Romanov Report 61 - May 28, 2008

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New and Improved Newsletter Coming Soon We at InsuranceHotline.com are committed to bringing you an informative, entertaining and useful newsletter every month. You will notice the June 2008 edition has a brand new name (InsuranceHotline.com Insider), an improved and enhanced design, more relevant stories, driving tips and a way for you to share your thoughts with us and the rest of the community.

We are confident you will like the improvements we have planned for your newsletter, and as always your feedback and comments are extremely welcome.

Please tell us what aspects of the current newsletter you like and anything you would like to see improved or changed.

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13 Bizarre Excuses for Not Wearing Seatbelts

People make all kinds of bizarre excuses when it comes to not wearing seatbelts, but the fact is seatbelts save lives, excuses don't. The Ontario Provincial Police recently checked 1.24 million vehicles during its annual spring seatbelt initiative. Over 10,000 drivers and passengers were charged with not wearing a seatbelt. Check out the 13 wildest excuses drivers have given police officers all over Canada: "Ontario has one of the highest compliance rates for seatbelt use of any jurisdiction in North America," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. "But there are still drivers out there who don't seem to get it. We had four people die during the campaign because they weren't buckled up. The few seconds it takes to buckle up could be the difference between living and dying if you are involved in a serious collision."

  • The seatbelt irritates the skin on my neck.
  • I knew a friend who was killed wearing his seatbelt-so I choose not to.
  • A seatbelt will prevent me from being safely thrown clear in a crash.
  • Wearing a seatbelt wrinkles my clothes.
  • I don't wear seatbelts anymore because my car has airbags.
  • I have a medical condition that prevents me from wearing a seatbelt-but I don't have a note from my doctor.
  • The kids don't like it when they are sleeping.
  • I'm pregnant. I don't need to wear a seatbelt.
  • I'll just brace myself if I'm involved in an accident.
  • Seatbelts are only for long trips.
  • I usually buckle up, but I am just going around the corner-so I don't need to wear it.
  • I'll never crash. I'm a good driver. Accidents only happen to other people.
  • I forgot.

Remember, seatbelts save lives-and money!! Just 2 seatbelt tickets over the course of 3 years can increase your insurance rates by hundreds and even thousands of the dollars. See the table below for comparison.

Vehicle Clean Record Two Tickets Lowest Highest Lowest Highest Ford Explorer $1,486 $2,697 $2,135 $5,209 Acura TSX $1,696 $3,149 $2,438 $5,854

Make sure that you are not overpaying for your car insurance by doing a fast, safe, unbiased and FREE auto insurance insurance quote against 30 of the top insurance companies in Canada at InsuranceHotline.com, your search engine for lowest auto rates.

Canadian Province Opposes Cell Phone Ban While Driving? In our fast paced world, cell phones have become such an everyday necessity that according to Industry Canada, more than half of Canada's population has a wireless subscription. Numerous global studies, including one conducted by Transport Canada, recommends against using cell phones while driving because it distracts the driver and slows reaction time. These studies influenced over 45 international countries including Germany, Israel and the UK to ban the use of all cell phones when driving. So why has Alberta opposed this ban? The Alberta Government released a recent study highlighting several arguments that dispute the international studies: "Eating or applying makeup or reading something while you're driving - it all creates a higher risk of getting in a collision," says Transportation Minister Luke Ouellete. "If somebody drops a cigarette, if they're a smoker, it is a bigger distraction."

  • No available research suggests cell phone bans have reduced car accidents.
  • Hands free phones are no safer than hand-held phones.
  • Cell phone use has less risk than many other driving distractions such as eating or applying make-up.

The consensus of the study determined research, awareness and education is the best way to combat distracted driving. Ontario is considering banning cell phone use by drivers and legislation has been introduced recently in Nova Scotia and Quebec, however, so far Newfoundland and Labrador are the only Canadian province to ban hand held cell phones while driving.

A driver who causes a collision by using a cell phone while driving can be charged with dangerous driving, careless driving or criminal negligence causing death or injury and be deemed "at-fault" in the accident. The combined tickets and at-fault accident will drive up your insurance rates by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Don't pay more than you need to; get the lowest rate through InsuranceHotline.com, your search engine for lower insurance rates, and compare your current rate against 30 of the top insurance companies in Canada. It's fast, safe, unbiased and FREE.

Are Your Prized Possessions Fully Insured?

Over the years you've probably purchased and collected many valuable items that are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. What would happen if your prized possessions were damaged in a fire or stolen from your home? Your initial instinct would probably be to call your home insurance company to file a claim. But would you be surprised if your home insurer explained your expensive engagement ring was only insured at a fraction of what you originally bought it for? Making sure your personal property has sufficient insurance coverage is the best way to prevent this from happening to you and should be done on a regular basis.

Examples of items that may have a limited dollar amount on your home insurance policy include:

  • Jewellery and gems
  • Watches
  • Money
  • Bicycles
  • Computer software
  • Furs
  • Coins and stamps
  • Card collections
  • Watercraft
  • Garden tractors
  • Firearms
  • Valuable papers and securities

"Floaters" can be purchased through your insurance company to ensure your prized possessions are insured to an agreed dollar amount. This specialized coverage provides all-risk coverage anywhere in the world, subject to certain exclusions, and there is usually no deductible.

Obtaining enough insurance coverage for your personal property is the only way to protect your valuable assets. Get a free home insurance quote at InsuranceHotline.com, your search engine for lower insurance rates, to make sure you're paying the lowest insurance rate available from top insurance companies in Canada.