Downey Insurance Group Blog | Great Insurance People

Downey Insurance would like all our Farm Insurance policy holders to know Vermont farmers have access to a program that makes tractor safety equipment affordable and simple to order. The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension announced today the Vermont Rebates for Roll bars program, one of two programs of its kind in the United States. It reimburses farmers 70 percent of the cost of their rollover protection kit – a roll bar and seat belt – up to a savings of $765, and provides help to farmers with identifying and pricing the appropriate rollover kits for their tractors.

According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, a farmer is 800 percent more likely to die while working than individuals in other jobs. The leading cause of these deaths is tractor overturns. The Northeast has the highest rate of tractor overturns in the country. To launch this program, farmers and administrators of Vermont Rebates for Roll bars will gather at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Under Orion Farm at 1009 Ducharme Road in Marshfield, VT.

Vermont’s program is administered by the Northeast Center for Agricultural and Occupational Health (NEC), the organization behind a similar program in New York that has successfully accomplished a ten-fold increase in tractor rollover protection installation since the program’s inception in 2007. Cost and difficulty ordering the appropriate equipment were identified by NEC as the two key barriers to getting rollover protection on tractors.

“Rollover protection devices on tractors are highly effective in protecting farmers if they take the steps to install and use them on their equipment.” A roll bar and seat belt are 99 percent effective in preventing death and serious injury in the event of a rollover. Leading sponsor Cooperative Insurance Companies has committed $45,000 to the program over the next three years. Farmers may call toll-free 877-ROPS-R4U (877-767-7748)    or Downey Insurance in Brattleboro, Vt. at 888-895-3608  for more information or to register for a rollover kit.

Downey Insurance in Marlboro MA, Keene NH, and Brattleboro VT are proud to be a premier provider of Co-op Insurance Companies Insurance products and to be part of the Co-operative Insurance Family, protecting Farmers and their families, with Farm Insurance policies in NH and VT.

Submitted by: HEATHER OLSEN, Downey Insurance Group, Account Executive

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Back to School Driving Tips:

As the weather starts to cool and the leaves change color, we would like to remind our insureds about how to be safer behind the wheel, especially as new laws in Massachusetts regarding texting while driving take effect. As part of our partnership with Safety Insurance via the Safe Roads Alliance on the “No Texting While Driving” campaign, we’d like to remind you that…

• Starting September 30th, it will be illegal for all drivers in Massachusetts to use a mobile phone or other handheld device to compose, send or read electronic messages while behind the wheel. What most drivers may not know is that the ban includes these activities while at stop signs and red lights, too.

• Drivers under 18 cannot use cell phones, even with hands-free devices, at all.
• If a driver is caught texting while driving, the penalties include:

• • First offense: $100 fine
  • Second offense: $250 fine
  • Third and subsequent offense: $500 fine
  • Drivers under 18 will also face license suspensions for violations.

In addition, we’d like to remind you that Downey Insurance‘s partnership via Safety Insurance company with In Control’s driver skills development courses can make a big difference in safe driving! To support our policyholders, we offer a 5% Group Discount on premiums, and a $75 fee (a 70% discounted cost) for the driver skills development program

So Be careful out there! Charlie Downey

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