Motorcycle Accident Attorney : February 2016

Archive for February 2016

Marijuana Use And Florida Drivers

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence ^[1] confirms that marijuana use leads to impaired drivers:

�Since marijuana is the second most commonly used drug associated with drinking and drugged driving after alcohol, it is important to understand why it is particularly dangerous. THC, the high producing element in marijuana, affects areas of the brain that control body movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment. Evidence from both real and simulated driving studies indicate that marijuana negatively affects a driver�s attentiveness, perception of time and speed, and ability to draw on information obtained from past experiences.

Research also shows that impairment increases significantly when marijuana use is combined with alcohol. Studies have found that many drivers test positive for alcohol and THC, making it clear that drinking and drugged driving are often linked behaviors.�

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that specifically target drugged drivers. Almost one-third of states have adopted the per se standard that forbid any presence of a prohibited substance or drug in the driver's body while in control of the vehicle, without any other evidence of impairment. Others have established specific limits for the presence of intoxicating drugs, while still others follow a zero tolerance rule with regards to the presence of intoxicating drugs in a person's system. In the state of Florida, Title XXIII, Chapter 316 of the Florida Statute ^[2]speaks to drugged driving and provides that it is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, other drugs, alcohol, or a combination of substances. Under the influence means that the driver was in physical control of the vehicle while affected by the drug, alcohol, or combination of both, to the extent that the driver�s normal faculties are impaired. The law specifically provides:

�Except as provided in paragraph (b), subsection (3), or subsection (4), any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) shall be punished:

1. By a fine of:

a. Not less than $500 or more than $1,000 for a first conviction.

b. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a second conviction; and

2. By imprisonment for:

a. Not more than 6 months for a first conviction.

b. Not more than 9 months for a second conviction.

3. For a second conviction, by mandatory placement for a period of at least 1 year, at the convicted person�s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with Section 316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license. The installation of such device may not occur before July 1, 2003.

(b)1. Any person who is convicted of a third violation of this section for an offense that occurs within 10 years after a prior conviction for a violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In addition, the court shall order the mandatory placement for a period of not less than 2 years, at the convicted person�s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department.�

Clearwater Vehicle Accident Lawyers

There is no accepted medical use of marijuana in the state of Florida at the present time which means, under Florida law, it remains illegal to consume marijuana. In addition to the criminal statutes, which make it illegal for a Clearwater resident to consume marijuana and to drive, there are also safety concerns when an individual attempts to drive while under the influence of marijuana when their attentiveness, balance, and coordination are all affected. If you are involved in a vehicle accident where the other driver was under the influence of marijuana or other drugs or alcohol, you can best protect your rights and obtain all of the compensation that is due to you, by speaking to a Clearwater automobile accident attorney. At the Dolman Law Group, our skilled accident attorneys investigate your case and obtain all of the compensation you are owed for your losses. Please call our office at 727-451-6900 today.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 3375

(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/auto-accidents-attorneys/

References:

[1] https://ncadd.org/about-addiction/addiction-update/driving-while-impaired-alcohol-and-drugs

[2] http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.193.html

Why Do I Need an Appraisal on My Taxidermy Mounts?

The phone rings and the first question is "why do I need an appraisal for my taxidermy mounts"? Answering this question is easy, do you realize what you have invested in your trophies? Do you know the current replacement value of each taxidermy mount? Most hunters have never stopped to actually think about the investment that they have in all their taxidermy mounts. Also they don't have a list or pictures of each mount.

It is very important to have all your mounts cataloged and multiple photographs of every trophy mount available incase of a disaster. Keeping an electronic copy in the cloud or burnt on a CD in multiple places is and excellent idea. You could also have a bound copy or two at different locations, copies can be printed and bound at most office supply stores.

I would highly suggest getting a certified personal property appraiser to do this all for you, they will provide you an insurance appraisal. This report should include three photographs of every taxidermy mount along with the current replacement values for each trophy. The appraiser should deliver to you at least one printed and bound report and a PDF copy of this report. I would suggest burning the PDF on a number of CDs and file them away at other locations then where your trophies are located.

So the answer to why you need an insurance appraisal for your taxidermy mounts is because you don't have one and the information is vital to have available. Getting an appraisal is a small investment to cover your large investment. Your appraiser is required to keep on file your information for 5 years, this is another place where there will be a copy of your investment in your taxidermy mounts.

You can search taxidermy appraiser and find a qualified person on the internet, feel free to call them and ask questions.

Look Beyond Traditional Ways to Take Care of Your Newborn Baby

A newborn baby brings bundles of joy and happiness in the family. When a baby is born, it is said that the parents are blessed with the baby. This statement in itself is sufficient to explain the importance of a newborn in the family.

It is the prime responsibility of parents to take care of the newborn in the best possible manner. There are times, when a baby requires to go through some immediate medical care in order to adjust as per the world. Sometimes, babies are born with some birth related issues and thus, require treatment.

In India, a large number of people get health plans so that their health care needs are met. If you are working in private sector, then your company may have taken a group insurance policy under which maternity is covered comprehensively.

But, most of the times, medical insurance including the group insurance policies do not cover a newborn baby. The reasons are quite apparent. There are lot of possibilities that a newborn requires medical treatment immediately after birth and thus insurance companies do not want to spend their revenues on such well-recognised possibilities.

Is there any way out? Yes, of course, if your employer's group health insurance policy does not cover newborn baby, do not worry. There are some specific health plans, which cover newborn babies right from the birth.

In order to avail this facility, you have to buy a separate policy. Star Comprehensive Insurance, for instance, is one such policy which covers delivery related complications as well as the newborn baby.

The plan covers delivery whether it is normal or caesarean plus all the pre-natal and post-natal expenses are also covered up to a certain limit. This limit is ascertained as per the amount of premium you pay.

The plan also covers vaccination of the child. Yes, only a handful of plans cover vaccination because that is a sure shot expenditure one must incur.

The only thing which you have to take care is that you have to be the policy holder for at least thirty six months prior to taking the above benefits.

Religare also offers a health insurance plan called 'Joy', which covers maternity as well as newborn baby without any condition on a specific period.

Look Beyond Traditional Ways to Take Care of Your Newborn Baby

Four Ways a Condo Warranty Can Benefit You

We have all had a dishwasher that puttered out or a washing machine that sat idle with clothes floating in a well of water. Fixing creaky old appliances can be costly, and it often seems there is no way of avoiding such expenses. However, many owners and renters have found a solution: purchasing a condo warranty.

Unlike insurance-which covers natural disasters, calamities, and theft-a warranty is a service contract that, among other things, covers major appliances for members of a condominium. These warranties are specifically designed to work within the existing support structure and services provided by your association, so you only pay for the protection you need. Here are four ways a condo warranty can benefit you.

Covers Major Home Appliances and Systems

While the definitions of major systems and appliances may vary from policy to policy, a condo warranty will typically cover HVAC, plumbing, electrical, hot water heaters, garbage disposals, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, washers and dryers, and garage doors. Refrigerators are often covered when they are in the property at the time of purchase. This can be even more beneficial in the event that a retailer or chain goes out of business and/or any coverage you have on the product lapses.

Enhances Market Value

Condo warranties are, in general, cost-saving tools when it comes to maintenance. However, they can also be an enhanced benefit in a competitive seller's market because they increase a unit's marketability. According to the National Home Warranty Association, units on the market that covered by warranties tend to sell about 50 percent faster than homes that are not.

Protects from Potential Post-Sale Legal Disputes

Warranties generally protect the condo's seller from post-sale legal disputes. They allow for the purchaser to invest with confidence, as they are given more security than what is offered by a statute of limitations, which, in most cases, only lasts four years. On the flip side, sellers can avoid legal disputes based on faulty or dysfunctional appliances and systems because they are covered. Of course, reviewing the fine print for specifics is always highly encouraged before purchasing a property.

Provides Peace of Mind

Out of the nine most crucial appliances in the home, at least one is expected to break down at some point in its 13-year average lifespan. A new buyer is assured some peace of mind in knowing that if something goes awry with any of the condo's major appliances or systems, they will likely be covered by the warranty.

Why You Need Liability Coverage From Your Insurance Company

Designed to cover professional practitioners against claims of negligence made by clients or patients, professional liability insurance goes by many names. When used in the medical profession, it is commonly called medical malpractice coverage. Notaries public also require this security, but they refer to it as errors and omissions insurance. Real estate brokers, management consultants, and even website developers are all eligible for protection.

What's It For?

Insurance is used to protect people in case something unfortunate happens. Auto policies protect them in the event of an accident; medical policies protect them from unexpected illnesses; commercial policies protect them from a number of mishaps. If there is a fire, theft, or an accident on the job, the commercial variety will cover it.

Why You Need It

Few companies are fortunate enough to survive for a protracted period of time without getting sued by a client, customer, or employee. Liability coverage from an insurance company is the only shield most businesses have against litigious attorneys. This goes double when an employer competes in a risky industry like construction. Why?

A construction site is arguably the most dangerous working environment on earth. Not because people are careless, but because making something, anything, is risky. Workers fall down stairs; they trip on cords; they cut themselves. Builders must assume this risk and purchase the right amount of coverage from their insurance company to protect them from financial ruin. But that's not all.

These policies not only shield the employer, but they also safeguard his workers. If an electrician falls off a ladder or a carpenter cuts himself, a liability policy will pay his medical bills. Commercial coverage will also cover most attorney fees and court costs if someone files a suit against you.

How Much Do You Need?

As you might expect, the size of the policy often depends on the size of the business. Most actuaries recommend at least one million dollars of professional liability coverage for small businesses. Large businesses and corporations obviously need a lot more and often carry huge policies. Because lawsuits are quite common in the medical profession, malpractice insurance is the most common form of liability coverage.

Most doctors have several million dollars of malpractice coverage at all times. When they work in a large practice, that figure might be five or even ten times as high. Lawyers and accountants must also carry liability because of the high rate of litigation in their fields. But what about everybody else?

Numerous Benefits

Any business that can be held financially responsible for failing to complete a project on time may need to purchase a professional liability policy from their insurance company. This includes general contractors, architects, builders, and many, many more. These policies also cover personal injury, breach of warranty, intellectual property, and security. In short, any company that has more than one employee should have liability coverage.

Why You Need Liability Coverage From Your Insurance Company

Don't Invalidate Fire Insurance

Don't invalidate your fire insurance policy.

I find this a very strange case but it just shows how important it is to read the small print as if you ignore the conditions of the policy your policy could be invalidated.

In this case it was a condition of the FIRE insurance that the SECURITY Alarm was maintained and monitored. Times had been tough for the insured and he let the maintenance of the security alarm lapse and as the ARC had not been paid for 6 months they stopped monitoring the site.

Vandals broke in and set fire to the factory. It was a furniture company and they incurred losses of over £750,000.

The case went to the High Court, the judge had nothing but sympathy for the Directors of the Company and he took 'no pleasure' in ruling that as it was a condition of the combined insurance policy that alarm was to be monitored by an external firm, the Insurers did not have to meet the claim.

There are often conditions attached to the insurance policies we take out which relate directly to the risk. We need to make sure our cars have valid MOTs in order not to invalidate the policy. We are required to notify the insurance company if we get a speeding fine but, to my mind oddly, you do not have to tell them if you decide to do the Speed Awareness Course rather than pay the fine.

I have just come across a case, now in front of the insurance Ombudsman, where an insurance company voided the policy and returned all the premiums because the policy holder had unwittingly exceed the value of the 'valuables' within their contents insurance. They had insured the contents of their house for £60,000 but there was a clause stating that the value of the valuables should not exceed 66% of this.

They had to rush their daughter to hospital, and while they were out the thieves struck taking goods and damaging the property to the value of £70,000. When assessing the claim the loss adjusters calculated that the value if the valuables in the house exceeded £40,000. Normally claims would be 'averaged' to reflect the under insurance, but the insurance company in this case argued that the under insurance voided the policy. As I said this case is in front of the ombudsman as I write.

Back to case in hand where a fire insurance claim was dismissed as a security alarm and monitoring were allowed to lapse. Clients of ours run a hotel and there is someone on reception all the time so if the fire alarm is activated there was always someone on duty to respond. We came round to the time when the annual contract with the ARC [monitoring station] needed to be renewed. The Hotel Manger wanted to cancel it as it was considered an unnecessary expense. I said I agreed but asked him to check with his insurers to make sure they had no objections. The Insurers confirmed; monitoring was a condition of the policy.

Often with in the insurance policy there is a clause that the fire alarm is maintained in accordance with British Standards. It would be interesting to know whether a similar claim has been dismissed as the Fire Alarm has not been adequately maintained.

Don't Invalidate Fire Insurance

Core Agency Values - What Are They and Why Are They Important?

Let's begin with the question; why are agency values important? Agency values are important because they will likely determine the success or failure of your agency. Now that gets my attention.

Whenever the success or failure of a business venture rests on one concept, it warrants the time and effort to understand what's behind the question; what focus or concept do we believe will best produce the result we desire. So, one might ask; just exactly what are some agency values.

To begin, Values are what drives effort and effort is what produces results, good or bad. Effort in the wrong places seldom produces the right results. So there are really two things here that are important-Effort and Direction. While both are important, Effort comes first-you gotta have some before you can direct it. Today we are only talking about Effort, Direction is for another day.

An example of how values drive Effort is often and most visibly played out in sales. A lot of sales activity (Effort) often produces more sales but possibly not the right sales (Direction). Now here is the exciting part-You can really, control your effort by choosing the right Values and matching the talent of new hire to those Values. The key here is to understand that people work to satisfy their values, not yours and don't try to put into someone something that is not already there. All that boils down to looking for and hiring people who have values that match the agency needs.

So now it is beginning to get clear. Why do we want to know your agency values? Answer; so you can hire people with values similar to those of our agency. Now what are some agency Values of importance?

1. Theoretical Values- those who value knowledge and continuous learning or intellectual growth.
2. Traditional Values- those who value the tradition inherent in social structure, rules, regulations and principals.
3. Utilitarian Values- those who value achievement, results, and rewards for their investments of time, resources and energy.
4. Individualistic Values- those who value personal recognition, freedom and control over their future and the future of others.
5. Social Values- those who act to enhance the well-being of others.
6. Aesthetic Values- those who pursue a balance in their lives, who are creative, self-expressive and have a love for beauty and nature.

And here is the real important stuff, after 40 years of research and working with agencies, of all sizes, we know the values most likely to produce success in any situation.

Core Agency Values - What Are They and Why Are They Important?

Should Your Insurance Company Offer Cyber Protection?

Cyber security has become a growing concern for U.S. companies over the past couple of years, and for good reason. Information breaches have not only become increasingly common, but also much larger. Nothing illustrates the state of modern web security quite as well as the most recent breach, which saw hackers target the IRS by exploiting faulty security to compromise over 100,000 taxpayer records.

Similar breaches have also affected much smaller companies, and it's common to see a forward-thinking insurance company racing to adapt. Here is what you need to know to determine if, first, you're actually in need of cyber insurance and, second, what you should look for in a policy.

Are You At Risk?

If you work with customer information of any kind, then the answer is likely yes. The term to look out for here is Personally Identifiable Information, or PII. It's not a technical term, but rather a legal term that carries some teeth if you have to deal with it.

At its root, PII is any piece of collected information that could potentially allow a third party to identify a business's individual clients. Given how good the Internet is at leveraging even tiny hints to track down a person, that definition is awfully broad. Full names, email addresses, site nicknames, and (sometimes) even web cookies can all qualify as PII.

If you're storing anything that falls under the PII umbrella, you're at risk of a breach. Breaches are enormously costly, both for affected customers and for the company responsible for the loss. Companies in the healthcare and retail industries are obviously at an increased risk, but when it comes down to it, any business that makes a habit of collecting information should ask their insurance company about cyber policies.

What Your Cyber Policy Needs

You'll need to look for a few things in any cyber insurance policy. As you may expect, a good policy should cover the financial damages directly caused by a breach. However, cyber attacks can cause financial damage in a wide variety of ways. In particular, make sure that your company is protected against:

- Losses caused by lost time and productivity. A major hack can cause company gears to grind to a halt. Find an insurance company that guarantees coverage for the revenue lost during this period.
- Indemnification caused by a third party. Few modern companies handle their data on their own. Outsourced IT support or other companies can fall victim to a breach that affects your customers.
- Loss of Reputation. Breached companies, even those that have done their due diligence, almost always take a PR hit in the wake of an attack. A good policy offers some cushioning against the customer losses that generally ensue.

Finally, also try your best to work with an insurance company that has an educational component. Some plans will also come with training to avoid a breach. As nice as protection is, it's safe to say that it's best left unused. Installing a set of best practices can help keep you from having to rely on a safety net in the first place.

Should Your Insurance Company Offer Cyber Protection?

Insurance Quotes in a Digital Age

Insurance is great. Yes, it can be a hassle to find. Sorting out the pricing and policies can be complicated. So what if the whole thing could be made as easy as pushing a button? The great news is that it almost has.

What Makes it Frustrating

Making the monthly payment on a premium can be frustrating, but it's easy. Once you file a claim, you realize how much that monthly payment was worth it. Finding the right policy, on the other hand, can be a challenge. There are policies for your home, condo, apartment, motorcycle, car, and health. Also, there are many different companies. Getting insurance quotes from each carrier can take much more time than you have available. Once people find coverage, they rarely re-evaluate it to see if it is still the best option available.

Technological Evolutions

Luckily, the Internet has revolutionized insurance quotes. Trained agents can help you identify what your priorities are and which policy best meets your individual needs. Filling out a simple form online can generate quotes from several major carriers at once. Many agencies are also now able to incorporate smaller, more specialized carriers into their networks as well. The ability to organize and sort through so much information so quickly has made getting insurance quotes almost push-button simple.

Working Closely with an Agent

Getting a variety of insurance quotes is just the first step. The most affordable policy may not be the one that best meets your needs. Understanding the often complex policy language can be a daunting task. At this point, it is essential to get a trained agent involved. Like many service professionals today, agents are highly trained and strictly regulated. They are a personal part of their clients' lives because they are helping to protect the most valuable aspects of a client's life: their health, home, and family. You should be able to work closely with an agent who knows you and understands your priorities.

Your agent can sit down with you and evaluate each of the quotes individually. Together, you can structure a comprehensive package that addresses your coverage needs and financial commitments. The package may consist of the best policies from several carriers or a single umbrella. The use of digital technology allows for highly personalized packages of coverage. With access to so many quotes and coverage options at your fingertips, what you decide to do is up to you.

Obviously finding a safe level of coverage is not something you want to put off until you need it. The task of obtaining insurance quotes and sorting through coverage packages used to prevent people from shopping for insurance. New technology and highly trained agents have simplified the process. Highly personalized packages can provide better coverage and save you money. If you haven't looked at your insurance lately, now is a great time.

Insurance Quotes in a Digital Age

What Is Executive Pension Plan?

As the name implies, an executive pension plan is a tax-efficient savings plan designed especially for executives, senior executives, key employees and directors of a company. It is one of the best forms of pension schemes that enable the executives to get a tax-free income after retirement.

How does this work?

Executive Pension Plan is regulated by the Pensions Regulator. In most cases the employer pays into the plan, in others, both the employer and the employee pay in the plan. Thus a tax-efficient fund is designed for the employee. This is used to provide tax-free cash and a pension income to the executive after his retirement. Executive pension plans are similar to any other pension schemes in which they function as money purchase occupational pension schemes.

Normally, Executive Pension Plans (EPPs) are designed by the company directors for their personal benefit. But it can be utilized by their favoured key employees with the same levels of income that this investment can offer. In such cases, the pension fund is held up under a trust in which the trustees are responsible for the day-to-day administration activities like ensuring if the payment contributions and the payout benefits are maintained regularly. Under this scheme, each employee can have the liberty to retire early or to work past the company's retirement date.

Benefits:

The executive pension plan has huge benefits for the employers when it comes to recruiting potential employees. Employers can attract and motivate the employees and reward them with EPP schemes based on their performance. Showering performance incentives for your employees can be a good idea. But still offering them a long term benefit, something which they could count on even after their active working years allows them to understand that they are your important business assets.

Another benefit of executive pension plan is that certain schemes are eligible for a top up. With an increase in the life expectancy of the applicant, topping up the plan can help in building a larger fund that guarantees a high level of income post retirement.

Moreover, the employees feel comfortable as most of the schemes do not require their regular contribution. Their company will contribute a particular sum of money that goes into their executive pension plan which will mature at the time of their retirement. This is the extra benefit from executive pension schemes that are more advantageous than other forms of plans. With this plan in hand, each employee is guaranteed of tax-free returns for the rest of their life. It also forms part of their main income source which they can depend on at all times.

When it comes to the retirement date, each employee can choose their own year of retirement. They can either choose to retire early or to work past the company's set date of retirement. Whatever the choice is, the employee will still be able to enjoy a worry-free income for the rest of his life. All these advantages attract a large number of executives to sign up for a pension plan that guarantees long time tax-free income.

Do Childcare Facilities Need Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Protection for You

You've got a state-of-the-art child daycare built around a warm, clean and safe atmosphere. The teachers are handpicked professionals that give kids undivided attention, stimulation and fun learning. Children are happy. Staff is fulfilled. Parents are proud. What could go wrong?

Unfortunately, a lot of things - that your general business liability insurance does not cover.

Childcare Claim Examples that Really Occurred!

• Third Party Liability: After a Montessori School stated they could not admit a child due to licensed limited capacity, the parents sued for racial discrimination. The parents insisted that the school had a non-admission policy for African American children and mentioned the fact that the student body did not contain even one African American. Defense and Settlement costs totaled: $67,000.

• Internet / Email Liability: An administrative assistant for a childcare facility sent an email to all employees instead of her intended single recipient. The email contained an embarrassing inappropriate joke. The center's director instructed the employee to send a subsequent apology email to everyone. Just 2 months later, an employee that was laid off due to company downsizing, sued because of a hostile work environment and cited the inappropriate email as proof of an atmosphere that did not respect her religious principles. The facility was discomfited and uninterested in having this lawsuit revealed to the parents.

• Retaliation: An Indian childcare employee objected to the racial insults directed at him by some of his fellow workers. As a result, the owner assigned him to another room where there was less of a staff presence. The new situation warranted less work-time and therefore his hours were reduced. The slighted employee sued the childcare center for discrimination and retaliation for relating the discrimination. Defense and Settlement costs totaled: $125,000.

• Wage and Hour: A Non-Exempt head teacher was covertly tracking hours as she worked the overtime that was requested of her. As a salaried worker, this teacher never mentioned any grievance about the additional workload. When the owner was served a wage-and-hour lawsuit by the teacher, he was caught by surprise. Although there was no way to discern if the teacher's calculations regarding her work hours were precise, the center was guided by their lawyer to settle for the presented amount rather than take the risk of other present and past employees joining the lawsuit.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Employee-related claims come at a steep price. Protect your childcare center from a lawsuit with an EPLI plan that's tailored to you.

EPLI

An EPLI policy protects you against lawsuit claims made by current, past and possible employers, as well as visitors. It's coverage for a wide range of suits that stem from:

1. Wrongful termination

2. Discrimination

3. Sexual harassment

4. Service refusal

5. Other employee claims

What Is Executive Pension Plan?

Do Childcare Facilities Need Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

Insurance for the Gum Industry? There's Coverage Every Chomp of the Way!

"I chew gum because it distracts me from eating and helps curb my appetite."

Those that think chewing gum can be used as an aid to dieting or to maintain proper food consumption, may have another thing coming to them. According to studies, the gains, made by the associated reduction of hunger, is mitigated by the resulting ingestion of less nutritious foods than non gum-chewers. Results of research in fact show that gum chewers are more prone to eat junk food, such as potato chips and candy. The junk food preference may well be the after-effects of the common gum mint flavor that causes fruit and vegetable to taste bitter.

Desperately need that stick of gum? Check out these suggestions to curb food cravings and relieve life's stress; they may just be the perfect substitute!

To reduce food cravings:

• Drink more water
• Exercise
• Don't skip breakfast
• Eat wholesome, protein-rich small meals, frequently, instead of three large daily meals
• Satisfy yourself with tea

To relieve life's stress:

• Eat wholesome foods and don't skip breakfast
• Enjoy a hot glass of chamomile or green tea
• Take a brisk walk
• Exercise
• Refresh yourself with a drink of water
• Catch a brief catnap
• Use relaxing breathing techniques

Who created gum in the first place?

Incredible as it seems, the concept of gum dates back at least to the time of the Greek Empire when people would chew on resin from the mastic tree, named specifically because of the chomping that it provided for humans. Back then, the activity served dually as a tooth-cleaning exercise and a breath freshener. Later, The New England colonists learned the art of spruce resin gum chewing from the Native Americans that they encountered.

Like many innovations, contemporary chewing gum is a product of a business manufacturing gaffe.

In 1869, the exiled previous Mexican president, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, lived in Staten Island. Hearing the rumors about latex derived from a tree in Yucatan that might be rubber's counterpart, he decided to try his luck in the venture despite any potential risks or liability losses that the undertaking might have. After purchasing a massive amount, he hired the inventor, Thomas Adams, to process it. Unfortunately, there was no insurance coverage policy that protected either de Santa Anna or Adams. Not only did the assignment fail, it left poor Adams with a surplus of 'useless' material.

Then, Adams detected some notable qualities in the substance. In its dried form, the latex was insoluble in water; in addition, it was fairly plastic. Placing it in his mouth, Adams discovered a chewable pleasure, likened to the paraffin matter sold in drug stores of the times.

In 1871, the 'failed' inventor patented his gum, ultimately adding flavors that forwarded his brand. Adam's gum became a genuine sensation when the Wrigley Company expanded the popularity with advertising.

Despite the success that developed until today, you can bet your bottom dollar that Wrigley's currently has the necessary general liability, business insurance and commercial auto insurance that protect their booming enterprise from lawsuits, claims, and so on.

Compare Term Plans, Buy the Bes

You are working so hard to meet the needs and desires of your family. You have high hopes for their future. All your efforts are sincerely driven so that they lead a good life and occupy respectable positions in the family. But as we all know about the uncertainty of life in this mortal world, things don't seem that bright once we are not there with them. They would miss our care, our guidance and of course the money that we bring in to sustain them. There comes the role of life insurance, specifically term insurance. Term plans are designed with the intension to replace your income and make your loss to your family easier to some extent. A fixed sum is agreed to be paid by the insurer at the commencement of the plan, which is in fact a considerable amount of money and proportionately very huge compared to the premium paid.

Why compare term plans? This question is very important. The answer is not just difference in premium or different claim settlement ratios of companies. But different companies provide various other features that add to the basic term plan. Be it monthly income or extra coverage for some critical diseases, some companies hire a specialist team to provide claim assistance to the nominee etc. Thus, when purchasing a term plan one must be aware of the different features or riders (added benefits) provided by the insurer. Each person has a different type of requirement. Thus, one must be clear which company provides those features in their term plans that suit their requirements best. Thus, comparing term plans before just buying is a wise thing to do and all experts recommend it.

Now another question comes, how to compare? This is a very relevant question because nowadays you find insurance companies in every nook and corner. LIC is no more the sole player selling life insurance. With so many companies offering term plans with different features, it is havoc to even dare to think of comparing. These agents would do anything in their capacity to make you believe that only their company's plan is the best. So, you don't get the right information. We cannot expect you to study websites of all the insurance companies and chart out the best plan for yourself.

That problem is now addressed to a great extent by the rising capacity these insurance web aggregators are assuming in the insurance space. They intend to provide unbiased comparison in a very consumer friendly way. Thus, it is a good initiative taken by IRDA to promote Insurance Web Aggregators that provide healthy comparison in the best interest of the consumer.

Unemployment Insurance - The Controllable Tax

While often overlooked, unemployment insurance (UI) tax is a unique and interesting business obligation, because it is the tax over which a company has significant control. The ability to control both the size of the base exposed to taxation as well as the tax rate itself means planning opportunities exist here that are not found in other forms of taxation.

Consider that:

It may be altogether avoidable, depending on your state, business structure and appropriate use of independent contractors, and
It is highly responsive to behaviors and actions that you can control, monitor and measure.
Unlike a sales or income tax, unemployment insurance does not directly tax revenue or profitability. Rather, it is similar to an ad valorem tax in that it is a type of tax on productive capacity. But unlike an ad valorem tax, a company has control over the base on which that tax is levied. UI is based on a measure of payroll and smart job structuring and hiring decisions allow a company to maximize revenue with a certain sized workforce while minimizing payroll exposed to taxation.

Unlike other taxes, unemployment insurance tax rate is experience rated. This means that, in most states, a company's rate is based largely on its previous success in defending UI claims. Because of this experience rating aspect of UI, implementing effective changes today benefits not only the current quarter, but the years to come.

Companies that operate with UI consequences in mind can realize benefits beyond a lower tax rate. Often they see improvements in HR and communication processes in addition to becoming more efficient due to some standardization. In implementing changes, proactivity is the key and the human resources department is where most of the work must be done - especially in the areas of position announcement, selection, communication and retention.

It was mentioned that in the appropriate use of independent contractors can help a company avoid unemployment taxation altogether. But "appropriate" must be understood in light of UI laws in the state(s) where it does business. Each state's law regarding independent contractors must be understood or the company could face contractors being reclassified as employees.

However, if properly managed, unemployment insurance can be reduced until it's a relatively small business obligation. But to accomplish this, companies must implement change with an in-depth understanding of their state's UI laws, policy and practices. Thus, company's should consider consulting with experts in each new state where they are doing business, rather than learn state specific legislation as mistakes are made.

Unemployment Insurance - Purpose and Summary

Unemployment insurance (UI) is a form of insurance that American society has with itself. Its purpose to create a savings pool from which qualified workers can draw if they are out of work under certain circumstances. By receiving an income during periods of unemployment, recipients can afford basic necessities until they can again be productively employed. Considering how dependent the American economy is on consumer spending, the inability of people to engage each other economically can have drastic and eventually far-reaching consequences.

The UI social safety net differs somewhat from other welfare type programs in that it is not based on economic need, but upon past employment history and the circumstances surrounding the worker's separation from their previous employment. People that have been in the workforce for longer periods of time are generally able to receive benefits for more weeks. Since UI is a form of replacement income, the dollar value of benefits a person can receive is tied to the wages they received while working.

Viewed from one perspective, UI functions as a type of government mandated savings plan for workers, by requiring liable companies to "hold back" revenue that could otherwise be distributed to them. Viewed from another perspective, unemployment insurance is a type of tax on the economic prosperity that the workers create. Either way the cost of UI to business is determined largely by the amount of potential future benefits workers might receive and the taxing policies adopted by those in charge of each state's UI program.

Funding for unemployment insurance comes from two sources - separate state and federal UI taxes. Liable companies pay a UI tax to their state government, creating a trust fund for the payment of future benefits. These same companies pay a federal unemployment tax to the IRS each year. Annually, each state receives a grant of these federal taxes to fund the employees and UI services that their UI agency provides.

This dual funding mechanism mirrors the dual approach to administration that operates UI programs across the nation. Since the federal taxes pay for UI employees and services, the federal government sets out broad program requirements that the states must operate within as well as operating goals and targets that they must meet. For example, states must operate in such as way that a certain percentage of submitted UI claims are adjudicated and paid within 21 days. Since state UI taxes pay for benefits, state agencies decide tax provisions that fund the benefits as well as rules that allow or deny individual UI claims.

This structure, both for funding and operating the UI program, allows for a healthy tension to exist between the large and diverse stakeholder populations that can be impacted by the UI program.

Buying Financial Insurance in Canada

If you're a Canadian and have been in the workforce for a decade or more, then you know that your income purchases less today than the first year of your working career. Inflation is a part of our society and while our government continues to devalue our money by printing more and more of it, inflation will undoubtedly continue. This is not only a Canadian concern though. All around the world people are feeling the effects of inflation due to excessive money printing; but more on that another time. The long-and-short-of-it all is this: YOUR MONEY WILL continue to BUY LESS as the years go by.

A quick 100-year calculation using the Bank of Canada (BoC) inflation calculator showed the cost of a fixed "basket" of consumer purchases in 1915 was $100.00. At the end of 2015 that cost was $2,083.61. More recently, over the last 10 years prices have gone up 18.01%. Has your income gone up by the same or greater?

The answer is probably, No.

Whether you're a six-figure earner or you make 30k a year, your "money" is losing buying power. There are a lot of ways that you can protect your money from devaluation but we'll discuss two common options people take.

One option is the stock market; put a lump of your savings into a portfolio and see what happens. Sounds like gambling to me. But if you're prepared to leave your finances up to other factors (and people) other than your own due diligence, then putting your money into stocks may be a good fit for you under the following two conditions:

You have the stomach for volatility and,
Your primary objective is to see a substantial return in a short period of time... hopefully.
Another option, and this tends to be the easiest and most selected, is to open a bank savings account. No hassle involved; just open the account, decide how much you want to save and how often, put it on auto-pilot and watch your savings grow.

Really?

In today's economy, bank savings accounts are not a viable savings vehicle. Most of the interest rates offered are earning below inflation rates. The sad reality is many savers make a future withdrawal only to realize that thy have lost money on an after-inflation basis.

So, what do you do if you're not a savvy investor?

Buy financial insurance.

We have insurance for almost every aspect of our lives yet insurance is something many of us hopes we never need to use.

Buying financial insurance in Canada, or anywhere else for that matter, is putting your money into a vehicle that is protected long-term from the ups and downs of the volatile economy.

Buying financial insurance preserves your buying power and provides a hedge against inflation.

The global economy is changing but the only economy that should matter to you is yours.

Proper Information Aids You in Making Smart Decisions

Life gives you many alternatives. The most important decision you have to make is to choose among those alternatives. This task becomes even more complex when there are a large number of alternatives. It is a known fact that you are able to take good decisions when you have decent subject knowledge. With proper knowledge you are at a higher perspective. You are able to compare the options and go for the one which weighs highest amongst its competitors.

When we talk about buying insurance policies, you would find that there are so many companies selling nearly similar products. Thus, here you would have to scrutinize carefully which company or product gives you the best deal. Having proper knowledge about the company liquidity, claims settlement ratios and their services would make your comparison better and would aid you to take the best possible decision. Analyze your needs and decide how much insurance you need. Calculate the premium charged by various companies for your type of insurance requirement. You would be surprised to know that there is significant difference in the premiums charged by companies. Newer companies generally charge lower premium to win the competition in their favour. Here you have to decide whether you would trust a new company for lower premium. Calculate your risk hunch. These days most of this information is available online. Online sources give adequate and mostly unbiased information to aid your research for taking the optimum decision. Surely, you would like to get good value for the hard earned money spent by you. It hurts when you know later that you could by a better product for the price spent by you. Thus, do thorough research prior to buying an insurance product.

When you have your valuable assets insured you get a peace that is unmatched. To attain that peace do a little research and get a plan that best fulfills your needs and ambitions. You can concentrate better on your core duties when you have arranged to safeguard your assets. Proper comparison weeds out weak insurance policies from the market and companies are forced to upgrade their offerings.

Online portals provide a good base to compare the plans of various companies and let the customer buy the best. They are able to take well informed decisions. This openness forces insurance companies to withdraw their bad products and bring out modified plans with competitive features. With healthy comparison you can chose plans that suit your needs and requirements best. As it is a well understood fact that every individual has different needs and expectations from insurance. Thus, be well informed. As earlier said there are many people in the market who would cheat you and induce you into buying a weak insurance plan. By comparing plans online people save significant amounts of money and avail plans with good coverage. When you purchase plans online everything is documented and recorded. Thus, the propensity to cheat reduces significantly.

Comparison always promotes quality. When the customer is well informed the companies are driven to constantly improve their offerings. It ensures better service. You get the maximum value for the money spent by you. You get to know your insurance requirements by online research.

Physician Reimbursement Fraud: Are You A Victim?

Have you ever been sedated by general anesthesia and wonder what really occurs? A patient came into the office to receive a routine tooth extraction and to have a tooth capped. After the patient was sedated, the surgery began. The extraction went as planned and we began to proceed to cap the damaged tooth. As the surgeon examined the broken tooth, he discovered capping would not be beneficial; but to file it down. I felt as this was an act of generosity; he saved the tooth and the patient did not have to file such a large claim to the insurance company. When the case was completed the surgeon filled out the proper paper work, filed it with administration and informed the patient that the extraction and capping of the tooth went exceptionally well. While leading the patient out of the office I glanced at the super bill and under the column of procedures, the CPT code for capping a tooth was marked as if that procedure took place. As I approached the surgeon about this, I suspected it to be a mistake. How would you feel if a surgeon replied with," they (the patient) will never know, it comes out of the insurance companies' pocket."

The previous account is an example of reimbursement fraud. There are accounts of physicians committing fraud, and yet, the small number of dishonest surgeons is rarely detected. Reimbursement fraud is a scheme used by employees/employers to claim a higher payout when an action or motive did not take place (Wynia, Cummins, VanGeest, & Wilson 2000). This action is against the law, and physician penalties entail: paying high fines, subject to imprisonment, and possibly termination of the practice. Misleading CPT codes are the most efficient way of reimbursement fraud in the medical field. CPT codes are a five digit number that describes medical treatment procedures and aid in billing. Physicians can easily alter cost amounts by changing one number in the CPT code. By acting on this, the physician has not only betrayed the patient, but has committed a crime, and costs insurances companies thousands of dollars.

Reimbursement fraud can be stopped in numerous ways. As a patient, after a procedure demand detailed receipts of what charges have been applied. This receipt will include all procedures that took place, co-payments collected if needed and CPT codes. The CPT codes will not make sense, but as a patient you do have the right to research what the code may interpret. Another way to protect yourself is to inquire about scheduling a conference with the staff that was present during the procedure. In doing so, you as the patient, are reinforcing your questions or concerns with an eyewitness. If you or someone you know may suspect reimbursement fraud please call 1-800-318-2596 (Palmer, 2013).

How to Find the Best Insurance Agency

When you need coverage, you should look to your insurance agency to find the right policy. You might not be aware of some of the policies available to you. While you might think your traditional insurance will cover everything, you might be surprised to find out where traditional homeowner's, rental, medical, and car coverage fall short.

Different Types of Coverage

If you should determine that you need any of these supplemental options, you should check with your insurance agency to find out whether they offer the coverage in question. Not all underwriters offer these policies. You may have to get these supplemental offerings from other agents.

If you have a dog, then you might want to purchase a dog bite or "pet liability" plan. While you might think that your four-legged friend would never harm anyone, there is always a chance that it could happen. According to the Insurance Information Institute, half of all incidents happen on the owner's property. While homeowner's liability may cover the medical costs, there can be complications, such as when incidents happen away from home. Having a specific dog bite policy will handle any unforeseen problems.

Those who live in coastal areas will want to get flood insurance. This protects your belongings from damage due to floods. What most homeowners don't realize is that traditional homeowner's plans do not cover this damage. That is why it is important to purchase these policies separately.

Burial coverage gives your surviving family members money to pay the cost of your funeral and burial. The cost is nominal, totaling only a few dollars a week or month. This policy is not often sold through a traditional insurance agency. You will either have to go to a broker or purchase from a funeral home.

Personal electronic equipment policies give you more protection than the standard homeowner's plan. A traditional plan does not cover damage caused by installation errors. These programs offer repair or replacement of electronics such as computers, stereos, and televisions.

If you have valuable items like jewelry or high-end electronics, then you want to have supplemental coverage. While your homeowners plan does cover some items in the event of fire or theft, it does not cover everything.

Some businesses offer their full-time employees short-term disability. However, if your company is not one of those groups, you should look into having short-term disability added. Medical plans will help to cover bills from doctors and hospitals, but it will not help to cover normal monthly bills that can pile up if you have to miss work. While not all short-term disability programs are the same, it is something you should check into to ensure that you don't fall behind on your bills.

You need to research and understand the different types of coverage available to you. If you are unsure, an insurance agency can assist you in finding the information you require.

How To Get The Best Insurance Quotes

What things should you keep in mind when looking for a way to make payments to your current insurer without any hassle? What does the insurance cover? Can you go for the online insurance option? Read on for the answers to these commonly asked questions.

Most people tend to pay their insurance company whatever amount they demand in order to avoid the hassle. But is it compulsory for you to get car insurance quotes from a local company? No, you are not bound to do so, especially if you have access to the Internet. Almost, everything costs you loss if you buy it online, isn't it? So, why can't you get insurance quotes online? Of course, you can.

How to get quotes?

There is no doubt that the web has brought a revolution in the world of car insurance. Nowadays, getting insurance quotes from the comfort of your home is a piece of cake. There are so many insurance providers online that their quotes have become quite competitive.

So, how can you get quotes online? Well, it is simple. All you need to do is go to an insurance site offering quotes online upon request. Once you have chosen a site, you can enter your details and the hit Enter. You will get a quote instantly or after a few hours in your email. As an alternative, you can try out an insurance aggregator website, which will submit your entered information to a number of online insurers. You will get a lot of quotes in seconds in your desired order.

Once you have got the cheapest quote, you can complete your transaction by phone or through the website of the company that offered the quote.

Choose a responsive provider

Most people have to deal with dishonest insurers since they don't have the information they need. With the advent of online insurance companies, it has become a lot easier to get cheap insurance. If you have no idea where to go and what to do, you may want to try out an insurance quote aggregator site. What do you need to keep in mind during your research? The first and foremost thing is that you should not go with a company offering the lowest quotes and low quality service. The insurer should be ready to answer your questions when you call them. Moreover, they should respond to your emails and calls promptly.

Lastly, it is very important to keep in mind that you should go with only an insurance provider who is popular and trust worthy. What does this mean? How can you find out if an insurance provider is trusty worthy? You can easily weed good providers out of bad ones. You just need to go to insurance provider review sites and then read reviews on several providers. At the end, you should choose one that has lots of positive reviews.

So, if you are looking for cheap insurance quotes, you can use the two methods explained above. Since there are so many insurance providers online, it looks like the days of conventional, local brokers have been numbered. With the passage of time, online insurance quote providers will run circles around local providers.