Dirty Little Secret of Workers Compensation Insurance

Dirty Little Secret of Workers Compensation Insurance by Charles J. Read

Workers Compensation Insurance agents are paid commission based on the size of your company premium. The bigger the premium you pay the bigger your agent's commission. Your agent may never cause your premium to go up unnecessarily but has he done everything he can to reduce it and reduce his commission?



The first workers compensation law was enacted in the United States in 1911 by the State of Wisconsin. By 1948, every state had some form of "workman's comp." Basically this is a government mandated social insurance pact between employers and employees. Employers are forced to cover medical care and provide wage replacement for employees hurt on the job: in return workers compensation benefits becomes the only remedy available for workers. Even though courts have upheld this concept for almost one hundred years occasionally in cases of bad faith courts have over ridden this exclusive remedy.



Workers compensation is compulsory insurance in every state but Texas. With some few exceptions, all employers are mandated by law to carry workers compensation insurance.



Workers Compensation Insurance premium is calculated by how employees are classified by their specific work and the rate assigned to each employee classification.



Workers Compensation insurers attach a premium rate to each employee classification code. These rates must normally be approved by the state insurance regulatory agency in the state the policy is in effect in. Agency approval of the rate is based on numerous items. One of the items taken into account is adequacy of the rate. Rates must be adequate to maintain the financial condition of an insurance company. Adequate rates allow the insurance company to maintain surplus to meet current and future claims..



The classification code and its corresponding premium rate are part of the formula. The premium rate itself is expressed as dollars and cents per $100 dollars of payroll. The payroll for each classification code is estimated and then each $100 is multiplied by the rate. The calculated amount is the base premium. The base premium is then modified (change up or down) using rating plans and experience modification.



The experience modification is calculated from losses that the company has reported in the past.

The insurance company used a government-approved formula to calculate an experience modification for each employer. The formula looks at paid losses, reserves necessary for claim made and payroll amounts for the past three years (usually). The experience modification shows average loss experience of employers with similar classified employees and works as a way to compare employers. The experience modification is added to the class rate, along with any other modifications and an estimated premium rate is created. This is called prospective rating and is the most commonly utilized rate plan.



The total premium for a workers compensation insurance policy is not certain until the policy period is complete and all payroll has been reported.



Now you know how the rates are calculated what is the "Dirty Little Secret"? In thirty years of working with companies I have never gone into a company of any size and found that its employees are correctly classified. The classification process is many times as much of an art as it is a science. Different people can look at the same job and classify it differently sometimes with extremely different results to the premium. Many classification titles are very similar but with much different rates. There are many jobs that don't have a specific classification but have to be fitted into something that makes sense. If the insurance company decides the classification do you think it will be the best possible choice for the employers lowest premium?



If an employer is not only knowledgeable but also aggressive about classifications who is going to see to it that they are the lowest possible premium rates. The insurance company makes more money out of higher premium rate classifications. The risk to the insurance company does not rise if the employee is misclassify into a classification that commands a premium rate of say $10.13 per $100 of payroll as say a rate of $1.01 per $100 of payroll. The insurance company just makes ten times as much revenue. If there is a claim it will be paid at the same amount regardless of what the premium was.



The insurance agent that supposedly has the employer's interest at heart makes ten times the commission if an employee is misrated as in the paragraph above. Is he going to take his time, energy and effort to deliberately cut his commissions by suggesting rate changes over his company's objection?



If as an employer you don't have an intimate knowledge of classification and ratings you need to either get the knowledge or hire someone who has it. You can't trust your agent to be objective about this. You are talking about taking money out of his pocket and out of the pocket of people that pay him. You don't pay him the insurance company does. It pays him a commission on what he sells you. Not necessarily on what you need. Your agent may be doing a bang up job but wouldn't you like to be sure?




Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll, accounting and tax business for 30 years, the last fifteen in private practice.
Mr. Read is the author of “How to Start a New Business.”

To find professional payroll service at a budget price go to www.PayrollonaBudget.com a paperless payroll company.

For a full service payroll bureau with CPA’s on staff visit www.CustomPayroll.com .

See an excerpt of Mr. Read’s interviews from William Shatners “Heartbeat of America” television show on the web sites linked above.




Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Long Term Care Insurance: Who to Trust?

Long Term Care Insurance: Who to Trust? by Clay Cotton

A contract is a contract, and a long term care insurance company has the right and responsibility to follow it's policy's wording to the letter. Buyers BEWARE! Companies can "interpret" vague wording in their favor. So, it's a very good idea to enlist the expertise of an insurance coverage contract lawyer in the very beginning, rather than waiting until being denied. Just know that lawyers are pricey, so be prepared to spend some extra cash for this last step.



Unless you are well versed in contract law and know the in's and out's of the insurance industry's language, do not supposed that you are smarter than your long term care insurance company's lawyers. Make sure you know what you are buying.



Checking policy wording with a contract lawyer who knows the long term care insurance lingo while also making sure you have a competent and compassionate long term care insurance broker in your corner is the best of both worlds.



Brokers can be very helpful, as long as they are consumer-focused, however they are not trained in law. Even Clay's long term care insurance mentor/trainer, who had years of experience, was caught unaware a few times. After believing a policy's wording meant that it promised coverage under certain circumstances, Charlie was devastated and infuriated to learn that a client's claim was questioned. Charlie wasn't a lawyer, and in good faith he believed what the insurance company had alluded to during his training. Maybe he was too trusting. His training was about sales, not about specific wording in a particular policy and the legal ramifications of such wording for his clients.



However, IF a long term care insurance company tries to deny your claim, your broker can go to bat for you arguing in your behalf. Charlie did this for his clients and he won. Often a broker can push a claim through, when a consumer cannot. They can't argue law, but some do have "pull". This is especially true if the broker is an long term care insurance company's top producer. The company doesn't want to upset the broker and risk losing future sales, even if they are vaguely within their rights to deny a claim. (I say vaguely, because some policies are vague in their wording. )



So, if you do need assistance getting your claim approved, you might want to see if your broker can help before spending money on a lawyer. Please note: There may be time limitations pertaining to filing an appeal or contesting an insurance company's denial of claim/benefits. If you think your claim has been unjustly denied, do not delay. Act right away.



In most cases, your broker can become your best friend during "claims time". Coming face to face with a long term care situation can be an incredibly stressful and emotional time, both for the person needing care, as well as for family members.



NOTE: Read your policy to see if you will need to file your claim within a certain amount of time. Some policies require written notice within 30 -90 days from the verification of disability.



Call your long term care insurance agent as soon as you need to receive benefits. A conscientious broker will assist you with your claim. Agents should consider it part of their job. Some agents may even go the extra mile by helping you fill out your paperwork and making sure it gets filed in time.



It's good to know that you have a trusted broker to lean on during what may be a confusing and heart-wrenching time.



Long term care insurance activist, Clay Cotton, writes for http://www.PrepSmart.com - The Online Baby Boomers Decision Assistance Center, where you get Free Long Term Care Insurance advice, comparative rate quotes and personal guidance, all while safely at home in your favorite pajamas and bunny slippers.




Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Tips To Choosing The Right Auto Insurance Company

Tips To Choosing The Right Auto Insurance Company by Andrew Daigle

Are you in the market for better auto insurance rates? Or, perhaps you are simply looking for a new auto insurance company? Whatever your reason for shopping around, now is the perfect time to request auto insurance quotes from several companies who are more than eager to earn your patronage. In fact, many companies will compete for your business by way of auto insurance rates.



Your first step to choosing the right auto insurance company is to consider the type of coverage that you need. For instance, if you have a less than perfect driving record or past credit problems, you may want to compare auto insurance costs from companies who specialize in giving customers a second chance to earn discount auto insurance. If you own more than one vehicle, you may find that some auto insurance companies will offer cheap auto insurance rates in exchange for becoming your exclusive provider. In other words, transferring all of your policies to one company may result in discount auto insurance at its best.



The next step in choosing an auto insurance company is to look for one that rewards customers based on a good driving record. One of the keys to a respectable auto insurance company is flexibility when it comes to coverage selection and incentives to promote better and more responsible driving. In addition to comparing auto insurance rates and plans, take the time to review the auto insurance company's policy on discount auto insurance rates for those with a safe driving record.



It's important to realize that auto insurance rates vary from one area to the next. For instance, Pennsylvania auto insurance may be less expensive than New York auto insurance or vice versa. Regardless of where you live, however, most will agree that auto insurance is expensive and it's essential that you compare auto insurance rates to ensure that you are getting what you pay for. A good auto insurance company, for instance, will offer various deductibles, competitive auto insurance rates and some type of coverage that allows for the temporary payment of medical bills in the event that you ever become involved in an auto accident. If you are injured as a result of another motorist's negligence, many auto insurance companies will pay for your medical bills and later seek reimbursement from the faulty individual(s). This is a great relief to many, especially those who may not otherwise have health insurance.



As a final thought to choosing an auto insurance company that offers the best auto insurance rate, free auto insurance quotes and/or a flexible program that can be customized to fit your individual needs, simply take the time to shop around and compare auto insurance from more than one company prior to making a final decision.



The information in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional financial or insurance advice relating to auto insurance quotes, discount auto insurance or auto insurance rates. For additional information or to receive an auto insurance quote, contact a local auto insurance company.



Andrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author of many successful websites including Free Auto Insurance Quotes, an auto insurance company research site and a Low Loan Rates site for finding the best rates for personal loans, payday loans, student loans and more for your financial needs.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Beginner’s Guide to Auto Insurance

Beginner’s Guide to Auto Insurance by rail inton

Everything starts from nothing… well yeah, I thin so. It’s just that someone or something made some actions about it, that’s why something had happened to that nothing. Those actions primarily start from the basic. Even in the dictionary, the word “basic’ comes before “complex”. But logically, everybody must learn first the fundamentals before the complexity of a thing. Like in the auto insurance. Here is the primary thing you should know to get best insurance would suit your lifestyle.



Many people think that they only need auto insurance so they can get their registration and tag and then be able to drive their car. It is something that they need because their license will be suspended if they don’t get it. Some people even think it’s just a bother to them because they don’t get into accident or that they are good drivers.



Oftentimes people will call to the insurance companies and will ask for the cheapest insurance policy or the one that is only required. They only become aware of what coverage they have when they need it, like when they need to make a claim.



You should always have as much insurance as you can afford to carry. Having too little is never good and if you have insurance you cannot afford is not any better too. A policy that is cancelled due to non0payment does you no good at all.



Florida is a no-fault state. If you have the proper state required coverage, you will be protected by the no-fault law. If you are in an accident whether you are at fault or not at fault, you will go through your own personal injury coverage for your medical expenses for the first $10,000. If you do not have at least a minimum insurance then you will not be protected and may be subject to paying for the injuries of the other people you hurt in the accident.



There are different types of coverage that could meet your insurance needs. Each of them has a proper purpose and you can select whatever type would suit you.



Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage are the minimum insurance in the state of Florida. Personal Injury Protection or P.I.P covers medical, hospital and funeral expenses up to the limits. It also covers others in your vehicle and pedestrians struck by your car. Property Damage liability covers if your vehicle damages another person’s property. Car, house, motorcycle, etc are the example of properties that would be covered.



Bodily Injury Liability is another important coverage. It covers other people’s injury or death that you are responsible for up to the limits you purchase. Though it is not required by Florida for state minimum insurance, it satisfies another law called the Financial Responsibility Law. It states that your license may be suspended if you are not financially responsible at the time of and at fault accident where someone gets injured or property damage occurs. By filing an SR-22, you may be able to get you license back. This form shows to the stated you are now carrying Bodily Injury Coverage and are now financially responsible. Usually you must carry this for 3 years with no lapses coverage.



Another common insurance people ask are the Full Coverage. Well, this is not an insurance coverage. Most people only know that their car dealers or bank wants Full Coverage so they ask for it. Actually, Comprehensive and Collision Coverage are what these companies look for. Collision covers repairs when your vehicle hits or is hit by another vehicle. It will also pay up to the book value of the vehicle at the time of a loss if it is destroyed. On the other hand, Comprehensive cover for loss caused by other circumstances other than collision like flood, theft, fir or animal damage. It also covers total losses up to the book value of the vehicle.



Medical and Uninsured Motorist are also other types of coverage. Your medical costs and your passengers injured in an accident are covered by the Medical coverage. Uninsured Motorist covers injuries to you and your passengers when the other person in the accident is at fault, but does not have enough insurance.

Author Info:

Roger Ricafort Maintain the following sites: Personal Loans, Site review, cancer studies




Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Term Insurance: Can You Afford Not to Have It?

Term Insurance: Can You Afford Not to Have It? by David McEvoy

Losing a family member can create both emotional and financial hardship on the entire family - whereas having a secure life insurance plan can help mitigate the costs involved. This is a benefit with both short and long-term plans. As you plan for your future, learning about the value and extensive benefits of your life insurance policies can help you maximize your investment.



Term life insurance can help your family with any costs in the event that you pass away, and can help minimize the risks involved with financial hardship on loved ones. When a key family member passes, their employment benefits cease to exist. Although some employers extend special insurance coverage to the employee's immediate family, this may not be enough to cover long-term needs and expenses.



Term insurance is commonly known as a ‘pure' form of life insurance because it only covers the insured for a specific period of time. The insurance policies will expire after a certain date, making sure that the policy holder's family and immediate beneficiaries are covered completely. It can help to protect a family's financial standing, or make money immediately available for children's college education or living expenses.



Determining Term Insurance Coverage



If you invest in a term insurance plan, you'll need to consider the length and type of the policy you want to invest in. The insurance policy is a legal document, and each type of insurance will vary by state or country. Term insurance is an affordable way to cover any potential risks in your future years; if you have numerous dependents, you really cannot afford not to have it. The best coverage for your family will depend on how many assets you own; if these are not valuable enough to provide cash after a sale, your family can be at a severe financial risk. Another factor to consider is whether you require a death benefit for a business. Any outlying businesses will require some form of coverage in the event that you are no longer the owner. Ultimately, term insurance is designed for complete financial protection in the event that you pass away.



Annual Renewable and Level Term Insurance



The beneficiaries of your insurance proceeds will receive the funds free of federal and state income taxes. The money can be used for any expenses, costs, and even pay off some debts such as a mortgage or outstanding revolving accounts. Term insurance can be renewed each year, while other premium policies can be extended for a specific period of time. Annual renewable term policies are ideal for short-term needs and the premiums will fluctuate each year upon renewal. However, this may become unaffordable if it is started too early. A level premium term life insurance plan may be a better option, since this will cover the insured for a set of years: 10, 15, or 20 years at a time will be covered at a set rate so there will not be any fluctuations in payments. Renewals may require an evidence of insurability, but you will have a chance to take advantage of more favorable rates.



Key Benefits of Term Insurance



A number of benefits exist for term insurance policies, and finding an affordable plan can help minimize the costs involved with alternative options such as permanent life insurance. Key benefits of term insurance include:



• Beneficiaries are paid the face value of the policy when the insured dies during the term

• Term insurance generally costs less than permanent life insurance plans and policies, making it more affordable in the long-term

• Some policies are renewable and may even be converted to a permanent insurance status

• A level term life insurance policy can last up to 30 years

• A higher cash value after proceeds are distributed to beneficiaries



Death benefits are not paid at the end of the term, so establishing the right amount of the policy is important during the selection process. Term insurance is the simplest and easiest type of insurance available. Most have a renewable feature that will allow you to increase the premium if any health concerns or life changes occur, and locking in a secure rates becomes much easier. Qualifying for various policies can be challenging, but once the medical evaluation is completed, the physical examination will easily approve a certificate of insurability.



What Term Insurance Proceeds May Be Used For



Once the insured has passed away and the beneficiaries receive the proceeds, term insurance can be used for a variety of purposes that can maintain your family's financial health and protect them from hardship. Common uses for proceeds may include:



• Paying off a mortgage

• Setting up a retirement fund for a spouse

• Covering children's school and college expenses

• Paying off debts such as credit cards or auto loans

• Purchasing stocks for long-term investments

• Covering business expenses

• Cover health costs of immediate family members

• Pay for personal expenses



For more information about life insurance please come and visit our site which is packed full of useful links and tips. http://www.information73.com



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Pay as you drive, the best car insurance deal

Pay as you drive, the best car insurance deal by Kirthy

Pay As You Drive commonly known as PAYD, has set a revolution in the car insurance. You can now save money by driving less. Usually, the insurance trend is low mileage drivers receive minimal discounts for driving less. Not any more. With Pay As You Drive you get a financial incentive for driving less. It also reduces driving and congestion by 10 to 12% approximately.



It is an innovative concept related to car insurance which is calculated per mile you travel. PAYD links insurance polices to an odometer instead of just the date on the calendar. PAYD offers dual purpose, it provides opportunity to all drivers to save money and at the same time protect the environment.



Such PAYD insurance is more cost-effective and affordable as it gives every driver a greater control over his premiums. And low mileage drivers like a carpooler, low-wage earner etc. subsidize high mileage driver.



The technology that has revolutionized the car insurance is GPS(Global Positioning System). This enables to gauge monthly insurance premiums on the basis of where you drive and how often you drive. So the monthly premiums is based on the individual’s driving habits rather than others.



Take greater control over your premiums by settling down with a fair deal!



In addition to the above benefits, it allows you to have a volley of some in-car features. You gain access to your personal assistant with the help of 24/7 Assistance button which offers support in case of some inevitabilities such as an accident or a break down. A driver who gets covered under PAYD, also gets a 30 day free trial of a speed camera detection and a satellite navigation. On completion of this free trial period, you can purchase which ever best suited you.



PAYD resulted out of a research with which it was evident that low-mileage drivers are a large untapped market. Pay-as-you-drive insurance is as simple as buying gasoline. Drive less and Pay less. A driver covered under this insurance will get a per mile rate which is also based on other rating factors currently in vogue. It could be the geographic location, vehicle type and the driver’s crash history.

In some countries like Arizona, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania, there’s a new mileage discount program which is designed in collaboration with both GMAC Insurance and Onstar vehicle service. All those drivers with a GM Vehicle and an OnStar service can earn an additional discount based on the miles they drive. The discount offered would be quite significant if the vehicle mileage is less.

From an environmentalist point of view such an insurance motivates one to drive less and thus reduce air pollution and other climate impacts.



Kirthy Vijay,Expert writer on bankruptcy.Log ontoHome owner personal loan



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Credit History & Auto Insurance: How One Can Save You Big Bucks On The Other

Credit History & Auto Insurance: How One Can Save You Big Bucks On The Other by Andrew Daigle

Your credit history can influence your ability to get a loan or a credit card, but did you also know that it can play a large role in the cost of your car insurance? It can. In fact, poor credit can result in higher auto insurance rates regardless of your past driving history. When you apply for coverage from an auto insurance company, you will likely be required to sign a release giving the company permission to access your credit file. If you want the best auto insurance rate possible, it's time to start cleaning up that credit report.



Your first step to cheap auto insurance is to check your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, including TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Closely review all information contained in each report, including both payment history and contact information. If there are any inaccuracies, file a dispute with the reporting agency immediately and await correction. In most cases, this takes less than two weeks.



You may be wondering why your credit history would play such a crucial role in how much you pay for auto insurance rates. When you apply for this type of coverage, you are asking the auto insurance company to put their trust in both you and your driving ability. By applying for coverage, you are agreeing to pay a premium and, in the event of an accident, a deductible. Your past credit history will give the auto insurance company an idea as to how you will handle your car insurance payments.



It's important to note that even with a few blemishes in your credit history, it is still possible to compare auto insurance rates and even find discount auto insurance if you know where to shop. Many auto insurance companies realize that past credit history is, well, in the past. If you have a less than perfect financial history, don't hesitate to explain your situation to the auto insurance company and let them go to work to find you the best auto insurance rate available.



If you have a credit report that needs improving, you can begin to see positive results in as little as three months. Avoid carrying a credit card balance that exceeds 50% of your total available credit, always pay your bills on time and pay more than the minimum payment if/when possible. After several months of regular payments, your credit report and score will begin to improve. What does this mean for your auto insurance rates? As your credit score goes up, your auto insurance rates may go down. One of the best ways to find the best provider for your needs is through obtaining several auto insurance quotes, compare rates and choosing the best one that offers a customizable plan.



The information in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional financial or insurance advice relating to auto insurance quotes, discount auto insurance or auto insurance rates. For additional information or to receive an auto insurance quote, contact a local auto insurance company.



Andrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author of many successful websites including Free Auto Insurance Quotes, an auto insurance company research site and a Low Loan Rates site for finding the best personal loan, payday loans, student loans and more for your financial needs.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net