Saturday, December 30, 2017

Mesothelioma Law Services

With the recognition and establishment of the root cause of Mesothelioma, law services have equipped themselves to counter effect its fallout. This cancerous disease may not be detected at its early stages and may serve as a hurdle during court proceedings. The condition does not arise immediately after asbestos exposure and may develop years later, when a person may work elsewhere or may have even retired. Specialist lawyers, who understand the disease, its implications and outcomes, offer mesothelioma law services.

When selecting a service, it is important to find a reputed mesothelioma law service. This is because most of these cases are filed against established companies who may employ tactics to mislead court or mask information. An initial failure can delay the entire procedure but not eliminate the chances of receiving a favorable verdict for plaintiffs. This is because, the law has incorporated provisions that define mesothelioma and a victim can prove this with the help of medical reports and employment terms and conditions with the defaulting company. Mesothelioma law services are designed to help recover compensation related to medical expenses, loss of job, financial crunches and after effects of the disease.

Mesothelioma law service providers are compassionate professionals who can offer information regarding lung cancer, treatment choices and even provide a support system when victims need it most. When providing such law services, lawyers usually take up limited cases simultaneously in order to represent a case as best as they can. Company denials and malpractices in relation to asbestos exposure have resulted in numerous related litigation and claims. Specialized Mesothelioma law firms work to safeguard the interest of plaintiffs. Since different states are guided by specific rules, every American state has specialized Mesothelioma lawyers and law firms. They provide proactive services and are known to file class action lawsuits against companies that do not pay heed to the ill effects of asbestos.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits [http://www.WetPluto.com/Mesothelioma-Law-Services.html] provides detailed information on Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit, Failure To Diagnose Mesothelioma Lawsuits, Mesothelioma Lawsuit Attorneys, Mesothelioma Lawsuit Directories and more. Mesothelioma Lawsuits is affiliated with Mesothelioma Law Firms [http://www.e-mesotheliomalaws.com].

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Why the Mesothelioma Law is Vital

Mesothelioma law is very vital and it provides a chance for a victim or a person who has been exposed to asbestos, to claim compensation that will ease their troubles. The laws are very specific and clear and they can be used by a person who has discovered they might have had an exposure or by a person who has just been diagnosed with the fatal disease. The mesothelioma law will compensate for pain, suffering, medical costs and other related expenses and it will also cover the possible loss of an income. Firstly, it is vital to establish what exactly mesothelioma is and who are at risk of getting it. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the lining of various organs like the heart, lungs and abdomen. The known cause of the illness is asbestos.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are found naturally which are mostly used as insulators due to their incredible properties which include the following. They are resistant to both heat and fire which have earned them the name of a miracal mineral. It is used to make so many products and the following are some of the industries you will find it being used in automotive, building, construction, railroad, factory, shipyard and so many other industries. People who work in asbestos mines are probably at a bigger risk. You can find other laws under the mesothelioma laws which include the personal injury law. You can seek compensation for your loss because of a person who was negligent and caused your problems.

There are so many aspects to the law on mesothelioma and you need to know all you can so that you can make the correct decision. The person who is better placed to guide you is a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. They will show you which direction to follow if you wish to undertake a legal suit. They must therefore have the proper qualification and experience. They should have proof of a valid license to practice. This is because the mesothelioma cases that have succeeded, have gotten a lot of money and people are willing to fake their qualifications and act as middlemen so that they can gain in the end. Consider a lawyer who is near you. This will go a long way to make your work easier as you start to prepare for the case.

They should have evidence of the cases they have handled successfully so that you can totally put your trust in them. The case is very vital and you therefore need to take as much time as you can to make sure that you have a lawyer who is dedicated to your case. The lawyer will explain everything about the mesothelioma law and guide you towards making the right decision. When you have any concern or question, they will take you through. The other vital aspect you need to consider is that you must agree on the lawyer fee before you hire them. The stake is high and you want a price that will satisfy everyone. When you are content with the lawyer and your terms of agreement, go ahead with the case to the very end.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Mesothelioma Lung Cancer. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here MESOTHELIOMA LUNG CANCER If You Enjoyed Reading This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED! To Receive My Most Recent Posts & Updates.

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Finding a Law Firm in Dallas for Your Mesothelioma Case

If you are living in Texas, particularly in Dallas, you would never find a hard time finding a good law firm that would represent you in your complaint against asbestos makers, which should be blamed for the onset of mesothelioma.

Through the years, the number of patients reported to have acquired mesothelioma is constantly rising. In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are about 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of the disease annually. Dallas is among those cities where there is a significant number of complaints linked to the ailment.

In case you are wondering why there is a need for a legal assistance for mesothelioma patients, be reminded that the disease is found to be caused only by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a construction material that had been widely used in the past for insulation in houses, buildings and other facilities.

The first lawsuit filed against an asbestos company for complaints linked to mesothelioma was in 1929. as early as 1898, medical researchers had already ruled that the ailment could only be caused by asbestos inhalation or intake. The 1929 case was dismissed after all parties agreed to a settlement.

It was long until the next case was filed. In the 1960s, asbestos claims were filed in Western Australia against a local asbestos manufacturer. The complaint stated that the use and manufacturing of asbestos caused workers and people living nearby the facilities to contract mesothelioma.

Since then, there have been different asbestos claims that are being filed worldwide, where there are known exposure of people to asbestos. To further understand the complexity of this court battle, it would be better if you would take a crash course on the basic information about mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelial tissue or the sac lining in the chest. Researches have found that asbestos when exposed to air disintegrates into very minuscule fibers that can be inhaled without people being aware of it.

Once the asbestos fibers reach the lungs, they enter the mesothelila tissues and accumulate. The process would not create significant adverse results overnight. Experts estimate that it should take about two months of exposure before a person accumulates sufficient asbestos fibers to develop a tumor that would eventually lead to mesothelioma.

Another striking fact about mesothelioma is that it does not occur in an asbestos-exposed person until about 20 to 30 years after the exposure. That is the main reason why on the average, mesothelioma patients are aged about 50 years to 70 years.

Thus, workers exposed to asbestos would not abruptly feel and bear the effects of exposure to the substance until a significant amount of time. That way, in the past, people diagnosed with mesothelioma had not readily linked the disease to their possible exposure to asbestos.

Because the industrial revolution in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s made much use of asbestos in the construction of industry facilities, experts estimate that the victims are starting to feel the effects of exposure only recently. To be able to seek justice and proper compensation for the contractual of the disease, that is the reason why many victims are aiming to file for legal complaints against the factories and construction firms that made use of the substance.

How to find a law firm for mesothelioma in Dallas

As mentioned before, there are numerous law firms in Dallas that are handling mesothelioma and asbestos claims cases. Through the years, many construction and industrial firms have been legally battling it out to defend themselves against hundreds and thousands of individual and class-action suits.

However, experts concede that many law firms in Dallas are not too familiar and reliable to entrust handling of such cases. If you have mesothelioma and you are mullin on filing a complaint in the city or in the state, it would be advisable if you would first spend considerable amount of time and effort finding a good law firm that could truly defend and represent you.

Find out about the firm's overall reputation and ask if the law firm has already handled a similar case in the past. If not, seek another law firm, one that has already accumulated experience in representing mesothelioma complaints in the past. Dallas would never run short of mesothelioma law firms for sure.

For more complete information on mesothelioma please go to:

[http://freemesotheliomalawyer.com/dallas-finding-a-law-firm/]

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How To Choose A Mesothelioma Law Firm When Seeking Compensation For Asbestos Exposure

The person who represents your interest in a mesothelioma case has to be chosen very carefully. The success of your case depends as much on your attorney as it does on the facts presented in the case. Your mesothelioma lawyer should have a good amount of knowledge of laws regarding mesothelioma and at least a working understanding of the disease itself.

A lot of paperwork is required to prove a case of negligence by the company that processed the asbestos which causes mesothelioma so your lawyer has to be able to gather, organize and present all the necessary information well. You also want someone who understands what you are dealing with emotionally, psychologically and physically so that your case is as important to them as it is to you.

Choosing Your Representation

When you choose a lawyer or law firm to represent your case you should be comfortable with all members of the staff who are involved with the case. You should view them as being competent and experienced enough to handle your case. If that is not true, you should rethink your decision to file your case with the firm and contact other law firms to find one you are happy with.

Questions for the Firm

You should ask questions of the lawyers until you are completely satisfied that they are the best team to handle your case.

Here is a list of questions you should ask the attorney(s) interested in handling your mesothelioma lawsuit:

o    Does your law firm handle mesothelioma cases or will I be referred to another law firm? If so, what is the name of the law firm that handles my type of case?

o    How long have you been involved in handling mesothelioma lawsuits and do you handle other types of medical law? What about toxic substance cases?

o    How man mesothelioma cases are currently being handled by the law firm?

o    (In the case of an individual attorney) How many mesothelioma lawsuits have you personally handled and what is your success rate in and out of court?

o    How many mesothelioma cases has your firm taken to trial and what is the success rate of your trial cases? Are there lawyers on staff who handle the trial cases?

o    In settlement cases, who handles the legal proceedings and what is the firm's success rate with settlements? What is the range of settlement amount and is medical care typically included?

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How to Choose the Right Mesothelioma Law Firm

This morning I switched on the TV and the first thing I saw was and advertisement by and for a large mesothelioma law firm.

Mesothelioma is actually a very rare form of cancer, yet, several thousand people each year die because of this devastating disease, caused by exposure to asbestos. The lining of the lungs gets affected first, followed by the heart, the entire abdomen and later on, as the disease progresses, other areas inside the body of the victim. Each year around 3000 new mesothelioma cases are being registered. All asbestos induced diseases are known for their long latency period, which makes the diagnosis rather difficult. Many years or even decades may pass before a patient exhibits first symptoms. The overall prognosis is rather poor, effective treatments -- let alone a cure -- is yet to be found.

Mesothelioma law firms have mushroomed over the past ten years. Some of them were able to recover settlement compensations or court verdicts in the millions. Especially the so called class action lawsuits got the attention of the media and the public, since some of them had dollar amounts in the hundred millions at stake.

As mentioned before, it is not difficult to just find any mesothelioma law firm, however, teaming up with the right one for your case is the key to success. When I recently conducted research on New York mesothelioma attorneys, I came across with an interesting service that is offered by some the law practices; it is called 'expedited trial'. Via this procedure, your case will be litigated with a higher priority, which will safe you time and money. Not all mesothelioma law firms have the infrastructure and the connections to provide this special type of service to their clients. But those who have been around for a while and gained reputation and respect through the work they did in previous asbestos cases, are usually able to offer this 'extra' to you.

In sum: looking at the track record of mesothelioma law firms is certainly a good starting point. In a second step, I would recommend asking for a free consultation. Most of the law firms are willing to do that, since the want your business. This will give you the chance to meet with the lawyers face to face and allow you to make a decision as to whether or not you are comfortable with them on a personal level, too.

The author Tony Ulrich was diagnosed with kidney cancer in October of 2009. In his research on what his cancer could have been caused by, he came across with data that suggests a strong link to environmental toxins, such as asbestos.

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Get to a Mesothelioma Law Firm in Time to Claim the Compensation

It is better to take resort to a mesothelioma law firm or mesothelioma lawyers as soon as mesothelioma disease is diagnosed clinically. There are many essential and mandatory legal factors like time bar to file the suit, the time and duration for exposure, the damage caused due to working in a particular industry or damage caused by some arbitrary act on the part of the patient in his early life etc. As determining the applicability of all these factors are part of specialized knowledge and professional expertise so it is always wise to leave the decision in the hand the mesothelioma lawyers or mesothelioma law firm. Sometimes to find exactly how much relevance the alleged exposure does have with the claim for compensation, the mesothelioma law firm may even hire a private investigator to look into the matter. There are many law firms which exclusively deal with only mesothelioma cases. Such kind of law firms keep mesothelioma lawyers who do only deal with the cases relating to compensation claim in case mesothelioma disease is diagnosed in a patient. There are many companies which to up size profit, compromise the safety of the workers and make them work in dusty environment with little or no protection.

This irregularity is more often in asbestos industries and stone- crusher industries where the workers are exposed to hazard more expansively than anywhere. With each breathing they intake the microscopic dust particle which do not come out with exhalation but stick to the wall of lungs. After long time normally after years of working in that environment, when the body gradually weakened the hazard shows itself. So, it is probably an exception among the diseases, in which the harm is perceived when already it is too late to prevent. Once, lungs and heart thus weaken, automatically the patient is faced with considerable decrease in his energy to work and ironically, to earn. In such situation, mesothelioma law firm and mesothelioma lawyers become of great help. It is always pretty advantageous to the patient to take resort to legal advice from a reputed mesothelioma law firm in or around his locality, because the profit to the patient is from both sides, in winning or losing. During seeking legal advice in such cases the patient or any party on the patient's side does not need to pay any fees at the first instance. The fee is only claimed when the compensation is awarded to the patient or any party legally authorized. A percentage is charged by the mesothelioma lawyers or mesothelioma law firm who was engaged for the job. Whatever measures or options be taken by the mesothelioma law firm, it is not usually chargeable unless the case is won. So, it is advisable that whenever a disease of mesothelium called mesothelioma is diagnosed then it is better to avail legal advise regarding claiming of compensation. Unlike other law suits particularly in mesothelioma cases it is never a loss to seek a legal advice as there is no need to pay unless the patient is paid at first, in form of compensation.

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Mesothelioma Law Resources

Mesothelioma is a deadliest form of cancer that has developed via the exposure of asbestos. Mesothelioma develops the malignant or cancerous cells in the mesothelium, which is the cell which protects various internal organs in our human body. The types of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. The mesothelioma law resources provide you information on the disease, mesothelioma lawsuits, mesothelioma doctors, and mesothelioma lawyers and other legal resources.

Mesothelioma law resources help a person who has developed the disease in the exposure of asbestos providing the legal resources and further steps for the mesothelioma settlements. Mesothelioma is the disease that damages the cells which surround various internal organs like the heart, lungs and the abdomen. It develops gradually within the human body by damaging the cell lining which covers these organs. Inhaling the asbestos materials from the workplace is a major cause for the development of mesothelioma.

Shortness of breath and chest pain developed due to the accumulated fluid in the pleura are the major symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Bowel obstruction, abnormality in the clotting of blood, fever and anemia are few of the peritoneal symptoms. The common symptoms of the pericardial mesothelioma are persistent coughing, palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain.

The person who has developed mesothelioma has to be diagnosed immediately when these symptoms are seen. If the presence of mesothelioma is confirmed, immediate treatment is recommended. The person may seek lawsuit assistance as the legal compensation for the mesothelioma through the exposure of asbestos. A legal medical expert can help you in providing the information of the disease that has developed through the exposure of asbestos. This would help you in receiving rightful and fair compensation.

There are several law firms that offer you the best service. One has to assess whether the law firm to be selected is a good one and certified applicable under the State Bar Association. A perfect lawyer can be approached from any top law firm who has a well specialized track record in dealing with mesothelioma cases. A lawyer with a good track record can offer you with the best compensation for mesothelioma from the irresponsible firms that have failed to protect you from the exposure of asbestos.

Mesothelioma Laws [http://www.e-mesotheliomalaws.com] provides detailed information on Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Law Firms, Mesothelioma Law Resources, Mesothelioma Law Services and more. Mesothelioma Laws is affiliated with Failure To Diagnose Mesothelioma Lawsuits [http://www.e-mesotheliomalawsuits.com].

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When Should You Contact a Mesothelioma Law Firm?

A mesothelioma law firm is one in which the associates represent the people or close relatives of people who have been afflicted with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. If you or someone close to you has mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease and you would like to pursue litigation then it is in your best interest to contact a mesothelioma law firm.

If these firms have been practicing law for an extensive amount of time the attorneys and support team often empathize with the victims of these diseases. They also develop a rather deep understanding of all of the work that is involved in bringing the companies that caused so much grief and pain to so many people to justice.

Laws that govern civil actions, or torts, can be very complex. This is the precise area within which asbestos litigation falls. One of the reasons that it can be so challenging is that each state deals with this aspect of the law differently. Both important elements as well as specific statutes can vary significantly from one state to the next. For example, some states may have more rigorous demands as far as demonstrating the burden of proof goes.

Because these cases can be so involved it is important for mesothelioma victims to work with mesothelioma attorneys. These men and women have often devoted a significant portion of their lives keeping abreast of the most current legal opinions, the latest research, as well as case law that involves mesothelioma and other diseases that are related to asbestos.

In order to consistently be successful, mesothelioma attorneys have to master all of the complex issues that are involved with asbestos related cases. Many times not only does the location where the exposure to asbestos happened have to be identified, the conditions under which it occurred have to be pinpointed as well.

Mesothelioma attorneys also need to have information at their disposal that will let them determine who manufactured the asbestos or the product that contained the asbestos. Since exposure often happened decades before the disease was diagnosed this could be a very daunting task for any law firm that does not specialize in mesothelioma.

The challenge is compounded because many of the companies either merged with or were acquired by other companies over the years. Subsequently, a parent company that currently operates under a name other than that of the original company may be held liable. Large mesothelioma law firms often have massive databases that are full of information that relates to just about every area of the asbestos industry. And the databases are readily available to them whenever they need them.

By the turn of the 21st century, Halliburton, had paid close to $100 million in settlements for multiple asbestos-related lawsuits that were filed against its subsidiaries. Do you think this could have happened without such databases?

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What Does a Mesothelioma Law Firm Do ?

Law firms specializing in mesothelioma are different from any other type of law firm. Whereas other firms may specialize in areas like car accidents or nursing home abuse, mesothelioma law firms focus primarily on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. It’s not recommended to retain legal representation from a general practice law firm or even a personal injury firm that specializes in a wide array of injury cases. You’ll need an attorney who specifically specializes in mesothelioma cases, as these types of lawsuits are extremely intricate and require vast, in-depth understanding of asbestos exposure and diseases.

Attorneys at these law firms have knowledge and experience regarding federal and state laws concerning asbestos use and its history in the workforce. They also have sharp investigative skills and are able to dig deep to uncover when and where companies and/or other entities exposed workers to asbestos. Additionally, these law firms are comprised of educated attorneys who understand the legal process involving courts, trials, settlements, and appeals.

An experienced law firm also understands the severe emotional impact that living with mesothelioma brings, not only to victims, but to family members and loved ones as well. An good firm takes this into account and helps ease the minds of victims and their loved ones throughout this enduring process.

Moreover, an experienced firm understands that the victim is already suffering enough because of the medical and financial problems associated with asbestos-related diseases. As a result, the firm will handle most everything regarding the lawsuit, including fighting for the legal rights of the client, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical history, litigation, and more.

What Should I Look for When Hiring an Asbestos Law Firm?

Unfortunately, not all law firms specializing in mesothelioma are the same. While some may have several years of experience, other firms are relatively new to the area of mesothelioma. In addition, some law firms may concentrate on other areas of law besides mesothelioma while another firm may solely focus on asbestos cases.

Aside from using your good judgement when determining which law firm you should use, there are several factors you should consider:

  • The law firm should have experience in dealing with mesothelioma cases.
  • The law firm should be extremely knowledgeable in asbestos laws and prior cases.
  • Look for a law firm that focuses solely on asbestos-related cases.
  • Look for law firms with a stellar reputation in handling asbestos cases.
  • The law firm should not only understand asbestos laws, but should also have extensive knowledge of medical problems associated with asbestos diseases.
  • The law firm should always keep you updated on what’s going on in your case. Although attorneys are busy people, they should be accessible.
  • You should always get an initial consultation at no charge before deciding on a firm.
Keep in mind that it’s not recommended to retain a law firm that promises you that you will win your case no matter what. Although statistics show that the majority mesothelioma victims do go on to win their lawsuits, there are a variety of factors involved, and no case is guaranteed. An experienced law firm will help you to understand your chances and what is involved, but will never assure that your case is 100% guaranteed.


How Can a Law Firm Personally Help Me?



When first getting started, victims usually have a plethora of unanswered questions regarding asbestos and their rights. A good law firm should be able to provide you with following information:

Evidence Related to Your Exposure: Once you provide the law firm with your work information, they should be able to investigate and determine how asbestos was used at your workplace. In some cases, they may already have the information available.

If You Truly Have an Asbestos Claim: Asbestos law firms understand what’s needed in order to have a true asbestos claim. With this knowledge, they are able to determine how strong your case is and what the estimated chances are that you’ll win. Most attorneys make sure they’re confident in your case before taking it on. Be wary of any attorney who promises to take your case without knowing any of the details or an attorney who claims they can get you an exact amount of compensation before reviewing your case.

Your Case Worth: If the firm decides you have an asbestos case, they will then be able to come up with an average figure of how much your case is worth. This is including past expenses, daily expenses, medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, physical suffering, future expenses, and much more. Keep in mind, however, that there is no set formula as to how much your award amount may be. The aforementioned factors, along with other details, such as if your former company has a trust fund set up or not, will also come into play.

Who Exactly is Responsible: It can be difficult for the average person to determine who exactly is responsible for exposing victims to asbestos. For example, companies can move, go out of business, hide, suppress relevant information, and change ownerships. In some cases, your former company is responsible, the manufacturer of the asbestos products may be responsible, or supervisors and/or owners may be responsible. In other instances, there may be just one sole responsible entity, yet in a different case, there may be several responsible parties. Remember that part of the law firm’s job is to research, seek out, and determine the entity or responsible parties that are liable for your exposure to asbestos.

Article source : https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-asbestos-law-firm/

Friday, December 29, 2017

Best Car Insurance in Colorado at 2017

Colorado’s middle-of-the-road auto insurance regulations create a decent amount of competition among insurers — competition that drives the state’s average monthly premium to $100, which is $30 cheaper than the national median. Don’t think you have to settle for average, though. My research shows that you can knock hundreds off your rate simply by comparison shopping

Every company has its own methodology for determining your risk level, which is based on factors such as age, gender, marital status, location, driving record, et cetera. What’s more, not all companies assess risk in the same way. All that’s to say you can’t assume you’ll get the same rates that I did — you’re going to have to go through the quote process yourself. It’s best to do as many as you can stomach, but at least do five.

After comparing car insurance quotes from five different providers, I discovered that The Hartford was my cheapest option at $363 a year. Before you get too excited and think that you can shortcut the quote process, understand that, while The Hartford was cheapest for me, it may not be the least expensive for you.

In general, a quote can be as easy as spending 10 minutes of your time clicking through an online form as long as you are properly prepared with the necessary information. Of course you will need to have easy access to your basic personal information (date of birth, address, ZIP code, marital status), but you will also need access to information about your car. The easiest way I’ve found is to copy down your VIN, but if you don’t have that handy, then you will need the model, make, year, and body style of your vehicle. It’s also important to know which coverage you want from the get-go, and I seriously recommend going bigger than the state minimums.

Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Car Insurance in Colorado
I began my search for the best car insurance by getting five quotes from the most trusted and highly rated insurance companies in Colorado.

InsurerMy quote
The Hartford$363
American Family Insurance$549
GEICO$472
State Farm$484
Liberty Mutual$848











I looked at two different criteria when choosing these companies: customer service and financial stability. I started by finding those with the highest J.D. Power ratings in my area (J.D. Power is world-wide leader in customer satisfaction reports). Then I checked the finalists against the financial solvency ratings provided by A.M. Best. In the event of an accident, I need to be able to depend on excellent customer service from a company that would be capable of fulfilling their financial responsibilities to me. So between those two criteria, my bases are covered.

What I discovered was sometimes the company that’s easiest to get a quote from is not always the company that will provide you with cheap car insurance. The Hartford was the only company that required me to get a quote from a representative over the phone, but they ended up offering me a deal that was more than $100 dollars cheaper than the next cheapest company, American Family Insurance. (Other than having to use my phone to get a quote rather than getting one online, my experience with The Hartford was just fine.)

GEICO and State Farm were both within $20 dollars of each other and were very easy to get a quote from; they both gave me a quote in the $375 range per year. Liberty Mutual was a shocker as they quoted me a whopping $848 for the same basic insurance as everyone else! It’s worth noting that American Family Insurance was quite a bit more expensive because it required me to select uninsured motorist coverage. So, if you’re looking for a bit more than low-end coverage, American Family could wind up giving you a more competitive price than it gave me — you won’t know until you get the quote.

article source : https://www.thesimpledollar.com/best-car-insurance-in-colorado/

15 Reasons to Make Canada’s Arctic Territory Nunavut Your Next Destination



“It is big, ancient, beautiful, and new.” Nunavut is Canada’s largest, newest, and northernmost territory; it only became confederated in 1999. It has a population of under 40,000 (that’s the entire territory), and 80% of people are Inuit. This Arctic wonderland is an adventurer’s paradise, so here are 15 reasons to visit Nunavut on your next vacation.

No cars allowed

None of Nunavut’s towns are linked together by highway, which means the only way to get into the area and travel around is by air and sea. Locals usually travel between communities via aircraft (some of the territory’s best views are visible from the sky) or cruise ship. However, some residents take the high road and access remote communities through snowmobiles, dog sledding, and powerboat.
Traditional dog sledding in Nunavut | © AndreAnita / Shutterstock

Discover Inuit art

Nunavut has more artists per capita than anywhere else in the world. Carvings Nunavut is a 100% Inuit-owned company, with the largest collection of Inuit art in the territory (and possibly the world). There are thousands of pieces in the Iqaluit gallery, including sculptures and jewelry. Iqaluit Fine Arts Studio is another business, as is the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts in Pangnirtung. The center is home to Inuit crafts, prints, carvings, and tapestries.

See the Northern Lights

Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Because there is little light pollution in the region and only four hours of daylight, the natural phenomenon is regularly visible from October to April. But you have to be made of tough skin (literally) to visit during this time, as winter temperatures can range from -10 to -32°C (-25.6–14°F).
Nunavut Northern Lights | © x_BlueSkyz_x / Shutterstock

Head to the True North

Alert is the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited town. It lies 817 kilometers (508 miles) from Santa Claus and the North Pole, and 2,092 kilometers (1,300 miles) from Iqaluit. The residents work at the Alert Airport, Environment Canada weather station, Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory, and the Canadian Forces Station Alert. The town is covered in snow for an average of 10 months every year.

Get up close to Arctic wildlife

Seeing the unique animal species that call Nunavut home is one of the main reasons people visit the Arctic archipelago. Species include belugas, bowhead whales, caribou, muskox, narwhals, polar bears, seals, and walruses. Ukkusiksalik National Park is a popular destination to see polar bears, grizzlies, Arctic wolves, and caribou; guided hikes, boat tours, and snowmobile excursions are available. Sirmilik National Park in Pond Inlet is known as narwhal and beluga whale territory too.
Polar bear up close in Nunavut | © AndreAnita / Shutterstock

Support locals at Alianait Festival

Held annually in June during the midnight sun, Alianait Festival “sets the spotlight on Inuit and other circumpolar artists while bringing together exciting world-class musicians, circus acrobats, dancers, storytellers, actors, filmmakers, and visual artists from across the globe.” The festival’s mission is to build a healthier Nunavut through the arts.

Behold Auyuittuq National Park

Located in Auyuittuq National Park, Mount Thor is a granite monolith with an elevation of 1,675 meters (5,495 feet). It also has the world’s greatest vertical drop at 1,250 meters (4,101 feet). Experienced climbers come to tackle Mount Thor, even though Auyuittuq National Park is very remote. People also visit the national park to hike the 97-kilometer (60-mile) Akshayuk Pass. A traditional Inuit traveling route, visitors can choose to do day hikes to the Arctic Circle or explore the pass via snowmobile and dog sled.
Auyuittuq National Park | © Manuel Lacoste / Shutterstock

Celebrate Inuit culture at Toonik Tyme Festival

Held every spring in Iqaluit, the Toonik Tyme Festival is a celebration of Inuit traditions. The festival includes activities such as igloo building, dog sledding, snowmobile racing, and seal skinning contests. The traditional activities and recreational games “reflect and preserve Inuit culture and heritage while providing a platform for Inuit to celebrate as well as share Inuit culture with non-Inuit residents and tourists.”

Experience a polar climate

Because Nunavut is a large territory, the climate differs from place to place. But generally, it has a polar climate, which means every month has an average temperature of below 10°C (50°F). There is also a lack of daylight in winter, plus the midnight sun in summer. Resolute Bay in the north experiences 24 hours of sunshine for nearly four months every year, but then there are days without the sun in winter. The landscape is also extremely different in the Arctic and includes treeless tundra, glaciers, and permanent layers of ice.
Nunavut’s tundra landscape | © Sophia Granchinho / Shutterstock

Off the grid in Quttinirpaaq National Park

Quttinirpaaq National Park is the definition of off the grid. Literally on top of the world, and the world’s second-most northerly national park, Quttinirpaaq had a total of 17 visitors in 2016. The remote national park’s polar desert landscape includes tundra, glaciers, deep fjords, rivers, and rugged peaks. The local wildlife includes muskox, Arctic wolves, caribou, walruses, narwhals, and beluga whales. It’s not cheap to explore Quttinirpaaq, but visiting this historical national park will be an adventure of a lifetime.

Cruise the Arctic Circle

You don’t need to go to Antarctica to cruise alongside icebergs. A popular route through Canada’s Arctic archipelago is the Northwest Passage. It was previously used as a trade route to Asia, as it connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Companies such as Adventure Canada offer Northwest Passage tours, which take people through the Arctic waters of Greenland, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories. Expect to see wildlife in their natural habitat, learn about Inuit culture, and see fjords, glaciers, and icebergs at every turn.
Cruising the Arctic Circle | © City Escapes Nature Photo / Shutterstock

Visit a bird-watching haven

Nunavut has over 100 species of birds, which are mainly migratory species. The territory is also home to many bird sanctuaries. Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary is Canada’s largest federally protected nature preserve, and it has the world’s largest concentration of nesting geese. Sirmilik National Park is another option, as is Prince Leopold Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. In the summer, the sanctuary is home to over 400,000 nesting birds. Naujaat is also a bird-watcher’s paradise, where birds and other wildlife outnumber people. Peak bird-watching season is May until August.

Learn more about Inuit culture

According to Nunavut Tourism, Nunavut has supported a continuous indigenous population for over 4,000 years. “The traditional lifestyle of the Inuit is remarkably adapted to extreme arctic conditions. Their essential skills for survival have always been hunting, fishing, and trapping.” Even today, modern Inuit communities still follow their ancestors’ hunter-gatherer tradition. Learn more about this fascinating culture through guided hikes, community tours, and traditional practices such as dog sledding.
Traditional Inukshuk in Nunavut | © Max Forgues / Shutterstock

Explore Katannilik Territorial Park

Katannilik means “places of waterfalls,” and this territorial park is where the Soper River travels 50 navigable kilometers (31 miles) through a deep (and surprisingly fertile) valley. The Itijjagiaq Trail is a historic overland route that goes on for 120 kilometers (75 miles) through Katannilik Territorial Park. In the summer, people do hike the trail, while others take to the water with its challenging rapids. In winter, the trail is an excellent snowmobile route.

Colourful and cultural Iqaluit

The political, business, and transportation hub of Nunavut, Iqaluit is where most Nunavut adventures begin and end. The city is home to colorful Arctic homes, the igloo-shaped St. Jude’s Cathedral, and Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum. The museum has a large collection of Inuit artifacts and fine arts, as well as traveling exhibits and interpretive displays. Iqaluit is also close to three territorial parks—including Katannilik—with each having their own unique scenery and archaeological artifacts.


article source : https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/canada/articles/15-reasons-to-make-canadas-arctic-territory-nunavut-your-next-destination/

Are you donating a car to charity? Proceed with caution

Vetmade Industries has a vaunted mission: To return disabled warriors to the workforce. It boasts that “93 percent of funds go directly to the cause of helping our heroes.”
Well-meaning folks donated cars worth more than $2 million to Tampa-based Vetmade in 2015 – but only $91,348 made it to the charity, according to data from the California Attorney General. That’s 4.5 percent.
What happened to the overwhelming bulk of that money? About $1.9 million – 95.5 percent of revenues – was spent by a company called Just Donated Inc. in Orange, which specializes in “promoting your cause and generating a steady flow of vehicle donations,” according to its online pitch.
Vehicle donations are one of the most costly ways to give in all of philanthropy, those in the industry say. They’re complicated and time-intensive, often requiring extensive advertising, expensive towing, mechanical repairs, storage, paperwork and eventual sales of what are often clunkers. The charities usually don’t have to do anything at all, leaving all the work to the (usually) for-profit middlemen.
All that costs a lot of money. But, as we’ll show you, some charities get a lot more out of it than others.
SMALL SLICES
Just Donated, the Orange business that processes vehicles for charities, did not return calls and emails seeking detail on the numbers. But Vetmade’s executive director in Tampa, John Campbell, said that there are many costs incurred by tow truck drivers, auction houses and the companies that run the donations themselves.
Campbell has been happy with Just Donated, he said; after all is said and done, some companies don’t return anything to the charities at all.
• Another Southern California company specializing in charity car donations is Fund Raising Partners, long of Los Alamitos and recently relocated to Redondo Beach. Fund Raising Partners processed vehicle donations totaling $1.6 million for the nonprofit Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society in Tarzana in 2015, of which the charity got just 1.7 percent (or $27,235), according to the Attorney General’s data.
The charity’s executive director said the numbers reflect initial start-up costs of running a new car donation program, and that numbers for 2016 will be better.
Fund Raising Partners also handled car donations totaling $593,889 for Faith’s Hope Foundation in Fullerton. The return to that charity was even lower – just $3,213, or 0.5 percent.
• Automotive Recovery Services of Westchester, IL, processed donations worth $6.5 million for the National Veterans Service Fund in Darien, CT. The charity got $1.2 million, or 18.5 percent.
“The amount a charity receives for a vehicle donation is driven by two main factors, 1) the market value of the vehicle donated, and 2) the cost to solicit the donation,” said Phil Kraft, executive director of the National Veterans Service Fund Vehicle, via email. “In the current market we are seeing softer prices for donated vehicles.”
When market prices are soft, the charity focuses on generating “donation volume” to hit its financial goals, Kraft said.
“National Veterans Services Fund has a very limited staff and does not have the human resources to do hands-on marketing. Therefore we choose to utilize broader methods of marketing to solicit donations including SEO and PPC (pay per click). These broader marketing methods can be more costly, but help us drive higher volumes of vehicle donations.”
• Michael Reese Enterprises in Costa Mesa specializes in processing a very large volume of low-value vehicles. It handled donations worth $6 million for a nonprofit called Growing in Voices in Irvine. The charity got $571,165, or 9.5 percent.
• The biggest players on the scene were the Car Donation Foundation, aka Wheels for Wishes, in St. Louis Park, MN., and its vehicle processor, National Fundraising Management in Hopkins, MN. Total revenue was $31 million, of which $14.1 million went to the charity, or 45 percent.
HEAVY LIFT
That’s better than average.
Total revenue generated by vehicle donations in California was $64.2 million in 2015, with charities getting about $25.5 million, or 39.8 percent of the total, according to the data.
“Vehicle donation programs have become more popular over the past several years,” the AG said in her annual report on commercial fundraisers. “These programs are administered either directly by charities, or by commercial fundraisers that solicit donations and manage the program on a charity’s behalf, in exchange for compensation.”
How does it work?
The process usually begins when a donor contacts a charity or commercial fundraiser in response to an ad or solicitation campaign, the AG explains. In the initial phone conversation, the donor will be asked questions about the vehicle. Generally, the vehicle will be accepted unless the cost of towing it exceeds its value.
The donated vehicle is then sold and the proceeds are divided between the commercial fundraiser and the charity. “Because all costs associated with advertising, towing, storing, and selling the vehicle are deducted from the proceeds before any distribution to charity, charities usually only receive a marginal amount from the car’s sales proceeds,” the AG warns.
The attorney general filed suit against Ventura-based Cars 4 Causes in 2015, charging it with breach of fiduciary duty and deceptive and misleading solicitations. C4C, as it is known, kept and spent millions of dollars in donations that should have gone to other charities, the AG charged in the suit.
MAKING GOOD
Still, some make it work a lot better than others.
• Advanced Remarketing Services of Warren RI processed $1.1 million of vehicle donations for the Independent Charities of America in Larkspur, CA. The charity got $888,104, or 78.4 percent.
• Advanced Remarketing Services processed $523,053 of donations for the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. The charity got $426,764, or 82 percent.
• Automotive Recovery Services processed $1.4 million of donations for the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Maryland Heights, MO. The charity got $1.1 million, or 74 percent.
• Automotive Recovery Services also processed $2.7 million of donations for the National Kidney Foundation in New York. The charity got $1.9 million, or 69 percent.
Zachary Lasky is the e-commerce product manager for Advanced Remarketing Services. “Our goal is to return 70 to 80 percent to the charity – we form a partnership with them. We’re not tyring to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes,” Lasky said.
It can return so much because it doesn’t depend solely on auctions to sell the vehicles, he said. That includes selling directly to buyers, which cuts down on auction fees. Advanced Remarketing Services also avoids storing vehicles for long period of time – which cuts down on storage fees – and on expensive towing.
“It’s definitely disappointing to see people taking advantage, maybe not have the best interest of the charity they work with at heart,” he said.
Donors should read the tea leaves. Charities that are willing to accept just a tiny fraction of donation proceeds may deserve further financial scrutiny.
FOR EXAMPLE
Fullerton’s Faith’s Hope Foundation was dedicated to “assisting families going through the emotional and financial hardship due to the hospitalization of a loved one,” according to its mission statement.
In 2012 – the last year it filed tax returns with the IRS – it spent $3.5 million, and $3.3 million of that went to fundraising. Spending on its aforementioned core mission was just $157,533, or 4.5 percent (charity watchdogs like to see at least 65 percent of spending on the core mission).
The IRS revoked Faith’s Hope Foundation nonprofit status last year, after the charity failed to file tax returns for three straight years.
Also, according to their IRS filings:
• The Car Donation Foundation, which does business as Wheels for Wishes, spent $27.3 million in 2015. More than half of that – 51 percent – went to fundraising.
• Growing in Voices in Irvine, which “promotes charitable giving by connecting people with the chanties and causes they care most about and supports humanitarian services to the hungry, poor and sick,” spent $11.9 million in 2014. Of that, $10.9 million went to fundraising.
• National Veterans Service Fund, whose mission is “to educate and inform the public on the needs of veterans and their families, primarily concerning the Agent Orange Issue and Gulf War illnesses,” spent $9 million in 2015. Six million of that – 66 percent – was spent on fundraising.
Dangerous curves ahead, donors. Do your homework, and proceed with caution.
SMART PERSON’S GUIDE CHARITY CAR DONATIONS
• Do your research. CharityNavigator and Guidestar are great places to start to check out how charities spend their money. The Attorney General lays out how much each charity actually gets, compared to the value of the donations, in its annual Commercial Fundraisers report.
• Give vehicles to charities that can actually use them – delivering meals to the homebound, taking elderly people to the doctor, etc. Contact the United Way, a community college or vocational school to find programs that need donated vehicles.
• Find a charity that handles its own car donations. That cuts out the middle-man and allows the charity to keep all the proceeds. If your favorite charity doesn’t accept cars directly, find one that does.
• If the car runs, drive it to the charity yourself. That’ll save money on pickup and towing.
• If you still want to give to a charity that uses a middleman, ask what percentage of your donation the charity will actually get.
• Do paperwork correctly. Donors are responsible for notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles of the transfer of registration. You can be held responsible for parking tickets and worse if you don’t formally sign the car over to the nonprofit.

article source : https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/23/are-you-donating-a-car-to-charity-proceed-with-caution/