48 year-old man:  Brain Aneurysm

Massive Internal Bleeding Led to Coma and Multiple Surgeries

We are frequently asked for claims examples to illustrate the importance of travel insurance to our clients.  This example shows how travel insurance protects you and your financial investment in the vent of a mishap or a medical emergency abroad.


A 48 year-old man travelled to Montana to visit friends.  While there, he suffered a massive headache and lost consciousness.  The man was rushed to the hospital.  There he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, which had ruptured causing a massive bleed requiring surgery.  To speed his recovery, he was put into a medically induced coma.  While in the hospital, the patient required a second surgery to drain fluid fro his brain.  After 22 days, his insurance company was able to air evacuate him back to his home province.


Hospital fees.......................................$362,027.66
Physician fees.......................................$56,007.14
Radiology fees........................................$7,140.28
Ambulance............................................$10,253.67
Air evacuation.......................................$10,884.38
Provincial medical plan contribution......$10,619.32
Amount covered by travel insurance...$435,693.81

Courtesy of inTUitive Q3/Q4 2012

LOSS PREVENTION

Insurance is great, but prevention is better

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Think of insurance as the cure (sort of) to a number of bad things that could happen to you or your family.  Yes, if you have a fire or theft, insurance will help you pick up the pieces.  But most people who have lost their homes in a fire - even those with great insurance coverage - will tell you that they would prefer if it had never happened in the first place.  Insurance give syou financial peace of mind.  If you have the right coverage, no theft, fire or accident can leave you broke.  However, there are certain things that insurance cannot fix.

If your wedding ring or a priceless family heirloom is stolen in a break-in, insurance may cover the actual market value of the item, but the sentimental value cannot be replaced.  If you suffer a fire and all your family photos are destroyed, you will feel a tremendous loss,even though the photos have no monetary value.  Insurers are in the business of compensating people when they suffer losses.  Being so close to so many human tragedies, insurers are passionately committed to loss prevention.  They know that it is better to avoid suffering that to try to make up for it.

If your home is uninhabitable for a period of time, you may need to move to a hotel or even a new, likely furnished, apartment.  Some home insurance policies will coverage additional living expenses you incur during this time, such as meals (if you are in a hotel) and room charges.  Be sure to ask your insurance representative if you have this type of coverage, so that if disaster strikes you can focus on putting your life back together without worrying about the added costs.

Courtesy of the Insurance Bureau of Canada

REAL LIFE CLAIMS

Learning from Losses

Overloaded electrical sockets cause fire.

Location:  City home

Cause of loss:  Electrical fire

Cost of loss:  $150,000 in damage

Details of loss:  The insureds were sleeping when their smoke detector went off.  Their home was on fire, so they fled and called 911.  The home sustained extensive fire and smoke damage.  The cause of the fire was an overloaded electrical socket in the basement, which overheated or shorted out and ignited belongings that were stacked near the plug

Lessons learned:  Do not overload electrical sockets and ensure that all electrical work is done by a qualified electrician or, at a minimum, inspected by the electrical authority.  Do not pile combustible belongings close to electrical sockets.  make sure your home is equipped with smoke detectors that are operational and test them regularly.

Source: SGI's the Broker, Fall 2012

REAL-LIFE CLAIMS

Learning from Losses

 

Pinched cord results in two deaths

Location:  City home

Cause of loss:  Electrical fire

Cost of loss:  Reserve sett at $135,000

Details of loss:  The owners of a house were sleeping in the basement when a fire started.  It was determined that an electrical cord to a television was pinched and started the fire.  The house was a total loss.  Tragically, the owners were unable to escape and died in the fire.

Lessons learned:  Have your home inspected by an electrician to check for any unknown hazards.  Make sure your home is equipped with smoke detectors that are operational and test them regularly.

Source: SGI's the Broker, Fall 2012

REAL-LIFE CLAIMS

Learning from losses

 

 

Garage destroyed, house damaged in block heater blaze

Location:  City home.

Cause of loss:  Fire caused by a faulty block heater cord.

Cost of loss:  $160,000 in damage.

Details of loss:  The insured got up in the morning and went in to the attached garage to plug in a vehicle so it would be warm for the drive to work.  About an hour later, the insured went to get the newspaper and noticed smoke coming from the garage.  An attempt was made to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful.  Emergency services was called and the fire department responded, but the garage was completely destroyed.  The rest of the house suffered major fire, smoke and water damage.  It was determined the fire was caused by the block heater cord.

Lessons learned:  Have your vehicle serviced regularly, including your block heater.  Make sure your vehicle's extension cord is rated for the amperage of your block heater and is in good condition -- with no frays, cuts or other damage.  Always disconnect cords by holding the plug and not be pulling on the cord.

Source:  SGI's the Broker, Fall 2012

PMC TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Beyond helping you find the right travel health coverage, there are many things you can do to ensure you travel with peace of mind.

1. Understand entry requirements and safety issues for the country you are visiting.  Visit the Canadian government’s travel website at www.travel.gc.ca. Here you will find information on passport and document requirements. The site will advise of any travel warnings, personal safety issues and immunizations required for entry.

2. Ensure you purchase the correct coverage for the full duration of your trip. Read the travel provisions to make sure you understand your coverage and what is and isn’t included.

3. Don’t forget to take your travel health policy with you on your trip. Having your policy on hand will guarantee that you have the proper information available if you require medical services. Some countries, like Cuba and certain countries in Europe, require proof of health insurance before tourists can enter. Your Blue Cross or Travel Underwriters travel health policy will meet this requirement.

4. Be certain that you understand what to do in the case of an emergency. Remember to keep all emergency numbers handy in case you need help. Note your policy includes the number for 24-hour worldwide assistance if a medical emergency occurs in a foreign country.

5. If a pre-existing condition applies to your plan, make sure you understand what that means.  Many plans will still cover you if your pre-existing condition is stable and controlled for at least 12 months. Understand the insurance company's definition of stable and controlled. 

6. If you have any concerns when completing a medical questionnaire, please take the questionnaire to your physician to complete with your updated medical information.  Remember that individuals who complete a medical questionnaire also agree to report any changes in medical conditions that would alter their medical questionnaire prior to departure.
 

Do You Have The Right Insurance?

How does RV Insurance differ from Auto Insurance?


With summer just around the corner many people are pulling out the RV and getting ready for camping trips.  At PMC Insurance we provide many different types of insurance.  RV's can be significant investments and we want to help you protect your investment.  Come and talk with us about RV insurance options.  


If you're looking at recreational vehicle for your family holiday, you might want to call your insurer before making a down payment. Different types of RVs call for different types of insurance and the costs and coverage may influence what type of RV you decide to buy. You also need to find out if your insurer offers RV insurance in the province where you reside, since not all insurers provide RV coverage in all provinces.

Most RV policies fall into three basic categories:

Will my insurance policy automatically cover my rental vehicle?

This is a common question that is asked of customer service agents at car rental companies all over the country. Many people assume that their auto insurance will follow them no matter what vehicle they are driving. This is not the case when it comes to rentals.  Your policy will not automatically provide coverage for a rental vehicle. Not knowing the exact details of your specific policy, employees at the car rental companies will not be able to give an accurate answer to your question.

In order for a rental vehicle to be covered, your policy needs to include several specific coverage options. First, you must have both collision and comprehensive coverage on your personal vehicle.  Collision coverage pays for damage that is sustained to your car when you hit another vehicle or object, and comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle against other losses, such as fire or theft.  Since both of these coverage options are not mandatory, it is possible that you do not have them added to your policy. This especially may be the case if your car is older, or if you are trying to keep your premium low.

In addition to these two options, you must also obtain an SEF 27 or “Legal Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobile” endorsement, which transfers the coverage from your personal vehicle to the rental vehicle.  Your broker can assist you in arranging for this additional coverage.

Your Home Insurance Questions Answered

At PMC Insurance, we get a lot of emails with questions surrounding home insurance. To help you understand your home insurance policy and how your insurance premiums are calculated, we've collected a few of the most frequently asked questions and answered them for you.

1. Why do I need home insurance? 
Your home is often the biggest investment you'll make in your life. It's also one of the most important possessions you will own; it's where you and your loved ones live. It's your foundation and base, where you go after a long day of work and where you relax. Home insurance protects your home and its contents from loss and damage. This loss or damage could be due to theft or natural causes like thunderstorms and earthquakes. Home insurance also has a liability component, covering you in the event that someone harms him or herself on your property.

2. What are the different kinds of home insurance policies? 
There are three main types of insurance. Comprehensive policies covers your home and its contents against all risks, except for excluded risks. This kind of policy tends to give you the most coverage, and as expected, costs the most. Basic / Named Perils insurance is a type of insurance that covers you against specific risks and is not all-encompassing likeComprehensive. A Broad insurance policy is a mix between the Basic and Comprehensivepolicies, offering one kind of insurance for your property and another for your contents. For instance, you may choose to have your property covered for all losses and damages, and only specific items in your home covered.

3. How does an insurance company calculate my premiums? 
There are many factors that contribute to your insurance premiums. Primarily, an insurance company will look at the cost of replacing your home and its contents. The more expensive your house, and the more costly items you own, the higher your premiums will be. The neighbourhood in which you live also comes into play, as different neighbourhoods have different levels of crime. Your home's age is also a factor, as older homes tend to have more problems and newer homes tend to have fewer.

10 Insurance Scams Homeowners Frequently Try to Pull

Many homeowners fudge values a bit or make less-than-honest estimates when filing a claim with their homeowners’ insurance carrier with the attitude that they’re only taking back money that they’ve already paid. This attitude is not only criminal, but also costs the community money in raised premiums across the board. Here are some of the most commonly filed bogus homeowners insurance claims.

1. Overstating Value – In the event of a break-in, determining the value of your stolen possessions can be difficult. Overstating the value of a family heirloom or other object with more sentimental than monetary value can be tempting, but it’s important to remember that doing so is insurance fraud.
2. Storm Damages – When a home sustains damage from storms or other events that are covered by their policy, some homeowners are tempted to blame damages that occurred through non-covered events on the storm as well. Unscrupulous homeowners may also damage their own property to receive a settlement.
3. Staged Fires – The idea that a homeowner could set fire to their own home is a shocking one for most people, but it does happen. When facing foreclosure or other financial devastation, some desperate homeowners have been known to resort to arson. In addition to criminal insurance fraud charges, they almost always face arson charges as well; this can add up to hefty fines and significant prison time.
4. Salesman-Induced Fraud – This common scam is typically perpetrated by a salesman with most clients being unaware of the legalities; touting the ability of their equipment to detect “microscopic siding damage from hail” or other damages, these shady salespeople bill insurance companies to replace virtually undamaged siding or other surfaces.
5. Underwriting Fraud – Most homeowners don’t realize that being dishonest on insurance applications or refusing to disclose important information is considered fraud, and can carry criminal penalties. Fudging the truth to get a better premium may be common, but it’s unethical and illegal.

Winter driving habits that can cost you

There is no question that harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle. From snow, slush, and salt damage to treacherous driving conditions that can increase your chance of a collision, drivers need to be extra cautious during this snowy season.While you can’t control the weather, you do have power over certain practices that put you at greater risk for theft or damage and can be easily avoided. Here are a few winter driving habits that can be costly.

Leaving your running car unattended.

On frosty winter mornings, many people start their car and go back into the house, leaving the vehicle running in the driveway to warm up the engine and de-frost the windows. Or, they don’t turn off their car when they run into a convenience store or ATM “just for a minute”. But an unattended car is an open invitation to thieves. If you have to leave your car for any period of time, turn off the ignition and lock the doors. It may seem inconvenient, but it’s not nearly as much trouble – or as embarrassing – as being stranded or having to report the vehicle as stolen.  

Driving with all-season tires instead of snow tires.

Leaving your all-season tires on your vehicle may not be the safest option during the winter months.  Studies have shown that winter tires are more effective at preventing accidents during the cold winter months than all-season tires. They have deeper treads to cut through snow and help you stop, and they are made of rubber compounds that don’t lose their grip when the temperature dips below 7 ° Celsius as with all-season tires. Besides safety another benefit to switching is some insurance companies will even offer you a discount if you install four winter tires on your vehicle – check with your insurance professional.

Forgetting to clear the snow from your windows and roof.

Before you head out on the road, it is important to clear the snow from all windows on your vehicle – front, back and sides – to ensure you have an unobstructed view.  Be sure to clear off the roof of your car as well, as chunks of snow and ice can blow off your car as you drive, causing a hazard for other vehicles and yourself which could potentially lead to an accident.

Keeping your car unlocked to avoid freezing.

Being unable to open your car doors because the locks have frozen is not an experience you want to have, especially standing outside in sub-zero winter temperatures. You may be tempted to leave your car unlocked so that you can still access it, but then so can would-be thieves.Always lock your car as a precaution, even if you’re away for only a few minutes. Invest in a purse or pocket size bottle of lock de-icer for those really frigid days. It only costs a dollar or two, a small investment that could save you from the big costs and headaches of a break-in or theft.

Leaving valuables in plain sight.

When you leave valuables in your car where they can be seen, anything from expensive electronics like a satellite radio, purchases from your shopping trip or spare change for the drive thru, your car becomes a target for thieves. Even if your car isn’t stolen, a thief could smash your window and take your belongings.Keep these items out of sight by storing them in your trunk, glove box or centre console. If you don’t have a trunk, invest in a hatchback tonneau cover or other device that will conceal the storage area.Some items left in your car such as sports equipment, a laptop computer or shopping purchases are not covered under your auto insurance policy; they are covered under your home insurance policy. With a car break-in you may have to make two separate claims, and that means paying two deductibles.In the unfortunate case of an accident or theft, do you know if you’re covered? Talk to your insurance professional about your policy

Boating Season is coming to a Wrap… Here’s some information that could help you for the upcoming season….

Winterizing Your Boat’s Motor

When the boating season ends, many folks are anxious to get their boat out of the water and get it into storage. They might do a few quick winterizing activities, such as thoroughly drying and draining the boat or cleaning the hull, but some folks neglect to take the time to winterize the boat’s motor. The fact of the matter is that your boat insurance isn’t going to cover damage that occurs to your boat’s motor during winter storage, so you need to be diligent about getting it ready for those cold temps and the long months of storage.

Here are the things you need to do in order to winterize your boat’s motor:

·       Get your boat out of the water and do the rest of your winterizing. Start with the rest of the winterizing steps. Clean your entire boat, including the deck and cockpit. Make sure you drain your bilge pump. Drain and clean your toilet facilities per your manufacturer’s recommendations. Open up your storage areas so they don’t build up any moisture. Make any necessary repairs.

·       Check your owner’s manual. Make sure you can use moisturizing spray lubricants, for example, and see what else the manufacturer recommends and suggests you should avoid when it comes to storage and winterizing.

·       Clean the fuel system. To clean your boat motor’s fuel system, fill the tank with some fuel stabilizer and marine fuel. Run your motor for a while to make sure that the treatment gets to the engine and the fuel lines. This keeps your fuel from spoiling or getting gummy over the winter, and helps to avoid oxidation as well as condensation.

·       Flush the cooling system. Take out the plug and drain the water from the engines. Use a flushing kit on the engine. After you’ve flushed it, pump anti-freeze into the system. If you don’t flush, you’re looking at the possibility of your lines freezing and causing engine damage.

·       Oil the engine. Apply a spray oil to help keep rust from building up. Consider a fogging oil specifically made to not slide off your boat cylinders. Change the lubricant in your gear casing, making sure to not leave any water in there to freeze.

COTTAGE & BOAT INSURANCE

A ‘Basic Seasonal’ policy will usually cover: fire and lightning, explosion, smoke, falling object, impact by aircraft or land vehicle, riot, certain water damage losses, windstorm or hail, and electricity.

A ‘Broad Seasonal’ will usually cover all of the above plus vandalism or malicious acts, burglary, robbery and damage caused by bears.

A ‘Seasonal Homeowners’ policy will usually cover all of the above plus theft, attempted theft, glass breakage, transportation, collapse or partial collapse of the building.

Contact you’re nearest PMC Insurance Branch for further information.

Renter's Insurance... Or Not?

 This article is a great tool for helping you to choose whether or not to purchase Renter's Insurance.  At PMC Insurance we offer a variety of different Renter's Insurance options. 

The first time most people think about insurance is with their first car or home. Usually this is because the law or bank requires us to do so. Although renter's insurance is usually not required, it is just as necessary to have. Not only will renter's insurance protect your personal items, it will also give you help with temporary housing and liability protection such as medical expenses for people on your property or a lawyer if you are sued by someone unintentionally injured by you. Once you determine your need for renter's insurance, knowing your options will help you choose the best policy.

Is Your Cottage Protected?

It's a good idea to review all of your insurance policies on an annual basis to make sure that you've covered everything you need to cover and ensure that you're not paying for coverage you no longer need, and cottage insurance is no different. 

This helpful article provides you with all of the information necessary to help protect and insure your Cottage!

Cottage Insurance

Buying insurance for your cottage is very similar to buying insurance for your home. In fact, cottage or seasonal properties are most often listed as an add-on to your home insurance policy, and many companies will not consider offering you insurance for your cottage if you do not already have home insurance with them as well. 

There are different types of home and cottage insurance that you can buy:

8 Ways To Save on Home Insurance

For many people, the cost of their home insurance premiums may seem to grow year after year.    This equates to an ever tightening strain on many homeowners’ annual budgets, and can be a real difficulty.  However, it may actually possible to reduce the cost of your home insurance premiums considerably, if you know how to go about it.  These tips will help you try to reduce your rates! Contact PMC Insurance to reduce your home insurance today!

Car Insurance For Teens 101

For families with teenagers learning to drive, car insurance doesn't have to be confusing - and if you are smart, it shouldn't send you to the poorhouse either. Here are some ways to make sure you are getting the best coverage for your teen at the right time and at the best price.

When should you insure your teenage driver?

When your teen walks in the door with that learner's permit in hand, don't immediately see dollar signs floating out behind them. If your child has their first level of driver's licence (G1 in Ontario and Class 7 in other provinces), they are required to have a licensed driver in the car with them at all times. Since they are under constant supervision when behind the wheel, insurance companies often consider their risk of accident to be relatively small. As a result, insurers often do not "rate", or charge you if you will, for drivers who only have their first level licence. Even so, based on your original agreement with your insurer, you still have a responsibility to notify them there is now a Learner's/G1 licensed driver now in the household.

As soon as your teen is licensed to drive on their own (G2 in Ontario and Class 5 in other provinces), you are also required to report this 'material change in risk' to your insurance company and arrange for coverage for your teen.

Factors affecting a teen's insurance rate

One of the things that will affect your rate the most is if your teen has completed an approved driver-training course. New drivers can receive significant discounts off their insurance for the first 3 years they are licensed if they have driver training. It's a good thing to consider, since your insurance savings are usually greater than the cost of the course.

As a general rule, if your teen is female the impact on the parent's policy will be less than if your teen is male. This is because, statistically, young female drivers are a better risk for insurance companies than young male drivers.

The cost of adding a teen to your insurance policy will vary depending primarily on the type of car(s) you own, the age of your teen and their driving history.

Getting the best value for your insurance dollar

Your current insurance company may have given you a great rate when you shopped around last time, but when you add a teen to your auto insurance policy, that company may no longer offer the best option for you. It's important that whenever your insurance profile changes (marriage, moving, adding a new driver) do some research to make sure you are still getting the best rate available.

Your teen is probably excited about the prospect of being in the driver's seat. Don't let their excitement translate into overpriced auto insurance premiums

Car Insurance Myths Exposed

There are a lot of information sources and perceptions regarding car insurance, some of which are considered fundamental truths; but, closer investigation reveals that what we think to be true is simply urban legend - word of mouth gone awry. The trouble with insurance myths is that they can cost us money in higher premiums if we don't know how to properly assess our coverage and current rates. Read on to find out some common misperceptions and how to make sure you don't fall victim to overpayment. 

1. Red cars are more expensive to insure than any other colour.

This is false.  The make, model and year of your vehicle will ultimately affect your insurance rates.  Rates charged, contrary to popular belief, do not stem from car colour; but, rather the claims history and average repair cost of the vehicle - not to mention its popularity with thieves. In fact, insurance companies don't even ask for car colour when providing quotes or building a policy.

2. My loyalty discount offsets any savings I would get by changing insurance companies

This is also false.  Switching insurance companies may cause you to lose your loyalty discount (if in fact you receive one from your current provider); but, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay more for car insurance in the end. The fact is, some insurance companies may provide a small discount on your premium if you’ve been with them for a long time, but that small discount can quickly become irrelevant if another company has a rate for you that is significantly less than what you’re currently paying. After all, what good is 5% off of an annual rate of $1,500 (a $75 savings) if you could pay $1,100 (a $400 savings) with another company? 

3. Higher rates mean more coverage

False again.  The rates charged by different insurance companies to insure the same driver, with the same car, for the same exact coverage, can vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars. And with so many insurance companies providing car insurance, odds are you may not be currently insured with the company that offers the best rate for your driving profile. The reason for the discrepancy in rates is that each provider uses their claims experience to determine premiums charged and each company will have a different history with each driving profile and car combination. 


4. No fault insurance means "It's not my fault"

True? False. There’s always fault assigned in an accident. Whether it is all assigned to one person or it is shared between the parties involved, depending on the situation. No Fault only means your insurance company pays for your damages regardless who is at fault for the accident. This was introduced so that claims will be processed much faster as everyone would deal with their own insurance company directly, versus having to deal with another company. Even though fault is assigned in a car accident which can impact your rate, insurance companies treat situations and how they affect your insurance premiums differently;

5. Males pay more than females for car insurance

This too is false to an extent. Males under 25 years old can pay from $1,500 to $10,500 more than females drivers. At 25 years old gender is usually no longer a rating category; hence males and females over 25 with the same car and driving history may receive the same rate. However, one thing to always remember is that regardless of your age rates can vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars from one insurance company to the next for the same driving profile. If you're wondering about your rates and if they're too high, 

6. All car insurance policies are created equal

False. The rates charged by different car insurance companies to insure the same car and driver, for the exact same policy, can vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars, so it pays to shop around.

7. If I have tickets and accidents I will always pay a lot for car insurance

This isn’t entirely true. While you may pay more on insurance than someone who has no tickets or accidents, insurance companies offer different rates for the same driving records, therefore the chances that you are paying the lowest rate for your particular driving profile aren’t very likely. Shop your driving profile around and you might be surprised to find another insurance company that will offer you the same coverage for your profile at a lower rate. Also, tickets usually affect your insurance rate for three years and accidents usually have an impact for six years. By driving better today you’ll be investing in lower premiums for the future.

8. If a friend drives my car and causes an accident, it won’t show up on my insurance record

False. Insurance coverage is tied to the vehicle and not the person driving the vehicle. Therefore, if your vehicle is involved in an accident it will be the policy that covers said vehicle that will be affected.

Source: Insurance Hotline

Use Safety & Proper Insurance when Boating

Summer here and boaters are taking to the water for aquatic fun. Now is a great time make sure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself, your passengers and other boaters while cruising Manitoba waters throughout the summer.

Practicing water safety and having the appropriate insurance will help reduce your personal and financial risk while enjoying your time on the water.

Insurance Council and the Evergreen Safety Council are encouraging you to check your insurance coverage, make safety a first priority and follow all boating laws to ensure a fun and safe boating season.

"Make sure your boat has the appropriate safety items, most importantly proper Coast Guard-approved life vests for everyone on board," said Evergreen Safety Council president. "Be sure to have a fire extinguisher. On the water is one of the worst places to experience a fire."

Also, check to make sure you have the appropriate amount of insurance to cover damage to your boat and any damage or injuries you may cause to other boaters and passengers.

"Owners of both sailboats and powerboats need insurance coverage just like car owners need auto insurance"

Insurance Tips

Most homeowners or renters insurance policies offer limited coverage for property damage to small boats like canoes, small sailboats or powerboats with less than 25 horsepower.

Property damage coverage is typically limited to $1,000 or less, and liability coverage is subject to the limits of your Homeowners or Renters policy. For larger watercraft, a separate policy is needed to cover both damage to the boat and liability for damage caused to others due to owning and/or operating the boat.

Safety Tips

Carelessness and inexperience are the leading causes of boating accidents and fatalities in Manitoba. On average, 27 people die from boat-related accidents each year, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Evergreen Safety Council offers these tips to help you enjoy your time on the water:

• Always wear a life jacket. Most boating fatality victims are not wearing a personal floating device.

• Avoid drinking alcohol while boating.

• Take water safety classes.

• Always operate at safe speeds.

• Have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator.

• Watch out for low water areas and/or submerged objects.

• Maintain at least 50 feet of distance from other boats and personal watercraft.

• Check weather forecasts before heading out onto the water.

• Obey all marine traffic laws and understand distress signals.

• Be sure your boat's fuel, lights and electrical and exhaust systems are working properly before launching.

• Keep a first-aid kit, additional food and water in case you are ever stranded.

Source: CDA Press