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In This Issue
Who We Are
Medicare Update
Employee Dishonesty
Auto Accident Tips
Heat Stress Prevention
Your Agent Steve Davis
steve

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Columbia River Insurance Services is a professional agency dedicated to providing our clients with the best insurance protection and service possible. We will strive to use the industry's most superior products while maintaining affordability.

 

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Columbia River Insurance Services

 

At Columbia River Insurance Services, we are professional advisors and consultants. Our goal is to provide customized solutions to meet your personal, business, and health needs. Our goal is to be your trusted business adviser.  We are independent, which means we have access to hundreds of markets, so we are not tied just one insurance company. This gives us the flexibility to bring together the best possible coverage, pricing and services. We help you identify your risks and bring the right insurance solution.

 

Between our two offices, we have a staff of 13 professional licensed agents, with 140 years of combined years of experience.  Please remember that we are a local agency, and expert in what we do. Using us does not cost you any more. 

Medicare Insurance

 

We are very close to the next upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Period also known as AEP. The official dates this year are going to be October 1st, 2012 through December 7th , 2012. Over the next few newsletters we will begin discussing the changes that will be happening with each carrier. Also stay tuned as we announce our dates for our Annual Client Educational meetings. 

 

Employee Dishonesty

 

A recent report issued by the association of Certified Fraud Examiners, places the cost of employee fraud at 7% of annual revenues. Employers with less than 100 employees saw a median loss of $200,000 according to the ACFE.

Employers need to have an understanding of the many types of fraud most commonly used by employees to steal from their employers.

 

Theft of inventory- This is commonly known as "shrinkage of inventory". It is not limited to just materials or goods, it also applies to office supplies and even office equipment.

 

Vendor kickbacks- Employees set up overpayments from vendors then receive payments in cash or in the form of goods and or services, including trips.

 

Padded expense accounts- Employees can pad expense accounts, use fake receipts and even purchase personal items.

 

Embezzlement- Employees simply siphon off money from a business by setting up fake accounts, stealing cash, or forging checks they deposit into their own accounts. 

 

There are some things you can do to protect your business:

1. Complete background checks on all employees

2. Separate accounting duties by splitting up check writing and deposit responsibilities

3. Require two signatures on checks over $250

4. Add a third person to reconcile books

5. Have an outside firm perform annual audit

What to do When in an Auto Accident

  

1. The first priority is to check for injuries at the scene. Call for medical help if anyone at the scene is injured. Notify the police as soon as possible.

 

 2. Obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons involved, including passengers and witnesses. It is a good idea to look at drivers licenses. Record the license plate numbers of all cars involved. Get complete Insurance information, including policy        numbers. Having the agents name and number is also beneficial.


 

3. Never admit an accident was your fault, even if you think it was. An apology can be construed as an admission of fault. Let the authorities determine who was responsible. Auto accidents can be disorienting even if you are not physically injured. You may not be aware of all factors leading up to the crash.

 

4. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, even if damages were minor.

 

5. In some cases you also must report the accident to the DVM.

 

6. You have the right take your car to the repair shop of your choice. It can be beneficial to get two quotes as pricing and quality vary.

 

7. Use your smart phone to take pictures before vehicles are moved. It provides documentation. 

Heat Stress

  

Heat stress is a signal that says the body is having difficulty maintaining its narrow temperature range. The heart pumps faster, blood is diverted from internal organs to the skin, breathing rate increases, and sweating increases, all in an attempt to transfer more heat to the outside air and cool the skin by the evaporation of sweat. If the body can't keep up, then the person suffers effects ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke. Prevention Tips

  • Drink water frequently and moderately
  • Rest frequently
  • Eat lightly before work
  • Doing more strenuous jobs during the cooler morning hours
  • Utilize ventilation or fans in enclosed areas
  • Remembering that it takes about 1-2 weeks for the body to adjust to the heat; this adaptation is quickly lost - so your body will need time to adjust after a vacation
  • Avoid alcohol consumption. Many cases have occurred the day after a "night on the town"
  • Wearing light-colored, cotton clothes and keeping your shirt on.  Desert nomads don't wear all those clothes for nothing.