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If you are thinking of getting a dog, or even if you already have one, it's critical as either a homeowner or renter to check with your insurance agent to establish or review your liability coverage for dog bites and other canine-related injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that every year more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, and last year, the average cost of a dog bite claim was $26,166, according to the Insurance Information Institute -- and costs continue to rise due to growing medical costs and larger settlements.

Most states have strict statutes holding owners directly responsible for injuries or damage inflicted by their dogs (you can check your state's liability statutes here), and some insurance policies exclude dog breeds that are seen as particularly aggressive (see the Top 7 Dangerous Dog Breeds), so in addition to evaluating your ability to care for and properly train a dog, it's vital to make sure you are covered by your policy, and take steps to minimize any risk of dog bite or other injury.

Tips for dog owners seeking homeowner/renter's coverage for their dog(s):

• Enroll your dog in obedience classes and work on helping the dog earn a diploma or certification


• Schedule refresher classes for dogs who have already been trained, but are not as attentive as they once were!


• Neuter male dogs to reduce dominance and aggression


• Always keep your dogs on a leash and under control during walks


• If your dog is allowed outside on your property, be sure the area is adequately fenced and protected


• Never leave young children alone with a dog, and always teach them how to behave safely around dogs


• If strangers make your dog nervous, be sure to separate them from new visitors in your home


• To keep canine frustration in check, always make sure your dog is properly exercised, and don't allow them to be exposed to teasing or taunting

Finally, if you are thinking of getting a dog primarily for home protection, be aware that money spent on increased security measures will ultimately be easier, more reliable, less expensive -- and kinder to the animal.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has issued new ratings for children's auto booster seats. They've examined 60 models covering almost all models sold in the U.S. right now, and they've issue 9 "best bet" recommendations and 4 "good bet" recommendations. In addition, they've indicated 11 products which aren't aren't recommended due to poor fit.

IIHS states that more than 1,000 children 12 and younger in passenger vehicles die in crashes every year, and more than 100,000 are injured. Parents can reduce the risk to their kids by properly securing them in the back seat of their vehicle.

"Parents can't tell a good booster from a bad one just by comparing design features and price," says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research. "What really matters is if the booster you're considering correctly positions the safety belt on your 4-8 year-old in your vehicle. Our ratings make it easier to pick a safer booster for kids who have outgrown child restraints."

• See the full ratings list with model numbers and photos of seats
• Map of child restraint and booster seat laws by state
• Also see Keeping Children Safe in Crashes - a comprehensive guide for parents, which includes videos and photo examples.

If you live in Massachusetts and you own a scooter, the rules of the game are changing on July 31. Currently, many owners of 50cc scooters - such as some makes of Vespas and Hondas - have been registering these vehicles as mopeds, which requires only a sticker. But under the new law, "limited use" vehicles that can reach speeds of between 30 and 40 miles per hour must now carry license plates and owners will be required to insure them. Mopeds that do not reach speeds of 30 miles per hour do not need to be plated. The state also defines another category of "low speed" vehicles that travel between 20 and 25 mph.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles offers more information about the new law and the distinction between mopeds, "low speed" and "limited use" vehicles. If you are unsure about insurance requirements, call your local agent.

The new law is taking many scooter owners by surprise. In addition to the insurance and registration requirements, there was one other controversial side effect to the law - because vehicles with plates cannot park on sidewalks, scooter users were at risk of losing their special free parking status, one of the main benefits for commuters. At least for now, the city of Boston has agreed that the ban on sidewalk parking won't be enforced unless scooters are blocking handicapped access or otherwise parked obtrusively.

When it comes to driving distractions like cellphones and texting, most people underestimate the danger that they pose and overestimate their own ability to multitask at the wheel. The New York Times has created a text while driving simulator, an interactive game that measures how your reaction time is affected by external distractions. Try it out and see how you do.

According to a news story accompanying this game, there is extensive research documenting the dangers of distracted driving:

"Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers, and the likelihood that they will crash is equal to that of someone with a .08 percent blood alcohol level, the point at which drivers are generally considered intoxicated. Research also shows that hands-free devices do not eliminate the risks, and may worsen them by suggesting that the behavior is safe.

A 2003 Harvard study estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,600 traffic deaths every year, and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injuries.

Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Instead, they increasingly use phones, navigation devices and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile offices, chat rooms and entertainment centers, making roads more dangerous."

According to a recent report in USA Today, more and more laws aimed at limiting cellphone use and texting while driving are being introduced. According to the report, "More than 250 bills prohibiting or restricting cellphone use while driving are pending in 42 state legislatures despite disagreement over the risks cellphones pose and the effectiveness of enforcement.

The number is up from about 120 bills in just 18 states 10 months ago, according to an analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a safety research group funded by insurers. Four states — Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas — are considering banning all types of cellphone usage behind the wheel, including hands-free devices."

In an accompanying article, the paper compiled a chart listing a sampling of pending legilation that would restrict texting or cell phones.

These laws are controversial - many of the public, particularly younger drivers - are opposed to any restrictions whatsoever. While police often support some restrictions, they worry about enforcement. Many favor a broader policy aimed at all "distracted driving" issues, and many others suggest that prohibitions should focus on novice drivers or drivers of public transportation. But others are in favor of total restrictions. Some of the legislative activity was spurred by the National Safety Council's (NSC) call for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. This recommendation was based on a study by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis which found that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6 percent of crashes, equating to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year. NSC also cited several other safety studies in their recommendation.

Cell phone and texting laws in your state
The Governors Highway Safety Association maintains a chart listing state driving laws related to cell phone usage and texting. The chart was updated in February of this year, so it is pretty current.

Here is a summary:

• CA, CT, DC, NJ, NY and WA ban hand-held phones outright for all drivers; several other states allow banning by jurisdiction or have provisions limiting the use of handhelds. Some states treat cell phone use as a larger distracted driving issue.
• No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free), but many prohibit cell phone use by certain segments of the population, such as novice drivers or school bus drivers.
• 8 states AK, AR, CA, CT, LA, MN, NJ and WA ban text messaging