Modern semitrailers for the most part do a good job of keeping passenger vehicles from sliding underneath them, greatly increasing the chances of surviving a crash into the back of a large truck, recent tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show. But in crashes involving only a small portion of the truck’s rear, most trailers fail to prevent potentially deadly underride.
Earlier research showed that the minimum strength and dimensions required for underride guards are inadequate, prompting the Institute to petition the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2011 for tougher standards. The Institute also asked the agency to consider applying the standards to other types of large trucks, such as dump trucks that aren’t required to have any underride guards.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today warned drivers in the Las Vegas area to be on the lookout for criminals targeting trucks in a deliberate attempt to cause an accident for the purpose of collecting insurance money.
As many as 100 suspected staged accidents along the I-15 corridor through the metropolitan Las Vegas area have been reported to NICB in the past 12-18 months and as many as 25 of those accidents targeted big rig trucks. The NICB is working closely with its member companies, the Nevada Insurance Council, the Nevada Highway Patrol, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office to track down the organizers behind these schemes.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53844-nicb-staged-accidents-targeting-big-rig-trucks-could-turn-deadly
The June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner. Early predictions indicate an active year and the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) urges the public to prepare for the heightened flood risks that come with hurricanes and tropical storms.
Flood insurance is essential to help financially protect homeowners and business owners against the devastating effects of flooding. The spring months have already brought significant flooding to many areas throughout the Midwest, such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri. Also, the most recent two hurricane seasons have shown how devastating the consequences of seasonal flooding can be, with losses felt well beyond the high risk areas nearest the water.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61483-floodsmart-hurricane-season-is-just-one-month-away-flood-insurance
The 2014 Subaru Forester is the first vehicle to ace every aspect of the challenging small overlap front crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Forester, the only 1 of 13 small SUVs to earn an overall rating of good in the test, and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which earns acceptable, are the latest vehicles to qualify for the Institute’s recently inaugurated top honor, TOP SAFETY PICK+. Each of the other 11 SUVs earns either a poor or marginal rating.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its annual Hot Spots vehicle theft report and California dominates once again. Hot Spots is a per capita review of vehicle thefts from the nation’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). NICB data is in line with preliminary FBI vehicle theft data for 2012 which appears to end an eight-year downward trend in vehicle theft.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53845-nicb-hot-spots-vehicle-theft-annual-report-california-washington-state
The USPSTF today issued a draft recommendation giving its second highest approval rating for CT screening for lung cancer for those at high risk, a move that if approved in final form, will trigger Medicare and insurance coverage and bring about a dramatic drop in the leading cause of cancer deaths.
Today, LCA also launched its Risk Navigator tool – www.AtRiskForLungCancer.org. Additionally, it expanded the hours of its support line – (800) 298-2436 – operating 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. LCA will also launch a national educational advertising campaign in September to encourage the public to know their risk for lung cancer.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62719-lung-cancer-alliance-uspstf-recommends-ct-screening-for-lung-cancer
WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq: WBMD), the leading source of health information, today announced the launch of its Health Care Reform Center (webmd.com/myhealthcare) for consumers and the ACA Resource Center for physicians (medscape.com/resource/aca), examples of our commitment to educate consumers and physicians and to provide actionable guidance about the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Health Care Reform Center will include a series of live chats with experts, offering consumers personalized information to prepare for future health insurance decisions and navigate the health insurance marketplace at any stage of their journey—from young Americans who were previously uninsured to older Americans.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60046-webmd-health-care-reform-center-consumer-physician-educational-website
The latest small overlap front crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveal a range of performance among many of the best-selling small cars in the U.S. market. Of the 12 models evaluated, half earn a good or acceptable rating and qualify for the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.
The 2-door and 4-door models of the Honda Civic are the only small cars to earn the top rating of good in the test. IIHS evaluated the Civics earlier this year and released the results in March. The Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and 2014 model Scion tC earn acceptable ratings.
Flooding is the nation’s costliest and deadliest natural disaster with hurricane flooding topping the list. On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused 72 U.S. deaths and $60 billion in damage, including more than $6.7 billion in flood insurance claims. As the most active part of hurricane season begins and the threat of flooding increases, the National Hurricane Center and Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® offer these five steps to take before floods strike.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62832-national-hurricane-center-and-flash-flood-preparedness-hurricane-season
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released an expanded, data-rich version of its popular Hot Wheels report – its list of the 10 most stolen vehicles in the United States. The report examines vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen in 2012.
A first-edition feature is also contained in today’s report: a look at the top 25 2012 vehicle makes and models that were reported stolen in calendar year 2012.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53846-nicb-hot-wheels-popular-10-most-stolen-vehicles-list
A new online survey shows just how difficult life insurance conversations can be. Parents would rather talk to their children about drugs/alcohol, religion and politics before life insurance, which is a topic only slightly more comfortable than sex/puberty. The survey also shows parents are the primary source for initial conversations about life insurance. This topic avoidance might be one reason that 22 percent of Americans feel they are not at all knowledgeable about life insurance. The State Farm survey, conducted by Harris Interactive among over 2,000 U.S. adults also revealed a gap in Americans’ knowledge of life insurance and general misconceptions about the benefits life insurance provides to those who are insured.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56798-state-farm-survey-life-insurance-benefits-policy-family-bucket-list-liam
Today, AARP launched an e-card campaign aimed at moms with adult children, offering a unique way to encourage young adults to purchase health insurance. Recognizing that 8.6 million young adults age 26-34 are uninsured, AARP is encouraging their moms – many of whom are our members – to remind their kids to sign up for insurance as required by the Affordable Care Act.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63237-aarp-e-card-campaign-young-adults-mom-means-it-get-health-insurance
