Read more here

While this seems to be a fairly minor event, it serves as a good reminder that the lower mainland is overdue for a major event.  Are you ready?

Check out our friends at QS Quake Safe and make sure that your insurance policies include earthquake coverage!

Insuring your home to value is the biggest challenge faced by homeowners and their insurance brokers.  Often the problem is that the homeowner doesn’t know enough about the home to allow the broker to accurately calculate the replacement value.

A new tool developed by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) aims to assist homeowners.  The Home Assessment Checklist explains the most troublesome yet important points of a home in clear, easy to understand language.  Check out the IBC website for this “checklist” and much more valuable information on your home insurance.

Reposted from a recent ICBC news release.  #6 is my favorite….

Top 10 excuses for using a cellphone while driving

It’s been five months since B.C. implemented the ban on using a hand-held cellphone while driving and police have issued more than 8,000 tickets. But despite the danger and the fines, people are still choosing to break the law.

ICBC asked police across B.C. to share drivers’ top excuses for using a hand-held cellphone while driving:

1. It was an urgent work call! A real emergency would be if your car were flipped over in a ditch because you weren’t focused on the road. Let callers know on your voicemail that you may be driving and there may be delay before you return their call.
2. But I was stopped at a red light. Let’s put a stop to this misconception right now: the rules apply even if you are stopped at a light.
3. I was just checking my voicemail – I didn’t make a call. Under the new law, drivers can’t use hand-held electronics while driving. Let voicemail do its job – call back later when it’s safe to do so. Better yet, turn your cellphone off or put it in the trunk to avoid the temptation to pick it up.
4. Driver: But I have it on hands-free! Police officer: Sir, it’s not hands-free if it’s in your hand. Hands-free doesn’t equal speakerphone. Under the new law, a driver cannot use a hand-held electronic communication device and this includes hand-held cellphones, iPods and other electronic hand-held devices.
5. But it was my mom calling! In order to help our drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) become safe drivers for life, they are banned from using all phone and electronic devices, including hands-free. The only time a GLP driver is permitted to use a phone or electronic device in a car is if they’re safely parked and off the roadway or are making an emergency call to 9-1-1. So parents, do your teenagers a favour and don’t call when you know they’ll be driving.
6. I didn’t know I’m not from here. I’m from Maple Ridge. Wow – police really do hear it all! According to an Ipsos-Reid poll done in January 2010, 98 per cent of British Columbians are aware of the new law. And FYI, the law applies to the whole province.
7. I drive better than most people – not like the ones that eat while driving. Anything that takes your attention from the road is dangerous. Studies show that drivers who talk on a cellphone lose about 50 per cent visually of what’s going on around them and are four times more likely to get into a crash .
8. I was just setting up my hands-free device. You’ll probably do a better job of setting up your hands-free (or eating, or applying makeup) when your car is parked and not moving. Make sure that you’re ready for your trip before you start driving.
9. But it’s my first time. Can’t I just get a warning? Police didn’t start handing out tickets until a month after the ban went into effect – that’s more than enough time to get the message. Consider your $167 fine and three-point penalty your warning, so make that first time your last.
10. It was my wife calling and I didn’t dare ignore her. Would she rather hear that you’ve crashed the car and you, or someone else, is hurt because you were distracted by her call? Pull over before you answer or return a call. Your life, and the lives of people around you, are much more important than your phone call – even if it’s someone you love on the phone.

If you find yourself making similar excuses, think about the influence your smart driving decisions can have on others. They can help create a culture where friends, family and colleagues don’t expect you to pick up right away.

For more information on the new law and smart driving tips, visit drivecellsafe.ca.

That’s right…a rate reduction.  ICBC today applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to reduce basic insurance rates by an average of 1.9%, effective November 1, 2010. This would be the first change to the basic insurance rates in 3 years, and a positive step in a time when most insurance rates are increasing.  ICBC attributes the reduction to reduced accident rates.  However, even though the number of crashes is down, it was also pointed out that the severity of claims is up so ICBC must be prudent in how much of a decrease can be given.

The rate change still needs the approval of the BCUC.  You can read ICBC’s new release here.

Seems like I post on this topic earlier and earlier each year.  Climate change maybe?  Forest Fire season is again upon us again.  In fact there has been 27 fires of larger than 10 hectars in BC since the beginning of April!

Generally forest fire is covered by your home insurance, however as we live and play in an “interface zone” (where the forest meets the city), there are several things you should do to protect yourself from the threat of forest fire.  See below for just some of the things you can do at home, and your cottage to protect yourself.

Prune tree branches to a height of 1 or 2 metres
Store fire wood well away from the house
Remove trees within 10 metres of house
Branches are clear of power lines (if possible bury power service)
Remove brush, mow and water lawn
Dispose of fireplace ashes into an approved container.
Chimney installed to code complete with spark arrestor screens
All soffit vents and gutters should be screened
Position propane tank with valve pointing away from house
Fire resistant exterior roof and walls
Protective drapes and or shutters on windows to protect interior from radiant heat

Wildfire news can be found at http://www.bcwildfire.ca/Situation/

Drunk drivers beware…driving under the influence is about to become much more costly.
The Provincial Government yesterday introduced changes to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) that will greatly increase the penalties if you are caught drinking and driving.

Drivers who blow over the legal limit 0f 0.08 per cent BAC or refuse to provide a breath sample will face:

1) an immediate, 90-day driving ban

2) a $500 fine

3) a $250 fee to have their license reinstated

their vehicles impounded for 30 days

4) a $700 bill for towing and impoundment

5) Mandatory participation in a $800 drivers rehabilitation program

6) a $1420 bill for one years use of a an ignition interlock device (requires a breath sample to start the vehicle.

Total bill: $3670 PLUS transportation costs while they can’t drive.

You could still face criminal charges above all this.

In addition, drivers who blow in the “warn” range (between 0.05 and 0.08 BAC) will face stiffer penalties

Fist offence in a 5 year period: three-day driving ban and a $200 fine;

a second time, a seven-day ban and a $300 fine;

and a third, a 30-day ban and a $400 fine

Those caught 3 times in 5 years will also be required to participate in the rehabilitation program and install the interlock device.

The new rules are expected to come into effect in the fall.  You can read a BC Government press release here.

Effective May 1st, Cuba will be requiring all visitors to have travel medical insurance.  The government announcement states that “Upon demand after their arrival, travelers shall present a policy, insurance certificate or traveling assistance card valid for the time span they will stay in Cuba.”

If you forget, you will be required to purchase coverage from a Cuban insurer prior to being granted access.  The concern here is that the premiums may be much more than what is charged here, and the coverage will likely be very limited.  Repatriation is a big concern (air ambulence back the US or Canada for treatment).  Cuban policies are expected to only cover about $7,000 and the actual costs could easily exceed $25,000.

Plan be fore you go.  We handle a full range of travel medical policies that will cover your needs.

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commercial Trade Show at Capilano Mall was a great success.  The North Shore News came by and took a bunch of pictures.

With the Canadian Dollar essentially at par again with the US, Canadians are flocking south.  Many are making day trips to do some bargain hunting.  Many are shopping for larger items, and we are bracing for another rash of cars, trucks and boats being imported from the US.  The US market is so much bigger, so along with better selection you an often save hundreds if not thousands on new and used vehicles.

Contact us to discuss your plans and what you need to know to bring home your new car or boat.  Here are some of the more major points:

1) Ensure you have done a lien check, and that the title is clear.

2) Make sure that you know the vehicles status.  Watch for Rebuilt, scrapped, and especially flood damaged vehicles.  You may not be able to register these in BC.

3) Check with both US and Canadian Customs.  You must export all vehicles from the US before you can import them into Canada.

4) Ensure you know who is responsible to insure the vehicle if it is being shipped or delivered.

Lastly, make sure you purchase travel insurance before going south, even if you’re going just for the day!

Our office is closed today, Friday April 2.
Open Saturday April 3rd 10-3
Closed Sunday April 4th
Open Monday April 5th 9-5 (Autoplan only)
Back to regular hours on Tuesday

Happy Easter!