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JANUARY 20, 2014
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOP STORIES
TopStories 

Insurers face $45B bill due to 2013 natural disasters

ClaimsJournal.com

In 2013, there were 296 separate natural disaster events that produced total economic losses of $192 billion - four percent below the 10-year average of $200 billion, but above the average 259 events, according to Impact Forecasting. The natural disasters caused total insured losses of $45 billion - their lowest since 2009 and 22 percent below the 10-year average of $58 billion.

 

Webinar: Spying on Your Employees: Violating Privacy Laws

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EASTERN TIME ZONE

Presenter: Joel Greenwald, Esq., Greenwald Doherty LLC

Price: RIA Mbrs: $25 Non-Mbrs: $55

 

The emergence of new technology provides employers with increased opportunities to monitor employees during work time, both inside and outside the workplace. This webinar examines legally appropriate employee monitoring tactics (e.g., phones, cameras, GPS, etc.) that can help employers maintain company security and understand what risks to avoid. This RIA webinar is awarded one continuing education contact hour by RIA.

 

Ford recalling 46,000 Edge SUVs over fuel leak

Business Insurance

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 46,000 Edge SUVs from the 2012 and 2013 model years on a fuel system leak that could lead to a fire, the company and U.S. regulators said.

 

INSURANCE
Insurance 

Flood insurance delay part of budget compromise vote

The Advocate

The omnibus budget bill in Congress contains a provision that would delay flood insurance rate hikes until the end of the year for policyholders who were drawn into more expensive zones in flood maps. The wording fights for more comprehensive fixes to the National Flood Insurance Program.

 

Marlow couple dodges high insurance cost in hurricane-proof house

al.com

The Fitzgeralds were given a Fortified for Safer Living certificate, the highest standard for new construction, for their waterfront home. As a result, their total cost of property and casualty insurance: $2,500.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
InternationalNews   

Ireland: Coastal counties estimate $95.7 million damage bill from storms

Business Insurance

Coastal counties along storm-hit western and southern seaboards in Ireland have estimated it will cost more than €70 million ($95.7 million) to repair the damage and protect it from further erosion.

 

New Zealand: Highest quake risk on North Island's east coast

Business Insurance

An area off the east coast of the North Island has been ranked as having the highest risk of generating a massive earthquake - greater than magnitude 8.5, Stuff.co.nz reported.

 

Severe quake rattles lower North Island

Stuff.co.nz

A 6.2 earthquake felt from Invercargill to Auckland, damaged houses and cut power to thousands of residents, hit over the weekend.

 

 

AUSTRALIA NEWS
Australia   

Hills inferno: Damage toll rises

The West Australian

Four people who were reported missing have been accounted for after it was revealed the Parkerville bushfire has destroyed 49 homes and damaged several more. Residents whose homes are confirmed lost will be escorted back to their premises.

  

Australia: Damage from bushfires placed at more than $11.7 million

Business Insurance

Bushfires in Western Australia's Perth Hills have caused damage of more than $13 million Australian ($11.7 million) and this is expected to rise further, Ninemsn reported.

 

Growing antibiotic resistance threats should be a call to arms for the cleaning industry

InClean Magazine

A Sydney Morning Herald story by Julie-anne Davies (28 December 2013), "Superbug showdown: the time is nigh to get serious about antibiotics," highlighted the growing danger of an increasing resistance to antibiotics. The situation presents new opportunities for restoration contractors, given the proven efficacy of superior cleaning practices in reducing the number of hospital acquired infections.

 

Australia: Damage from fire expected to exceed $17.9 million

ABC.com

Damage from a fire that destroyed 55 houses in the hills, east of Perth, Australia, is expected to surpass $20 million Australian ($17.9 million), ABC reported.

 

Wildfire destroys homes in west Australia

Aljazeera.com

The state fire service said in a statement last week that the number of homes being destroyed was expected to rise as damage assessments came in.

 

Australia: New laws reduce workers' compensation claims in Bankstown

Business Insurance

Workers' compensation claims in Bankstown city dropped by 860 after new laws were introduced in June 2012, The Daily Telegraph reported. The new laws no longer cover injuries sustained on commutes to and from work. Bankstown state Labor Member of Parliament Tania Mihailuk said the drop is because of changes in the claims process, rather than fewer injuries happening at the workplace.

 

Firefighters battle nearly 100 fires in New South Wales

UPI.com

Firemen are battling fires across New South Wales, as well as bush fires in Victoria and South Australia.

 

 

  
    
ASSOCIATIONS
Associations  
Attendees can now register for the 2014 International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo that will be held at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Fla., from April 9-11. Sponsorships & Booth Space still available! Early Bird Discount Deadline: January 31, 2014. Early Birds Save $100 off regular registration rate!
  
  
INDUSTRY NEWS
IndustryNews   

Home remodeling market set for strong growth

The home remodeling market should see strong growth in 2014, according to Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) recently released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The double-digit gains in annual home improvement spending projected for the first half of the year should moderate to just under 10 percent by the third quarter.

 

How the smell of your home could be making you sick

Discover Magazine

A homeowner whose home was flooded during Hurricane Katrina has conducted a small study using fruit flies to show the physical impact of a VOC from "mushroom alcohol" that is the main cause of the typical mold smell. The flies exhibited symptoms similar to Parkinson's and showed a marked improvement when given a medication that reverses the effects of Parkinson's.

 

North Carolina update on RRP rule

In January 2010, the NC DHHS, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU) became responsible for administering the North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Hazard Management Program for Renovation, Repair and Painting (NC LHMP-RRP) in NC in lieu of a federal EPA program.The update focuses on training, certification and recordkeeping requirements. 

 

Expert's Corner: Using trade associations and expert consultants in disaster planning

ThomasNet News

Manufacturers can rely on trade groups and expert consultants in their disaster planning, says Michael Keating in his latest Expert's Corner. Keating cites several trade associations, including RIA, in the series on disaster planning and recovery for manufacturers.

 

  
     
COMPANY RELEASES

CompanyReleasesVioland will hold workshop on women in leadership positions

 

Recognizing that more women are holding leadership positions within the restoration and cleaning industries, Violand Management Associates (VMA) will hold a special 4-hour workshop for women only on June 18th at University Center at Kent State University's Stark Campus in Canton, Ohio.

Defender Technologies finds growing interest in hurricane-resistant construction

 

As the toll rises from natural disasters in lives lost and financial damages, insurance companies and governmental agencies are taking action to encourage resilient construction able to withstand the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. Defender Technologies is finding demand for its hurricane resistant construction process rising as well.

 

New sales manager for U.S. Products

 

U.S. Products, a manufacturer of hot-water carpet extractors and floor care equipment, announces that Joe Versluis is the company's new sales manager. Previously, he was the national accounts manager for Hydra-Force Manufacturing and also worked at Interlink Supply.

Bry-Air celebrates 50 years of excellence

 

In a half a century, Bry-Air, Inc., founded in 1964 by Art Harms, a former Bryant sales representative, has grown from a small product line in a rented warehouse in New Jersey to a major force in the global desiccant dehumidification market.

MEMBER RENEWALS

MemberRenewalsWe thank the following members for their continued support of the Restoration Industry Association:     

 

Garry Construction & Restoration, Ltd. - Burlington, ON  (Member Since 02/1997)
Monty Smith - Coral Springs, FL  (Member Since 02/2013)
MSB Disaster Recovery Services, Inc. - Agoura Hills, CA  (Member Since 09/2004)
Restoration Eze - Denver, CO  (Member Since 12/2012)
Restoration Management Co. - Benicia - Benicia, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - Corporate HQ - Union City, CA  (Member Since 05/1994)
Restoration Management Co. - Fresno - Fresno, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - Lake Forest - Lake Forest, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - Riverside - Riverside, CA  (Member Since 06/2011)
Restoration Management Co. - San Diego - San Diego, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - San Jose - San Jose, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - Stockton - Stockton, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)
Restoration Management Co. - W. Sacramento - West Sacramento, CA  (Member Since 07/2010)

  

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