Skip to content

risk management

CarFax Vehicle History Data Use in Insurance

Carfax Inc. reported that federal officials have approved its patent applications for its auto insurance underwriting and rating system based on vehicle history attributes. CarFax said it expects the patents to be issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office within the next month. Insurance companies use CarFax reports in their underwriting and rating, claims prioritization, total loss valuations, and fraud investigations. CarFax’s systems that are being patented include the access to the vehicle history data and a method for insurers to follow in using that data. According to Carfax, its vehicle history database has more than 10 billion records… Read More »CarFax Vehicle History Data Use in Insurance

Insurance for Adult Day Care Center

Paperless’ Health & Human Services Insurance Program includes coverages that are specifically designed to protect the unique needs of professional Adult Day Care Centers. As industry specialists, Paperless Insurance has the experience and expertise to cover Adult Day Care Centers as a special addition to its social services program. Adult Day Care Centers are facilities that provide meals and supervised care for senior citizens where they can interact with peers and engage in social activities in a community-based environment. Adult Day Care Centers usually act as an alternative to assisted living and nursing homes. Paperless’ Health & Human Services includes… Read More »Insurance for Adult Day Care Center

Small Business Safety Tips: Business Property

Possible accidents: Fire occurs due to outdated or old wiring damaging both the building your business owns and some of your equipment inside A roof leak causes significant damage to the goods in your warehouse Computers and media equipment are stolen from your place of business over the weekend How can I protect my building/premises, equipment, and materials from water damage and fires? The following questions point out basic building maintenance and fire prevention controls that should be in place: Is the building’s exterior structure, including all equipment, in good condition? Are drain pipes, signs, tanks, fences, canopies, etc. secured?… Read More »Small Business Safety Tips: Business Property

Laws Regarding the Recording of Phone Calls

Many businesses and other organizations record their phone calls so that they can document business transactions, train their employees, and improve customer service. It is extremely important to seek legal advice from an attorney if you are considering recording telephone calls or oral communication between parties. This article is not meant to serve as legal advice. However, we want to remind that there are federal and state laws regarding this practice. Florida, for example, is a “two-party consent” state, which requires that all parties of a conversation must give consent when one party wants to record a phone conversation. This includes the… Read More »Laws Regarding the Recording of Phone Calls

Text Alert System Warns Users about Disasters

Wireless carriers and the federal government are launching a system to automatically warn people of dangerous weather and other emergencies via a special type of text messaging to cell phones, USA Today reports. This is the first national service by the federal government and the wireless industry. The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) service, which begins this month, is free, and consumers won’t have to sign up. Warnings will be location-based: If you’re traveling, you’ll get an alert for whatever emergency is happening where you are. WEA is a collaboration by the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Emergency… Read More »Text Alert System Warns Users about Disasters

Top 10 States Vehicle Theft List

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 2011 is on track for another consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts, but California still dominates the top 10 list for areas highest auto theft rates. Seven of the top 10 areas were in California, mostly in the central and northern portion of the state. The report is a reflection of vehicle thefts on a per capita basis, and the authors of the report note that an area with a much smaller population and a moderate number of thefts can, and often does, have a higher theft rate than an area with a much… Read More »Top 10 States Vehicle Theft List

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

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

Risk Control: Fire Safety Plan

Introduction

The development of a Fire Safety Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) will help ensure the optimum use fire prevention and life safety features installed in a building. The complete plan will reflect all the resources available to the building occupants and identify the basic measures that will aid in an orderly and safe evacuation all occupants in an emergency. An effective Plan that enhances the life safety of staff and building occupants requires:
• a commitment by building management and staff to the safety of occupants;
• knowledge of the building and its fire safety protection equipment by supervisory staff;
• a clear understanding by supervisory staff of the fire safety procedures in the Plan and how to implement properly; and
• the cooperation and education of building occupants.

The following information discusses the preparation and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan.Read More »Risk Control: Fire Safety Plan

Good Laptop Ergonomics

You see them everywhere carrying their laptops. They are businesses’ “Road Warriors” with offices-on-the-go.  These offices on-the-go are allowing people to work all hours of the day and night. And from anywhere: their company; their homes; libraries; at customer sites; while traveling in planes, cars, trains, and buses; and even while taking in some sun on the beach! Laptops are increasingly becoming the equipment-of-choice for employees on the go. Improving Comfort when Using Laptops The main feature that makes laptops the equipment-of-choice is their compactness. While standard desktop computer units consist of three basic and separate components – the keyboard, the screen, and the… Read More »Good Laptop Ergonomics