A good risk management plan means cheaper insurance premiums and a better deal for your business.

The reason for insurance is that by taking out insurance it transfers your risk of loss to the insurer, in exchange for a regular premium.

What Affects your Premium?
- Claims History
- Risk Management Practices

If you identify potential hazards in your business, and put a plan of action in place to protect your business against those hazards, you will therefore minimize your risk.

When this is put in place you are less likely to suffer a serious loss in your business, and this allows your insurer to offer you a better deal.

Business Risks usually fall under 3 headings:

1. Health and Safety

Health and safety is ever changing and evolving. The practice of this guarantees that employees have;
- A safe place to work
- Safe work practices
- A safe operating plant and equipment
- Safe access to and from the workplace.

Top 5 Health and Safety Risks

1. Slips, Trips and fall
2. Manual handling injuries
3. Falls from a height
4. Plants and equipment injuries
5. Falling objects

2. Property and Business Interruption

Always remember that your buildings, equipment and stock have to be covered just as much as your workforce has to be.

Control your Property Risk

Be conscious of the risk factors in;
- The workplace
- Your work processes
- Location of your property
- Your buildings' security and how appealing it is to intruders

Business Interruption

This cover provides for;
- Loss of profit
- increased working costs
- Or if you lose your property due to a massive fire

Top 5 Property and Business Interruption Risks

1. Fire and Smoke losses
2. Security and theft
3. Flooding and storm damage
4. Arson or electrical damage
5. Business failure due to large loss

3. Road Risks

Where are your risks?
- An accident involving your driver delaying a delivery, he could have to take time off work also.
- Goods of equipment could be destroyed in an accident
- If your driver was transporting dangerous substances and crashed it could cause huge environmentally damaging effects
- Poor driving could also put your company at risk, if your company logo is displayed on the vehicle.

Top 5 Road Risks

1. Poor driving training
2. Poor and unprofessional maintenance on vehicles
3. Unsafe use of mobile phones
4. Speed and inexperienced drivers
5. Unrealistic delivering times

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Manage, Should

Every year many companies have been losing revenue amounting to millions of dollars due to cyber crime and security breaches on information stored in their computers. Examples of the crimes that contribute to this loss include information that goes to the wrong hands, destroyed data, vital information being accessed by the wrong people, and viruses' attacks. Others include monetary fraud and active wire tapping. Many of those who hack a system do this due to motivation by challenge to access information in a system not meant for them. In spite of the presence of the so called firewalls which play a major role in curbing stealing of data or its destruction, computer security is still not at its best. A lot needs to be done to curb the menace and control its spread.

This is the reason why e commerce insurance is very much needed to help and address this problem. Cyber insurance is vital because it helps companies avoid going into financial losses resulting from website hacking. Companies are therefore left with no option but to insure their websites against such online crimes. This is where cyber insurance comes in. The need to protect your e commerce business is of paramount importance when one comes to the realization of the dangers posed by website hackers and the amount of money that is likely to be lost.

Ordinary insurance companies rarely have insurance packages covering such crimes since many of them offer policies only based on physical assets. Many of them are at odds to describe cyber risks insurance cover and those few that may opt to cover such risks will not include loss incurred due to online security lapses.

Online crimes linked to advertising, content duplication and monetary fraud are all unknown to the ordinary insurance companies. They do not cover losses incurred due to a hacked system, or compensate a business that has been closed as a result of these hackers.

Advantages of cyber insurance.

Today many insurance companies are aware of the benefits of technological advancement on the growth of online businesses and are warming up to them by shielding them from risks resulting to cyber crimes. They have now come up with packages specifically directed to online businesses.

One of the advantages of having your business covered against cyber crimes is that your business is secured from website hacker's intent at destroying it. This means that you do not run your business under the fear of losing it to online criminals. Financial loses that may result from such hacks are well taken care of.

The other main advantage is that your data is protected against an attack by viruses. This is because many insurance companies now offer protection for your online information against virus attacks.

These and many more make cyber insurance the ultimate solution to curbing online crimes committed against e businesses.This is why its advisable to insure your online business against such crimes to avoid loses and imminent closure.

These and many more make cyber insurance the ultimate solution to curbing online crimes committed against e businesses.This is why its advisable to insure your online business against such crimes to avoid loses and imminent closure. If you want to insure your website against all manner of cyber crimes such as website hacking and virus attacks visit websiteisurance UK for the best services.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Cyber, EBusiness, Insurance

As the economy struggles to find its way to recovery after the recession, we are faced with an uncertain future for both the public and the private sector. Each week the newspapers seem to be telling us about the latest batch of job losses and the rising unemployment figures. In this worrying climate, it is more vital than ever that you find the best income protection insurance, especially if you have a family to look after.

However, finding a trustworthy and value-for-money provider can be a challenge. Not everyone in the market is reputable, and many insurers will ask for your contact details when you request a quote and then flood you with sales calls and emails trying to sell you products you neither want nor need.

The most reliable providers - those who know they have good, competitive products to offer - will not feel the need to resort to such aggressive marketing techniques, and will often offer you an instant quote online, meaning you save time and do not need to give up all your contact details.

A good place to start looking for unemployment insurance providers is on comparison websites. These will give you an unbiased, free comparison of prices for similar insurance packages across the industry. However, they are not so good at separating the reputable insurers from the disreputable ones, so proceed with caution when you find a provider who seems to promise the earth. The truth behind the claims may not always be as good as you hoped.

Another thing which may hinder your search is that income protection does not always go by the same name. Some call it unemployment insurance, while others call it lifestyle protection or redundancy cover, so make sure you do not waste time researching the wrong product. You simply need a policy which will cover your loss of income in the event of redundancy, illness or an accident.

There is no law requiring you to have income protection insurance, but it is really in your own interest to consider purchasing a policy, because it will at least provide a cushion to soften your fall if the worst should happen and you find yourself out of a job or unable to work, while still needing to provide for your loved ones.

If you don't want to insure yourself, then it is highly recommended you have some other kind of safety net in place, such as a significant pot of family savings that you can dip into during times of dire need. Unfortunately, the statistics suggest that relatively few families have the luxury of large savings to fall back on, and many don't have any insurance either.

We never know what is over the horizon, so don't take the risk of being left with nothing in the event of redundancy. Bills take no account of your circumstances - they will still need to be paid regardless of whether you have lost your job or suffered some other misfortune.

With this in mind, it really does make sense to find yourself a good insurance policy sooner rather than later. Insurance companies are not charities, and the more your job appears in jeopardy, the more difficult and expensive it will be for you to get income protection cover for you and your family.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Insurance, Unemployment

Insurance used to be so easy. A person went to an insurance agent, explained what he wanted then signed papers stating he was covered. It's a shame those days are gone but they died a quick death from the word more; more drivers are on the road than ever before, more homes are built to house those drivers and more health insurance companies struggle for their business. Insurance has become a gamble and there are four reasons why.

1. The days of driving a '56 Chevy, living in a modest two-bedroom house and singing in the church choir on Sunday have given way to road rage, condos and singing in the car on the way to work. Sheer numbers have overwhelmed the insurance industry. Consideration number one is where you fit into a demographic. Do you drive a new car engineered for safety as opposed to a clunker you could afford? Does your home exist in a safe neighborhood, relatively free from crime or other disaster? Does your health insurance cover pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or chronic pulmonary disease? More means selectivity on the part of insurance coverage.

2. Everyone is jumping on the green bandwagon. Is your home solar powered? Do you drive an electric vehicle or a hybrid? Do you enjoy good health due to a good diet and healthy lifestyle? Consideration number two is how stable you are in your habits and ownership. If the company has to pay out for an electrical fire in the home, the car skidding into someone due to no anti-locking brake system, or some awful disease contracted through working in unsafe conditions, your rates go up.

3. Just like someone living below sea level won't stand a prayer of getting flood insurance, so someone living in Tornado Alley will pay through the teeth to get homeowner's insurance. On the other hand, in the early 2000s, Hurricane Elizabeth cut a swathe through the eastern states from North Carolina to New York that left homeowners dazed. Natural disasters can't be predicted nor Acts of God, but consideration number three would have to be the area the insured-to-be lives in.

4. It's not fair and everybody knows it, but the sad fact is that age happens. It also precludes certain types of insurance. Life insurance is increasingly harder to get the older people get. Homeowner's insurance for first-time homeowners can be dicey if the homeowner is over 40, let's say. Unfortunately, that's when some people get to a place where they can afford to pay the premiums, so consideration number four is age. Being able to prove good health, a stable income and good habits will go far toward older people getting coverage.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Companies, Consider, Giving, Insurance, Quote, Things

When it comes to the purchasing of E Insurance you need to understand that there are many different types of policies now available. So actually finding one that meets with your particular requirements shouldn't prove all that difficult. However there are still certain things that you should be considering before you actually take up any quotes you receive. Below we take a look at just what some of these things are.

1. Where to get your quotes from? There are literally hundreds of sites to be found online today offering such insurance. As you will soon discover if you decided to spend time comparing each quote rather than going with the cheapest you find that they aren't all created equal. So make sure that you read through every quote carefully to ensure that they provide you with exactly with what you want. If they don't then of course don't use them.

2. Is The Company Reputable? Again this is something that you should be looking at very closely indeed. Remember you will at some point be providing them with information that is very personal to you and don't want to find it being offered to other parties without your permission. Along with looking closely to see whether the site includes in its address "https" or has a padlock symbol on it do some further research to see if you can find any reviews or testimonials concerning the company. Again if you are not comfortable with the way a site looks or the responses you are getting from a particular company with regards to any queries you may have about E Insurance then don't use them.

3. What Information Is Needed? Again this is something that needs considering when applying for any kind of E Insurance quote. By making sure that you have the information needed to hand then you can be honest when providing answers to any questions that the company may have. Of course remember to look at what type of security the site has in place before you hand over any of this kind of information, as you don't want your personal details being used for fraudulent purposes.

Finally, you can read more about insurance tips to save money at e Insurance including a variety of specialised insurance areas such as car repair insurance or medical insurance quotes.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Important, Insurance

PRIMARY HEALTH COVERAGE
When it comes to supplemental and secondary health insurance coverage the first rule to remember is that neither replaces a primary health insurance policy. Think of your primary health insurance policy as your foundation coverage, providing coverage for your normal medical bills. A primary health insurance policy will typically make payments directly to your health provider. For example, let’s say Mary has a primary health insurance policy. Mary goes to the hospital for surgery. Her primary health insurance provider will cover 80% of her surgery bill after she meets her deducible. After Mary’s surgery, her health insurance provider files a claim for Mary’s surgery. Her primary health insurance company would pay the provider for 80% of the bill and Mary would be responsible for the rest. 

SECONDARY HEALTH COVERAGE
A secondary health insurance policy is an additional health insurance policy that also typically makes payments directly to a health provider. A secondary health insurance policy  may cover the remaining medical bills that a primary policy doesn’t cover. This may occur for example when a husband and wife utilize their employer’s health benefits to cover both of them. Each spouse would end up with their primary health insurance policy (provided by their employer) and a secondary health insurance policy (provided by their spouse’s employer). Here’s an example of how this might work for Mary. Let’s say Mary has a primary health insurance policy and a secondary health insurance policy when she goes to the hospital for surgery. Her health provider would first file her surgery claim with her primary insurance company. If her primary insurance company only covered 80% of the cost of the surgery, the claim may then be filed with her secondary health insurance company. Depending on her coverage, the secondary policy may pick up the tab for the remaining 20% of her bill. If there were a portion of Mary’s bill that was not covered by both her primary and secondary policies, this would then become Mary’s responsibility.

SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE
Supplemental health insurance is very different from a primary or secondary health insurance policy. Supplemental health coverage helps pay for your out-of-pocket medical expenses regardless of what your primary or secondary insurance covers. For example, a supplemental policy may pay a policyholder a lump sum if they are ever hospitalized or require surgery. The patient is therefore free to use these payments however they wish, including covering  living expenses while they are out of work due to a medical condition. Using the example above, let’s say after Mary’s surgery she was out of work for 2 weeks recovering. She has a supplemental health insurance plan that pays her out $1,000 every time she requires surgery. Therefore, after Mary’s surgery she files a claim to her supplemental health insurance company and they send her a check for $1,000 which she decides to use to cover her lost wages while she is out of work recovering.

So would you benefit from a supplemental or secondary health insurance coverage? As with any type of additional insurance coverage, many different factors must be weighed to determine whether it is appropriate for each person. What is the additional cost in premiums? Does it outweigh the coverage available in the event you need it? Do you ever really know when a major medical event is going to occur? Your best bet is to talk to a licensed health insurance professional who can outline all of your options.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: difference, health, Insurance, Primary, secondary, supplemental, whats

Summer is here and families across the country are preparing for family vacations. My family is no exception as we are  quickly approaching our second road trip ever with my 7-month old son. And if there’s anything we learned from Road Trip #1, it’s that just a little planning can go quite a long way. I’ve scoured the Internet and questioned my friends for tips on the most important planning tips for traveling with kids. If you’re a well seasoned parent, this may just be a refresher course. For new moms and dads, this is probably new material. So before you turn your car on to the interstate or head off to the airport, consider the following…

1. Don’t skimp on toys a.k.a “distractions”: In  an effort to pack light, you may be inclined to forego your child’s favorite stuffed animal, coloring book or video game. Think again on this one as that additional baggage may just provide that additional amount of “quiet time” that you need on the plane or in the car.

2. Have a back-up plan: Flight delays and flat tires are aggravating enough as is but add a few kids into the mix and your trip just went from tolerable to torture. Plan ahead for these types of hang ups by simply having a few “car games” in the back of your mind to help keep everyone entertained.

3. Leave yourself additional time: A road trip that may normally take 3 hours could very well take you 4 or 5 hours after (multiple) bathroom and food stops. Don’t try to beat any records when it comes to timing or you may just be setting yourself up for disappointment and added stress.  Take your time, try to stay relaxed and start your trip off right!

4. Don’t overstay, know your limits: While a two week trip to Bali may sound like the vacation of a lifetime, keep in mind that kids often get antsy and unsettled when out of their normal routine for too long. Likewise, make sure you work enough “kid focused” activities into your itinerary so they don’t get completely bored.

Now have fun and make some memories!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: little, planning, traveling

Whether you are moving to a home 5 miles away or 500, there is a certain overwhelming dread that usually comes along with the thought of packing and unpacking an entire household. I was surprised recently when I realized that I have moved 13 times in the past 10 years- a figure that I dare say may be deemed remarkable by even the most transient military family. So, I thought I’d share some of the hard-learned lessons I’ve learned along the way.

#1- Clean out shop- I must admit I used to be a pack rat. Well, after ‘Move #6' things began to change in that department of my life. The random ‘things’ I was holding onto became just added weight during a move and needed extra storage once I got to where I was going. Before starting to pack, do a thorough cleaning out of things you no longer need to keep or hold onto. Can’t decide what goes and what stays? My rule of thumb follows the old William Morris saying , “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”. Everything else- get rid of it. Hold a yard sale to make a few dollars or donate to a local donation center (don’t forget your receipt for tax purposes).

#2-Don’t underestimate the value of a small box- This is probably common sense to a seasoned mover but newbies listen up: While big boxes hold more, they are much more difficult to move. Save the big boxes for lightweight items like linens and pillows.  Scout out some small sized boxes for items that are particularly heavy or fragile. You (and your back) will be thankful for this on moving day.

#3- Pack a “Last Minute” box of household items- Keep a box handy of things you will need quick access to throughout the move. Some of these things might be a few forks, drinking cups, toilet paper, a note pad and other essential items you don’t want to be rummaging through sealed boxes for. This should be the last box you grab before locking up the house for the final time- and the first one you bring into your new home.

#4- Pack the truck with a plan- Keep in mind that whatever you load into the moving truck first, will be coming out of the truck last when you get to your new home. When it comes to unpacking in a new place, I have always found it easier to get the furniture in first so you aren’t maneuvering your sofa, for example, around lots of boxes. So in this case, you’d want to make sure you pack your furniture in the truck last so that it’s the first thing off.

#5- Double check utilities ahead of time- Trust me when I say that you don’t want to move into a new house, in the middle of a snow storm, and realize you have no heat or electricity. Call ahead of time to verify with your utility companies that everything is turned on at the house so you don’t run into any surprises. Also, to prevent lost mail and late payments be sure to provide your new address to those companies that send you important mail including your credit card statements, car insurance bill, bank statements, etc.

#6- Bribe your friends to help- That’s right, good old fashioned bribery often works best in this scenario. It’s worth the few boxes of pizza and IOUs to have help moving all of this stuff. The more people you can enlist, the sooner it will all be over. Just remember to return the favor someday.

#7- Don’t try to unpack in a day- While you may be anxious to get everything set up in your new place, don’t make the mistake of tearing open every box right away. Start by getting the big stuff in place in each room. Then work on setting up electronics and organizing cabinets and closets. Leave the little details like home decor, artwork and mirrors for very last.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: learn, moving, seven

It was very hot at the office of Insurance Blog today and not the best of working conditions.

However a bit of light relief went around the office with the results of the Insurance company department favourite gameshows of all time poll.

Here are the results in no particular order…….

Insurance All Time Favourite Game Shows

Underwriters – Jeopardy
Loss Adjusters – The Price is Right
Actuaries – 15 to One
Marketing Department – Catchphrase
Claims  – Total Wipeout
Accounts – Double Your Money
New Business – Blind Date
Personnel – Britains Got Talent
Senior Management – Big Brother
Claims Fraud – Give Us a Clue
IT Dept – Eggheads
Call Centre – 100 to 1
Products Department – Take it or Leave it
Risk Assessors – The Weakest Link
Account Executives – In it to Win it

Well its nearly silly season…

 

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Employees, Favourite, Insurance, Shows

Whether you are moving to a home 5 miles away or 500, there is a certain overwhelming dread that usually comes along with the thought of packing and unpacking an entire household. I was surprised recently when I realized that I have moved 13 times in the past 10 years- a figure that I dare say may be deemed remarkable by even the most transient military family. So, I thought I’d share some of the hard-learned lessons I’ve learned along the way.

#1- Clean out shop- I must admit I used to be a pack rat. Well, after ‘Move #6' things began to change in that department of my life. The random ‘things’ I was holding onto became just added weight during a move and needed extra storage once I got to where I was going. Before starting to pack, do a thorough cleaning out of things you no longer need to keep or hold onto. Can’t decide what goes and what stays? My rule of thumb follows the old William Morris saying , “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”. Everything else- get rid of it. Hold a yard sale to make a few dollars or donate to a local donation center (don’t forget your receipt for tax purposes).

#2-Don’t underestimate the value of a small box- This is probably common sense to a seasoned mover but newbies listen up: While big boxes hold more, they are much more difficult to move. Save the big boxes for lightweight items like linens and pillows.  Scout out some small sized boxes for items that are particularly heavy or fragile. You (and your back) will be thankful for this on moving day.

#3- Pack a “Last Minute” box of household items- Keep a box handy of things you will need quick access to throughout the move. Some of these things might be a few forks, drinking cups, toilet paper, a note pad and other essential items you don’t want to be rummaging through sealed boxes for. This should be the last box you grab before locking up the house for the final time- and the first one you bring into your new home.

#4- Pack the truck with a plan- Keep in mind that whatever you load into the moving truck first, will be coming out of the truck last when you get to your new home. When it comes to unpacking in a new place, I have always found it easier to get the furniture in first so you aren’t maneuvering your sofa, for example, around lots of boxes. So in this case, you’d want to make sure you pack your furniture in the truck last so that it’s the first thing off.

#5- Double check utilities ahead of time- Trust me when I say that you don’t want to move into a new house, in the middle of a snow storm, and realize you have no heat or electricity. Call ahead of time to verify with your utility companies that everything is turned on at the house so you don’t run into any surprises. Also, to prevent lost mail and late payments be sure to provide your new address to those companies that send you important mail including your credit card statements, car insurance bill, bank statements, etc.

#6- Bribe your friends to help- That’s right, good old fashioned bribery often works best in this scenario. It’s worth the few boxes of pizza and IOUs to have help moving all of this stuff. The more people you can enlist, the sooner it will all be over. Just remember to return the favor someday.

#7- Don’t try to unpack in a day- While you may be anxious to get everything set up in your new place, don’t make the mistake of tearing open every box right away. Start by getting the big stuff in place in each room. Then work on setting up electronics and organizing cabinets and closets. Leave the little details like home decor, artwork and mirrors for very last.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: learn, moving, seven

In today’s economic climate consumers are increasingly aware of the money they spend.  However, when it comes to saving money, it is important to think about WHAT you are saving money on, instead of just the overall savings. Most people immediately turn to cutting out the luxuries in life as a way to cut down on unnecessary spending. And while this is viable plan, it can oftentimes lead to failure. Why you ask? Because we all need to spoil ourselves sometimes. That family vacation, night out to the theatre or day at the spa might not seem like a necessity, but when it comes to maintaining sound mental and emotional health- it’s important to treat ourselves to these little luxuries in moderation.

So while you should be practical in all areas of your spending, why not save on the boring stuff, so that you can justify the fun stuff?

Below are a few of my favortie tried and true tips for saving money in your household. Try a few of these out for a few weeks and keep track of how much money you are saving. Then, use what you saved to treat you and/or your family to a special something. It may require a little more time and elbow grease, but it’s worth it!

Consolidate Cleaning Products: Whoever does the shopping in your house can probably testify- cleaning products definitely add a hefty sum to your weekly/monthly spending. I recently looked under my kitchen sink at my arsenal of cleaning products and realized how many job-specific products I have.  Kitchen counter top spray, bathroom cleaner, products for the floor, windows, tile, grout…you name it, it was there. A cheaper, just-as-effective alternative? Plain old white vinegar. Mix it with water (and maybe just a drop of dish soap) to create a great cleaning solution for your floors, windows and other non-porous surfaces. Need something with more disinfecting power? Use bleach and water. Even the most expensive vinegar and bleach products out there cost about 1/4 of the price per ounce as compared to leading cleaning products.

Do a bill audit: Every 3-4 months do a thorough review of every bill you pay on a monthly basis and see where you might be able to save additional money. For example, do you watch all the channels your cable package offers or can you down grade your plan to save $5-$10/month? Or, are there home and auto insurance discounts that you may qualify for but are not taking advantage of? Spend some time reviewing your bills and see where you can cut a few dollars back each month. Over the span of a few years it really adds up.

Cut down on household paper products: While there are certain paper products we can’t do without (toilet paper!) it’s actually very easy to get by on limited paper towels and napkins. How you ask? Switch to cloth and rags. One old bath towel can be cut down nicely into individual hand rags that can be used almost anywhere a paper towel can be. Cloth napkins can usually be used a few times before just being thrown in the washer and dryer. Not only can you save a nice sum of cash but you’re also helping out the environment.

Conservative Couponing: Clipping and using coupons for purchases you would have made anyway  is one of the easiest ways to trim down that grocery store spend. Find a grocery store that doubles manufacturers coupons and you’ll do even better.  The key to smart couponing is not to let the “deal” drive your purchase decision. Meaning, don’ t buy 20 bottles of club soda if no one in your home will drink it just because you saved 50%. Otherwise you’ve just spent money you didn’t need to.

Make a menu schedule: Do you ever find yourself throwing out meat and produce that went bad in the fridge before you got the chance to prepare it? This happens a lot and can be easily avoided. Make a flexible menu for the week that you and your family can stick to. Create a grocery shopping list based on this menu and stick to the list. This will keep you from buying extra things that you don’t need and that can spoil.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: justify, little, luxuries

Keep your family safe by staying aware of the biggest dangers around your home.

#1 Mold
Mold is a common cause of illness and allergies. It can creep up anywhere in your home but it is most common on, and around, moist areas. Bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements are therefore prone to mold growth. If certain rooms of your home are prone to mold, be sure to take preventative measures such as using ventilation fans and installing mildew-resistant drywall.

#2 Kitchen Fires
The Home Safety council reports that cooking fires are the most common cause of residential fires. Stay aware of what appliances are in use and always double-check that stove burners are turned off after use. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available in the event that a fire occurs.

#3 Slips and Falls
Combine smooth tile floors with a little bit of moisture and you have the perfect combination for an accident waiting to happen. Use non-slip bathmats and kitchen rugs in any room where slippery tile may come in contact with water. Especially if you have children, use self-adhering grip pads in your shower floor. All of these precautions can greatly reduce the chance of injuries.

#4 Your purse
Better Homes and Gardens recently released an article that warns of the potential danger of women’s purses and children. Stay mindful of the items that you keep in your purse (makeup, coins, etc) and don’t let children gain access to anything they could ingest or choke on.  Also, think about where you “drop” your purse and consider the germs that could be sneaking into your house this way. For example, do you plop it on the bathroom floor when you use a public restroom? Does it hang from a chair in a public restroom?

#5 Fireplaces
Yes,  they are cozy and warm in the fall and winter, but are you taking the necessary steps to keeping your family safe from carbon monoxide? Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home and make sure you get chimneys and fireplaces inspected annually to ensure there is no potential for poisoning.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Healthy

The What, When, How, Where and Why Guide to Indemnity Insurance for professionals.

Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed to protect you when a problem arises with any professional work you have done. In today’s litigation culture, this form of insurance is becoming increasingly relevant for a range of professions.

Are you thinking about Professional Indemnity Insurance?

Before you buy, it pays to consider the crucial 5 questions:

What exactly is Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance is designed to protect you in the case of professional error. In the course of your working life an instance may occur where unfortunately, the professional skill you exhibit is deemed inadequate. In this situation, a dissatisfied client may seek some form of compensation, resulting in financial implications for you and your business. This is where PI Insurance comes in: it provides financial support for defence costs, withheld fees and any compensation which may be awarded against you. In simple terms, Professional Indemnity Insurance is financial protection against professional error.

Why do I require PI Insurance?
This type of insurance is typically relevant for professionals who regularly give advice to their customers, and/or who are responsible for customers’ data and other intellectual property. It can loosely be regarded as protection against non-physical but nonetheless detectable damages. PI Insurance can be voluntary, but it is mandatory for some professions, such as Architecture, Accountancy and some IT Consultancy.

How does PI Insurance benefit me?
If you are at all liable to be challenged in the competency of your work, or there is scope for your services failing to meet the expectations of your client, then PI Insurance will certainly benefit you. PI Insurance will provide you with financial support if you are accused of professional negligence, misuse of intellectual property, loss of data, dishonesty and defamation incurred by your business. Despite best intentions, no one is immune to mistakes or accusations of mistakes – PI Insurance tackles the consequences of these errors.

When does the cover come into action?
Most forms of PI Insurance work on a claims-made basis. This means that the insurance only covers the claims made during the policy period. If an incident occurs whilst you hold the policy, but the claim is made after you have discontinued the insurance, then the claim will not be covered. On the flip-side, if an incident occurred before the time of holding the policy, but the claim is made once you have the insurance, then you can be protected. Each claim is treated individually – as the policyholder, you can usually select your own limit of indemnity.

Where are there exemptions and conditions?
To ensure the most comprehensive insurance, it is advisable to thoroughly research the policy options available. Many providers of PI Insurance offer industry-specific policies. Requirements are different for each sector: for some, cover is restricted to business carried out within the EU, for example. The policyholder will usually be required to pay an excess for each claim, and the amount varies according to policy. Suitability of Professional Indemnity Insurance can be achieved by the varying levels of cover available. This suitability can be further tightened by bespoke policies which can be continually amended.

Insurance Blog would like to point out that it is particularly important to tailor Indemnity Insurance to the requirements of your individual business. The insurance is ultimately designed to protect you in the case of professional mistakes – choosing the right Professional Indemnity policy is the first step towards annulling these errors. There are many established business insurance specialists out there such as Hiscox that are can help provide would be insurers with further information regarding specialist cover for other areas of your business, a quick internet search will yield the many options and services available!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Buyers, Guide, Indemnity, Insurance, Professional