Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 9, 1993 TAG: 9306090050
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mercedes SL series according to the Highway Loss Data Institute in Arlington.
Nearly half of the 1990-92 claims by owners of Mercedes SL cars exceeded $50,000, which means thieves took the whole thing, not just a piece here and there, said officials at HLDI, pronounced "Hildy."
The Mercedes' popularity with people who steal also gives it the worst overall rating for loss by theft.
This matters because the theft ratings affect insurance costs, said HLDI, a private, non-profit research organization funded by property casualty insurers.
But while more Mercedes vehicles get stolen entirely, there are more thefts of pieces of Volkswagens and Cadillacs.
Four models of Volkswagen and the Cadillac DeVille two-door make up the five Worst List for frequency of claims. Volkswagen has had consistently high claim frequencies for the 10 years of the HLDI Insurance Theft Report.
Kim Hazelbaker, vice president for HLDI, said Volkswagen "wins" because its radios are so easy to remove. And Cadillac has a hood ornament that appeals to a lot of people who don't own Cadillacs.
The lowest claim rates come from the Mercury Sable station wagon and four-door, Chevrolet Cavalier station wagon, Mazda MPV Van four-wheel drive, and Oldsmobile Toronado.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has the highest theft losses of any van, pickup or utility vehicle, nearly 12 times the average for all passenger cars and an average loss payment per claim of more than $20,000.
The good news is that 1992 cars and their parts have been stolen less frequently than other years' models. However, the average claim cost more than for new models from previous years. The average claim because of theft for a 1992 car is $3,320.
Motorists should remember they can ask for written estimates for auto repairs and the final bill has to come close to what was estimated unless you authorize additional work. A mechanic can charge $25 for the estimate, but it might be worth it.
Also, a repair shop should have a sign conspicuously displayed that lists consumers' rights to written estimates and other rights regarding auto repair.
If you don't see such a sign, remind the garage's owner.
Target marketing, in which a company sets out to capture a specific group or geographic area, is increasingly popular.
No matter if we're tall, short, black, white, gay, straight or live on Mulberry Street - if we carry green, somebody has our number.
One of the more sought-after groups now is the gay and lesbian community. As a group, homosexuals have a higher-than-average annual income - $51,624 for gay men, $42,755 for lesbians. They also are viewed as more aware buyers than many other groups. The gay community also is more politically acceptable now and thereby more attractive to mainstream companies.
More and more companies produce advertising that crosses preference lines; Calvin Klein always comes to mind. And a national gay publication, the Advocate, has rented its mailing list to National Geographic, Columbia House, Rodale Press and Conde Nast.
There's growth, too, in what can be described as gay businesses.
In December, Overlooked Opinions Inc. of Chicago introduced CommunitySpirit, a national long-distance calling program aimed at gays. It has signed up 10,000 subscribers, said Rick Dean, senior vice president. Two percent of all long distance charges are donated to the gay, lesbian, bisexual or HIV/AIDS organization of the customer's choice.
Here's an update on Eskimo Pie Corp.'s promise to help offset the national deficit by donating 5 cents for each box of Eskimo Pie and Sugar Freedom Eskimo Pie brand ice cream bars sold between March 8 and April 4:
The Richmond company's "Eat the National Debt" promotion raised $71,894. Eskimo Pie CEO David Clark turned the 1,437,890 nickels over to Deputy Commissioner of the Public Deb Van Zeck.
Don't bite on this cookie sale: Crews of teen-agers have been going door to door selling "Barbara Ann's Cookies," claiming some of the proceeds will help keep disadvantaged children off the streets. The state Division of Consumer Affairs says the company isn't registered to sell in Virginia.
by CNB