When Lightning Strikes: Part I

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 400 people are injured and about 60 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States. In comparison, in an average year, tornadoes kill the same amount of people, and hurricanes kill even less than that! While some may consider information about lightning mostly common knowledge, there is also a large amount of misinformation and myths about lightning. With that in mind, it's important to stay properly informed about lightning, so read on in this two part series about protecting yourself and your home in an instance of a lightning strike.

When thunder roars, go indoors! If you hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by lightning, regardless of what the weather looks like. Drop what you are doing and immediately seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a hard-top vehicle. Don't go into a garage or covered patio, as you are still at risk of being struck.

When inside:

• Stay way from windows and doors.
• Do not use corded phones, computers or other electronics that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid baths, sinks, and other plumbing.
• Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Remember that no place is safe outside from lightning; however, if you are caught in a storm outside and have no way of getting to adequate shelter, here are some tips for what to do:

• Never lie completely flat on the ground, as this increases your risk of being affected by a deadly ground current.
• Never use a tree for shelter; using a tree as shelter is the second most common way that people are struck by lightning.
• Immediately move away from high grounds, such as hills or mountains.
• Never use a cliff face as shelter.
• Immediately get out of and away from any body of water.
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as fences.
• If a building or all-metal vehicle is nearby, move to it.

If someone is struck by lightning, begin CPR. There is a common myth that people struck by lightning carry an electric charge and that touching them will result in you being electrocuted. This is FALSE! Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death in lightning strike victims, so using CPR on a lightning strike victim may save his/her life. Call 911 for help.

For additional information, stay tuned for a follow-up blog post next week. In addition, you can find some more information from NOAA, such as myths about lightning.

Avoid Impaired Driving

Summer is here and with it comes increased traffic on Cape Cod. With our booming tourist industry, the roads and restaurants on the Cape can get pretty crowded. As you're out and about this summer, make sure to stay safe and avoid impaired driving! The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 30 people die every day as a result of drunk driving, and about one third of all car crashes are a result of drunk driving. In addition, drunk driving accidents resulted in nearly 11,000 deaths in 2009, and account for about $51 billion in damage as a result of car crashes. Be safe, and keep some of these tips in mind while you're driving:

• Determine who is going to be the designated driver before you and your friends start drinking.
• Program your local taxi company's number into your phone, and make sure to use it if you and your friends are not fit to drive.
• If you're going to a friend's house for a party, make arrangements to stay over ahead of time, even if you don't plan on staying, just in case you need a backup plan.
• If you're leaving a party or restaurant and notice one of your friends trying to drive home, offer them a ride home if you're sober, or maybe share a cab with them.
• If you're hosting a party, be responsible and look out for your friends. Offer to let people stay over your house if need be.

Have a fun summer and be safe, for your sake, and for the sake of others!

Mobile Apps

Safety Insurance is joining the app world!

iPhone App
Introduced May 3, 2011

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Android App
Introduced July 7, 2011

   

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• Cost: FREE
• Access your Safety account to: report a claim, view your insurance card and access agent information
• If you're not a Safety client, you can find a Safety agency near you.

Check them out.

Hopefully, more insurance companies will jump on the app bandwagon making your insurance information readily available at your fingertips

Tips for Safe Motorcycle Driving

Although driving a motorcycle may be a riskier choice for transportation than driving a car, did you know that two-thirds of all motorcycle-car related accidents are a result of someone driving a car? Motorcyclists and car drivers alike should make sure to share the road and keep in mind some of our tips for safe driving.

Be aware of blind spots. All cars have blind spots, and the small profile of a motorcycle makes it easier for motorcyclists to get lost in a driver's blind spot.  Both types of motorists should always use turn signals. Motorcyclists should be aware of other vehicles' blindspots: if you can't see another motorists' mirrors, chances are he can't see you.

Wear appropriate protection. Seat belts save lives in cars, just as proper motorcycle protection save motorcyclists' lives. Make sure to always wear a helmet. Leather gloves, jackets, and pants provide additional protection against debris and crashes.

Be respectful. Car drivers, remember that motorcyclists have the same privileges as other drivers. Motorcyclists, be safe and respectful of other drivers; don't weave through traffic, or travel on less than one lane.

In addition, check out the RMV's tips on sharing the road with motorcyclists.

Remember, Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services carries several insurance companies that provide motorcycle insurance. If you would like to learn more, please call us at 508-540-2400.

Happy 4th of July weekend!



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The Cape & Islands are a great place to celebrate the 4th of July. There are so many fun activities to do whether you are a child, young adult, single or married. Below are links to some 4th of July festivities.

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Murray & MacDonald Insurance wishes everyone a fun, safe 4th of July weekend!

• Cape Cod Times: Cape & Islands July 4th parades, fireworks and more
• WeNeedaVacation.com: 4th of July Celebrations & Parades 2011 Schedule
• Cape Cod Times: Things to do for July 1-7
• Mashpee Picnic & Fireworks - starts July 1 at 5pm Mashpee High School
• 4th of July Pancake Breakfast with the Bournes Braves - July 4th from 8-10am, St. John's Episcopal Church in Sandwich
• Bourne on the 4th of July PARADE - July 4th at 10am. It starts at the intersection of Academy Drive and Main Street in Buzzards Bay and ends in front of The Bourne Memorial Community Building on Main Street.
• Sandwich 4th of July Parade & Activities - Monday July 4th @ 10am
• Falmouth Fireworks - 8:45pm July 4th at Falmouth Heights Beach

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Increased Cyber Risk Leads to more Cyberinsurance

Insurance Journal reported on June 15 that a recent increase in corporate security breaches is pushing some many companies to opt for cyberinsurance for increased risk mitigation. The article notes that the US Senate, the International Monetary Fund, Lockheed Martin Corp., Citigroup Inc., Google, and Sony Corp. are among the various institutions that have experienced cyber attacks. When a cyber attack occurs, cyberinsurance can cover things such as civil suits, fixing computer systems, providing identity theft services to customers, fines from governments and regulators, or civil suits. In addition, cyberinsurance can cover mundane things that are necessary in such an event, such as sorry letters to customers.

However, with an average data breach claim of $7.2 million in 2010, insurance companies carry exclusions for things such as us incidents involving unencrypted laptops, computers that don't receive regular updates, etc. Unfortunately for now, companies offereing cyberinsurance are having a difficult time regulating the industry, because there are no set standards, unlike the auto industry where it is possible to require people wear a seat belt. Insurers, however, are confident that that will change.

For more information, take a look at how Travelers Insurance manages CyberRisk, or call today at 508-540-2400.

Texting While Driving Could Raise Your Auto Insurance

Back in January, we posted an article about the dangers of texting while driving. As we mentioned, not only is texting while driving dangerous, it is also currently illegal in 30 states, including Massachusetts, and many states are looking to join those that have already made it illegal. In Massachusetts, using any kind of mobile communication (including using hands-free calling) is illegal for operators under the age of 18; the first offense results in a 60 day license suspension, a $100 fine, and requires an attitudinal course. Fines and license suspensions only increase from there. For drivers over the age of 18, texting while driving is illegal, and an initial offense results in a $100 fine. Second and third offenses result in $250 and $500 fines. For a full list of all the offenses, check up on the Safe Driving Law, which was enacted on September 30, 2010.

Although texting while driving in Massachusetts is considered a civil offense and not a moving violation, in some states, such as Connecticut, texting while driving is considered a moving violation and can result in increased insurance rates. While you're traveling this summer, stay safe and be aware that many states have different laws on the legality of texting while driving, and whether or not it counts as a moving violation.

Planning Your Vacation Away from Home

As the summer season rolls into gear and families begin making plans for vacation, make sure to take a look at some of our tips for avoiding problems while you're gone, especially if you're leaving for an extended period of time.

• Suspend mail and newspaper deliveries.
• Arrange to have your lawn mowed and use automatic lighting timers to discourage break-ins.
• Adjust your thermostat.
• Arrange to have a friend, neighbor, or family member to spot check while you're away.
• Unplug non-essential electronics and appliances, such as computers, lamps, clock-radios, etc.
• Turn off your water; doing so will stop a potential minor leak from turning into a major flood.
• Leave a set of car keys with a neighbor or friend if you leave a car behind, in case it might need to be moved.
• If you have an alarm, make sure someone you trust has access to the cancellation codes. Notify the fire department and police department that you will be away and give them your trusted friend's contact information so that they know who to go to for problems with the house.

Stay safe, enjoy your vacation, and have a great summer!

Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain

While the bulk of the rainy spring season may be over, it's always important to keep in mind safe driving tips, especially, with Cape Cod's unpredictable weather. When driving in the rain, it's safe to drive similar to how you would in snow conditions.



When navigating wet roads:

• Slow down by 5 miles per hour
• Give the vehicle in front of you twice as much distance as you normally would.
• Pull over to the side of the road for a few minutes if heavy rain makes it too hard to navigate.
• Keep in mind that roads are typically the most slippery during the first 10-15 minutes of rain, as oil and other pollutants can mix with the rain water and make the roads more slick.

If you get stuck in a hydroplane, follow these guidelines:

• Ease off the gas
• If you begin to swerve, turn in the direction of the skid
• If you have antilock brakes, apply the brakes firmly; don't pump them
• If you don't have antilock brakes, practice threshold braking: apply the brakes at a medium pressure so that you slow down, but not so hard that you enter a skid

Reporting an Auto Insurance Claim

As the summer season arrives and traffic increases on Cape Cod, the risk of a car collision naturally increases. Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services wishes you a safe and enjoyable summer season, but should you need to report an automobile claim, keep some of these tips in mind:

While there is a range of automobile insurance options, some of the more common insurance claims include liability, collision, and comprehensive.

If you are found at fault for a car accident, liability insurance covers the cost of repairing property damaged in the collision, including buildings and vehicles, as well as medical bills that may be associated with the collision.

A collision claim is a car insurance claim in which your car was damaged as a result of a collision, which is not necessarily limited to collisions with other vehicles. Collision claims may include solo car accidents, for example, in a case in which you may have run into a telephone pole or a building.

A comprehensive claim is for any damage or loss to your car that is not a result of a collision. Vandalism and theft are some of the more common incidents that result in a comprehensive claim.

If you've suffered a loss or damage to your vehicle, you should contact your insurance agent. Remember, if you need to contact Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services, we are open from 8:30AM-4:30PM on Monday-Friday, and our phone number is 508-540-2400.

If you wish, you can contact your insurance company directly. You can find a list of insurance companies that Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services does business with here. Keep in mind that many insurance companies now allow you to submit claims online.

When reporting a collision claim, make sure you have as much of this information as possible:

• Date, time, and location of accident
• Information from the other driver, including name, address, phone number, and driver's license number.
• The current location of your vehicle and whether it is drivable.
• Information regarding other vehicles involved, including make, model, VIN, and license plate number.
• Insurance information from other parties involved, including the carrier and policy number.
• Contact information from any law enforcement agencies or witnesses that were at the scene.
• If possible, take pictures with a disposable camera or a cellphone of the vehicles involved, including pictures of damaged areas and the license plates of the vehicles involved.

When reporting a comprehensive claim, make sure you have as much of this information as possible:

• Details on the loss or damage, including time, date, and location.
• Current mileage of your vehicle and options included with your vehicle in order to determine the current value of your vehicle.
• Current location of your vehicle and whether it is drivable.
• Contact information of the financial institution that financed your vehicle.
• Contact information from any law enforcement agencies or witnesses that were at the scene.
• If necessary, take pictures of the damaged areas of the vehicle.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer, and remember, should you need any assistance or should you need to report a claim, you can contact Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services at 508-540-2400, at murmac@mmisi.com, or by visiting our website at www.mmisi.com.