But real sugar is not a panacea. More to the point, it does not make soda any healthier. Period. I don’t care if it’s free-trade, organic, straight-from-the-cane sugar that has been blessed by the Dalai Lama. Soda, whether it’s flavored by sugar or HFCS (both of which contain similarly high levels of fructose, believe it or not), will continue to grow waistlines, rot teeth and hasten death by heart disease and diabetes, in the process clogging emergency rooms, and raising health care costs and insurance premiums. (Heart disease and diabetes are the country’s number one and seven killers, and they are also some of the most expensive medical conditions to treat.)

By all means, enjoy your real-sugar-sweetened Pepsi Throwback. Some say it tastes better. Just don’t let savvy marketers convince you that what you’re drinking is healthy. It isn’t! (You’re better off taking your chances with a mug of unsweetened hot tea.)

Or, for those who speak Yoda: Real sugar does not a healthy drink make.

Liability for products manufactured in China may not be covered under a products liability insurance policy, and it may not even be possible for an injured party to pursue a claim against the manufacturer.  This shifts significant products liability exposure to the importer of foreign made products.

.

There have been numerous reports concerning unsafe products, such as toys, food and drugs, from China.  A noted in a recent article in the Boston Herald (see here), it is virtually impossible to pursue a products liability claim against a Chinese manufacturer. 

• Every step in litigation can be an ordeal when the defendant is a Chinese company
• Chinese companies will assert that U.S. courts have no jurisdiction.
• It is illegal to take depositions in China
• Most Chinese companies have no assets in the United States, so they have no trouble ignoring a U.S.court order.

An article in FindLaw notes that the burden can and will be shifted to the importer (see here):

When a company sells its product to a retailer, it generally is required to provide proof of product liability insurance and to indemnify the retailer against any and all injuries that may result from the sale of the company’s product. It thus assumes the risk if the product proves defective or dangerous.

Meanwhile, none of this risk can typically be passed on by the company to a China-based manufacturer. Typically, such manufacturers lack insurance and are unwilling to enter into an indemnification agreement. Moreover, even if such an agreement existed, enforcing it against a Chinese company would be virtually impossible.

The burden falls to the importer, who will be the target of any lawsuit.  The importer should take appropriate steps to be properly protected, as noted by McDermott Newsletters (see here):

Importers of Chinese goods should proactively assess the scope of their insurance programs and carefully negotiate insurance-related provisions in their contracts with Chinese suppliers.

The article points out that it is not just products liability insurance coverage that should be reviewed.  Products recall coverage should be considered as well.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) attributes the rate reduction to several factors–a more competitive marketplace, safer cars and drivers, some inventive fraud-fighting tactics and more accurate underwriting.

To those of you who have bemoaned credit-based insurance scoring, it is one of the reasons we’re seeing the price of auto insurance drop. Using credit to determine the price an individual will pay for insurance has its pitfalls, but overall has given insurers a more precise way to determine premiums.

So keep a clean credit history. Pay credit card balances completely, pay bills on time and don’t open too many cards or accounts at once. Credit-based scoring is here to stay, so work within the system to raise your score.

Although it’s only .05 percent, some tweaks to your coverage could reduce the cost further. III recommends raising your deductibles and reducing your coverage. It sounds a bit counterintuitive coming from an insurance resource. However, if you can cover your losses in the event of an accident without sacrificing your financial well-being, raising deductibles and reducing coverage can shrink your premium price between 15 and 20 percent.

For more information about ways to save on auto insurance, check out our resource center or III.

Most homeowners don’t consider the damage from frozen and broken water pipes as catastrophic as a natural disaster, but the damages caused from water pipe failures are one of the most common and least recognized catastrophe losses homeowners suffer every year. Second only to hurricanes, frozen and broken water pipes cause more losses in terms of the number of homes damaged and the total amount of claims paid by insurance companies in the U.S.

Repair costs of $50,000 are very common for homes that suffer damage from frozen and broken water pipes. These damages can be a homeowners worst nightmare. When a pipe bursts the water flows, gushes from the pipe, and can turn a basement into a river within minutes. Water damage from frozen and broken pipes causes the most extreme damage when homeowners are away from their house, at work or on vacation because the plumbing can rupture and water can run unnoticed for hours and often several days.

Damages caused by frozen, ruptured water pipes include:

• Soaked and ruined drywall.
• Wallpaper, and paint peal away and can turn moldy.
• Kitchen cabinets warp and may even pull away from a wet wall.
• Carpets and draperies ruined and may need complete replacement depending on how long they remain saturated.
• Lost family pictures and photo albums in most cases they can not be saved if wet.
• Important records and paperwork that in many cases cannot be replaced.
• Damage to antiques, furniture and clothing.

It isn’t uncommon for a home to need a complete reconstruction due to development of mold and mildew. Spores of mold, including the deadly Stachybotrys Mold can start reproducing within hours of a home becoming saturated by the water. Every year families return from vacations to find their homes not only water damaged but mold covering every inch of their home from floor to ceiling.

We can’t prevent the leading cause of water damage loss–hurricanes–but homeowners can take measures to prevent frozen and broken water pipes. Every homeowner with an insurance policy agrees as part of the terms of the policy to take steps to avoid the nightmares of water damage and help reduce the insurance claims and total losses that result. Insurance policyholders share the financial burden of frozen and broken water pipes with increased insurance rates. Prevention is the first line of action for risk management of broken water pipes.

Homeowners can take a few precautions before the next freeze that may save your home from the devastating effects of frozen and broken water pipes. Before it gets too cold be sure to:

• Disconnect all garden hoses and other outside water connections. Whenever possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house. Homeowners might also consider using the Foam insulation covers for outdoor faucets.
• Insulate any exposed pipes, check for water lines located in the basement, under the house, near or on exterior walls and water lines in attics. Be sure to protect pipes with northern exposures, and wrap UL-approved heat tape. The improper usage of heat tape or pipe insulation can cause a fire so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Seal any leaks in your home that might allow cold air inside where pipes are located, especially in the kitchen, and bathrooms.
• Keep thermostats set to at least 55 degrees when the house is vacant or while you are on vacation during the winter. It might be a good idea to have someone check on the home while you are away and make sure it’s staying warm enough to prevent pipe freezing.
• If you plan to be away for a long period of time drain and shut off the water system completely, except indoor fire sprinkler systems there may be.

The most important thing to know is how to shut off the water supply if a pipe bursts. And be sure everyone in the family knows how to turn off the water in the event of a burst pipe because quick action will minimize damage. Know What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze–Mitigate Your Losses!

Related Blogs:

• What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze–Mitigate Your Losses!
• How To Have a Claim Free Holiday Season
• Do You Need Extra Insurance For Your Personal Property?

Photo credits for this blog entry: (no use restrictions for these photos)

]]> http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/don-t-let-your-pipes-freeze-tips-to-avoid-home-water-damage/feed/ 0 http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/traffic-triples-risk-of-heart-attack/ http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/traffic-triples-risk-of-heart-attack/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:53:47 +0000 admin http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/traffic-triples-risk-of-heart-attack/

For the sake of your health, keep your cool in traffic!

Enduring traffic can be more than a little stressful.

From rude drivers, to constant stop and go, to accidents that inevitably tie up major thoroughfares, it’s all some of us can do to keep our tempers from flaring and taking our frustrations out on everyone around us—like that guy who just cut us off or the driver who squeezed in at the front of the line where the road narrowed.

But no matter how badly you’re tempted, don’t do it. In fact, don’t do anything but try to relax while sitting in heavy traffic. Not only could you risk your health if you do otherwise; you could also risk drastically raising your health and auto insurance rates.

How? According to a new German study, traffic can be heartbreaking. The pollution and exhaust we breathe while backed up on the freeway seems to exact a heavy toll on our health.

Combine that with increased stress levels, concentrated emissions and amplified noise, and research now shows our risk of heart attack soars to more than three times the norm for up to an hour after sitting in heavy traffic.

How do we know? Researchers at the Institute of Epidemiology in Munich, Germany, interviewed 1,454 people who waded through traffic and then suffered a heart attack within 60 minutes.

The study tracked what participants did the day of the heart attack, where they went, their means of transportation and the amount of time they spent in traffic.

Analysis and follow-up showed their risk of heart attack multiplied 3.2 times normal rates.

Of course, those in poor health, the elderly and children topped the list of those at greatest risk. But even more puzzling: traffic proved five times more dangerous to women than men. It will take some work to find out why.

Drivers weren’t the only ones affected, either. Bus and bicycle riders suffered just as much, leading researchers to suspect a strong pollution/heart attack connection.

Annette Peters, PhD, who led the study, says, “One potential factor could be the exhaust and air pollution coming from other cars. But we can’t exclude the synergy between stress and air pollution that could tip the balance.”

Efforts are now underway to try and determine the effect various elements have on humans sitting in traffic. Meanwhile, until results are more conclusive, you might want to try taking “the road less traveled,” to borrow a phrase—and avoid heavy traffic whenever possible.

Breast cancer
is estimated to take
over 40,000 women
by the end of 2006

17 million women in this country live without health insurance, according the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Not surprisingly, uninsured women are far less likely to be screened for breast cancer and other maladies like cervical cancer and heart disease.

Even with health insurance, there are certain disparities in plan benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and access to preventative care that prevent women from getting the care they need. Recent figures have estimated that almost 16 percent of insured women have been denied approval or payment for a health care service.

But that’s the bad news. Let’s take a look at the silver lining, shall we?

The good news is that many local, state, and federal programs are making it easier for women to get preventative care and treatment services, regardless of their financial (or insurance) needs.

The majority of US states now mandate that insurers cover screening (and some treatment) for breast (and cervical) cancer. Many states are even requiring health plans to cover patient care costs in experimental clinical trials.

And for the millions of uninsured/underinsured women, resources are becoming more plentiful.

Government programs like Medicaid have ramped up their efforts in recent years to provide free, low-cost, and subsidized breast cancer screening and treatment for women who earn low to modest wages. Other organizations are also stepping up to the breast cancer plate. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low-cost breast exams (as well as pap tests) for uninsured women women over the age of 39.

This is encouraging stuff. Especially when you consider that prevention and early detection are critical to slowing down the rate at which breast cancer is taking our mothers, sisters, grandmothers and friends. It’s even more encouraging when you consider that breast cancer is estimated to take over 40,000 women by the end of 2006.

Hear that, Mom?

[Breast cancer links and insurance resources]:

Take 10 For Breast Cancer Awareness [HealthyWomen.org]
Clinical Trials and Insurance Coverage [National Cancer Institute]
States That Require Health Plans to Cover Patient Care Costs in Clinical Trials [National Cancer Institute]
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program [Center for Disease Control]

[Related article]:
Women and Health Insurance: Falling Through the Cracks? [InsureMe Insurance Resource Center]

To get a better understanding for life settlements, you have to take a deeper look into the life insurance settlement history. The life settlement industry is actually cousin to the viatical settlement industry which came about in the 1980’s during the AIDS epidemic. In order to pay for medical treatment, many AIDS patients used all of their cash reserves, and then some. The only thing many patients had left worth anything was the life insurance policy that they held. During this time of need, a small group of investors understood that it made practical investment sense to purchase these insurance policies. As an example, if someone had a $600,000 policy they wanted to sell for $300,000 and their life expectancy was a year, this makes for a smart investment for anyone with to money to buy it. The investor which purchases the rights would realize a pre tax gain of $300,000 (100%), subtracting any fees necessary to keep the insurance policy up. The industry quickly exploded to a multi-billion dollar industry practically over night. Fortunately, technological advancements increased the life expectancy of AIDS patients from one year to 20 years. Because of this, instead of %100+ yearly returns on the investment, investors were typically seeing a %5 yearly return. The industry quickly vanished as quick as it came.

The only person who loses with life insurance settlements are the insurance companies. The companies hope that the policy lapses. This is when the insured quits paying premiums, and as a consequence the company won’t pay any death benefit. The insurance company profits in a big way when this happens.

Life insurance settlements also make good investments for investors. However, as with any investment, investing in life settlements should be done carefully.

Natalie Aranda writes about finance and investing. You may have already heard of this newer aspect of the life insurance industry called a life insurance settlement that has recently come about. A life insurance settlement is the sale of the legal ownership rights to another life insurance policy. These rights go from the insured to a third party for an amount that is more than the surrender value but less than the total death benefit. The only person who loses with life settlements are the insurance companies. The companies hope that the policy lapses.

Many people do not believe in spending money on premiums for something that they may not every need and others would not be without it as it gives them peace of mind to know that they have made provision for their young family in case they should need it.

Insurance is not only for families with young children but also for single people. There may be a number of reasons why you would want to have life insurance. If you have anyone financially dependant on you it is wise to make provision for them in case you were no longer there to support them.

Once your family has reached adulthood and you no longer want to keep up the premiums of this policy there are ways of getting rid of the policy. Not many people are aware of the fact that they can make money out of their life policies. There are insurance brokers that will buy your policy from you for more than you would get from the relevant insurance company if you cashed it in for the surrender value. They in turn will sell the policy to various investors who buy up these life policies and then keep them until the person in question has passed away. They can then cash in the policy. Many of these investors make huge profits from these policies.

This author writes informative articles on various subjects. www.lifeinsurancelists.com

• Hacker Insurance believe it or not this area is a major concern for business engaged in electronic commerce and or stores sensitive information. Hacker insurance is insurance that protects businesses from losses caused by hackers.
• Hard Market is a term that refers to a seller’s market when insurance is more expensive and is more difficult to obtain. A hard market is considered part of the property and casualty insurance cycle.
• Health Insurance is an insurance product that offers benefits as a result of accident, illness, or injury. Health Insurance policies usually include coverage for claims resulting from accident, medical expense, disability, or accidental death and dismemberment
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) An HMO is an organization providing comprehensive health care services for a specified group for a fixed periodic prepayment HMO’s offer their policyholders low co-payments, minimal paperwork, and coverage for preventive-care and health improvement programs.
• High Risk Pools also known as FAIR PLANS are state plans providing insurance coverage those unable to purchase insurance on the open market due to high risk factors. Some states have high-risk pools for health and auto insurance and FAIR Plans for personal property.
• Homeowners Insurance Policy A standard homeowners insurance policy covers the house, attached and unattached garages as well as other structures built on the insured property. Homeowner insurance policies also cover personal property kept inside the home from losses caused by a wide variety of perils including windstorms, fire and theft. There are several forms for homeowner insurance, the perils covered depends on the type of policy. Some homeowner policies also cover additional living expenses known as Loss of Use. This protection will reimburses the policyholder for any extra cost of living someplace else during the time the home is being restored following a claim. Homeowner policies generally include a liability portion which will cover the homeowner for accidental injuries caused to third parties and/or their property. Most homeowner policies include guest medical to avoid costly liability claims. Homeowner policies do not include coverage for Flood and/or Earthquake damage insurance for these risks must be purchased separately. (See also: Flood insurance; Earthquake insurance and Homeowner Forms)
• Hurricane Deductible is a percentage or specific dollar amount added to homeowner insurance policy to limit an insurance company’s exposure to the losses caused by a hurricane. In areas where there is a higher risk of hurricanes deductibles are higher. These higher deductibles are instituted more of the in coastal regions.

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]]> http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/insurance-terms-h/feed/ 0 http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/insurance-institute-for-highway-safety-top-13-safest-pick-awards/ http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/insurance-institute-for-highway-safety-top-13-safest-pick-awards/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:53:37 +0000 admin http://www.bestinsurancesite.com/other-insurance-2/insurance-institute-for-highway-safety-top-13-safest-pick-awards/ Yesterday the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced their Top Safety Pick Awards for 2007. This year the standards changed, and so did the way the Institute for Highway Safety ranks the results of their testing. In order to be selected as a “Gold Top Safety Pick,” a vehicle must earn a top rating when tested by the Institute for side, front and rear impact. And, new this year cars must have Electronic Stability Control.

Electronic stability control (ESC), helps drivers keep better control during abrupt swerves, and emergency maneuvers. Crash test statistics compiled by the Insurance Institute and by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, indicate that ESC may potentially prevent over 10,000 driving deaths every year, if it were on every auto in the U.S.

In 2006 both, the Ford Five Hundred large sedan and the Mercury Montego earned Gold Top Safety Pick Awards. For 2007 Not one U.S. brands made the list most failing because they lacked the Electronic Stability Control.

The 2007 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick Awards went to the following vehicles:

• Acura RDX
• Audi A4
• Audi A6
• Honda CR-V
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona
• Mercedes-Benz M-class
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru B9 Tribeca
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Legacy
• Volvo XC90

This year there was also major changes in ranking during the past years there were two levels of Top Safety Pick Awards Gold and Silver. In order to get any award this year, it’s harder to earn a Gold Top Safety Pick Award because the criteria is more stringent.

Winning a 2007 Top Safety Pick award, means the vehicle has to earn the best possible rating of “Good” in front and side impact safety and pass the test for whiplash protection for rear impacts. Last year, an auto earned a Silver Top Safety Pick Award with an “Acceptable” rating, for rear impact protection.

This change in levels bumped, five vehicles that won top awards last year from the list completely for 2006. Those were:

• Ford Five Hundred
• Mercury Montego
• Subaru Impreza
• Saab 9-2X
• Honda Civic – that won the top award last year were dropped from the list this year.

Related Blog:

• 7-Least Safe autos as reported by Forbes

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