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10 Most Common Auto Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

If you can avoid auto claims, it will save you big time on your insurance costs. The rate you pay is based, in part, on your past driving and claims history. While no one wants to have an accident, they do happen on occasion. That’s why we call them accidents, after all. Auto insurance is an important part of protecting yourself and your assets.

Even more, it can save you time and injury if you can keep your car and its occupants safe. Here are 10 of the most common auto insurance claims and tips on how you might avoid them.

Distracted Driving and Insurance Premium

Most drivers are aware of the dangers of driving while distracted. However, something that many drivers do not realize is that in addition to the legal ramifications, these distractions can affect the premiums you pay for your auto insurance. Most drivers are aware of the dangers of driving while distracted. However, something that many drivers do not realize is that in addition to the legal ramifications, these distractions can affect the premiums you pay for your auto insurance. While any number of things can distract a driver from the road — including eating, adjusting the sound system, or talking to people in your vehicle… Read More »Distracted Driving and Insurance Premium

Catalytic Converter and Insurance

First of all, both your personal auto insurance and business auto insurance cover the damage to your autos with a theft of catalytic converter, as long as you have full coverage. You should open a claim an the payment will be processed with comprehensive part of your insurance policy.  You’ll likely need to pay your deductible. Thieves have targeted catalytic converters for years, but recently these crimes have been on the rise. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 1,298 reported catalytic converter thefts in 2018. That increased to 3,389 in 2019 and skyrocketed to 14,433 in… Read More »Catalytic Converter and Insurance

Truck Brokers’ Contingent Liability

Designed to protect truck brokers in the event one of their contracted truckers has a coverage issue. Truck and freight brokerage operations need coverage for the exposures presented when their clients’ policies fail to respond. Our Truck Broker Contingent Liability product helps to service this segment of the industry. Coverages Contingent auto Contingent cargo E&O General liability Limits Truck Brokers Up to $5,000,000 – Contingent Auto, GL, Professional (E&O) Up to $250,000 – Contingent Cargo Truck Leasing $1,000,000 – Contingent Auto $100,000 – Off-Lease Physical Damage Availability National Requirements Contingent Brokerage Application: https://paperless-insurance.com/insurance-application/ Sample Broker Carrier Agreement List of Motor Carriers… Read More »Truck Brokers’ Contingent Liability

Managing use of Non-Owned Personal Vehicles

Managing use of Non-Owned Personal VehiclesMany small businesses and other organizations furnish company owned vehicles for transportation needs including trucks, vans, buses and automobiles. However, it is not uncommon for staff and volunteers to drive their own personal vehicles for business-related transportation.

It is important to recognize that your business can be held liable for damages by allowing the use of non-owned personal vehicles for business purposes. In an effort to keep everyone safe, and to protect the organization from claims arising from the use of personal vehicles, the following safety precautions should be followed:

  • Restrict who is allowed to drive. Studies show that accident rates are higher for drivers under he age of 25 and over 70; therefore, drivers of personal vehicles should be between 25 and 70 years of age.
  • Require proof of automobile liability insurance. This should be obtained annually and kept on file. The following minimum auto liability limits should be required:
    • Bodily Injury Liability – $100,000 each person / $300,000 per occurrence and;
    • Property Damage Liability – $100,000 per occurrence.
  • Inform drivers that their personal automobile insurance is the primary coverage for any and all accidents and injuries that occur during the transport. They should contact their insurance company and inform them that they will be using their personal vehicle for business purposes.Read More »Managing use of Non-Owned Personal Vehicles

Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

commercial grade kitchen equipmentOperation of a commercial grade kitchen, many safety considerations should be addressed, including food safety, employee and volunteer safety, and fire safety. This blog post addresses the specific issues associated with providing adequate fire safety for your kitchen.

Commercial cooking operations are defined as kitchens that have cooking equipment that produce grease and grease laden vapors. This includes flat grills, char broilers and deep fat fryers. The typical residential range (electric or gas) would not be considered a grease producing appliance. Other equipment, such as ovens, microwaves and steam kettles also fall into the non-grease producing appliance category. The following is information regarding two of the most common types of equipment that produce grease and/or grease laden vapors.

Deep Fat Fryers

Deep fat fryers are a major cause of kitchen fires. Oil can splash and easily come into contact with an open flame from an adjacent piece of cooking equipment, such as a gas-fired range top. A 18-inch clearance must be maintained between the deep fat fryer and the open flame cooking equipment. If a 18-inch clearance is not possible, a vertical steel barrier extending 12 inches above the top of the deep fat fryer or open flame appliance(s) can be used as an alternative means of protection.Read More »Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

Driving safely in winter weather

driving in winter weatherFalling snow can be picturesque, but it can also wreak havoc on the roads. While no one enjoys driving in snowy or slippery conditions, there are steps you can take to help improve your safety.

Here are some guidelines that can help you stay safe when driving in adverse winter conditions:

  • Make sure your car is prepared for cold temperatures and winter conditions like snow and ice. Keep your equipment properly maintained and include a winter survival kit in your vehicle: an ice scraper, snow shovel and sand/salt. Jumper cables are also a good idea since batteries are prone to failure during cold weather.Read More »Driving safely in winter weather

No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform

According to a recent statewide poll commissioned by the Coalition for Auto Insurance Reform (CAIR), an overwhelming number of Michigan voters believe their auto insurance premiums are too high and support no-fault reform legislation that would lower their auto insurance costs. The poll revealed that voters are concerned about the high cost auto insurance – 70 percent said their auto insurance premiums were too high. The belief that auto insurance rates are too high is shared by voters across all age groups, political parties and beliefs, especially among the following demographics: 88 percent of Detroiters 75 percent blue collar workers… Read More »No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform