Health Insurance Enrollment Process

When the lightning -

How vulnerable is your computer in a thunderstorm? Ask 19-year resident Hopkinton Anthony Tomasz was sent flying across the room when lightning struck his computer last week. This is a reminder to turn off and unplug electronic devices during an electrical storm. PC Doctor has several tips on what to do if you suspect that your computer was damaged by lightning. Oh, and if a storm causes damage to your computer or your home, do not forget to call your insurance agent. See Am I covered by the Insurance Information Institute to learn more about the typical coverage of home insurance.

The renter's insurance - issues and common misconceptions -

In the difficult economic climate of today, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes many former owners can now be tenants, because of their own choice downsize or because of a foreclosure home. In light of this, NAIC offers a warning about renter's insurance, which addresses the importance of renters insurance and dispels some of the common misconceptions that people have about this type of insurance .

• "RENTERS insurance is too expensive, and I have enough bills to pay." The cost of the insurance policy the average tenant between $ 15 and $ 30 per month. . Replacing all your possessions or being responsible for an accident on your premises will cost much more
• "I do not have that many valuables; renter's insurance is not worth the cost. "renters insurance policies can cover everything from electronics to clothing to household appliances. Even a minimal number of items could add up to thousands of dollars worth of goods, which can all be covered in a basic policy.
• "My landlord has insurance, so I'm already protected." Your landlord has insurance for structural damage to the building, and could even be protected against damage tenants. However, this coverage does not cover your personal property, or protect you from being liable for damage you cause to the building inadvertently (eg, a kitchen fire or a plumbing accident).

The alert also includes other questions and answers relating to insurance common tenant. You can also consult this brief short video on the renter's insurance. If you have questions about whether or not you need renter's insurance, how much coverage you need, or what it will or will not cover, your independent agent is also a good source of information.
Whether you own or rent, the Insurance Information Institute offers free downloadable software home inventory This software will help you create an inventory item by item of personal property. Having a home inventory update will help you:

• buy enough insurance to replace things that you possess
• Get your insurance claims settled faster
• Justify losses for your income tax return on income

Home fire safety: new advice from the experts -

Did you replace your smoke alarm batteries last weekend During daylight savings? Traditionally, fire prevention autorités suggest That daylight savings is a good time to check your smoke alarms ... it's suggéré That When You change your clocks, you aussi get in the habit of the replacing your smoke alarm batteries, a single bit of housekeeping That might just save your life. So if you Remembered, you shoulds be protected, right? Maybe not!
This year, you May want to go one step further Because firefighters major-have some new advice on smoke detectors. The Nation's Largest firefighter union is Suggesting That You do more than just change your batteries - They Are Suggesting you change the kind of smoke alarm That You use. Deputy Chief Jay Fleming of the Boston Fire Department states That around 50% of everyone Who dies in a Massachusetts fire dies When the smoke detector Operates, and in the vast majorité Of Those boxes, They Are killed by smoldering fires
Most homes are equipped with ionization smoke alarms, qui are good at Detecting flames purpose photoelectric smoke alarms are more sensitive to smoldering, smoky fires. WBZ's I-Team Reported on the two kinds of alarms, Including video footage of testing various fire alarms. The clip Dramatically Demonstrates just how dangerous a smoldering fire can be before a traditional fire alarm will sound. Case in point, a recent kitchen fire smoldering That killed a Cleveland resident without tripping the smoke detector
No shoulds be home without a smoke detector.. Some fire autorités suggest the belt-and-suspenders method of HAVING Both kinds of fire alarms installed. You can get insurance to protect your property but no amount of insurance can replace a life.

Make sure that your expensive gifts are protected - ensure the objects of value -

Santa was good to you during the holidays? If you have received valuable gifts you can review your insurance coverage to ensure that these are adequately protected in case of loss. standard homeowners, renters and condominium insurance policy generally covers personal items, but the policies often have limits of $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 on the dollar for some valuables. You may also want to check your deductibles. It is a good idea to review your policy to be sure of the extent of your cover and check with your insurance agent if you have questions or doubts. You can add a rider (also called a runner) to give you additional coverage for value
objects Here is a list of some potentially high-value items that you might consider for additional coverage :.

• expensive and precious stone jewelery
• original and personalized art or handicraft
• musical instruments
• Antiques and heirlooms
• crystal, china, silverware
• Furs
• Collectibles and special collections
• hardware

it is good practice to keep an inventory of home and updated periodically. The Insurance Information Institute offers advice on taking a home inventory, as well as free downloadable software inventory at home. The inventory is stored on your computer, but it's a good idea to keep a backup copy in a safe place on a CD or portable flash memory stick.
additional Lectures
Insurance Information Institute: jewelry and other expensive gifts may require special insurance coverage
New South Carolina insurance service. Ensure gifts this holiday season
FiLife: objects Insurance Guide value: The basic principles

Lingo shows: - endorsement

Endorsement or "rider" is an option, written amendment to a basic insurance policy that modifies the terms of the insurance contract. In general, an amendment will be added to protect the insured by expanding or limiting coverage somehow defined. A rider or rider may occur at the beginning of a policy or can be added halfway through
Example :. A policy of standard owners, common indications could include coverage for a home business, coverage of damage caused during natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or storms, covering the ownership of replacement value rather than the cash value or - as we shall see in a post before -. approval could expand the coverage limits for valuables
special mention may not be available from all providers or in every state. A good insurance agent will likely inform you of any common policy options, but when it comes to a specific type of insurance with your agent, ask if there are options that would expand your coverage .

Travel Insurance Quiz -

planning any spring or summer travel? A silver lining to the bad economy is that travel prices are falling and there are some bargains to find ... but you might want to protect your investment with travel insurance. Travel Insurance Quiz The Insurance Information Institute offers a good overview of what travel insurance does and does not cover:

Do I need insurance condo? -

Christian Dexter Carroll Steele Insurance
I just got off the phone with a potential client who, during our conversation, m ' said he has not had a condo insurance policy because he had more than one mortgage. I asked why he thought that way, and he said it was more necessary because it did not have a mortgage and the bank demanded. After taking a deep breath for reasons I explained slowly the importance of a condo insurance policy or not you have a mortgage.
It seems that very few people do not understand what the offer and condo insurance that our continuous talk I began to understand why. One reason, at least in this case there is some confusion about the Associations political Condo Master and the level of coverage for condo owners and condos within the association . The result is Condo associations will implement the documents of the Condo Association to cover the loss of the structure as a whole - including individual condominiums. This means that if there were a total loss, the master insurance policy Condo Association would cover the cost of rebuilding the entire structure, including all condominiums within it. However, all documents of the Condo Association are written this way and sometimes it is up to each condo owner to cover their condo unit loss. This is a very important factor that all condo owners should be aware of and something I'll talk more about later in this article
Condo insurance coverage -. Liability insurance
Before you even begin to dissect what a master Condo Association policy may or may not cover, let me first make the point that you'll still need a font of condo insurance to provide you with personal liability coverage. There are three main points to cover in a condo policy: housing (covering the internal structure of your condo unit), personal property and personal liability. Sometimes a policy of the Association Condo Insurance Master will provide a dwelling coverage. personal property and personal liability, however, may not be covered by a personal condo insurance policy .
Personal responsibility is financial protection for the actions by you which could affect the other. For example, say you have a party in your home and a friend of a friend (we assume a friend would never prosecute) stumbles on your coffee table and fell down the stairs. A few days later you receive a letter from his lawyer stating that he wants to continue and demanded $ 100,000 to cover his injuries. If you have a condo insurance policy with at least $ 100,000 in coverage of personal responsibility that you are financially protected. However, without a condo policy, you are on your own and will continue to be at risk and vulnerable when ever someone enters your condo
Cover Condo Insurance -. personal property
personal property covers all your personal items. A washing machine and dryer, clothes, computers, television and your beloved Wii would all be covered by the insurance of personal property under a condo insurance policy. Other things such as jewelry and money is also covered, but with limited coverage amounts for each. When I get people really think about it most are amazed at how personal assets they have and what it would cost to replace it. On average, most people are $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 in personal property coverage, though, everyone's situation is different and it is recommended to make an assessment of your personal property to determine a level of coverage
Condo insurance Coverage -. Apartment
a political Condo insurance also provides coverage for damage to your condo covered perils such as fire. So let's say you had a terrible fire in the kitchen and your cabinets and appliances were completely destroyed. If you had a dwelling coverage on your condo policy when coverage would pay to restore your kitchen - assuming that you have done enough coverage. Determine the right level of dwelling coverage depends on several factors. For a rough estimate of how much the dwelling coverage you need to estimate somewhere between $ 100 and $ 300 per square foot. The amount per square foot depending on where you live and the cost of construction. In Massachusetts, I usually use $ 0 per square foot for the average $ 250 per square foot if the condo has a custom kitchen or other above average equipment. I want to play it safe, so I overestimated when it comes to insurance condo. Premiums are relatively low compared to the insurance of the house so it is financially feasible to be safe than sorry.
Is not My Condo Covered Under The Master Policy Condo Associations?
Maybe. And even if it does, no master condo association insurance covers your personal property, or the risk of personal liability in your condo.
A main objective Condo Association policy is to provide accountability and cover construction for the general structure of the condominium complex and its surrounding property. If someone were to get hurt in a common area or maybe in the back lawn of the property, the Master Condo Association insurance policy would cover all claims of liability or damages to the building.
Is this' All Inclusive political master?
recently, condo associations have purchased policies that are "All Inclusive". this means that the policy regards the building as well as individual condominiums within that one. Therefore, a control policy 'All Inclusive' cover damage to your condo as a peril insured against fire. If the policy has not this type of coverage, then it's yours the condo owner to add a dwelling to your policy coverage. However, it is always important to have a certain level of dwelling coverage, especially if you have made some improvements to the condo that could increase its value beyond the average condo in the complex might have (eg kitchen measured). In addition, the condo associations try to determine the right coverage for the building, but if they occur below the actual cost to replace the entire building, including your condo, it's a nice safety net to have this plus $ 50,000 or dwelling coverage on your own condo insurance policy.
it is important to remember that even if your condo associations parental insurance policy covers your condo for fire and other covered losses still do not protect your personal assets or provide personal responsibility . You will take a huge financial risk if you do not have condo insurance.

additional insured - when, why, and we should -

This article on "additional insureds" for commercial insurance policies written by Geoff Gordon Andrew G. Gordon Insurance Agency? .
in general, it is good to have others you name as "additional insured" (AI) on their policy, but bad for you to name the others on your own. (But not always - this paper explores the two sides). The main point is that when you call someone an additional insured on your policy, you share your insurance with them; when they call you, you piggyback on their insurance.
For example, Ed Electricians (subcontractor), wants to do electrical work for the Builder Bill (general contractor). Bill Builder requires Ed to name it as an additional insured on the policy of Ed responsibility; to get the job, he agrees. Once the project is completed, a fire destroyed the building and the fire marshal determined the fire was caused by the work of Ed. The owner's insurance company pays the loss of heat, then goes after the bill recover the money. The bill, as an additional insured on the policy of Ed gets his defense and losses paid by the insurance Ed, never touch his. The problem arises for Ed defend both exhausted Insurance
Why you ask someone to nominate you as an additional insured :.

• Blocks their insurer to subrogate against you (a common law prohibits "insured" to pursue another "insured").
• Receive Live Political Rights regarding the coverage of the defense.
• acts as a safety net if harmless maintenance agreement becomes inapplicable.
• Provides vicarious liability on defense for the actions of the police and the defense of direct responsibility for your actions.
• Provides higher total limits (you still yours)
• insurance costs reduced today (best insurance costs available when you need the subcontractors you name an "additional insured"

Reasons not to be named as additional insured :.

• defense Loss of control (it is the insurance of the other guy). and dependency on others
• conflict "other insurance" can occur between your policy and their
• possibility of disputes over the increased coverage [

Your reasons to name others as additional insureds

• Close relationship with AI: all members of an insured club
  church or a charitable group or unit-owners of Condo Association
• business relationship, particularly common with
  - project owners, general contractors on policies;
  - general contractors on policies;
  - owners or lessors of real estate on tenants policies;
  - suppliers named on the manufacturers policy

your reasons to avoid naming the other as additional insured on your policy :.

• dilution of your policy your insurance share with someone else limits you are.
• Unintended coverage provided to someone you might not be found with.

Definitions
Hold Harmless agreement When a party (or both parties) agree that if something goes wrong, you agree not to go after them. A subcontractor may be necessary to hold harmless the general contractor, which means that if the GC made a mistake resulting in damage to the sub, the sub will not seek damages
Indemnification Agreement :. Where one party agrees to indemnify, or compensate for damages resulting from actions of another. A subcontractor is invited to "indemnify" -. The general, which means that if the sub is all that results in an action against the General, under the pay

Turn IIHS 2016 Top Safety Picks when buying a new car -

If you are in the market for a new car, here is a valuable research tool : the insurance Institute for Highway safety Picks (IIHS) Top safety for 2016. There are many new features and amenities that are fun to shop and compare vehicles, but what is more important than safety? Fortunately, IIHS has you covered. They issue annual awards that focus both accident prevention and "crashworthiness," or how a vehicle behaves when put through the real crash tests. For 2016, the IIHS took 61 cars for Top Safety Pick, and 48 of those qualified for Top Safety +, the highest distinction. The criteria and a short video on prices

To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick , a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests. - Small thrust front, front moderate, side, roof strength and head restraints overlap - and a base note for preventing accidents before

to qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick + , a vehicle must earn good grades on. five stress tests Shock and advanced or higher rating for the prevention of accidents before.

The IIHS provides a variety of resources to help you in your search. Here are some that we found especially helpful.

insurance losses by make and model

death rate of branded driver and model

Choosing the best vehicle for your teen

"A list of affordable used cars that meet important safety standards for young drivers. There are two levels of recommended vehicles, better choices and good choices. prices range from $ 3,000 to nearly $ 20,000 so that parents can buy the security for their money, regardless of their budget. "

Accident avoidance brand characteristics and form

avoidance features collisions quickly make their way into the vehicle fleet. Six new technologies are the most common forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane departure warning, from prevention channel, adaptive headlights and detection of the blind spot. IIHS provides a tool to find out which models come with features that.

Thinking about home renovations? Three words: planning, planning, planning -

Home renovations can increase the value of your home, protect your investment and make your home a better place to live. But if you think the renovation, it is really important not to shortchange the planning process.

Consumer Reports has some great advice start-to-finish for you in a recent issue. In addition to the short video in this post, they offer advice in the article, Home Renovation Without Aggravation. They describe the steps you need to take in the planning phase to the working phase, with tips to help combat the shady practices of contractors and avoid common and costly mistakes many homeowners make.

function also includes these useful articles:

• right Mounting Home Remodeling team
• Can you find a good online entrepreneur? - 5 reviews sites where you can find users remodeling professionals, design ideas, and guidance
price
• what kind of contract you sign Remodeling - Most renovations are covered by one of these two types of contracts. Choose wisely.

An important consideration in any home improvement is to maximize your investment, especially for the resale value. Not all renovations are created equal, some are more efficient than others. We love infographics and article accompanying Fix.com :. Six renovations that increased the value of your home

Source: Fix.com Blog

Do you have unclaimed money? Check out! -

There is a lot of money frozen there that no one claims .. it's in the billions. Some put the figure as high as $ 40 billion! Is all this to you? Some of them could be if you have moved to another state or to another residence; if you changed your name; if you forgot a small bank account or a few shares of stock; or a distant relative left you something in a life insurance policy or will

Some of the most common forms of unclaimed money :.

• inactive bank accounts, both the control and savings
• Unfound the life insurance or other beneficiary accounts
• tax refunds that were sent by mistake
• unreturned utility deposits and escrow accounts
• refunds and credits
• stocks, mutual funds, bonds and dividends
• checks and wages
• insurance policies, CDs, trust funds
• unredeemed money orders or travelers checks
[nonencaissés
• unclaimed boxes

If you want to check to see if there are no unclaimed money because of you, here's a tip:
The best place to start is MissingMoney .com.

This website is the national database of missing only the money only free, the state approved. The site is officially endorsed by NAUPA (National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) and the participating states and provinces. The site will help you look good all participating States to find missing, lost and unclaimed property, money and property of your family. It has the most update information for state offices and provinces. Research and claiming are always free.

We tried it and found a $ 65 refund of the insurance policy of a neighboring state, we lived there for over 10 years. We have filed a claim and the money will be sent to us. You can search the entire database, or limited to a specific state. Do not forget to search for all variations of your name. Here are some search tips and frequently asked questions.

Other resources for unclaimed money

So MissingMoney.com is the best website you can also check these sources, too:

• Search the individual state site.
• Search the federal government. While the federal government does not have a specific site in search, you can find a list of places to check for unclaimed money by the government. It will direct you to resources for finding things like life insurance policy veterans, federal tax rebates, savings bonds, FHA refunds, and more.
• Consumer Reports said that the average benefit unclaimed life is $ 00. They offer advice. How to apply unclaimed life insurance policy
• Insurance Information Institute offers 12 easy steps for locating documents lost life insurance policy

Scam Alert - Don 't get hooked

Beware of scams related to unclaimed money. While we would all like to think we won some money that we did not know or have a distant rich deceased aunt who has left his fortune, it is unlikely to be true. Scammers thrive on our hopes, fantasies and greed - not give them the opportunity

• Beware of e-mails and phone calls that warn you of earnings or other unclaimed funds .. state and federal authorities do not use email or telephone to inform you of unclaimed money. The IRS will threaten you to "pay now or else."
• Beware of people asking for bank or credit card or personal information to process your winnings / inheritance.
• Beware of unauthorized search sites that charge a fee to use. Stand on the sites we've mentioned or call unclaimed money office or your state insurance office if you have questions.
• Beware of people trying to charge you. While there are legitimate businesses seeking finder of lost and offer owners to inform them of how to get their property for a fee, most of "the blue" alerts should be treated with a high degree of suspicion. NAUPA recommends that "Before signing a contract with a company of this type, we recommend that you use caution and contact the office of unclaimed property in your state for more information." In addition, you are better ! during the execution of your own research periodically and avoiding costs

Check these fraud alerts:

• scams Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Imposter government
• tax scams
• lottery scams

Lingo shows: - franchises

A deductible is the amount of money that the insured person or a business has to pay for loss, damage or services before payments are triggered by an insurer. The terms of the franchise are contained in an insurance policy. If you have a franchise, that means you, the insured will be responsible for any loss or payment of said services to competition dollar amount. You often see franchises in car insurance and health insurance policies. Usually franchises are defined as a dollar amount, but can also be set as a percentage - which is increasingly common for homeowners insurance in areas that are at high risk for hurricanes and the damage associated with weather
Franchises are a way for insurers. to avoid the cost of treatment and pay a high volume of small claims. The more you risk loss, the insured agrees to take before the blows of foot insurance, your lower premium
Example :. You're in a car accident and damage your car is valued at $ 950 in damages. If your insurance policy has a $ 500 deductible, you will pay the first $ 500 of damage to your car out of your own pocket and the insurer will pay the $ 450 balance. In general, once the deductible is met, future losses you may have during the term of this policy will be covered in full.
Companies can also opt for deductible plans for some types of business such as coverage of workers compensation programs.
As with all insurance questions, you should check your own policy. Insurance can vary according to state law, by type of coverage, and the individual policy. It is a good idea to read your policy and ask your insurance agent to explain the terms you do not understand
More
Hurricane and Storm franchises -. Of Insurance Institute Information
franchises definitions - various definitions established by answers.com
How deductibles and co-pays work - a discussion on insurance disease How Stuff Works

Ice and cars do not mix -

Many New England are waking up to ice driving conditions today. In light of this, we bring you this remarkable video clip shot during an ice storm in January 07 in Portland, Oregon. A resident awoke to a racket outside his window and captured images of a derby higher unplanned demolition ice involving at least 15 separate accidents within a span of a few minutes.

With experience, the side of caution and good tires, snow conditions can usually be covered - but the ice is another matter. It is usually best to wait until the plows and sanders treated roads before venturing in ice storms.
safe winter driving actually begins before a storm and before you even get in your vehicle. Check your tires and tire pressure, keep your antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid and crowned gas tank, and store shovels, scrapers and an emergency kit in the trunk of your car - include a bag sand or kitty litter to give your car traction if you get stuck. It is also a good idea to ensure that you and all the drivers of your winter driving tips in any family safety review. AAA offers a good list of tips for winter driving. And who should know better than our neighbors to the north? The Canadian Health and Safety Centre has a full page of winter driving tips. RoadRagers also offers excellent advice specifically for driving on ice.

Update your beneficiaries of insurance policies and retirement -

As you gather your year-end documents for tax preparation, it is an important financial element should be included: check your insurance policies and other important records and financial plans to ensure that your designated beneficiaries are up to date. It is a good idea to review the beneficiaries each year because the life events may have changed your situation. Parents die, marriages dissolve, children are born, and one of these events may cause a change of beneficiary. Failure to periodically update your beneficiaries could have unintended consequences - you may not want a former spouse rather than your current spouse to be the recipient of your assets, but that could happen
Here some best practices for naming beneficiaries
always name a beneficiary . People who wills often think they have covered their beneficiaries, but this assumption may be wrong. Generally, the beneficiaries named in the pension and insurance policies will take precedence over any instructions that you leave in your will. Make sure you specified individuals as beneficiaries in your policies and plans. People often refer to as their "estate" as beneficiary, but this can lead to benefits to be attached to the probate court. Failure to designate a beneficiary can also mean that you miss plan or policy of certain benefits. For example, if you name an estate as beneficiary, an IRA will be liquidated on your death and taxes will be due. If your spouse is named as beneficiary, he or she may continue to benefit from tax-free growth.
Be specific . Avoid ambiguous language. Saying simply "my husband" or "my niece" may not be sufficient, especially in cases of multiple marriages. It is a good idea to use the names of beneficiaries to avoid confusion or potential conflicts.
name a secondary beneficiary . Make sure that it will be you and not your state law determines who will be the beneficiary of your policy benefits. If your primary beneficiary must pass away and you have not designated a secondary or contingent beneficiary, your insurance or pension policy will be distributed according to your will. If you have no will, the decision will default to the law of the state.
Keep important records in a safe place and tell a family member trust what and where they are . Many people suddenly die without leaving instructions as to where a will, insurance papers and other important documents are kept. Too often, the benefits go unclaimed because family members are unaware of the potential benefits or can not find important account information. Bank accounts and insurance policies are neglected. Make sure that someone in your family is familiar with your most important files and where they are kept
Further reading .?
Your day to beneficiaries
Update your beneficiaries
life insurance: Review your major policy for the future
Insurance beneficiaries of your family

Does the traffic tickets increase as the economy goes down -

A word to the wise: keep to the speed limit. Although this is always good advice to both a security and an economic point of view, it may be even more important in light of a recent study

"A new study will be published in the Journal of Law of next month and the economy is statistical data that local governments use traffic citations to make up for revenue losses. While the economy tanks, motorists may be more likely to see red and blue in the rearview mirror. "

The study, which controlled for demographic and economic differences in the sample included an analysis of data from 96 North Carolina counties over a period of 14 years. The authors of the study said: " Specifically, a decrease of one percentage point in the results of local government revenue last year about an increase of 0.32 percent the number of tickets traffic in the following year. "
Other news reports suggest that the volume of banknotes increased in some states. For example, the Connecticut Police issued 78,000 speeding tickets in 08. This increase of 16% the previous year added to the state revenue $ 327,000. And as a way to offset budget deficits, some other states seek to increase fines for traffic violations. Florida basis of traffic fines recently increased $ 10, with fines increasing by as much as $ 35 to $ 60.
Now many officials would deny any link between the budget and the movement of municipal tickets. Denver officials allocate 20% peak last year in revenue from parking tickets not to the economy, but increasing fines, a series of special events such as the Democratic Convention, and an increase in the number of tickets writing staff .
It may well be true that any increase in local revenues linked notes circulation is a coincidence. On the other hand, the cash-strapped states and municipalities may see improved application as a win-win that increases public safety while contributing to a tighter budget. So next time you consider putting more pressure on the gas pedal or pulling in this space because of illegal parking "you will not be one minute," consider the fact that the odds could work against you. And remember, a traffic violation in motion is not only the question of a time step - in terms of insurance rates, tickets can be a drain for several years to come as your rates are partly based on your experience
[ read
State traffic Laws FindLaw
traffic Tickets, AZ FindLaw
How traffic working Notes from How Stuff Works

Increase in the number of uninsured drivers predicted effect -

One side of the economy worsening? Experts predict that there will be more and more uninsured motorists on the road. A recent study (PDF) of the Insurance Research Council (IRC) said that next year, we can expect that about one in six drivers across the country may be driving without insurance. The report found a strong correlation between the percent of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate: "An increase in the unemployment rate of one percentage point is associated with an increase in the uninsured motorist rate more than three-quarters of a percentage points. Based on current projections of unemployment, it is expected that the percentage of uninsured motorists to rise from 13.8 in 07 to 16.1 in 2010 ".
According to the state in which you live, the problem may be more or less severe. The five states with the highest uninsured driver rates in 07 were:

• 29% - Mexico
• 28% - Mississippi
• 26% - Alabama
• 24% - Oklahoma
• 23% - Florida

the five states with the lowest rate of uninsured in 07 pilots were:

• 1% - Massachusetts
• 4% - Maine
• 5% - North Dakota
• 5% - New York
• 6% - Vermont

page 3 of this report IRC includes a graph showing the percentage of uninsured drivers in your state. (PDF)
Pay the price
Driving without insurance can be expensive. It is against the law to drive without liability insurance in all states, but Wisconsin and New Hampshire, both of which require drivers to have what is in effect self-insurance, or proof that they can pay a minimum of damage. The penalties for uninsured driving can include fines, license or registration suspension, vehicle impoundment, and the potential of imprisonment. For example, here in Massachusetts, the penalties for driving without insurance can include a fine of $ 500.00 $ 5000, up to 1 year in prison, or both. Your license may also be suspended. FindLaw offers links to state laws for driving without insurance or with insufficient insurance.
Check your own cover
In good economies and bad, the cost of an accident with an uninsured driver can be steep. IRC estimates the average payment on claims in collision with an uninsured driver is about $ 11,000. Your chances of recovery depend on your own blanket and / or financial assets of the uninsured - who may be poor, since it is the most likely reason for not first have insurance. It is a good idea to evaluate your level of cover with your independent agent to ensure you have adequate coverage. If you have not already, you may want to learn about the uninsured and under insured motorist coverage. These types of coverage would pay for harm or damages if you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist or if you are victim of a hit-and-run.

Why use an independent insurance agency? -

Joe Harrington, Markham Priest Insurance
For some people, it does not matter where they buy their insurance. This decision could be costing them money, service and adequate protection. Buying insurance is not like buying gasoline at a gas station. It is an important financial decision in protecting those things that are important to you, like your family, home, car and business.
Independent agencies differ greatly from the direct insurance companies or insurance companies based on the internet. In short, here are three ways to buy insurance:
Captive Agents :. Insurance agents sell you the insurance policy of one (1) direct carrier
Internet Based Agents :. agents that potentially represent several insurance companies, but are unable to provide the best customer service and personal knowledge to protect you properly with your changing needs
Independent Insurance Agents agents who account for an average of six to eight insurance companies. Independent agents are able to search these carriers to find the best combination of price, coverage and services to adequately protect your assets
Your Independent Insurance Agent :.

• is a license links with clients and professionals with strong community
• Provides excellent customer service and competitive premiums because your agent can access the coverage of several insurance companies
• because an independent body represents several carriers, the agent can provide the flexibility that your insurance needs change. If your insurance needs not match your present insurance company, the independent agent can easily switch to another carrier
• helps you when you have a claim
• Is that your advisor, working with you to determine your insurance needs appropriate
• premium you save by watching the best combination of price, coverage and service
• Provides a complete service offering full range of insurance products such as home, renters, condo, auto, business, life and health
• knows you by name and not by a policy number. An independent agent treats you like a person

Spring Reminder: Bike Safety for Kids -

With spring in the air, it is a good time to issue a reminder that bicycles are associated with more serious injuries among children than any other consumer product except cars. Each year, the wind about 300,000 children in the room because of emergency bicycle injuries. Head injuries can cause serious brain damage or death. Most states have laws on mandatory bicycle helmets - some laws are for all runners. Most relate to children under 18 years

Here are some resources to help keep your kids safe when they bike
your child Readiness Test for cycling
easy steps to adapt to a helmet bike
Bicycle Helmet safety Institute
children and bike safety
Teach your children well: Bicycle safety Problems

How safe are your favorite children on their new jobs -

clearing services partner for our Ryan Lynch workers had already posted this on their workers' Blog Comp - we thought it was important advice that bears repeating as we approach the summer months.
If you are a parent of a high school or college age child, you are probably familiar with the search for summer employment. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, over 2 million teenage workers flock to the workplace, often for the first time. Think about your first job - it can be an exciting thing to earn that first paycheck. It can also be very dangerous. Each year about 70 teenagers are killed at work and about a quarter of a million people suffer injuries at work. This means that about once every three minutes, a teen is injured at work.
Everything for the first time workers are vulnerable to an accident at work, the true particularly teenagers, often because of juvenile feelings of invincibility. New workers are not yet hardened. Because they do not know their limits, they are more susceptible to burnout, and sprains. Young workers are usually not seasoned enough to have good judgment about the risks. Eager to make a good impression, they often do not want to ask for help, the question of authority, or call attention to themselves in any way.
Most deaths from work-related adolescence occur as a result of motor vehicle or as a result of machinery-related accidents. Agriculture accounted for over 40% of these deaths, followed by the wholesale / retail trade and construction. frequent non-fatal injuries include lacerations, contusions, abrasions, sprains, or strains. Weather-related injuries are also common - sunburn, exposure to heat, and the like. The nonfatal injuries following the most common types of employment :. Wholesale / retail and service industries
During the month, we will follow with more information on this subject. today we would like to address the parents and urge parents (or aunts, uncles, friends) to be proactive about the safety of teen workers:
familiar with the laws on child labor in your state . Know the hours they can work, and restrictions on the type of work they can do. For example, according to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE):

"... by law your employer must provide protective clothing and equipment necessary to your job, payment of medical expenses if you are injured at work and training in security work environment; and, on a school day, a 15-year-old is only allowed to work up to three hours . Sixteen day are limited to the type of work they can do, for example, on those jobs. - A. operate a meat slicing machine at a deli counter, B. drive a forklift in a warehouse, C . waiting tables in a restaurant, or D. perform demolition work on a construction site - 16 years is legally allowed to work waiting tables

... teenagers. are not allowed to work in mining, logging, meatpacking, roofing, excavation or demolition work, according to labor laws. They can not drive a car or a forklift or work with saws, explosives, radioactive materials, or most machines "

Take a detailed interest in the work of your teenager -.. talk to your child about what they do on the job and talk specifically about security issues Ask lots of questions :?
-Do you work alone
- who is your supervisor is he or she in your workspace with you
-Do you use any equipment or machinery Have you had training
-? What would you do if ...
trust your instincts -. call or visit a workplace before your teen starts to work if you have any doubts after the start of work, follow up with the boss or supervisor
Other resources for parents :.
Ministry of Youth and Labour of the work page
OSHA: Do you have a working teenager
Pointing for Trouble - Teens and dangerous work
what teens need to know before going to work
the teen workers: Avoiding worst five 05 jobs this summer
Smart Shift work: Parents helping help their teens avoid dangerous jobs
conduct on employment: A new law for teen workers
teen driving Safety
Your teen at work: Tips for parents

Frequent questions of insurance: I'm not covered? Why not? -

This post was written by Pat Long, the insurance agency Eldredge & Lumpkin

There have been more one occasion, when a customer called or visited to report a loss, and I had to tell them that they are not covered. Speak in a very uncomfortable discussion
Insurance is an intangible !; you do not need until you need them. You pay the premiums, sometimes high premiums. And often, never use the coverage. So when you have a claim under the insurance, auto, liability or compensation from the owner of worker you want it covered, right? So why some applications are not covered by insurance?
Policies contracts
An insurance policy is a legal contract between you, the insured and the insurance company. You sign the application and pay the premium and the insurance company sends you a policy. All policies that define the insured, and they say that the company is willing to cover. But sometimes the coverage and demand do not match.
Exclusions
They are specifically noted perils that the company will not cover. For example, some homeowners policies exclude coverage for flood damage. Many people in Louisiana did not understand that when Hurricane Katrina struck. You can buy a separate flood policy, but flood damage is not covered by basic homeowner's policy.
conditions
These are the general rules or procedures the insurer and the insured agree to follow, under the Agreement. When you sign the application and pay the premium, you accept these conditions. For example, did you know that you have homework after a loss? To claim a loss, you must promptly notify the insurance company or agent; certain policies have specific reporting deadlines. If you have a flight coverage, you are required to inform the police. If a tree falls on your house and opens a hole in the roof, you need to protect property against further damage and make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect property. Most policies require you to cooperate with investigations and settlements. If you do not meet these conditions, the insurance company may refuse the application.
So what is the best way to ensure that you are properly covered? Just think about what is important to you :?

• you worry about the cost of health care when you get older Do
• Are you concerned about your 16 year old son or daughter driving
• Have you inherited a legacy and want to pass on to your family?
• do you have an old house with systems that no longer meet state requirements?
• As a business person, you have just signed a contract to build three other houses?
• you have an office in your home?

Ask your insurance agent how best to cover what is important to you. Take a proactive approach to insurance can avoid discomfort from discussion "you are not covered."

Your state insurance department has resources to help if you have a problem -

When, aos the last time you got the money back to the insurance too ? If you live in the state Äúshow me at, you might have recently been such a godsend. Missouri Department of Insurance AOS managed to return about a million dollars a month for insurance consumers as a result of mediation efforts on behalf of those who had filed complaints. the ordinary consumer complaints included insurance companies, AO claims management, as well as marketing and sales practices. Health insurance had more complaints than any other type of insurance, followed by homeowners and life
This good news story isn, AOT abnormality :. Officials insurance in Maryland and Connecticutt recently announced the return of consumers for auto insurance policies after investigations revealed incorrect charges unfair claims settlements, and other problems. And Florida, millions of restitution will be paid to applicants compensation for workers who were victims of fraud.
What would you do if you have a complaint against an insurer or think you have been overcharged? If you have an independent officer of confidence That, AOS a good place to start. Independent agents are knowledgeable, licensed professionals who advocate on your behalf. They understand the terms in your policies, standards and norms of the insurance industry, and the state insurance laws.
But if you do, AOT have an agent, or if your complaint is with your agent, you must familiarize yourself with the consumption of services are available from your state insurance office, OSA. Insurance is regulated on the basis of the state and each state has its own insurance office or division to oversee the laws and insurance operations. Consumer protection is a primary mission, and one of the most important functions of any state office is to ensure the solvency of all insurers doing business in the state. state supervisory bodies also oversee the insurers to ensure that consumers are treated fairly.
Because there are 50 different watchdogs, consumer services can vary a bit from one state to another. Some common services could include verification of license for agents and insurance companies; the ability to know if your employer pays for workers comp; hotlines for complaints, fraud reports or to request an investigation; access to mediation services or the insurance ombudsman; and information online consumers on state laws and your rights as a consumer. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a clickable map with links to insurance departments. NAIC also offers a service where you can search for complaints from the insurance company and financial information, as well as important resources for consumption to learn about insurance.

Take the "texting while driving game" to see how you fare with the distractions -

Regarding driving distractions such as cell phones and texting, most people underestimate the danger they represent and overestimate their own ability to perform multiple tasks at the wheel. The New York Times created a text while driving simulator, an interactive game that measures how your reaction time is affected by outside distractions. Try it and see how you
According to a news story accompanying this game there are many research documenting the dangers of distracted driving.

"Studies say that drivers using phones are four times more likely to cause an accident than other drivers, and the likelihood that they will crash is equal to that of a person with an alcohol level in the blood of .08 percent, the point at which drivers are generally considered intoxicated. Research also shows that hands-free devices do not eliminate the risks, and may worsen, suggesting that the behavior is safe.
A Harvard study in 03 estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,0 traffic deaths every year and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injury.
Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Instead, they use more and more phones, navigation devices and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile offices, rooms and chat entertainment centers, making it the most dangerous roads. "

We have already displayed on the growing trend of adopting States laws against cell phone use and texting while driving along a chart of state laws prohibiting cell phones and texting while driving.

Friday Humor - Insurance ads Netherlands -

The Dutch insurance company Centraal Beheer is well known in Europe for their humorous television commercials in which the characters are put in situation precarious - the implicit message being "your insurance up to date Call us." You can learn more about the company and advertisements on the Wikipedia page for Centraal Beheer to. Here is a sample of some advertisements:

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month -

Do you have family members who depend on your income? The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tells us that September is "Awareness Month Life Insurance" and reminds us that lifestyle choices and factors may have an impact on the availability and cost of insurance coverage. "The cost of health policy or individual life insurance takes into account your age, height, weight, medical history, occupation, driving record, your family health history and other habits personal like smoking. " Insurance companies also make high-risk activities such as rock climbing, horseback riding, motorcycling, flying, hang gliding or considered.
NAIC outlines information from an insurance company will usually ask on a life insurance application or disease, as well as an overview of the underwriting process and some tips on what you should do if you are denied the blanket. See also Guide (PDF) of the life insurance NAIC Buyer of
Additional information :.
Buy Life Insurance and Annuities in Massachusetts - the Office of MA consumption
Life Insurance - info CT Insurance Department
annuities and life insurance - the Insurance Department NH
the facts of life and annuity (PDF) - from LIMRA International, Inc. (life and the Association of market research)

Funniest insurance ads -

It's Friday before what will be a 3 day weekend for many, so we feel good frisky ... time to add some insurance wacky ads to our portfolio for your culture. Bizarre as they are, these are actual ads that have attracted a following almost cult-like in the Chicago area in the early 190. They proved quite popular on the Web, too -. See why

Insurance issues for US military service members and their families

- The day that veteran 09, we recognize and welcome all American veterans. Thank you for your service to our great country - thank you! For those who would like to show appreciation in a concrete way - why not hire a vet? And we also call your attention to a worthy cause that helps solve some of the old seriously injured in recent conflicts fighters: The Wounded Warrior Project provides services and programs to alleviate the burden of the most seriously injured and their families, to help the recovery process, and facilitate their transition to civilian life.
insurance issues related to the army
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has established a great resource on insurance issues as they relate specifically to the United States military service members and their families, noting that the insurance cover can often be affected when someone moves out of state or take an extended period of time away from home. NAIC suggests that soldiers tell their agents before deploying to arrange for the renewal of insurance and payment to ensure they do not lose significant coverage. The site covers in particular life insurance issues regarding the military service members, including buying tips and red flags for deceptive practices. The site also addresses other types of insurance coverage, including homeowners, rental, automobile and health insurance. There are many considerations and questions to discuss with your agent if your house will be vacant, check whether your insurer has a vacancy clause that would limit your coverage; discover how your home insurance will cover all the goods you have with you during deployment; and check to see if your car insurance policy will allow you to suspend all or part of your coverage.
NAIC also suggests that deploying service members may want to consider assigning a proxy to a spouse, family member, or a trusted friend who can act on your behalf in the insurance, financial issues, personal or legal. The site offers a list of links to useful resources for other sources of benefits and assistance.
insurance and investment Avoid scams and identity theft targeting military families
The military and their families are good targets for fraud: they are far from home for long periods while mobilized into service; families are often transient; salaries are regular and predictable; and members of the service return often have extra cash salary combat. In TRAPPED! financial scams targeting military families, Kimberly Lankford Military Money discusses common scams and offers tips and resources to help you avoid becoming a victim.
To reduce the risk of identity theft being deployed, the military may want to place an "active duty alert" on credit reports. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the alert should be creditors to verify your identity before granting credit in your name. active duty alerts on your report are effective for one year, unless you request that the warning be removed earlier.
the FTC also encourages members service file complaints by the military network Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database of the Community complaints army. Although the FTC does not resolve individual disputes, complaints help the effort to target the case of prosecutions , stop the crooks, spot patterns of fraud before they become widespread, and the military community alert to scams.
problems in the workplace
employers must be aware of their legal obligations to military employees leave and the legal obligations to veterans under the 1994 re-employment rights Act (USERRA) employment services and in uniform. In addition to legal obligations, it is important for employers to take action to help service members transition to the workplace. In addition, the Insurance Information Institute offers tips on What Employers and their insurers need to know about returning veterans. There are many questions that may be related to global benefits, workers compensation, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Identity theft peaks in bad economy - take steps to protect your credit when buying holiday -

As you embark on the holiday shopping and festivities, make you know that you take extra steps to protect your personal information and your credit. We noted earlier, scammers tend to proliferate in a bad economy. The Insurance Information Institute (III) provides excellent advice on this subject, which includes concrete preventive measures to help protect your credit
III also notes that identity theft can be covered by insurance :.

"protective services and identity theft resolution are included in some homeowners and auto policies at no additional cost. The service offers consumers a fraud specialist to assist and guide them through the process of restoration and protection of their identity. Some companies include identity theft coverage under their insurance policy owners, the sale either as a standalone policy or as an endorsement to a homeowners or renters insurance policy. This coverage provides reimbursement of customers for expenses associated with the process of restoring identity and credit, including phone bills, lost wages, notary and certified mailing costs and sometimes attorney fees (with the prior consent of the insurer). . Contact your insurance agent or company representative to find out what type of coverage is available "

Additional Resources
Do not be a victim: be alert for insurance fraud and scams
credit card and ATM skimming - a growing threat
study: identity theft is on the rise, but by incident rate is down

When cutting budgetary corners, avoid the 5 biggest insurance mistakes -

In the season after the holidays, we are all looking for ways to tighten belt save money in the new year - especially as the economy continues to be slow, with no end in sight. But when making resolutions for the coming year, the Insurance Information Institute (III) reminds us not to be penny wise and pound foolish in reducing insurance costs in a way that could cause more problems later. III advises consumers to avoid the 5 largest insurance errors:

• Provide a home for its real estate value rather than the cost of the reconstruction
• Select insurance company by price alone
• Dropping insurance against flooding
• only purchase the amount required by law the responsibility for your car
• Neglecting to buy renters insurance

III elaborates on each of these errors and suggests better alternatives of
other common mistakes we see, which can cost you money :.

• Forgetting to keep recipients updated
• Do not understand what a policy does and does not cover
• Buy too much or too little coverage
• Forgetting to update the coverage to reflect major life changes, such as birth, marriage, new homes
• not checking the agent or insurer licenses
• not taking advantage of potential reductions

sudden acceleration: what to do if this happens -

Millions of popular Toyota are recalled to solve a problem of sudden acceleration. Although the scope of this recall is huge, the problem is not necessarily limited to Toyota. According to Consumer Reports , in an analysis of complaints to the National Road Safety Institute for sudden acceleration by auto make in August 09, Toyota accounted for only about 41% of total complaints. Clearly, these figures will change, but the point is that it is a safety issue and it could happen to any driver. Would you know what to do? Consumer Reports also offers a helpful video on how to safely stop your car if it suddenly accelerates:

For more information on Los Angeles Times offers a good article with more information on the Toyota Recall Q & a and what to do if your car suddenly accelerates.

Russian funny ad assurance is a serious point -

Do not worry - you need to understand Russia to get the point of this car insurance Russian clever ad. It uses fun special effects to make the point that some insurers will go far to avoid you when you have a car insurance claim. If you are struggling to find an insurer who will be there when you need it, that is your local independent agent can help you!

Does the insurance cover owners of a flooded basement -

This is a question thousands of homeowners and tenants will now ask that recent heavy rain s 'mitigate :? Does the insurance covers water damage in my basement? Unfortunately for most the answer is "probably not". Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by floods, so if you have a specific flood insurance policy, you will have to foot the bill for any water damage from recent rains. The Insurance Information Institute offers this rule of thumb :. The water that comes from top to bottom (ice dams, for example) is usually covered, but when the water comes from the bottom up, such as floods, it is not covered

Many homeowners who live in a flood zone at low risk should not think that they guard against floods, but the reality is that in any given year, about one-third of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program are low-risk political communities. On a 30 year mortgage, your home has a chance of being damaged by a flood over a fire of 9% to 26%. Water damage repair can be expensive -. you can learn how expensive cost with this interactive inch by inch the flood calculator
You can learn about floods, flood risk, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to Floodsmart.gov. Do not be short - talk to your agent about insurance options against flooding -. If you are in an area of ​​low to moderate risk, insurance can be very affordable

Consumer alert: do not buy a car damaged by floods -

In the recent "0 cases of the Year" flooding in Rhode Island, hundreds if not thousands of cars were submerged in floodwaters. These cars can be recovered? Probably not, according to experts. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) defines a flooded vehicle as one that has been completely or partially submerged in water to the extent that his body, engine, transmission or other mechanical components were damaged.
According Ronny Pucino, a body shop owner in Rhode Island, there are three main elements in a car affected by floods: furniture, motor and electronics. The extent of damage depends largely on the level of water that the car had. Cars that had wheels top level of damage may be able to be recovered if the owner has moved quickly to repair the damage. But when the water reached as high as the dashboard, it is more likely that the motor and electronics have been compromised and the car will be irrecoverable.
Be alert for cars damaged by flooding should be a concern for all buyers of used cars, regardless of geography. Often, damaged cars are professionally refurbished and shipped to other parts of the country to be sold. Experts say cars damaged by floods end up going to places where consumers are not likely to be on alert. Even when cars "clean well," they may well have electrical damage or engine.
Edmunds.com offers some good advice on how to avoid buying a flood damaged car. They have 6 telltale advice, we have summarized, but click on the article for more details.
1. Obtain a vehicle history report.
2. Be alert for unusual odors.
3. Look for discolored carpet.
4. Examine the exterior for water accumulation.
5. Inspect the undercarriage.
6. Beware of dirt in unusual locations.
CARFAX offers more great tips for detecting and avoiding cars damaged by the floods. They also offer vehicle history reports for a fee which could be a worthwhile investment if you find a car you're thinking of buying.
Another customer service is VINCheck the NICB, a free service to the public to help determine if a vehicle has been reported as stolen but not recovered, or has been reported as a rescue vehicle cooperating members NICB. You must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to search, and up to five VINCheck searches can be performed within 24 hours.

Study shows Memorial Day is a holiday at high risk for injuries to children -

A recent research report shows that children suffer more injuries on stays - and the Labor day and Memorial day are two of the most dangerous days for children. The researchers say that sound is probably because these holidays are often celebrated outside and children are more likely to participate in physical activities.
Researchers collected information related injuries to children-the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample of 98 hospitals in the United States emergency departments, comparing the records for eight major Vacation over 10 years. The study does not include injuries related to the automobile or minor injuries that do not require treatment in the emergency room
According to an analysis of the research report written by Rachel Rettenr of LiveScience.com :.

• 62% of holiday injuries happened to boys
• 29% of injuries happened to children under 5
• 41.6% of holiday injuries were sports or
related leisure
• Approximately 20% of holiday injuries were "home structure" related, including injuries from doors and countertops
• Approximately 16% of injuries holidays were related to furniture, including chairs and tables
• 29% of injuries were lacerations he

Here are some tips to help you keep your children safe on Memorial Day

• safe kids USA offers some simple tips to avoid injury grill
• pool safety instructions for toddlers
• test your windows children?
• Cycling and security skating
• 8 summer safety myths that put your children at risk
• 8 reasons children end up in ER and how to prevent
• do not let your children become dehydrated

fraud alert FBI: warnings about new scams via phones and social networks -

Whether through new media such as social networks or technology " old school "as your home phone, do not let your guard down. The FBI recently gave a warning about two scams that are surfacing.
Denial of service attacks phone
The FBI issued a warning about a new telephone scam that uses the phone denial of service (dos) attack to overwhelm cellular phones victims and land lines with thousands of calls. This diversionary tactic ties up service to give criminals the time to empty the bank or brokerage accounts of the victim. Before the attack on phone, the criminal would have obtained bank account numbers and the victim's password, either through malicious software that the victim inadvertently downloaded via the victim or the information provided on the phone or in response to an e-mail phishing. The subsequent attack DOS serves both as a distraction, and also prevents a victim to call to account the changes to protect their accounts
Social Networks scam :. Your friend is blocked
Scammers send notice to your contact list Facebook or Twitter posing as you and tell your contacts that you are stranded after a flight (or like disaster) and you need the help quickly. Of course, the assistance sought is urgent and would be in the form of cash. To avoid being supported by such a scam, be alert and aware and just check requests for help before acting on them. And if you think your account has been hacked and fake messages are sent to your contacts, post a note on your page alert friends and family that your account may be compromised and ignore such messages.
To protect yourself from these and other scams, the FBI says:

• implement security measures for all financial accounts by placing fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus if you believe they were targeted by an ODI attack or other forms of fraud
• Use passwords for all financial accounts and change them regularly
• Obtain and review your annual credit report for fraudulent activity
• If you are a target of an ODI attack, immediately contact your financial institutions, notify your phone provider, and quickly report the site to IC3: www.IC3 .gov

Other resources

• FBI - common fraud schemes
• FBI - New e-scams and warnings
• most difficult Internet scams FBI details
• census and fraud investigations
• 2010 - recent scams - as reported by the Office for the protection NY consumers
• Tips to avoid phishing e-mail
• 10 tips for safe social networking
• common scams and fraud resources
• on Guard online
• How to reduce the risk of online fraud
• Stay Safe online

A not so gentle reminder that travel insurance could be a good idea -

This is a rather scary piece of video sequences, a scene of cruise during a storm off New Zealand in 08. Apparently, the images from a security camera board has made its way to the web.

Hat tip to Workers Comp Insider, where we found the video in a post with more information about the event. Of course, our thoughts turn to the insurance. The news report said that 42 passengers were injured - seems glad it was not more. Moreover, it is likely that there may have been damage to some property passengers. Would travel insurance help in a case like this? Before buying insurance, it is important to know exactly what it will and will not cover. For an introduction, see Travel Insurance from the Insurance Information Institute. Regarding medical coverage involved in travel insurance, III says, "Before you purchase this type of coverage, check with your own health insurance company. Find out what type of cover you have when traveling to abroad and if there are limits. Also, ask if the policy will pay to get to the house or in a country with the first rate medical care. "in a scenario involving a serious injury, medical coverage and drainage is important.
And as for business insurance for cruise liner - well, that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish

!

Asleep at the wheel: November 8-14 is Drowsy Prevention Week to conduct -

Do not drink and drive. Do not text and drive. Do not sleep and drive.
If you think it goes without saying, or if you think it could never happen to you, do not be so sure. In Asleep at the Wheel, Evelyn Kanter documents the scale of the problem: "According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsiness or fatigue is the main cause of up to 100,000 passenger cars reported by police plant each year, killing at least 1,500 people and injuring 71,000 Many more accidents related to fatigue are not reported but do not blame it on long-haul truckers.. less than 1 percent of all accidents related sleep involve truck drivers, who are prohibited by federal regulations, driving more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period "[
next week is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of driver fatigue in especially among teenagers. If you are a parent, teacher or employer, check Drowsy Driving Prevention Resource Center Toolkit and which was established by the National Sleep Foundation. It includes ideas for events, bilingual fact sheets, and materials
People DrowsyDiving.com highlight the high-risk situations :.
Special groups at risk for drowsy driving include youth, shift workers, commercial drivers, people with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders, and business travelers. However, the driver may experience fatigue at one time or another. Your risk of increased drowsy driving if you are:
Energy savings in private or tired
-Valid long distances without appropriate breaks
-Driving at night or in the afternoon
-Work more than 60 hours per week
-Work more than one job and your main job involves shift work
-Drinking even small amounts of alcohol
-Driving alone or over a long , rural, dark or boring road
-Take sedatives such as cold tablets, antihistamines and antidepressants
-Experiencing jet lag or sleep reduced due to travel across many time zones
They offer these tips on safety and prevention:
Before a trip, follow these steps to reduce your risk :.
-Get enough sleep, most adults need 7-9 hours, and most teens need 8.5-9.5 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day
-Plan appropriate breaks about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips.
-Arrange for a travel companion someone to talk to and share the driving.
-Avoid alcohol and sedative medications check your labels or ask your doctor.
Countermeasures to prevent falling asleep at the wheel accident
-Watch for signs of fatigue.
conduct -Stop-pull off at the next exit or rest area, or find a place to sleep for the night
-Take a nap to find a safe place to take a nap for 15-20 minutes (more 20 minutes can make you groggy for 15 minutes or more after waking)
.. - Consume caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours, and usually takes about 30 minutes to enter the bloodstream. Caffeine is available in various forms (coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chewing gum, tablets), and in various amounts. For example, the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee (135 mg) is about the same as 2-3 cups of tea or 3-4 regular cans of cola or diet.
-Try consume caffeine before taking a short nap to get the benefits of both.
-LET taking a passenger during scuba diving.

Health reform - changes in 2011 -

reform provisions Many health care is expected to launch in the course of 2011 - some went into effect on January 1. Some resources that describe the anticipated changes to take effect in 2011 and what the changes mean for you and your family

• HealthCare.gov :. the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, by year
• Kaiser Family Foundation: Health Reform Implementation Timeline
• Health Blog Wall Street Journal: The provisions of the law health care beginning in 2011
• Idaho Department of insurance: affordable health care Act - what it means to you in 2011

the Kaiser Family Foundation has produced an excellent guide single source to reform health care and reform of health insurance. They also produced an animated 9 minute video that summarizes and explains the health reform in simple terms.

shows the jargon of insurance: the political umbrella -

Two common insurance questions we hear: "What is an umbrella policy?" and " Do I need? "
an umbrella policy is an added layer of liability insurance protection that goes beyond the coverage limits stated in your policy. This coverage is designed to fire once any other coverage was exhausted. Umbrella policies can extend your coverage for personal liability policies, such as your homeowners and automobile, and they can also add a protective layer of responsibility for trade policy and business. in the commercial area, policy coordination may also be designated as "passive umbrella" policies or "excess liability".
Your standard insurance policies should provide adequate liability coverage for most situations that may arise, but in the age of trial blessed is today an umbrella policy can provide an extra layer of protection. In case of problems, this secondary coverage picked up where your primary coverage stops
The Insurance Information Institute speaks about personal umbrella coverage :. Should I buy an umbrella liability policy
financial Web offers more on the responsibility of umbrella business? Insurance: Insurance Commercial Umbrella: is it essential for your business
Just a reminder that this is only a brief overview of information ?. As for questions of insurance coverage specifics vary by policy and by the insurer. If you think you or your business can benefit from an umbrella coverage, pick up the phone and have a conversation with your independent agent. Whether personal or business questions, your agent can help you plan the best combination of coverage to meet your unique needs, and can also shop around for the best coverage available at the best price.

Another tool inventory of the house: free iPhone application NAIC -

Our last post treated with various tools and technologies to maintain stocks at home, and we learned a new free app for iPhone. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) introduced Myhome Scr.APP.book, a tool that allows you to capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers. It looks fine. You can see a short video demo below 2 minutes and you can get InsureU NAIC tips on how to create a home inventory. And if you do not have an iPhone, there is always the low-tech method that works. NAIC offers a home inventory checklist.
Also, be sure to check our blog last message for other alternatives.

Preparing for emergencies: Are you ready for the Zombie Apocalypse -

If zombie flesh eaters suddenly begin roaming your streets did you know what? Otherwise, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an important guide for you: prepare 101 :. Zombie Apocalypse

On the scale of risk, it is probably not all that likely, but as insurance agents, we're all about the concept of being prepared - so after reading the CDC Guide if you have questions about what your homeowners or business insurance would not cover or should a zombie attack happens, call us. Or an abundance of caution, there is always the Zombie insurance.

Joking aside, to alert the public about the importance of preparing for emergencies such as hurricanes or pandemics is one of the most important public health mission of CDC. Normally, when they display alerts or resources on the CDC website, they get a few thousand viewers. But by offering this clever spin, they attracted over 1.2 million views in less than 10 days from the zombie item was published, according to WSJ Health Blog . The Zombie Preparedness Guide was obviously a good way of exploiting the public fascination with fashion pop culture to draw attention to a more serious message.
The CDC has a wealth of preparation resources, emergency planning and response for businesses, families, health institutions, and local and state governments. They also have a variety of tools and resources on other public health issues - from illnesses and diseases at stages of life and people. So be it travel health, natural disasters, safety or even a zombie attack, CDC is a good source of reliable information in one stop.

Right Fit -

This new national public service announcement of the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) uses humor to encourage consumers to make their insurance policies suited to their specific needs. Tip: your local independent agent can help - if you live in New England, find a Renaissance Alliance agent near you
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Funny insurance announcement is a risky job in North Korea -

This is a fun announcement for Dutch insurer Delta Lloyd - you do not need to understand what is said, the story line is pretty self explanatory. Just a guess, but it seems that the product is the life insurance!

Watch more humorous insurance advertising in our humor insurance category!

Are you at risk of computer theft? -

What is the computer flight frequency? The 8th annual BSI Computer Theft Survey was eye opening list on the theft of the actual computer threat has. Here are some of the most compelling findings of the survey:

• There were more than 5.5 million computers stolen in the United States over the last three years. Global statistics are proportionally similar.
• According to the FBI, only 3% unprotected (those who do not use tracking software and recovery software) stolen computers are never recovered.
• More than half (58.7%) of survey respondents have been the victim of computer theft in the last 12 months.
• Laptops with more than two thirds (68%) of these devices reported stolen, followed by desktop computers (10%) and PDAs, iPods, iPhones, etc. (22%).
• Eighty-seven percent of survey respondents who experienced computer theft report the thief was never caught.
• Forty-six percent of respondents said the estimated value of proprietary data on their computing device stolen $ 25,000 or less; 46.5% estimated the value at between @ 25,000 and $ 1,000,000. ; 6.5% of the estimated value of $ 1 million or more and 1% estimated the value at more than $ 10 million.

It brings to mind the story of Francis Ford Coppola Lose 15 years of data in the burglary. Francis Ford Coppola's legendary director of such films as The Godfather, The Godfather and Apocalypse Now 2. In addition to losing personal data and 15 years of work, he also put Tetro, the film several million working at the time, in danger.

Do not let what happened to Francis you get, back up your data and make sure you are insured! Most homeowners and rental policies cover a computer to a certain amount - but if you have a very expensive computer or device, or if your data is essential to your life, you should discuss additional coverage options with your agent

Halloween Pet Perils ... and people, too -

Last year, we posted a good overview of safety tips to keep Halloween people and goods safely - especially tiny zombies that could come to your house. There are also some examples and excellent pumpkin carving tips.

This year we are focusing on pets. ABC News published Tips for Making Halloween safer for pets. Halloween is one of the most dangerous day of the year for the animals because of the myriad dangers it presents.

The abundance of candy lying around is a huge problem, because chocolate is toxic to dogs. National Geographic has an excellent interactive doggie chocolate card that tells you when to worry. According to the NRF, Americans spend nearly $ 1.8 billion on Halloween Candy. That's a lot of candy lying around waiting to be ingested by animals. Not only that, but most packages are choking hazards for animals. Even households Health conscious that distribute boxes of raisins instead of candy should know that raisins are also dangerous for dogs and can cause kidney failure

Here are some pet hazards: .

• heavy traffic to your front door gives your pet more than ample opportunities for escape. Many animals are lost or injured. Halloween is the second most reported day of the year for animals fleeing, the first being July 4th.
• decorative candles can look festive pets but many receive injuries from them every Halloween. Whether your cat knocking a candle out of coat or stick his head in a jack-o-lantern, candles can burn and hurt your pets if you are not careful.
• owners who dress their pets in Halloween costumes should always maintain surveillance. Many poses choking hazard suits, overheating of animals, or to entangle and take nasty falls.

Many people do not invest in pet insurance, which is clearly a mistake. If you do not have insurance already animal why not contact a Renaissance Alliance Insurance Agent near you?

Have you washed your Christmas tree today? -

If not, go do it now. Really! Here is a dramatic proof of how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be as opposed to a tree is watered regularly. This test was conducted by the Association and Underwriters Laboratories National Fire Protection.

Sharing the road with snowplows and other winter driving tips

- Here in the Northeast, it was a mild winter so far - if you exclude the Halloween monster storm that took us all by surprise. But the roads are smooth today, so you may need a refresher on winter driving and car care
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation offers a great page of winter driving tips safely -. Including everything from preparing your vehicle, supplies you should have in the car, safe driving pointers and advice for what to do if you are stranded while driving. One of the things that always seems difficult is sharing the road with plows and snow removal equipment - to spend or not to spend? Thus, common sense tips for driving near plows provides good guidance. The graph that accompanies the advice is excellent for which we reproduce below.

Valentine, AOS Day: stolen hearts are one thing, but the stolen jewelry is not fun -

Valentine Day, AOS is a tradition back to 496 AD, with its real roots going back to St. Valentine, AOS execution 269 AD to marry couples against the mandate of the Roman emperor. Since then, Valentine's Day, SOA has become a goldmine for retailers. According to the Office of the US Census, sold jewelry stores $ 2.27 billion of goods in February 2011. Although this figure may seem huge, the National Retail Federation expects sales of jewelry to hit $ 4.1 billion this year. The results of the survey show that more than eight out of ten men are supposed to buy jewelry for their significant other this year, the highest amount ever reported their investigation did, leading to the purchase of expensive jewelry lots could easily become lost or stolen.
contribute to, Authe large Spend at is that the Valentine day, AOS is the third most popular time for couples to get engaged, lagging behind only Christmas and New Year. According to a survey conducted by Bride Magazine OSA last year, the average cost of a wedding ring is $ 4,647. In today, difficult economic times AOS that would not be easy to replace, nor would any of the other couples lavish gifts to buy this time of year.
Jewelry is popular with thieves
If you splurge for the holidays, or have a lot of expensive jewelry that already around, it might not be a bad idea to investigate your insurance options. Most burglars look for accessible elements of value that can be easily transported, jewelry making it a prime target since the articles are often ignored or kept in easy to grasp jewelry boxes. The Insurance Information Institute offers the warning that expensive jewelry gifts and others can have a minimum coverage under standard homeowners insurance policies and offers tips on how to properly secure your valuables.