|
The Statewide Insurance Agency Digest is compiled from authoritative sources and presents information important to consumers of auto, home, and health insurance, especially information helpful in reducing losses and the cost of insurance. CHECKLIST FOR HIRING A BUILDER OR REMODELER Spring and summer months are the prime time for home building and remodeling. For most people, their home is their largest investment. So decisions to buy or remodel are very important. At the same time, few decisions are more important than the selection of a builder or remodeler. The following list was published by the National Association of Home Builders and is offered as a useful guide in making this important decision. Use this checklist to help you select a builder or remodeler to work on or build your home. • Does the builder or remodeler have a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers? • How long have they been in the building business? It usually takes three to five years to establish a financially sound business. Will they be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties? • Have you called your local Better Business Bureau? They can alert you to any complaints. • Does the builder/remodeler have sufficient workers compensation and general liability insurance? If not, you may be liable for any construction-related accidents on your premises. • Will the builder/remodeler provide you with names of previous customers? Ask them if they would hire the builder/remodeler again. • Have you seen the builder/remodelers work, both completed and in progress? Check for quality of workmanship and materials. • Are you able to communicate with the builder/remodeler? Remember you will be in close contact with them throughout the construction process and afterward as you live in your new home. • Will the builder/remodeler provide you with a complete and clearly written contract? The contract will benefit both of you. Review it carefully. • Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids. If the builder/remodeler is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the project proceeds, this may indicate a potential problem. Call your local homebuilders' association for the names of member builders and remodelers. Find contact information at www.nahb.org/findanhba. And remember: improvements due to remodeling will increase the replacement cost of your home, thereby affecting the amount of insurance you should carry to protect this most important asset! Portable generators are useful when electric power to your home is interrupted, often by severe weather. In the case of hurricanes, electric power can be interrupted for days at a time. If generators are not used correctly, they can be deadly! The Consumer Product Safety Administration recommends the following steps for the safe use of gasoline-powered generators. · Consult and follow the operator's manual provided by the manufacturer. · Use the generator only in well-ventilated areas. Never use inside homes garages, crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas, even with opened doors or windows. · Protect the generator from moisture or puddles to help avoid shock or electrocution. · Do not power the house wiring by plugging the generator's output into a wall outlet. Connect the equipment you need powered (such as a refrigerator or lamp) directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a permanent wiring system back-feeds electricity into your home and is unsafe for you and possibly neighbors and utility workers. ________________________________________ Source: Consumer Product Safety Administration Reducing insurance costs is a matter of safe driving, avoiding damage to your car and avoiding liability for damage to others - both personal injury and property damage. Safe driving can also contribute to better gas mileage, thus further reducing the cost of owning and driving a car. Listed below are tips for better gas mileage from how you drive your car as well as how it is maintained. Drive sensibly and efficiently ~ · Stay within posted speed limits. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph because higher speeds increase wind resistance. · Remove unnecessary items from your trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reduce fuel economy by 2 percent. · Avoid putting items on top of your vehicle. The wind resistance of a loaded roof rack can reduce fuel economy by 5 percent. Maintain your vehicle ~ · A properly tuned engine can increase gas mileage by 4 percent. · Properly inflated and aligned tires can increase gas mileage by 3 percent. · Replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can reduce gas mileage by 10 percent. Visit fueleconomy.gov for more information about saving money at the gas pump. ________________________________________ Source: US Department of Energy Reducing insurance costs is a matter of safe driving, avoiding damage to your car and avoiding liability for damage to others - both personal injury and property damage. Talking on a cell phone while driving increases your risk of a collision by 400 percent!!! According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, chatting on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, even if you switch to a hands-free model. Any distraction while driving - including use of a cell phone, the use of other electronic devices, applying makeup, eating, and adjusting the radio or CD player - worsens a driver's ability to react to hazardous situations. The safest way to drive is to avoid distractions and kep your attention on the road. Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Reducing insurance costs is a matter of safe driving, avoiding damage to your car and avoiding liability for damage to others - both personal injury and property damage. An estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year in the United States, causing more than 150 fatalities and $1.1 billion in property damage. Deer populations are growing and deer habitat is being displaced by urban sprawl, making it a deadly combination. The deer population in the United States today is greater than it was 200 years ago, primarily because of the dramatic decline in natural predators. Indeed, as these statistics suggest, the automobile is the deer's most dangerous "predator!" To avoid deer-vehicle collisions: · Be aware of posted deer crossing signs, which indicate active deer crossing areas. · Use high-beam headlamps at night as much as possible to illuminate the side of the road where deer can linger. · Be aware that deer move together so another might not be far away. · Do not rely on car-mounted "deer whistles." Studies suggest they may not work. · If a collision seems inevitable, it may be best not to swerve. The risk of personal injury is greatly increased by swerving, which can place you in the path of oncoming traffic. Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Reducing insurance costs is a matter of safe driving, avoiding damage to your car and avoiding liability for damage to others - both personal injury and property damage. The following highlights "stupid questions," which are often not stupid at all! Sometimes, knowing the answers to such questions can help us be safe and avoid insurance losses. 1. Do I have to stop for pedestrians in a parking lot who see me coming but still blatantly walk right in front of my car? Traffic law does not apply to private property, but civil law does. A driver that hits a pedestrian in a parking lot likely would not be criminally responsible - unless it was done with the intent of harming the pedestrian -- although he could be liable under civil law. 2. What happens with a car accident in a parking lot? Do police have jurisdiction to issue a ticket? Drivers in this situation could get a citation for failure to have liability insurance - if the drivers do not have proof of insurance - but not for the fender bender itself. Traffic laws do not apply on private property. If municipal police departments investigate these collisions, they do so as a courtesy only. 3. Is it legal for a person in the front passenger seat to fully recline the seatback and then ride that way with their seat belt handing loose above them as they snooze? Probably not! The Texas Transportation Code says a person must be "secured" by the sat belt. "Secured" means using the lap belt and shoulder strap "according to the instructions of the manufacturer." A police officer could issue a citation for not wearing the seat belt under these circumstances. So "sit up and buckle up!" 4. If I'm waiting at an intersection in a turn-only lane, do I have to signal that turn? Yes. Someone waiting to turn must signal continuously for not less than 100 feet of movement before the turn. Source: Ben Wear, "Getting There," Austin American Statesman, November 23, 2009, Page B1. People take vacations year-round, although many folks may prefer summertime vacations. Whenever they travel, people with pets often travel with them. And if you have traveled with a pet, you know that it can be both rewarding and challenging! The following information is taken from an article published by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The article provides important and useful information or protecting your pets while traveling with them. Planning and Preparation Planning and preparation are important when traveling with family pets. There are dogs and cats that cannot withstand the rigors of any type of travel due to illness, injury, or temperament. If this is the case, discuss with your veterinarian options such as hiring a reliable pet-sitter or housing your pet in a clean, well-managed boarding facility. For car travel, consider whether or not your pet is comfortable in the vehicle before committing to a long road trip. A carsick pet is sure to make the trip miserable for everyone. When planning your trip, if you will be staying with friends or family along the way, be considerate and ask them in advance if your pet is welcome. The same applies to choosing hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check if pets are allowed or if kennel facilities are available. If a hotel or motel claims to be "pet friendly," clarify exactly what that means to be sure it will accommodate you and your pet's needs. If your pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk. Before leaving home, consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable allowing your pet to roam freely when no one is home. Whether you travel by car or by plane be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and, if possible, also has an imbedded identification microchip. While both should contain accurate contact information, consider not including your pet's name on its ID tag. How a pet responds to hearing its name used could be helpful in reuniting a lost or stolen pet with its rightful owner. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus taking along your pet's favorite food, toy(s), and dishes will make your pet more comfortable. Carry proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate when crossing state or international borders. Finally, keep a printed photograph (a digital copy is also good to have) of your pet with you to assist with identification in case your pet is lost. Most importantly, before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to ensure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a certificate of veterinary inspection within ten days prior to travel by air. Travel By Air Transporting pets by air concerns pet owners the most. Certain breeds such as brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats may have difficulty with air travel. Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Most airlines that will transport pets require a certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) that is issued within 10 days prior to travel. Today, many major airlines allow cats and small dogs to travel in specially designed carry-on luggage that will fit underneath the seat. If you are traveling internationally, consult your veterinarian and/or your state's USDA Veterinary Services Area Office or the destination country's embassy or consulate about additional travel restrictions or quarantine requirements. Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight and avoid plane changes and busy holidays. During warm weather months, choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights. As of the revision date of this brochure, regulations associated with the Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines from accepting dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannot prevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between the terminal and the plane, or for more than 4 hours when the animal is in a holding facility. However, the prohibition against exposure to temperatures below 45 degrees F is waived if a veterinarian provides an acclimation certificate stating that the dog or cat can be exposed to lower temperatures. Your veterinarian cannot issue a certificate allowing exposures to temperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes. Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before you leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check-in as late as possible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend in the busy terminal. The various airlines occasionally update their pet travel regulations including restrictions on breeds and size, restrictions relating to weather conditions and time of year, and charges for checked kennels. Consult with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet's well-being and ask about current airline regulations. Take time to accustom your pet to the crate in which it will be traveling. At the airport, you may be asked to remove your pet from the carrier so the carrier can be put through an x-ray scanner. To minimize the chance that you will have to chase a loose pet through the airport, put a halter or collar and leash on your pet before you put it in the carrier. Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. For your pet's comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet's regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding recommendations are made. It is recommended that you not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems. Travel By Car If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip so it will feel confident that a car outing does not necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian or unpleasant destination. If your dog has a problem with carsickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help it feel more comfortable during long trips. Cats should always be confined to a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under the driver's feet. Providing a familiar toy or blanket can help make your pet more comfortable in its carrier. Regardless of the length of the trip, pets should not be left unattended in a car. A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, and should never be allowed to sit on the driver's lap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are available at most pet stores. Accustom your dog to a seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and taking your dog for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog a treat and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positive experience with wearing the harness. Don't let your pet ride with its head outside the car window as particles of dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection. During the trip, maintain your regular feeding routine and serve the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not available. On long trips, feed your pet small portions of food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet's traveling supplies. Travel By Bus or Train Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons. Consult your local carriers for current information. Camping with Pets Traveling to country settings with your pet presents its own challenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and other wildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your pet within sight and on a leash. Carry an adequate supply of water for you and your dog. Be considerate of other campers. Prior to the trip, ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention and make sure your pet is vaccinated against rabies. Before taking your dog on a long hike, be sure your pet is physically able to handle the exercise. Additional Pet Travel & Health Tips • When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. • In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address, and phone number), your pet's collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally. • Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes. For more information and helpful tips on traveling with your pet ?? American Veterinary Medical Association? www.avma.org ?? Frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet - AVMA? www.avma.org/animal_health/travelingwithpet-faq.asp ? Import and Export and Interstate Travel - Veterinary Practice Resource Center AVMA? www.avma.org/services/vprc/travel.asp ?? United States Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division? http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm ?? United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care Pet Travel Page? www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml ?? USDA Veterinary Services Area Offices Locator? www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/ ?? International Air Transport Association Live Animals Transportation by Air (includes guidelines on selecting an appropriately sized animal carrier)? www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.html ?? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Importation? www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/faq.htm Parts of Texas experience considerable snow and ice during a typical year, although all of Texas (including the Houston area as recently as December 4, 2009) can experience snow! Of course, many Texans choose four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicles because they need this capability for other types of conditions. Knowing the differences that distinguish four-wheel from all-wheel drive vehicles is important in choosing the right vehicle for your needs. When driving in snow, ice, or other conditions where traction is difficult, having the right kind of vehicle is important for driving safety. One of the biggest differences between all-wheel drive vehicles (AWD) and four-wheel drive vehicles (4WD) is in how the decision is made to transfer power to all four wheels. With all-wheel drive vehicles, electronic sensors play this role; with four-wheel rives, it is the driver who throws a lever or flips a switch to give power to all four wheels. AWD is always "on," meaning that the electronic sensors can send power to all four wheels anytime the sensors decide it is necessary. 4WD is engaged manually, and usually has a high range for highway speeds, and a low-range for driving off-road or in heavy snow. Both systems work well in slippery conditions. Indeed, both are superb, especially when compared to the performance of rear-wheel-drive vehicles on snow or ice. (Front-wheel drive vehicles typically have more weight over the powered wheels, making them easier than rear-wheel drive vehicles to handle in slippery conditions.) Suburban drivers who do not face snow and ice very often may prefer AWD vehicles; 4WD vehicles may be preferred by drivers in places where winter comes early, stays long, and is fairly harsh. Both systems affect gas mileage because they add weight to the vehicles, and both mean more wear and tear on tires. Source: compiled in part from www.onthesnow.com Night blindness occurs when the eye is accustomed to low levels of light and the light intensity suddenly rises. For example, assume you are driving on a dark two-lane road, and the glare of an oncoming vehicle's high beams suddenly appears. The vehicle flashes past and for the next few seconds you are blind. The eyes adjust to the new light level by contracting the pupils, but if that level of intensity is only momentary, then the eyes have toreadjust to the lower level again by dilating the pupil. While the eyes make this adjustment, your vision is impaired for several seconds - you have experienced night blindness. During the day about 85 percent of the information we need to drive a car is visual, but at night this changes. Without enough light, we lose much of our ability to distinguish objects from the background (contract sensitivity) and the ability to recognize objects at the edges of our visual field (peripheral vision). When driving at night with headlights, we can only see about 350 feet of the road ahead. At 60 miles per hour, a car will cover 350 feet in four seconds! Therefore, slower driving speeds will allow you more time to spot a hazard and respond in a crisis. (And pedestrians should wear light-colored clothing or put reflective tape on their clothes to make themselves more visible in the darkness.) If a driver turns his head from side to side, it will help make up for the lost side vision that occurs at night. If the driver must wear glasses to drive, frames that have thin sidepieces should be selected, since wide sidepieces will hinder side vision. As we age, the lenses of our eyes become yellowed and we need more light to see. Most of us begin to notice this in our 40's. By the age of 65, we need 2.5 times the light that we needed when we were 20 to see the same level of detail. For this reason, older persons should drive slower when they drive at night. Below are some suggestions for driving safely at night. · Drive within the range of your headlights, not by what you think you see beyond their range. · Adjust your rear view mirror to the "night" setting to dim headlight glare coming from behind. · When the glare is gone, reset the mirror to the "day" setting. · Focus eyes on the right edge of the pavement to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights. · Clean your headlights. · Clean your windshield, inside and out. · Keep your eyes moving between the road and the rear-view and side-view mirrors. · Use your high beams when you can. · Take off sunglasses at dusk; do not wear sunglasses at night! · Turn your head from side to side to increase your peripheral vision. · Dim your instrument lights to reduce brightness when you look at them. · Do not drive faster than 65 mph at night. · Do not put dark aftermarket tinting film on windows or windshields. · Do not depend on fog or parking lights only when driving at dusk or dawn. · Do not keep you high beams on when another vehicle approaches. · Do not exceed the speed for driving conditions at night in rain, snow, or fog. · Do not turn your interior lights on while driving your vehicle. · Do not stare into your side-view mirrors as cars pass from behind. · Do not use any type of medication that may change your night vision or cause drowsiness. Humans are not designed to be creatures of the night!! Remember to respect the road and the darkness. Source: Adapted from Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, "Night Blindness." Low rates for auto insurance are realized through safe driving. The article below summarizes railroad crossing safety tips. A train hits someone in America every 115 minutes! According to Operation Lifesaver, nearly 2,000 Americans are killed and injured at highway/railroad crossings each year. This number is greater than people dying in commercial and general aviation crashes combined. The average train weighs 12 million pounds; pulling 100 cars and travelling at 50 mph, it takes one mile to stop. The weight of a train to a car is about 4,000 to one; or about the same as a car to aluminum can. The same thing happens to the car hit by a train as happens to a can run over by a car - it gets squashed. The majority of collisions between trains and motor vehicles occur (a) when trains are travelling less than 35 mph; (b) in 25 percent of all collisions, the train is already in the crossing when the car hits it; and (c) nearly 67 percent of collisions occur in daylight hours in crossing equipped with automatic warning devices. Thus, driver inattention is the primary cause. Following are some simple and life-saving practices to help avoid a confrontation with a train at a railroad crossing. 1. Remember that anytime is train time. 2. Slow down when approaching a railroad crossing and look both ways - twice. 3. Never race a train to cross the tracks. 4. Never pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing. 5. Watch out for vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, like school buses or trucks carrying hazardous materials. 6. When approaching a crossing, roll down your windows, turnoff the radio or air conditioner, and listen for whistles or bells. 7. Always yield to flashing lights, whistles, closing gates, crossbuck, or stop signs. 8. Never shift gears on the railroad crossing; downshift before you reach it. 9. If you must stop, keep a distance of 15 to 50 feet from the tracks. Since the tracks are 4 feet 8½ inches wide, and the train hangs 3 feet past the rails on each side, be sure to leave enough space between your vehicle and the tracks. 10. Teach children that the railroad track is never a place to play, walk, run, bike ride, or use as a short cut. Don't fish from railroad bridges either. 11. Always cross the tracks at the designated railroad crossing or pedestrian crossing. 12. Only use the crossing if you can be sure your vehicle is high enough to completely clear the railroad crossing without stopping. 13. Don't be fooled by the optical illusion presented by an oncoming train. It is always moving faster and is much closer than you think. 14. Should your vehicle stall on the tracks and you see a train approaching, get out of the vehicle immediately, move away from the crossing, and move towards the approaching train. This way you can avoid injury from flying debris. Call 911 immediately and inform police about the stalled vehicle. 15. Never drive around a crossing gate that is down. If you suspect the gate is malfunctioning, call your local law enforcement or the railroad company immediately. You can usually find the company emergency contact number - including the US DOT Inventory Crossing Number that identifies your location on the crossbuck post. 16. If you drive into the railroad crossing and the gate behind you comes down, keep driving forward, even if it means you break the crossing gate ahead of you. It is your responsibility to avoid a train since it cannot avoid you. Always look, listen, and live. Stopping may add 30 seconds to your journey while not stopping could put an end to it completely. Always remember: anytime is train time! Following these safety tips will promote driver safety, reduce train-related accidents, and help obtain low rate auto insurance. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, "Railroad Crossing Safety Fact Sheet." According to the National Safety Council, 25 percent of vehicle accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques. Backing accidents cause approximately 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year. The use of safe vehicle backing tips by all drivers - including employees and employers - can help prevent accidents. 1. Get to know a vehicle's blind spots. Drivers need to remember that mirrors can never give the whole picture while backing, so it is important for every driver to know his or her vehicle's blind spots. In a medium sized truck, blind spots can extend up to 16 feet in front and 160 feet behind a vehicle. 2. Think in advance. Drivers should not put themselves into unnecessary backing situations. 3. Park defensively. Drives should choose easy-to-exit parking spaces that do not crowd neighboring vehicles. Vehicles should always be parked in the center of the parking space. 4. When parking in an alley. In certain circumstances, a driver should back into an alley (if local ordinances permit) so that when leaving the vehicle can pull forward into the street; for example, if an alley doesn't permit driving all the way through or room to turn around. 5. Do a walk-around. Walking around a vehicle gives a driver a first-hand view of the backing area and any limitations. The driver can check for children, soft or muddy areas, potholes, tire hazards, and other dangers. 6. Know the clearances. Vehicles with a higher profile - such as vans or most trucks - need greater clearances than passenger cars. When driving high profile vehicles, the driver should always check for obstructions, low-hanging trees and wires, and any other potential clearance-related problems. 7. Every backing situation is new and different. Obstacles can appear anytime in any backing situation, even from a driver's own home. Drivers must always be watchful for any change or obstacles. 8. Use a spotter. Smart drivers will often use another person to help them when backing. The driver and spotter should use hand signals instead of verbal signals and make sure they understand each other. The spotter should not walk backwards while giving instructions. 9. Drivers "spot" for themselves. After finishing a walk-around to spot any obstacles to backing, the driver needs to return to the vehicle and start backing within a few seconds. This allows very; little time for people and /or obstacles to change behind the vehicle. 10. Rear-vision camera systems. Installation of rear-vision camera systems in vehicles eliminates rear blind spots. Investing in a rear-vision camera system for vehicles can put drivers in full visual control of the rear of a car or truck. 11. Practice, practice, practice. No amount of forward-driving experience can prepare a driver to back a truck or car. All drivers need to practice in safe surroundings until they become familiar with the way the vehicle backs up compared to the direction the steering wheel is turned. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, "Vehicle Backing Safety Fact Sheet." This issue of the Digest summarizes driving safety tips for anyone driving a car for business or pleasure. 1. Always wear your seat belt. Wearing seat belts can increase your chance of survival in an accident. If your passengers are children, place them in correctly installed car safety seats. 2. Do not drink and drive. Alcohol impairs a driver's judgment, vision, and reaction time. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), each year 23,000 people die in drinking and driving accidents. 3. Do not drive if you are tired. Driver drowsiness and fatigue causes 100,000 accidents a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates. 4. Maintain your vehicle in good condition. Always check and be sure the tires, brakes, headlights, taillights, and turn signals are working properly. 5. Obey and speed limit and maintain a safe driving distance between you and the car in front of you. Keep at least one car length for each 10 miles per hour you are driving between you and the car in front; keep a greater distance in bad weather conditions and darkness. 6. Drive defensively and be aware of drivers around you. Stay away from drivers who are driving aggressively or experiencing road rage. Pull off the road if necessary. 7. Be careful at intersections. According to TDI, over 2/3 of all traffic injuries occur at intersections, so always be alert when approaching them. 8. Do not drive while using a cell phone. If you need to use a cell phone while driving, pull off the road in a safe and legal place. TDI reports that cell phone users who drive while talking have a 34 to 200 percent higher risk of a collision than drivers who do not talk on cell phones and drive. 9. Be very careful when driving in road construction areas. According to TDI, each year in Texas approximately 100 people are killed in highway and road construction areas, most of them are motorists. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, "Driving Safety Tips." The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued a consumer alert bulletin urging car buyers to beware of flood-damaged vehicles. According to the bulletin, thousands of cars damaged by floods or accidents are sold each year to unsuspecting consumers. Often cosmetic and obvious mechanical damage may be repaired - such as replacing carpets or an alternator - but the car can still pose significant safety risks. Flooding can permanently damage a car's electrical system and the electronics that manage the engine's operation or control air bags and other safety components. Hidden damage may not be evident until months after the flooding occurred. If buying a car anytime - but especially after a recent flood - the consumer should consider one or more of the following precautions to reduce the chance of buying a flood-damaged vehicle: 1. Check the vehicle's title by searching the Texas Department of Transportation free database of vehicles with Texas titles noting flood damage. 2. Inspect the car for mud or stain marks under the dashboard and carpets, musty odors inside the car or in the trunk, and mud or grit in engine components or interior crevices. Check for signs of rust or metal flaking. 3. Have the vehicle inspected at a trusted auto-body or auto repair shop. 4. Buy a certified used car or truck warranted by the automaker, not just an individual car dealer. According to TDI, automakers exclude flood-damaged cars from their certified-car programs. Source: Adapted from Texas Department of Insurance, Consumer Alert, "Car Buyers Urged to Beware of Flood-damaged Vehicles." A vast majority of Texas businesses rely upon some facet of the trucking industry for their supplies or raw materials and/or for the delivery of their products and services. Sadly, transportation accidents continue to be one of the three leading causes of workplace fatalities and are the number one cause of workplace fatalities for men. It is also interesting to note that within fatal transportation accidents, the numbers are nearly equally divided between drivers and pedestrians. For the employers and victims, a workplace crash can have far-reaching financial, medical, and legal consequences. In order to reduce this disturbing trend in workplace fatalities and injuries, the development and implementation of effective transportation safety programs is essential. Not only can effective safety programs help prevent personal injury and damage to property, they help reduce the cost of insurance. Let us now examine this situation more closely. Who is at risk? Anyone who operates a motor vehicle as part of his or her job is at risk of being involved in a roadway crash. Roadway crashes are by far the leading cause of death for transport workers. Millions of other workers who are not full-time professional drivers operate company or personal vehicle for deliveries, sales and repair calls, client visits, and many other tasks. Roadway crashes are also the leading cause of death for workers in clerical and professional specialty jobs, and the second leading cause for executives, sales workers, and technicians. What can an employer do? Unlike other workplaces, the roadway is not a closed environment. Preventing work-related roadway crashes requires strategies that combine traffic safety principles and sound safety management practices. Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior by providing safety information to workers and by setting and enforcing drier safety policies. Crashes are not an unavoidable part of doing business. Employers can take steps to protect their employees and their companies. Policies · Adopt a comprehensive driver safety policy. · Assign a key member of the management team authority to enforce the policy. · Enforce mandatory seat belt use. · Do not require workers to drive irregular hours or far beyond their normal working hours. · Do not require workers to conduct business on a cell phone while driving. · Develop work schedules that allow employees to obey speed limits. Fleet management · Adopt a structured vehicle maintenance program. · Provide company vehicles that offer the highest possible level of occupant protection. Safety programs · Teach workers strategies to recognize and manage driver fatigue and in-vehicle distractions. · Provide training to workers operating specialized motor vehicles or equipment. · Emphasize to workers the need to follow safe driving practices on and off the job. Driver performance · Ensure that workers have a valid driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be driven. · Check driving records of prospective employees, and perform periodic rechecks after hiring. · Maintain complete and accurate records of workers' driving performance. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, "Driving and Avoiding Roadway Crashes." Proper maintenance of an automobile is important to its safe operation, and safe operation of an automobile helps reduce the cost of auto insurance. Almost all of us have experienced the frustration of a car with a dead battery. And most people think they know how to jump-start a car's battery using jumper cables. You might be amazed how many people do it the wrong way. Follow these suggestions when jump-starting a car with a dead battery when getting your car back on the road: 1. Clamp one cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Do not let the positive cable touch anything metal other than the battery terminal. 2. Connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery. 3. Connect one end of the negative (-) cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. 4. Connect the other end of the negative cable to metal on the engine block on the car with the dead battery. Do not connect it to the dead battery, carburetor, fuel lines or moving parts. 5. Start the car with the good battery. 6. Start the stalled car. 7. Remove the cables in reverse order. Wear a pair of splash-proof, polycarbonate goggles with the designation Z-87 on the frame. This certifies that your goggles are meant for activities such as automotive repair. Batteries contain sulfuric acid, which gives off flammable and explosive gas with a battery is charged or jump-started. Never smoke or operate anything that may cause a spark when working on a battery. Make sure you have a pair of jumper cables that are free of rust and corrosion and have no exposed wires. Never jump-start your battery if your car's fluids are frozen. Never throw an automobile battery in a garbage dumpster or leave it in a parking lot. Take it to a service station and have it disposed of properly. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, "Jump-Starting a Car Battery Fact Sheet." Motorcycling is very popular in Texas. We have one of the largest motorcycling populations in the United States. Before you take to the road, you should know the Texas laws governing motorcycles, and the common sense safety rules. Experienced and knowledgeable motorcyclists would rather be riding than fighting a legal battle or recovering from a crash. Motorcycle accidents are also costly in both personal injury and propertydamage. Consequently, increasing motorcycle safety also helps lower the cost of property and casualty insurance. Remember, all motor vehicle operators must show proof of liability insurance when the vehicle is registered or inspected or when getting an operator license. 1. Whenever you ride always wear your proper riding gear, which includes a helmet (DOT approved or better), eye protection (face shield, goggles or shatter resistant full coverage glasses), long pants (denim or leather), and over the ankle boots or sturdy shoes with non-skid soles. 2. At night, be careful not to override your motorcycle's headlights. Take extra care to be seen by other drivers by wearing reflective clothing and using reflective tape and decals. 3. In addition to the pre-ride inspection of the bike, you should know how to do minor maintenance and service on your motorcycle, especially important on long rides and trips. Be sure to read your owner's manual and follow the directions. 4. When you brake, use both brakes together. Generally speaking, hen conditions are good, the front brake accounts for as much as 2/3 of the bike's stopping power. How much brake pressure to use depends on your abilities, your bike's capabilities, and the environment. 5. Slow down before going into a curve. Look through the curve and gently accelerate as you enter and drive through the curve. This gentle acceleration creates stability but cannot be accomplished without the proper braking prior to entering the curve. 6. Mud, sand, water, and other foreign debris on the road require special handling. Before reaching a slippery surface, slow down and avoid directional or speed changes as you ride through the hazard. 7. Remember the first few minutes of a rainstorm are the most dangerous as the water mixes with the oil and fluids on the roadway. Avoid riding during this time, if possible. If you must ride, try to ride in the tracks of the other vehicles in front of you as they force away and water and oils. 8. Standing on the pegs can help you keep control of your cycle when riding over obstacles or rough surfaces. Keep your knees and elbows bent, look past the hazard in the direction you want to go and maintain a steady speed. 9. Always plan ahead - you never know what kind of problems may be coming up. Know what you will have to do if you suddenly skid, have a blowout, or loose clutch or throttle control. 10. Riding with a passenger makes balance and control of your bike a great challenge. Make sure your passenger is wearing all of the proper riding gear, knows where and how to sit, where to put their feet and hands and how to lean through turns. Tell your passenger to look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn. 11. Never ride if you have consumed any alcohol, drugs, prescriptions or otherwise. Your best weapon on the bike is your judgment, and it becomes impaired and your reaction time is slowed if you are riding under the influence. 12. When you carry loads, be sure to fasten them securely to the motorcycle and keep the heavier objects low and towards the center of gravity of the bike. Never secure loads where they will affect your steering, handling, or sight of the road ahead. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, "Motorcycle Safety." Robberies can happen anytime and anywhere. They occur in both business and residential areas in urban, suburban, and country settings - anyplace a robber has an opportunity to strike. And every robbery is a crime against property, often causing substantial losses, and always contributing to higher insurance premiums. Protecting against robberies is one way all of us can help in reducing the cost of insurance. The most common location for "street" robberies are parking lots, shopping centers, streets, and malls. Surveys show that almost two-thirds of street robberies occur between 3PM and midnight. While street robberies happen year round, they peak during certain periods, such as the holidays. Purse snatchings and other street robberies go up in November and December as criminals prey on shoppers, carrying money and gifts. They also go up in summer, when more people - criminals and victims - are out on the streets because of warm weather and vacations. Business owners should be aware that street robberies hurt business. When customers fear being robed at a specific location, they will avoid that location and head for a safer area. There are steps that business owners and employers can take to discourage street robberies in a specific area and create a safe community for customers and neighbors. Be alert for these features and encourage the businesses you patronize to practice good parking lot safety by implementing the following steps. 1. Light the parking lot and area immediately surrounding the store with several bright lights. 2. Place video cameras in the parking lot and put up signs announcing their presence. 3. Keep windows clear of signs so employees can see any suspicious subjects and vehicles. 4. Discourage loitering by placing "no loitering" signs outside of the store. 5. Limit the number of pay phones near a business. 6. Get to know area business owners and the local law enforcement agency and work together. 7. Establish a phone tree with other businesses to notify each other of suspicious activity. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, "Parking Lot Safety Fact Sheet." Many Texas cities have experienced an increase in the number of people riding bicycles. Many people ride a bicycle to work to conserve natural resources, to save money, or for exercise. Still others, such as delivery persons and couriers, use bicycles as their mode of transportation while doing their jobs. In most jurisdictions, traffic laws apply to persons riding bikes on public right of way, just as they do for persons driving other vehicles. While the vast majority of bike riders obey traffic laws, a few may not. And because bikes are much more maneuverable, it is not uncommon to see bicyclers weaving in and out of traffic, on to and out of sidewalks, etc., in an unsafe and often unlawful manner. The proper use of a bicycle and bicycle safety is so very important because the rider is exposed to personal injury, and these injuries often come as a result of collisions with cars of other vehicles. Such accidents are costly and contribute to the increase in insurance costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 500,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries each year. While bicycling is a great way to get around, there are many hazards that can affect anyone riding a bike at any time. This article highlights questions you should answer before you begin cycling to improve bicycling safety. How can I make my ride safe? When riding a bicycle: wear a bicycle helmet, obey traffic signals and signs, ride in a straight line, don't weave, signal at all turns, ride with (not against) the traffic, wear reflective materials and bright clothing, and be courteous to other travelers - motorists, skaters, pedestrians, etc. What added safety steps should I take? For added safety while bicycling consider a rear-view mirror, biking gloves, repair kit, a mounted water bottle, bicycling shoes, wet weather gear, and a headlight and taillight. Do I have the proper fitting bicycle helmet? The helmet should comfortably touch the head all the way around, and should be level and stable enough to resist even violent shakes or hard blows (with "ANSI" or "SNELL" safety certification). The helmet should be as low on the head as possible to maximize side coverage, and held level with the strap comfortably snug. Do I have a place to ride safely? Pick the safest route to and from work or other locations, riding in bike lanes if possible. Avoid narrow shoulders and lanes and heavy and/or fast moving traffic. There are often parallel streets that go through residential and lightly traveled commercial areas. Use these roads to make bicycling more enjoyable, and to reach your destination safely. On what kind of surface will I be riding? The surface should be smooth without potholes or cracks. Avoid dangerous drain grates, utility covers, and metal plates. Report road problems immediately to the local public works department or appropriate agency. Be cautious riding on the road/path or pick another route until the problem is fixed. Be sure to check to see that problems are fixed. Will I ride through any dangerous intersections? Select routes that you can see crossing traffic and with signals that give you enough time to cross the road. Avoid intersections with poor sight distance. Ask the public works department to look at the timing of specific traffic signals to improve crossings. Suggest improvements to sightlines that include cutting back vegetation, building out the path crossing, and moving parked cars that obstruct your view. Can I anticipate how drivers will behave along the route? Always expect the unexpected while bicycling and ask the local police department to enforce speed limits and safe driving. Set an example by riding responsibly, obeying all traffic laws, and not antagonizing other road users. Is there a safe place to park/store my bicycle? Lock your bike in a safe place. Encourage your employer to provide a safe place to store and lock your bike while at work. Since bicycling is most hazardous when changing lanes, what actions should I take to change lanes safely? The following are suggestions to change lanes in traffic safely: o If you know the traffic patterns, be sure to get in the correct position early. o Keep in mind the relative speed between you and other traffic; plan accordingly. o Be aware of road conditions that could block your progress across lanes. o Look for traffic, pedestrians, and hazards in front of and behind you. o Identify lane markings and traffic control devices affecting the next intersection. o Note bus stops, driveways, crosswalks, and other special traffic zones. o Signal your intention to turn if you and the traffic are moving at a uniform speed. o Signal when oncoming traffic can react safely. o Relative speed may require you to move quickly when it is safe to do so. o In high speed overtaking traffic situations, cross all lanes at once when safe. o Move after signaling in low- and same-speed traffic situations. o If you get caught between lanes while crossing traffic, ride the white line until clear. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation, "Bicycling Safety Fact Sheet." Persons occupying rental property - who are residing in apartments or rented houses, for example -- can protect themselves from loss of personal property by purchasing renters insurance. By being aware of the types of policies and coverage available, you can reduce the cost of this insurance as well. Types of Standard Texas Renters' Policies Your landlord's insurance will not cover your personal belongings in the event of a fire or theft. Renters insurance covers stolen, damaged, or destroyed household goods and personal property and also provides liability coverage. There are two types of standard Texas renters' policies: · The Broad Form (HO-BT) covers your personal property against events specified in the policy, such as fires and thefts. · The Comprehensive Form (HO-CT) protects your personal property against all events, unless specifically excluded by the policy. Renters Insurance Coverage Renters' policies normally: · Pay only the actual cash value of your losses. Replacement cost coverage is available for an extra premium. · Fully cover your personal property only at home. When traveling, your luggage and other personal items are protected up to 10% of the policy's total amount of coverage. · Automatically provide $25,000 of liability coverage in case someone is injured on your premises. · Provides loss of use coverage that pays for additional living expenses, such as food and housing, if you must move from your home or apartment because of a covered loss. Source: Texas Department of Insurance Consumers can reduce their cost of homeowners insurance by being aware of the factors affecting the premium charged. Criteria Used by Companies in Pricing Insurance - Where you live
- Availability of local fire protection
- Age and condition of your home
- Construction materials used in your home (brick or frame)
- Your claims history
- Your credit score
- The type of policy you purchase
- The amount of coverage you buy
Consider Higher Deductibles Choose the highest deductible you can afford. Your deductible is the amount you must pay before the insurance company will pay for any given loss. Higher deductibles will lower your premium but remember that you will have to pay more out of your own pocket if you have a claim. Most policies provide two types of deductibles. The first applies to wind and hail damage only; the second to all other kinds of losses. The amount and basis of the deductible may vary between the two. For example, you might have a wind and hail deductible of 2% of the insured value of the dwelling, while maintaining a 1% deductible on all other losses. Texas homeowners' policies generally carry a basic deductible of 1% ($1,000 on $100,000 of coverage) of the insured value of the dwelling. Deductibles are available as high as 5% and as low as $100, although not all companies offer deductibles in this range. Ask About Discounts Insurance companies may offer premium discounts if you take steps to reduce the chances of a loss. Each company sets the amount of the discounts it offers. Following are some of the more common homeowners' discounts available: - Hail impact-resistant roof
- Noncombustible roof
- Burglar, fire, and smoke alarm systems
- Automatic sprinkler systems
- Fire extinguishers
- Premises in good condition (companies set their own standards)
- Age of house (companies set their own standards)
- Marking personal property with an identifying number (inspection required)
- Good claims experience for three consecutive years
- Other policies with the same company or group of companies
- House insured to full replacement cost
- Senior citizens discount
Source: Texas Department of Insurance Consumers can reduce their cost of homeowners insurance by purchasing only the coverage suited to their needs. However, you should always buy enough insurance to avoid a major financial loss if your home is severely damaged or destroyed. This means keeping a realistic dollar amount of coverage on your home. Your home should be insured based on its replacement cost or its actual cash value (replacement cost less depreciation), not on its market value. The market value may be higher or lower than the cost to rebuild your home. If you have replacement cost coverage and your house is destroyed, you can rebuild your home on the same lot at current local construction costs. Construction costs change, so you should update your coverage amounts annually. Insurance companies use various methods to determine the estimated replacement cost of your home. Be prepared to answer questions about your home’s square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, types of flooring and finishes, etc. Inform the company of any custom features that are part of the house. Replacement cost does not include the land or landscaping features. Under the standard Texas homeowners’ policies, household contents are automatically covered for their “actual cash value” only. As noted above, actual cash value is the replacement cost minus depreciation. You can buy replacement cost coverage for your personal property for anadditional premium. Homeowners’ policies offer limited coverage for valuables like jewelry, furs, cash, and stamp and coin collections. You can buy separate endorsements to increase your coverage. Source: Texas Department of Insurance Consumers can reduce their cost of homeowners insurance by purchasing only the coverage suited to their needs. The State of Texas has promulgated standard policies covering a range of home insurance needs. In addition, the Texas Department of Insurance regularly approves policy forms for use in Texas that vary from the Texas standard policy. Below are brief descriptions of the types of policies offered in Texas; each type provides a different level of coverage. - HO-A policies provide extremely limited actual cash value coverage of your home and its contents. Only the types of damage specifically listed in the policy are covered.
- HO-A amended policies provide more extensive coverage than the base HO-A policy but less coverage than an HO-B. Coverage provided by these policies may vary by company.
- HO-B policies provide replacement cost coverage for most types of damage, except those specifically excluded in the policy. Generally, HO-B policies provide the most coverage for the price, but some companies do not offer the HO-B.
- HO-C policies provide the most extensive coverage, but they are more expensive than other types of policies.
- Approved alternative policies offer varying levels of coverage. Companies may only sell alternative policies that are approved in advance by the Commissioner of Insurance. Coverage may differ considerably from one company to another and from the coverage provided in the standardized Texas homeowners’ policies.
Read you policy carefully to know exactly what coverages are included. If a company offers you a policy with less coverage than you would like, ask if other policy forms are available. You may also be able to buy additional coverage by adding endorsements to the base policy. Source: Texas Department of Insurance Companies may use a number of criteria to establish your insurance premium. Some of these are affected by your driving habits, such as your driving record and credit history. Other factors are related to personal characteristics, such as age. - Your age and, for younger drivers, your marital status . Male drivers under 25 and unmarried women under 21 have the highest rates. Drivers over 50 may get discounts.
- Your driving record and claims history . A good driving record can save you money. If you have accidents or tickets on your driving record, you will have to pay more for insurance. Companies may add surcharges to your premium for major convictions, some driving violations, and accidents that result in property damage.
- Where you keep your car . Because accidents and auto thefts occur more frequently in urban areas, rates are typically higher for people who live in cities than for those who live in rural areas.
- The type of car you drive . Collision and comprehensive rates are highest for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars. Rates may also be higher for cars that damage easily or cost more to repair.
- Your credit score . Companies may consider your credit score when deciding whether to sell you a policy and at what cost. A company cannot refuse to sell you a policy or cancel or non-renew your policy solely based on your credit.
- Whether you drove uninsured in Texas . Companies may charge more if you drove uninsured in Texas for more than 30 days in the 12 months before you applied for insurance. A company cannot otherwise charge you more for liability coverage because of your prior lack of coverage, however.
Source: Texas Department of Insurance Every person with an auto insurance policy should be familiar with the basic coverage provided. If you drive in Texas, you must be able to pay for accidents you cause. Most Texas drivers buy auto liability insurance to meet this requirement. There are eight types of coverage in a typical auto policy, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Typical Auto Policy Coverage* 1. Liability insurance pays the expenses of a person whose vehicle is damaged in an accident you cause. Expenses can include medical bills, car repair, and car rental. It covers accidents that are caused by you or anyone covered by your policy, including a driver operating your car with your permission. Texas law requires minimum coverage of $25,000 for each injured person, up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. 2. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car regardless of who caused the accident. The company will pay up to the actual cash value of your vehicle, minus your deductible. 3. Comprehensive coverage (physical damage other than collision) pays for damage to or loss of your car from causes other than accidents, such as hail, vandalism, flood, fire, and theft. 4. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage pays for your injuries and property damage caused by a hit-and-run driver or a motorist without liability insurance. UM/UIM also pays when your medical and car repair bills are higher than the other driver's liability coverage. 5. Medical payments pay reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses if you, a family member, or a passenger in your car is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. 6. Personal injury protection (PIP) pays the same as medical payments coverage, plus 80 percent of lost income and the cost of hiring a caregiver for an injured person. 7. Towing and labor coverage reimburses you for towing charges when your car must be towed to a repair shop or other destination. 8. Rental reimbursement coverage pays a set daily amount for a rental car if you rcar is being repaired. Examples of Limitations in Some Auto Policies Many insurance companies offer policies approved by the Texas Department of Insurance that restrict coverage from the "typical coverage." - Restrictions on liability coverage - some policies may provide liability coverage only for persons named on the declaration page and/or residents of the driver's household.
- Restrictions on collision coverage - some policies may restrict payment for damage to your covered auto to damage occurring only if the person driving the car is named on the policy declaration page.
Some insurance companies have policies that permit policyholders to exclude certain coverage in writing, often saving substantially on the cost of the policy. Examples of coverage that are often excluded include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, Medical Payments, and Personal Injury Protection. Source: Texas Department of Insurance |
|