IN THIS ISSUE July 2017 Vol 13 Issue 7
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7 AMAZING THINGS YOUR SMARTPHONE’S CAMERA CAN DO
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Camera phones become more sophisticated every year, and it’s changing the landscape of photography.
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INSURERS DO THE RIGHT THING TO PROTECT INSURED Star Insurance Company and Progressive Specialty Insurance Company each seek reimbursement of monies paid in settlement of underlying litigation against their mutual insured.
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Florida announced the recent arrest of Leon “Chuy” Jimenez, owner of Chuy Construction Inc. (Chuy Construction) after a fraud investigation.
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5 SIGNS A STAFFER MAY BE SUFFERING EMOTIONAL HEALTH HARDSHIPS
ALRIGHT - WE ALL NEED A GOOD LAUGH - AND WHO BETTER THAN FORMER VP DAN QUAYLE TO SUPPLY THE HUMOR? “What a terrible thing to have lost one’s mind. Or not to have a mind at all. How true that is.” -Dan Quayle And more of his famous mis-speaks...
47th LAAIA ANNUAL CONVENTION The Preeminent Event of the Year! Don’t Miss it: August 2-5, 2017
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AMTRUST FINANCIAL SERVICES EARNS DISTINCTION AS FORTUNE 500 COMPANY FOLLOWING RECORD YEAR OF REVENUE This achievement is a recognition of AmTrust’s financial strength and stability and follows a year of record revenue for the company. AmTrust’s total revenue in 2016 was $5.45 billion, an increase of 18% over the prior year.”
ESPN Stupidly Ventures Into Left-Wing Politics Loses 10M Viewers After entering what has been called a “left-wing lurch,” in programming, millions of viewers have left the sports channel in disgust.
MIAMI INSURANCE AGENT ARRESTED FOR STEALING NEARLY $25,000 Florida announced the recent arrest of Miami insurance a g e n t Diomari Diaz after she allegedly stole insurance premium payments from a South Florida client and provided him with fake proof of insurance documents.
Have you noticed someone who used to be optimistic and now can’t find anything to be hopeful about, dominated by a negative disposition?
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WORKERS’ COMP SCAM LEADS TO ARREST OF CENTRAL FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OWNER
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GEORGIA: WARRANTS ISSUED FOR 26 SUSPECTS IN AUTO INSURANCE FRAUD RING The fraud ring allegedly staged automobile collision and filed false claims which resulted in payouts of approximately $155,925 from 12 different insurance companies.
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CA BUSINESS OWNER ARRESTED IN $32 MILLION WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD California Department of Insurance arrested Gina Marie Gregori, 55, of Lafayette, for allegedly underreporting payroll and ripping off insurers to the tune of $32 million.
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ALL RISKS, LTD. PARTNERS WITH EXCLUSIVE CARRIER FOR HOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Home Health is the fastest growing industry in the health care sector. The U.S Department of Labor predicts the profession will grow by nearly 50% in the next eight years.
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HCI GROUP INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY, HOMEOWNERS CHOICE, IMPROVES COVERAGE AND REDUCES RISK Homeowners Choice Insurance Company, A provider of homeowners insurance, has completed placement of its reinsurance program for the 2017-18
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MILLENNIALS POSE GREATER INSURANCE RISK THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS AT SAME AGE, BUT MAY BE WORTH IT IN THE LONG RUN “Younger consumers are generally viewed as being the riskiest in the insurance market – oftentimes for good reason. On a percentage basis, they tend to get into more accidents and receive a higher propensity of vehicle citations.”
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ISLAMOPHOBIA EXPLAINED - MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE AFRAID OF... The goal of those who charge “Islamophobia” is to “stigmatize, demonize, marginalize and, ultimately criminalize criticism of Islam...”
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LAAIA PARTNERS WITH HOLTZ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL TO BETTER SICK CHILDREN’S QUALITY OF LIFE WITH AN ARTS STUDIO The Creative Arts and Activities Studio aims to help children cope with their medical conditions in a thoughtful, creative way—offering respite from difficult procedures like Bone Marrow and Organ Transplants, Cancer Treatments, and Trauma Injuries.”
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IBM RESEARCH ALLIANCE BUILDS NEW TRANSISTOR FOR 5NM TECHNOLOGY Less than two years since announcing a 7nm test chip, scientists have achieved another breakthrough.
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July 2017
TECHNOLOGY
7 AMAZING THINGS YOUR SMARTPHONE’S CAMERA CAN DO
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Really Cool Info - by Kim Komando
amera phones become more sophisticated every year, and it’s changing the landscape of photography. Professionals are using their smartphones in the place of hefty DSLRs, and indie filmmakers are shooting everything from music videos to feature-length dramas. With advanced features and tons of free editing software, the camera phone may become the lens of the future.
1. Consult a virtual decorator
how an item will look before a A few years ago, IKEA developed customer buys it. a wild new feature. Customers could raise their phones or Hot on IKEA’s heels is Amikasa, tablets to a room in their house an iOS app that not only helps and then plant a piece of furniture you design interior spaces but in the picture. The 3D image also inserts imaginary décor into real-life settings. You can also add faucets and cabinets, or even change the wallpaper. Click here to try the future of interior design now. Not an iOS user? Try Home Design 3D for a similar design experience (minus the augmented reality).
Tip in a Tip: Apple’s camera app is good, but there are better free apps to capture and share your memories. Click here for nine great photo apps you’ll use time and time again.
2. Scan documents Scanning paper documents as PDFs is convenient, but the scanner itself can be a real ordeal. The scanners on traditional printers can be slow and cumbersome to use, and scanning large bundles at a print shop can cost you a pretty penny.
That little camera is useful for so much more than snapshots and home videos. If you’ve ever dreamed of a scanner, game system and universal translator that fit into your pocket, these apps have made would adjust to the screen’s POV, But there are apps, such as Genius that vision a reality. looking extremely realistic, even Scan and Evernote Scannable, though the furniture didn’t yet that convert hard copies into a Here are seven amazing things exist in real life. This “augmented your smartphone can do. reality” feature helps imagine See Kim Komando Pg 44 July 2017
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INSURANCE & THE LAW
INSURERS DO THE RIGHT THING TO PROTECT INSURED Expert Analysis & Commentary by Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE Who’s on First?
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rudent insurers who dispute which is responsible for an insured’s loss must apply the covenant of good faith and fair dealing owed to the insured. To do so they resolve the tort claim against their mutual insured by splitting the cost. Then, after the insured is protected, they litigate which is responsible to indemnify the insured in a declaratory relief action. In Star Insurance Company v. Progressive Specialty Insurance Company, United States District Court, M.D. Alabama Case No. 2:15-cv-884DAB (06/07/2017) the USDC in Alabama was asked to deter who owed what to whom after a tort action was resolved.
Star Insurance Company (“Star”) and Progressive Specialty Insurance Company (“Progressive”) each seek reimbursement of monies paid in settlement of underlying litigation against their mutual insured, Gilow Wood, Inc. (“Gilow Wood”), for Gilow Wood’s liability arising from an automobile accident.
was exclusively owned and operated by Charles R. Owens, Sr., and Charles R. Owens, Jr. “Gilow Wood is a timber dealership,” in the business of negotiating the sale of timber from landowners to various mills, and contracting with pulpwood haulers to do the actual harvesting and hauling of the timber.
CR Owens Pulpwood, Inc., (“Owens Pulpwood”) is a http://www.zalma.com/blog timber harvesting and hauling corporation owned by Charles R. Owens, Sr., and Charles R. Owens, Jr. All the timber BACKGROUND AND FACTS harvesting brokered by Gilow Gilow Wood was incorporated Wood is contracted to Owens in Alabama in 1995. Although Pulpwood for harvesting and Gilow Wood was originally hauling, but Owens Pulpwood incorporated with a third occasionally hauls for other party, at all times material companies. Owens Pulpwood to this matter, Gilow Wood employs a number of workers Join Barry Zalma’s new Blog:
Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, practiced law in California for more than 43 years as an insurance coverage and claims handling lawyer. He now limits his practice to service as an insurance consultant and expert witness specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and policyholders. He also serves as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance related disputes. He founded Zalma Insurance Consultants in 2001 and serves as its only consultant. 6
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for its hauling crew, including Larry Savage, a pulpwood truck driver.
and Progressive each paid $500,000 in settlement of the claims against Gilow Wood.” On November 25, 2015, Star Star issued a Commercial The Progressive policy further sued in federal court seeking General Liability policy (“the provides that, “The insurance a declaratory judgment “that Star policy”) to Gilow Wood provided by this endorsement the Star Policy does not which was in force at the time does not apply to bodily injury afford insurance coverage of the underlying accident. or property damage arising out in connection with the The Star policy included an of the ownership, maintenance Underlying Lawsuit” and “that exclusion of coverage for or use of any non-owned Progressive is obligated to “Aircraft, Auto or Watercraft.” auto in the conduct of any reimburse Star for the amount partnership or joint venture it paid in settlement of the The Star policy further of which you are a partner or Underlying Lawsuit.” provided that, “No person or member which is not shown organization is an insured as the named insured on the The truck and trailer involved in with respect to the conduct of Declarations Page.” the underlying accident were any current or past owned, operated, partnership, joint and maintained by The two insurers did the right venture or limited Owens Pulpwood. thing – they shared the cost of liability company Gilow Wood does that is not shown the settlement and then asked the not own any trucks, as a Named Insured trailers, or other USDC to resolved the dispute. The fact that in the Declarations.” equipment for Neither Owens hauling timber, two corporations are owned by the same Pulpwood nor and does not have people does not make the employees of Savage are shown as a Department of each employees of the other. “ Named Insureds in Transpor tation the Declarations of number. the Star policy. On September 17, 2013, Owens Pulpwood and Gilow Progressive issued a Savage was driving a pulpwood Wood share the same office commercial auto policy (“the truck and trailer owned by building. The two companies Progressive policy”) to Gilow Owens Pulpwood to a timber maintain separate bank Wood which was in force at harvesting site in Butler County, accounts, maintain separate the time of the underlying Alabama, when the truck insurance polices, and file accident. The Progressive policy and trailer collided with a car separate tax returns. Owens specifically provides, under the being driven by Delores Smith Pulpwood and Gilow Wood Employer’s Non-Ownership Johnson, causing her death. were incorporated separately Liability endorsement, that: The estate of Mrs. Johnson at different times, and neither “This includes autos owned sued Owens Pulpwood and company engages in the type by your employees, partners Savage, and later added Gilow of business performed by the (if you are a partnership), Wood as a defendant. other. members (if you are a limited liability company), or members The underlying lawsuit was See ZALMA Pg 43 of their households, but only settled in 2015, in which “Star July 2017
while such autos are used in your business or your personal affairs.”
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ANALYSIS
5 SIGNS A STAFFER MAY BE SUFFERING EMOTIONAL HEALTH HARDSHIPS Crisis Control: How to recognize signs of mental health distress in your employees and make a positive difference. By Merilee Kern, MBA
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t’s common knowledge that, while people go to the doctor when they are ill and when experiencing pain or other physical issues, all too often we neglect taking care of our emotional health. Whether motivated by stigma, guilt or sheer short-sightedness, this is an inherently flawed decision amid the glut of inevitable adversities—those in the workplace and at home—that can undermine our happiness at best and prove deadly at its depressive worst. Even beyond the troubles and struggles experienced in our professional and personal lives,
from career, Institute, the Have you approximate 3.2 business and family burdens billion workers noticed to colleague someone who used to worldwide are and romantic increasingly be optimistic and now relationships stressed and can’t find anything unhappy with gone awry to co-worker and to be hopeful about, over one-third “frenemy” drama suffering from dominated by a (or despondency extreme pressure relating to negative disposition? on-the-job. the complete That person may absence of one recent be suffering from One or more of these study-based extreme or prolonged kinds of personal report painted a grief or feelings of painfully somber connections), there is no picture of the worthlessness or shortage of status of mental guilt.“ sources. And, health in the our careers often pile on yet United States, including access to more mental distress. In fact, care, citing that “more Americans according to the Global Wellness than ever before suffer from
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bout the author: Branding, business and entrepreneurship success pundit, Merilee Kern, MBA, is an influential media voice and lauded communications strategist. As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List International News Syndicate,” she’s a revered brand and consumer product trends voice of authority who spotlights noteworthy marketplace change makers, movers and shakers. Merilee may be reached online at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList
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ANALYSIS
Image Credit: Creative Commons
“More Americans than ever before suffer from serious psychological distress, and the country’s ability to meet the growing demand for mental health services is rapidly eroding.”
serious psychological distress, and the country’s ability to meet the growing demand for mental health services is rapidly eroding.” The report revealed ominous findings from NYU Langone Medical Center that “3.4 percent of the U.S. population (more than 8.3 million) adult Americans suffer from serious psychological distress, or SPD”—a condition that, according to the CDC “combines feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and restlessness July 2017
that are hazardous enough to impair people’s physical wellbeing.” Given what is evolving into a bona fide crisis, I connected with Psychosocial Rehabilitation experts Antwane Yelverton, MBA and Vickie Yelverton, MSA of Yelverton’s Enrichment Services, Inc., who work with individuals on finding life balance and achieving emotional well-being both at work and home. In our Table of Contents
discussion, they underscored that, whatever the trigger or cause, every single one of us experiences moments of anxiety, stress, panic and despair, and that, in those moments, many feel completely overwhelmed and at a loss as to recourse. What’s worse, they noted, is that we may not even be consciously aware we’re in a state of emotional turmoil and, thus, never get See Staff Emotional Health Pg 14 www.underwritersinsider.com
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NEWS
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HUMOR
ALRIGHT - WE ALL NEED A GOOD LAUGH - AND WHO BETTER THAN FORMER VP (89-93) DAN QUAYLE TO SUPPLY THE HUMOR?
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P Dan Quayle Is a good man and a patriot. He served with distinction in 1989-1993 under Pres. George H. Bush. Yet, without intention, he uttered some of the most hilarious phrases in political history. Here’s a sample of some of Dan’s more notable quotes:
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”
“A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.”
“The global importance of the Middle East is that it keeps the Far East and the Near East from encroaching “It’s a question on each other.” of whether we’re going to go forward into the future, or past to the “It’s rural America. It’s where I came from. We always refer back.” “For NASA, space is still a to ourselves as real America. high priority.” Rural America, real America, “Votes are like trees, if you real, real, America.” are trying to build a forest. “If we don’t If you have succeed we more trees “It’s time for the human race What a terrible run the risk of than you to enter the solar system.” failure.” thing to have have forests, lost one's mind. Or not then at that “Hawaii has always been the “The future to have a mind at all. point a very pivotal role in the pollsters will will be better Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It How true that is.” probably say tomorrow.” is a part of the United States you will win.” that is an island that is right -Dan Quayle here.” “Bobby Knight “If you give a told me this: person a fish, ‘There is nothing that a “Republicans understand they’ll fish for a day. But if good defense cannot beat the importance of bondage you train a person to fish, a better offense.’ In other between a mother and they’ll fish for a lifetime.” words a good offense wins.” child.” July 2017
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NEWS
WORKERS’ COMP SCAM LEADS TO ARREST OF CENTRAL FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OWNER
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RLANDO, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the recent arrest of Leon “Chuy” Jimenez, owner of Chuy Construction Inc. (Chuy Construction) after a fraud investigation revealed that Jimenez allegedly operated a shell construction company for the sole purposes of selling the company’s workers’ compensation certificate. A shell company conducts no significant business operations and is used as vehicle to conduct fraudulent financial scams, such a workers’ compensation fraud. The Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Insurance Fraud received a tip from the Florida Carpenter’s Union alleging that Jimenez might be engaged in illegal activity and launched an investigation. Investigators discovered that Jimenez had provided false information on the company’s workers’ compensation application, claiming that Chuy Construction employed 50
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people who performed drywall and other basic construction services across Central Florida. However, between August 2014 and May 2015, investigators tracked more than $2 million in payroll that had been cashed by at least 140 employees.
Florida CFO Jeff Atwater
The Bureau’s investigation later revealed that Chuy Construction was not performing any construction work whatsoever but rather selling its workers’ compensation certificate Table of Contents
to other subcontractors in exchange for payment. In doing so, subcontractors evaded the law and left employees vulnerable to costly medical expenses and lost wages in the event of on-the-job injuries. Also, as a result of the scam, Chuy Construction’s insurance company was defrauded of more than $160,000 between August 2014 and May 2015. Jimenez was arrested by DIFS investigators May 22, 2017, and later transported to the Orange County Jail. He has been charged with two counts workers’ compensation fraud– failure to secure coverage, false document as proof of coverage, false or misleading statements to diminish/avoid premiums, conceal payroll, application fraud, and scheme to defraud. He has also has been charged with one count grand theft. This case will be prosecuted by the Orlando Office of the Statewide Prosecutor. If convicted, Jimenez faces up to 30 years in prison. July 2017
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ANALYSIS Continued From Page 9
YOUR STAFF’S EMOTIONAL HEALTH
issue at hand. 2. U n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y angry, anxious, agitated, moody or apathetic:
engaged may pull away from other staffers and stop taking part in workplace activities that used to be enjoyable—both during and outside of business hours. In more severe cases the person may start failing to make it to work or other obligations all together. Not to be confused with the behavior of someone who is more introverted, this sign is marked by a change in a person’s typical sociability, as when someone pulls away from the social support typically available.
You may notice the person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and the help that is needed and so seems irritable or unable to calm down. People in more extreme profoundly beneficial. situations of this kind may be Towards that end, Antwane and unable to sleep or may explode in Vickie offered these five tell-tale anger at a minor problem. If your signs that mental health distress colleague is known to be a high in yourself and others may be performer, and suddenly their work quality has declined, this afoot: 4. May neglect self-care can also be cause for concern. and engage in risky behavior: 1. Personality changes: You may notice a change You may notice sudden If your associate in the person’s level of or gradual changes in the personal care or an act of way that someone typically is experiencing poor judgment. For instance, behaves. People in this someone may let personal tenseness because of situation may behave in hygiene deteriorate, or the ways that don’t seem to fit stressful situations it’s helpful person may start abusing their values, or the person alcohol or illicit substances may just seem different. Was to lend a listening ear leading or engaging in other selfyour coworker known to with empathy, which differs destructive behavior that may be extremely outgoing and alienate others. from sympathy. Empathy is, sociable with the entire office, and now they are withdrawn 5. Overcome with at its simplest, awareness and quiet? Or did you have hopelessness and a coworker who frequently and acknowledgement of the overwhelmed by stayed to themselves but is circumstances: now demonstrating more feelings and emotions of other Have you noticed someone boisterous behavior? An people.” who used to be optimistic outward change in behavior and now can’t find anything is often a sign of some 3. Withdrawal or isolation to be hopeful about, dominated inward struggle. When you see a from other people: by a negative disposition? That colleague’s behavior change, it may be an indicator of a greater Someone who used to be socially person may be suffering from 14
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ANALYSIS extreme or prolonged grief or feelings of worthlessness or guilt. People in this situation may say that the world would be better off without them, suggesting suicidal thinking. The Yelverton’s underscored that one of the biggest preventative measures organizations can take to ensure that employees are holistically well is having a culture that promotes and rewards sustainable practices. Some of these sustainable practices can include a flexible working schedule, encouraging employees to schedule themselves in such a way so that they don’t have to take work home, and offering benefits such as dry-cleaning pickup and onsite car care. They encourage HR departments to be proactive in ensuring their staffers know what type of wellness initiatives are offered through the organization or through the insurance providers.
emotionally and can get those Yourself: When you are going helpful endorphins flowing. through a stressful period of time, it’s a good idea to carry 2. Deep Breathing an “emergency self-care kit” with you—to the office and Yourself: Have you ever been so everywhere else you roam. Keep tense that it almost feels as though it in your desk or the trunk of you are holding your breath? your vehicle. Some things you Deep breathing has a myriad of can include in your kit are gift health benefits, both physically cards to your favorite coffee and emotionally. In one study of shop, inspirational quotes, an 78 subjects, researchers found MP3 player for favorite songs, that deep breathing for three photographs of meaningful times minutes increased a sense of of your life, aromatherapy spray well-being. This is why breathing or portable diffuser, a booklet of is an integral part of many jokes or other light and humorous calming practices with relaxation content, adult coloring sheets elements like meditation and and colored pencils. During yoga. particularly stressful times at work, you may just need a short Others: If your associate is break to unwind, take a walk, and get away from the immediate See Staff Emotional Health Pg 48 stress for a few minutes.
Others: If your associate is going through a rough time, plan a spa day or a trip to a restaurant or coffee shop that they enjoy. The Yelverton’s also encourages These activities help to remind people to take decidedly your associate of the feeling of proactive measures to help satisfaction that comes with themselves or others in times of self-care. While there, have need. For example, below I’ve meaningful conversation to detailed five of their suggestions show the depth of your care and on how to make a positive concern for their life. An outing difference in your own life or the after work hours to the gym, a lives of others when bouts of hike or other activity involving emotional unrest are evident: physical fitness, optimally out in the sunshine or amid nature, 1. Engaging in Self-Care is healthy both physically and July 2017
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47 th LAAIA Annual Convention August 2-5, 2017 Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood Education. Trade Fair. Connect.
“The Preeminent Event of the Year” What you will Experience 3 Days of CE Classes Network with over 1,000 Industry Professionals Trade Fair with over 100 exhibitors Nightly Dynamic Networking Events Domino Tournament Charity Golf Tournament
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/LAAIAFlorida July 2017
NEWS
MIAMI INSURANCE AGENT ARRESTED FOR STEALING NEARLY $25,000
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IAMI,Fla.–ChiefFinancial Officer Jeff Atwater and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle today announced the recent arrest of Miami insurance a g e n t Diomari Diaz after she allegedly stole insurance premium payments from a South Florida client and provided him with fake proof of insurance documents. She is also accused of stealing thousands in escrow funds from the Florida Trust Insurance Agency account. In total, Diaz misappropriated nearly $25,000, and insurance fraud investigators have reason to believe that additional individuals may have fallen victim to Diaz’s scams.
Diaz opened a corporate bank account and listed herself as the only authorized user. The account included overdraft protection and was set up to transfer funds from the company’s escrow account if overdrawn. By intentionally overdrafting the account, Diaz was able to divert more than $20,000
Florida Trust Insurance Agency has since surrendered its agency license and Diaz is no longer authorized to sell insurance.”
Diaz was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility. She has been charged with uttering a forged instrument, and misappropriation of insurance funds greater than $20,000. Florida Trust Insurance Agency has since surrendered its agency license and Diaz is no longer authorized to sell insurance. This case will be prosecuted by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit and if convicted, Diaz faces up to 15 years in prison.
The Department believes that additional individuals may have been defrauded, and investigators are encouraging anyone who has conducted business with Diomari Diaz or the Florida Trust from the company’s escrow Insurance Agency to contact the A client contacted the Department account, all of which was used for Department’s Fraud Tip Hotline by of Financial Services’ Bureau of personal gain. calling 1-800-378-0445. Insurance Fraud after he suspected that insurance documents provided by Diaz were fake. Investigators confirmed that although the client had paid nearly $4,000 in insurance premium payments, Diaz never actually purchased policies to cover his two South Florida properties. Instead, she created fake documents and used the money for personal purposes. Investigators later revealed that July 2017
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NEWS
AMTRUST FINANCIAL SERVICES EARNS DISTINCTION AS FORTUNE 500 COMPANY FOLLOWING RECORD YEAR OF REVENUE Achievement Recognizes AmTrust’s Long-Term Success
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EW YORK, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFSI) (the “Company” or “AmTrust”) today announced that the Company has been named to the prestigious Fortune 500 list for the first time. The list celebrates the largest companies in the U.S. by total revenue. This achievement is a recognition of AmTrust’s financial strength and stability and follows a year of record revenue for the company. AmTrust’s total revenue in 2016 was $5.45 billion, an increase of 18% over the prior year.
an innovative, technology-driven provider of insurance products, AmTrust has earned a prestigious "A" (excellent) rating from A.M. Best.
This achievement is a recognition of AmTrust’s financial strength and stability and follows a year of record revenue for the company. AmTrust’s total revenue in 2016 was $5.45 billion, an increase of 18% over the prior year.”
integrity, diversity, accountability, teamwork, community engagement, and a spirit of entrepreneurship. We adhere to these values every day allowing us to continue to successfully build a best-in-class property and casualty insurer for our valued partners and customers.” AmTrust was ranked 475 on the 63rd annual Fortune 500 list. About AmTrust Services, Inc.
Financial
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York City, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile, general liability and extended service and warranty coverage through its “AmTrust is honored to join the primary insurance subsidiaries Fortune 500 alongside an elite rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. group of successful companies, and we’re very grateful to our partners, brokers and agents for their trust in us as we reach this milestone,” said Barry Zyskind, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AmTrust.
Since its founding in 1998, AmTrust has grown into a multinational property and casualty insurer with nearly 8,000 employees in more than 125 offices serving 70 countries around the globe. In the U.S., AmTrust is one of the top three providers of workers’ compensation insurance and one of the top three warranty “AmTrust’s inclusion in the Fortune writers. AmTrust is also a top 13 500 is possible thanks to the Lloyd’s manager by capacity. As hard work and dedication of our people, who live our core values of 18
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THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS Debbie Wortman Joins All Risks
Fitch Predicts Busy Hurricane Season
ll Risks, Ltd., the nation’s largest independent wholesale insurance broker, is pleased to welcome Debbie Wortman as Sales Leader of the REO/ForcePlaced program for the National Specialty Pr o g r a m s unit. In her new role, Debbie will focus on REO Property Coverage, Lender-Placed Coverage, Lenders Single Interest Coverage, Collateral Protection Insurance, Mortgage Impairment and Flood Coverage. She will concentrate on financial institutions such as banks, credit unions and finance companies, as well as real estate investment groups. All Risks’ REO/ Force-Placed program is available in all states except Hawaii.
.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurer industry capital strength is very strong and most insurers should be able to absorb near-term volatility and the effects of adverse hurricane events, according to Fitch Ratings’ 2017 annual hurricane season reference report. However, occurrence of a major catastrophic hurricane could potentially have a significant effect on insurance industry capital. 2017 is more likely to be an active hurricane season according to meteorologists,
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but minus any extremely severe storms, most insurers should be able to manage losses that may unfold,” said Christopher Grimes, Director Fitch Ratings. “The real storm for p/c insurers continues to be the competitive pricing environment.”
ESPN Stupidly Ventures Into Left-Wing Politics Loses 10M Viewers
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fter entering what has been called a “left-wing lurch,” in programming, millions of viewers have left the sports channel in disgust. Recently, Fox’s Tucker Carlson had an opportunity to question former ESPN
July 2017
THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS
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commentator Jason Whitlock who maintained that , “If you really understand sports culture, and all the values taught in sports – from Little League, Pee Wee, on – you’re never a victim. There are never any excuses that are accepted. Every coach teaches every play from 5 years old to 45 years old. We don’t tolerate excuses, we don’t tolerate victimology, and now so much of the conversation by the sports media – ESPN being the leader of this – is just filled with so-and-so is a victim, Colin Kaepernick is a victim, everybody’s a victim. It’s turning traditional sports fans off.” Democrats and Liberals have long used the focus point of “indentify politics” and “victimology” to advance their ideology.
Take Two & You Might Not Have to Call Me In The Morning
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n a recently concluded study of 86,000 women and 44,000 men over 26 years, it was shown that a 81mg daily dose of aspirin resulted in a significant reduced risk of multiple cancers including July 2017
colorectal, lung, breast and prostate cancers. The effect was most dramatic on colorectal cancers with a 30% reduction in risk. The risk of dying from cancer was also reduced significantly. Female aspirin users were 11% less likely to die from breast cancer and men had a 23% lower chance of dying from prostate cancer.
Anthony Searcy Joins Maximum
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aximum, an independent, Chicagobased excess and surplus lines wholesaler, announced the addition of transportation expert Anthony Searcy to the Jacksonville, Fla. area. Searcy returns to Fla. from the Kansas City area where he owned a successful retail agency before moving on to help build a wholesale transportation practice. He Table of Contents
stated, “I’m most excited about joining the high caliber of people at Maximum. They have developed a culture that is totally client focused. Everyone seems to measure both personal and company success based on the ability to deliver the required solution, one account at a time.”
Virginia Insurance Commissioner to Retire
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ICHMOND — Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jacqueline K. Cunningham will retire at the end of the year after serving for a total of 30 years with the State Corporation Commission’s (Commission) Bureau of Insurance (Bureau). She was appointed by the Commission to serve as Virginia’s 13th commissioner of insurance on January 1, 2011.
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NEWS
GEORGIA: WARRANTS ISSUED FOR 26 SUSPECTS IN AUTO INSURANCE FRAUD RING A 16-month investigation by the Georgia Department of Insurance’s Special Fraud Division resulted in 26 suspects and 326 separate charges.
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tlanta Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced today that arrest warrants have been issued for 26 suspects in connection with an automobile insurance fraud ring centered in the Columbus, Georgia area. The fraud ring allegedly staged automobile collision and filed false claims which resulted in payouts of approximately $155,925 from 12 different insurance companies. Today’s warrants are the culmination of a 16-month investigation by the Georgia Department of Insurance’s Special Fraud Division. The 26 suspects face a total of 326 charges, which range from insurance fraud, racketeering, theft by deception, identity fraud, and exploitation of an elder person.
send a strong message that I am serious about cracking down on insurance fraud," Commissioner Hudgens said.
This fraud ring staged phony accidents and filed fraudulent claims collecting thousands of dollars. I said my office was going to be tough on insurance fraud, and hopefully these arrests will send a strong message that I am serious about cracking down on insurance fraud.”
for damage to vehicles that occurred before the vehicle was insured. Also, the suspects allegedly used multiple aliases and stole identities on the insurance claims to avoid detection by insurers. Fraud Investigators allege that the ring attempted to get payouts totaling more than $500,000. Insurance companies victimized by the scam included GEICO, State Farm, Nationwide, Safe Auto, Allstate, Progressive, USAA, Georgia Farm Bureau, Safeway, Everest National, Direct Auto and General Insurance.
The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, the Lumpkin Police Department, the Richland Police Department and the National Insurance "This fraud ring staged phony The investigation revealed that Crime Bureau assisted with the accidents and filed fraudulent the suspects were involved in investigation. The Muscogee claims collecting thousands of an organized auto insurance County District Attorney's office dollars. I said my office was going fraud ring that submitted more is prosecuting this case. to be tough on insurance fraud, than 50 suspicious claims to and hopefully these arrests will multiple insurance companies A list of those charged here. 22
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NEWS
CA BUSINESS OWNER ARRESTED IN $32 MILLION WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD
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AN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Detectives with the California Department of Insurance arrested Gina Marie Gregori, 55, of Lafayette, for allegedly underreporting payroll and ripping off insurers to the tune of $32 million. Gregori was charged with 19 felony counts and is being held on $5,235,000 bail at the San Francisco County Jail.
Billings, and Apex Janitorial Solutions, allegedly falsified documents and underreported payroll to her workers' compensation insurance company. The department's investigation revealed Gregori was keeping two sets of books, using a payroll processing service to report to Employment Development Department and pay her employees, and keeping a fraudulent set of books that According to Department of she provided to insurers and Insurance detectives, over a insurance auditors, which seven-year period Gregori, showed a significantly lower owner of GMG Janitorial, GMG payroll amount. July 2017
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"People often make the mistake of thinking insurance fraud is a victimless crime—it is not," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "When business owners cheat the system by operating in the underground economy, they create an unfair advantage that puts legitimate business at risk." GMG is a large janitorial company operating throughout the Bay area and Southern California, employing more than 200 employees from July 2009 through December 2016. www.underwritersinsider.com
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NEWS
ALL RISKS, LTD. PARTNERS WITH EXCLUSIVE CARRIER FOR HOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
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UNT VALLEY, MD – All Risks, Ltd., the nation’s largest independent wholesale insurance broker, has partnered exclusively with an A.M. Best “A++” carrier to deliver Home Healthcare Workers’ Compensation insurance. Eligible class codes include: • 8835 – Home Health Services (NCCI) • 8827 – Home Health Services (California) • 8828 – Home Health Services (Texas) • 0942 – Home Health (Pennsylvania/Delaware) • 0943 – Home Health NonProfessional (Pennsylvania/ Delaware) The specialty product offers a low minimum premium and monthly self-reporting. New ventures will be considered in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. All other states are required to be in business for a 24
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minimum of two years.
comprehensive insurance solutions with a full-service “Home Health is the fastest platform of brokerage, contract growing industry in the health binding, exclusive national care sector. The U.S Department programs and specialty personal of Labor predicts the profession lines products for retail insurance will grow by nearly 50% in the agents and brokers nationwide. next eight years. Partnering with an exclusive market gives All The 53-year-old firm employs 850 Risks, Ltd. the ability to keep up staff members in offices located with this growing industry and in Maryland, Arizona, California, has made our Home Healthcare Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Worker’s Comp product stronger Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and more comprehensive than Minnesota, Nebraska, New ever,” stated Chris Smith, Assistant Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Vice President of Specialty Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Workers’ Compensation, All Risks, and Washington. To learn more, Ltd. please visit www.allrisks.com. In addition to Workers’ Compensation, All Risks provides a multi-line solution with the ability to underwrite General Liability, Professional Liability and Excess/Umbrella for the Home Healthcare industry. Please contact Chris Smith for more information at 804-2129784 or cbsmith@allrisks.com. All Risks, Ltd., based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, is the largest national independent wholesale brokerage firm offering Table of Contents
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NEWS
HCI GROUP INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY, HOMEOWNERS CHOICE, IMPROVES COVERAGE AND REDUCES RISK
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AMPA, Fla., (GLOBE a 1 in 173-year storm based on NEWSWIRE) -HCI projected exposure at September Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI) 30, 2017. recently disclosed in reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission that its wholly owned subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., which is a Florida based provider of homeowners insurance, has completed placement of its reinsurance program for the 2017-18 reinsurance year, which runs from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018. H o m e o w n e r s Choice purchases reinsurance to cover losses associated with hurricanes and other catastrophes. The 201718 program provides coverage up to $968 million for catastrophic losses in a single event, which according to catastrophe models approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is sufficient to cover the company’s probable maximum loss resulting from July 2017
2017-18 reinsurance year, similar to the 2016-2017 treaty year. “While it is difficult to compare reinsurance coverages year to year, we expect our reinsurance spend to be similar to last year while securing improved coverage terms and conditions,” said Patel. “In addition, we reduced our risk retained through HCI’s reinsurance subsidiary, Claddaugh Casualty Insurance Company, Ltd. We believe our company and our policyholders will remain well protected in the event of a catastrophe.”
About Choice
Homeowners
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Homeowners Choice provides property and casualty homeowners' insurance, condominium According to Paresh Patel, owners' insurance and tenants' HCI’s chief executive officer, insurance to Florida property the company expects to owners. Homeowners Choice recognize net reinsurance costs serves approximately 145,000 on a consolidated basis of policyholders throughout Florida. approximately $113 million for the Table of Contents
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RAND PAUL TO CNN’S JAKE UNBELIEVABLE TAPPER: MAKE SURE YOUR VINTAGE ADS VIEWERS KNOW THE CLIMATE othing illustrates the MODELS HAVE BEEN WRONG changes in our national
N culture better than vintage ads from the Mad Men era or earlier - many of which would be considered overthe-top sexist, politically incorrect or just plain goofy today.
HOW NOT TO RECEIVE A SPEEDING TICKET...
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n the 50s, woman apparently were considered incapable of many things - even the daunting task of opening a ketchup bottle. Some might even argue that the image is a blatant sexual image given the phallic shape of the bottle and the positioning of the model’s lips. Those type of subliminal messages were quite common during the 50s and 60s and were often used by ad men to call attention to the image. Needless to say, this ad would be considered overthe-top sexist today and would probably earn Alcoa a boycott at least. July 2017
“The Final Authority on Everything!” WARNING!
The Advisor has been known to be politically incorrect and may send certain Millennials scurrying to their safe space. Also not recommended for Progressives who are easily offended. Please read at your own risk.
SEND MY HUSBAND TO MARS!
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work as a sales agent for a personal lines agency in San Antonio, TX, but my question is not about insurance. My husband has been a science fiction fanatic since childhood and would rather talk about aliens and space travel than anything else. His current dream is to travel to Mars. He’s 40 and works in banking - to old to be an astronaut? Is there any possibility? J.L. San Antonio, TX
ADVISOR
Well, J.L. at any other time in human history, your question would have been simply silly. It is not any longer, in fact, you may be able to put him aboard an Interplanetary Watch animation of SpaceX’s Transport System rocket Interplanetary Transport System in action to Mars within a decade - nearly 10 years earlier than engines. Getting 100 people NASA’s plans for a manned to Mars in one trip wasn’t Mar’s mission. Musk’s plans enough for Musk, not known call for sending 100 people as a small thinker. He also at a time to the red planet on wants to terraform Mars so as a yet-to-be-developed giant to make it livable for humans space ship (biggest in history) without space suits. In riding on 42 of SpaceX’s pursuit of these grand plans, methane-fueled Raptor beginning in 2018, Musk plans
Did he forget your anniversary? Leave the toilet seat up? You want to send him to Mars? 28
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July 2017
mission to Mars (unmanned) payload arrives at which time Galaxy. Musk’s final goal is to beginning in 2018 and to fuel will be transferred to take a million people to Mars every 26 months thereafter the passenger craft for it’s trip in a total of 10,000 5-month when the launch window to the Red Planet. According trips across a 40-100 year comes around again. These to Musk, the first journey will timespan. Don’t like Mars? Musk says the launches will test spaceships will be systems and hardware designed to return and provide proof of to Earth. Musk concept for Musk’s unveiled his vision daring interplanetary recently: strategy. In the first “I want to make mega-launch with Mars seem passengers, the plan possible to do in is to launch two giant our lifetimes. I boosters in sequence. want anyone to go Once will contain the This is the giant carbon-fiber fuel tank SpaceX developed if they want to.” passenger module and to get the giant rockets to Mars(Credit: SpaceX) Better sign your the other will be loaded with fuel. The passenger be called “Heart of Gold,” in husband up early, J.L. before Ticket prices module will be parked in a salute to the iconic “The the rush. Earth orbit until the fuel Hitchhiker’s Guide To The estimated at $200k each. July 2017
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220/440 Lic. Ins Agent Needed - Boca
FREE CLASSIFIED RULES: Submit all ads online at: www.underwritersinsider. com/classifieds. Ads must be less than 501 characters plus a title line. Eligible free classifieds include help wanted, position wanted, personal ads, agency for sale/purchase, or the one-time sale of an item or items. Place Ad HERE! REGULAR CLASSIFIED RULES: Submit all ads online at: www.underwritersinsider. com/classifieds. Only $1.00 per word, including title line and response info. Payment must be received prior to print date. Ads run 3 mo.
Insurance Agent With 220 License We are looking for Insurance Agent with License 220 In Kissimmee, Florida Are Full Time on Agency. Please call 407-847-2539 for Interview Ask for Alex Ramos alexinsurance@aol.com 17-6
Help us expand our Agency (From Home)!! We are seeking an energetic professional to work parttime in a virtual capacity assisting us with recruiting and supporting professional sales agents across the United States and Canada.For detailed information on our company and this non-sales virtual opportunity please contact us today with the following link http://apply. harvardbenefits.com/269541 16-10
FREE CLASSIFIEDS! HELP WANTED — POSITION WANTED 4 — SALE ITEMS
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440 or 220 in Boca Raton, Part Time or Full Time Experienced or Trainee; Agent and Customer Service Rep in family owned agency in Boca Raton. Full or Part time. (Flexible Hours) Personal Lines CSR; salary plus bonus. Commercial Agent; 50% commissions and residual. Most important Florida markets and several national markets available. We can compete with the “Big Boys” with our national affiliations. Email your resume to agencyops@gmail.com. or FAX to: 561-416-7221. EOE 17-2
Tampa Area Commercial Producer Agency Established 2006 seeks Outside Commercial Producer. Cutting Edge tech! Generous Comp and Possible Equity Buy In. Experience and FL 220 a must! Resume’ to info@nusurance.com 16-10
Experienced CSR Wanted - Broward Co.
Join our team... A & H Insurance is looking to hire a motivated team member to quote, write & service new & existing customers. Must have active 440 License (we will pay the pre-licensing course for the right candidate) Bilingual a must! Fax resume to:954-251-1423 or email: darlene@autohomeins. net 16-7
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Looking for inside / outside lic. experienced sales rep. Must know QQ/QF, Semcat and other software packages. Efax resume to 954-908-7001. Great office. 16-11
Regional Outreach Coordinator wanted
Looking for professionals who would like to help individuals save on their monthly prescription cost on average 15% for brand name and 55% on generic, while earning a residual income. loucei@msn.com 16-7
2-20/4-40 COMMERCIAL LINES MIAMI DOWNTOWN LOOKING FOR A 2-2O OR 4-40 TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL LINES WITH 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL LINE KNOLEDGE APPRECIATE , NEED TO SPEAK AFLUENTLY ENGLISH AND SPANISH, WITHOUT PROBLEM TO WORK IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI SEND RESUME DOLORES@JONRAYINSURANCE.NET PH: 305-883-4604 16-9
Medicare Insurance Sales Agent-Florida Great profit center for P&C agents. Sell Medicare Plans to your existing clients. Street level commissions from the nations top carrier. $400+ per sale plus lifetime renewals. Comprehensive training. Medicare Advantage and Health Insurance Plans, Inc. Call Victor 352-375-7283. Victorhazy@aol.com 17-7 July 2017
Outside Ins Sales Rep - Must be licensed South Palm Beach Co. Need home based / office outside insurance sales rep. Must have experience cold calling, networking grps and referrals a must. Most know how to type up and prepare a propert commercial risk including acords, loss runs, etc. Pls email resume to: jonathandrausch@hotmail.com 16-11
Medicare Supplement Agents Wanted. Tampa and Tri-County Area No sales experience required, will train upon appointment. Need Health and Life License.Great Commissions with 'A'rated Company. Many other insurance products to offer with this great company. Commissions are paid for life and transferable to beneficiaries. Please contact: Charlotte T. Kocian - GA email: agent.char@yahoo.com
BROWARD COUNTY ENTRY LEVEL ACCOUNT MANAGER Growing MGA is looking for a highly motivated & responsible individual. Duties include managing accounts from our distribution channel --- quoting, binding and servicing multiple lines of business. Incredible opportunity for someone looking to learn and grow in a company. Send resumes to info@ everiskpro.com
16-9
Licensed Sales Producers - Norcross Norcross based fast-growing Insurance Agency needs Licensed Sales Producers in GA, FL TN SC NC TX IL and OH states for marketing 401k plans, Life Insurance products as well as Health Insurance plans. Proficiency in computers required. Please e-mail resume to girish_talati@hotmail.com 16-7
Looking to buy a P&C agency in PB county. Please call 561-584-0732 Efax: 561-829-2055
17-4
SUBMIT YOUR FREE CLASSIFIED AD HERE
17-3
Help us to expand our Agency (From Home)!! We are seeking a super energetic and motivated professional to work in a virtual capacity assisting us with recruiting and supporting professional sales agents across the United States and Canada. For detailed information on our company and this non-sales virtual opportunity please contact me at: Nicole.lang@harvardbenefits.com Nicole.lang@harvardbenefits. com
Now Hiring All Positions Independent Agency Hollywood, FL Independent agency in Hollywood, FL. We are hiring for all positions, commercial & personal lines agent/account manager/processors/receptionist/bookkeeper. 220/440 experience preferred but not required. cpenate@newmanins.com
2-20/4-40 COMMERCIAL LINES MIAMI DOWNTOWN LOOKING FOR A 2-2O OR 4-40 TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL LINES WITH 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL LINES KNOWLEDGE AND NEED TO SPEAK FLUENT ENGLISH & SPANISH WITHOUT PROBLEM - DOWNTOWN MIAMI SEND RESUME: DOLORES@JONRAYINSURANCE.NET 305-883-4604
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16-12 July 2017
Urgent!
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NEWS
MILLENNIALS POSE GREATER INSURANCE RISK THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS AT SAME AGE, BUT MAY BE WORTH IT IN THE LONG RUN New TransUnion insurance study explores nuances of millennial policyholders
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HICAGO, May 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -Millennials in their early 20s tend to be even riskier drivers than previous generations such as Gen X at the same point in their lives. The new TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) insurance study also found that as millennials reach their early 30s they perform as well, if not better than Gen X drivers of the same age. The findings were released today during TransUnion’s annual Insurance Summit, attended by more than 150 U.S. insurance executives. In another sign that millennials may not pose as big of a risk as is often assumed of younger insurance policyholders, the study found that fewer millennials have collections as a percentage of credit active consumers compared to Gen X. “Younger consumers are generally viewed as being the riskiest in the insurance market – oftentimes
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for good reason. On a percentage basis, they tend to get into more accidents and receive a higher propensity of vehicle citations,” said Mark McElroy, executive vice president of TransUnion’s insurance business unit.
the overall population average. TransUnion’s study also found retention rates in this same timeframe show that millennials remain with carriers far less often than prior generations. Their retention rates are 7 percentage points lower than Gen X and 16 “Our study data clearly proves this, percentage points lower than but we also derived new findings Baby Boomers. that paint a better picture of them. As millennials grow older, many “The more we examine the driving consumers in this generation and insurance shopping behavior become good risks for insurance of millennials, it becomes carriers who can benefit from apparent that the engagement long-lasting relationships with model must change for insurers to this influential group.” attract millennials and write them profitably. That said, carriers will Today millennials represent have to adjust process and metrics approximately 80 million appropriately to better meet consumers, which is about 25% of their needs,” said Jeff Reynolds, the population and nearly double vice president for product that of Gen X, according to U.S. development of TransUnion’s Census Data, making them the insurance business unit. largest generational market for insurers. Winning their loyalty, “For insurers looking to better though, may not be so easy. engage with millennials, comprehensive underwriting, and According to the study, millennials alternative pricing and products tend to be less loyal to existing that target millennials’ specific insurance carriers. Over the last needs will be more important five years, the average number of than in the past.” auto insurance quotes a millennial shopper obtains per year – 2.25 To help insurance carriers build quotes – has been higher than better relationships with potential Table of Contents
July 2017
NEWS policyholders, TransUnion introduced Quote Exchange, a marketplace for both carriers who are seeking new policyholders, and for those whom cannot provide policies for consumers but would like to provide them with other options.
for precise segmentation and decisioning. It’s especially valuable to carriers who may want to form a positive relationship with millennials even without offering them a policy, as millennials quote more often and prefer online, easy experiences. The Quote Exchange addresses all of these needs,” said Reynolds.
“Quote Exchange is an insurance marketplace where carriers buy and sell real-time online quotes TransUnion’s study found that using enriched TransUnion data there may be good reason for some
carriers not to offer policies to millennials, especially those who cannot identify and price the risk appropriately. The study examined TransUnion’s proprietary driving history records, distracted driving information and vehicle history information that found: •
•
•
•
•
The frequency of violations is highest for Millennials and has been increasing over time. Millennials receive the most distracted driving violations of any generation and the rate of increase is 1.8 times higher than Gen X and 2.4 times higher than Boomers. Millennials average more driving miles than any other generation (13,725 miles annually), which is 3% higher than Gen X and 8% higher than Boomers. Millennials have the highest percentage of higher risk vehicles. Millennials have the highest percentage of only having liability coverage (37 percent).
“I don’t think you will ever see a time when the youngest consumer group poses a lesser risk than older ones, but our study clearly shows that despite the risk, it’s in an insurers’ best interests to develop relationships with them – even at the beginning of their insurance journey,” concluded McElroy.
July 2017
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Notable Quotes In The News
SAY WHAT? Limbaugh & O’Reilly The Haters?
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Kathy Griffin and Ashley Judd. Hodgkinson’s Facebook rhetoric included, “Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It’s Time to Destroy Trump & Co.”” Commonly referred to as “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” the mass hysteria among the political left began
etter writer Roddy Riggs reminds me of Rush Limbaugh after the election and continues unabated. and Bill O’Reilly, but I’m sure he doesn’t bring in the millions of dollars those Stallone: “That’s A Truck!” two do. They speak their lies and hatred and misdirection to anyone who will listen.” loyd’s of London said, ‘This accident is not in keeping with boxing. Usually this kind of pericardial swelling is the result of head-on collisions, when the steering wheel hits you in the chest.’ I said, ‘Well, have you seen Dolph Lundgren? That’s a truck. That’s a steering wheel. That’s a head-on collision.’ So they took the film and broke it down frame by frame. They honored the insurance claim.”
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Image Credit: Creative Commons
Hater/Shooter James Hodgkinson’s Facebook page where his focus was on man-love for Bernie Sanders and hatred for Trump & “the rich.” Typical liberal...
Thankfully deceased Congressional ball park shooter James T. Hodgkinson in an August 28, 2012 letter to the editor of the Belleville NewsDemocrat, ranting about income inequality. The irony, is that Hodgkinson is accusing conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh & Bill O’Reilly of “hatred” while it was far-left Bernie Sander’s supporter Hodgkinson himself who grabbed multiple weapons and shot 5 innocents on June 14th. Like so many on the left, Hodgkinson was consumed by hatred for Trump, Republicans and Conservatives goaded on by the mainstream media and the likes of liberal lunatics like Madonna, Rachel Maddow, 34
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While filming the final fight scene in Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone was feeling brave and agreed with Dolph Lundgren (who was playing the Soviet champion) to actually box (rather than act) for one take. 15 seconds later, Rocky was beat up so badly he had to check into the emergency room for swelling of his pericardial sac. He didn’t get out of the hospital for 9 days. The film’s insurer, Lloyd’s of London originally balked at the claim, saying it was not the type of injury you would receive from boxing...
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July 2017
When Did The National Anthem Become Political?
Image Credit: Creative Commons
Colin Kaepernick also did not go looking for a protest. It came to him. He was asked to stand for the national anthem. You do not have to stand for the national anthem. And even if it was a rule that you did, is that Colin Kaepernick injecting politics in the NFL? No. That’s the NFL injecting politics by playing the national anthem and putting pressure on you to stand for it in the first place.” ESPN analyst Max Kellerman, suggesting that far-left, unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s unpatriotic gesture in failing to stand for the national anthem was a failure of the NFL for playing it in the first place Not Kaepernick’s failing for disrespecting the flag and the anthem to protest the ridiculous notion that Blacks are somehow still oppressed in America. And ESPN wonders why they have lost millions of viewers as they continually inject their far-left political view into what once was a fine sports venue...
Can We Learn From This? Please?
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nd under the pretense of tolerance, and because we wanted to prove to ourselves that we were cured of the disease of racism, we opened our gates to 20 million Muslims, who brought us July 2017
stupidity and ignorance, religious extremism and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty, due to an unwillingness to work and support their families with pride. They have blown up our trains and turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning in filth and crime. Shut up in the apartments they receive free from the government, they plan the murder and destruction of their naive hosts. And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred, creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence for backwardness and superstition. We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews of Europe and their talent for a better future for their children, their determined clinging to life because life is holy, for those who pursue death, for people consumed by the desire for death for themselves and others, for our children and theirs. What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe.” Author Sebastian Velar Rodriguez writing in a Spanish newspaper, in a column titled, “What Really Died At Auschwitz.” Rodriguez laments the fact that Europe murdered 20 million Jews in WWII, a productive, prosperous, selfsufficient people, and now, the Europeans in their collective guilt, have “opened our gates” to 20 million Muslim refugees - with disastrous results. And the lesson for America? Just as many of us flirt with the notion of socialism as Venezuela crumbles before our eyes under this failed economic system, still there are millions of Americans on the left with a suicidal fetish for “diversity,” and “inclusion,” even as Europe is being ripped apart after embracing precisely the same notions. It’s a willful blindness impossible to comprehend.
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BACK ISSUES
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BACK ISSUES
July 2017
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NEWS - TECH
IBM RESEARCH ALLIANCE BUILDS NEW TRANSISTOR FOR 5NM TECHNOLOGY
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Less than two years since announcing a 7nm test chip, scientists have achieved another breakthrough.
LBANY, NY - 05 Jun could also mean that the batteries 2017: IBM (NYSE: IBM), in smartphones and other mobile its Research Alliance products could last two to three partners GLOBALFOUNDRIES times longer than today’s devices, and Samsung, and equipment before needing to be charged. suppliers have developed an industry-first process to build Scientists working as part of the silicon nanosheet transistors IBM-led Research Alliance at the that will enable 5 SUNY Polytechnic nanometer (nm) In less Institute Colleges of chips. The details Nanoscale Science than of the process will and Engineering’s be presented at the two years since NanoTech Complex 2017 Symposia on in Albany, NY developing a 7nm VLSI Technology achieved the test node chip and Circuits breakthrough by conference in Kyoto, using stacks of with 20 billion Japan. In less than silicon nanosheets transistors, two years since as the device developing a 7nm scientists have structure of the test node chip with instead of paved the way for transistor, 20 billion transistors, the standard FinFET scientists have 30 billion switches architecture, which paved the way for on a fingernail- is the blueprint for 30 billion switches the semiconductor sized chip.” on a fingernail-sized industry up chip. through 7nm node technology. The resulting increase in performance will help accelerate “For business and society to cognitive computing, the Internet meet the demands of cognitive of Things (IoT), and other data- and cloud computing in the intensive applications delivered coming years, advancement in in the cloud. The power savings semiconductor technology is
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essential,” said Arvind Krishna, senior vice president, Hybrid Cloud, and director, IBM Research. “That’s why IBM aggressively pursues new and different architectures and materials that push the limits of this industry, and brings them to market in technologies like mainframes and our cognitive systems.” The silicon nanosheet transistor demonstration, as detailed in the Research Alliance paper Stacked Nanosheet Gate-All-Around Transistor to Enable Scaling Beyond FinFET, and published by VLSI, proves that 5nm chips are possible, more powerful, and not too far off in the future. Compared to the leading edge 10nm technology available in the market, a nanosheetbased 5nm technology can deliver 40 percent performance enhancement at fixed power, or 75 percent power savings at matched performance. This improvement enables a significant boost to meeting the future demands of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, virtual reality and mobile devices. July 2017
NEWS - TECH Building a New Switch
at 5nm and beyond to maintain “This announcement is the technology leadership and enable latest example of the world- our customers to produce a smaller, class research that continues to faster, and more cost efficient emerge from our groundbreaking generation of semiconductors.” public-private partnership in New York,” said Gary Patton, CTO IBM Research has explored semiconductor and Head of Worldwide R&D at nanosheet technology for more than 10 years. GLOBALFOUNDRIES. This work is the first in the industry “As we make progress toward to demonstrate the feasibility commercializing 7nm in 2018 to design and fabricate stacked at our Fab 8 manufacturing nanosheet devices with electrical facility, we are actively pursuing properties superior to FinFET next-generation technologies architecture.
This same Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography approach used to produce the 7nm test node and its 20 billion transistors was applied to the nanosheet transistor architecture. Using EUV lithography, the width of the nanosheets can be adjusted continuously, all within a single manufacturing process or chip design. This adjustability permits the fine-tuning of performance and power for specific circuits See New IBM 5nm Chip Page 41
IBM Research scientist Nicolas Loubet holds a wafer of chips with 5nm silicon nanosheet transistors manufactured using an industry-first process that can deliver 40 percent performance enhancement at fixed power, or 75 percent power savings at matched performance. (Credit: Connie Zhou)
July 2017
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NEWS - TECH Continued From Page 39
IBM’S NEW 5NM CHIP – something not possible with today’s FinFET transistor architecture production, which is limited by its current-carrying fin height. Therefore, while FinFET chips can scale to 5nm, simply reducing the amount of space between fins does not provide increased current flow for additional performance. “Today’s announcement continues the public-private model collaboration with IBM that is energizing SUNY-Polytechnic’s, Albany’s, and New York State’s leadership and innovation in developing next generation technologies,” said Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, Interim President, SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “We believe that enabling the first 5nm transistor is a significant milestone for the entire semiconductor industry as we continue to push beyond the limitations of our current capabilities. SUNY Poly’s partnership with IBM and Empire State Development is a perfect example of how Industry, Government and Academia can successfully collaborate and have a broad and positive impact on society.” July 2017
Part of IBM’s $3 billion, fiveyear investment in chip R&D (announced in 2014), the proof of nanosheet architecture scaling to a 5nm node continues IBM’s legacy of historic contributions to silicon and semiconductor innovation. They include the invention or first implementation of the single cell DRAM, the Dennard Scaling Laws, chemically amplified photoresists, copper interconnect wiring, Silicon on Insulator, strained engineering, multi core microprocessors, immersion lithography, high speed SiGe, High-k gate dielectrics, embedded DRAM, 3D chip stacking and Air gap insulators.
About IBM Research For more than seven decades, IBM Research has defined the future of information technology with more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents. Scientists from IBM Research have produced six Nobel Laureates, a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, 10 U.S. National Medals of Technology, five U.S. National Medals of Science, six Turing Awards, 19 inductees in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and 20 inductees into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame. For more information about IBM Research, visit www.ibm.com/ research. Table of Contents
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www.zalma.com • web log, “Zalma on Insurance” • videoblog, “Zalma’s Insurance 101”
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INSURANCE & THE LAW employee of Gilow Wood such that the “non-owned auto” endorsement in the Progressive policy would be triggered and provide coverage for the accident.
evidence, especially as it relates to the employment of Savage, indicates that Owens, Sr., and Owens, Jr., maintained and operated the two businesses for two distinct purposes, including the retention of employees for DISCUSSION Under Alabama law, the test only one of those businesses, The material facts of this for determining whether a Owens Pulpwood. case are undisputed, and person is an agent or employee both parties have moved for of another, rather than an Savage testified that his only summary judgment on those independent contractor with employment duty was driving same facts for their respective that other person, is whether the pulpwood truck. Savage claims and counterclaims. that other person has reserved did not assist with the cutting the right of control over the of the timber, and he was never The parties have each argued means and method by which engaged in searching for or that the insurance coverage the person’s work will be purchasing timber. Savage’s their respective companies performed, whether or not pre-employment paperwork issued to Gilow Wood is not the right of control is actually indicated he was working for triggered, is excluded, or exercised. Owens Pulpwood, and his at best excess, and that the paychecks were all drawn on other policy’s coverage is the Owens Pulpwood bank triggered and primary. At The parties have account and bore the Owens oral argument, the parties each argued that Pulpwood company name. each recognized and argued that the resolution of this the insurance coverage Savage was not even aware matter hinges on whether their respective companies of the owner of the property Savage was a dual employee from which he was to haul issued to Gilow Wood is not lumber on the day of the of Owens Pulpwood and Gilow Wood. In short, the triggered, is excluded, or at accident. Continued From Page 7
ZALMA
undisputed evidence indicates that Savage was an employee of Owens Pulpwood but no evidence indicating that Gilow Wood employed Savage or otherwise reserved the right It is undisputed that the two of control over the means and businesses had the same two method by which the [Savage’s] owners and on rare occasions, work will be performed. the owners informally loaned money from one of their Specifically, the Star policy businesses to the other. The undisputed facts did not However, the remainder of the See ZALMA Pg 46 indicate that Savage was an Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Progressive as the nonmoving party to Star’s motion for summary judgment, Owens testified that he alone direct the employees of Owens Pulpwood, including Savage and that Savage confirmed Owens alone directed him.
July 2017
best excess, and that the other policy’s coverage is triggered and primary.”
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TECHNOLOGY Continued From Page 5
KIM KOMANDO digital format using your camera phone. You can scan multiple pages and include them in the same document, a convenience that used to be nigh on the impossible. But Adobe just launched its own stellar app that scans physical documents with your smartphone’s camera and turns them into PDFs. Just point your iPhone or Android’s camera at a document, and the app will automatically scan it for text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and save it as a PDF file. Click here to check it out. Android users have another option. Aside from cloud storage, the Google Drive app has document scanning capabilities. 3. Shop in three dimensions When you flip through a magazine, some ads are so vivid and colorful that they seem to leap off the page. With the ROAR app, the ads actually do leap off the page, at least in the display of your camera phone. You can quickly scan a photo of a cute sundress, for example, 44
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and within seconds your display 5. Learn your wines will show that outfit in three Wine is a complicated beverage. dimensions. There is so much to know about a given year, vintner and vintage. ROAR also lets you take photos In the past, wine aficionados had of meals and beverages to memorize all that information and instantly find out their or refer to a book. But now you ingredients. You can scan items can learn about a particular in a store and find their costs, label at a glance, thanks to the then price-gauge with other Vivino app. retailers. Shoppers can be spontaneous and well informed Just scan the wine’s label, and at the same time. If you pass you’ll find out everything there is an eye-catching movie poster, to know, including personalized you can capture its image and recommendations. You’ll be instantly order movie tickets. hard-pressed to find a bottle Click here to this amazing app a that isn’t included: Vivino has whirl. a database of more than three million wines. Click here to learn 4. Translate language more about Vivino. When the Word Lens app hit the market a few years ago, 6. Augmented reality games users were astonished by the If you weren’t living in a ability to “read” signs in foreign submarine last year, you are languages. The app even used probably familiar with the global the same font and style in its obsession that was Pokémon visual translation. This magical go. This game sent millions of technology was later scooped players running through their up by Google, which has made neighborhood streets in search it a part of the broader Google of little creatures, guided by translate app. the motto, “Gotta catch ‘em all!” This is just the beginning Other services use the same of the phenomenon known as gimmick, helping you translate augmented reality games. menus and signage from wildly different writing systems into These entertainment systems your own romanized alphabet, create real time, real world all using your camera phone. But backdrops for the in-game the standard, for now, is still the objects. For example, when you free Google app. Click here for play ARBasketball, you can find more about Google Translate. a virtual hoop anywhere you Table of Contents
July 2017
TECHNOLOGY go, and the Bowmaster inserts targets in your actual physical surroundings.
the-clock surveillance system. Click here to get the steps on how to set it up.
If you are a fan of the undead, you will probably get your thrills from Zombies Everywhere! This game turns your real world into an apocalyptic zombie battleground.
Bonus: Magnifying glass
Curses! You left your eyeglasses in the car, and you don’t want to leave the restaurant. But how will you ever read the menu? No problem: Just turn on your smartphone’s camera and use You will never look at your the viewfinder to zoom in on the neighborhood sidewalk or tiny text. Think of your phone office cubicle the same way as a bionic eye that brings again. For Android, check out everything into focus. TableZombies for a similar augmented reality game. Click What are some other nifty here to move beyond Pokemon tricks you can perform on your Go with five other augmented smartphone? Be sure to listen or reality apps you will love. download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local radio 7. Security camera station. You can listen to the Kim When you upgrade to a new Komando Show on your phone, smartphone, you usually have to tablet or computer. From buying face a difficult question: What do advice to digital life issues, click you do with your older model? here for my free podcasts. Well, one option is to repurpose it as motion activated security 2017, WestStar camera. The Manything app Copyright Multimedia Entertainment. All uses your smartphone camera to monitor your pets, your rights reserved. home, your kids, or whatever Learn about all the latest else needs a watchful eye. technology on the Kim Komando Manything has programmable Show, the nation’s largest weekend motion detection zones, cloud- radio talk show. Kim takes calls based DVR, time-lapse and and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones live streaming. All you need is and tablets to online privacy and another device with Manything data hacks. For her daily tips, free installed (to use it as your remote newsletters and more, visit her viewer and controller) and you website at Komando.com will have a low-cost, aroundJuly 2017
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NEWS Continued From Page 43
ZALMA states that it applies to “‘bodily injury’ or ‘property damage’ … caused by an ‘occurrence’ that takes place in the ‘coverage territory’ … during the policy period…” There is no dispute that the accident was an occurrence involving property damage and bodily injury in the coverage territory during the coverage period specified by the Star policy. The underlying claims for negligence and wantonness brought directly against Gilow Wood were covered under the Star policy but excluded by the Progressive policy. ZALMA OPINION The two insurers did the right thing – they shared the cost of the settlement and then asked the USDC to resolved the dispute. The fact that two corporations are owned by the same people does not make the employees of each employees of the other. Since Gilow Wood had no right to control or direct the work of the driver Star’s claim that he was also an employee failed and they are obligated to repay the $500,000 paid by Progressive, plus interest. Had they conducted a thorough investigation and understood the facts they would have paid the entire settlement and not wasted money suing Progressive. 46
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THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR): IMPACT FOR INSURERS
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EW YORK -- Celent has released a new report titled The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Impact for Insurers. The report was written by Nicolas Michellod, a Senior Analyst with Celent’s Insurance practice.
to comply with all GDPR main principles: fair data processing, data subjects’ consent, accountability, data security, personal data breach reporting, and compliance enforcement.
Celent recommends insurers use a fiveThe General step approach Data Protection starting with the Regulation was mobilization of designed to relevant resources harmonize data and then specific privacy laws across actions including Europe, to protect the mapping of data and empower all processing activities, EU citizens’ data the integration of privacy, and to systems, allowing Nicolas Michellod reshape the way connectivity, and organizations across the region fostering data services. approach data privacy. The GDPR will come into force in May 2018. “The territorial scope defined in the GDPR is vast, and we can wonder For a majority of insurers, regulation whether monitoring compliance — and more precisely consumer of all companies subject to data protection regulation the regulation will be feasible,” (interpretation, changes, and lack commented Michellod. of clarity) — is the major concern when they use using consumer “The GDPR principles have direct personal data that is publicly consequences on how insurers available on social networks or on inform their customers on the use of other online data sources. their data and how they manipulate it,” he added. Insurers need to review their ability Table of Contents
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NEWS LAAIA PARTNERS WITH HOLTZ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL TO BETTER SICK CHILDREN’S QUALITY OF LIFE WITH A CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO LAAIA and Holtz Children’s Hospital will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 31st in honor of their new Creative Arts Studio for children.
M
iami, FL: On Wednesday, May 31st, 2017 the Holtz Children’s Hospital honored the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies for their support and gracious donation as they cut the ribbon for their newest space, a Creative Arts and Activity Studio.
arts like drawing, painting, and sculpture, and also boasts a miniphoto studio for portraits. Now, the kids will have access to Music Therapists who can help them cope with their medical conditions
the best available resources,” says LAAIA’s current President, Sebastian Rejon. “We are looking forward to its completion in the upcoming months!”
The Creative Arts and Activities Studio aims to help children cope with their medical conditions in a thoughtful, creative way— offering respite from difficult procedures like Bone Marrow and Organ Transplants, Cancer Treatments, and Trauma Injuries.”
In late 2015, LAAIA (the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies) committed to raising $150,000 for the Child Life Services Department at Holtz Children’s Hospital to build a state-of-the-art Creative Arts and Activities Studio for the resident children. Roughly seventy pediatric patients reside at Holtz Children’s Hospital, many of whom are unable to go home for holidays or spend time with their families outside of the hospital. The Creative Arts and Activities Studio will be equipped with a fully functioning recording studio, a designated space for creative July 2017
via writing, producing, and sharing their music, collaborate with volunteer artists in a handson environment, and take pictures in a studio setting. “We are working very closely with the hospital’s construction and design teams on refining the details and ensuring this project offers the children at Holtz Table of Contents
The Creative Arts and Activities Studio aims to help children cope with their medical conditions in a thoughtful, creative way—offering respite from difficult procedures like Bone Marrow and Organ Transplants, Cancer Treatments, and Trauma Injuries.
About LAAIA: The Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies was founded in 1969 as “The Voice of Independent Insurance Agents.” We work to ensure a healthy insurance environment by providing continuing education, legislative advocacy, representation on national advisory councils, community outreach and the largest annual insurance convention and trade fair in South Florida.
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ANALYSIS Continued From Page 15
YOUR STAFF’S EMOTIONAL HEALTH experiencing tenseness because of stressful situations it’s helpful to lend a listening ear leading with empathy, which differs from sympathy. Empathy is, at its simplest, awareness and acknowledgement of the feelings and emotions of other people. For many reasons, empathy is harder to accomplish than sympathy. You not only have to really hear the other person without judgment, but also you must acknowledge to yourself (as the listener) and the other person the similar feelings you share.
3. Get Social Yourself: While everyone has a different level of social need based upon personality type, everyone needs some form of human interaction. Social wellness can include deep friendships and the ability to laugh with others. While cliché, it’s true: laughter is “good for the soul,” so surround yourself with people and things that make you laugh. Laughter can provide real relief and put you in a lighter mood. Others: Bring joy to the person’s
environment! By being happy and exuding that positive energy, we have the potential to change many other lives just by being ourselves. When happiness is on board, this not only affects you but it can have a ripple effect on all those with whom you come into contact. Also strive to facilitate a fun and happy environment. Whether it’s connecting after work to see a comedy show, a funny movie or just visiting to a dog shelter or park to play with puppies, there are some situations it would be difficult if not impossible not to smile through.
Position wanted: Field Rep/Special Agent
This intimate connection and mutual sharing build bridges that create trust and understanding. The connection created by empathy is healing and positive for both people, even if nothing is resolved or the pain remains. The goal of empathy isn’t to race to a solution or answer, although at a later time it may be appropriate to help the other person uncover a solution. Rather, the goal of an empathetic ear is to ease the other’s feelings of aloneness and isolation in their plight for resolution.
Experienced, licensed (2-20) P&C field rep available to work from Florida East or West Coast. MGA experienced but would consider Carrier or Premium Finance Position. Recent FSU Grad with Risk Management Course Work
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Please write for resume: candidate88@yahoo.com July 2017
ANALYSIS 4. Find What Resonates Yourself: There are times when you need to find those things you truly love in the depths of your being. What inspires you to be great? Is it a song? A quote? A poem? A picture of friends or family? Whatever it is that you find to be a source of inspiration should be included in your selfcare kit mentioned above. You can also surround yourself with these items. If your work allows it, listen to some uplifting music while going about your work day. You can place one ear bud in and leave the other ear free in case someone needs to get your attention. Keep photographs around that evoke happy memories or feelings of love—even if they are of cute and cuddly animals clipped from a magazine. Others: Take some time to get involved in the activities that matter to your associate. It may not be something that you would be interested in on your own, but a little selflessness will undoubtedly be recognized and appreciated, having a significantly positive impact. Share a song, poem or quote that you think they would like. For the recipient, it’s sure to lift their mood. Also think outside of the box, July 2017
Others: Dole out positive affirmations at appropriately strategic points so it’s received as genuine. For example, being told, “Hey, you did a great job on that project” or “I love what you’re wearing today, you look great,” is an acknowledgement that can shift a person’s mental and emotional state to the positive. Our emotional and physical systems are interconnected, so 5. Start a Gratitude Journal frequent affirmations can also help someone become healthier Yourself: When things are overall. Affirmations enable falling apart, it can be difficult and empower others to have to identify exactly what we the strength, confidence and have to be grateful for. Starting motivation to do things better a journal where you can write and to be better people in general. out the things you are most appreciative of can help provide The Yelverton’s also urge that, a new, healthier perspective on if these techniques don’t work, circumstances. When you are don’t be ashamed to take thing a having a particularly bad day, step further and seek out the help simply turn to your journal to of a professional mental health refocus your mind and remind expert—whether for yourself or yourself of why you work so to assist another. Spending an hard, the value you bring to the hour each week with a neutral organization and what is really third party can provide muchimportant in the big scheme of needed opportunity to vent and life. a perspective you might not otherwise have. Project yourself five years into the future and know that And today’s technology is a whatever is currently troubling boon! With some of the new you shall ultimately pass, but the health apps that allow you to wonderful things in your life that seek out a psychologist via your really matter will likely remain. Let smartphone, you don’t even need those truths be your foundational to leave the room to get the help rock to keep you grounded needed to realize true emotional through am emotional storm. wellness. perhaps suggesting random things around town to do for a change of environment, venue and energy in kinetic public spaces. A farmers market; swap meet or antique store treasure hunt; music, food or art festival; or even just window shopping at the mall while sipping a fancy coffee drink can be a real mood lifter.
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