You know it’s the holiday season in New England when you see cars on their way home with a Christmas tree tied to their roof! While we love seeing this display of Christmas cheer, Quincy Mutual Group wants to ensure that if you’re planning to join the crowd traveling with trees, you are doing so correctly!
Step 1- Use the Right Vehicle: Trucks, minivans and SUVs are perfect for this task! They either have a bed in the back, or a roof rack for carrying items. We do NOT recommend that sedans or similar cars carry a tree home!
Step 2- Protect Your Vehicle: Avoid scratches and sap damaging your vehicle’s paint by throwing down a blanket before securing your tree.
Step 3- Correctly Position Your Tree: You’ll want to have the trunk of your tree facing the front of the vehicle. This allows for less resistance from the branches, which will be bundled toward the rear of your vehicle.
Step 4- Secure Your Tree: Don’t skimp on this part of the process. Weak tie-downs (or worse, the twine some tree lots offer) will not give the security needed for the tree’s trip home. Bring out the ratchet straps or bungee cords instead.
Step 5- Mind Your Speed: Slow and steady gets the tree home. Mind your speed, and take backroads home if needed. Going too fast or braking too suddenly could result in your tree coming loose and causing an accident or injury.
Step 6- Getting Your Tree Down: Just like in Step 2, you’re going to want to protect your vehicle. Consider leaving the tree on the blanket it traveled on, and use the blanket to gently carry the tree off your vehicle.
Avoid auto insurance claims and ensure the safety of your passengers, other motorists and pedestrians by following these tips. At Quincy Mutual Group, your road safety is very important to us. Visit our Agent Locator here and any of our 500+ agents can assist you with a car insurance quote!