IN THIS ISSUE MARCH 2019 VOL 15 ISSUE 3
5
15 Tech Upgrades You Can Get For Free
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Don’t Demolish Damage Before Report To Insurer
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Investing Basics - The Power of DividendPaying Stocks
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Florida Conducts Statewide Search For Million Dollar Fraud Ring Leaders
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Florida Announces 10 Arrests In $42.7 Million Fraud Ring
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NASA’s Record-Setting Opportunity Rover Mission On Mars Comes To An End
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Beazley Launches Environmental Liability Cover For Lenders
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Cancer Rates Rising In Young Adults • Tesla Now Best Selling Luxury Vehicle • EV Dragsters? • Bomber to Air Force One • Pothole Costs LA $6.1 Million
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Still Love Your Car? Most Do, Says J.D. Power
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Air Force Forecasters Gear Up For 2019 Hurrican Season
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Charles Duhigg, “Power of Havit” Author, To Give Keynote Address At Accelerate, Powered By NETVU
Page 5
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Claims Satisfaction Solid But Servicing & Settlement Falling Short
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Wellcare Surpasses 1 Million Members In Florida
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Hand Free Devices Not So Risky • Laughing At Alexandria OcasioCortez • Russian Collusion Probe A Terrible Waste Of Time
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$250K Settlement On Workers’ Comp Fraud
AAA: Icy Temperatures Cut Electric Vehicle Range Nearly In Half
The Advisor: Recipe For Socialism: Ignorance & Greed
PREFER TO READ OFFLINE? DOWNLOAD & VIEW PDF: HERE!
37
FTC Completes Review Of Can-Spam Rules
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Florida Debunks Top Five Hurricane Myths
42
How (And Why) To Write A Press Release That Actually Gets Published
34
The Last 18 Back Issues
INSURANCE AND THE LAW PAGE SIX
Upcoming Conventions & Trade Fairs Eddie Emmett’s Famous FYI Expo - Roswell, GA May 22
HOW (AND WHY) TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE THAT ACTUALLY GETS PUBLISHED
PG 42
FAIA’s Annual Convention Orlando, FL • June 19-21 LAAIA’s 48th Annual Convention, Hollywood, FL July 31 - August 3rd
2018 FAIA & LAAIA TRADE FAIR BOOTH IMAGES NOW ONLINE!
FEATURES 5 6 8 31
Kim Komando
18
Breaking News
26 32
Insider Advisor
34
Back Issues
Barry Zalma Matt Treskovitch Advertise
Say What?
Page 6 New Zalma Claims Books Now Available! Story...
Cover Image: R Manera Cayman Islands Ritz Carlton
MARCH 2019 INSURANCE - POLITICS - TECHNOLOGY - PEOPLE A Publication of AdMax Corp., Inc. Corporate Offices P.O. Box 31551 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33420 Ron Manera, Publisher/Senior Editor Join Me On Linkedin: HERE Follow Me On Instagram: @rj.0521 561.718.0745 • ron@insurmedia.com
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Table of Contents
MARCH 2019
TECHNOLOGY
15 TECH UPGRADES YOU CAN GET FOR FREE
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Really Cool Tech Info - From Kim Komando
ou’ve spent so much money already – on a laptop, tablet, computer, router, network extender, printer, and smartphone. You’ve signed up for the internet, and you’re paying monthly fees. You’ll be relieved to know that a lot of tech is free. Open-source software is like the “generic” brands you find in a supermarket; they cost nothing, and they often work just as well as their big-brand counterparts. Then, some websites give you something for free hoping you’ll upgrade to a paid plan someday. Speaking of sites, if you want to know about some great ones, I recently put together a list of 10 you’ll use time and time again. I still cannot believe how many people reached out to thank me for that list. Click here if you want to check it out now.
MARCH 2019
save documents, photos, and videos in the cloud, you’ll be able to reach them at work, on your laptop while traveling, or on your phone or tablet wherever you are located. If you’re already a Google user, Google Drive is a versatile option. This free cloud storage system gives you five gigabytes of free online storage, and you can buy more storage as needed.
Here are 15 of my favorite tech freebies, available whenever you want them.
1. Free online storage in the cloud Cloud storage is a great way to access and share your computer’s media library remotely. If you Table of Contents
iCloud is the online storage program available to Apple users. This service makes it easy to transfer and view files across your iPhones, iPads and iMacs. You get an initial 5GB free and can purchase more space if and when you need it. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you get 5GB of Amazon See Kim Komando Pg 38 www/underwritersinsider.com
5
CLAIMS & THE LAW
DON’T DEMOLISH DAMAGE BEFORE REPORT TO INSURER
Expert Analysis & Commentary by Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE Services, Inc., No. 18-5440, United States Court of Appeals For The Sixth Circuit (February 8, 2019) South Fifth Towers, LLC owned an apartment building in Louisville, he key to every insurance Kentucky. After the building policy and claims suffered water damage in a presented under a first rainstorm, South Fifth’s insurance party property insurance policy carrier, Aspen Insurance UK, Ltd., is to promptly report a loss to declined to cover demolition the insurer so it can investigate and repair costs. South Fifth sued and evaluate the claim. When Aspen and Tenco Services, Inc., an insurance broker – who only Aspen’s adjuster, for breach of represents the insured – detests contract (among other claims). insurers and hires, on behalf of his client, a public insurance adjuster Join Barry Zalma’s Blog: to protect the insured against http://www.zalma.com/blog the insurer and then waits until the public adjuster and a repair company totally demolished the building, to only then, twelve The District Court granted days after the loss, to report the the insurer’s and adjuster’s claim to the insurer he prejudiced summary judgment motions. Thunderstorms caused 2.69 the rights of the insurer. inches of rain in Louisville and In South Fifth Towers, LLC v. Aspen during and after the storm there Insurance UK, Ltd. and Tenco was about an inch of standing
Twelve Day Delay Sufficient to Eliminate Coverage
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water in hallways.
the
second-floor
That same evening South Fifth contacted its New York insurance broker either that evening or the next day. The broker, Judah Perlstein, did not notify Aspen. Instead, Perlstein’s first move was to hire a public adjuster to inspect the damage and write a report. It was his practice to “put a PA on almost every loss.” He did this for several reasons: “to get our facts straight” and avoid reporting “erroneous information” to the insurer and “to protect” his “client,” as “insurance companies are always looking for a reason not to pay.” Finding a public adjuster in Louisville took Perlstein until June 28. On July 2 or July 3, South Fifth hired a restoration contractor, The Drying Team. The Drying Team sent 18 people to Louisville.
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
The Underwriter’s Insider
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MARCH 2019
They arrived from Nashville on July 8 and began demolition the same day. They tore out “virtually all” of the second floor.
fact is one that might affect the And on appeal, South Fifth fails outcome of the suit under the to explain the delay. Given the governing law. A factual dispute undisputed facts of this case, the is genuine if the evidence is such lapse of time was so long as to be that a reasonable jury could obviously noncompliant with the Perlstein finally told Aspen return a verdict for either party. policy. Hence South Fifth failed to what had happened on July give “prompt” notice. 8 — twelve days after the storm and the same Late notice of a loss lifts When a person insured or day that The Drying the insurer’s coverage Team began demolition. the insured’s representative obligations as long as it Aspen then sent its own is reasonably probable incorrectly believes that “insurance adjusters (employed by that the insurance carrier co-defendant Tenco), and substantial companies are always looking for a suffered they arrived on July 10. By prejudice from the delay this time, almost all of the reason not to pay” errors like those in notice. demolition was already created by broker Perlstein cause a done. The late notice deprived legitimate claim to be refused. “ Aspen of the chance to South Fifth eventually see the water damage claimed a loss of $1,312,091.04. In The policy does not define before demolition began. This September 2015, Aspen formally “prompt,” so the court gave meant that Aspen had no way declined coverage. the term its ordinary meaning. of assessing how much of the “Prompt” means “performed demolition was necessary or readily or immediately,” or “given of objecting to needless or ANALYSIS without delay.” Webster’s Third too-costly demolition before The insurance policy required New International Dictionary it happened. Had Aspen’s South Fifth to give Aspen “prompt 1816 (2002). South Fifth could not adjusters been present when the notice of the loss or damage,” give Aspen a description of the demolition contractor first arrived including, “[a]s soon as possible, loss or damage until South Fifth at Kentucky Towers, they could . . . a description of how, when had notified Aspen about the loss have watched and interjected and where the loss or damage or damage in the first place. Thus, as the contractor took moisture occurred.” The Sixth Circuit the policy required South Fifth to readings and mapped out which concluded that there could be no provide notice as soon as it could. portions of the second floor to genuine dispute that Aspen likely tear out. suffered substantial prejudice Here, South Fifth did not provide from this delay. notice as soon as it could have — Aspen had no chance to inspect it notified Aspen eleven days after the damage, view pre-demolition Aspen and Tenco are entitled to it notified its insurance broker, moisture readings (which the summary judgment if they can Perlstein. Indeed, when Perlstein contractor did not retain), or ask show that there is no genuine was asked about this delay, he dispute as to any material fact could not explain why Aspen and they are entitled to judgment had not been notified sooner. See ZALMA Page 39 as a matter of law. A material MARCH 2019
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CC BY-SA 3.0 Attribution: http://alphastockimages.com/
ANALYSIS - FINANCIAL
INVESTING BASICS – THE POWER OF DIVIDEND-PAYING STOCKS By Matthew Treskovich, CPA/PFS, MBA, CFP®, CMA
F
or decades dividends were considered the big reason to own stocks. Investors looked to dividends as an income stream - their paycheck as an owner of the company. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, dividends fell out of favor. Preferential tax treatment of capital gains made dividends less tax-efficient. The 1990’s
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The Underwriter’s Insider
saw the rise of high-flying tech companies, many of which never made any money and eventually disappeared. More recently, a decade of low interest rates has put renewed focus on dividendpaying stocks. For investors who are students of market history, dividend stocks never lost their appeal.
Dividend Income is Always Positive Table of Contents
The price return of a stock can be positive or negative. Dividends are always a positive number. For investors who need income in retirement, high quality dividend paying stocks are a great choice. The always-positive nature of dividends also benefits investors who chose to reinvest their dividends in the market. The best dividend-paying companies have a track record of steady and increasing dividends. Allowing MARCH 2019
Other Quality Factors
dividends to be reinvested in years when the market is down is the definition of “buying low”.
Dividends Indicate Quality Companies Dividends are one indicator of quality that value investors look for when they are selecting stocks. Companies can’t pay a dividend until they have earnings. Focusing on dividendpaying stocks helps investors find high-quality companies to invest in. Academic research has shown that the best stocks for long-term investors are companies with a track record of solid earnings and earnings growth. These companies also tend to be the ones who regularly distribute their earnings to shareholders as dividends.
needs to hoard cash. This often accompanies other problems Dividends alone aren’t enough to like declining earnings. Long judge the quality of a company as term value investors should steer an investment. Ideally, investors clear of companies showing should look for companies with these signs of a history of trouble. Old-school dividend paying good paying stocks don’t get dividends Dividendeven when the the attention they deserve. Smart p a y i n g economy is in long-term investors know that stocks have a recession. the best portfolios are filled with become more It is also popular in i m p o r t a n t quality stocks, not trendy ones.” recent years, to look for but they are companies that consistently still ignored by many investors. grow their earnings and The financial press likes to talk dividends over time. Paying a about hip, cool companies, even single large dividend doesn’t though many of those trendy make a company a quality companies aren’t making much investment. money. Old-school dividend paying stocks don’t get the Investors should be wary attention they deserve. Smart of companies that cut their long-term investors know that dividends. Usually management the best portfolios are filled with will cut a dividend when the quality stocks, not trendy company is in trouble and ones.
About the author:
Matt is the Chief Investment Officer of the firm of CPS Investment Advisors with 18 years of experience in financial services also serving as the CFO of an insurance brokerage. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis on accounting from the University of Phoenix, Matt is a CPA licensed in Florida and holds the AICPA’s Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. Matt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). and received a Certificate of Distinguished Performance from the IMA for achieving a CMA exam score in the top ten worldwide. In 2017, he was awarded an AICPA Standing Ovation for exemplary professional achievement in personal financial planning services. Treskovich also is certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designee by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC). He is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, former President of the Mid Florida Chapter and former Treasurer of the IMA Florida Council.
MARCH 2019
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9
NEWS
FLORIDA CONDUCTS STATEWIDE SEARCH FOR $42 MILLION FRAUD RING LEADERS
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T. MYERS, Fla., – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is asking for the public’s help in locating alleged scam artists still at large after a recent $42.7 million insurance fraud bust announced in Ft. Myers last week.
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The Underwriter’s Insider
Jorge Valido, a former Miami doctor and ring leader in the fraud scheme is still at large, along with his sister Minerva Valido, an alleged associate in the scheme. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “We need your help—these criminals are on the run and we need you to help apprehend them. Call
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my detectives with tips so we can get them off of the streets and put them in jail where they belong.” Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Bureau of Insurance Fraud, Fort Myers field office at (239) 278-7527 or the Fraud Hotline at 800-378-0445
MARCH 2019
NEWS
FLORIDA ANNOUNCES 10 ARRESTS IN $42.7 MILLION INSURANCE FRAUD BUST
F
ORT MYERS, Fla. – At a press conference in Ft. Myers today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrests of 10 individuals in an alleged $42.7 million insurance fraud ring. Jorge Valido, a former Miami doctor and primary figure in the fraud scheme is still at large. Valido, who was previously indicted for healthcare fraud, and his associates are alleged to have stolen doctors’ identities, illegally obtained insurance information and billed $42,742,852 in fraudulent medical services. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and fraud like this drives up insurance costs for every Floridian. Stolen identities, fake clinics, and stealing $42 million–this was an elaborate fraud scheme and ultimately consumers are on the losing end. Let me be clear: If you commit insurance fraud in Florida, my office will catch you and you will go to jail.” 12
The Underwriter’s Insider
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This organized crime scheme cost health insurance companies millions and stretched from Hillsborough to Miami Dade County. Insurance fraud is a serious
Analysis -CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces 10 Arrests in $42.7 Million Insurance Fraud Bust
fraudulent services from 2015 to 2018. Claims were listed as originating from 15 “phantom clinics” with addresses in the Fort Myers, Tampa, Lake Worth, Boca Raton and Miami. These fake clinics had physical addresses to function solely as drop boxes for insurance payments. In total, $42,742,852 in fraudulent claims were submitted to insurance companies for payment. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and Attorney General Moody’s Office of the Statewide Prosecutor assisted in this investigation.
crime that forces higher premiums on all rate payers, and as Attorney General, I will continue to work with our great law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice any criminal organization exploiting Florida’s insurance market.”
Maylene Cruz, Xiomara Baullosa, Jorge Valido Leyva, Anais Hernandez Jorge, Nivardo R. Parra, Nestor Damian Rodriguez, Nestor Rodriguez, Luis Eslen Machado, Sandra Efigenia Nadal Hidalgo, and Enrique Galera-Risco were arrested and/or charged on February 6. Jorge Arnaldo Valido, An investigation by CFO Patronis’ Arnaldo Valido, Minerva E. Valido fraud detectives revealed that and Gonzalo Rodriguez are all still 14 individuals submitted 23,708 at large. All parties face charges claims to insurance companies, of scheme to defraud, money containing over 20 different laundering, insurance fraud, physicians’ stolen identities for criminal use of I.D., and RICO. Table of Contents
MARCH 2019
Own Your Own Insurance Agency If You Think It Is Not Possible - Think Again!
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strella Insurance would like you to join the Estrella Insurance family by becoming a franchise owner today. Estrella Insurance has been in the business of proudly serving customers with exceptional service and a professional atmosphere for over 40 years.
management evaluations, a strong relationship with many major insurance companies, and most importantly brand strength.
Having the ability to harness the brand strength of Estrella Insurance will give you an advantage over unaffiliated businesses as most consumers This proven track record is a major asset for any believe that buying at a brand name store means franchise owner as Estrella Insurance’s proven they are receiving higher quality products and system allows franchisees to follow a successful services. This branding will make it easier for plan with a high success rate. The thought of a franchisee to compete with well-established, opening and operating an insurance agency may independent operators and other franchise be daunting, but Estrella Insurance provides all chains. This brand power is what has allowed the tools to ensure that franchisees will have a Estrella Insurance to open over 100 insurance business that thrives. This is accomplished with agencies all across Florida, Arizona, California, low startup costs, support from our superior and coming soon in Nevada and Texas. marketing campaign in both English and Spanish across all forms of media, a turnkey training With this level of experience and success backing program as well as continuing support and you, there is no telling how far you can go!
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NEWS - SCIENCE
NASA’S RECORD-SETTING OPPORTUNITY ROVER MISSION ON MARS COMES TO END
Image Credit: NASA
O
ne of the most successful and enduring feats of interplanetary exploration, NASA’s Opportunity rover mission is at an end after almost 15 years exploring the surface of Mars and helping lay the groundwork for NASA’s return to the Red Planet. The Opportunity rover stopped communicating with Earth when a severe Mars-wide dust storm 14
The Underwriter’s Insider
blanketed its location in June 2018. After more than a thousand commands to restore contact, engineers in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) made their last attempt to revive Opportunity Tuesday, to no avail. The solar-powered rover’s final communication was received June 10.
missions such as Opportunity that there will come a day when our brave astronauts walk on the surface of Mars,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “And when that day arrives, some portion of that first footprint will be owned by the men and women of Opportunity, and a little rover that defied the odds and did so much in the name of exploration.”
“It is because of trailblazing Designed to last just 90 Martian Table of Contents
MARCH 2019
days and travel 1,100 yards (1,000 John Callas, manager of the Mars meters), Opportunity vastly Exploration Rover (MER) project at surpassed all expectations in JPL. its endurance, scientific value and longevity. In addition to Designed to exceeding its life expectancy by last just 90 60 times, the rover traveled more than 28 miles (45 kilometers) Martian days and travel by the time it reached its most 1,100 yards (1,000 appropriate final resting spot on Mars – Perseverance Valley. meters), Opportunity “For more than a decade, Opportunity has been an icon in the field of planetary exploration, teaching us about Mars’ ancient past as a wet, potentially habitable planet, and revealing uncharted Martian landscapes,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “Whatever loss we feel now must be tempered with the knowledge that the legacy of Opportunity continues – both on the surface of Mars with the Curiosity rover and InSight lander – and in the clean rooms of JPL, where the upcoming Mars 2020 rover is taking shape.” The final transmission, sent via the 70-meter Mars Station antenna at NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Complex in California, ended a multifaceted, eight-month recovery strategy in an attempt to compel the rover to communicate.
vastly surpassed all expectations in its endurance, scientific value and longevity. In addition to exceeding its life expectancy by 60 times, the rover traveled more than 28 miles (45 kilometers) by the time it reached its most appropriate final resting spot on Mars – Perseverance Valley.”
Opportunity landed in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars on Jan. 24, 2004, seven months after its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Its twin rover, Spirit, landed 20 days earlier in the 103-mile-wide (166-kilometer“We have made every reasonable wide) Gusev Crater on the other engineering effort to try to side of Mars. Spirit logged almost recover Opportunity and have 5 miles (8 kilometers) before its determined that the likelihood mission wrapped up in May 2011. of receiving a signal is far too low From the day Opportunity landed, to continue recovery efforts,” said a team of mission engineers,
rover drivers and scientists on Earth collaborated to overcome challenges and get the rover from one geologic site on Mars to the next. They plotted workable avenues over rugged terrain so that the 384-pound (174-kilogram) Martian explorer could maneuver around and, at times, over rocks and boulders, climb gravel-strewn slopes as steep as 32-degrees (an off-Earth record), probe crater floors, summit hills and traverse possible dry riverbeds. Its final venture brought it to the western limb of Perseverance Valley. “I cannot think of a more appropriate place for Opportunity to endure on the surface of Mars than one called Perseverance Valley,” said Michael Watkins, director of JPL. “The records, discoveries and sheer tenacity of this intrepid little rover is testament to the ingenuity, dedication, and perseverance of the people who built and guided her.”
More Opportunity Achievements •
•
•
Set a one-day Mars driving record March 20, 2005, when it traveled 721 feet (220 meters). Returned more than 217,000 images, including 15 360-degree color panoramas. Exposed the surfaces of 52 rocks to reveal fresh mineral
See Mars Rover Mission Page 17
NEWS
BEAZLEY LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY COVER FOR LENDERS
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ew York, Feb. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -Specialist insurer Beazley has launched site lender environmental asset protection (SLEAP) cover to protect banks and other lenders from pollution risks that could seriously impair the value of property used as collateral for commercial loans.
said: “We have designed our new policy carefully to address a broad array of environmental exposures that can make lending against property perilous. Contamination can be hard to detect and take years to emerge. Through this coverage, we aim to give lenders peace of mind over the long term, regardless of the status of their loan.”
In the event of both a loan default and the discovery of environmental contamination on a property, the policy will cover either the estimated cleanup costs or the loan balance, whichever is lower. The policy also pays clean-up costs for environmental contamination at properties owned by the lender as the result of a foreclosure.
In addition to this new coverage, Beazley’s fast growing environmental liability team provides tailored insurance products to meet the needs of a wide variety of commercial organizations, including property owners and developers; industrial and commercial operations; general and specialty contractors; and the environmental services industry.
In addition, the coverage protects the lender against third party claims for clean-up, bodily injury, property damage, and defense costs associated with the collateral property at all stages of a commercial loan and regardless of whether the loan is in default. Announcing the launch of the new lenders’ liability policy, Jayne Cunningham, Beazley’s environmental focus group leader, 16
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Mr. Zalma recently published on Amazon.com with links at the Zalma Books site with the following volumes:
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MARCH 2019
NEWS Continued From Page 15
NASA’S OPPORTUNITY ROVER MISSION ON MARS ENDS surfaces for analysis and cleared 72 additional targets with a brush to prepare them for inspection with spectrometers and a microscopic imager. • Found hematite, a mineral that forms in water, at its landing site. • Discovered strong indications at Endeavour Crater of the action of ancient water similar to the drinkable water of a pond or lake on Earth. • All of the off-roading and onlocation scientific analyses were in service of the Mars Exploration Rovers’ primary objective: To seek out historical evidence of the Red Planet’s climate and water at sites where conditions may once have been favorable for life. Because liquid water is required for life, as we know it, Opportunity’s discoveries implied that conditions at Meridiani Planum may have been habitable for some period of time in Martian history. “From the get-go, Opportunity MARCH 2019
delivered on our search for evidence regarding water,” said Steve Squyres, principal investigator of the rovers’ science payload at Cornell University. “And when you combine the discoveries of Opportunity and Spirit, they showed us that ancient Mars was a very different place from Mars today, which is a cold, dry, desolate world. But if you look to its ancient past, you find compelling evidence for liquid water below the surface and liquid water at the surface.” All those accomplishments were not without the occasional extraterrestrial impediment. In 2005 alone, Opportunity lost steering to one of its front wheels, a stuck heater threatened to severely limit the rover’s available power, and a Martian sand ripple almost trapped it for good. Two years later, a two-month dust storm imperiled the rover before relenting. In 2015, Opportunity lost use of its 256-megabyte flash memory and, in 2017, it lost steering to its other front wheel.
recall that place on Mars where our intrepid rover far exceeded everyone’s expectations,” Callas said. “But what I suppose I’ll cherish most is the impact Opportunity had on us here on Earth. It’s the accomplished exploration and phenomenal discoveries. It’s the generation of young scientists and engineers who became space explorers with this mission. It’s the public that followed along with our every step. And it’s the technical legacy of the Mars Exploration Rovers, which is carried aboard Curiosity and the upcoming Mars 2020 mission. Farewell, Opportunity, and well done.”
Mars exploration continues unabated. NASA’s InSight lander, which touched down on Nov. 26, is just beginning its scientific investigations. The Curiosity rover has been exploring Gale Crater for more than six years. And, NASA’s Mars 2020 rover and the European Space Agency’s ExoMars rover both will launch in July 2020, becoming the first rover missions designed to seek Each time the rover faced an signs of past microbial life on the obstacle, Opportunity’s team on Red Planet. Earth found and implemented a solution that enabled the rover JPL managed the Mars to bounce back. However, the Exploration Rovers Opportunity massive dust storm that took and Spirit for NASA’s shape in the summer of 2018 Science Mission Directorate proved too much for history’s in Washington. For more most senior Mars explorer. information about the agency’s Mars Exploration program, visit: “When I think of Opportunity, I will https://www.nasa.gov/mars Table of Contents
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THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS CANCER RATES RISING IN YOUNG ADULTS
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nd most researchers put the blame on obesity which raises the risk of both colorectal and kidney cancer. While cancers caused by smoking, for example, have seen a decrease in frequency, other cancers linked to obesity are on the increase. “Cancer is pretty rare in young people. When we see cancer rates rising in young people, it’s time to get worried,” according to Karen Basen-Engquist, director of the Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We know that there are cancers that are linked to obesity; we know that obesity rates have been increasing. In some ways, we’ve been waiting for data to show that.”
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TESLA NOW THE BEST SELLING LUXURY VEHICLE IN THE U.S.
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esla started 2019 as the maker of the bestselling luxury vehicle in the US after recording back-to-back quarterly profits for the first time in its history with higher revenue numbers than any other vehicle according to
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CleanTechnica. While a host of competitors are rolling out EVs, Tesla has a commanding lead in sales and technology and is not expected to be passed soon.
MARCH 2019
THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS AND SPEAKING OF EV’S... a B-21 stealth bomber as stock “merger of
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here is a team out there intent on building a 5,000 HP dragster that can run away from top-fuel dragster that can currently run a quarter-mile in 4.5 seconds while hitting a top speed of 332mph. While the current EV dragster record is only an ET of 7.274 seconds at 185mph, a Western Australian company, EV Racing, is developing a EV monster designed to break very speed record including drag racing, land speed and Guiness world records. The company, which plans a first run in 12 months, is building a 5,000hp, 1,000 volt, 4,000 amp machine.
the new Air Force One - to replace the enormously expensive and out-dated 747-8 platform. Although it’s not likely the B-21 at more than $1Billion each would save much on cost, especially since two of them are required for the mission. Another possible platform to replace the aging 7478’s would be a militarized version of the civilian Boeing 737, much smaller but far less expensive than any other option, since the technology required for Air Force One is already deployed on that platform.
SUNTRUST & BB&T TO MERGE
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he boards of both companies have PRESIDENTIAL BOMBER? announced an agreement panel of experts are to merge the two financial actually looking at using service companies in a all-
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equals” with a combined value of $442 billion in assets making it the sixth-largest U.S. bank based on assets and deposits. The company will operate under a new name that has yet to be announced.
POTHOLE COSTS CITY OF ANGELS $6.1 MILLION
L
ast month the City Council of Los Angeles voted to settle a lawsuit for $6.1 million brought by Philip Ramon Alvarez, an injured motorcyclist, whose 2015 accident was caused by a pothole in the roadway. According to the plaintiff’s attorney, the holes were caused by negligent city workers on a surveying team. Alvarez, it is claimed, is unable to work and requires the aid of family to function.
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy penetration strategic bomber
MARCH 2019
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NEWS - AUTOMOTIVE
STILL LOVE YOUR CAR? MOST DO, J.D. POWERS FINDS Lexus Ranks Highest among Luxury Brands; Toyota Ranks Highest among Mass Market Brands
help customers who are currently experiencing vehicle problems and address these trouble spots on future models.”
The study, now in its 30th year, measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles OSTA MESA, Calif: (PP100) during the past 12 months 13 Feb. 2019 — It’s a by original owners of three-yearcontinuing love story for old model-year vehicles. The most owners and their vehicles 2019 study measures problems as overall dependability for in model year 2016 vehicles. A three-year-old vehicles improves 4% from last year, according to the J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS).
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This is the eighth consecutive year Lexus ranks highest. Porsche and Toyota rank second in a tie with 108 PP100 each. Chevrolet and Buick round out the top five. Chrysler is the most-improved brand, with a reduction of 65 PP100 since 2018. Other brands with strong gains include MINI (improvement of 34 PP100) and Subaru (improvement of 31 PP100). General Motors Company receives five segment awards for the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Verano, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Silverado HD and Chevrolet Sonic.
“Vehicle dependability Toyota Motor Corporation continues to improve, receives four segment but I wouldn’t say that awards for the Lexus ES, everything is rosy,” said Lexus GX, Toyota Camry Dave Sargent, Vice and Toyota Tundra. Lexus ranks highest in overall vehicle dependability Image CR: Lexus President of Global Automotive at J.D. Power. “Vehicles are more reliable lower score reflects higher quality, Following are additional key than ever, but automakers are and the study covers 177 specific findings of the 2019 study: wrestling with problems such as problems grouped into eight Vehicle dependability improves voice recognition, transmission major vehicle categories. but at a slower rate: The industry shifts and battery failures. average for 2019 is 136 PP100, Flawless dependability is a Highest-Ranked Brands an improvement of 6 PP100 from determining factor in whether Lexus ranks highest in overall last year, which is a lower rate of customers remain loyal to a vehicle dependability among all improvement than the 14 PP100 in brand, so manufacturers need to brands, with a score of 106 PP100. 2018 compared with 2017. 20
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Mass market brands outperform luxury brands in dependability for first time: Model year 2016 mass market brands average 135 PP100 compared with 141 PP100 for luxury brands. German brands show notable improvement: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all improve this year. Along with Porsche, all Germany brands are better than the industry average, the first time this has happened in the 30 years of the study. Most Dependable Model: The Porsche 911 is the highest-ranked model in the 2019 study. This is the first year that a Most Dependable Model has been awarded. MARCH 2019
J.D. Power analysis shows that years of ownership. The study vehicle residual values can be was fielded in October-December significantly affected by long-term 2018. quality. For more information about “The used-vehicle market is where the U.S. Vehicle Dependability dealers can see increased profits Study, visit https://www.jdpower. this year,” said Jonathan Banks, Vice c o m / r e s o u r c e / u s - v e h i c l e President of Vehicle Analysis and dependability-study. Analytics at J.D. Power. “Stocking dealership lots with vehicles having J.D. Power is a global leader in strong dependability scores will consumer insights, advisory help support new-vehicle sales in services and data and analytics. the future, create a positive brand These capabilities enable J.D. perception and drive foot traffic.” Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and The 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability profitability. Established in 1968, Study is based on responses from J.D. Power has offices serving 32,952 original owners of 2016 North America, South America, model-year vehicles after three Asia Pacific and Europe. Table of Contents
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NEWS
AIR FORCE FORECASTERS GEAR UP FOR HURRICANE SEASON
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GLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- National Hurricane Center officials predict the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and continues through Nov. 30, to have a 75 percent chance of being an "above average" season. NHC forecasters predict the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will have 13 to 17 named storms, of which seven to 10 could become hurricanes and three to five of these could become Category 3 or higher major hurricanes. This contrasts with an "average" Atlantic hurricane season, which brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. A major storm has sustained winds that exceed 111 mph.
That advisory is being taken "There are a lot of things that go seriously by Eglin Air Force Base's into the formation of a tropical weather forecasters. storm and the damage it may cause," said Capt. Chris Chase, "They are the experts," said Lt. the 46th WS operations weather Col. Julie Noto, the 46th Weather flight commander. "We analyze Squadron commander. "We look the information and provide it to at their predictions and tailor senior base leadership for them to them to our local situation." make an educated decision." The 46th WS forecasters monitor local weather conditions year round to keep base leadership informed regarding atmospheric conditions that could impact Air Force operations. This watch becomes particularly important during the six-month hurricane season because of the severe weather conditions generated by a hurricane and the challenges associated with tracking the unpredictable paths of these storms.
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A hurricane is a severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico or in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes need warm tropical oceans, moisture and light winds above them. If the right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can form producing violent winds, large waves, and torrential rains.
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NEWS
CHARLES DUHIGG, ‘POWER OF HABIT’ AUTHOR, TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT ACCELERATE, POWERED BY NETVU CDynamic Researcher Will Reveal Patterns of Success
patterns that shape every aspect All attendees at Accelerate will of our lives," he writes. benefit from his compelling insights." Writes Duhigg: "Put simply, 'productivity' is the name we give our attempts to figure out the best uses of our energy, intellect, and time as we try to seize the most meaningful rewards with the least wasted effort. It's a process of learning how to succeed with less stress and struggle ... getting things done without sacrificing everything we care about along the way."
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RVING, Texas (February 14, 2019) -- NetVU and Vertafore announce that Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter and author, will provide the keynote address at Accelerate, powered by NetVU. The annual conference of the Network of Vertafore Users will be held May 21-23, 2019, in Cincinnati.
Duhigg was awarded the Duhigg will address one Pulitzer Prize for explanatory of the insurance industry's reporting focusing on Apple greatest challenges: boosting for the iEconomy series in growth and profitability The New York Times. His work while creating more-efficient also has appeared in The New workflows. He has written two books on the science of Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter and author York Times Magazine, The New Yorker and The Atlantic. productivity, The Power of Habit: Mike Foy, chairman of NetVU, Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, and Smarter Faster noted, "Absolutely everyone With a degree in history from Better: The Transformative Power has habits they can improve. Yale and an MBA from Harvard But as insurance professionals, Business School, Duhigg has of Real Productivity. eliminating our bad habits and appeared on weekly National Duhigg's research has centered forming good ones can positively Public Radio program/podcast on professionals, leaders and impact our customers' experience. This American Life, The Newshour organizations that have "achieved Charles Duhigg has studied and with Jim Lehrer, and Frontline. success by focusing on the written about this very topic. MARCH 2019
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NEWS
AAA: ICY TEMPERATURES CUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE RANGE NEARLY IN HALF AAA research finds HVAC use in frigid temperatures causes substantial drop in electric vehicle range ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 7, 2019) – As freezing temperatures plague much of the country, electric vehicle owners may experience a decrease in driving range, compounded by the use of the vehicle’s interior climate control. New research from AAA reveals that when the mercury dips to 20°F and the HVAC system is used to heat the inside of the vehicle, the average driving range is decreased by 41 percent. This means for every 100 miles of combined urban/highway driving, the range at 20°F would be reduced to 59 miles. When colder temperatures hit, AAA urges electric vehicle owners to be aware of a reduction in range and the need to charge more often to minimize the chance of being stranded by a dead battery. “The appeal of electric vehicles continues to grow since a 24
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Interest in electric vehicles continues to gain momentum with 20 percent of drivers saying they would likely go green when considering their next vehicle purchase.”
also found that when outside temperatures heat up to 95°F and air-conditioning is used inside the vehicle, driving range decreases by 17 percent. Extreme temperatures certainly play a role in diminishing driving range, but the use of HVAC in these conditions – particularly the heat – has by far the greatest effect.
Additionally, an electric vehicle with a compromised driving range will require charging more often, which increases the cost to operate the vehicle. For instance, AAA’s study found that the use of greater variety of designs and heat when it’s 20°F outside adds options with increased range almost $25 more for every 1,000 have come onto the market,” said miles when compared to the cost Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of combined urban and highway of Automotive Engineering and driving at 75°F. Industry Relations. “As long as drivers understand that there AAA tested five electric vehicles, are limitations when operating all with a minimum EPA electric vehicles in more extreme estimated driving range of 100 climates, they are less likely miles, in partnership with the to be caught off guard by an Automotive Club of Southern unexpected drop in driving California’s Automotive Research range.” Center. Real-world driving conditions were simulated using Cold weather, however, is not a dynamometer, essentially a the only factor that can influence treadmill for cars, in a closed driving range. AAA’s research testing cell where ambient Table of Contents
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Otor Verson Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
temperature could be closely controlled. To determine the effects on driving range, scenarios for cold and hot weather conditions – both when using HVAC and not – were compared to those of driving with an outside temperature of 75°F.
evaluations of plug-in hybrids, hybrid and fuel-efficient, gaspowered vehicles and releases the results every spring in its annual Green Car Guide. There are some precautions electric vehicle owners can take during colder and hotter times of year to help offset potential reductions in driving range. AAA recommends drivers:
“The research clearly shows that electric vehicles thrive in more moderate climates, except the Plan ahead. When drivers are reality is most Americans live aware of the weather conditions in an area where temperature before heading out, they can fluctuates,” said Megan McKernan, manager of Automotive Research Center. “Automakers are continually making advances to improve range, but with this information, drivers will be more aware of the impacts varying weather conditions can have on their electric vehicles.” plan for more frequent stops for Previous AAA research has found charging as well as identify the that interest in electric vehicles location of charging stations. continues to gain momentum Drivers can access these locations with 20 percent of drivers saying through AAA’s Mobile app or they would likely go green TripTik Planner. when considering their next vehicle purchase. With lower- Make time to “pre-heat” or cool than-average ownership costs, down the inside of the vehicle increased driving ranges and the while still connected to the latest advanced safety features, charger. This will reduce the AAA believes there is a strong demand on the vehicle’s battery future for electric vehicles. To help to regulate cabin temperature at “green” car shoppers make an the onset of driving. informed choice, AAA conducts independent, rigorous test-track MARCH 2019
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If possible, park the vehicle in a garage to help stabilize cabin temperature. While electric vehicle range performs best in areas with warm weather year-round such as Florida, Hawaii and California, drivers in other parts of the country shouldn’t be discouraged. Owning an electric vehicle in these regions just requires some additional planning. Methodology AAA conducted primary research in partnership with the Automotive Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC) in Los Angeles, California to understand impacts of ambient temperature on electric vehicle driving range with and without the use of the HVAC system. The vehicles were tested using the ARC’s climate controlled test cell and state of the art chassis dynamometer and data logging equipment. Test vehicles were selected using a pre-determined set of criteria such as availability for sale throughout the United States with a minimum EPA estimated driving range of 100 miles. One vehicle per manufacturer was tested to prevent overrepresentation of a single brand. Additional information on www/underwritersinsider.com
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“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. Please read at your own risk.
Recipe For Socialism: Ignorance & Greed
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have two “millennials” in college that call me at least weekly telling me I must support AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] and Bernie [Sanders] because “socialism is fair and the best solution.” I’ve told them it is capitalism not socialism that has made this country great but they have professors telling them the exact opposite. Give me some ammo! J.L. Phoenix, AZ
ADVISOR
time drama of Venezuela selfdestructing under socialism where folks are fighting for food and toilet paper is either completely ignored or somehow a “different version” of socialism then the one they advocate. Like most left-wing philosophies, socialism needs to divide folks to succeed. “Identity politics” does just that by identifying economic classes and pitting one against the other. Socialism’s boogyman is usually the “rich” and corporations. The rich are “greedy” and the corporations
don’t pay their “fair share.” The point is for you to believe that the rich and the corporation gained their wealth from stealing it from you - and you’ve got to punish them by taking it back. But where is the real greed? The “rich” got that way by exchanging their labor or the products of their labor for dollars in the free-market. Corporations earned their wealth in the same way. The socialists, in complete contrast, want to confiscate the earned wealth of the rich and the corporations simply because they want free or
Millennials, too young to remember the ravages of socialism in the 20th century and often ignorant of history find the allure of all that “fairness” and free stuff too attractive to ignore. Who wants to pay for their own education when Democrat politicians promise to provide it free? And somehow, the real26
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subsidized stuff. You tell me: popular resistance develops societies share much in Where is the real “greed?” State repression begins. common - both are socialist, Yet the biggest both are totalitarian, problem with both have more socialism is not the political prisoners predictable economic then any nation close devastation, but to their size, both the tyranny over the have non-working citizens that follows. universal health care, From the excellent in both the citizens treatise by Adrian suffer malnutrition, Krieg, Why Socialism and both have food Always Results in and fuel rationing. Tyrannical Rule: Their leaders and “Once citizens are party members, in weaned on this the meantime, eat cradle-to-grave caviar and drink concept and are no champagne.” Wacky Socialist Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders longer self-reliant, they So good luck with become wards of the state and your millennials, J.L., when will not accept any reduction This is the socialist cycle. The you have almost the entire of services. The government current most outrageous Democrat Party telling them subsequently has no option examples of this are North socialism is a wonderful but to reduce services, and as Korea and Cuba. These two idea. MARCH 2019
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ANALYSIS - J.D. POWER
OVERALL PROPERTY CLAIMS SATISFACTION SOLID FOR INSURERS, BUT MANY STILL FALL SHORT ON MANAGING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS DURING SERVICING AND SETTLEMENT Amica Mutual Scores Highest in Property Claims Satisfaction for Eighth Consecutive Year methodology can be found in the full report here.g, acceleration, speed, cornering, and the distance traveled in one day.
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OSTA MESA, Calif.: 28 Feb. 2019 — Against a backdrop of deteriorating property loss ratios and low premium growth, property insurers are earning high marks for overall customer satisfaction, but there are still some components of the claims process that are falling short. According to the J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study,SM the three most important components of the claims process—how well customers are kept informed on the progress of their claim; time to settle the claim; and fairness of the claim settlement—earn among the lowest ratings of all study attributes.
providers continue to outperform their peers by a comfortable margin,” said David Pieffer, Property & Casualty Lead for J.D. Power Insurance Intelligence. “However, there also are obvious areas for improvement where insurers could do a better job of managing customer expectations. As the industry keeps shifting toward more personalized, usage-based and on-demand insurance options, the ability to communicate effectively and make claimants feel at ease along the way will be a key differentiator for topperforming insurers.”
claimants: fairness of the claim settlement (settlement); how well you were kept informed on the progress of the claim (claim servicing); and time to settle the claim (settlement). This shines a spotlight for insurers on effective communications as an area for improvement.
Setting accurate claim length expectations is critical: Overall customer satisfaction among claimants who receive accurate claim length estimates is 151 points higher, on average, than among those whose claim takes longer than expected (905 vs. 754, on a 1,000-point scale). Following are some of the key Satisfaction is even lower (753) findings of the 2019 study: when no expectation is set at all. Concierge-type services Many insurers miss the mark provided at first notice of on customer communications: loss (FNOL) boost customer The three components of the satisfaction and advocacy: When claims process that have the insurers make a hotel reservation highest importance weights in for a claimant immediately upon “Overall customer satisfaction overall satisfaction metrics are remains high and the leading among those rated lowest by See Clams Satisfaction Page 52 28
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NEWS
WELLCARE SURPASSES 1 MILLION MEMBERS IN FLORIDA
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AMPA, Fla., Feb. 14, 2019 • 774,000 Medicaid members /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare through its Staywell brand, of Florida, a WellCare which includes members Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) enrolled in its serious mental company, announced today its illness specialty plan and in membership has surpassed 1 its long term care specialty million members in the state plan; of Florida across its Medicaid, • 74,000 Florida Healthy Kids Children's Medical Services members; Health Plan, Healthy Kids and • 102,000 Medicare Advantage Medicare plans. (MA) members; and • 63,000 Medicare prescription This growth milestone is primarily drug plan (PDP) members. a result of WellCare expanding its Medicaid services in Florida's In addition, on Feb. 1, 2019, Statewide Medicaid Managed Care WellCare added 66,000 members (SMMC) program and managing from the CMS Health Plan the Children's Medical Services through its contract with DOH. (CMS) Health Plan in partnership with Florida Department of Health With more than 1 million members (DOH). across the state, WellCare reaches 1 in 20 Floridians through its "WellCare has proudly served plans. WellCare estimates that it Florida's Medicaid managed care is among the largest managed program for more than 20 years," care organizations providing said Elizabeth Miller, WellCare's Medicaid managed care services state president in Florida. "Our plans, MA plans and PDPs. growth in the state is a testament to our proven track record of WellCare anticipates hiring more providing our members with access than 1,000 new associates across to high-quality, comprehensive the state. New positions include healthcare solutions." clinical functions such as care managers, social workers and As of Jan. 31, 2019, WellCare serves behavioral health professionals the following members in Florida: and operational functions.
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Rent This Space! Want Your 1/3 Page Message To Hit Over 120,000 Industry E-Mails Per Month For As Little As $129.00? View Rate Card Here! Request More Info Here! www/underwritersinsider.com
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NOTABLE QUOTABLES IN THE NEWS - WITH COMMENTARY
SAY WHAT? Hands-Free Devices Not As Risky
laughing so hard I nearly cried. If a bunch of GOPers plotted to forge a fake Democratic bill showing how bonkers the party is, they could not have done a better job. It is beautiful. #GreenNewDeal
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) See Ron Bailey for look at sheer number of turbines, solar panels, facilities necessary just for the “renewable electricity” bit. Wud need 500k square km, bigger than California. Also note, govt will pay for these-not private sector. https://reason.com/ blog/2019/02/07/ green-new-dealdemocratic-socialismby-o …
ny activity t h a t places either visual or manual demands on the driver — texting, browsing or dialing a hand-held phone, for instance — substantially increases crash risk. However, our recent study has found that the primarily cognitive secondary task of talking on a hands-free device does not appear to have any detrimental effects.” Tom Dingus, director of VTTI and the principal investigator of a new study on driver distraction explaining that drivers can safely use hands-free devices while operating a vehicle as long as hands on the wheel and eyes on t he road.
Stand-Up Comic, I Mean Congresswoman Proposes Green New Deal!
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) Also, AOC would put charging stations “everywhere,” upgrade or tear down “every building” in the country (homes and businesses), install high-speed rail across every state, upgrade all our infrastructure. (Maybe once Ds allow permitting reform? LOL. LOL. LOL.)
Ernest, Arrogant, Naive Greenee Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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)Somehow, government-run healthcare, “family sustainable” wages, paid leave, and “affordable” housing are also “required” for a clean economy. I would love to understand ) By the end of the Green this logic. (And imagine what wages will need New Deal resolution (and to be to pay for billion-dollar-per-kilowatt accompanying fact sheet) I was electricity)
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) Key part though people is bit in fact sheet that explains why resolution is not immediately banning fossil fuels or demanding zero-emissions across economy. Because “we aren’t sure that we’ll be able to fully get rid of farting cows and airplanes that fast.” Note “fully.”
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) Planes run on fossil fuel. No fossil fuel, no visits to granny. Cows produce methane, why alarmists want to get rid of livestock. She can’t do it “fully” in 10 years, but AOC is coming after ur air miles and bacon. This is honesty about how Ds wud micromanage private life.
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)And how to pay for mass trillions in cost? Don’t worry! Federal Reserve will just “extend credit” And “new public banks can be created to extend credit too.” Because, you know, like, money is just paper, and how hard can it be to make some more of the stuff, right? Right?
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) Ok. Back to laughing.
Cortez’s (AOC) Green New Deal in an 8-part series of tweets on February 7th of this year. Strassel went on to say, “If a bunch of GOPers plotted to forge a fake Democratic bill showing how bonkers the party is, they could not have done a better job.” The last tweet from Ben Domenech, highlighted the absurdedy of replacing the heating/cooling infrastructure of every building in America. Yet oddly, a host of Democrat stalwarts, including Senators Kamala Harris, Democrat of California; Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York; and Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey and Bernie Sanders of Vermont in a race to see who could move furthest left the fastest immediately endorsed the plan. In total, 60 House and Senate Democrats signed onto the clownish bill! While the original plan included language that called for economic security “for all who are unable or unwilling to work,” Ocasio-Cortez later back-tracked claimng the language had only been included in a rough draft. Shows where they want to go, doesn’t it?
“A Terrible Waste Of Time”
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know exactly what (Mueller) has. I know exactly what every witness said, what every document said. I know exactly what he asked. And I know what the conclusion or the result is. There’s no basis. There’s no exposure. It’s been a terrible waste of time. One of the greatest frauds this country’s ever seen.” The criminal defense lawyer John Dowd who headed President Donald Trump’s The Wall Street Journal’s Kimberley Strassel’s legal team during a key period in the special hilarious response to socialist, far-left counsel investigation over so-called “Russian Congresswoman (D-NY) Alexandria Ocasio Collusion.” MARCH 2019
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BACK ISSUES
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BACK ISSUES
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NEWS
FORECASTERS GEAR UP FOR 2019 HURRICANE SEASON
Preparation is important due to a hurricane's destructive nature. A hurricane's strong winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes and storm surge can wreak havoc in coastal areas and further inland. The combination of the elements is the recipe for extreme damage to buildings, trees and cars.
of a tornado wasn't enough, heavy rain and flooding are also serious threats, even in weaker storms. A weak, slow moving tropical storm can produce 10 to 15 inches of rain. In the past 30 years, 60 percent of hurricane deaths were due to flooding. Heavy rains can start many hours before a storm hits land.
The sustained winds associated with a hurricane can blow out glass windows, uproot trees, take out power lines and remove roofs While each season's hurricane from houses. Wind speeds of forecast varies, people who live near a coast should p r e p a r e themselves for hurricane s e a s o n regardless of the forecast's severity. "While last year was slightly below average, don't focus on the numbers that are being (forecasted)," Colonel Noto said. "It only takes one." "We don't want to scare people," Captain Chase said. "That doesn't mean there is going to be that one storm. Eighty hurricanes could form this season and never touch land." 36
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Storm surge is another hazard associated with hurricanes that impacts people living near bodies of water. A storm surge occurs when strong winds push the ocean to form a wall of water. The storm surge may combine with astronomical tides to produce an even higher water level. A strong storm can easily raise the water level 15 feet above normal. In 1969, Hurricane C a m i l l e produced a 25more than 59 mph (50 knots) are foot surge on the Mississippi likely to cause damage. A tropical coast. storm typically has sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph, The 46th WS will be looking to the while a hurricane has sustained tropics for the next storm to form. winds more than 73 mph. These There are going to keep their eyes winds are strongest near the on Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, storm's center or "eye." Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, If high winds and the possibility Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Table of Contents
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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hurricane_Isabel_from_ISS.jpg
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NEWS
COMPANY TO PAY A $250K TO SETTLE WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD CASE
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Houston company pleaded guilty today to workers’ compensation premium fraud in a case that spanned four years. Alpha Mar, which makes custom parts for various industries, entered the plea in a Travis County District Court. The company was ordered to pay $250,000 to Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the workers’ compensation carrier.
the conviction. The DWC prosecution unit is embedded in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
and misrepresented the number of employees the company had. This resulted in a lower workers’ compensation policy premium.
Workers’ compensation premiums are based on an employer’s payroll, job classification codes, and the employer’s past losses which are used to estimate future losses. Manipulating or misrepresenting one or more of these factors to The Texas Department of Insurance, get lower rates is premium fraud. Division of Workers’ Compensation’s From 2008 to 2012, John Stergion (DWC) prosecution unit obtained of Alpha Mar concealed payroll
“When companies commit premium or payroll fraud, they can put their employee’s coverage at risk,” said Debra Knight, DWC’s deputy commissioner of Compliance and Investigations. “It gives dishonest companies a business advantage over ethical companies that are paying the full cost of their premiums.”
FTC COMPLETES REVIEW OF CAN-SPAM RULE
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he Federal Trade Commission announced today that it has completed its first review of the CAN-SPAM Rule, which establishes requirements for commercial e-mail messages and gives recipients the right to opt out of receiving them. The Commission voted to keep the Rule with no changes.
a way to opt out of future messages. As part of its regular, systematic review of all its rules and guides, the FTC in June 2017 sought public comment on the Rule, including whether it is still needed, the costs and benefits of the Rule, and whether changes needed to be made to the Rule in response to technological and economic developments.
as “transaction or relationship messages,” shorten the time period for processing opt-out requests, or specify additional activities or practices that might be considered as aggravated violations.
The FTC received 92 comments, which overwhelmingly favored keeping the Rule. After reviewing the comments, the Commission The Rule requires that a commercial The FTC also sought comment on concluded that the Rule does benefit e-mail contain accurate header three specific issues related to the consumers and does not impose and subject lines, identify itself as CAN-SPAM Rule, including whether substantial economic burdens, and an advertisement, include a valid the Commission should change that no changes to the Rule were physical address, and offer recipients the categories of messages treated needed at this time. MARCH 2019
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TECHNOLOGY First, there’s the free and opensource office suite LibreOffice. This suite offers six programs that will feel instantly familiar if you’ve ever used Office. Writer, Calc, and Impress are equivalent Cloud Drive space for free and to Microsoft Word, Excel, and unlimited photo storage at no PowerPoint. Even better, it can additional cost. open and edit the documents you made in Office and can save Dropbox is another reliable new files in Office formats. cloud storage site. It gives you 2GB of space for free when you Another great free online sign up, and you can earn more option is Google Docs. Google storage when you recommend Docs is more than just a word others to sign up for a Dropbox processor; it’s an entire suite of account. productivity programs that have become steadily more powerful Not sure which one is right for over years of development. you? I have your back. Click Next time you need to here for a comparison of all the start a spreadsheet, build a popular cloud services. presentation, create a form, or make a digital drawing, try Keep in mind that these cloud Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or services can store your files, others and see if it’s something they are not true backup you can use. services that can completely restore your files if disaster strikes. For these situations, 3. Free photo you’ll need a cloud backup editing software service. If you know a professional photographer or a serious 2. Free office software hobbyist, they’re using Photoshop. For everyone else, Microsoft Office remains the most popular productivity GIMP is a compelling, topsoftware around. It’s not free, quality, free alternative to of course, and many people Photoshop. Continued From Page 5
KIM KOMANDO
waffle on whether to buy it. Fortunately, you can get pretty much the same power and performance without the hefty price tag.
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smudging, cropping and erasing tools. You can add colors with a pencil, a paintbrush, or fill in whole areas of your image. If you’re comfortable exploring new software programs, plunge into GIMP. Open a photograph or image that you want to manipulate. GIMP is useful in that it puts almost all its tools into pop-up boxes surrounding the image. If you want to touch up an image’s shape, or angle, add text, erase parts of the image, or add on layers of texture, you’ll find all the tools right in front of you.
4. Free stuff from Amazon.com There’s free tech, and then there’s free stuff. As in physical commodities that will arrive at your home – dog treats, cat food samples, luxury beauty items, nutrition, and men’s grooming supplies, among others. Amazon’s Sample Box program lets you get free samples from Amazon. The product page for each box gives you a good idea of what will be inside, but Amazon may substitute some of the products if necessary.
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It has Amazon’s Sample Box program a lot of the same capabilities gets better with a Prime account. as Photoshop. There are filters, brush tools, gradients, See Komando Page 44 Table of Contents
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INSURANCE & THE LAW Continued From Page 7
South Fifth tries to get around this conclusion by claiming that it waited at most one day to notify Aspen, not twelve. Kentucky law and Perlstein’s testimony make clear that he was not Aspen’s agent. The the contractor to do anything general rule in Kentucky is that different in such extensive — in the absence of statutory authority or some special indicia and expensive — demolition. of authority, an insurance broker Even if all of the demolition is the agent of the insured and was appropriate, the late notice not of the insurer. made it impossible for Aspen to consult and coordinate with Consequently, notice to this the demolition contractor and broker is not notice to the South Fifth. The undisputed insurer. facts and the testimony of South Fifth’s own public adjuster and Perlstein, in fact, boasted demolition contractor show about his use of grandstanding a reasonable probability of and threats to get his clients substantial prejudice to Aspen. better prices or better terms and conditions from insurance As public adjuster Michelson carriers. He admitted that he put it, “the concern is that you did not know why carriers ask or get microbial growth, mold… don’t ask for certain information The building doesn’t get any in coverage applications, and he better while it’s sitting there said that despite decades in the wet, it only gets worse and industry, carriers “surprise me degrades.” This was all the more every day.” These statements reason not to wait twelve days make clear that Perlstein was before notifying Aspen. South not Aspen’s agent.
ZALMA
Fifth knew that the damage was significant and would require extensive demolition. According to its insurance broker, Judah Perlstein, there was no downside to notifying Aspen the day of the rainfall. But South Fifth dawdled, presenting Aspen with a fait accompli.
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The Sixth Circuit concluded that South Fifth breached the policy when it waited twelve days to give Aspen the required notice, and this undisputedly caused Aspen substantial prejudice. This relieved Aspen of liability under the policy, and Aspen and Tenco are entitled to summary judgment on this basis alone. Table of Contents
ZALMA OPINION When a person insured or the insured’s representative incorrectly believes that “insurance companies are always looking for a reason not to pay” errors like those created by broker Perlstein cause a legitimate claim to be refused. South Fifth, of course, could have reported the loss directly rather than through a broker. It may not be without a remedy, it can always sue Perlstein who appears, because of his distrust of insurers, solely responsible for the late report and the denial of the claim.
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NEWS
FLORIDA DEBUNKS TOP FIVE HURRICANE MYTHS
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ANAMA CITY, Fla.— In his continued efforts to ensure Floridians are accurately informed regarding natural disasters, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is debunking a few widespread misconceptions about hurricanes.
homes are at risk for hurricane storm surge damage alone. With such a high risk, it is important for Floridians to know the difference between hurricane myths and hurricane facts.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “With so many false storm facts floating around in the wake of According to the 2018 CoreLogic Hurricane Michael, I want to set Storm Surge Report, 9 million the record straight for Floridians.
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Always remember—my office is here to help you with issues and questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out to my Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO.”
Top 5 Hurricane Myths: MYTH 1: If a storm was a Category 5, you are not required to pay your insurance deductible for repairs.
MARCH 2019
FACT: Regardless of the strength of a storm, insurance deductibles are required to be paid before repairs begin. MYTH 2: I got hit with a Category 4 Hurricane last year, so I won’t get hit this year. FACT: Mother Nature has no memory, so the best thing to do is to be prepared and have the proper amount of insurance for your home and property. A quick review of your insurance policy BEFORE hurricane season can help prepare you financially. Read the CFO’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide for tips on protecting your home from a natural disaster.
insurance, I can just add them if/ when a storm approaches. FACT: Review your insurance policy and make any changes BEFORE hurricane season arrives. Insurance companies will not issue new policies or make changes on a policy once a hurricane watch or warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for any part of Florida. Additionally, storm policies often have waiting periods. For example, flood insurance may have a waiting period of 30 days before your coverage takes effect. If you wait until just before a storm arrives, you may not be covered for any damages that occur to your home or belongings.
MYTH 3: I have homeowners’ insurance so I am covered for any damage from a hurricane. MYTH 5: The hurricane deductible only applies to FACT: Hurricanes can inflict a damage that occurs while the variety of damage on homes storm is passing your home. and personal belongings. In addition to a homeowners’ FACT: The hurricane deductible policy, windstorm coverage applies beginning when a and flood insurance may be hurricane watch or warning necessary to insure protection is issued by the National against hurricane damage. Hurricane Center for any part Damage caused by a windstorm of Florida and ends 72 hours during a hurricane will not be after the last hurricane watch covered by a homeowners’ policy or warning is lifted for any part without hurricane coverage and of Florida. Review the Florida’s hurricane coverage does not Hurricane Deductible Consumer cover flooding. Protections site to better understand how a hurricane MYTH 4: I don’t have to buy deductible can impact your hurricane coverage or flood claim. MARCH 2019
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SPECIAL REPORT
HOW (AND WHY) TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE By Ron Manera, Senior Editor
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he most overlooked source of free promotion for small to medium-sized companies? Press Releases. Those little info blurbs that strengthen your brand and inform your market can be powerful tools if employed effectively. With a press release, your company can inform the world of a new hire, promotions, a key person retiring, a new product, a merger or acquisition, a new office or a thousand other events positive and timely. But even more important: Getting your company name out in front of tens of thousands of your prospects and customers, (even competitors) often, and at little or no cost. As an editor of a couple of insurance industry specific journals, I am on the receiving end of dozens of press releases daily - all wishing a free ride in one of my next issues. I welcome press releases because they often provide valuable content to my readers. Because of space and relevancy limitations, I can’t run them all. As a matter of fact, only a small percentage of the PRs I review
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make it into the magazines. How do I decide what to run? I look first for relevancy. Is the information in the press release something likely to be interesting or valuable to my subscribers? I can discard 80% of the PRs I review simply because the content is not focused on my audience. Next, I look for length, style and format. Will the original PR take up two pages requiring radical editing for size? Can I easily move the content into my publication without extensive reformatting? Are there bulleted paragraphs or multiple hyperlinks to contend with? I look for a news-style press release. When I receive a PR that is 80% promotional and 20% news, I’m likely to pass it up. I don’t charge for news - I do charge for advertising.
Up The Odds Your Press Release Will Be Printed And Effective
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suspect most editors rely on criteria much like mine when reviewing incoming press releases for publication. Table of Contents
Here are eight tips to increase your odds of actually making it to the show: 1. Give me a compelling headline! Hint: Write your headline last after you review your entire PR. A good headline will not only get my attention, but that of my readers. 2. Don’t open with “ABC Company announced today...” because the PR may not appear for another 30 days. Include the actual date. 3. Keep your copy succinct! 375-450 words max. That’s an entire page, so you have plenty of room to cover your subject. I’m not going to give you more space - so if you run long, you are asking me to trim your copy and you may not like what I remove. 4. Learn to write like a journalist: Who, What, When, Why & Where. List those 5 categories out on a worksheet and work from it as you script your PR. To the ultimate reader, it should not read as if it were written by your marketing department but as if we sent a reporter out to cover your news story. MARCH 2019
Image Credit: Creative Commons
While larger operations use paid services like Businesswire, PRweb, PRNewsire and others to distribute their press releases, smaller companies can maintain a list of media outlets that make more sense for their target market. I review PRs from the big distribution houses all the time - but I am more likely to notice one emailed directly to me.
from a company officer. I 5. Important! Don’t often include company make your PR into an logos when they are made advertisement. First, it will available. lesson the chance I include 8. About (Your Company) your piece, (remember, I It’s good to include a short charge for advertising) but “About ABC Company” at just as important, it will lack the end of your PR. Keep it credibility to the readers if it short and within the word just looks like a puff piece. limit for the entire piece. It’s okay to sound enthused Include contact info for about the topic and your “further information.” company, but the ideal PR 9. Make certain to place a will look as if your company copy of each PR on your made the news because of company website under some newsworthy event. your NEWS tab. The practice 6. Give me at least one quote, will make your site more e.g. “Frank’s extensive relevant to search engines experience in restaurant and more valuable to risks will bring a new depth visitors. to our commercial insurance department,” said John ow that you’ve created Smith, CEO... the perfect press 7. If appropriate, include release, where should an image, especially if you send it? the PR involves personnel or a mention or quote
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In the insurance business, include every trade journal that covers your region. If you are introducing a new restaurant program, for example, you may wish to include some of the trade journals in that industry. If you are a local retail agent, by all means include local print media, especially neighborhood newsletters or city-wide newspapers. Build your list in a spreadsheet database so you can one-click mail-merge a personalized copy to each media outlet. Make it a habit! Find the best copywriter in your office and assign them the task of churning out one press release each month. You’ll be building your brand and status within your industry. Where to send at TUI? Send directly to me, Ron Manera at ron@insurmedia.com.
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TECHNOLOGY Continued From Page 38
KIM KOMANDO 5. Free Audiobooks For audiobook fans, Audible and iTunes have become vast treasure troves. Whether you listen to audio books at work, at the gym or on long drives, these narrated volumes provide hours of enlightenment and entertainment – for a price. Audiobooks can cost far more than a paperback, and if you’re not hungering for this week’s best-seller, you might consider Overdrive, which connects you to your local library or academic institution. Just use the free app and your library card, and you’re entitled to any number of audio books (and Kindle eBooks as well). If you’re interested in classic literature, LibriVox specializes in public domain works, read and recorded by an army of volunteer narrators.
6. Free product samples In a similar vein to Sample Box, TheFreeSite will send you free samples of consumer products. If 44
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you like them, you can purchase more substantial portions, but otherwise, there are no strings attached. TheFreeSite offers everything from doughnuts to pain relief cream. You don’t even require an individual membership or a login.
8. Free incredible software and images courtesy of NASA Yes, that NASA – the same people who put human beings on the moon are giving away computer programs for free.
NASA’s software catalog Do you want more free stuff? includes software products Click here for three websites that for a wide range of technical give away freebies. applications. NASA scientists say that software has been 7. Free internet speed test critical to each of its mission For low and hiccupy Wi-Fi successes and discoveries connections, these free internet and over 30 percent of all speed tests can help you figure NASA’s reported innovations out if you’re genuinely getting are software, and anyone is your advertised rates. welcome to tinker with its programs at home. One of the most reliable free speed tests around is Speedtest. Meanwhile, NASA also opened net. This site will measure its massive library of highvarious statistics like the ping quality images. Browse and time, download speed and view historical archived photos upload speed of your internet from years past, including connection. the Mars Missions, New Horizons, and shots from the If you’re a streaming video buff, International Space Station. try Netflix’s own free internet speed test, Fast.com. This site 9. Free sound editor only measures download speeds, If you are looking for a free but it will give you a pretty audio editing program, your accurate measurement of your search should probably internet speed at any given time. start and end with Audacity. Audacity is a free and easy-toIf your internet speed turns out use open source audio editor. to be lower than expected, there It can record live audio and are ways to improve it. Click here computer playback, and even to learn how to double your convert tapes and records into internet speed. digital recordings or CDs.
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MARCH 2019
TECHNOLOGY Part of what makes Audacity great is that it will allow you to do pretty much anything you could ever want or need with audio. Just recording something? It can do that. Need to edit, combine or enhance some sound? No problem.
Another option is ZoneAlarm. ZoneAlarm is a free, downloadable firewall and antivirus system that is highly configurable and effective against many kinds of cyberattacks. It’s popular for a reason - it’s powerful and featurepacked for something that’s free.
In some ways, such as ease of use, Audacity rivals or outperforms professional software like Audition. For recording demos or simple podcasts, Audacity has almost all the capabilities you need, including background noise removal.
11. Free disposable emails There are millions of spam emails that get sent every day. Similar to robocalls, it’s a tech problem that won’t go away anytime soon.
One way to fend off these unsolicited messages is to use a disposable email address. You can 10. Free firewalls use a free disposable email service Aside from your antivirus or like Mailinator or Maildrop. These malware protection software, services let you create a fake, another essential tool that will temporary and disposable email protect your computer system address to ensure your security, from hackers and cyberattacks so you don’t have to give away is a firewall. your personal and work email addresses all the time. Although newer Windows systems all have built-in software Need more email privacy? Click firewalls, there are plenty of free here for more ways to cut down and more powerful third-party on spam email. firewall options out there.
editing software options out there that you can use. First is this fully-featured video editing program from VSDC that is completely free. This program has most of the capabilities that are usually reserved for expensive professional software. Another free professional video editing tool you can try is Lightworks. This program has been around since the 1990s and it’s actually been used on major Hollywood films like “The King’s Speech” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
13. Free grammar and writing tools English grammar is tricky. To avoid embarrassing mistakes, here are websites that can help you check your grammar and spelling instantly.
For grammar checking, Grammarly has taken homes and offices by storm. You can paste a document and have it checked at the 12. Free video editors Grammarly site for grammar and TinyWall, as its name proudly Most free video editing programs spelling errors. You can also get suggests, is a small, nonlike iMovie and Windows Movie Grammarly’s browser extensions intrusive, almost invisible, free Maker are pretty good entry- and have it check your writing as firewall program. Unlike other level tools, but they are severely you type. free firewalls that seem to limited. announce everything they do, Another writing tool that can help TinyWall does not use annoying Unfortunately, more advanced you is Hemingway Editor. Copy pop-up messages and warnings software tools like Final Cut Pro and paste a few paragraphs into to alert you that it’s doing its can be expensive. However, there job. are some free advanced video See Kim Komando Pg 51 MARCH 2019
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2018 FAIA CONVENTION TRADE FAIR BOOTH IMAGES NOW ONLINE!
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ne of the biggest insurance events held each year in Florida is the Florida Association of Independent Agents (FAIA) Convention. This year was the 114th annual convention, making it not only one of the largest, but one of the longest running events in US insurance history.
Click On The Image Below To View Booth Images
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MARCH 2019
2018 LAAIA CONVENTION TRADE FAIR BOOTH IMAGES NOW ONLINE!
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he largest insurance trade fair in S. Florida, the Latin American Association of Insurance Agents pulled off another incredible event with their 47th annual convention and trade fair this August. This time no camera equipment issues and had time to shoot every booth.
Click On The Image Below To View Booth Images
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BECOME A CERTIFIED EXPERT IN CORPORATE PROPERTY INSURANCE AND A CERTIFIED EXPERT IN CORPORATE LIABILITY INSURANCE Now available from Illumeo and Barry Zalma!
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veryone involved in insurance – either as an insurer or as an insured – requires excellence in claims handling. Businesses need to deal with insurers who have an excellence in claimshandling mandate. Insurers who wish to profit need an excellence in property and/or liability claims-handling program. Everyone in business needs an insurer who has an excellence in property or liability claims-handling program in effect. Two comprehensive programs enabling insurance professionals to become Certified Expert in Corporate Property Insurance and/ or Certified Experts in Corporate Liability Insurance are available from Illumeo.com and https://www.illumeo.com/curriculum/certifiedexpert-corporate-property-insurance and https://www.illumeo.com/ curriculum/certified-expert-corporate-liability-insurance. The programs are complete courses of study providing education and training to allow insurance professionals, after completing the individual classes, to become a Certified Expert. The programs cover everything an employee, an officer, or a director of a corporation needs to know about the need to acquire proper insurance and to resolve any claim presented by the corporation to the insurer. Major topics of study include, but are not limited to: the importance of insurance; how to acquire insurance and understand an insurance policy; the methods used by insurers to investigate claims; the various types of insurance that corporations need; the duties and obligations of a public adjuster; and how The full curriculum of the courses and other courses from Barry Zalma are available at http:// www.ilumeo.com by entering in the search bar the word “zalma.”
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MARCH 2019
NEW INSURANCE CLAIMS BOOKS BY BARRY ZALMA The Making of an Insurance Claims Professional
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t is the insurance claims person - the adjuster - who meets with the person insured and works to keep the promises made by the insurance policy. The adjuster cannot, however, help the insurer keep the promises made unless he or she understands insurance, insurance claims, the types of claims presented and the law surrounding insurance and insurance claims. For the minimal cost of a paperback or Kindle book every insurer can place in the hands of their claims people information that will help them become professional, well trained, thoroughly educated claims professionals who are able to read and understand every insurance policy so that he or she is able to keep the promises made by the insurance policy. Read about these and many more insurance books by Barry Zalma at http://zalma.com/zalma-books/
• Construction Defects and Insurance • Zalma on Insurance Claims • Zalma on Insurance Claims Volume 101 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 102 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 103 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 104
• Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 105 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 106 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 107 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 108 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 109 • Zalma on Insurance Claims Part 110
VISIT ZALMA BOOKS NOW!
MARCH 2019
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MARCH 2019
Continued From Page 45
KIM KOMANDO
15. Distraction-free writing tools When you have to write something dull, we often struggle to type out all those words. Our desktops conspire against us: there are just so many cool things on the internet, so many IM conversations, so many alerts and updates and games we’d rather be paying attention to.
the site’s text box, and the editor will outline problematic parts such as long sentences, obscure words, That’s why they invented and confusing passages. FocusWriter, a distraction-free 14. Free 3-D design software word processor. Not only does FocusWriter’s interface look Are you a budding 3-D designer like an old DOS screen, with looking for a free alternative to plain green text and a black computer-aided design (CAD) background, but it also keeps software like AutoCAD? If you data on your productivity, so you don’t want to spend money on know when you’ve been slacking. professional 3-D software, try these free alternatives instead. For your occasional 3-D modeling needs, you can try SketchUp Make. This free tool lets you quickly create 3-D designs and models. With an intuitive push-and-pull system and a robust tutorial program, even beginners can start creating their own images in no time at all. For budding homeowners, another fun but handy 3-D web tool is EasyHome Homestyler. With this free tool, you can design a floor plan, populate it with doors, windows, furniture, appliances, and even people and then experience it in real time 3-D space. MARCH 2019
Copyright 2019, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando. com Table of Contents
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ANALYSIS - J.D. POWER Continued From Page 28
PROPERTY CLAIMS SATISFACTION SOLID FOR INSURERS, BUT MANY STILL FALL SHORT ON MANAGING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS DURING SERVICING AND SETTLEMENT
Study Rankings Amica Mutual ranks highest in property insurance claims experience for an eighth consecutive year, achieving a score of 901. COUNTRY Financial ranks second with a score of 893, followed by The Hartford with a score of 888. The U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study measures satisfaction with the property claims experience among insurance customers who have filed a claim for damages by examining five factors (listed in order of importance): settlement; claim servicing; first notice of loss; estimation process; and repair process. The 2019 study is based on responses from 6,374 homeowners insurance customers and was fielded between April and November 2018.
FNOL, satisfaction increases by 42 points and results in a significant increase in Net Promoter ScoreÂŽ[1]. Other ancillary services driving satisfaction and advocacy include discussing repair options For more information about the (+44 points); notifying a repair U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction company (+38); and scheduling Study, HERE. an estimate (+33). J.D. Power is a global leader in Insurance customers experience consumer insights, advisory considerable variation in claims services and data and analytics. service: The gap in property These capabilities enable J.D. claims satisfaction between the Power to help its clients drive highest- and lowest-performing customer satisfaction, growth and insurers is 76 points, underscoring profitability. Established in 1968, the importance for customers J.D. Power has offices serving shopping for insurance to select North America, South America, a P&C insurer that can deliver a Asia Pacific and Europe. superior claims service. 52
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