Farah & Farah August 2014 Newsletter

Posted on August 3, 2014

SUNLAMPS and TANNING BEDS CAN MAKE YOU SICK

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recategorized the warnings for the use of tanning beds and sunlamps. Under the new rules the FDA will require them to undergo premarket testing and carry warnings that they are not safe for people under the age of 18. Under this new rule, the FDA is changing its regulation of UV lamps intended for use in sunlamp products by reclassifying these devices from Class I, which is low risk, to Class II, which encompasses moderate risk. Sunlamp products include tanning beds and tanning booths which emit ultraviolet radiation which may cause skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning experience a 59% increase in the risk of developing melanoma, and the risk increases every time they use a sunlamp product. In addition, sunlamp products will now have to undergo a premarket review by the FDA. The highest risk for skin cancer, according to the FDA, is again in young persons under the age of 18 and people with family history of skin cancer.

Source: Law360.com

Written estimates for car repairs

Motor vehicle repair shops are required to make available to the customer a detailed estimate when the cost of the repairs will exceed $100.00. Many repair shops, including dealerships, provide customers with a document explaining three things:

1. The right to request a written estimate;
2. Your right to waive a written estimate; or
3. Waive a written estimate as long as the repair cost does not exceed the initially quoted price.

When you take your vehicle to a repair shop it is a good idea to require an estimate prior to the work being preformed. The written estimate must be provided to the customer, before work has begun; oral authorizations to repair a vehicle are allowed but as you can expect they are often source of misunderstanding and lawsuits. All motor vehicle repair shops are required to be registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; you will want to check with this particular agency to make sure your repair shop is in compliance with the law. It is also unlawful for a motor vehicle repair shop to refuse to return a customers vehicle when unauthorized repairs had been made. If you are involved in litigation over unauthorized repairs or the failure to make repairs, this is going to require legal assistance, which means you are going to have to hire a lawyer which will require you to pay attorney’s fees and costs. So it is best when taking your car into a repair shop to assert your right under the law to ask questions and obtain specific amounts for repairs and have those numbers put in writing, which you must authorize before the repairs begin.

Things you need to know about renters insurance

Renters insurance is similar to homeowners insurance or car insurance because it insures that if there is theft or fire or any other insured event you are protected financially. A lot of renters do not think they need renters insurance because they believe their landlords insurance will cover their personal belongings in the event there is a loss. Here are some tips to help you better understand renters insurance:

1. When it comes to renters insurance, just like car insurance, you can usually pay in one lump sum for the entire year and get a large discount.
2. It is important that you understand the claims process before you actually have a claim to file. Keep handy the number to call in the event there is a claim.
3. Determine the true value of your personal possessions. Most people don’t know what their possessions are actually worth and it is said the average person owns $20,000.00 in personal belongings, so it is always important to take a thorough inventory and, if possible, with your smart phone take a short video inventory or photograph your valuable items so that you can substantiate their loss in the event of a claim.
4. Keep your inventory list safe. It is always important to make an inventory of all your belongings so that you have an accurate accounting of what you own. You want to make sure this list is in a safe place such as a fire proof safe, safety deposit box or in some other place away from your home.
5. Typical coverage may not cover everything. Most renters insurance has a cap placed on some of your belongings of higher value. In other words insurance will only cover some things up to a certain value; typically these items are jewelry items, electronics and even firearms. So if you have items that typically fall into a category where there are coverage caps, you may need to purchase additional insurance to be sure you will be paid for these items.
6. Getting paid for living expenses if displaced. This provision on your policy is called “loss of use” and it pays you things such as hotel bills and temporary rent payments and deposits in the event you are displaced while your property is being repaired or replaced.
7. What type of coverage is best to purchase? There are two types of rental insurance policies one is ACV or ‘actual cash value’ and the other is RV which is ‘replacement value’. The difference is that when you have something damaged or lost, actual cash value, will take into account the depreciation and usage of your items. In other words you will not get back what you paid for the item. However, if you have replacement value insurance, that is exactly what it pays, the amount what it would cost to go buy a new item today. As expected replacement value will be more expensive because it requires the insurance company to pay out more if there is a claim. If you have questions regarding your renters insurance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Source: Living Safer Magazine