Cars are arguably safer than ever, so it seems like traffic fatalities should be falling. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to a report by the National Safety Council, its preliminary estimates reveal that traffic fatalities were up nine percent in the first six months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.

The NSC, which is a congressionally chartered nonprofit that acquires its data from state authorities, estimates that roughly 19,000 people have been killed on US roads since January. The figure accounts for an increase of 18 percent from two years ago during the same six-month period. An additional 2.2 million people were seriously injured in the first half of the year, as well. The NSC estimates that the cost of the deaths and injuries at approximately $205 billion.

Rental reimbursement coverage: Rental reimbursement coverage, pays a set daily amount for a rental car if your car is being repaired because of damage covered by your auto policy.

Rider: A riders is written agreement attached to the policy expanding or limiting the benefits otherwise payable under the policy. Same as an “endorsement.”

Reinstatement: Reinstatement is the process by which a life insurance company puts a policy back in force after it lapsed because of nonpayment of renewal premiums.

Policy period: The Policy period is the time period a policy is in force, from the beginning/effective date to the expiration date.

Premium: The Premium is the amount paid by an insured (you) to an insurance company to obtain or maintain an insurance policy.

Property damage: Property damage is the physical damage to property.

Automotive manufacturers and tech companies are in a race to put self-driving cars on the road, which includes autonomous taxis capable of ferrying riders from point A to B. With the majority of tech companies ignoring motorcycles in favor of cars, Kawasaki is planning to go unchallenged, head-first into the world of high-tech features with an artificial intelligence system that will talk to riders.

The program, which is still in the early stages of development, is called the Kanjo Engine – “Emotion Engine.” The system aims to be able to understand and react to a motorcyclists’ speech and will learn a rider’s skill level, individual riding style, and motorcycle experience. The AI system will also offer riders with suggestions for a safer, more enjoyable ride.

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, approximately half of the U.S. population does not have an affordable dental plan. The cost for affordable dental insurance can vary. Therefore, it is important to understand all your options in obtaining the most affordable dental plan coverage.

The company where you work may provide the most affordable dental insurance plan options. Dental insurance plans for individual and families are usually an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or a PPO (Preferred Provided Organization) and operate much like traditional health insurance organizations.

Medical payments and personal injury protection: Medical payments and personal injury protection or PIP pays a limited medical and funeral expenses if you, a family member, or a passenger in your car is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. PIP also pays lost-income benefits.

Named driver exclusion: Named driver exclusion is an endorsement that provides that a policy does not cover accidents when a specifically named person is the driver.

Named driver policy: Named driver policy is an automobile insurance policy that doesn’t provide coverage for an individual residing in a named insured ‘s household specifically unless the individual is named on the policy. The term includes an automobile insurance policy that has been endorsed to provide coverage only for drivers specifically named on the policy.

Non-owners policy: Non-owners policy is an insurance coverage that offers liability, uninsured motorist, and medical payments to a named insured who does not own a vehicle.

Non-renewal: Non-renewal is a decision by an insurance company not to renew a policy.

The Basics: Toyota is recalling 337,000 2006-2011 model year Toyota RAV4 crossovers built between October 31, 2005 and September 7, 2010 as well as 2010 model year Lexus HS250h cars built between July 6, 2009 and August 26, 2010.

The Problem: When either an affected RAV4 or HS250h is given an alignment and the tie rod adjustment nut on the rear control arm isn’t tightened properly, the threads on the tie rod can start to rust. If this happens, the nut may break off and throw off the alignment drastically and suddenly. This isn’t a case of the car simply pulling to one side, either. This would seriously upset the balance of the car and could cause the driver to lose control and crash. This is also the third time these vehicles have been recalled for the same issue.

Lapse: A Lapse is the termination of a policy due to non-payment of premiums. Depending on the length of time lapsed some companies will re-instate your policy if payment is made.

Liability insurance: Liability insurance pays for injuries to the other party and damages to the other vehicle resulting from an accident you caused. It also pays if the accident was caused by someone covered by your policy, including a driver operating your car with your permission.

Liability limits: The liability limits is the maximum amount your liability policy will pay. Depending on the state you live in minimal limits will very. But as an example – $25,000 for each injured person, up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. This basic coverage is called “25/50/25” coverage.

Loss: The Loss is the amount an insurance company pays on a claim.

Earned premium: Earned premium is the portion of a policy premium that has been used to actually buy coverage, or that the insurance company has “earned.” For instance, if you have a six-month policy that you paid for in advance, two months into the policy, there would be two months of earned premium. The remaining four months of premium is called unearned premium.

Endorsement: Endorsement is a written agreement attached to a policy expanding or limiting the benefits otherwise payable under the policy. Same as a “rider.”