7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage

According to the Internal Revenue Service, almost 7.5 million Americans have had to pay a penalty for lacking health insurance in 2014 – and the tax season isn’t over.

As of mid-July, the IRS had processed approximately 135 million of the approximately 150 million individual tax returns it expects for tax year 2014. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act’s “individual responsibility” provisions went into effect, requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Continue reading “7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage”

Insuring Your Boat

A survey by one insurer found that 29 percent of all boat owners did not have a separate watercraft insurance policy. This could be a mistake.

 

 

Many boat owners mistakenly think their homeowners or personal auto policy will provide coverage; however, the standard homeowners policy limits property damage coverage for boats to $1,500—far less than the value of most recreational boats. Continue reading “Insuring Your Boat”

Will Medical Marijuana Send Your Employment Policies up in Smoke?

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia now allow the medical use of marijuana. Colorado, Oregon and Washington have also legalized its recreational use and possession. How will this affect your employment policies?

Continue reading “Will Medical Marijuana Send Your Employment Policies up in Smoke?”

Avoiding Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

The EEOC has had pregnancy discrimination on its radar screen for a while. A Supreme Court case, Young v. UPS, will likely bring more attention to the issue.

Many laws and regulations affect pregnancy and discrimination, disability, leave and accommodations. Continue reading “Avoiding Pregnancy Discrimination Claims”

Identity Theft Insurance = Reputation Protection

A survey by one vendor found that 39 percent of employees want to buy identity theft insurance through their employer. Are you providing this valuable benefit?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses an individual’s personal identifying information Continue reading “Identity Theft Insurance = Reputation Protection”

Insuring Your Boat

In 2013, the Coast Guard counted 4,730 recreational boating accidents that involved 736 deaths, 3,358 injuries and approximately $36 million dollars of damage to property. If you own or regularly operate a boat, you probably need more coverage than your homeowners policy provides. Continue reading “Insuring Your Boat”

The Property Risks You Might Have Overlooked

You buy homeowners insurance to protect your home from damage or loss due to fire, theft, vandalism and more. But without certain important coverages, your policy could leave you short of the funds needed to rebuild and recover. Continue reading “The Property Risks You Might Have Overlooked”