Health Insurance Enrollment Process

RJ Mitte - star of the hit television series "Breaking Bad" - speaks of a new insurance series of short films called video "Bad Breaks" that are designed to educate students about the importance of insurance. The series is part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Insure U. If you're not familiar with Insure U, check it out, it is a friendly informative resource objective to obtain reliable information on insurance. It is designed to help educate insurance consumers on various insurance products and how to avoid being scammed. It offers tools and resources of state insurance regulators

Bad Breaks RJ :. Auto Accidents Aplenty is the first version - two more are planned.

File this under "dubious distinctions" Boston drivers, you are the worst! Your drivers are 157% more likely to get in an accident than the national average - they get in an accident about every three years. In the list of 0 biggest cities, you come to the last death at # 0.

Worcester, you are not much better - come to # 199. And not a smirk you, Springfield - you have the 5th worst driving record!

The honors for the city with the safest drivers in the nation goes to Kansas City, where drivers are 24.8% less likely than the average American driver to get into an accident.

The ranking is annual Allstate You can read a summary of our miserable record in the history of Boston.com "America's Best Driver Report." Bostonians plant more than twice as often as the driver medium

the only consolation is that, despite the number of poor urban drivers in the state, Massachusetts has not made the list of 10 states with the worst driving records.

Hey, you all bad drivers - here are some tips to "Uncle Bob": 70 Defensive Driving Rules

People love their animals for discussions on dangerous dogs can be controversial - but when it comes to insurance, it is a costly problem. In 2014, dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for over a third of all homeowners insurance paid in dollars responsibility - a total of more than $ 530 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The number of dog bite claims are down - they fell by 4.7% in 2014 - but the average cost per dog bite claim is climbing. In 2014, it increased 15 percent to $ 32.072 - compared to $ 27,862 in 2013.

Some insurance companies will limit the availability of insurance homeowners based on the breed of dog or the dog story PropertyCasualty360 has an article on. 10 dog breeds most often blacklisted by home insurance carriers. They say

"The breed of dog you own could make it harder to get homeowners insurance Insurers are hesitant to provide coverage to owners who own races and. mixtures believe that insurers are more likely to bite and cause injury. According DogsBite.org, more than 700 cities in the United States have adopted specific laws to race since the mid-1980s, following the rise in popularity of pit bulls in the general population. "

Is it legal for an insurance company to deny coverage or other discrimination on the breed of dog? Yes, and why MSPCA:

"The law does not prohibit insurance companies against discrimination based on race. While the city and town ordinances specific breed have been challenged on constitutional grounds, such as due process and equal protection, the insurance companies because they are not part of the government are not subject to these constitutional restrictions. "

Many insurance companies do not cover a race ban. The MSPCA cites several national insurers will instead" ... the work case by case, taking account the behavior of the individual dog and history, and may require a meet and greet with the dog and / or a certificate of good canine citizen. "

If you have a dog or thinking of getting a dog talk to your insurance agent about insurance considerations.

Here are some other dogs and insurance resources that could be useful

• insurance information Institute: dog bite liability
• do not let the dogs take a bite of your insurance: Tips for dog bite prevention
• the insurance and dog: Tips for dog owners looking owner / renter of coverage for their dog (s)
• dog Bite Laws by State responsibility for all 50 states and DC

If children are on your list of holiday shopping, toy safety should be the number one rule. When the store Santa, he consults the W.A.T.C.H. list of "10 Worst Toys" for 2015 holiday season. This 43rd annual report is issued by World against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (WATCH). This year, they have a special master alert to be particularly attentive to the dangers associated with buying of potentially hazardous toys. The link above is a slideshow you can get a PDF of dangerous toys with pictures and information to explain why they are classified as dangerous.

"What shopping in the store by store or on their website, awareness of the dangers of hidden classic toys can prevent injuries. Shockingly, dangers of classic toys such as small parts, strings, projectiles, toxic substances, rigid materials, and warnings and inaccurate labels resurface each year in newly designed toys. Over the last twelve months, there have been at least sixteen (16) toy recalls representing over three million (3,000,000) units toys with safety defects accepted in the United States and Canada proving inadequate existing standards. In 2013, there were more than 250,000 toy-related injuries and 50 children died in incidents related to toys between 2010 and 2013. Although even injury to a child is too many, especially when the injury is preventable, recent statistics point out that dangerous toys continue to pose a threat to the year. The ten (10) toy recalls due to choking and / or risk of ingestion, issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) over the previous twelve months, highlight the continuing problem of small and unmanageable parts to reach children. "

The US Public Interest Research Group also publishes a report on the dangers to children in their 2015 Trouble in Toyland report, which lists the specific toys, and general problems and dangers parents should be alert to. See the press release for a summary.

More toys resources and the safety of children

• security toys
• CPSC on toys
• safety first when buying toys
• Two common household items that are dangerous for your children
• consumer groups issuing alerts about dangerous toys (2014)

If you skipped stories on flights to California during the holidays, you probably missed a hilarious video showing how a region Los Angeles Taco shop bites back to crime. It all started with a late break in the Frijoles & Frescas restaurant on December 16. The thieves threw a rock through the broken window, search the place and make off with the records. All this was shown in the security camera footage.

Clever owners Alberto and Francisco used this sequence to create the next clip which has over 4 million views. See for yourself why it went viral.

It is satisfying that they mocked the burglars while making a fun self-promotion, and it is also a smart way to get the audience in images thieves. The authors have not yet been found, but here's hoping. Meanwhile, reports say Frijoles & Frescas is seeing increased demand for their tacos!

Small businesses in food service and retailers like Frijoles & Frescas are generally covered for theft and theft insurance or BOP Business Owners Policies. But the security cameras are a good idea, too - they help prevent crime and if a crime occurs, can provide valuable information to help track down criminals.

Here are some resources to learn more about the company's security cams.

How to deploy IP cameras in your small business

Setting up a security system for your small business

February is the month of heart health and the resounding theme is that changes simple can make a big difference. The CDC suggests:

• Schedule a visit with your doctor to talk about heart health
• Add exercise to your routine
• heart health daily meals cook at home unless 3 times a week and make sodium your less favorite recipe
• take measures to stop smoking
• take prescribed medications

heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. We collected some tools - some interactive - that will help you focus on heart health

Here are some more useful heart health tools:

First, it is a good idea for everyone to know how to recognize the signs of heart problems - whether for yourself or a loved one the sooner you get help, the better: warning signs of a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest

blood pressure: What do the numbers

This is a tool for monitoring your blood pressure - blood pressure Wallet card (PDF)

questions to ask your doctor

More information about heart health and health men heart women

Do not let the snow last week fool you - it's about time to take the bike out of mothballs and get on the road. But first, before doing anything else, check to be sure you have a motorcycle insurance to protect this investment

The Insurance Information Institute (III) gives the lowdown on the motorcycle insurance :.

"Most states require motorcyclists to wear a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover injuries and tangible cost property damage to others involved in an accident. In also, uninsured / underinsured (UI / UIM) motorist coverage is recommended or even required in many states in the framework of the policy of a rider to cover expenses for damages were caused by another driver who either has no insurance or whose insurance is inadequate.
mandatory minimum limits for these guarantees in states where they are needed for motorcyclists are generally similar to those required for cars. "

We think this is a good idea to have some of the optional benefits, also :. collision, the first party medical coverage, emergency road service and coverage for customization and equipment

III provides more detail on the cover of the bike here with advice on saving money, such as the political establishment or those who suspend the use in winter and multibike reductions.

motorcycle laws, security tools and other resources

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is an internationally recognized developer of the comprehensive, research-based, the education and Rider Training System (RETS). Some insurers offer discounts for certified safety training to check to see if your insurer. In addition to courses, MSF offers many free resources in their online library. One we love is the book you and your motorcycle riding tips - MSF says that many manufacturers include this booklet with their new bikes. They also have similar brochures for motorcycles and scooters, 3 wheel. Their tires Guide seems very convenient, too.

The American Association motorcyclist a good resource on laws motorcycle by the State.
The guides cover information such as eye protection, handlebar height, channel separation and other information that bikers need to know.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has a good guide on motorcycle helmet laws by state. They note that "Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets, known as the universal helmet laws. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear helmets are in place in 28 states. There is no law of motorcycle helmet use in three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire). "IIHS also has a good Q & A about motorcycle safety and related topics

BikeBandit offers some excellent tips on how to prep your bike for spring - it affects all battery fluid

Boston Public Library Collection - Leslie Jones

We recently came across an excellent photo collection of vintage car wrecks Boston area 1930 a part of greater Boston Library collection, photographs were taken by Leslie Jones, a news photographer well known at the time. Despite the large solid appearance of the cars, the damage is impressive. There was not a lot of safety features built in these old giants. Most wrecks like the vehicles sustained a total loss.

In general, a car is "totaled" when it will cost more to repair the car real value of the car (LCA) is a value. Of course there is a little more complicated than that, as explained in Gary Wickert claims Journal :? When a vehicle is considered a total loss

The criteria for deciding when a car is a total loss and when it can be repaired vary from one insurance company to the insurance company and could even be dictated and controlled by law or state regulation. Further complicating the problem is that insurance companies do not all use the same sources to determine the value of a vehicle. The threshold used by your insurance company to make this decision can be found by calling your insurance agent. insurance professionals, on the other hand, should be familiar with the rules, criteria and thresholds in all 50 states.

If your car is totaled, you will be paid for the car hovercraft after deductibles are met. If you own the car outright, the check will be sent. But if your car is financed, payment will go to the bank or finance company.

What if you have more on the car than the car is worth?

With low payments today and the long-term financing arrangements, it can be easy to end up under water in a situation where you have more than one vehicle is a value - in the automotive sector called being upside down on a loan - and today "... it applies to about half of all new car buyers" Except. if you guaranteed replacement cost coverage or guaranteed Auto protection (Gap insurance) , you might be out of luck.

Would you still pay you have the wrecked car Absolutely: Nolo people explain: My car was totaled But I still have money on it

But what happens if your loan amount is greater than ? the amount of the check from the insurance company the short answer to that question is you are still legally obliged to make your monthly loan payments to the bank or financial lender until the loan is repaid. The fact that your car is a total loss does not change your loan repayment terms. Your legal obligation to repay the loan continues. The bank or lender always has the right of full repayment of the loan, even if you can not have your car.

Nobody expects to be in a car accident, but when buying a new car, Gap insurance could be an interesting option if you are going to put little or nothing down for a deposit or if you plan on financing the car for a long period of time. Here's what the Insurance Information Institute says about times when Gap insurance could be a worthwhile investment. If you: ...

• Done least pay 20 percent down
• Financed for 60 months or more
• Leased vehicle
• Bought a vehicle that depreciates faster than the average.
• Rolled negative equity on an old car loan into the new loan.

III said that car dealers often offer a type of gap coverage, but it might be cheaper to buy from your regular insurance company. Why not check with your local insurance agent to learn about your coverage options before buying a new car?

Since 08, governors from across the country joined the president proclaiming June as Great Outdoor Month. The event began as the Great Week outside under President Clinton in 1998 and has increased significantly in both the Bush and Obama administrations. Now it, AOS an outside celebration a month focusing on the wonderful resources available to us in our national and national parks.

It, AOS the perfect time to celebrate because our National Park Service is 100 years old in 2016. You can explore this site to find your park. It, AOS a great site that let, AOS you explore the parks by location, event or experience. This year there are many special events centenary, you can search by date.

National Trails Day is June 4th of

Saturday, June 2 is National Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society. National Trails Day events will take place in every state across the country and include hiking, biking and horseback rides, paddle trips, birdwatching, geocaching, demonstrations of gear, stewardship projects and more. Visit the website to find events and trails near you. Other ideas: 5 activities to make the National Trails Day in a park near you. Even if you participate in can, AOT Trails Day, the site is an excellent resource for learning about the national network of trails to find ways and places to enjoy the great outdoors!

Here in New England, everything about the upcoming July 4th weekend seems promising - time seems spectacular, gas prices are low and the region is chock full of events and celebrations. We have listed links to information about some of the best July 4th celebrations of the New England below ... and send you on your way with necessary reminders about the safety of fireworks and driving safety vacation. Not to be Debbie Downer, but the stems will be packed and July 4th row as "the deadliest day of the year to be on the road, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)."

but with these caveats in mind, here are some ideas for your weekend

• Yankee Magazine: Best fourth of July celebrations in New England
• VisitNewEngland.com: Find events since 4 July 2016 for fireworks, parades in New England: Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and
• Discover New England: July 4 events
• Boston.com - 10 things to do in Boston this weekend
• Maine Today: things to do this weekend from small parades of the city of Grand fire Portland
• Old Sturbridge Village Independence weekend Celebration
• Bristol on the fourth
• Enfield fourth of July Town Celebration
• National minute Park Man
• Connecticut Fireworks 2016
• Massachusetts and Greater Boston - July 4th weekend
• July events in Maine

Zika virus was much in the news as a public health problem, but unless you were traveling abroad, he there is a good chance you don 't pay too much attention. But now that some cases "house" have been identified recently in Miami, many people are wondering if they should be concerned.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tracks the number of cases Zika in the US In August 3, they reported 6 cases were locally transmitted cases and another trip 1800+ associates in the US Some Miami reports show cases as high as 14, but all cases appear to be confined to a very narrow geographical area. The case prompted the CDC to issue a notice for pregnant women to travel to Florida:

Because the virus can have devastating consequences for a fetus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged pregnant women to avoid traveling in the region, and for pregnant women who live and work there to make every effort to avoid mosquito bites and get tested for possible exposure during each prenatal visit. He also advised women to use protection during sex, because the virus can be transmitted sexually.

In addition, the CDC recommends that all pregnant women should be asked about travel in infested areas Zika during routine antenatal visits. All pregnant women who have traveled to Zika regions - including the area of ​​Florida, June 15 or after - are encouraged to talk with their health care provider and get tested for Zika

This page CDC has information on. all you need to know about Zika virus - including useful infographics below. . Here are some useful links.

• Zika CDC Travel Information
• CDC Travelers Information on Twitter and Facebook
• World Health Organization on Zika
• Zika is Florida. Here are 9 made to calm down
• CDC director: Possible Zika sporadic cases for months, perhaps years, Florida

The election is only about one week. To help you in your last minute decision, we have compiled various comparison tools summarize and contrast the positions of candidates on health insurance and reform health care.
08 presidential candidates Proposals Heath care is a summary PDF side by side and the comparison by the Kaiser Family Foundation, with the assistance of Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. and is based on the information on the websites of candidates as supplemented by the information from the speeches of candidates, debate of the campaign and the news. The sources of information are identified in the summary of each candidate (with links to the Internet).
Web MD Pose A glance offers a comparison of the candidates and where they stand on key issues of health.
Compare the 08 presidential health care plans of the candidates - compiled by the American Academy of Family Physicians
Election 08: Health Care - compiled by the American Association of Journalists of health care, on the base
on what the candidates reveal in debates, speeches and statements. The tip sheet is updated with information on where the candidates stand on access to health care and other issues, including research on stem cells, abortion and more.
More resources
Election 08 The New England Journal of Medicine - various articles on health care and health policy issues at play in the United States presidential election, 08
mental health: candidates and platforms Party
positions on disability issues
the Democratic Party platform
the platform of the Republican Party

tasty regional dishes have a way to migrate across the nation and that was the story of fried turkeys. What was largely a southern dish, beloved in Louisiana, has become a popular new way for adventurous chefs to prepare turkey -. And no wonder, it is quite delicious
But this Thanksgiving, LA firefighters a question for would-be turkey fryers: your turkey or your life? They produced some spectacular images of exactly what can go wrong to highlight these dangers.

You can see that it is a dangerous business. enough that Underwriters Laboratories has decided not to certify turkey fryers with their UL Dangerous confidence. If you decide to fry the bird whatever, please read the linked article to get some tips fire experts from the Los Angeles security police.
Thanksgiving fires are common
You should not be frying a turkey to run into trouble for Thanksgiving - cooking fires nearly double the holiday, occurring more than twice as often as any other day. According to the Fire Administration US Thanksgiving sees an average of 4,300 residential fires resulting in 15 deaths, 50 injured and more than $ 27 million in property damage each year. Protect yourself, your family and your home this year -. To prepare a safe stay, take a minute to review some best practices for cooking safely issued by the US Fire Administration

A national survey of homeowners insurance questions and Trusted Choice independent insurance agents and brokers of America (IIABA) revealed that almost a third of the owners do not believe or did not know if they could be held responsible for accidents related to alcohol. In addition, over 46% of respondents thought they were not responsible if a customer has become seriously ill of the catering food consumed at home and host more than 22% do not think that they could be held responsible if a guest is injured on the sidewalk in front of their property. In fact, these are all situations in which an owner could be responsible.
A spokesman IIABA suggests that owners regularly review their liability coverage limits with their independent agent to ensure adequate coverage, and that frequent party hosts learn about a political umbrella providing $ 1 million or more in additional coverage. IIABC also suggest the party following the tips for owners and hosting company owners:

• Limit your guest list to those you know
• Organize your party in a restaurant or a bar that has a liquor license instead. in a home or office.
• Provide filling food for guests and non-alcoholic beverages alternatives.
• entertainment schedule or activities that do not involve alcohol. If festival centers around drinking, customers are likely to drink more.
• Arrange transportation or overnight accommodation for those who can not or should not drive home.
• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is scheduled to end.
• does not serve customers who are visibly intoxicated.
• Consider hiring a police officer out of service to discreetly monitor sobriety clients or handle any problems related to alcohol that guests leave.
• Stay alert, always remembering your responsibilities as host.
• Check your insurance policy with your trusted choice agent before the event to ensure that you have adequate liability coverage.

The fire caused 33.1% of the losses of all home insurance over a period of three years, the highest of any source of loss, according to a report by the American Association of insurance services
this statistic leads to a topic that we intend to present :. How do you know about fire extinguishers? If you're like most people, probably not much. But using the wrong type of extinguisher can be more dangerous than not using a fire extinguisher at all. Paul Caret of Blog Security MEMIC has a great post about the fire extinguishers which includes an array of different types of fire extinguishers and their notes, and links o interactive sites that provide information on any you might need to know about the selection, use and maintenance of fire extinguishers. We particularly enjoyed the lively and interactive fireextinguisher.com, available in English and Spanish.
The fire department Escondido offers quick one-page summary for fire extinguishers in the house, including where to put them, how to maintain them, and when to use them. But have you ever actually used a fire extinguisher? In this short video, Captain Joe Bruni offers a quick demonstration.

A new study Not-in-Traffic Surveillance illuminates on the number and types of injuries that occur as a result of the accident linked not accidents, statistics who had not been followed. Each year, the non-traffic accidents related to automobiles are estimated to cause 1,747 deaths and 841,000 wounded and, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who led the study.
Here are some of the findings of the study, as reported by Consumer Reports Cars Blog

• More than half of the accident no deaths in the study had place when a vehicle fell on a person who was or poisoning carbon monoxide involuntary
• Approximately 20 percent of non-crash injuries involved snapping fingers or other extremities in a door car or trunk, or resulted from overwork when loading or unloading of a vehicle or push a disabled vehicle
• in all types of tragedies, about a third of those injured and about half of killed were not inside the vehicle at the time
• Other common dangers included vehicle fires, antifreeze and battery acid burns, and the fall of a vehicle
• has important 221 deaths and 14,000 injuries resulted in pedestrians being supported by a vehicle

Backovers killed nearly 100 children and injured 2,000 in 07
about twice a week children are killed by being crushed by a vehicle that is being backed up. rather tragic, often occurs in the driveway of the house with a parent or a parent driving the car. In 07, nearly 100 children were killed and 2,000 injured when they were backed up on cars. In fact, one of the main reasons why the new mandate to track injuries and deaths not related to traffic stems from a 08 law requiring the tracking of data for incidents in which children are backed up, strangled by power windows or killed from being left in hot vehicles
A child-rights organization called kids and cars said such accidents are predictable and preventable. The following video highlights the problem and shows Consumer Report studies of blind zones, which vary vehicle, from about 12 feet for a sedan to as much as 30 feet for a pickup truck.

For more information on blind back-up areas, see the danger of blind spots by Consumer Reports.

Every year, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) collects and analyzes complaints consumers about insurance companies through a basic system of centralized electronic complaint data. This week, they published a report on the top consumer complaints with insurers to 08. Nearly 20,000 complaints were recorded, with the three main reasons for these complaints are delays, denials of requests and offers of inadequate regulation. Over 73% of the complaints Accident & Health or auto coverage.
Consumers can see the 3-year reports on trends of the most frequent complaints because of the complaint, by type of insurance or the provisions.
NAIC also offers resources that allow you to file a complaint with your insurance agency of the state or to seek a complaint information regarding specific insurance in your state.
Of course, those of us who are independent agents suggest that one of the best strategies to ensure satisfaction with the quality and service of your insurance company is working with an independent agent to find the best coverage options for your unique needs. Too often, consumers use price as the main litmus test in choosing an insurance company, but the selection of the insurer should be to find the right combination of products, services and price. There may be a large difference in service from one insurer to another and can make all the difference in the world when you experience a loss and need help.

Alan Long, of Eldredge & Lumpkin

The tough economy is not only visible in the headlines, but a reality that most of us face daily. In recent months, we've seen many customers lose their jobs, retirees watching their income from stocks and pensions disappear and entrepreneurs lose their jobs. These have had a very decided net down effect and, therefore, many of our customers have difficulties to keep abreast of their premium payments.
insurance assumes an undesirable connotation in those moments. It is an intangible that can induce the reaction, why put my assets to decrease something that can never be used? Unfortunately, driving a car requires insurance, carrying a mortgage requires insurance and success in tenders for jobs requires insurance. So it is necessary to find an acceptable way to manage these payments. This is where your insurance agent will help you.
A policy review with the customer service representative of your agency (CSR) will help determine if you have adequate coverage for most economical meet your individual needs. The key is to find ways to make it work for you.
When you talk with your CSR before a cancellation occurs, you can save money and grief. Here's why:

• Each time you receive a notice of cancellation insurance (even if you get your payment before it is effectively canceled) the company charges a late fee. They range from $ 20- $ 35
• If your policy is canceled due to non-payment -. Even for the first time -. Most companies will need a replacement policy to be paid in full up front
• If your policy is canceled and must be rewritten, you will lose all the benefits of acquired rights; these may include preferential credits, loyalty credits and the status of pre-insurance exemption.
• Losing a policy can be expensive for the owner of Cape Cod. We have seen companies refuse to renew homeowners policies that have received too much notice of cancellation.
• Even if Massachusetts does not allow credit to be used as a factor in setting insurance rates, the number of issued cancellations can affect the notes you receive.
• cancellations will affect your credit rating and have a ripple effect on your overall credit rating.

Find ways easier to pay your bills. Getting organized can remove some of the stress and avoid late fees. Here are some suggestions:

• Keep a list of your policies and their effective dates. Renewed policies require at least one payment by the effective date.
• Get a list of your payment dates. Most companies charge a fee of $ 4 $ 8 per slice. If you pay in 10 installments, you could be paying an extra $ 80 per year in installment payments for your insurance.
• Pay the bill at a time of year when the payment is more manageable.
• Pay your bills online. Using the e-mail could lead to payments.Companies end review your premium paid on the date they receive at their place of business; then it is considered "late".

Be sure to contact your agent and company. This is the best way to save money and time on your insurance premiums.

In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee of the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it is transmitted , drugs to treat it, the steps people can take to protect it, and what people should do if they become ill.

Additional resources
PandemicFlu.gov - Individuals and families planning - tools to help you plan for the challenges you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe
swine flu (flu) - Resources. , Updates and news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It includes a table that lists the cases confirmed by the state. See also CDC Twitter RSS CDCemergency and What's new on the CDC Swine Flu website
Taking care of a sick person in your home
Hand washing: An easy way to prevent infection - Learn the proper way kill the germs. people from Mayo Clinic
General Instructions for Disposable Respirators - short video of the CDC demonstrating how to put on and take off disposable respirators
Frequently Asked Questions
CDC: Flu swine and you
frequently asked questions PandemicFlu.gov
World health Organisation - Frequently asked Questions (PDF)
swine Flu Cards
global disease alert map HealthMap
H1N1 Swine Flu

If you're one of the more than 8 million households who are lucky enough to have a private pool on your property, security responsibility comes with the privilege. Each year, 280 children aged under 5 drown each year in swimming pools across the country. For children aged one to fourteen, drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death. Even if you do have children, be aware that nearly a third of all children in the pool deaths occur in pools where the owners have no children
The Pool Safety Council offers these tips for keep children safe.

• Nothing is more important to the safety of a swimming child than the eyes of watchful parents.
• Keep a landline near the pool, so if there is an emergency you can call 911 and the operator will be able to instantly trace the call and send help .
• Surround your pool with a four-sided fence and a door that locks.
• Never leave children unattended in or near the pool. Drowning only takes a few seconds.
• Even when there is a group of adults present, make sure that one is dedicated to keep an eye on the kids in the pool or nearby. Give someone the responsibility makes them much more likely Potential problems are immediately noticed.
• Make sure your pool is equipped with approved safety drain covers and an anti-jamming device to prevent drain entrapment, the often fatal tragedy of a swimmer becoming trapped by the suction drain of the swimming pool. Public pools are required to adopt anti-trapping action by law, but the PSC encourages private pool owners to follow suit.
• Take a CPR course for potential drowning victims should not wait until the paramedics arrive.
• When not in use, keep hot tubs covered and locked.

This is the first summer that the Law on Baker Pool and Spa Safety Virginia Graeme is in place since the enactment of the law in December. This law is designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations of in pools and spas. Between 1999 and 08, there were 83 incidents of trapping children reported to the CPSC, eleven reports of fatalities, one of them being the one who took the life of 7 years old Virginia Graeme Baker in 02. under the law, all public pools and spas must comply with federal standards, which is great - but keep in mind that the accident that claimed the life of Virginia arrived in a private home. If you own a private pool, you may want to voluntarily comply with these standards, too - this news article provides convincing evidence to explain why
Additional resources
Swimming pool -. Spa safety and drowning prevention
Safety Act Spa Virginia Graeme Baker Pool
National Alliance for drowning prevention

Check your insurance coverage
In addition to talking all possible security measures, pool owners should also ensure that they are adequately covered against potential risks. If you have a pool or hot tub, or consider adding either, make sure you talk to your agent to make sure you have adequate coverage. Here are some tips from the Insurance Information Institute of the swimming pool coverage:

Let your insurance company know that you are a ool because it will increase your liability risk . Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance" and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Most homeowners policies include a minimum of $ 100,000 of liability protection. Pool owners, however, may wish to consider increasing the amount to $ 300,000 or $ 500,000.
You can also talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing a policy framework for accountability. For an additional premium of about $ 0 to $ 300 per year, you can get $ 1 million of liability protection beyond what you have on your home. This would also provide added liability protection when driving.
If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have adequate insurance protection to replace if it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster.

If you plan a trip to a holiday home, it is a good idea to think about insurance coverage before you leave. Whether you plan to vacation in a vacation home or visit a timeshare, a rental property or a home exchange, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers helpful staycation and insurance considerations goods.
It is a good idea to check your policy to be clear about the extent of what they will and will not cover as you travel and stay in some type of temporary accommodation - usually a political owners will extend coverage for your personal belongings. Also, be sure to consider all the benefits of travel or travel or coverage that may be available from your credit card.
If you have a second home for vacation use, insurance issues require further consideration. Coverage for a second home owners can vary significantly from the terms of the insurance policy of your principal residence and requirements may be different if you are in a different state or another area. Your coverage needs vary depending on how often your home is occupied and if the house is for your own use - occupied home - or if you rent to others. You may need additional coverage if your holiday home is a waterfront property or if it is located in an area that is subject to natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods. You also need additional coverage as boat insurance or insurance "peril named"
We often do not think about insurance until we need it. - And then it may be too late. If you have not discussed insurance issues related to a second vacation home or temporary accommodation holiday, you might want to give your agent a call.

It's summer, it's Friday - who wants to read something serious? Check out these big announcements of Bangkok Insurance that cleverly illustrate the concept of probability.

You just had a baby or are you wait a bit? If so, you are part of a demographic trend. More babies are born in August than any other month, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. September is the second highest month and while Tuesday is traditionally the day for births on Wednesday was sharpens out in recent years. More interesting facts about birth and motherhood update the press release of the Mother of US census. The government keeps track of a lot of interesting data related to births. You can find the most popular baby names of the year on the Social Security website - or see the cute video version of the largest baby names. You can even find the most popular names by region.
Now, check your insurance!
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) suggests measures that new parents should take to protect their growing family by checking the insurance coverage. Whenever you experience a major life event - such as a wedding, a birth, a death, a new house - it is important to remember to review your insurance policies. With a new baby, health insurance and life insurance are the two covers that should be examined to ensure that you are adequately protected. NAIC suggests that there may also have home and auto insurance considerations.
The social security office also reminds parents to register your child for a social security number, you need to claim your child as a dependent on your tax return on income, and is required to cover medical, the establishment of financial accounts, or eligibility for government sponsored services.

If you, Aore as many insurance consumers, when you get your annual homeowners, condo or police to renter insurance, AOS, simply file it away in a drawer and gift, AOT give it another thought. Many people just look at the fine print and are later surprised when a loss occurs that isn, AOT covered. The downside is that there may be benefits that are paid but that the lessee does not know. Insurance policies may offer advantages in coverage and benefits that go unused simply because the insured did not know the advantage. For example, some homeowners policies, AO cover spoiled food from a power outage, personal property stolen from your car, a camera stolen while on holiday, or even a damaged tombstone. It may pay to know your policies, aÌ Meg Green A.M. Best discussions about various unusual benefits that could be included in your insurance coverage.
coverage options can vary from one insurance company to the insurance company, so that when you discuss renewals with your agent, ask about the special benefits or benefits that may be relevant to you and family and ask questions to be sure you understand the extent of your coverage. And when you experience a loss, if you are not sure whether or not you, Aore covered, pick up the phone and talk to your agent. You need to document your loss so keep receipts. And like green notes, if you make too many claims, the cost of your premium may increase or you may even be canceled the next time you try to renew.

Here, Massachusetts local news headlines today tell us that swine flu has infected 20,000 in the state since the virus first surfaced there five months, with 11 associated deaths. officials of Public Health in Massachusetts say they expect the first doses of vaccine against swine flu happen in about two weeks, and will be distributed to those most threatened by the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a given year, about 5% to 20% of US residents get the seasonal influenza (or "flu") each year. This year, in addition to seasonal influenza virus H1N1 (also called swine flu) should have a second wave in the coming months. CDC treats those who are at risk:

In seasonal flu, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children aged under five, pregnant women and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70% of people who have been hospitalized with this 09 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at "high risk" of serious complications from seasonal influenza. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
One thing that seems to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of 09 H1N1-related complications thus far.

Most people who contract either seasonal or H1N1 flu will recover within a few or a few weeks at most, but some people develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia. The CDC says nearly 0,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications each year, and more than 36,000 die
For prevention, the CDC suggests :.

• Stay
• Cough or sneeze into the tissue and then throw the tissue
• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Stay home if you are sick

flu resources
seasonal locator vaccine against influenza
Flu.gov is a good source of information where you can get updated information. It includes information for individuals and families, and for businesses, community and professional planners.
Information H1N1 CDC. The CDC also publishes updates to the flu in the US influenza activity based on key indicators such as the number of doctor visits and hospitalization rates.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) encourages consumers to include a response plan against the flu in their preparations disaster this year and offers advice to get your insurance issues in hand.

When we published our list of tips to help you prepare for a safe and healthy Halloween earlier in the week, we neglected a significant and growing threat zombies. As we approach one of goblins and ghouls weekend, you're sure that you are adequately covered against the growing threat the undead pose? It is suspected that each year, untold millions are lost in the damage of personal property -. But in general, traditional insurance companies do not recognize claims for zombie-inflicted damage

Never fear, as your trusted agents, we are looking for your interests. We're going very far to get these options difficult to find coverage - so we are pleased to introduce a new protection plan, My Zombie insurance. Their slogan says it all: "Zombies do not care We.."

Of course, as with all the coverage, we believe it is important to ensure you have a range of options to choose, here is a short video clip on a choice of the National Insurance Fund Zombie Life Group - ". when the undead come knocking at your door"

Each holiday season, children's groups and consumer protection provide lists of most dangerous toys of the year, and tips on how to shop for safe toys. If you have kids on your shopping list, take a few minutes to review these precious books.
Unsafe Toy List 09 report on the safety Toy 09 USPIRG, Trouble In Toyland .
09 "10 Worst Toy" list WATCH (without global profit group against Toys causes damage
Recalls Toy Hazard The Product Safety Division of American consumers
There are three major dangers for toy safety. choking, noise and Toxins for children over 3 emphasis on noise and toxic. dangers for children under 3 also avoid the risk of choking on small toys, toy parts and balloons Here a practical guide to the dangers that you can call on your mobile phone while shopping Toy dangers. - you can report hazards that you encounter in your shopping trips
Other resources :. .
Trouble in Toyland (PDF) - 59 in 09 compared to PIRG pages on the safety of toys
Tips for toy safety (PDF) - printable brochure PIRG
toy safety shopping tips - Consumer Product safety Commission of the United States
safety of toys - Guidelines for the selection of toys of the National Network for child care

You have to admit - good old Saint-Nicolas leads a devil of a commercial transaction. He employed a huge number of elves and maintains a herd of reindeer. He runs a factory that operates 24/7, with a warehouse operation and busy shipping. He has at least a specialty vehicle, but we suspect it also needs backups. Like any good business person, he needs solid insurance coverage to protect the company should do no wrong.
Gregory Boop of insurance companies About.com page has already examined the different types of insurance coverage that Santa needs.
First, as an employer, it is mandated to have excess workers' compensation for his elves. And to be a good employer, it should also provide health insurance, too. Elves are very loyal workers - to show appreciation for what Santa should consider disability insurance and a retirement planning type, such as 401k options
We agree that it needs a commercial general liability coverage, and coverage of product liability .. Gregory suggests that Santa needs commercial auto insurance and a runner specialized equipment ... but we are not sure we would classify Santa's sleigh like a car - we think it might be best for Santa to have the cover of the aircraft. It could also benefit from travel insurance and pet insurance for reindeer. Gregory also suggests that Santa should have a key man coverage on itself because it is so essential to the operation. Good idea.
Now, aside from his business, the Father himself has specialized insurance needs. It needs a hell of a life insurance policy and poses significant challenges to his insurance agent. He became older, he is overweight, he was known to smoke a pipe and drink cognac, and he has a lead foot when driving his sleigh. He also faces a number of risks in the workplace. Even before that great day of the year, he travels to thousands of shopping centers and encounter millions of children. This year, that means it is at increased risk for the H1N1 virus. Not to mention all the other risks that Santa faces - it may be exposed to everything from back pain while lifting children to wet tower caused by the terrified children. It's hard to believe, but not everyone loves Santa.
We now know that Santa has already thought about its insurance coverage because we read it a few years ago he assured his trademark beard with Lloyds of London. That's a good start, but today, he would do well to have insurance against identity theft, too.
Santa, we're worried about you. Call your agent, we can help!
The owners and Santa Claus
And your host? Are you well covered to entertain a V.I.P. as the Father in your home? What if your dog bites or Santa Claus is stuck in chimney - are you covered against these or other accidents, while it is on your property? If you have home insurance or rental insurance, personal liability and medical payments should cover parts, but you may want to check your coverage limits and deductibles. If you hire a Santa stand-in for a party, there are other things you should consider limiting your liability :. Covering Santa Clause
If you plan to leave sweets for the big guy, Mrs. Claus issues this plaintive plea: Please skip the cookies - Santa has a weight problem. Consider leaving a healthy snack. If you decide to leave cookies anyway, you can get Santa to sign Christmas Cookie Liability and Indemnity Agreement (PDF). And something that should go without saying - leaves no wine or brandy out - you do not want to be responsible if a drunken father leaves your house and a DUI accident
Happy holidays to all! - We'll see you in the New Year!

Both traveler insurance advertisements are those archives, but they both do a good approach the subject the risk of a whimsical but informative way:


And George Costanza Seinfeld also addresses the issue of risk management - a little less successful then

security expert Brian Krebs technology application if you have spotted this fraud skimming device when you went to use your ATM? ATM skimmers are card reading devices that cover the actual card slot and are usually installed in conjunction with a camera to record the PIN number. . Skimmers can be affixed to ATMs, freestanding ATM, ATM-activated pump the gas station, and anywhere else that ATM could be found
The ATM skimming devices become more sophisticated - they even found in the bank high traffic lobbies. But experts say that by being alert and careful, you can reduce your risk of being a victim scam. To help you increase your awareness of what to look for, we gathered some examples with images and visuals:

• Credit Card Skimming: How Thieves can steal your card information without you know
• Example of the police department of the University of Texas
• How to prevent ATM skimming
• Attack card skimmers
• This 6 minutes video from the Real Hustle BBC demonstrates gives a fascinating glimpse of how ATM skimmers work:

Tips for avoiding skimmers ATM
We gleaned these "best practices" advice of some of the articles linked above:

• Use well lit, ATMS well -Treated with security cameras; Banks go inside; be especially careful at ATMs freestanding
• When using an ATM, check anything unusual and to be alert for any devices that can be affixed. Look for anything that exceeds or appears attached to the machine, the differences of colors, unusual stickers. Look for mirrors nearby, brochure holders, speakers or devices that could accommodate a camera.
• Always cover the keypad with your hand to shield all devices that can try to save your PIN code
• let no "help" from an ATM
• Check your bank accounts regularly to ensure that funds were not taken
• If you see anything suspicious at an ATM, bank or alert the police immediately.

Shopping for health insurance coverage now that health reform is passed? Buyer beware of Medicare scams. This is the message of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which is to alert consumers that scammers and shady operators have been surfacing since the passage of the Affordable Care Act of 09 (PPACA ) Protection of patients. Some insurance regulators on the state level are reporting that they are receiving complaints about scam artists door-to-door or over the establishment of toll-free numbers to sell fake fonts "ObamaCare" insurance.
Some NAIC red flags to warn you of potential fraud

• offers or limited political time with enrollment periods limited. Renowned health insurance concerns will not ask you to make a quick decision!
• A claim that the coverage is required by law. There are no margin requirements until 2014.
• The seller does not explain the guarantees included in the policy or does not provide a complete list of covers.
• The seller claims the coverage will be "grandfathered" or exempt from changes required by the health care reform law. The only policies that are "grandfathered" are those that were already in force before the law was signed.

Your state insurance agency is your most important resource to verify the insurance company information and license insurance agency. If you have any suspicious sales calls - either by phone or in person. - Trust your instincts and take the time to check things
If you suspect fraud or complaint, NAIC provides a resource to file a report

Because it is the weekend Friday Oscar, we thought that films and movies would be an appropriate theme for the post of today. You might have opinions whose films have the best action and the best special effects but can you guess what the riskiest films of the year were? We talk about natural disasters, filming in several locations abroad, impressive stunt work, explosions, chase scenes of cars -. All that could add to risk and liability that movie studios must wear
Well, now you will be able to regale friends and family with related film may trivia because Insurance Company firefighter Fund, a company that has a long history providing the major Hollywood films, has just published its annual list of riskiest films of 09. prices range from "2012", "Crazy Heart," "Inglorious Basterds" and "Nine", but you'll have to read the article to find out more about the reasons. You can compare the harvest of risky films of this year to the 08 list
In 08 USA Today Article Lights! Camera! Risk! Sure film is a risky business offers a look more in depth some of the risk issues involved in filmmaking. These can include disparate risks that wild and trained animals, technological glitches, the actors who have to leave the middle of the production set to go to rehab, and weather-related events that can delay schedules production or endanger the cast, crew and. props
of insurance professionals in movies
over the years, there have been some excellent films that have insurance professionals - but they are usually not very flattering . Covas Marcus reminds us of some of the most important roles, and he has an interesting list of Top Movies No Risk Manager / Professional Insurance should miss. His list includes ten films, and it addresses insurance issues at stake in each of the films.
in addition Covas roles cites in his article, there was a 1959 movie called Alias ​​Jesse James , who played the role of Bob Hope as an insurance agent. The premise of the film, according to IMDB, is that the outlaw Jesse James T. J. (Wendell Corey) tries to kill the Milford Farnsworth insurance agent (Bob Hope), which was taken for him to gather a great policy. If you have time and inclination, you can watch the whole movie online.

If you are spring cleaning mode and empty the attic or basement, you might think be holding a garage sale or a yard sale. If so, you can get some excellent planning advice better advice Garage Sale, an extensive practical guide to help you think about all the details, including a timeline of work to guide you until the day of the sale.
A really important point on your list should be to review your homeowners, condo or rental insurance policy to be sure you have liability coverage in case someone is injured on your property. The general rule is that your homeowners policy would probably be enough coverage if your garage sale is an event, but if you plan to make a business out of garage sales, you'd better talk that over with your agent. It is a good idea to check in advance of your sale, whatever!
Watch this video on garage sales and insurance of the Insurance Information Institute.

As the economy eases and the housing market shows signs of recovery, many people whose home buying plans were pending begin to look around. If purchasing a new home or vacation property is on your agenda, the Insurance Information Institute (III) has some advice for you: do insurance considerations an important part of your buying process House. In addition to watching considerations such as location, neighborhood, and features of the house, you must make a risk assessment of the house and property so that you do not find yourself owning something with some unpleasant surprises down the line.
For an overview of issues and considerations that you should think, see Insurance Buyer List III of welcome and a short video on the subject:

There are approximately 77.5 million pet dogs in the United States, and some of them drive their owners to distraction ... literally. In terms of distractions that interfere with driving, dogs are right up there with cell phones and texting. A recent survey on the habits of dog owners and driving conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the company of pet products Kurgo, 80% of respondents said they took their pets on shopping, trips or vacations, but only 17% said they use any form of restraint. In fact, 21% admitted that they left their dog to sit on his lap.
The respondents admitted to other potentially troublesome behaviors such as tapping (55%), food (7%) or playing with their dog (5%) while driving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the search of the road for two seconds doubles your risk of being in an accident. In 08, there were 6,000 deaths from accidents caused by distracted drivers, according to the National Security Administration of the road.
In addition to being a potential risk for accidents, driving with unrestrained pets is also very dangerous for the animal.

"Restraining your pet when driving can not only help protect your pet, but you and other passengers in your vehicle as well," cautioned Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA national, responsible for road safety programs. "An unrestrained dog 10 pounds in a crash at 50 mph will exert about 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained dog of 80 pounds in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure. Imagine the devastation that can cause your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path. "

on CBS News Early Show , veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell shared some easy ways drivers with pets can prevent some of these dangers. You can read his restraint safety tips for dog or see the video below.

If a tree falls and damages my roof during a storm, am I covered? Do I have enough insurance to rebuild my home if it is destroyed in a fire? ? Does my policy protect me if my neighbor falls my front stairs
Most people do not have many questions about their insurance coverage until a problem occurs - and then we get Questions. As insurers, we have all heard - and it does not bother us to answer them, that's what we're here. But some consumer issues are very common - we hear time and time again. For answers to questions above, as well as other common coverage issues, see the brochure of the FCIC, Am I covered, which was developed by the Insurance Information Institute. It is a good primer on home insurance, affecting some of the most frequently asked questions. It also explains what is and is not covered in a standard homeowners policy, highlights the gaps in coverage that might exist, and offers suggestions for what to do to increase coverage.
We are always happy to answer your questions, but for people who like to snoop around and do their own research on the Web, you can not do better than the consumption of the Insurance Information Institute resources for owners and renters insurance.

As you decorate your home this holiday season, safety should be your first and foremost guiding principle. Without your hard fluffy holiday, but this is a big season for home fires and accidents. A little advance planning and a quick review of best practices experts can keep your holidays safe and fun.
The Yahoo network provides a good list of 20 safety tips for decorating with toddlers and infants in mind. And for your pet, consult the advice of the Humane Society to keep your pets safe during the holiday season
According to the US Fire Administration, home fires claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause more than $ 90 million in damage. They offer a listing of quick holiday safety tips fire.
The National Fire Protection Association offers a toolkit Project complete holiday, including tip sheets, videos and reports on the safety of the tree, candle safety, food safety and the decoration of global security. Below we have posted their videos, a demonstration of how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be as opposed to a tree watered regularly.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission of the United States offers the following 10 tips on safety to prevent fires and injuries related to holiday-decoration:
1. When purchasing a live tree, DO check for freshness . A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
2. When setting up a tree at home, DO place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents and radiators. Because heated rooms dry quickly on living trees, be sure to monitor water levels and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the traffic lane, and do not block doorways.
3. When purchasing an artificial tree, not look at the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree will not catch fire, it indicates that the tree is more resistant to fire.
4. In homes with small children, do not take special care to avoid decorations sharp, weighted or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat.
5. Inside or outside, DO use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory at national level.
6. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare to son, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. DO NOT use electric lights on a metallic tree.
7. If using an extension cord, DO make sure it is designed for the intended use.
8. When using lights outdoors, DO check labels to be sure that the lights have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a residual current circuit breaker (GFCI) protected receptacle or Portable GFCI.
9. Keep burning candles within sight. Do extinguish all candles before going to bed, leave the room or leave the house.
10. Do not keep candles on a resistant surface heat stable where children and pets can not reach them or knock them. Lighted candles should be away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

A father who drowned his 3-year-old daughter in her backyard pool to collect his life insurance, an owner who put the fatal fire at one of his tenants while trying to cash in on property insurance, and a doctor who was running in the fortune of a "pill mill" illegal which resulted in 68 fatal overdoses ... these and a handful of other killers, liars and cheaters make up the gallery of the scammer is. lobby of fraud in 2010 insurance Shame
Coalition against insurance fraud compiles the lists annually, highlighting some examples of the worst and most egregious of fraud last year - but they are only the tip of an amount estimated at $ 80 billion dollar iceberg. Sometimes fraudsters acting alone. Other times, the fraud is perpetrated by organized crime rings.
consumer attitudes to insurance fraud can be very frustrating. Research by the Coalition against Insurance Fraud revealed, "Two out of five Americans want little or no punishment for insurance cheats; the insurance industry they blame for its fraud problems because they believe insurers are unfair. "Many of those who tolerate insurance fraud wrongheadedly consider as a battle between an ordinary man David vs Goliath great company. But the truth is quite different ... it is a battle between the criminals and you. After all, they are not insurance companies who take the shot: it is a crime you pay for - money from your pocket fraud and theft are business expenses that get factored into the costs. honest people pay for insurance.
the idea that insurance fraud is the victim is a common myth. in addition to adding the cost of insurance for each consumer honest and honest business, thousands suffer more serious consequences: Every year, people are cheated of life savings by illegal investment schemes; health is in danger when people are cheated by bogus health policies; injured employees and their families suffer when companies fail to make a mandatory legal cover, and innocent people are killed and maimed in the arson and organized fraud programs of automobile accidents. See videos of joint criminal fraud schemes.
If you were a fraud victim or the suspect insurance fraud or insurance, here are some ways to act.

• Report to your state insurance agency. Many states have specific insurance fraud office
• file an online complaint with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• notify the insurer - fraud the insurance company hotlines
• Call the National Insurance Crime Bureau Hotline at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422 ). Cell phone users can also send the keyword "FRAUD" and their tip to TIP411 (847411). Or send an email. Tips can be anonymous
• Check if an insurer or agent is legitimate and licensed in your state :. State insurance departments.

Like the rest of the world, we were pretty riveted YouTube videos and reports of the meteorite that crashed in Russia last week. It is not a terribly rare event - space rocks flying around wildly and frequently hit the ground, but most often in remote locations. But it is quite the rarity to have an event that has been so widely witnessed and shared.
Insurance is a company that is all about odds, so we were delighted to find the article The odds of Death by Asteroid? Lower Than Plane Crash, Higher Than lightning. Author Adam Mann says:

While raining rocks from space are scary and there is no way to completely eliminate their threat is they are very sporadic. Your chances of being killed by a meteorite is about 1 in 250,000. You are much more likely to die in an earthquake, tornado, flood, plane crash or car accident (but less likely to be killed by lightning). Most asteroids burn up in the atmosphere long before they hit the ground and the few that probably will hit the open ocean or a remote part of the Earth rather than your head.

The article includes a great video clip and a picture of the size of asteroids. the frequency and potential damage. And if you want an idea of ​​what it's like to have a close encounter, National Geographic offers The True Story of Meteorite only known victim of History: A woman named Ann Hodges was hit by a meteorite in her Alabama home in 1954 and lived to tell the tale.
Would cover damage insurance meteorite property? Insurance Journal has the topic:

Although such an event is relatively rare, AIR noted that "in many countries with developed insurance markets, full comprehensive insurance policy will generally cover all risks that are not specifically excluded, which means that the meteorite damage is usually covered. the residential part of the policy owner is very wide and if the damage caused by the fall of objects not in the exclusions, it is usually covered. "[IJ Ed. note: The Russian government has given a preliminary damage estimate of one million rubles [app. $32.2 million].

Do not lose too much sleep over stirikes meteorites - but you can check the life insurance policy just to be sure
Here are some (fun) in past messages also deal with odds
What are the odds !? Mortality expectancy calculators
life and your chances of reaching 100
Do not be a victim of lightning!
(Image found on MetaFilter)

Gas prices are going crazy and many predict that things could get much worse in the summer months before to get better. Some industry experts predict that prices could rise to $ 6 per gallon - ouch! Here are some tips to help you save money.
Shop for prices
Online tools like GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch monitor prices and allow you to get the best deal in your area.
using the track over time to improve performance
Fuelly is a free site that allows you to track, share and compare your date mileage.To gas, 48.208 Fuelly users follow-ups 65192 1274693 fuel vehicles over 359,298,581 miles of driving. Track your usage over time can help you monitor changes in your driving habits. In addition, the site has many usage tips presented for fuel economy. Site users will vote on effectiveness they found the advice
Lift. consider starting a carpoolclub
sharing with friends, relatives or colleagues. Consider starting a carpool with work friends. Or check e-Ride Share and Carpool Connect to find others in your area who might want to carpool.
driving habits change to improve fuel economy
Consumer Reports offers tips on how to get the best gas mileage. Click here to read the details, but here is an overview pointers.

• Drive at a moderate speed
• Drive smoothly
• Reducing unnecessary drag
• Do not use premium fuel if you do not have to
• Minimize driving with a cold engine
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Buy tires with low rolling resistance
• Avoid idling for in long periods

Go green and healthy with the power of the pedal
Why not ride your bike to work? It is a very economical way to travel and improve your health as
Other tools
FuelEconomy.gov -. This site provides gas saving tips, fuel rating vehicles, comparative tools, and. more
How to get better fuel economy -. Tips to improve the economy on an existing vehicle, as well as how to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle
Edmunds - fuel economy and green cars - a variety of items and tools. Do not miss their road test 4 energy efficiency of iPhone applications.

If you have a pool or spa, you should see this excellent video of the National Alliance for drowning prevention. It takes a three-step approach to minimize the risks associated with swimming pools and spas: steps to a safer water environment; steps to ensure that your children are safer; and measures to ensure that you are prepared for emergencies occur.

Reports US Small Business Administration that there are 29.6 million small businesses in the United States, 52%! are at home - and this trend should only increase, according to research from Network Solutions Small Business Index. We even have a new word for this vital demographic increase "homepreneurs" - but some owners of small home businesses are the dangerous assumption that their home insurance will cover their business needs. In fact, it is essential to consult your insurance representative to understand the limits of the insurance your landlord regarding your home business.

For example, many policy owners offer a maximum of $ 2,500 of coverage for business equipment (computers, fax machines, etc.) in the house - so your actual investment may far exceed that number, so you may need business property insurance to adequately cover all equipment and inventory. In addition, depending on the nature of your business, you can require liability insurance: "If you are sued because of your business at home - the company that hired you as a consultant estimated that review was wrong dead; computer equipment that you "fixed" does not work; the cookies you baked made sick - your homeowners policy will not protect you "[- How to Protect Your In-home Business]

Finally, you may want to insure against loss of income in case of fire or disaster natural

If you're like millions of other home business entrepreneurs, your business is too important to risk a sup-optimal coverage, here are some things to consider when consulting with your agent:

• equipment and furniture
• Inventory
• commercial items belonging to others in your care
• receivables
• files, documents and reference materials Important
• electronic data
• the responsibility for personal injury, products, services and contractual obligations
• Auto. - be sure that your current policy covers all commercial uses

and you may have special considerations for disability, life and health insurance. Your agent can help you tailor your coverage to your specific needs, and protect your important home business. See our Kit Small Business Assurance Tool.

The actual cost Edmunds Unlimited Calculator is a handy tool that will help you tell the real cost of your next vehicle purchase. The purchase price is not the only indicator of which car is the best deal that sometimes the cheaper car will hit you with other costs down the line. The True Cost to Own Calculator helps reveal hidden costs.
Here's how it works. Based on your area and suggested retail price of the manufacturer, then factors in estimates about the depreciation, taxes, fees, financing, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and the purpose of this blog insurance. All estimates are based on a 5 year period with 15,000 miles driven per year. While these are only estimates, it is educational and often surprising to compare the graphics of different brands and models to see what the "real cost Unlimited" is estimated.
It is also good to compare if this car hybrid or not you have been eying finally worth it, because in theory, the higher purchase price will save gas in the long term. you might be surprised. the actual cost calculator to determine this and reveal other hidden costs.
insurance is already figured into the tool, but here is a list of the most and least expensive cars to insure for 2011. another factor that you may want to consider is the susceptibility to theft is a list of Top 10 most stolen in 2010.
Before purchasing your next vehicle be sure to check out this tool. - it pays to do a little research to advance

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a return useful record of the school safety tips. And when it comes to children's health and safety, which should know better than the doctors who treat them? They cover a lot of great topics make the first day easier, how to handle bullying, and how to develop good study habits, so it is well worth a look if you have children of school age, or know someone who does. We reprint the safety tips that deal with travel to and from school safety and vehicle.
School Bus Safety

• If your child's school bus has lap / shoulder seat belts to make sure that your child uses one at all times while on the bus. If the school bus your child does not have lap / shoulder, encourage the school to buy or lease buses with lap belts / harnesses.
• Wait for the bus to stop before tackling the border.
• do not walk on the bus.
• sure no other traffic is coming before crossing the street.
• Be sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
• children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or school.

safety car

• All passengers must wear a seat belt and / or an age appropriate safety seat size car or booster seat.
• Your child should ride in a car safety seat with a harness as long as possible and then get on a selt-positioning booster seat. Your child is ready for a booster seat when she reached the top weight or height allowed for her seat, her shoulders are above the top harness slots, or her ears have reached the top of the seat.
• Your child should ride in a booster seat belt-positioning until the vehicle seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4 '9 "in height and is between 8 to 12). This means that the child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her legs bent at the knees and feet hanging down and the shoulder belt lies across the middle of chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat; the lap belt is low and tight between the thighs, not the stomach
• All children under 13 should ride in. the rear of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the back seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front passenger seat as far as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.
• Remember that many crashes occur while young, novice drivers are in school. You should require seat belts, limit the number of passengers teen, do not allow eating, drinking, cell phone or SMS conversations to prevent driver distraction; and limiting night driving and driving in inclement weather. Familiarize yourself with the GDL law in your state and consider using a parent-teen driver agreement to facilitate the learning process of the early conduct. For a driver Agreement parent-teen example, see www.healthychildren.org/teendriver

Bicycle Safety

• Always wear a bicycle helmet , no matter how short or long the ride.
• turn right, in the same direction as traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Observe traffic lights and stop signs.
• Wear bright colored clothing to increase visibility.
• know the "rules of the road."

Walking to school

• Make sure the foot of your child to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at each intersection.
• Be realistic about the skills your child pedestrian. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• If your children are young or walking in a new school, walk with them the first week or until you are sure they know the route and can do it safely.
• brightly colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
• In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a "walking school bus" in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walk to school.