According to Michael Myers @ injuryboard.com , under Washington state law, if an unmarried adult is killed, the negligent person has little to worry about since, I assume, there is no spouse and parents have no legal standing for their adult children.

Washington law offers very few remedies for the families of unmarried adults. And, as a result, does very little to deter negligent and reckless behavior on either an individual or corporate level.

Not only does Washington law fail to provide for punitive damages, it fails to impose any real consequences on those who–through their negligence or recklessness–cause the death of an unmarried adult. This combination of factors gives rise to the unfortunate reality that–as I have heard it expressed–it is cheaper to kill someone than to hurt them. At least in Washington.

So, in Washington state, those unmarried and over 21 are not worth as much as the rest of citizens of the state.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), studded tires are only legal from November 1st through March 31st each year. The Washington State Patrol can give you a $101 ticket if you are still driving with studded tires after the deadline.

Unitrin Direct, the direct marketing arm of Unitrin, Inc., has become the first auto insurance company to ‘build’ in Second Life. Their virtual skyscraper is modelled on the Unitrin Direct’s Chicago-based headquarter building. Rather than locate their building on an island, Unitrin chose to build in an ‘busy’ part of Second Life (probably because who would choose to visit an insurance company). Once inside the lobby, you can get a real-world auto insurance quote. Eventually real Unitrin employees will staff the lobby to talk to you about your insurance and answer your questions.

VISTA, Calif., Feb. 21, 2007 — PR NewsWire — With today’s opening of its cyber skyscraper, Unitrin Direct has become the first auto insurance company to own a virtual office building in Second Life, the popular online 3D world.

“Unitrin Direct takes pride in using the latest technology to offer outstanding auto coverage at a great value, so having a home base in Second Life is a perfect fit,” says Brian Crumbaker, senior vice president, operations and claims. “This is a fun way for us to reach out to our customers.”

To visit the Unitrin Direct cyber-scraper, where customers can shop for auto insurance and visit with other Unitrin customers, go to http://www.secondlife.com/ and sign up for a free membership. From there you can create and name a personal avatar, and then you can walk, drive or even fly — yes, your avatar flies — to the Unitrin Direct building, located just 30 meters from the well-trafficked Freebie Warehouse. Once visitors enter the Unitrin Direct lobby, they can get an instant auto insurance quote by simply typing in their zip code and answering a few questions. Average annual savings for Unitrin Direct customers is $303, which is L$81,810 or Linden Dollars, the official currency of Second Life.

“This is a fast and easy way for Second Life residents to get a free quote and compare Unitrin Direct’s affordable rates on our dependable car insurance,” says Tom Mercer, vice president, marketing. “We’re excited to offer a new way to introduce customers to our direct business model, which allows us to reduce overhead and pass on the savings to consumers while still providing first-class service.”

Visitors to the Unitrin Direct online office will be offered a free cyber souvenir: a miniature of the skyscraper that can be taken and placed on any land they own in Second Life. Like the big building, which is a replica of Unitrin Direct’s Chicago-based headquarters, the miniature is equipped to provide instant car insurance quotes.

OLYMPIA, Washington — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has appointed a special advisory board to monitor the effectiveness of the agency’s newly launched campaign against organized insurance fraud in Washington.

Earlier this year, the agency’s eight-member Special Investigations Unit began operations following the 2006 Legislature’s establishment of a dedicated fraud unit to investigate and prosecute organized insurance fraud. Specifically, the newly appointed advisory board is charged with advising the Insurance Commissioner and the Legislature on the unit’s effectiveness, funding, use of resources, staffing and other issues in the battle against insurance fraud.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that fraud adds $200 to $300 to the typical Washington household’s annual insurance costs. A cost, Kreidler pointed out, that is ultimately paid by law-abiding insurance policyholders.

The new advisory board includes representatives from the insurance industry, consumers, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, county prosecutors and law enforcement.

Members include:

• David Lyons, State Farm Insurance, (industry) two-year term
• Glenn Kaleta, Safeco Insurance, (industry) four-year term
• John Tolton, Regence Group, (industry) one-year term
• Janet Paulson, Pemco, (industry) three-year term
• Bill Baldwin, Insurance Brokers & Agents of the West, (industry) three-year term
• Bill LaBorde, Washington State Public Interest Research Group, (consumer) three-year term
• Kent Davis, Law Firm Technology Specialists, (consumer) one-year term
• Dana McDonald, National Insurance Crime Bureau, two-year term
• Joe Wheeler, Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office (prosecutor) four-year-term
• Steve Boyer, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (law enforcement) four-year term

The advisory board will meet at least twice a year, with the first meeting scheduled for June.

Visit the Special Investigation Unit’s Web site.

Some people assume their homeowners policy is they need to protect their boat. Not true. Typically, homeowners policies have limited coverage for boats and may not cover injuries or accidents while you’re the water. To make sure you’re covered for boat injuries, theft and damage, buy a boat insurance policy.

Hundreds of people drown in boating accidents every year — and nearly all of them were not wearing a life jacket. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board — you must wear them. In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies for adults, too: More people in their 30s die in boating accidents than any other age group. New lighter, more comfortable and attractive life jackets are available today, making it even easier to get passengers to suit up.

Experts say most boating accidents could be prevented by an experienced driver. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly trained. You also can save up to 15 percent on most boat policies by completing a safety course with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons.