FEATURES2 Americans’ Driving Habits3 Caribbean Vacation4 Financial Checklist5 Top Vacation Destinations6 TripTik Update7 Homeowners’ Policy Risks8 Summer Car Travel Tips

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Findlay Automobile ClubSummer Edition, 2015PLEASURES2 Findlay Automobile Club

Summer Edition, 2015 PLEASURES 3

AAA FINDLAY AUTOMOBILE CLUB1550 Tiffin Ave., Findlay,

OH 45840-6855 Phone: (419) 422-4961

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AAA Findlay Automobile Club Pleasures, Volume 5, Number 2 (USPS 002-549) (ISSN 1933-4591) is the official publication of the Findlay Automobile Club, 1550 Tiffin Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840-6855 as of the Spring (March), 2011 edition. It is published four times annually by Findlay Automobile Club. Periodicals mail postage paid at Findlay, OH and other additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: members $1.50 annually included in principal membership dues.

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Americans’ Driving Habits

Offer EndsJuly, 31,

2015

Choose Your Caribbean Island DestinationIn the Caribbean, you

can hike through national parks and scuba dive along underwater mountains. But perhaps your idea of the perfect island vacation is to plunk yourself down on the sands with a frosted drink in hand. Whether you want a veranda with a view of the sea or a plantation house set in a field of sugar cane, this guide will help you choose the vacation that best suits your needs.

ArubaUntil its beaches

were “discovered” in the late 1970s, Aruba, with its desertlike terrain and lunarlike interior landscapes, was an almost-forgotten outpost of Holland. Today, vacationers come for the dependable sunshine (it rains less here than virtually anywhere else in the Caribbean), the spectacular beaches, and an almost total lack of racial tensions despite an amazingly culturally diverse population.

The BahamasThe Bahamas is one of

the most geographically complicated nations of the Atlantic. A coral-based archipelago, it is composed of more than 700 islands, 2,000 cays (pronounced “keys,” from the Spanish word for small islands), and hundreds of rocky outcroppings that have damaged the hulls of countless ships since colonial days.

The British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.)

Still a British Crown Colony, this lushly forested chain consists of about 50 small, mountainous islands. Come here for the laid-back lifestyle, the lovely sandy beaches, the friendly people, and the small, intimate inns.

The Cayman IslandsThis trio of islands is set

near the southern coast of Cuba. It’s a prosperous, tiny nation. The warm, crystal-clear waters and the colorful marine life in the offshore reefs surrounding the island attract scuba divers and snorkelers. Many hotels line the luscious sands of Seven Mile Beach.

The Dominican RepublicOccupying the eastern

two-thirds of Hispaniola, the island it shares with Haiti, the mountainous Dominican Republic is the second-largest country of the Caribbean. The island offers lots of Latin color, zesty merengue music, and many opportunities to dance, drink, and party.

JamaicaA favorite of North

American honeymooners, Jamaica is a mountainous island that rises abruptly from the sea 90 miles south of Cuba. It offers excellent beaches, golf, eco-tourism adventures, and fine hotels in all price brackets, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.

Puerto RicoHome to 3.9 million

people whose primary language is Spanish (though English is widely spoken, too), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is under the jurisdiction of the United States. It’s the most urban

island of the Caribbean, with great beaches, glittering casinos, a range of hotels in all price brackets, sports and eco-tourism offerings, good hearty food, and sizzling salsa clubs. The island’s interior is filled with rainforests and ancient volcanic mountains; the coastline is ringed with gorgeous sandy beaches.

St. Kitts & NevisThe first English

settlement in the Leeward Islands, St. Kitts has a rich sense of British maritime history. This island lies somewhat off the beaten tourist track and has a very appealing, intimate charm.

Nevis was spotted by Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World. He called it Nieves -- Spanish for snows -- when he saw the cloud-crowned volcanic isle that evoked for him the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees.

St. LuciaSt. Lucia (Loo-sha), 24

miles south of Martinique, is the second largest of the

Windward Islands, with a population of around 162,000. A volcanic island with lots of rainfall and great natural beauty, it has white- and black-sand beaches, bubbling sulfur springs, and beautiful mountain scenery.

Turks & CaicosAlthough these islands

are actually part of the Bahamian archipelago - they are to the east of the southernmost islands of The Bahamas, directly north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic - they are governed separately.

What’s beginning to put Turks and Caicos on the map is an incredible array of beaches. The islands are also home to some of the world’s most magnificent underwater life.

The U.S. Virgin IslandsFormerly Danish

possessions, these islands became part of the United States in 1917. All three islands offer stunning beaches, great snorkeling, sailing, and lovely scenery.

On average, Americans drive 29.2 miles per day, making two trips with an average total duration of 46 minutes. This and other revealing data are the result of a ground-breaking study currently underway by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the Urban Institute.

The Foundation’s new American Driving Survey offers the most up-to-date, comprehensive look at how much Americans drive on a daily and yearly basis. First-year data, collected May 2013 through May 2014, is available now from the ongoing study, which will set the benchmark for future data and ultimately reveal trends in Americans’ driving habits.

“This is the first ongoing study that provides a look at when and how much Americans are driving,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Existing federal data with this level of detail was last released in 2009, eight years after the previous release. This substantially limits the extent to which we can use existing data to draw conclusions about Americans’ current driving habits.”

The first-year results of the American Driving Survey revealed that:

Motorists age 16 years and older drive, on average, 29.2 miles per day or 10,658 miles per year.

Women take more driving trips, but men spend 25 percent more time behind the wheel and drive 35 percent more miles than women.

Both teenagers and seniors over the age of 75 drive less than any other age group; motorists 30-49 years old drive an average 13,140 miles annually, more than any other age group.

The average distance and time spent driving increase in relation to higher levels of education. A driver with a grade school or some high school education drove an average of 19.9 miles and 32 minutes daily, while a college graduate drove an average of 37.2 miles and 58 minutes.

Drivers who reported living “in the country” or “a small town” drive greater distances (12,264 miles annually) and spend a greater amount of time driving than people who described living in a “medium sized town” or city (9,709 miles annually).

Motorists in the South drive the most (11,826 miles annually), while those in the Northeast drive the least (8,468 miles annually).

On average, Americans drive fewer miles on the weekend than on weekdays.

Americans drive, on average, the least during winter months (January through March) at 25.7

miles daily; they drive the most during the summer months (July through September) at 30.6 miles daily.

“This new data, when combined with available crash data, will allow us to conduct unique, timely studies on crash rates for the first time,” continued Kissinger. “This will allow us to identify specific problems and evaluate various safety countermeasures to a degree never before possible.”

Results from the American Driver Survey were based on telephone

interviews with a nationwide sample of 3,319 drivers who reported detailed information about all their driving trips taken the day before the interview. Data collection is ongoing; the information reported in the first-year results was collected between May 21, 2013 and May 31, 2014. The full results from the inaugural American Driving Survey are available online at www.aaafoundation.org.

Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, publicly supported charitable educational and research

organization. Dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads, the Foundation’s mission is to prevent crashes and save lives through education about traffic safety. The Foundation has funded more than 200 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them, and minimize injuries when they do occur. Visit www.aaafoundation.org for more information on this and other research.

Findlay Automobile ClubSummer Edition, 2015PLEASURES4 Findlay Automobile Club

Summer Edition, 2015 5PLEASURES

This summer is an ideal time to travel to Eu-rope as the U.S. dollar is nearly equal in value to the euro, helping travelers stretch their vacation bud-gets further. In addition to warm-weather destina-tions across the U.S. and Caribbean, European cit-ies including Rome, Dub-lin and Paris are among AAA’s top vacation des-tinations this summer. According to the U.S. Of-fice of Travel & Tourism Industries, the number of Americans traveling to Europe so far in 2015 has increased 2.4 percent over last year.

AAA’s top international summer destinations are:1. Cancun, Mexico2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic3. London, England4. Rome, Italy5. Montego Bay, Jamaica6. Dublin, Ireland7. Paris, France8. Vancouver, British Columbia9. Nassau, Bahamas10. Edinburgh, Scotland

Domestic travelers are seeking sun destinations this summer, and many are planning vacations

to Orlando and beach-es throughout the U.S. AAA’s top domestic sum-mer travel destinations, based on AAA.com hotel bookings, are:1. Orlando, Fla.2. Miami, Fla.3. Myrtle Beach, S.C. 4. Honolulu, Hawaii5. Tampa, Fla.6. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.7. Los Angeles, Calif.8. South Padre Island, Tex.9. San Diego, Calif.10. Branson, Mo.

“Now is an excellent time for travelers to plan and book their dream vaca-tions to Europe, as favor-able exchange rates make popular European destina-tions more affordable than in recent years,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA Senior Vice President of Travel and Publishing. “After a harsh winter, Americans are also heading to warm weather destinations to enjoy the theme parks of Orlando and beach des-tinations across the U.S. and Caribbean.”

This summer, many travelers are choosing AAA Vacations for trips to Europe, as well as des-tinations across the world. This collection of special-

ly designed cruises, guided tours and inde-pendent vacations fea-ture unique, engaging travel experiences. Each itinerary is de-signed with the AAA member in mind and includes built-in value along with exclusive member benefits such as 24/7 Member Care and Best Price Guar-antee. AAA Vacations can be booked at more than 1,000 AAA Trav-el offices.

To maximize a summer vacation, AAA recommends travelers seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advi-sor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand desti-nation knowledge to create a memorable vacation experience. Also, download the AAA Mobile app for easy access to hotels and car rentals, maps and routing tools, trip planning resourc-es from AAA trav-el experts, current gas prices, exclusive member discounts and more.

Financial Checklist Can Help Keep Priorities in Order AAA’s Top Summer Vacation Destinations

Americans planning vacations to Europe,warm-weather destinations

No matter what is at the top of your financial priority list, AAA Financial Services suggests developing a checklist that includes the key financial components that make a house-hold run. By looking at each component, you can determine what financial repairs or main-tenance may be necessary.

While creating a budget is a great first step toward im-proved money management, the household budget often tinkers with existing situations and may not enhance overall fi-nancial performance. Consum-ers who fix each of the major financial components in their household - including income, spending, saving, insurance, credit and taxes – are more likely to have a smoother finan-cial ride. Knowing what to look for and reviewing these areas on a regular basis are the keys to successfully spotting and preventing financial problems.

IncomeKnow to the nearest dollar

your total annual income as well as your monthly income from all sources including sala-ries, interest, support payments and tax refunds. To make sure you know your income review last year’s income tax return, your year-end paycheck or the withholding statement your employer files with federal and state tax authorities.

Look at bank account state-ments and other potential in-come records. Many people overestimate their take-home or spendable income and then spend more than they make. Knowing what you really earn – not just your gross income -- is important when planning where and how far you can go, as well as when to stop.

SpendingMake a list of all of your

monthly and annual expenses including rent or mortgage pay-ment, utilities, loans, insurance and other predictable bills. Start writing down all spend-

ing, or log it on a computer. You need to know where your money is going before you can change direction. Ask yourself if there are ways you can make spending less money part of your normal routine, such as by using coupons, paying with a credit card that earns reward points or by using AAA’s Show Your Card & Save® program. Consumers who frequently go out of their way to save money on a gallon of gasoline should adopt the same mindset in oth-er areas of spending.

SavingsSaving for retirement, a

home, automobile, education or even a dream vacation is an essential part of sound mon-ey management. Having an emergency fund of ready cash equivalent to six months of income also is important. Are you spending all the money you make each month, or are you planning to go the distance by setting money aside for emer-gencies and future goals? If so, do you have a fixed plan and are you following it?

It is best to save a pre-set amount each time you are paid and to place the money in an ac-count that is not easily accessed for other purposes, such as in a money market account or a cer-tificate of deposit. When doing so, make sure you are earning maximum available interest on your money and that all depos-its are federally insured against loss.

Even small differences in the amount of interest your de-posits earn can make a big dif-ference over time. There are a variety of sites that let consum-ers compare rates. AAA offers better-than-average rates on FDIC-insured certificates of de-posit, online savings and money market accounts to members.

InsuranceHaving the right insurance

and the right amount of insur-

ance is a way to help protect against financial calamities. Re-view policies and coverage at the start of each year because the value of assets change over time and our financial respon-sibilities do too. Most people understand the need for auto and home insurance, but many do not have medical coverage, life insurance or liability pro-tection. Although insurance isn’t cheap, not having the cov-erage you need when you need it can be financially ruinous. If you have not reviewed your coverage in some time or know you are missing important pro-tection you need, take time to speak with an insurance agent.

CreditThe terms and availability

of credit have changed dramat-ically in recent years. Things that have not changed are the need to establish and keep a good credit score and to use available credit wisely. If mak-ing more than the minimum payments is a problem or you have a high amount of debt from multiple sources, credit payment consolidation or re-financing might make sense. Working with a registered con-sumer credit counseling service to adjust repayment terms may be another option to explore.

Beware of services that promise miracles, however. If credit debt isn’t burden-some, keep it that way by only charging items that will be re-paid at the end of each month and by carrying a balance only when an emergency expense is incurred. Cards that offer reward points and cash back – such as the AAA WorldPoints Reward or Cash Rewards Cred-it Cards -- are a good idea when interest rates are competitive with cards that don’t offer such rewards

TaxesKeeping more of the mon-

ey you earn in the form of tax

savings is an excellent way to improve your household bal-ance sheet. The federal govern-ment provides several ways for savers to enjoy tax-advantaged savings plans to assist with eventual retirement expenses. These include traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts and various savings plans, such as a 401K account.

When looking for tax sav-ings it is always a good idea to consult with a tax professional. If they recommend investing in a traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account, AAA can help. It’s no secret most Amer-icans are not saving enough for retirement. Don’t let another year pass without planning ahead.

Once you have completed your financial tune-up keep your

budget in shape by performing regular maintenance checkups. Just as a vehicle needs to have its oil changed and its tires ro-tated, your finances need to be reviewed from time to time to be sure nothing is amiss and you won’t be left stranded. A weekly or monthly review of your budget is essential, and a quarterly look at where you are in reaching your longer-range financial goals is a good idea too.

AAA offers a range of finan-cial products and services to as-sist consumers including mon-ey market and online savings accounts, certificates of depos-it, traditional and Roth Individ-ual Retirement Accounts CDs, and AAA credit cards. For more information on these products and services, contact your local AAA club or visit AAA.com.

Purchase fee of up to $6.95. Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 with 12 consecutive months of inactivity. Lost/Stolen replacement card fee of $5.95. Visa Gift Cards are issued by MetaBank®, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Terms and conditions apply.

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Give AAA Visa® Gift Cards for any occasion

To learn more, visit participating AAA offices, www.aaa.com/giftcards or call 1-844-639-4700.

Findlay Automobile ClubSummer Edition, 2015 PLEASURES 7Findlay Automobile Club

Summer Edition, 2015PLEASURES6

DISCOUNT TICKETSAVAILABLE

FOR MEMBERSAT AAA

AQUARIUMS MOVIES THEME PARKS WATER PARKS ZOOS

CLICK AAA.COM OR COME IN

All tickets prices subject to change some attractions open on a season-al basis only. Contact your local AAA office for height / age restrictions

and pricing.

Carmike Cinemas

Walt Disney World

Universal Orlando

Dollywood

Sesame Place

Zoombezi Bay

Splash Country

Ripley’s Aquarium Gatlinburg

Newport Aquarium

Cedar Point

Kings Island

Columbus Zoo

Toledo Zoo

Busch Gardens

Sea World

www.keepohiobeautiful.org

TripTik Update

AAA Reloadable CardsYOUR EVERYDAY SOLUTION

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AAA Visa TravelMoney is accepted at merchants and ATMs where Visa debit cards are accepted, you will feel comfortable knowing the card is not linked to any of your accounts and can be replaced in as little as 24 hours. Cards issued by MetaBank®, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Terms and conditions apply.

With AAA Visa TravelMoney® reloadable cards, you can: Direct deposit funds

Funds can be loaded from approved paper checks through a mobile app

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Visit participating AAA o� ces or

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Time and again we hear of flood victims who learn that their insurance didn’t cover flood dam-age.

Flooding isn’t the only scenario not covered by many homeowner’s poli-cies.

Because all policies differ, your best bet is to call our office to find out exactly what your policy does cover and what dam-ages are excluded.

Typical exclusions that could affect you right here in Ohio include back-up of sewers and drains, mold and termites.

Sewer backup in your home

Sewer backup is a

nasty problem that has become more prevalent as our sewer lines can sometimes be over a cen-tury old. Sewer backup doesn’t just damage your flooring, walls and pos-sessions. It also damages wiring and electricity.

A homeowner’s policy without an endorsement typically doesn’t cover sewer backup, so it’s wise to purchase an endorse-ment, which usually costs about $40 to $50 a year.

Dreaded moldMold is another haz-

ard often not covered by insurance or that has limited coverage. Mold has been linked to health problems including aller-

Risks Homeowner’s Policies Don’t Cover

gies and respiratory is-sues.

Moisture puts you at risk of growing mold, so the best practice is to deal with the issue the moment moisture occurs

If a room gets flood-ed, attack the problem immediately by calling in a professional. Again, your insurance company may offer a mold endorse-ment to protect you from such damage. Contact our office to learn more.

Termites, masters of silent destruction

Termites are a threat that can cause serious damage when not treat-ed. Termites tend to col-

As a road traveler, we know just how much you depend upon AAA to pro-vide you with a Trip Rout-ing that helps you to safely arrive at your destination

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the AAA TripTik has always been there to tell you where to find the next rest stop, exit numbers for food, gas and lodging and, most importantly, the location of constructions projects!

These features have always been a standard of the Manual TripTik rout-ing with which you are most familiar.

New automated tech-nology of the AAA Trip-Tik Travel Planner has al-lowed us to enhance these familiar features and in-clude even more enhanced options such as:

Address-to-Address routing, directional ar-

rows, precise road con-struction, turn-by-turn written directions, and travel advisories for ‘rush hour’ traffic… just to name a few!

Give it a try! We think you’ll enjoy the great ben-efits of the TripTik Travel

Planner.Effective August 31,

2015 we will adopt the AAA TripTik Travel Plan-ner as our sole form of TripTik routing prepara-tion. We will continue to offer Manual TripTik rout-ings through this date.

onize moist areas where wood, paper or dead plants touch the soil near your home’s foundation. They thrive in damp crawl spaces and feast on wood beams in your home. The structural damage caused by these insects can be significant, but homeowner’s policies do not cover termite dam-age. Ask a licensed pest control company to do an inspection if you are con-cerned about termites.

The best way to pre-pare for the unexpected is to get to know what is and isn’t covered by your homeowner’s policy.

Contact AAA Findlay

Automobile Club at 419-422-4839

for ALL your insurance needs.

with our ASE Certified Technicians . . .

Findlay Automobile ClubSummer Edition, 2015PLEASURES8

Summer Car Travel TipsOne of the fastest

ways to put the brakes on a great vacation is with an emergency. But by planning ahead and preparing properly, trav-elers can minimize risk. AAA offers these precau-tionary tips:

Car Maintenance:• Consider having

your car checked by an automotive technician before a long trip. An ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure.

• Check the tires regularly for uneven or excessive tread wear. Make sure all items, in-cluding the spare, are inflated properly. Do at least one check BEFORE hitting the road, as tires

hot from driving give in-accurate inflation read-ings.

• Check the coolant level and condition, mak-ing certain the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant is present.

• Check the level and condition of the engine oil. If driving under extreme conditions – such as very hot summer weather or pulling a heavy trailer – you may want to consider switching to an oil with higher viscosity. Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.

• Look for worn, cracked, blistered or soft belts or hoses. Always perform this check with

the engine off.• Hot weather can

shorten the life of a car’s battery – if there’s con-cern, have it tested by a qualified automotive technicianTravel planning:

• Carry an emergen-cy kit with a flashlight, extra batteries, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, jump-er cables, a first-aid kit and extra water.

• Don’t let the gas level get below one-quar-ter of a tank.

• Select your route on a map ahead of time and study it to know ex-actly where you’re going.

• Reserve all accom-

modations in advance.• Lock your car

when you leave it and keep valuables out of sight.

• Secure children and adults in safety seats, booster seats or seat belts as required by law.

• Bring books, games, or music for the ride, and a pillow so passengers can sleep.

• Bring information on your destination to make the most of your trip.