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Action: Your agent has the best answer on your insurance

Q: I'm writing with hope you can settle an argument between my 42-year-old son and myself.

He drives over from the east coast of Florida every so often to visit. While here, he wants to drive my car, either with me as a passenger or by himself. He is not a registered driver on my insurance policy.

I say if an accident occurred and he was driving, I could get sued and lose everything. His nose goes up in the air and the visit goes downhill from there.

Am I correct?

By Suzanne Palmer, Times Staff Writer
Published January 14, 2008

Q: I'm writing with hope you can settle an argument between my 42-year-old son and myself.

He drives over from the east coast of Florida every so often to visit. While here, he wants to drive my car, either with me as a passenger or by himself. He is not a registered driver on my insurance policy.

I say if an accident occurred and he was driving, I could get sued and lose everything. His nose goes up in the air and the visit goes downhill from there.

Am I correct?

Joan Laukemann

A: If there isn't any Humble Pie in the house, Joan, you'd better get baking. Your son is going to need a big slice.

Generally the rule is as long as you've given your son permission to drive the car, if he gets into an accident your insurance will pay the claim. Should damage exceed your coverage, your son's insurance will be tapped secondarily.

But, according to Tom Zutell, spokesman at Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation, there are so many possible exceptions, you can hardly call it a rule.

The only way to know for sure what your personal policy covers, Zutell said, is to call your insurance agent.

Civil liability is another thing entirely.

A vivid example occurs in the high profile case of Nick Bollea and his famous dad, Terry, also known as Hulk Hogan.

In a recent Times story, Tampa attorney John Goldsmith, who is not affiliated with this case, said the elder Bollea is liable under a part of the law known as the "dangerous instrument liability doctrine."

"If you own something that is a dangerous instrument, like a car, and you allow somebody to use that car, then you are liable for the negligence of the driver," Goldsmith said.

Q: In October 2006, I bought a 24-inch Magnavox TV/VCR/DVD combination. By July 2007, it quit working.

I phoned Funai Corp., which administered warranty claims for the set. I was told to fax my information to "Fernando" and he would call within the week. I did so on July 21.

When I hadn't heard anything by July 26, I called again and was told it would take him two weeks to get back to me. He didn't.

I called July 31, Aug. 10 and 22 and finally Sept. 14. I spoke to someone who found my information in the system and sent shipping materials to me so I could send the set for repair.

In the middle of this, I moved from Nokomis, Ind., to Indianapolis. I left the television set packaged and waiting for pickup with my parents.

The instructions for returning it were to simply call "Fernando" and he would have it picked up. I have been leaving messages since late September.

Now the TV is out of warranty and I imagine Funai will use this to get out of repairing my set.

Can you help?

Louis LeBlanc

A: I was stunned by how quickly Funai senior executive director of service Tetsuya Kawasaki responded to your complaint.

It was mailed to Funai's offices in Torrance, Clif., on Dec. 18. Kawasaki's response was dated Dec. 21. It's a shame the mysterious "Fernando" didn't act as quickly.

Kawasaki apologized for the poor service you received from Funai's customer support.

"We have contacted Mr. LeBlanc," he said, and "will refund (his) money for the unit he's claiming from the company."

Your TV was picked up by Stevens Global trucking company on Dec. 26. Using the tracking number Kawasaki provided to Action, it was in transit at our deadline.

Once it arrives at Funai, a refund check for $297.32 will be mailed to you. Let me know if it hasn't arrived within six weeks.

Q: We bought two Daewoo microwaves from Brandsmart USA in Miami in May 2007. They came with $10 rebate offers for each.

We mailed the rebate forms, along with everything else reqired, twice.

We're still waiting for our checks.

Ty Quach

A: Kudos to you for following the primary rebate rule: Make copies of everything!

Thanks to your diligence and little nudge from Action, you said you got a personal apology from a vice president at Brandsmart.

A few weeks later came your $20 rebate, plus a $20 gift card for your trouble.

More on digital TV

I've heard from a lot of readers who are confused and concerned about the transition from analog to digital television that will take place in February 2009.

Recent news items telling consumers how to apply for a $40 coupon from the government toward the purchase of a converter box proved to be a little short on useful information.

Here are some of the facts from the Federal Communications Commission:

The switch to all-digital broadcasting will free up parts of the broadcast spectrum for public safety communications such as police, fire departments and rescue squads.

Some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies, which will provide more advanced wireless services.

If you have an older analog television and you don't subscribe to cable or satellite service, a digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing set.

Also, analog sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products that you use now.

If you have a subscription service, your set should work as it always has, according to the FCC. But because digital cable tier and satellite TV service are not necessarily DTV, check with your provider to find out what, if any, equipment you'll need.

So how do you know if you have a digital TV? Most are marked on the set. If not, check your manual.

Look for words like "Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver" or "Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC" or "HDTV."

If your TV is labeled as "analog" or "NTSC," but doesn't say it includes a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only. You'll need a converter box to view programming.

To apply for the coupon, go to www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon or call toll-free 1-888-388-2009 or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 21:20:22]