Trampolines: Spotting Danger in Your Backyard

Using a trampoline is supposed to be fun. Children laugh and get more excited with each jump and tumble. While the popularity of trampolines among 8 to 15 year-olds is growing, many people are unaware that playing on trampolines can result in serious injuries including fractures, dislocations, muscle damage, and broken legs. Even worse, some trampoline injuries damage the neck or spinal cord, which can result in permanent paralysis.

Why are trampolines so dangerous? Part of the reason is the tremendous power generated when people jump on them. For example, an activity such as launching involves multiple people on the trampoline at once, creating an energy force strong enough to send a full-grown person five feet in the air. This energy force can also literally catapult a person off the equipment or send someone high enough to come crashing back down on another person.

The growing trend in trampoline use is leading to more injuries every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission showed that the number of trampoline-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms had grown from 19,000 in 1976 to 91,870 injuries in 2001 (the latest statistics available). Because of the potential for injury, many groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend against the use of trampolines at home. However, for people who do choose to have a trampoline, the following guidelines from the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons may help prevent injuries:

• Make sure adults are present to supervise.
• Limit jumpers to one at a time.
• Post adult spotters around the trampoline to guard against falls.
• Use adequate protective padding for the trampoline's supporting bars, springs, and surrounding landing surfaces.
• Use protective equipment for somersaults and other high-risk maneuvers.
• Make sure the trampoline frame and mat are in good condition.
• Use a trampoline in well-lighted areas.
• Disable trampoline when not in use.

Insurance for Small Retail Businesses

Do you own a small retail business? Then you’ve probably found that there is no single insurance policy that suits all small businesses. While it’s important to purchase the financial protection of insurance, it’s even more crucial to purchase the right coverage for your business needs.

• Workers’ compensation: Typically, a North Carolina small business with three or more employees is required by law to have workers’ compensation. This form of insurance helps pays for an employee’s medical costs and other associated expenses if they are injured while performing their work duties.

• Liability coverage: Although liability coverage isn’t mandatory for most North Carolina businesses, it can be a crucial coverage if someone is injured while on your business premises and files a lawsuit against you and your business for damages.

• Contents coverage: This is a vital coverage for any business to consider purchasing. Electronic equipment such as printers, fax machines, photocopiers and computers are just a few of the expensive items that could be damaged or ruined by an unexpected event. Stock, inventory, interior decorations and shop fittings and fixtures are also items vulnerable to a disaster.

• Building and property coverage: The actual structure housing your business, gates, fences, freestanding walls and car park should all be considered for insurance coverage.

Purchasing the right insurance coverage for your business may be a matter of understanding the risks your business may face and purchasing coverage to financially safeguard your business against those potential risks. The wide variety of coverage available should make your insurance choices easier.

Understanding North Carolina Personal Auto Insurance

An auto insurance policy consists of six types of damage coverage:

Bodily injury liability: Covers your legal fees, court costs and compensation due to bodily injury claims brought against you.
Medical payments: Covers the medical expenses for injuries sustained by you, resident relatives and other people in your auto as the result of an accident. (Auto insurance coverage varies by state.)

Property damage liability: Covers your legal liability for property damage claims brought against you.

Collision: Coverage that pays for damage to your auto and its equipment caused by collision or upset.

Comprehensive: Coverage that pays for damage to your auto and its equipment not caused by collision or upset. This includes, but is not limited to damage from fire, theft, glass breakage, vandalism and damage that results from contact with persons, animals, birds or falling objects.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: Provides coverage when you are injured in an accident caused by another person who either has no auto insurance or who has lower insurance limits than you carry and which are insufficient to cover your damages. Some states require that this coverage also include property damage.

Below is list of discounts that you may qualify for:
• Safe Car Driver (no accidents or tickets)
• Multi-Car Discount
• Age 55 or Over
• Passive Restraints
• Anti-Theft Car Devices Discount
• Auto Anti-Lock Brakes
• Home-Auto Multi-Policy Discount
• Payment Plan Discount (pay in full discount)
• Advance Quote Discount
• Auto Accident Prevention Course
• Good Student Car Discount
• Driver Training
• Reduced Car Usage Discount

North Carolina Bonds

Let’s be clear: bonds are not insurance policies – they’re guarantees. It is not uncommon for business and contractors to have certain projects bonded to ensure they are completed, no matter what complications may arise. 

At Marshall Insurance, we specialize in providing both large and small businesses with the following bonds:

• Performance – to guarantee the performance of contractually agreed upon work
• Bid – guarantees the beginning of work following the winning of a bid
• Indemnity – guarantees any losses should a party fail to meet deadlines
• Payment – promises payment to all sub-contractors and vendors
• License/Permit – a bond guaranteed to a state or federal agency

Contact us to find out how our bonding services can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

NC Among Deadliest for Teenage Drivers

For Trey Ward, there’s no room for argument. The No. 1 rule when you get into his 1997 Chrysler: “No seat belt, no ride.”
Nationwide, North Carolina ranks fifth in fatal car accidents involving young occupants (16 or older), according to a new study released Monday by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The study shows that young drivers and passengers around the country are more apt to not buckle up at night–males more that females. Two-thirds who died in accidents did not heed “click-it” pleas from parents and authorities.
In the 16-20 age group, 68 percent who died in car crashes at night in 2006 were unbuckled. In NC, of the 525 young people killed in nighttime accidents in 2006, 61 percent didn’t use selt belts. In all, 1,116 young NC people died in day and nighttime crashes that year. More than half weren’t buckled.
Another recent study by Allstate shows that Charlotte’s teen fatal crashes ranks ninth among the top 50 US metro areas. Speeding and not buckling up contributed to 80 percent of Charlotte’s teen driving deaths, the study showed.

Cell Phones and Teen Drivers: A Dangerous Combination?

A new traffic study suggests NC teenagers have not paid much attention to state law that bans cell phone use by drivers under 18. The law went into effect in Dec. 2006.

A study was conducted by the UNC center and the Institute for Highway Safety. Researchers parked outside of 25 high schools discovered over 11% of teens were talking on cell phones while driving away from school.

Another study found 64% of teens were aware of the law forbidding cell phone use but only 39% of parents were aware of the ban.

Experts liken the use of cell phone while driving to have the same effects as being under the influence of alcohol.

Don’t Drive and Text!

How many times have you pulled up to a stop light and looked over to the next vehicle only to see someone texting away on their cell phone?

That will soon be illegal in NC.

Gov. Bev Perdue has signed a bill to prohibit the use of cell phones for texting while driving. The measure is set to go into effect Dec. 1 of this year.

Proponents claim that texting while driving diminishes your reaction time as much as being under the influence of alcohol. I think we all agree that is certainly can be a distraction.

Drivers caught texting would be subject to a $100 fine but no insurance points. Just about everyone agrees enforcement will be difficult.

Gary Sides - gary@marshallinsurance.com