Top 5 Car Insurance Scams
Car insurance scams by individual policy holders against their insurance provider have been around since insurance was invented but over the years insurance providers have gotten better at recognizing scams and catching the perpetrators. According to insurance fraud experts, insurance scams are the second highest financial crime in the United States. Additionally, more than 20 percent of personal injury claims and 10 percent of car wreck claims are from bogus or staged accidents.
Most people dread getting into a car accident; dealing with a wrecked car, haggling with your insurance company and personal injuries are no fun. The scary thing is that some car accidents are actually planned in order to pull off a car insurance scam. Innocent drivers end up paying the price both in higher premiums of $200-$300 per year, blemished driving records, personal injuries, and the hassles of repairing or replacing their car.
Top 5 Car Insurance Scams
Read MoreMy Car is Totaled! Will Gap Insurance Help?
A car is “totaled” when you have been in a car accident that caused more damage to the car than it is worth or is so badly mangled that it isn’t repairable. Your car insurance provider will owe you the cash value/retail market value of your car. An appraisal of the value of your car will be made by referencing independent auto-value guides such as Kelley Blue Book and NADA.
Once the value of the car has been established your car insurer may choose to:
- Replace the car with a comparable car for sale in your area, increasing the search in 25 mile increments if one is not found close by.
- Offer a cash settlement
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Read MoreWhat is a Personal Insurance Policy?
Car accidents can wreak all kinds of havoc on physical health and cause disruptions to one’s ability to work and earn money. Most people carry car insurance (it’s the law) but many may not be aware that they can add a Personal Insurance Policy (PIP). PIP is available in most states and is even required in some. Its purpose is to cover certain expenses or loss of income in the event of a car accident. PIP is often called “no-fault” coverage because it is designed to be paid regardless of who is at “fault” and a claimant’s insurance premium should not increase due to a PIP claim.
It is important to understand that even if you have a health insurance policy, you could still benefit from a personal insurance policy. A PIP can help to pay for gaps in your health care plan such as deductibles.
A Personal Insurance Policy Typically Covers (up to a certain limit):
Read MoreCompanies Rush to Buy Product Liability Insurance!
A business purchases product liability insurance to protect themselves from liability against the allegation of negligence in the manufacturing, packaging/labeling, warranty, distribution, or sale of its products. The 1987 Consumer Protection Act holds manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others liable for products that are not “fit for purpose” and personal injuries or illness to a third party that may result from their unfitness.
The year 2006 saw the peak in product liability lawsuits; accounting for 20 percent of all cases tried in federal court compared to about 12 percent the following year. Product litigation tends to go in trends with people jumping to sue on common issues such as asbestos in the workplace or prescription drug side effects. Some jurisdictions require that companies carry product liability insurance to protect consumers in the event of widespread consumer injury.
Read MoreExercise Equipment Injuries Up 45%
Exercise equipment Injuries are a real risk for people seeking fitness at a home or gym. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission there were 1500 visits to the emergency room from gym fitness equipment related accidents and 50,000 visits from home fitness equipment related accidents in 2009. Injuries caused by exercise and exercise equipment increased almost 45 percent between 2007 and 2010, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).
Read MoreTop Tips to Find the Right Personal Trainer
Personal Injuries are a real risk for people seeking fitness at a home or gym. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission there were 1500 visits to the emergency room from gym fitness equipment related accidents and 50,000 visits from home fitness equipment related accidents in 2009.
A qualified personal trainer can help to reduce the risk of injury by teaching proper form and keeping an eye on the intensity of the workout for the person’s fitness level.
Top Tips to Find the Right Personal Trainer
Read MoreWeight-Lifting Injuries on the Rise
More people are weight-lifting to gain muscle than ever before; women in particular are increasing their participation. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, 34.5 million Americans participated in weight training in 2009.
A study that was published in the April issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that from 1990 to 2007, almost one million people visited the emergency room due to weight-lifting injuries. Worse, annual injuries increased more than 48 percent during that period. Incorrect weight training technique often leads to sprains, strains, fractures, and other painful injuries to connective tissue, muscle, and joint capsules.
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Read MoreTop 8 CrossFit Training Tips
The popular workout program CrossFit has received much scrutiny for its perceived risk of injuries. A recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows that injury rates for CrossFit participants are actually the same as for regular workouts. Researchers in the study found that 73.5 percent of participants had sustained an injury that had impeded their ability to work, train, or compete. The injury rate of 3.1 per 1,000 hours of activity is similar to that found in weightlifting, power lifting and gymnastics, but less than in contact sports like football. One important discrepancy found is that shoulder injuries accounted for nearly 25 percent of reported injuries, which exceeds the rate of competitive Olympic weight lifters.
Read MoreTop 7 Tips to Prevent Boxing Injuries
Boxing is a physical, combat sport which can put participants at risk for boxing injuries. Surprisingly, however, boxing is a relatively safe sport compared to others. When boxing injuries occur, however, they range from the minor to the serious.
Common Boxing Injuries
Many boxing injuries can be prevented with proper training and protection techniques. This is why professional and trained boxers typically suffer fewer injuries. Many of these injuries should be cause to see a medical professional, particularly if a concussion or fracture is suspected.
Read MoreMartial Arts Injuries
All types of martial arts are physically demanding and carry a high rate of personal injury. Martial Arts injuries are incurred by novices and seasoned athletes and cover the gamut from minor to severe. Beginner athletes tend to sustain sprains and soft-tissue injuries in Karate, Mixed Martial Arts and Thai Kick Boxing. When professional fighters get injured they are most likely to incur fractures and life-threatening injuries.
The term “Martial Arts” covers a wide variety of sports that have been practiced for centuries. Each region of the world has its over version of martial art. For example, Tae Kwon Do focuses on kicks and standing techniques; Judo is all about throws and chokes, and Jujitsu has a focus on grappling and forcing the opponent into submission with painful arm and leg locks. “Mixed Martial Arts” is a growing sport that uses techniques from all forms of martial arts; it has very few rules, making it both exciting and dangerous.
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