Based on a study by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, dog bites cause over 800,000 injuries requiring immediate medical attention each year in the U.S. If your dog bites someone, you can be held legally liable. Fortunately, this loss is normally covered under your homeowner's policy. But, what if you can take steps to HELP PREVENT or reduce the chances of dog bites?

Ponder these suggestions:

• Carefully consider the breed when choosing a dog since some breeds can be more aggressive than others. A veterinarian can help you decide which breeds best suit your lifestyle. Also note: some insurers may not insure all breeds, so check your insurance policy for limitations.
  
• You may want to spay or neuter you dog since this often decreases aggressive tendencies.
• Socialize your dog from an early age to encourage and foster appropriate behavior.
  
• Never leave dogs alone with small children.
• Avoid playing aggressive games like tug-of-war with your puppy or dog.
• Do not place your dog in a situation where it can be teased or feel threatened.
• Train your dog to obey commands.

Another loss exposure to consider.
You may face liability claims if your dog gets out in the road and causes or contributes to an auto accident. Homeowners can be sued for violation of leash ordinances by allowing their dog to "run at large." Use a well-maintained and sturdy fence or other safeguards to reduce this exposure.

Sadly, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows there are more than 6 million police-reported automobile accidents annually — that's one accident in every five seconds. On average, one person is injured in one of these crashes every 10 seconds and one person is killed every 12 minutes.  A large percentage of these auto accident deaths happen on our nation's highways because of the higher rates of speed.

But there IS good news! When you practice safe driving habits, you help reduce the chance of having a highway accident.

How many of these tips do you incorporate into your highway diving?

• When merging onto a highway, you should be at average traffic speed
  
• If drivers are entering the highway and you are traveling in the right lane where they enter, move to the left lane; if that's not possible, then slow down to allow them to enter traffic
  
• The faster the speed, the more distance you need, so put plenty of distance between you and other vehicles. Many experts advocate the two-second rule, which means start counting when you see the vehicle ahead of you pass a fixed object, then count, "one-thousand one, one-thousand two." If you reach the fixed object before "two," then you are following too closely
  
• Try to maintain average traffic speed — vehicles going much slower or faster are at greater risk of having an accident, and — of course — use common sense regarding posted speed laws
• Use extra caution when driving at night or in bad weather; adapt your driving to roadway conditions
  
• Avoid sudden moves since it does not allow other drivers time to react
• Continuously scan the roadway ahead of you for signs of trouble, like construction and traffic slowdowns
• Be aware of other drivers around you, particularly those beside you or slightly to the rear; and remember semi-tractor trailers and big trucks take a longer time to break than a car, so use caution
  
• Make sure your rearview mirrors are properly adjusted before you drive
• If you're driving long distances, take a break every few hours as reaction time and overall driving skills decline as you get tired
  
• When exiting the highway, begin to signal well in advance and do not significantly slow down until you start to turn off the highway

Safe driving!

During the coronavirus pandemic, please know Connecticut Insurance Exchange is here for you. In fact, we are doing everything we can to make sure you continue to receive the service and insurance products you need — when you need it.

AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS ENTITY, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS DURING REGULAR WORKING HOURS.
 
Rest assured, we are following hygiene and sanitizing recommendations from government health authorities.

We are making every effort to protect our customers and employees. We encourage you to:

• Contact us by phone or email instead of visiting our office.
• Call us if you need assistance setting up or using with online bill pay.
• Educate yourself as much as possible by visiting coronavirus.gov for up-to-date information.
• If you need to see us in person, we welcome you.

As the situation evolves, we will keep you informed on any changing business practices for your and our employees’ health and safety.

Whether you work outdoors, in non-air conditioned buildings or boiler rooms, contractors tend to work in extremely hot conditions during the summer. That means you could wind up with dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke, if not careful.

Know the symptoms and follow a few simple steps to help avoid these heat-induced illnesses — and a workers comp claim.

What is Dehydration?
Your body needs a certain amount of fluids to work properly. Dehydration happens when you use or lose more fluid than you take in. If you don’t replace the lost fluids, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to heat exhaustion.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Less frequent urination
• Dry, cool skin
• Dark-colored urine
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Thirst

In severe cases:

• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sunken eyes
• Lack of energy, weakness
• Irritability

What is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion takes place when you are exposed to high temperatures for a long time and your body lacks the proper amount of fluids and/or the proper amount of salt.

Signs of heat exhaustion from a lack of fluids include the symptoms of dehydration (above), plus extreme thirst and loss of consciousness.

Signs of heat exhaustion from a lack of salt include nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and dizziness.

According to WebMD, other common signs of heat exhaustion are:

• Confusion
• Fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Paleness
• Extreme sweating

If ignored, heat exhaustion can lead to a very dangerous condition called heatstroke, which can seriously damage vital organs and possibly cause death.

What is Heatstroke?
When your internal body temperature reaches 105° and you are unable to cool down. Recovery from heatstroke depends upon how long it takes your body to return to its normal temperature. If you have had heatstroke in the past, then you are at a higher risk of getting it again.

What to do in case of heatstroke:

• Get out of direct sunlight or go into an air conditioned environment
• Take off extra clothing
• Apply ice or cold packs to your neck, back, groin and armpits to cool off your body
• Seek immediate medical attention

Here’s how you can avoid heat-related illnesses:

• Take frequent water breaks even if you don’t feel thirsty. Also drink beverages containing electrolytes like Gatorade to replenish lost body salts.
• Avoid working outside in high heat for long periods or take breaks in the shade.
• Check the color of your urine to make sure you are drinking enough. If it is dark, it may mean you’re not taking in enough liquids.
• Wear light-colored clothes with light, loose fabrics.

Source: WebMD

Related Links: The Buzz on Summer Safety

Not all auto insurance policies are the same. Types of coverage vary. So does the amount of coverage.

Ask yourself — Do I have the right coverage? That’s why it’s important to understand what is available and how much of it you need in order to get you back to where you were before your auto accident.

Here’s a breakdown of the five parts of an auto policy
Coverage for the other party:
1. Liability — provides coverage for the other party if you are responsible for the accident.

Coverage for you:
2. Other Than Collision (OTC) or Comprehensive — provides payment for the loss or damage to the policyholder’s vehicle caused by something other than collision such as:

• Fire
• Damage caused by severe weather events such as hailstorms, hurricanes, lightening, tornadoes, etc.
• Animal collision
• Flood
• Vandalism or riots
• Stolen vehicles

 
Although optional, Comprehensive Coverage is most likely mandatory by your lender if your vehicle is leased or still financed.

3. Collision — provides coverage for your insured vehicle if it is physically damaged due to colliding with another vehicle or object, or if the vehicle is overturned.

4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist — reimburses the policyholder, covered family member or your passengers for bodily injury if they are the victim of an accident caused by a hit-and-run. It also covers the same if a driver who doesn’t have any insurance (uninsured motorist) or a driver who doesn’t have high enough limits to cover the damages or injuries (under insured motorist).

5. Medical Payments — Covers costs for the treatment of injuries to the driver, passengers or struck pedestrians/bicyclists of the policyholder’s vehicle no matter who is at fault, up to the limit of coverage. It also covers ambulance transportation, which is NOT covered under an auto policy.

The takeaway
Choose coverage(s) based on your circumstances, the vehicle use and its age. Then, choose your deductible, which is the amount you pay before the policy reimburses you for your claim.
Ask a Connecticut Insurance Exchange licensed agent to help you choose the best options for your situation. They're here to help and it won't cost you a penny more for their expertise!

Auto Policy Tips

• The higher the deductible, the lower the premium
• Review your auto policy coverage when circumstances change such as buying a new car, adding a new driver, or buying a new home

You should also consider adding a personal umbrella policy to cover your assets when your auto policy coverage reaches its limits.

An umbrella policy works like this:
Let’s say you're at fault in a car accident that injures another driver. The other driver’s injuries are severe and cost $450,000. Your automobile insurance will cover the other driver up to the limit of your policy (let’s say that amount is $300,000), minus your deductible. Without an umbrella policy, you would be liable to pay the $150,000 difference out of your own pocket, but the umbrella policy would cover you for the difference up to the limits of its policy (usually $1,000,000).

No. A financial credit score factors in your payment history, the amount of credit you owe, the length of your credit history, the types of credit you have and the amount of credit for which you apply. On the other hand, an insurance score is a three-digit number used to estimate the likelihood of you filing a claim. Your insurance score is a combination of your credit score and your insurance claims history.

Insurance companies began incorporating financial credit scores a few years ago, because studies have shown people with a lower credit score have a greater chance of having more claims than those with a higher credit score.

Just like credit scores from companies Experian, TransUnion and Equfiax may be similar but not the same,  insurance scores differ as well because no two insurance companies use the exact same method to calculate your score. Some may also include information of other policyholders with similar traits to yours. Because Connecticut Insurance Exchange represents over 20 A+ rated insurance companies, we are able to match you with the best company in light of your credit score. So, having a low score is not necessarily a deal killer — having a good driving record and minimizing homeowner risks matter.

Want to improve your insurance score? Check out these tips:

For your auto

• Drive safely and avoid moving violations
• If possible, keep your car garaged or covered to avoid weather-related damage
• Tire traction matters — replace worn out tires, especially in the winter

For your home

• Discourage burglars by leaving a light on when not home; Better yet, install a security system
• Install smoke detectors and keep a fire extinguisher handy, especially in the kitchen
• Before a big storm, put away toys and tools, and secure patio furniture
• Keep your walkways, driveway and steps free of ice and anything that can cause slips and falls

 For your credit score

• Pay your bills in time
• Reduce the balances on the credit you owe

A borrower who has a good mix of secured credit (such as a home or car) and unsecured credit (credit cards) scores better than someone who has only credit cards

The warm weather's here and summer is just around the corner! So, it's a good time to take a tour around your property for a safety inspection.

Here are a few things you can do to keep your family and guests safe this summer.

1. Check your outdoor equipment such as swing sets for sharp edges, rusty bolts and loose parts, and repair or replace if needed.
2. Digging up the yard by planting a tree, starting a garden, putting in a fence or sprinkler system, or having other excavation work done? Think safety first! Always contact CBYD online or by phone at 811 before you start digging so your underground utilities are located and marked. It's free!
3. Avoid grill grease fires and flashbacks by keeping your grill clean (especially the grease trap) and burner tubes where small insects may have made their home, which can block the flow of fuel. Learn more about gas grill fire safety from Travelers.
4. Going on vacation? Don't broadcast your plans on social media! You're not only telling your friends, but you're informing thieves who are waiting for an easy target like an unoccupied home. Wait until you return to post images and videos of your fun.
5. Don't invite crime by leaving bicycles and scooters out on your lawn for thieves to steal. Put your toys away when not in use.
6. Mosquitoes carry a number of diseases, including the Zika virus. One way to keep those nasty pests away is to eliminate standing water around your home, especially after a rainstorm.

SIDE NOTE:  If you have a contractor perform work in or around your home, be aware of the risks: the contractor or their workers could get injured on the job or damage your property. If they are not insured, you may be liable. Ask for a certificate of insurance, to confirm the contractor has insurance. If they have employees (as opposed to sub-contractors), check to see if they have Workers' Comp as well.

Related articles:
Summer Fun
Protect your assets with an umbrella policy
Starting a home renovation project? Do this first.

Some insurance companies are now treating distracted driving habits such as texting and/or holding a phone to your ear as a DUI “major violation.” Consequences could range from drastic rate increases or even cancellation.

Whether you've been driving for 30 years or 30 days, you cannot drive safely unless driving has your full attention. Any activity other than driving like playing with car controls, eating, applying makeup (you've seen that, right?) is a potential distraction which increases your risk of having or causing an accident.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does yet not penalize distracted driving with the same number of points as a major violation. But some insurance companies are starting to. And, many more are following suit.

Better Driving Habits and Rewards with Telematics
To help curb distracted driving and help customers improve their driving habits, many insurance companies offer Telematics by way of a smartphone app or plug-in device. Telematics helps drivers become more aware of and make improvements to their driving habits. Some offer 5- to 10% sign-up discounts and up to a 30% discounts either at the end of the telematics period or upon renewal.

If you — the insured and the occupants of your vehicle — were injured in an auto accident, who would cover medical expenses? Two coverage options are available — Medical Payments (Med-Pay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

Med-Pay covers the insured, family members and passengers in a covered car for medical and funeral expenses (subject to per person policy limits below) if they are injured in a car accident by a vehicle designed principally for use on public roads regardless of who is at fault (1). It also pays medical and funeral expenses arising from the accident including accidents in which the victim is a pedestrian or bicyclist.

Med Pay also covers ambulance transportation, which is NOT covered under an auto policy.
 
In Connecticut, Med-Pay Limits apply per person and range from $1,000 to $10,000 for Personal Auto Policies and from $5,000 to $25,000 per person for Commercial Policies.

PIP provides the same coverage as Medical Payments for your medical expenses in the event of a claim without regard to fault (2).  However, PIP can also provide lost wages, transportation expenses, and miscellaneous household assistance expenses, like cleaning or lawn care, while you recover from your injuries.

Because PIP provides more coverage than Med-Pay,  it's a little more expensive.  

Who would benefit from purchasing Med-Pay or PIP?

• If the insured and passengers already have health insurance that cover similar expenses, Med-Pay may not be necessary. Check your health insurance policy for deductible and co-insurance requirements. Used in conjunction with health coverage, Med-Pay can pay health insurance deductibles and co-insurance, so Med-Pay may be worth buying even if you have health insurance should a car accident cause bodily injury.
• If you don't have short-term disability insurance, consider PIP because of the additional coverage it affords, like lost wages. 
• If you don't have any health insurance, then it is highly recommended to buy either Med-Pay or PIP.

Understanding Policy Limits
Minimum auto liability limits in Connecticut are 25,000 (bodily injury to one person), $50,000 (bodily injury total), and $25,000 (property damage). In many cases, minimum limits will not adequately cover losses. Considering the average cost of a new vehicle in the first quarter of 2017 was $31,400 (3), then these limits are inadequate for most people, especially when significant injuries result from an accident.

Read more about policy limits here or speak with a Connecticut Insurance Exchange agent.
    
Other Insurance
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM) coverage is mandatory in Connecticut, at the above minimum limits of $25,000 bodily injury per person and $50,000 bodily injury total. UM/UIM does NOT apply to property damage. It's a good idea to purchase a UM/UIM limit equal to your own liability limits.

UM/UIM protects you in the event that you and/or your passengers are injured by someone who:

• Does NOT carry insurance;
• Carries insufficient limits to pay for your injuries; or
• Is a hit-and-run driver

Resources:
Policy Limits
Car Insurance