Why Insurance Agents Worry About Their Clients: Hotel Safety Tips

In my blog yesterday we talked about the holidays fast approaching and the highway travel that would be most likely taking place and some ways to be sure your reach your destination and return home safely. Today lets talk about when you actually arrive. If you are staying in a hotel there are some very important safety precautions you will want to take to be sure you and your family are protected.  Even if you think you know the area and you feel 'safe', you can not be too careful.  Crime is on the rise.

Before your stay, know your hotel:  Don't be afraid to call and ask questions before you make your reservation.  Select a hotel that has installed modern electronic guest room locks. Be aware of your hotels surroundings and location.  If you are visiting a foreign country, be aware of the security situation there.  Call ahead and make sure the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day. Jewelry, luggage and valuables should be photographed before your trip.  Be sure your cell phone works even if there is a phone in your room.

Once you arrive, be aware of your surroundings:  Immediately familiarize yourself with the fire escape route. Ask the front desk what number should be dialed in case of emergency.   Be aware of anyone listening in on your conversation as you check in. Don't let the front desk associate publicize your room number.

During your stay, be on guard:  Keep your room key, wallet, flashlight and cell phone on your nightstand. Check the locks on doors and windows as soon as you arrive. At night, use the main entrance.  Keep cash, credit cards and checks in separate pockets or areas of your purse. Never open your door to someone unless you are sure of their identity and expecting them.

Below is an infographic offering more safety tips before and during your stay.  You should also check with your insurance agent to be sure your belongings will be covered.  Some homeowners or renters policies provide coverage anywhere in the world, some in the US only and there is often limitations for jewelry.

If you would like a free review of your insurance policy, please visit us on the web or give us a call at one of our three locations.

Have you ever been victim to a frivolous lawsuit?

Did you know that included in many insurance policies is liability coverage.  There are many different types of policies and liability coverage.  Your homeowner or renters policy usually provides personal liability.  This type of liability is very broad and covers "you" anywhere.  Most people think that the liability coverage provided on this type of policy only protects you if someone gets hurt on the property.  Actually, it is much broader than that.   This is the type of liability coverage I am going to focus on today.  Here is some more specific information, in hopefully easy to understand language:

Personal Liability:  Found on  your homeowners or renters policy.  You must read your specific policy language for specifics of what is covered or not covered.  Who is covered is also defined in your policy language.  However, in most cases "YOU" are a named insured and any resident relatives.  Also, in most cases the policy language states that they will pay all sums up to the amount shown on the declaration page which anyone we protect becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of a personal injury or property damage resulting from an occurrence during the policy period.  

A good example is if you are in the supermarket and you accidentally hit someone or perhaps their vehicle with your shopping cart.  If you are sued, your insurance company will hire and attorney, investigate, and if necessary go to court and pay any claims up to the limit on your policy.

If your son or daughter, who lives with you, is playing in the yard and accidentally knocks a ball through a window - a neighbors house or car, again you will be protected.

Here is the most important thing I want you to know about this coverage and the least known:

Personal liability coverage is the LEAST expensive coverage on  your policy. Often times $100,000 worth of coverage is automatically included in your premium. Did you know that usually for $20-$30 approximately more a year you can make that $1,000,000.  

Please contact us if you would like a free review of your current home or renters policy, even if you are with another agent or if you would like to increase your coverage.

You can also contact us on the web and get a free homeowner quote or visit us at one of our three locations.

Automobile Insurance—Top five questions

What auto coverage do I need? 

New York Law requires all vehicles to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance in the amount of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons (Uninsured motorists protection subject to the same minimums), $10,000 for damage to property of others, and $50,000 for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also known as No-fault. This minimum coverage are applicable to any one accident. However, depending on your individual situation, it is advisable that you consider increasing the amounts of your liability coverage depending on your needs and the assets you would like to protect.

What optional coverage should I consider purchasing?  

You may consider purchasing Comprehensive and Collision coverage to protect against theft or damage to your vehicle. Insurers also offer other valuable coverage to protect you and your family, such as Additional PIP and Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (SUM). It is recommended that you review the Insurance Department’s Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance, located in the Automobile Insurance Resource Center, for more general information about auto insurance. You may also consult with the producer or insurer to help determine the types of coverage that are ideal for you.

Does my policy protect me for liability against a lawsuit from an injured spouse?  

The standard auto policy does not automatically provide coverage for an insured against liability due to death of or injuries to a spouse. However, an insured may purchase Supplemental Spousal Liability, which does provide coverage for an insured against liability due to death of or injuries to a spouse.

What effect does my credit history have on my insurance?  

Many insurers consider consumer credit information as part of their underwriting process and, for those that do, your credit history may have an affect on the premium charged. However, insurers are prohibited from rejecting an application for insurance solely on the basis of credit information and from using credit in any way to terminate a policy or increase the premium on a renewal policy. Insurers are required to disclose the use of credit information to their policyholders.

What discounts are available?  

While all insurers are required to offer certain mandatory discounts (such as for vehicles equipped with air bags, anti-lock brakes or daytime running lights, or for taking a DMV approved Accident Prevention Course), many insurers have a wide range of other discounts that may also be applicable to you. Ask the insurer or producer about the discounts offered by the insurer to see if you qualify or could qualify for any of the available discounts.

 For more visit us on the web or contact us at one of our three locations.  You can also visit the insurance department online.

Cell Phone Safety - Driving Home the Importance

These days, it’s hard to find someone who does not have a cell phone.  Cell phones can be invaluable for those business professionals who spend a lot of time out of the office, or for anyone who wants the added peace of mind knowing they can call for help in an emergency.

Are there laws limiting the use of cell phones while driving?

New York state prohibits the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway. Violators charged for using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine of up to $100. Hands-free cell phones, however, are permitted.

In 2013, several changes have been made to the law.  Now you can face up to 5 driving points. If you are a probationary or junior driver you could be looking at a suspension for 60 days and if it happens a second time revocation.  The maximum fines have been increased to $150 for 1st offense,$200 for 2nd offense, and third $400 and lets not forget the surcharge...$93.

Familiarize yourself with your phone

Be sure you review all the literature that comes with your phone.  Understand how to use its many features—including speed dial, re-dial and hands-free options.

Many manuals are available for free online.

Be aware of your surroundings and road conditions

If you find yourself in hazardous driving conditions-whether traffic-or weather-related—let your voice mail system pick up the call.  A few minutes of paying attention, and pulling over in a safe location, could make a huge difference in your safety and the safety of those around you..

Are there laws limiting the use of portable electronic devices used for text messaging or transmitting electronic data while driving?

Effective Nov. 1, 2009, New York state prohibits the use of electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway.

Portable electronic devices include hand-held cell phones, but also include PDAs, laptop computers, pagers, broadband personal communication devices and electronic games.  Violators charged for using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine of up to $150.

Stay calm on the phone and on the road

Don’t use driving time to engage in stressful or emotional conversations.  They can distract you from driving safely and sensibly, even if you are using a hands-free phone.

Cell phones can be an invaluable business tool or your lifeline in a real emergency.  But, remember, when you’re behind the wheel, your most important responsibility is safe driving.

There are new penalties that just went into effect for commercial drivers effective October 28, 2013 - click here for our free report : FREE REPORT FOR MOTOR CARRIERS & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS

For more information visit us on the web at www.tiains.com or contact us at one of our three locations.

Reprinted in parts with permission from PIA Management Services Inc.

Strange Claims

Anything can happen to anyone at anytime and here’s proof.  Here are what we think the top 5 strangest claims:

1.)    A property owner in Spain, rented his home to vacationers.  In this particular case it was a group of young people in their 20’s for two weeks.  When he returned to the property he found sand and water emulating the sea inside his home.  The young people gave the explanation that the beach “hadn’t lived up to their expectations”.  If this had been in NY and insured on a landlord policy, this most likely would have been an excluded claim.  When you rent your property to others it is considered the cost of doing business in most cases and would not be covered.  Our advice, screen your tenants and collect a security deposit.  This along with strange holiday home claims can be found here: http://www.yourmoney.com/your-money/news/2270071/top-ten-weirdest-holiday-home-insurance-claims

2.)    A man was driving around in his pickup truck and had his shotgun riding, well, shotgun. Arriving at his destination, the man grabbed his gun and hopped out of the cab. Unfortunately, he lost his grip and the gun discharged. The man wasn't sure if he'd fired the gun while grabbing for it or if it went off by itself as it hit the ground.  The gun was loaded (with buckshot - which spreads into lots of little bb type bullets) and luckily, the man was uninjured, the truck's interior wasn't as fortunate. The entire cab of the truck suffered extensive damage. In order for an event such as this to be covered you need comprehensive coverage (also called OTC, or Other Than Collision). This and several other Weird Auto Insurance Claims can be found here: http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/auto-insurance/5-weird-auto-insurance-claims.htm#page=4]

3.)    This one is really hard to understand how anyone would actually submit a claim for this, but in the UK a man was using the flashlight function on his cell phone while assisting his cow during calving.  Yup, you guessed it, the phone somehow disappeared!  It did however eventually turn up later but was damaged beyond repair.  I heard the mobile phone insurance company paid in full for this claim.  You may want to confirm whether the misplacing of your phone is a covered peril.  Read about this and more mobile insurance claims here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/25/top-10-bizarre-mobile-phone-insurance-claims-revealed_n_2015370.html

4.)    I have read that this next one is a really common complaint.  A woman was traveling and relaxing under a coconut tree when a coconut fell and hit her on the head and she needed to go to the hospital for treatment of the injury.  This actually ended up being very costly. There were CAT scans, blood work, monitoring etc. Luckily for her the insurance company paid the hospital fees but no out of pocket expenses.  Read this and more weird travel insurance claims here:     http://worldtravelbuzz.com/top-10-strangest-travel-insurance-claims/

5.)    Crime doesn’t pay … A customer tried to sue a Virginia Cracker Barrel Restaurant for $500,000 settlement after ‘discovering’ a mouse in her soup.  The chain and its insurance carriers investigated the claim and found the mouse could not have been droned & cooked in the soup because it had no soup in its lungs.  The court case actually went to trial and the jury believed the only way the mouse could have gotten there was if the person deliberately put it there!  The woman was arrested for fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion and was sentenced to a year in prison. Read this and more at: http://listverse.com/2013/01/06/top-10-bizarre-insurance-claims/

If you want to know if your insurance would cover any of these particular instances please give us a call to discuss or check us out on the web www.tiains.com.

Contractors and Fall Protection

This has become a major issue for Contractors in the State of NY.  Fall claims have driven up the cost of insurance and a lot of standard insurance carriers in NY are no longer writing contractors that have a height exposure.  This applies to carpenters, electricians, heating and air conditioning contractors and commercial snowplowing just to name a few.  It is not so much the fact the insurance companies even end up having to pay out anything on these types of claims.  However, the insurance companies still have to hire and pay an attorney, go to court and then pay any required claims.  This could take years to finalize and cost insurance companies hundreds of thousands of dollars just in attorney fees.

If you have had continuous insurance and have a good claims history and have a safety plan in place there is a good chance you can still get insurance with one of the standard carriers in NY. 

Following are some resources to develop your own safety plan:

http://www.osha.com/store/written-safety-plans.html

http://www.ehso.com/sampleplans.php

http://freeonlineoshatraining.com/index.html

https://safetyskills.com/

http://www.nsc.org/products_training/Training/Pages/OnlineTraining.aspx

Once you have a safety plan in place it is important to give a copy to your employees, go over it in detail and have them sign off on it.  It is important to do this at least once a year and definitely upon hiring someone new.  Check for updates too.

If you are interested in more information or a quote, please feel free to contact us at www.tiains.com.