Newsletters

How to Choose an Insurance Company
Accident Checklist - What You Should Do if You've Been in an Auto Accident
Fire Safety - Making Your Home Safe
Physical Therapy - Tips on Improving Your Posture

 

How to Choose an Insurance Company

September 30, 2005

After my last letter, one of my former clients asked that I write about how to choose an insurance company. All of us at one point or another need to deal with this problem yet most have little information upon which to make an intelligent decision. After doing some research, I discovered that there was no way to simplify the issue into a one-page letter. Instead, below are some general guidelines which have been taken from the new consumer guide we have recently posted on our website. Feel free to contact our office if you would like us to mail you a copy.

7 Steps To Buying A Car Insurance Policy

1. Determine how much and what coverage you really need – liability, medical pay, uninsured motorist, collision, towing, car rental.
2. Review your driving record – you can get a copy by writing to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
3. Solicit comparative bids through the internet (http://www.greatcoloradorates.com/)  or by phone – keep track of the information you obtain.
4. Ask for any discounts you may qualify for – good driver, multi-policy, safety equipment, limited mileage, good student or away-at-college discounts etc.
5. Choose the right insurance company. There are several internet sources to compare companies – http://www.jdpower.com/ or the State Division of Insurance http://www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/. You should keep in mind that the least expensive company may not provide the best service when you file a claim. The two highest rated companies according to J.D. Power & Associates are Amica and USAA.
6. Review the policy before you sign.
7. Cancel your old policy.

For more information about this process, call our office for your free consumer guide. You may also want to share this information with your family and friends. 

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Accident Checklist - What You Should Do if You've Been in an Auto Accident

August 4, 2005

Do you know what you should do if you’ve been in an auto accident? According to the City of Colorado Springs, there are approximately 11,000 traffic accidents per year. This month, I have compiled some information for you and your family to help you in the event that you do have a car accident. Here are the steps that you or someone you know should take:

• If anyone appears to be injured, offer assistance and call 911 for both police and medical help.  
• Generally, you should not move your car or the debris until you are instructed to do so by the police. On some highways, signs will direct you to move your vehicle immediately.
• Initially, do not discuss the accident with anyone other then the investigating police officer. Make sure to tell him/her about any injuries you or your passengers have sustained.
• Make notes of any statements made by the driver or occupants of the other vehicle(s) as to how the accident occurred.
• Try to get the name, address, and phone number of any witnesses.
• If you believe the driver of the other vehicle may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, tell this to the investigating police officer.
• Contact an attorney if you have any questions about your medical benefits, lost wages, or potential bodily injury claim.

I hope that you never need to use this information, but if you are in an accident you may find the enclosed Auto Accident Checklist helpful to record information. If you have teenage drivers, you may want to go over this information with them. If you have any questions or would like more copies of the Auto Accident Checklist, please give us a call. 

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Fire Safety - Making Your Home Safe

June 9, 2005

I hope that you find this month’s information as intriguing to you as it was to me. I found it alarming that so many homeowners are not covered sufficiently for home damage or loss due to fire and other acts of nature. I would like to suggest that you periodically speak with your insurance agent to review your policy to make sure your coverages are adequate for your needs.

I was recently reminded of some critical safety information that I received and want to pass it along to you and your family.

PLAN EVACUATION ROUTES TODAY!

• Determine at least two routes for escape from every room of your home.
• Consider buying a few escape ladders for those bedrooms located on multi-story homes.
• Practice using them and be sure to keep the ladders near the escape window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. If you have young children, explain that this is not a game.

If there is a fire:

• Once everyone is out of the house, stay out! Call the fire department from your cell phone or from a neighbor’s house.
• If your escape route is on the other side of a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it feels warm to the touch, use your alternate exit.
• If, for whatever reason, you cannot find a safe exit, stay in the room with the door closed.
• Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth or a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are located inside the house.
• Last, but definitely not least, stay calm. A cool head will prevent mistakes from being made in haste.

I certainly hope that you’ll never have to go through this type of life-changing experience. With careful safety planning and foresight, chances are you’ll never have to. You should be prepared, however, because mother nature has a mind of her own, and you never know when she might be visiting your neighborhood. Visit www.firewise.org/co for more information on making your home safe and “fire wise” for your family.

Stay safe!

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Physical Therapy - Tips on Improving Your Posture

April 28, 2005

If you have in the past suffered from back, neck and/or joint pain, you know how debilitating and frustrating it can be. Chances are most of us at one time or another have had to deal with some type of back pain. Did you know that in many cases this pain could be helped through improved posture? The benefits of good posture are much more than cosmetic and may be among the best kept secrets of the current fitness movement.

I spoke about this topic with a friend of mine, Diane Baggs, who works at Joint Effort Rehab, LLC. She gave me some wonderful information to pass on to you. The first step to improving posture is to identify what needs improvement by examining one’s own posture throughout the day, such as when sitting in an office chair, carrying objects, or standing in line. At regular intervals throughout the day, take a moment to make a mental note of posture and back support. For instance, as you sit reading this letter, what does your posture look like? Are you sitting up or slouching? Remembering to sit, stand, walk and move using correct posture will have long-term benefits and it will make you look like you’ve lost five pounds instantly.

The following are some tips on improving your posture:

• When standing – hold your head high, chin firmly forward, shoulders back, chest out, and stomach tucked in to increase your balance. If you stand all day in a job, rest one foot on a stool.
• When sitting – use a chair with firm low back support. Keep desk and table top elbow high, adjust the chair or use a footrest to keep pressure off the back of the legs and keep your knees a little higher than your hips. Get up and stretch frequently. Do not sit on a fat wallet.
• When sitting in a car – adjust the seat forward so your knees are higher than your hips.
• When sleeping – sleep on your side with your knees bent and head supported by a pillow, to make your head level with your spine. Don’t sleep on your stomach.
• When lifting – let your legs do the work. Stand close to the object, then squat down and straddle it. Grasp the object and slowly lift by straightening your legs as you stand up.
• When bending – never twist from the waist and bend forward at the same time. Bend the knees while keeping the back straight.

If you follow these tips, but still feel discomfort and pain related to specific activities, I strongly suggest you visit my friend, Diane Baggs at Joint Effort Rehab. When I asked if I could promote their services, she agreed and generously offered you a free initial consultation. If you don’t know whether your insurance covers this type of service, Joint Effort Rehab will conduct a free review to inform you of your coverage. Just give them a call at 533-1318 to setup an appointment, or visit their website at http://www.jointeffortrehab.com/. Don’t forget to mention that I sent you, and feel free to share this information with your friends and family.

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Call The Law Firm of Jaray & Webster, LLC today for a free initial consultation.

"Call or E-mail Jaray & Webster Now"

Phone: (719) 633-6620

Santa Fe Building
985 Pico Point
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Fax: (719) 634-0789

The Colorado Springs, CO Law Firm of Jaray & Webster, LLC represents workers compensation and personal injury clients throughout Colorado including the cities of Fountain, Security, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak Region, Monument, Palmer Lake, Calhan, Falcon, Black Forest, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Divide, Green Mountain Falls, Cascade, and El Paso and Pueblo counties.