SAFETY AND WINTER INSURANCE TOPICS

BY ALAN PLAFKER, PRESIDENT & CEO
MEMBER BROKERAGE SERVICE LLC
A MELROSE CREDIT UNION SERVICE ORGANIZATION

Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving

If you are tired and have a long drive ahead of you, you might want to think twice before getting behind the wheel. Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don’t fall asleep. Drowsiness can make drivers less attentive, slow their reaction time and affect their ability to make safe decisions.

Although it may be difficult to attribute a fatal vehicle crash to drowsy driving, it is implicated in 100,000 car crashes per year which leave 71,000 people injured and 1,500 dead according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some experts feel that the number of fatal crashes each year due to drowsy driving is closer to 5,000 or 6,000 people.

New research on the need for adequate sleep in maintaining good health, coupled with the negative impacts of sleep deprivation are coming to the attention of policy makers. Investigations are ongoing into what role drowsy driving is playing in traffic accidents. In 2003, New Jersey legislators signed the nation’s first law that specifically named driving while drowsy as a criminal offense, and many other states may soon follow suit.

Some of the warning signs of drowsy driving include:

• Yawning or blinking frequently.
  
  
• Missing your exit.
  
  
• Drifting from your lane.
  
  
• Hitting a rumble strip.
  

Some safe solutions to prevent drowsy driving are:

• Change drivers if possible;
  
  
• Take a break from driving every few hours;
  
  
• Pull over off the roadway into a well lit rest area or parking lot and get some sleep;
  
  
• Get plenty of sleep before starting any road trip; and
  
  
• Stop and stay at a hotel or motel. Don’t try to drive all through the night.
  

Snowmobiling in New York?

We can understand why. There are over 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails that are supported by the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund in New York.

Registration. Unlike other jurisdictions, New York does not require paid trail permits. However, all operators are required to register their snowmobiles.

The fee to register is $45 if you can provide proof that you belong to a New York State snowmobile club that is a member of the New York State Snowmobile Association. Otherwise, the fee is $100. For registration information select “snowmobiles” under the “other information” section at the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site:
http://www.dmv.ny.gov.

Insurance. In addition, unless the snowmobile is operated solely on property owned or leased by the owner, liability insurance is required with limits no less than $10,000 for an accident involving one person, $20,000 for an accident involving two or more persons, and $5,000 for property damage. Your insurance agency can help you with this requirement.

Required proof of insurance and registration must be carried by every snowmobiler and presented to law enforcement officers upon request. Proof of insurance also must be shown to other parties involved in an accident with the snowmobiler.

Children. Are you planning to bring the kids with you? There are age requirements that you need to be aware of. Children who are ages 14 through 17 may only operate a snowmobile without adult supervision (over 500 feet away) if they have completed an approved snowmobile safety training course. Children who are ages 10 through 13 must complete the training course and have adult supervision (within 500 feet). Children under age 10 or ages 10 through 14 without a safety certificate may only operate a snowmobile on lands owned or leased by their parent or guardian.

Equipment. Anyone operating a snowmobile in New York must wear an approved safety helmet except when located on property owned by the operator or passenger. Snowmobiles must be equipped with a working muffler, a head light, a tail light and reflector with a material minimum of 16 square inches on each side of the cowling.

Accidents. Any snowmobile accident resulting in personal injury or more than a $1,000 in property damage must be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency. Also, a
complete written report must be filed within seven days.

All of this information, as well trail rules, may be accessed at the Web site of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; go to http://nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles and look under “Documents” for the New York State Snowmobilers Guide.

Snow removal—business or pleasure?

When the snow first starts with those big fluffy flakes you’d catch on your tongue as a kid you smile. A dusting coats the neighborhood streets; snow lines once empty tree branches or clings to evergreen needles. It’s a wonderland … right up until the next morning, that is, when you have to get up an hour early to clear the walk or driveway before work. Then, it’s something you have to deal with.

Part of what you have to deal with, whether you know it or not, is insurance.

Insurance for my snow blower? For my snow plow? Really? Like so many questions of insurance, the answer is, “It depends.”

It depends on whether your snow blower or plow use is business related or strictly personal. For personal use only equipment, insurance is a nonissue. If you use your snow blower just to clear your own driveway you do not need additional coverage. Even if you wanted to be friendly and clear the neighbor’s sidewalk, that’s no problem. If you happen to ding their mailbox or bump into their house, your homeowners policy will extend to cover that.

The same goes with snow plows. If you’re being a good neighbor and plowing out the driveway across the street, your auto policy will cover the damage.

Now, the situation changes dramatically as soon as money enters the picture. When you accept payment for your snow clearing services you open yourself to the whole range of
liabilities. Insurance is definitely an issue in this case. You’ll need a snow contractor’s liability policy. Even if you’re just doing neighborhood driveways for $30 each and you have your customers sign a liability waiver, insurance is still advisable.

Not all waivers are enforceable to bar a person from seeking restitution for perceived damages. Also, whether or not you’re in the right, court costs and lawyer’s fees will accrue.
Play it safe. If snow removal turns into a business make insurance one of the first things you consider, not an afterthought. If you need to talk insurance for snow equipment or anything else, give us a call. Your agent can walk you through any coverage issues and make sure your policies offer all the protection you need.

Keep warm, but don’t burn this winter

There are certain objects in your house that you might not pay attention to until there’s a problem. Just think, when was the last time you thought about your chimney or furnace? However, now that winter is upon us, these two parts of your home probably are working overtime.

Chimney and furnace experts recommend that this equipment is overhauled at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage. However, there are some steps you can take to
maintain the safety of your fireplace and furnace, including:

Fireplaces

• Inspect your chimney regularly for cracks, obstructions and loose bricks.
  
  
• Seal all unused flue openings with solid masonry.
  
  
• To prevent roof fires don't let creosote build up in your chimney.
  
  
• Don't use a lot of paper when building a fire. You could ignite the soot in the chimney.
  
  
• Never burn charcoal in your fireplace. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide.
  
  
• If there are hot ashes in your fireplace, keep the damper open.
  
  
• Let ashes cool in a sealed metal container.
  

Furnaces

• Before you turn on your furnace have it inspected by a qualified professional.
  
  
• Make sure to check the condition of the automatic controls and emergency shutoffs.
  
  
• If the walls and ceiling around your furnace are close together add insulation or additional clearance space.
  
  
• Keep all trash and combustibles away from the furnace.
  

Even when taking the necessary precautions, accidents do happen. But, that’s why your homeowners insurance policy is so important. While there isn’t “chimney or furnace
coverage,” a standard homeowners insurance policy covers specific types of damage for the entire house which includes the chimney and furnace.

Typically, a broad form policy lists 16 standard types of covered damage including fire, lightning, theft, explosion and weight of ice and snow. And, a special form policy will cover damages as long as they are not listed in the exclusions section of the policy. As long as the damage caused by the chimney or furnace is under the covered perils of your insurance policy, your insurance company should pay the claim.

Additional tips

If you do need to make repairs to your chimney or furnace avoid scammers. Make sure you get several quotes before deciding on a company and be cautious of people who knock on your door. Don’t feel pressured by people who try to make you make quick decisions. Call your Better Business Bureau to see if the company you are interested in using has had any complaints issued against it and if they are insured.

Confused about your homeowners policy? Do you want to make sure you have enough coverage to protect you through the winter months and beyond? Give your agent a call.
Your agent will be happy to review your current policy and make suggestions.

FROZEN PIPES AND OTHER ICE AND SNOW DAMAGE

My pipes froze and burst, damaging my home. Do I have coverage?

Most homeowners insurance policies, except for the very basic ones, cover damage to the home resulting from broken pipes due to freezing. For example, your insurance company will pay to clean or pay the cost to replace the carpet, furniture and other property that has been damaged due to the water from the bursting pipes less your deductible.

For those with renters insurance, damage to your personal property from the water due to the burst pipes would be covered. If the damage is so extensive that you can’t stay in your apartment, your insurance company generally will pay for additional living expenses.

The frozen pipes broke in my business location. Is my office equipment covered?

Yes. The coverages are similar to those for homeowners and renters policies. Your insurance company will cover your business equipment losses, as well as the cost to repair the pipes and any other repairs associated with it, repair to walls, if necessary.

Am I also covered for snow and ice buildup that causes leaks in my roof?

This condition is known as an “ice dam.” To obtain coverage for this kind of leakage, not directly the result of damage to the roof by wind or the weight of snow, you would need an all-risks-not-excluded type of policy. It is often referred to as an HO-3 or special form policy.

How do I go about submitting a claim for such damages?

First, take immediate steps to prevent further damage and contact our agency. We will verify your coverage and give you instructions for preparing your claim.

Generally, you’ll be asked for repair estimates for structural damage and a list of items that will need repair or replacement. Depending on the amount of damage, an appraiser from your insurance company may need to see the damage. As with any insurance claim, keep all receipts.

How can I prevent such damage in the first place?

Frozen pipes: To avoid frozen pipes, wrap pipes that are at risk in insulated heat tape and keep the building heat at an adequate level throughout the winter. If you have a power loss, however, you’ll lose heat, too, so if you’re away from home more than a day or two, arrange for someone to check on things. It’s also a good idea to open cabinet doors to circulate warm air to pipes on outside walls.

Also, if you’ll be away for an extended period of time, drain your pipes. If you’re going to be out of the home for even a short time shut off the water supply. That way, if pipes do burst, the only water that will be released into the house will be what’s in the pipes. Water won’t continue to pump into the home as often happens when pipes burst.

If pipes freeze and burst, turn off the water supply before the house warms and the water in the pipes thaws flooding the home.

Snow and ice buildup: Using a long handled snow puller, pull the snow from the roof, back just a few feet from the edge of the eaves before ice has a chance to form. By simply removing the snow along the edge of the roof you will give melting water a chance to drain from the eaves and prevent the formation of ice dams that may damage your roof.

Do not get on the roof to remove snow buildup. This is dangerous and you could easily damage the roofing material resulting in leaks when it rains.

Your Professional Insurance Agent …
We want you to know about the insurance you’re buying.

Alan Plafker

• President of Member Brokerage Service LLC, A Melrose Credit Union Service Organization
  
  
• Licensed Insurance Broker
  
  
• President and Member of the Board of Directors, PIANY, Professional Insurance Agents Association of New York
  
  
• Active Member of CIBGNY, Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York
  
  
• Treasurer, New York Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund Board of Directors
  

His agency insures thousands of policies for Taxi Limousine Commission insurance as well as many policies for all types of personal and commercial insurance. He can be reached in his Briarwood, Queens office at 718-523-1300 X1082, or www.MemberBrokerage.com.

© 2014 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.