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Property and Casualty Insurance Information from the
Georgia Insurance Information Service
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Click on the Wunderground.com Tropical Weather Page for more information
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Click on the intellicast.com weather radar display to view details of the current weather over the Southeastern U.S.
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Severe Weather Awareness Week Events
Severe Weather Awareness Week for the state of Georgia will be February 6-10, 2012. The topics to be covered include:
- Monday, February 6 - Family Preparedness
- Tuesday, February 7 - Thunderstorm Safety
- Wednesday, February 8 - Tornado Safety (Tornado Drill)
- Thursday, February 9 - Lightning Safety
- Friday, February 10 - Flooding
In addition, the statewide tornado drill will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 9am. If it needs to be rescheduled due to severe weather, the backup date is Friday, February 10.
Given the severe tornado outbreaks across Georgia in 2011, the Georgia Insurance Information Service urges all Georgians to pay particular attention to the list of activities and to watch this web site for preparedness information.
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Rating the States: An Assessment of Residential Building Code and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions
Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi Show Wide Disparities
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) conducted an analysis, evaluation, and comparison of regulations and processes governing residential building construction in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico. This analysis is the basis of a first of its kind, state-by-state rating of building code and enforcement systems that govern the design and construction of residential buildings. Unfortunately, because of differences in build- ing code adoption and enforcement across all states, or even across all jurisdictions within many states, building codes do not provide a uniform level of protection. The lack of uniformity results in real consequences for the people who live or own residential property in harm’s way.
This report, “Rating the States: An Assessment of Residential Building Code and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions,” combines IBHS’ engineering expertise and regulatory research to create a model for assessing the quality of residential building code and enforcement systems in hurricane-prone states. The ratings shine a much-needed spotlight on how states can take specific steps to improve their building code processes in order to better protect their citizens – and how citizens can understand the need for and, hopefully, demand stronger building codes. By examining the detailed rating elements, policymakers and other interested parties can find a clear roadmap to strengthening their residential building code system and improve their standing in this report.
To view the entire report and more, click here.
Georgia
Georgia (66 points) has a mandatory statewide code (2006 International Residential Code); however, it is up to local jurisdictions to decide whether they will enforce the code. Georgia does not allow weakening amendments at the local level and has adopted a plumbing and electrical code. Georgia has passed a law that prohibits the requirement of residential sprinklers.
Georgia has a program for certification of code officials that does not require code classes prior to certification. Their program requires continuing education, but there is no mechanism for disciplinary action against an inspector by the state.
General contractors, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical contractors are required to be licensed in Georgia. They are all required to take an exam prior to licensing and are required to take continuing education. Each licensing body has a mechanism for disciplining contractors.
Code adoption and enforcement - 31
Code official certification and training - 15
Contractor licensing - 20
Total - 66
View the entire report to compare Georgia's status to other Southern states.
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Backyard Trampolines: Safety and Liability Issues
Trampolines are backyard items kids tend to really enjoy. However, there are issues that homeowners should know.
To find out about what homeowners should know and what they should do regarding trampolines, Click here: http://www.giis.org/ho/trampoline_liability.shtml
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Ford Mustang: Classic Car and Thieves Know It
Since it was first introduced to the public at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, nearly eight and a half million Mustangs have been sold, making it one of the most popular and enduring vehicles to ever grace a dealer’s showroom.
Unfortunately, over the years many Mustang owners have had to deal with the theft of their pony cars. Aside from the hassle of losing their transportation and all that entails, a Mustang loss can be overwhelming given that many owners form an emotional bond with their machines. You would probably have to own one to understand that.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau(NICB) reviewed Mustang theft data from 1964-2011 and identified 611,093 theft records. Although data for all years is available, confidence in pre-1981 records is low due to the inconsistency in reporting protocols and vehicle identification number (VIN) systems in use prior to 1981.
Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration required VIN standardization beginning with the 1981 model year, that year is the oldest reliable data used in this report. Data prior to 1981 is provided for information only.
Overall, from 1981 through 2011, a total of 411,155 Mustangs were reported stolen. The most thefts occurred in 1981 (20,708) and the fewest in 2011 (4,347).
Thefts vs. Sales
During the 30-year period from 1981-2011, a total of 4,110,110 Mustangs were sold in the United States. However, over the Mustang’s entire lifespan through the end of 2011, a total of 8,450,741 units have been sold in the United States. The single year with the most U.S. sales was 1966 with 549,436. Conversely, 2009 logged the fewest Mustang sales reaching only 66,623 units.
Overall, a total of 91,152 Mustangs were stolen during this time frame; the top 10 accounts for 45,421 thefts or 50 percent of all thefts during that period.
In 2000, 7085 Mustangs were stolen. In 1995, 6,790 were taken. Half of the top 10 model year stolen vehicle occurred from 2000 to 2004, 4 of the top 10 were 1990s models, and one was a 1989 model year.
See an NICB video on one stolen Mustang that was reunited with its owner through NICB:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XRE3yw-PdM.
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NICB Offers 80 Years of Vehicle Identification Information on CD
Since its creation in 1912, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has been the nation’s leading resource on vehicle theft and identification. Since 1937, NICB has been producing an annual Passenger Vehicle Identification Manual to assist law enforcement, insurance companies and others in determining the history and authenticity of a vehicle.
Now, for the first time, NICB is offering a compilation of every manual produced from 1937 through 2011. Available on CD in a searchable PDF format, this product will be particularly valuable to car collectors, dealers, auto auctions and others seeking a single source of accurate information. It can be searched by year or make of vehicle.
This CD contains vehicle identification information dating back to 1931 when engines typically had an ID number stamped on them by the manufacturer. Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) were first introduced in 1954. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized the VIN format and required them on all road vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States.
The most recent manuals provide information on the structure and decoding for most U.S. and Canadian passenger vehicles, including light duty trucks, motorcycles/ATVs and some snowmobiles.
Click here for more information and a demonstration.
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Rapid Exchange of Traffic Crash Information Helps Speed Up The Claims Process
Auto insurers report that settling the traffic crash claims process is often slowed down considerably due to the time it takes to obtain completed accident reports from various law enforcement agencies across the state.
The Georgia's motoring public is urged to download and print at least two copies of the attached form to keep in each vehicle.
Should a traffic crash occur more than one vehicle, information can be exchanged on the scene and provided to the insurers of all vehicles involved. Taking this action and forwarding the completed form to the insurer as quickly as possible will greatly help speed up the claims process, according to claims adjusters and GIIS member companies
The Georgia Insurance Information Service has teamed up with Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner Ralph Hudgens to alert motorists that this information exchange program will assist in the time it takes to report a claim and have it resolved.
Click on Form To Open
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WARNING!
Insurance Scams Involving Unsolicited Service Providers... If You Didn’t Request It - Reject It!
Each year consumers pay more for their auto and homeowners insurance policies as a direct result of fraud.
We’ve all heard the stories—unnecessary auto glass repairs, aggressive and exorbitant towing charges, needless home repairs, total roof replacements, sinkhole damage, solicitation of accident victims.
These and other kinds of insurance scams contribute to an annual loss amount estimated to be $30 billion just within the property and casualty industry.
Repair scams have one common element—a solicitation from an individual offering repair services.
If a homeowner has requested an inspection or if an insurance company has authorized a vendor to conduct an inspection, that’s one thing.
But an unsolicited, unexpected and random “inspection” visit from a service provider, whether it’s a glass repair technician, a roofer, or a structural engineer looking for sinkhole damage to your home could be the first step in a fraud scam.
That is why the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) advises consumers to always consult their insurance company first before allowing anyone to perform any inspection or repair work that will be “covered” by their insurance.
Essentially, an unsolicited contact with you is a key indicator of possible fraud. When someone knocks on your door for a roof inspection and you did not request it; when you are approached at a service station by a glass repair technician offering “free” repair work; when a contractor appears at your door to provide an estimate for replacing your storm-damaged siding—all of these are potentially fraud precursors. The NICB stresses, if you didn’t request it—reject it.
To learn more about potential scams, and to spot them and what to do if approached, Click here to learn more and save an 11-point check list of what you can do.
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