A F i e l d G u i d e to s n ow b i r d i n G
BEHIND THE
WHEEL
Cons i d er t hese
r u les of the r oad
b efore start ing
your en gines
BEFORE YOU GO
Check expiry dates. Ensure your driver’s licence and vehicle registration don’t
expire while you’re out of the country. Sign
up online for AMA’s licence and registration renewal reminder services.
Keep your car alive. If your vehicle will be
inactive for months at a time, get a battery
tender, which ensures the battery maintains
a charge at the proper storage voltage.
Purchase one at AMA centres or through
AMA Mobile Battery Service.
ON THE ROAD
Taking your own car? Your insurance will
cover you while driving in the U.S. But
inform your insurance provider that you’re
leaving the country—there may be extra
costs associated with crossing the border.
Driving outside Canada and the U.S.?
Get an International Driving Permit
(IDP), which is valid in more than 150
countries. It provides a translation of your
valid Canadian driver’s licence into 10
languages. Apply in-person at an AMA
centre or print an application online
and mail it to your local AMA.
ama.ab.ca/InternationalPermit
Rent a car. When renting, consider adding
an SEF 27 endorsement to your insurance
policy. For about $30, this add-on extends
your own vehicle’s collision, comprehensive and specific perils coverage to a rental
vehicle in Canada and the U.S.
Involved in a collision? AMA will come to
the rescue if you’re the driver or a passenger. After a collision, show your valid membership card and licence to tow operator.
TRAVEL WITH AMA
Free fuel delivery. Call AMA if you
run out of gas on the road. We’ll deliver
emergency fuel to get you going again.
Always carry your AMA card. It covers you anywhere in North America. With
it, you can receive roadside assistance in
the U.S., as well as other countries around
the world. Plus you can save at 160,000
rewards partner locations worldwide.
protect your nest
A C H e Ck LI ST To HeLP k eeP yo UR HoMe
SA Fe AND S eCURe wH I Le yo U’R e AwAy
Lock all doors
and windows
before you leave.
Drain pipes
and turn off water
to prevent frozen
pipes.
Install
and schedule
motion-sensor
lighting to make
50
fall 2016
your home look
lived in.
or temporarily suspend mail service.
Unplug electric
appliances, heaters
and accessories.
Ask a friend to
check your home
regularly to deter
break-ins and catch
repair issues. If you
are away for more
than four days
during the normal
heating season,
most insurance
Nothing
screams “empty
house” like a pile of
mail on your stoop.
Have someone
pick up your mail
AMA InsIder
Driving an RV or pulling a trailer?
Make sure you have AMA’s Plus RV or
Premier RV membership to get coverage
across North America. AMA can also help
with insurance for your RV.
policies require that
someone checks
your home daily for
frozen pipes and
plumbing-related
issues.
Consider hiring
a local home security company for
regular patrols.
Arrange for
snow removal
around your property, including
driveway, paths
and sidewalk. And
Trip Collision Reimbursement. AMA
membership covers expenses for car rental,
meals and lodging if you’re in a collision 125
km or more from your home.
Save
with AMA
save 50% on a ProTeleC
alarms security system
and upgrades or get first 9
months free when switching
from another provider
AMARewards.ca/
Protelec
don’t forget your
roof: Some insurance policies do
not insure roof collapse due to excess
snow-load, especially if you live in
a snow-belt region.
Resist the urge
to update your
vacation status
on social media.
Potential prowlers
often cruise Facebook and Twitter to
find empty homes.