Be prepared – A personal umbrella policy is a good idea for prom protection.

2014-05-23
By: Advocate Brokerage

Prom.
The word can either bring to mind images of fond memories or severe anxiety depending upon your current stage of life.  If you are the parent of a teenager, you may find yourself feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia with a pinch of nerves.

For all the wonderful things this rite of passage can bring, prom can also present its share of dangers.  Prom Night usually includes some type of after party which usually includes alcohol consumption.  According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Association, 54% of students admit to having 4 or more drinks on prom night.  Drinking in and of itself can bring parental worry, but the combination of drinking + driving can set your nerves on end!  Many parents like to think that their child is immune to the statistics, but when 90% of teens believe their friends are more likely to drink and drive on prom night, there must be quite a few of us who have to concede to a false sense of security.

What’s a concerned parent to do?  Here are a few tips to help ensure the safety of the teens in your life, give you some peace of mind and help the positive thoughts outweigh the negative:

• Discuss the details.  Find out the when, where and who of the evening.  The more you know the more comfortable you will feel.
• Talk your to kids about the dangers of drinking and driving.  Let them know your position on the subject.
• Help them with the details of transportation.  More passengers mean more distractions and higher risk.  Arrange for a driver or encourage smaller groups.
• Establish ground rules.  Talk about your expectations for after prom activities including curfew.
• Sign a contract.  This can help to encourage your teenager to call for a ride home at any time of the night without of fear of getting in trouble.  We have a Teen Drive Safety Agreement on our website; just click the link, print and sign! https://advocatebrokerage.com/teen-drivers/teenage-driver-safety-agreement/

Aside from the tips above that will help bring you peace of mind, as your insurance advocate, we want to be sure your family is fully protected.  Do you have a substantial enough Umbrella in the event an accident should occur?  Studies have shown that High Net Worth families are often targets for liability lawsuits.  When you add the recent statistic that indicates 90% of all High Net Worth families are under insured, you can understand our reason for concern.  When you add all the risk factors (teens + distractions + night time + alcohol), it makes sense to take another look at your coverage.