“Advance Auto Parts opens first store in Danvers - Danvers Herald” plus 4 more

Advance Auto Parts opens first store in Danvers - Danvers Herald
Tories announce bill to extend EI benefits - News1130.com
Springfield police arrest two city men following break-in at Berkshire ... - Union-News & Sunday Republican
Cash For Clunkers Program Boosts Auto Salvage Companies - Voice of America
Ohio Insurance Institute Looks Back At Ike - WHIO TV

Advance Auto Parts opens first store in Danvers - Danvers Herald

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 11:20 AM PDT

Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories and maintenance items, today announced it will open its first store in Danvers at 180 Endicott St., on Sept. 17.

Company officials said they chose this location for the store because it's convenient to where their customers live and shop as well as the garages where they take their vehicles for repair.

Kevin Josselyn is the new General Manager and works with 14 other Team Members there. A 16-year veteran of the automotive and retail sales industries, Josselyn has been with the Advance Auto Parts Team for 7 1/2 years. He is ASE-certified, having passed stringent testing of his automotive knowledge by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

The new store offers customers a wide range of parts and recognized national brands as well as several free services. Store Team Members will install windshield wipers for free, and also install batteries following a complimentary check of the vehicle's electrical system and old battery. The store offers fast parts delivery to local commercial customers, such as professional mechanics and garages. Customers also can drop off used motor oil and batteries for recycling – ensuring that these materials don't end up in landfills where they could harm the environment.

Vehicle know-how is made easier than ever by Advance helping customers master their machines. The company's Web site, www.AdvanceAutoParts.com, offers articles, online videos and audio and video podcasts in the Web site's "Advance Know-How" section.

"These free automotive know-how tools, and the expert advice the new store's 15 Team Members provide, help customers to keep their wheels turning and their lives on track," said John Hanlon, District Manager for Advance Auto Parts. "The right parts at the right price are as important as the right advice and educational tools to finish the job."

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Tories announce bill to extend EI benefits - News1130.com

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 10:22 AM PDT

OTTAWA - The Harper government has introduced legislation to extend employment insurance benefits for tens of thousands of long-time workers who have lost their jobs, mainly in the auto, forestry and manufacturing sectors.

The measure could help avert a fall election - if the NDP supports it and agrees to co-operate with the Tories until the legislation is passed.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said he and his MPs owe it to the unemployed to study the measure, which he called a step in the right direction.

He said he's ready for an election, but would prefer that Parliament keep working on measures to get the country out of recession.

The bill, to be tabled Wednesday, would temporarily extend employment insurance benefits for an extra five to 20 weeks to workers who have paid into the EI system for at least 10 years while collecting few benefits. It would cost $937-million over the three years, and would be retroactive nine months from the date the bill is passed into law.

"The proposed initiative should go a long way toward bridging long-tenured workers to give them time to find alternative employment particularly as the labour market improves," said Human Resources Minister Diane Finley.

The minister estimated that as many as 197,000 people could benefit.

"What we're doing is the right thing for Canadians."

The change successfully targets a large group of people who have been hammered by the recession, but does not rectify some of the most troubling aspects of the EI system, experts say.

"I think it's quite powerful, particularly in the current context," said Don Drummond, chief economist at Toronto-Dominion Bank, and a former senior official at the Department of Finance.

If it's passed soon, the extension of benefits should come in time to help the bulk of long-term workers who lost their jobs at the peak of the recession last winter, he said. Without the extension, their benefits would soon expire, forcing them onto welfare or into low-paying jobs.

Plus, the measure will alleviate some of the pain in the hard-hit auto, forestry and manufacturing sectors, since the workforces in those industries are traditionally steady and aging.

"It seems to be appropriately targeted," Drummond said.

But he warned that the extension of benefits will eventually result in higher premiums for workers and employers - a point driven home by the opposition Liberals and at least one business group.

The Conseil du Patronat in Quebec said it worried that Ottawa was making "piecemeal" changes and driving up the deficit with little concern about the higher premiums companies will eventually face.

And both Drummond and other experts said the measure does not begin to address the larger problems of the EI system.

Long-tenured workers often find it difficult to get new jobs, mainly because they usually have a narrow range of skills, they aren't used to job hunting and they are reluctant to move or take lower-paying work, said Craig Riddell, an employment insurance expert and professor of economics at the University of British Columbia.

Riddell was a member of a Tory-led task force that presented the government with options to help long-tenured workers a year ago. Finley dusted off the report before making her announcement, but only adopted one of four key measures, Riddell pointed out.

He said a more effective approach would be to stop treating severance as earnings and consider "wage insurance" to top up the earnings of low-wage jobs and encourage the unemployed to get back to work sooner.

Both the NDP and the Canadian Labour Congress have long urged the government to change the treatment of severance.

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Springfield police arrest two city men following break-in at Berkshire ... - Union-News & Sunday Republican

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 10:22 AM PDT

by The Republican Newsroom

By GEORGE GRAHAM
ggraham@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Police arrested two city men early Monday morning after responding to two separate break-ins at a Berkshire Avenue autobody shop.

Police responded to a burglar alarm at Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting, at 586 Berkshire Ave., late Sunday night, Lt. Trent J. Hufnagel said.

Entry had been gained through a window, however, no suspects were found, Hufnagel said, adding police and the owner secured the property and left.

About an hour later, early Monday morning, the alarm sounded a second time, Hufnagel said. Entry had been gained through the same window, he said.

Responding officers saw two suspects in the area who attempted to flee in different directions when they saw police, Hufnagel said.

One of the suspects, Guillermo Figueroa, 39, of 18 Montford St., 2nd floor, had a torn shirt with fragments of glass on it and cuts to his hand, Hufnagel said.

Police officers Robert Gonzalez and Edwin Irizary and Sgt. Brian Manley found computer equipment and checkbooks in the area where the two suspects had initially been spotted, Hufnagel said.

Figueroa and Mairon Delgado, 49, of 44 Leland Drive, were charged with two counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime with I intent to commit a felony and two counts of larceny from a building.

Figueroa had a default warrant and was also charged with carrying a dangerous weapon (a folding knife) while having an active arrest warrant, Hufnagel said.

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Cash For Clunkers Program Boosts Auto Salvage Companies - Voice of America

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 09:04 AM PDT

Though the popular CARS program, known as "Cash for Clunkers" ended in August, business is just picking up for auto salvage yards across the United States. That's because many automobile dealerships that accepted "Clunkers" wanted to hold onto them until they received the government reimbursements, which they are only receiving now. One Illinois salvage company is dealing with the pros and cons of the program, which comes with strict requirements for recycling the remnants.

Dave Anderson represents the third generation of Andersons operating the I-55 Auto Salvage yard in Channahon, Illinois.

"Most of the yards that are in business today are truly auto recyclers. And we are probably the best thing going for the environment because we reclaim the fluids, we save on the cost of new parts to manufacture, and give people the opportunity to save money," he said.

Thanks to the Cash for Clunkers program, this could be the busiest time in I-55's half century of recycling automobile parts.

"We're guessing approximately between 400 to 500 cars from the different dealers that we deal with in the area," Anderson said.

That could easily double the number of vehicles on Anderson's lot.

More cars on the lot means more revenue. Anderson makes a profit by selling usable parts and recycling the metal and pieces that are left.

But a government requirement of the Cash for Clunkers program requires dealers to permanently disable the engines before the vehicles are sent for salvage. That eliminates the most lucrative part of an automobile.

"It has to go the shredder from us and [to] be crushed with the motor in it," Anderson explained, "And we'll document that, that it's been done within 180 days."

Without the engine, that leaves bits and pieces, such as windows, radios, and headlights, for salvaging. It's too soon to tell how much profit can be made on those parts.

Anderson says one benefit, from his perspective: he'll have more parts to sell that are in good condition, because most Cash for Clunker vehicles are intact.

But once he salvages the parts, there may be no market for them, because many of the cars that would need them are no longer on the road. Again, thanks to the Clunkers program.

"That is limiting the percentage of what's out there to sell parts to," Anderson noted, "I know that I've had some repair shops concerned about that."

Salvage yards across the United States are dealing with the short-term pros and cons of Cash for Clunkers. But many benefits, like cleaner air and less dependence on petroleum, are not yet realized.

The U.S. Transportation Department says it paid out $2.9 billion in rebates to consumers who traded in their clunkers. They bought about 700,000 more fuel-efficient vehicles. The program also created or saved about 42,000 jobs in the United States.

One of those jobs is at the I-55 Salvage Yard. Anderson says he is so busy, he is hiring at least one temporary worker to help process his newest Clunkers.

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Ohio Insurance Institute Looks Back At Ike - WHIO TV

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 08:06 AM PDT

Posted: 11:12 am EDT September 14, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For some Ohioans, the memory of Hurricane Ike is only surpassed by the damage it caused last September 14 as it made its way across the Buckeye State packing winds at speeds equal to a Category 1 hurricane (up to 74 mph).

Strong winds moved diagonally across the state from southwest to northeast over a four-hour period that Sunday afternoon, according to Ohio EMA reports. Losses compiled by insurance companies and state government mounted over time, capping Ohios largest natural disaster in recent history - the Xenia tornado of 1974.

According to Property Claim Services (PCS), which provides property loss and catastrophe information for the property/casualty insurance industry, Ohios insured losses from Hurricane Ike are now estimated at $1.255 billion. The Ohio and Federal Emergency Management Agencies project local government costs for protection and clean up at an additional $38.6 million.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, total damages from the Xenia Super-outbreak are about $1 billion in 2008 dollars.

The message for Ohioans at this one-year anniversary mark is not just its record losses, but to serve as a reminder that we are not immune to natural disasters, said OII President Daniel J. Kelso.

Insurance companies reported a record-high number of Ike-related claims were filed across the state. PCS estimates that at least 270,000 claims have been filed in Ohio including 220,000 homeowners, 30,000 commercial and 20,000 auto insurance claims.

From a claims-handling standpoint insurers were truly tested, said Kelso. Many of our companies were servicing claims in multiple Ike-damaged states simultaneously.

Even with a record number of claims, OII reported that insurers had closed an average of 95% of their Ike windstorm claims by March, most within 10-90 days and well within the six-month period following the storm.

The Institute joins the Ohio Department of Insurance in reminding those who think they may have sustained damage due last Septembers windstorm to review their policy language as it pertains the time frame in which a storm-related claim must be filed. Some companies require their policyholders to file a claim within a year of the loss. Others do not state a specified time frame, but contractually indicate that a claim should be filed within a reasonable time from when the damage is first noted, promptly, or wording similar to immediately notify your company of a loss. Claims filing conditions are specified in both auto and homeowners insurance policies.

Some of our member companies have expressed concerns that their customers are being misled into thinking theyve sustained storm-related roof or exterior home damage that is actually the result of poor maintenance, he added. A 20-year old roof that has broken, worn or loose 15-year-out-of-warranty shingles in disrepair may not necessarily qualify for full-cost roof replacement. Its fraudulent for an unscrupulous contractor or roofer to misrepresent or purposely damage a roof for the sake of replacing it.

Policyholders who file a claim may experience a rate increase depending on coverage choices, personal claims history and company. Insurers cannot raise premiums to recoup past losses but can make determinations based on future or potential risk and adjust premiums accordingly. Insurers submit rate filings to the Ohio Department of Insurance with actuarial justification for any proposed rate change. The ODI, as the states insurance regulator, reviews such filings and can deny a premium increase or decrease that it does not find to be substantiated.

Homeowners insurance premiums have risen over the past two years, said Kelso. The average increase has been $45 over the past two years or less than $2.00 a montha small price to pay for protecting your biggest investment, your home. Even so, Ohio has the fifth lowest average homeowners insurance premium in the country.

OII provides the following information to help Ohioans understand the extent of damage caused by Ike and other windstorms, how insurance applies, and how to be better prepared before the next Ohio natural disaster.

Hurricane Ike in Ohio: Seven Ohioans died as a result of the storm. 84 counties reported windstorm damage and power outages. State of emergency declarations were issued in 29 counties: Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Perry, Preble, Richland, Seneca, Stark, Tuscarawas and Warren. Power outages affected 1.9 million customers making communications between insurers and policyholders initially more difficult. Counties south of I-70 were hardest hit. According to Ohio insurance companies, claims were concentrated particularly around the Cincinnati, Dayton and Central Ohio areas, although numerous claims were reported in most regions of the state.

Hurricane Ike in the US: Ike is the fifth costliest US disaster from an insured loss standpoint causing an estimated $12.5 billion in losses. In 2008 dollars, the top five US disasters from an insured loss standpoint are: 1) Hurricane Katrina $45.3 billion 2) Hurricane Andrew $23.8 billion 3) World Trade Center/Pentagon terrorist attacks $22.8 billion 4) Northridge CA earthquake $18.2 billion 5) Hurricane Ike $12.5 billion (also the third costliest hurricane in US history) According to PCS, Hurricane Ike caused losses in nine states from Texas to Pennsylvania. Texas sustained the brunt of the losses, estimated at $9.8 billion. Ohio was second with $1.135 billion in insured losses, followed by Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Arkansas.

Windstorms and insurance coverage Property damage from high winds and tornadoes is typically covered under homeowners, renters and commercial insurance policies. Coverage specifics vary by insurer, with some offering additional coverage through endorsements. Deductibles apply. Homes and contents damaged as a result of a fallen tree whether its yours or a neighbors are covered under your homeowners insurance policy. Typically, costs associated with tree removal are covered up to $1,000 ($500/tree) if the tree was uprooted due to a windstorm or a neighbor's tree was downed under the same circumstances and the tree caused damage to a covered structure such as the roof, garage or shed, or blocked the insured's driveway or handicap access ways. The homeowners trees, shrubs, plants or lawn are not covered by high winds if they should be damaged, fall or be uprooted on your premises without coming in contact with an insured structure. Should an insured's residence be uninhabitable due to a covered loss, most home and renters insurance policies provide coverage known as "loss of use or additional living expenses" that covers motel and meal expenses while their home is being repaired. Costs incurred from taking measures to protect against further damage (such as placing plastic over a damaged roof, covering windows to prevent further rain damage, etc.) are likely reimbursable under your homeowners policy. Save these receipts. Vehicles damaged by flying debris or fallen tree limbs are covered under the "other-than-collision" (also known as "comprehensive") portion of an auto insurance policy. This is optional coverage that protects insured vehicles in situations other than a collision or overturn. Typically, vehicles that are leased or financed require this coverage. Coverage for food spoilage varies by insurer. Its normally excluded if the cause of loss is an off-premises power outage (downed power lines, etc.). Some insurers offer a "refrigerated property coverage" endorsement that provides coverage - typically up to $500 - for frozen/refrigerated items due to loss of power. Contact your insurance professional to see if coverage applies.

General insurance tips Make sure your policys coverage adequately covers your home and its contents. If renting, be sure to carry insurance to protect your belongings. Even if your homes market value has declined in recent years, it doesnt mean you should carry less insurance. Insurance should cover the cost to rebuild and replace what you own. According to Marshall & Swift/Boeckh (MS/B), Ohio home construction costs increased 25.7% between 2001-2006. This means a home built in 2001 for $100,000 would cost approximately $125,700 to build in 2006 in the Buckeye State. The US average increase is even higher, 27.7% between 2001-2006. MS/B also reports that 66% of homes were underinsured in 2007. Create a home inventory and keep it up-to-date. A convenient, downloadable program is free at www.knowyourstuff.org. This will help in the event of filing a claim. If you experience a loss - Document (photograph/video) any damage and inventory losses, especially if heavy, widespread damage has occurred. - Secure property from further damage or theft. Save all receipts since many insurers will reimburse these expenses. - Contact your insurance agent regarding coverage clarification and damage assessment regarding a potential claim. Insurers have tightened underwriting guidelines and may evaluate all claims filed in recent years which could impact your insurability. - Consider obtaining a written repair estimate prior to filing an auto or homeowners claim, as repair costs may not exceed your deductible. If the estimated repair is just over your deductible, it may not be worth filing. Ask your agent for clarification or assistance.

Home repair & contractor tips To protect against the possibility of dishonest contractors, OII offers the following tips: Obtain more than one estimate. Dont be bullied into signing the first contract that is presented to you. Obtain all information in writing, including cost, work to be completed, repair time and payment schedules, contractor guaranteesand make sure all details are provided. Ask for references and check them. Your local Better Business Bureau can serve as an additional point of reference. Ask for the contractors drivers license and write the number down along with a description of the vehicle and license plate number. Some contractors come into disaster areas from out of state when damage is widespread and may not be licensed or bonded meaning you may be liable for on-premise injuries. Never sign an incomplete or blank contract. Theres never a quick fix to home repairs or new roofs as some unscrupulous contractors may lead you to believe. Never allow your contractor to serve as your negotiator with your insurance company. Should a consumer allow the roofer or contractor to negotiate on their behalf, damage claims may be over-inflated or in some cases, damage may be nonexistent. Insurers are not obligated to cover false or over-inflated claims, which may end up costing the homeowner. Dont pay for the repairs or sign a certificate of completion until all work has been completed in accordance with the contract specifications. Be wary of door-to-door contacts, fliers or telemarketing calls soliciting repair work. The homeowner should take the lead role in contacting companies to handle repairs and not be guided by potentially false or fraudulent marketing tactics. Watch for padded repair estimates. This is especially true if the repair estimator asks ahead of time for the amount of your homeowners insurance deductible. Often these are included in the repair estimate as an added incentive to use that particular roofer or home repair contractor. Dont be tempted to conspire in a fraudulent insurance claim. Insurance fraud is a felony. Disaster repairs often heighten the opportunity for insurance fraud and abuse. Also, be aware that insurance coverage may be void if a policyholders intentional misrepresentation is discovered.

The OII is a trade association representing insurance companies and agent groups for the property/casualty insurance industry. Its primary objective is to help Ohioans achieve a better understanding of insurance and safety issues.

Additional resources Major US catastrophes, Insurance Information Institute Ohio catastrophes 1998-2009 (UPDATED 9/11/09 at 10 a.m.) PCS catastrophes news release Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2006 US Average Homeowners and Renters insurance premiums

Other Ohio wind and hailstorms Below is a list of Ohio wind/hailstorms that produced significant insured losses (NOTE: Except for storms occurring 2008-09, the June 2007 NE Ohio hailstorm and 1974 Xenia tornado, dollar losses for the following natural disasters are not adjusted to 2008 figures.): Feb. 11-12, 2009 windstorm caused at least $88.9 million in damages, based on preliminary insured loss estimates from Ohio insurers representing nearly 80% of Ohio's personal auto insurance market, 76% of the homeowners market and about 33% of Ohios commercial lines market based on 2007 Ohio premium volume. Sept. 14, 2008 Hurricane-Ike related windstorm is the costliest Ohio natural disaster in recent times with $1.255 billion in insured losses. June 8, 2007: Losses from this northeast Ohio hailstorm increased to at least $288 million based on a May 2008 resurvey, setting a record for Ohio hailstorm-related losses based on previous OII survey data. Claims increased 74% from 29,219 to at least 50,840 according to the resurvey. October 4, 2006: The most prominent storms produced hail and damaging winds across most of central Ohio. OIIs preliminary estimates show that at least 45,444 claims for $239.6 million in insured losses were filed. May 17, 21, 26 & 27, 2004: This series of May storms affected Canton, Northeast Ohio, Newark and the greater-Dayton area. Over 44,000 claims totaled nearly $167 million in estimated insured losses. April 20, 2003: This Easter Sunday hailstorm caused pockets of major damage over the central Ohio area. OII's original survey estimated insured losses at $51.7 million. A follow-up survey in April 2004 found that insured losses had skyrocketed more than four-fold to $230.5 million and that reported claims more than tripled to 36,891. November 10, 2002: The series of severe storms caused at least $91 million in insured losses from nearly 15,000 claims. Most losses resulted from tornadoes and high winds, but hail was also a factor. April 9, 2001: A hailstorm in the Dayton-Kettering area caused at least $70 million in insured losses from about 27,575 claims. April 9, 1999: An early morning F4 tornado that ripped through the Cincinnati area caused at least $66 million in insured losses from about 4,815 claims. Hail was cited in a number of claims. April 3-4, 1974: Xenia tornado superoutbreak. Total damages, not just insured losses, are estimated at $1 billion in 2008 dollars according to the Insurance Information Institute.