by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
There could be a big liability problem with the growing trend of “Ride-Sharing.”
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) reminds people that personal auto insurance policies will not provide coverage if a car is used in a ride-sharing program, otherwise known as transportation network companies (TNCs).
NBC Today reports that thirteen states and the District of Columbia are issuing warnings to passengers that they may not be covered by insurance if a hired ride-sharing driver has an accident. The report also talks to two men stuck with medical bills after a crash in a ride-sharing vehicle.
Ride-sharing is a new transportation trend in major cities around the country where a company uses a smartphone app to connect drivers with people needing a ride for a fee as part of an organized program. “Insurers support innovative ideas, however the drivers and passengers that ride in these cars must know where they stand regarding insurance coverage, said Kelly Campbell, PCI vice president. “Personal auto insurance policies are not intended for commercial activities and contain a specific ‘livery’ exclusion which bars coverage if the car is used to transport passengers for a fee. These exclusions have been upheld in the courts for decades.”
In other words, there may be a coverage gap, especially if the driver is involved in a serious crash while working as a TNC employee. Commercial ride-sharing operators need commercial insurance coverage to protect their vehicle, pay for any injuries they sustain and to cover loss of income from an accident.
While a person’s medical and auto insurance might follow them if they use ride-sharing, the driver’s insurance may not pay their medical bills following a crash.
Consumer Reports wrote a recent article warning drivers about the issues incurred with being a part-time taxi driver.
Make sure your auto and home coverage is up-to-date, contact a California Casualty advisor at 1.866-552-3278 or go to www.calcas.com.
California Casualty, provides auto and home insurance to teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866-552-3278 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Safety |
Health and safety officials are warning about an unanticipated danger with electronic cigarettes – the danger of fire and burns for those using oxygen. The latest case comes from New York where a hospital patient suffered second and third degree burns to her face when the device she was using ignited the oxygen she was using.
The use of the “vaping” devices has exploded in recent years with several million people getting a nicotine fix from the battery powered e-cigarettes.
The hospital where the latest accident occurred has banned all tobacco use and products, but left e-cigarettes in a gray area; they have since been included, however.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing rules and regulations on the currently unregulated product.
There have been several reports of e-cigarette related fires involving many of the name brands across the country. A grandmother recovering from hip surgery in a British hospital was reportedly badly burned while using an e-cigarette while on oxygen.
E-cigarettes utilize a battery powered element that heats up and vaporizes nicotine. Safety officials are now looking to see if that process can ignite oxygen. Other users have reported fires that erupted as they were charging the electronic cigarettes.
by California Casualty | Nominate a Hero |
How to Vote for John
Voting is now Closed! Thanks to all who shared and posted below. Be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming April Finalists.
Be sure to read all our heroes’ stories here.
Capt. John Boesman is a 21 year veteran with the Prince George County Police Department. On March 18, 2013, in the early afternoon Boesman came across a vehicle accident soon after it had occurred. Boesman observed that a mid size SUV was on it’s side. It’s driver trapped, but conscious and the rear of the SUV on fire. The accident reconstruction investigation revealed that SUV driver, the sole occupant had suffer a medical emergency. The driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a curb, which caused the SUV to flip onto its drivers side. The vehicle continued to slide approximately 25 yards down the roadway, damaging the fuel tank. Boesman using his issued service baton was able to break a small hole in the windshield. With the combination of baton strikes, kicking in the windshield and eventually tearing the hole in the windshield with bare hands and, assisted by a good samarian citizen, broke and tore a hole big enough in the front windshield to reach into the cab of the SUV.
While attempting to free the driver who was pinned in the driver’s seat, two back up officers assisted in the rescue attempt. After several minutes of struggling to free with a now unresponsive driver, excessive heat, the vehicle nearly completely engulfed in flames and smoke any further rescue attempt was futile. Boesman suffered second degree burns to his hands and the right side of his face and several lacerations to his hands. Boesman was transported to the hospital for his injuries, admitted and was released from the hospital the following afternoon. Boesman was unable to return to full duty for approximately 3 weeks. In January 2014 Lt. Boesman was promoted to Captain.
by California Casualty | Nominate a Hero |
How to vote for Phil and Austin
Thank you for those who have commented and voted. Voting is now closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of our Hero of the Month for February.
Be sure to read all our heroes’ stories here.
Corporal Phil Arnzen and Deputy Austin Smith are nominated for their bravery, courage, and for going above the call. Both were dispatched to an accident call to where the vehicle had left the road, overturning into a ditch full of water. One of the occupants from the car was pinned under the vehicle, placing them under water, trying to keep their head above it.
Arnzen and Smith then paged for the local volunteer fire department. With no time to wait for the other medical units to arrive, both officers decided to lift the car off the victim, being only option left to save a life. They were able to lift and move the 2,800 pound vehicle, in fact saving the victim’s life. Corporal Arnzen and Deputy Smith were both awarded a Certificate for Valor and Bravery for their actions.
by California Casualty | Safety |
As the southeast continues to clean up from this week’s ice and snow storm, what would you do if you were stuck for hours, or days, in a surprise storm? Drivers in Alabama and Georgia faced the dangerous dilemma this week as a surprise storm moved in, stranding people for over 24 hours. Outdoor survival experts and search and rescue groups have put out these life saving tips.
How to Be Prepared:
1. Always drive with at least three-fourths of a tank of gas during the winter months. In an emergency, you will need as much gas as possible.
2. Pack a fleece blanket, emergency food and a first aid kit in the interior of your car. In an emergency the trunk might not be accessible, and fleece is one of the few pieces of material that retains its ability to provide warmth if it gets wet.
3. Have a container in the car that is capable of holding snow. In an emergency it may be necessary to collect snow in order to hydrate.
4. Replace all the interior light bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use about one-twelfth of the energy of an incandescent bulb and cost less than a tank of gas. In an emergency, conserving the car battery is extremely important, and the LED bulbs make a big difference.
What to Do If You’re Stranded:
1. Don’t panic and don’t rely on your technology. Survival is never about technology and always about temperament. In many cases cell phones and GPS devices may have been disabled by the accident or will not have service. However, if they are functional, they should be used immediately.
2. Always stay in your vehicle. If people are coming to look for you there is a better chance they will see a car than a person. You will also be able to survive for longer in your vehicle than in the elements. There are only two circumstances in which you should leave the vehicle. The first is if you are familiar with the surroundings and are certain it would be easy to walk to safety. The second is an option of last resort in which you believe you have absolutely no chance of surviving unless you try to walk to safety.
3. Keep your seat belt on. In winter conditions it is likely that other drivers may slide into your vehicle after it has become stuck.
4. Crack the back window slightly. Oftentimes the tail pipe is obstructed by snow, which can cause deadly carbon monoxide fumes to get into the vehicle when the engine is running.
5. Run the engine for 10 to 15 minutes every hour. This will allow you to heat the car, melt snow into water and even warm a meal if you have packs of survival food. It will also conserve gas and prolong the life of both the engine and the battery. In an emergency, the vehicle is your lifeboat, and you want it to be functional for as long as possible.
Read more lifesaving winter tips by visiting here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
