Millions of drivers endanger themselves and the lives of others everyday by texting while driving. IronPoint Insuance wants to help Mercury Insurance make our roads and highways safer for everyone, so we’re asking that you join us and Mercury Insurance by pledging not to text while driving.

Texting while driving could drastically change someone’s life. When you send a text, by the time you look up from you phone it may be too late.

Texting while driving has become a leading cause of accidents for teenagers and it takes thousands of lives each year.¹ Texting while driving reduces a driver’s reaction time so much that it’s equivalant to driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent, which would make you legally intoxicated.²

Several studies reveal:

• Drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident when texting and driving.³
• More than 49% of all adults say they have been in a car when the driver was sending or reading text messages.⁴
• Nearly 86% of teens admit to texting while driving.⁵

¹ University of Utah Study

² University of Utah Study

³ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

⁴ Citizens Against Distracted Drivers

⁵ Automobile Club of Southern California

Commercial Use of a Vehicle

When considering purchasing commercial auto insurance you should understand that insurance carriers typically define “commercial use” as the transporting of goods or people for compensation. Another definition for you to consider is by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—

1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation 
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation
4. Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous…and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

Regardless of the definitions, however, you may still need to purchase commercial auto insurance coverage if:

• The vehicle in question is owned by a business.
• You haul tools or equipment weighing more than 500 pounds.
• You deliver goods (i.e., flowers, pizza, newspapers).
• You pick up and deliver people.
• You use farming equipment.
• You conduct door-to-door services requiring use of your vehicle.
• Other persons, excluding resident relatives, (i.e., employees or coworkers) operate the vehicle.

Exact definitions of commercial vehicles vary from insurer to insurer, so it is important that you speak with an insurance agent to determine if your vehicle qualifies for commercial auto coverage. IronPoint Insurance Services is provides commercial auto insurance as well as other commercial insurance products, and we can assist you in making the right decision and getting the best coverage for the right value.  Give us a call at (877) 334-7646, or request an online commercial auto quote.

Some companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars every year telling you that they have the best rates, but no single company does, in fact, have a monopoly on competitive car insurance rates.  A survey conducted by Progressive Insurance back in 2004 illustrated that the same person could have up to $400 when shopped from company –to-company.

If you want to save money on your car insurance, but don’t want to have “cheap car insurance,” you need to work with an agent who has access to many insurance company rates, and can shop your insurance for you.  This provides the consumer with the best overall value as it provides maximum information, the highest opportunity to save money on car insurance, and it reduces the time and efforts spent to get your answers.

So, if you want to save money on car insurance, but don’t want “cheap insurance” you need to reach out into your community and locate an independent insurance agent who has relationships with several “preferred” insurance companies, and can shop your insurance for the best combination of protection and value.  This gives you the best shot at saving that $400 per year on your car insurance.

IronPoint Insurance Services is a full service insurance agency with relationships with Mercury Insurance, Travelers Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and MetLife Auto & Home.  We shop your insurance for you and provide competitive prices on auto insurance with outstanding protection.  Give an IronPoint Insurance agent a call today at (877) 334-7646 or get an online car insurance quote today.

Scientists agree the probability is high that an earthquake of significant size will hit California in the coming decade.

The scenes from Japan are playing our on our televisions as a grim reminder of the power of natural events.  As we watch the aftermath of the 5^th largest earthquake in recorded history, we should take inventory of what the possibilities are for us Californians, especially those who live on the coast. 

According to the April 2008 study released by the US Geological Society, USC’s Southern California Earthquake Center, and the California Geological Survey, California has a 99% probability of one or more 6.7 magnitude quake(s).  The specific probability of a 6.7 magnitude quake hitting San Francisco is 63% and Los Angeles is 67% likely by 2028.  Moreover, the San Andreas Fault has the highest probability of a quake in the entire US at 59%.

In 1994 Los Angeles was struck be a 6.7 magnitude quake in Northridge, and, according to FEMA records, that quake had an economic toll of $40 Billion and 57 lives were lost.  We really don’t need to go too far in our past to see what kind of devastation that an earthquake can have on our communities and in our lives.

As we observe what is happening in Japan, we should also consider what we can do for ourselves, as estimates indicate that only 12% of Californians carry proper Earthquake Insurance.

Earthquake Insurance

An Earthquake Insurance Policy should be there to cover the costs associated with the replace or repair of your damaged property.  Not all Earthquake policies are the same, so when considering Earthquake Insurance you should think about:

1. Does the policy cover both the dwelling (structure) and secondary structures both attached to and not attached to the primary dwelling?
2. Will there be coverage for my personal property?
3. Will there be loss of use coverage if your family is displaced by the Earthquake?
4. What exclusions or limitation exist in the policy you select?
5. What is the deductible?

As a resident of California you can get insurance protection through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) through the various participating insurance carriers.  The CEA policy is a standard Earthquake policy with a 10% to 15% deductible.  Earthquake Insurance is also provided by some private companies, and they have programs that offer a basic level of coverage through comprehensive programs that offer protection for personal property, other structures and increased coverage for loss of use.

If you are currently uninsured, and would like to get a quote, please contact IronPoint Insurance at (877) 334-7646 and we can provide you a quote and a breakdown of the coverage offered.

“A wedding is one of the first large investments a couple will make, both emotionally and financially,” said Scott Boren, President for IronPoint Insurance Services, LLC.  “Because there are so many moving parts, there are many opportunities for something to go wrong.  It is important to protect such an investment.”

The Wedding Protector Plan provides coverage, with no deductible, for a variety of unfortunate occurrences associated with a wedding event.  For example, coverage is provided if a hurricane causes the necessary and unavoidable cancellation or postponement of the event. Other coverages include postponement for withdrawal of military leave, forfeited and lost deposits, extra expenses associated with special attire, transportation, photographs, and entertainment expenses.

“A lot of time and money goes into planning your wedding,” said Boren.  “IronPoint Insurance Services, LLC wants to ensure that the wedding stays within your budget even if the unexpected happens.”

The top wedding claims and problems typically include damage to wedding attire, mishaps with event photography, cancellation due to illness or bereavement, and no-shows by contracted vendors.**

For more information on the Wedding Protector Plan from Travelers, visit www.AgentProtectMyWedding.com, which offers a Risk Quiz to help consumers determine how much risk surrounds their wedding, plus examples of coverages provided.  The Web site also offers an e-newsletter for newlyweds, which covers topics from lifestyle to money management tips, designed to help couples become in-synch with their lives as one.

As long as the wedding is more than 14 days away, it’s not too late.  The Wedding Protector Plan can cover events in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean Islands (excluding Cuba and Haiti) and cruise ships leaving from a port within those territories (some restrictions apply).

For more information on how to protect a wedding, contact IronPoint Insurance Services, LLC or visit www.AgentProtectMyWedding.com.

With over 15-years of experience, IronPoint Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products including auto, home, life, health and business insurance.

For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit  IronPoint Insurance Services, LLC at www.ironpointinsurance.com or call (877) 334-7646

Despite changes to make insurance policies easier to read the fact remains, most people don’t read their policies, and lack the proper understanding of what is and is not covered in the standard auto and home insurance policy.

Earlier this year MetLife Auto & Home in conjunction with Zogby International conducted a survey to see just what the average consumer understood with respect to their auto and home insurance policies.  The results were not good and underscore the need to have an insurance agent involved in the transaction.

Below are some of the findings:

Homeowners Insurance

1. 31% of respondents didn’t know how much their current home is insured for – this is a surprise since this is the biggest investment most of us will make.
2. 46% didn’t know how much coverage they had for their personal property – items like furnishings, clothing, appliances and electronics.
3. 30% of respondents believed their insurance coverage is determined by their home’s market value – this can be frustrating to a consumer who believes this myth.
4. 64% believed the standard policy will cover any building-code upgrade mandated, even in undamaged parts of their home.
5. Many didn’t understand that some perils (eg Earthquake or Flood) are excluded from the home insurance policy, and require a separate policy.
6. 28% believed the basic home insurance policy covers Earthquake.
7. 60% of those surveyed believed that the home insurance policy would pay full replacement for items like Jewelry or Collectibles, these items have submits and require to be scheduled to have additional protection.

Auto Insurance

1. 50% of respondents didn’t understand that the basic auto insurance policy doesn’t pay for the difference in a loan amount and the total loss evaluation on a vehicle, this despite them understanding what it means to be ‘upside-down’ on a loan.  This form of protection is only available if “GAP” protection is purchased on the auto insurance policy.
2. 50% of those surveyed believed that the auto insurance policy would pay full value for tires, shocks and batteries, and that no depreciation is considered.
3. 33% believed that MP3 players, cell phones, and iPods are covered by the auto insurance policy.
4. 28% didn’t understand that they didn’t understand that most auto insurance policies cover them in a rental car, and they don’t need to purchase that coverage from the rental car company.

As this MetLife survey clearly illustrates, consumers are unclear as to what is and is not covered in auto and home insurance policies.  Maybe this is the result of consumers responding to the misleading advertising from some companies that insurance is a simple commodity that can be purchased on-line.  Regardless of the reason, it is important to understand your protection and have the proper protection for you assets.  At IronPoint Insurance Services, we are an authorized MetLife Auto & Home insurance agency, and also have relationships with many other insurers.  We can assist you in getting a clear understanding of you policy and a competitive price.

The condo association policy is setup to protect just that, the association.  Your condo association has specific hazards that requires insurance protection, but it is not for each individual homewoner.  So, what does your condo association policy provide coverage for?  Typically, a condo association policy provides:

• Liability protection for accidents and injuries that occur in the common areas
• Coverage for the exterior building(s), and
• Protection for the general condo property. 

The association policy does not typically provide coverage for:

• The personal property of the condominium owner
• Property damage that occurs inside the condominiums, or
• Liability protection for injuries that arise while inside your home.

Condominium owners need to take special care when purchasing their insurance policy, and recognize that the condo association policy does not provide adequate coverage for the owner’s contents/property, interior flooring, cabinets, upgrades, and is not designed to provide liability protection for the homeowner.  For this reason, many condominium owners are underinsured, or even uninsured.

If you own a condo, please reach out to an IronPoint Insurance agent at (877) 334-7646 and they will be happy to conduct a full review of your insurance needs, and provide you the property protection for your unique type of home.

  Below are some helpful non-insurance maintenance hints for you to review this winter season. 

• Check your outlets and all electrical holiday decorations for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose connections. Do not overload the outlets, extension cords or surge protectors.
• Check and clean your heating system to make sure it is in good working condition for the winter months. This is generally a job best performed by a professional.
• Keep adequate fuel reserves on hand because fuel carriers might not be able to refuel for several days during severe weather.
• Close off and lower the temperature in rooms that are not in use. Make sure there is sufficient heat to prevent the freezing of water pipes.
• Insulate pipes that pass through unheated areas. Your home’s crawlspace and attic are two such areas.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter before the heating season begins.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. This prevents lint from accumulating and reduces the risk of fire.
• Service snow removal equipment and keep ice melting compound on hand to melt ice on walkways.
• Set the heat in your home no lower than 55 degrees.
• Remove screens from windows, and install storm windows.
• Protect your roof against heavy snow and ice loads. Keep gutters clean and roof drains open.
• Inspect washing machine hoses periodically, and replace hoses that show signs of wear or leakage.

At IronPoint Insurance Services, we pride ourselves in being helpful for more than just insurance.  But we are always happy to assist you with your insurance needs with our premium branded, A+ Rated, insurance programs offered through Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Mercury Insurance, and MetLife Auto & Home.  Call an IronPoint Agent today at (877) 334-7646 or visit www.ironpointinsurance.com to inquire about a quote.

If your are interested in discussing this program, you can call an IronPoint Insurance agent at (877) 334-7646, or go to www.ironpointinsurance.com.

As ID Fraud Increases, Travelers Bolsters Insurance Protection

Reimbursement for Medical ID Fraud Expenses, Travel Expenses, New Government IDs and Tax ID Fraud-Related Costs Lead Product Enhancements

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 2, 2010 – Travelers, the first insurance carrier to offer Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement insurance, has updated its Identity Fraud product to offer greater protection against even more of the most frequent problems identity fraud victims experience. The insurance product upgrades come at a time when the number of identity fraud incidents is on the rise with more than 11.1 million adults victimized in 2009 according to Javelin Strategy & Research.

The enhanced Identity Fraud product from Travelers now covers the following expenses for possible reimbursement*:

• expenses related to medical identity fraud which includes costs for obtaining copies of health records, attorney’s fees for the release of medical records, and phone and mail charges to healthcare providers,
• expanded attorney’s fees for tax- and employment-related identity fraud,
• travel expenses up to $1,000 a week for up to 5 weeks when victims are required to travel to the jurisdiction in which the identity fraud took place to file in-person loss affidavits with local law enforcement and/or judicial authorities or testify against perpetrators of fraud, and
• expenses and fees associated with acquiring new government-issued identification, including passports, commercial and non-commercial driver’s licenses, and state and federal personal identification cards if they were compromised.

“We are committed to enhancing the Identity Fraud product to help customers protect their finances from the costs associated with restoring their personal information, while still delivering the tools and resolution services to quickly address current losses and mitigate the risk of future fraud,” said Joe Reynolds, Identity Fraud Product Manager for Travelers. “These improvements deliver the best product available to meet the evolving needs of today’s ID fraud victim.”

In addition, the upgraded Identity Fraud product offers an extension to the amount of time an identity fraud incident can be reported and still qualify for expense reimbursement, as well as an enhancement of covered attorney’s fees to include contesting the wrongful transfer of ownership of personal property and wrongfully incurred tax liabilities solely as a result of identity fraud. All of the coverage updates will be available to both business and personal insurance customers.

“The recent study of Travelers claim data indicated that identity thieves typically resort to old-fashioned methods like stealing someone’s license, passport or Social Security card and then committing complex frauds with the easily acquired information,” said Reynolds. “Some of the ID fraud insurance product enhancements will directly help individuals victimized in this manner.”

Insurance protection for identity fraud from Travelers provides customers with access to a consumer fraud specialist, who can guide victims through the process of restoring their identity. Coverage includes reimbursement for the costs associated with identity restoration as well as providing the services required to help victims restore an identity.

Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement Coverage is available as an endorsement on a Travelers homeowners, renters or condo policy for $25 annually and offers protection up to $25,000 per insured person with no deductible. Travelers also offers Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement Coverage to financial institutions and commercial entities as an employee, customer or membership benefit.*

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in the auto, home and business settings. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $25 billion in 2009. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

###

*Reimbursements are restricted to the limits established in the policy. Coverage may not be available in all states and is subject to individual eligibility.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Personal Insurance

Matt Bordonaro

860.277.7014

Sheila Trauernicht

860.277.7461

Business Insurance

Jennifer Bagdade

651.310.2883

GET YOUR FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTE AND COMPARE TODAY!

Mercury offers competitively priced products:

1. Auto Insurance – For years Mercury Insurance has had some of the most competitively priced auto insurance rates in California.  >>>>>> GET A FREE QUOTE NOW!
2. Home insurance – Mercury is a premium branded insurance provider of Home Insurance, this includes Condos, Renters, and Seasonal or Rental properties too.  Their Home Insurance products are as competitively priced as the auto insurance.
3. Commercial Vehicle – Not only does Mercury Insurance save you money on your personal insurance, but you can get a highly competitive commercial vehicle policy with excellent protection for your business too.
4. Small Commercial – Own a small business?  If you do, Mercury Insurance can assist you with your business coverage with a business owner’s policy.

IronPoint Insurance is an authorized agent of Mercury Insurance and can provide you free quote comparisons with your current insurance and several other insurance companies in the California insurance market.  Call us today at (877) 334-7646.  When you shop you save.