Many Ontario drivers don't realize they lose important insurance protection if they are convicted of a drinking and driving offense. The financial consequences that they and their families will suffer in terms of loss of coverage's can be considerable.

Did you know, your insurance company will not pay for loss or damage to your vehicle if you are unable to maintain proper control of your vehicle because you are driving under the influence of intoxicating substances? Likewise, your insurance company will not pay for loss or damage if you are convicted of an offence such as impaired driving, driving with more than 80mg of alcohol in the blood or if you refuse to provide a breath sample.

Whether you drive a car, motorcycle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, you could face life-long financial devastation by losing your income replacement benefits if you suffer a critical injury, or, at the very least, you could destroy your vehicle and get nothing for the value of it.

Please don't drink and drive.

If you are involved in an accident and are convicted of a drinking and driving offense, your Ontario Automobile Insurance policy will not pay:

• the Income Replacement Benefit;

• the Non-Earner Benefit; and

• Compensation for Other Expenses.

New Age and Horsepower Regulations (as of April 1, 1999)

• No one under 12 years of age can operate a boat of more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied and directly supervised by a person 16 years of age or older.

• A person between the ages of 12 and 16 cannot operate a boat with more than 40 horsepower unless accompanied and directly supervised by a person 16 years old or older.

• A person under 16 years of age is prohibited from operating a personal watercraft (PWC).

New Recreational Boat Operator Competency

To keep our lakes and waterways safe, drivers of power driven pleasure craft will be required to show proof of competency to operate such a craft. Because of the large number of boaters on the waterways today, a graduated system has been put into place. You should be aware of the following regulations:

• Effective September 15, 1999, a person born after April 1, 1983 will require proof of competency on board to operate any boat fitted with a motor;

• Effective September 15, 2002, any person operating a boat fitted with a motor and less than 4 meters in length (including PWC), will require proof of competency on board;

• Effective September 15, 2009, all operators will require proof of competency on board.

These regulations also apply to non- residents operating their pleasure craft after 45 consecutive days in Canadian waters. An operator's card or its equivalent issued to a non- resident by their state, will be considered as proof of competency.

What is Proof of Competency?

Proof of competency can take three forms:

• Proof of having taken a boat safety course prior to April 1, 1999;

• A pleasure craft operator card from a Canadian Coast Guard accredited course provider following successful completion of an accredited test. Boaters must receive a mark of 75% or more to obtain this card, which is good for life;

• A completed rental boat safety checklist (for power driven rental boats)

It is important that you become aware of the new boating regulations.

The Graduated Licensing system was put in place in Ontario a couple of years ago to cut the risks new drivers face. Statistics show new drivers are more likely to get into automobile accidents which are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 24.

The program is divided into three distinct license levels: One, Two and a Full Drivers License.

Level One licensees must be at least 16 years of age, pass an eyesight test and pass a written test of their understanding of the rules of the road. There are five other Level One conditions:

1. a fully licensed driver, licensed at least four years, must accompany drivers in the front seat at all times and that person must have a blood alcohol level less than .05%;

2. the driver's own blood alcohol level must be zero;

3. drivers must not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.;

4. a seat belt must be available for each occupant; and

5. drivers are not allowed to operate any vehicle on Ontario's 400-series highways or on Ontario's high speed expressways, such as the Queen Elizabeth Way or the Don Valley Parkway.

Level One lasts a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of five years, but can be reduced to eight months if the new licensee successfully completes an Approved Driver Education Course.

Level Two licensees must pass a road test after completion of Level One and can expect to stay in the second phase for a minimum of 12 months. There are two conditions for this level:

1. drivers must have a blood alcohol level of zero; and
2. a seat belt must be available for each occupant.

To qualify for a Full License, a licensee must pass a road test at the end of Level Two. For new drivers in Ontario, it takes at least 20 months to earn full driving privileges.

If the police stop a Level One or Level Two driver for any reason, and the driver is charged with and convicted of breaking any of the above conditions, that driver's license will be suspended for 30 days.

We've seen it all when it comes to unpleasant vacation problems, especially those that involve air travel. Not only can they be costly, they could spoil your vacation.

Here's a checklist to help prevent common travel problems from happening to you.

• Make a list of what you are packing and keep it with you in your carry- on bag. If checked bags are lost or stolen, this list can help identify your property and let you know if anything is missing.

• Always carry your valuables and important documents including money, traveler's cheques , credit cards and driver's license with you. Also keep jewellery, keys, medications and cameras with you since many airlines refuse to accept responsibility for these items if checked.

• Be sure to lock your bags. This helps avoid accidental openings and discourages theft. Since small luggage locks can be opened and closed without your knowledge, any loss may not be detected until it's too late. We suggest "zip ties" be used. This way if someone tampers with your luggage it will be obvious and you can present your claim immediately.

• Always remove all old baggage claim checks and destination tags to help avoid incorrect routing.

• Identification helps. According to airline carriers, correctly identified items are returned to their owners "most of the time". Bags should have your name, telephone number and address clearly marked both inside and outside.

• If your luggage is lost, call the airline daily for an update on your missing bags. After five days you should file a claim based on the assumption your bag or bags are lost. When filing a claim, itemize the contents of your bag( s) along with their estimated value, attach copies of any receipts you may have and include a copy of your plane ticket and baggage claim checks. As a word of caution, you may have to wait up to six months to be reimbursed and don't expect to receive the full amount you requested.

• Read your airline ticket carefully. Many have a clause which limits the amount paid on lost items based on the weight of the article. Usually airlines pay $9.07 per pound. Obviously this is not enough when it comes to jewellery. If your luggage containing 3 pounds of expensive jewellery was lost, your claim is limited to $27.21 U.S. Talk to us about other options.

• Finally, remember goods illegally acquired or not declared at customs may not be covered by your insurance company if lost or stolen.

Whenever you travel by air, train, bus or ship, always use common sense and follow these tips to prevent a loss. Your policy may have limitations or deductibles. If you have any doubts or questions, please check with us before you travel to make sure your possessions are adequately insured. Enjoy your trip.

It's affecting drivers around the globe. It claims hundreds of lives every year - and Canada is currently feeling its monstrous grip.

It's called road rage, a condition that often involves anger or violence associated with on-road driving activities. Many government agencies have determined that road rage is not a myth or an invention of the media. Rather, it's a real and serious problem that manifests itself through bizarre and often violent behaviour. Since 1998, in Canada alone over 12,000 road rage incidents have been reported in the media!

What can be done? Most experts agree that the first step is to prepare yourself so you will not be the next victim. This means avoidance at any cost. You never know if the driver beside you is a ticking bomb or has concealed weapons in his or her vehicle. It's best to avoid any altercation with other motorists - period! Governments and other groups are currently trying to solve this problem through regulations, enforcement and increased penalties. Solutions take time. Don't become a victim - take preventative measures now!

Here are some Do's and Don'ts that you can use to prevent a road rage attack:

DO.....

• move over to allow tailgaters to pass
• allow plenty of time for any trip you take
• leave law enforcement to the authorities
• use the passing lane only to pass
• contact police with a description of the vehicle, licence number and driver if you are confronted with road rage
• ignore gestures from other drivers
• avoid eye contact with other motorists
• be considerate and courteous

DO NOT.....

• tailgate or flash your lights at other drivers
• insist on the right of way if challenged by another driver
• make eye contact, hand gestures or show irritation with aggressive drivers
• assume all foolish or aggressive acts by other motorists are intentional
• honk your horn unless absolutely necessary

Insurance fraud occurs when someone makes an insurance claim that is completely false or files a claim for more than the value of the goods actually lost, stolen or destroyed. Fraudulent claims affect the cost of everyone's insurance. The Canadian Coalition Against Insurance Fraud estimates that $1.3 billion worth of insurance claims that are paid in Canada every year are fraudulent. This works out to 10- 15% of every dollar you pay for insurance.

If someone you know is committing insurance fraud on a home, car or business policy, you can report it to Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers is an international non- profit civilian program that assists police in solving crimes through tips reported by ordinary citizens who have knowledge or suspicion that crime has taken place. If your tip helps the police or an insurance company catch an insurance fraud, you may be eligible for a cash reward. Your call will remain completely anonymous.

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario has supported Crime Stoppers for many years.

An innovative alliance between Crime Stoppers and the Canadian Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, which began in Ontario in 1995, to report insurance fraud tips has resulted in 51 arrests, 49 denied claims and has prevented the payment of more than $1.2 million worth of fraudulent home, car and business insurance claims across Canada in the past 5 years.

"The message of the Crime Stoppers program is They Cheat /You Pay," said Maid Mary Lou O'Reilly, Executive Director of the Coalition. "With the level of support