Posted on Mon, Jul 12, 2010
From: Mass.gov
BOSTON - Friday, July 2, 2010 - Continuing the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to improving public safety on the state's roadways, Governor Deval Patrick today signed legislation that bans text-messaging for all Massachusetts drivers, prohibits junior operators from using cell phones and institutes new license renewal procedures for mature drivers, among other provisions.
"Without question, this new law will save lives on our roadways," said Governor Patrick. "Texting is one of the riskiest distractions that endangers public safety and today we are joining other states by saying it will no longer be tolerated."
"We are focused on delivering high quality public safety for all residents of the Commonwealth, and this new enforcement will make our roads safer for all drivers," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.
"Texting while driving has become a serious threat to the safety of our roads and drivers," House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. "We have taken strong action to keep our roads safe by banning texting while driving and instituting needed measures to keep impaired drivers off the road. Protecting the safety of our residents is our most important task as elected officials and this bill will do just that."
"This is a big step in fighting the deadly consequences of driving distracted," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey B. Mullan. "Eliminating texting while driving is a priority for national transportation leaders and Massachusetts and I'm proud to say the Commonwealth has joined this public safety campaign."
Under the new law which takes effect in October, any driver caught composing or reading a text message can be cited and fined $100. Operators of public transportation vehicles who violate the ban will be subject to a $500 fine. Law enforcement will have the authority to stop any driver suspected of texting. However, the offense will not be considered a moving violation and will not be subject to an insurance surcharge.
Drivers under 18 cited for using any type of cell phone or mobile electronic device with or without a hands-free feature will be subject to a $100 fine and a 60-day suspension of their driver's license. Offenders will also have to complete a driver attitudinal course before their license is reinstated. Massachusetts is the 29th state to ban dangerous driving behavior.
"By making texting and the use of mobile devices a primary enforcement, this gives us more tools in our arsenal to protect drivers who use our roads, particularly young and inexperienced drivers who are the most likely to get into a crash," said RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian.
"This bill sends a clear message to all drivers, regardless of age, that when behind the wheel, your primary focus should be driving," said Senator Steven A. Baddour, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation. "This is a major step forward to ensure the continued safety of the motoring public."
"This is a step in the right direction to making our roads safer," said Senator Stephen Brewer. "I think this is a great, commonsense bill that will prevent needless tragedies and makes a strong statement that we will not tolerate distracted or dangerous driving."
"As a medical professional and a legislator, I am so pleased that the Safe Driving Bill will finally become law in the Commonwealth and includes strengthening our medical reporting system, which for the first time in Massachusetts will identify functional and cognitive changes in individuals," said Representative Kay Khan. "I believe this is a good first step to improving the safety of our roads."
The MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles will also require any driver age 75 or older to renew their license in person at an RMV branch or office location and undergo a vision test every five years. The division will also develop standards to help law enforcement, health care providers and families better assess a driver's ability to handle a vehicle safely.
Additionally, under the new law, any driver who acrews three or more surchargeable incidents within a two year period will be required to take a driver retraining and safety course or face the suspension of their license.
This comprehensive legislation is the result of significant input and support from advocates for safe roads and safe driving including AAA, Safe Roads Alliance, and members of the Safe Roads Now Coalition, along with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and other elder services advocates.
"Texting is the most dangerous form of distracted driving, and a ban on texting while driving will protect all motorists in the Commonwealth. We believe this new law is a powerful step in the right direction when it comes to public safety," said Mark Shaw, President and CEO of AAA Southern New England.
"This bill will save lives in Massachusetts," said Jeff Larason, President of Safe Roads Alliance. "We need to keep up with the technology that is causing such great distraction for drivers. This bill goes a long way to accomplishing that goal."
"AARP commends state leaders for taking important steps toward improving road safety in the Commonwealth," said Linda Fitzgerald, AARP Massachusetts state president. "While not perfect, we believe this new law will help make the roads safer for everyone, AARP's goal all along. It contains major provisions that AARP advocated for to identify impaired drivers and get them off the road, in particular, a strengthened medical reporting system and tightened accident-related trigger system. We will now work to educate our more than 800,000 members in the BayState about the new law and how it will affect them."
Posted on Tue, Jun 29, 2010
From: FEMA
To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:
- Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
- "If thunder roars, go indoors" because no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. We want everyone to stay indoors until 30 minutes have passed after they hear the last clap of thunder.
Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home
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Avoid contact with corded phones
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Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
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Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
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Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
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Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
The following are guidelines for what you should do if a thunderstorm is likely in your area:
- Postpone outdoor activities.
- Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
- Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
- Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
- Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
- Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
- Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
- Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
- Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
Avoid the following:
- Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
- Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
- Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
- Anything metal—tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.
Posted on Mon, Jun 21, 2010
From: Insurance Information Institute
A standard homeowners policy includes coverage for jewelry and other precious items such as watches and furs. These items are covered for losses caused by all the perils included in your policy such as fire, windstorm, theft and vandalism.
However, there are special limits of liability for certain items, meaning that the insurer will not pay more than the amount specified in the policy. One important limit is for the theft of jewelry. To keep coverage affordable because jewelry can be easily stolen, the standard policy has a relatively low limit of liability for theft, generally $1,500.
If you own valuable jewelry or other items that would be difficult to replace, there are two ways you can increase coverage: by raising the limit of liability or "scheduling" your individual pieces through the purchase of "floater" policies. Raising the limit of liability is the cheapest option; however, there may be a limit on the amount you can claim for the loss of any individual piece, say $2,000, when the overall limit is $5,000.
Scheduling each piece or item may cost more in premiums, but it offers broader protection because the floater covers losses of any type, including accidental losses-such as dropping your ring down the drain of the kitchen sink or leaving an expensive watch in a hotel room-that your homeowners insurance policy will not cover. Before purchasing a floater, the items covered must be professionally appraised. The cost of this service varies depending on where you live.
Posted on Wed, Jun 16, 2010
U.S. residences were burglarized more than 1.5 million times in 2008, according to the latest FBI studies. Nearly 65 percent of the thefts occur during the day because people are often not at home during the weekday. Proper home theft prevention ideas and techniques, however, can reduce the odds of a home burglary. Consider the following loss control techniques to reduce your chances of suffering a home burglary.
- Invest in a burglar alarm with a central monitoring station. Research indicates that homes without security systems are about three times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems. If a burglar is aware that a home has an alarm, he or she is more likely to avoid that home.
- Property identification programs are another deterrent to burglary. Many of these programs involve the use of stickers on which your driver's license number is imprinted. These are then placed (and become permanently imprinted) on all valuable personal property, such as stereos, televisions, and computers. This makes it more difficult for burglars to fence or pawn the property.
- Safeguarding dwelling components such as doors and windows make it tougher for burglars to enter the home. Many home security experts recommend all exterior doors be 1 3/4-inch thick solid wood, metal, or composite material. Strike plates on door jams are typically installed with 1/2-inch screws; however, these should be replaced with 3-inch long screws so that locked doors cannot be kicked in easily. Doors should also have deadbolt locks, with at least a 1-inch throw and a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws.
- Exterior lights with a motion-sensing switch should be installed; timers on lights are also recommended.
- Keep your garage door secure and locked even while you are home.
Get more personal lines insurance and risk management tips and ideas from IRMI.
Copyright 2010 International Risk Management Institute, Inc.
Posted on Mon, Jun 14, 2010
From: Mass.gov
I am the owner of a very small business, with only a few employees. Do I need workers' compensation insurance?
All employers in Massachusetts are required by state law to carry workers' compensation insurance covering their employees, including themselves if they are an employee of their company. This requirement applies regardless of the number of hours worked in any given week, except that domestic service employees must work a minimum of 16 hours per week in order to require coverage.
I own a small business. The only person working with me is my wife (or son, or brother). Do I need workers compensation insurance?
Yes, family members must be covered by workers' compensation insurance, even if they are they only employees of the company.
I am a corporate officer, the sole owner of the corporation. I have two employees working for me; I know I need workers' compensation insurance for my employees, but do I have to cover myself?
No; on July 25, 2002, a change in the workers' compensation law went into effect which allowed corporate officers who own at least 25 % of the corporation to exempt themselves from WC coverage. Such corporate officers can file the Affidavit of Exemption for Certain Corporate Officers - Form 153 with the DIA to exempt themselves. This change does not affect the requirement that all employers cover their employees with Workers Compensation insurance.
I'm self-employed, the sole proprietor of my company which is not incorporated; do I need to get workers' compensation insurance for myself?
As the sole proprietor of an unincorporated business the law does not require you to insure yourself. However, under a recent change to the law, sole proprietors and partnerships (that have no employees) can now obtain insurance if they so choose. If you do work for a general contractor they may want you purchase a policy in order to work on a particular job they are overseeing.
I am the owner of a business outside of Massachusetts and have been hired to do some work in Mass., do I need to get a Massachusetts Policy for workers' comp?
Out of State employers are required to cover all their employees, who are working in Massachusetts, with workers' compensation benefits under Massachusetts law. You do not need to buy a policy strictly for Massachusetts if in your existing workers' comp policy Massachusetts coverage is listed in Section 3.A of the policy's Information Page.
If Massachusetts is specifically listed in Section 3.C of the Information Page, the policy is acceptable only if the Insurer (Insurance Carrier) verifies the coverage in Massachusetts. The Insurer must forward a statement verifying workers' compensation coverage in Massachusetts to the Office of Investigations. If the Insurer fails to meet this requirement, a Stop Work Order is immediately issued.
Furthermore, any notation in Section 3.C of the policy's information page that "all states are covered" or "all states are covered except those listed in Item 3.A and the States of: ND OH WA WY" or something similar is acceptable only upon verification of workers' compensation coverage in Massachusetts by the insurer. The insurer must forward a statement verifying workers' compensation coverage in Massachusetts to the Office of Investigations. If the insurer fails to meet this requirement, a Stop Work Order shall be issued immediately.
Posted on Mon, Jun 14, 2010
From: DMVanswers.com
Commercial car insurance is required for any business, small or large, that utilizes any car, van or truck as part of their business practice. Just as all individuals using the highways of America are required to purchase personal auto insurance, so too are businesses.
All businesses that use work vehicles are required to hold commercial car insurance; however, for the most part, smaller companies that only use personal vehicles need only purchase ordinary insurance policies. They should, however, take out liability coverage for any employee that may be involved in an accident while making business-related car journeys.
For businesses that provide transportation to clients or other members of the public, whether in personal or commercial vehicles, supplementary business insurance is usually recommended. It is crucial that you talk to an insurance agent about the specific situation of your business, as well as the requirements and function of each different commercial vehicle that may be in use.
Different kinds of commercial vehicles require specific insurance policies. Some states categorize commercial vehicles by weight, others by type, with the cost of insurance depending on the circumstances of these categories. In general, larger vehicles are more expensive, but there are other determining factors, including:
- The age and driving record of people allowed to operate the vehicle
- The number of people allowed to operate the vehicle
- The driving record of the vehicle's owner
There are also options that can be taken in addition to the standard commercial coverage to provide auto insurance over business assets that may be at risk within a commercial vehicle. They include:
- Cargo Coverage: guards the policy holder against damage to business items during transportation or storage.
- Crime Insurance: provides protection against loss from theft or burglary of business items.
- Equipment Coverage: insures business tools while inside the vehicle.
- Business Interruption Coverage: protects against loss of income resulting from a covered loss.
Posted on Tue, Jun 01, 2010
From: TheKnot.com
Though you might not want to think about it, disasters can strike your wedding day. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can help protect you against the unforseen, and can also afford you great peace of mind. But what exactly is wedding insurance -- and how does it work? Here's the inside scoop.
What Is Wedding Insurance?
Basically, wedding insurance protects a couple's investment from circumstances beyond their control, and reimburses expenses incurred. For example, what if your limo driver doesn't show up and you have to book another one the morning of the wedding -- for three times the price? Or what if the groom's custom-made tuxedo is lost in airport baggage, and he has to buy a new one the day before the wedding? What if your reception space goes out of business a month before the wedding, and you lose your deposit and have to book another space? These are the types of big-day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.
Why Get Wedding Insurance?
Consider these scenarios:
- Janet and Dan spend months planning their winter wedding. But on wedding day, their reception site is made inaccessible by an ice storm. With the right wedding insurance policy, the couple can postpone their wedding and receive every penny they lost (less the deductible) -- including money for the invites, cake, catering, attire, and non-refundable deposits for ceremony musicians, floral designer, and other vendors.
- The bride's father is injured in a car accident just before the wedding and cannot travel. If the couple has to postpone their wedding, with wedding insurance they could be paid back their expenses to enable them to have the wedding when the father recovers.
- Right before the ceremony, Brittany's gown catches a gust of wind. Unfortunately, the tulle dances right over to the end of Uncle Howard's cigar and the dress instantly goes up in flames. Fortunately, the right insurance policy covers the replacement of the veil and gown.
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?
A basic insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs anywhere between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.
Do You Really Need Wedding Insurance?
Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered -- your reception site or your caterer may already have their own insurance, so you wouldn't want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Ask your vendors for a copy of their policy, and then figure out where you aren't fully covered.
When Should You Get Wedding Insurance?
The sooner the better. Let's say you put a deposit on your wedding reception hall 12 months prior to your wedding date and then it burns to the ground a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you'll be sure to get your deposit back. But note: most insurance companies have limitations on how far in advance you can purchase insurance.
What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?
Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness, or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There is usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.
- Site: Check to see if your ceremony and reception site is already insured. If it's not, wedding insurance can cover the cost arising out of unavoidable cancellation (such as damage or inaccessibility to the ceremony site), if your reception hall is unable to honor your reservation because it has burned in a fire, experienced an electrical outage, or just plain closed down. Sometimes this policy covers the rehearsal dinner site, too.
- Weather: Any weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom, any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential, or the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place. Insurance covers rescheduling the wedding and all the details involved -- such as ceremony flowers, tent rental, and reception food.
- Vendor No-show: What if essential wedding people -- the caterer or the officiant, for example -- fail to show up? A wedding insurance policy usually covers cancellation or postponement of the wedding for these reasons.
- Sickness or Injury: Wedding insurance may also include sickness or injury to the bride, groom, or anyone essential to the wedding.
- Military or Job: It's true, military personnel may be shipped out at a moment's notice. Wedding insurance can cover postponement of the wedding due to the bride or groom suddenly getting called to military duty. This can also apply to a last-minute corporate move -- i.e. the bride's company suddenly relocates her to another city.
Wedding Insurance Doesn't Cover...
- A change of heart. In other words, cold feet don't count.
- Watches, jewelry, or semi-precious gemstones or pearls (even if they are attached to clothing) may not be covered.
- While your wedding rings may be covered by the policy, your engagement ring probably will not.
Additional Coverage
Couples can take out supplemental policies to defend against damages incured by other wedding-related items such as photography, videography, and gifts.
- Photography: Some policies pay to retake the photographs after the fact if the photographer fails to appear or the original negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or not properly developed. Some policies will pay to re-stage the event -- with the principal participants so that pictures can be retaken. A policy may also pay costs for rehiring a photographer, buying a new wedding cake, and new flowers.
- Videographer: When a videotape produced by a professional videographer is damaged (he or she used faulty materials for example), a policy usually pays a certain amount to have either a video montage created, a video compilation made of the photographs and other wedding memorabilia, or, if possible, a retaking of the official video at a restaging.
- Gifts: Whether they're mailed to your home or handed to you on your wedding day, valuable items like gifts are something else you might want to consider insuring. Think about a party crasher lifting unattended presents from your reception. Gift coverage pays to repair or replace non-monetary gifts that are lost, stolen, or damaged. A police report is usually required for stolen gifts. The damage or theft generally has to take place within a limited time period (ranging from 24 hours to seven days depending on the specific policy) before or after the wedding, in order to be covered.
- Attire: This coverage pays to repair or replace the bridal gown or other special attire when it is in your possession and is lost, stolen, or damaged (including financial failure of the bridal store). Special attire usually includes the clothing and accessories bought or rented that are to be worn by the bride, the groom, and attendants at the ceremony.
- Personal Liability: Personal liability covers bodily injury or property damage caused by an accident that occurs during the course of the wedding (your best man trips and falls on his way up to the mike to roast you or Uncle Murray suffers a Harvey Wallbanger wall banger).
- Medical Coverage: This covers reasonable medical expenses (up to the policy's limits) for each person who is injured during the covered events from a cause of loss, which would be covered by your personal liability.
- Honeymoon: Your honeymoon can cost as much as a new car. But before buying travel insurance to protect your investment, see if your credit card and/or homeowner's policy covers you if your luggage gets lifted, your trip is delayed, or you have to cancel. If not, you can a buy separate, trip-only policy. Call your insurer, or ask your travel agent for details. Also, certain wedding insurance packages include optional travel insurance for your honeymoon.
Things to Consider
Every insurance policy and every wedding scenario is different. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent -- and have him or her explain the nuts and bolts to you. You want to make sure you and your sweetie understand every detail of your policy.
Posted on Tue, Jun 01, 2010
From: By Bobbie Sage, About.com Guide
Ahhh... RV and motorhome travel. But, as you are relaxing, have you made sure you have adequate motorhome or trailer insurance? Yes, it is a nice convenience to motorhome travel or trailer travel because you get to take along the comforts of home. While camping or just RVing, having the comfortable luxuries of furniture, cookware, TV's, and even a cell phone and computer access right at your side makes for a nice vacation. Unfortunately though, by forgetting to review their motorhome insurance and trailer insurance coverages, many RVers don't take the time to adequately insure all of those comforts.
You Do Need a Separate Motorhome Insurance Policy or Trailer Insurance Policy
A common practice for RV owners is to insure their RV under their current auto policy instead of purchasing a separate motorhome insurance policy. But too often the owner does not take the time to read what and how much is covered under their auto policy. In many instances, RV's covered under auto policies are not adequately covered.
Don't Forget that Personal Property Before Your RV and Motorhome Travel Plans
RV owners often hesitate to buy RV insurance for their personal property because they think that the personal property in their RV will be covered under their homeowners policy. This is true, but again, coverage on personal property is limited when the property is kept somewhere other than the "residence premises." Often the limit in a standard policy is very low and the usual policy deduction would apply.
You May Need to Search for a Speciality Trailer Insurance or Motorhome Insurance Company
To insure proper and adequate coverage, a RV owner should add a separate RV insurance coverage to their current auto policy. If the RV owner's insurance carrier does not have this type of RV insurance coverage available, there are insurance companies that specialize in RV insurance coverage. Usually the cost is minimal, especially compared to the alternative of finding out the RV and it's possessions are not covered after a disaster happens.
Motorhome Travel is More Fun Without an Insurance Claim
Making less claims on your RV insurance will keep your premiums down. Use these travel tips to help prevent any problems before they happen:
RV Emergency Tool Box:
Adjustable Wrench
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Jumper Cables
Flashlight with Extra Batteries
Road Flares
Duct Tape (useful for many quick fixes, especially radiator hoses)
Before your trip, make sure you get a complete travel check-up for your RV including inspection of all belts and hoses, headlights, tires, and turn signals. Also don't forget to make sure the towing hitch, fire extinguisher and smoke alarms are in working order.
Other good before trip tips are to make sure your cooking vent hood is clean to help avoid fires and to make sure you leave your trip plans and phone numbers with a relative or friend.
Finally, it is important to go over with everyone on the trip basic emergency procedures. Remind everyone that it is safer to be in the RV during lightning. If there is a tornado warning you will want to find a tornado shelter or the next best thing which would be parking under a bridge or similar structure. Also, don't ever drive through any deep water as the depth can be deceiving.
Posted on Tue, Jun 01, 2010
From: MassDEP
This fact sheet contains important information for those who heat their homes with oil. By July 1, 2010, you must upgrade your home heating system equipment to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace. By making a relatively small expenditure now, you can prevent a much greater expense in the future.
Massachusetts has a new law to address oil leaks from home heating systems (see Chapter 453 of the Acts of 2008). This law has two major provisions that require:
- the installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and
- insurance companies that write homeowner policies to offer coverage for leaks from heating systems that use oil.
Most homeowner policies do not currently include such coverage, leaving many to pay for costly cleanups out of their own pocket. Although it is mandatory that insurance companies offer this coverage, the insurance is an optional purchase for homeowners. The effective date for both provisions is July 1, 2010.
Who must take action?
Owners of 1- to 4-unit residences that are heated with oil must already have or install an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with a protective sleeve, as shown in the diagram above. Installation of these devices must be performed by a licensed oil burner technician. Technicians are employed by companies that deliver home heating oil or are self-employed. It is important to note that heating oil systems installed on or after January 1, 1990 most likely are already in compliance because state fire codes implemented these requirements on new installations at that time.
Who is exempt?
Homeowners are exempt from taking these leak prevention steps if:
- the oil burner is located above the oil storage tank and the entire oil supply line is connected to and above the top of the tank OR
- an oil safety valve or oil supply line with protective sleeve was installed on or after January 1, 1990, AND
- those changes are in compliance with the oil burning equipment regulations; a copy of the oil burner permit from the local fire department may be used to demonstrate compliance.
Why comply?
Not only is complying with the new law required, it makes good financial and environmental sense. Homeowners who take these preventive measures can avoid the disruption and expense that can be caused by heating oil leaks. A leak may result in exposure to petroleum vapors in your home. If the leak reaches the soil or groundwater beneath your house, then a cleanup must be performed to restore your property to state environmental standards. Leaks that affect another property or impact drinking water supply wells can complicate the cleanup and increase the expense. Each year, several hundred Massachusetts families experience some kind of leak.
What will an upgrade cost?
The typical cost of installing either an oil safety valve or oil supply line with a protective sleeve ranges from $150 - $350 (including labor, parts, and local permit fees).
For those households that meet certain income criteria, financial assistance of up to $300 is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). For more information on financial assistance, see the Department of Housing and Community Development Web site at http://mass.gov/dhcd or call them at 1-800-632-8175.
What could it cost to cleanup a leak?
The cleanup cost for a "simple" leak can be as much as $15,000. In cases where the leak impacts the groundwater or is more extensive, the cleanup costs can reach $250,000 or more.
What kind of insurance is available?
To be eligible for the new insurance coverage, homeowners must ensure that their oil heating systems are in compliance with the new law. Homeowners who have been certified to be in compliance with (or exempt from) the leak prevention measures qualify to purchase insurance that:
- provides "first party coverage" of at least $50,000 for the cost of cleaning up a leak to soil, indoor air, or other environmental media from a home heating system at the residence itself and reimbursement for personal property damage, AND
- provides "third party coverage" of at least $200,000 for the cost of dealing with conditions on and off the insured's property because the leak from this system has or is likely to impact groundwater or someone else's property. The coverage also includes costs incurred for legal defense, subject to a deductible not to exceed $1,000 per claim.
What should I do next?
- Determine whether you have had an oil safety valve or new oil supply line with protective sleeve installed since January 1, 1990. If you have, your permit from the fire department for the installation can be used to document your compliance. You can request a copy from the fire department if the permit is on file, or a licensed oil burner technician can certify that status on a form.
- If you do not have an oil safety valve or oil supply line with protective sleeve in place, have one or the other installed and certified. Either contact your oil delivery company to ask if they employ a licensed oil burner technician or find a service person in your area. (A list of licensed technicians can be viewed at http://db.state.ma.us/dps/licenseelist.asp. Click on the "individuals" tab, scroll down to and then select "Oil Burner - Technical Certificate" in the "select a license type" box, type in your city or zip code, and click "select").
- Consider buying insurance coverage for the cleanup of a leak.
- Determine whether your existing policy provides oil leak coverage.
- If it does not, consider calling your homeowner insurance agent to amend the policy to include this coverage.
Posted on Tue, May 25, 2010
From: By Karen Kroll at Bankrate.com
Many teenagers count the days until they can get behind the wheel of the family car and cruise. Many of their parents count the days, too, but for entirely different reasons.
For the teens, it means freedom and fun. For their parents, it means sleepless nights and lighter wallets.
The parents' concerns are valid. Drivers under 25 are four times as likely as older drivers to die in an accident, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As a result, adding a 16-year-old driver to your auto insurance policy can come with a hefty price tag. Premium increases of 50 to 100 percent are not unheard of, says Loretta Worters, spokeswoman with the New York-based trade group Insurance Information Institute.
Fortunately, you can take steps to rein in premium increases.
Shop around
Comparison shop for teen-driver prices, says Lewis Mandell, professor of finance at the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y. While rates for 40-somethings may be fairly standard among insurers, that's not always the case.
Consider a higher deductible. Going from a $250 to $500 or $1,000 deductible can save you 10 percent to 20 percent on your premium, says Madelyn Flannagan, vice president of education and research for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, an Alexandria, Va.-based professional association. You'll want to weigh whether you can absorb the out-of-pocket expense in the event of an accident.
You'll also want to evaluate taking out a separate policy for your teen.
Assuming you and your spouse have a good claims record, you're probably best off simply adding your teen driver to your own policy and paying the increased premium, says Robert Klein, director of the Center for Risk Management and Insurance Research at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
On the other hand, if your driving record leaves a lot to be desired or you drive expensive cars, it may be less expensive to get your teen a separate policy.
Down the road, you'll want to check just when your insurer classifies young drivers as adults. At that point, you should see a decrease in your rates, says Gwen Reichbach, director of the National Institute for Consumer Education at Eastern Michigan University.
While many companies classify drivers as adults at age 25, some offer lower rates for 23-year-old drivers. Drivers who marry, even if they're younger than 25, may qualify for lower auto premiums. Also, as your teen becomes a twenty-something, it's worth checking whether he or she should move to a separate policy.
Car choices
If you're planning to purchase another car, think carefully about your choices. While your son or daughter may be begging for a new sports car, a safe and stodgy used car will be easier on your insurance rates. It's less likely to be stolen, and probably will do better in a crash test. Your premiums should reflect these differences.
Should you get a car, it probably will make sense to keep it in your name, says Mandell.
"Typically, parents have more assets, so they take greater responsibility," he says. Thus, insurers are likely to charge a lower premium.
Whether or not you buy another car, you can ask your insurer to assign your teen driver to just one of your cars. In other words, the insurer would calculate your premium under the assumption that your teenager only drives a specific car, typically a less expensive one.
Be warned, however: Many insurers will not assign certain cars to certain drivers; they assume anyone in the house can drive any of the cars. And, according to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, you can expect that the insurance company will also price the premium based on the highest risk vehicle on your policy.
If your insurance carrier agrees to assign your teen to a specific car, you need to lay down the law. Your new driver should take only the car to which he or she is assigned, even in an emergency.
If your teen drives another car and gets in an accident, your rates likely will get a hefty boost. Your insurer could even impose a penalty or decide not to renew your policy.
Making the grade
Let your insurance company know if your child has a B or better grade average. Studies have shown a correlation between good students and responsible drivers, so many insurers offer good-student discounts, which typically range from 5 percent to 10 percent, says Flannagan.
It also helps to have your child take a driver's education course, rather than try to teach him or her the rules of the road yourself. (In some states, teens must take a driver's education course to get a license at age 16; otherwise, they have to wait until they're 18.)
Such courses can be good for discounts of up to 15 percent, says Worters. Just make sure the course you have in mind is approved by your insurer.
In addition, some insurers offer "safe driver programs." Teen participants in these programs sign contracts stating that they won't, for instance, drink and drive. Check with your insurance company. If your teenager completes the program, you may be able to cut another 5 percent or so from your increase.
More states have now enacted what are known as "graduated licenses." New drivers are restricted from certain activities, such as driving with passengers, until they've had their licenses for a set period, such as six months.
If you live in one of these states, ask if any discounts are available. Some insurers may take a few percentage points off your increase.
Finally, you may be eligible for lower premiums once your teen heads to college. Many insurers will reduce rates for students attending a school at least 100 miles away from home and who don't have a car on campus, says Worters of the Insurance Information Institute.
What not to do
As you're checking out insurance for your teen driver, you'll want to avoid these mistakes.
First, don't procrastinate. As soon as your teenager is ready to get a permit, let your insurance company know. If you forget and your child is involved in an accident, your insurance company generally will cover it, says Worters. However, it can retroactively charge the higher premium that you should have been paying. In an extreme case, it could revoke your coverage.
You also don't want to drastically lower your liability coverage in order to reduce your rate increase, says Klein. Granted, doing so may save a few dollars now. However, it doesn't make sense to carry less coverage on a higher-risk driver. Should your teenager get into an accident, you'll be forced to cover the damages from your own pocket.
Safety first
Ultimately, helping your son or daughter establish a good driving record will be your best protection against sky-high insurance rates. Of course, the primary objective of driving safely is to prevent injuries and fatalities.
However, traffic violations and accidents also directly affect your pocketbook. If your teenager's drinking or recklessness results in an accident, your premiums can jump by several hundred percent.
The longer your teenager motors along without an accident or traffic violation, the more you'll be able to negotiate lower premiums. More importantly, you'll know that your son or daughter is less likely to be involved in an accident.
>> Contact your agent for specifics of Massachusetts auto insurance for your teenager.