Hurricane Season is Around the Corner: Be Prepared

The Atlantic Hurricane Season is less than ten days away from its official June first start. No matter what experts predict in terms of what the next five months may bring – average or above average activity, stronger or less significant storms, most everyone agrees that the best way to protect your Florida home, property, yourself, and your family is to be prepared.

Analysis of past storms has shown us that lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are commonalities among the most devastating events. By knowing where you are vulnerable, and taking swift action to shore up your weak points, your odds of coming out ahead are greatly improved. 

A good way to start the process is to download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide. published by the National Hurricane Center, and easily found on their website. 

The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and tactile goods by issuing hurricane watches and warnings. It’s important to pay attention to them, but to also note that hurricane devastation comes in other forms, not just at the moment of impact. Storm surge, heavy rain, floods, high winds and tornadoes all have the potential to accompany a hurricane, coming before, after, or during. They can be just as damaging from a fiscal standpoint, and equally deadly, too. 

National Hurricane Preparedness Week – 2013, runs from May 26 to June 1st. Use this time to review hurricane readiness plans with your family, employees, and business partners to ensure that this upcoming season is as safe and as sound as it possibly can be. We can not control what mother nature sends our way, but we can thoroughly prepare ourselves against her very worst. 

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 21, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Homeowners insurance
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 21, 2013

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ICF Dumbest Criminal of the Week: a Horse Walks into a Bar

credit: Horse Looking At You by Andrea Schafthuize

credit: Horse Looking At You by Andrea Schafthuize

There’s been lots of debate this week surrounding the NTSB’s suggestion that the legal blood alcohol limit for driving be lowered. Truth be told, some people, no matter what the law is, are going to drink a lot and do stupid things – as is the case with ICF’s Dumbest Criminal of the Week.
 
A woman out of Billings, Montana, was arrested recently for riding while intoxicated. “Riding” not meaning on a motorcycle, moped, or the like – we mean a HORSE.
 
Prosecutors say the 43-year-old was “extremely intoxicated” on the morning of April 29th, as she rode a horse DOWN A BILLINGS STREET! Billings, Montana, not being a rural area, per se. No dirt paved roads, grassy pastures, or hitchin’ posts.
 
Upon encountering her, officers erred on the side of leniency, speaking to her about her drunken riding, then allowing her to ride off into the sunset, returning home.


Apparently, our wannabe cowgirl IS one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Later that day, a neighbor called police, saying that she had just driven away in a pickup truck.
 
Officers found her, and she was not given a third chance. She was arrested on the spot.
 
At arraignment, our would be convict plead not guilty to DUI, and also driving without a license or insurance.
 
Turns out she isn’t a “one truck pony” – to add insult to injury, she had three previous DUI convictions, in 1993, 1997, and 2007.
 
The current condition of the horse she rode into town on is unknown.
 
 

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 17, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in ICF's Dumbest Criminal of the Week
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 17, 2013

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The Perfect Peach Bellini

Whether you’re hosting a breakfast, brunch, or backyard bar-b-que, you can’t miss by adding this absolutely perfect bellini to your cocktail menu. Want to make this summer sparkler friendly to kids, as well as those who want to avoid the champagne ’kick : switch out the sparking wine with club soda, omit the brandy, and double up on the juice!
 
Ingredients
-1 1/2 oz peach juice or puree
-1 1/2 oz peach brandy (try peach schnapps)
-sparkling wine
-fresh peach slices
 
Directions
-combine the peach juice or puree with the brandy in a flute, or white wine glass
-fill to top with chilled, sparkling wine
-garnish with fresh peach slice
-serve and enjoy!
 
**makes one absolutely fabulous bellini!
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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 16, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 16, 2013

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NHTSB Wants States to Lower Blood Alcohol Limit From .08 to .05

The National Transportation Safety Board is proposing a more drastic approach to dropping DUI deaths in the U.S. by dropping the legal blood-alcohol content level from .08 percent to .05 percent. 

The NHTSB is claiming that is every state lowered their blood-alcohol levels, that the amount of alcohol related deaths would drop by as much as 10 percent annually. 

Next question? Just how much would you have to or rather NOT drink to be considered for a DUI. There are many online calculators but it boils down to this: an 180lb man that slammed down three beers in one hour would certainly hit that number and shouldn’t be driving or just one cocktail for a woman. 

But asking for this recommendation is easier said than done. For instance, it too over 20 years for every state to lower the blood-alcohol level from .10 to .08. 

Not to mention that the new threat of dangerous driving is distracted driving. The NHTSB would also like penalties increased for first time and repeat offenders. 

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 15, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in auto insurance
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 15, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/nhtsb-wants-states-to-lower-blood-alcohol-limit-from-08-to-05/

Tampa City Officials Lend an Ear to Proposed Car Stereo Noise Ordinance

 

Stereo Speaker by Shari Weinsheimer

Stereo Speaker by Shari Weinsheimer

Tampa drivers that blare their car stereos at deafening decibels beware: Tampa city officials are considering an ordinance to keep car stereos to a dull roar.

Not surprisingly, the window-rattling noise coming from other Tampa drivers is a top complaint for the Tampa Police Department.

This Thursday, the City Council will lend an ear to a new law that would keep those drivers from being able to blare their music within 50 feet of the audibility of fellow Tampa drivers.

Drivers that fail to turn down their tunes would face fines from $250 to $500.

St. Petersburg is interested in pursuing the same law.

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in auto insurance
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 14, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/tampa-city-officials-lend-an-ear-to-proposed-car-stereo-noise-ordinance/

ICF Dumbest Criminal of the Week: Ruffled Feathers

source: stockvault.net

source: stockvault.net

We’ve all been upset about going through the drive-thru and realizing that our order was not right or a portion of the order didn’t make it in the bag.

But a Memphis father and son decided to take action after a fast food restaurant apparently botched their order of wings.

Instead of just returning to the restaurant and asking for a refund or expressing their displeasure over the inconvenience, Antonius Hart, Sr. and Antonius Hart Jr. allegedly returned with an AK-47, according to arrest records.

Papa bear approached the counter of Pirtle’s Chicken upset over his missing chicken. Unfortunately, the cashier’s solution to just replace the missing pieces was not enough and he felt the need to make sure that the employee saw that they meant business by showing her the AK-47 rifle.

The frightened employee immediately phoned police and they were promptly arrested.

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 10, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in ICF's Dumbest Criminal of the Week
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 10, 2013

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Connecticut Takes First Steps in Actually Enforcing Texting and Driving Ban

source: stockvault.net

source: stockvault.net

Connecticut legal eagles have come up with an ingenious way to enforce it’s often ignored law banning talking and texting on cell phones while driving – and other states could be following suit!

State legislators are proposing a bill that would authorize law enforcement to inform auto insurance companies when their clients break the distracted driving laws. In turn, insurers have the option of penalizing the  drivers  through a spike in their rates.

The bill would also increase the dollar amount of fines for texting or talking while driving by up to 25%.  Legislators hope that drivers will think first before picking up their cell phone when behind the wheel, IF they know it could ultimately affect their pocketbook.

Both Democratic and Republican committee leaders are joining forces behind such a bill, and it is now waiting for action in the House of Representatives.

Until now, lawmakers have been relatively flexible in enforcing cell use while driving rules. For example, the legislature originally agreed to allow a fine waiver to first time offenders who could prove they purchased a hands-free device. However, as more and more motorists flaunt the law, there has been an increase in violations – and the effects are deadly. On statistic states that the amount of persons killed by distracted driving (texting or talking while behind the wheel) now surpasses that of those killed by DUI’s.

Adding “distracted driving” to the list of moving violations already reportable to auto insurance companies by law enforcement appears to be on the steady track for approval in Connecticut. Where one state goes, especially with bi-partisan support, more are sure to follow, considering the benefits of the outcome – lives saved on our Nation’s roads.

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 9, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in auto insurance
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 9, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/connecticut-takes-first-steps-in-actually-enforcing-texting-and-driving-ban/

105 Year Old Woman Claims Bacon Secret to Long Life

source: stockvault.net

source: stockvault.net

A 105-year-old Texas woman has trumped a recent study released by the University of Zurich that claims that excessive amounts of bacon in your diet leads to bowel cancer, according to a Science World Report article.

Pearl Cantrell claims that she has a love for consuming bacon in her daily diet and that this has led to her long living years.  Cantrell’s story caught the eye of the Ocsar Meyer meat company which was one of the 200 guests that turned out for her birthday party.

Cantrell has raised 7 children, and outlived one husband. In addition to eating bacon, she loves to dance as well.

This story is certainly one that scientists will chew on for a bit.

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 8, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Odd Insurance
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 8, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/105-year-old-woman-claims-bacon-secret-to-long-life/

Top 10 Best Beaches in the U.S. According to Dr. Beach’s Annual Survey

source: stockvault.net

source: stockvault.net

Each year, Stephen ‘Dr. Beach’ Leatherman releases his 2012 survey of the best beaches in the United States.

The survey factors in sand, waves, swimming, and surrounding such as lighthouses and views. Of course, Florida snagged some of the top spots as well. This is the 22nd year that this survey has been released.

Here is a list of the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. just in time for Memorial Day Weekend:

1.  Coronado Beach in San Diego, Florida

2.  Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

3.  Main Beach East Hampton, New York

4.  St. George Island State Park Florida panhandle

5.  Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

6.  Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts

7.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park Oahu, Hawaii

8.  Cape Florida State Park Key Biscayne, Florida

9.  Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

10. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 7, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Florida
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 7, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/top-10-best-beaches-in-the-u-s-according-to-dr-beachs-annual-survey/

ICF Dumbest Criminal of the Week: Game Over

source: stockvault.net

source: stockvault.net

It’s game over for this week’s ICF Dumbest Criminal of the Week.

Forty-year-old Luis Tyler of South Carolina was arrested after he allegedly tried to hide several bags of marijuana in a video arcade game.

The South Carolina man’s arrest was part of a sting operation by law enforcement to crack down on drug trafficking. Undercover officers allegedly pulled over Tyler and discovered the marijuana packed into the 1980s Pac Man arcade machine.

Tyler, his vehicle and the Pac Man machine were taken into custody.

Surprisingly, this isn’t the most creative container that a criminal has tried smuggling drugs. A couple of weeks ago a Brazilian man tried sneaking in cocaine in a fake derriere.

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by Insurance Company of Florida on May 3, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in ICF's Dumbest Criminal of the Week
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Posted by Insurance Company of Florida on May 3, 2013

http://insurancecompanyofflorida.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/icf-dumbest-criminal-of-the-week-game-over/

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