MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND P TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪ >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECT" WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

COMING UP TONIGHT WHY AUTO INSURANCE RATEDS ARE JUMPING AND HOW YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE.

WE BEGIN TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

JOINING US IS Dr. ELIZABETH HAMMERSHAIMB, INFECTIOUS DISEASE PEDIATRICIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M HEARING SO MANY PEOPLE EVEN IN THE OFFICE TODAY COUGHING AND SNEEZING FROM WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IN YOUR WORK, WHAT IS GOING AROUND RIGHT NOW?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON AROUND RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF INFLUENZA.

RSZ FER V IS RSV IS STILL AROUND ALTHOUGH WE MIGHT BE OVER THE HUMP.

COVID FORTUNATELY IS ON THE DECLINE AND LEVELS OF THAT RESPECT'S AS HIGH BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES OUT THERE THAT CIRCULATE YEAR-ROUND BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER WHEN PEOPLE ARE COOPED UP INDOORS.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU KNOW -- WE'LL DO THE PEDIATRICS PERSPECTIVE -- WHEN IT'S YOUR CHILD WHO HAS PICKED UP SOME RESPIRATORY SOMETHING HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS?

AND HOW SERIOUSLY YOU SHOULD TAKE IT?

>> THAT CAN BE REALLY TOUGH.

YOU KNOW WITH OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, WE DON'T TYPICALLY KEEP CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL OR DAYCARE BUILDING IN THEY ARE HAVING A FEVER OR THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR TOLERATING THEIR FOOD OR DRINKS.

WE USED TO JUST LET THEM GO.

AND YOU KNOW, IF THEY HAVE A RUN ANY NOSE NOWADAYS PEOPLE ARE MORE CAREFUL SO, YOU KNOW, IF THEY ARE HAVING THOSE SYMPTOM IT IS WOULD BE WISE TO TEST THEM FOR COVID OR EVEN FLU SINCE THOSE HAVE DIFFERENT MEASURES THAT WE TAKE IN TERMS OF ISOLATING AND SENDING KIDS HOME.

>> Jeff: AND IN TERMS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH COVID, WHAT I'VE BEEN READING IN THE REGULAR PRESS IS THAT IT'S OUT THERE AND WE ALWAYS GET THIS BUMP IN JANUARY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

AND WE'RE GETTING IT BUT LESS OF A BUMP IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAD IMMUNITY OR THE VACCINES OR THEY HAD IT.

BUT MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE BIT MILDER AT THE MOMENT.

COULD THAT BE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE ARE ALSO LOWER LEVELS OF COVID CIRCULATING AND WE KNOW THIS FROM OUR WASTEWATER TESTING WHICH HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL IN FIGURING OUT HOW WIDESPREAD COVID IS THESE DAYS.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT THE FLU?

FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE STOPPED REGULARLY GETTING A FLU SHOT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER VACCINES BEING PROMOTED AT THE MOMENT.

IS IT TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT?

AND FROM THE LEVEL OF FLU YOU ARE SEEING DOES IT SEEM TO BE A GOOD IDEA?

>> IT CERTAINLY NOT TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT.

EVERY YEAR WE SEE DIFFERENT SPIKES.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPIKE OF FLU A AND FLU A IS STILL RISING.

SO WE'RE NOT OVER THE HUMP WITH FLU A YET AND WE EXPECT TO SEE FLU B IN ANOTHER MONTH OR SO.

SO THE VACCINE CONTAINS VACCINE STRAINS FOR BOTH FLU A AND FLU B.

AND SO IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT, NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO GET THAT SHOT.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF NEWS COVERAGE ABOUT BIRD FLUVMENT WE HAVE HAD CHICKEN FLOCKS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THAT IN PEOPLE, YET.

MAYBE A COUPLE ISOLATED CASES NOT HERE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HASN'T BEEN A CASE IN MARYLAND YET BUT WE ARE ON THE LOOKOUT.

AND IF PATIENTS COME IN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH FLU AND WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHICH FLU IT IS WE NEED TO CONSIDER BIRD FLU AS A POSSIBILITY.

>> Jeff: HOW TO YOU PROTECT A DAYCARE CENTER?

HOW DO YOU PROTECT A SCHOOL OR YOUR HOUSE?

I GUESS NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A PARENT OR GRANDPARENT TO BE AS RESISTANT AS YOU CAN GO THINGS SPREADING AROUND YOUR ENVIRONMENT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

A LOT OF THE THINGS WE DID FOR COVID WORK FOR A LOT OF THESE RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES INCLUDING FLU.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS RIPPING THROUGH DAYCARES AND FAMILIES IS NORO VIRUS.

AND THAT IS A SOMETIMES CALLED STOMACH FLUVMENT UNFORTUNATELY THE THINGS WE DID FOR COVID DON'T WORK FOR NORO VIRUS.

HAND SANITIZER IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

THE REGULAR DISINFECTANTS WE USED FOR COVID AND FLU IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

SO PEOPLE NEED TO BE VIGILANT AND RETURN TO THOSE AGE OLD PRECAUTIONS LIKE WASHING YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER.

AND USING BLEACH TO DEACON TOMORROW NATURE AREAS THAT GET SOILED.

>> Jeff: WE NEED AN APOLLO PROJECT A MANHATTAN PROJECT TO COME UP WITH A HAND SANITIZER THAT ACTUALLY WORKS ON NORO VIRUS.

BUT WASHING YOUR HANDS OLD SCHOOL DOES WORK?

>> YES, IT DOES.

IT WORKS BETTER.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, SO MANY KIDS DEAL WITH ASTHMA.

IF YOU COME DOWN WITH CERTAINLY THE FLU, COVID AND SO FORTH BUT EVEN THE COMMON COLD WHICH I THINK IS A RHINOVIRUS WHICH SOUNDS WORSE THAN THE COMMON COLD HOW DOES THAT INTERACT WITH SOMEBODY WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH ASTHMA?

>> PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASTHMA ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO AIRWAY INFLAMMATION.

WHEN YOU GET A VIRAL INFECTION THAT CAN TIP-OFF A CASCADE.

FOR MOST KIDS WITH THE COMMON COLD AND THOSE WHO NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED WE DON'T NECESSARILY USE STEROIDS.

BUT IN A CHILD WITH ASTHMA OR AN ADULT WITH ASTHMA IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE COGNIZANT THAT STEROIDS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAM KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ASTHMA.

BUT ALSO TO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE REALLY INCREDIBLY SICK AND GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR, GO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION, BECAUSE THERE MAYBE THINGS TO DO TO TREAT YOUR ASTHMA IN THE SHORT-TERM WHILE YOU GET OVER THE VIRUS.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THE CLINICAL TRIAL YOU ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING CALLED ENTRO VIRUS.

>> YES.

SO RHINOVIRUS AND ENTERO VIRUS ARE IN THE SAME FAMILY AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM.

THE MOST SERIOUS ONES CAUSE POLIO AND THE LEAST SERIOUS CAUSE THE COMMON COLD.

TWO CAUSE SEVERE DISEASE NOT POLIO AND ONE OF THOSE IS CALLED ENTERO VIRUS D68.

IT CAUSES A POLIO-LIKE ILLNESS IN CHILDREN AND WE ARE NOT SURE WHY.

BUT WE FOUND THE ANTIBODY THAT WE HOPE WILL WORK AGAINST IT.

SO THIS FALL WE ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS IN A FIRST IN HUMAN TRIAL TO EVALUATE THAT ANTIBODY.

>> Jeff: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES SOUNDS FANCY.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> WHEN THE BODY MEETS SOME KIND OF INFECTION, IT GENERATES ANTIBODIES.

AND THEY MAY HAVE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN THEM.

MONEY TOW COLONIAL ANTIBODIES WE PURIFY IN THE LAB SO THEY ARE ALL THE SAME.

>> Jeff: ALL RIGHT.

AND IN THE MINUTE WE HAVE LEFT LET'S REVIEW FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WATCHING WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

WHAT SHOULD THEY BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AND WHAT CAN THEY DO TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS START SNEEZING GET BETTER QUICKLY?

>> BIG THINGS, ASIDE FROM WASHING HANDS, THAT I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

KIDS NEED TO LEARN TO COVER THEIR COUGHS.

AND THEIR SNEEZES.

I THINK, WHEN PEOPLE WERE MASKS A LOT IT GOT EASY TO JUST RELY ON THE MASK TO CONTAIN YOUR SNEEZE OR YOUR COUGH.

AND SO PEOPLE NEED TO RETURN TO SOME OF THOSE OLD PRACTICES.

AND THE OTHER THINGS I WOULD SAY ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T GET DEHYDRATED.

WHETHER IT'S GI BUG OR WHETHER IT IS A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS WITH FEVER, IT CAN BE EASY TO GET DEHYDRATED.

IF SOMEONE IS NOT TOLERATING THEIR WATER OR FLUIDS, THAT IS SOMETHING TO REALLY SET OFF A RED FLAG.

>> Jeff: Dr. ELIZABETH HAMMERSHAIMB UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Jeff: NOW, OUR MARYLANDERS BECOMING BETTER DRIVERS?

OR HAS ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS MAYBE FALLEN OFF?

DATA FROM THE MVA SHOWS A BIG DROP IN THE NUMBER OF POINTS BEING ASSESSED.

FROM ABOUT 346,000 PER YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, TO 261,000 IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

WHICH IS A DECLINE OF MORE THAN 30%.

DESPITE FEWER POINTS ON THEIR RECORDS, DRIVERS HOWEVER ARE PAYING HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS.

WE SPOKE WITH CHRIS SCHAFER, SENIOR EDITOR AT INSUREFY.

>> CHRIS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH WHAT YOU ARE SEEING NATIONALLY IN TERMS OF AUTO INSURANCE RATES.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

WE ARE SEEING RATES CLIMB ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NOW, DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE DIFFERENT INCREASES.

BUT IN THE MARYLAND AREA FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE SEEING DRAMATIC INCREASES.

WE'VE SEEN A 53% INCREASE FROM DECEMBER OF 2023 AND IN 2024 MARYLAND BECAME THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATE IN THE UNION FOR FULL COVERAGE CAR INSURANCE BASED ON DATA.

>> Jeff: I'VE SEEN OTHER STATISTICS THAT AREN'T QUITE THAT BAD.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT MIGHT GO INTO HOW DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS CALCULATE THIS?

>> YEAH.

A LOT OF IT IS BASED ON THE RATES YOU ARE PAYING AND BASED ON THE QUOTES YOU ARE BEING OFFERED.

AND THAT'S BASED ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT CAN IMPACT YOU.

FOR EXAMPLE, OBVIOUSLY MARYLAND HAS LARGE POPULATION CENTERS THE BALTIMORE AREA, THE PROXIMITY TO WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT PART OF THAT, TOO, FOR MARYLAND IS THIS PUSH TOWARDS THE ENHANCED UNINSURED MOTORIST COVER RAMP.

A PROVISION THAT ALLOWS POLICYHOLDER TO STACK AT FAULT DRIVERS LIABILITY INSURANCE WITH UNDER INSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE.

AND INSURERS HAVE TAKEN THIS INTO ACCOUNT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, MARYLAND DRIVERS ALSO FACE SOME VERY TRADITIONAL CONCERNS THAT ARE HEIGHTENED IN THE STATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, MARYLAND SAW AN 8.2% RISE IN MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES, DEATHS IN 2023.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE GENERAL U.S. POPULATION SAW 3.6% DECREASE.

SO MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN MARYLAND ACCORDING TO THOSE STATISTICS AND THOSE COME FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION.

IN ADDITION CAR THEFTS ARE UP IN MARYLAND.

63% IN 2023 ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BURROW.

INSURER ARE TAKING THOSE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SETTING YOUR RATES AND THAT IS PART OF THE REASON WE'RE SEEING THE INCREASE IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU COMPARE ONE STATE TO ANOTHER, YOU ARE LOOKING AT, I THINK, YOU CALL IT FULL COVERAGE IS THAT THE TOP OF THE LINE ON AN EXPENSIVE CAR OR WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT AUTO INSURANCE BILLS?

>> YEAH.

WE COMPARE BOTH LIABILITY COVERAGE WHICH MEETS THE STATE'S MINIMUM REQUIRED GUIDELINES.

AND FULL COVERAGE RATES AS WELL.

FULL COVERAGE RATES WOULD BE COVERAGE THAT INCLUDES COMPREHENSIVE AND COLLISION COVERAGE.

>> Jeff: I GOT SOME DATA FROM THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION ON THE NUMBER OF POINTS THAT ARE BEING ASSESSED TO DRIVERS FOR VARIOUS INFRACTIONS.

AND IT IS A SURPRISING NUMBER.

THE NUMBER OF POINTS GIVEN OUT IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR WAS DOWN BY A THIRD COMPARED TO PREPANDEMIC.

IT DOESN'T LOOK TO ME LIKE ANYBODY'S DRIVING ANY BETTER.

BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON FEWER POINTS ARE BEING GIVEN OUT.

AND THAT MEANS THAT THAT FACTORS INTO YOUR COST OF INSURANCE, TOO.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT EITHER LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY?

>> TREMENDOUSLY.

WE ARE STILL SEEING IT'S NOT REALLY HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON INSURANCE RATES.

WE'RE SEEING SOME STATES WHERE INSURANCE RATES ARE DECREASING.

BUT OBVIOUSLY MARYLAND THE RATES ARE CLIMBING.

WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA.

ON THE WHOLE WE'VE SEEN RATES CLIMB.

AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE POINTS INDICATE DRIVING BEHAVIOR BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING THE INCREASE JUST FROM THE INCREASED COSTS OF LABOR TO FIX THINGS.

PARTS SHORTAGES.

ALL OF THAT FACTORS INTO YOUR INSURANCE RATES AS WELL AS YOUR DRIVING RECORD.

>> Jeff: LET'S GET ADVICE FOR OUR VIEWERS.

SAY SOMEBODY WATCHING AVERAGE RISK LET'S SAY THEY HAVE A CLEAN RECORD, THEY DON'T DRIVE A SUPER EXPENSIVE VEHICLE, AND THE RATES HAVE GONE UP.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

>> WELL, YOU HAVE A COUPLE OPTIONS.

FIRST, OBVIOUSLY, ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS SHOP AROUND FOR CAR INSURANCE COMPARE QUOTES FROM SEVERAL INSURANCE PROVIDERS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE GET INTO THIS IDEA THAT THEIR INSURANCE PACKAGE IS THEIR INSURANCE PACKAGE AND THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT UNIQUE RISK FACTORS PRESENT THE SAME TO DIFFERENT INSURANCE COMPANIES BUT THEY JUDGE THOSE RISK FACTORS DIFFERENTLY.

WHY YOU WILL GET A DIFFERENT QUOTE FROM ONE INSURANCE AGENCY TO ANOTHER.

IT'S BASED HOW THEY JUDGE YOU BASED ON YOUR DRIVING HISTORY, YOUR AGE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY.

A SECOND THING YOU CAN DO, LET'S SAY YOU GO OUT THERE AND GET QUOTES AND THEY ARE NOT ANY BETTER.

OR THEY ARE ALL SIMILAR.

THEN THE SECOND THING YOU CAN DO IS LOOK AT YOUR [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU ARE GETTING ALL THE DISCOUNTS YOU QUALIFY FOR.

IF YOU DRIVEN ACCIDENT-FREE FOR FIVE YEARS OR MORE YOU SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A DISCOUNT.

A MILITARY VETERAN A DISCOUNT IN MANY CASES.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING THE DISCOUNTS YOU QUALIFY FOR.

AND YOU CAN ALSO LOOK AT WAYS YOU CAN LOWER YOUR CAR INSURANCE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING AS YOU SAID A LESS VALUABLE VEHICLE.

ONE OF THE MAYBE TO LOOK AT A PAPER PER MILE INSURER.

AND LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IF YOU DON'T DRIVE A LOT WHERE SO MANY OF US WORK-FROM-HOME MAYBE THAT IS YOUR BEST CASE INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR MILES THAT YOU ARE NOT DRIVING.

>> Jeff: WHAT IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM.

THEY'VE GOT SOME POINTS THEY HAVE BAD DRIVING HISTORY, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE DRIVING EXPENSIVE VEHICLES AND ON TOP OF IT, THEY'VE GOT TEENAGE DRIVERS.

ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO BRING DOWN THEIR COVERAGE AND I'M THINKING ABOUT, I THINK YOU CALL IT TELEMATICS WOULD THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> TELEMATICS IS THE SAME THING.

TELEMATICS COULD DO IT FOR YOU.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT IF YOU HAVE THE HIGH-RISK FACTORS A TEENAGER OR A D.U.I.

ON YOUR RECORD YOU ARE GOING TO PAY MORE.

THERE IS NOT A MAGIC JEANNE IN THE BOTTLE FOR THAT.

IF YOU HAVE A D.U.I.

IN MARYLAND YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY 53% MORE THAN SOMEBODY WHO HAS A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD.

TELEMATICS CAN HELP YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE GIVE YOU THE CHANCE TO PROVE THAT YOU'VE IMPROVED YOUR DRIVING RECORD OR IF YOU HAVE A TEEN THAT THAT TEEN IS DRIVING WITH A CLEAN RECORD.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN LOOK AT DOING IS INCREASING YOUR DEDUCTIBLE.

IF YOU HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE YOU CAN SEE AN INCREASED SAVINGS IF YOU GO TO A THOUSAND DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE.

YOU HAVE TO BE READY SHOULD YOU NEED TO FILE A CLAIM YOUR UP FRONT COSTS WILL BE GREATER.

SO IF YOU CAN AFFORD THAT THOUSAND DOLLARS THEN THAT MIGHT MAKE SENSE.

IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO INCREASE YOUR DEDUCTIBLE.

>> Jeff: THE TELEMATICS IT FEELS LIKE I'M SEEING LESS ABOUT THIS BUT IT'S LETTING YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY SPY ON YOU.

YOU PLUG A THING INTO YOUR CAR THAT TRACKS YOUR SPEED AND HEAVY BRAKING THAT SORT OF THING, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT CAN BE RIGHT.

IT DEPENDS EVERY PROGRAM IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BUT THAT IS THE HEALTHSTATION THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE WITH IT.

THE IDEA OF THE INSURERS WATCHING YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

AND THAT HAS BEEN PART OF WHAT HAS MADE IT LESS APPEALING.

NOW, LIKE I SAID, EVERY PROGRAM IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

AND THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT WOULD JUST BE THE MILES DRIVEN.

AS OPPOSED TO HOW HARD YOU BRAKE OR HOW MUCH YOU SPEED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE POPULAR FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT LESS INVASIVE.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE GO, YOU KNOW, THE RECENT FIRES IN LOS ANGELES HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUES WITH HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS POLICIES.

AND IT MAYBE A REASON FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THEIR COVERAGE.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST?

HOW DO YOU START IN MAKING SURE YOU'VE GOT THE COVERAGE THAT YOU NEED?

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

THE SIMPLEST THING IS READ YOUR POLICY.

AND THAT SOUNDS SILLY A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE THEY GET THEIR MORTGAGE AND HOME INSURANCE AND GET THEM TOGETHER AND THEY TREAT THEM THE SAME.

IT IS A BILL I PAY EVERY MONTH.

I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT BESIDES THAT.

AND THE HONEST TRUTH IS WHILE YOUR MORTGAGE IS DESIGNED TO EXIST FOR 15, 30 YEARS YOUR HOME INSURANCE POLICY IS A LIVING ANIMAL.

AGAIN THERE'S VALUE IN READING IT TO UNDERSTAND IT.

COMPARING POINTS TO SEE IF IT'S STILL THE BEST POLICY.

IF YOU MAKE A HOME IMPROVEMENT LET'S SAY I UPGRADE MY ROOF THEN I COULD BE IN FOR A CHEAPER HOME INSURANCE RATES.

IT IS A POLICY THAT YOU SHOULD BE REVISITING BECAUSE THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO SAVE MONEY.

YOU COULD NEED TO ADJUST YOUR COVERAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ADDITION YOU PUT ON YOUR HOUSE IS INCLUDED IN YOUR DID YOU EVER RAJ.

TO -- COVERAGE.

WITH THE WILDFIRES IT'S IMPORTANT TO READ YOUR POLICY MOST HOME INSURANCE POLICIES WILL COVER WILDFIRE.

BUT ESPECIALLY IN CALIFORNIA HIGH-RISK AREAS THERE ARE SPOTS WHERE THEY WILL NOT COVER WILDFIRE IF IT IS DEEMED HIGH-RISK.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR POLICY OUTLININGS FOR COVERAGE SO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE PROTECTED AND WHEN YOU MAY NEED ADDITIONAL COVERAGE.

>> CHRIS SCHAFER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ADVICE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: NOW, THE BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEYA STEM CONFERENCE IS RETURNING TO BALTIMORE.

JOINING US IS LINDA GOODEN, WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

IF YOU WOULD, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR HISTORY WITH THIS AWARD?

>> THE THEME THIS YEAR FOR BEYA IS BECOMING EVERYTHING YOU ARE.

WHICH SPEAKS TO THE HEART OF WHAT BEYA REPRESENTS.

EMBRACING YOUR FULLEST POTENTIAL, AND PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

THIS YEAR WE'RE CELEBRATING THE 39TH ANNUAL BEYA CONFERENCE.

A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE I WALKED ACROSS THAT STAGE IN 2006 TO BECOME THE BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR BUT A LOT REMAINED THE SAME.

THE BEYA CONFERENCE IS MORE THAN A EVENT.

IT IS A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 10,000 PARTICIPANTS.

FROM K-12 TO COLLEGE STUDENTS.

PROFESSIONALS FROM CORPORATE WHICH IS HOW I WAS INVOLVED, GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY SECTORS.

AS WELL AS INDUSTRY LEADERS AND EMPLOYEES.

TOGETHER WE ENGAGE IN LEARNING.

WE CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AND WE EXPLORE THE LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM.

FOR ME, BEYA'S DEEPLY PERSONAL.

IT SERVES AS BOTH AN INSPIRATION AND A CALL TO ACTION.

IT REMINDS ME OF THE COLLECTIVE JOURNEY WE ARE ON.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS WHO PAVED THE WAY BEFORE US.

WHILE FORGING A PATH FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER US.

IT ALSO CALLS FOR REFLECTION.

WHILE WE CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE STRIDES OUR COMMUNITY HAS MADE WE'RE REMINDED OF THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF THE NEW ATTACK IT IS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

BEYA STRENGTHENS MY RESOLVE TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND POSSIBILITY FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS.

>> Jeff: WHO INSPIRED YOU ALONG THE WAY?

ANY MENTORS YOU WOULD WANT TO TALK ABOUT IN THE CONTEXT WHAT THIS CONFERENCE DOES IN CONNECTING BOTH YOUNG ENGINEERS AND STUDENTS TO POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT?

>> YES.

ONE ALWAYS STANDS OUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS QUESTION.

ONE OF THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENTS IN MY CAREER WASN'T SOMETHING I COULD HAVE PLANNED.

I WAS ASSIGNED TO BRIEF A REALLY CHALLENGING CUSTOMER ON A CRITICAL ISSUE.

TO PRESENT OUR CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN.

ALL I KNEW AT THE TIME WAS HIS TITLE.

LONG BEFORE GOOGLE TO TELL ME WHO HE TRULY WAS OR HOW MUCH THIS MEETING COULD POSSIBLY CHANGE MY LIFE.

WHAT I EXPECTED TO BE A RATHER STRAIGHTFORWARD 15-MINUTE TECHNICAL BRIEFING, TURNED INTO SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.

THIS RETIRED AFRICAN-AMERICAN, THREE-STAR GENERAL WHO IS NOW SERVING THE NATION AS THE UNITED STATES ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, AND INTELLIGENCE, SHIFTED THE FOCUS FROM THE ISSUE AT HAND TO ME.

HE ASKED ABOUT MY BACKGROUND.

HE ASKED ABOUT MY CAREER CHOICES.

AND MY ASPIRATIONS.

THAT HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION WAS THE BEGINNING OF A MENTORSHIP [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] ALSO INTRODUCED ME TO BEYA.

HE DIDN'T JUST GIVE ME ADVICE.

HE OPENED DOORS.

HE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES.

AND TAUGHT ME HOW TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND INDUSTRY.

HIS BELIEF IN ME HELPED ME RISE TO BECOME THE HIGHEST RANKING AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AT THAT TIME.

HIS ONLY REQUEST OF ME WAS TO PAY IT FORWARD.

THAT SIMPLE CHARGE HAS BECOME THE CORNERSTONE HOW I LEAD AND MENTOR TODAY.

HIS GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME AND TO HELP ME TO LIFT OTHERS AS I CLIMB.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON IS ROLLING BACK A LOT OF D.E.I.

INITIATIVES TO UNDERSTATED MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

DOES THAT HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CONFERENCE AND THE ABILITY OF YOU AND MANY OF YOUR PEERS TO, INDEED, PAY IT FORWARD?

>> IT REALLY DOES.

YOU KNOW, I'VE OFTEN AND YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THIS PHRASE THAT SAYS IF YOU FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE, YOU'LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

I PERSONALLY FOUND SOMETHING I LOVE.

THE COMPUTER.

FORTUNATELY, MY TIMING WAS PERFECT.

INDUSTRY, TOO, FOUND SOMETHING THEY COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT.

THE MARRIAGE OF MY SKILL AND THE INDUSTRY NEED AFFORDED ME A WONDERFUL CAREER.

40 PLUS YEARS WORKING IN THE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY AND ANOTHER DOZEN YEARS SITTING ONBOARDS OF SOME OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS FORTUNE 50 COMPANIES AND CURRENTLY LEADING AS YOU NOTED AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR TALK, THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE VOTERSTY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND WHERE WE CONTINUE TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, SCIENTISTS AND SCHOLARS.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAD IS ONE OF POSSIBILITY, ONE OF RESILIENCE AND ONE OF SERVICE.

I WANT FUTURE GENERATIONS REGARDLESS OF ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO KNOW THEIR DREAMS ARE WITHIN REACH NO MATTER HOW AUDACIOUS THEY MAY SEEM.

EDUCATION, DEDICATION AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE CAN UNLOCK DOORS.

YOU NEVER IMAGINED POSSIBLE.

BUT SUCCESS ISN'T JUST ABOUT ACHIEVING PERSONAL GOODS.

TRUE SUCCESS IS ABOUT LIFTING OTHERS ALONG THE WAY.

IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THAT EVERY DOOR WE OPEN REMAINS OPEN.

FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF TALENT.

PAYING IT FORWARD IS MORE THAN A MANTRA FOR ME.

IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY I'VE EMBRACED.

IT'S WHY I WORK WITH BEYA, WHY I WAS DEEPLY HONORED TO SERVE AS THE 2006 BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR.

BEYA PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO DO MORE THAN INSPIRE.

THEY CREATE REAL OPPORTUNITIES AND GENERATE EXCITEMENT AROUND STEM CAREERS.

AND PROMOTE THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE TOO OFTEN LEFT OUT OF MAINSTREAM DISCUSSIONS.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO LINDA GOODEN AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]