Good news (maybe) from Colorado State University today.

The Insurance Journal reported that the Colorado State University forecast team has predicted that, despite the high probabiltiy of an active hurricane season, fewer storms will make landfall than originally anticipated. The team previously predicted that 17 named storms would form between June 1 and November 30. Of those 17, nine are predicted to become hurricanes; of those nine, five are now expected to make landfall.

Despite these better-than-originally-predicted predictions, the team still maintains that there is an 82 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will hit U.S. soil and a 69 percent chance that a hurricane will hit the East coast this season.

But let's not end today's post on a discouraging note. :) Here, a feel-good quote from Phil Klotzbach, a member of the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team:

In any one season, most U.S. coastal areas will not feel the effects of a hurricane no matter how active a season. The probability of landfall for any one location along the coast is very low. However, low landfall probability does not ensure that hurricanes will not come ashore, so coastal residents should always be prepared.

Indeed, Phil, indeed. And, to help our coastal friends prepare, here are some helpful hurricane preparation links:

• Five disaster prevention tips [the Insurance Information Institute]
• Hurricane preparation and evacuation tips, guides and more (including guides in Spanish and guides for children) [The Red Cross]
• It's Flood Insurance Time! [InsureMe Insurance Blog]

Check out the links and err on the side of caution this hurricane season. And, if you have questions about home and/or flood insurance, don't hesitate to shoot them our way via comments—that's what we're here for!

Posted by Megan Mahan at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

Pulling off the lot in a brand-spanking new car, many of us have felt the rush and excitement that new piece of shiny metal brings to our otherwise doldrum lives. But then the monthly payments hit, and we're left wondering if we really needed that awesome ride with the new-car smell, or if we could actually have lived with something cheaper (and less depreciating!).

Millions of Americans routinely purchase used cars to avoid just this type of scene. But if you're among the members of Used Car Buyers Anonymous (UCBA--OK, I made that up), have you ever wondered exactly where that 30,000-mile vehicle came from? I mean, did old Mr. and Mrs. Smith from down the road really just drive it back and forth between the grocery store, the post office and home the past 5 years...or did their grandson, 16-year-old Billy, rip around town in it every day with a car load of his friends?

Worse yet, just what kind of hidden damage has that used car suffered, totally unbeknownst to you? Could it have been one of thousands of vehicles damaged by flooding during hurricanes Katrina, Rita or Wilma? How would you ever know the difference?

Used car buyers may never know a large part of their car's history. But now, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a non-profit organization that partners with insurers and law enforcement agencies to facilitate the identification, detection and prosecution of insurance criminals, can help you avoid preowned cars with at least one type of damage: flooding.

For more information, just go to the NICB Web site here, put in the VIN number of the vehicle in question, and get "in the know" before you make a financial commitment to that seemingly perfect preowned car. You might just save yourself time, money and future heartache.

Or, you could always buy that shiny new car with the huge payments....

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 10:58 AM | Permalink
 

I can be a pretty paranoid driver—I tend to trust other drivers on the road about as far as I can throw them, which isn't much, since you know, cars are heavy and I'm a rather small girl. And, according to second annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, it looks like my paranoia might be justified.

According to the study, one in eleven American drivers would fail a state drivers test. That's a total of 18 million "unfit" drivers that are on the road with you and I every day. Heck, maybe we are part of that 18 million. And not only does the study indicate that drivers lack adequate knowledge of the rules of the road, it also shows that drivers "exhibit bad behavior behind the wheel."

Among our bad behaviors, U.S. drivers seem to ignore pedestrians (the Institute for Highway Safety reports that one in three drivers usually don't stop for pedestrians, even if they're in a crosswalk or the light turns yellow) and treat drive time as an opportunity to catch up on the things they didn't get done at home or at the office.

The most common driving offenses are:

• Talking on a cell phone [74 percent]
• Eating [62 percent]
• Sending text messages [24 percent]
• Selecting songs on an iPod [20 percent]
• Applying makeup [8 percent]
• Changing clothes [8 percent]

Text messaging? Changing clothes? Oy vey. That's pretty bad. I agree with Gary Kusumi, CEO and president of GMAC Insurance, when he says that the driving rules and laws shouldn't be something you learn once when you pass your first driving test. And I wasn't always one to preach, believe me. I had to take the written drivers test a couple years ago to renew my license and it wasn't easy. I actually had to study! Suffice to say, though, that I'm a better driver because of it.

How drive-savvy are you? Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles online and take the practice drivers test. The results might surprise you—but then again, they might make you a better driver. Oh, and safer driving habits may lower your auto insurance down the line, too. :)

[Source]: Insurance Journal

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

Paul Hucker just can't deal with the pain and agony of seeing England get knocked out of the World Cup Tournament. That's why he's purchased a 1£ insurance policy to cover himself against the potential trauma of seeing his team lose the tournament...again.

Traditionally, Britain hasn't had the best of luck at the World Cup; in recent years they've bowed out early in the competition, losing through penalty shootouts—probably the most nerve-wracking and devastating way to lose a soccer match.

"The pressure of this World Cup is not just on the players and the managers. I think a lot of supporters are under a lot of pressure and suffer because of England's performance," said Hucker. "I find when it goes to penalty shootouts it gets very difficult and I wanted to insure myself against psychological trauma."

Hucker purchased the policy from a BritishInsurance.com; if England is knocked out of the tournament in the first round, the insurer will consult with five sports commentators to judge if the team's exit is "premature." According to BelfastToday, Hucker will then have to provide medical proof that he has suffered "severe medical trauma" because of the World Cup events. Then, and only then, will Hucker receive his seven-figure payout.

As a Chicago Cubs fan who, like the entire generations of Cubs fans, has suffered under the curse of the Billy Goat, I sympathize with Hucker. I really, truly do. But aside from the fact that he's buying an actual insurance policy to help him get over any residual trauma, doesn't the act of buying the policy mean that he's betting against his own team? Seems like bad sports karma just waiting to happen. :)

Have happy and safe holiday weekend, everyone. See you back here on Tuesday.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

Officials from five states lying on what's known as the New Madrid Faultline are urging residents to prepare for an impending earthquake now, while they still can.

Although no one knows when a catastrohic quake might occur, their sheer unpredictability combined with a history of tremors every every 50 years or so, tell geologists a major quake is now overdue.

The faultline, which runs from the northeastern corner of Arkansas through four other states ending near Cairo, Illinois, poses serious threat to the residents of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois, says the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

From 1811 to 1812, this fault produced some of the strongest tremors ever to have struck the continental U.S. According to a recent article in Claims Guides, a leading online insurance publication, "scientists say similar quakes [today] could kill and injure thousands from St. Louis to Memphis."

The Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis agrees, and recommends residents of the affected states get ready now in order to reduce losses when faced with this kind of unannounced monster.

Because homeowner's policies do not typcially cover earthquake damage or loss, residents of the affected states should also talk to their insurance agents to determine how best to cover their home and possessions in case of a debilitating quake.

[To find out how to ready yourself and your home for an earthquake, read the Claims Guides article here.]

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 01:52 PM | Permalink
 

I should preface this post by saying two things:

1. Text messaging sort of annoys me. It's good for short communications to a friend, when, say, your date has just made a spectical of himself by flexing his biceps in a five-star restaurant and you can't slip away to call your friend to share—and that's about it.
2. I tend to take some things more seriously than I probably should.

Now that that's out of the way, on to the meat of the matter. SeedsOfGrowth, a blog geared toward generating ideas for small businesses, recently posted about the growing trend of mobile messaging and how marketers can reap the benefits of text messaging prospects and clients.

The topic, which was recently discussed in length by Scott Springer at DestinationCRM.com, left me with my mouth agape.

In the U.S. 67 percent of the population subscribes to a mobile phone service, with an estimated 36 percent of the subscribers using some kind of mobile data application, as reported by Yankee Group. Of those users, 72 percent use SMS [simple messaging service] text messaging. The time is right for retailers to embrace the technology of text messaging.

Mobile marketing provides retailers the opportunity to reach customers with a reminder or incentive anytime, anywhere. More often than not, it is outside of the home, which allows for the opportunity to impact customers while they are out making shopping decisions or in transit.

I shuddered at the thought that I could start receiving text messages from anyone, ranging from insurance agents to long distance phone companies. Could marketers really do that?

Springer did point that text messaging should be approached with caution and that the personal preferences of clients and prospects should be respected. He also said that many retailers will allow people to "opt-in" to this sort of communication by offering something in exchange, like ring tones, screensavers, and other promotional incentives.

Oh, yes. A screensaver and a new ring tone would surely convince me to opt in to receive solicitous text messages...

I was slightly appeased, however, when I read that commercial text messaging is regulated under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Controlling the Assault on Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN SPAM), which offers us some protection against massive text messaging campaigns. I was also a little relieved to learn that in order for text messaging to be financially rewarding for marketers, they must work hard to ensure that they send out the best possible message to entice their targeted audience, as well as to ensure that their customers have text messaging capabilities to give "comprehensive feedback," such as non-deliverable message responses. Or the capability to respond to the message with, "Please don't ever text message me again."

Despite the challenges of enticing consumers with worthwhile messages and finding ways to track the return on investment of text messaging, it looks as if people like Scott Springer remain undeterred.

Today's technology allows people to do more than just use the device for phone calls--the opportunity for retailers to send personalized video content is certainly on the horizon, and SMS is the next generation in direct marketing. Like the Internet and email, text messaging is here to stay and grow. Now is the time to embrace it.

I'm not so sure, Mr. Springer. It's 2006 and people don't exactly appreciate or tolerate these kinds of personal solicitations. Of course, this is just my opinion. I'm curious to hear what you think about receiving solicitous text messages. Be sure to leave your opinions, thoughts and questions via comments; I'll post updates here as they come.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
 

Fellow insurance bloggers over at RiskProf recently cited this MSN Slate article on the topic of rental car insurance—namely if it was actually worth the money or not.

Slate columnist, Tim Harford, makes the kind of points that are too spot on for me to paraphrase here, but the gist is that coverages like rental car insurance aren't really worth it.

Here, Harford shares his recent experience at a rental car counter:

This was a strikingly overpriced offering. For each day's rental I was being asked to pay $10 to protect me from the risk of paying $900. The mathematics are hardly difficult: The insurance is fair only if I crash into something every 90 days. If I believed that, I wouldn't get behind the wheel at all.

The better solution: ask your insurance agent if your auto insurance policy will cover you in a rental car. If not, you can usually get this coverage added to your policy for much less than ten dollars per day. Of course, on a larger scale, I agree with Harford when he says that the best solution is to make sure you are properly insured against major catastrophes like a hurricane, house fire or severe accident in your vehicle--and try not to sweat the smaller things like a dent in your rental car.

Harford's latest column is truly a must-read, as it will probably change the way you think about risk and insurance in general. And for more on unnecessary insurance coverage, check out our article, Unecessary Insurance Coverage: Policies to Avoid.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:01 PM | Permalink
 

Could your foreign travel plans affect your life insurance premiums?

According to the Insurance News Network, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently met to evaluate current legislature to come up with a "universal model" for life insurers over whether or not to incorporate foreign travel into life insurance underwriting.

Today, many life insurers—including big names like Allstate, MetLife and New York Life Insurance Company—use an applicant's future travel plans to determine their life insurance premiums. In some cases, insurers will even deny life insurance coverage if the applicant travels to high-risk areas, which are usually determined by the U.S. State Department travel warning list.

The issue of foreign travel and life insurance was put in the spotlight last year after U.S. Representative, Debbie Wasserman Shultz, was denied life insurance after she discussed possible future travel to Israel.

"As an American you can lawfully travel pretty much anywhere in the world," Wasserman Schultz has been quoted. "You are asking Americans to choose between insuring their lives and legal travel."

Insurance companies, on the other hand, argue that they should be allowed to increase premiums or deny coverage based on the fact that a person has a higher risk of death in certain areas of the world—treating world travelers much as they would a person with a history of cancer or other pre-existing medical condition.

My opinion falls somewhere in the middle. If my profession required me to spend a great length of time traveling and working in high-risk areas like Somalia, Liberia and Nepal, then I would expect to be turned down by one or two life insurance companies and, ultimately, to pay higher-than-average life insurance premiums.

However, if there's a possibility that I might travel to Israel or Central Africa during the length of my 30-year term policy, I wouldn't expect to pay more for life insurance than Helen Hermit, who leaves her house once a month. Call me crazy, but that just seems a little fanatical.

It will be interesting to see what state regulators and legislators come up with on the issue of travel and life insurance. I'll be sure to post updates here.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

There's a strange story out of Iowa today you may have been hearing about on the news.

A local insurance agent has apparently been peeping at who-knows-what through the lens of a wireless camera installed in the lady's room of his local office.

Although the state found no evidence that Robert Speirs took pictures or made videos of any kind, police did find a monitor and receiver in his desk, says the Insurance Journal report.

What do you suppose was Mr. Speirs's objective? To catch someone loafing on the job? Or maybe stealing toilet paper? OK, so I'm not really that naive....

An interesting bit of trivia related to this case: privacy apparently isn't highly rated in Iowa, as state law there does not prohibit an attempt to view or photograph someone in a state of nudity without their knowledge. However, Associate Judge James Coil seems not to agree, as he overruled the defense's motion to dismiss the case and set a June trial date.

The moral of the story? Iowans, be careful what you do in public...and watch out for those "private eyes." You never know who's watching (actually, that goes for all of us!).

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 02:58 PM | Permalink
 

We all remember the words of Smokey the Bear: Only you can prevent forest fires!

I have a particular affinity for Smokey the Bear; as a nature nut, I just can't help myself. But I was also enamored by Pluggie the Fire Hydrant growing up, too. It's possible he was just a Cedar Falls Fire Department mascot, but Pluggie was a mechanical fire hydrant that would visit your school or your mall and talk to you about fire safety. Then he'd squirt you in the face, which I did not enjoy or find otherwise humorous.

Whether you're a Smokey the Bear kind of person or a fan of Pluggie (sans water in the face), you know how devastating a fire can be. Wildfires can be equally as devastating, and as the temperatures rise in various parts of the country, it's a good idea to go over your home insurance policy and do some maintenance around your property to keep wildfires at bay.

Firewise, an organization that promotes wildfire safety and education, recommends protecting your home from wildfire by:

• Removing "fuel" from your lawn, such as leaves, sticks and cut grass
• Trimming trees so that the lowest branch at least six inches from the ground
• Storing firewood away from your home
• Creating "fuelbreaks" like concrete sidewalks or gravel driveways to interrupt a fire's path to your house
• Keeping a clearing around your home for emergency fire equipment
• Using fire-resistant materials in the construction of new homes

When it comes to properly insuring your home against wildfire, make sure your home is insured for the replacement cost rather than the actual cash value. Insuring your home for the replacement cost means that your policy would pay for the cost to repair or rebuild your home and/or your possessions without a deduction for depreciation. Unfortunately, many homeowners don't realize that their home is worth more than what they paid for it until it's too late.

Take some time this week to review your home insurance policy and make sure your home is adequately protected. If you see room for improvement, give your agent a call and arrange for modifications to be made. And, if you live in an area that's especially prone to wildfires, make sure you do some grounds keeping this coming weekend to prepare your home for wildfire season.

[ADDITIONAL RESOURCES]:

• Wildfires and Homeowner's Insurance [The InsureMe Insurance Resource Center]
• Firewise for homeowners [Firewise.org]
• Wildfire maps [GeoMac.gov]

Posted by Megan Mahan at 02:11 PM | Permalink
 

It doesn't get much weirder than this.

Not surprisingly, this story is one of the Insurance Journal's most emailed stories this week. Check out the IJ report here, and my commentary on the subject over at the InsureMe Agent Blog.

We'll be back Monday with more insurance excitement. Have a good weekend! :)

Posted by Megan Mahan at 04:09 PM | Permalink
 

When you jump into your car in the next couple of weeks, you might want to double check and make sure your seat belt is fastened.

The annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, aimed at getting people to buckle up and play it safe on the nation's roads and highways, launches Monday and runs through June 4.

The program involves checkpoints, patrols and advertisements to help enforce seat belt laws across the country, and is endorsed by transportation departments nationwide, says the Insurance Journal.

Despite the highest rate of seat belt use ever recorded in the U.S., 48 million Americans still fail to buckle up, according to a recently released report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"It's an undisputable fact that safety belts help save lives. Still, millions of Americans aren't buckling up every time they are in a motor vehicle," said NHTSA Acting Administrator Jacqueline Glassman. "The crackdown is about preventing tragedies through awareness, strong laws and highly visible enforcement of those laws."

So climb in your car, buckle those seat belts, avoid getting a ticket—and stay safe on the roads!

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 03:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

I apologize if you all are getting bored to tears by my recent hurricane-related posts. Yes, the topic may be growing stale for some, but the truth is, as more and more resources become available to folks in hurricane-prone areas, I'm more and more inclined to sift through them all and pass the worthwhile stuff along to you. And I think this one is pretty valuable.

Earlier this week, the Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) released a free, 40-page handbook on hurricane preparedness. The handbook has been "revised, updated and enhanced" to provide residents with the most up-to-date information available.

The handbook includes:

• tips for creating a family evacuation plan


• a disaster supplies checklist


• a hurricane tracking chart


• helpful telephone numbers

Other topics include information on emergency shelters, evacuation routs and power outage restoration. It's one of the most comprehensive hurricane guides I've seen, and while it's information like emergency routes and phone numbers are specific to the Kissimmee area, there are plenty of tips in the handbook that apply for homeowners everywhere.

You can download the handbook free of charge from the KUA website here. And for more hurricane resources that are specific to your state, call your state's Department of Insurance (DOI) or visit them online. You can find your state's DOI web page by clicking here.

[source]: PRWeb

Posted by Megan Mahan at 04:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

If any of you bloggers out there are Texans, we'd love to hear from you on this one....

Following legislation passed last year, speeds on two West Texas highways may soon increase to 80 miles per hour.

Why? Because, according to transportation officials, most drivers are already driving nearly 80 miles per hour anyway.

Here's where I studder: According to a recent story in the Insurance Journal, the Texas Department of Public Safety wants to make driving on the interstate safer. But how will raising the speed limit accomplish this?

"It's generally considered a safer condition when motorists are traveling at a uniform speed," a department spokesperson said. And since a recent survey by the state's department of transportation revealed that 85 percent of drivers were already driving up to 79 mph, it appears all Texans cruising Interstates 10 and 20 in western portions of the state may now be encouraged to drive faster to keep up with the flow of traffic.

OK, excuse my sarcasm for a moment, but is this an attempt at reverse psychology or what? I mean, I realize there isn't much to see in West Texas (having lived in the Lone Star state myself for almost 25 years); but does raising the speed limit to keep speed demons within the limits of the law really help keep everyone safe? Maybe we should remove the thrill of breaking and entering for burglars by making that legal, too?

Here are the facts: statistics show that raising speed limits has a "correlating effect" on the number of traffic fatalities...translation: the higher the speed limit, the more people die. Add to that the additional 20 cents per gallon of gas we have to spend for each 5 mph we drive over 60 (according to the U.S. Department of Energy), and we're looking at a recipe for death and disaster—to say nothing of the consequences on our car insurance premiums!

What do you think? Should the entire nation follow suit and raise speed limits to accommodate the majority of drivers who apparently speed anyway? I'd welcome your thoughts on the matter.

Oh and hey, be careful out there, will ya?

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
 

May is Mental Health Month and yesterday NPR's Talk of the Nation discussed the topic of finding good mental health care for children. Guests included Pete Earley, author of Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness (and former reporter for The Washington Post), Raymond Crowell, clinical psychologist and VP of the National Mental Health Association and Dr. David Fassler, child psychiatrist and clinical professor at the University of Vermont.

The experts discussed the importance of finding proper mental health care for children (under 18) who need it, as well as other tips, resources and questions parents can ask to better understand how to help their child and where to find support.

Check out yesterday's Talk of the Nation here; it's a lengthy discussion but well worth a listen. For more information on mental health, visit the National Mental Health Information Center here.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:45 PM | Permalink
 

It's hard to believe, but another hurricane season is upon us, officially starting on June 1...in case you haven't heard. :) And, not surprisingly, many homeowners along the Gulf Coast are rushing to protect their homes from the kind of devastation seen last year during hurricane you-know-what.

In response to the fast-approaching storm season, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) released five disaster prevention tips today, encouraging consumers to take action now before the predicted storms reach the U.S.

The release is a must read, especially for homeowners along the coasts. Check out the press release here and learn what you can do to protect your home.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 04:41 PM | Permalink
 

Today the Insurance Journal reported that Florida insurance commissioner, Kevin McCarty, has urged residents to purchase flood insurance before the official start of hurricane season on June 1. According to the IJ story, 80 percent of properties damaged in Mississippi and 60 percent of the properties in low-lying areas in New Orleans didn't have flood insurance during last year's active hurricane season.

While the IJ story pertains to Floridians, it's a good reminder for the rest of us to make sure our homes are adequately protected. Think you don't need flood insurance? A recent Rand Corporation showed that one-third of all floods occur outside of flood zones.

This is one statistic I'm going to harp on. My parent's house in Iowa flooded twice; the second time occurred after a hard rain and the flush of a toilet. I'll spare you the descriptions of the sewer backup, but we had to replace just about everything in our basement. We camped at the Holiday Inn for a couple days, during which time my parents learned that their home insurance wouldn't cover the damages. Bad news.

Is there a silver lining? You bet your homeowning pants there is!

Flood insurance is now easier to buy than ever. You can buy a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which can be purchased directly through your home insurance agent. Your premiums will be primarily determined by the risk of flood in your area; give your agent a call and see if he or she can work up a quote for you. The NFIP offers a maximum coverage of $250,000 for homes and $100,000 for contents.

Other private insurers also sell flood insurance policies, many of which exceed the amount alloted by the NFIP and cover more flood-related perils. Last month, we posted about the Chubb Group's new flood insurance policy, which can provide up to $15 million in coverage.

My guess is most of us won't need $15 mil to cover our properties, but any way you cut it, flood insurance is an important investment for every homeowner.

[Related post]: New Flood Insurance Policy Provides up to $15 Million in Coverage

Posted by Megan Mahan at 04:07 PM | Permalink
 

We all know that kids, plus snacks, equals juvenile bliss. But one snack in particular is wreaking havoc among some school systems: Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

InsureMe's own James Omdahl caught the story on NPR earlier this week and I found the full report here. Take a listen—it might be the funniest thing you've heard all week. Of course, it's always good to learn what your kids might be getting into at school, too. :)

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:47 PM | Permalink
 

The InsureMe Consumer Resource Center is up and running!

Take a look to find shopping and saving tips on home, life, auto and health insurance. We think it's good stuff and we hope you will too.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Post a comment here and let us know what you'd like to see in the resource center. Remember, we're here for you. :)

[Oh...and we've got all the state-specific insurance information you're looking for, too!]

Posted by Megan Mahan at 05:06 PM | Permalink
 

A sad story out of Dallas yesterday makes me grateful anew for my husband, home and family.

Nearly a year after her husband was shot to death by a gang of car thieves outside their home, a Dallas woman is making an unusual offer to anyone who can help police catch his killers.

She's offering all she has—his $10,000 life insurance policy.

After almost a year trailing the cold case, Dallas police were surprised when Mrs. Marquez walked into the police station this week with the idea of offering the $10,000 life insurance policy reward to anyone willing to help authorities catch whoever killed her beloved husband.

According to the story reported by CBS 11, Graciela Marquez and her children just want to know who did this to their family...and they're not going to let their financial struggles stop them from finding out.

Read the entire story here...then go home and hug your family!

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 04:23 PM | Permalink
 

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported today that the Western United States was the primary target of the nation's auto bandits in 2005. Out of the ten metro areas with the highest rate of auto theft, Californian cities like Los Angeles occupied six positions, with cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle and Yakima keeping them company.

This new study was interesting to me, mostly because a few of my friends have had their cars stolen. In fact just over a month ago, a couple of my friends were packing up their car to move from L.A. to Denver; when they locked up their old apartment for the last time and walked down to the street to get on the road, their car (and all of their belongings therein) was gone.

Thankfully, between their renters and auto insurance policies, they were well compensated. But that's not to say their claim alleviated the heartache and pain of replacing a vehicle, clothing, furniture, etc.

To avoid becoming a victim of auto theft, the NICB recommends a "layering" approach with the following tips:

• Use your Noggin. Common sense goes a long way when it comes to foiling auto thieves. Park your car in a well-lit area, lock your doors and roll up your windows. No matter what.

• Employ Warning Devices. Visible and audible devices give a would-be thief a heads up that your ride is not a force to be reckoned with. These devices include alarms, break pedal locks and VIN etching. Personally, I'm a big fan of The Club. I painted mine neon orange for good measure.


• Check out an Immobilizing Device. These devices prevent thieves from bypassing your ignition by hot-wiring the vehicle. These tools include smart keys, kill switches and starter, ignition and fuel pump disablers.


• Invest in a Tracking Device. A tracking device will emit a signal to the cop shop or a monitoring station when a vehicle is stolen, increasing the chance that you're car will be recovered and returned to you.

Now, I realize this sounds like a whole bunch of work. And, admittedly, a part of me thinks actually employing all of these tips and devices is borderline obsessive. Seems like it would take an average person close to ten minutes just to start their car in the morning. Nonetheless, it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus, your anti-theft efforts will probably be reflected in your auto insurance premium in the form of discounts.

So maybe your neighbors brand you the paranoid car freak of the block. You'll rest easier knowing your car will be in the driveway tomorrow morning. :)

[Check out the full NICB report courtesy of the Insurance News Net here.]

Posted by Megan Mahan at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

I came across a new website this morning, geared towards helping consumers save on health care. Health Savings News was launched earlier this month and includes tips and articles on topics like medical credit cards, the new Medicare plan and health savings accounts, just to name a few.

The editors also compile their favorite articles, tips and websites each week to help you find the best of everything health care on the web. This week's web site of the week is Pillbot.com, which allows consumers to shop online for the best-priced prescription drugs—without entering medical history or other personal information.

While Health Savings News is still in its infancy, it contains some pretty good information. I learned a little something myself about requesting an itemized bill from hospitals.

Check it out and let me know if you find the site worthwhile. And of course, for information and saving tips on health insurance, don't forget to visit the InsureMe Consumer Resource Center! (We've got what you need to know about health insurance in your state, too.)

[source: PR Web]

Posted by Megan Mahan at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
 

Good stuff from the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) today via the Insurance News Network (INN) regarding home insurance coverage.

According to the article (which I suppose is more of a "press release"), 59 percent of today's homes are underinsured by about 22 percent. Pretty discouraging numbers when you figure that a home is probably the largest investment most of us will ever make. Even more discouraging when you learn that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, homebuilding materials increased over six percent in 2005 due the Gulf devastation and global demand.

What do all these numbers mean?

It means that your home may be uninsured, and if disaster strikes, rebuilding your home is going to cost lots-o-dough.

To make sure your home is properly insured, the I.I.I. recommends asking your agent three simple questions:

1. Do I have enough insurance to rebuild my home?


2. Do I have enough insurance to replace all my possessions?


3. Do I have enough insurance to protect my assets?

Posted by Megan Mahan at 02:29 PM | Permalink
 

Sometimes Friday rolls around and there's just nothing worthy of the Peculiar Friday Post. While this brings me great discontent, I found a bit of solace in this totally rad car. Yes, rad. (Although I can't say I like the body...)

Imagine driving 250 miles on one gallon of gas. Yeah. I think my head is starting to explode. Amazing. Check out the post—and the comments—and let me know what you think. And be sure to check out AutoBlogGreen for more on hybrid cars and all things oil.

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

Consumers looking for individual health insurance are often surprised to learn that more and more insurance companies are using their Body Mass Index (BMI)—a measure of body fat based on height and weight—to determine health insurance rates.

Why?

If you have a high BMI (over 24.9), you are at greater risk for serious conditions like heart disease, which also increases an insurer's risk to insure you. And that means higher health insurance premiums.

Not surprisingly, diet and exercise are the best way to lower your BMI—and possibly your health insurance rates. But what if you don't like going to the gym? Do you hate those aerobic/dance/karate DVDs? Now, according to CNN.com, you can flick on your computer and have a workout streamed right into your living room.

CNN.com reported today that "broadband gyms" are becoming popular among gym-phobic consumers who want to get a good workout. Companies like SlimTree and demandFitness provide members with 30+ workouts, which can all be accessed via the web, in your home, office, hotel room—wherever. Plans for SlimTree start at $4 per month for six weeks and members receive diet and excerise advice, as well as their choice of workouts ranging from yoga to kickboxing. Not too shabby.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a gym-phobe myself. I go, but I hit it during early morning or late night hours to avoid the beefcakes and the supermodels. Nonetheless, I can't, as of yet, see myself becoming a member of a broadband gym. I think they're an interesting alternative for people who get bored easily, can't get into the [workout] classes they want or travel a lot. Maybe it's just me, but working out at home has a lot of distractions. Especially if you have a weird cat that jumps on your head everytime you hit the floor for crunches.

Sarcasm aside, getting healthy is a good thing and it may save you quite a few bucks every month. But what do you think? Is a broadband gym for you?

[Bonus link]: Calculate your BMI online!

Big thanks to Marina, InsureMe's User Experience Designer, for this juicy vittle!

Posted by Megan Mahan at 04:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
 

While the price of gasoline seems to rise daily, there is one bright spot in our inflated economy, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III): auto insurance costs are holding steady this year at an average of $867 nationwide.

That's good news, as more and more of us are living paycheck-to-paycheck, just hoping we can stretch those earnings a little bit farther.

A recent article in the Insurance Journal cites Robert Hartwig, senior vice president and chief economist of the III, as he puts things in perspective saying, "The cost of auto Insurance is increasing by about one-sixth the rate of inflation—and little more than a single gallon of gasoline."

And the news gets even better: drivers with safe records and those with good credit may actually see their rates go down this year—by as much as 3 to 5 percent, or about $25 to $50 per vehicle!

What accounts for the slowdown in auto insurance rate increases? According to Hartwig, it's due to a declining number of accidents, safer cars, new auto theft technology, fraud-fighting efforts and, last but not least, graduated teen licensing laws.

I don't know about you, but I shopped my auto insurance this year for the first time in several years...and boy, am I glad I did. I ended up cutting my rates in half—and that's nothing to sneeze at!

So enjoy those low rates [and get the good news here].

Posted by Penny Hagerman at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

If you're a recent college grad, you're either without proper insurance or about to be. That's because most insurance companies won't insure dependents on a parent's insurance policy past age 22—or younger.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has created the Insure U program to help folks of all ages plan for and meet their insurance needs—which is especially helpful for college grads who aren't exactly sure what they need or where to turn.

The Insure U page has four different "life stage courses"; the "young singles" course includes tips and information on relevant topics like identify theft, saving tips, and shopping guides for health, life, homeowner's/renter's and auto insurance (to name a few).

I should probably be embarrassed by how cool I think Insure U is, but I can't help myself—it makes me crazy. Check it out here to get started.

Not a college grad? Don't sweat it. Insure U has "life stage courses" for young families, established families and empty nesters, too. And don't forget—you can find more insurance information and get free insurance quotes from InsureMe.com.

Alright, kids. You've got the links. Go crazy.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

The fourth annual Cover the Uninsured Week is here!

Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cover the Uninsured Week is part of a non-partisan, nationwide effort to put health coverage in America on the front burner. Thousands of activities for Cover the Uninsured Week will take place all across the country through May 7, including health enrollment fairs.

Health enrollment fairs will host a variety of screenings, such as those for diabetes and breast cancer, as well as educational sessions on HIV/AIDS, nutrition and fitness and home health care (just to name a select few).

To see what's happening near you, go to CoverTheUninsured.org and check out the 2006 event calendar.

Already have health insurance? You can still join the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's efforts to put the spotlight on America's uninsured and: