Join Karl Susman and Debbie Bremner as they discuss the new legislation in Los Angeles county and how it may affect homeowners. Did you know you can only have three dogs or cats as pets in LA county? How about bumping that up to five? What will that mean to you? Find out here. Thanks for watching.
Fire burning at Koreatown apartment building
ABC News is reporting a fire in an apartment building in Koreatown. Details to follow.
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The Great California ShakeOut
Are you ready for the next earthquake? If not, you need to practice! Remember to join in the 2010 Great California ShakeOut, the annual statewide earthquake drill. Register here and then remember to set a reminder to Drop, Cover and Hold on!
You think you know it all? You think, hey, I’ve lived in California all my life, and I’m still here. I must know what I’m doing. Think again. Take the Quake Quiz and see just how much you need to learn. You can also follow the Great California Shake Out on Twitter and Facebook.
Plan, and prepare. We’re all in this together.
Karl Susman
Health Insurance – update on fighting infection
Fighting Infection |
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Concern over the threat of infection often increases in the fall as the weather begins to change and school sessions begin. This month we pass along research findings, articles and tips to help keep you informed and your kids healthy. The best way to fight infection is to be aware of preventive measures and, whenever possible, get all available immunizations for yourself and your children. Whooping Cough Outbreak: Immunize for Protection Superbugs Invasion of the Microorganisms The information in this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider with any concerns you may have. Thanks to Blue Shield for this helpful information! |
Brush Fire in Kern County
KABC is reporting a brush fire burning in the hills of Kern County, CA. As of just about an hour ago, over 750 acres are said to have burned. The fire broke out around noon today just off the 5 Freeway.
iPhone insurance
With all of those iPhones out there, you better believe some of them get broken! We have insurance policies that cover your iPhone for damage from theft, breakage and even water damage. Check out the details here. Remember the best way to always have an iphone is to carry the best iPhone insurance!
Earthquake hits Malibu
Several small earthquakes have been felt by residents in Malibu over the last few hours. According to the USGS, a 4.0 quake hit in the Channel Isl ands region at 10:42PM last night, followed by a 2.2 magnitude at 7:22am this morning. No damage has been reported. Good time to check in with your insurance agent and be sure your Earthquake Insurance is in effect!
In this issue we focus on Pet Insurance
We all love our wonderful pets, but what liability issues arise when they are under your control. When you consider that dog bites account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, costing $387.20 million in 2008, up 8.70 percent from 2007, underst anding how you are liable becomes an important issue. Read about the three kinds of law that impose liability on owners. Find out which dog breeds insurance companies frown upon. Learn how to live with your pet in harmony, even if you’re allergic to them, and much more.
State Facts: Are You Legally Liable for Your Dog?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. With over 50 percent of the bites occurring on the dog owner’s property, the issue is a major source of concern for insurers.
Over the years, many states have passed laws with stiff penalties for owners of dogs that cause serious injuries or deaths. In about one-third of states, owners are “strictly liable” for their dogs’ behavior, while in the rest of the country they are liable only if they knew or should have known their dogs had a propensity to bite (known as the “one free bite” principle).
Pet Insurance: Companies Growl At Certain Dog Breeds
Rottweilers, Akitas, Dobermans — some are more likely to bite, but fans of those breeds say insurers are breed profiling
Those doe-eyed, tail-wagging pooches waiting for new homes may be as loyal as any dog lover could want. But anyone planning to adopt or purchase a dog should beware: Fido or Fifi could be a killer when it comes to homeowner liability insurance.
Based on the dog-bite claims they see, insurers feel that some breeds are a poor risk. It’s a trend that began about 10 years ago, at around the same time as statistics were released showing that pit bulls, Rottweilers and German shepherds were responsible for more than half the dog bite fatalities in the U.S. over a 19-year period. Despite opposition from consumers, many insurance companies still maintain a will-not-cover breed blacklist. The list varies from company to company, according to Loraine Lacey, president of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Orange County, depending on each company’s experience.
Dog Bite Liability
Most dogs are friendly, loving members of the family, but even normally docile dogs may bite when they are frightened or when protecting their puppies, owners or food.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. More than 50 percent of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, and they account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims.
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Allergies To Pets
Learn to live with your pet in harmony, even if you’re allergic to them
The benefits of having a pet usually outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many people. You’d be surprised to know how many people, with non-life-threatening allergies, live with pets despite having allergies to them!
It’s not you, it’s me
Any and all cats and dogs may cause reactions for people who are allergic to animals. Cats tend to cause more reactions than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Contrary to popular belief, there are no “non-allergenic” breeds of dogs or cats; even hairless breeds may cause symptoms.
Quick Links
Be careful on a trampoline
A quick and friendly reminder about trampolines. Be careful! Ok, the real reason for this quick video is to try to help explain why when you’re purchasing Homeowners insurance, one of the questions you will be asked is if the house has a trampoline. Think they are completely safe? Think again. 🙂
Health Care Update – August 20th, 2010
Removing lifetime and annual dollar limits for essential health benefits
As part of the health care reform law, health insurance companies must remove lifetime and annual dollar limits on covered services (in network and out of network) that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers “essential health benefits.” This change goes into effect September 23, 2010, although certain annual limits can be removed in phases over the next four years.
HHS has not given us the final definition of “essential health benefits” yet, but based on the information and examples it has released, as well as our own research of current state and federal m andates, we have come up with a list of approximately 26 services we believe will be affected. There may be variations in certain states. The services still may be subject to copays and other cost shares.
This provision of the health care reform law also restricts annual or lifetime dollar limits at the plan level except transitional annual dollar limits as defined in the legislation.
A waiver program will be available for certain types of plans like mini-med and limited benefit plans so they can retain annual plan limits. We are waiting for more information on this program from HHS.
Administrative services only (ASO) plans also are required to comply with the health care reform law lifetime and annual limits provision for plan years that start on or after September 23, 2010. We will provide guidance to ASO clients, but the final decision on how they choose to comply is theirs.
