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Behind the wheel … CAUTION!

Posted on May 13, 2016April 16, 2016 by Victor Varma

The National Safety Council cites many reasons for the big increase in traffic deaths during 2015.

In spite of all the safety features on today’s cars, the number of traffic deaths in the United States rose l8 percent in 2015 over 2014 figures, the largest year-to-year percentage increase in a half-century, according to preliminary estimates by the National Safety Council.

About 38,000 people were killed on U.S. roads, and 4.4 million people were seriously injured, the council said. That would make 2015 the deadliest driving year since 2008.

Council experts say a stronger economy and lower unemployment rates were among key factors that put more people on the road. Add to that cheaper gas prices, which were down by 28 percent from 2014 and encouraged many drivers to take road trips.

The Transportation Department estimated that there was a 3.5 percent increase in the number of miles driven by motorists in the U.S. in 2015.

They are all legitimate reasons for that deadly year, but as you read them, two factors stand out:

* All of those circumstances still exist this year, and those death and injury causes could be even higher. There are probably more drivers than ever on the road, and each driver could be more involved in road trips.

* In 2016, the only thing that could be much better is you! Armed with these 2015 statistics and progressions, you could decide to be a more attentive and careful driver in the cities and on the Interstates.

Honoring personal time

Posted on May 10, 2016April 16, 2016 by Victor Varma

Today the boss and your colleagues can reach you 24-7, at night, on vacation, at your kid’s soccer game.

Technology has been seeping into off work hours for years and the problem is worldwide. Volkswagen AG recently passed a corporate-wide rule banning business emails between 6:15 am and 7 p.m. German employees love it.

In the U.S. the issue has resulted in overtime lawsuits.

Managers can solve the problem.

* Build in predictability. Nancy Rothbard, a Wharton School management professor recommends spending part of Friday afternoon scheduling time to complete mandatory projects for the next week so you won’t end up doing them at night.

* Schedule a 4 p.m. triage. Decide what your team should finish by the next day. Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, asks “If an evil villain cut the power, what would you still do?”

* Use lunchtime for check-ins. Make social and brainstorming rounds while grabbing some food. That way you get interaction, but can still deal with anything that comes up before quitting time, Vanderkam says.

Other experts, quoted in Bloomberg Businessweek, say the open configuration of offices is partly to blame because no one gets to concentrate.

Airlines predict a record summer

Posted on May 6, 2016April 16, 2016 by Victor Varma

U.S. airlines expect record passenger loads for June to August 15, a 4.5 percent increase over last year.

With packed planes, customers should focus on traveling with civility, especially when conditions that breed conflict and bad behavior are rising.

* Board nicely. Avoid cutting in line, or pushing and shoving so you can board ahead of other passengers.

* Don’t use more than your seat space, or lean into strangers when you sleep. If you want to recline, ask the person behind you before you do.

* Share the overhead bins. Jamming stuff into them can damage others’ belongings. If you have small, crushable bags or fancy hat, put it under the seat in front of you.

Tenants Insurance

Posted on May 3, 2016April 16, 2016 by Victor Varma

By Tom Lum

Protection of your assets and the risks of third-party liability should be a primary concern to all renters simply because accidents do happen and we seldom have visibility to them until after the fact. An unwatched pot or overflowing bathtub can cause a great deal of damage to your unit and contents. Tenants insurance covers your contents against losses caused by fire, smoke damage, water damage, vandalism, theft, and many additional perils.

What is the specific protection that tenants insurance can provide?

Contents – Protection for contents in the policyholder’s unit and other personal belongings worn or used by the resident on- and off-premises. If you were able to turn your unit upside down and shake it, whatever falls would generally be considered “contents” whereas whatever doesn’t is part of the building and is not covered. Contents can include, but are not limited to furniture, clothes, televisions, bedding, and dishes. Some restrictions may of course apply.

Personal Liability – If a resident is found to be responsible for causing damage to the building or another person’s property (for example, if a resident accidentally started a fire in their room) or caused bodily injury to another person on the premises, coverage under the policy will respond up to the insured limit to pay legal expenses and compensatory damages subject to the Policy Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of the policy.

Additional Living Expenses – If as a consequence of an insured loss the tenant’s unit is unfit for occupancy or a resident has to move out their unit while repairs are being made, coverage under the policy will pay the increased expenses up to insured limit incurred by the resident to obtain temporary housing subject to the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of the policy. If a resident has to move to a hotel for a few days while their unit is being repaired, these additional costs and increased food costs for restaurant meals may be covered under the Policy subject to the Policy Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of the policy.

Other Coverages – Additional coverages may be available for earthquake, jewelry, and fine arts. Please check with your insurance broker as required.
Coverages may be subject to a deductible. Please check with your insurance broker for policy specifics.

Additional Benefits

Some tenants insurance policies offer access to value-added services, direct from the insurer, as an additional benefit of the coverage. Novex Insurance Company, for example, offers Novex Assistance – a program designed to provide tenants with services including:

An unlimited legal information telephone help line for advice about property, landlord/tenant relations, employment, contracts, social benefits, licences and permits, inheritances, and family law.
Home care services including housekeeping when property is damaged; babysitting for sick children or grandchildren; babysitting in case of hospitalization; homemaking on return from hospitalization; and visiting nurse.

Please note that home care services are subject to certain limits and conditions. Please ask for details.

Tenants Insurance Programs

Tenants insurance programs exist for a number of different types of tenants that may offer tailored coverage and pre-negotiated preferred rates for insurance. These preferred rates may offer cost savings over retail market tenants insurance offerings.

Building Tenants Insurance Programs – For the benefit of tenants living in certain buildings.

Seniors Tenants Insurance Programs – For the benefit of senior tenants living in certain retirement homes. May specifically include coverages for hearing aids, wheelchairs, or scooters.

University/College Tenants Insurance Programs – For the benefit of their students while living in residence at certain colleges or universities.
In most cases, tenants insurance programs may be supplied without cost to the building owner, retirement home owner, or college/university. Improved property and general liability loss experience may result for the building owners due to the insurer’s ability to subrogate. This may in turn lead to lower commercial insurance rates in future.

Conclusion

Protecting your contents and yourself against liability risk is a prudent step to take regardless of whether you own your home or not. Tenants insurance is a risk coverage often overlooked by renters that can, in many cases, provide significant risk protection at reasonable rates. Ask your insurance broker about the benefits of tenants insurance and learn how little it can cost to cover your belongings and third-party liability risk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tom_Lum/2011352

Ways To Make Moving Less Stressful

Posted on May 2, 2016May 1, 2016 by agentinsure

Finding a new home to live in is very exciting. However, the actual act of moving is not something that anyone looks forward to. The actual moving process can be very stressful if it is not planned and executed well. To assist in the moving process, we have gathered some tips that will make it easier both while packing and while you are unpacking. To explore your options for homeowner’s insurance, be sure to contact us at InsureUS.

Coordinate packing by room and color code your boxes. A big mistake that many people make is that they fail to pack by room. If you pack by room and you take the time to color coordinate your boxes as you go, then the unpacking process is so much easier. You can move all of the boxes by color into their corresponding room while you are moving and then unpacking is easy because the boxes you need for that room are already in there. You will not have to spend any time searching for a box in the pile.
Keep an inventory. Another great thing to do is keep an inventory of items as you pack them and mark where you have them packed. This is helpful because if you need to find something fast, you can refer to your inventory sheet and find it in no time at all. It is also a great idea to label your boxes in this process.
Pack a first night bag. Chances are that you will not want to unpack your home on the same day that you move. You will still need some basic items on the first night so make it easier on everyone and pack a first night bag with all items you need. That way you can get some much needed rest before tackling all of those boxes.

Labor market improves for new college graduates

Posted on April 29, 2016March 31, 2016 by Victor Varma

At last, incomes for the latest college diploma-holders has risen to the highest level in more than a decade. And unemployment rates are falling quickly, according to a report from the Federal Reserve of New York.

The image of recent grads working in coffee shops is fading. But the data show that their experience highlights a growing divide in the U.S. economy between those with college degrees and those without.

Of course, graduates need the money. Most of them have huge college-education loans to pay off.

Richard Deitz, a senior economist at the New York Fed, and his colleague Jaison Abel, have developed data which answers the question of whether a college degree is worth the cost anymore.

The unemployment rate for college graduates has fallen from more than 7 percent in 2010 to just 4.9 percent recently. That is compared with a 5.3 percent jobless rate recently for all workers.

Tips for Staying Calm While Driving

Posted on April 29, 2016May 1, 2016 by agentinsure

Driving can be nerve wracking but it does not have to raise your blood pressure. Though dealing with other drivers, road hazards, and anything that may end up getting in your way can stress you out while driving, this does not have to be the case. There are ways that you can calm yourself down while driving to keep yourself and other drivers safe.

For starters, music has the ability to calm down even the most frantic person. Try finding a radio station you love, a cd you like to listen to, or even music that is on your phone. Either playing music all the time while you drive or just when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed can help reduce your stress and can help make your trip that much easier and more relaxed.

Breathe, it helps. It may sound funny but deep breathing while driving can reduce stress and can help you to work through any road rage that may be bubbling up. Try some great deep breathing exercises to help reduce your overall stress levels and to help calm you down while driving. Believe it or not, this can reduce overall stress as well as very particular stress that may be associated with an incident while driving.

Pulling over when you are feeling particularly peeved or irritated while driving can do a few things. First off, it can remove you from the other drivers that are making you feel annoyed or angry. It can also give you time to yourself to reflect, and it can give you time to calm down. Pulling over is a wonderful way to destress and get back in the game to be the safest driver you can be. InsureUS wants you to be the best driver you can be so calm down while driving.

Mid-life crisis? Buy a motorcycle!

Posted on April 26, 2016March 31, 2016 by Victor Varma

Mid-lifers are loving motorcycles.

Most of them have wanted one for years, but kids, work, schedules got in the way.

Motorcycles are much more advanced than they were just 15 years ago. They include safety features found in cars, including anti-lock brakes, traction control to prevent skidding during acceleration, stability control to prevent skidding in turns.

Some bikes have infotainment systems that include navigation, music, bike-to-bike communication, and smartphone syncing.

Middle-aged and retired riders need a bike with firm suspension.

Harley Davidson recommends its Dyna Low Rider, which has great power, adjustable handlebars and seats, and a base price of $14,199. Used models are available and cost less.

Riding clubs abound for different types of motorcycles. When going for a group ride they enjoy like-minded people and often get together with them for other activities.

Another fun feature of bike riding: you’ll be riding and associating with people of all ages.

If it’s been a while since you rode a bike, or if it’s your first bike, take a motorcycle training class by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In many states you have to take a written exam to get a motorcycle license.

Before you ride, buy a helmet that features a “DOT” sticker that meets the Department of Transportation standards.

Get boots that cover your ankles and that don’t have shoelaces that could get caught in motorcycle gears.

Wear a leather or Kevlar jacket, gloves designed for motorcycling and long pants, not shorts.

Earth Day thoughts for 2016

Posted on April 22, 2016March 31, 2016 by Victor Varma

Almost everyone today shows some concern about what the inhabitants of Earth can do to keep the planet clean and livable.

Because each of us is only one person, there are no large-scale projects we can do, but if we all do something that may seem small, our combined efforts will help to keep our planet viable. A few things we can do:

Plant a tree. Over time, a single tree can improve the environment in a large area around it. So planting a tree makes a lot of sense today.

Learn about recycling. It’s all about disposing of waste materials in a productive way. It’s one of the best ideas for making the earth green forever.

The impact of a landfill can harm the Earth as it continues to grow, so take recycling seriously.

Develop a better cleaning strategy. Most people don’t have one. Your own cleaning plans might involve using natural products like vinegar for cleaning at home. Your home will be a nice place when it’s free of dust and odors.

Check froschusa.com for a wide selection of cleaning products that can be used in various ways. They use ingredients like lemon, lavender and baking soda.

Outdoors, chemicals can seep into the air and the ground, which could damage the environment.

For about 35 years, The Green Team at Gardener’s Supply (gardeners.com) has been a trusted resource for earth-friendly products. They help people garden in harmony with nature.

The Green Team has earth-friendly products that help people recycle waste into compost, build better soil, control pests organically, conserve water, protect biodiversity and grow their own food.

Companies hope to retrieve the business knowledge of pre-retirees

Posted on April 19, 2016March 31, 2016 by Victor Varma

Companies across the country from defense contractors to General Motors and General Electric are scrambling to ensure that millions of younger managers are ready to step into leadership roles as baby boomers retire.

About 10,000 boomers reach retirement age every day, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Companies large and small are often unaware of how much company knowledge the retirees will take with them.

Dorothy Leonard, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School, and her firm Leonard-Barton Group, have developed knowledge-transfer programs at several GM divisions.

Until last year, boomers made up the largest portion of the U.S. population, and Generation X represented the biggest share of the workforce. Now millennials lead in both categories. They hold 20 percent of all management jobs, up from 3 percent in 2005, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“In the next 10 to 15 years, we’re going to have the greatest transfer of knowledge that’s ever taken place,” says Chip Espinoza, Director of Organization Psychology at Concordia University Irvine. He says to handle the shift, companies need to create relationships between the generations.

Multinational defense and aerospace company BAE has been preparing for the retirement cliff for several years. They adopted a NASA program developed when the space agency started to lose expertise from lunar landings as individuals retired.

When BAE learns that an employee with deep institutional knowledge plans to retire, even in a couple of years, a knowledge transfer group of about a half-dozen people working in the same area is formed. The teams meet regularly to talk and exchange advice.

Younger workers get tips and older workers learn how to gradually hand off duties to junior employees.