If you own a home and at least one dog, you probably know your insurance company charges more to insure some dogs than others.

As Jeb so aptly points out in his own, humorous way, owners of larger dogs like pit bulls known for their aggression pay more to insure against bodily injury than those who own little dogs, like Pomeranians.

“But wait,” you say. “My pit bull is the sweetest, most loving dog ever! How come I have to pay more for insurance than my neighbor with the little pomeranian, when my pittie has never hurt anyone?”

In short, it’s because that sweet 80-pound pit bull’s breed has a not-so-nice reputation. That means he’s a higher risk than the little pomeranian. And insuring against risk means a higher likelihood of claims and higher home insurance rates.

If that 80-pound dog did decide to nip at that little kid he thought was threatening you in the park, he’d be likely to take the child’s face off without thinking twice; whereas that little pomeranian would be more likely to make a lot of noise or run away.

At least, that’s how the ‘Breeds’ side of the argument goes.

Some people think that notion is utterly ridiculous. “Judge a dog on his deeds, not his breed,” they say.

While that sounds good to the human ear, your insurer says it’s just not a reliable method for determining which dog will attack and injure, and which one won’t. Therefore, like it or not, owning that pit bull could end up costing you a lot more money than owning a smaller animal with a less violent history.

What do you think? Should homeowners be charged liability rates based on their dog’s breed or history? Let us know your thoughts—dog owner or not!

A few months ago, I blogged on a subject that’s very personal to me: gastric bypass. At the time, I”d been researching the topic for more than a year, and I’m hoping to have the surgery myself.

Though I probably wouldn’t be considered ‘morbidly obese,’ I’ve struggled with my weight all my life. Until the last few years, I was always able to lose the weight through diet and exercise. But due to damage I’ve suffered to two of my heart valves, I haven’t been able to sustain the exercise needed to lose the weight—and I’ve developed more serious, life-threatening health issues as a result. So I’ve decided that, if insurance will have me, I’m gonna go for the bypass.

While discussing these issues on Facebook with some friends from high school that I’ve gotten back in touch with, one of them gave me some news I would never have expected.  A classmate of ours had suffered a horrible injury while in college and been burned over 75 percent of his body.

But he had gone on to beat the odds and not only survive (with only a three percent chance), but become a doctor—and then a practicing bariatric surgeon near our hometown!

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that Dr. Greg Walton went through following the accident that nearly took his life. But I do remember the truly caring, intelligent guy he was back in high school; the kind of person who, after literally going to hell and back, would turn his misfortune into good by serving his community and the world so that people like me can have another chance at a healthy life.

I don’t live near my hometown anymore, but if I did, I’d want Dr. Walton (I still can’t get used to calling him ‘doctor!’) for my bariatric surgeon. If you ask me, he’s a real inspiration—and someone we’d all like to emulate.

Here’s to you, Dr. Walton!

For More Information:

The Weight Wise Bariatric Program

Most of us have been seeing unusual weather patterns this year.

From heavy thunderstorms and rain to hail and lightning, scientists attribute this strange weather to El Nino—and they say we’re in for at least another year of unseasonable temperatures and uncharacteristic thunderstorms.

When the weather turns nasty, the number of insurance claims goes through the roof. Hail damages homes and cars, high winds and heavy rain cause flooding and destruction, and people and animals get trapped outside and injured or killed.

But do you know which weather event is the most dangerous, damaging and costly? You might be surprised. Ready? Lightning.

Lightning strikes about 250,000 times and kills an average of 73 people each year—more than hurricanes or tornadoes.

Since 2004, the number of lightening-related insurance claims filed by policyholders and paid by insurance companies has dropped almost eleven-and-a-half percent.

That sounds like good news, right?

But hold on to your hat: the average cost per claim has increased nearly 64 percent over the past five years.

Why? Well, let’s just say that’s not your Rice Krispies you hear going snap, crackle, pop!

To find out the effect lightning can have on your insurance—and the very real damage it can cause—read our article titled, “Lightning Claims Shocking.” It might open your eyes to the damage lightning can cause, while helping you stay out of harm’s way when skies turn dark.

Following the recent passing of the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson, the media and public alike have been all abuzz speculating about the way he died.

Was it murder? Suicide? Or just an accident?

Though Jackson’s notoriety places him on a different level than most of us, we’re all affected differently when someone we know and love passes away. Some of us struggle to believe that person was here one minute, then suddenly gone the next; others, more familiar with loss, simply grieve, accept death—and move on.

Regardless how you deal with it, being left behind is never easy. In addition to the emotional turmoil that accompanies losing a dear loved one, there may also be final expenses to pay, medical bills to cover, moves to make, life insurance claims to file and other life situations to settle.

But sometimes, when people die under mysterious circumstances, that’s all overshadowed by speculation, as in the case of MJ.

Life insurance companies have heard all the wacky stories: people disappearing, then found dead in the strangest of places; some dying for no apparent reason at all, then autopsied and a strange condition found; others meeting their demise in a place or situation that completely defies reason.

Some of the stories are wackier than others—and some are simply a matter of timing or circumstance. But regardless how they occur, death comes to us all…it’s just that some people really go out in style!

We all know that familiar sound: Bleep! It’s another text message that needs our attention.

When that noise bombards our ears, most of us automatically reach for our phone, BlackBerry or PDA to see who’s texting us and why.

But according to the results of a new study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, along with prior studies by Liberty Mutual Insurance and state-funded organizations, we’d best leave that little device alone—and keep both hands on the wheel.

As it turns out, texting while driving is incredibly dangerous, increasing the risk of accident more than 23 times. In fact, it’s much more lethal than talking on the phone—or even driving drunk!

We hear all the time about local and national campaigns to stop drunken driving. But with this new evidence, it seems it’s time to outlaw texting while driving, too.

So far, 14 states and Washington, D.C., have made this deadly combination illegal. And more states are joining the fight each year, encouraging drivers to shelve electronic devices to avoid accidents and high insurance premiums.

Lawmakers are jumping in now too, proposing legislation that would require states to ban texting behind the wheel or face losing highway funds.

But, like most things, it’s all a matter of personal responsibility. For example, illegal or not, there will always be those who choose to break the speed limit, pass in no-passing zones and park in handicapped or striped areas without authorization.

But for those people who just can’t ignore those incoming text messages, do us all a favor, would you please, and pull over. You can take care of business when you get where you’re going.

Meanwhile, you’ll help us all stay 23 times safer—and help keep car insurance much more affordable, too.

For more life-saving information on texting while driving, see our feature article here.

It’s your worst nightmare (and reminiscent of an Ashton Kutcher movie from a few years back): You drive across town to a friend’s house, park your car across the street, and head over for a rockin’ good time at a party.

Later that night (or early the next morning), you stagger outside, head across the street—and your car is gone.

Nowhere to be seen. Vanished—like Cinderella from the ball. Now what?

Though this scenario may not fit your lifestyle completely, vehicle theft is serious business, one you’d never expect to encounter during the course of a normal, routine day. But it happens all the time, leaving innocent drivers holding the bag and wondering what they did to deserve such a bad break.

How likely are you to have such a horrible, nerve-wracking experience as car theft? Well, that depends. If you happen to live in Modesto, California and/or drive a Honda Civic, you’re more likely than most.

It seems Modesto is the top U.S. city for car theft, and the 1995 Honda Civic is the most frequently stolen car in the country—increasing your chances if you live in that area or drive that particular car.

But no one is immune. According to the FBI, a car is stolen every 29 seconds in the U.S., and the rate of theft in 2007 was an estimated 363.3 per 100,000 people. Property losses in 2006 were nearly $8 billion, for an average of $6,649 per stolen car.

So what do losses like that mean to the average Joe (or Jane) like you and me? Other than possibly losing our prized speedster, economy model or SUV, it means higher insurance costs—something we’d all like to avoid.

For a list of the most-stolen cars, check out Jeb’s article on the subject here. Oh, and next time you head out to party with a friend, play it safe and do what you can to avoid theft: lock your doors, park in a well-lit area, and use a Club or other restrictive device to discourage joy-riders. It could make all the difference.

More Information:

Auto Theft

Auto Insurance Quotes & Theft