Health Insurance Enrollment Process - A special enrollment period is a time outside the open enrollment period when you can enroll in a new health insurance plan or change your current plan.
We are pleased that, in addition to our Renaissance Alliance group blog, many of our members independent insurance agents maintain their own blogs. Here is an overview of some recent posts we've found useful: Blog Geoff Gordon Gordon Insurance has recent huge security threat messages that digital copiers pose, including a video very scary that business owners should see. Another recent post deals with Chinese drywall and the implications on your home insurance The Wolpert blog Wolpert Insurance has a recent post on the Ministry of Massachusetts new transport safety program :. Bikes and cars: same roads the same rules. The blog also has a post with a funny video about a dog eating a cop car - you have to see to believe. Car-eating dogs are a common danger for car owners - but that's the thing about insurance - it covers you for the unexpected MA Encharter Insurance Blog offers some very useful tips on security in both areas of your household :. Pool safety and security of the dryer. For more tips and using a Renaissance Alliance Insurance Agency, consult our list of members in the sidebar on the left or to find an insurance agent near you on our Google map.
Flood! Wondering about your insurance coverage for water and flood damage? -
The east coast has been criticized with showers that were engulfing roads and requiring rescue as the storm cut its way up the East Coast. The floods have already claimed five lives. Now downpours are down on New England. No doubt many will check their policies and calling agents the next day or two to know what is and what is not covered in terms of water and flood damage. The Insurance Information Institute offers this helpful video:
The insurance cover Insurance standard home does not cover flood damage, so if you have a specific flood policy, you may be out of luck. Check if you have a driver "sump pump failure" to complete your owners, who can offer some relief. Even if your homeowners policy does not cover flooding, if you have experienced something more than minor damage, you may want to file a claim :.
When your insurer investigate the real cause of the loss, you may have some coverage
If you qualify for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) assistance, you will probably need a denial letter from your insurer. By law, FEMA can not duplicate any assistance that insurance already covers.
Your insurer and the agent may be able to provide resources and services to companies for emergency restoration professionals in your area. They may have other resources and tips to help you mitigate and recover from your loss.
If you have comprehensive insurance as part of your standard car insurance policy, you may be covered for water or flood damage to your car. You would need to contact your agent to check the specific coverage provisions in your policy.
The holiday season can be tough on your wallet. Here are some consumer protection tips to help you spend wisely and safely.
Avoid impulse purchases.
Have a plan and a budget and keep track of all purchases.
Cash whenever you can. It is easier to spend when you use the credit when you pay cash.
If you use credit, brush on the fees and charges on your card so that you know the real costs.
Do you focus too much on discounts.
Comparison shop. Just because something is labeled as a sale does not mean it is the best available price
Read consumer reviews -. Both for retailers and for products
Check your bank statements and credit card frequently. .
Read the fine print on return and exchange policies
Do unopened packages - especially electronics - if you know you are going to return the item .
Keep receipts
Avoid extended costly guarantees
Beware of false Although gift cards now have some consumer protections, prepaid cards and card rechargeable debit "gift cards." - In particular those aimed at teens - can carry high fees.
Check your credit cards to see if they offer added protection of consumers or guarantee boosters - if necessary, you can consider using for a big purchase.
Watch shipping fees, which can add up. Many retailers offer free or reduced shipping prices
When shopping online, only shop at secure sites. At checkout, look for the web page to have https: // (with an "s") instead of http :. // In the address
Do not do business on public wi-fi lines, which are not secure. Avoid using your credit card or to bank when using public networks.
Be careful of e-mail phishing. It is best to go directly to the seller or the banker site directly to check all offers.
Question everything and consider negotiating. Ask if there are specials or hotels.
Check special discounts, as for seniors, AAA members, AARP members
Consider making your holiday gifts. Homemade gifts are more personal and can save money.
Ask about the free boxes and packing free, which can save a bundle.
Store packages or bags in your car trunk to prevent theft.
Naught pleasant and retailers Consumer Reports issued its holiday season choice of the largest retailers naughty and nice. The list identifies 10 companies with the most favorable policies for consumers and naughty 10 companies that have hostile or suspicious consumption policies, such as sanctions, the Shorter return, high shipping costs, or expenses unusual. The article invites readers' comments, and dozens of commentators add their picks for the best and the worst consumer policies.
Additional Resources 12 errors money holiday to avoid Holiday Shoppers: Beware of Bogus Gift Card New Card Rules Gift Baskets Better Protect You consumer protections the FTC Shopping safely online - Better Business Bureau tips
Brrrr! extreme weather survival tips for your home, your car and you -
This is a winter survival kit: we have compiled expert advice tips to protect homes, cars and people in extreme winter weather: Ice dams Burst Pipes, broken tree Limbs: Save your home from winter - good article in the Hartford Courant Treatment of dams ice and other winter hazards - our blog post from. last year winter fires -. Safety Tips for the house -. PDF from FEMA and the US Fire Administration Precautions for Extreme Cold Weather -. of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency winter hazard awareness - the Minnesota Department. Public Security offers tips for safety outside, inside and in your car Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including winter checklists and information on domestic and external security working in the cold - .. from the Canadian health and welfare at work center driving winter tips car Talk Safe Driving and good car maintenance Take Center Stage in winter. -. Information from the Insurance Institute Icy road safety -. tips, news, statistics and links to current road conditions by the state Driving Tips Snowy & Icy Roads of How Stuff Works .
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: "Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. "Thanks to Eric Gilkey of PropertyCasualty360.com , we learn that insurance issues for the rich and famous are very different from yours and mine. In a fun slideshow, it looks at the issues of assurance that surfaced related to a variety of celebrities. - Charlie Sheen, Tiger Woods, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson, and others Although some of these scenarios are far enough issues that face most corporate and individual, there are some things to learn. business owners take note and similar wedding planners should take note of the event cancellation insurance. and while risk management issues reputation discussed concern endorsers celebrity run amuck, every company has some exposure related to reputation management.
Ensure body parts? It is difficult to talk about celebrities and insurance without discussing all the stories you hear about film and rock stars performing part of their anatomy for millions of dollars. Many of these reports are not true - unlike the online rumor, Tom Jones has not taken several million dollars for the chest hair policy. A Slate , Daniel Engber talking party insurance body and notes that, although some cases are true, many are not. He speculates that some of these false stories may have been distributed by staff eager to get a buzz for their clients public relations. We feature a jokey insurance product which was a cute promotional shot.
Whether body parts or other risks associated with celebrity, Lloyds of London holds the crown for some of the strangest ever issued insurance policies.
We are all for any reason to keep children safe, so we are pleased to inform you that this week is the week national playground safety. Safe Kids USA asks "do you know what it takes to ensure that your playground is safe Sometimes risks do not seem as obvious as those associated with swimming or cycling; but they are there and easy to find You just need to know what to look for " and the risks are all too real. -. Not only for public playgrounds but also family and school playgrounds. Consider these sobering statistics:
The main cause of death related to the playground equipment and playground is strangulation, representing over 50% of deaths
Nearly 70% of all games. related deaths occur on playgrounds at home.
falls are the most common mode of play injuries representing approximately 80% of all playground-related injuries and about 20% of all deaths.
about 45% of playground-related injuries are very serious, including fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations.
More safety sheet Playground
If you are a parent or if you have children in your life, these statistics should put you on alert! It is important for parents to advocate for their children to make the land safe public games. It is also important for parents who are the owners to ensure that all private playgrounds meet the best and safest standards, too. Do not forget the pools Here Top Safety Tips from Safe Kids Playground:
Playground surfacing material should be 12 inches deep and extend 6 feet in all directions around equipment
Look for playgrounds with shredded rubber mulch, wood chips or sand. Grass and soil are not good surfaces.
Make sure the playground equipment is inspected frequently and in good condition. If it does not, tell your parks and recreation local office.
Remove hood and neck clothing cords and outerwear for children and do not allow children to wear helmets, necklaces, purses or scarves on the playground.
do not allow your children to engage in, or play near, any pushing, shoving or crowding around playground equipment.
Keep toddlers under 5 in a separate play area, away from equipment designed for older children.
actively monitor children on a playground. Being in the same area is not enough -. They need your attention while playing on or around the equipment
Safe Kids has a variety of other useful tools to help you know what to look for assessment security games. Here are some good resources: Tips for parents in assessing the safety of a playground Tips Sport Injury Prevention State laws on preventing concussions (PDF) Concussion Guide for parents (PDF) Sport safety checklist (PDF) dehydration and heat illness prevention
A good security plan was: Do not be a victim of lightning -
June 19-25 June is Safety Week against lightning. It's good timing because we approach the heaviest lightning season. Fortunately, we have had our fill of extreme weather conditions this year, but there are no guarantees. In an average year, there are 57 fatal strikes, most of which occur in June, July and August. There were 4 deaths from lightning so far this year - three of them occurring during agricultural work and one related to a search and rescue tornado. The National Weather Service keeps track of lightning deaths for the current year and for previous years dating back to 1959. Last year, there were 29 deaths, a remarkably low year. The top 5 states for lightning deaths over the last 10 years are Florida (62) Colorado (26), Texas (24), Georgia (19) and North Carolina (18). Not everyone who is struck by lightning is killed - many survive to tell the tale. You can read some stories harowing survivors of lightning strikes - there's even a support group: Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors Your chances of being struck by lightning are about 1 in 700,000 - but experts all agree that you should take care not to. to make you a target. For a little motivation, you can visit human voltage, a page that NASA compiled to document what happens when people and lightning converge The National Weather Service has 5 simple guidelines words: . When thunder roars, Go inside!. Here we reprint their safety tips:
"There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area If you hear thunder, you are likely to. striking distance of the storm. Remember, when thunder roars, Go inside! too many people wait too long to get to a safe place when storms are approaching. Unfortunately, these deferred share lead to many deaths and lightning injuries in the United States
the best way to protect against lightning is to avoid the threat. you just want to be taken to the outside in a storm. Having a plan of protection against lightning, and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected. Monitor weather conditions and get to a safe place before the weather becomes threatening. buildings important and hardtop vehicles are safe options. Shelter against rain, small sheds and open vehicles are not safe.
Inside, do not touch anything that is plugged into an electrical outlet, plumbing and corded phones. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe. Also, keep away from doors and windows and exterior are not found on a garage floor
lightning victims. If someone is struck by lightning, they may require immediate medical attention. Victims of lightning carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Call 911 and monitor the victim. Start CPR or use an AED if necessary. "
Additional resources Homeland Security External Security Security lightning on the Job Lightning truths and myths