http://www.smginsurance.com/blog/View Sutter McLellan and Gilbreath's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.smginsurance.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:44ce6918-9c0d-4ef6-bf5e-7780b39df032urn:uuid:00a3c4ba-4b7b-47ab-a849-580445841c69 As the weather&nbsp;starts to get cold this winter&nbsp;remember to take a few&nbsp;precautionary steps to protect your home against freezing weather. &nbsp; 1. Maintain sufficient&nbsp;heat in your home while you are away to avoid frozen&nbsp;water...Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:50:53 -0600<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">As the weather&nbsp;starts to get cold this winter&nbsp;remember to take a few&nbsp;precautionary steps to protect your home against freezing weather.</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">1. Maintain sufficient&nbsp;heat in your home while you are away to avoid frozen&nbsp;water pipes.</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">2. Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves to provide more insulation.</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">3. Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pites that run through an unheated or unprotected space. </p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">4. If&nbsp;your house will be unattended for a long period consider draining the water system.&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:dcf0150b-dc22-4814-9586-32316358799e<img src='https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs068/1102168764981/img/7.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; One simple move you could make with your insurance to save some money is to change your billing plan to an EFT (Electornic Funds Transfer) billing plan. An EFT pay plan is offered by every company that we represent an...Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:34:03 -0600<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><img width="130" height="102" style="margin: 5px;border: 0px solid;" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.7" alt="Dollar Sign" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs068/1102168764981/img/7.jpg" />&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp; One simple move you could make with your insurance to save some money is to change your billing plan to an EFT (Electornic Funds Transfer) billing plan. An EFT pay plan is offered by every company that we represent and can save you on invoice fees from your insurance company which can be&nbsp;between $3-$10&nbsp;a month. <strong>This simple change could save you up to&nbsp;$120/year and help you avoid&nbsp;any potential&nbsp;late fees!&nbsp; </strong></div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp; EFT Plans are also flexible as to when the payment can be made. Most carriers will let you choose what day of the month your payment is made. If you are interested in simplifying your life with one less monthly bill and saving a little in the process,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smginsurance.com/contact.aspx">ask us today</a> about how you can enroll in an EFT payment plan with your insurance company. </div> <br />urn:uuid:5f66759d-b54a-4d8d-b0b9-9127a9b0dc1aInsWeb just released this year's list of the least and most expensive family vehicles to insure. The study was conducted for 2010 model years and over 400 different model types. Whether your vehicle appears on this list or not, remember that SM&amp;G...Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:08:53 -0600InsWeb just released this year's list of the least and most expensive family vehicles to insure. The study was conducted for 2010 model years and over 400 different model types. Whether your vehicle appears on this list or not, remember that SM&amp;G represents multiple auto insurance companies that we can quote for you in just a few minutes. For a quote, give us a call at (770)246-8300 or enter your information through our auto quote <a href="https://06acfcf0-310f-45f7-8fbe-db38e63a39ba.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/automobile/car_insurance_quote.aspx">website</a>. Below are the results of the study.<br /> <br /> Ten Least Expensive Vehicles to insure:<br /> <br /> 1. Kia Sedona<br /> 2. Mazda Mazda5<br /> 3. Ford Escape<br /> 4. Hyundai Santa FE<br /> 5. Mercury Mariner<br /> 6. Chrysler PT Cruiser <br /> 7. Ford Explorer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 8. Subaru Outback<br /> 9. Kia Optima<br /> 10. Chevrolet Equinox<br /> <br /> Ten Most Expensive Vehicles to insure:<br /> <br /> 1. Acura ZDX<br /> 2. Audi TTS<br /> 3. Audi A5<br /> 4. Cadillac Escalade<br /> 5. Chevrolet Corvette<br /> 6. BMW Z4<br /> 7. Lexus SC<br /> 8. Jaguar XF<br /> 9. Cadillac STS<br /> 10. Dodge Challenger<br /> <br />urn:uuid:f1a50b06-0a5e-4380-bb8b-31fce913129e The following&nbsp;was conducted by the Hartford and published in their June 2010 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Newsletter Reporting Delays Increase Loss Costs &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Hartford study shows a strong correlation be...Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:44:13 -0500<span style="font-size: 10px;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10px;">The following&nbsp;was conducted by the Hartford and published in their June 2010 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Newsletter<br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Reporting Delays Increase Loss Costs<br /> </span></strong><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Hartford study shows a strong correlation between</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">the speed with which a workers&rsquo; compensation injury</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">is reported and the cost of the claim. Timely reporting</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">allows us to begin managing the claim and its costs</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">earlier. By quickly guiding injured workers to appropriate</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">medical care, we decrease their frustration</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">and minimize the chances of litigation. The Hartford&rsquo;s</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">data clearly demonstrates that &ldquo;lag time&rdquo; (the time</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">between injury and first report) significantly affects</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">a claim&rsquo;s outcome.<br /> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> &bull; Loss costs for Claims reported within one week are</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">8% higher than those reported on the incident day.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> &bull; Loss costs for Claims reported after one month are</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">37% higher than those reported on the incident day.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The data also shows a significant link between lag</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">time and the likelihood a claim will be litigated.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Claims reported after one month are three times</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">more likely to be litigated than claims reported on</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">the day of an incident.<br /> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, delayed reporting of workers&rsquo; compensation</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">claims can result in penalties levied by the state</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">insurance departments. These penalties can add up</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">quickly and have a significant impact on an insured&rsquo;s</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">premium. In some cases, the penalties may be</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">charged directly to the insured.<br /> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reporting claims as quickly as possible can help</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">lower loss costs, reduce fees, and ensure that injured</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">workers receive appropriate and timely medical care.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">We encourage you and your clients to report claims</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">promptly through one of the options listed below.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> </span></p> </span>urn:uuid:d475486a-098a-4fa4-a6f4-bda4ea252f7eWith September comes the end of summer, the beginning of football season and National Life Insurance Awareness Month. You can celebrate National Life Insurance Awareness Month by reviewing your&nbsp;family's life insurance needs and&nbsp;making&nbsp;...Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:21:19 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">With September comes the end of summer, the beginning of football season and National Life Insurance Awareness Month. You can celebrate National Life Insurance Awareness Month by reviewing your&nbsp;family's life insurance needs and&nbsp;making&nbsp;sure your have&nbsp;the coverage that fits those needs.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Whether you are single or married, have young children or grown children, or are a business owner, you probably have a need for life insurance. Below are a few things to consider when purchasing life insurance depending on what stage in life you are in:</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Single</b> &ndash; Singles usually have less financial obligations than couples and families, but do have the advantage of buying life insurance while they are young and healthy to take advantages of lower rates to help them plan for financial obligations that may come later in life.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Married Couples</b> &ndash; You and your spouse have increased financial obligations from when you were single, like a mortgage or car payments that may be unsustainable if the unforeseen should happen. The right amount of life insurance can help your spouse maintain their standard of living.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Married with small children</b> &ndash; Families with small children generally have the largest financial obligations. Loss of income, childcare, mortgage, future tuition and other debt should all be considered when purchasing life insurance for families with small children to be adequately insured.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Married with grown children</b> &ndash; At this stage in your life your financial obligations have decreased. Your main concerns are loss of income to your surviving spouse and any inheritance you may want to leave to your children. Term insurance may be too expensive and a whole-life policy may better suit your needs.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Business Owners </b>&ndash; Life insurance has several uses in the workplace. You can offer voluntary life coverage to your employees as part of your employee benefits package. You can also use it to protect against the loss of a key employee, to fund a buy-sell agreement with business partners, or to ensure that your spouse can transfer ownership of your business for a good price. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">If you find that you need to pursue a life insurance quote, feel free to contact one of our agents by phone, <a href="mailto:dgilbreath@smginsurance.com?subject=Life Insurance Inquiry" class="ApplyClass">email</a>, or through the website. We look forward to helping you protect your family.</p>urn:uuid:0246c11c-e1a4-4356-85e5-4f1106c532ecFrom&nbsp;www.claimsmag.com&nbsp; BY MARGUERITE SWALLOW Published&nbsp;8/24/2010&nbsp; Subscribe to Claims The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) announced that "slip-and-fall&rdquo; claims targeting businesses are being invest...Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:56:11 -0500<div id="articleSubtitle">From&nbsp;<a href="http://www.claimsmag.com">www.claimsmag.com</a>&nbsp;</div> <div id="articleByline"> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ByLineWebPart1" WebPart="true" __WebPartId="{cc7fcdce-e50c-4c8f-8b87-7b2b32a3b536}" __MarkupType="vsattributemarkup"> <ul id="HMDByline"> <li>BY <a href="http://www.claimsmag.com/Pages/Claims-Magazine-Author.aspx?key=MARGUERITE SWALLOW">MARGUERITE SWALLOW</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="articleDate"> <div style="float: left; width: 300px; padding-top: 25px;">Published&nbsp;8/24/2010&nbsp; </div> <div class="subscribeButton"><a href="https://subscribe.claimsmag.com/PaidSub/subscribe.aspx" title="Subscribe to Claims" target="_blank">Subscribe to Claims</a> </div> <br clear="all" /> </div> <div id="articleTools"> <div id="articleToolBox"><br clear="all" /> <div style="width: 610px;"> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleWithPagination1" WebPart="true" __WebPartId="{0d841ac0-ce93-4cb8-8281-517f6596efc4}" __MarkupType="vsattributemarkup"> <div id="Pagination">The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) announced that "slip-and-fall&rdquo; claims targeting businesses are being investigated more carefully for potential fraud after more than 4,600 questionable claims were received in 2008, 2009, and the first half of 2010. An analysis of the questionable claims submitted by NICB member companies showed a 57-percent increase in the number of referrals over the past two and a half years. <p>&ldquo;While many people have legitimate accidents in stores and businesses across the country, we&rsquo;ve seen a growing number of cases that have some indication of potential fraud,&rdquo; said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. &nbsp;</p> <p>So what do these cases of slip-and-fall fraud entail? Wehrle explains that, &ldquo;A typical slip-and-fall case may involve two people going into a big box store or retailer, and splitting up. The first person goes down an aisle while the other keeps a lookout. When the coast is clear, he or she pulls out a small bottle of liquid, pours it on the floor, and then pretends to fall on the floor. The partner runs to assist and tells everyone that he witnessed the fall.</p> <div id="bodyAd"><noscript></noscript></div> <p>&ldquo;They come into an area and hit several retailers, grocers, or other businesses with sophisticated schemes and professional execution. They hope to collect a quick payout and move on before anyone realizes what&rsquo;s going on.&rdquo; New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Chicago were the five cities with the most questionable claims for slip-and-falls, and California, Florida, New York, Illinois and Texas were the top five states.</p> <p>&nbsp;Wehrle said the NICB has increased its focus on commercial fraud, and slip and falls and workers&rsquo; compensation fraud are priorities for many of its member companies who write commercial policies. The attention is warranted, considering that the number of slip and fall questionable claims submitted to NICB went from 325 in the first quarter of 2008 to a high of 565 in the fourth quarter of 2009. Just in the first half of 2010, there were 997 slip-and-fall claims referred to NICB for further analysis.</p> <p>&ldquo;Fortunately, we&rsquo;ve worked with insurers to raise the awareness level and urged companies to analyze claims before they pay,&rdquo; Wehrle continued. &ldquo;The bad news is, many retailers are self-insured and they look at this as a cost of doing business; they&rsquo;ll write a check without investigating. Based on what companies have told us, we think that adds up to millions of dollars in unwarranted payouts. We&rsquo;re reaching out to these companies and urging them to join us in fighting commercial fraud.&rdquo;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>urn:uuid:945826ec-620e-4c66-beff-fdce9a746adc Article from www.businessweek.com http://www.businessweek.com/print/smallbiz/content/jul2010/sb20100711_127679.htm 7/17/2010 SMART ANSWERS July 13, 2010, 2:29PM EST July 13, 2010, 2:29PM EST Sorting Fact from Fiction on Health-Care Reform While mu...Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:08:18 -0500<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Article from www.businessweek.com<br /> http://www.businessweek.com/print/smallbiz/content/jul2010/sb20100711_127679.htm 7/17/2010<br /> <br /> SMART ANSWERS July 13, 2010, 2:29PM EST</p> </b>July 13, 2010, 2:29PM EST<b> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Sorting Fact from Fiction on Health-Care Reform</span></p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">While much of the health-care overhaul won't take effect for years, business owners have</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">concerns about the new rules. Here are four of their biggest issues</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">By Karen E. Klein</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Since the U.S. health-care overhaul became law in March, small business owners have wondered how it will<br /> affect them. A new website, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aims to answer<br /> some of those questions.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Many myths and misconceptions have surfaced, says Michael T. Hanley, managing partner at small business focused accounting firm Merl &amp; Hanley in Smithtown, N.Y.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Michael Alter, president and chief executive officer of SurePayroll, an online payroll-processing firm based in Glenview, Ill., agrees. His small business clients have expressed "a tremendous amount of confusion and concern" over health-care overhaul, Alter says. Here's an attempt to clear up some of the areas that have sparked worry.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Concern: Small businesses will be fined if they don't provide medical insurance.</p> </b>Small businesses will be fined if they don't provide medical insurance.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Reality: Not true, if you have fewer than 50 full-time employees. True, for companies employing 50 or more fulltime workers. (Part-time employees' annual hours are calculated, so that 100 half-time employees equal 50 fulltimers.)</p> </b>Not true, if you have fewer than 50 full-time employees. True, for companies employing 50 or more fulltime workers. (Part-time employees' annual hours are calculated, so that 100 half-time employees equal 50 fulltimers.)<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Caveats: Business owners with 50 employees need not panic just yet. This provision of the law doesn't go into full effect until 2014. "A new Presidential administration may be in place and may look to reverse this facet&mdash;or many facets&mdash;of the plan," Hanley points out.</p> </b>Business owners with 50 employees need not panic just yet. This provision of the law doesn't go into full effect until 2014. "A new Presidential administration may be in place and may look to reverse this facet&mdash;or many facets&mdash;of the plan," Hanley points out. <p style="text-align: left;">More than 95 percent of companies with 50 or more employees currently offer coverage, according to the HHS website. In 2014, those who don't offer it, and have at least one full-time employee who receives a premium tax credit (which will be offered to low-income individuals) to buy coverage on his own, will be fined $2,000 per full-time employee, excluding the first 30 employees. Companies that offer coverage but have at least one full-time employee receiving a premium tax credit (presumably because company coverage is too expensive) will pay the lesser of $3,000 for each employee receiving a premium credit or $2,000 for each full-time employee, again excluding the first 30 employees.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Concern: Small companies will get tax credits to provide insurance.</p> </b>Small companies will get tax credits to provide insurance.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Reality: True for mom-and-pop shops, which are currently the least likely to offer coverage. Not true if you have more than 25 full-time employees (50 part-time) or pay average annual salaries of more than $50,000 per employee.</p> </b>True for mom-and-pop shops, which are currently the least likely to offer coverage. Not true if you have more than 25 full-time employees (50 part-time) or pay average annual salaries of more than $50,000 per employee.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Caveats: The full credit, which starts at 35 percent this year, and jumps to 50 percent in 2014, is given to companies with fewer than 10 full-time workers and average salaries under $25,000. Employers must pay at least half the cost of the insurance provided. "If you pay $10,000 in premiums, you'd get a $3,500 tax credit," Hanley says.</p> </b>The full credit, which starts at 35 percent this year, and jumps to 50 percent in 2014, is given to companies with fewer than 10 full-time workers and average salaries under $25,000. Employers must pay at least half the cost of the insurance provided. "If you pay $10,000 in premiums, you'd get a $3,500 tax credit," Hanley says. <p style="text-align: left;">The credit gets reduced gradually for companies that have 10 to 25 full-time employees with average salaries between $25,000 and $50,000. It phases out entirely for companies with 25 full-timers. Companies with 25 to 50 full-time employees fall into a kind of limbo: You won't get a tax credit if you offer insurance, but you won't be penalized for not offering it, either.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Hanley says that his clients with few employees are happy about this provision. "They look at it and say: 'I can keep doing what I'm doing, or I can start providing insurance and claim the credit.' It's like a discount for them." In this economic climate, however, he doesn't foresee many business owners buying insurance immediately, even with the discount. "In the future, if things turn around, they might buy insurance and offer it in lieu of a raise," Hanley says.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">More information on the tax credit is available at the HHS website, and from the IRS site.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Concern: Small businesses will be required to issue 1099s to all vendors.</p> </b>Small businesses will be required to issue 1099s to all vendors.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Reality: True. In an effort to close the tax gap, all companies will be required to issue 1099 tax forms to any vendor upon whom they spend $600 or more annually. This includes the deli catering your company meetings and the stationery store where you buy envelopes. It is likely to double accounting costs at some small companies, Hanley says.</p> </b>True. In an effort to close the tax gap, all companies will be required to issue 1099 tax forms to any vendor upon whom they spend $600 or more annually. This includes the deli catering your company meetings and the stationery store where you buy envelopes. It is likely to double accounting costs at some small companies, Hanley says.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Caveats: This provision goes into effect in 2012 and may be overturned or limited before then. "I hope so," Alter says. "It's great for payroll companies like mine and for office supply companies that provide the forms, but it's another administrative headache for small businesses that they really don't need."</p> </b>This provision goes into effect in 2012 and may be overturned or limited before then. "I hope so," Alter says. "It's great for payroll companies like mine and for office supply companies that provide the forms, but it's another administrative headache for small businesses that they really don't need." <p style="text-align: left;">Currently, 1099s are issued mainly to independent contractors and service providers. Broadly extending the requirement will mean that entrepreneurs who have never issued 1099s will likely have to send out 15 or 20 a year, Hanley says. Larger companies may have to mail out thousands of forms, undercutting government paperwork reduction efforts.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Concern: Medical insurance benefits will be taxed as income.</p> </b>Medical insurance benefits will be taxed as income.<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Reality: False. Taxing medical benefits was discussed as a cost-saving option during reform negotiations, but in the end the idea was dropped. The myth, however, lives on. "I get asked this every single day" by both individual and entrepreneurial clients, Hanley says. "They worry that they or their employees will have to pay taxes on whatever amount their health care benefits contribute to their income."</p> </b>False. Taxing medical benefits was discussed as a cost-saving option during reform negotiations, but in the end the idea was dropped. The myth, however, lives on. "I get asked this every single day" by both individual and entrepreneurial clients, Hanley says. "They worry that they or their employees will have to pay taxes on whatever amount their health care benefits contribute to their income."<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Caveats: The cost of health-care benefits must be listed on the W-2 forms business owners issue to their employees, starting in 2011. This will probably further the confusion. "People panic and think that anything listed on their W-2 is taxed," Hanley says. The cost will be listed for informational purposes and to insure that companies with 50 or more employees are indeed offering insurance, he says.</p> </b>The cost of health-care benefits must be listed on the W-2 forms business owners issue to their employees, starting in 2011. This will probably further the confusion. "People panic and think that anything listed on their W-2 is taxed," Hanley says. The cost will be listed for informational purposes and to insure that companies with 50 or more employees are indeed offering insurance, he says. <p style="text-align: left;">Want to read relevant portions of the health-care law itself? The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has a site where you can call up specific portions of the law (just "employer requirements," for instance) that may apply to your company.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">http://www.businessweek.com/print/smallbiz/content/jul2010/sb20100711_127679.htm 7/17/2010</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><i>Karen E. Klein is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers entrepreneurship and small-business issues.</i></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:dbd3c4fb-479d-467b-80c0-d352f0152734Health benefits remain one of the most valuable components of any employee compensation package.&nbsp; In the current marketplace, with what appears to be unpredictable and uncontrollable rate increases every year, how does an employer balance offeri...Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:26:39 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Health benefits remain one of the most valuable components of any employee compensation package.&nbsp; In the current marketplace, with what appears to be unpredictable and uncontrollable rate increases every year, how does an employer balance offering a competitive employee benefits program with their own capabilities and bottom line?</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Employers can, in fact, influence rate increases on their benefits programs as well as influencing employee satisfaction; below are just a few examples of proven solutions:</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Increase benefits understanding through better employee communications.&nbsp; Request your Employee Benefits Agent to conduct Open Enrollment meetings which provide information on using In-Network providers, utilizing Convenience Care Clinics &amp; Urgent Care Centers versus Emergency Rooms, and how employees can save on prescription costs by asking about equivalent generic alternatives to brand prescriptions prescribed and taking advantage of mail-order programs.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Provide employees access to Health &amp; Wellness resources, many of which are available for free through various insurance carriers and EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs).</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Offer Voluntary Products.&nbsp; At no additional cost to the Employer, round out your employee benefits program by offering voluntary products such as Dental, Vision, Life and Disability.&nbsp; Advantages for employees include the ability to access these coverages at group rates and have most of these products payroll deducted on a pre-tax basis.&nbsp; There is no requirement for Employer contribution.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">These are just a few examples of proven solutions enjoyed by our clients. Our benefits consultants evaluate an Employer&rsquo;s existing programs then develop creative options tailored to each client&rsquo;s specific needs.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Now is the time to get started on putting some of these solutions in place.&nbsp; <i>To get the personal attention you need so that you can concentrate on your business</i>, call the Employee Benefits Specialists at Sutter, McLellan &amp; Gilbreath today.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:ceefd520-41ea-4a4d-8fbe-836864133b59The April 22, 2010 deadline from the EPA regarding lead paint is here. This will be short and to the point because your time is valuable. Please be aware of several points when it comes to your insurance policies. There is no insurance requirement in...Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:51:26 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The April 22, 2010 deadline from the EPA regarding lead paint is here. This will be short and to the point because your time is valuable. Please be aware of several points when it comes to your insurance policies. There is no insurance requirement included in the EPA regulations. There is no coverage in your general liability policy for this exposure. Every contractor should have a separate pollution policy to fill the gap created by the pollution exclusion on the General Liability. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pollution Liability coverage, including lead or asbestos, is relatively easy to obtain through a variety of environmental carriers. Starting premiums for these policies are $2,500 - $5,000. Turn around time to secure coverage is generally 2-3 days.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If you have a Pollution Liability Policy in place, be aware that lead has been a common pollutant for so long that it is not typically identified by name on most pollution policies. Environmental carriers are comfortable with the exposure, and unless specifically excluded, there is usually coverage under the definition of pollutants.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If you would like additional information, please let me know.<br /> <br /> <br /> Dawn Pogue, CIC<br /> Sutter, McLellan &amp; Gilbreath, Inc.<br /> (770)246-8300<br /> <a href="mailto:dpogue@smginsurance.com">dpogue@smginsurance.com</a></p> urn:uuid:46abe94d-8911-4bf9-adf7-03d683346755by Drew Gilbreath, CIC Along with the warm weather of spring inevitably comes the list of home improvements we would all like to make to our homes. Some are necessary maintenance and others are fun projects to increase our enjoyment of our homes.&nb...Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:55:57 -0500<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 10px;">by Drew Gilbreath, CIC</span><br /> <br /> Along with the warm weather of spring inevitably comes the list of home improvements we would all like to make to our homes. Some are necessary maintenance and others are fun projects to increase our enjoyment of our homes.&nbsp; If you are a D-I-Y kind of person that's great, but if you aren't you are going to need to hire a qualified contractor to help out. But what does a qualified contractor look like? The short answer is I don't know, but here are a few things to help you make a well informed decision when picking a contractor for your next project.<br /> <br /> 1. <span style="color: #953734; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Are they licensed?</strong></span> Some contractors have to be properly licensed to work in Georgia such as plumbers, electricians and residential general contractors. You can verify your prospective contractor's license on the <span class="ApplyClass">secretary of state's website</span>. (<a href="http://www.sos.georgia.gov">www.sos.georgia.gov</a>)<br /> <br /> 2. <span style="color: #953734; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Do they have proper insurance?</strong></span> Any contractor working on your home needs to have insurance. Before hiring a contractor ask them to send you a certificate of insurance from their insurance agent. This certificate will provide proof of the coverage they have and should be currently dated. At a minimum, a contractor you hire to work at your home should have workers compensation and general liability insurance. Workers compensation provides protection for their on-the-job injuries and general liability offers protection in case they damage your property or cause an injury to someone else. Any large remodeling project like basement finishing or room additions may require additional insurance such as a builder's risk policy. <br /> <br /> 3. <span style="color: #953734; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Remember, you get what you pay for!</strong></span> If an offer seems to good to be true, it probably is. Do some research on what typical pricing of a project like yours should be to make sure the bid you receive is in a reasonable range. If the bid price is too low it could result in poor work, the contractor abandoning the job, or worse, both.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 13px; color: #1f497d;"><em>"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot... It can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better." - John Ruskin</em></span><br /> <br /> 4. <span style="color: #953734; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Get a reference.</strong></span> Look up the trade association for the type of work you are having done to get more info on your project and find eligible contractors. Also ask any contractor that you are thinking about working with to give you a reference to a prior customer of theirs that they did similar work for.<br /> <br /> Protecting your home is important, so don't let just anyone work on it. Do some homework so you can have piece of mind that your project will be done right. Hire someone who has put enough thought and effort into their business as you have into your home.&nbsp;</span> <br />