By Kat Zeman,
There's one reason not to cheer for Independence Day: It's one of the deadliest holiday for alcohol-related car crashes. Statistics gathered over the past 25 years show that, on average, nearly 51 percent of all deadly traffic crashes on July 4 are related to alcohol -- although that percentage varies from year to year.
The deadliest days
Holiday Fatalities
Fourth of July
(July 4) 200 deaths
(44 percent alcohol related)
Labor Day
(Sept. 1-3) 519 deaths
(40 percent alcohol related)
New Year's
(Dec. 30 -Jan. 1) 391 deaths
(40 percent alcohol related)
Memorial Day
(May 26-28) 491 deaths
(38 percent alcohol related)
Christmas
(Dec. 22-25) 468 deaths
(36 percent alcohol related)
Thanksgiving
(Nov. 22-25) 548 dead
(35 percent alcohol related)
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2007 data
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been tracking car crash statistics for a quarter of a century. Holidays that sometimes rival the Fourth of July for fatalities include New Year's Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eric Bolton, spokesperson for NHTSA, says that when people think of a deadly holiday "the intuitive thought would be New Year's Day." However, that association may be precisely why people stay off the roads on New Year's than they do on July 4, he says. (While the New Year's statistics are totaled over three days, the Fourth of July stats are for one day.)
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• Most & Least Expensive Cars to Insure
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• 6 Top Car Insurance Myths Two years ago, 200 people reportedly died in car accidents on July 4. Out of that total, 44 percent died as a result of alcohol-impaired driving. By comparison, 391 people died that same year during a three-day period surrounding New Year's Day (NHTSA judges the length of a holiday based on which day of the week it falls). In that case, 40 percent were alcohol-related.
No matter what day it is, most crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Weekends are more dangerous than weekdays and more people die while driving in rain compared to snow or sleet. December, January and February are generally the most dangerous months for car fatalities.
NHTSA's 2007 annual report (2008 statistics will be released this fall) also states that the most dangerous time to drive is between midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, half of all fatal crashes that year occurred at speeds of 55 mph or more.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Farmers Purchases 21st Century
LOS ANGELES, CA—(July 1, 2009) - The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® announced today that it has completed the acquisition of 100 percent of AIG’s U.S. Personal Auto Group, which includes 21st Century Insurance. In addition to 21 st Century Insurance, the acquisition includes the former AIG Direct business and Agency Auto business. The purchase price amounts to approximately $1.9 billion.
Under the agreement, AIG’s U.S. personal auto insurance business is being sold to Farmers Group, Inc., a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services Group. Farmers Group, Inc. will sell the underlying insurance entities
Under the agreement, AIG’s U.S. personal auto insurance business is being sold to Farmers Group, Inc., a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services Group. Farmers Group, Inc. will sell the underlying insurance entities
Friday, June 19, 2009
Remember the laws of physics ...
Are you in the market for a new car? In an effort to go green and leave a smaller carbon footprint, many people are thinking about buying mini-cars. There are legitimate reasons for purchasing small cars — they’re often more affordable and they use less gas. But, according to Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Though much safer than they were a few years ago, mini-cars as a group do a comparatively poor job of protecting people in crashes, simply because they’re smaller and lighter.”1
Although the newest small vehicles meet today’s strict safety standards, even the safest are governed by the laws of physics, which rule in favor of bigger, heavier vehicles, even in single-vehicle crashes.
Whether you’re shopping for a used or new car, it’s important to spend time making sure it’s safe. Here are some things to look for when choosing a new car:
Front and side curtain air bags
Telescoping steering wheel
Adjustable head restraints that can be locked into place
Seatbelts that engage quickly and with little slack
Daytime running lights
Antilock brakes
Anti-theft systems
Electronic stability control
Always take a test drive and try to do it in the evening so you can check the visibility provided by the headlights.
Before you jump into a super-high efficiency mini, consider your options and call me. I will give you the latest information on vehicle safety and what discounts you may be eligible for based on vehicle safety features. Share this with your friends and family before they make a new-car buying decision that might cost them dearly.
1Source: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041409.html
Although the newest small vehicles meet today’s strict safety standards, even the safest are governed by the laws of physics, which rule in favor of bigger, heavier vehicles, even in single-vehicle crashes.
Whether you’re shopping for a used or new car, it’s important to spend time making sure it’s safe. Here are some things to look for when choosing a new car:
Front and side curtain air bags
Telescoping steering wheel
Adjustable head restraints that can be locked into place
Seatbelts that engage quickly and with little slack
Daytime running lights
Antilock brakes
Anti-theft systems
Electronic stability control
Always take a test drive and try to do it in the evening so you can check the visibility provided by the headlights.
Before you jump into a super-high efficiency mini, consider your options and call me. I will give you the latest information on vehicle safety and what discounts you may be eligible for based on vehicle safety features. Share this with your friends and family before they make a new-car buying decision that might cost them dearly.
1Source: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041409.html
The personal liability policy
What would you do if ...
a mishap occurred and caused damage or injuries beyond the terms of your Homeowners or Auto insurance?
you found yourself on the wrong end of a multi-million dollar lawsuit?
Naturally, most people don’t expect the unthinkable to happen to them — but sometimes it does.
Who can I sue?
We’ve all seen the ads: “Have you been injured? You may be entitled to a cash award!” It’s sad but true — we live in a very litigious, lawsuit-happy society. And judges and juries are handing down larger monetary awards than ever before. Still, individuals and businesses alike must continue to take risks in order to thrive and grow. Although there’s no way to completely avoid the possibility of being sued, there is a way to help reduce the potential impact of a devastating lawsuit: personal liability coverage.
Get under the umbrella
Farmers Personal Liability Umbrella insurance supplements the liability coverage you already have through your Homeowners or Auto insurance and provides an extra layer of protection through increased or excess coverage limits. The umbrella policy kicks in when you reach the limit on your underlying liability coverage. It also will cover you for libel and slander. Most importantly, the cost of your legal defense is provided for a covered loss.
Life is uncertain — plan for it
You worked hard to accumulate your assets — don’t forget to protect them. You never know when the unexpected might ruin not just your day but also your well-laid financial plans for the future. Call me for more information and share this with a friend or family member. You just might make their day!
a mishap occurred and caused damage or injuries beyond the terms of your Homeowners or Auto insurance?
you found yourself on the wrong end of a multi-million dollar lawsuit?
Naturally, most people don’t expect the unthinkable to happen to them — but sometimes it does.
Who can I sue?
We’ve all seen the ads: “Have you been injured? You may be entitled to a cash award!” It’s sad but true — we live in a very litigious, lawsuit-happy society. And judges and juries are handing down larger monetary awards than ever before. Still, individuals and businesses alike must continue to take risks in order to thrive and grow. Although there’s no way to completely avoid the possibility of being sued, there is a way to help reduce the potential impact of a devastating lawsuit: personal liability coverage.
Get under the umbrella
Farmers Personal Liability Umbrella insurance supplements the liability coverage you already have through your Homeowners or Auto insurance and provides an extra layer of protection through increased or excess coverage limits. The umbrella policy kicks in when you reach the limit on your underlying liability coverage. It also will cover you for libel and slander. Most importantly, the cost of your legal defense is provided for a covered loss.
Life is uncertain — plan for it
You worked hard to accumulate your assets — don’t forget to protect them. You never know when the unexpected might ruin not just your day but also your well-laid financial plans for the future. Call me for more information and share this with a friend or family member. You just might make their day!
Everybody in the pool
Summer is upon us and many of us are spending more time outdoors with friends or family — barbecuing, swimming and generally enjoying the mild weather. Though this may be the last thing on your mind, it’s a fact that a swimming pool presents risks, not only to your own family and friends, but also to uninvited guests, particularly children.
It takes only a few minutes and less than two inches of water for a small child to drown, and it may all happen silently — in the time it takes to answer the telephone.1
Pool safety
If you own a pool, make it your priority to establish and enforce pool safety rules, which may help prevent accidents and reduce your liability exposure. Here are some safety rules to consider:
Install a pool alarm that sounds a warning if a child falls into the water. If you don’t have an alarm, install a fence around your pool area to prevent people from using the pool without your knowledge
Never leave small children unsupervised in or around the pool — not even for one minute
Make sure appropriate drain covers are in place to protect children from suction that may prevent them from reaching the surface
Be sure all pool users know how to swim
Don’t swim alone or allow others to do so
Don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to get in the pool
Don’t swim if you are tired
Use plastic instead of glass dishes and receptacles
Keep radios, CD and DVD players, blow dryers and other electrical devices away from the pool
Cover your pool securely during the off-season
No matter how careful we are, accidents still can happen — so prepare for the unexpected. Call me and together we can make sure you are adequately covered so you and your family can enjoy your summer.
It takes only a few minutes and less than two inches of water for a small child to drown, and it may all happen silently — in the time it takes to answer the telephone.1
Pool safety
If you own a pool, make it your priority to establish and enforce pool safety rules, which may help prevent accidents and reduce your liability exposure. Here are some safety rules to consider:
Install a pool alarm that sounds a warning if a child falls into the water. If you don’t have an alarm, install a fence around your pool area to prevent people from using the pool without your knowledge
Never leave small children unsupervised in or around the pool — not even for one minute
Make sure appropriate drain covers are in place to protect children from suction that may prevent them from reaching the surface
Be sure all pool users know how to swim
Don’t swim alone or allow others to do so
Don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to get in the pool
Don’t swim if you are tired
Use plastic instead of glass dishes and receptacles
Keep radios, CD and DVD players, blow dryers and other electrical devices away from the pool
Cover your pool securely during the off-season
No matter how careful we are, accidents still can happen — so prepare for the unexpected. Call me and together we can make sure you are adequately covered so you and your family can enjoy your summer.
State Farm to increase auto insurance rates
State Farm Mutual customers will see auto insurance rates climb an average 3 percent statewide later this summer.
The new rates will be implemented Aug. 3 for new and existing policies.
In Harris County, the average increase ranges from 1.9 percent to 5.5 percent, with those in central Harris County seeing the higher end of the hike.
The state’s largest home and auto insurer needs the higher rates because of the rising costs of repairs, materials and other items claims cover, Kevin Davis, a State Farm spokesman said in an e-mail.
“This rate adjustment is necessary for State Farm to remain competitive while absorbing rising costs and maintaining its level of risk,” he wrote.
He noted that the company cut Texas auto rates by nearly $350 million annually from 2004 to 2007 and returned a $91 million dividend to auto policyholders in March 2007.
State Farm, with more than 3 million policyholders in Texas, last increased rates in October, when customers saw a statewide average rise of 2.8 percent.
The increase comes as the insurer awaits a ruling on a home insurance rate case that dates back about six years.
In 2003, the insurance department ordered State Farm and other home insurers to reduce premiums regulators considered excessive.
State Farm refused to cut its rate the 12 percent ordered and appealed in district court, which ruled in favor of the insurer.
The Insurance Department appealed, and the appeals court sent the case back for a hearing before the insurance commissioner. It’s unclear when the commissioner will make a ruling.
The ongoing case has allowed the company to avoid cutting what regulators consider excessive rates and refund an estimated $250 million plus interest.
The Office of Public Insurance Counsel, which represents consumers before the insurance commissioner, estimates the refunds owed are closer to $785 million plus interest. State Farm maintains its rates have always been fair, reasonable and competitive. The company has essentially operated at a rate deficit in recent years, Davis said.
Also, another hurricane season has begun, which underscores the seriousness of this rate decision, he added.
The new rates will be implemented Aug. 3 for new and existing policies.
In Harris County, the average increase ranges from 1.9 percent to 5.5 percent, with those in central Harris County seeing the higher end of the hike.
The state’s largest home and auto insurer needs the higher rates because of the rising costs of repairs, materials and other items claims cover, Kevin Davis, a State Farm spokesman said in an e-mail.
“This rate adjustment is necessary for State Farm to remain competitive while absorbing rising costs and maintaining its level of risk,” he wrote.
He noted that the company cut Texas auto rates by nearly $350 million annually from 2004 to 2007 and returned a $91 million dividend to auto policyholders in March 2007.
State Farm, with more than 3 million policyholders in Texas, last increased rates in October, when customers saw a statewide average rise of 2.8 percent.
The increase comes as the insurer awaits a ruling on a home insurance rate case that dates back about six years.
In 2003, the insurance department ordered State Farm and other home insurers to reduce premiums regulators considered excessive.
State Farm refused to cut its rate the 12 percent ordered and appealed in district court, which ruled in favor of the insurer.
The Insurance Department appealed, and the appeals court sent the case back for a hearing before the insurance commissioner. It’s unclear when the commissioner will make a ruling.
The ongoing case has allowed the company to avoid cutting what regulators consider excessive rates and refund an estimated $250 million plus interest.
The Office of Public Insurance Counsel, which represents consumers before the insurance commissioner, estimates the refunds owed are closer to $785 million plus interest. State Farm maintains its rates have always been fair, reasonable and competitive. The company has essentially operated at a rate deficit in recent years, Davis said.
Also, another hurricane season has begun, which underscores the seriousness of this rate decision, he added.
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