Insurer Explains Proper Restraint Procedures, Highlights Common Child Safety Misconceptions WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Sept. 23
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Child Passenger
Safety Week, Sept. 21 - 27, GMAC Insurance today announced a unique benefit to
its customers, now offering child seat replacement in the event of a crash to
ensure children are traveling as safely as possible.
Additionally, in light of a recent GMAC Insurance survey that indicated
more than one third of licensed drivers have misconceptions about proper child
safety restraint procedures, the company is providing critical safety tips for
all parents.
Specifically, to keep even child passengers as safe as possible, GMAC
Insurance offers child safety seat reimbursement for all policies with
collision coverage. If a customer is in a crash with a child sitting in the
safety seat, GMAC Insurance will replace the child safety seat.
"In the event of a crash - even a minor fender-bender - the quality of a
child safety seat may be compromised, even if no damage is visible," said Wade
Bontrager, vice president, marketing, GMAC Insurance. "At GMAC Insurance, our
smallest passengers deserve our greatest attention, so we're now offering
customers a unique benefit, child seat replacement in the event of a crash to
ensure the safest travel possible."
A recent GMAC Insurance survey indicated confusion regarding proper
restraint procedures. In the GMAC Insurance survey of 5,524 licensed drivers,
41 percent incorrectly identified the minimum age and weight requirements
prior to switching a child seat from rear-facing to forward-facing (correct
answer: the child should be at least one year old and 20 pounds). Thirty-four
percent did not know the correct step to take once a child has outgrown a
forward-facing car seat (correct answer: they should be buckled in a booster
seat in the back seat only). In addition, only 41 percent responded that 13
years old is the acceptable age for a child to be able to ride in the front
seat (rule of thumb: children under 13 ride in the back).
Safe Child Restraint Habits
Laws regarding the age and weight requirements for child passenger
restraints vary by state. However, GMAC Insurance offers these general safety
guidelines for drivers carrying the most precious cargo:
-- Do your research: Child safety seats come in many makes and models, so
do your homework to find the one that will best suit your needs. NHTSA's 2008
Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings compares 101 child safety seats with a
new five-star rating system
(visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm ).
-- Get inspected: Although you may think your seat is installed correctly,
the safest bet is to attend a local child seat inspection event, or visit your
local police or fire department, which are specially trained in child seat
safety. These events demonstrate how to correctly install your seats, and
many teach local regulations, too.
-- Get a new seat: If you've been in a crash with your child - even a
minor one - the integrity of the safety seat may be compromised, and it should
be replaced. Check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the
replacement cost (GMAC Insurance offers child seat replacement as part of
every policy with collision coverage).
In addition, NHTSA outlines four steps for safe child seat protocol:
-- Rear-facing - for children under 1 year old and less than 20 pounds at
minimum
-- Forward-facing - for children at least 1 year old and 20 to 40 pounds
-- Booster seat - for children under 4'9"
-- Seat belts - for children taller than 4'9"
"There are a lot of ways to ensure children are safe passengers," said
Bontrager. "But one of the easiest things a parent can do is to always buckle
up themselves. A good example sets the tone for good safety habits throughout
a child's life."
The GMAC Insurance survey was administered by TNS, a leading market
information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and
analysis. The national sample was comprised of 5,524 licensed drivers in the
United States, aged 16-60+. For more information about TNS, please visit
www.tns-us.com.
For more information about GMAC Insurance coverage and to find a local
independent agent, call 877-468-3466, or visit www.gmacinsurance.com .
The GMAC Insurance Group is one of the largest automobile insurers in the
United States and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services.
GMAC Insurance Personal Lines offers a variety of property and casualty
products, including personal auto, RV, motorcycle, commercial auto and
homeowners insurance. With a nationwide network of claims professionals,
local independent agents and a 24-hour, toll-free claims hotline available 365
days a year, GMAC Insurance provides superior claims service for its
customers.
SOURCE GMAC Financial Services
