When Attractive Nuisances Turn Ugly

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

We're all familiar with the old adage, "It's all fun until someone gets hurt."  While the saying is usually applied to kid's games, if a kid who isn't yours gets hurt while playing at your home, you could be held liable.  Even worse is if the child in question is injured while playing on what's later deemed an "attractive nuisance" on your property.  Since most homeowners with the exception of attorneys aren't all that familiar with the term or what it could mean to their wallet, I'd like to take the time to explore the topic in detail in today's blog.

How Hackers Use Trackers to Steal Cars

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

I was scanning the newsfeeds today when I happened upon an article posted on nypost.com that featured a novel new use for Apple AirTags.  AirTags are designed to help you find things like lost keys and wallets when you misplace them.  That's all well and good if you're forgetful. However, the hi-tech web-enabled tracking devices are now being used in New York and elsewhere to tag luxury vehicles by car thieves.   That's right, car theft has gone digital.  I figured if it's happening in New York then it won't be long before this caper is introduced to Florida.  Here's what you need to know:

Does Omicron Spell Oh My for Your Holiday Travel Plans?

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you or someone you know is planning on traveling during the holiday season, is the Omicron variant of Covid-19 going to put the kibosh on your trip?  That depends.  While the variant has reared its ugly head recently, its transmissibility and virulence is still unknown.  The CDC has already issued warnings for those who are immunocompromised or old, and they advise anyone planning on traveling overseas to consider postponing their trip until they have a better bead on Omicron's likely impact.  If you're in good health and are planning on traveling during the holidays come hell or high water, here's what you need to know:

Student Pilot Insurance Makes for Happy Landings

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you or someone you know is considering getting their private pilot's license, there are a few things you won't learn from a flight school.  While a flight instructor can teach you many things, one of the things that are not usually covered in your education is the liability you incur the moment you take control of a rented light plane.  While you may correctly assume that the operator of a flight school is covered by insurance for incidents involving their aircraft, what you probably don't realize is that their coverage doesn't extend to you.  Before you sign up for flight lessons, there are a few things you need to know.

The Dog Ate My Home

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

If you own a dog or a cat, you know they sometimes misbehave.  If they aren't stealing scraps of food from the table, they're leaving you little smelly presents on the floor. Sometimes they like to chew on everything from your slippers to electrical cords and furniture.  Large dogs have been known to chew holes through sheetrock or wooden doors.  That's not to mention the kind of mayhem a wild animal can cause if one gets trapped in your garage or decides to move into your attic.  In short, the damage animals can inflict on a home can be substantial.  If you ever wondered what kind of animal damage is and isn't covered by homeowner's insurance, you've come to the right place.  

What Does it Really Cost to Own a New Car?

 By Catherine Powell

There’s nothing like owning a new car.  If you're considering buying one soon, you really owe it to yourself to understand the total cost the vehicle will represent during its lifetime.  With an average cost of $45,031 in 2021, the first time in history the price has exceeded $45,000, the sticker shock of ownership isn't something for the faint of heart these days.  But this is only the tip of the iceberg in what to many folks is the second-highest monthly expense they'll pay after rent or mortgage.  If you don't want your next ride to take you for a ride, there are a few things you need to know before you drive off the dealer lot.

Is Paying Cyber Ransom a Crime?

 By Catherine Powell

As scary as having hackers demand you pay a cyber ransom or have your data destroyed, what's even scarier is the act of paying up could put you in Dutch with federal law.  As of October 2020, the US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) made it illegal to pay hackers a ransom. That's right, if you're found in violation of either the Trading With the Enemy Act or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, you could face stiff penalties including fines and/or jail.  What's even more alarming is that the very banks you do business with are required to file a Suspicious Activity Report should an individual or company be suspected of attempting to move funds of $5,000 or more that could be potentially used to pay hackers a ransom.