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HAZARDS Inside Your Car!

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs

Umbrellas, cell phones, cups, and golf balls all could be lethal weapons! It’s one thing to buckle up the kids in their car seats, but what about the family dog and all those items that find their way to the back seat floor?

Van_FamilyIn a head on collision, traveling at just 35 mile per hour, a one pound article that is loose in your car will continue traveling at that speed until striking someone or something with nearly 100 pounds of force. That impact can easily break bones and cause serious injury.

The sport utility, minivan, and station wagon have all become very popular. Unfortunately these vehicles all lack a standard cargo containment area. Most owners simply place every manner of item into the open cargo area, creating a significant hazard in the event of a collision. In one SUV accident, a mother was hauling boxes of books weighing several hundred pounds. At the point of impact, the books rocketed forward with thousands of pounds of force. It broke both back seat supports and the child in the back seat was thrown into the rear of the front seat. the child died.

Simply securing the cargo and keeping your car clean could have saved lives.

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Safety

AVOIDING DEER ACCIDENTS

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs

Deer_Crossing

In a typical year, Iowa drivers report thousands of vehicle collisions with deer. It seems that any season is deer season and because of their increased activity deer-vehicle accidents happen all year long. Evening and dawn are the most likely times for deer- vehicle collisions.

The following information and precautionary tactics are provided to help you avoid collisions with deer:

  • Don’t swerve to avoid the animal. Swerving may cause you to loose control of your car.
  • Drive at or below posted speed limits in areas where deer crossing signs are posted and in agricultural areas
  • When driving at night, use your high beam headlights when your not in high traffic areas. This will provide an earlier warning to you.
  • Deer usually travel in groups and in single file. If you see one, most likely there are others following.

If you do strike a deer and stop your car. Keep your distance from the animal and call the local law enforcement agency or the Iowa Highway Patrol.

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Deer

ACCIDENTAL VACATION: Protection Hints For Your Rental Car

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs Leave a Comment

Rental_CarWe have all dealt with the polite but hard sell car rental agent, with all the add-ons they thrust upon us when picking up a car. You begin to wonder if all those insurance options are really worth the up to 50-100% they can add to the rental cost. Hopefully we will dispel some of the confusion for you.

First, we always recommended that you purchase the coverage provided by the rental car company. Also, state laws vary and if you’re outside the United States, simply buy the rental company insurance. It’s cheaper than going to jail!

The types of insurance coverages offered may use slightly different names but usually they boil down to the Loss Damage Waiver, Liability Insurance Supplement, and Personal Effects Coverage.

  • The Loss Damage Waiver absolves you from financial responsibility for the car itself. Whether it’s stolen, damaged, destroyed or certain other causes. Just hand the rental agent the keys and come home.
  • The Liability Insurance Supplement provides you with coverage for any damage or injury you cause to others or their property with your rental car. Rental car companies are required to carry liability insurance but most contracts specify the renter is also responsible, including any claim by a third party, such as the injured parties spouse or relatives.
  • Personal Effects Coverage protects you against loss of personal property in case something is stolen from your rental car. If you have no homeowners or renters insurance this is a must.

Having now discussed the coverages provided by the rental car company, we will tell you that your auto insurance policy will provide you with the same coverage for the rental car as you have on your personal car (including deductibles). If you have, liability and physical damage on your policy, it will be provided to you for the rental car.

However, you are still on the hook for the “loss of use” of the rental car or the time the rental car company cannot use the vehicle because it needs to be repaired.

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Rental

THE NOSE KNOWS! When It Comes To Natural Gas

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs Leave a Comment

Natural gas does not have an odor! To be able to detect leaks, the utility company adds an unpleasant or foul odorant like rotten eggs to natural gas. Your being able to detect a natural gas leak is important because escaping or leaking gas may ignite if it comes in contact with a flame or spark, and it can displace oxygen, which is potentially fatal. In order to keep your family or fellow coworkers safe there are a few safety procedures you may want to follow:

  • Avoid doing anything that may create a spark or produce static such as touching any electrical switches or telephones.
  • Make sure all your gas appliances like your close dryer, water heater furnace or stove are operating properly and inspected annually.
  • Clean the debris which may be near gas appliances. Clothes, trash, paper, rags, etc.
  • If you smell gas, leave the building immediately and call your utility company from another location

Be Safe & Live Long!

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Home Safety

Independent contractor or employee? The 20-Question IRS Test

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs

Office_WorkersBusiness owners frequently clash with the IRS over whether workers should be considered employees or independent contractors. You face a higher tax burden when workers are considered employees. To help you determine a worker’s status, use this 20-question test, which has evolved from various court cases and IRS rulings over the years. Most questions relate to the degree of control exerted over the worker.

If you answer “Yes” to most of the questions, it generally indicates that you should treat the worker as a employee. More “No” answers than “Yes” will favor independent-contractor status.

The first few questions here, are the most decisive. For example, if you answer “No” to the first five questions, the worker is almost certainly an independent contractor, regardless of the answers to the remaining questions.  The “test” isn’t an end all to the independent contractor determination, but it is a good starting point.

___ 1. Is there a continuing relationship between the worker and your company?

___ 2. Are the services required to be completed by a specific person?

___ 3. Does the worker receive instructions from you?

___ 4. Does the company supply the worker with tools and materials?

___ 5. Does the worker have any significant investment in the activity?

___ 6. Are payments based on time rather than completion of the job?

___ 7. Is the payment arrangement such that the worker cannot incur a financial loss?

___ 8. Does your company set the working hours?

___ 9. Does your company require a full-time commitment from the worker?

___ 10. Is your company the worker’s only significant client or customer?

___ 11. Does the worker forgo offering services to the public?

___ 12. Does the worker receive training from your company?

___ 13. Are the worker’s services integrated with your company’s business?

___ 14. Does your company employ assistants for the worker?

___ 15. Is the work performed on your company’s premises?

___ 16. Is the work performed according to a set sequence determined by your company?

___ 17. Does your company require the worker to submit reports?

___ 18. Does your company pay the worker’s business related expenses?

___ 19. Do you have the right to fire the worker?

___ 20. Does the worker have the right to quit without penalty?

These questions are not the only “test” in identifying the status of the individual is an Independent Contractor. Also, criteria such as this will also be used for determination of an individuals’ status as it relates to workers compensation or possibly, your company general liability insurance policy.

It is advisable that you talk with your legal advisor and insurance agent for clarification or you may get surprised when it gets to audit time!

Filed Under: Commercial Insurance, Show Left

Am I Covered When I Rent That U-Haul Or Motor Home?

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs Leave a Comment

Question: I’m going to rent a motor home for vacation. I’ve called the insurance company three time to make sure I have the right coverage and got three different answers?

Or

I’m moving my daughter back from college and renting a U-Haul truck. Does my policy provide me coverage when I’m driving the U-Haul Truck?

One of the most common questions received by insurance agents involves rental cars. But just as important, are questions about renting vehicles other than private passenger autos, such as motor homes and U-Haul type trucks.

So, let’s take a look and see what the “standard” personal auto policy says about coverage for motor homes and commercial-type vehicles.

Motor_HomeLiability coverage is provided for the “named insured, resident spouse, and resident family members for”…the ownership, maintenance or use of any auto or trailer.” So, you are covered for liability claims when using the motor home or U-Haul truck. Even though “auto” seems to imply a private passenger type car, numerous court cases have held that a moving truck is an auto, meaning coverage applies. One caution is, the use of the motor home or truck must be for personal use only.  Business use of a motor home or truck is not covered by the personal auto policy unless the Extended Non-Owned Coverage endorsement is added to the policy.

Medical payments coverage is provided since the policy says coverage applies “while occupying…a motor vehicle designed mainly for use on public roads…” The same business use exclusion found in liability coverage applies for medical payments too.

Uninsured motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage benefits will apply with no unique exclusions.

Physical damage coverage IS NOT provided by the personal auto policy since the policy states coverage for a non-owned auto applies only for a “…private passenger auto, pickup, van, or trailer….”  This means that your best option is to purchase the Collision Damage Waiver from the rental company. Failure to do so could result in you having to pay for any damage to the motor home or truck, plus loss of rent charges, and any administrative expenses the rental company may add. There is no endorsement available to fix this coverage gap. Also, if the vehicle rented is a trailer, the “standard” personal auto policy only provides $500 of physical damage coverage.  Many elaborate camping trailers are valued at five figures, so purchased of the Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver would certainly be in your best interest.

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Motor Home, Rental, U-Haul

PILOT FATIGUE! Not A Good Thing!!

May 29, 2015 by Quentin Childs Leave a Comment

In the many different facets of aviation, fatigue can certainly be a detriment and even fatal! Long days, high operations tempo, stress of operations in high traffic areas or low level flight can really intensify the effects of fatigue on pilots.

What is fatigue? IN AC120-103 (FAA Circular of Fatigue Risk Management Systems)) the Federal Aviation Administration defines fatigue in aviation as “a complex state characterized by lack of alertness and reduced mental and physical performance, often accompanied by drowsiness.”

The effects of fatigue can be manifested in many aspects of performance, including increased reactions time, lapses in attention, reduced cognitive abilities, poor situational awareness, and lack of motivation.

Fatigue can be caused by a number of things, but common sense tell us the lack of sleep is the main culprit. According to many experts, the average person requires eight hours of sleep per night. Less than eight hours may result in “acute” or chronic” fatigue. The only way to recover is to simply get more rest.

In order to combat fatigue, one can do things like…..

  • Aviation_PlaneWake up and go to bed at the same time every day
  • Use sleeping areas for sleep only.
  • Establish a bedtime routine
  • Exercise everyday but not within two hours of bedtime.
  • Keep sleeping areas cool and dark.
  • Keep the alarm clock out of sight.
  • Drink water to stay hydrated
  • Take breaks throughout the day.

What can management, spouses, supervisors, friends, fellow workers, and others do to help the tired pilot? Keep an eye on your pilot! Make sure they are taking appropriate precautions to maintain the needed level of alertness. Help the pilot do those things listed above to improve their performance. Remember you may be the passenger in that aircraft and an alert and rested pilot may be in your best interest!

Managing fatigue is vital to conducting safe and effective flying operations. Understanding the causes of fatigue and how to counter their effects will defiantly increase the pilots’ level of safety.

Filed Under: Aviation, Show Left Tagged With: Aviation, Pilot

IDENTITY THEFT! What To Do After A Loss

January 10, 2015 by Quentin Childs Leave a Comment

IdentityTheftAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, there are almost 10 million identity theft victims annually in the United States with combined losses over $5 billion. In addition to the financial loss, substantial time and energy is required of the victims to correct a multitude of problems arising from the misuse of their personal information.

Following are some tips for victims of identity theft:

  • Place a fraud alert on your credit cards
  • File a police report
  • Notify your financial institution to modify account information
  • Contact creditors to advise them of the situation
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

An Identity Theft Affidavit is now available for use in disputing fraudulent debt. In many cases, the affidavit allows a victim to avoid filling out numerous forms, as it is accepted by several companies. Before a victim sends the completed affidavit to a company, they should check with the company to make sure it is acceptable.

Detailed information on the immediate action tips for victims and the identity theft affidavit can be obtained at 1-877-FTC-HELP or their website www.consumer.gov/idtheft IMG offers identity fraud endorsements with your homeowners policy. Usually the endorsment provides $15,000 coverage for a nominal premium charge, usually around $25.

Call our office for more information.

Filed Under: Personal Insurance, Show Right Tagged With: Identity Theft

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Contact Us

Address:
208 8th Street SE
Altoona, IA 50009
Toll Free: 800-733-6016
Office: 515-967-3761,
Fax: 515-967-7051
Email: insurit@insmgmtgrp.com
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