Back to school: Auto insurance for college students

Nick DiUlio

If your son or daughter is considering having a car at the College, it is essential that you make sure that auto insurance ducks are in a row.

One thing to remember: potential discounts.

Many auto insurance companies offer a discount if your son or daughter will be driving the family car and attending college more than 100 miles from home, according to the insurance information Institute of. Allstate, for example, offers a discount up to 30 per cent.

If your son or daughter is the owner of a car, but is taken to the school, inform the insurance company, since the cost of automobile insurance varies by geography. A car parked at home may cost less to ensure that a car parked at the school.

Ron Moore, consultant senior product for MetLife Auto & home, said that if your son or daughter of plans to have a car on campus, it is important to know where it will be stationed.

"Vehicle parked in the parking lot of the College can suffer scratches and teeth," said Moore. "With a low full franchise is a good idea, since it will help cover part of the cost of repairing scratches and teeth.".

Complete coverage is optional. It protects your car in cases involving does not a crash, such as storms, fire and theft.

Given the financial pressures of the College, many parents and students make the mistake to obtain cheaper possible automobile coverage, Moore, said. Therefore, they decided however to purchase optional coverage, collision coverage and cover the non-insured/underinsured motorists that could save their money in the long term.

"Definitely not insurance based on the single price," says Moore.

Charlie Schein, an independent agent in Connecticut that specializes in insurance for young adults, says that if your plans of son or daughter to use his car for a job then later at the College - delivery of pizza, for example - you should do is properly insured for such activities. Some insurance companies limit or exclude coverage for cars which are used for the work.

Schein adds that, if you let your child take a car to campus, no one should be allowed to drive the car. "If your child allows someone else to drive the car, you and your policy are automatically assuming the risk," he said.

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Study: Use of CT rises to 330% in emergency rooms

John Egan

The use of computed tomography in U.S. emergency rooms rose by 330% from 1996 to 2007, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System.

Only 3% of the patients ER received computed tomography in 1996, while 14% of emergency patients treated in 2007, received the study shows. One of the authors of the study, Dr. Keith Kocher, asserts that in 2007, approximately a quarter of all CT scan performed at the United States made in ERs.

Kocher said that during the period covered by the study, ER visits increased by approximately 30%, while the use of CT rose by 330% - i.e., the rate of use of the CT has grown 11 times faster than the rate of ER visits.

The study does not identify the reasons for the increase in the use of TB in ERs.

"I think much of the increase is linked to changes in how doctors from practicing medicine and the availability of CT scanners", explains Kocher. "They provide a lot of information quickly and if the doctors and patients see CTs as a means to effectively diagnoses.". Couple that with the fact that CT scanners are commonly housed in or nearby (ER) itself and the obstacles to obtaining the factual test is lower than in the past. ?

According to the index of transparency most recent Healthcare to a non-profit group called change: health care, the average costs for the most common types of CT (abdomen and pelvis) ranges from $ 924 to $ 1,096. The group said more than 70 million of CT is performed in the United States each year.

Most insurance plans cover CT scans.

CT - also called computed tomography or CT fair - A combines a series of views of X-rays taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bone and soft tissue inside of your body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Images that results can be compared to a loaf of sliced bread, says the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor can look at each of these slices individually or perform additional visualization to 3D images. Scan images offer much more information than regular x-rays.

Scanner is especially useful for quickly examining persons who have suffered internal injuries from car accidents or other injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. A CT scan also visualize brain and - with the injected contrast material assistance - you deadlocks or other problems in your blood vessels.

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Beast? Dogs away more than half of drivers, says survey

Kevin Lyons

Who knew in a car with your dog can be dangerous?

More than half of the people who drive with their dogs are distracting behavior, a new survey by AAA and Kurgo, which makes products for pet travel. The behavior includes petting a dog, with a hand or arm to prevent a dog from climbing on the front seat, then the car moves, using a hand or arm to keep a dog in place while applying the brakes or even take a picture of a dog, while the car is in motion.

Pilots with many distractions at the wheel dog owners, especially if a dog is not selected.

Tending to a frantic dog often led to automobile accidents. For the road for as little that two seconds double your risk of being in a car accident, according to the foundation of the AAA for traffic and security. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 20 percent of injury accidents in 2009 resulted from the distracted driving.

Despite this, only 16% of surveyed drivers use a pet restraint system.

The survey was conducted online and sampled 1,000 dog owners leading with a dog in the past 12 months. The Americans hold about 78 million dogs.

"Drivers must use a restraint system for pet your dog every time their pet is in the vehicle," Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA traffic safety program manager, said in a statement.

Two of the five people who say they use a pet restraint system thought that they had to because their dogs are quiet. About 10 percent of respondents said that they did not prevent a dog while driving because they wanted to leave the stick for pets, his head through the window.

However, as noted by the AAA, a calm dog will be thrown with the same amount of force in a car accident as a not-so-calm dog.

"Deference... will not only limit distractions, but also protect you, your pet and other passengers in the event of an accident or a stop suddenly,"Huebner-Davidson says.""

Another worrying stat: sept 10 respondents who drive with a dog and children less than 13 years in the same vehicle say they drive while the pooch is unlimited.

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Debate broke out on the Federal recommendation on the free birth control

Lori Johnston

Free birth control for women could be available soon, if U.S. Department of Health and Human Services follows the recommendations of an Advisory Committee. While the women's health advocates are welcome this development, insurers and anti-abortion groups insist the free care unfairly took out insurance for everyone.

In a new report, a panel of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, said that there should be no franchise refundable insurance or insurance for drugs the FDA has approved contraception or sterilization procedures by most private health insurance plans. Public insurance such as Medicaid programs would be unaffected.

Currently, insured women must pick up some of the costs for drugs and procedures. Birth control pills, for example, typically cost from $ 15 to $ 50 per month, according to the non-profit Planned Parenthood Federation of America, who praised the recommendations of the group. Planned Parenthood offers women's health services, including abortion.

Birth control would be available to millions of insured - no deductible or insurance - women if U.S. Department of Health and Human Services follows the recommendations of an Advisory Committee.

Planned Parenthood: "great stride forward.

"Millions of women, especially young women are struggling every day to give the prescription birth control," Cecile Richards, President, family planning, said in a statement. "(The) recommendation brings us a step closer to ensure that all insured persons newly women under the health reform act will have access to birth control prescription free of charge." It would be a huge step forward for women's health in this country. ?

The Department of Health and Human Services should rule on the recommendations of the Commission, as soon as early as August. Any changes resulting from the recommendations would come into force in 2013.

The Institute of Medicine Panel asked to determine what services of prevention for women should be covered by the insurance health plans more private - without insurance or franchises - federal health reform act.

NARAL Pro-Choice America: major progress

Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said in a statement that almost one in three American women find it difficult to pay for birth control. NARAL is a non-profit group that supports abortion rights. Keenan, says that make it the most accessible family planning services will reduce the number of unwanted - pregnancy and abortions.

"As someone who has worked on women's rights, for nearly 30 years, I can say that (this) new brand one of the largest advanced for the health of women in a generation,"Keenan said recommendations of the Commission."."

The report of the Committee also recommended health services of the other women who should be provided without insurance insurance or franchises, such as:

? Screening of diabetes related to pregnancy.
? Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer.
? Annually on Counselling active sexually infections for women sexually transmitted.
? HIV each year, consultation and screening for sexually active women.
? Rental of breastfeeding.
? Violence domestic.
? Preventive care annual "good wife".

Insurance industry: fee increase

Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's health insurance Plans, says insurers health already focus on preventive care. Health insurance plans America is a group of trade for the health insurance industry. Preventive care guidelines are based on the recommendations of the independent organizations such as the Advisory Committee on immunization practices and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, said.

"Broaden the scope of the preventive mandate that go beyond the services or in conflict with the current directives based on evidence will increase the cost of coverage for individuals, families and employers, Zirkelbach says.

Family Research Council: abortion would be "responsible".

The recommendation to add contraceptives full range of the FDA-approved, including two drugs "emergency", drew quick opposition from groups such as the Research Council of family and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States.

The Research Council of family, a Christian lobbying group, says the two emergency contraceptives-"the morning after" Plan B and an another pill called "ella" - kill human embryos. Therefore, the Council asserts that the recommendations of the group "assigning" coverage for abortion.

RU - 486, known as "the abortion pill," was not included in the recommendations of the group.

If the Department of Health and Human Services includes the suggestions of the group, "the rights of the consciousness of millions of Americans will be violated, including issuers of plans, providers who have a contract with these plans and the United States will pay the costs of these services," Jeanne Monahan, Director of the Centre of the Research Council of the family of human dignitysaid in a statement.

In a statement, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston - Houston, President of the Commission on the activities of the United States pro-life Catholic Bishops ' Conference urged the Department of Health and Human Services "focus on the need for all Americans, including immigrants and the poor, for health insurance to save the lives of base - does not mandating controversial practices as to impair the right of women and the consciences enfantsles elective and" employers, employees and health plan providers and the common good. ?

Panel member: "Underserved" women will benefit

Members of, say, the Commission federal one of their goals was to discover ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which represent approximately half of all U.S. pregnancies. According to the report of the expert group, women with unwanted pregnancies are more likely to receive none or delayed prenatal care, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, suffer from depression and be victims of domestic violence.

The members of the Committee believe that free preventive care will be crucial for the minority women.

"Without doubt, underserved women and women of color tend to have a greater barriers to access to the services of particular with co-pay… these recommendations are especially important for women,", explains Dr. Paula Johnson, head of the Division of the health of women at Hospital and Brigham women in Boston.

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Discussion of debt could endanger the National flood insurance program

Jacob Dirr

The countdown to the National flood insurance program.

There are growing concerns that the debate of federal debt, which has drawn legislators in the political war on federal spending, could be bad for the flood insurance program. Program is set to expire on 30 September. Congress must periodically renew the program, which has more than 5.6 million subscribers.

The National flood insurance program provides home, tenant and insurance of flood in more than 21 000 communities nationwide.

Program "is beating as one".

With the greatest threat of the crisis of debt, the flood insurance program is getting "beaten as a can on the street," said Marguerite Tortorello, a spokesman for the Property Casualty insurers Association of America, who lobbied for the interests of insurance.

Earlier this year, the House overwhelmingly adopted a five year extension of the program of insurance against flooding, with the broad support of Republicans and Democrats.

Now, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee is finalizing its flood insurance legislation, although it has been "delayed at least a week and could be postponed to early September," according to PropertyCasualty360.com. Congress is expected to make a break 8 August to 5 September.

A staff member of the Senate Banking Committee who refused to be identified, said the Committee is working on the passage of a temporary extension (two months to one year) before the flood insurance program is set to expire on 30 September.

"Too big to fail".

Terry Tyson, President of Flood Insurance Smart, says that, after 30 years to sell a flood of insurance, he thinks that the flood insurance program has become "too big to fail". The program is important because any House mortgaged in a flood zone is required by federal law to carry flood insurance.

"Flood program is so closely linked with the world of the mortgage, I couldn't imagine what it would be if they close the program," said Tyson.

Tortorello, the spokesman of the Association of insurers casualty property, said expiration of the program would cause insurance companies to start the notice of termination of postal cover and could derail sales closures.

Without the National flood insurance program, owners can obtain flood insurance and that private companies may seek policy low risk, "the riskiest become" almost unaffordable, Tyson said.

Tyson advice for homeowners, renters and business owners have flood insurance: don't worry. "Followed as it is;" He will return to the books, "said Tyson. "Just wait it.".

An expiration of the flood insurance program is not without precedent. Last year, the program has expired for a total of 53 days. When it was finally relaunched, the coverage was applied retroactively to these 53 days.

Program of swimming in debt

The National flood insurance program was created in response to the increase in the costs of assistance to the victims of the floods; It is managed by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Through the program, private insurance companies write and manage fonts insurance flood supported by the Federal Government under their own brands. Any carrier issues flood insurance, coverage, rates and conditions are the same.

The program, funded by Federal borrowing, is almost 18 billion dollars in debt.

Flood policy average cost about $600 in 2010, but the average total paid over the past five years has been close to $34,000, according to federal data.

A house in flood insurance program can be insured up to $ 250,000 and its contents for up to $100,000, according to figures from the FEMA from 2010. Tenants can cover their property up to $100,000. Commercial property owners can provide a building for up to $500,000 and its contents up to $500,000.

FEMA officials refused to comment on the expiry in anticipation of the flood insurance program and transmitted requests for interview to the leaders of the Congress. Leaders of the Congress could also be reached for comment.

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New car fuel economy standards can mean more money in your Pocket

John Egan

2025, New cars and trucks sold in the United States will get a big boost in fuel economy - which could mean thousands of dollars in savings for the average American motorist.

July 29, 2011, President Obama unveiled fuel economy standards that will require cars and trucks to get an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The new standards apply to cars and trucks for the 2017 through 2025 years.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Agency of Environmental Protection, as the new standards will help to "break" U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

In 2010, the Federal Government is bumped to the necessary miles per gallon of 35.5 for 2016 model year. The current standard is 27.5 miles per gallon.

Thirteen major automakers have agreed "in principle" 2017-25 standards, which have yet to be finalized.

It is far too early to say how to inaugurate a new era of energy-efficient cars and trucks will affect auto insurance rates.

Obama says that the new standards will be reduce oil consumption and reduce air pollution. By 2025, new standards should save an estimated amount of $8,200 in fuel costs over the life of a new vehicle, compared to the standard for the year 2010.

The new standards were developed by federal, builders, Union leaders, environmentalists and other organizations.

"Another important step."

"It is another important step to save money for drivers, breaking our dependence on oil imports and to clean up the air we breathe," says Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. "American consumers are demanding cleaner cars which pollute the air or break their budgets to the fuel pump, and our innovative American manufacturers responded with plans for some of the vehicles more energy efficient in our history.".

Automakers who have accepted new standards are Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar and Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. Together, these car manufacturers account for more than 90 per cent of all vehicles sold in the United States.

Among the automakers absent from the list are Fiat, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

Automakers, environmentalists United

In a statement, GM said: "reduction of fuel consumption and reduce the impact of the automobile on the environment are important for our business because it is important to our country and our customers."

James Lentz, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., says that his company shared the objective of the administration of the Obama to make significant progress in the production of fuel efficient cars and trucks.

"Obviously, there is always uncertainty as to how it will react to the market and that consumers vehicle technologies will be adopted, that is why we are rolling out and test a range of options for alternative fuels," Lentz said.

Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, a non-profit environmental group, says that "after years of inaction and stagnation,"Obama ensured the 15 years of steady progress"to" help reduce our dangerous dependence on oil, create jobs in America, save money for families at the pump, curb deadly pollution tackle climate disruption and. "."

Standards might mean bleeds

Not everyone is happy about the new fuel economy standards.

The American Road & transportation Builders Association States that its analysis shows that between 2017 and 2025, the new fuel would result in the loss of more than $ 65 billion in federal funding for the road, improved bridge and transit through the country. Reasoning of the association: as the least amount of fuel would be used by motorists, less revenue would be generated from fuel taxes.

Like everyone, we are in favour of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve fuel economy. However, from the point of view of public policy, it is a classic case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand, "says Pete Ruane, Chairman of the construction trade group.

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Some the lamest excuses for not buckling step

Gina Roberts-grey.

How often you click "it" when you are driving? If your answer is "all the time", you could put yourself - and your automobile premium - at risk.

Failure of closing may result in a contravention of, and a single ticket can lead to a greater premium auto insurance.

To reduce the chances of obtaining a ticket for not having to attach, some drivers attempted apology running into hysterical - not to mention dangerous. "It will be wrinkle my dress" to "it is a violation of the rights of my", here are some of the explanations that cops had to do not "click."

The campaigns "Click it or ticket" across the country are designed to encourage motorists to wear a belt.

"Cops don't wear seat belts."

Richard Weinblatt, former Chief of police in Randleman, N.C., said that "he be wrinkle my dress" and "I have a shoulder injury" are among the apology of non-ceinture, it is understood. But it stands out in particular.

"The worst was, ' well, the cops their belt, then why should I?". "I explained that I always wore a seat belt and noted that I had to unfasten mine out of the car and ask the driver on his," remembers Weinblatt.

In the clear

During a patrol in the New Mexico as Deputy Sheriff for the County of Santa Fe, Weinblatt was fed an excuse rather cringe worthy: a woman told him that she is not wearing a seat belt because she wanted to be thrown clear of the vehicle during rollover.

"I have noted that I had responded to a number of fatal accidents, including a few where the cars capoté and the person who was partially ejected from the vehicle, and they are dead," Weinblatt recalls.

Wound Weinblatt write him a ticket for not wearing a seat belt.

"He could"die ".

Right long enforcement officer H.D. Justice, author of "Confessions of a las vegas motorcop," explains the most memorable apology he gets came in the form of a doctor's note.

"A guy, that I remember especially had no seat belt." He had a doctor's note that said that if he wears a seat belt, it could die. "It literally, 'because of his State of health, if he was wearing his seat belt, he could die,'", explained Justice.

The pilot did not receive a ticket.

"It seemed ridiculous, because the probability of dying in a serious accident without a seat belt must be equal to not pas porter at all, so what is the difference?" The justice said. "But the doctor's note will exempt you probably a ticket."

The alibi of acne

Weinblatt did not exempt a young bodybuilder to obtain a ticket. Weinblatt detected the bodybuilder on the path of the driver of the gym room. Belt of the bodybuilder was returned under his left arm.

"The man said he did not like the ramp to rub against his left shoulder, because it gives breaks out after it works", remembers Weinblatt. "The idea of the act ordering the restriction in the manner intended by the manufacturer that does not seem to impress him."

Weinblatt was not impressed by the reasoning of the driver. The mechanic was hit with a ticket.

What happens if I am unconscious?

Robert Greene, Assistant to a former Sheriff of Montgomery County, Texas, and now an insurance agent farmers in Austin, Texas, said the apology was line of "it will mess up my clothes"to "it's a violation of my rights." "".

But there is a real winner of MP Greene time: "If I am knocked unconscious, I will not able to get the belt set aside out of the vehicle." Greene adds: "And she was serious."

Improve your chances.

If you're stopped by a police officer and that you step wear your seat belt, law enforcement experts recommend that simply tell you the truth. You are not likely to get any sympathy with the excuse "it will be wrinkle my dress. Weinblatt said that, if a driver has a positive attitude, it can make a big difference between the conduct offshore without a ticket and position to the traffic court.

Of course, driving or riding in a car without a seat belt can mean heading to the morgue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said that 53% of people were killed in 2009 car accidents were not looped.

"If everyone was wearing a seat belt, whenever they have rode in a car, we would greatly reduce the number of fatal accidents that we expect to occur this year," said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Thirty-two States and the District of Columbia have "primary" seat belt laws, which allow ticket enforcement officers a driver for not wearing a seat belt, without any other offence of trafficking taking place. Seventeen States have "secondary" seat belt laws, allowing right of enforcement officers write a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when another crime of trafficking occurred a. New Hampshire has no laws of primary or secondary belt for adults.

In 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15 per cent of U.S. drivers were not using seat belts.

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