Winter Driving Safety Tips

Life Insurance - How much is enough?, Protecting Your Pipes, Avoid Distracted Driving

Walk Safe

Injuries due to slips, trips and falls accounted for 18% of Workers Compensation Fund of Utah's claims in 2014 with an average cost of $9,801 per claim. Be safe out there and follow the guidelines below:

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For other safety tips or to get a quote on your insurance you can call us at 435-674-2221 or contact us on our website at www.msiagency.com.

Commercial Auto vs. Personal Auto

We have many people ask us if their personal auto they use for their own business is less expensive on a personal auto policy or a commercial auto policy. Before getting into price here are some items we need to ask to see what policy it SHOULD be on:

How does my insurance company define "commercial use"?

Some insurers define it as transporting goods for compensation or a fee. But, because the definition of “commercial use” varies by company, your agent is the best resource for this answer. Your agent can tell you whether your insurer requires a commercial policy for businesses like these:

• pizza and newspaper delivery
• real estate
• catering
• door-to-door consulting services
• landscaping or snowplowing services
• day care or church van services

What kind of liability limits do I need?

As a business owner, you may want higher liability limits to meet contractual needs or just to better protect the business you’ve built. In general, a commercial auto policy can offer higher liability limits than a personal auto policy.

Does my personal policy cover me for issues specific to my business?

For example, if a trailer damages another vehicle while on a job, a personal liability policy may not cover the repairs. A commercial policy usually will.

I have employees that drive my vehicles. Does my policy cover that?

In general, if other people drive your vehicles for work, you need a commercial auto policy.

Do the passengers or contents in my vehicle matter?

Yes. Vehicles used for picking up or dropping off people or goods, or hauling tools or equipment, probably need a commercial policy.

Do I need certifications or filings?

Documentation requirements—like certificates of insurance or filings for trucking—are generally good indicators that a commercial policy is needed.

Give us a call at 435-674-2221 or e-mail us at info@msiagency.com and we can help you get the best coverage at the best price based on your specific condition. You can also visit our website at www.msiagency.com.

Ladder Safety Guidelines

General Guidelines

• Avoid climbing unless absolutely necessary.
• Select the proper ladder for the job, (i.e., aluminum, wood, fiberglass, step, extension or a straight ladder). For instance, never use an aluminum ladder around electricity.
• Choose a ladder that fits the job. If ladders are too short, people will climb too high leaving them without proper handholds. Ladders that are too long are difficult to handle. They also tend to be erected askew and may be highly unstable.
• Never use a ladder for a purpose that it was not designed for.
• Inspect the ladder’s condition before use. Discard any damaged ladder.
• Wear slip-resistant footwear.

Inspection

• Ladders should be inspected and documented by a competent person on a periodic basis. Items to look for should include:
• Any structural damage such as cracks, bends, kinks or distortions.
• All rungs are in place, secure and free of grease or oil.
• Safety feet are in good condition and functional.
• Any missing parts.
• Working spreaders.

Placement

• Ladders should not be placed in doorways, passageways or other locations where it can be disturbed.
• Make sure the ladder is set on a level, stable surface.
• A non-self-supporting ladder should be placed at an angle of approximately 75 degrees. The distance from the wall to the foot of ladder should be about one fourth the ladder’s total length.
• When using a non-self-supporting ladder to access a point to where you will dismount, the ladder should extend at least three feet beyond the support point. The ladder should also be lashed as close to the support point as possible.

Climbing and Descending

• Face the ladder while climbing or descending and hold on to it with both hands.
• Always maintain at least a three-point contact with either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
• Keep centered on the ladder.
• Never lean beyond the side rails, or move, shift or extend the ladder while on it.
• Never climb past the second step from the top on a stepladder.
• Take one step at a time.
• If tools are needed, use a tool belt or a bucket attached to a hand line.
• Allow one person on a ladder at a time.

Remember that the ladder is a tool to assist in getting the job done, just like a wrench or screwdriver. Focusing on the task that necessitates using a ladder, while ignoring the tool, is a primary cause of ladder injuries. Climbing and descending a ladder must be a zero mistake activity. You can’t afford an error in judgment.

Give Main Street Insurance a call at 435-674-2221 for more safety tips for whatever type of business you have.

10 Things to Know About Boats and Marinas

Spring is fast approaching and with that the water sports will be coming soon. Here is an interesting article for all you boaters out there. 10 Things to Know About Boats & Marinas
March 2, 2015:

1. Recreational boating in 2013 accounted for 4,062 accidents that involved 560 deaths; 2,620 injuries; and approximately $39 million dollars of property damage. —United States Coast Guard (USCG)
2. Compared to 2012, the number of boating accidents decreased by 10 percent in 2013; the number of deaths decreased 14 percent; and the number of injuries decreased 12.7 percent. —United States Coast Guard (USCG)
3. Most marine policies offer pollution coverage, which is a very important coverage to have if the boat sinks and spills oil or fuel. Especially on larger boats, most marinas are now requiring evidence or proof of pollution coverage. All types of pollution and/or fuel spill losses can cause a lot of damage to the environment. — Kim Loos, Personal Lines Underwriting, American Modern Insurance Group
4. The top five primary contributing factors to boating accidents in 2013 were: operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure. —United States Coast Guard (USCG)
5. Boat and yacht owners should have Agreed Value vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV). If the vessel suffers a total loss on an ACV form, the owner will receive the current market value, which could be thousands of dollars less than what was paid for the boat. Agreed Value is a set amount and not a depreciated amount at time of loss. —Kim Loos, St. Louis Marine Service Center from American Modern
6. Wreck removal is another needed coverage. If a boat sinks the owner may be required to have the wreck removed from a navigable waterway. —Kim Loos, St. Louis Marine Service Center from American Modern
7. There were 5,537 watercraft thefts in the U.S. in 2013, down 6 percent from 2012, with jet skis being the most frequently stolen watercraft. — Insurance Information Institute
8. 40 percent of the thefts in 2013 were recovered by April 30, 2014 —Insurance Information Institute
9. The 10 states with the highest boating thefts in 2013, according to the I.I.I., were: Florida (1,310), California (628), Texas (382), Washington (208), Georgia (182), North Carolina (178), Tennessee (167), Alabama (165), Arkansas (157) and South Carolina (151). —Insurance Information Institute
10. It was estimated that 25,000 boats in New Jersey were damaged during Hurricane Sandy, at a cost of $242 million. —Insurance Information Institute.

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.