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Red-light cameras — recent additions at many Washington intersections — make drivers more cautious in pushing the limits of yellow lights, according to a recent poll. In a survey conducted by PEMCO Insurance, 55 percent of drivers said the cameras made them think twice before going through a yellow light. Yet drivers surveyed also said they would prefer the state do away with the cameras. Thirty-one percent of those polled support more cameras in the areas where they drive, while another 31 percent said the number of existing cameras is “about right.” And 29 percent said fewer or no cameras… Read More »Drivers More Cautious When Monitored by Traffic Cameras

An ultralight, gas-powered car that can get 102 miles per gallon is among the winners of the $10 million Automotive X Prize, a contest to develop highly efficient, production-ready vehicles. The X Prize, which is funded by Progressive Insurance, gave 111 teams 30 months to develop their vehicles and then put them through driving, safety and efficiency tests. Some of the prize money will go into development of the next generation light car, and once it is ready – it will be offered partner manufacturers for production.

Texas recorded a preliminary total of 480 work-related fatalities in 2009, a 4% increase compared to the revised 2008 total of 463 fatalities, as reported by Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Nationally, there were 4,340 fatal work injuries in 2009, a decrease of 17 percent from the revised total in 2008, according to the most recently available data released on Aug. 19, 2010, by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Although transportation incidents continued to be the leading cause of fatalities (163 incidents), there was a decline… Read More »Fatalities Related to Work Up in Texas

Each product that is going out on market MUST go through a thorough and comprehensive testing, otherwise it may be dangerous to public. Look at all those recalls we here every day. For example, http://www.recalls.gov/ is government own information portal with the latest details on products recall. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its information on booster seats safety. Complete details are available here: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr090810.html Out of all car seats tested, only 30% (or 21 of 72) have received the top marks for proper fit for children in the back seat. It’s great, compare to last year results, where… Read More »Child Boost Seats tested by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

In a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $99 billion , that is > $99, 000, 000, 000– with the cost of direct medical care accounting for $17 billion. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the total annual cost amounts to nearly $500 for each licensed driver in the U.S. The study in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention found that the one-year costs of fatal and non-fatal crash-related injuries totaled $70 billion (71% of total costs) for people riding in motor vehicles,… Read More »Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries Statistics

Zurich has introduced an enhanced professional liability policy aimed at mid-sized and large construction customers. “The coverage is designed for the professional exposures of a construction manager, whether offered through an at-risk or agency contract, as well as trade subcontractors with or without direct design exposure,” said Scott Rasor, head of Construction for Zurich’s North America Commercial business division. “The policy covers third-party claims against a contractor. If the contractor is providing design-build services and incurs first-party losses due to the designer’s negligence, the contractor can access this policy’s limits when the subcontracted designer’s professional liability limits are not adequate… Read More »Professional Liability Coverage for Contractors

California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is considering requesting a 30 percent increase in pure premium rates for 2011 policies. The news that California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) might ask for the increase came out of a meeting of the bureau’s actuarial committee. That committee makes a recommendation to the WCIRB’s governing committee, and then the governing committee makes the request to the states Department of Insurance. The governing committee is scheduled to meet next week, and will be considering the recommendation then, said the WCIRB’s communications director. The Department of Insurance has rejected the past two rate… Read More »Another Workers Comp increase in California?

The Insurance Service Office (ISO) has revised its method of assigning symbols to vehicles. Rather than a single symbol, there will be separate comprehensive and collision symbols. Instead of a range of symbols from 1 to 27 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail value up to $80,000 and above, there will be a range of 1 to 75 for values up to $150,000 and a symbol 98 for all vehicles above $150,000.

You are a contractor and you may hire a subcontractor for a specific task. FACT: most of our clients do that. The subcontractor or one of their workers may get injured on the job. FACT: some of them get that. QUESTIONS: Are you liable for workers’ compensation insurance? Are you liable for general liability insurance? The answers to these questions could very well be yes, especially if the subcontractor is unlicensed and or uninsured.  You could be held liable for workers’ compensation benefits if the employee of an uninsured subcontractor gets injured while working on a project for you. The subcontractor damages your work or… Read More »Protect Yourself Before You Allow Subcontractors on Your Jobsite

Whether you are an existing  multinational organization or exploring the possibility of expanding into the foreign market, In partnership with Travelers, we have the products, services and expertise to meet a wide range of international insurance needs in more than 90 countries. Our mission is to create unique solutions to your needs, no matter how complex. Did you know that one-third of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product is in international goods and services? In addition, recent industry statistics show that U.S. business is embracing global growth more than ever. Among the trends: 56% view globalization as an opportunity 46% currently sell products outside the U.S. 51% are traveling outside… Read More »Are You Covered Worldwide?