Posts by: Krush Digital

August is here, bringing football season along with it, though the temperatures might try to convince us otherwise. Whether your child is competing on the gridiron or in one of the other fall sports offered by schools and youth programs in your community, it is wise to keep them safe through smart practice habits.

I help coach youth football and the attention paid to player wellness in the modern era is impressive.

A friend of mine, Ron Lancaster, has witnessed the progress throughout a 47-year career as a high school football coach, including tenures at Enid, Jenks, Sallisaw, Muskogee and Broken Arrow and now as a youth coach for his grandson’s seventh-grade team in Union Schools.

“Everything has changed,” Coach Lancaster said recently. “I played all through high school, into college, and we never had water. About 25 years ago, we started realizing that water was essential. Kids can’t do without it.”

Today, Coach Lancaster’s two-hour practices include five-minute water breaks in the shade, every 15 minutes. The team will spend the first week or so practicing only in shorts and t-shirts to acclimate to the heat before putting on pads. To keep from overworking the players, Coach Lancaster alternates low-impact activities, such as a walk-through of plays or instruction on techniques, with high-impact activities like sprints, agility drills and full-contact.

Tom Lott is commissioner of the Indian Nations Football Conference. Mr. Lott said all coaches in the league must be certified by USA Football (a youth program affiliated with the National Football League), and notes that their coaching education includes information on player welfare.

“It is not only Xs and Os, but information on avoiding concussions, heatstroke and such,” Mr. Lott said.

Mr. Lott noted emphasized that getting the players acclimated to the temperatures is an important part of the first few practices, especially when so many children have spent this sweltering summer in air-conditioned comfort. Even so, Mr. Lott canceled two days of practice recently because the anticipated conditions might be especially dangerous.

“We sent an e-mail blast to 10,000 players and their parents and coaches that practice was canceled for all teams,” Mr. Lott said. “With this heat index, it’s just not worth the risk.”

The Indian Nations Football Conference mandates water breaks every 20 minutes, according to Mr. Lott, and instructs coaches to “push” hydration, telling athletes to drink more water even than the child thinks he might want or need. Coach Lancaster noted his practices include misters, ice buckets and iced towels.

“You can drink sports drinks before or after practice, but during practice, drink only water, and there’s no limit anymore on how much water,” Coach Lancaster added. “In our league, the INFC, everybody, and I mean everybody, is conscious of these temperatures.”

Apart from the heat, learning to make contact properly with other players helps keep kids safer on the football field. Players who are blocking or tackling should keep their heads up and neck bowed, Coach Lancaster said, to help avoid concussions and crippling spinal injuries.

“Union Schools probably say it best: ‘Always play football with your eyes,’” Coach Lancaster said. “Never hit anyone you can’t see.”

Of course, athletics are taking place far beyond the football field as school resumes and youth programs enter their fall schedules. Whether your child runs cross-country, plays softball, tennis or golf, cheerleads, or is indoors playing volleyball, staying hydrated and safe are the top priority.

Heatstroke can strike with little warning, even after a short time of strenuous exercise. Symptoms can include irrational speech or behavior, red, hot and dry skin, a rapid and h5 pulse, throbbing headaches and dizziness, nausea or even unconsciousness.

BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma notes that many sports injuries result from a lack of rest and recovery time. The insurer encourages athletes to “listen to their bodies.” A little soreness in muscles is common when exercising, BlueCross BlueShield notes, but pay special attention to those parts of the body that are sore over a period of days, particularly joints. Ease off the activities that stress these areas.

A BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma official adds his own warning about the heat.

“With the current Oklahoma weather, it’s important for athletes or anyone else who may exercise outside to pay attention to the fluids they consume to avoid dehydration or heat illnesses,

About one in five Americans is a smoker. In the Sooner State that figure is even higher. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 23.7 percent of Oklahomans have a smoking habit, third in the nation behind only West Virginia (26.8 percent) and Kentucky (24.8 percent). It’s a deadly habit that we at the Oklahoma Insurance Department want to help break.

Smoking causes thousands of deaths every year in this state and costs Oklahoma businesses and taxpayers more than $2 billion annually. Tobacco products are highly addictive, and more than 7,000 new users under age 18 begin smoking each year in Oklahoma. As a result, the Oklahoma Insurance Department has launched a strategic partnership with the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s College of Public Health to develop, implement and promote tobacco cessation programming as part of the health insurance benefits and coverage being offered by insurers doing business in this state.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is an effort funded by TSET, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reached by dialing 1-800-QUIT-NOW, the service matches callers who want to quit smoking with a highly trained “Quit Coach” to counsel and motivate the smoker during his or her cessation process. Services are available not only in English, but in Spanish and some other languages, and operators are available from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.

Since its inception in 2003, the Tobacco Helpline has fielded nearly 150,000 phone calls from Oklahomans who want to kick the habit, family members wanting to help a loved one, and health care providers seeking to improve the quality of life in their communities. The Helpline is available to any tobacco user, at any stage of readiness to quit, to former smokers who need help avoiding a relapse, to friends and relatives of smokers, and to health care providers requiring anti-smoking resources for their patients.

After providing demographic and eligibility information, smokers receive free personalized assistance from their Quit Coach, a professional cessation specialist who helps the caller set a “quit date” and develops a “quit plan” tailored to the individual’s needs. Up to five proactive telephone sessions are provided free of charge for uninsured callers and pregnant smokers receive 10 free calls, but smokers are welcome to call as often as they need. Most callers are eligible to receive free, two-week cessation “starter kits” of either nicotine replacement patches or gum. Callers with insurance (including Medicaid recipients) are then referred to their health plan to obtain additional cessation benefits. Uninsured callers are eligible to receive up to eight weeks of free patches or gum.

Most smokers are well aware of the physical toll of their habit. But as a little extra motivation to quit, here’s a reminder of how smoking harms health.

Cigarette smoking contributes to:

· 91 percent of all bronchitis and emphysema diagnoses.

· 85 percent of all trachea, lung and bronchus cancers.

· 82 percent of all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnoses.

· 68 percent of all lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancers.

· 40 percent of all ischemic heart disease diagnoses.

· 30 percent of all atherosclerosis diagnoses.

If the many health crises smoking creates aren’t motivation enough, consider the financial cost. At the average price per pack in Oklahoma, smoking one pack per day of name-brand cigarettes costs each smoker more than $1,800 per year. The smoking habit can increase your monthly premiums not only for health insurance, but for insuring your home and car, too. Smokers experience 30 percent higher health care expenses than non-smokers and secondhand smoke raises the cost of health care even for non-smokers if they live with those who do light up. American businesses pay out additional thousands of dollars per year, per smoker on staff, in health insurance contributions and workers’ compensation costs.

If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Within weeks, days, or in some cases just a few hours after puffing that last cigarette, carbon monoxide levels in your blood will decline, your blood pressure will return to normal, and your circulation and breathing will be improved. Better still, those positive effects improve over time. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute suggest that quitting by the age of 30 will reduce your chance of premature death from smoking-related diseases by more than 90 percent, while even those who quit by the age of 50 or 60 can cut their chance of dying early from a smoking-related illness by up to 50 percent.

Crushing tobacco use saves both lives and money. If you want to quit smoking or to help someone kick the habit, call (800) QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or go online to ok.gov/stopswithme. For resources to institute a tobacco-cessation program in your business or community, reach out to OID and TSET at tobaccofree.oid.ok.gov or call TSET Cessation Program Coordinator Amity Ritze at (405) 431-0117.

And as always, to learn more about insurance in Oklahoma, to check the licensing of an agent or company, or to file a complaint about your policy or insurer, visit us online at www.ok.gov/oid/ or call our Consumer Assistance Team at 1-800-522-0071.

Most Americans look forward to the Fourth of July for more than just the day off it provides. Usually, Independence Day is also a time for family and neighborhood togetherness, good food, and fun in the outdoors. Don’t spoil the good times with mishandled fireworks.

The National Fire Protection Agency notes there are more blazes reported on Independence Day in the United States than on any other date during the typical year. In 2009, according to NFPA, fireworks caused an estimated 18,000 reported fires, including 1,300 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outdoor fires or blazes of another nature. While nobody was killed by those fires in 2009, 30 civilians were injured and $38 million in direct property damage occurred, according to NFPA.

Of course, the danger of fireworks reaches further than flames. The NFPA reports that in 2009 U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated 8,800 people for fireworks-related injuries; 53 percent of those wounds were to extremities, but 42 percent were head wounds. Fireworks injuries are twice as common among children ages 10 to 14 than among the general population.

Due to drought conditions this year in Oklahoma, it is very possible that fireworks are prohibited in your area along with other forms of outdoor burning. At this writing, 27 of 77 Oklahoma counties are under a burn ban, including much of the south-central parts of the state and nearly all of the west and Panhandle. Though the idea of a Fourth of July celebration without a few sparklers and firecrackers might be disappointing, there is simply no safe way to enjoy fireworks this year in these regions of Oklahoma, and fireworks should not be a part of your Independence Day celebration.

Elsewhere, though the wildfire risk might be somewhat less (yet still ever-present), planning a family fireworks display requires forethought and a strict adherence to safety guidelines.

Planning begins by checking your insurance policy. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners cautions that if you use fireworks which are illegal in your jurisdiction and your home is damaged or someone is hurt as a result, you risk losing your insurance coverage entirely. Even if fireworks are legal and presently permitted in your community, it is still wise to check your policy or call your agent to be sure that your home, family and guests are covered in case of a fireworks accident, or whether your policy calls for any specific safety precautions before using fireworks on your property.

Advance planning also includes choosing the safest possible area for your fireworks display. Pick a place that is open and away from spectators, homes, buildings and dry vegetation. Wet down the area with a garden hose before firing, and during the display, as each device burns out, soak it with the hose or in a bucket of water. After the display, place all used items in a covered, fireproof container and leave it outside and away from homes or other buildings to cool overnight prior to final disposal.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety has these additional tips for the use of sparklers, which are often perceived as child’s play, but do have their dangers:

• Children under age 12 should not use even sparklers without very close adult supervision.
• Always remain standing while using sparklers, stand at least six feet away from other people, and never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time.
• Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination.
• The sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flames have gone out; have a buck of water handy and drop every spent sparkler in it immediately.
• Never give a lighted sparkler to another person; give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
• Show children how to hold sparklers at arm’s length and away from their bodies before lighting one for them.
• Teach children never to wave sparklers, throw sparklers, or use sparklers while running.

For an up-to-date list of burning bans statewide, visit forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information. If you have any questions or complaints about insurance, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at www.ok.gov/oid/ or call our Consumer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-522-0071.

Memorial Day is the symbolic start of summer. The school year ends for most children. Families plan their summer vacations. And, across America, statistics tell us that dozens of children will die when left alone in hot vehicles.

It pains me to be the bearer of such alarming news. But in 2010, according to the Department of Geosciences at California’s San Francisco State University, the United States set a grim record; 49 children nationwide died last year of hyperthermia while shut in a sweltering car. That figure was up sharply from 33 such deaths in 2009. Statistics show that from 1999 to 2010, the United States reported 496 hyperthermia deaths of children left in vehicles – that’s about 41 fatalities per year.

Sadder still, these deaths are completely preventable. Parents should simply never leave their child unattended in a vehicle, even if they expect to only be away from the car for a minute or two. Even if it doesn’t seem terribly hot outside, temperatures inside a car can spike quickly, and a child’s thermoregulatory system is less efficient than an adult’s.

The American Meteorological Society warns that a car in direct sunlight, without ventilation, can reach interior temperatures exceeding 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Emergency medical experts say that temperatures in a closed car can reach 110 degrees even when the temperature outside is only in the 60s.

Steve Amburn of the National Weather Service said recently: “A car that’s closed up is like an oven that will bake just about anything.”

According to a child-safety advocacy group KidsANDCars.org, a child’s body temperature warms at a rate three to five times faster than an adult’s, making kids particularly susceptible to the ill effects of heat, including death. A core body temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit is considered lethal, the group says. Cells are damaged. Internal organs begin to shut down.

Since 2008 it has been illegal in Oklahoma to leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle. Nevertheless, Tulsa police in 2010 responded to 146 calls regarding children left alone in vehicles (and another 35 complaints about pets closed in cars).

Thus, early in May, AAA Oklahoma, law enforcement, medical, safety and child advocacy representatives gathered in Tulsa to repeat their warnings to parents, grandparents and caregivers of children: Never leave a child alone in any vehicle. The campaign offered a list of safety tips, which the Oklahoma Insurance Department has adapted here and which I wholeheartedly endorse:

• Never leave a child or pet in an unattended vehicle, even if the windows are tinted or rolled down.
• Make sure all children exit the car when you reach your destination.
• Put a purse, shopping bag or cell phone in the back seat with your child, prompting you to look into the back seat once the vehicle is stopped. Also, consider opening the glove compartment or flipping down the passenger side visor to remind you that a child is riding along in the back seat.
• Keep the car and trunk locked when parked at home so children can’t get inside to play.
• Never leave car keys where a child can get them and gain access to a vehicle unsupervised.
• If you see a child or pet inside any unattended vehicle, call 911 immediately.

I would add to this list one simple piece of advice: Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing in a vehicle, put your children first. Don’t “just run inside the store” even if “only for a minute.” Never let your cell phone conversation or carrying bags from the trunk allow you to forget that your child is strapped into a car seat behind you. If you travel with a child on board even once in awhile, get in the habit of looking into the back seat upon exiting the vehicle, even in cases when you’re traveling alone, just to prevent you from forgetting the child in the car when you aren’t.

Insurance helps pay for treatment when a family member is hurt or sick, but the biggest key to fully protecting your family is eliminating risk whenever possible, not just insuring against it. Child deaths inside overheated vehicles are absolutely preventable and Oklahomans must take every step to eliminate the risk.

For more information about the Oklahoma Insurance Department, to determine the licensing status of an agent or company, or to file a complaint about your policy or claims, visit us online at www.ok.gov/oid/ or call OID’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-522-0071.

Memorial Day is right around the corner, bringing with it a summer season filled with fun on Oklahoma’s highways, byways and waterways. It’s wise to follow all safety rules and to consider appropriate insurance coverage to protect your life, health and property, minimizing the chance that your good time will be spoiled.

Boats

The personal property coverage in your homeowners’ policy might cover a small boat for $1,500 or less in physical damage. However, your liability coverage is limited. Home insurers usually provide liability insurance on small sailboats and powerboats with small motors (check your policy for size limitations). But a boat of any significant size will be excluded from your homeowners’ policy for both property and liability coverage, and will require a separate policy to repair or replace it after a mishap and to cover your liability as an operator.

Personal watercraft will also likely require a separate boat insurance policy.

Policies for boats and watercraft can usually be purchased through the company that insures your home, or you might choose to contact a specialty insurer with expertise in boating coverage.

Some questions to ask before putting a boat in the water:

• Does my policy have adequate liability limits?
• Are there discounts on my premium for taking safety courses?
• Who does the policy cover to operate the boat or personal watercraft?
• Is the towing of skiers or tubes covered by my policy?

Motorcycles and Scooters

Motorcycles and scooters are not covered by your standard auto policy. You will need a separate policy covering liability and, depending on the value of your motorcycle, comprehensive and collision coverage. Your premium will depend in part on the motorcycle’s engine size, its age and how often you ride. In getting a quote, tell your agent who will be operating the cycle or scooter and ask if the company offers discounts to members of various associations or for taking rider safety courses.

Insurers have differing requirements for helmet use. Oklahoma law requires a helmet be worn by any motorcyclist or passenger age 17 and under, and helmets are required for use on some low-power scooters, as well.

If you carry seasonal coverage on your motorcycle, which allows you to eliminate liability and perhaps collision coverage in winter months when you do not ride, be sure that your policy is active now that nice weather has returned and you’re back on the road.

ATVs

All-terrain vehicles enjoy widespread popularity in Oklahoma, but are too frequently the source of fatal accidents involving children. Several of these children were riding the vehicle alone, sometimes carrying passengers their own age or younger, and perhaps were riding without sufficient adult supervision. While ATVs are considered by many to be simple recreational vehicles, many models are quite powerful and are beyond the handling capabilities of young riders. And while in Oklahoma helmets are not required of riders or passengers while driving these vehicles on private property, it is safest to always wear a helmet while aboard an ATV, especially for child operators and passengers.

Much like motorcycles, ATVs are not covered by standard auto insurance; however, your homeowners’ policy might partially cover your liability while operating an ATV. Ask your agent or insurer if this coverage is adequate for you and your family. A separate ATV policy would offer more coverage.

Other questions to ask before operating an ATV:

• Are there age restrictions on who may operate the vehicle?
• Does my policy cover friends or extended family while they are operating the ATV?
• Is there a discount for taking operator safety courses or for riding with a helmet?

Pools and Trampolines

These backyard staples of summer fun can be dangerous and will increase your insurance risk. You might want to consider purchasing an umbrella policy to provide liability limits above what your homeowners’ policy already offers. Be sure to determine whether your homeowners’ policy specifies any safety measures you are required to install, such as fences of a certain height or locked gates.

Some companies might not insure your property if you have a trampoline, or might have policy exclusions for any liability related to trampoline injuries. Be sure to understand exactly what damages and injuries your homeowners’ policy covers before allowing anyone on the trampoline.

Be aware – an insurer can deny coverage or cancel your policy if you do not follow the policy’s safety guidelines or do not inform the company when you add a pool or trampoline to the property. Check with the agent or company that insures your home to determine policy rates and safety requirements before installing a pool or purchasing a trampoline.

More Information

Keep your family’s health insurance up-to-date, and contact your agent or insurer if you have any additional questions about protecting your family and property against summer’s unique risks. You can also learn more about health, home, life and auto insurance options through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ education site at www.insureUonline.org. For Oklahoma-specific information, to check the state licensing status of an agent or company, or to voice complaints or concerns about your insurance policy, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-522-0071 or visit us online at www.ok.gov/oid/.

When choosing a homeowners’ insurance policy, most consumers probably think about the cost to replace their house and not the value of all the items inside. But when determining your coverage needs, it is crucial to understand that your personal property deserves protection, too, and an up-to-date home inventory is a vital part of this process.

The average claim payment for damage to or loss of home contents in Oklahoma was $3,262 in 2010. But might your possessions be worth a lot more than that? Recent data from American Express, for instance, suggests that “fashionistas” spend more than $1,400 per year on shoes, apparel and accessories while “techies” spend some $1,300 annually on computers, video games and televisions.

One of the best ways to make sure your personal property is fully protected is to document each item in a home inventory, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is making the inventory process easier thanks to a new iPhone application. Called myHome Scr.APP.book, the took lets users capture and store images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers of their valuables, then stores them electronically for safekeeping. The app organizes your possessions room by room, and even creates a backup file for e-mail sharing.

Taking Inventory

A home inventory assures you know exactly what you own and what it is worth before you ever need to make a claim. However, research suggests that almost half of all Americans don’t have that sort of inventory of their possessions. If you don’t have an inventory of your personal property, take time to make one. Even if you don’t have an iPhone or don’t care to use the NAIC’s new app, you can still make it easier on yourself by grabbing a notebook and following these 10 simple steps from the Oklahoma Insurance Department and NAIC.

1. 1. Make a list of possessions, including “celebration” purchases such as jewelry.
   2. Think about family heirlooms, collections and furniture. Also, consider items related to everyday leisure time, from flat-screen TVs to firearms.
   3. Take note of commonplace items, such as toys, CDs and clothing. Don’t forget other items that you might use only occasionally, such as holiday decorations, sporting goods, tools and high-ticket items in your yard, like as landscaping or recreational features such as a gazebo or a playground set.
   4. Attach copies of original sale receipts and/or appraisal documents to your inventory. Be sure to note model and serial numbers of items where applicable.
   5. Group your possessions into logical categories, such as by hobby or by room of your home.
   6. Carefully photograph or videotape each item and document it with a brief description, including age, purchase price and estimated current value.
   7. Don’t forget to open drawers and closets to document what’s inside.
   8. Store your home inventory and related documents in a safe, easily accessible place such as a secured site online, at a family member’s home, or in a safe-deposit box at the bank. Consider giving your insurance agent a copy. Don’t store the only copies you have in your own home (even in a “fireproof” box, which doesn’t always protect what’s inside) and especially not on your home computer. These storage places and devices could easily be destroyed in the same catastrophe that results in your insurance claim, taking your inventory with them.
   9. Review and update your inventory annually, and anytime you make a significant purchase.
   10. Get a fast start by downloading the free myHOME Scr.APP.book for iPhone by visiting the iTunes App Store or searching “NAIC” in the app store from your phone. Remember, it’s free. Or, you can go to www.insureonline.org to print a simple home inventory checklist.

Choosing Insurance That Fits

Consumers often are surprised by what isn’t covered under a standard homeowners’ policy, and keeping a home inventory helps you stay on top of your family’s changing insurance needs.

Be advised:

1. 1. • On average, personal property inside the home is reimbursed only up to 50 percent of the home’s insured value. For instance, the maximum replacement value of possessions inside a $100,000 home would be $50,000.
      • Standard policies impose even lower limits on coverage for certain types of personal property such as jewelry, furniture, furs, firearms and electronics.

Exactly how much you’ll be reimbursed for lost, stolen or damaged personal property can vary greatly from policy to policy. Read your policy carefully and ask questions of your agent to be sure how much coverage you have. Then, your new home inventory will help determine what items you might need to protect, sometimes through additional or supplemental insurance. The last thing you want when misfortune strikes is to learn that your insurance won’t replace your prized possessions.

For more information about insurance, to find a licensed agent, or to register a complaint about your policy or insurer, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at www.ok.gov/oid/.

Whether you rent or own a home it is wise to review all of your insurance policies annually to be certain you have the right type of coverage, and for the right values.

When performing an annual insurance review, first answer these three questions:

1. What type of coverage do I have?

Homeowners’ vs. Renter’s Insurance:A homeowners’ policy covers the structure, its belongings and your legal exposure if someone is injured on your property. A renter’s policy doesn’t insure the structure, but otherwise provides similar protection.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) vs. Replacement Value (RV):Your policy offers one or the other. ACV is the amount it would take to repair damage to a home or to replace its contents after allowing for depreciation. RV is the amount it would take to rebuild or replace the home and its contents with similar quality materials and goods, but without deducting for depreciation.

Liability Limits:Liability insurance protects you from legal obligations arising from accidents involving visitors to your home. With a few exceptions, particularly auto or boating accidents, all-purpose liability coverage follows wherever you go.

Medical Payments:Homeowners’ and renter’s policies usually include limited medical coverage for injuries occurring to visitors on your property. Your plan might also cover medical care of someone who is injured by you, a member of your family, or a family pet even while you are away from home.

2. How much coverage do I need?

Do a Home Inventory:A comprehensive list of possessions helps determine your appropriate amount of coverage and is indispensible in the event of a loss. Include pictures or video if possible and write down as much detail as you can about the items, including when they were purchased and at what cost. Store both inventory and photos at a safe, off-site location. As victims of the March 11-12 wildfires in Harrah have told me, valuables can burn even inside a “fireproof” safe.

Don’t Over-Insure:Your coverage should include outdoor structures on your land and any goods within. However, you don’t need to insure the land itself, and needn’t carry excessive levels of liability coverage.

3. What are my discounts and deductibles?

Ways to Save:Most insurers offer discounts for customers who buy more than one type of policy (auto, home and life, for instance), for those who rarely file claims, and for longtime policyholders. To save on monthly premiums consider a higher deductible – the amount you’re responsible for at time of loss – but realize you will pay more if you do suffer a loss.

After finishing your policy review, ask your agent these five questions:

4. Is the coverage on my home and its contents enough, or perhaps too much?

Your home inventory will help the agent answer this question. Valuable art, jewelry, heirlooms or collectibles might require special coverage. Running a business from home affects your premiums and should be mentioned, too.

5. Is my premium as low as I can reasonably expect it to be?

Ask about discounts and the savings from higher deductibles. Also see whether “mitigation” – taking steps to protect against a loss before it happens – can help limit your home’s exposure to local risks (like wildfires), because with reduced risk often comes a reduced premium.

6. Should I be covered against flood or earthquake?

Neither is covered by a standard homeowners’ or renter’s policy. Optional coverage is available for both.

7. Would my long-term financial health benefit from an umbrella policy?

Such policies provide excess liability limits and possibly other coverage above and beyond a typical homeowners’ or renter’s policy. As your assets grow, your agent might suggest a bigger umbrella.

8. Has anything about my coverage changed in the past year?

Insurers sometimes change policy terms at renewal, but must notify you first. Read carefully all correspondence from your insurance company. Ask your agent whether there are any anticipated coverage changes at your next renewal.

For more information about insurance or to check the licensing status of a company or agent in the state call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Hotline toll-free at 1-800-522-0071, or visit us online at www.ok.gov/oid/.

From the time students head back to school after Christmas, one thing is on their minds – spring break. But sometimes the fun is spoiled, so hoping for the best but preparing for the worst is wise, especially for parents about to send their children out for spring break on their own.

Preparation Basics

Before any trip, it is a good idea to review your insurance. If an older child is traveling alone, involve him in that review. Make copies of pertinent insurance paperwork. Give this information to your child and explain to him the importance of keeping these documents safe and accessible.

If the child will be driving a family car, show him where the insurance card is kept. Give your child a list of contact numbers and other key information. Include the name and phone number of your insurance company and agent, the policy number, and any other names and numbers your child might need in a pinch – including your own. Store this emergency list in the glove compartment or console with the insurance card for that vehicle.

Remember, if there’s been an accident, your young adult could be distraught. Make it simple for him to find crucial information and take the right action.

For health insurance, make sure your child knows the name of his insurance provider, and give him a similar list of emergency numbers, including the family doctor. Explain the meanings of general insurance terms like “co-pay” and “out-of-network.” If your child takes medications, check for in-network pharmacies at his travel destination, in case he loses his medicine. Keep this information in the same safe place as any other emergency information he will be carrying.

Auto Insurance Checklist

Consider putting this spring break emergency checklist in the glove compartment of your vehicle:

• Have your insurance I.D. and vehicle registration in the car at all times.
• After a crash, step away from the road and call 911 immediately, then your parents.
• Do not admit fault.
• Trade contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident. Other drivers involved might try to convince you not to file an insurance claim. Tell them they have to discuss insurance with your parents.
• Take pictures of the scene, including people and vehicles involved, but only when it is safe to do so.
• Get names of officers and find out how to obtain copies of police reports once they have been filed.

Health Insurance Checklist

Getting injured or falling ill when away from home can be scary. Send a copy of this checklist with your child:

• • Keep your health insurance I.D. card, a list of drug allergies, a list of current medications, and any other relevant personal medical information with you at all times.
  • If you need urgent medical care, go to the nearest hospital emergency room; have someone who is with you contact your parents.
  • If you need to see a doctor for non-emergency care, contact your insurance company to find a local physician who is in your coverage network. The phone number for the insurance company, plus your policy number and co-pay information, are printed on your insurance I.D. card.
  • Keep all paperwork, including receipts from the doctor’s office, hospital or pharmacy.
  • Obtain the name and contact details of the treating physician; give them to your family doctor in case you require follow-up care.

International Travel

Typically neither American auto nor health insurance will be accepted outside of the United States. To find out the extent of your coverage, speak with your insurance agent or company before leaving home.

Short-term travel insurance can be purchased for your child’s trip. If considering a short-term travel policy, review the terms carefully to be sure you understand all coverage and exclusions before buying.

If you are uncertain about the insurance company or agent you are dealing with, stop before signing any paperwork or writing a check. Call the Oklahoma Insurance Department Consumer Assistance Hotline toll-free at 1-800-522-0071 or check online at www.ok.gov/oid/ to confirm that the company and agent are licensed in this state.