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Apr 06
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Effective Ways To Relieve Stress When You Have A Child With Autism

By Life and Health

One in 64 children is diagnosed with autism. Coping with the diagnosis and everyday challenges can be stressful for parents. In honor of Stress Awareness Month and Autism Awareness Month, consider effective ways to reduce stress in April and throughout the year.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Your child may only eat a few foods, but you should eat a balanced diet. Whole, real foods fuel your body, balance your hormones and reduce the effects of stress. If your health insurance covers dietitian services, schedule a helpful consultation.

Exercise

After running around all day, you may not feel like exercising, but regular movement releases endorphins that clear your brain, calm your body and lower your stress. Try running on the treadmill, dancing to music or doing other doctor-approved exercises as you relax.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

A good night’s sleep equips you to handle each day’s challenges. To achieve good sleep hygiene:

  • Avoid caffeine in the afternoon.
  • Practice relaxation techniques before bed.
  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time.

If you’re worried about your child waking up or eloping as you sleep, install a baby monitor or bedroom door alarm.

Go to your Happy Place

When you start to feel overwhelmed, close your eyes, think about your favorite place in the world, and feel the sand between your toes or the sun on your face. This guided imagery technique will instantly lower your blood pressure and your stress.

Breathe

A few deep breaths help you slow down, take time to think and calm your body. Breathe in through your nose, hold it and exhale from your mouth whenever necessary.

Get Organized

Juggling doctor appointments and all your parenting and personal duties requires organization. Find an app, calendar or other tool that helps you track and stick to your daily schedule. Getting organized keeps both you and your child calm.

Engage in Self-Care

Every day, drink a cup of hot tea, read a magazine or call a friend. See your doctor for regular physicals, too. Even a five-minute break can remind you of your value and help you feel centered.

Ask for Help

You may not trust many people to care for your child, but try to find one or two trusted family members, friends or professional respite workers who can give you a break. You could also hire someone to clean the house, run errands and ease your burden.

Connect with Other Parents

Find an in-person or online support group and chat with other autism parents. Then share helpful resources, tools and encouragement as you manage everyday life.

Manage stress as you parent your child with autism in these ways. They help you cope successfully with everyday life.

Apr 06
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Ways To Improve Focus In The Office When Spring Fever Strikes

By Your Employee Matters

A rise in temperatures this month can signal spring fever in your office. Your human resources department staff can improve focus and keep everyone on task in several ways.

1. Provide New Challenges

Your employees may feel distracted in part because they’re bored, so provide challenges. Ask them to work in a different department for a day, take on a special project or work with a high school intern. The challenge can provide a welcome distraction and jumpstart focus and concentration.

2. Offer a Class

Give employees the opportunity to learn a new skill. You can poll your staff for suggestions or offer foreign language, management or coding classes. While learning something new, your employees will focus on something other than the nice weather.

3. Promote Exercise

Physical activity improves focus, an excellent reason to host a fitness class over lunch, offer discounts to the local gym or encourage employees to bike or walk to work. As your staff members add more exercise into their daily routines, they also focus better on their work-related tasks.

4. Encourage Breaks

Remind employees that breaks can improve their mental health, productivity and focus. Set a timer for hourly stretch breaks, and share the value of regular lunch breaks away from the desk.

5. Change the Scenery

Hang colorful artwork around the office or commission a floral mural in the break room. You can also allow employees to meet at a local coffee shop, play disc golf during lunch or hold walking meetings outdoors. Employees will appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather, and the change of scenery boosts creativity, productivity and motivation.

6. Stock Healthy Snacks and Beverages

Fill your break room with healthy food and beverage options, including fruit, veggies, whole grains and water. These snack options boost mood and creativity and improve your employees’ overall health.

7. Play a Game

Challenge employees to participate in a March Madness basketball bracket, host a chili cook-off or reward teams who reach productivity goals. Games keep employees entertained and as a bonus, you’ll see a stronger spirit of cooperation.

8. Bring the Outdoors Inside

Plants can purify the air and improve mood. Arrange plants around the office as you bring a bit of the outdoors inside your office.

9. Adjust Work Hours

If your employees can arrive early and leave work early, they get to enjoy the warm, sunny afternoon weather. Adjust work hours, if possible, and allow employees to indulge their spring fever while completing their work.

Spring fever might try to curtail productivity in your office, but you can improve focus with these steps. Everyone will be happier and work smarter thanks to your efforts.

Apr 06
Love0

How To Use Your Mental Health Insurance Benefits

By Your Employee Matters

You’re familiar with the physical health benefits your insurance provides, but you may not be familiar with your mental health benefits. These benefits address numerous mental and behavioral health challenges you may face, and you can use them in several ways.

Therapy and Counseling

See a licensed therapist or counselor and discuss any work, family or personal stressors, past or present trauma, and other challenges you face. You can see a therapist for a specific issue for a limited number of sessions or maintain an ongoing relationship as part of your long-term self-care.

Group Support

Join a support group for a specific health or wellness condition. Group sessions can address grief, substance use, anger management, and a variety of other concerns.

Medication

If you need prescription medication for anxiety, depression or another condition, see your physician or psychiatrist. Your insurance should include prescription medication coverage.

Screenings

Receive an alcohol misuse or depression screening as you improve your overall health. The screening results can help you decide if you need additional treatment.

Alcohol Misuse or Substance Use

Get help for an alcohol misuse or substance use concern. With insurance, you can attend detox or rehab and individual or group therapy sessions and receive other beneficial support.

Inpatient Services

Sometimes, you need the intensive treatment an inpatient behavioral stay can provide. Use your insurance benefits to pay for your stay in an approved inpatient program.

Excluded Mental Health Diagnoses

Some health plans exclude certain physical, mental or behavioral health diagnoses. Review your policy so you understand any exclusions and the out-of-pocket expenses you’ll owe if you decide to pursue treatment.

Understand Parity Protection

You may hesitate to use your mental health benefits because you worry that it will cost more than regular health treatment. Typically, insurance policies provide parity protection for mental health benefits. It ensures you don’t pay more for mental health treatment than you pay for regular health treatment, so use the benefit if you need it.

Check your Policy for Coverage Details

Almost all insurance plans provide mental, behavioral and substance use health benefits. However, your specific coverage and benefit limits depend on your policy and even state laws. Check your policy carefully so you know details like:

  • Covered services
  • In-network providers
  • Counseling session annual or lifetime limits
  • Co-pays for services
  • Deductible
  • Pre-authorization requirements
  • How claims are paid

If you have questions about your coverage, read your policy. You can also talk to your human resources professional or contact the insurance company to clarify anything you don’t understand.

The mental health benefits included in your health insurance coverage can help you manage mental and behavioral challenges. Understand how to use your coverage as you get and stay healthy.

Apr 02
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Spring Maintenance Tips For Your Construction Vehicle

By Construction Insurance Bulletin

Your construction business requires a reliable vehicle. This spring, perform several maintenance procedures on your truck. Routine maintenance equips your truck to operate properly all season and prolongs the life of your vehicle.

Inflate Tires

Your vehicle’s tires, including the spare, must be properly inflated and have adequate tread. Check for wear, buckles or bulges, too, since a compromised tire could easily pop as you drive over rough ground on the way to job sites.

Fill Fluids

Change the oil to ensure your vehicle operates at peak performance this year. Replace or refill the transmission, brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluids also, and purchase extra fluids in case you need to top them off during the year.

Tune the Engine

Inspect the engine, including the battery, powertrain control, and ignition. They must be in good working order so that your vehicle operates efficiently.

Replace Belts and Hoses

Your vehicle’s belts and hoses affect various engine parts that are essential for operation. Inspect the belts, hoses and clamps for wear, and replace them if necessary.

Boost the Brakes

Inspect the brake system and replace the linings, rotors or drums if they’re damaged or worn. Remember to also change the brake fluid.

Inspect the Suspension

Your vehicle’s shocks and struts improve your ride, so inspect the suspension. Replace noticeably worn parts.

Improve the Lights

Improve visibility when you buff scratches from the headlights and taillights. Replace any broken lights or fuses also.

Charge the Air Conditioner

Charge the A/C so your vehicle remains cool as you drive to and from job sites. If you notice leaks or damage, schedule a repair.

Replace Wiper Blades

Replace worn, cracked or broken wiper blades. They improve your visibility during all weather conditions.

Detail the Interior and Exterior

Wash the entire exterior of your vehicle, including the undercarriage, to remove winter ice and grime. You can also wax your truck to protect its finish, and touch up any scratches that could turn into rust or affect your brand image. Clean trash out of the interior also and wipe the surfaces as you create a tidy vehicle.

Stock Supplies

Check your tool box and first aid kit, and replace any broken or missing items. Additionally, stock invoices, mileage reports and business cards so you’re prepared to manage and share your business.

Purchase Adequate Insurance

Double check that your commercial auto insurance policy includes adequate coverage. It should include liability, medical, uninsured and underinsured, comprehensive, and collision coverage with adequate limits to protect your assets.

In addition to these spring maintenance tips, schedule regular maintenance throughout the summer season. Proper care protects your truck and your construction business all summer.

Apr 02
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What To Do When A Client Doesn’t Pay An Invoice

By Construction Insurance Bulletin

Unpaid invoices wreak havoc with your construction business. When a client doesn’t pay, you can take these steps.

Remain in Contact

If you don’t receive payment by the due date on the invoice, contact your client and ask if the work was done satisfactorily and when payment will be made. Sometimes, clients face emergencies or other challenges that prevent them from paying the full amount owed. In this case, arrange a payment plan or other alternative. However, if the client does not respond, contact them every day by phone, email or text until you receive payment.

Document your Case

Keep excellent records in case you need to contact collections or take the client to court. Your documentation should include your signed contract, expense receipts, invoices, and verbal and written communications with the client.

Hire a Collections Agency

Instead of calling the client every day, hire a collections agency to do this task for you. They typically charge a 30 percent fee to recover unpaid funds.

Send a Letter from your Lawyer

A simple letter from your lawyer with a threat to send the invoice to collections or take the client to court may prompt immediate payment.

Go to Court

You may be able to file a claim in small-claims court if your client owes between $2,000 and $7,500 and your state’s laws support this option. For higher amounts, consider further legal action. Remember, though, to weigh the legal fees against your unpaid invoice to ensure you don’t lose money going to court.

Remain Civil

Never complain about the client to others or on social media. Maintain a professional attitude as you protect your reputation and business.

Pursue Alternative Recovery Avenues

Even if the client doesn’t pay, you may be able to file an insurance claim to recover the unpaid invoice. Alternatively, ask your accountant if you can write off the bad debt on your next tax return.

Change Future Billing Practices

Use this hard lesson to change your future billing practices.

  1. Write an accurate proposal for each job. It outlines the exact work you will do, project timeline and payment expectations.
  2. Give the client time to examine the proposal and ask questions.
  3. Consider a staggered payment plan where you receive part of the payment upfront with the remainder due in installments.
  4. Require payment of each installment before you start the next part of the project.
  5. Sign a contract that clearly states the specific work you will do and payment due dates, late fees and the steps you will take to recover payment.

An unpaid invoice affects your construction business, so take these steps to get the payment you’re due.

Apr 02
Love0

Time to Review Your First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers

By Business Protection Bulletin

How many times do you walk by fire extinguishers without checking those tags or past first aid kits without peeking inside to assure the contents are complete?

Most executives do not spot check these life saving tools.  That task is delegated to maintenance.  But these decisions are life and death, not simply profit or loss.  Show your employees you care; that you lead their safety program rather than follow pro forma insurance checklists.

Start your spring cleaning here: walk through your operation and stop occasionally to check if you can easily spot the nearest fire extinguisher.  Read the label.  Is it appropriate for the work area?

Stand at each fire extinguisher station and visualize successful deployment.  Is it easy and natural?  Can you travel unharmed to the nearest fire exit using the fire extinguisher to clear a path?

Observe any long pathways between fire extinguishers and exits.  Would another canister or different fire suppression device or system help?

Take some notes as you walk through the operation.  Review these observations with the person tasked to keep the equipment updated.

Repeat the above exercise with regard to first aid kits.  Are they easy to spot?  Easy to access one-handed?  Do they have instructions for calling emergency help?

These exercises do not require a great deal of time or scheduling.  Simply make a point of checking these items every quarter, something of an internal surprise inspection.

Add ten minutes every three months to your walk-through routine.  It doesn’t need scheduling or ceremony.  Simply observe, become conscious of the emergency response routine.  Are fire exits clogged with storage or debris?  Are aisles kept unobstructed?

Is a specific person charged with de-icing fire escapes?  As you walk through your operations, take notes of these questions.  Think through an emergency evacuation, then review the written plan for your company.  Does it make common sense?  Does it raise questions for your risk manager or safety specialist?

Does your at-hire training include safety orientation and procedures?  How about on-going communications on safety issues?  Both directions?

Corporate officers lead the safety culture.  Make these inspections in view of employees.  They will engage you if they have proper concerns.  They are a great resource.

Apr 02
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Ways To Protect Your Electronic Devices In The Office And On The Road

By Business Protection Bulletin

When settling Building Insurance claims, it can be tough to determine the real cost of replacing or restoring damaged property. Unfortunately, the methods that policyholders, insurance companies, and agents usually use to set the right amount of coverage all have their weaknesses; according to insurance experts, this means some buildings might be underinsured by up to 40%!

This shouldn’t be a surprise. Basing the amount of coverage on the purchase price of a building doesn’t factor in possibly significant changes in the value of the location. The same problem applies with using real estate appraisals, which are based on the sale price.

Although setting coverage by estimating square footage and material costs can be fairly accurate, these methods depend on the validity of the data plugged into the formulas. What’s more, changes in zoning or building regulations can have a significant impact of the value of the building.

As a construction professional, you can’t afford to “guestimate” the cost of building repair or restoration after a loss. For example, you probably have a strong grasp of arcane and complex zoning and building ordinances in your everyday work.

We’d be happy to provide a complimentary review of the valuation of your buildings for coverage purposes and recommend any needed changes. We can then explore opportunities to improve the accuracy of building valuations for your clients — and ours, so that we can help close that 40% “underinsurance gap.”

Apr 02
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Spring Maintenance Tips For Your Commercial Property

By Business Protection Bulletin

Now that the harsh winter weather has ended, it’s time to spruce up your commercial property. Here are several spring maintenance tips that reduce your liability and prep your property for warmer weather.

Inspect for Water Damage

Melting snow and ice can increase water flow around your property, so carefully inspect the entire building for water damage. Check the exterior foundation, interior walls and windows for moisture, leaks or condensation, and clear out and repair any damaged gutters and downspouts.

Check the Roof

Winter storms can damage your roof, but you may not notice the damage until the roof starts to leak. Perform a detailed inspection of the roof and note any repairs you need to make.

Touch Up the Exterior

Cold winter weather can cause paint to chip, and flying debris can dent siding. Walk around the building, note any damaged paint or siding, and fix the areas. Sometimes, a simple touch up is all that’s needed rather than refinishing the entire building.

Repair the Parking Area

If freezing temperatures created cracks or holes in the parking lot or sidewalks, fix the problem areas. You’ll also want to power wash the area to remove dirt, mud or other debris, repaint any faded lines and repair broken signs. With a clean parking area, you reduce liability and improve visual appeal.

Wash the Windows

Remove winter grime and buildup on the exterior and interior windows. Clean windows boost productivity and improve the appearance of your commercial building.

Boost Ventilation

Open windows and air out the stuffy building if possible. You may also inspect and clean the HVAC system and install fans or dehumidifiers in damp areas as needed.

Improve Curb Appeal

Fallen branches, debris and litter affect your property’s curb appeal and can create hazards for employees and visitors. Remove any debris, and trim trees, shrubs and bushes to reduce hiding places for burglars and future damage risks. Consider planting flowers and grass, too, as you improve your property’s curb appeal and safety.

Perform Pest Control

Warmer temperatures may attract bugs, insects and rodents to your property, so apply a pest spray around the building’s perimeter, and close any holes that may allow animals to enter the building. You may also want to treat any ponds, bird baths or other standing water with Mosquito Dunk or a similar product.

Assess Insurance

Your commercial property insurance protects your company, so schedule an assessment. Ensure you have adequate coverage for your needs as you look forward to the rest of the year.

This spring, you can perform maintenance on your commercial building to improve its appearance and functionality. These tips also reduce your liability and protect your employees and clients.

Mar 06
Love0

Small Heart-Healthy Changes To Make With The Whole Family

By Life and Health

March gives your family the perfect opportunity to talk about love and improve your heart health. Involve your entire family in making positive changes when you take several small heart-healthy steps.

Find Free Time for Active Movement

Whether you have 15 minutes after dinner or several hours on the weekends, exercise and activity improve your heart health. Review your family’s schedule to find free time for activities everyone in the family enjoys, such as hiking, biking, swimming, sports and active video games.

Cook Together

Kids may balk at any dietary changes or new foods unless they help with the meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. Encourage your kids to help you research heart-healthy meals and snacks, too, as you introduce unprocessed options into your family’s everyday diet.

Drink More Water

Water hydrates and fuels your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, adult men should drink 15.5 cups of water and women need 11.5 cups of water daily. Children should consume between five and 11 cups of water depending on their height, weight and age. To boost your water intake, replace other beverages with water, eat foods high in water content and drink a glass of water before and with each meal.

Reduce Stress

While you probably can’t avoid stress altogether, you can work as a family to reduce your stress levels, which makes your heart happy. Consider cutting unnecessary activities, doing yoga, spending time outdoors, enjoying fun hobbies and embracing other effective strategies that reduce stress every day.

Choose Less Screen Time

Technology can improve your health, especially when you use a fitness tracker to monitor your activity and diet. Too much screen time, particularly if it involves sitting around, can negatively affect your health, though. As a family, choose to replace some of your screen time with family board games, hobbies or volunteer activities.

Visit the Doctor

Involve your doctor on your journey to better heart health, especially if you’re new to exercise or have a history of heart issues. Your health insurance should cover a physical and regular checkups, and it may even offer reimbursement for exercise or nutrition classes you may take as your family pursues better health.

Give Yourself Permission to Take Baby Steps

Implementing and maintaining heart-healthy improvements takes time. Encourage your family members to view your new adventure as a marathon rather than a sprint because with baby steps you’re more likely to stick with your new lifestyle changes over time.

This February, prioritize heart health with your entire family. Every step you take toward a healthier lifestyle improves your quality of life and can help you live longer.

Mar 06
Love0

How Much Cyber Liability Insurance Should A Business Purchase

By Cyber Security Awareness

Cyber breaches that affect big businesses make the news, but over 60 percent of all cyber breaches target small and medium-sized businesses. Because you must protect your business, no matter what its size, purchase adequate cyber liability insurance.

What is Cyber Liability Insurance?

When your business suffers a data breach, you can file a cyber liability insurance claim. The policy won’t prevent a hack, but it will cover your financial losses and assist your company during recovery.

Common Cyber Breach Risks

Any company, from international mega corporations to small family-owned businesses, that operates online or handles customer data faces cyber breach risks such as:

  • Human error – using the same password for all websites, losing unlocked devices or downloading malware.
  • Mobile devices – gateway for thieves when used over unsecured Wi-Fi connections or left unlocked.
  • Disgruntled former employees – use old login information to hack into your system.
  • Ransomware – hackers introduce malware onto your computer, encrypt data and require a ransom before they release and decrypt your system.
  • Coordinated attacks – international hacker groups target the sensitive information your company stores.

How Much Does a Cyber Breach Cost?

After a cyber breach, your company will owe first-party expenses, such as damages to your systems and data, and third-party expenses related to your liability to customers. Examples of these two expenses include:

  • Customer losses – direct financial loss, credit monitoring and other related expenses.
  • Business disruption expenses – account for up to 39 percent of a breach’s total cost.
  • Direct financial loss – resources the hackers steal from your company bank accounts.
  • Legal costs – handling lawsuits customers may file against your business.
  • Regulatory fines – imposed by the FCC, FTC, HHS and your state.
  • Public relations expenses – required to rebuild your company’s reputation.

These and other expenses contribute to the $3.62 million global average cost of a cyber breach. Each breach affects an average of 24,000 records, reports the Ponemon Institute, and costs $141 per individual lost or stolen record. Multiply this figure by the number of confidential or sensitive records your company stores, and you get an idea of how expensive a breach would be for your business.

Purchase Adequate Cyber Liability Insurance

Many experts suggest that businesses purchase at least $1 million in cyber liability insurance. Without this valuable coverage, your company could face insurmountable financial challenges and possible bankruptcy after a cyber breach.

On average, small businesses pay from $750-8,000 per year for this valuable coverage. Because your needs vary, schedule a consultation with your insurance agent and get a detailed quote.

Protect your customers and your business with cyber liability insurance. It’s essential coverage for every company.

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