Completing a motorcycle safety course makes a lot of sense if you are a rider not only will it improve your motorcycle skills but it will also make you a safer rider. It may also help to trim the costs of your motorcycle insurance off your monthly bill.
Motorcycle Safety Course Insurance Discount
All insurance companies offer and maintain different policies regarding motorcycle insurance discounts, but you'll find that almost all providers offer discount-incentives for
completing a motorcycle safety course. Depending on the provider, you can save up to 15% off your insurance premiums over a three year period.
Motorcycle Safety Course Enrollment
Checking with your insurance company to see if your course is from an approved program or school. Some schools may require a completion of a certificate from an approved program. Or if you reside in a state that mandates a motorcycle safety course (Califiornia for example requires enrollment for all riders younger than 21 years old), contact your DMV for a list of approved courses.
Always check with your insurance provider to recieve a discount for a completed course and make sure it is recognized by your insurance provider. You will not recieve credit if your course is not approved by the recognized by your provider.
Most schools offer two programs: beginner and expert. Classes depending on the school and state may last from two to three days.
Beginner Courses
This course teaches basics for beginning riders and you will need little or not experience to learn and maintain a motorcycle license. It will teach the basics such as:
Sarasota businesses should make the most of their workers compensation insurance policies by having a safe elevated jobsite to reduce claims. Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Numerous injuries and fatalities occur each year due to improper scaffolding safety. Besides problems with planks and guardrails, the main causes of injuries and deaths on scaffolds are; poor planning for assembling and dismantling, collapse due to missing tie-ins or bracing, loads that are too heavy, slippery conditions, and being too close to electrical hazards including overhead lines. Also, falling objects often hurt people below scaffolds. The standard that regulates the design, erection, dismantling and use of scaffolds is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction standard 29 CFR 1926.451
Scaffolding Basics For Workplace Risk Management
All metal frame scaffolds share common components. Platforms, base supports, side brackets, and support trusses. Scaffolds and their components must be capable of supporting without failure at least four times the maximum intended load, and be properly secured or braced to permanent structures. Employers are required to train each employee who works on a scaffold on the hazards and the procedures to control the hazards. A competent person must be involved in the inspection, erection and dismantling of all scaffolding, and scaffolds greater than 125 feet in height must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
Fall protection is required on all scaffolds where the working height is more than 10 feet above a lower level. Each worker more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falls by guardrails or a fall arrest system. Top rails shall be about 42” in height. Mid-rails must be installed approximately halfway between the top rail and the platform surface. When “X” bracing or cross bracing is used as a mid-rail the intersection of the “X” must fall between 20 and 30 inches above the work platform. To protect workers from falling objects such as tools and debris toe boards should be installed in addition to the wearing of hard hats. Scaffold footings must be level and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold. All metal frame scaffolds must have a means of access. This access can be gained from attached or portable ladders, stairways, or the adjacent structure.
Fall Protection
In the U.S. construction industry falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. The safety standard for fall protection in the construction industry is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1926.500. This standard sets a uniform threshold height of 6 feet which means that construction employers must protect their employees from fall hazards and falling objects whenever an affected employee is 6 feet or more above a lower level. Protection also must be provided for construction workers who are exposed to the hazard of falling into dangerous equipment. Typically fall protection is provided through the use of; Guardrail systems—A barrier with a top rail located 42 inches above the floor and a midrail. Screens and mesh may be used to replace the mid-rail as long as they extend from the top rail to the working level
Safety net systems—Netting that is installed as close as practicable under the walking/ working surface on which employees are working and never more than 30 feet below such levels
Personal fall arrest systems—A system that includes anchorage, connectors and a harness and may also include a deceleration device and lifelines used to arrest (safely stop) a person who is already falling from a working level
Positioning device systems— A body harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free while leaning backwards. The worker should not be able to freefall further than 2 feet
Warning line systems—A barrier erected on a roof to warn unsecured employees that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge
Covers—Are fastened over holes in working surfaces to prevent falls
Safety monitoring by a competent person—This allows a trained person to monitor others as they work on elevated surfaces and warn them of any fall hazards.
If you need workers compensation insurance as the experts at Sarasota insurance agency Valek Insurance and Bonds.
For Sarasota Florida's residents living with hurricanes every year is not new. However even though last year was relatively quite with thankfully nothing like hurricane Katrina, Charlie or Gustav, If you don’t prepare yourself, your home, your car, and other valuables you could pay the price later. The best way to avoid disaster is to be prepared, and these simple tips will help you do so.
Plan Your Hurricane Evacuation
The local weather authorities will issue Florida hurricane evacuation warnings, but many times it’s too late, or the traffic on the road may prevent you from leaving for hours placing you and your family into a potentially dangerous situation. It is best to monitor the storm yourself, instead of waiting for the final decision from the authorities. If it's going to b a powerful storm evacuate beforehand, just to play it safe, many in Katrina's path had grown complacent over the years and Floridians should lear that lesson. In your hurricane evacuation plan do not forget to bring social security cards, government IDs, banking information, home and car titles, and of course, your auto insurance; which you should have in your car at all times.
Hurricane Car Safety
Before storm season an a hurricane is heading toward the coast, have a mechanic inspect your car for any potential problems - a mechanical failure with a category 3 or 4 hurricane bearing down is a worst case scenario. During hurricane season include with your storm preparation checklist that you keep your car or truck with a full tank of gas. Many Floridians will remember hurricane Charlie increased in strength from a category 2 to a monster 4 in only three hours - not a great time to be at the gas pump! You may have to gas up days before the evacuation date, as gas shortages are fairly common in these desperate situations. Take your car to the mechanic to get an oil change, necessary repairs, and new tires, if any of these are needed. Driving conditions during these brutal storms, can be equally dangerous and the biggest hazard will be other drivers so be sure your auto insurance coverage is adequate.
You of course should reinforce the house where ever possible to reduce damage. Windows and doors are particularly important to board up - the special screws for securing plywood to Florida's masonry block homes are called "Tap Cons", and it is advisable to have a supply handy before hurricane season - your local hardware or home improvement store may be sold out during an oncoming storm leaving home owners of older pre-storm shutter homes no way to board up the windows. Don’t forget to reinforce your garage as well! Large objects like ladders and wood should be moved from the garage to avoid unnecessary damage. Cover your car with a tarp, or something with padding, if you have it. Secure the tarp as best you can. - Before hurricane season check you homeowners insurance coverage! many homeowners find out only when it's too late that they were under insured and have to pay for major home repairs out of their own pockets.
Hurricane Auto Insurance Tips
Protection from hurricane damages requires a comprehensive coverage policy. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, get comprehensive coverage well in advance. Some Southwest Florida insurance companies will refuse to sell auto insurance to those living in these areas during hurricane season, and federal law requires it take 30 days before comprehensive coverage goes into effect from time of signing. Don’t procrastinate on getting coverage, hurricane season is under way, and you’ll be happy you did.
When You are involved in an auto accident, there are some warning signs to look for that indicate you have been the victim of a staged accident.
Staged Auto Accident Warning Signs:
The car in front of you slammed on it's brakes for no apparent reason.
The car you have hit is a large older model car
There are at least three people in the car and they are anxious to leave the scene of the accident before the police arrive.
Here's What the Law-biding Driver can do to Avoid Being the Victim of a staged accident:
Don't tailgate! Criminal drivers view tailgaters as prime targets.
Be a defensive driver. If another driver suddenly darts in front of you slow down and nrease the distance between your vehicles.
Get names and addresses of independent witnessess at the accident scene. These witnesses may be able to verify the accident looked like a setup.
If a collision seems to be a set up immediately advise your insurance company and law enforcement officials
How Can You Help Fight Auto Insurance Fraud?
You can help fight insurance fraud. Join law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the insurance industry in bringing these costly and sometimes violent crimes under control.
Don't be a victim. Drive defensively, an thoroughly document all auto accidents in which you are involved.
If you know of insurance fraud, report it to our auto fraud hotline at 1-888-662-6616.
Let your family, friends and neighbors know that insurance fraud affects everybody in the form of higher insurance rates. Encourage them to get involved in the fight against auto insurance fraud.
The Holidays can be a wonderful time to connect with friends - but always have a designated driver. The video below will bring home the reality of what can happen without a responsible plan.
Note this video is graphic and may not be suitable for young viewers.
