Good quality auto insurance means that in the event of an accident you and your family are able to take advantage of the best health care. That is a comfort. But just buying great auto insurance is not enough. You need to take all the steps necessary to ensure child safety inside your car.

First, you need to maintain the car properly. Get your brakes and tires checked at least once a year. And make sure that your windscreen wipers are working properly. It is surprising how quickly they degenerate in hot climates rendering them virtually useless when there is a sudden downpour. This can put you and others in your vehicle at risk.

We all have to take our children out in the car from time to time, but one way to keep them safer is to keep your trips to a minimum; the less time on the road, the lower the risk. And when you’re traveling with children in the vehicle, make sure they are all correctly restrained even if you are just popping to the shops. Accidents can happen anywhere on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a four-stage approach to child restraints in vehicles. Children under one year or 20 pounds should be in rear-facing child safety seats. Next come forward-facing seats and when the child out grows those, booster seats are recommended. The fourth stage is to have your growing child seated in the rear with a seat belt on. Children under 13 should always be in the rear of the car.

Driving a safe car keeps you safer on the road as does restricting the number of trips you make. Safe drivers are cheaper to insure. So it is a double win, keep your family safe and save on auto insurance at the same time.