give other drivers advance warning can be critical. Remember to put on your hazard lights!
4. In the case of a blowout or a flat tire, move the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair-even if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tire, rim or wheel is minor compared to endangering your safety.

 It’s always a good time to make sure your auto insurance policy is up to date with the most current and best features, Agent Kevin Shealy said.  Allstate^® Your Choice Auto Insurance product breaks the mold of products traditionally offered by many insurers by presenting consumers even more choices, innovative features and enhanced rewards for safe drivers.

To learn more about Allstate® Your Choice Auto Insurance, customers can contact  Allstate agent Kevin Shealy at (803) 699 – 9880 or via email at [email protected].

The Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the You’re In Good Hands With Allstate® slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at www.myallstatefinancial.com.