Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames
The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
• Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions.
• Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas.
• When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order.
Additional Tips
• Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
• Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
• Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
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Why Claims May Be Denied
Public trust in insurance companies is very low with only 15% of Canadians believing insurers are honest and fair according to a 2017 survey. There’s a common misconception that insurers collect premiums but don’t pay out claims when they happen. In reality, a small percentage of actual claims are not paid. Claims may be denied due to lack of coverage, misunderstanding of policy coverages, or not providing the proper documentation needed to process a claim. Fraudulent versus genuine claims also comes into play. What can you do? Make sure you understand what risks are and are not covered by your policy. No policy covers everything. There are always limitations and exclusions. Have a clear understanding of what your policy includes when you take it out so that there are no surprises. Call your broker at any time to check coverage or to ask any questions. An important part of our role is to advise and provide information. Disclosure is also key. A small portion of claims are denied because of a pre-existing condition or other information a client didn’t disclose when taking out the policy. Even though such a nondisclosure may be a genuine oversight, the insurer can’t accept a claim for a risk that they didn’t know about. More advice next month. |
Why Claims May Be Denied
Public trust in insurance companies is very low with only 15% of Canadians believing insurers are honest and fair according to a 2017 survey. There’s a common misconception that insurers collect premiums but don’t pay out claims when they happen. In reality, a small percentage of actual claims are not paid. Claims may be denied due to lack of coverage, misunderstanding of policy coverages, or not providing the proper documentation needed to process a claim. Fraudulent versus genuine claims also comes into play.
What can you do? Make sure you understand what risks are and are not covered by your policy. No policy covers everything. There are always limitations and exclusions. Have a clear understanding of what your policy includes when you take it out so that there are no surprises. Call your broker at any time to check coverage or to ask any questions. An important part of our role is to advise and provide information.
Disclosure is also key. A small portion of claims are denied because of a pre-existing condition or other information a client didn’t disclose when taking out the policy. Even though such a nondisclosure may be a genuine oversight, the insurer can’t accept a claim for a risk that they didn’t know about. More advice next month.
                                                            Who’s At Fault in Caution Light Crashes?
Canada’s dreaded amber light is the source of numerous intersection crashes, resulting in untold insurance claims. Because of this, be especially vigilant when turning left against yellow caution lights at intersections. Although the outcome of a given case will be determined based upon the facts that are unique to that case, a driver making a left-hand turn will generally not be able to rely on an assumption that the other driver will stop for the yellow light.
Fault for the resulting collision will likely be found in such cases on the part of the left-turning driver.Â
Drivers have a legal duty to stop for a yellow light, but only if they can do so safely. Otherwise, they are allowed to proceed through the intersection with caution.
The Highway Traffic Act states that a left-turning driver must ensure the turn can be safely made, so it is the responsibility of that driver to make sure it is safe to proceed through the intersection.Â
Some drivers attempting to make a left turn on a yellow light may assume that an approaching vehicle will stop; however, this assumption does not lessen or negate liability for left-hand turning drivers in the event of a collision.
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W.H. Williamson & Co. Limited
