All Discount Insurance

Can Staying Sober Shorten Your Life?

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:59:54 +0000

It runs counter to decades of medical advice, but again and again, researchers are finding that those who drink moderately, and in some cases even those who drink heavily, outlive their sober peers.

Opening 9th office in Murrieta, CA.

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:01:53 +0000

We are proud to announce the opening of our 9th office in Murrieta, California. The new office located at 25021 Madison Ave #103 Murrieta, Ca. 92562 will be open effective May 3, 2010. We can be reached at 951-461-4404. We look forward to servicing your insurance needs at our new location.

State says Mercury Insurance may have overcharged consumers

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:25:15 +0000

Mercury Insurance has violated California insurance laws and as a result it may have illegally overcharged thousands of Californians for auto and homeowners insurance, says state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

“An examination done by the Department of Insurance appears to show that Mercury Insurance has disregarded California’s consumer protection statutes and overcharged consumers. In addition, the Department’s examination finds that Mercury Insurance has apparently continued to violate the law despite agreements with the state to terminate its illegal behavior,” says Mr. Poizner.

“We strongly deny Commissioner Poizner’s assertion that we ‘may have’ overcharged California consumers,” the insurance company says in a written statement. “Mercury does not always interpret changing insurance law and regulations in the same manner as the staff at the department, despite the best intentions of parties on both sides.”

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) conducted what it calls a “Market Conduct Exam” covering the period of March 1, 2007 to May 31, 2007. During that timeframe, CDI found that Mercury Insurance Group, comprising Mercury Insurance Company, Mercury Casualty Company and California Automobile Insurance Company, violated the insurance code, resulting in consumers being overcharged or denied coverage.

The 35 categories of alleged violations include:

• Mercury Insurance failed to correct violations of state law indentified by the Department of Insurance from exams conducted in 1998 and 2002.

• Mercury did not collect the right information about a driver’s prior accidents during its auto insurance application and underwriting process to make sure that surcharges are only applied for those accidents where the insured is at fault, and to make sure people are not charged for bodily injury accidents when no injuries had occurred.

• The auto insurance applicant is required by Mercury Insurance to provide “lifetime” experience regarding certain major convictions, while the law only allows insurers to charge for such convictions for “10 years” for specific alcohol-related offenses and “three years” for the others.

• Homeowners’ insurance premium credits were not being consistently applied when they were due, resulting in insureds being overcharged.

• Mercury’s auto insurance non-renewal notices and procedures required the Good Driver to take additional steps, beyond what is provided for in the law, to obtain coverage when another person on the policy no longer qualified for coverage.

• Mercury’s auto insurance underwriting guidelines required individuals with certain medical impairments to undergo additional underwriting scrutiny before a policy could be issued.

• Mercury barred from coverage people in certain occupations — bartender, liquor store owner, painter, cocktail waitress/waiter and artists — who didn’t meet additional underwriting standards that were not applied to people in other occupations.

Mercury Insurance Group has 10 days to correct each violation found in the latest exam. Should the violations not be corrected, Mercury Insurance Group faces a $5,000 fine for each violation and an additional $5,000 fine for each violation if it is found to be willful. The insurer also faces additional penalties for the past violations, and its failure to implement corrections following the previous exam, CDI says.

Emergency Supplies for Earthquake Preparedness

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:25:28 +0000

First Aid Kit
Store your first aid supplies in a tool box or fishing tackle box so they will be easy to carry and protected from water. Inspect your kit regularly and keep it freshly stocked. NOTE: Important medical information and most prescriptions can be stored in the refrigerator, which also provides excellent protection from fires.

Drugs/Medications
•Hydrogen peroxide to wash and disinfect wounds
•Antibiotic ointment
•Individually wrapped alcohol swabs
•Aspirin and non-aspirin tablets
•Prescriptions and any long-term medications (keep these current)
•Diarrhea medicine
•Eye drops
Dressings
•Bandage strips
•Ace bandages
•Rolled gauze
•Cotton-tipped swabs
•Adhesive tape roll
Other First Aid Supplies
•First aid book
•Scissors
•Tweezers
•Thermometer
•Bar soap
•Tissues
•Sunscreen
•Paper cups
•Pocket knife
•Small plastic bags
•Safety pins
•Needle and thread
•Instant cold packs for sprains
•Sanitary napkins
•Splinting materials
Survival Kit for Your Home
Assemble a survival kit for your home with the following items:

Tools and supplies
•ax, shovel, broom
•screwdriver, pliers, hammer, adjustable wrench
•rope for towing or rescue
•plastic sheeting and tape
Items for safety and comfort
•sturdy shoes that can provide protection from broken glass, nails, and other debris
•gloves (heavy and durable for cleaning up debris)
•candles
•waterproof matches
•change of clothing
•knife
•garden hose (for siphoning and firefighting)
•tent
•recreational supplies for children and adults
•blankets or sleeping bags
•portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
•essential medications and eyeglasses
•fire extinguisher — multipurpose, dry chemical type
•food and water for pets
•toilet tissue
•cash
Survival Kit for Your Automobile
Assemble a survival kit for your automobile with the following items. Storing some of these supplies in a small bag or backpack will make them more convenient to carry if you need to walk.

•Blankets
•Bottled water
•Change of clothes
•Coins for telephone calls
•Fire extinguisher — multipurpose, dry chemical type
•First aid kit and manual
•Emergency signal device (light sticks, battery-type flasher, reflector, etc.)
•Flashlight with fresh batteries
•Food (nonperishable — nutrition bars, trail mix, etc.)
•Gloves
•Local map and compass
•Rope for towing, rescue, etc.
•Paper and pencils
•Premoistened towelettes
•Prescription medicines
•Battery-operated radio with fresh batteries
•Small mirror for signaling
•Toilet tissue
•Tools (pliers, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, etc.)
•Whistle for signaling
•Jumper cables
•Duct tape

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day – cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Your cell phone rings-do you answer it?

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:26:27 +0000

Chatting on a cell phone while driving increases your risk of a collision fourfold. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), it’s as dangerous as driving under the influence, even if you switch to a hands-free model. Distractions, including using cell phones or other electronic devices, applying makeup, eating and adjusting the radio or CD-player, worsen a driver’s ability to react to hazardous situations. The safest way to drive is to avoid distractions and keep your attention on the road.

Welcome to All Discount Insurance Blog

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:53:04 +0000

We will periodically post questions and answers to this blog regarding auto, home, renter’s, motorcycle, and recreation vehicle. Many of the questions come from our insureds and are answered by our professional staff or myself. Feel free to leave any insurance related questions and we will answer your questions as quickly as we can on this blog. Contact information and our website www.alldiscountins.com.