I Wouldn’t Send a Knight Out on a Dog Like This
So back in January I did an article on dog bites, and spoke to the reasons of why dogs bite, the frequency of claims, the severity of bites, and certain means of prevention. Well, with the dog days of summer just about upon us, and with homeowners carriers tightening their underwriting on homes that include certain dogs (not to mention that I have received so many calls and emails asking me to do a follow up piece, and since journalism is a “dog eat dog world”) I have decided to “dig a little deeper and uncover some bone hard dog bite facts” for 2012 and share them with you (that’s a little dog humor, by the way… just in case you didn’t notice).
Well dog-garnit I found some very interesting material that I woofed down, and after editing out the poop, (the jokes keep coming!) this is what I have uncovered for the year 2012 (what’s that in dog years?):
Dogs, (very similar to people) have good days, and not so good days, so a dog that is docile and complacent today, may be a bully and a biter tomorrow. As we all know that a bite from a dog (or any animal for that matter) may be serious, and some- times may even result in death. In addition, the emotional damage inflicted by a dog bite can be just as damaging…and may also be accompanied by a significant price tag when it comes to a claim..
As per the “III” (Insurance Information Institute), in 2012 dog bites accounted for more than 33% of all dollars paid on home- owners’ insurance claims, totaling more than $489 million, with some states leading the way above others. However, in 2012, dog bite claims decreased from 2011 by 1.4%, but claims paid due to dog bites increased by 1.2%. The average claim settled in 2012 for a dog bite was $29,752 versus $29,393 in 2011.
Per the III, these the top 10 states in dollars paid out from claims for dog bites in 2012, reported by a large direct writer:
• California had 451 claims that paid $17.1 million
• Illinois had 337 claims that paid $9 million
• Florida with 123 claims that paid out $7.1 million
• New York with 116 claims that paid out a total of $6.4 million
• Ohio with 235 claims paying out $5 million
• Michigan with 151 claims that paid out $4.6 million
• Pennsylvania with 165 claims that paid out 4.5 million
• Texas 236 claims, costing $4.3 million
• Georgia with 121 claims that paid out $3.3 million
• Indiana with 148 claims that paid out $2.7 million
The I.I.I. estimates that the total of all carriers in 2012 paid out nearly $489 million in dog bite claims. Also, according to the nonprofit organization “Prevent the Bite”, from 2001 to 2011, dog bites were the ninth leading cause of nonfatal unintentional injury to children ages five to nine (512,638) and the 10th for children ages 10 to 14 (412,895). Prevent the Bite is devoted to dog bite prevention through the education of dog owners so that they can learn to avoid situations that may cause an attack.
If you are a mailman, dogs still love to hate you the most, as the United Postal Service reported that in 2012 5879 postal carriers were bitten by a dog while on the job, which is up 274 from 2011. In addition, The American Humane Association has stated that newborns that are unsupervised are 370 times more likely than an adult to be killed by a dog, with sick or injured dogs even more likely.
Also, according to multiple sources, “all dogs bite”, and you are more likely to be bit- ten by a strange dog on a leash than an unchained dog that you are familiar with. So the bottom line is: don’t ask, “Does your dog bite?” Just assume it does.
Here’s some interesting news that hit the wire last week: The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) praised the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs for reporting the bipartisan insurance agent licensing reform bill, S. 534, the “National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2013” (NARAB II), to the full Senate for consideration. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) in March with 14 original cosponsors in the Senate. The bill currently boasts the support of 23 bipartisan sponsors.
NARAB II would build upon regulatory experience at the state level, promote con- sistency in agent and agency licensing and improve marketplace responsiveness. The legislation would provide for streamlined non-resident insurance agent and broker licensing while preserving state insurance regulation and consumer protections. This pragmatic bill would achieve much needed reciprocity in producer licensing and help policyholders by permitting greater com- petition among agents and brokers.
“NARAB II is vitally important for tens of thousands of Big ‘I’ members who oper- ate on a multi-state basis,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “We would like to particularly thank Sens. Tester and Johanns and their incredible staff for their tireless work on this important legislation that will ease consumer access to insurance markets while also leaving important consumer protections in the capable hands of state insurance regulators.”
NARAB II has previously passed the full House in two previous Congresses by voice vote. It also received strong bipartisan and bicameral support in the 112th Congress. The House companion bill, H.R. 1155 by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) and Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), was also introduced in March and currently has the support of 79 cosponsors.
“The Big ‘I’ is very encouraged by the bipartisan action on NARAB II and thanks Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) for their support on this issue,” says Charles E. Symington, Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “We look forward to working with Senate leadership to move the legislation to the Senate floor as soon as possible. We also look forward to working with the House of Representatives to act on this common-sense, pragmatic bill that will benefit our small business members and the customers they serve.” Thank you IIAA for putting this one out.
Well, as you may hear from some peo- ple that in certain states the “war is still going on”, and that certainly holds true with the Young Insurance Professionals when it comes to New and New Jersey…with regards to who can raise more money for Special Olympics! The New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals proved that the industry puts community first, raising more than $140,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey at its 29th annual Fun Run, held Tuesday, June 11 as part of the PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference, at the Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, N.J. NJYIP, partnering with the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey’s Annual Golf Classic, has raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics for New Jersey.
“For nearly 30 years, NJYIP has been committed to working on SONJ’s behalf,” said Casey Yarger, CIC, and newly elected NJYIP president. “As a result, thousands of Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to train and take part in various events.”
Some 168 runners took part in the five- kilometer race. Kyle Price of Franklin Mutual Insurance finished first for the men with a time of 18:01:92; Susan Reich of Cumberland Insurance Group finished first for the women with a time of 19:44:30. Top fundraisers included top individual: Patrick Cusack with $3,625 ; top agency: Jimcor Agencies Inc. with $10,389.78; and top company: Franklin Mutual Insurance with $58,525. I had the dubious distinction of presenting the NJ YIPs with the annual trophy, as they once again defeated the New York YIPs in the annual fun run…but this year was only by just one minute!
Speaking of presenting awards, I also had the honor and pleasure of presenting my dear frond, David Lande, with a Young Insurance Professional Lifetime Achievement Award for his 21 years of service to the New York YIPs. David, an account executive for Century Coverage Corp. in Valley Stream, N.Y., was recognized at the Professional Insurance Agents of New York and New Jersey’s joint annual conference, held at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City from June 9th through the 11th. This is only the fifth time in the association’s history that an individual has received this honor. His active participation also includes service as a member of the Company and Industry Relations and Education/Conference Committees.
Honored only occasionally, the NY-YIP lifetime membership is given to an individual who has rendered remarkable service to the insurance industry and to the association as a whole. The lifetime membership is only awarded upon a unanimous vote by the NY-YIP board of directors. Previous recipients of this tribute include PIANY and NY-YIP past President T.J. Derella, CPIA, of RIBS NY LLC; PIANY Honorary Vice President Harvey A. Leff, of Brooks of New York Inc.; PIANY, NY-YIP past President Donna Chiapperino, CIC, of Jimcor Agencies; and NY-YIP past President Michael Loguercio Jr. of EZ Lynx.
Other events that occurred at the conference, which according is the largest insurance trade show in the northeast; were the NJYIP Annual Business Meeting; the YIP Nitecap Reception; the YIP luncheon; and the 29th annual Fun Run for Special Olympics New Jersey.
At the NJYIP Annual Business Meeting held Sunday, June 9, the officers and directors were installed for 2013-14. They included: Casey Yarger, CIC, of Robert Petri & Daughter Insurance, President; Natalie Bruno of D’Agostino Agency Insurance, Vice President; and Daniel Tague of Travelers, Secretary and Treasurer.
Directors installed for the term ending in 2014, included: Casey Yarger, CIC, and Daniel Tague. Directors installed for the term ending in 2015, included: Natalie Bruno, D’Agostino Agency Insurance; Aaron Levine, LG Insurance Group; Frank Raab, T.E. Freuler Agency Inc.; Lisa Rivlin, Forensic Consultants of North America; Kristen Scott, CPIA, Chamber Insurance Agency Services; Glenn Watkins, Cumberland Insurance Group; and Thomas Wilkens, Professional Risk Placements LLC.
Awards were presented during the YIP luncheon Monday, June 10th were to another dear friend of mine and many others: Michael Plafker of Member Brokerage Service in Briarwood, N.Y., received the NY-YIP Insurance Professional of the Year; Jason Bartow of Eugene A. Bartow Insurance, received the NY-YIP Volunteer of the Year; NJYIP presented Dale Martin with the NJYIP Distinguished Service award for his contributions to the NJYIP Fun Run for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Well, that probably wraps up the end of the insurance convention season till the fall of 2013, so until we chat again during the real Dog Days of Summer…Ciao for now!
