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Building Codes Study Results 2012

FL and VA have received good marks in a survey that looks at building codes in hurricane-prone states. The Tampa-based Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety conducted an analysis, evaluation, and comparison of building code and enforcement systems for residential buildings in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes in the U.S. Florida and Virginia both scored the highest, with 95 out of 100 possible points. Institute spokesman Joseph King said last week the two states did well due to a combination of strong statewide residential building codes and comprehensive regulatory processes for the building code officials, contractors, and subcontractors.… Read More »Building Codes Study Results 2012

California – New Auto Insurance Rates Now Available

Our new California Auto Product delivers more than just rating changes…  In addition to providing a wider range of pricing tiers, we have made other changes to our Auto Product to become the total account solution for your small business customers. We’ve introduced a 10% account credit on Auto when there is an in force Spectrum policy (includes property only policies) – reinforcing our desire to become the total account solution. Only available in California! We have lowered the threshold for schedule rating from 10 vehicles to 1 – providing greater pricing flexibility when warranted. Automatic reporting proof of coverage… Read More »California – New Auto Insurance Rates Now Available

XactPAY Xpress Goes Mobile

XactPAY Xpress, the latest edition in our suite of Payroll Billing Options is now mobile enabled – meaning for those customers who currently self-report their payroll through our convenient website, can now use their , iPhone, Android, and most current versions of Blackberry to enter payroll, view reports and more! XactPAY Xpress calculates the customer’s Workers’ Compensation premium based on actual payroll amounts and allows The Hartford to automatically withdraw the customer’s premium from their bank account. Benefits to your customers include: •Eliminating large down-payments •Managing cash flow, especially to businesses having seasonal payroll fluctuations •Lessening audit surprises by basing… Read More »XactPAY Xpress Goes Mobile

Seven Benefits of Non-Compete Agreements

Small and midsize businesses can more effectively protect their trade secrets and customer relationships by requiring employees to enter into non-compete agreements. 1. Non-Compete agreement can enhance the value of your company 2. With non compete clause you can qualify for trade secret protection 3. Non-compete agreements do protect your customer relationships and enhance your clients’ confidence 4. Require all training employees to sign the non-compete agreement to protect your investment 5. Make sure you clarify expectations with employees 6. With a non-compete agreement signed you prepare the rules of a potential litigation 7. Although hard to prosecute, your competitors… Read More »Seven Benefits of Non-Compete Agreements

Injury Prevention Rank

On a set of 10 steps states can take to prevent injuries , 24 states scored a five or lower. Two states, California and New York, received the highest score of nine out of a possible 10, while two states scored the lowest, Montana and Ohio, with two out of 10. Read More »Injury Prevention Rank

Top 10 States for State Farm Dog Bite Claims in 2011

State Number of claims Claims paid (estimated) 1. California 527 $20.3 million 2. Illinois 309 $10.0 million 3. Texas 219 $5.1 million 4. Ohio 215 $5.4 million 5. Pennsylvania 197 $4.9 million 6. Michigan 181 $7.0 million 7. Florida 157 $5.1 million 8. Indiana 139 $3.5 million 9. New York 133 $6.1 million 10. Minnesota 117 $3.5 million Want to get a quote for your Homeowners’ Insurance? Visit our website or call 877-239-0067.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

When working outdoors in hot weather, workers who do not take precautions can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and Inadequate fluid replacement. Heat stroke is the most severe of heat-related problems. It is potentially life threatening because the body’s normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and temperature control are lost. The following are the symptoms of these diseases and the steps needed to help the victim. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms: The first signs of heat exhaustion are dizziness, weakness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and staggering.… Read More »Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Hurricane Shelter Plan

The creation of new public faculties across Florida has contributed to a significant increase in the number of storm shelter spaces, according to a plan approved this. The Division of Emergency Management presented its updated statewide crisis plan to the cabinet at a meeting held at a Florida Keys elementary school. A combination of hurricane shelter surveys, retrofitting existing schools and building new schools to meet shelter design criteria has created more than 939,000 public shelter spaces over the last 12 years, emergency management officials said. More than half of those spaces were created through the construction of new public… Read More »Hurricane Shelter Plan

Boat Propulsion Systems Coverage

Progressive Insurance has introduced a new coverage for boaters that offers more complete protection of their propulsion systems. The coverage is called Propulsion Plus, and it pays to repair or replace the lower unit of an outboard motor, or the outdrive of a stern drive motor, in the event of mechanical breakdown. The coverage is available for boats up to 10-years-old, and can be kept until the boat turns 21-years-old. “Propulsion Plus was created in response to customers asking for expanded coverage for their propulsion units. Both customer surveys as well as our internal data showed that these types of… Read More »Boat Propulsion Systems Coverage

Health Care Spending Law in San Francisco

Under the 2006 law, employers with 100 or more employees are required to spend $2.20 per hour per covered employee on health care, while employers with between 20 and 99 employees must spend $1.46 per hour. Employers with fewer than 20 employees are exempt. Elements of the controversial spending law had been feverishly debated among city legislators until late last year, when the city’s Board of Supervisors approved a measure requiring money contributed to health reimbursement arrangements to be made available to active employees up to 24 months after the contribution. Most employers, though, meet the spending requirement by paying… Read More »Health Care Spending Law in San Francisco