Insurance Blog
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Auto Insurance Arizona-Diminished Value Claims
From time to time we are asked by our customers about recovering the loss of resale value to their vehicle when they are involved in an auto accident. If you are involved in an accident and a thirty party is at fault the insurance company will fix your car and many times it is left at that.
If you were to trade in the vehicle and disclose the damage would the car be worth what it was before the accident?
Is there case law in Arizona to help with these types of diminished value claims?
In July 2011, the Arizona Court of Appeals (Division One) ruled that the loss of resale value of a vehicle resulting from an accident is recoverable in third-party claims. (This discussion of Diminution in Value Claims is applicable only in liability losses – not first party collision claims.) In Oliver v. Henry (1 CA-CV 10-0701), the Appeals Court recognized “Diminution in Value” as the measure of damages the difference in the value of the property immediately before the accident and the value of the vehicle immediately after the vehicle’s repair.
If you are an auto insurance customer in Arizona and would like more information on this case please let me know.
Gary Hanson
Professional Insurance Strategies, LLC
3519 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85028
602-481-0161
www.proinsgroup.com
Limousine and Taxi Inusurance Requirement Changes for Phoenix and Rest of AZ-
The State Legislature recently enacted a Revised Statute to the requirements for Taxi, Limousine, and Livery Operators. The bill is outlined below. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 602-481-0161 or stop by at 3519 E. Shea Blvd Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Repeal
Section 28-142, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.
Sec. 2. Title 28, chapter 1, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section 28-142, to read:
28-142. Livery vehicle, taxi and limousine regulation; state preemption
The regulation and use of livery vehicles, taxis and limousines are of statewide concern.� Livery vehicles, taxis and limousines and their use that are regulated pursuant to this title are not subject to further regulation by a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state, except that a public airport operator that operates a public airport pursuant to section 28-8421, 28-8423 or 28-8424 or a public body operating a public airport may establish the number of livery vehicles, taxis or limousines that may conduct business at a public airport or may set additional or more restrictive requirements for the conduct of that business at a public airport.
Sec. 3. Repeal
Section 41-2052, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.
Sec. 4. Title 41, chapter 15, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section 41-2052, to read:
41-2052. Livery vehicle, taxi and limousine regulation; state preemption
The regulation and use of livery vehicles, taxis and limousines are of statewide concern.� Livery vehicles, taxis and limousines and their use that are regulated pursuant to this title are not subject to further regulation by a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state, except that a public airport operator that operates a public airport pursuant to section 28-8421, 28-8423 or 28-8424 or a public body operating a public airport may establish the number of livery vehicles, taxis or limousines that may conduct business at a public airport or may set additional or more restrictive requirements for the conduct of that business at a public airport.
Sec. 5. Section 41-2096, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
41-2096. Signage
A. A taxi or livery vehicle shall display interior signage that contains the licensee's business name and address and that is all of the following:
1. Permanent.
2. In letters at least one‑half inch in height.
3. Readily visible.
4. Accurately representative of all fares and the fare computation method.
b. A TAXI OR LIVERY VEHICLE SHALL DISPLAY INTERIOR SIGNAGE THAT CONTAINS THE DRIVER�S NAME AND IS READILY VISIBLE TO PASSENGERS.
B. c. A taxi is required to display exterior signage that contains the licensee's business name and telephone number, that contains the word "taxi" or "cab" and that is all of the following:
1. Permanent.
2. In letters at least three inches in height.
3. Readily visible and a minimum of one inch in height for fare information.
4. Accurately representative of all fares and the fare computation method.
C. d. For purposes of this section, a livery vehicle shall display exterior signage that is readily visible while the livery vehicle is not occupied by a paying passenger.� The signage must contain the business name and the words "livery car" in letters at least three inches in height and shall include fare information at least one inch in height.� When a livery vehicle has accepted a passenger and a fare has been determined, a livery vehicle may remove the exterior signage.
Sec. 6. Title 41, chapter 15, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-2097, to read:
41-2097. Livery vehicle, taxi and limousine, criminal background checks; vehicle maintenance records
A. An owner of a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine licensed through the department shall have available for inspection at all times by the department written evidence of criminal background checks of any drivers operating a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine for the owner, whether as an employee or lessee. The criminal background check shall be completed prior to the driver being engaged as an employee or lessee.
B. An owner of a livery vehicle, taxi or limousine licensed through the department shall have available for inspection at all times by the department all vehicle maintenance records of all the owner's livery vehicles, taxis or limousines. Such maintenance records shall be updated at least annually.
Limousine and Taxi Insurance Facts Phoenix, AZ -NV-NM
Almost all states in the nation require limousines carry mandatory liability insurance. Liability insurance protects drivers and owners of limousines and taxis against the cost of damage to other people or their property. Liability insurance covers claims against the policy holder and other operator of the insured limousine or taxi.
Liability insurance usually covers bodily injury (Sometimes known as BI) or property damage ( Sometimes known as PD) for which the covered driver is considered responsible. The minimum amount of limousine insurance coverage that is required may be different depending on the state where the limousine is garaged. Coverage can usually be increased. This will probably result in an additional charge.
Liability insurance for limousines is usually written in two forms. Either a Combined Single Limit or a Split Limit. The Combined Single Limit combines both the bodily injury coverage and the property damage coverage.This means that in the event of an accident, the insured driver will have combined protection for any bodily injury he caused as well as any property damage he may have caused also. The Split Limit separates the bodily injury coverage and the property damage coverage in the event of a loss. The split limit would protect for a certain limit maximum for the bodily injury and another certain limit maximum for the property damage that was caused.
Another very important part of limousine insurance coverage is the Uninsured and Underinsured coverage section of the policy. This provides protection if the responsible person does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance coverage. If another party were at fault but did not carry liability insurance, the insured limousine would then be covered by the Uninsured portion of their policy. Most states require Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage for limousines and taxis.
Due to the value of most limousines, most owners will usually choose to purchase a Full Coverage limousine insurance policy. Full Coverage is the name commonly referred to as Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage for a limousine extends protection to the insured limousine for damages to it caused by a collision with another vehicle or most objects. (hitting an animal such as a deer usually falls under the comprehensive portion of the policy ).
Comprehensive coverage for a limousine or taxi extends protection to the insured limousine for damages not considered a collision. An example would be if the limousine or taxi were damaged by vandalism or by a heavy hail storm. Both collision and comprehensive coverage for a limousine or usually have a deductible. A deductible is the initial amount of money the insured is responsible. ( For example: a $500.00 deductible ) After the insured pays this portion of his damage, the balance is then covered and paid for by the insurance company.
There are many other insurance coverage's and options available to limousine or taxi cab owners. To be sure you have the right protection at the best price available give us a call.
Limousine and Taxi Insurance Facts Phoenix, AZ -NV-NM
Almost all states in the nation require limousines carry mandatory liability insurance. Liability insurance protects drivers and owners of limousines and taxis against the cost of damage to other people or their property. Liability insurance covers claims against the policy holder and other operator of the insured limousine or taxi.
Liability insurance usually covers bodily injury (Sometimes known as BI) or property damage ( Sometimes known as PD) for which the covered driver is considered responsible. The minimum amount of limousine insurance coverage that is required may be different depending on the state where the limousine is garaged. Coverage can usually be increased. This will probably result in an additional charge.
Liability insurance for limousines is usually written in two forms. Either a Combined Single Limit or a Split Limit. The Combined Single Limit combines both the bodily injury coverage and the property damage coverage.This means that in the event of an accident, the insured driver will have combined protection for any bodily injury he caused as well as any property damage he may have caused also. The Split Limit separates the bodily injury coverage and the property damage coverage in the event of a loss. The split limit would protect for a certain limit maximum for the bodily injury and another certain limit maximum for the property damage that was caused.
Another very important part of limousine insurance coverage is the Uninsured and Underinsured coverage section of the policy. This provides protection if the responsible person does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance coverage. If another party were at fault but did not carry liability insurance, the insured limousine would then be covered by the Uninsured portion of their policy. Most states require Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage for limousines and taxis.
Due to the value of most limousines, most owners will usually choose to purchase a Full Coverage limousine insurance policy. Full Coverage is the name commonly referred to as Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage for a limousine extends protection to the insured limousine for damages to it caused by a collision with another vehicle or most objects. (hitting an animal such as a deer usually falls under the comprehensive portion of the policy ).
Comprehensive coverage for a limousine or taxi extends protection to the insured limousine for damages not considered a collision. An example would be if the limousine or taxi were damaged by vandalism or by a heavy hail storm. Both collision and comprehensive coverage for a limousine or usually have a deductible. A deductible is the initial amount of money the insured is responsible. ( For example: a $500.00 deductible ) After the insured pays this portion of his damage, the balance is then covered and paid for by the insurance company.
There are many other insurance coverage's and options available to limousine or taxi cab owners. To be sure you have the right protection at the best price available give us a call.
Professional Insurance Strategies
3519 E. Shea Blvd Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85028
602-481-0161
Livery, Taxi, and Limo Insurance -Arizona
Here are some things to heep in mind when you are starting your transportation company in Arizona.
•Drivers must have a valid Arizona license, and the vehicle must be properly registered.
•All vehicles must be covered by an insurance policy of $300,000 or more, depending on passenger capacity. The policy must cover personal liability, property damage, coverage against uninsured motorists and under-insured motorists.
•Taxis must carry a sealed taximeter, and must post their rates in one-inch letters.
•Livery vehicles, which are allowed to transport passengers for a flat rate, must post their rates with one-inch letters at least until the passenger has agreed on the fare.
•Limousines cannot solicit fares. They must be hired in advance.
•All taxis and Livery vehicles must display an official Weights and Measure sticker in the lower right-hand corner of their rear windshield. Limousines have the option of displaying the sticker, but it is not mandatory.
•Taxis must have a valid taxi license plate. Many, if not most, have licenses that include the letter “Z” in the plate number, though some may have blue-and-white environmental places, commercial plates, so-called “vanity” plates or handicapped plates. Limousines and Livery vehicles may display commercial or private plates.
If you have any questions please feel free to call me. www.mylimoinsurance.com
Gary Hanson
Professional Insurance Strategies
3519 E. Shea Blvd Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85028
602-481-0161
Professional Insurance Strategies,LLC
Anthem, AZ
602-481-0161
Taxi Insurance-Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada
As our expanding livery and transportation business increases in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada so does the amount of carrier options. Our access to Markel, Prime, and the newest program from National Specialty puts our agency among the top in the industry in offering our customers great opportunities to save money on coverage while obtaining the limits and coverage they need. In Phoenix, AZ we contiue to add Taxi and Livery operators to our long list of customers. You can expect great rates and top notch service from Professional Insurance Strategies. Gary
Professional Insurance Strategies, LLC 3655 W. Anthem Way A-109 #283 Anthem, AZ 85086 602-481-0161 Phone 623-551-6716 Fax ghanson@proinsgroup.com
Home Insurance –
Recent storms in
The October 5, 2010 storm in
Storms with strong winds, hail, and heavy rains may have the effect of loosing or displacing tile shingles, cracking them or, and even damaging them. A good indicator of damage is to look at your metal air vents and gutters to see if they are dented. If they are dented you probably have roof damage as well. There still may be hidden hail damage. You might have smaller cracks and tiles that are loose that you just can’t see with the naked eye. This hidden damage may not be an issue now but it could mean future water leaks. The only way to be absolutely sure is to contact a licensed and insured roofing company for an accurate inspection.
Be wary of unlicensed contractors or contractors with complaints. You can check a contractor’s license and any complaints by going to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors
At http://www.azroc.gov/forms/contractorsearch.html. If your home insurance company has mobilized a Catastrophe Team they can also be a resource for checking potential damage.
Gary Hanson
Professional Insurance Strategies, LLC602-481-0161 Phonewww.proinsgroup.comghanson@proinsgroup.comTips for filing an auto claim after an accident Accidents occur every day. There were an estimated 6 million accidents last year alone. So your chances of being in an accident and having to file a claim at some point in your life are pretty good. That’s why it pays to have a reputable insurance company along with a professional insurance agent to help you through the process.If you’ve ever been in an auto accident it can be a very stressful time. Here are some things to think about in the event you are in an accident1. Call the police (911 in most areas). Report any injuries. 2. Write down the other car’s make, model, and plate number. Get the driver’s name, address, and license number…get the owners name, too. Most states require drivers to have an insurance identification card in the vehicle and it will provide most of this information. 3. Write down the names and addresses of all passengers and witnesses. 4. Get the officer’s name and badge number. Ask how you can obtain a copy of the police report for your insurance claim. 5. Do not admit to guilt, do not accept money from the other driver, and do not agree to forget about a minor accident. 6. Write down what happened: include the time of day, weather conditions, hazards, road conditions, and driving speed. Make a note of any prior damage on other cars. Once you collect this information, contact your insurance agent and company as soon as possible. Many insurance companies have 24-hour claims service by phone. So you can call your insurer right from the scene. Your insurance ID card should provide the number.
Having a little knowledge before you need it can make a big difference in the long run!
Gary Hanson Professional Insurance Strategies www.proinsgroup.com
