Auto, Home & SR22 Insurance Blog

The major wildfires in Southern California in August and September have burned over 150,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and caused residents to flee from over 10,000 homes. Indeed, wildfires are one of the most destructive natural forces known to mankind. While sometimes caused by lightning, nine out of ten wildfires are human-caused. A wildfire can be defined as any unwanted and unplanned fire burning in forest, shrub, or grass. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were over 80,000 wildfires in the United States in 2008. These fires burned an estimated 5.2 million acres.

If you live in a wildfire-prone area, the following are some tips for you to mitigate the risks of suffering a wildfire loss.

• If you are building a house or planning to replace a roof, consider noncombustible or fire-resistant roofing materials, such as Class A asphalt shingles, metal, cement, and concrete products, or terra-cotta tiles. These types of roofs are less susceptible to burning embers from a wildfire.
• Remove any dead branches, leaves, and any other vegetation from your roof and gutters.
• Remove any dry brush from your yard and stack firewood at least 20 or 25 feet from your home.
• Create a "fuel-break" -- driveways, gravel walkways, or lawns.
• Prevent sparks from entering your home by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8-inch. Cover skylights and chimney outlets with nonflammable screening materials.
• Use tempered glass in your windows since this material withstands high temperatures from wildfires better than regular plate or double pane glass.
• Make trellises of nonflammable metal.
• Avoid certain exterior siding materials, such as vinyl, which soften and melt easily under high temperatures. Instead, siding materials such as stucco or masonry should be selected, since these resist heat better.

Copyright 2009
International Risk Management Institute, Inc.

Posted by at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Non-Admitted Insurance Laws in Mexico

In Mexico, Non-Admitted Insurance is addressed under Article 3 of the General Insurance Law. In summary, this article prohibits insurance transactions for risks in Mexico with foreign (nonadmitted) Insurance Companies. Even though the Law provides for certain exceptions, it pretty much requires that any and all
insurance must be contracted with Insurance Companies admitted in Mexico, to the extent that coverage is available in the Mexican Insurance Market.

Penalties for violating Non-Admitted Insurance Laws in Mexico Under the Mexican Legal System, which is more like the Napoleonic Code, as opposed to the Common Law System in the USA, penalties for violations of the Law are very clearly typified' and stipulated. The General Insurance Law, under article 141, establishes the penalties and crimes for violations to article 3, which regulates non-admitted insurance. Specifically, article 141, under fraction II, stipulates that any person who violates the prohibition to contract insurance with foreign companies will be sanctioned with:
Imprisonment for a term from 3 years to 10 years; and
A fine between 200 and 2,000 Daily Salaries.

CALIFORNIA CODES INSURANCE CODE SECTION 11580-11589.5

11580.6. Where a policy of liability insurance covering the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle or aircraft contains a provision indicating that coverage is extended to accidents, occurrences, and loss arising in Mexico, the policy shall contain an additional provision, either on the face of the policy or by an endorsement attached thereto stating as follows:

WARNING

Unless you have automobile or aircraft insurance written by a Mexican insurance company, you may spend many hours or days in jail, if you have an accident in Mexico. Insurance coverage should be secured from a company licensed under the laws of Mexico to write such insurance in order to avoid complications and some other penalties possible under the laws of Mexico, including the possible impoundment of your automobile or aircraft.

Posted by at 2:30 PM | Permalink

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 1, 2006

McKenna Insurance Services has just partnered with Hagerty Insurance to provide collector vehicle and collector boat insurance policies. Recognized as the leader in providing competitive insurance products, McKenna Insurance Services completed the contract with Hagerty Insurance this week and has the ability to provide immediate quotes and policies for Collector Cars and Boats. To make the process even easier, e-signature is accepted.

These are the best policies that you can purchase for a Classic vehicle as the value assigned to your vehicle is an Agreed Value. That means that in the event of a total loss, the insurance policy will pay the "Agree Value" listed in black and white on the policy declarations page. The benefit to the insured is that they will not be forced to negotiate their settlement. Also, in most cases, an appraisal is not required to write the policy.

Hagerty Insurance has been operating for 40 years. With a solid reputation for providing the best coverages at the best premium, Hagerty Insurance is the top choice of Collectors.

More features include: Your choice of body shop, low premiums, in house claims service and they are flexible on how you use your collector vehicle. The types of vehicles accepted are Antique and Classic Cars, Fire Trucks, Lowriders, Military vehicles, Motorcycles, Scooters, Muscle cars, Street Rods and Customs, etc.....

Please contact our local office for a free quotation.

Posted by at 2:51 PM | Permalink