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robintek

May 04
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The Fastest Growing Temp Jobs of 2015

By Employment Resources
Almost three million people work in temp jobs. Would you? Temp jobs used to be popular only for employees who were laid off or between jobs, but many people currently use temp jobs as a way to explore career options, make connections in a variety of industries or enjoy a flexible work environment.
If you’re interested in a temp job, you’ll be glad to hear that their availability is on the rise. According to a recent CareerBuilder report, over 350,000 new temp jobs are expected to open by 2019. Learn more about the fastest growing temp jobs in the country as you consider using one to meet your personal and professional needs.
1. Home health aides earn an average wage of $10.12 an hour, and temp jobs for employees in this career field will increase by 15 percent by 2019.
2. Substitute teachers earn $13.00 an hour. This job ties with five other jobs that are expected to grow by 14 percent through 2019.
3. Demonstrators and product promoters earn $12.26.
4. Restaurant cooks receive an average of $10.73 per hour.
5. Retail salespersons bring home an average hourly pay of $10.13.
6. Childcare workers earn an average of $9.81 an hour.
7. Gaming dealers earn $9.22 for one hour of work.
8. Pharmacy technicians earn $14.47 an hour and are employed in one of four industries that are expected to grow by 13 percent by 2019.
9. Landscapers and groundskeepers earn $11.73.
10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs make $11.28 on average per hour.
11. Maids and housekeepers receive an average hourly wage of $10.07.
Which one of these temp jobs would you like? While they offer flexibility and teach you new skills, they usually don’t include insurance coverage. Talk to your insurance agent about affordable health and life insurance policies. With these basics covered, you’re free to work one, two or several jobs in the fastest growing temp job industries as you expand your resume, build your network and support yourself and your family.

 

May 04
Love0

Understand Your Maternity Leave Options

By Employment Resources
Maternity leave gives new moms an opportunity to bond with their child. What happens, though, if you want extra time off. Understand your maternity leave options as you decide how to maximize your leave time and enjoy your child.
Paid Maternity Leave
Many employers offer paid maternity leave. You’ll find details in your employee manual and from your human resources manager. While average maternity leaves last 12 weeks, your employer may offer additional time off, including paid paternity leave.
Vacation and Sick Days
When you have vacation and sick days saved, apply them toward your maternity leave. You’ll receive pay for those days, but you won’t have them to use later in the year when you might really need that time.
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Your short-term disability insurance coverage might include maternity leave coverage. Select this option, and you’ll typically receive half of your normal salary and a benefit cap. Short-term disability coverage also typically starts after your paid maternity leave ends.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
You may be eligible for FMLA if you have worked more than 1,250 hours over the last 12 months for a covered employer with more than 50 employees in the U.S. Under FMLA guidelines, eligible employees receive 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn, foster or adopted child or to care for a child who’s affected by a serious health condition. You may also be able to divide the weeks into chunks depending on your employer. While it’s an attractive option, remember that you may need to use vacation and sick days before taking FMLA.
Unpaid Leave
If you find that your employer doesn’t offer enough time off, ask about unpaid leave. It keeps your job secure, but make sure you have enough money saved for living expenses since you won’t receive a paycheck.
When you’re preparing to welcome a new child into the world, understand your maternity leave options. They help you maximize your time away from work as you care for your family.

 

May 04
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Key Ways to Reduce High Blood Pressure Risk

By Life and Health

Sixty-seven million US adults, or one in three, suffer from high blood pressure, which makes the heart work hard and increases a person’s heart disease and stroke risk. May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month and the perfect time to start thinking about ways you can reduce your high blood pressure.

1. Know if You’re High Risk

Everyone’s at risk for developing high blood pressure, but certain factors increase your risk.

*Men under 64

*Woman over 65

*Family history of high blood pressure

*African Americans

*Previously diagnosed diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure

Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be as you seek to stay healthy.

2. Reduce Sodium Intake

Sodium is a major cause in high blood pressure. Most Americans consumer twice as much sodium as recommended, which is 2,300 mg for healthy adults and 1,500 mg for high-risk adults. Reduce your sodium intake when you cut high-sodium processed foods and flavor foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.

3. Eat More Potassium

Potassium combats sodium as you fight high blood pressure. Find it in foods like green leafy vegetables, fish, citrus fruits, bananas and potatoes.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Achieving a healthy weight can reduce your high blood pressure risk. Try adding 30 minutes of moderate exercise to your daily routine and eat a balanced diet as you reach your ideal weight. Ask your doctor for additional guidance.

5. Cut Smoking and Alcohol

Because smoking increases your high blood pressure risk, ask your doctor or health insurance agent about smoking cessation tips and classes. Also, drink no more than two alcoholic beverages a day if you’re a man and one if you’re a woman.

6. Take Prescribed Medications

If your doctor prescribes medication, take it regularly. A timer or daily routine will help you remember.

No single action erases your high blood pressure risk. However, take these steps as you do your part in staying as healthy as possible. For additional tips, talk to your doctor and health insurance agent during High Blood Pressure Awareness month.

May 04
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High-Risk Hobbies Could Affect Your Life Insurance Premiums

By Life and Health

Staying active can help you live longer. Plus, hobbies are fun. The hobbies you choose could impact your life insurance rates, though, especially if you enjoy certain high-risk activities that include high fatality rates and thus pose a greater risk to insurance companies.

1. Hang Gliding

In 2011, pilot error and equipment malfunction contributed to at least seven hang gliding fatalities. Additionally, safety experts report that one in 116,000 of all hang gliding flights could result in accidents.

2. Civilian Pilot

Congratulations on earning your pilot’s license. Unfortunately, hundreds of non-commercial aviation accidents occur annually, and 378 pilots died in 2010 from pilot error, equipment malfunction and bad weather.

3. Mountain Climbing

Grab your gear to scale high peaks, but expect to pay more for life insurance, too. The American Alpine Club reports that an average of 25 mountain climbers die each year from equipment malfunctions, bad weather, falling rocks or faulty equipment, and many more suffer from injuries while enjoying this risky sport.

4. Sky Diving

Three million people sky dive each year, according to the U.S. Parachuting Association. While 21 divers or one in 142,000 jumpers died in 2010 from equipment malfunctions, midair mistakes and loss of consciousness also cause accidents during this dangerous sport.

5. Recreational Boating

Alcohol, bad weather conditions or captain error contributed to the 736 recreational boating fatalities in 2009. That same year, 4,370 accidents caused property damage of roughly $36 million, according to the Coast Guard.

6. Motorcycle Riding

They’re fun to ride, but intoxicated drivers, excessive speed and failure to wear a helmet contributed to 4,462 motorcycle deaths in 2009.

Hobbies help you blow off steam and have fun, but your high-risk hobbies could cause your life insurance premiums to rise. Discuss policy specifics with your insurance agent. Remember to also ask about additional ways you can enjoy your favorite sports while maintaining affordable life insurance coverage. Then get ready to have fun and stay safe!

May 04
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Give Your Mom Life Insurance for Mother’s Day

By Life and Health

Does your mom nurture, care and love you through thick and thin? Show her how much you care by giving her a life insurance policy for Mother’s Day.

Life insurance is not the first gift that comes to mind when you want to honor your mm, but it’s a practical gift that won’t die like a floral bouquet, and it gives her something she can really use, unlike yet another nightgown. Life insurance also gives your precious mom peace of mind since the policy funds can be used to pay for her funeral expenses and any outstanding bills. Consider this affordable investment as you decide how to honor your mom and repay her a little bit for all the investments she made in you over the years.

How Much Will it Cost?

The cost of life insurance policies varies from person to person. You can’t put a price on your mom’s peace of mind, but do consider several factors that typically affect the cost of life insurance. These factors include:

Health: A healthy adult will pay lower life insurance premiums. The same principle applies to non-smokers. Some companies require a medical exam to determine the insured health conditions, but others do not.

Gender: Policies for women typically cost less than policies for men. That’s because women tend to outlive men by five or more years, which makes them less of a risk and thus cheaper to insure.

Coverage Needs: Higher coverage amounts mean higher premiums. So if your mom is the primary income earner in her household, you’ll want to purchase a life insurance policy with higher coverage.

Age: Older premium holders will often pay more for their life insurance policy.

Risk: People who work or engage in a high-risk or dangerous occupation or hobby will pay more for life insurance.

Check with your insurance agent to discuss the life insurance policy options for your mom. Then choose a policy that’s right for her needs. While it’s an unconventional Mother’s Day gift, it’s one way you can honor your mother today and for years to come.

May 04
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Why You Need Umbrella Insurance if You Work From Home

By Personal Perspective

Work from home, and you have the pleasure of working in a field you love, making your own hours and avoiding a long commute. Unfortunately, you’re also at risk of being sued if you make a mistake, cause an accident or invade someone’s privacy. You need the liability protection that umbrella insurance provides.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

You already have homeowners or renters insurance that covers your home’s structure and belongings, but working from home brings an additional set of problems your current insurance may not cover. You could accidentally share a client’s personal data or fail to deliver on a promised deadline. In both cases, you could be sued and lose your home, vehicle and other assets.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Umbrella insurance provides liability coverage as it protects your assets and gives you peace of mind. While umbrella insurance policies vary, most cover:

*Damage caused to someone else’s property

*Injuries received during an accident

*False claims

*Invasion of privacy

*False arrest

How Much Does Umbrella Insurance Cost?

There’s no standard industry fee for umbrella insurance, so you’ll need to discuss cost details with your agent. However, coverage is usually available in increments of one million dollars, and the average cost per million in coverage is $200-$300 per year.

Why do you Need umbrella Insurance if you Work From Home?

Because you work at home, you alone hold the responsibility for your mistakes and liabilities. You don’t have a company or corporation backing you up and covering any lawsuits you may face. Instead of risking your home, vehicle, business and other assets, invest in umbrella insurance.

In today’s lawsuit-happy world, umbrella insurance is one asset that’s almost a necessity as you establish, maintain or grow your work from home business. Call your insurance agent right now and discuss your specific business and insurance needs. You may need the coverage and peace of mind it provides.

 

May 04
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Do You Need Insurance Coverage When You Rent a Vacation Home?

By Personal Perspective

Renting a house saves you big bucks on vacation since it’s usually cheaper per night than a hotel. Plus, you have amenities like a washer and dryer, kitchen, full bath and maybe even a large backyard. That doesn’t mean, though, that your vacation home is perfect. Like any home, it’s susceptible to thieves, weather damage or other problems.

You might want to invest in insurance coverage as you rent a vacation home this summer.

Make Sure the Landlord has Property Insurance

You don’t plan to go on vacation and have a terrible time, but accidents, bad weather and mistakes happen. Who will pay the bill if the home’s rotted stair railing fails and sends you tumbling off the steps and into the ER? Can you afford to replace an antique vase you or one of your kids accidentally breaks?

In most cases, the landlord’s insurance will cover these accidents. Always ask if the home is covered before you sign a rental agreement, though, to ensure you’re not left covering the bill that should be the vacation home owner’s responsibility.

Make Sure you Have Insurance

Most homeowner and renters insurance policies cover your belongings if they’re lost, stolen or damaged. This coverage applies whether you’re in your home, at school or at vacation.

It’s a good idea to double check your policy before you travel. Add additional coverage if necessary to ensure you are indeed covered for every possible scenario. Ensure the policy is current and paid in full, too. You don’t want to file a claim while on vacation and discover that your coverage lapsed.

Renting a house can be an affordable, comfortable and fun part of your next vacation. Before you sign a lease agreement, make sure the home and your possessions are insured. The peace of mind helps you truly relax and unwind no matter where your vacation takes you. 

May 04
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Auto Insurance Coverage for Borrowed Vehicles

By Personal Perspective

Do you ever borrow a friend’s car or let someone borrow yours? In either case, you could be liable to pay for any damages or expenses caused by an accident. Understand how auto insurance works for borrowed cars before you borrow or lend a vehicle.

Insurance is Specific to the Vehicle

When you purchase auto insurance for a vehicle, the coverage stays with that vehicle. Borrow a car, and you also borrow that car’s auto insurance. Likewise, lend your car to someone, and that person borrows your vehicle’s insurance.

Your Auto Policy Covers You and Immediate Family Members

Typically, auto insurance covers the primary insured, which is usually you, and members of your immediate family who drive the car. It doesn’t cover anyone who doesn’t have your permission to operate the vehicle. So if your child gives a friend permission to drive your car but doesn’t ask you first, that person isn’t technically covered by your auto insurance policy.

Before you Borrow a Vehicle

Even if you’re an excellent driver, accidents can happen. Be sure the vehicle you borrow has current insurance with adequate coverage. Also, understand that your policy could be tapped as secondary coverage after an accident, meaning you could be responsible for expensive vehicle repairs, large medical bills or costly fines that result from an auto accident in a borrowed vehicle.

Before you Allow Someone to Borrow Your Vehicle

Give someone permission to borrow you vehicle, and you also give them your insurance coverage. Never allow an unlicensed, inexperienced or unsafe driver to operate your car. If they’re in an accident, you could face criminal charges, lose your auto insurance or be left with expensive bills.

Borrowing or lending a vehicle isn’t as easy as handing over the keys. Check your policy and talk to your auto insurance agent for specific details about your coverage and responsibility. With the facts, you can borrow or lend a car with confidence.

May 04
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Insure Your Vacation Property for Less With Four Tips

By Personal Perspective

Vacation season is almost here. Do you plan to hit the beach or head for the mountains? No matter where you’re going to relax and unwind, make sure the vacation property you own is insured. Use four tips to save money on your policy and protect your assets.

What is Vacation Home Insurance?

Your primary home insurance policy includes coverage that protects your house and possessions. It pays for repairs needed after a fire, bad weather like tornadoes, hurricanes and rain, snow, wind, lightning and hail storms or burglaries and vandalism. Insurance also covers liability you may face if someone’s injured on your property or bitten by your dog. The same coverage applies to your insured vacation home.

Ways to Save on Insurance Costs

You certainly do not want to let your vacation home sit uninsured. Because you don’t live there year round, it’s more susceptible to burglaries and weather damage that can go unnoticed for months and lead to additional and expensive repairs. Vacation home insurance can be expensive, though, and might not be an expense you consider when you buy your second home.

You can easily cut your insurance costs when you:

1. Install a new security system, preferably to one that alerts the police or other outside security agency.

2. Update the home’s overall structure, electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC and insulation. These measures reduce the risk of storm, fire and other damage to your vacation house.

3. Bundle home, auto and vacation home insurance policies with the same company. Shop around every year to find the best coverage and price.

4. Ask your insurance agent about a loyalty, senior citizen, lump sum payment or non-smoking discount.

A home insurance policy for your vacation house is a necessity. With four tips, you can save money on your policy. Discuss your specific needs and your policy details with your insurance agent, and then prepare to enjoy your next vacation with peace of mind because your house is covered by vacation home insurance.

May 04
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Water Damage Happens: Do You Have a Plan to Fight It?

By Risk Management Bulletin

Spring is a wet and rainy season for most parts of the U.S., and that makes it a good time to make sure your business is protected against losses due to water damage. Most water damage arises from three sources:

1. rain or surface water runoff

2. gray or foul water from ice machines, cafeterias, coffee machines or lavatories

3. water from facility systems like HVAC, boiler rooms or connections to city supplies.

The first step in preventing damage is assessing where damage is most likely to occur. Touring the property and making a list of potential entry points for water can provide you with the information you need to develop a risk mitigation plan.
After identifying potential sources of water damage, create a checklist that can help ensure a consistent review. Keep in mind, checklists should be updated when new features are added or whenever construction takes place that could affect your facility’s risk of damage.

ü  Here are a few potential questions for your checklist:

ü  Is a system in place to surveil for small leaks on a regular basis?

ü  Are small leaks being repaired promptly?

ü  When a leak occurs, is it evaluated to determine if it poses any future risk or if it’s a one-time occurrence?

ü  Are facility diagrams updated with recent plumbing changes and all shutoff valves?

ü  Are shutoff valves regularly checked for proper operation?

ü  Are all storage tanks (including boilers and hot water tanks) regularly checked for leaks?

ü  Is a leak response plan in place and do key personnel understand the protocol for handling leaks?

ü  Who is authorized to call in repair personnel or outside contractors on an emergency basis when leaks are identified?

ü  When outside contractors are called in, is there a process for monitoring them to ensure systems are maintained?

This brief list can serve as a jump-off point for your own checklist, based on your specific facility. Even if your business is not in a moisture-prone area, spring is a great time to develop a water damage mitigation plan.
Need help? Ask your insurance agent for some tips and guidance.

 

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