Kevin Brunson Daily Mountain Trail Runner and NV Insurance Agent.

We are an independent insurance agency and periodically we receive telephone calls from people who have moved to Nevada from another state. They are calling us because they want to insure with the same carrier. We spoke with someone whom moved to Nevada early in the year and they registered their vehicle and made an address change with their out-of-state insurance company. Unfortunately they did not realize at the time, that their Nevada registered automobile needed to be insured by a Nevada insurer. The result was a $250.00 dollar fine. Thus, whether your moving into Nevada or a moving to another state, remember to check with the state's department of motor vehicles department to ensure you are following the law. Fortunately most States have a website. In Nevada that link is http://www.dmvnv.com/ .

One of my clients asked me what his rights were when filing an auto insurance claim. I explained to him that as a policy owner he has certain rights. First, every state has laws protecting consumers. Second, when you purchase insurance you enter into a legal contract between you and your insurer. Thus, the policy (contract) defines your rights and obligations of the insurance company. If you have any questions regarding your rights as outlined in your automobile insurance policy, talk to your insurance agent or company representative. You may also feel compelled to contact your state insurance department. In Nevada, the Nevada Department of Insurance can be reached at (775) 687-4270 or on the web: http://doi.state.nv.us .

By Michelle Deininger, InsWeb The issue of mold in homes has been getting a lot of attention lately – with good reason. Homeowners face costly repairs when property is damaged by mold growth, and, in some cases, families experience serious health problems related to mold. As the problems mount, insurance companies are confronting rising claims costs and, sometimes, disagreements over who is responsible when mold attacks. First, the bad news: As a general rule, mold is not covered by homeowners insurance policies. Standard homeowners policies cover disasters and accidents, but aren’t designed to cover cleaning and maintenance, which is the category mold falls into according to insurers. An exception: In cases where mold results from some accident or disaster (such as bursting pipes), repairs and eradication may be covered. In addition, mold can cause serious health problems for people who suffer from asthma or have allergies (an estimated one in five of us), and can worsen cold symptoms...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE , CA How to Avoid Being Scammed During a Disaster June 29, 2007 09:37 AM PDT As the rebuilding process begins after the Angora wildfires in Lake Tahoe , be extremely cautious when hiring contractors. Unscrupulous contractors may take advantage of people who have experienced a catastrophic event. Take your time in choosing true professionals to repair your home. Immediately report any suspicious behavior to your local police, sheriff's department. Be cautious of flyers and business cards left on your doorstep. Nine Checks to Not Get Scammed... Get estimates from several licensed, bonded contractors. Check their credentials with your local Better Business Bureau or Home Builders Association. Ask your neighbors what they're paying for similar work. Inspect contractors' licenses and proof of liability insurance. Get a contract in writing. Avoid paying money up-front. Some reputable contractors will require partial, up-f...

How do I obtain workers’ compensation insurance in Nevada? Nevada law requires all business owners in the State of Nevada to obtain and maintain workers’ compensation coverage, especially those with one or more employees. There are very few exceptions to this requirement. Business owners failing to comply with this law face fines up to $10,000, may have their business ordered closed until the insurance has been obtained and be held financially responsible for all costs associated with an employee who sustains a work related injury when the employer has no workers' compensation insurance coverage. Since January 1, 2000, Nevada no longer provides workers’ compensation through a State fund. However, employers may obtain workers’ compensation insurance from a private insurance company authorized to provide workers’ compensation in Nevada by the Division of Insurance (DOI). If qualified, an employermay be self-insured through an approval process overseen by the DOI. For smaller business...

What types of property insurance should I consider buying? The best thing to do is to take a complete inventory of all your business property, determine all of its value and decide if each is worth insuring. Then check to see that the items on the inventory list are included in the basic business property policy and covered for the correct amount. If not, ask your Trusted Choice® agent about the cost of purchasing additional coverage to meet your needs. You also need to consider your business situation. Are you planning a major expansion? Does your inventory have a decidedly peak season (like a toy store in December)? Or does it fluctuate throughout the year (like a clothing store)? Is your liability limit high enough in light of the new job contract you just signed? Business policies are designed to be added to or subtracted from to meet your needs. Be sure to discuss changes to your business with your Trusted Choice® agent so that he or she can help you ensure your policy still provi...

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY To ensure that innocent parties are adequately compensated for their injuries, Nevada law requires that all registered owners of a motor vehicle have security for tort liability arising from the use of their motor vehicles. For most Nevadans, security will be in the form of an insurance policy. Nevada law requires that the insurance policy must minimally provide coverage in the amount of $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident, $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in an accident, and $10,000 for injury or damage to the property of others. This coverage is generally described as 15/30/10. When you have liability coverage, your insurance company will pay for the victim's damages up to your policy limits. If you choose, you can increase your coverage for added protection. The penalty for not having liability auto insurance is severe. Nevada Revised Statute 482.480 states that if you are the owner of a motor ...