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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Just them eh? U.S. Seeks Permanent Ban on Texting by Bus, Truck Drivers

I really tend to think some laws written fall under plan common sense. But apparently we need to spell it out to American drivers that texting while driving a bus full of people is a bad idea. And while I'd like to think we don't need such things blatantly written on some warning label, we do have people sue for hot coffee in this great country. We have low grade television spilling crap unto our airwaves just look at ABC, pretty much any show put out by the that network requires a fourth grade mentality to understand. Now that I think about it ABC is a fitting name for a network with such a low grade comprehension. And just when I think another glimpse at originality; such as a show like the Dollhouse it get cancelled for not enough viewers.


So in Closing I say spell it out to the masses, write another common understood social rule because we as Americans are too lazy or ignorant to grasp the most basic concepts.

"U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has proposed a federal rule that would to specifically prohibit texting by interstate commercial truck and bus drivers. The proposed rule would make permanent an interim ban announced in January 2010 that applied existing safety rules to the specific issue of texting.



The Department of Transportation also announced a partnership with Cornell University to increase public involvement and collaboration in the rulemaking process. The Cornell e-Rulemaking Initiative (CeRI) partnership will make the federal regulatory process more accessible to the public through Regulation Room, an online public participation environment where people can learn about and discuss proposed federal regulations and provide feedback.

The proposed rule will be on public display in the Federal Register March 31 and will appear in print in the Federal Register on April 1. Citizens can find more information on the Cornell online effort and provide comments on the proposed rule at regulationroom.org over the next 30 days.


Federal research shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 miles per hour, this means that the driver is traveling the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road, according to researchers.


Drivers who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers. Because of the safety risks associated with the use of electronic devices while driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is also working on additional regulatory measures that will be announced in the coming months.


Last September, LaHood announced the department's plan to pursue this regulatory action, as well as rulemakings to reduce the other risks posed by distracted driving.


President Obama also signed an Executive Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles or with government-owned equipment. Federal employees were required to comply with the ban starting on Dec. 30, 2009.


A number of states have texting while driving also."

Saturday, March 27, 2010

National Mention for Spokane Real Estate

National shout out to Spokane Washington for Real Estate and quality of life.  So to all those Spokane haters, plus one for the rest of us that enjoy this historic town.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35983005#35983005

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Utah Gets a New State Insurance Commis with an Amazing Name

Ok, so I know it's a childish post, but your all thinking about it anywho.  Could you imagine voting a guy or appointing one with the last name gooch? Really. I would def be seeking for a name change. 

Gooch Appointed Utah's Acting Insurance Commissioner

March 25, 2010

Acting Commissioner Announced Neal T. Gooch has been appointed as acting insurance commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department. Governor Gary R. Herbert said the appointment would extend "until the selection of a permanent Commissioner is made."

Former Commissioner D. Kent Michie retired in January after five years of service as commissioner of the Utah State Insurance Department and 21 years as state financial advisor. In April, he and his wife Barbara Gruman will serve an 18-month mission in the Helsinki, Finland LDS Temple.

Gooch has had extensive experience with the Insurance Department. Beginning in 1986 while serving in the Attorney General's Office, he was made general counsel to the insurance department. He served in that capacity until August of 1997, when appointed by Commissioner Merwin U. Stewart as deputy commissioner then asked to continue in that capacity by Commissioner D. Kent Michie in 2005.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Time to Fire this State Farm Agent

"We have State Farm, and we had our agent out not to long ago to get all of our life insurance and update plans and such, we asked him about our beware of dogs signs and the no trespassing signs, we were told the more the better, I was telling him the situation where the bible person came to the front door and since he didnt get an answer he walked in my backyard, knowing I as just out back with Cash unleashed, he did not know he wouldnt bite him, but he took the chance and avoided my no trespassing signs and beware of dog signs I have on my front door and posted on each side of the driveway headed into my back yard, and NO they cant be missed.

I was worried because if one of my dogs would have bit him I would be sued, True my agent said, but also he was trespassing and by law he would have lost, now be it a small child thats a different story.. so I leave my signs up and will continue to do so, if he had told us that it was a bad idea and they should be removed I would have done so.. My neighbor hates large dogs of any breed but yet they own the business at the corner and they have high gates with a big steel sign that says "warning Guard Dog in Duty" and a doberman on the sign... funny thing about it, he always forgets to close the other gate that goes onto the property
"

First off posting a sign fully admits to your awareness of having a dangerous dog.  A landlord is more likely to loose a case if they rent to a tenant whom they know has a dangerous dog, then if they were plain ignorant about it.

Second as an insurance professional if someone is concerned enough to post a sign and does so, then it's a red flag to me, I'll find a different person to insure.  Dog bites are one of the largest liabilities that insurance companies pay out for.  If an agent wants to sell you more policies (as noted with the life insurance) and is not worried about their business for the long haul, do you really want them giving you personal insurance advice for the long term?

Third, the agent is clearly ignorant enough to give legal advice. Their not a lawyer, and should not pretend to be so.

Shame on this agent, they would have taken the signs down had they said something, for this clients sake, I hope this agent has good Errors and Omissions insurance.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cheap Auto Insurance in Spokane Washington

Figure yourself in driving to work downtown Spokane, you leave at 7:00am to get to work on time, and get home around 7:30pm, after you've ran your errands or returned from a social gathering. It is common to find people juggling time between work and family. Some take up two jobs just to make ends meet. Some work during the day and go to school at night or vice versa. Because of this, people are always looking for ways to speed up processes so that their precious time is not wasted. Thanks to the internet, many businesses today can be done online in just a matter of minutes.

The car insurance industry is one of those who took advantage of the internet to offer auto insurance quotes online. Instead of clients visiting their offices, they could turn to the internet for cheap insurance. This is a fast process that usually takes up only five minutes at most to complete. However, while many people today are fond of getting auto insurance quotes online, they should also note it comes with disadvantages.

Speed does not = Good Customer Service. An online quote does not see you as a EWU student vs. a new nineteen year old driver that just received their license. There's no quick response to a question you have. Most important, there's no professional interpreting the companies code to protect you and your family.

It's odd that time and time again when people try to speed up the process, we are counterproductive to that goal. I had one client for instance last week that spent several days of cheap insurance shopping for her daughter, and then called me. Three hours later I had checked multiple lines of insurance and offered three times the coverage at half the price. Now when her daughter has an accident she can feel a lot more comfortable knowing their coverage. In the long run it comes to, how well do you sleep at night?

Monday, March 15, 2010

Washington State Insurance Commissioner Wants To Ban Insurers' Use Of Credit Information

This would be interesting? Don't think they'll get it passed though, pretty much any state that's been hesitant about scoring has fallen into the use of credit scoring eventually.

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is seeking a ban on the insurance industry's practice of credit scoring, saying the sector's reliance on credit information is "startling." According to a Jan. 19 news release, Kreidler said the practice is "discriminatory and blatantly unfair" in light of the current economy.

For more information on this article http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/credit/index.shtml

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

A popular approach to buying insurance is based on income replacement. In this approach, a formula of between five and ten times your annual salary is often used to calculate how much coverage you need. Another approach is to purchase insurance based on your individual needs and preferences. The first step is to determine your unique income replacement needs.

Currently, a large portion of your income goes to taxes (insurance benefits are generally income tax free) and to support your own lifestyle. Start off by determining your net earnings after taxes. Then add up all your personal expenses such as food, clothing, magazine subscriptions, club memberships, transportation expenses, etc. The remainder represents annual income that your insurance will need to replace. You'll want a death benefit amount which, when invested, will provide income annually to cover this amount. Then, you should add to that the amounts needed to fund one-time expenses such as college tuition for your children or paying down mortgage or debt.

Income replacement for nonworking spouses is an important and often overlooked insurance need. Coverage should provide for your costs for day care, housekeeping, or nursing care. Add to this any net earnings from part-time employment.

Finally, estimate your own "final expenses" such as estate taxes, uninsured medical costs, and funeral costs.

Action Plan for Auto Accidents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPVxoeagYjo
1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment. Drivers should carry a cell phone, as well as pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries.

2. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.

3. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but DON'T tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera(cell phone) to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.

5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations.