Just need to vent...

If she walked away and the airbag DIDN'T deploy, the repair is going to be at least $1,500 cheaper. I'm with Chap, they're helping to keep our insurance LOWER when it works that well.

 

How seriously was she injured by the airbag's failure to deploy?

If she was uninjured, then it was very likely a low energy collision for which the airbag was intentionally designed to not deploy.

 

I got my statement from USAA yesterday and advised my CFO to start dating other insurers.
I canx'd my life insurance with them recently because I'm nearly out of the factory warranty, so this will leave us with the home coverage in force - for now.
USAA was a wonderful company until they started buying so many commercials.

We did both agree that Progressive would not be considered under any circumstances - not because of their horrible corporate culture but rather because "progressive" applies to their rate pricing structure.
USAA wisely did not offer M/C insurance the last time I checked - and I was foolish enough to try Progressive.

Buy once, Cry once works TWO ways......

I haven't been in an accident, or had a moving violation in nearly 25 years BUT....insurers wisely start raising rates for geezers because.......well......that's probably a subject for the Political forum.....

 

My recent bad experience with Farmers, $1,300 repair bill on $500 deductible got only a $267 check. Worse, no way to adjust annual payment from the cash death months of November and December.

Bob Wilson

 

On the theory, better to give an ulcer than receive:

1) "Home Warranty Division" letter

• "So what does this cover?"
  • Major appliances like air conditioner, furnace, hot water heater
• "I put a new roof on two years ago. Replaced my hot water heater with a hybrid. New hybrid clothes dryer. I use portable air conditions and when they fail, buy a replacement."
  • How do you handle the expense of a repair?
• "I use manufacturer warranty, the house is paid off, and I get Social Security and pensions."
  • Thank you, good bye.

2) "Medicare Benefit Support Line"

• "Can we verify your coverage?"
  • Just Medicare part A and B
• "Can we call or text you about products?"
  • No
• "Currently Part D or a supplement until October. Speak with representative?"
  • Sure.
• "I'm licensed in Alabama. And you are?", second representative
  • Bob Wilson
• "May we call or text your number?"
  • No
• "Would you like help paying for drugs?"
  • My late wife had Part D which meant the insurance company would deny her meds. We did get catastrophic coverage which did not cover transportation for three times a week kidney dialysis. She died of kidney failure.
• "Without any additional coverage, you might face $200,000 bill at 20% ($16,000). How would you pay?"
  • My house valued at $250,000 is paid off. I have Social Security and Pensions. Bought TSLA shares to add to what I already have.
• "Wow, sounds good. Have you heard about DJT stock?"
  • Yes, I'm getting 10 shares already. (Didn't mention short selling.)
• "Thank you."

I may get more junk mail ... as we all do. But not my problem.

Bob Wilson

 

Jefferson St.....'may' not be named for Tom.

 

duno ...... go ask Allice

 

My preferences:

Recycle bin. Never call the scammers sending junk paper mail, as this hands them my phone number too.

On the infrequent occasions I sample unknown phone calls to stay acquainted with the latest scams:

"Why are you blatantly violating the National Do Not Call Registry? Why do you work for a criminal enterprise? Can't you get a legitimate job that doesn't fleece innocent people? Do you want scammers like your employer to harass your elderly parents? Why do you ... [until they hang up]"

 

The NDNCR was more useful back when POTS was still a thing, but in 2024 it only ensnares the most foolish of INCONUS operators.
I'm not sure if it is even applicable for VOIP - because legally it might just be SPAM.

I'm not bothered by unwanted calls despite the fact that all of my co-workers have my personal (OUT of LATA!) cell number.
This is because I simply will not answer calls from unknown numbers, and I get very few of those.
I'm thinking that there is a database somewhere of phone numbers that for-real humans will dependably answer calls from an unknown number.
I'm also untroubled by spoofs, but I do not know if this is because of lifestyle choices or the ability of my provider to detect these calls and shunt them to ground.

 

I follow the same practice, no ring on unknown contact, except when a pending purchase is on the way.

Bob Wilson

 

Back to the chick-fil-a vent.

They've announced that they're going to start using chickens treated with antibiotics, because they don't think they can meet demand otherwise.

I'm willing to do my part and explore the chicken-free parts of their menu...

 

Could be a temporary thing as the avian flu is hitting chicken farms hard. Saw a headline about it being found in sick cows.

 

That's what they get for being anti-vaxers.....

Then again...
TENNESSEE: a bill that would classify food that contains a vaccine as a drug - STAND FOR HEALTH FREEDOM

 

*shrug*

We go because my toddler loves the playroom in the front; we don't go often because it's pricey enough even before we make offset donations.

They did make a fine chicken sandwich, at least up until this change...

 

They DO make a good sammich but I very rarely go there for the same reasons.

AND....parents give people my age the stink eye if I go near the playroom, so it's of no benefit to me.

 

You can have my PDP-11 when you pry it from my cold dead fingers.

 

Humans with avian influenza are treated with anti virals. If this is ever done with birds, it would not be on industrial farms due to expense.

Anti-microbial drugs can used to prevent secondary infections in flu birds (surprising to read this - I had supposed they would be disposed of promptly). Their use may also be stepped up in uninfected flocks so that more of them go to market. Which is a nice way of saying it .

==
Above lacks rant content. Apology. Just thought folks might want to know.

 

What is their position on rabies?

Wonder how much vaccinated flocks and herds will lead to increased prices from lower production.

 

When I lived on the farm, all (non-neutered) cattle had to be vaccinated for bangs (brucellosis), an STD that causes abortions. :-( Nearly all were voluntarily vaccinated for several other diseases too. I presumed that hogs were similarly vaccinated.

Just now I see that some states have dropped or reduced the bangs vaccine requirements. In my region, Oregon dropped it January 1 this year, but many other Western states have not, possibly excepting animals headed directly to in-state slaughterhouses. Though Montana dropped the requirement for most of the state, except the counties bordering Yellowstone National Park where bangs is endemic in bison and elk.

Some of this relaxation is driven by lack of modern outbreaks, but I do wonder how much is from the recent vaxx polarization. But those other livestock diseases still need to be controlled. People who eat beef (and likely pork) have probably been eating vaccinated meat their entire lives, until very recently.

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/ORODA/2023/10/18/file_attachments/2651777/2023.10.11.BrucellosisVaccinationUpdate.pdf

Brucellosis - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)