Mink - What's New

IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU MUST SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH OUR OFFICE IN ORDER TO BIND OR AMEND ANY INSURANCE COVERAGES. ALL REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR CHANGES IN COVERAGE MUST BE CONFIRMED WITH ONE OF OUR REGISTERED INSURANCE BROKERS.
ONTARIO PASSES IMPAIRED BOATING LAW Anyone convicted of impaired boating in Ontario now faces the same penalties as impaired drivers. The province of Ontario passed Bill 209 on June 22, 2006. The bill amended the Highway Traffic Act to add motorized boats to the impaired driving provisions that cover vehicles and snowmobiles. This means that impaired boaters can LOSE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENCES, just as they would if they were driving their car while impaired.	DISTRACTED DRIVER LAW ONTARIO'S BAN ON HAND-HELD DEVICES WHILE DRIVING BECAME LAW ON OCTOBER 26TH. Drivers who talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices face fines of up to $500. Banned while driving: .Using hand-held cell phones, smart phones, GPS devices, portable video games, and media players .Viewing screens on laptops or DVD players .Using hand-mikes and portable radios ("walkie-talkies") Remember - Police can also charge drivers with careless driving or even dangerous driving.
DRIVER ALERT On average, there is a motor vehicle/wild animal collision every 37 minutes. Motor vehicle/wild animal collisions are increasing annually. Statistics on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website report 14,097 collisions in 2005 and say that many more go unreported. Wild animals are unpredictable at all times. However, there are two peak times when the risk of a collision is highest: May and June when animals seek road salt in ditches and try to escape biting insects and now, during the fall mating, migration and hunting seasons. Simcoe County is included as one of the five areas of Ontario with the highest number of combined property damage, injury and fatal collisions with wildlife 1. Ottawa 886 2. SIMCOE COUNTY 656 3. Kenora 521 4. Lanark County 481 5. Thunder Bay 463 Slow Down, Stay Alert, Drive Safe
SUMMER PLANS 1. If you’re plans include building, you may need ‘Builder’s Risk’ insurance to cover the dwelling while under construction and the building materials. Don’t assume that your builder is covering it. An important note here is that you need to have the coverage in place BEFORE any construction begins. 2. Clothes dryers get heavy use over the winter, to ensure you don’t have a dryer fire: replace ripped filters or cracked exhaust vents. Clean the vent hose, If you’re using a vinyl hose replace it with an aluminum, steel or aluminum spiral flex hose. Once a fire starts in a vinyl hose, the hose itself will burn. 3. Garage Sales are great ways to re-cycle. But did you know that everyone holding a garage sale is legally responsible for ensuring products they sell, whether new or used, are safe & meet safety standards? The Hazardous Products Act, (Health Canada) has safety requirements for certain consumer products. Remember, it is important to only sell items that are in good condition. Think safety! For more information visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/garage_e.html
DISASTER PLANNING Emergency Preparedness week is May 2 - 8. One of the aims of Emergency Management Ontario is to have the average person be able to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours, in case of a large-scale emergency. Something to think about not just this week, but at all times. Disaster caused by severe storms, power failures or a pandemic can strike quickly and without warning. This could mean road closures, lack of heat or potable water, being evacuated or perhaps quarantined. Everyone should be prepared to take care of themselves and their families for up to three days in the event of an emergency or disaster. Four Steps to Safety can help you develop your family disaster plan: 1. Consider what could happen. By learning what your risks may be, you can prepare for the disaster most likely to occur in your area. 2. Create your Family Disaster Plan. Keep it simple enough so that everyone can remember the important details. Have it written down and discuss it with your family. 3. Complete Your Checklists. This should include: posting emergency numbers by the phones, teaching everyone how to turn off water, gas, electricity at main switches, stocking your emergency supplies and assembling your Disaster Supplies Kit(s). 4. Practice and maintain your plan. Practicing your plan will help you instinctively respond in case of an actual emergency. There are several good websites to help you understand the risks, and even guide you through developing a personal plan online that you can print. http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/pub_security/emo/about_emo.html http://www.getprepared.ca/plan/plan_e.asp http://www.epweek.ca/index_e.asp http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/alt_formats/cmcd-dcmc/pdf/PrepFam_e.pdf As Canadians we do face a number of potential hazards. WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?