October 14, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Green Insurance

For consumers and business owners committed to “going green”, a wide range of insurance options are now available. Below is a breakdown of some of the innovative, eco-friendly products, services and discounts offered by many insurers.

Vehicles

Hybrid discounts. Some auto insurance companies offer premium discounts of up to 10 percent for those who drive hybrid vehicles. A similar discount may also apply to hybrid-electric boats and yachts. Some auto policies have the option of adding an endorsement to upgrade to a similar model hybrid vehicle after a total loss.
Alternative fuel discounts. If your car uses an alternative energy source, such as biodiesel, electricity, natural gas, hydrogen or ethanol, you could be eligible for a discount on your premium.
Pay as You Drive (PAYD) programs. Several insurers offer PAYD programs, in which a device or sensor in the car tracks miles driven, as well as speed. Depending on the program, different techniques are used to collect the information; some take odometer readings, others may use GPS systems. The information is then used to reward policyholders who drive fewer miles than the average driver by providing them with discounts. According to some estimates PAYD subscribers may decrease their miles driven by 10 percent or more, saving consumers money while reducing accidents, congestion and air pollution.

Homes

Insurers are helping to promote sustainable building practices by offering green homeowners and commercial property policies, including:

Premium discounts for those whose homes meet stringent efficiency and sustainability standards, e.g., LEED certified homes (LEED is short for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is a recognized environmental standard in the building world).

Homeowners coverage that replaces/rebuilds after a loss with more eco-friendly materials is often offered as an endorsement to a standard homeowners policy. Some companies will pay homeowners extra if they replace old kilowatt-hungry appliances with Energy-Star devices and recycle debris rather than send destroyed materials straight to a landfill. (The Energy-Star label means the appliances meet an energy-savings rating created by a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.)

For homeowners who generate their own geothermal, solar or wind power and sell any surplus energy back to the local power grid, there are now policies that cover both the income lost when there is a power outage caused by a covered peril and the extra expense to the homeowner of temporarily buying electricity from another source. Policies generally cover the cost of getting back online, such as utility charges for inspection and reconnection.

Businesses

Green commercial property insurance policies and endorsements—some of which are directed at specific segments of the business community such as manufacturers—allow building owners to replace standard systems and materials with green ones, such as energy efficient electrical equipment and interior lighting, water conserving plumbing and nontoxic and low odor paints and carpeting, after a loss. In the event of a total loss, the policy will often cover the cost of rebuilding as a green certified building. This coverage may also pay for engineering inspections of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, building recertification fees, replacement of vegetative or plant covered roofs and debris recycling. Some cover the income lost and costs incurred when alternative energy generating equipment is damaged.

Source: Insurance Information Institute, “Green Insurance” www.iii.org website. Accessed November 24, 2015. http://www.iii.org/article/green-insurance

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

October 13, 2014 By Julian Aston Leave a Comment

IN: The Dangers Of Distracted Driving: Don’t Text & Drive

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of “——————-” we focus on the dangers of distracted driving.

There are numerous distractions that could endanger a driver and their passengers. Text messaging is by far the most alarming distraction because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. Read on to find facts and statistics that are powerfully persuasive. If you don’t already think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take a moment to learn more. Please share these facts with others; together, we can help save lives.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

October 13, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

Texting
Using a cell phone or smartphone
Eating and drinking
Talking to passengers
Grooming
Reading, including maps
Using a navigation system
Watching a video
Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. On this page, you’ll find facts and statistics that are powerfully persuasive. If you don’t already think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take a moment to learn more. And, as with everything on Distraction.gov, please share these facts with others. Together, we can help save lives.

Got questions? Visit our FAQ! Want even more information? Look at sample research reports.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, “WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?” http://www.distraction.gov website. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html

October 13, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Key Facts & Statistics

The number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328 in 2012. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011.
As of December 2012, 171.3 billion text messages were sent in the US (includes PR, the Territories, and Guam) every month.(CTIA)
10% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.
Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes. (NHTSA)
At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.(NOPUS)
Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times. (VTTI)
Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. (2009, VTTI)
Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI)
A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. 20 percent of teens and 10 percent of parents admit that they have extended, multi-message text conversations while driving. (UMTRI)

October 13, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

State Laws

For the most current information on State laws, please refer to the map below.

Click on an individual state or territory to learn more on its specific laws.

44 states, D.C. Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.

12 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.

Note: A primary law means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place. A secondary law means an officer can only issue a ticket if a driver has been pulled over for another violation (like speeding).

August 7, 2014 By Julian Aston Leave a Comment

IN: How To Protect Your Wedding Or Special Event

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of “—————————” we focus on how to protect your wedding or special event.

Special event insurance is designed to provide financial protection if you have to cancel or postpone a gathering due to adverse weather and natural disasters such as hurricanes. Most policies also provide coverage for cancellation due to the death, illness or serious injury of a key participant in the event, such as members of the immediate family. Read on to learn more.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

August 7, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Wedding & Special Event Insurance

Often referred to as “wedding” insurance, special event insurance can be used to cover a 50th anniversary party, a bar mitzvah, a graduation party or any special occasion you might be planning. Special event insurance is designed to provide financial protection if you have to cancel or postpone a gathering due to adverse weather and natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Most policies also provide coverage for cancellation due to the death, illness or serious injury of a key participant in the event, such as members of the immediate family. Also, if an officiant, such as a minister or rabbi, or a key vendor, like the caterer, florist or photographer, does not show up, you can recover some of the costs.

Prices range from around $125 up to approximately $400 depending on the amount of coverage you need.

Additional riders may include coverage for:

Military service—in the event the bride or groom is in the military or active reserves, and is suddenly called to duty.
Gowns and tuxedos—includes stores going out of business or damage to the clothing.
Gifts—if gifts are not covered by your homeowners or renters insurance, provides protection against theft or damage of gifts.
Honeymoon—in case you need to cancel your trip due to illness, bad weather or other circumstances.
Professional counseling—when the cancellation or postponement of the event causes severe emotional stress (a doctor’s note will be needed).

Many companies also offer separate liability insurance, but be aware that many event sites already have their own liability insurance. If you are holding the event at home, however, you may want to purchase liability insurance above and beyond what is provided under your homeowners policy.

Before purchasing special event or wedding insurance, find out the following:

Whether the insurance company is licensed to do business in the state where you live. This information is available from your State Insurance Department.
How much the policy will cost and how much reimbursement you can expect if a loss occurs.
What, specifically, is and is not covered by the policy.
Whether you have coverage elsewhere through credit cards, warrantees or through home, auto or liability or other insurance policies you may already have.

Source: Insurance Information Institute, “Wedding and Special Event Insurance” http://www.iii.org website. Accessed November 24, 2015. http://www.iii.org/article/wedding-and-special-event-insurance

August 6, 2014 By Julian Aston Leave a Comment

IN: What Medicare Covers

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of the “———————–” we focus on what Medicare covers.

What is Medicare Part A, and what is Medicare Part B, and what do they individually cover? What do drug plans cover? Learn which preventive and screening services Medicare covers to keep you healthy and find problems early, when treatment is most effective. How to get Medicare-provided medical care and prescription drugs in disaster or emergency areas. Read about how to replace a lost card, and lost or damaged equipment or supplies in disasters or emergencies.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

August 6, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

What Medicare Covers

Female Doctor with Stethoscope Holding Piggy Bank with Bruised Eye and Bandage.

Find out if Medicare covers your test, item, or service.

What does Medicare Part A cover?

Read about what Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers, including inpatient care at a hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), and hospice. Part A also covers services like lab tests, surgery, doctor visits, and home health care.

What does Medicare Part B cover?

Learn about what Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers, including doctor and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, home health care, and some preventive services.

What drug plans cover

Learn what Medicare drug plans cover, including information about a drug formulary and tiers.

What Medicare health plans cover

Learn about Medicare health plans, which provide Part A and Part B benefits to people with Medicare. The plans include Medicare Advantage, Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), and Medicare Cost plans, and Demonstration/Pilot Programs, Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs for complex health needs.

Preventive & screening services

Learn which preventive and screening services Medicare covers to keep you healthy and find problems early, when treatment is most effective.

Get medical care & prescription drugs in disaster or emergency areas

Learn how to get Medicare-provided medical care and prescription drugs in disaster or emergency areas. Read about how to replace a lost card, and lost or damaged equipment or supplies in disasters or emergencies.

Find suppliers of medical equipment & supplies

Get information about suppliers of durable medical equipment, prostheses and prosthetic devices, and orthotics.

Find & compare doctors, plans, hospitals, suppliers, & other providers

Find and compare hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, medical item suppliers, health care providers, health and drug plans, and dialysis facilities. Learn about how to choose providers and plans.

What’s not covered by Part A & Part B?

Learn about what items and services Medicare Part A and Part B doesn’t cover. You’ll have to pay for the items and services yourself unless you have other insurance or you’re in a Medicare health plan that covers them.

Source: Medicare.gov, “What Medicare covers.” http://www.medicare.gov. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/index.html

August 6, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

What’s covered?

Medicare covers services (like lab tests, surgeries, and doctor visits) and supplies (like wheelchairs and walkers) considered medically necessaryto treat a disease or condition.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare plan, you may have different rules, but your plan must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare. Some services may only be covered in certain settings or for patients with certain conditions.

In general, Part A covers:

Hospital care
Skilled nursing facility care
Nursing home care (as long as custodial care isn’t the only care you need)
Hospice
Home health services

2 ways to find out if Medicare covers what you need

Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about why you need certain services or supplies, and ask if Medicare will cover them. If you need something that’s usually covered and your provider thinks that Medicare won’t cover it in your situation, you’ll have to read and sign a notice saying that you may have to pay for the item, service, or supply.
Find out if Medicare covers your item, service, or supply.

Medicare coverage is based on 3 main factors

Federal and state laws.
National coverage decisions made by Medicare about whether something is covered.
Local coverage decisions made by companies in each state that process claims for Medicare. These companies decide whether something is medically necessary and should be covered in their area.

Source: Medicare.gov, “What does Medicare Part A cover?” http://www.medicare.gov. Accessed November 28, 2015. http://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-a/what-part-a-covers.html