Wiper know-how and the benefits of travel insurance
How often should I change
my windshield wipers?
Windshield wipers help provide
adequate visibility on the road—
though many drivers take them
for granted. People are usually
surprised to learn that wiper
blades should be replaced
every six to 12 months, as they
deteriorate during the extreme
temperatures of winter and
summer. And debris like sand,
mud, dust and even car oils or
waxes can weaken the rubber
squeegee.
Get blades checked every
six months and replace them
if they’re cracked, torn, bent
or have stopped functioning
properly. Watch for trouble
signs: wipers leaving a portion
of the windshield wet or causing
10
Winter 2018
CAA Manitoba
ed FraNz
Supervisor/service
advisor, automotive
services
Debris like
sand, mud,
dust and
even car oils
or waxes can
weaken the
rubber
streaks and smears. The blade
might also create friction with
the windshield, resulting in a
scraping or chattering sound.
To help maintain your blades,
avoid using your wipers to de-ice
the windshield, which can cause
unnecessary wear and tear.
Instead, use an ice scraper or
your vehicle’s defroster to melt
snow and ice. Pulling the blades
away from the windshield when
your car is not in use during
the winter can also prevent ice
build-up on the rubber. And
help your wipers last longer by
cleaning your windshield every
time you gas up.
Replacing wiper blades
should be a regular part of your
vehicle maintenance in order
to maximize your visibility and
everyone’s safety on the road.
When we
people talk
about travel
insurance, it
usually refers
to emergency
Novella laNder
medical travel
Travel consultant
insurance.
and it makes
sense to purchase: a medical
emergency outside of Manitoba
can lead to astronomical costs.
that’s why policies can go up
$5 million CaD for coverage.
but it’s important to note that
just because you purchased
travel insurance, it doesn’t
necessarily mean that all of your
travel losses are covered. Upon
purchasing a policy, be sure to
review all coverages, benefits
and exclusions.
Caa Manitoba travel insur-
ance plans include: vacation,
annual vacation or non-medical
vacation. a vacation plan covers
medical emergencies for a set
period of time, such as one
week-long trip, while an annual
plan covers you for multiple
vacations each year.
if you want the peace of
mind that comes with greater
coverage, you can purchase
baggage and personal-effects
insurance. this non-medical
vacation plan covers the loss of
or damage to your baggage and
personal effects due to theft,
burglary, fire or transportation
hazards during the covered
trip. When purchasing a plan
like this, make sure you’re
aware of coverage limits and
all exclusions: not all losses are
protected. For example, cash,
currency or credit card loss
wouldn’t be covered.
To learn more:
caamanitoba.com/insurance
Ask the experts
If something is stolen from
my hotel room, will it be
covered by travel insurance?