- HIPAA Certificates Required During 2014

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Click Here To Read Full Article: May Benefits Buzz

Both the Boston bombing and Waco fertilizer plant explosion reminds us the 1916 boy scout motto, “always prepared,” is more in vogue than ever because preparedness is the answer. Preparedness saves lives, decreases stress and trauma, and improves recovery time whether it be from damage to persons or properties or both.

The Branson, MO region is not immune. Tornados and flooding are part of this region’s history.

Leaf debris from morning flooding produces hazardous driving surface on Reinhardt Road, north of Branson.

Area disaster agencies along with insurance companies and risk management agencies are helping businesses think through what to do in the event of an emergency. Today, Akers & Arney hosted a seminar entitled, “R U Ready?” at Charlie’s Steak, Ale and Ribs in Branson which was destroyed in the Leap Day Tornado of 2012.

Akers CEO David Arney, said the seminar was more like a family sitting down to discuss their emergency plan. “We want everyone to feel like they can have their questions answered,” he said.

PREPAREDNESS QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin answers questions on preparedness.

The two-hour seminar featured Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin speaking on disaster preparedness. He said the three key factors he wished especially business owners would consider prior to a disaster is to plan or prepare, communicate that plan effectively to employees and frequently exercise the plan. “Drill with your staff, employees, and vendors concerning what kind of resources you need.”

PREPAREDNESS TAKES THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Grayson Smith, a continuity planner with Agility Recovery, responded to seminar participants about what’s the first call to make after that call to 911 or your spouse. “Usually it’s to your insurance agent, but then if you have someone like us involved we can start the process of getting power, internet, phones and providing temporary office space. We get you back into business within 48 hours.” Smith said with Hurricane Sandy, they helped 109 businesses and are still helping two.

Bob Forberg, Property Claims Specialist with Illinois Casualty Company presented information about how businesses can be quickly restored to full operation. “Got the call, was dispatched and got to the site as soon as possible to document the damage,” he said concerning the Leap Day Tornado and the damage to Charlie’s Steak, Ribs and Ale. Forberg said he was able to deploy a number of specialists to see if it was feasible to fix the building, then worked with contractors, engineers and architects to get the restaurant quickly reopened.

Chief Martin said many people thought a tornado would never cross Table Rock Lake, follow Lake Taneycomo or come down West 76 Highway. “We had some myth-busting,” he said.

Now with flood and tornado season in full swing, “There’s just a lot to think about when it comes to disasters,” said Arney. “Preparedness is vital for every business.”

by Gaye Lisby on April 18, 2013

Road Accidents

Every time you get behind the wheel your auto insurance is protecting you. Whether it’s against an uninsured driver putting a dent in your bumper or something more serious, your auto insurance kicks into gear every time you get into your car.

Breakdowns

Similarly, your auto insurance is always ready and waiting to be called upon in an emergency. So if you breakdown while on the road or your car is broken into your auto insurance already has the procedure in place to set things right again.

Health Emergency

Staying on the topic of being ready to be called, this is how your health insurance is protecting you every day. Your health insurance is always there so you don’t have to worry about money when you have more important things on your hands. Anything from a serious accident to a routine check-up can be taken care of no matter what time of the day or night.

Travel

From the moment you purchase Travel Insurance it’s working for you. Protecting your deposits on accommodation before you go and keeping you from loosing out on the money you put in if you have to cancel. While you’re away it’s protecting you in case of a medical emergency, if you wallet is stolen or your property is damaged. No matter where you are or what you’re doing you’re covered.

Liability

Liability insurance is the classic example of how insurance is a form of protection that’s always there. Public liability insurance especially is protection for both the business owner and a member of the public. When you are in a public park or a shopping mall, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are protected in case you were to injure yourself and you can feel reassured that there is protection for you in place while you are there.

It’s easy to forget that purchasing insurance is not just in case of an emergency, it’s to ensure we are protected in our every day lives. The next time you look at an insurance policy, why not ask – how is this protecting me on a daily basis?

- HHS Minimum Value Calculator Released
- Proposed Rule Issued on 90-day Waiting Period Limit
- Filing Whistleblower Complaints
- Health Plan Cost-sharing Limits

- Proposed Individual Mandate Rules

- State Plans for Health Insurance Exchanges

Click Here To Read Full Article: April Benefits Buzz

Travel Insurance

Two children on a beach in Cornwall, England decided that the best way to protect the family video camera while they went swimming was to bury it in the sand. It worked as far as keeping it from being stolen, but they forgot where they buried it. Their insurer, however, did cover the loss.

Auto Insurance

People do damage to their own cars every day, but very few accidentally shoot them. One insurance agent recounts a tale of a client who accidently shot his own pickup truck when he dropped his shotgun. In this case the client had comprehensive insurance that covered Other Than Collision damage, so he was covered.

Uninsured Driver

In Seattle a couple had failed to secure a mattress to their SUV only to have it land in the middle of the highway and cause a three-car pile-up. The driver and passenger fled, leaving the innocent injured parties behind – in this case, uninsured driver insurance came in very handy.

Health Insurance

Health insurance when your travelling is vitally important, as one British tourist learned on a trip to Athens. Distracted by a group of women in bikinis he walked into a bus shelter and broke his nose. A strange claim to have to make, but nonetheless his hospital bills were paid for.

Wedding Insurance

For one bride her dream Caribbean wedding became a nightmare when her dress caught fire on a barbeque. Further damage was done by her new husband throwing her into the ocean to put out the flames. Fortunately they had purchased wedding insurance – although it’s probably safe to say they never thought they’d have to claim for this sort of accident!

In many cases insurance claims are mundane and nothing out of the ordinary. But stories like these go to show just how much protection your policy can offer you, even in what seem like the most unlikely situations.

Which Includes:

• Useful Links and Resources
• Timelines. Regulations. Questions and Answers Publication
• Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law and Link