Workers Compensation     

This month we wanted to highlight some of the significant changes taking place in the Workers Compensation marketplace. Some companies are now offering "PAY AS YOU GO", payment plans which allow insured's to report weekly payroll directly to the company via a secured website. This option enables the premiums to be paid weekly, thus spreading out these payments over a 52 week period, versus the traditional standard payment plans offered. Also, the insured is able to avoid the dreaded yearly payroll audit, since accurate weekly payroll is reported and the subsequent premium charged. Many of our clients have already taken advantage of these programs and have benefited from improved cash flow.

Although these PAY AS YOU GO plans are geared for premiums $10,000 and above, many clients with lower premium levels are also utilizing Electronic Funds Transfer(EFT) to pay their insurance bills. EFT plans allow you to set up monthly payments direct to the company and avoid service charges, writing checks, etc.

Lastly, many payroll companies are now "selling Workers Compensation" in order to add to their bottom line revenue. Please be sure to contact our staff here at MTM Insurance Associates prior to making any decisions. In most cases, your current company, or one of our other companies, is going to be able to provide the same payment benefits WITHOUT the added costs associated with these payroll companies. There are also other significant factors that could be detrimental. In the end, payroll companies are in the business of administering payroll services, and are not seasoned, professional insurance brokers. As always, our goal at MTM is to look out for our valued client's best interests.  Never hesitate to call us with any questions.

Personal Vehicle Sharing Programs   

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most MA auto policies are now EXCLUDING coverage for any auto while it is being used in a personal vehicle ride sharing and/or ride providing program.  There are a lot of different car sharing/providing programs out there which include, but are not limited to, "Zip Car", "Uber", "Side Car", "Lyft" and "Relay Rider".  If you are participating in such a program with your own vehicle and the vehicle is involved in an accident, you are at risk of having your claim denied.    Please feel free to call us for further discussion on this very "hot" topic. 

Carbon Monoxide   

Fuel-powered devices can provide wonderful benefits to families when used properly.  But they can also underscore an important necessity in the home:  the need for a carbon monoxide alarm.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers, or cars left running in garages.  At its worst, carbon monoxide can cause severe side effects or even death.

Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide because of their smaller bodies.  Children process carbon monoxide differently than adults, may be more severely affected by it, and may show signs of poisoning sooner.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea and drowsiness.

The Hard Facts:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that you cannot see, taste or smell.  In 2009, poison control centers reported more than 3,500 cases of carbon monoxide exposure in children 19 and under.

Top Tips: 

-Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm.  As with smoke alarms, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.

-Carbon Monoxide alarms are not suitable for smoke alarms, and vice versa.  Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are available.

-Don't use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home, garage or near a window.

-If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it.  Don't leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage.

-If using gasoline-powered devices, store gasoline in a locked location where children cannot access it.  Keep only small quantities in an approved container that has child safety features.

-Keep gasoline away from any source of heat, spark or flame.  Even common household appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers can start a gasoline fire.  Be sure to store your gasoline away from anything that could ignite it.