Rocky Mountain, Appalachian Cities among Nation’s Safest

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ — The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its sixth annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report™.” The report ranks America’s 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data.

This year’s top honor of “America’s Safest Driving City” is Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14.5 years, which is about 31 percent less likely than the national average.

“For the sixth year, Allstate is releasing the Allstate America’s Best Driver’s Report to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving,” said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate’s Claim Organization. “We also want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for being the safest driving city in America, and we salute all of America’s safe drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work and raise families.”

Fort Collins city officials credit their residents with earning the safe driving recognition.

“Once again, the people of Fort Collins have made me proud to live in this community,” said Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson. “Becoming America’s Safest Driving City takes quality roads and infrastructure. But more than anything else, it’s the result of individuals taking responsibility for keeping our streets safe.”

Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 35,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel,” said Roche.

Allstate offers the following safe driving tips drivers should consider:

• Minimize distractions – Engaging in any other activity while driving – talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup – is a distraction.
• Be aware of road conditions – Ice, snow, fog, rain – all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.
• Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you – Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.
• Steer clear of road rage – Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.
• Maintenance matters – Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of one’s car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.

The Report

For the past six years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2007 to December 2008) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.

A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate’s auto policies represent about 11 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what’s happening on America’s roadways.

[Complete report available at www.allstatenewsroom.com]

The Top Ten

For the first time in the report’s six-year history, Fort Collins was revealed as the safest driving city.

Additional “Road” Scholars

Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big city commuters.

Cities with More Than One Million Residents:

For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.

To view the complete “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report,” or to see previous year’s results, log onto www.allstatenewsroom.com.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts. Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country’s discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Some of the top Democratic recipients of health insurance cash teamed up with Republicans in the California state senate late Monday to block health insurance premium legislation authored by state Assembly Members Dave Jones and Mike Feuer.

Overall health insurers have given $800,218 in campaign contributions to California senators since 2007, in addition to gifts and donations made at their behest to nonprofit groups according to an analysis by Consumer Watchdog. View the full analysis here:

** Graph: http://www.ConsumerWatchdog.org/resources/CASenateTiesToHealthIns.pdf

** Contribution list: http://www.ConsumerWatchdog.org/resources/CASenateIHealthInsContribs.pdf

AB 2578 (Jones/Feuer), which would have required approval from regulators before health insurance rate increases took effect, fell four votes short of the 21 needed for passage on the senate floor. The final vote on Monday was 17 to 17, with Democratic senators Lou Correa, Ronald Calderon, and Rod Wright – top recipients of health insurance company contributions – joining Republicans to oppose the bill.

Since 2007, Senator Lou Correa has received $44,992 from health insurers, Senator Calderon took in $33,800 from the industry, and Senator Wright was given $21,500.

Democrat Senators Gloria Negrete McCloud, Alex Padilla and Lois Wolk abstained, and Senators Oropeza and Wiggins had excused absences. Negrete McLeod and Padilla received $45,647 and $41,893 from health insurers respectively since 2007.

Republican Senators Tony Strickland, Dave Cogdill and Tom Harman, who also voted against the Jones/Feuer bill, topped the list of health insurance money-getters with $68,750, $54,650 and $46,900 received respectively.

“It’s outrageous that all Californians will be required by law to have health insurance by 2014, but the state senate has refused to require health insurers to sell affordable insurance by giving regulators the power to stop excessive premium increases,” said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. “Too many state senators have refused to buck the industry that has lined their campaign chests. It’s clear now that if health insurance premium regulation is to become a reality in California, voters will have to take matters into their hands at the ballot box and enact the law themselves via ballot measure.”

In 1988, Consumer Watchdog founder Harvey Rosenfield authored insurance reform Proposition 103, which was approved by voters. The initiative enacted the strongest premium regulation in America for auto and home insurers, and has saved California motorists $62 billion on their auto insurance according to a 2008 report by the Consumer Federation of America. Proposition 103 also included rate freeze and rate refund provisions, as well as many rule changes making auto insurance fairer.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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Local auto insurance company also helps raise funds for New Jersey classrooms

RED BANK, N.J., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ — Teachers’ Insurance Plan of NJ and the New Jersey State Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA) announced a new partnership which opens Teachers’ Insurance’s low rates and special services to NJPTA members. In addition to this new savings opportunity for hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans, the partnership will generate much needed funding for local PTA chapters across the state.

“It is a pleasure to be associated with an organization that shares a commitment to education and has a tremendous track record of making a difference in the lives of New Jersey students throughout the state,” stated Marc V. Buro, President of Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey.

Historically, Teachers’ Insurance was only available to employees of educational institutions in New Jersey. After talking to teachers throughout New Jersey, the company began to better appreciate the beneficial partnership employees in education have developed with members of their local PTAs. “Teachers’ Insurance recognizes the commitment that New Jersey educators make to their communities and to their craft. We believe that educators – both in and out of the classroom – should be served by an auto insurance company that only focuses on them and their unique needs,” said Buro.

Parents who are active members of the New Jersey State PTA are eligible for special auto insurance coverages at lower rates than those offered by companies who insure everyone. Members of NJPTA just need to provide a copy of their membership card to qualify.

“The partnership with Teachers’ Insurance introduces a great new way for NJPTA members to fundraise for their chapters while offering them the opportunity to save money with a company that specializes in insuring members of the educational community,” stated Judy Hyde, President of the NJPTA.

Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey provides exclusive low rates and unique auto insurance services to active and retired employees of New Jersey licensed educational facilities, members of the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association and other school professionals. For more information, please visit www.nj-teachers.com.

SOURCE Teachers’ Insurance Plan of NJ

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ — A new law passed by the Missouri Legislature to better protect auto insurance policyholders from failing insurers went into effect last week. The legislation aids the state Department of Insurance (DOI) in tending to failing coverage providers by outlining the sets of circumstances under which an insurer may be considered financially hazardous. Although this new measure strengthens the safety net for insured public, OnlineAutoInsurance.com advises consumers to always check the viability of prospective insurers and to choose a financially strong provider regardless of the state of residence.

The clearer guidelines will allow regulators to issue corrective directions to ailing insurers at an earlier point than was previously allowed, and, according to the DOI, this will result in more successful rehabilitations of at-risk insurance companies and a more secure marketplace for consumers.  The new law highlights the existence of the safety net put in place by governments to protect insurance consumers.

State regulators throughout the country expect auto insurance companies to maintain adequate asset levels in order be able to pay for claims. After all, policies covered by insurers without the means to pay are not worth very much.  So, in order to protect consumers from insurers that crumble financially, state legislatures commonly establish safety nets with two main mechanisms: guaranty associations and guidelines for the rehabilitation of insurers.

Guaranty associations’ main functions are to establish and maintain fund pools used to make good on claims that have been filed by citizens with insurers that can no longer operate. The fund pools are filled through deposits from insurance providers to state regulators, along with failed insurers’ remaining assets. These funds, though, do not come into play until the state department has taken steps to rehabilitate the company.

The rehabilitation process, before the Missouri legislation took effect, practically did not begin until a state court found an insurer to be insolvent, which means that its outstanding debts have become greater than its total assets. Once an insurer is found insolvent, the state regulator can be allowed through the court to take it over and attempt to correct the conditions that led to its degradation. According to the Missouri DOI, the majority of these cases eventually result in liquidation and the closing of the company. The new law, though, will “serve as an early warning tool” when a provider is at a heightened risk of becoming insolvent.  The DOI believes that the earlier warning will allow for more successful rehabilitations of floundering insurers.

Source: http://bit.ly/bO0ZbP

Despite the existence of this safety net, consumers should consider the financial stability of the providers with which they are making such an important investment. Shoppers wishing to learn more about auto insurance providers can go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/companies/ where visitors can also get free and easy quote comparisons from a range of reputable carriers.

SOURCE Online Auto Insurance, LLC

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Sponsorship Will Include Custom-Built Interactive Machine, MetroCard Giveaways and More

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — August 31, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, recently revealed plans for its on-site presence at the 2010 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. As the official car insurance sponsor of the event, Esurance will unveil a Rube Goldberg-type device, give away thousands of MetroCards, and promote public transportation to and from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

To highlight its best-of-both-worlds approach to car insurance — people when you want them, technology when you don’t™ — the customized interactive machine will introduce fans to some of the car insurance company’s key benefits. The star of the machine — a Wilson tennis ball — will work its way through a complex maze of hurdles and challenges, some of which will initiate the screening of two Esurance commercials.

The first commercial triggered by the device focuses on one of Esurance’s most popular technological innovations, online vehicle repair monitoring, which allows customers with a car in the shop to view daily photos of repairs throughout the process. The second ad spotlights the company’s human touch by showing an Esurance coverage counselor helping a customer find the right coverage. For more information on how the device works, visit the Esurance Blog.

“We’re committed to offering our customers the best of both worlds when it comes to car insurance, by providing innovative technology and around-the-clock customer service,” said Darren Howard, Esurance VP of Marketing. “The US Open provides a great opportunity for us to connect with potential customers and familiarize over 700,000 tennis enthusiasts with many of the great products and services we offer and to do so in a fun, unique way.”

US Open attendees can also sign up for the “Best of Both Worlds” Tennis Sweepstakes onsite at the Esurance booth, located just outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fans can complete an entry form on a postcard and hand it to an Esurance representative, or they can scan a QR code® at the booth and be taken to the sweepstakes website where they can follow directions online to enter the sweepstakes in minutes.

Additionally, in line with their national green initiatives, Esurance will promote the use of public transit by giving away 2,000 MetroCards throughout the tournament in conjunction with the USTA. Each day, representatives will hand out cards on the walkway between the subway and the National Tennis Center. Plus, on the night of September 3, an entire promenade section will receive the cards courtesy of Esurance.

Learn more about the Rube Goldberg-type device.

There is no purchase necessary to enter the “Best of Both Worlds” Tennis Sweepstakes. Void where prohibited. For the official rules and more information on the sweepstakes, visit http://www.esurance.com/tennis.

“Rube Goldberg” is a trademark of Rube Goldberg, Inc. “QR Code” is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

About Esurance®

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select agents, including sister company, Answer Financial. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance’s website, www.esurance.com, customers can get instant car insurance quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their insurance cards — all in minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.

Answer Financial, also a subsidiary of White Mountains, is one of the largest independent personal lines insurance agencies in the country. Answer Financial offers comparison quotes and provides auto and property insurance from more than a dozen top-rated insurance companies through its website, www.answerfinancial.com, and over the phone.

“Actuarial Soundness” Defense Protects Insurers At Expense of Rate Regulation, Consumer Watchdog Says

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Anthem Blue Cross’s defense of its recent controversial premium increases will be codified in law under eleventh hour legislation by San Francisco State Senator Mark Leno, SB 1163, just as the California legislature is set to adjourn Tuesday night.

Consumer Watchdog, the group behind auto insurance regulation Prop 103 that has saved Californians $62 billion, warned that if health insurers can defend rates simply by having an actuary say the increases are “actuarially sound,”" as Anthem Blue Cross did and Leno’s legislation provides, consumers will be in big trouble.

“It’s outrageous that a purportedly progressive San Francisco state senator would undermine the cause of premium regulation with last minute amendments that give health insurance companies their wish list of ways to raise rates without government regulators being able to stop them,” said Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court. “It’s as though Leno is saying if you cannot beat the insurance industry with single payer legislation he backs, you might as well join them. All Californians will have to buy health insurance by 2014 or face tax penalties and Leno’s eleventh hour legislation gives insurers more latitude to raise rates.”

With the new amendments to Leno’s SB 1163, in the last days of session, insurers removed their opposition to the legislation stating it reiterates federal law and conforms to the Schwarzenegger administration’s position, articulated in a federal grant application, that regulators should not be able to approve or deny premium increases before they take effect. This undermines efforts to establish for health insurance the prior approval regulation system, enacted under Prop 103 in 1988, now covering auto and homeowners insurance – under which a regulator must review rates and deny those deemed “excessive.” The latest amendments in SB 1163 also specifically bar regulators from limiting what insurers can charge for coverage.

Consumer Watchdog said that making “actuarial soundness” the standard for reasonable health insurance rates is the insurers’ preferred approach because it is a term that allows for manipulation by accountants to defend double digit increases. Anthem Blue Cross recently used the excuse in defense of its recent premium hikes. From Los Angeles Times, July 29, 2010:

“While we made the decision to move forward with these revised rates, given the unique circumstances of the California individual market, this situation is not sustainable over the long term,” said [Angela Braly, Anthem/WellPoint CEO]. “WellPoint remains committed to serving individual members. However, in order to continue to serve customers, a carrier must be able to receive actuarially sound rates.”

The Leno bill would give insurers a legal justification for rates that would otherwise be excessive under a prior approval rate regulation system. Proposition 103 requires for auto insurers, as AB 2578 (Jones-Feuer) would for health insurers, that premiums be approved or denied by regulators before they take effect under the standard that they are not “excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.” The Leno approach allows insurers to hire “independent” actuaries to justify rates as they see fit without even a review process. SB 2578 has yet to have a vote on the Senate Floor.

In addition to August 18, 2010 amendments to SB 1163 that are designed to give insurance companies a legal basis – the “actuarially sound” rates standard – for justifying double digit rate hikes, new August 25 amendments continue to take health care in the wrong direction.

The August 25 amendments:

• Delete section 1385.06 (d) that previously stated SB 1163 does not limit the ability of regulator to challenge an insurer’s claims that a rate increase is actuarially sound or even in compliance with state or federal laws.
• Add section 1385.06 (c) stating that, under the bill, regulators are not allowed to limit the rates insurers can charge.
• Delete section 1385.03 (b)(23) that would have required insurers to report the number of consumer complaints related to the health plans’ rates.
• Delete section 1385.11 (c) that would require the regulator to consider public comment as part of its rate hike review, instead requiring that the regulator merely post public comments on its website.
• Delete provisions that would have required health plans and insurers to clearly enumerate key health care cost drivers. [Section 1385.03(b) (18)].
• Limit the bill’s requirement that health plans completely disclose “health care cost containment and quality improvement efforts,” by giving insurers more discretion in determining what data must be reported [1385.03 (c)(3)].

“Actuarial soundness” has been debunked by industry experts as a meaningless term. Indeed, in 2008 testimony on behalf of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, Association of California Insurance Companies and American Insurance Association, former Department of Insurance Actuary Shawna Ackerman explained:

“There is no such criteria as ‘most actuarially sound’ in the actuarial community, actuarial literature or the Actuarial Standards of Practice. Ratemaking is prospective in nature, projecting the costs of events yet to occur. Thus, there will necessarily exist a range of reasonable choices, not a single ‘most actuarially sound’ choice.”

Consumer Watchdog opposes SB 1163 (Leno) unless it is amended to remove Section 4 and 7 (proposed Health and Safety Code Article 6.2 and proposed Insurance Code Article 4.5 – “Review of Rate Increases”).

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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LONDON, August 27, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — So you’ve passed your driving
test, got yourself a set of wheels, and you’re about to get out on the open
road for the very first time. You might know how to parallel park and keep
under the speed limit, but there are several other things to consider when
owning and running a car. For instance, how can you get a good deal on your
car insurance? Premiums are higher for new, young drivers; so how is it
possible for you to keep costs down?

Don’t worry, as Quinn Insurance has used their experience and expertise
to create this guide comprising ten of their best tips for insuring your car:

1. Avoid high performance vehicles

We know that it is tempting to buy a car with a powerful engine or a
luxury model with all the mod cons, but these types of car are nearly always
much more expensive to insure. If you are a first-time driver getting new
driver insurance, we would advise that you purchase a standard model car with
a small engine size (about one litre capacity) with no modifications. With
this in mind, you will probably looking at a 3 or 5 door hatchback.

2. Avoid high value vehicles

This ties in with our first tip, as the lower the value of your car, the
lower your insurance premium will be. So therefore avoid flashy vehicles that
carry a high price tag or are brand new. A decent second hand car with a good
service history will help you keep your premiums down. Look out for adverts
in your local paper or in magazines. There are plenty of them.

3. Take out basic cover

It is advised to take out Third Party Fire and Theft cover for best value
cover. Third party cover on its own will only cover you against damage to
other people’s property and injuries you may cause them.

Third Party Fire and Theft will cover loss or damage of your vehicle
caused by fire or theft. However, it will not cover you against damage
committed by yourself to the vehicle. Fully comprehensive cover will cover
you for all of this, but is often much more expensive.

4. Keep your mileage low

If you keep your annual mileage low, it means that you are not on the
road that often, rendering you less of a risk. The insurance company may
offer you cheaper prices. Simple!

5. Pay up front

If you pay your annual car insurance payment in full up front and not in
instalments, you can save a fair amount that you would have paid in interest
over the course of the year.

6. Add another driver

Another way of keeping prices down on your auto insurance is by adding
another driver. Adding an older, experienced driver to your insurance can
reduce your payments, so why not ask your parents if they would like to be
included.

7. Keep your licence clean

Insurance companies do not like people who drive recklessly so drive
safely and sensibly. Accumulating points on your licence and gaining driving
convictions will without doubt push up your premiums. Therefore, keep to the
driving speed limit and don’t drink and drive, as these types of convictions
will make finding insurance for a young driver practically impossible. If you
can find someone to cover you, then you can bet that it will be very
expensive indeed.

If you do keep out of trouble, then you will be rewarded. When you renew
your insurance policy, you will be given a ‘No Claims Bonus’ discount off the
price of your cover for the coming year.

8. Do not add modifications

Adding modifications to your car such as lowering the suspension or
modifying the performance of the engine can increase your insurance premiums.
So do avoid this if you can. However, not all modifications will increase
prices and if you have to make a change to your car, contact your insurers to
see if this will cost more.

9. Cut out the policy optional extras

You can also keep costs lower by not taking any extra features such as
windscreen or legal cover. Those extras will add to your premiums, not by
much, but you are probably looking to get the cheapest price you can.

10. Off-road parking

If you can park your car off the road in a driveway or garage, do so.
Insurance companies always ask their applicants where the vehicle is parked
and this will further help you keep your costs to a minimum.

A few other brief money-saving points that may be worth considering when
insuring your car are:

– Taking the Pass Plus driving course.

– And finally, look for policies which have a courtesy car included for
free as a policy benefit, rather than taking out a courtesy car option.

Please remember that driving without car insurance is illegal and in the
case of an accident, you will be liable for the full cost of all damages, if
it is your fault.

However, although the costs of being a first-time driver can be
expensive, taking heed of these tips can help you reduce your insurance
premiums and with a few years of trouble free motoring under your belt, you
will see your insurance costing you less and less.

SOURCE Quinn Insurance

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Business owners are probably aware of the fact that most things don’t come cheap, especially in today’s world, where expenses seem to head in an upward direction. However, there are certain areas where business owners can curb their expenses. Insure4USA.com, a leading online insurance service, recently released a guide to help entrepreneurs hold on to their hard-earned money and find ways to procure affordable commercial auto insurance.

Insure4USA’s “A Guide to Purchasing Commercial Auto Insurance” offers valuable guidance and tips on how business owners can obtain customized commercial auto insurance without having to upset their profit and loss statements. According to Alex, CEO of Insure4USA.com, the objective of the guide is to enlighten business owners on the various types of auto insurance and ways to reduce premiums significantly. Alex says, “Many business owners find that getting the right commercial auto insurance coverage is tricky, to say the least. Moreover, they are involved in many areas of their business and don’t find the time to search for affordable auto insurance. Our guide is sure to help them find the right type of insurance at the right price.”

The guide highlights the importance of fleet owners employing drivers with an excellent driving history, which is a great way to save on premiums. Alex adds, “Insurance providers divide businesses into industry specific categories when it comes to calculating premiums. In addition, the types of goods to be transported also greatly affects auto insurance premiums. Therefore, business owners need to be transparent when it comes to insuring their automobiles, and avoid paying for cover that they may not really require.”

The guide has plenty of information on the likely risks that business owners need to consider when purchasing commercial auto insurance. It is important to understand the terms and conditions of a policy and its exclusions prior to selecting an appropriate policy. The installation of safety devices such as anti-lock brakes, anti-theft alarms, and side air bags is a surefire way to reduce premiums, an aspect which is well covered in Insure4USA’s guide. Also included are the important areas of commercial auto insurance that every business owner must know.

See Insure4USA.com full guide http://www.insure4usa.com/commercial-auto-insurance.html.

About Insure4USA.com

Insure4USA.com is an online marketplace that offers insurance quotes on life, home, health, business, car insurance and other types. http://www.insure4usa.com

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Insure4USA.com

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I.I.I. Offers Tips for Insuring College Students’ Possessions, Including a “Dorm Inventory”

NEW YORK, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As college students and their parents begin planning for the new academic year, “check insurance” should be on their “to do” lists, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). For students who live in an on-campus dormitory, most of their personal possessions are covered under either their parents’ homeowners or renters insurance policy, although the issue gets more complicated if the student resides off-campus or owns a very expensive computer or sophisticated electronic equipment.

College students haul off to school a costly array of personal possessions. In addition to clothing, furniture and books, many also will bring expensive personal electronics and sports equipment. In fact, students and their families are expected to spend over $33 billion on back-to-school supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

“With sophisticated electronics and expensive sports equipment increasingly common on campuses around the country, many students may be bringing thousands of dollars worth of personal possessions with them to college,” pointed out Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. “And with the cost of tuition rising, the last thing students or their parents want to do is to have to pay to replace costly items due to theft, fire or another disaster.”

Theft is a major concern on college campuses. The U.S. Department of Education reports that there were about 31,851 campus burglaries in 2008. And the National Fire Protection Association reported that there were 6,000 on-campus fires in 2008. Most of the fires are cooking related, so students should be careful about the types of hot plates and microwaves they bring to school. In addition, portable heaters and lighting products such as halogen lamps can also pose a fire risk, as well overloading electrical outlets.

Before packing the car or shipping belongings off to school, the I.I.I. recommends that parents and students:

1. Create a “dorm inventory.” This is a detailed list of every item the student plans to bring to school, along with its estimated value. To make this process easier, the I.I.I. has created free web-based software, available at www.KnowYourStuff.org. Students can note specific expensive items such as a computer, camera or musical instruments and scan into the system receipts documenting their retail value. Having an up-to-date inventory will help determine how much insurance to purchase and will help get insurance claims settled faster in the event of theft, fire or other types of disaster.
2. Contact their insurance agent or company representative to learn about all of their insurance options. They should find out how much insurance coverage the student will have on his or her parents’ policy and if supplemental insurance is needed.

Some homeowners insurance policies may limit the amount of coverage for a college student’s off-premises belongings to 10 percent of the total amount of a policy’s coverage for personal possessions. This means that if the parents have $70,000 worth of insurance for the belongings in the family’s primary residence, only $7,000 would be applicable to possessions in their youngster’s dorm room. Not all insurers impose this type of limit, so people should check with their agent or company representative about a specific policy.

Expensive computer and electronic equipment and items such as jewelry may also be subject to coverage limits under a standard homeowners policy. If the limits are too low, parents may consider buying a special personal property floater, or an endorsement, for these items. This will not only provide a higher amount of insurance, it will also provide broader coverage. Most floaters, for instance, also include additional coverage for “mysterious disappearance.”

There are also stand-alone insurance policies for computers and cellphones. Students and their parents may also want to consider purchasing a stand-alone policy specifically designed for students living away at college. This can be an economical way to provide additional insurance coverage for a variety of disasters. For an added fee, some of the specialty college insurance policies also include coverage for damage to items caused by “spillage.”

Students who live off campus may not be covered by their parents’ homeowners policy and may need to purchase their own renters insurance. Parents should consult their insurance agent or company representative to see if their homeowners or renters policy extends to off-campus living situations.

For students going off to college, the I.I.I. recommends the following:

• Leave valuables at home if possible While it may be necessary to take a computer or sports equipment to campus, other expensive items such as valuable jewelry or luxury watches should be left at home or kept in a local safety deposit box.
• Engrave electronics Engrave electronic items such as computers, televisions and portable devices like iPods with a name or other identifying information that can help police track the stolen articles.
• Always lock dorm room doors and carry the keys at all times, even if you leave briefly. And not just at night — most dorm thefts occur during the day. Insist that roommates do the same.
• Do not leave belongings unattended on campus. Whether in class, the library, the dining hall or other public areas, students should never leave unattended their back packs, purses and laptops. These are the primary areas where property theft occurs.

In the event that a student is planning to have a car on campus, he or she should choose a safe, reliable vehicle and do some research to find the best auto insurance rate. The first stop should be the family’s own insurance company as it may offer a multipolicy discount, but shopping around to compare rates is also advisable. If a student’s car is left at home, the auto insurance company should be contacted as many insurers give discounts for students who are living at a school that is at least 100 miles from home.

For more information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. website.

For a related video, go to College Students Quiz.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE: www.iii.org

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

SOURCE Insurance Information Institute

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http://www.KnowYourStuff.org

ERIE, Pa., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Erie Indemnity Company (Nasdaq: ERIE) today announced the appointments of two executive vice presidents to be effective Sept. 1.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20041112/ERIELOGO )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041112/ERIELOGO )

The company appointed John F. Kearns to the newly created position of executive vice president, Sales & Marketing. Kearns will oversee the company’s Sales & Agency and the Strategic Marketing divisions. The company also appointed George “Chip” D. Dufala executive vice president, Services.  In this role, also new to the company, Dufala will oversee the Claims and Corporate Services divisions.

“The addition of John and Chip to our executive team further positions us to grow our business while strengthening our capabilities in marketing, sales and service,” said Terrence W. Cavanaugh, president and chief executive officer. “Each has extensive experience in the insurance industry and a history of success with The ERIE.”

Kearns joined the company in 2007 as senior vice president and division officer, Commercial Lines Underwriting. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1976 at Sun Alliance in Dublin, Ireland. A native of Dublin, Kearns served as chief executive officer of St. Paul Ireland. Before coming to The ERIE, he was president of financial and professional services at St. Paul Travelers.

Dufala previously served as senior vice president of Erie Family Life Insurance Company, a member of the Erie Insurance Group of companies. He joined The ERIE in 1993 in field operations and has since held several leadership positions, including regional vice president and senior vice president of customer service operations. The company is conducting a search for a new senior vice president of Erie Family Life.

In addition to these appointments, the company announced that Eric Root is succeeding Kearns in leading ERIE‘s commercial operations. Root has been with The ERIE since 1993. He most recently served as senior vice president and branch manager for field operations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 13th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has over 4.2 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group ranks 484 on the FORTUNE 500.

Erie Insurance earned J.D. Power and Associates’ award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Shopping Experience.” This recognition is based on the results of the 2010 Insurance Shopping Study, which evaluates the experience of customers purchasing a new auto insurance policy. Erie Insurance has also been recognized on the list of Ward’s 50 Group of top performing insurance companies. The Ward’s 50 award analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and nearly 800 life and health insurance companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding financial results in safety and consistency over a five-year period (2005-2009).

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at http://www.erieinsurance.com.

SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company

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