Auto Warranty Services and Explicit Media (Voice Solutions) had both used auto-dialers to call Verizon customers, as well as everyone else, to offer them auto warranty insurance. Verizon sued last year to stop the practice, and just received $50,000, which they will donate to charity. The main part is, of course, that Verizon customers won't be bothered by these two jackass companies anymore. [Verizon]

Between takes on the set of Law & Order SVU, Mariska Hargitay, actress, advocate and the president and founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, accepted a $50,000 donation from Steve Zipperstein, vice president of legal & external affairs and Leigh Schachter, assistant general counsel at Verizon Wireless.

It wouldn't matter if you ran the light or were driving conscientiously. The proposed system would exploit both existing stoplight cameras and general security cameras to scan your plate and hand it over to the InsureNet database. If InsureNet discovered that you were lacking insurance, you'd receive a $300-$500 ticket in the mail.

The system is anticipated to raise yearly earnings "well in excess" of $100 million (possibly even double that figure or more), with InsureNet taking a modest 30% for their services. Of course, all of this cash would be contingent on uninsured drivers actually paying their fines. [Chicago Sun-Times via ars technica and Getty]

• 1/6 blame children or dogs
• 3/100 run over their camera with a car
• 3/4 drop their cameras onto a "hard surface", into water, or by falling onto it and using it to cushion their fall

More stats on people who fall over:
• 1/10 "fell over" when taking shots, "often into water."
• 9/100 fall with their camera in their pocket or in their hand

One photographer reported: 'I was taking some shots in the garden. As I changed the lens I lost my grip on the camera. I tried to cushion its fall by sticking out my foot but ended up “volleying” it across the concrete slabs and down the steps.'

[Amateur Photographer via Digital Camera Tracker]

LG's 60,000 customer policy goes into effect immediately, and will give you up to 200,000 South Korean Won if you break your phone. The bad news: 200,000 Won is only $215. The phone is $700. Try not to break your phone. – Jason Chen

LG Offers Free Insurance for Prada Phones [Chosun]

So yes, Ben got a new phone with just at $50 deductible and a trip down to the Verizon store. We've usually skimped on cellphone insurance—mostly because we get our phones unlocked from overseas—but how about readers? Has your Asurion experience been as good, or are you one of the victims we hear about that warns us that it's easier NOT to buy insurance and spare yourself the headache? – Jason Chen

Cellphone Insurance Works Even If You Smash Your Cell In Retaded Anger [Consumerist]

L. Any Loss or damage caused by or through or in consequence, directly or indirectly, of Nuclear Hazard, meaning any weapon employing atomic fission or fusion; or nuclear reaction or radiation or radioactive contamination from any other cause; but we will pay for direct physical Loss caused by resulting fire, if the fire would be covered under this Certificate.

Great. So while my ghost is growing a third eye, it will need to write the insurance company arguing that my phone was burned in a fire after the nuclear explosion hit. – Mark Wilson

In Case Of Nuclear Attack, Your Cellphone Insurance Is Void [consumerist]

Oh, they also suspect some people may actually just want to upgrade their stuff and be LYING about stolen or lost goods. I mean, who do they think we are? Now, um, where did I leave that damn Vaio I got for Hanukah last year...

Insurers fret over gadgets [Stuff.co.nz]