plus 4, AAA, DAT offer New Year’s rides - New Mexico Business Weekly

AAA, DAT offer New Year’s rides - New Mexico Business Weekly
What’s the Buzz: Anatomy of an auto policy - Naples Daily News
Koster sues more service-contract firms for deceptive practices - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Archive for October 2009 - The Spokesman-Review
Businesses on Pennsylvania's tax delinquent list now owe $8 million - Burlington County Times

AAA, DAT offer New Year’s rides - New Mexico Business Weekly

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 01:50 PM PST

Motorists, party hosts, restaurant and bar owners take heed: There are options for those that have had too much to drink during the holiday weekend.

AAA-New Mexico is once again offering members and non-members access to its "Tipsy Tow" service. In addition, Albuquerque's Downtown Action Team and the New Mexico Department of Transportation have partnered to operate "The JIT" late-night transportation service.

JIT comes from the old English term, "Jitney," meaning "shared taxi."

Starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and continuing for 30 hours through Jan. 1, at 11:59 p.m. drivers can call "Tipsy Tow" to get a free ride home and also have their car towed home.

The number to call is (800) 222-4357. You do not have to be a AAA member to use the free service and no identification is required. AAA officials stress, however, that reservations are not accepted.

JIT rides will take any person from Downtown to any location within the city limits from 10 p.m. (Dec. 31) to 2 a.m. on Jan 1. The location to catch the ride is on 4th Street and Central Avene. DAT officials say patrons should look for the sign-up table and be in line by 1:30 a.m. to receive their ride. The last ride leaves promptly at 2 a.m.

DAT and NMDOT are encouraging those attending New Year's Eve festivities in Downtown on Dec. 31 to plan ahead before they celebrate and use the service to avoid driving while intoxicated, avoiding possible accidents and deaths.

"This program offers an easy way to get home after drinking too much," Brian Morris, executive director of the DAT said. "We are asking our Downtown patrons to make a responsible decision by taking 'The JIT' home at the end of the night."

AAA officials say many motorists who have had too much to drink say one of the reasons why they don't call a taxi is because they have to come back the next day and get their cars.

When callers ask for a "Tipsy Tow," a regular AAA-New Mexico roadside service truck will be dispatched to the location and will take the driver and car home, up to 10 miles from the point of pick up. After 10 miles, applicable charges are the responsibility of the motorists. It is suggested the motorist and driver agree in advance what the excess mileage charges will be, so the tow truck operator can obtain a payment agreement.

"AAA New Mexico is pleased once again to offer 'Tipsy Tow' to all New Mexico drivers," AAA-New Mexico Corporate Communication Manager Dan Ronan said. "AAA's Emergency Roadside Service team will be a critical part of this important effort to save lives and get motorists home safely," he said.

There are some situations where a "Tipsy Tow" does not qualify:

•The motorist requests a tow to another drinking establishment, repair facility or other location besides their place of residence.

•A tow to a hotel is only acceptable if the person is a guest there.

•The vehicle is inoperable or the individual asks AAA to start the car, change a tire, deliver gas or seeks "taxi" service.

If AAA transports two or more people with the vehicle, they will be charged the tow truck operator's standard rate.

The AAA Auto Club provides these tips for a safe holiday weekend:

•Designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.

•Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you have been drinking.

•Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet so you can call for a ride home.

•As the party host, offer a variety of non-alcoholic drink alternatives, plenty of food and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.

•Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.

• If you're driving and see a motorist driving in an erratic manner, try to stay behind their vehicle, leaving plenty of distance to be safe, then call 911 and give the police a description of the car and if you can safely get the license plate number, write it down and tell authorities.

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What’s the Buzz: Anatomy of an auto policy - Naples Daily News

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 01:00 PM PST

Buzz Hill

Picture this scenario: A woman leaves her car securely locked and safely parked on a quiet side street. But the unexpected happens. When she returns, her car is severely damaged.

This scenario has a happy ending. After the initial shock, she calls her insurance agent. The agent guides the woman through the claim process and explains that her car policy's collision coverage will pay the cost, after the deductible is met, to repair her car.

Why insurance?

State laws require owners and drivers of motor vehicles to be financially responsible for damages they cause in a car accident. Insurance satisfies this requirement. In addition, optional coverages are available that can further reduce your risk of significant financial loss from a car crash, even if it is not your fault.

Types of coverage available

There are various types of coverage available when purchasing an auto insurance policy.

Liability: Pays damages for bodily injury to others and damage to property that result from a wreck that is caused by an insured under your policy. Also pays for other costs including legal defense and court fees in the event an insured is sued because of a car wreck.

Collision: Pays for damage, after a deductible is met, to your insured car when it strikes, or is struck by, another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive: Pays for damage to your insured car that was not caused by a collision. Some examples include damage caused by fire, wind, hail, flood, vandalism, theft, or impact with an animal. There may or may not be a deductible for this coverage.

Medical Payments Coverage: Pays the reasonable and necessary medical expenses for an insured that is injured in a car crash, regardless of who is at fault for the wreck.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Pays damages to an insured that is injured in a car crash caused by a driver who does not have liability insurance.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Pays damages to an insured that is injured in a car crash when the person(s) responsible for the wreck accident has insufficient liability insurance to fully compensate the insured for the injury.

Car Rental Expense: Pays eligible rental car expenses if your car is not drivable because of a loss which would be payable under Collision Coverage or Comprehensive Coverage.

Emergency Road Service: Pays for items such as towing expenses, the cost to deliver gasoline, and specified labor charges to unlock your car if the key is locked inside the car.

When shopping for insurance, it's important to look at more than the total cost. Become familiar with the amount and type of coverage that is being offered. Also, note what isn't being covered, who is covered while driving your vehicle and the quality of customer service in the event of an accident. And always remember to make sure the company you're insured by is financially strong.

The bottom line is that you should understand your policy and buy the amount of insurance you think you need.

- - -

Buzz Hill is a local State Farm agent in Naples and a resident since 1997. Buzz is the founder of the State Farm Coaches Award which recognizes area high school coaches who display great sportsmanship.

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Koster sues more service-contract firms for deceptive practices - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 02:12 PM PST

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster today sued four more St. Louis area companies that, according to the suits, used unfair and deceptive practices to sell extended auto-service contracts or other coverage plans tied to the purchase of auto additives.

Companies named in the suits are St. Louis-based Carhill Enterprises, which does business as Consumer Protection Services; St. Charles-based CarSafe, which does business as Dealer Preferred Warranties; St. Louis-based Dealership Services; and Maryland Heights-based Dealership Warranties.

Carhill Enterprises was sued last year by then-Attorney General Jay Nixon as part of what his staff called "Operation Taken for a Ride." To settle the suit, the company paid $7,209 restitution to eight consumers and $4,000 to the state to cover the costs of the investigation. Carhill also agreed to injunctive relief which requires them to inform consumers upfront of specific details of their product prior to purchasing.

In a press release, Koster's office said the businesses sued today used misleading telemarketing, letters and postcards to trick consumers into believing the factory-warranty coverage on their vehicles had expired or was about to expire. Consumers were not informed that the companies were not affiliated with auto makers or dealerships.

Also, the suits allege that some firms sued today participated in what Koster has called "the additive scam." The sale of these so-called additive warranties, which was first reported by the Post-Dispatch, allows companies to sell a form of vehicle protection that may not be subject to some consumer-protection regulations.

Consumers are sold an automotive additive — a bottle of liquid, or some tablets. Companies selling the additive say that if the product fails to prevent a breakdown, the warranty on the additive will cover repair bills — or at least some portion of them. But, for consumers, there are big drawbacks to this form of vehicle protection. For instance, consumers aren't entitled to a pro-rated refund if they cancel. When they buy service contracts, they are.

Last month, Koster filed similar suits against six area firms: St. Peters-based National Dealers Warranty, which does business as StopRepairBills.com; south St. Louis County-based Warranty Activation Headquarters, which does business as Nationwide Automotive Protection; St. Peters-based Extended Warranty Corporation, which does business as Key Protection Group; St. Charles-based Dealers Warranty, which does business as Mogi; St. Peters-based U.S. Auto Warranty; and St. Charles-based Dealer Warranty Services.

Koster is asking the court to issue injunctions requiring the companies to comply with Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act; provide full restitution to victims and to the state; and pay civil penalties and court costs.

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Archive for October 2009 - The Spokesman-Review

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 12:46 PM PST

Spokane County commissioners fired the company they hired less than a year ago to operate the county's Raceway Park , their controversial purchase near Airway Heights that drew good crowds this summer but racked up some $1.2 million in unpaid construction debt.

The county's insurance may be needed to pay contractors that performed the work ordered by Austin Motor Sports Management but never approved by the county, they said.

Commissioners voted unanimously during a special afternoon meeting Thursday to terminate the contract with the company and its owner Bucky Austin, a racing enthusiast who owns a chain of auto repair shops in the Puget Sound region. Despite promises in August and September that he would make good on all outstanding debts for improvements in the park, Austin still owes several local contractors, who have filed liens worth about $1.2 million against him and the county.

They're looking for a new operator to run the track in 2010, although next time, they expect to keep "a closer, watchful eye" on Austin 's replacement, County Board Chairman Todd Mielke said.

The county became aware of financial problems at the track last summer, when contractors began serving notice that they would file liens for unpaid bills. Austin called the liens standard procedure, said he had to review billing to make sure the work was actually done and promised to pay everybody by November.

But commissioners discovered Austin had ordered more construction than they expected, essentially compressing renovations the county thought would take two years into the first year the track operated. He did it without securing performance bonds, as required by state law, or putting the projects out to competitive bids, commissioners said.

Because of those problems, commissioners said Austin 's contract was in default and terminated on Thursday afternoon.

Austin was put on notice in September that he'd lose the contract in 60 days if he didn't "cure" those problems. He said he would find financing or partners to make payments. But this week, his attorney confirmed that "Austin Motor Sports Management is unable to find additional financing to continue to operate the raceway," Jim Emacio, the county's chief civil deputy, told commissioners.

The notice of default had a 60-day time limit, which would have been up on Sunday. When asked why they were terminating it just three days early, they said the weather was turning cold and they wanted to have county staff "winterize" the facility as soon as possible.

Asked if the decision was at all prompted by fears Austin 's management company, a limited liability corporation apart from his repair shops, could declare bankruptcy, Mielke would only say: "Rumors abound."

The county will draft a new request for proposal and allow potential operators to submit bids.

"We hope to find an operator that can continue to operate the track… and maintain it's credibility with the community," Mielke said. "We're going to do our due diligence with any construction projects that take place."

They want to county will also review all the outstanding claims to make sure the work was done, is up to standards and has been double-billed, Commissioner Mark Richard said. Legitimate claims will be submitted to the county's insurance carrier for payment.

That process could take up to 60 days. John Black, an attorney who represents seven of the contractors holding some $1.19 million in unpaid bills, said his clients could eventually file suit against the county if they aren't paid. But it might take about two months to prepare a lawsuit, so the contractors might hold off.

"If in fact there is a commitment to pay, it would make sense to wait," said Black, who added he heard about the commissioners' decision from the reporter calling to ask for comment.

Story also filed on the Local News section, and generating comments. Join the discussion here.

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Businesses on Pennsylvania's tax delinquent list now owe $8 million - Burlington County Times

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 01:22 PM PST

The 244 businesses on the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's tax delinquent list owe the state more than $8 million.

Thirty-two new delinquent taxpayers were added to the list this month, including: Allegheny Answering Services, Pittsburgh ($117,120.38); Petz Unlimited Inc., Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County ($17,381.60); Urology Group Inc., Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County ($33,980.60); Edwin C. Hill dba Hills Auto Repair, Altoona, Blair County ($7,832.51); Energetics Mechanical Inc., Easton, Northampton County ($8,977.58); and EMS Management Systems Inc., Kingston, Luzerne County ($38,009.86).

The list includes businesses that owe sales and/or employer withholding taxes. Since the list debuted in April 2006, 509 of the 753 businesses, or 67.6 percent, that appeared on the list have been removed because they paid taxes in full, committed to deferred payment plans or went out of business.

Before being listed on the Web site, businesses and individuals are contacted by the department and given a final chance to make payment arrangements. The prospect of appearing on the list has helped convince delinquent taxpayers to pay $110.4 million and enter into deferred payment plans for an additional $12.4 million in previously unpaid taxes.

Information on the Web site is public as a result of liens filed by the Revenue Department. Each lien is recorded in the county prothonotary's office where the person lives or does business. The amounts listed on the Web site represent the original liens. The current amount of tax due may differ from the amount listed on the site because of partial payments and/or the accrual of additional interest since the tax lien was filed.

The complete tax delinquent list is available at www.revenue.state.pa.us, under the "Hot Topics" tab on the home page.

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