Car Insurance When Crossing Borders

Most U.S. and Canadian insurance policies cover both countries. Insurance laws differ between the two, but your policy includes a provision for travel across the border. When you cross, your policy is still active. In addition to this documentation, you should also pack your proof of citizenship.

Traveling to Mexico is different.  You must purchase a separate policy from a Mexican insurance provider. You may be able to purchase coverage as you cross, but having it in place before you start your trek is preferable.

Do you plan to leave your car at home and travel abroad? If you rent a car in another country, your insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage. You will need to purchase rental insurance.   Check with your credit card company to see if they will pick up any CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) coverage if so you may only have to buy the liability coverage.  Check on which countries they will cover.

Pets can be loyal companions, but sometimes humans aren’t. You’re not mean; you just don’t always get it. So Reader’s Digest has compiled a list of things we furry family members would like you to understand, such as:

Teach us good behavior early, and be consistent.

We dogs wag our tails to show approval, but also when we’re afraid. Tail-wagging doesn’t always mean we want to be petted.

Cats are hunters – we want toys we can grab, not laser lights.

Soft Frisbees don’t hurt doggy gums so are better for playing fetch.

Don’t waste money on gluten-free pet food.

Treat us as you’d like to be treated if you were lucky enough to be a dog or a cat!

It’s generally agreed that cycling is the best exercise on the planet – unless you ask walkers, who say nothing beats walking for a whole-body workout. And the debate goes on.

As it turns out, the workout you get depends on the modality you choose, and both activities are good forms of exercise – for different reasons.

Do you want to bulk up or slim down? Are you looking to increase endurance? Is your concern long-term cardiac fitness or short-term shaping?

Both biking and walking provide aerobic exercise, so they increase heart rate and are likely to improve cardiac function. They also exercise muscle and burn calories, which can be important if weight loss is your ultimate goal (although there’s debate on that, as well).

According to Jessica Martinez with Livestrong.com, “A 130-pound person, walking at a moderate pace…burns 60 to 70 calories per half-hour.” Martinez adds, “Walking can reduce belly fat, lower blood pressure, and raise your production of HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol.”

But, in another Livestrong article, Deborah Green writes, “A person who weighs 160 pounds will burn about 288 calories in one hour of cycling at a leisurely pace.” And strenuous biking can make muscles work harder, so if you’re going for that “ripped” look, biking may beat walking.

John Metcalfe (sort of) sums it up in CityLab. “As efficient as walking is, biking is more efficient, having the lowest energy cost of all transportation options, including walking, swimming, driving, ride-sharing, taking the train, and trotting through a sun-dappled meadow on a horse.” Biking? Walking? The debate continues. Swimming, anyone?

Buy a car with insurance in mind: When it comes to insurance, not every car is created equal. If you’re purchasing a car, consider how much the insurance will be. Vehicles with certain features and good safety records are cheaper to insure. Consult with your agent as you car shop to determine your best options.

Embrace a higher deductible: Many people get anxious at the thought of a higher deductible. Don’t be intimidated. It could actually save you in the long run. You may be able to reduce your premium by up to 40%.

Take teen discounts: Insuring your adolescent children can get pricey. Take advantage of any discounts available. Do they get good grades? Will they be away from home for college (and only need coverage during breaks)? Can you assign them to your least-expensive vehicle? Ask your agent what options are available.

Trim your coverage: Do you have an older vehicle? If you have full coverage, you may be over-insuring the car. Check its value. If it is less than 10 times the premium cost, it might be best to drop any coverage beyond liability.

Establish good credit: Research reveals that people with better credit scores make fewer insurance claims. As a result, many insurers use credit information to help determine insurance rates. Stay out of debt, pay bills on time, and check your credit score regularly to ensure all the information is correct.

Request other discounts: Talk to your insurance provider about additional discounts that might be offered. Common discounts include multipolicy, good driver, limited mileage, and antitheft devices.

Insurance gives us piece of mind, but by making it B.E.T.T.E.R., we can feel comfortable financially, too.