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Traveling Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is probably one of the busiest for the majority of us, for many reasons. Add any holiday travel plans into the mix and stress levels can begin to rise. With stricter security guidelines and long lines, it’s easy to focus merely on making it to your destination. However, this time of year is also busy for thieves who will often seize opportunities when the unsuspecting victim is distracted or otherwise unaware of his or her surroundings. Stay vigilant this year when traveling for the holidays by using the tips below, and ensure your holidays stay as they… Read More »Traveling Tips for the Holiday Season

The Growing Problem of Medical Identity Theft

The growing problem of medical identity theft and the havoc it wreaks with its victims is highlighted in a recent Bloomberg article. Medical identity theft victims are usually reticent to share the details of the crime since the theft is felt as such a personal violation. Details of the theft are shared here, as well as ID Experts’ investigative and restoration efforts on the victim’s behalf, including the challenges to unraveling the tangled web of medical identity theft. “Arnold Salinas knows a lot about the person who stole his identity. He’s 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. He pays for pizzas with forged… Read More »The Growing Problem of Medical Identity Theft

Insurer not obligated to defend in false marketing suit

A federal appeals court affirmed that a sporting goods company’s costs in an underlying false marketing lawsuit are excluded from personal and advertising injury coverages within its general liability policy under the failure-to-conform exclusion. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis ruled unanimously that Cannon Falls, Minn.-based Robinson Outdoors Inc. was not entitled to defense and indemnification costs under its insurance policies from its insurer, Westfield Center, Ohio-based Westfield Insurance Co. Robinson Outdoors marketed and sold hunting-related clothing that would eliminate human scent so that wild game would not detect a hunter’s presence.… Read More »Insurer not obligated to defend in false marketing suit

More Workers Claiming Job Discrimination Over Language, Accents

More people in the workforce are claiming discrimination over their English-speaking ability or foreign accents, according to federal officials. Workplace discrimination complaints based on national origin — which often involve language ability — rose by 76 percent from 1997 to 2011, when more than 11,800 complaints were lodged with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Read more

U.S. Releases New Health Insurance Reform Rules

The U.S. administration proposed new health insurance rules aimed at ending discrimination against the sick and guaranteeing minimum benefits for millions of Americans who are expected to obtain coverage under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law. The rules, unveiled by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, provide states and insurers with details about how the Obama administration intends to achieve its long-stated goals of guaranteeing access to those with preexisting conditions and making affordable coverage available to families through new online health insurance exchanges. The administration also proposed rules laying out new consumer protections for wellness and other preventive… Read More »U.S. Releases New Health Insurance Reform Rules

Ensure Your Inventory is On Time

1. Perfect your plan Every savvy shopper has a plan for buying the perfect gifts. Do you have a plan for making sure those must-have gifts are available on your shelves throughout the shopping season? Now is the time to know which products will be in big demand and plan your holiday sales strategy so those key items are available. Your plan should include: Identifying which products make up the largest portion of your sales Making arrangements with suppliers to have those products available before and during the start of the holiday shopping season Knowing your options or limitations for… Read More »Ensure Your Inventory is On Time

Smart Hiring Practices

In preparation for the holiday shopping season, you may find yourself in need of hiring additional staff.  A poor hiring decision can create financial and operational problems as well as expose a business to a variety of risks.  The estimated cost of a poor hiring decision varies, but research indicates on average, an organization is likely to lose 2 1/2 times the amount of the person’s annual salary. With this in mind, it is apparent why proper screening and selection procedures are important to avoid financial and operational problems down the road. Selecting skilled, dependable employees is the starting point for an effective risk… Read More »Smart Hiring Practices

Identity Theft Risks After an Auto Accident

Each year, millions of Americans become victims of a car crash that causes mess on their day (and often their body and vehicle.) Auto accidents are stressful situations that can lead us to reveal more of our personal information to strangers than necessary. Even small fender benders can cause long-term pain if a friendly exchange of info leads to a compromise of one’s most sensitive personally-identifying data. A recent survey taken by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) revealed that many of us don’t know the proper steps to take after an accident, and most of us share too… Read More »Identity Theft Risks After an Auto Accident

Accountants Professional Liability Policy

An accountant created a financial statement for a client in which a miscalculation resulted in a $1.2M understatement. The cost to have the error corrected by another firm was $150,000*. If this type of situation occurred with you, would you have the right coverage and a top carrier to help you pay the expenses? With Accountants Professional Liability Policy Accounting Firms can enjoy: Subpoena coverage endorsement Discrimination defense coverage, up to $50,000 per policy period Network Security and Theft of Data endorsement Innocent Insured coverage Coverage for newly acquired entities with five or fewer professionals and predecessor firms Worldwide coverage territory, provided… Read More »Accountants Professional Liability Policy

Booster Seats Safety Improved in 2012

Fifteen of 17 booster seats introduced in 2012 earn the top rating of BEST BET from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, evidence that more than ever, manufacturers are designing seats to provide good safety belt fit for booster-age children.

The improvements mean that BEST BET boosters now outnumber seats in any of the three other categories for the first time since the Institute released its inaugural booster ratings in 2008. Boosters are supposed to improve how adult lap and shoulder belts fit children so the belts can properly restrain them in crashes. BEST BET boosters correctly position belts on a typical 4-to-8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV.

“Booster manufacturers have risen to the Institute’s challenge to improve seat design, giving parents more choices than ever when shopping for a booster that will provide a good, safe fit for their children,” says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research.Read More »Booster Seats Safety Improved in 2012