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California Workers Compensation Rate Increase?

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California said Wednesday that it will seek a midyear increase in workers comp advisory rates in the state. The San Francisco-based WCIRB said it will ask this month for an average pure premium rate of $2.51 per $100 of payroll. That’s up 7.7% from a rate of $2.33 per $100 of payroll in WCIRB’s Jan. 1 rate filing. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones approved an advisory pure premium rate filing of $2.30 per $100 of employer payroll back in November 2011. The WCIRB’s upcoming rate filing is expected to be submitted April 13 to the… Read More »California Workers Compensation Rate Increase?

Paperless Proof Insurance

Arizona motorists will be able to use their smart phones to prove to a police officer that they have insurance for their vehicles. Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill to have Arizona join Idaho in permitting motorists to use a wireless communication device to show proof of auto insurance. Arizona was the second state to approve such a bill. Idaho on Wednesday became the first state in the nation to pass an electronic proof of insurance bill. A California legislator’s bill to enable auto insurance policyholders to issue proof of coverage verification via a mobile electronic device, such… Read More »Paperless Proof Insurance

Electric Highway On Its Way

The stretch of 160 miles of Interstate 5 served by eight stations marks the next big step in developing an infrastructure that until now has been limited primarily to chargers in homes and workplaces. The stations go from the California border north to the Oregon city of Cottage Grove and are located at gas stations, restaurants and motels just off the nation’s second-busiest interstate. One is at an inn that was once a stage coach stop. Spaced about every 25 miles, the stations allow a Nissan Leaf with a range of about 70 miles to miss one and still make it to… Read More »Electric Highway On Its Way

Is Siri As Smart As Apple Claims?

In many of Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Corp.’s television advertisements about its new iPhone 4S, individuals are shown using the smartphone’s new voice-activated assistant feature Siri to make appointments, find restaurants and even learn the guitar chords to classic rock songs. But if iPhone 4S users ask Siri what she thinks about a recently filed lawsuit accusing Apple of false advertising, she probably won’t understand the question, much less direct them to the complaint, according to disgruntled customer Frank F., who filed his complaint March 6 in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif. The suit, which seeks class action status… Read More »Is Siri As Smart As Apple Claims?

California Workers Comp Agreements Review

California’s Department of Insurance is seeking to force units of Zurich Financial Services Ltd. to cease issuing workers compensation “large-deductible agreements” that have not been properly reviewed. The California Insurance Code requires insurers to submit workers comp policy forms and endorsements to the Department of Insurance and to the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California for legal review before they are issued to policyholders. However, Zurich American Insurance Co. and Zurich American Insurance Co. of Illinois may have evaded such a review, the Insurance Department said Tuesday in announcing that it had begun an administrative enforcement action. “The unreviewed… Read More »California Workers Comp Agreements Review

Willful Misclassification of Independent Contractors (SB 459)

California law SB 459 imposes a civil penalty of $5,000 – $15,000 for each violation on a person or employer that willfully misclassifies an individual as an independent contractor. Willful misclassification is defined as avoiding employee status for an individual by voluntarily and knowingly misclassifying that individual as an independent contractor. The penalty increases to $10,000 – $25,000 for each violation if the person or employer has engaged in a “pattern or practice” of willful misclassification. The law also subjects paid, non-attorney advisors to joint and several liabilities with the employer if they knowingly advise the employer to treat an… Read More »Willful Misclassification of Independent Contractors (SB 459)

California Department of Insurance Hotline

Whether you are not satisfied with how your policy was rated, claim paid or there were marketing or underwriting issues, and you are lucky resident of the great State of California, consider contacting CDI hotline, which handles the health claims, claims services, and rating and underwriting services. Their number is 800-927-HELP (800-927-4357). The California Department of Insurance recovered more than $54 million for consumers through consumer complaint investigations and market conduct examinations of insurance companies in 2011. The department’s consumer services and market conduct branch has two divisions. One division focuses on assisting consumers and the other focuses on examinations of insurance companies. The division consists… Read More »California Department of Insurance Hotline

Federal Unemployment Insurance Cut in Half

The House of Representatives passed HR 3630. This is an omnibus measure that contains a variety of items. Among them are the following: It would reduce unemployment benefits by one half cutting them from 99 to 59 weeks. It would let the last leg of federal unemployment insurance extension, 13 to 20 weeks to expire. This would impact the states with the highest rates of unemployment. It would require means testing of workers based on income. There would be a $5.00 charge for each reemployment. Waivers would be granted for workforce programs. States would be allowed leeway in Non Reduction… Read More »Federal Unemployment Insurance Cut in Half

Congratulations Notary 94121

Our friends @ Notary 94121 have received 2011 San Francisco Award U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement NEW YORK, NY, December 14, 2011 — Notary 94121 has been selected for the 2011 San Francisco Award in the Notary Public Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to… Read More »Congratulations Notary 94121

Climate Change Affects Insurance Costs for California Businesses

The Governor’s Conference on "Extreme Climate Change and California’s Future," convened by Gov. Jerry Brown, highlighted the urgency of developing technologies and policies that would curb greenhouse gas emissions. Gov. Brown emphasized that denying climate change is counter-productive since the world has recently experienced the deleterious effects of climate variability. Gov. Brown and other prominent participants suggest that resources should be channeled toward emission reduction by shifting to renewable energy sources and disaster preparation. In California, extreme high and low temperatures and severe storm systems are recent manifestations of climate change. California can expect more flooding and more dangerous wildfires… Read More »Climate Change Affects Insurance Costs for California Businesses