Tips for driving safely on snowy roads

With snow in the forecast and colder temperatures that are here to stay, knowing how to safely drive on snowy roads can increase your chances of staying safe this winter.

• Drive slowly -- Stopping, turning and accelerating all take more time when roads are slick.
• Give some space -- As mentioned, stopping takes more time in the snow. Leave enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you so that you can safely stop.
• Avoid stopping if possible -- It's harder for a vehicle to accelerate in the snow. If possible, slow down far enough away from a red light that you can keep your tires rolling until the light changes.
• Don't slam on the brakes -- Slamming on the brakes can cause traction to be lost. When braking, use the ball of your foot to steadily push on the brake pedal. 
• Don't accelerate up a hill -- Accelerating on a snowy hill will cause your tires to spin. Also, don't stop while ascending a hill.
• Be prepared -- Be sure you have tires that are properly inflated and don't have worn treads. Outfitting your vehicle with winter tires can also make driving in the snow easier.

Michigan State Police to begin roadside drug testing

 In an effort to combat the dangers of drugged driving, five Michigan counties will participate in a one-year oral fluid roadside drug testing pilot program by Michigan State Police.

The counties include Berrien, Delta, Kent, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.

The Preliminary Oral Fluid Analysis pilot program will establish policies for the administration of roadside drug testing to determine whether an individual is operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.

Over the last several years, Michigan has seen a steady increase in fatal crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs. In 2016, there were 236 drug-involved traffic fatalities. 

"Motorists under the influence of drugs pose a risk to themselves and others on the road," said MSP Director Col. Kriste Etue. "With drugged driving on the rise, law enforcement officers need an effective tool to assist in making these determinations during a traffic stop."

The counties were chosen based on criteria including number of impaired driving crashed, impaired drivers arrested and trained Drug Recognition Experts in the county.

Under the pilot program, a DRE may require a person to submit to a preliminary oral fluid analysis to detect the presence of a controlled substance in the person's body if they suspect the driver is impaired by drugs. 

Refusal to submit to a preliminary oral fluid analysis upon lawful demand of a police officer is a civil infraction.

Can Detroit Legally Operate An Insurance Company That Operates Differently To Michigan's No-Fault Law?

Yesterday on the Mitch Albom show on WJR 760 am in Detroit, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan continued his push for the City of Detroit's alternative automobile insurance option "D Insurance".   

There is no doubt that there is serious auto problem insurance problem in Detroit where auto insurance premiums are just about unaffordable for most.   According to study's and Mayor Duggan's comments on the radio last evening, 1 out of every 5 Detroiters are currently driving without insurance compounding the problem. 

Mayor Duggan stated on Mitch Albom's show that it is the medical claims that are causing such high auto insurance rates and something needs to be done to bring those down.  He implied that many are using their auto insurance for medical assistance.

Mayor Duggan's plan is to offer an alternative auto insurance plan that caps medical coverage at $250,000.  The question is though is that legal?  Currently in Michigan the medical coverage cap for all auto insurer's is $530,000 after that point is reached then the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association reimburses the auto insurance company.  

There are many questions as to the legal operation of the "D Insurance Company." 

The City of Detroit's "D Insurance Company" will pay up to $250,000 for medical expenses and then your health provider would pay.  In a typical auto policy your health provider would pay first followed your auto insurance company once your health limits were exhausted then followed by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims association.  This is why you have the option of medical coverage being primary on your auto policy or secondary as excess.  Medicaid and Medicare do NOT cover auto injury expenses.  What happens to those with out proper medical insurance that covers auto accidents?

With the City of Detroit's "D Insurance Company" if people who have this policy need more coverage beyond $250,000 will they get it from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association?  

Will those insured with the City of Detroit's "D Insurance Company" pay into the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association as all other drivers in Michigan have to?  What will happen to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association fund rates when a pool of people stop contributing ?

Why must other insurance companies operate at an unfair advantage by having to pay up to $530,000 before being reimbursed by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association?  

Isn't offering one product in one City considered redlining?

How can the City of Detroit, still in debt after bankruptcy afford to operate an insurance company?

Is the "D Insurance Company" going to be considered an admitted insurance company (standard market) or will it be considered a non-admitted insurance company (sub standard)?    Admitted companies are the responsibility of the state and taxpayers should they become insolvent, while non-admitted companies are not.

Is the recent rush to change Michigan's no-fault system really not to save consumers money across the state but to help Detroit set up their own Auto Insurance Company potentially on the backs of Michigan Taxpayers?

If the only guarantee coming from Lansing is that with No-Fault reform you will save $100 or less a year, and most reports say less at $64, for only 2 years then this reform is not worth putting through.

Michiganders pay twice as much as the national insurance average on their insurance premiums.  If there is to be reform, real reform must be put into place.  The best way to start with reform is to not so much reduce coverage but put in better safeguards to reduce auto medical fraud.

TEN HOME WINTER FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Most home fires are preventable, but sometimes common sense isn't so common. According to the National Fire Protection Association, it's not too early to protect your loved ones and your home from fire damage, by simply following sensible suggestions.

1. Have your furnace checked. It's worth the money to hire a professional to inspect and service your furnace once a year. If it's going to conk out, it's better to know trouble is coming.

2. Have your chimneys and vents checked. Fireplaces produce creosote which can ignite. If you light fires frequently, you need a chimney sweep service once a year. When you burn wood, make sure it's dry and seasoned so that it produces more flame and less smoke.

3. Test smoke alarms. Make sure batteries are fresh. Place smoke alarms in the kitchen, laundry room and in bedrooms.

4. Cover the fireplace with a screen. Tempered glass or a metal screen helps protect sparks from leaving the fireplace. Even so, make sure that children and pets sit at least three feet away when you light a fire in the fireplace.

 

5. Beware of lit candles. Candles can set the mood for relaxation, and that's how they get forgotten or knocked over by kids or pets. Light candles only when you're around to watch them and blow them out when you're ready to leave the room. Ditto for cigarettes, pipes, etc. If you're going to smoke, try to do it outside.

6. Beware of space heaters. The name should give you a clue -- space heaters need space. Like fireplaces, people and pets should not be allowed to sit any closer than three feet. Don't put space heaters near curtains, tablecloths or other fluttering fabrics. Make sure the space heaters you buy have automatic shut-offs before reaching dangerous temperatures

 

7. Know how to put out kitchen fires quickly. Water doesn't help a greasefire, which can get out of control. Keep salt and baking soda on hand to sprinkle liberally on pan fires. Keep lids handy to put on top of pots and pans that get too hot.

 

8. Practice an escape route. Businesses have fire drills, your family should, too. Teach your family to crawl to the nearest exit from every room. Show them how to drop and roll if their clothes were ever to catch on fire.

9. Fire extinguishers can be life-savers. Store one under the kitchen sink, and in the hall closet near the bedrooms. Make sure you use the correct setting -- A for paper, wood and trash; B for grease and flammable liquids; C for small electrical fires.

10. All household members should know 911. You've heard the stories -- the four-year old who saved his grandmother's life with a 911 call. In a fire, every person in the home can be a potential hero if they know what to do

IF YOU OWN A CONDO YOU NEED EXTRA INSURANCE COVERAGE

In every condominium and cooperative apartment building, there is what is known as the "master insurance policy". The legal documents governing these association require that a certain level of

insurance coverage be obtained. When you went to buy your unit, your lender insisted on receiving proof that there was a master policy and that the coverage was consistent with the association's legal requirements.

But contrary to what many owners believe, the master policy may not cover you for all of your personal loss. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the master policy "covers the common areas that owners share with others in the building like the roof, basement, elevator, boiler and walkways for both liability and physical damage." If, for example, someone trips on the stairs, the master policy will provide coverage, and should that person file suit, the master will also cover the legal costs incurred by the association.

If a unit is destroyed, the master policy will pay for the restoration of the walls and the ceilings. In some cases (depending on the insurance policy) if your appliances are damaged, the policy will reimburse you for the cost of replacement. Keep in mind that every insurance policy contains a deductible, and you should inquire of your association manager what that number is.

But any improvements which you -- and even previous owners -- made to the unit may not be covered. The insurance term is "betterments"; if you added wallpaper, or remodeled your kitchen or your bathroom, depending on the terms and conditions of your policy, these upgrades may not be covered by the master.

Many owners do not understand this, and only find out when it is too late. An unfortunate -- but typical -- situation is where an owner inadvertently lets his/her bathtub overflow, causing water to cascade down into all of the units below. The master policy will cover the cost to repair the ceilings and the floors, but your valuable Oriental rug and expensive Plasma television set that was damaged will not be covered.

You need to obtain your own individual insurance policy. In the trade, it is referred to as an "HO-6" policy. This will give you coverage -- subject to your own deductible -- for the betterments in your unit, and for your personal furniture and clothing.

Depending on your own financial situation, the HO-6 policy can also include such things as reimbursing you for monthly assessments and alternative lodging while you are unable to reside in your unit, water and sewer back-ups (which are all too common especially in older buildings), and even expensive jewelry, stamp or coin collections, or fur coats.

The legal documents of many condominium associations require that every owner obtain the HO-6 policy, and I have always strongly recommended that every association make this a requirement.

You should be able to obtain this kind of policy through any insurance agent. But in my opinion, the best approach is to obtain that policy from the same carrier that issued the master policy.

Take this very common situation: a common element pipe burst, causing major flooding damage throughout the building, including in your unit. The condominium association files its claim against the master policy, and you file your claim with your insurance company. However, each company points it finger at the other one, stating that it is the obligation of the other carrier to cover the claim. Often, when faced with this situation, I merely tell both agents: "guys, both the master and the HO-6 policy were issued by the same company, so why not just work it out on your own, and make sure that both the association and the owner are properly compensated for their losses."

If you own a condominium unit, you must learn the difference between a unit and the common elements. Your unit consists of the area between the four walls, and from the floor to the ceiling. Common elements include, for example, the elevators (unless they go to specific units in which case they are called limited common elements), the roof and the mechanical equipment that services all of the units in the building.

But its not that simple. Pipes, for example, that serve only your unit will most likely be considered part of your unit -- even though those pipes go down the walls outside of your unit.

It is important that you understand these concepts. Your association declaration will provide you with this information, but if you get confused with the legal (and architectural) terms, consult the association's property manager, its attorney, or even the insurance agent for your building. It is absolutely critical for every owner to carefully read -- and reread periodically -- these legal documents.

If you are renting your unit, you probably will not need protection for your tenant's personal property. However, you still need coverage in case someone gets hurt in your unit, and accordingly should still obtain the HO-6 policy. And you should make it a requirement in your lease that your tenants purchase "renters insurance" -- called an HO-4 policy -- so that they too will have protection in case problems arise.

Damage to condominium units can come from many sources. The hot water hoses in your washer can burn out. Your fireplace chimney is stuffed up, and does not provide the necessary updraft. Or the rubber seal under your toilet gets worn down.

One never knows when these problems occur. More importantly, often disasters are out of your control; they are caused by your upstairs neighbor. I am currently involved in a situation where the upstairs owner accidentally drilled a hole in a sewer-line pipe, causing extensive damage to the unit below.

The cost of this insurance is nominal, considering the risk and the exposure involved. Don't wait til the fire breaks out before getting adequate insurance coverage.

Home Winterization: Five Ways to Keep Out the Cold

April may bring showers, but winter weather can bring all sorts of other unexpected and expensive damages to your home. Fall's cool temperatures are a reminder that winter days are on their way - take stock of what you may need to do to prepare your home beforehand, and you'll be ready for the onslaught of ice and snow. Here are several simple, cost-effective tasks you can do now to make the transition into the colder months easier.


1. Clean Out Your Gutters


Once the leaves are off the trees it's time to clean out your gutters. Poorly maintained gutters can damage the roof of your home as well the exterior. When snow and ice mix with clogged gutters, it's a recipe for disaster, inside and out. Leaves and debris will prevent moisture from running off the roof, resulting in ice dams and water leaks. Before flurries form make sure to clear out any waste that's accumulated, and also be sure to note any missing or broken pieces and have them repaired. Remove potentially hazardous branches, or structurally unsound trees that could pose problems under the weight of snow or in the midst of a dangerous windstorm.


2. Have Your Heating System Checked


You don't want to be the person waiting in the frigid cold for a repairman to come when your heater stops in the dead of winter. Instead, have an inspector come in and make sure that the system is well ventilated and running smoothly before the first cold snap hits. Inspections generally run between $70-$100. If you live in an area where winter storms consistently knock out both electricity and heat, consider investing in a small generator.


3. Have a Snow Preparedness Kit


It's happened to all of us. Waking up to discover a solid two feet of fluffy white snow layering the ground, only to realize that we've just got one old, dull shovel to dig ourselves free. Before stores are bought out of the necessities, make sure you have everything you need in case of a blizzard: a shovel, flashlights with extra batteries, one or two bags of road salt to coat the driveway, sidewalk, and walkways, and an ice scraper or two. Keep an emergency kit in a designated spot, and when you awake and find yourself trapped in a winter wonderland, you won't be stuck trying to come up with new and inventive ways of unearthing your car tires.


4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans


Ceiling fans aren't only useful in the summer months. If your fan has a reverse switch, you can keep your home extra warm in the winter by reversing the cycle of the blades. Having the blades rotate in the opposite direction will create an updraft. Since heat rises, this pushes the hot air down and re-distributes it throughout your house. It's especially useful for homes that have high ceilings.


5. Caulk Doors and Windows


In the depths of winter the average home can lose nearly one third of its heat through drafty windows and doors. If the gap between your windows and doors is greater than the width of a nickel, it's time to reapply some exterior caulk to prevent this heat from escaping. Silicone caulk is highly recommended due to its non-shrinking quality and impermeability to the harsh elements. Block drafts from coming under doors with "draft dodger" door stoppers. You can easily make your own at home. Taking these extra steps will ensure that when the temperature drops, the cold and unforgiving air will stay outside where it belongs, and save you any money you'd be spending on additional heating.

AIG Lead Insurer On Failed Virgin Galactic Spaceship That Crashed

The Virgin Galactic spaceship which crashed on Friday was

insured against losses totaling around $40-50 million and the lead underwriter was AIG , insurance sources said on Monday.

AIG declined to comment.

British insurance and brokerage services provider Jardine Lloyd Thompson confirmed that it was the broker on the deal.

"We act on behalf of Virgin Galactic and are providing every assistance, as is appropriate in these tragic circumstances," JLT said in a statement.

Virgin Galactic is the fledgling space tourism company of billionaire British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

The spacecraft crashed in California's Mojave Desert during a test flight, killing one pilot and injuring the other.

The estimated insured losses are similar to those for the unmanned U.S. supply rocket which exploded last week.

But the Virgin Galactic spaceship was insured under an aviation "hull and liability" policy, in contrast to the supply rocket which was insured in the space market, insurance specialists said.

The Lloyd's of London [LOL.UL] insurance market plays a key role in aviation insurance, with gross written premium at Lloyd's totaling more than $1 billion in 2013, according to the International Underwriting Association