Photo contests are found everywhere online these days as it has proven to be a good model to get people interested in sharing everyday elements of their lives.

Where can you find and rate over seventy amazing pictures of Ontario Tourist Attractions just like this?

The fourth photo contest on Lenzr.com is tittled Ontario Tourist Attractions

The contest is strategically established to harvest great images from family road trips and scrapbooks and photo albums filled with memorable family adventures.


The Big Nickle was submitted by sj_gb who delights the admin by linking to a personal photography blogspot in the designated area in the user profile. This contest is a search for pictures that celebrate of our province’s most interesting destinations, and The Big Nickle is a classic. Look at these other gems, This photo by Slimmswitch is called Ottawa - The Spider City and so far it has the most votes with the highest rating.

Caption: Located in Ottawa, if you stand under this huge spider and look up you can actually see they put fake spider eggs inside the structure??

Lenzr is an online attraction that celebrates Ontario as it asks users to upload scenic shots of the province's most delightful destinations. Ontario Tourist Attractions photo contest on Lenzr sponsored by Kanetix insurance & mortgage rate quotes

This photo contest ends 12:01 am on the morning of November 1st 2009. Two Prizes: both cash prizes. There’s a $200 value first prize, followed by a $100 second prize unit.

The one is titled, No Pesky Neighbours Here and was uploaded by mommakoala. This is a terrific photo from 1000 islands tourist attraction in the most eastern corner of Ontario.

Summer has arrived and the living is easy! All over Canada, urban dwellers are leaving the big smoke behind for some well earned R n’ R at the cottage! As a well known beer commercial says, a quintessential part of the Canadian experience is the journey to a cottage, be it that of friends, or your own. Said journey usually characterized by a handwritten map, winding country roads, and a belated arrival in the late evening or early morning!

Ensure your auto insurance sufficiently covers against all possible mishaps, take plenty of breaks while driving, and if at all possible endeavor to drive in daylight hours!

Journeys to cottage country are often undertaken late at night after a long days work. Factor in tiredness to unfamiliarity with rural roads and the risk of an accident increases.

Furthermore, if you, like many other Canadian cottagers use any recreational vehicles or trailers, be it en route to, or at the cottage, bear in mind these must also be insured! RV insurance is a must to cover any unforeseen mishaps that may arise!


While at the cottage.............

Cottages come in many different shapes and sizes, from de facto cabins to palatial country homes! However there are a few safety tips that hold true regardless of the size or shape of your place by the lake!

All cottages should have a smoke detector, as well as a carbon monoxide detector installed and working all year round. Along with property insurance, these are probably the most important elements of your cottage safety plan! All dwellings should have fully replenished functioning fire extinguishers on every floor, along with a separate implement for the kitchen. Cottage Insurance is important for both your peace of mind and that of your visitors!

When opening the cottage, especially if it has not been used in the winter, it is also vital you check for signs of damage, such as snow/ice damage, corroded wires/pipes, and of course any signs of the presence of unwanted furry friends! Only when you are sure your cottage is fully operational and safe, should you attempt to settle in!

Outside the Cottage

This is where the real fun happens in cottage country! The reason why we escape the city is encapsulated here! Clear lakes, dense woodland, mother nature at her best. Take heed of these few safety tips.

Water safety is crucial. And the threats aren't always obvious either. Zebra Mussels, Hypothermia, severe suburn, these seemingy banal injuries are often the most common and cause more hassle and heartache! Ensure everyone is prepared for the worst but expecting the best!

On dry land the risks may not be as apparent, but are still very real. Barbecuing and open fires are two common activities, that while they are fun, must be treated with respect and due diligence. Barbecues should be protected from wind gusts, as well as any flammable materials in the vicinity. Furthermore, the barbecue operator should ensure a distance is kept between the Barbecue and all non users, as well as be experienced and responsible. The barbecue itself should be placed on top of something that is not flammable, so no barbecues on the second floor patio folks.

These are some basic tips that are by no means exhaustive. While it is important to let one’s hair down on vacation, it should never be at this risk of safety.

If you have visitors arriving from overseas, point them in the direction of visitors to Canada insurance to ensure they can enjoy their vacation in Canada with peace of mind! For Canadians, remember that while our provincial plans may cover off some risks, it is by now means exhaustive. Travel health insurance not just for the cottage, but for any extended trip is something you can never have enough of!

Taking the necessary steps and precautions will lead to you having a stress free time in cottage country, enjoy!

What do you say when your friend asks to borrow your car?

When you lend your car, you lend your insurance. While you can allow any driver with a valid license to borrow your car, it's your own auto insurance policy that must provide coverage should there be an accident. Even if the person has a Canadian auto insurance policy of their own, if they are driving your car, you are responsible; if they are in an at-fault accident, the accident will go under your insurance history and your insurance rates will probably go up.

Has someone asked to borrow your car?
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the person you are lending your car to will be covered under your policy if:
    * You have given permission to the person borrowing your vehicle.
    * The person borrowing your vehicle is a licensed driver,
    * The person borrowing your vehicle does not use your car regularly.
     
What makes a person an occasional driver?
If the person who borrows your car uses your car routinely, he or she must be named as an occasional driver under your insurance policy.

Any licensed driver who is a member of your household or who regularly uses your car should be listed on your car insurance policy as a driver. In fact, any licensed driver must be listed on your policy as a driver provided they are not covered under another policy in the household, or specifically excluded as a driver.

In the event of an accident, the claim goes through your policy and your rates may be affected.

While uncommon, it is possible at a later date (usually when the borrower is renewing or initiating a new policy to “transfer” the accident claim so it is rated on their policy and not yours. It is best to talk to your insurance broker or agent in this situation as it requires a fair bit of communication, and agreement, between the two insurers.

Is in an accident where they are entirely not at fault your premiums typically will not be affected.

In general, at-fault accidents are seen as rating factors in determining your auto insurance premium, particularly in the absence of accident forgiveness.

In the event of a ticket...  Who pays?
Of course your friend should pay. But legally he doesn't always have to pay.  Truth is, if someone gets a ticket while using your car, the ticket is your problem, not theirs.

Of course, there are exceptions so choose your would-be borrowers carefully. Consider that in Ontario if someone is caught speeding 50 km/h over the posted, not only can the police issue a ticket, but they can also impound the car being driven; a situation like this can suddenly become an absolute legal nightmare - one where you will square off against the world.

Driving while impaired
What happens if the person who borrows your car gets into an accident while under the influence of alcohol? The accident is rated on your policy and will affect your rating. A DWI situation limits the coverage just as if YOU were drunk while driving, therefore, as the owner of the vehicle, there would be no collision or comprehensive coverage, and your accident benefits and liability could be severely limited, if available at all.

There’s more to lending your car than handing over the keys
Next time someone asks to borrow your car, remember: when you lend your car, you lend your insurance. So before you let anyone else behind the wheel, make sure you know they are legally entitled and allowed to be driving it.

No matter how responsible your friends may be, accidents happen, and it's best to know now what you could be in for if they have an accident.

Disclaimer - The above description/explanation is intended as a guideline only, and is not to be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance products, or to provide legal or financial advice of any kind. Also, this blog does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.