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Small pickups aren’t providing as much protection in side crashes as many new cars and sport utility vehicles. The Toyota Tacoma was the only one of five small pickup trucks, all 2008 models, to earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in recent side crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier are rated marginal, and the Chevrolet Colorado is rated poor in the side test, which simulates a side impact from an SUV or another pickup. How Vehicles Are Evaluated The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based… Read More »Toyota Tacoma Safest of Small Pickups

An accelerating U.S. consumer shift from sport utility vehicles and pickups to more fuel-efficient cars should reduce rollover, but safety experts worry a lighter fleet poses serious risks despite air bags, anti-collision systems and other advances. Distressed U.S. auto giants are moving to retool plants and leverage operations in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere to get more small cars to American consumers in coming years and meet tougher federal fuel economy standards. U.S. sales are down in 2008 with gas prices above $4 a gallon and consumers caught in a slowing economy. But sales of compacts, sedans and other cars… Read More »Shift to Smaller Cars Raises Safety Questions

Old Russian Joke first: Once, a driver of a brand new BM 750 crashed into asphalt roller parked on the street. They called militia. When cop arrived the driver of BMW asks the policeman to step  aside. After a short conversation, the policeman takes out a pen and a notepad and asks the driver of roller: “Well, okay, now describe me how  were you passing and cutting BMW..?” California Department of Insurance released a warning for drivers: With summer vacation looming and many Californians traditionally driving more frequently or longer distances, drivers should be alert for staged auto collisions. In 2007-2008, 14,623 referrals… Read More »Drivers Cautioned Against Staged Collisions

ISO has filed advisory rating programs, including rating credits for commercial fire and allied lines, businessowners, homeowners, and dwelling lines of insurance. The credits apply to various ranges of BCEGS classifications (1–3, 4–7, 8–9, 10). Any building constructed in the year ISO classifies a community, or in a later year, will be eligible for the program. Buildings in communities with classifications of 9 and lower (down to 1) will receive a rating credit. A classification of 10 will receive no credit. Classifications of 1–3 will receive the highest credit. Classifications of 4–9 will receive intermediate credits.

Travelers recently launched a “first” in the insurance industry with its premium discount of up to 10 percent for those owning electrically powered boats. Whether boaters are interested in a quieter boating experience, or if they are seeking environmentally friendly boating solutions that help save money on annual fuel costs, electric boats can provide the right alternative for this segment of boaters, Travelers’ statement said. The release added that the number of electric boat manufacturers has grown and there continues to be a demand for electric boats in the current economy. Travelers defines an electric boat as a vessel 100… Read More »Electric Boat Insurance Discount

Reuters Reports: Johnson & Johnson last Thursday won a lawsuit brought by the family of an 11-year-old girl who became blind after using the drug Children’s Motrin in 2003. The jury voted 9-3 against liability, after a six week trial. Jurors decided that J&J had put a drug on the market known to cause sickness and illness, without warning customers, but also found that it had not been proved that Children’s Motrin caused the girl, Sabrina Johnson, to go blind. Her family had sought almost a $1 billion in damages. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court had alleged… Read More »Suit Dropped. Company found not liable. Who is paying for lawyers?