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!

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.

Vacant Buildings - Winter

Many insurance companies do not like to cover vacant buildings. Also, many insurance policies have exclusions for certain losses if the building is vacant/unoccupied. Here are a few tips to help you prevent a loss:

Remember to maintain heat throughout your building, including unoccupied portions. Failure to do so could result in no coverage for a claim.

You should also drain water from pipes or systems that are not needed in order to prevent freezing pipe claims, which may not be covered under your insurance policy.

If you have a vacant building and you want to make sure you are covered right, please call us at 435-674-2221 or visit our website at www.msiagency.com.

Wood Stove Safety Tips

When the colder temperatures start to set in, many homeowners will turn to their fireplace, wood or pellet stoves as an additional heat source. While these heating tools can provide warmth and comfort, if you are not careful, they can also be a hazard. Keep in mind the following precautions to help ensure a safe winter season.

Keep your fireplaces and wood stoves clean

• Have your chimney, fireplace, wood or pellet stove inspected and cleaned by a licensed chimney specialist. They should be maintained annually to help ensure they are functioning safely and efficiently. 
• If you have a wood burning, insert or pellet stove, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for additional guidance related to operation and venting.
• Be sure to keep the area around the hearth clear of debris, decorations and any other combustible materials.

Keep fires burning safely

• Be sure the flue is open before lighting your fire to help ensure the fireplace will vent properly. Do not close your damper until you are sure the fire is out.
• When starting a fire, only use a match or commercial firelighter. Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Glass doors of a fireplace should be kept open while burning a fire. This allows the fire to receive enough air to complete combustion and help reduce creosote build-up in the chimney.
• Metal mesh screens should remain closed whenever your fireplace is in use to help keep embers in the fireplace.
• Only use dry wood in your fireplace. Wet wood can increase creosote buildup that can lead to chimney fires.
• Do not burn plastic because it can release toxic chemicals as well as cause damage to your chimney, fireplace or wood stove.
• Never burn a Christmas tree in your fireplace as the sparks from the burning needles can increase the risk for a chimney fire. Also, do not burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper or trash in your fireplace.
• Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, you should make certain to fully extinguish the fire.
• Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them, and never empty them directly into a trash can. Place ashes in a covered metal container located at least 10 feet* away from your home and any other building.

Keep the outside of your home and your chimney safe

• Firewood should be stacked at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Your roof and chimney should be kept clean of leaves, pine needles and other debris. Prune trees and branches to keep well-away from your chimney.
• Install a chimney cap with spark arrester to help keep debris, leaves, branches and animals out, and to help prevent burning embers or sparks from escaping and creating a fire hazard.

Keep the inside of your home safe with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

To help make your winter even safer, we recommend that you take the time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A smoke detector is the most effective way to detect smoke from a fire and signal an alarm so that you can get you and your family out safely. A carbon monoxide detector can alert you to the buildup of this dangerous odorless and colorless gas. Make sure you test the detectors monthly, and after you change the batteries to ensure they work properly.

Call Main Street Insurance Agency at 435-674-2221 for more safety tips or to get a free quote.

Have Fun, Stay Safe This Holiday Season

Whether your holiday plans take you to the road, the skies or the sea, or keep you at home, there are some steps you can take to ensure safety doesn't take a back seat to fun.


We hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Give us a call at Main Street Insurance at 435-674-2221 to get a free quote. We write home, auto, business, workers compensation, bonds, life, health, and more.

Fireworks Safety

200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the mount around the 4th of July.

Before you heat out and celebrate, read the #fireworks safety tips from The National Council of Fireworks Safety: http://ow.ly/y8rC1

Main Street Insurance Agency 435-674-2221.
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Don't Leave Kids/Animals Alone in Car

Summer is here in Southern Utah. We have to take precautions to help protect our children.

Here are some risks involved:

• It only takes 10 minutes for the temperature to increase 20 degrees.
• Cracking windows does little to keep the car cool.
• With temperatures only in the 60s, your car can heat to well above 110 degrees. Since our outside temperature in Southern Utah can be 110 degrees imagine how hot it can be in your car.
• A child's body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult's.
• Heatstroke can happen when the temperature is as low as 57 degrees outside.
• A child dies when his/her temperature reaches 107 degrees.

Please keep these risks in mind when you think about running into the store for only a few minutes and thinking about leaving your child in the car. For more ideas go to www.safecar.gov.

Main Street Insurance Agency www.msiagency.com 435-674-2221.

Quickly enter your information here to get a home or auto quote.

Protect Your Home From Wildfires

As warmer weather approaches, the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is encouraging homeowners to take steps now to help protect their homes from wildfires.

A prolonged drought in the West has some fire officials worried that 2014 could bring an increase in wildfires after a drop in such activity last year. In 2013, 47,579 reported wildfires burned 4.3 million acres, compared to 67,774 wildfires affecting 9.3 million acres in the prior year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

While California and neighboring states have experienced some of the largest wildfires, the destruction is not confined to the West. In 2013, large wildfires erupted in Colorado, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, among other states—and not just during the driest and hottest months.

“At one time, wildfires were more likely to start in the late summer and early fall—and you could warn homeowners about the approaching ‘wildfire season,’” said Christie Alderman, new products and services manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. “Now, we see wildfires threatening homes throughout the year, and it means homeowners must be more vigilant.”

Alderman said that changing weather patterns may contribute to the unpredictable wildfire season, but it’s also because more people are building homes in the woods to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. “The downside of living amid nature is that homes are exposed to nature’s wrath, including wildfires,” she said.

Alderman said homeowners who live in high-risk wildfire areas should assess whether their properties are adequately protected from a wildfire. Some steps they can take include:

• Replacing cedar roof shingles with ceramic tiles or other non-flammable materials;
• Replacing flammable shrubs and bushes with fire-resistant plants;
• Covering the chimney and open vents with wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the house;
• Moving propane tanks away from the home;
• Removing debris from gutters and beneath decks; and
• Replacing landscaping mulch with stones or other fire-resistive materials.

Alderman also encourages homeowners to sign up for a wildfire defense service, which could help protect their property in the event of a wildfire. In 14 states, Chubb offers its own Wildfire Defense Services at no charge to policyholders. In addition to providing wildfire education and property risk assessments, the program responds to wildfires through a network of certified wildfire fighters that takes various measures, including moving lawn furniture indoors, setting up temporary perimeter sprinkler systems and, if necessary, applying a highly effective fire-blocking gel to the house. Since its inception in 2008, Chubb’s free loss-prevention service has helped save dozens of homes. Chubb homeowners in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and portions of Texas who have not yet registered for the service can do so online at www.chubbwildfiredefense.com.

For further questions please contact Main Street Insurance at 435-674-2221 or www.msiagency.com.

Stay Alive - Think and Drive

Every day approximately 92 people lose their life in motor vehicle crashes and don't make it back home. Four out of every five fatal injuries involved a passenger vehicle or a non-vehicle occupant. The most recent full year data shows an increase in the number of fatal injuries and the fatal injury rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

The use of motor vehicles is essential to almost every business operation. A business may not transport their own goods but has people which use motor vehicles to conduct company business or transport workers. Transportation is the leading cause of workplace fatalities and has significant human and financial costs for business, the public, employees and society.

At Main Street Insurance we have resources to help you control the risk of your business auto fleet. 

Give us a call at 435-674-2221 for a free evaluation.

Visit our website www.msiagency.com

Keep Your Children Safe During This School Year

Ensuring a child’s safety is a number one priority. Whether your child walks to school, takes the bus, rides a bike or is driven to school, the National Safety Council offers tips parents can use to make sure their child arrives safely. Here are some of those tips:

Walking

Walking to school is a good way for kids to socialize with their schoolmates and become familiar with the neighborhood. If your youngsters are old enough to walk to school, plan a safe route with the fewest street crossings. Practice the route with them several times until you’re confident they can make the trip safely on their own. If possible, have them walk with friends, since there’s safety in numbers. Don’t forget to discuss traffic safety with your kids and stress the importance of walking on sidewalks.

Biking

Biking to school is great exercise, but accidents can happen. Before letting your kids ride on the streets, be sure they’re familiar with traffic signals and street signs. Instruct them to ride on the right-hand side of the road with the flow of traffic, rather than against it. To help reduce head injuries, have them wear approved bike helmets – regardless of how short the trip. And if they must ride at night, make them visible with proper lighting and reflective clothing.

Taking a Bus

Riding a bus can be a fun and convenient way to get to school. Since most injuries occur while getting on or off the bus, teach your kids school bus safety. Have them wait for the bus on the sidewalk, rather than in the street. When the bus arrives, wait for it to completely stop before boarding. Tell them to follow the bus driver’s instructions and remind them not to push or shove. Exit the bus holding the handrails to avoid slipping and falling. Lastly, remind them to walk 10 steps in front of the bus so they can see the bus driver before crossing the street.

Getting a Ride

While it may seem safe to drive your kids to school, there are measures you can take to help prevent car injuries. If your children are too young to wear seatbelts, place them in age and weight appropriate car seats or booster seats. Allow enough travel time so you don’t have to speed. Never text or use your phone while driving. There will be children going to school along your route that may cross the road unexpectedly. As you approach a school, slow down and watch out for kids darting into the streets.