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Your Ontario Automobile policy will extend coverage to a rental car in the US if you have added the OPCF #27 Endorsement. (Liability for Damage to Non- Owned Automobiles). Please keep in mind that the purchase of this endorsement does not provide ‘DOWN TIME INSURANCE” which seems to be a new ‘term’ being used in the state of Florida.

The "Down Time Insurance” is coverage requested for the loss of income that the Rental Car Agency could suffer, should the vehicle need to be taken off the road and is in for repairs as result of an accident.

The rental agency offers this type of coverage with an additional charge on the contract and if the consumer declines, the rental agency will attempt to charge the consumer at an approximate rate of $25-$30 a day.

On 2 recent occasions in Orlando, Florida a client of ours came across the puzzling new concept of "Down Time Insurance" while renting a vehicle. Budget Rental Agency and Dollar Rental Agency attempted to have our insured pay an extra per day rate of insurance if the car was in an accident and could not be rented because the vehicle was in being repaired. Loss of income from the rental of the damaged vehicle is therefore being passed on to the consumer.

The Ontario Automobile policy does not extend coverage to protect you as a result of this type of claim nor can this coverage be added to the Ontario Private Passenger Automobile policy by endorsement.

Canadians who travel to the United States should be very careful before signing any rental agency agreement that might contain this clause. We know that Enterprise Rental Agencies in Canada and the USA do not request customers to sign any type of an agreement.

We would like to thank our client Denise L. for bringing this issue to our attention.

]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120222-095637 No Author Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:56:37 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120222-095637 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120216-113208


Rene Papin has offered his time to many endeavors at U of T Mississauga in the last 10 years. Rene has been a mentor to students and a judge for the “Show Me the Green” business case competition, as well volunteering as a career panelist. He also served on the UTM Golf Committee, organizing the annual golf tournament that raises money for the UTM Alumni Association Scholarship.
]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120216-113208 No Author Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:32:08 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120216-113208 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120208-120756
What could you save by switching to us?

To find out, simply call us at
1-800-661-1518 for your free no-obligation quote OR

CLICK HERE for your FREE No-Obligation Quote Today!

]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120208-120756 No Author Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:07:56 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120208-120756 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120203-134746
Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers Ltd. has now gone mobile with the official launch of our new mobile website.



Check out www.danlawrie.com on your mobile device today and take a look of how we are expanding the ways in which we serve our valued clients.

Let us know what you think of our new mobile website and post your comments below today!]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120203-134746 No Author Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:47:46 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120203-134746 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120201-151043


Breezing through the doors of your new sixth floor condo you hear a dripping sound and spot a horrifying wet stain on the ceiling. Yikes it's leaking onto your new leather couch! You're 6 floors above the nearest storm drain. How could sewer back-up insurance possibly cover your losses?

When it comes to sewer back-up situations, most property owners think of the black sludge that covers a basement after a sump pump is outrun by a severe rainstorm. However, even if your home is nowhere near ground level, sewer back-up insurance can cover your costs if escaping water damages your property. Without such protection, you could find yourself in a mess-both literally and financially.

Sewer back-up insurance typically covers you for losses or damage caused by water that had accidentally escaped from a sewer, drain, storm drain, sump, septic tank, eaves-trough or downspout. Many property insurance policies limit or exclude coverage for these types of losses.

Whether you own or rent your home, adding a sewer back-up endorsement to your property policy can cover the cost of damages and clean up after this type of disaster.

3 Simple Steps You Can Take To Help Avoid Water Damage Losses:

1. Place downspouts on the outside of your home.

2. Install window wells on basement windows.

3. Check to make sure your sump pump is in working order.

Talk to us today. We'll explain what your policy covers and help provide protection that's right for you!]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120201-151043 No Author Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:10:43 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120201-151043 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120127-114815
"As long-term members of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, we want you to know that we value your membership and continued commitment in helping us to support and nurture business growth and prosperity in the City of Hamilton.

We highly respect and value your partnership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce."]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120127-114815 No Author Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:48:15 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=01&entry=entry120127-114815 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120120-114345


Often roofs collapse suddenly giving occupants little, if any warning to evacuate the building.

A roof collapse can happen to new and old buildings alike and cause extensive damage to the building and contents. Low pitched and flat roofs are most susceptible to collapses.

Most roof designs can handle snow loads of 20 - 40 IBS per square foot. But, as the chart below shows, packed snow with ice can easily overload a roof.

SNOW TYPE APPROXIMATE DENSITY

Light & Fluffy 5 - 20 IBS
Packed 20 - 40 IBS
Packed with Ice 40 - 58 IBS
Ice 58 IBS

Watch for ice build up on the edge and valleys of your roof. When heat escapes through your attic, it melts the snow. When this water freezes at the edge of your roof, it forms an ice dam and allows water to back up and enter the building under the shingles and wood decking. Besides adding extra weight to your roof, ice dams can cause extensive water damage inside.

Excessive accumulations of snow and ice will require removal.

For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor. Be certain the contractor is covered by WSIB (Workers Compensation) and provides you with a current liability insurance certificate.

If you are removing the snow on your own, be very careful as the roof can be very slippery.

1. Choose a pair of boots with excellent traction.

2. Choose a proper shovel. A plastic bucket (scoop) shovel with a large handle is best so you can scoop and slid the snow off the roof's edge.

3. Don't pick or chip at ice near the roof surface or dig deep as you may damage the shingles and shorten the roof's life expectancy.

4. Do not pile all the snow in one area before removing it. This may overstress that section of the roof causing it to collapse.

5. Be safe, not sorry. Consider your options carefully.
]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120120-114345 No Author Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:43:45 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=01&entry=entry120120-114345 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120105-131518
You hear a horn, feel a bump and next thing you know, you hear the sound of crumpling metal. With all this going on around you, your thoughts race. You make sure everyone is okay, and then all is quiet. You think to yourself…"What do I do next? Who do I contact? Where do I go to get my car fixed? Is my car driveable?" All of these questions fog up your mind and confuse you. That's why it's important to be prepared and know what steps to take after an auto accident. What you should do after an accident:

1.Don't leave the accident scene – leaving the scene could lead to serious or even
criminal charges.

2. Determine if there are any injuries and if so, call 911 immediately.

3. Try to determine if there is more than $1,000 in damage for the whole accident (your car and any other vehicles involved). If the damage appears to be more than $1,000, call the police and they will come and assess the scene. If the damage is less than $1,000, you still need to call the police, but they will instruct you on what to do next to
assess the damages.

4. If it is safe to do so, move the vehicles off to the side of the road and make the situation safe for all, including passing traffic.

5. Collect names, addresses, telephone numbers, insurance information, license plates numbers, driver's license numbers of all drivers involved in the accident.

6. Remember witnesses and passengers; gather their information as well – names, addresses, telephone numbers.

7. Take notes of what the immediate scene looked like - placement of trees, shrubs, stop signs, signal lights, pedestrian crossings etc. This will help when you report the claim
to us.

Call us! As soon as you have completed the first 7 steps, call us immediately. We'll answer your questions and guide you through the claims process.]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry120105-131518 No Author Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:15:18 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=12&m=01&entry=entry120105-131518 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry111221-110303
The 2009 Toyota Venza has trumped the 2000 Honda Civic SiR as the most frequently stolen vehicle in Canada in 2011, reports the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Also, many of the stolen vehicles are showing up in the local market and being sold to unsuspecting consumers instead of being exported out of Canada, representing a shift from the trend of previous years.

The Top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:

1. 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door;
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door;
3. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door;
4. 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck, 4WD;
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door, AWD;
6. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4-door, 4WD;
7. 2007 Ford F350 pickup truck, 4WD;
8. 2001 Pontiac Aztec 4-door, AWD;
9. 1998 Acura Integra 2-door; and
10. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door.

*** information provided by Canadian Underwriter Magazine.]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry111221-110303 No Author Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:03:03 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=11&m=12&entry=entry111221-110303 http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry111214-131050


Hamilton ON-November 30 2011- The Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton (IBAH) recently presented the Hamilton Chapter of the MS Society of Canada with $2,500 from their annual golf tournament held in the fall. The IBAH has been supporting the MS Society since 2005, and has given over $11,000 to date.

Bob Lawrie introduced the IBAH to the MS Society when he was organizing the tournament as Past President in 2005. Lawrie’s sister was diagnosed with MS in her 40’s, and since then has been challenged with the uncertainty of this disease. Dan Lawrie Insurance has been a proud supporter of the MS Society as a major sponsor of the annual MS Walk. They are “proud to support the MS Society as it not only provides progress in MS research and treatment options, but it is also a valuable resource of information and support for people and their families living with MS”.

Lenard Eybel of Binbrook Insurance has continued the commitment to the MS Society while he serves as President of the IBAH. Eybel’s wife Patti was diagnosed with MS in 2003 after several years of undiagnosed symptoms, and they have been fundraising for the MS Society ever since. Their friends and family, including their three daughters, form the ‘Patti’s Party’ team in the annual Stoney Creek MS Walk, and collect donations for local support services and national research in the hopes of finding a cure. Patti is a member of the Hamilton Chapter and has accessed their support services while she maintains a healthy lifestyle to manage her MS symptoms.

The Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton was formed in 1921 and currently has 26 brokerages, with a staff of approximately 600. They also have 45 associate members. Their mandate is “to protect and promote the legitimate business interests of the general insurance brokers in Hamilton. To safeguard the public against unscrupulous or unethical practises in the general insurance field in Hamilton. To advance the standards of the general insurance business and in particular to promote the education of its members.” The IBAH is a proud supporter of the Insurance program at Mohawk College where Eybel’s eldest daughter, Heather recently graduated, and his middle daughter, Brittany is currently studying. They meet monthly to network, discuss industry activity, and support local organizations including the MS Society and City Kidz through their annual golf tournament. Bob Lawrie thanks “The IBAH Board, its Broker offices and its Associate Members for their ongoing support of the MS Society and encourages other local associations to consider contacting their local MS Chapter to see how their added support will assist in providing programs and services to those affected by multiple sclerosis, to achieve the highest possible quality of life while living with the daily challenges that MS presents”.

About MS and the MS Society of Canada
MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It is the most common neurological disease affecting an estimated 55,000 to 75,000 young adults today in Canada. Based on national averages, in Hamilton alone, it is estimated that nearly 1,300 people are living with this debilitating disease. The Hamilton Chapter of the MS Society provides services to people living with MS and their families and funds research to find a cause of and a cure for this disease.

The 22nd Annual MS Walk will take place in Hamilton & Stoney Creek on Sunday April 22, 2012. Register online today at www.mswalks.ca!

Contact: Pamela Sharp
Senior Fundraising Coordinator
MS Society of Canada, Hamilton Chapter
905-527-7874 ext. 13
pamela.sharp@mssociety.ca
]]> http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/index.php?entry=entry111214-131050 No Author Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:10:50 GMT http://danlawrie.weblogbiz.com/comments.php?y=11&m=12&entry=entry111214-131050