Gendelman Insurance Newsletters

Is the 'Stuff' in Your Car Safe?

Harry was always getting lost when he rode around visiting friends or doing chores, so he had one of the new navigation systems installed in his car. It cost almost $4,000, but now Harry just keys in the address he wants, and the system tells him step by step how to reach his destination: "Go north on 101 four miles, turn left at the second stoplight," and so on. When a road is impassable, the system will provide alternate routes. It will even provide the most scenic or shortest route. Criminals who steal items from cars move from one hot iteni to the next. First it was stereos, then tape players, then CBs, then CD players, and then airbags. The most recent craze is car phones and you can bet that navigation systems will be the next big target. After market units will probably be more prized than factory installed units, but both are likely to be taken. There's some question as to whether these units are covered for theft under existing Auto policies. Check with us if you're considering the purchase of one. Adding other types of electronic equipment to an Auto policy also raises insurance questions, since Auto policies don't define "equipment." Generally, the courts consider any equipment that comes with the car to be covered, but usually Auto policies tend to exclude:

• Citizens band radios

• Telephones

• Two-way mobile radios

• Scanning monitors, receivers

• Television monitors, receivers

• Videotape recorders

• Audiotape recorders

• Personal computers

Items are generally covered by Auto policies if they're necessary to the car's normal operation or operations monitoring. Radios, stereos, tape decks, CD players, and I telephones are also covered if permanently installed. Other items are usually protected by the Homeowners policy. Call us to discuss the personal property in your vehicles.

There's No Workplace Like HomeHave you ever wondered how much of the working public is really working at home? Somewhere between 20% and 25% of U.S. workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 1997 (the most recent year data is available), these states contained the highest percentages of home based workers:

Not so long ago, all you needed for fun on the water was an old wooden boat, maybe with an outboard motor. These days, waterways are alive with a bewildering variety of personal watercraft (PWCs).Unfortunately, the fun is sometimes ruined by tragedy. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, PWC use has brought about a sharp upward spike in boating related accidents. As a result, some states are placing restrictions on who can drive PWCs, when they can be operated, how close they can come to other vessels, and so forth. These regulations also affect jet skis, which are considered power boats.As with a car, insurance plays an essential part in using PWCs responsibly. Here are some other safety precautions:

• Understand government files relating to who may drive a PWC.

• Properly register the PWC.

• Always wear a Coast Guard approved high impact personal flotation device (collision is the most common cause of PWC injuries).

• Carry a Class B-1 Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher in a waterproof compartment.

• Carry a whistle, a signaling mirror, and a small tool kit for emergency repairs.

In California in 1997, PWC's accounted for fewer than 18% of registered boats, yet were involved in 42% of all accidents and 52% of boating-related injuries. They're a lot of fun, but let's take them seriously.

Your family may have some surprises when the year 20(X) (Y2K rolls around. The VCR might not want to record. Your alarm clock might not wake you up. But your biggest surprise might stem from your home computer. Unless it's a newer model or has been checked out for Y2K compliance, your computer might malfunction, or fail to function at all. Microsoft, which makes the software for more than 90% of the world's home computers. has found 10 minor Y2K problems in its popular Windows 98 operating system. A software fix, called a patch. is available. At the hardware level, PCs will need an upgrade or fix to the hard wired information that runs the computer's most basic functions. or BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). Software packages that check and fix the BIOS are available. A visit to a computer store or contact with the computer manufacturer should set you on the way to correction for hardware and software. Insurance won't help you with Y2K problems because they're expected not sudden or accidental. Head off any trouble by making corrections now to your computer's BIOS and software

What's the best deal in insurance? Consider the Personal Umbrella policy. It protects you against high-dollar liability claims in two ways:

• It adds at least $1 million to your Personal Auto policy, Homeowners Liability policy, and sometimes Boat or Recreational Vehicle policy.

• It picks up Liability claims not covered by the underlying policy.

Umbrella policies are inexpensive because most Liability claims will not exceed the coverage of the underlying policy But imagine someone slipping on the ice on your sidewalk, and think of the national propensity to sue. Are you prepared to risk a large lawsuit without an Umbrella?