Thursday, January 8, 2015

More Uninsured Drivers Likely to be Towed in Utah - KSL.com Article


December 31, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY — Uninsured drivers on Utah roadways can expect to have their cars impounded on the spot under a new law taking effect Thursday. Utah police have had the option to pull over an uninsured driver and impound their car since 2008, but the new law will require it unless there's a safety concern. Despite Utah's relatively low rate of uninsured drivers, state Sen. Lyle Hillyard, a Logan Republican who sponsored the law, said it's "a worthwhile price for the greater good" of making sure uninsured drivers don't cause a financial burden to others if they get in an accident.

In 2012, Utah had the fourth-lowest rate of uninsured drivers in the country at 5.8 percent, according data from the Insurance Research Council. Hillyard estimates Utah's rate is now closer to 3 percent, but he said the law is still needed to further crack down on those driving without coverage. 

The law gives officers discretion so they're not seizing every car, he said. The law has exceptions if the officer is concerned that seizing the vehicle would be a safety concern to the driver or any occupants or keep the officer from addressing any other public safety matters.

"It gives them more of an incentive to impound the car, but it has a lot of protection in there," Hillyard said. "For example, if it's an unsafe position or if you've got a mom and some little kids there, those kinds of things, it would protect them from doing that." 

Law enforcement officers would have to check the person against a state database of uninsured drivers. If the driver insists they have insurance, the officer must make "a reasonable attempt" to verify if the person is covered, such as calling the insurance agency. 

To read the full article go to: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=481&sid=32940627

Call Main Street Insurance at 435-674-2221 to get a quote on auto insurance!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Business Travel Risk

As we are in the new year, employers look to address the needs of their employees and the enterprise, an item that is often overlooked is coverage for the many risks posed by business travel. This exposure increases exponentially when international travel is involved and foreign voluntary workers compensation leaves critical gaps in coverage, especially when medical care is needed.  The best business travel accident coverage includes key components to address global travel risk, such as:
  • Security evacuation
  • Emergency medical evacuation (air ambulance when needed)
  • Out-of-country first-dollar medical coverage
  • Medical consultation and prescription drug assistance
  • Security training for new international travelers
  • The full range of complementary travel services with web access and a single point of contact
  • Unique accidental death & dismemberment benefits for catastrophic travel events
If your employees are regularly traveling in other coverages please call Main Street Insurance Agency at 435-674-2221 for more information.