by California Casualty | Nominate a Hero |
Name: Wendy R.
Occupation: Law Enforcement
Years of Service: 19
State: CA
What made you want to be in Law Enforcement? “A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy came and spoke at my high school for a youth law class I took, and I decided that I wanted to be in law enforcement then. I realized I wanted to help people and be outside doing different things all day.”
What do you like most about your job? “I enjoy seeing little kids faces light up when they see me in uniform. I love knowing that I make a difference in people’s lives.”
On Saturday, June 4th in 2016, Santa Cruz County Deputies responded to a residential fire in Aptos, California. The home was fully engulfed, and the resident was trapped on the second floor of the house.
Deputy Ramm obtained a ladder from a neighbor’s home and rescued the resident by lifting her to the front door awning. She saved this woman’s life that day due to her quick thinking.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info |
Are you prepared for hurricanes, tornadoes and fires? If your home was threatened would you know what to do? This is the season and at the very least, all of us should:
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Have a family evacuation and communications plan
- Stay Informed via the Internet, radio, TV or with a NOAA Weather Radio
- Keep your car’s gas tank full in case of evacuation
- Stay away until law enforcement or other agencies say it’s safe to return
- Know what your home insurance policy does and does not cover
- Complete a home inventory
Unfortunately, no matter how prepared we all are disasters happen. It’s important that you follow these important steps to avoid identity theft or fraud if your home is damaged or destroyed:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Secure the property from further damage or theft
- Contact creditors, banks, or appropriate agencies to report important documents (social security cards, tax returns, birth certificates), credit cards or banking papers that might have been scattered or lost in the disaster
- Check your credit report to make sure nobody is using your personal information
- Beware of “fly-by-night” work crews and contractors
- Be skeptical of contractors encouraging you to spend large sums on temporary repairs
- Attain recommendations and check the Better Business Bureau before hiring any potential contractor
- Review the contract thoroughly and get written estimates
- Avoid dealing with contractors that request money up front
- Never pay a home contractor in cash – only pay by credit card or personal check
- Do not sign over your insurance settlement check
- Don’t be pressured or fall for “one-day-only” offers
- Be cautious if approached by housing inspectors claiming to represent FEMA or the SBA
- Keep or document receipts and other expenses if you are evacuated or forced to find another place to live because of damage to your home or apartment
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
Are you thinking about joining law enforcement? Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? You need to consider the implications of a tattoo if you are contemplating a career in law enforcement.
While some departments are getting more lenient about exposed tattoos, others are sticking to original policies against them, citing the rationalization that they can change the public’s perception of local law enforcement.
According to policechiefmagazine.com, only 8% of the public said they would accept visible tattoos with male officers and 5% with female officers. Also, 80% say that the public view of the police is shaped by their appearance.
Depending on your department, policies may vary. Be sure to ask before starting the hiring process. Even current officers should consider some of these tips before heading to the parlor:
-Check with your department to see what your options are.
– If they are allowed, ask if they can show outside the uniform.
– Ask if you will have to wear long-sleeves if tattoos cannot be visible.
If tattoos are acceptable:
-Consider the appropriate placement of the tattoo that abides by policy.
-Think about the subject matter of the tattoo to avoid termination.
With more people getting tattoos – 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo – its possible more police departments will adapt and accept the trend. Until then, whether or not to get inked is up to you.
by California Casualty | Educators |
School may be out for summer, but it’s not necessarily vacation time for educators. Sure, who wouldn’t want three months to relax and catch a break? Unfortunately for many, that isn’t the case. The Gates Foundation finds that about a third of teachers across the U.S. will participate in training or professional development over the summer.
If teachers are not training, many others are working a second job. Most teachers are contracted and paid for the months that school is in session, so the summer means unemployment. U.S. News says that the average teacher’s earnings, including any money made during the summer, is still lower than other professionals.
Since educators are wrapping up classes and heading into summer, we have some ideas to help beat the summertime blues.
- Eat Healthier: Don’t get sucked into comfort foods. Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Exercise: Go for a walk. Do yoga. Take a class. Even if it is small, it will release endorphins and help clear your mind, ready for focus.
- Do something for yourself every day: Enjoy playing an instrument? Or writing a blog? Either way, take a small time-out and do the thing that you love.
- Connect with others: Join conversations on social media that spark your interest, find a book club and spend time with family and friends.
As a teacher, you have more than enough on your plate. It’s time to get excited about the next three months and focus on the bigger outcome.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
It’s the season for potholes. I don’t know about your city, but I nearly broke a tooth after hitting a neck jarring pothole last week. The impact left a noticeable pull to the left to my steering. It could be worse; a friend bent the rim on his car after hitting a monster of a hole, leaving him with a flat tire and a costly repair.
Damaged and deteriorated roads are also a real danger. Approximately a third of the 33,000 fatal crashes each year in the U.S. are attributed to poor road conditions, and many bicyclists are injured after hitting a pothole or from traffic as they try to avoid one.
Potholes are a product of the freeze/thaw cycle that destroys asphalt and wears away the underlying materials. Damage to a vehicle varies depending on the size, depth and the speed at which they are hit. It could include:
- Tire puncture
- Misalignment of the steering system
- Damage to wheel rims
- Engine damage
- Cracked or broken suspension parts
- Untimely wear to shocks and struts
- Holes or crimping of the exhaust system
These can lead to dangerous driving conditions and experts say we should check for:
- Bulging sidewalls or flat spots on tires
- Uneven wear on tire tread
- Strange noises or odors from the exhaust system
- Cuts, flat spots and cracks on tire rims
- Dents or punctures that could lead to fluid leaks and rust from the undercarriage
The pothole epidemic is a real financial burden, costing us as much $3 billion a year in repair bills. The average fix from hitting a large pothole can range from $300 to $600 dollars.
And, here’s some more bad news, while damage to your car or truck from a pothole is covered by collision insurance, it only kicks in after you pay the deductible. Also, filing a claim for pothole damage is considered an at-fault collision and could increase your insurance rates at renewal.
Some cities and states have funds to reimburse drivers for damage from potholes, but the process is very restrictive and cumbersome and very few actually receive any compensation.
Since spending to fix deteriorated roads is limited (the American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that it will cost trillions of dollars to repair crumbling roadways and bridges across America), here are some tips to lessen the damage caused by potholes:
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Keep a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you to spot and avoid potholes
- Slow down during pothole season – often times damage is reduced the slower you hit one
And here’s one final thought; faded traffic lane markings and shoddy asphalt conditions are confusing to autonomous vehicles, slowing testing in many areas of the country.
