Do You Text and Drive? Survey Says Texans Do…

What has become second nature to most, is still posing a threat to those on the road, despite the action taken against it. The use of cell phones, specifically texting, has become a problem for drivers nationwide, including those in Texas.

Although there has been a decline in accidental automobile deaths, a recent post article from Insurance Journal, states that: “Texans believe texting on phones while driving is getting worse and that the roads are less safe than they were five years ago”.

A survey, conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), revealed that 52% of Texas drivers would support a law banning mobile phone usage while driving. A majority of 85% even went as far as reporting that texting and/or talking while driving is worse than it was just a few years ago.

The TTI surveyed a total of 1,167 licensed Texas drivers, throughout September and October, at ten stations operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety.  

People feel threatened” by drivers talking or texting on the road, said Bernie Fette, senior research specialist for the Texas Transportation Institute.

Although Insurance Journal reports that roadway deaths are down by about 17% over the last five years – from 3,699 in 2004 to 3,089 in 2009 – more than a third of Texas drivers think the roads are less safe. And 60% of those surveyed said aggressive driving has gotten worse.

The survey, however, did not ask drivers about their own driving behavior and cell phone habits.

Texas lawmakers will gather for the 2011 legislative session this January and there already have been several bills, to ban or limit mobile phone use while driving filed.

When considering your behind-the-wheel behavior it’s important to remember that safety should always be your number one priority.

What you do while you drive can increase the chance of you causing or being in an accident. While taking the time to reflect upon your driving habits, take a moment to review your Texas auto insurance policy. Make sure that you have the most up-to-date, comprehensive coverage available—looking for a revised quote? Visit Dagley Insurance today!

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Colorado Votes in Favor of Health Insurance Mandates

Voters in Colorado voted down an initiative to reject insurance mandates in Tuesday’s elections, while Arizona and Oklahoma voted to accept similar ballot items. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the ballot initiative aimed to give CO residents the right not to participate in any health care system without penalty and to have access to any legal medical services they can afford. With the initiative being rejected, health insurance mandates under health care reform will be enacted.

Now, you may be wondering what you will do for Colorado health insurance coverage under such a mandate. If your employer does not provide group health insurance plans, then you will have to find it on your own. A good place to start looking is with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents can search multiple carriers for rates and coverage to find you what you’re looking for within your budget.

If you find yourself in need of individual or family health insurance coverage in Colorado, give the agents at Dagley Insurance a call at 888.840.7995. We can educate and assist you regarding all health insurance needs in CO. Don’t be left unprotected and facing penalties; make sure you’re covered!

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Katy, TX Bond Referendum Resources – November 2 Matters!

It’s not often Katy, Texas sees a $459,791,092 bond authorization package on the table. For this reason, we strongly encourage fellow Katy residents to learn what goes into a bond, why it’s important and vote accordingly so we can make the best possible decisions for our community.

Fortunately, the town of Katy has built a website spelling out the intricate details of the bond package including descriptions and background on each project.  The basic overview of the bond authorization package is described below:

The bond package is comprised of several projects and includes funding for items such as the construction of three elementary, one junior high and one high school; comprehensive renovations at five of the district’s oldest campuses including Katy, Taylor, and Mayde Creek High Schools, as well as West Memorial and Mayde Creek Junior High Schools; and more than 50 component replacement projects at several campuses.

To best serve the residents of Katy and surrounding town, there is also a Katy bond referendum question submittal site where inquiries about the proposed new schools, renovations, technology, finances, transportation and other issues can be submitted.

Of course, the hardest part for residents to swallow will be the tax increase. A formula used to project that potential tax increase predicts that taxes will go from the $.40 rate now to $.44 in September of 2012, with every $.01 increase equaling $10 per year increase for every $100,000 of taxable income.

November 2 will be an important day for residents of Katy as we vote to decide how our city will shaped in the next decade. We look forward to monitoring more of the debate.

Looking for insurance in Katy? Dagley Insurance Agency is committed to educating its Texas and Colorado partners so they can always have the best protection.

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Colorado on your Side with Consumer Guide to Insurance on the Web

Important legislation passed a couple years ago that most likely flew under the radar for many Colorado residents. In 2008, the Colorado legislature passed a bill called HB1385 that mandated the state of Colorado create a “Consumer Guide to Insurance on the Web,” addressing important questions such as:

  • What types of common insurance are needed?
  • Which types of insurance are required — and which are recommended?
  • What factors should I consider before I purchase any insurance?

At Dagley Insurance and Financial Services, we’re always scouring the web for resources that can help our loyal customers understand insurance better so they can make more informed decisions. We covered resources for the Texas Department of Insurance already, so we thought we’d share a little about the Colorado Department of Regulatory Services (DORA) Division of Insurance.

The most useful page for Colorado residents can be found on the Consumer Alerts and Tips page which offers valuable resources on claims processing, insuring your teen driver, how to file a protest, tips for saving on homeowners insurance, credit scoring and even a series of reports documenting the number of complaints lodged against Colorado insurance companies.

If insurance-related reading material just isn’t your thing (you’re not alone) or it creates more questions than it answers, we’re happy to answer specific Colorado Insurance queries for clients and non-clients alike. Just give a call or even post it on the Dagley Facebook page, where the lights are on 24/7.

We’re proud the Colorado is leading the nation in creating insurance awareness and will happily support those efforts in any way possible.

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