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Protect Your Family Against Boating Accidents |
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Don't become a Statistic! Boaters need to take serious safety measures before stepping in
the water to ensure a safe and happy water-filled vacation.
In 2008, the Coast Guard
recorded 4,789 recreational boating accidents. The 5
leading contributing factors to boating accidents: operator
inattention, operator inexperience, careless operation,
skier/passenger behavior, and failure to keep a proper lookout.
Alcohol was the number one contributing factor in deadly boating
accidents.
To prevent boating accidents, the Insurance Information
Institute offers these safety suggestions:
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Check weather forecasts. |
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Let someone know where
you're going and when you expect to return. File a
"float Plan". |
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Check engine, fuel,
electrical and steering systems, especially for
exhaust-system leaks. |
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Carry one or more fire
extinguisher, matched to the size and type of boat.
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Equip the vessel with
required navigation lights and with a whistle, horn or
bell. |
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Consider safety devises,
such as a paddle or oars, a first aid kit, a supply of
fresh water, a tool kit and spare parts, a flashlight,
flares and a radio. |
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Make sure every person
on board wears a life jacket. |
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Know and obey marine
traffic laws: the "Rules of the Road." Learn various
distress signals. |
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Keep an alert lookout
for other watercraft, swimmers, floating debris and
shallow waters. |
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Don't overload, and
distribute the load evenly. |
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Join a boating
organization like the Coast Guard Auxiliary or your
local Power Squadron. |
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To find out how our
staff of experts can help you find the right coverage
for your PWC and to receive a free quote go to our
RV & Marine quote page. |
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Boating
Insurance a summer necessity |
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In 2007 more
than twelve million recreational vessels were registered
throughout the Western U. S., boat owners must be protected on
our crowded waterways with the right insurance.
Making sure you have enough insurance to cover injuries, theft
or damage is key to a safe summer on the rivers, lakes and
ocean.
Did you know?
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Your
homeowners policy provides limited coverage---$1,000 or
10 percent of property coverage--- for theft and
physical damage to your boat, its equipment,
accessories, outboard motor or trailer. |
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Your
policy may not, however, extend to certain boating
activities depending on the size of your boat and the
type of engine. |
Our office can offer you IBA marine through INAMAR Insuring
Agency, which carries an impressive selection of boat insurance
programs with affordable rates.
Ski boats, cruisers, sailboats and luxury yachts---both new and
used, slipped and trailers---are all protected, as well as the
most popular models of personal watercraft.
INAMAR is a leader in the marine marketplace and provides
service to approximately 15 percent of California's slipped
vessels. Call us to discuss your boat insurance needs.
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Personal Watercraft are Big Sellers and Bigger Danger |
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Personal
watercraft are more popular
than ever. Sales have increased ten-fold in the past decade and
account for one-third of all new boat sales. In fact, California
sales again led the way nationwide. Sales continue to
climb as do speeds and the dangers of operation.
In 2007, 67 boating fatalities involved personal watercraft
(PWC) operators or passengers. Of this number, 14 drowned (31
percent) and 53 died of other injuries. In addition, about 982
PWC-related injuries were reported to the USCG in 2007.
Operators of rented PWCs in the Board’s study sample had less
PWC experience than did operators of privately owned PWCs. Only
one of three PWC renters included in the Board’s accident
analysis indicated that the rental agent had required him or her
to demonstrate competency in operating a PWC.
The problem is that many riders aren't familiar with speedy
vehicles or basic boating safety rules. It is estimated that as
many as 95 percent of personal watercraft accidents are the
result of operator inexperience.
The Western
Insurance Information Service offers the following tips:
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Know how your craft
operates. |
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Know your local boating
laws, navigational marks and signs. |
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Stay to the right of
other vehicles. Remember: sailboats, commercial vessels
and fishing boats have the right of way. |
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Wear life jackets.
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Do not operate under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. |
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While home and
auto insurance may provide limited coverage for water vehicles,
you may want to consider purchasing a personal watercraft policy
to protect you and your water vehicle in the event of an
accident.
A personal watercraft policy covers bodily injury, property
damage, guest passenger liability, medical payments and theft.
Typical policies include deductibles of $250 for property
damage, $500 for theft and $1,000 for medical payments.
To find out how our staff
of experts can help you find the right coverage for your
PWC and to receive a free quote go to our
RV & Marine quote page. |
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Umbrella Policy Can Protect Your Personal Asset |
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The beautifully
landscaped pool in Sally's back yard was her prized possession,
until a few teenagers jumped in uninvited and seriously injured
themselves late one night. The teens' parents sued Sally,
leaving her with nothing but an empty bank account.
What if someone said "I'll sue," or, "See you in court"? Are you
and your family protected? Today, accident claims are more
frequently being settled in the courtroom at staggering costs,
regardless of how serious the incident may be.
And while most families carry liability coverage on their
regular auto and homeowners policies, their limits may be
inadequate, especially in today's litigious society.
In turn, it is critical that you re-evaluate your coverage,
because your current insurance policy may not fully protect you
from catastrophic losses, such as accidental death or crippling
injury.
Make sure your home, family and personal property are fully
protected with a personal umbrella policy. This type of policy
can provide excess coverage above and beyond specific policies
you have already purchased for your home, making sure an
accident won't force you into bankruptcy.
We have access to a personal umbrella program call the IBA West
Personal Umbrella Program (PEP) that provides several advantages
over traditional umbrella policies.
Offered by Commercial Underwriters Insurance Co., this policy
can protect against losses of up to $10 million over and above
the limits of your primary coverage.
This policy protects families, individuals with assets, property
owners, or any insured who needs a stand-alone personal umbrella
policy.
Some program highlights include, but is not limited to, low
rates, limits from $1 to $20 million, direct billed policies, no
restrictions on vehicles, flexibility on a number of rental
units and excellent service.
Call us to discuss how a personal umbrella can fit your needs.
Contact RDS Insurance Brokers
to find out how our staff of experts can help you find the right
coverage |
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Graduated Licensing: Your teen's best option? |
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Here's an urban notion with
weight: Teenage drivers too often are a hazard on the road,
according to research data that the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety has accumulated.
The Institute says: |
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Car-crash injuries
account for roughly one-third of deaths of teens between
16 and 19 years old. |
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Teenage drivers --
especially 16- to 17- year-old boys -- are most likely
to be at fault when they're involved in multi-car
wrecks. |
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Speeding, more than any
other factor, is most likely to cause auto accidents
among teenagers. |
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To counter these negatives,
several state legislatures have either adopted or currently are
considering a safety measure intended to reduce crash risk
among beginning teenage drivers.
The measure is called
graduated licensing. Graduated
licensing encourages young drivers to follow a series of
guidelines that will give them on-the-road experience in
low-risk settings, before they acquire their driver's licenses.
Chief among these guidelines?
Teens' time on the road after dark is restricted, and their
parents periodically supervise the teens' driving.
Additionally, beginning teen drivers are required to limit the
number of teen passengers in their cars; restrict their freeway
driving; and maintain zero-tolerance blood alcohol concentration
thresholds while driving.
After teens observe these
measures for a designated time, possibly up to six months
(during which time some are required to still have their
learning permits), they become eligible to receive their
unrestricted driver's licenses. |
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Who's on-board to graduate
next? |
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Florida and Michigan are among some states that have already
enacted elements of graduated licensing.
Additional states implementing the program in 1998 include
Illinois, New Hampshire, and Ohio.
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Protect your
home before a vacation! |
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Each year, one out of every 20
homes is burglarized. Because nine out of 10 household
burglaries are preventable, homeowners need to take preventative
measures to ensure the safety of their belongings.
So before you take off, make sure you don't return to an empty
house. the Western Insurance information Service suggests the
following guidelines: |
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Don't give the
impression that no one is at home. |
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Suspend mail and
newspaper deliveries or arrange to have it picked up or
forwarded to another address; use automatic timers to
turn lights on and off; and arrange to have your lawn
mowed. |
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Make your home burglar
resistant. |
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Secure doors with
dead-bolts or double-cylinder locks and make sure all
window locks are secure. |
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Don't give burglars
incentive to break in. |
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Position all valuables
away from windows; don't leave extra keys outside; and
put jewelry and other valuables in a safe deposit box.
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Have a neighbor watch
your home. Check your homeowners insurance. |
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Before you
leave, check with our firm to make sure you are
adequately covered. Also, make a list of personal
belongings so you have a record of what was stolen or
damaged. |
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Avoid
Potluck's with American Potholes |
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Winter has come
and gone, and potholes seem to be opening as fast as buds on the
trees. This spring, the issue of pockmarked and damage-riddled
roads will one again raise the ire of many commuters---and drain
the wallets of thousands of unsuspecting drivers, warned the
Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA).
Nearly $4.8 billion is spent each year it repair damage to
Americans' cars resulting from run-ins with potholes and other
dangerous road conditions. And much of that comes straight out
of consumer's pockets.
About 500,000 auto insurance claims are filed each year for
pothole damage. But while most direct damage resulting from
collisions with the road due to potholes or other road anomalies
is insured under the collision component of a standard personal
auto insurance policy, many consumers bypass their insurer when
repairing their cars, choosing instead to pay-as-you-go
approach.
This can be an expensive proposition, since---in some
cases---damage for poor road conditions can add up to $2,000 or
more in repair costs over the life of a car.
Motorists in pothole-prone areas should understand the need for
proper collision coverage in order to avoid costly repairs. In
the case of major damage, collision coverage adds a layer of
protection. IIAA offers these tips to avoid pothole damage:
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Keep an
eye on traffic patterns. Cars that slow down or move
quickly to other lanes may be a sign of major potholes
or road damage ahead. |
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Avoid
swerving out of the way of a pothole at the last minute.
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Report
major potholes or road damage to your state, or local
transportation department |
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If you
run into a pothole and you suspect damage, pull over to
assess it. If you notice damage, record the specific
damage in case you need to file an insurance claim.
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Replacement cost insurance is "cents-ible" |
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The refrigerator
is eight years old, but it still runs perfectly. The icemaker
keeps up with family demands for cubes to cool their drinks, and
the machine still hums as quietly as it did the day you plugged
it in.
Your washing machine keeps the troops in clean garb, despite the
fact that it is five years old and you do enough laundry for a
small army.
Ahhh, life is good.
When you look around your home at your possessions, you don't
even think about "depreciation" because you take excellent care
of everything you own. But remember: If those items are damaged
and you have to file an insurance claim, you'll be reimbursed
for the "current value" -- and depreciation, as well as your
deductible, will be factored in.
Unless, of course, you have replacement cost insurance, which
pays the amount you'll need in order to replace the item with
one of the same quality. Only your deductible will be subtracted
from the amount you receive.
It's a smart choice to consider replacement cost on contents.
Contact RDS Insurance Brokers
to find out how our staff of experts can help you find the right
coverage |
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Umbrella Policies: Protecting Your Investment |
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When Bob opened
an antique store five years ago, business was booming. But after
a serious slip and fall injured a customer last year, Bob's
booming business went bust after he was sued.
Today accident claims are more frequently being settled in the
courtroom at staggering costs, regardless of how serious the
incident may be.
The average small business typically purchases "normal "
commercial coverage limits of $500,000. But sometimes, this
number is not enough to settle a death claim or one with
permanent injuries.
It is vital for business owners to re-evaluate their coverage to
make sure they are fully protected.
A commercial umbrella policy may be your best bet. This type of
policy provides excess coverage above and beyond policies you
have already purchased making sure an accident won't force your
business into bankruptcy.
We have access to a program called the IBA West Commercial
Umbrella Program, that provides serious coverage combined
with excellent service.
The program's required limits of liability on autos and premises
can be as low as $500,000 combined single limit. Premiums are
based on the number of cars and the size of the buildings, or
number of rental units. For retail stores, annual gross sales
are also considered.
Because the program is designed for small commercial operations,
premium quotes are easily obtained on a simplified rating plan.
To discuss how a commercial umbrella policy can help your
business, Contact RDS
Insurance Brokers to find out how our staff of commercial
business experts can help you find the right coverage. Or
to receive a free quote CLICK HERE |
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Important tips when filling an auto claim |
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When Mark sent a
tow truck from his auto repair shop to pick up a car in
distress, the driver accidentally ran a red light and crashed
into two oncoming cars, causing serious injury and major
damages.
Unfortunately, because Mark had not updated the coverage limits
on his insurance policy, he was left to pay some hefty bills.
If you have company owned vehicles, you are at risk every time
your employee opens the car door. Though
your employee may be a safe driver, accidents are sometimes
inevitable leaving you to deal with filing the claim.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, if your
company car is stolen, involved in an accident, or damaged by
flood, or vandalism, filing a claim correctly will lead to a
faster and more efficient settlement:
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Call us as soon as
possible. We will give you instructions and provide the
forms needed to support your claim. |
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Quickly supply
information requested by your Insurance company. Your
insurer will investigate the claim, and then move to
settle, or defend it. The company will also defend you
in a court of law if a claim is brought against you, or
if you are sued for a claim covered by the policy. |
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Retain all records of
expenses you incur. |
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Teach Proper Lifting techniques in your Business |
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One of the most
common industrial accidents happens when an employee incorrectly
lifts a heavy object. and when an accident occurs, that means
you will be out one employee when they need to recuperate.
According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance,
here are some safety tips to pass on to your employees when
lifting heavy objects: |
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Never
lift more than you can handle. |
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Position
your feet firmly on the ground with one foot beside the
object, and the other foot slightly behind the object.
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Pick a
comfortable lifting position |
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Get a
firm grip on the object. |
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Lift
slowly and gradually. |
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Walk
slowly, without twisting |
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Put the
object down slowly |
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Avoid
reaching when you lift or lower the object. |
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Do
your Homework for Your Home-Based Business |
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Across the
country, home-based entrepreneurs are turning dining rooms into
conference rooms and basements into brainstorming centers.
Decreasing corporate staff sizes and increasing technological
advances have encouraged record numbers of people to transform
their homes into business headquarters.
While "homework" has its rewards, it also has unique needs.
According to a recent study commissioned by the Independent
Insurance Agents of America, nearly 60 percent of home-based
business owners don't have the insurance they need. Why? Many
home-based entrepreneurs incorrectly assume that their
homeowners policies protect their businesses.
Most homeowners policies provide limited -- if any -- coverage
for the equipment and liabilities associated with home-based
businesses. If you have joined the ranks of the at-home work
force, don't forget to include insurance in your business plan.
Contact your agent to learn more about protecting your
home-based business. |
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Have
you Examined your City' s Building Codes? |
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Most businesses
find out too late that fire policies generally exclude coverage
for changes in building codes, leaving them with paying the cost
of required upgrades.
Building Code Insurance is an important yet overlooked coverage
that can save you money and frustrations arising out of un-known
policies exclusions.
For example, when Scott's Construction Co. burned to the ground,
Scott assumed his policy would cover replacement costs. However,
due to changes in the building codes, Scott didn't realize he
needed to replace his wooden floor with a new foundation and
cement. The difference in cost for replacement was about
$30,000.
Scott's insurer refused to pay the extra replacement costs
because he did not previously comply with the building code.
When Scott sued his insurer, the court pointed out the existing
exclusion on his policy for building codes, and he was made to
pay the extra costs.
Finding out what the building codes are in a particular city is
often difficult, but is imperative to staying in business. We
can provide the coverage you need to make sure you avoid these
additional costs. |
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Be prepared For an
Accident |
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Too many businesses
find out after the fact that certain accidents were not covered
under their policies, or that they failed to take non insurance
precautionary measures to protect themselves.
Don't wait for accidents to happen. The Insurance
Institute offers these tips to business owners when protecting
their assets: |
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Do you know how much
liability insurance you have? Study your policies to see
what is and what is not covered before a loss occurs.
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Ask our firm to explain
anything in your policy that you don't understand. Make
sure you and your employees know what to do if you have
a loss. |
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Keep and updated
inventory of your business property with appropriate
documentation. |
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Keep a copy of valuable
documents such as computer back-ups and credit card
receipts in a fire-proof container outside of your
business, or in a safe deposit box. |
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Index |
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How
much insurance is enough for your business? |
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Do you have a
sufficient amount of liability insurance on your business? Do
you know how much liability insurance you need to keep your
business protected in the event of a lawsuit?
If an accident occurs and you don't have enough insurance you
could face the possibility of closing the doors to your business
forever.
According to the Insurance Information institute, three areas
should be considered when purchasing coverage: |
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The size
of the liability suits you can expect. |
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The
number of these suits in any one year. |
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The cost
of liability insurance. |
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Businesses, at
the bare minimum, should have coverage for common lawsuits.
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However, because
many claims could result in millions of dollars in damages,
business owners may want to purchase insurance to cover the
highest liability awarded by a suit in your area of business.
Call us for help in determining
To help you in determining the
liability coverage and /or to make any necessary changes to your
policy, Contact RDS Insurance
Brokers to find out how our staff of commercial business
experts can help you find the right coverage. Or to
receive a free quote CLICK HERE |
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Summer
Events Can Create a Host Liability |
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Summer is
approaching, and that means several employees will foster
teamwork and fun through parities, bar-be-cues and picnics this
summer. But if someone gets hurt on their way home from an
employee event, you better hope that employee wasn't drinking.
An employer's liability when serving
alcohol is no joking matter.
If a guest or third party is injured in an accident that is
related to alcohol consumption and drinking can be linked to
your event, your business could be held responsible for medical
bill, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work and -in the
worst case-claims for wrongful dealt resulting in huge monetary
settlements, according to the Independent Insurance Agents of
America (IIAA.)
Employers need to make sure their comprehensive general
liability (CGL) policy provides them coverage for third party
liquor liability through a special endorsement, or they should
purchase special event coverage or a separate liquor liability
policy before hosting an office party.
Some businesses may want to take additional precautions as well,
including limiting alcoholic beverages. But beware: taking steps
such as instituting a cash bar may not ease the problem.
Charging employees for alcoholic beverages in an effort to keep
the drinking down at parties hosted in the office, or at the
boss' home may not always be the best solution for businesses.
IIAA offers these tidbits to prevent accidents and protect your
business from liability: |
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Limit your guest list to
those you know. |
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Provide filling food for
guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.
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Schedule entertainment
or activities that do not involve alcohol. If the party
centers around drinking, guest will likely drink more.
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Arrange transportation
or overnight accommodations for those who cannot or
should not drive home. |
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Stop serving alcohol at
least one hour before the party is schedule to end.
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Do not serve guests who
are visibility intoxicated. |
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Consider hiring an off
duty police officer to discretely monitor guests'
sobriety or handle any alcohol related problems as guest
leave. |
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Stay alert, always
remembering your responsibilities as the host.
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Review your Insurance
policy with our office before the event to ensure that
you have the proper liability coverage. |
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