Uncategorized

The rural area to the northeast of Denver, Colo., tops the nation when it comes to regions most prone to tornados, according to Boston-based CDS Business Mapping LLC, an online hazard mapping firm. The top 10 most tornado prone metro-areas include:1. Denver, Colo.*2. Houston, Texas3. Miami, Fla.4. Hollywood, Fla.5. Tampa, Fla.6. Lincoln, Ill.7. Lakeland, Fla.8. Little Rock, Ark.9. Cape Coral, Fla.10. Oklahoma City, Okla.*Not downtown, but a rural area to the northeast.This list is based on the RiskMeter Online’s Tornado Model, which predicts the severity of tornadoes for any location in the Continental United States.Tornado exposure has and will always… Read More »Top 10 Most Tornado Prone Areas: Colorado, Texas

The 1995 Honda Civic was the car stolen the most in 2007, according to “Hot Wheels 2008,” the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) study that determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen each year. According to the 2008 report of cars stolen in 2007, older model vehicles are a target for thieves because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts. On a positive note, the FBI preliminary Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data revealed that motor vehicle theft is headed for an 8.9 percent decrease in 2007. The final data will be released later this… Read More »Honda Civic, Accord Top 2008 List of Most Stolen Cars

A surprising fact: wildfire can happen in almost every state. While wildfire strikes more frequently in the West, nearly every state has been devastated by fires in the last century. And each year hundreds of homes are destroyed as more people choose to live closer to nature.Know what your insurance covers and how much you need. Your insurance policy covers repair or rebuilding costs. If you can’t live in your home, insurance company will pay additional living expenses as provided in your policy—typicallyvfor up to 12 months. Review your policy for detailed coverage explanations. Business owners should also consider business… Read More »You live in an area prone to wildfire. Are you prepared?

Put safety first. Make personal safety your first priority. Listen to the radio for up-to-date information. If you’re in an evacuated area, don’t return to your home or business until local authorities report that it’s safe. When you return to survey your property, remember that there may be broken glass and sharp objects, and air quality may be poor. Wear protective clothing—sturdy shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face from ashes and soot. Check your roof immediately and put out any sparks or embers with a hose. Also check your property for signs… Read More »I have wildfire damage. What do I need to do?

Officials said San Francisco is not liable for the death of a San Jose, Calif., teenager who was attacked by an escaped tiger on Christmas Day at the San Francisco Zoo. The city instead referred a claim filed by the parents of 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr. to the San Francisco Zoological Society, which manages the zoo, and to the society’s insurance company, according to a letter issued by City Attorney Dennis Herrera. Herrera responded similarly in May to claims filed by brothers Kulbir and Paul Dhaliwal, two friends of Sousa who also were mauled by the tiger. The city’s denial… Read More »Tiger Attack: San Francisco Denies Liability

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has created a new Web-based service with total-loss data for consumers so they can learn if a vehicle has previously been severely wrecked, flooded or stolen: www.NICB.org It does not provide access to the records of self-insured vehicles, rental fleets and insurers that are not NICB members, a gap the National Automobile Dealers Association would like to see filled. Each year several million cars and trucks are flooded, severely wrecked in accidents or stolen. Many of these totaled cars are placed back on the road after individuals rebuild them, wash the titles and resell… Read More »Free Vehicle Report Check

California State Compensation Insurance Fund announced that it will extend credit to policyholders who have suffered a financial loss or business disruption caused by the hundreds of wildfires burning throughout California. Most fires sparked by lightning, in one of the driest springs on record, have burned some 416,272 acres, destroying 29 structures and threatening 8,638 more. President George Bush declared a state of emergency for California, prompting federal aid. State, local and federal firefighters continue to battle the wildfires. Dedicated customer service lines have been set up to provide assistance to policyholders. State Fund will work with employers who were… Read More »Credit to Wildfire Victims Extended by California State Compensation Insurance Fund

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has approved a 17.9 percent reduction in insurance premiums for Fireman’s Fund California homeowners. This reduction will bring a total of $30 million in savings to policyholders. Under the rate reductions, homeowners will save an average of $505 per year, per policy. Fireman’s Fund is the 9th largest homeowners insurer in California, with 58,740 policyholders, CDI said. San Francisco County Fireman’s Fund customers will enjoy a total of $1.7 million in savings. Los Angeles policyholders will save a total of $5.3 million. The new rates will take effect on Aug. 1, 2008 and apply to… Read More »California Homeowners’ Premiums Reduced with Fireman’s Fund

Every structure located in one of the more than 20,400 NFIP-participating communities is in a “flood zone;” the insured’s house or building just may not be in one of the more hazardous ones. “Flood zone” is over-simplified attempt to describe special flood hazard areas (SFHA’s). read full story: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/07/02/91073.htm

Auto thefts reported to police in Colorado dipped 40 percent between 2005 and 2007, partly because of a stronger focus on preventing and solving those crimes and tougher penalties in at least one community. Auto thefts, which totaled 25,315 in 2005, dropped to 16,353 in 2007, according to statewide crime figures released by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.The drop in auto thefts led to an overall 19 percent drop in major crimes across the state over the same period. Homicides have dipped 12 percent since 2005, burglary is down 17 percent, while forcible rape is down 1 percent over the… Read More »Auto Thefts in Colorado