Employment Practices Liability Insurance?

If you have employees, you are exposed to potential employment liability claims. Employees know their rights and it is time for all employers to be more informed about how to protect their company. Here are a few reasons to consider employment liability coverage.

1. Covers the company and board

An EPLI (Employment Practices Liability Insurance) policy covers claims made against directors, officers, employees, the company and its subsidiaries. The policy can cover a long list of claims including wrongful dismissal/termination, sexual/racial/disability harassment, sexual/racial/disability/religious discrimination, employment related libel, slander, defamation and invasion of privacy, wrongful failure to employ or promote and retaliation

2. Increased claims

It's becoming harder to ignore the (Me) culture which continues to gather pace. Small business saw the largest increase in claims in 2012. Average claim cost was over $150,000 in Ore.

3. Free legal help

Most EPLI policies provide free legal resources for firms to use. You can call an attorney to help you through a tough issue.

4. Cost is very competitive

Premiums can be as low as $800 for smaller firms.

Contact us today for a free quote. We have access to many insurance companies who offer competitive pricing.

Planning a Safe Vacation

Ah, travel is bliss; or we'd like to think so!   We want our vacations to be perfect, and ticket mishaps, delays, and schedule changes are all problems none of us like to have happen. We want you to have a great vacation and return home safe. Whether you are planning a trip across the state, or across the world, we have some tips to keep you safe:

• Create an itinerary and give it to a family member or close friend.
• Put all emergency numbers in everyone's cell phone.
• Don't carry a lot of cash.
• Advise your credit card companies of your travel. They will see purchases outside your normal area and may place a hold on the cards.
• To avoid problems when passing through security, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers.
• Put your name, address, and telephone numbers outside, and inside, of each piece of luggage.
• You don't need all your credit cards and ID; leave those you will not be using at home.
• Never wear anything that projects affluence; no gold chains, expensive watches, rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia.  It is best to leave your expensive jewelry at home.
• Do not wear name tags in public.
• At the hotel discuss basic emergency procedures with your children, such as what to do in case of a fire.
• Park only in well-lit and well-traveled areas.
• Let your neighbors know your plans.
• If your plans include travel out of the country, check your health insurance, as there may be some limitations.
• Purchase timers for lights in your home and place them in two or three rooms.

Enjoy your vacation and be safe!

How Medicare Works With My Other Insurance

You need to read your insurance policies carefully to ensure that you understand how Medicare works with other insurance plans. If you have Medicare plus any additional insurance, "coordination of benefits" rules decide which one pays first. The "primary payer", pays what it owed on your bill first, and then sends the rest to the "secondary payer" to pay. In some cases, there may also be a third payer. Medicare will work with other plans and providers but does not necessarily make as many concessions when it comes to providing coverage over individual insurance plans.

Items to remember:

1. If Medicare is the second payer, it will not pay all uncovered costs.
2. The primary payer usually will pay up to the limits of their policy.
3. For those with employer plans, you will need to enroll in Medicare part B before insurance will pay.

If the insurance company doesn't pay the claim promptly (usually within 120 days), your doctor or other provider may bill Medicare. Medicare may make a conditional payment to pay the bill, and then later recover any payments the primary payer should have made.