FAQs:

1. Q: What is the effective date of the Mobile Telephone rule?
   A: The effective date of the rule is January 3, 2012.
2. Q: Are wired or wireless earpieces allowed?
   A:Yes. Hands-free use of a mobile telephone is allowed using either a wired or wireless earpiece, or the speakerphone function of the mobile telephone. Wireless connection of the mobile telephone to the vehicle for hands-free operation of the telephone, which would allow the use of single- button controls on the steering wheel or dashboard, would also be allowed.
3. Q: Is Push-to-Talk allowed?
   A:No. A driver’s use of the Push-to-Talk function on a mobile telephone violates the prohibition against holding the phone. This includes the continuous holding of a button that is necessary to use a Push-to-Talk feature through a mobile telephone, even when the driver is using a connected microphone or wireless earphone.
4. Q: Are holders of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) subject to the regulation only when driving a CMV, as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, or any vehicle?
   A:CDL holders are subject to the Federal rule only when driving a CMV.
5. Q: What drivers are covered by the Federal rule: intrastate or interstate? CDL holders? All CMVs?
   A: The rule covers both drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce and intrastate drivers who operate CMVs transporting a quantity of hazardous materials requiring placarding under 49 CFR Part 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73. If a CMV driver is employed by a State or a political subdivision of a State (e.g. county, city, township, etc.), FMCSA safety regulations do not apply, even if the driver is engaged in interstate transportation. But if a CMV driver employed by a State or a political subdivision of a State is operating a vehicle that requires a CDL, the applicable State traffic laws would govern (e.g., Maryland’s prohibition on the use of hand-held phones). The States have three years to implement by State law the disqualification provision.
6. Q: What is required of the employer in terms of company policy or training?
   A: The rule does not require motor carriers to establish written policies in terms of company policy or training programs for their drivers. However, employers are prohibited from allowing or requiring their drivers to use hand-held mobile phones. A motor carrier may establish policies or practices that make it clear that the employer does not require or allow hand-held mobile telephone use while driving a CMV in interstate commerce. The carrier is responsible for its drivers’ conduct.
7. Q: Is dialing a phone number allowed under this rule?
   A:No. Dialing a mobile telephone while operating a CMV in interstate commerce is prohibited by the rule. A driver can initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button on a mobile telephone, earpiece, steering wheel, or instrument panel – comparable to using vehicle controls or instrument panel functions, such as the radio or climate control system.
8. Q: Can a driver reach for a mobile telephone even if he/she intends to use the hands-free function?
   A:No. In order to comply with this rule, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone located where the driver is able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button while the driver is in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. If the mobile telephone is not close to the driver and operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts, then the driver is considered to be reaching for the mobile phone, which is prohibited by the rule.
9. Q: Are tow trucks exempt?
   A: No. The interstate operation of tow trucks that meet the definition of a CMV are not exempt. Tow trucks, however, are exempt when responding to police emergencies in accordance with 49 CFR 390.23 (a)(3).

Penalties:
The new rule prohibits commercial drivers from reaching for, holding or dialing a cell phone while operating a CMV. Drivers who violate these restrictions face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for multiple offenses. Additionally, states would suspend a driver’s CDL after two or more violations of any state law on hand-held cell phone use. Motor carriers that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving would face a maximum penalty of up to $11,000. Approximately four million
interstate commercial drivers would be affected by this proposal.

A driver is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for 60 days with the second offense in three years, and 120 days for each subsequent offense within 3 years. This penalty only applies if the violation occurred while driving a CMV.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Aministration

Last year all the rage was ice dams. Remember that? The insurance companies sure do. They paid out millions in ice damage claims and many people saw their insurance rates go up as a result. Some may have even seen their insurance policies non-renewed because of those claims. So Webber & Grinnell Insurance would like you to take the precautions necessary to prevent ice dams. We didn’t write the book on it but we know where to find the information. So, we are passing it on to you. There is some great information out there but we recommend the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety‘s site. Not only will you find information on ice dams but there is a ton of information on how to protect your home from all sorts of perils (wind, earthquakes, fires, etc.). It is worth taking a minute to read. And, you can take advantage of this warm weather to do some preventive care!

1. Make sure your tree is well watered and avoid a catastrophic fire.
2. Make someone a designated driver.
3. Put your indoor and outdoor lights on a timer.
4. Don’t burn your wrapping paper in the fireplace.
5. Keep gifts out of sight of windows and doors.
6. Take time to enjoy the season and try to avoid the stress.

Happy Holidays!

Every little bit helps when we are trying to conserve a big planet! For more information on green driving, call Webber & Grinnell Insurance at 413-586-0111.

The second thing I love about Thanksgiving is there are no gifts to give. You are really just there to enjoy the food and the company. Sure, in a few hours your family members might be running off to shop in the Black Friday frenzy, but for now, that holiday rush has not yet entered their blood. For now, it is about the three Fs – food, football and family.

The third thing I love about Thanksgiving – naps. I love me a good nap. All that turkey in your belly and a lazy day gives you the perfect excuse to doze off in a warm and cozy chair. And you don’t even care if you can’t sleep that night because if you are like me, your boss gives you the Friday after Thanksgiving off (or you saved your last vacation day for this glorious four-day weekend).

Which leads me into the 4th reason I love Thanksgiving – 4 day weekend! What better way to start the holiday season than with a four-day weekend. It is a chance to put up the Christmas tree (yes, I do that), make out your Christmas list, watch Elf (or your other favorite holiday movie) and gear up for the remainder of the holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! All of us at Webber & Grinnell Insurance hope that you enjoy your holiday!

I went with Webber & Grinnell because I wanted to drive by my agent and know that when and if I need them, I know where they are and I know that I can walk in and talk to someone. I admit, there was one point where I went online and got a quote for auto insurance from another carrier. You know what happened? That carrier was $150 more a year than I was paying at Webber & Grinnell and I knew that I wasn’t going to get the personal service that was important to me.

Now I can say that yes, I have my insurance here because I work here but I can say the reasons why I think you should have your home and auto insurance at Webber & Grinnell:

1. We have lots of companies to shop your insurance around with. 8 auto companies and 15 homeowners’ companies.
2. We work with you to make sure we are getting you the right amount of insurance.
3. We are nice people.
4. We give back to the community.
5. In the event of a loss, we are here to help you.
6. We care about our clients.
7. We have been in business for over 100 years.

So now I have to ask you, if you are not a client, why not?

Isn’t it nice to know that if you had a claim to put in, you were able to call a local insurance agency right here in Northampton? And when you talked to us on the phone, you knew that we were probably going through a similar situation.

There are a lot of reason to insure with Webber & Grinnell but especially in times like these. It is nice to know that you are talking to someone who is sympathetic with your situation. 

We hope that Western Massachusetts never sees a loss like this again, but you never can tell. If you are not insured with Webber & Grinnell Insurance, we hope that you will consider us so if there is a next time, your local agency will be standing right beside you, ready to help.

Please give us a call at 413-586-0111 with any questions you may have regarding storm damage. We have relationships with claims adjusters, insurance companies, electicians, tree removal companies, etc. and can provide you with recommendation if needed.

But there are other things we can do to help protect our families. One thing that you can do that will also save your money on your Massachusetts homeowner’s policy, is to install and alarm system that will connect to your local fire department or a central station that can warn the local fire department quickly. All of the insurance companies that we write with at Webber & Grinnell will give you a discount on your policy.

Another important thing is making sure you and your family have a planned escape route from your home and a designated meeting place. This should be practiced twice a year so that in case of an emergency, nobody panics and knows exactly what to do.
Another piece of information that I just learned was that you should sleep with your bedroom door closed. This delays any outside smoke and flames from entering the room. It makes sense!
Finally, it is a good idea to remind family members that they should not waste time trying to save valuables when there is an emergency. Get out of the house as soon as possible. Lives are more valuable than items.

If you would like more tips on keeping your family safe from fire, you should contact your local fire department. Here are some great links:
Northampton Fire Department
Amherst Fire Department
Greenfield Fire Department

 But what really drives me to hibernation is the darkness. As it is now, it is dark just after 6. In a couple of weeks, it will be dark at 5. Dark when I wake up. Dark when I get out of work. Dark when I go to bed. I really think bears in Northampton have it right – spends your summers roaming around Downtown Northampton and spend your winters sleeping it away. YAWN! Now, if only I can find a comfy cave….