The requirement for a front license plate varies by state and province. Currently, there are 29 states in the United States that require front and rear license plates on most motor vehicles. However, many of these states allow exceptions to this rule for motor vehicles other than cars. Disclaimer:  It is important to check each jurisdiction’s exceptions to front and/or back license plate rules.  You can check US requirements by clicking the hyperlink below provided by the Nevada Department of Highways.  It provides links to specific DMV laws in each state – Department of Motor ..read more

Vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle accident statistics are readily available.  It is not a pretty picture.  In particular, there has been a steady increase in the number of incidents, injuries, and fatalities associated with bicycles.  This is true of any city that has tried to make itself more bicycle friendly.  I find it ironic though, that my home City of Toronto which professes safety, does not make helmet usage mandatory in its own bike sharing program. In fact, key hospital emergency statistics are rarely quoted when talking about bicycle accidents.  Emergency Hospi ..read more

What to do if you have been in a car accident with your dog or cat? Accidents and illnesses happen. Just like people, pets can be injured and/or need immediate medical care. Car accidents are no different. As a means of caution, pets need to be secured in a car similar to people. There are a plethora of methods to help protect your pets in a car. Pet Valu has quite a few safety items you might want to consider while travelling. In a car accident, make sure you alert the 911 dispatcher that you have a pet(s) in your car. Every emergency service, at one time or another has dealt with car acciden ..read more

Information for Traveling with Pets Did you know over 60% of snowbirds are traveling with pets, such as a family dog or another animal? These cute, cuddly, slobbering, barking, funny-faced, meowing, feathered, shedding, small and large behemoth’s, find a place in our hearts that can never be removed. I can attest, but from the time of my birth to the end of my day, my two dogs, Emmy and Vinny, make my family’s life better. Just like my Snowbird friends, when we pack up and head south for the winter, or return to our northern roost, our loving dogs ride safely in the back of our SUV. Essent ..read more

Cruising down the open road on your motorcycle is a feeling unlike any other. But the freedom of the open highway comes with inherent risks, and unfortunately, not all drivers share the road responsibly. While motorcycle insurance is mandatory in most states, what happens if you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver with inadequate insurance coverage to compensate you for your injuries and damages? This is where underinsured motorist coverage comes in, acting as your financial safety net in unforeseen circumstances.Understanding Underinsured Motorist Coverage Underinsured motorist cov ..read more

Snowbird Auto Insurance For Cross-Border Travellers Many Canadians often go to the US for the sunny and warm weather. However, travelers often overlook the potential consequences of poor snowbird auto insurance amid the excitement of travel. In Canada, most provinces require a minimum of $200,000 for cross-border car insurance. However, the US doesn’t have a consistent rule for mandatory car insurance, so coverage varies a lot between states. Recent cross border car insurance statistics reveal that up to 50% of American drivers carry basic minimum insurance coverages ranging from $10,000 to ..read more

What Happens If I Get Into A Traffic Accident In The United States? Millions of southern Ontario motorists cross the border into the United States each year. It can be a quick trip to take in a sporting event or a vacation encompassing multiple states. For many, the last thing they are thinking about is what happens in the event of a traffic accident. In Ontario, drivers must carry a minimum of $200,000 of liability coverage in order to legally operate their vehicles but there is no equivalent mandatory minimum insurance requirement in most of the United States. Perhaps more sobering, one in ..read more

Legal Considerations For Canadian Snowbirds   The winter season in Canada is ideal for those who love the cold and snow, but a large population of Canadians take this time to travel to warmer climates in southern destinations. In fact, according to snowbirdaccidents.com, an estimated four million Canadians head south to the U.S. throughout the winter season each year. The migration leads the Canadian snowbirds to popular tourist areas in the deep south. But no matter where a Canadian might end up during the colder months, a car accident during a cross-border trip could spell hardship. In ..read more

Texting and Distracted Driving laws in the United States   While representing a family who had been involved in a catastrophic accident, a famous Toronto Lawyer – John McLeish, made a very salient comment, “It is hard to call it an accident when someone knowingly does something so dangerous as texting while driving”. A few years ago, AT&T did a teen survey dealing with texting while driving. A majority of teens – 97%, said they know it is dangerous, yet 43% said that they still do it. Teens stated their parents always tell them not to text and drive, but they observe their parents do ..read more

Canadian Drivers Receiving U.S. Traffic Tickets   Understanding the Impact of U.S. Traffic Tickets on Canadian Drivers and their Car Insurance Receiving a traffic ticket in the United States as a Canadian driver can lead to various consequences. These consequences can vary based on your home province and the state where you received the ticket. Here’s what you need to know: Reciprocal Agreements: Each province shares reciprocal traffic enforcement agreements with every other province. Some Canadian provinces, like Ontario and Quebec, have reciprocal agreements regarding traffic tickets wi ..read more