Can Technology Reduce Distracted Driving?

Technology caused the problem but maybe it has the solution as well.

Approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in car crashes reportedly involving a distracted driver each day in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Distracted driving can be visual — taking your eyes off the road; manual — taking your hands off the wheel; and cognitive — taking your mind off driving. Using the car’s navigation system or talking with passengers or eating while driving are forms of distracted driving. Continue reading “Can Technology Reduce Distracted Driving?”

What Republican Changes to the ACA Mean to YOU

Many Republicans believe that, even though the new plan is more oriented to the free market, it doesn’t go far enough to fix the ACA’s problems. While Democrats are concerned that millions of Americans will lose access to healthcare coverage.

The ACA was implemented in 2010 to increase access to healthcare coverage for all Americans. Key provisions included:

  • Implementing market reforms
  • Establishing health insurance marketplaces
  • Expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults

To meet those goals, the federal government mandated that:

  • All individuals must purchase insurance or pay a fine
  • Insurers offering health coverage must include 10 essential benefits
  • Large employers must provide health insurance to full-time workers

Continue reading “What Republican Changes to the ACA Mean to YOU”

Crisis Management: Where Risk Management and Public Relations Meet

You might (or should!) have a disaster management plan to help your company minimize the effects of a disaster. You’ve probably considered the evacuation of employees and customers, data backup, and contingency plans for manufacturing your products or delivering your services. But have you considered the role public relations can play in managing a crisis?

Continue reading “Crisis Management: Where Risk Management and Public Relations Meet”

Umbrella Policies: Protection for a Rainy Day

Excess

Bad things happen: that’s why people buy auto and homeowners insurance policies. But America’s love affair with lawsuits means your coverage could fall short. That’s where umbrella policies come in. They provide a convenient and surprisingly affordable extra layer of protection for your key assets.

 

What happens if you are sued for causing an auto accident or your neighbor slips and falls on your property? Continue reading “Umbrella Policies: Protection for a Rainy Day”

TeleMedicine: There’s An App For That!

TeleMedicine has the potential to shave $4.28 billion annually from America’s healthcare bill. But there are still more reasons to look for a plan that covers TeleMedicine services.

What Is Telemedicine?

As the name implies, TeleMedicine encompasses any medical activity involving distance. Today TeleMedicine uses electronic information and telecommunications, but the practice goes back to the days when sea captains would use ship-to-shore radio to obtain medical advice. TeleMedicine includes such technologies as telephones, teleconferencing, electronic mail systems, and remote patient monitoring devices, which collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation. Continue reading “TeleMedicine: There’s An App For That!”

Credit Insurance: Should You Buy It?

Credit protection

You call your credit card issuer, and the customer service representative tells you about a “special offer” for a “payment protection plan.” What do these plans cover, and do you need one?

“Payment protection plan” is another name for credit insurance. Continue reading “Credit Insurance: Should You Buy It?”

Should You Buy Rental Car Coverage?

Travel Insurance

If your vacation plans require a rental car, knowing what your existing insurance policies cover could save you money.

 

The next time you rent a car and the agent asks whether you want the optional coverages, should you say yes or no? Buying them will add substantially to your car rental costs—if you buy all the additional coverages offered, you’ll add at least $18 to the rental charges per day. Are these coverages worth it? Read on for more information.

CDW or LDW

The collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) cost the most of any of the optional coverages, about $10-$25 a day. Although the CDW and LDW are not insurance, they will waive your financial responsibility if a car you rent is damaged or stolen.

When you sign a rental car agreement, you agree to become responsible for any damage to the car. Continue reading “Should You Buy Rental Car Coverage?”

Avoiding Medical Identity Theft

Like financial identity theft, medical identity theft can leave you responsible for bills you did not incur. But unlike other types of identity theft, it can also affect your medical records, jeopardizing your health. It could even jeopardize your health insurance coverage.

 

Medical identity theft occurs when another person uses your identity or insurance information to obtain medical services. Since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services started keeping records in 2009, between 27.8 and 67.7 million Americans have had their medical records breached. Continue reading “Avoiding Medical Identity Theft”

How to Develop a Business Continuity Plan

When your business must close or suffers a disruption due to any kind of natural or man-made cause, a good business continuity plan can ensure it can survive until repairs are made and operations return to normal.

If a facility is damaged, production machinery breaks down, a supplier fails to deliver or information technology is disrupted, Continue reading “How to Develop a Business Continuity Plan”

Who Needs Life Insurance?

You might wonder whether to buy life insurance or not. Do you need death coverage, or is it just an additional expense?

You might think you don’t need life insurance if you do not have children. But that is not always the case. If someone depends on you financially, then you definitely need life insurance. Continue reading “Who Needs Life Insurance?”