IndyCar Racer Justin Wilson Accident Pocono Raceway

In case you somehow missed it, the  IndyCar racer Justin Wilson  succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident in a race at Pocono Raceway.  The English born driver passed away with his wife at his side Monday night.  As you can imagine he will be missed not only by his family but by the racing community as a whole as he was a special giving person.

In fact Justin’s  organ donation  meant six people will live because Justin was an Organ Donor.

Justin Wilson dies from head injuries in an accident at Pocono Raceway.

Both my wife and I are Organ Donors and our children are well aware of our wishes.  Are you an Organ Donor?  It costs nothing and the worst that will happen is you do someone some good long after you are gone (and for the record either way you will be gone).  According to beadonor.ca  it is possible for the harvesting of organs from one person to save up to eight people!  As long as you are 16 years old, able to provide proof of your birth date, and have a heath card number and version code (if applicable) you can become an organ donor.

For residents of Ontario you can go to the ServiceOntario website or office and sign up or reaffirm your decision to be a Donor by updating your profile.  Click “Update your registration” .

Perhaps some would say it is sad the I have to use someone famous to encourage people to do the right thing but so be it Rest In Peace Justin Wilson I hope your highly publicized act of giving motivates more people to do the same thing.

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Toronto Maple Leaf player Leo Korarov was fined over $51,000

On my way to see my family Friday I was passed by a rather large SUV.  I don’t really care if I’m passed on  the  highway (as long as it’s a safe maneuver) but this person was going so fast the wind from the vehicle actually moved my car (as often happens when passing transport trucks).  With in minutes the passing vehicle was out of sight further testimony to its high rate of speed.

Toronto Maple Leaf player Leo Korarov was fined over $51,000

About 20 minutes later I passed the same SUV at the side of the road being ticketed by the OPP.  For everyone’s  sake it is a good thing  the OPP caught  them it would be an expensive ordeal to try and get home early but at least they would be alive as would everyone else on the road.

Fines in Ontario max out in the $10,000 range and generally don’t run over $1000.  The upper limit  in Alberta $25,000 (yes Alberta Canada).  A few years ago a motorcyclist  paid out $12,000 in Alberta for a speeding fine.  The fines are high to stop speeders on the straight often sparsely populated highways from literally turning public roads into a race track.

Shocked? well the whole idea is that we are not supposed to speed and the faster you go the bigger the fine (who knew).

Think the laws here in Canada  are ridiculous well how would you like to be in Finland?  Toronto Maple Leaf player Leo Korarov was just fined over $51,000 Canadian (approximately 35,000 Euros) for two speeding tickets (25 to 30 km over the limit)!  Why you ask? because the law there takes into account your wages and there can also be jail time.  Actually he got off easy in 2002 a wealthy businessman was fined about $200,000 for doing 50 in a 25 mph zone ( a record fine).

Finland is not alone Denmark is similar and Norway and Iceland use a complex formula to calculate  fines with 10% of annual income and jail time put into the formula.

I you are headed to the United States the fines are generally lower but if your driving is ruled to be reckless there is mandatory jail time and often a second charge.  Who cares? well if you are driving you should and remember the US and Canada share information and that speeding ticket can come back to Canada to haunt your Insurance Rates.  To many speeding tickets and Standard  or Regular Market Insurance Companies will cancel you on renewal.  Too severe a charge and they will also cancel you.  After that your Insurance Broker or Agent will be forced to place you with a higher risk market and you will pay even more.  Each ticket stays on your record for three years in Ontario and if you think your premium is high now….

So to recap speed = fines, possible jail time, increased chance of injury or death to yourself and others and if you survive higher insurance rates.  Your financial future, your drivers license and in the event of a high speed accident your health relies on you be responsible.  Labor day weekend is coming up fast how about we all slow down.  At the risk of being Cliché wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a long weekend in Ontario with no fatal highway accidents?  Lets all give it a try!

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To make an auto insurance claim after a hit and run

I don’t know how many people have ever been hit and run but regardless of how many times it happens the victims all feel let down, disappointed and upset.

Like everyone else I don’t blame them (the victims) for their foul mood not only has their property been damaged but they have been betrayed by the 3rd party that hit them as no note or effort to contact them has been attempted.

To make a claim on your auto insurance after a hit and run you must report the incident to the police and a report must be completed by the accident reporting station where applicable.  To add insult to injury if the culprit not caught or reported you will have pay a deductible.

As for the 3rd party (yes this is the family rated version the article) that hits you they are taking an awful chance!  If they are caught or reported they can be charged with leaving the scene and or failure to report an accident.  Aside from fine the person will face a drastic increase in insurance premium for at least three years perhaps their policy will have to be remarketed to a high risk company depending on the charge.  The bottom line is it was likely cheaper to leave a note or wait for the person and tell them what you did.

In an age of cell phones with cameras, surveillance in parking lots and everywhere else you have to ask your self why would you run?  This of course is little solstice to those who end up footing the bill for their repairs and or the deductible and the offenders are not caught.  However more and more when I and my colleagues take the reports we are hearing things like “I have a witness or I have the plate number of the vehicle that hit me”.   To paraphrase  Dirty Harry “are you feeling lucky?” and we all know what happened to that guy!

Confused? Give us a call we may or may not be able to help put we can lend a sympathetic ear.

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Insurance can’t bring back a lost life

Do you ever walk into a grocery store and wonder why you can’t bring in the old propane bottle and exchange for the new one inside?

Perhaps you want to return a gas-powered lawn mower and are not allowed to bring your full-of-gas-and-I-can-prove-it defective mower into the hardware store?

Is there a neighbour you feel is rather anal because he or she always shuts the gas line off after using all their gas powered equipment and wonder—what’s up with that?

Maybe you have heat in your garage and don’t understand why the wood stove or furnace has to have the firebox a minimum of 18 inches off the floor. Or maybe wonder why some insurance companies decline homes with wood burning units in the garage?

Are you lost as to why you need a Mechanical Fitness to obtain a Plated Ownership on a used car?

The reasons vary, but they have one common denominator: SAFETY.  As part of the manufacture’s effort to keep you safe they include a manual for the appliance as well as putting warnings on the actual appliance in many cases.

Manuals should be read—I know it takes time and hurts my head too, but you suffer less than turning a garage into a flaming inferno. If an item is old, or the manual is lost, ask the anal neighbour or do some research online.  Don’t be afraid to ask!  Each fall I tell at least a dozen people their wood stove/heater firebox has to be at least 18 inches off the floor of their garage—and if the clearances encroaches on the ceiling allowance, I tell them how to shield it so it meets the Federal Building Code (B 365). No, it isn’t a special Insurance regulation—it’s the building code of the country.

When people ask me how I determined proper clearances, I generally I find the information on the back of the wood stove or in the manual.  If neither is available I check the company website and if there is no company or label on the back I suggest they remove the unit and put in a certified one because of SAFETY.  You wouldn’t drive a 30 year old car without having someone who knows what they are doing inspect it, so call a WETT certified inspector or Sweep to check your old (or new for that matter) wood burner. Yes, it costs money, but it is cheaper than the lives of you and your family!

Be your own on site Risk Manager and if you don’t know, ask someone who does—all going well you will avoid some dangerous perhaps tragic situations.  Doing this will lessen the chances of you having a claim and less claims me better insurance rates.

Insurance covers a great number of things but it can’t bring back a lost life.  Take care of the physical risks first, and then give us a call so we can take care of the financial risk!

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Eight things to check in your home before the end of summer

Rain this week is a welcome change, as the forest and fields are quite dry and homeowners are spending more time watering their lawns and gardens than almost any other task.

This rain, at least, is a gentle look into the future of the weeks of precipitation this fall as rain turns into—dare I say the “S” word?

The reminder is for home and building owners to check their home, garage and cottage for water tight integrity

• If it’s in good shape—how are the gutters and downspouts? Do they need cleaning, are they in a good state of repair, and are the drains flowing AWAY from your home?
• Do you remember any excessive build-up in the valleys of your roof last winter, perhaps a heating cable for your eves, eve troughs, gutters or downspouts?  Maybe a new vent or a replacement is needed?   Is a heating cable the answer if you think that could help and you are a “do-it your-selfer” or just trying to look for options consulting web sites like This Old House could help.
• If you have a wood burning appliance, there’s no time like the present to check that the rain cap (yes, it is required) is in good shape—have you cleaned the pipes and examined the entire system for leaks, and signs of excessive heat or scorching?  I recommend a WETT Certified Chimney Sweep for the task.

How is your basement?

• Any seepage or leaks the basements walls, or water coming in around windows or around porches?
• Is the sump pump working correctly?
• Do the weeping tiles need to be flushed or cleaned?
• Has the Hot Water Tank had the elements shut off drained of water and sediment any leaks?
• Has the furnace been given a clean bill of health? Perhaps the central air is clogging the filter with pollen?  Did the recent landscaping job bring the lawn level with the basement windows perhaps a window well tied into the weeping tile needed?

Is water pooling where it shouldn’t in your yard (other than the pool)? Perhaps some loose siding requires attention. If you have been waiting for summer to make repairs or alterations it’s here, and there is no time like now.

Yes you have insurance but there are deductibles to consider as well as exclusions for coverage in specific cases, for a variety of reasons (check your wordings of call your broker or agent if you don’t understand—I’m sure they will be happy to explain).  There is also the loss of a “Claims-Free Discount resulting in higher premiums in the future to consider even if the loss is a small one.

We here at Sudbury Insurance Brokers are fortunate enough to have access to the first personal lines insurer in Canada—Aviva—to offer overland water coverage.  Give us a call so we can tell you if you qualify for coverage and how much.

If that answer to any or all of the above is yes, now is the time to look after the problem—some summer is left and I doubt it will get any warmer.  Remember a synonym for summer is construction season!  Happy renovations and repairs from us here at Sudbury Insurance Brokers!

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Worried about large vet bills? Consider insuring your pet

Sudbury Insurance Brokers is proud to have a company to underwrite your pets’ health (dogs & cats only). The plans cover your best friend’s medical needs in much the same fashion as your medical insurance looks after you. Rates are based individually with things such as breed, age and extent of coverage taken into account.

By using a plan like this, you can alleviate financial stress on you and unnecessary suffering for your pet.

At Sudbury Insurance Brokers, we also have other options for your pets: auto accident benefits are available. Normally, if you and your buddies are out for a ride and you are in an auto accident, your auto insurance will respond to you and your injuries but not your pets’. This again can cause undue financial strain and suffering for your pet—perhaps even an unfortunate painful decision to “put down” your friend because the funds are not available to take care of expensive treatment and surgery (and this too costs money).

If you are considering any type of feeding or safety device for your pet reviewing tests by The Centre for Pet Safety should be a must. Not all pet safety devices are equal (far from it). The centre evolved into what it is today because a woman purchased a restraint device for her puppy and on the first emergency stop the pup was seriously injured. She tried to hold the manufacturer responsible there was no clear standard so she and a host of others got together and it has evolved into quite an organization. Remember—approved does not mean costs more—it just means it works! Look up The Centre for Pet Safety’s research and purchase your pet’s safety devices like their lives depend on it.

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Summer Car Maintenance Tips

Summer is officially in full-swing: temperatures are soaring, and the cottage season is finally here. These hot temperatures and extra kilometres can take a big toll on your vehicle, so it’s important to prepare. Here are some important steps to take to ensure your vehicle keeps on rollin’ through the steamy summer months.

Change your tires

The first and probably most obvious step in “summerizing” your car is removing your snow tires and installing lighter summer tires that will improve fuel economy. Furthermore, winter tires aren’t meant to operate above seven degrees Celsius (as they have a lower boiling point), so they will actually wear down a lot faster than summer or all-season tires.

Inspect the brakes

Brakes are arguably one of the most important features on your car. It’s not such a big deal if your car can’t accelerate, but if it can’t break, that’s a different story.

If you feel any wobbling or pulsating when you apply your brakes, or if you hear any odd noises, be sure to have your brakes inspected. Even better, have the mechanic inspect them while they have your wheels off for changing.

Change the oil

The beginning of summer is a great time to change your oil as well, as your car will likely already be in the shop for tires.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and the hot summer days can take a toll on your engine; fresh oil will make it easier on your already-overworked machine. Most manufacturers recommend changing oil once every 5,000 kilometres or every few months, whichever comes first.

Change the air filter

Summer means smog, and no one wants to breathe in smog, not even your engine!

A fresh air filter will ensure your vehicle is running on the cleanest air possible, and a new cabin air filter will make sure you are too! Ask your mechanic to pop it out and replace it at the shop.

Change your wipers

Windshield wipers don’t last nearly as long as you’d expect, and having a clear view during those summer downpours is crucial. Change your wipers often and you won’t have to worry about getting caught in those unexpected downpours.

Recharge your air conditioning

While not vital to the operation of your vehicle, if you feel like your air con isn’t as cool as it used to be, you might need to recharge your air conditioning. This involves refilling the refrigerant in your system if it’s leaky or even replacing or fixing it if needed.

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Five Ways to Save on your First Car

Buying your first car can be a daunting process! There are a few things you need to do in order to make the experience as smooth and inexpensive as possible.

Buy used

It’s no secret that new cars depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot: according to Edmunds.com, new cars depreciate and average of 11 per cent the moment those wheels hit the city streets.

That means if you purchase a $20,000 vehicle, as soon as you get the keys and drive away, the car is worth $17,800.

Of course, this is just an average, and some cars depreciate faster than others do; however, if you purchase a used vehicle, you’re avoiding this steep initial depreciation.

Some consumers might worry that purchasing a used car is riskier than buying a new one—they’re unsure if the vehicle has had any accidents, or they’re concerned it could be a lemon. However, there are online services that allow you to look at the history of a vehicle, so in most cases this isn’t an issue.

Bring an experienced buyer

Car salesmen are good at what they do—selling cars at the highest possible margins. Often times, we consumers are fixated on certain models or trim levels because we’ve been exposed to excellent marketing campaigns from car companies or dealerships.

The problem is, when we’re buying our first car, often times we’re caught up in the moment. Consumers can forget that they’re trying to save money, and can get upsold on trim levels and things like rustproofing. Having an experienced buyer there with you to provide a sober second thought could end up saving you thousands.

Do your research

Cars are big purchases, so it’s important to make the right one. Using trusted websites like Car and Driver to look at reviews of vehicles by class will help you narrow it down.

It’s also important to take a look at the safety ratings of the vehicle. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publishes comprehensive and up-to-date safety ratings on most vehicles. They provide videos of every crash test so you know how your car is going to handle even the worst of crashes.

Stay within reason

Are you looking for a car to get you from A to B? Then avoid an unnecessary vehicle like a pickup truck or a crossover/SUV. The fuel ratings should be a factor in your decision, as well as insurance costs. Performance vehicles should be avoided if you want to save, as they generally cost more to insure.

Compare insurance rates

One of the final steps to the car buying process is shopping for the best insurance rate. Just as car companies are great at marketing, so too are insurance companies. Don’t get caught up in the plethora of advertisements, and be sure to use a tool like our instant quote page to compare insurance rates from up to 15 different companies in just minutes. Different car insurance companies have different profit margins and financial structures, so rates can vary wildly. It pays to shop around!

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