A Comprehensive-only policy also gives you the bonus of having continuous insurance coverage. If you drop your insurance completely, you may pay significantly more to get a new policy when in-season rolls around because most insurance companies want to see proof of continuous coverage.

• If you plan to drive your work truck or other vehicles for personal use during the off-season, let your insurance carrier know. They can adjust your policy to reflect personal use, which can be less expensive while still providing coverage.

Claims handling capability is the most important feature we sell our commercial customers. Progressive consistently proves superior at settling commercial claims quickly. Call LST Insurance Agency at 706-277-0971 for a free quote on your commercial vehicles today.

Risk Retention Group (RRG) is a type of insurance company. The way that an RRG is different than a “traditional” insurance company is that each of its policy holders are also stockholders.

A RRG allows members who engage in similar or related business or activities to write liability insurance for all or any portion of the exposures of group members. Risks are limited to liability insurance. Not permitted to write outside business. No guaranty fund availability for members. May not be able to comply with proof of financial responsibility laws.

Who can be a member of a Risk Retention Group?
Any company meeting the underwriting, premium and subscription guidelines established by the Group. The authorizing federal act requires the group’s members to share similar business, trade, product, services, premises or operations.

Although an interesting insurance company type that has been used for some applications it is risky for the members and would not be recommended for a State provided program.

They are all the same type of coverage. NTL provides Liability coverage for your truck when you are off the job (i.e. Getting the truck washed, repaired, going to pick up parts). While you are under dispatch, the company you are leased onto is responsible for your liability insurance coverage.

(NAPS)—One thing is easy to foretell: Unpredictable weather can cause reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions that make it challenging for even the most experienced drivers. The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. But, if you have to drive, there are ways to protect yourself, your passengers and your car.

The following tips can help you stay safe when faced with treacherous roads:

• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

• Assemble a winter emergency kit. At a minimum, it should contain a blanket, nonperishable food,a flashlight, flares or reflective triangle, distress sign, first aid supplies, basic tools. Some other things to consider are: jumper cables, carpet strips- sand or kitty litter for traction, ice scraper and brush.
• Plan ahead for stopping and turning. “Feather” the brakes when approaching a stop, especially if the road is slick. If turning, accelerate very gently through the turn. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

• Don’t make any sudden moves. Keep it slow and steady to maintain control.

• Be cautious when braking in icy conditions. Coast over ice. Brake after reaching bare pavement. And never slam on the brakes. Brake gently in a pulsing fashion.

• Steer into a skid. Remember: Locked wheels lead. If your rear tires are in a skid and “locked,” the rear of your car will start sliding to lead the car down the road. If this happens, steer into the skid, not away, and remember, don’t brake during a skid.

• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

If you follow these tips but still find yourself in a crash, just remember that what you do after an accident can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe and in helping you and your insurance company work through a claim.

Remember to follow these tips if you get into an accident:

• Stay calm. Stay at the scene but move off the roadway. (You should never leave the scene of an accident) Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares.

• Call the police.

• Contact your insurance company to file a claim. The earlier your insurance company knows about the accident, the earlier it can get to work to resolve it.

• Do not admit fault. Only discuss the accident with the police and your claims representative.

• Exchange information with the other driver(s). And remember to get contact information for any witnesses.

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Confused about the status of rules banning texting and cell phone use by commercial vehicle operators?

There are several rules either proposed or enacted:

1. A ban prohibiting texting by interstate drivers while commercial vehicles are in operation goes into effect Oct. 27, including driver fines up to $2,750 and company fines up to $11,000. Texting is now a “serious violation” that counts against a driver’s CDL and also carries a 10 point severity weight rating under CSA 2010. States that automatically adopt federal rules “by reference” can begin enforcing it Oct. 27. Best bet: If you haven’t done so, adopt a company policy of “no texting” while the vehicle is in operation.

2. A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that will prohibit intrastate hazmat haulers from texting behind the wheel hit the Federal Register on Oct. 11. This rule is separate from the federal texting ban because it applies to hazmat haulers that don’t cross state lines. FMCSA will be accepting comments for 30 days.

3. Additional rules are in the pipeline that will regulate the use of cell phones by intrastate hazmat drivers and another rule that will govern cell phone use by all interstate commercial drivers. These proposals are expected to be published in the Federal Register in the next few weeks.

Animal collisions occur in all 50 states and tend to increase in the fall and winter. Deer strikes typically occur on rural and suburban roads in the late afternoon and after sundown, but hitting an animal can occur anywhere.

Surprisingly, colliding with an animal is not covered by “collision” coverage. Rather, it is covered under “comprehensive” coverage, often referred to as “other-than-collision” coverage. If you do not currently carry this coverage, you will likely be responsible for the costs associated with such an accident.

If you live in an area with deer or other large animals that might enter the roadway, you might consider adding comprehensive coverage to your policy. It’s often affordable, and its price can usually be adjusted based on how much of a deductible you are willing to shoulder.

Call us for a quote today!

A business is only as safe as the tools it uses. One of the best tools a business can use to protect its assets is commercial auto insurance.

 Understanding insurance can be tricky. One of the first steps toward making an informed decision is to understand coverage and service options. Here are three easy steps to help figure out your commercial auto insurance needs:

 1. Choose an insurer with the right combination of price and service. Insurance isn’t just about price. It’s about service, too. How are claims handled? How long will it take to get your vehicle back on the road? Can you get questions answered outside of business hours or online? Know the answers to these questions. Your time is money.

2. Research your policy options. Having the right coverage is important. A standard commercial auto policy generally includes coverage for:

•injuries or damage that you cause;

•your driver’s injuries;

•injuries and damages caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers; and

•damage to or theft of your vehicle(s).

When it comes to damage that you cause, you may be required to purchase certain limits based on who you work for. For instance, if you work for certain home builders, you may be required to carry $1 million in liability limits. Consider how much you are willing to pay out of pocket if your liability in an accident is more than your policy limits.

3. Know how the policy is priced. You can control your insurance costs. To get the best rates, run motor vehicle reports on potential drivers. If you let your insurance lapse, you’ll probably pay more for your next policy. Ask about discounts, including paid-in-full and renewal discounts.

Just like your customers rely on your professional skills, call a professional independent insurance agent who will be in your corner, researching and recommending the best options.

“Commercial auto insurance is complicated, but it is vital to protecting your livelihood,” says Bill Kampf with The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, one of the largest commercial auto insurers in the country.

For more information about commercial auto insurance, call LST Insurance Agency.

Car insurance may be one of the last things that comes to mind when you think about saving time, but the insurance company you choose can actually have a big impact on your time should trouble strike.

If you’re in an accident that results in a claim, you could spend days handling the claims/repair process yourself.

That’s one reason its a good idea to check out insurance options that can save you time. For instance, a concierge-level of claims service is a unique claims repair option that takes only 15 minutes to complete. Simply drop off the damaged vehicle at one of the approved facilities offering this service and a claims representative handles the entire claims/repair process for you—from start to finish.

Here’s how the process works:

• You report a claim—anytime of the day or night—and schedule an appointment to bring the vehicle to a nearby facility offering the concierge-level of claims service.
• In about 15 minutes, you’re in a rental car (if included on your policy) with assurance that you’ll receive updates from your claims representative.
• Your claims representative prepares a repair estimate and contacts an auto body shop that has met strict quality requirements. Your insurance company and the shop reach an agreement on the cost of the repairs and the shop transports the vehicle to the facility to begin repairs.
• When work is finished, the vehicle is returned to the insurance facility, where your claims representative and the body shop inspect the repairs.
• After the insurance company is satisfied with the repairs, you are called to pick up your car. You inspect the repairs and, if satisfied, drive off with a guarantee on those repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.

Throughout the process, you receive updates via phone or online. For more information, ask your independent agent

Before you get into an accident, call LST Insurance to make sure you have the right insurance. Because the last thing you want to do when you’re in a car accident is worry about having to pay for the damage. Also, make sure you have your policy number and claims number in your car at all times.

You’ll need to consider buying a commercial policy or making sure that your existing personal auto policy covers the vehicle for business use. Whether or not you need a commercial policy depends on how you use your vehicle and what company you have it insured with. Every company has different guidelines and may surcharge for business-use coverage on a personal auto policy.
If you’re not sure whether business use is covered on your personal policy, it’s important to call your insurance company or agent. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has put together these four questions you may want to ask:
o How do companies determine commercial use? One definition could include “engaging in transporting goods for compensation or a fee,” which includes pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting services, landscaping or snowplowing services, logging business, day care/church van services or farm-to-market delivery. People who do these kinds of work should consider purchasing a commercial vehicle policy.
o Do you need more liability coverage than a personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy offers higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.
o Do you need special coverage for situations encountered while conducting business? Commercial auto policies usually offer these coverage’s, and they’re normally not available with personal auto policies. These include hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use.
o Do you need to list any employees as drivers? Commercial auto policies allow you to list anyone that you employ. You don’t have that option with a personal auto policy. In general, you’ll need commercial auto coverage if the vehicle you use is owned by a corporate partnership or driven by employees, or if it’s used to haul tools or equipment weighing more than 500 pounds, make deliveries or heavy enough to require state or federal filings.
For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit progressiveagent.com.
Did You Know?
If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy. For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit www.lstins.com.

If you’re a business owner and you or your employees use a vehicle for business-related deliveries or to carry certain materials to and from a job site, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy that’s tailored to more closely suit the needs—and risks—of a business vehicle operator.

Here are some questions that can help you determine if you might need a commercial auto policy instead of a personal auto policy, courtesy of LST Insurance Agency

• Do you need more liability coverage than your personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy provides higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.

• Do you need special coverage for situations associated with con-ducting business? Commercial auto policies also usually offer certain coverages—such as hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use—that are not available with personal auto policies.

• Do you need to list any employees as drivers? You can do this with a commercial auto insurance policy.

• Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If you use your vehicle for things like pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting service, landscaping or snowplowing service, logging business, day care/church retreat van service and/or farm-to-market delivery, you might need a commercial auto policy.

LST Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency – trained, licensed insurance professionals who offer personal service and advice. We can help match you with the type of policy that best suits your needs and those of your company.

To learn more about all an independent agency offers, visit lstins.com or give us a call.

1) Maintain your car. Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule, and be sure to check the battery and tires.

2) Plan your trip and know where you’re going. Call ahead for proper and safe directions to get you to your destination safely and have maps of the area on hand to help you navigate once you are off the main road. You’re more likely to make good decisions, even in dangerous situations, if you’re clearheaded and know where you’re going.

3) Be alert. Seems obvious, but driver inattention is surely the cause of a lot of accidents. If you stay focused behind the wheel and plan carefully, you will have a wonderful summer road trip.

4) Take precaution with a cell phone. Cell phones can be a lifesaver when you need immediate access to emergency services after an accident. Keep your phone within easy reach and get to know its features. However, use it prudently. Reports suggest that driving while talking on the phone increases accident rates.

5) Wear your seat belt. Whether or not it’s required by law in the state through which you’re driving, always wear your seat belt as a safety precaution.

6) Protect your car against theft. Help deter criminals from taking your car with steering wheel locks, switches that disable fuel or ignition systems, and electronic tracking devices.

7) If you’re in an accident. Taking immediate steps if you’ve been in an accident can protect your family and your car from further damage. Stop immediately and make sure your car is not blocking traffic. Turn off your car to keep it from overheating or catching fire. Warn oncoming cars using road flares or orange triangle reflectors. After you have protected yourself and your family, call your insurance company immediately.

Make sure your auto insurance is up to date. Before you even leave the driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected when you’re on the road and far from home. An independent insurance agent or broker can provide the personal service and advice you need to travel in confidence.

To learn more about what an independent insurance agency offers you, visit or contact LST Insurance Agency.

(NAPS)—Understanding insurance can often be like trying to learn a foreign language. Many find it confusing and intimidating.
Fortunately, there’s help. Here is a quick reference designed to help you understand some of the most common kinds of coverages. The reference was put together by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.
Liability covers bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD). This covers your legal liability, up to the dollar limits you select, for damages caused to others in a covered vehicle accident. In most states today, liability insurance is mandatory.
Under BI/PD, your insurance company pays for damages to an injured person and for property damage that you are legally obligated to pay as a result of an accident. If your policy covers you in the event you’re sued after an accident, your insurance company will pay for a lawyer to defend you.
Liability limits generally appear as three numbers, for example, 25/50/25 or 100/300/100. The first number refers to the maximum amount, in thousands, that your insurance company is obligated to pay for bodily injury per person. The second number is the maxi-mum that would be paid out for bodily injury per claim and the third number represents the maxi-mum amount your insurance company is obligated to pay for property damage you cause.
Collision. When you buy collision coverage, your insurance company pays for damages if your vehicle collides with another vehicle or object. Collision coverage involves a deductible amount you select when you purchase your policy. This amount is what you are required to pay before your insurance company starts picking up the tab. Remember, the deductible amount is the amount you need to pay in the event of a claim.

Comprehensive covers dam-age caused by events other than a car collision—such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail or flood. It also covers damage caused by your vehicle colliding with an animal. And if your car is stolen, it will cover the cost of a rental, subject to a daily limit. Like collision coverage, a deductible usually applies.
Medical Coverage. Depending on the state in which you live, you may have available to you Medical Payments coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. While these both work differently, they provide coverage for medical care provided to you as a result of a car accident.
An independent insurance agent can help you determine the price, coverage and service that best meets your needs.

Did You Know?
Liability insurance is for bodily injury and property damage. This covers your legal liability, up to the dollar limits you select, for damages caused to others in a covered vehicle accident. In most states today, liability insurance is mandatory.