Dana's Insurance Agency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jerry Davies

(323) 932-3662

Dana Zhang, Farmers Insurance Agent in San Jose, Receives Topper Club Honors

San Jose, CA (Grassroots Newswire) June 16, 2009 – Dana Zhang, Farmers Insurance Agent in San Jose, has been inducted into the Farmers’ “Topper Club” and invited to attend the 2009 annual meeting of Farmers’ top sales producers. Zhang is being recognized by Farmers for outstanding sales achievements during 2008.

“Farmers congratulates and is proud to welcome Dana to this year’s Topper Club. Dana is committed to providing quality insurance coverage and industry-leading service to Farmers’ customers,” noted Executive Vice President of Field Operations, Jerry Carnahan.

The Topper Club convention will give Zhang an opportunity to meet with other top Farmers agents and district managers to discuss local, state and national trends and activities affecting the insurance business in their communities.

Zhang represents Farmers Insurance through the local agency located at 2695 Moorpark Ave 109.

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the nation’s third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Farmers provides homeowners, auto, business, specialty products, life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households.

通过银行贷款买车，如果你不能出示保险证明，车行通常不会让你开走。这种情况你一般需要有全保.

如果你已有其它汽车，和相应的保险，大多数保险公司会为你的新车自动提供15至30天的保险。这没有额外的收费，但是对新车的保险额度不会超过原来的额度。需要注意的是，对新车来讲这很可能不够。

在极少数情况下，车行可能会提供短期的保险，但只会针对非常少的特殊顾客。

加州法律规定如果任何人发生车祸又没有保险，DMV 发现后将吊销其驾照一年。

安全驾车是我们大家都希望的. 可是一旦发生事故我们也必须知道一些相应的措施. 下面就归纳几点经验供华人朋友们参考. (本人是加州核准的保险经纪.  经验可供参考, 但不应视为法律咨询.)

第一: “不要主动承担责任.”  这一点很重要.  警察报告最权威的评判.  尽管有时警察只做记录, 不做责任判定 (例如许多发生在停车场的事故).  责任的评判最终应由保险公司决定.

第二: 一定要取得对方的资料, 包括对方牌照号码, 驾照号码, 保险公司和号码. 对方的名字和联系电话最好也要得到.

第三: 应尽可能找到一个证人. 如果有人目击事故发生, 可以询问他/她是否愿意作你的证人. 如果可能应向他/她索取名字和电话号码.

第四: 应该尽快通知你的保险公司,由他们调查并赔偿. 如果你买的是Comprehensive(双保), 你的损失是肯定可以得到赔偿的. 如果你只买的是Liability Only保险(单保), 你的损失将视责任情况和你的其他保险选项而定.

There are two kinds of payouts: actual cash value and replacement cost coverage.

Actual Cash Value. This type of coverage pays an amount equal to the current cost to replace your items minus the depreciated value.

Replacement Cost Coverage. This type of coverage pays you the amount it would cost to replace your lost or damaged property. You only get the money if you replace the items. There is also usually a limit on how much money you receive, and the premiums tend to be higher.

Deductibles. This is the amount you pay for the lost or damaged goods, before the insurance company would begin paying. Typically, the higher the deductible, the cheaper your policy will cost.

俗话说福不双至，祸不单行。回国探亲的前一天，路经一个十字路口.我红灯右转没有停车，被守株待兔的警察叔叔抓了个正着。一张罚单$368(闯红灯)。更不幸的是因为要回国，保险证明恰好在头天晚上从皮夹中拿了出来。所以警察还要求到庭出示保险证明。因为怕扫了太座的兴，一直憋得不敢说，直到探亲回来才敢面对现实。

收到罚单，是付款了事，还是出庭抗争。我的看法是依情况而定。但原则是以不记点数，不涨保费，不被吊销驾照为前提。

如果是小打小闹，超速，闯红灯，STOP未停。警察不会硬性规定让你上法庭，可以认罪付款了事，不必上法庭。但是也可以上法庭人罪再要求降低罚款。我上面提及的罚单就因上法庭认罪而减为本$185。不论是直接缴罚款或上法庭，为了不让点数增加避免报费上涨，你还应该注册”安全驾驶”学习。现在都有网上课程，不用到学校里去，那个计算机，只要能上网，就可以上课考试。只要你合了格，就没有纪录。代价是你要加付百元左右的课程费。

如果玩大了，开得太快了，喝了酒，吸了东西，你就必须上法庭。一般在一年（十二个月）里，前两次都罚款，第三次就会吊销一个月的执照。如果又吃单了，吊销半年，再吃，属于屡教不改，就不跟你罗嗦了，永远吊销。而保险公司，好像第一次都不在意（或者没有记录），第二次你就会看到保险费突飞猛进了。别以为你可以换家保险公司，降低保险费用。任何保险公司，不管他说得再好，都要查你的纪录的，如果查出你有前科，几天人家就会退保的。 

对这种情况，原则上讲，一定要出庭。这里有几个好处。1，如果逮你的警察没去（经常有，虽然他们出庭有加班补助，但他们还是忘了或忙不过来），法官就会把你的案子dismiss掉（一定要说not guilty）。2，如果你看到那个逮你的警察虎视眈眈地坐那儿瞪着你，也别害怕。开庭前，秘书要先问一遍，guilty与否。你就说not guilty。然后就会有人来跟你bargain（经常是法庭的秘书。Bargain这个词大家一定经常听到，是美国法律的一个组成部分，人犯了罪，可以主动认一个轻一点的罪。）。说如果你认罪，$50罚款（原来是$90到$120），没记录如何？你就同意，交款了事。没记录一条非常重要。以后再吃罚单，这次不算。每次都这么办，你永远清白。如果法官亲自过问（bargain），他会问你一年以内吃过罚款吗，就说没。他会说，罚款若干（一般会比罚款单少）参加学习。你就付款，注册学习几小时（4-8不等，见下）。 

最”酷”的办法就是请律师。不管事大事小，超了一mile还是DUI（酒后驾车），律师都能让你安然无恙。一般的超速，律师的费用大约和罚款相同，$100左右。你要和律师一块出庭。但法庭一开始，法官刚落座，律师过去和法官打个招呼，案子就了了。即优先办理，还没有记录，更不用付罚款。 

至于其他的罚单，例如停车违章等，付款了事。现在全国联网，我们狠难逃脱法网。

汽车保险的种类相当令人眼花缭乱，如果我们不能搞清不同险种的保护范围，很有可能造成直接经济损失。下面就列举出各种保险种类地名称和用途。

单保 – 通常我们所谓的单保包括下面两项：

• Bodily Injury and Liability – 这是法律要求的保险项目。当由投保之过错而造成事故发生时，此保险用以支付对方的治疗身体伤害。安这个报险包括两项限额，每一伤者的最高限额和每一事故所有伤者的最高限额，例如（$150，000/$30，000）。这部分保险还可用以支付有关法律诉讼的费用。
• Liability – 这也是法律要求的保险项目。当事故发生，而投保人被判定有错，这部分保险就会被用来支付对方的汽车修理，和财产损失。

全保 – 通常我们所谓的全保包括所有单保的项目， 以及以下两项：

• Collision – 当事故发生，而投保人被判定有错，这部分保险就会被用来支付投保人的汽车修理，和财产损失。
• Comprehensive – 这部分保险用以保护投保人的汽车及车内财务损失，例如因火灾，偷盗，或各种自然灾害（冰雹，龙卷风，水灾）。

无保险肇事方或过低保险肇事方

Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist – 如果肇事对方没有保险或保险额过低，你可以根据此项来要求自己的保险公司赔偿。如果你也买了UM/UIM BI (Uninsured/Under insured Bodily Injury)，你也可以要求保险公司赔偿你的身体伤害。

水灾保险法

1879年美国国会通过了《密西西比河流委员会法》，设立密西西比河流委员会，负责防洪提建设。其后60年联邦政府不仅进行防洪堤建设，而且向洪水受害者提供援助。由于这两相制度的成本都非常高， 联邦政府希望通过建立水灾保险制度，减轻政府的财政负担。

杜鲁门总统1951年请求建立贴补性联邦水灾风险保险制度，几经周折之后，1968年通过了《全国水灾保险法》。宗旨有三：（1）通过购买时水灾保险减少由于洪灾导致的损失；（2）促进州和社区对土地使用的控制，并引导开发建设避开易发水灾的区域；（3）降低联邦政府对灾害援助和水灾控制得指出。根据该法开办的项目被称为全国水灾保险项目（NFIP）。

起初参加NFIP是自愿的，这使NFIP的运行成本非常高昂。1973年国会通过了《水灾保护法》，使得参加水灾保险具有一定的强制性。后来，参加水灾保险的社区迅速增加，参加保险的单个客户却趋于下降。为应对这一情况，国会又通过了1994年的《水灾保险改革法》。根据该法，除非业者已获保险，否则联邦信贷机构在向购买，建造或修复水灾危险区的建筑及其中财产的所有者贷款时，有义务购买水灾保险并向业者开出账单；
财产所有者若没有持续购买水灾保险，联邦信贷机构也必须承担责任；在特定情况下，没有执行强制性购买水灾保险要求的贷款机构还会被处以每笔350美元，全年最高达10万美元的罚款。

该法终于扭转了局面，使水灾保险成为仅次于养老保险的第二大社会保险项目。此后，布什总统于2004年又签署了新的《水灾保险改革法》，除了对先前法律中的很多规则进行必要地修补外，还一改每年实行再评估地制度，将NFIP授权期延长到2008年。

怎样购买水灾保险
    只要你是在参加全国水灾保险计划（National FloodInsurance Program, NFIP)的社区之内，就可以参加保险。NFIP是一个由法律确定的，全国性保险部门，由政府进行管理和资金运作。NFIP的保单可通过各大保险公司代为签发。所以你可以通过你的保险经纪人购买水灾保险。

Many homeowners who hire help are not aware of the potential legal hassles that can ensue when an accident occurs on their property. Workers, such as the kid mowing the lawn, the housekeeper tidying up your home for a big party, or the landscaper planting your annuals, could suffer an injury while on your property. After an accident, you may be financially liable for the worker’s injuries and disabilities, and your homeowners insurance policy may not cover you in the event of a lawsuit.

Employees vs. independent contractors

One of the factors used to determine if you are liable for a worker’s injury is whether the person is considered your employee or is a contractor (or subcontractor). As a general rule, whether a person is considered an employee or a contractor hinges on the amount of control you have over the worker. If you have the right to control what must be done and the manner in which it is to be done, the worker is probably your employee.

For example, you hire someone to care for your children and do light housework in your home. This worker follows your instructions about childcare and household duties, and you provide the supplies used to do the work. This person is your employee.

Generally, if the worker can control how the work is done, the worker is a contractor. A contractor usually uses his or her own tools and offers services to the general public in an independent business.

For example, you hire someone to care for your lawn. This person provides their lawn care services to other homeowners, uses their own tools and supplies, and hires and pays any helpers they need. Your lawn care provider is an independent contractor, not your employee.

Note: This is an oversimplification. The rules regarding employee and independent contractor status are very complex. If you have any uncertainty regarding a worker’s status, you should consult a tax professional.

Workers’ compensation insurance for employees

If you have employees (such as a housekeeper, gardener, nanny, cook, etc.), your state may require that you carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage for them. Even if you are not required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance, it may be wise to do so anyway. If an employee is injured, and if you have hired the worker legally and paid for workers’ compensation insurance, an injury claim would fall under that policy’s coverage. Otherwise, the claim would fall on you. Your homeowners insurance policy is not likely to offer any coverage in this event. If you are hiring regular help who could be considered employees, make sure you consult your insurance agent and/or your state Workers’ Compensation Agency about coverage.

Workers’ compensation insurance for independent contractors

Contractors, such as builders, landscapers, or other tradespeople who work on or around your home, should be covered through their own (mandatory) workers’ compensation insurance, and any injury claims would be covered under that policy. If, for some reason, the contractor does not have coverage or has discontinued the policy to save on the premiums, you would be next in line to pay for a worker’s injuries and/or disabilities that occurred on your property (although you may be able to file a lawsuit against the contractor).

If you are hiring a contractor for a job on your property, ask for written proof of the following to cover worker injuries, property damage, and uninstalled materials:

Contractor’s license
Workers’ compensation insurance
General liability coverage
Proof of workers’ compensation insurance for any subcontractors working on your project
Check with the carrier listed on the proof-of-insurance certificate that the coverage is still in force. Verifying the contractor’s insurance coverage before the work begins can allow time for the contractor to correct any problem with lapsed insurance, or for you to find another contractor.

What your homeowners policy may cover

In some states, homeowners insurance policies contain a provision or endorsement providing limited coverage for minors performing lawn mowing or other similar tasks requiring the use of power tools. Some policies specifically exclude domestic workers such as nannies or housekeepers, while others cover injuries of household employees only under the liability coverage section, so a lawsuit may be required before a claim is paid. Check with your insurance agent.

You may need extra liability coverage

In addition to the liability coverage provided under your homeowners policy, you may want to consider additional liability coverage to protect your assets in the event of a liability judgment that exceeds the limits of your homeowners insurance. Such coverage may be called an excess liability policy, or a personal umbrella liability policy. This type of coverage supplements the liability coverage provided under your homeowners policy.

Check references

Don’t forget to do reference checks on people you are considering hiring to work on your property. Reputable tradespeople should be willing to provide you with customer references. In addition, you can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if a business has received complaints (and if the problems were rectified). Your local building department can tell you if a particular trade requires certification or licensing, as well as the name of the local licensing body or official. Don’t forget to verify that any insurance policies held by a contractor under consideration are still in force.

[From insurance.com]

在美国租车，一般都需要有两种保险，

第一是第三方Liability保险，就是保你开着租来的车，出了事故，造成了他人的人身或者财产损失，这个保险就可以Cover这种损失。

第二是出租车的保险，通常称为Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) 或者Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)，如果你把租来的车给损坏了，无论是碰撞、车祸、或者是失盗，这个保险都应该可以Cover，如果这个保险由租车公司提供的话，有时候还会有一 定的Deduction，就是最初的一百元或者两百元归你付。

出租公司一般提供以上两类保险，但价格不菲，有时侯甚至超过租车本身的价格，那么租车时是否一定要强制购买这两类保险呢，答案是否定的。

第一类保险，如果你在美国有自己的车，并且购买了汽车保险的话，那么这类保险都会Cover你暂时租车的Liability，所以，对于大多数有车族，都没有必要购买第一类保险。

第二类保险，也不是强制要求购买，而且很多白金（paltimum）信用卡都包含这个保险，所以你用白金卡租车的话，如果损坏了车，信用卡公司将会赔付车的损失。所以租车前，请咨询你所要使用的信用卡，看看他们是否提供此类保险。

事实上, 如果你为你自己的车购买的保险包含Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), 你的保险也会Cover第二类保险. 一般的保险公司都允许将你现有的保险用于暂时租车. 条件是只能在你现有保险种类和金额之内.

本文根据wenxuecity.com改编，欢迎指正