What does Florida Law require to operate a motorcycle?

To legally operate a motorcycle in Florida, the law requires:

A Florida motorcycle operating license, or equivalent out-of-state motorcycle endorsement;

Attaining at least 16 years of age;

Completing a 15-hour basic rider education course, accredited by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), including skills training, road safety knowledge exam, and hearing and vision tests;

If an operator is 16 to 20 years old, a state-approved safety helmet is mandatory;

If an operator is 21 years or older and carries the required $10,000 in insurance, the motorcyclist may "ride free," without a helmet;Riders must use state -approved eye protection, such as goggles, glasses, or a windshield;

Daytime use of a headlight;

Riders may not use head phones;

Handlebars that are no higher that the rider's shoulders;

Use of turn signals

Any passenger or rider on a motorcycle under 21 years of age must wear an state-approved helmet;

Operators may not consume alcohol and ride with a BAC of .08 or greater.

See the FLDMV "2006 Florida Motorcycle Operating Manual," online for more information.

Florida PIP Law Changes

With changes to auto insurance laws, its a good idea to review your auto policy. Perhaps you need to update some coverage's, possibly even add some new ones. We will take a look at some of the key points you should be concerned about with your auto policy.

The first thing to be aware of is the new P.I.P (Personal Injury Protection) changes.

The first thing to be aware of is now if you are injured in car accident you will have only 14 days to seek initial treatment as opposed to the previous policy that placed no time limit on treatments.

If treatment is sought after two weeks, NOTHING will be reimbursed by the insurance company.

 Another change as well states, policyholders may be eligible for only $2,500 in coverage, instead of the previous limit of $10,000.

Only persons with serious injuries are eligible for the higher limit, while those with less severe injuries will receive only up to $2,500.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, patients will need certification by a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, dentist, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner corroborating that the injury required immediate medical attention.

The new law excludes massage therapists and acupuncturists as covered providers under PIP.

Another disturbing aspect to the law is that it does NOT require insurance companies to notify policyholders of the changes, potentially reducing a policyholders coverage's without their knowledge.

The new PIP law forces insurance companies to reduce their PIP rates by at least 25% by 2014.

This appears to be good news for policy holders, however the PIP cost is such a small portion of the insurance premium (approximately 20%) that the insignificant savings, stacked up next to the lost coverage's is actually benefiting the insurance industry, not policyholders.

If you are involved in an accident, it is important to remember that the new 14-day PIP limit only allows a very small window of time for injured motorists to seek medical treatment.

Many drivers hesitate to seek help immediately, waiting to see if things will get 'better' before seeking medical attention. This hesitation could keep you from receiving PIP compensation in the event of an accident related injury.

Due to the changes in the law, it is absolutely critical to seek medical attention after an auto accident as well as to contact a personal injury attorney immediately following your accident to ensure that your rights are protected.

Driving While Impaired Random Facts

Drunk driving causes approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities in the United States.

During the year 2007, alcohol-impaired driving was involved in the deaths of nearly 13,000 Americans.

On average, someone in the U.S. is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes.

Roughly three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related collision at some point in their life.

Over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2007.
This number is less than 1% of the 159 million self-reported episodes of drunk driving in that year.

According to the law in all 50 U.S. states, a driver is considered to be legally drunk when his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at or above .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL).

To reach a BAC level of .08 g/dL, a man weighing approximately 170 pounds would need to consume four standard drinks in one hour on an empty stomach.

A woman weighing about 140 pounds would need to consume three drinks in one hour.

Alcohol remains in the body for up to six hours after drinking.

It takes approximately six hours after drinking for the body to completely eliminate alcohol from its system with a BAC level of .08 g/dL.

Because alcohol dilutes itself in the water volume of the body in order to travel through it, vital organs that contain a lot of water (such as the brain) are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.

Even at BAC levels as low as .02 g/dL, alcohol can affect a person’s response time and driving ability.

The probability of a crash increases significantly after .05 BAC, and even more rapidly after .08 BAC.



thanks to random facts and MADD for statistical information.

Identity Theft

This week we will have tips on identity theft. How it happens and how you can protect yourself.

The Federal Trade Commission states approximately 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. 

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes for the purpose of:

Assuming another person’s identity.

Obtaining credit or credit card.

Stealing money from credit, checking and savings accounts.

Gaining employment.

Leasing or purchasing real estate or automobiles.

How Does Identity Theft Occur?

Identity theft can occur in a number of ways, either through digging through your trash, recording your credit card numbers, obtaining your personal information through false pretenses, changing your address to receive items at a separate location, and stealing wallets, purses or driver licenses. 

Legal authorities call such crimes Dumpster Diving, Skimming and Pfishing.

This week's blog will present several different ways that people become victims of identity theft. The first method is a technique referred to as dumpster diving.

Dumpster Diving:

By leaving your un-shredded bank statements, credit card statements, medical bills, pre-approved credit card solicitations, and other personal 

documents in your kitchen garbage you may attract thieves and lead to a financial disaster. Any one of those documents can be sitting in your outside 

garbage bins waiting for someone to come steal your garbage and piece together your mail.

Skimming:

Be careful of who you provide your credit card information. Criminally-minded retailers exist and can easily run your card in a special copying machine during the course of legitimately running your transactions.

Pfishing:

Pfishing—This word looks funny but sounds familiar. Every day thousands of people receive emails from senders claiming to be financial institutions requesting you to click on a link to verify information. These links are actually fake sites created by thieves who send spam or pop-up messages to gain your personal information.

NEVER log onto your financial sites from an email link. You should always type your bank’s address separately and log on apart from email.

What Thieves Do With Your Information.

Thieves may open credit card accounts in your name, fail to pay bills and hurt your credit.

By changing your billing address, you may never know that your account is being charged.

Utilities, wireless, cable and heating accounts can be opened using your information. 

Thieves can also create fake checks using your name, write illegitimate checks or duplicate your ATM card.

Some thieves may even take out loans in your name.

Fake IDs can also be made using his or her picture with your information.

Vehicles and houses are not to be discounted, they too can be rented in your name, and jobs can be obtained using your social security number.

Prevention Tips:

There are some ways you can protect yourself from identity theft. 

When it comes to personal finance matters: 

Order and review copies of our financial report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every year. 

Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and identity.

Shred all financial documents you plan to discard.

Only release personal data to agencies who require it to initiate certain actions.

Your department of motor vehicles can issue drivers licenses without your social security number.

Ensure your pin numbers cannot be viewed by others when entering it into an ATM.

Shred all financial receipts and never leave then at the retail location.

Do not keep passwords or your Social Security number in your wallet.

Remove mail promptly from your mailbox.

Deposit outgoing mail in locked post collection boxes, not in your mailbox.


Use caution when supplying your financial information over the Internet.

If You Become a Victim of Identity Theft:

Contact credit reporting agencies.

Close accounts and contact fraud departments for each company where your account has had unauthorized activity.

File a police report.

How to Avoid Being a Victim of Auto Repair and Service Station Scams

While most car mechanics are honest, there are some unscrupulous service station mechanics and attendants who use gimmicks and tricks to con their customers into paying for unnecessary auto parts or labor.

Some unscrupulous mechanics use fear tactics in selling such parts as tires, radiator hoses, and shocks.

Beware of attendants who tell you that you need such parts replaced immediately or else you will have a serious accident.

Attendants want to arouse enough fear so that you will make a quick decision to purchase based on an emotional reaction rather than on sound reasoning.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to be aware of all of the scams that can be used, but if you're careful you can protect yourself.

Here are a few basic guidelines to remember:

Deal with local service stations or mechanics whom you know from experience that you can trust. Scams are more likely to be used on customers who are out of towners rather than locals who live in the area.

Take your vehicle in when the shop is open instead of dropping it off, that way you can speak with the mechanic.

If you do leave your vehicle, leave specific instructions and a contact telephone number.

Remember to have your car serviced regularly and checked by your mechanic before any major trips. This way you can help avoid being the 'out of towner 'with a car  problem.

Motor vehicle repair shops must register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Verify that the shop you are dealing with is registered.

Some counties also require registration, check with your county consumer agency.

Be aware of the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act.

This act requires that a written estimate of the cost of a repair be given to you if your repair will exceed $100.00.

Always get a written estimate for any work done on your car and demand additional written estimates if the repairs are to exceed the original amount.

You may also demand to be contacted by the attendant or mechanic for your authorization if there is going to be an expense over and above that which is stated in the estimate.

You can ask that old parts replaced during the repair be returned to you.

The repair facility must tell you whether or not new or used parts are to be used in the repair.

All work and parts are required to be itemized on an invoice so you can know the reason for all charges.

Following these few simple tips can help protect you from auto repair scams.

Do I Need Uninsured/Under Insured Driver Coverage?

The consequences of being hit by an under insured/uninsured driver depend on your state's insurance laws. States are either "no-fault" or "tort" as far as insurance  goes.

In no-fault states, drivers go to their own insurance company for payment after an accident. The question of who is at fault isn't usually even discussed.

In tort states, car insurance companies pay for damages based on who is at fault. So if you're in an accident where the other driver is deemed completely at fault, their company would have to cover all damages — yours and their own.

As you can see, colliding with an uninsured or under insured driver is a simpler matter in a no-fault state: You simply file a claim with your car insurance company and they handle your needs.

However, you might still want to consider uninsured/under insured motorist coverage if you live in a no-fault state due to the extra financial protection it provides.

 For instance, if you're hit and injured in a collision with an uninsured driver, your health insurance will pay your medical bills — but they won't help you with lost wages or pain and suffering compensation, things the other driver's liability policies would normally provide. Thankfully, uninsured/under insured coverage can help.

If the crash happens in a tort state,  you may have to sue for damages — hence the "tort." This can be a costly and stressful process.

Taking into account that an uninsured or under insured driver probably lacks insurance due to limited funds, chances of payment is pretty slim.

Your own policy will of course cover you, but only up to your selected limits. If your limits are too low to cover all costs, you'll have to choose between paying out of pocket or litigating.

Note that some states have "contributory negligence" laws, which mean that insurance companies pay claims based on degree of fault. So if you're deemed to be 21 percent at fault in a collision, your insurance company will pay 21 percent of damages.

In closing, getting that extra coverage may seem like an unnecessary expense at the time, but in the event that you are involved in an accident with an under insured/uninsured motorist, you will be glad you have the coverage should your expenses exceed their coverage.

Check with your Insurance Agent to see if you are fully protected in the event of an accident with an under insured/uninsured motorist.

Personal Injury Case Information

Part 1

Our next couple of blogs will be related to what you can expect during the course of personal injury litigation. We hope this gives you some idea of what you might expect in the course your personal injury case.

I was hurt, someone owes me. Right?

Not necessarily. In order for an individual, company, or their insurance carrier, to be held responsible for an injury, there must be a reason. Usually, that reason is "negligence," which means not being careful for the safety of those around you, more or less. If someone runs a stop sign, and causes an accident, they are negligent, and will be responsible for the damages. If you are a customer in a restaurant, and there is something slippery on the floor, and you slip, fall and hurt yourself, the store owner can be held liable for your injury provided you can prove that the store operator knew there was a hazardous condition and failed to remedy it. However, if you are walking down the street and trip on a crack in the sidewalk you may not be able to sue the city unless you can prove they were grossly negligent. (Gross negligence is a legal concept which means serious carelessness.) These are the conditions that must be met in order to collect a monetary reward for personal injury.

Next?

You were injured, and someone was at fault.  What’s next?  Once responsibility for an injury is proven, the responsible party can be held liable in court for all damages related to your injury. Including payment of medical bills, prescriptions, mileage to and from doctor appointments, wages for lost time at work, as well as future lost wages if you have continuing medical treatment related to the injury. It also includes a monetary award for pain, suffering (physical and or mental,) inconvenience, and any other issues that could be considered for compensation related to the injury.

When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

You should strongly consider hiring a personal injury lawyer if:

You sustained serious injuries with possible long-term repercussions.

The other involved driver was uninsured or under-insured.

When there is a dispute as to who is at fault.

You are feeling pressured by the claims adjuster to agree to a quick settlement. Quick usually takes precedent over fair, often leading to hasty decisions and complicated insurance-speak in the settlement agreement.

You don't feel you're being fully compensated for your current and future medical costs resulting from your car accident injury.

These are some of the reason you should consider legal representation in the event of a disputed automobile accident.

Most consultations are free, so it benefits you to check if you have any of the above scenarios to see if an attorney might be able to help your financial position.

If the attorney doesn't think you have a case, they will tell you. The attorney makes no money if you don't win your case so you can feel comfortable discussing your possible options.

Looking for a New Car with Extreme Safety?

NHTSA Says Tesla Outscored Their Own 5 Star Crash Rating - Is this the safest car ever produced?

If you are in the market for a new car and are looking for the utmost in vehicle safety, you might want to check out the Tesla Model S.

Independent testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Tesla Model S a 5-star safety rating, not just overall, but in every subcategory without exception.

Approximately one percent of all cars tested by the federal government achieve 5 stars across the board. NHTSA does not publish a star rating above 5, however safety levels better than 5 stars are captured in the overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) provided to manufacturers, where the Model S achieved a new combined record of 5.4 stars.

Of all vehicles tested, including every major make and model approved for sale in the United States, the Model S set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants. While the Model S is a sedan, it also exceeded the safety score of all SUVs and minivans. This score takes into account the probability of injury from front, side, rear and rollover accidents.

The Model S has the advantage in the front of not having a large gasoline engine block, thus creating a much longer crumple zone to absorb a high speed impact. This is fundamentally a force over distance problem – the longer the crumple zone, the more time there is to slow down occupants at g loads that do not cause injuries. Just like jumping into a pool of water from a tall height, it is better to have the pool be deep and not contain rocks. The Model S motor is only about a foot in diameter and is mounted close to the rear axle, and the front section that would normally contain a gasoline engine is used for a second trunk.

For the side pole intrusion test, considered one of the most difficult to pass, the Model S was the only car in the "good" category among the other top one percent of vehicles tested. Compared to the Volvo S60, which is also 5-star rated in all categories, the Model S preserved 63.5 percent of driver residual space vs. 7.8 percent for the Volvo. Tesla achieved this outcome by nesting multiple deep aluminum extrusions in the side rail of the car that absorb the impact energy (a similar approach was used by the Apollo Lunar Lander) and transfer load to the rest of the vehicle. This causes the pole to be either sheared off or to stop the car before the pole hits an occupant.

The rear crash testing was particularly important, given the optional third row children's seat. For this, Tesla factory installs a double bumper if the third row seat is ordered. This was needed in order to protect against a highway speed impact in the rear with no permanently disabling injury to the third row occupants. The third row is already the safest location in the car for frontal or side injuries.

The Model S was also substantially better in rollover risk, with the other top vehicles being approximately 50 percent worse. During testing at an independent facility, the Model S refused to turn over via the normal methods and special means were needed to induce the car to roll. The reason for such a good outcome is that the battery pack is mounted below the floor pan, providing a very low center of gravity, which simultaneously ensures exceptional handling and safety.

Of note, during validation of Model S roof crush protection at an independent commercial facility, the testing machine failed at just above 4 g's.

While the exact number is uncertain due to Model S breaking the testing machine, what this means is that at least four additional fully loaded Model S vehicles could be placed on top of an owner's car without the roof caving in. This is achieved primarily through a center (B) pillar reinforcement attached via aerospace grade bolts.

The above results do not tell the full story. It is possible to game the regulatory testing score to some degree by strengthening a car at the exact locations used by the regulatory testing machines. After verifying through internal testing that the Model S would achieve a NHTSA 5-star rating, Tesla then analyzed the Model S to determine the weakest points in the car and retested at those locations until the car achieved 5 stars no matter how the test equipment was configured.

The Model S lithium-ion battery did not catch fire at any time before, during or after the NHTSA testing. It is worth mentioning that no production Tesla lithium-ion battery has ever caught fire in the Model S or Roadster, despite several high speed impacts. While this is statistically unlikely to remain the case long term, Tesla is unaware of any Model S or Roadster occupant fatalities in any car ever.

The graphic below shows the statistical Relative Risk Score (RSS) of Model S compared with all other vehicles tested against the exceptionally difficult NHTSA 2011 standards. In 2011, the standards were revised upward to make it more difficult to achieve a high safety rating.

www.autospies.com

Food Trucks

As I was tooling around looking for something relevant to our area, for the blog today, I happened upon this article on the foodsafety.gov site about food trucks.
These have been all the rage lately so I thought, why not?

Ever wonder about all of these mobile food trucks in your area?

They bring their tasty treats right to you and everything sounds so tasty you can hardly wait to order.

 Before you eat make sure you know your local rules for safe handling of food on food trucks.

Food truck vendors in your community must follow local food safety rules set by your city, county, district, or state. Each community may have the same or slightly different food safety rules and requirements for food truck vendors. Call your local health department to find out your community’s rules for rules for food trucks you may see every day as well as those you might see at fairs, festival, and other special events.

Here are some things you can look for the next time you visit a food truck.

Food Temperatures

It’s important for food to be served at the proper temperature. Is cold food served cold? Is hot foot served hot? Temperature problems can cause germs to grow faster in some foods.

Food Workers

It’s important for food workers to avoid directly touching food with their bare hands. Touching food with bare hands can spread germs from hands to food and from food to other people. Some things food workers can use to touch food are tongs, wax paper, other utensils, or gloves.

Food trucks can be a fun way to try new foods in a unique way. Keeping these things in mind when choosing which food truck to visit can help keep yourself and your family safe from foodborne illness.

Remember: Always wash your hands before eating and drinking!

Ground Beef Recall Announced

A western Kansas company is recalling more than 50,000 pounds of ground beef products due to concerns that it could be tainted with E. coli.

The U.S. Agriculture Department said Wednesday that National Beef Packing Company, which is based in Liberal, produced the meat.

The products carry the number "EST. 208A" inside the USDA mark. They were produced July 18 and shipped in 40 to 60 pound cases across the country.

The department says no illnesses related to the meat have been reported.

The following products are subject to recall:

10 lb. chub of "National Beef" 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 0707;

10 lb. chub of "NatureSource" 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7031;

10 lb. chub of "NatureSource" 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7054;

10 lb. chub of "NatureSource" 90/10 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7344;

10 lb. chub of "NatureSource" 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7004;

10 lb. chub of "NatureWell 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7484;

10 lb. chub of "NatureWell" 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7454;

10 lb. chub of "NatureWell" 90/10 Fine Ground Sirloin, Product Code 7577 and

10 lb. chub of "NatureWell" 93/7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7404.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov 

                     Uninsured/Underinsured  Motorist

Most states require a minimum amount of liability insurance to be carried by motorists, recent estimates suggest that 14 percent of drivers in the United States do not carry auto accident insurance. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, there approximately a 1 in 7 chance that the driver at fault is uninsured.

Even if you carry auto accident insurance, recovering damages from a car accident can be difficult if the person who caused your injury and/or damages does not carry liability insurance, or is underinsured and unable cover the full cost of damages you incurred. In most cases, a driver is uninsured for economic reasons. They don't carry auto accident insurance because they do not have the financial resources to do so.

This being the case, if you pursue legal action against the uninsured motorist, even if your case is successful, you may still be responsible for covering your accident related expenses if the uninsured motorist does not have the financial means to compensate you.

 Many insurance carriers offer uninsured motorist coverage. In some states, this coverage is mandatory. The coverage allows you to collect damages from your insurance company in the event that you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. It is important to contact an experienced accident attorney soon after a car accident as he or she may know about some coverage that you are unaware of.

Sometimes, you may be able to pursue legal action against your own insurance company for damages caused by an uninsured motorist. Contacting an  attorney with experience handling uninsured motorist accident claims may help you receive fair compensation if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. An experienced accident attorney  will know how to read your insurance policy and determine the right course of action to help you receive the recovery you are entitled to.

Being  in a car accident is something you are never quite ready for, it is something that you can prepare for. First, check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for uninsured motorist accidents. If not, ask your insurance carrier for information about purchasing this coverage.

Another way to be prepared for a car accident with an uninsured driver is to know what steps you should take after a car accident.  Be sure to document as much information about the person you had the accident with as possible so that you can contact them later. Also, if they have an expired insurance policy, be sure to write down the insurance carrier’s information so you can contact them to be certain that the person’s insurance is indeed cancelled.

Finally, be sure to choose an attorney with expertise handling your type of claim.  An experienced  attorney may be able to help you recover damages if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

http://www.accidentinfo.com/

Major Pet Food Recall

Heads up, pet owners , a major pet food company has announced a recall.

Natura Pet Products issued a pet food recall after the FDA found salmonella in one of their products.

They are recalling pet food from all of their product lines, including food for dogs, cats and ferrets.

If you have any Natura Pet Food products, throw them out immediately.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.

To get a full refund, you need to cut the UPC label, expiration date, and product code from the pet food bag and mail it to the company.

Here is a complete list of products from the FDA recall. The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada.
                                           

• Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats  All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• Healthwise dry dog and cat foods All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

About Natura Pet Products

Natura Pet Products is recognized as a trusted name behind natural and holistic pet foods and treats. Founded more than 20 years ago by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins, Natura is dedicated to providing the best natural nutrition. Natura is committed to making premium pet foods and treats based on nutritional science and high-quality ingredients, combined with trusted manufacturing processes, for complete pet health. Lines include: Innova®, California Natural®, EVO®, HealthWise®, Mother Nature® and Karma®. To learn more about Natura Pet Products visit www.NaturaPet.com.

Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Pomegranate Kernels

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today announced a nationwide voluntary recall by Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, OR of its Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels in eight-ounce bags. The recall was issued due to the possible contamination of the product with Hepatitis A virus.

No illnesses are currently associated with Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The company’s decision to voluntarily recall products is made in response to an ongoing outbreak investigation by the FDA and CDC.

The product was shipped to distribution centers around the country as well as in Colorado February 2013 through May 2013. In Durango the product was provided to Nature’s Oasis and Vitamin Cottage (Natural Grocers).  Product was provided to the following retail locations in Colorado: Albertson’s locations in Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Louisville, Northglenn, Thornton; Nature’s
Pantry in Buena Vista; Nooch Vegan Market in Denver; Peppercorn in Boulder; Sunshine Market in Salida; Alfalfa’s in Boulder; B and F Superfoods in Nederland; Bamboo Market and Market on the Mountain in Steamboat Springs; Clark’s Market in Aspen; Don’s Market in Paonia; Gunnison Vitamin & Health; Lolita’s in Boulder; Mile High Organics in Denver; Mountain Naturals in Woodland Park; Village Market Edwards,
and Vitamin Cottage locations throughout the state.

The following lots are subject to this recall:

C 0129 (A,B, or C) 035 with a best by date of 02/04/2015
C 0388 (A,B, or C) 087 with a best by date of 03/28/2015
C 0490 (A,B, or C) 109 with a best by date of 04/19/2015

Twenty-five cases of hepatitis A infection have been identified in Colorado residents associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry mix, which also contained pomegranate kernels from the same original source. The organic pomegranates are imported from Turkey. To date no illnesses have been associated with the Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The state health department is asking people to check their freezers. If you have the product, dispose of it. Do not eat it.

The risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating the Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels is unknown. However, if you have eaten Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels during the past 14 days, you can contact your medical provider for a shot to prevent illness.

If you do not have a medical provider, contact your local Health Department.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, the infection can lead to liver failure, particularly in individuals who have a pre-existing liver disease or weakened immune systems. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. It is very important if you have these symptoms that you do not go to work, especially if you work in food service, health care or child care.

Consumers can contact the Scenic Fruit Company at 1-877-927-3434 or email to info@scenicfruit.com from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT. For more information, please visit the CDC website, or call COHelp at 1-877-462-2911 or 303-389-1687. COHelp is available 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Colorado Department of Public Health.
Pagosa Daily Post.

Total Recall? Not Quite, it Seems

US healthcare producer Johnson & Johnson (J&J), known for its popular brands such as Tylenol, has become a hot topic recently in China.

However, it was not because of a new product or any positive news, but a media report about its double standards over product recalls.

The Beijing-based Health Times newspaper reported on June 9 that the company has launched at least 51 global recalls of products since  April 2005, ranging from mouthwash to blood glucose monitors, but 48 of the products were not recalled from the Chinese mainland market.

The report came after an announcement from J&J on April 23 that it would recall around 1.7 million bottles of Children's Tylenol it manufactured and sold in South Korea, due to a high level of acetaminophen, which may cause liver damage.

Shanghai Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the company's unit in the mainland, said that the products being recalled from South Korea were not sold in the mainland.

But the Health Times report disputed this, and said the same products are sold in the mainland. It also noted that the domestic market has again not been included in the recall.

Regulator promises action China's food and pharmaceutical watchdog said it held a meeting with J&J Thursday, following the company's recall in South Korea.

There may be defects in the company's quality management system, given its frequent recalls of drugs and health devices, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) said in a statement on its website Thursday.

It urged J&J to improve its management to ensure products' quality, but the statement did not mention anything about the double standards.

The CFDA also vowed to strengthen its supervision to ensure timely recalls and pledged to take severe measures if firms are found to be responsible for late or secret product recalls, such as stopping their production or sales in the mainland.

Drug manufacturers must recall products, report to drug supervisors and publicly disclose details of a recall whenever quality defects or problems are discovered, the watchdog said, noting that "drug producers must launch simultaneous recalls in the mainland whenever they issue global recalls."

It was the first time that the CFDA has held talks with a multinational company over quality problems, indicating that China's watchdog is increasing its attention to drug safety, which will benefit Chinese consumers, Liu Baocheng, director of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times.

J&J issues rebuttal.

J&J, meanwhile, said that it adheres to the same quality standards and utilizes the same product recall standards in China as it does in all other countries or regions, in a statement posted on its website Thursday following its meeting with the CFDA.

Its mainland subsidiaries have reported all product recalls conducted in the mainland in accordance with the CFDA's rules, the statement said.

J&J said the reasons why some recalls have happened elsewhere in the world but not in the mainland are because the recalled products were not registered or sold in the mainland at the time of the recall; or the products sold in mainland were produced by different units of the company from the ones that made the recalled products; or the particular recalled product lots were not sold in the mainland.

However, China Times cited industry insiders as saying Saturday that the quality standards of J&J in the mainland are lower than in other markets.

Why no recall?

J&J recalled more than 2 million OneTouch blood glucose meters in March worldwide, following two previous recalls of the product in April 2005 and September 2005. Four models of the meters are currently sold domestically, and none of the three recalls included the mainland, the Health Times report said.

Even when J&J's domestic unit stopped sales of the Velcade injection in December 2011 after an order from the CFDA, the product had already been recalled in the US, UK and Japan a year before, according to the report.

The company was criticized in November 2011 by nonprofit US organization Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for selling baby shampoo that contained carcinogenic ingredients in Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia and the US while selling carcinogen-free products in other markets such as the UK and Japan.

Continuous recalls have brought adverse affects to J&J's business and profits. In 2010, when J&J initiated 20 global recalls, the company saw a slight fall of 0.5 percent in its annual operating revenue to $61.6 billion, the first drop since it went public in 1944.

J&J said the recalls of branded medicines such as Tylenol caused a drop in sales in the third quarter of 2010 to $1.3 billion, down from $1.7 billion in the same period the year before. The New York Times reported that the company suffered a loss of as much as $600 million due to recalls in 2010.

A survey by domestic financial information provider eastmoney.com on June 9 found that 91.4 percent of 4,652 respondents said they would no longer buy any J&J products.

In explaining why they wouldn't buy them, 34.1 percent said the reason was the continuous quality problems in recent years, while 50.7 percent said the reason was the company's different attitude toward the mainland market for recalls.

Multinational companies should not have double standards toward consumers in different markets, especially China, which has huge market potential for J&J and other firms, Liu said.

"J&J's consumers are mostly well-informed, so the company should collect as much information as possible related to media reports and strengthen communication with both the government and the public to restore confidence," Liu said.

Light punishment for illegal practices is one reason behind some multinational companies' double standards, Wang Yong, secretary general of Brand China Industry Union, was quoted by China Times as saying Saturday.

For example, a Chongqing outlet of US retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc was fined 2.69 million yuan ($439,277) in 2011 for selling ordinary pork that was labeled as organic pork. The figure was roughly equivalent to three days of revenue for the outlet.

All markets are gradually raising their standards for food and drugs, so producers need to attach greater importance to their quality management systems, said Yu Mingde, president of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Enterprises Association.

What we have here appears to another of many instances where the standards for the US are lower than the standards of other countries. 

It appears that it is ok for US sold products to contain carcinogens and genetically modified ingredients, while the same products produced for other countries do not contain these things.

Are other countries standards to high or are American companies to greedy? I have my opinion, what's yours?

Globaltimes.cn

How to Shop for a Safe Car

Car crashes claimed more than 34,000 lives in 2012 according to estimates from the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA), an increase of 5.3 percent over 2011. While the best way to minimize the effects of motor vehicle accidents is to prevent them from happening in the first place, the second best way is to drive safer cars.

Every new car must meet certain federal safety standards, but that doesn’t mean that all cars are created equal. Many automakers offer safety features beyond the required federal limits, so it’s important to consider this when purchasing a new or used vehicle. Auto safety features are constantly being refined and updated, so newer model vehicles are generally safer than older models.

As of the 1999 model year, the federal government required automakers to install driver and passenger airbags for frontal protection in all cars, light trucks, and vans. Some automakers also install side airbags, which are designed to protect your chest but may also keep your head from hitting interior or intruding structures.

Airbags used in conjunction with lap/shoulder belts have been shown to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 50 percent. However, in some circumstances, inflating airbags can cause injuries and even death. The greatest risk of injury is if you are very close to an airbag when it starts to inflate. Choose a car that allows you to reach the gas and brake pedals comfortably, while keeping a distance of at least twelve inches from the steering column. Also, never place a rear-facing car seat or a child under 12 years of age in a seat equipped with an airbag.

Head restraints are required in front seats of all new passenger cars to prevent neck injury during a rear end crash. Head restraints vary widely – some are fixed, while others are adjustable. They also vary in height and how far they are set back from the head. Look for cars that have a restraint that fits directly behind and close to the back of your head. If the restraints are adjustable, make sure they can be locked into place to prevent them being pushed down in a crash.

Other safety features many car manufacturers now employ are anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights. Unlike conventional brakes, anti-lock braking systems pump the brakes automatically many times a second to prevent lockup and allow you to keep control of the car. If you were trained to brake gently on slippery roads or pump your brakes to avoid a skid, you will need to unlearn these habits with anti-lock brakes, and use a hard continuous pressure to come to a safe stop.

Daytime running lights are a crash avoidance feature new to vehicles sold in America, but they’ve been used for years in Canada and Scandinavia. Daytime running lights are activated by the ignition switch and help prevent crashes by making vehicles more conspicuous.

Offered on a handful of 1995 domestic and foreign model passenger cars, pickups, and sport utility vehicles, daytime running lights are now commonplace. They are standard on all GM, Lexus, Saab, Suzuki, Volkswagen, and Volvo models, as well as some Toyota models.

Other important factors to consider when shopping for a safe car are the vehicle’s structural design and the vehicle’s size and weight. A good structural design has a strong passenger compartment, as well as front and rear ends designed to buckle and bend in a collision to absorb the force of the crash.

Larger and heavier cars sustain a crash better than lighter and smaller ones. In fact, small cars have twice as many occupant deaths each year as large cars. Small utility vehicles and pickups are prone to rolling over, so they require extra care when driving on slippery roads and when making turns. “High performance” cars typically have higher-than-average death rates because the drivers are tempted to use excessive speed. Combining a young driver and a high-performance car can be particularly dangerous.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety regularly perform crash tests to determine an automobile’s safety. For more information, or to see how certain vehicles performed in the tests, visit their website here.


The Insurance Information Network of California (IINC) is a nonprofit, non-lobbying communications association representing the property/casualty insurance industry. For more information, visit their website.

Insurance Information Network of California (IINC)
500 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Gayle Anderson KTLA 5 News, Los Angeles.

This Week's Recalls Spotlight Ford Motor Company

Fuel leaks on Ford Motor Company vehicles top this weeks recall news for the blog.

     Ford Motor Company is recalling 465,000 of its current model year cars due to a fuel leak that poses a fire risk.
The company said the models include 2013; Ford Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Interceptor Utility and Interceptor Sedan, as well as the Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKZ.

     Ford said it is not aware of any incidents of fire due to the fuel leak, or of any injuries caused by the defect. Ford said it had received 600 complaints about the fuel leak from customers as of March 31.

     Last July, Ford recalled 11,500 of its 2013 Escape SUVs because a defect in the fuel line that could cause a fire. At the time Ford took the unusual step of advising drivers not to even drive the vehicles until they were repaired. There was no such warning with the most recent recall.

Ford also announced two smaller recalls.

      It has recalled 500 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles because the insulation on the engine block heater can crack at extremely low temperatures.

     Additionally, Ford said that 25 2013 Fusions are at risk of impaired steering or the loss of steering control due the lack of an internal retaining clip.

Something a Little Different

Starting this week, we will be doing something a bit different from our past blog posts.

We will begin offering a summary of product recalls, accident safety issues, and various other informational posts.

We hope that our new format makes us a more dynamic blog and will offer our readers an up-to-date site for the latest information on these types of issues.

We post on Mondays generally, but if there is an important update through out the week, we will make a special post if the information is of a potentially critical nature.

We hope you find the new information informative and we appreciate any feedback you might want to post!

So with that being said, here are some important recalls for this week:

First up we have Three recalls. One on children's products .Another on window shades and a third on an area rug. Please check the information below and determine if you have any of these products in your home. If you do, please follow the manufactures instructions for these products immediately.

A line of children's beds with defective mattress support rails and motorized shades with overheating batteries are among this week's recalled consumer products.

CHILDREN'S BEDS

DETAILS: Side rails for Lea panel, loft, and bunk beds. The beds have two side mattress support rails connecting the headboard to the footboard and slats or a Bunkie board to support the mattress. The date code, rail item number, and purchase order number are located on a white label on the inside of one of the side rails. Date codes between August 2008 and March 2013, shown as 8-2008 through 3-2013, are
included in this recall. They were sold from August 2008 through March 2013. Platform beds made since 2010 are not included in this recall.

Recalled bed names, item numbers, and purchase order numbers can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Lea-Industries-Recalls-Childrens-Beds/

WHY: The bed's side mattress support rails can break, posing a fall hazard.

INCIDENTS: Twenty-two reports of incidents involving the recalled beds in the U.S. since 2009 and one in Canada. Two injuries were reported. In a 2009 incident in Madison, Wis., an 11-year-old girl was placing a fitted sheet on the top bunk when the child, mattress, and bed supports collapsed on her 6-year-old sister in the bed below. The 6 year old was treated at a hospital emergency department for a head injury involving a cut to her face.

HOW MANY: About 59,200 in the U.S. and 4,200 in Canada.

FOR MORE: Call Lea Industries at 888-770-7116 or visit http://www.leaindustries.com and click on Recall for more information.

ROLLER SHADES

DETAILS: Insolroll solar powered and rechargeable motor roller shades. The recall includes Insolroll roller shades available with a solar powered motor (model (hash)IN-SOL-R) or rechargeable motor (model (hash)IN-RCG-R). The model numbers are printed on the body of the motor located inside the roller tube. The manufacturer's name is printed on a sticker on the roller tube that can be seen by taking down the
shade and removing the fabric completely. They were sold from June 2012 through March 2013.

WHY: The motor has a built-in lithium battery that can overheat while being charged, posing a fire risk.

INCIDENTS: One report of the motor on the shade overheating and creating a fire. No injuries have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 1,500.

FOR MORE: Call Insolroll at 800-447-5534 or visit http://www.Insolroll.com and click the Product Recall button for more information.

The last recall. involves an area rug sold by Home Depot Stores on the west coast.

AREA RUGS

DETAILS: Nourison-branded I-CANDI collection polyester shag rugs. They were sold in one color, denim, consisting of a mix of dark blue, light blue and grey shades. The rugs measure 5 feet by 7 feet and 7 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches. "ICANDI COLLECTION" and "Nourison" are printed in black on a label affixed to the back of the rug. They were sold at Home Depot stores in the regions of Washington D.C., San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Houston in September 2012.

WHY: The rugs fail to meet federal flammability standards, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 1,400.

FOR MORE: Call Nourison at 800-223-1110 ext. 2358 or visit http://www.nourison.com, then click on Recall Information at the bottom of the page for more information.

That's it for today, if we receive any other high priority recalls during the week, we will update the blog, so be sure check back!

recall information obtained from the Associated Press.

Elderly Man Trapped in His Garage for Two Days, Dies

Justyn Ambrozia, the 90-year-old Trinity man who survived for two days in a car after breaking his hip and wrist, died Thursday due to complications from the trauma.

"His heart gave out," said his son, Justin. "They couldn't revive him."

On April 30, Ambrozia drove from his Pasco County home to a nearby Publix. He was walking around a corner in the store when he slipped and grabbed a shelf that gave way. The fall broke his wrist and hip.

Employees helped him up and took down his information, he told a reporter earlier this month. They loaded him into a wheelchair, he said, and took him to his car in the parking lot.

The shooting pain in his leg started when he was halfway home. By the time he pulled into his garage, his left wrist was swollen and so tender he couldn't pull the car's door handle. Ambrozia, who earned two Purple Hearts in World War II, also had a partly disabled right arm because he had been shot during combat in France.

He said his car battery died as soon as he got into the garage. He used his remote to lift and close the garage door in the hopes of flagging someone down. Nobody saw him.

After two days, a neighbor was walking by when he noticed a withered hand waving from the car. He walked up the driveway and heard a muffled voice: "I can't get out of my car. Can you help me?"

The neighbor called 911.

Justin Ambrozia said his father seemed to be improving. Just hours before his death, he and his son were discussing where he would receive rehabilitation before moving back into his home on Mitchell Ranch Road.

Ambrozia, who lived alone, was a retired medical assistant who worked for 30 years at a VA hospital in Pennsylvania. He was fiercely independent.

Justin Ambrozia said he is disappointed with how Publix appears to have handled his father's accident.

"They should have not even touched him," he said. "They had no first responders there at all."

He has hired an attorney and may take legal action.

Times staff writer Alex Orlando contributed to this report. 

'Road Rage' Bill?

     I'm not sure I would call it a road rage bill, but at least it is something to get people out of the left lane that don't belong there.
     
     Not only is it annoying to be behind someone who is way under the speed limit for the road they are traveling, hence the 'road rage' tag, but it can be deadly! 


     Florida lawmakers have passed a bill that would make it illegal for drivers to go too slow in the left lane.     The bill, which is about to land on Gov. Rick Scott's desk, would make it illegal to go more than 10 mph under the speed limit if a driver is in the left-hand lane.     Proponents of the measure say it could help prevent road rage, but critics say the road - including the left-hand lane - belongs to everyone, not just drivers with a need for speed.     The lawmaker behind the ban, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said the law is long overdue.     "A number of other individuals were very concerned that, as they drive the state of Florida, that people are unnecessarily blocking the left-hand lane, and they want to make sure there's some mechanism to get them to move over. "     Scott is expected to sign the bill. If he does, anyone going more than 10 miles under the speed limit in the left-hand lane could get a ticket.

baynews9.com

Florida Texting Ban Sent to Governor Scott

Compared to the harsh results of texting and driving, Florida's new law delivers a relatively mild punishment. If HB 13 becomes law, those caught in the act will pay a $30 dollar fine for the first offense. A second offense will draw a $60 dollar fine plus 3 points on their driving record.

"It's like an epidemic this texting and driving. This bill isn't everything we wanted it to be. However it's a little bite of the apple and we have to start somewhere" said Democratic State Representative Irving Slosberg.

Texting will still be allowed if you're stopped at a red light or in a traffic jam. A violation will be what's called a 'secondary offense'. An officer has to have another reason to pull you over before issuing you a ticket.

A recent poll shows that 98 percent of drivers know texting and driving is unsafe, yet 49 percent of adults  and 43 percent of teens admit doing it.

Republican State Representative, Mike Fasano believes the law is long overdue.

"It's been five years  since this legislation has been filed. It's time we get it passed get it into law and save some lives" said Fasano.

The Senate sponsor of the law agreed to one compromise demanded by the house.  Police can only seize and examine your cell phone in  case of an accident  that causes death or serious damage.
 
It was reported that Governor Rick Scott's wife was recently in an accident caused by the other driver texting so the sponsors are hopeful he will sign this bill into law soon.

www.abcactionnews.com

Watered-down Texting-While Driving Ban Nears Reality

On any given day, someone can be seen texting on their cell phone while driving.

But if lawmakers get a new bill passed, texting and driving will be against the law in Florida.

"Myself, in high school, I was texting and driving, and I hit a car right in front of me, and it was pretty bad," said Tampa driver Ashley

Acosta. "It's not worth it to send a message when you can just wait until you get to a stoplight."

After years of trying, the Legislature seems poised to pass an anti-texting bill - although many critics say the law it would create is too

watered down.

The Senate voted 36-0 in favor of the bill earlier this month, and the House has a week left in the session to get it passed.

The way the bill is written, texting at a red light would be OK. But as long as you're car is in motion, you can't text.

The current law in the House would also make texting and driving a secondary offense. That means a law enforcement officer would have to

see you violating another traffic law before he or she could turn on the blue lights.

Some people say the law is long overdue in Florida.

“I'm from New Jersey, and texting and being on our cell phone is illegal, and I believe Florida needs that law," driver Emily Hulse said.

Currently, 39 states ban texting while driving. Supporters of the law hope Florida will soon join the ranks.

What's your opinion? Do you think the law is too watered down?

Leave your comments below!


Baynew9.com

Could this be the Year?

 If the unanimous vote last week in Florida Senate is any indication, the texting-while-driving ban legislation, sent to the House for approval will become law this year.
Senate Bill 52, makes texting while driving a secondary violation, meaning, a motorist would have to commit another offense, such as careless driving, in order to be pulled over. Once stopped, a driver could receive two tickets, one for the first infraction and a second  ticket for texting.
The bill restricts the use of any handheld device designed to receive or send text or characters.The ban includes tablets as well as cellphones.
The penalty would be $30 for a first-time texting offense, a non-moving violation. A second offense would result in a $60 fine and three points if caught texting while driving again within five years. More points could be added if the violation is in a school zone or in combination with other serious offenses. Texting would be allowed in hands-free, high-tech cars as well as when a car is stopped at a red light or caught in a  traffic jam.

Federal Government Considers Expanding Ban on Texting While Driving

Driving while texting (DWT) is even more dangerous than using a cell phone.
DWT: Driving while texting, driving while tweeting and driving while talking on a hand held cell phone increases the amount of time motorists spend driving outside the yellow highway lines.

Text messaging and using iPods caused drivers to leave their lanes 10 percent more often in a simulated driving study conducted by researchers in the Clemson University psychology department.

The study tested drivers’ ability to stay in their lanes on a curvy road while they completed such tasks as talking on cell phones, text messaging and operating MP3 players. Although their reaction time may have been reduced, there was no reduction in lane-keeping for drivers who talked on cell phones. But for those who looked away from the road to use electronics, the difference was significant, according to Johnell Brooks, assistant professor of psychology.
   
“We already know drivers are distracted when talking on their cell phones,” Brooks said. “This research shows that using an iPod or text-messaging while driving is potentially more dangerous.”

When text messaging, the drivers crossed the center line or left their lane roughly 10 percent more often.

Recent trends show that the number of drivers who text message while driving is on the rise, making this is an important safety issue, said Brooks, who led a creative inquiry team that conducted the research. The project was a joint undertaking between the psychology and civil engineering departments.

This January the federal government formally barred truckers and bus drivers from sending text messages while behind the wheel, putting its imprimatur on a prohibition embraced by many large trucking and transportation companies.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving."
Although both houses of Congress are considering bills restricting texting and 19 states have banned the practice. LaHood said that existing rules on truckers and bus drivers give him the authority to issue the prohibition. LaHood said drivers of commercial vehicles caught texting could be fined up to $2,750.

Auto Insurance Review

We have all heard that “Knowledge is Power.”  However, it is what we do with the knowledge that results in power.  It’s more accurate to say “Applied Knowledge is Power.”  That truth should especially be applied to buying and reviewing your auto insurance.
Today, we are all looking for greater value. One great place to start is with auto insurance.  There is an increasing amount of very helpful information on the internet that can help you effectively review your auto insurance coverage.  The internet has also made it easier to quickly get the same coverage, or sometimes better coverage, for less money.

Here is our recommended 5 Step Process:

1. Read through the following information so that you know the major terms and definitions
.
2. Pull out your auto policy and look for the “Declaration Page.”  Read through it taking note of the coverages you have compared to the list of coverage types below.
Every insurance policy is a separate contract between an insurance company and a customer.  When a new insurance contract is considered by the insurance underwriters and issued the first page of the policy is called the “Declarations” page. (Dec Page).
The declarations page is the first page of a new policy, with the other policy information such as conditions, exclusions, and endorsements attached.  If a policy is renewed and no changes have been made, the insurance company will generally issue a new declarations page that customers should file or attach to the original policy paperwork.  Every time a policy renews a new declarations page will be generated unless the customer has requested otherwise (for example, if the customer requests e-mails instead).

Declaration pages are important to review carefully.  Most of the vital information about the insurance contract policy will be listed on the declarations page.  Important underwriting information is also often listed on the “Dec page.”

3. Write down your driving record, past claims record, and all other related information that may be required to apply.  If you have any questions about what information is required, set up a meeting or phone conference with your insurance agent.  (If you have any additional questions you can call our office at 727 299-0449.)

4. Ask your agent how you can save money or get more value for what you are paying.  Ask how you can qualify for any of these common discounts:
 Anti Theft Discount
 Anti Lock Brake Discount
 Good Student Discount
 Senior Defensive Driver Discount
 Multi-Car Discount
 Multi-Policy Discount
 Professional Group Discount
 Electronic Funds Transfer
 Alternative Fuel Discount

5. If you want to realize even greater savings, skip the agent altogether and shop online.  Many services are available online where you can get free quotes and compare prices from several different insurers.

Auto Insurance Coverage’s - Considerations:

1. Bodily Injury (BI) - Protects you against financial loss when you are legally responsible for a car accident which causes death or injury to another individual. In addition, BI also covers you for legal costs involved in your defense for a covered suit including bail bond expenses and court costs. This coverage amount is a "Split Limit", such as $50,000/$100,000. The first number is the maximum limit provided for 1-injured person. The second number is the limit provided for two or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.
     Here are some common BI choices:
$50,000/$100,000
$100,000/$300,000
$250,000/$500,000

2. Property Damage Liability (PD) - Protects you against financial loss if you are found liable for damages to another person's property caused by your automobile.

3. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) - This coverage pays for death or bodily injury caused by an uninsured driver. It can also cover a hit and run driver or cover an insured driver whose Bodily Injury Liability limits are not enough to cover the bodily injury losses incurred. UM covers you, your family members and other passengers in your vehicle.

4. Under-insured motorist coverage (UIM) - This coverage provides benefits for damages to your auto caused by an uninsured driver or an insured driver whose property damage liability limits are not enough to cover the property damage losses incurred.

5. Comprehensive Coverage (Other than Collision)- This coverage pays for your insured vehicle, up to the cash value, less the deductible amount as the result of damages caused by events. Events may include: fire, hail, windstorm, theft, glass breakage, riot, etc.

6. Collision Coverage - Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your vehicle caused by your vehicle colliding with an object, including another car or if it overturns.

7. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Florida requires PIP and it is similar to No Fault Insurance. PIP coverage typically includes expanded coverage of accident-related medical costs. In a number of states, PIP also pays for lost wages and similar losses. Considering how expensive medical treatments are these days,
8. Roadside Assist (Towing and Labor Coverages) - Provides coverage if your vehicle becomes disabled, for towing costs and/or labor performed at the place of disablement.

9. Rental Reimbursement (Optional Transportation) - This coverage allows you to rent a substitute if your car becomes disabled due to a covered loss. This coverage pays the cost of the rental car up to your policy limit.


Here are several useful links for Florida Insurance Carriers:

http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=20
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/frfaqgen.html
http://www.autoinsguru.com/