A benefit of the Affordable Care Act may be a drop in car insurance premiums as health care providers shoulder more of the treatment costs tied to accidents and injuries, according to a new report from a leading think tank. The nonprofit Rand Corporation says the rise in the number of people with medical coverage under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, could result in a “modest” drop in claims against auto insurers. In turn, the cost savings could be passed to consumers as insurance companies and state regulators evaluate and refine coverage rates, according to Rand’s report, “How Will the Affordable Care Act Affect Liability Insurance Costs?” “The Affordable Care Act is unlikely to dramatically affect liability costs, but it may influence small and moderate changes in costs over the next several years,” says David Auerbach, a Rand policy researcher and the study’s lead author. “For example, auto insurers may spend less for treating injuries, while it may cost a bit more to provide physicians with medical malpractice coverage.” Besides auto insurance rates, expenses tied to homeowners insurance, workers’ compensation and general business liability insurance may also fall once the ACA further takes hold. But on the downside, expenses for malpractice coverage could rise, according to the report.

Obamacare to trim insurance costs by up to 5 percent?

“Researchers say the changes could be as much as 5 percent of costs (for auto, home and the other forms of liability insurance) in some states, but caution there is considerable uncertainty surrounding such estimates,” the study notes. Auerbach and Rand point out that liability insurers currently reimburse tens of billions of dollars each year for medical care related to car crashes and workplace injuries, among other claims. “For example, auto insurers collectively paid $35 billion for medical costs associated with accidents in 2007, about 2 percent of all U.S. health care costs in that year,” according to Rand. The reason for a possible jump in malpractice claims faced by doctors and health providers is simple: Rand says that more claims could be filed as more people get medical coverage. “Insured individuals have more contacts with physicians, make more visits and receive more procedures,” the report says. “Such a shift could drive malpractice costs modestly higher.” The malpractice figures are already significant. The study points out:

In 2012, nearly 12,000 medical malpractice claims paid on behalf of individual physicians and other providers accounted for $4.3 billion in costs. A substantial additional number of claims were paid on behalf of institutions, such as hospitals, some of which self-insure, that are not included in the $4.3 billion number.

The study was sponsored by Swiss Re, which stresses the powerful effects the ACA may ultimately have on the insurance industry and elsewhere. “Businesses and policymakers need to understand how and why their risk profiles might change as the Affordable Care Act is implemented,” Jayne Plunkett, Swiss Re’s head of casualty reinsurance, said in a statement.

A surge in medical insurance enrollments

In a separate survey, Rand estimated “a net gain of 9.3 million in the number of American adults with health insurance coverage from September 2013 to mid-March 2014.” While noting that any survey has a margin of error, Rand added that its findings didn’t include those who signed up for coverage in late March and early April. That enrollment surge could “dramatically affect” the total figures, Rand said. Rand estimated that Americans without insurance fell to 15.8 percent, from 20.5 percent. Of those who secured new medical coverage between September and March, 8.2 million didn’t buy it on the ACA’s federal or state-run exchanges, but through an employer. Rand says the increase was likely because of a drop in unemployment, which opened the door for many to be eligible for workplace plans, and ACA incentives encouraging employees to get coverage. Rand added that 3.9 million secured health insurance through the exchanges, 36 percent of them previously uninsured. That number was expected to rise as the March and April numbers came in. In declaring the ACA an unfolding success, the Obama administration recently said that more than 7 million people signed up for coverage through the marketplace exchanges. Content provided by: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/04/21/obamacare-may-reduce-auto-insurance-rates/#Kqdfh4ZHhsjylE1J.99

Most medium-sized and smaller companies protect themselves against their property and liability exposures by purchasing Commercial insurance, while large corporations and government agencies prefer to use some type of alternative risk financing. However, businesses of any size can employ this tool to enjoy such benefits as improved cash flow and a lower total cost of risk. Insurers have developed a number of colorful terms for alternative risk financing techniques. These methods include:

• Excess insurance
• Reinsurance
• Guaranteed cost
• Retrospective rating
• Large deductible
• Self-insurance
• Captive insurance

Using alternative risk financing requires management discipline and a willingness to commit resources. Size isn't that important. The main criterion is losses. As a rule of thumb, alternative risk financing makes sense for a business whose claims have these characteristics: (1) Reasonable predictability; (2) moderate volatility; (3) minimal exposure to a catastrophic event; and (4) high frequency and low severity. For example, a large hotel or bank would probably experience a number of small Workers Compensation claims, but few large claims. Casualty insurance products (such as Workers Comp, General Liability, and Auto Liability) are the best candidates for alternative risk financing. Because Comp and Liability claims tend to be paid over one to five years or more, insurance companies that write these policies generate substantial investment income on their premium reserves until losses are paid fully. By using alternative risk financing, your company can invest your funds elsewhere, rather than paying premiums. Our specialists would be happy to review your business and see if alternative risk financing make sense for you.

This Saturday, April 19th head on over to the beach in front of the Capitola Venetian hotel for the annual Easter egg hunt.   The festivities start promptly at 11:00 a.m. Kiddos 12 and under get to search for candy-filled plastic Easter eggs that the Easter bunny hid in the beach.  Word is, the Easter bunny will be hanging out to take photographs with the kids. There is a 3 egg limit per child so every child can enjoy the fun! When:  Saturday, April 19th at 11:00 a.m. Where:  Beach in front of the Capitola Venetian Hotel How much:  FREE! Who:   Children under 12 get to search for the eggs. Content provided by http://www.capitolachamber.com/events/capitola-village-easter-egg-hunt/

1 9 -to-10-pound bone-in fully cooked smoked ham (butt or shank half) 2 tablespoons whole cloves (optional) 1 1/2 cups glaze Directions Remove the ham from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Trim off any skin from the ham. Use a sharp paring knife to score through the fat in a diagonal crosshatch pattern without cutting through to the meat. Insert the cloves into the ham (if using), placing them at the intersections of the cuts. Put the ham, flat-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour 1/4 inch water into the bottom of the pan. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 130 degrees F, about 2 hours, 30 minutes (about 15 minutes per pound). Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Pour half of the glaze (see below for glazes) over the ham and brush to coat. If the water in the bottom of the pan has evaporated, add more. Return the ham to the oven and roast, basting every 10 minutes with the remaining glaze, until glossy and well browned, about 45 more minutes. Total Time: 3 hr 55 min Prep: 40 min Cook: 3 hr 15 min Yield:12 servings Level:Easy Ham Glazes: Apple-Maple Glaze Directions Boil 2 cups apple cider in a saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low; add 1/2 cup each apple jelly and maple syrup, 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, 1/2 teaspoon allspice and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Mustard-Orange Glaze Mix 1 cup light brown sugar, 3/4 cup dijon mustard and the grated zest and juice of 1 orange in a bowl. Recipe and image provided by: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-glazed-ham-recipe.html

In today’s “litigation society,” you face lawsuits that could cripple your bottom line – or even put you out of business – based on anything from a fire on your premises to an allegation of libel by a competitor. Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance provides financial protection against damage or injury caused by something that your business did, or perhaps didn’t do. Your CGL policy covers a variety of exposures:

• Premises and Operations Legal Liability pays for injuries or property damage on your premises, as well as those that occur outside your place of business.
• Products and Completed Operations Legal Liability covers injury or property damage resulting from someone using your products, or real or alleged faults as a result of work your business has completed.
• Fire Legal Liability pays for injuries and damage from fires for which your business is responsible or that started due to your negligence.
• Personal and Advertising Injury protects your business against litigation alleging libel, slander, or invasion of privacy.
• Host Liquor Legal Liability will pay for lawsuits from hosting a party or special event at which you serve alcohol and intoxicated people cause injuries or property damage.
• Medical Payments covers bills when your customers, suppliers, or visitors suffer bodily injury on your premises, or resulting from your operations offsite.

To learn more about this essential coverage, just give us a call at Scurich Insurance Services today!  

SALINAS, Calif. —Wednesday update for DISH satellite subscribers: Hearst Television Inc. announced that it has reached a retransmission consent agreement with Dish Network covering carriage of Hearst Television stations in the 25 Hearst Television markets. In a statement released Wednesday morning the company said: "We appreciate the support and patience of our viewers, advertisers and local communities served by our stations. We regret the inconvenience they’ve experienced over the past several hours. We are pleased the interruption was brief and that our stations have been restored on DISH Network systems." Hearst Television, a national multi-media company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations reaching approximately 18% of U.S. television households. The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming, and local community service-oriented programs. The stations also host and operate digital on-line and mobile platforms that extend the company’s brands and content to local, national and international audiences. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Company’s Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com. Content provided by: http://www.ksbw.com/news/central-california/salinas/ksbw-notice-to-dish-satellite-subscribers/25332500#ixzz2yQgl3PGh

Sometimes we are so busy, we do not realize that a few minutes of our time, a smile, or even sharing a few dollars can change the course of someone else's day. Hada Bejar said so beautifully about kindness that: "The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose." It is a truly wonderful thing that when we do something kind, we reap the rewards too. Here are 17 easy ways to be more awesome today: 1. Compliment someone! Like your colleague's new jacket? Someone's hair look nice today? Tell them! The boost this gives will impact both of you. 2. When you pay for your coffee, pay an extra $3 and say you would like to cover the next patron's. This will make someone's day! 3. Smile! A smile from a stranger on the street or on the subway can remind us the world is a kind and loving place. 4. Text an old friend. A short text remembering something funny you guys did or requesting a fun get together will put you both in a good mood. 5. Say thank you with feeling. Whatever it is, a speedy response to a question, another person letting you take the cab, someone holding the elevator, say thank you like you mean it! 6. Be the person (who does the act in #5)! And don't worry if you don't get a thank you. It's the giving that counts! 7. Lift the mood. Does someone have the Monday blues? Is it raining today? Sometimes a little joke, "love Mondays!" or "beautiful day!" can keep it real, folks. 8. Dance! Put on your favorite Spotify playlist and just be light and move your body. 9. Help someone. If it is helping someone with a stroller down the stairs, letting someone cut in line who looks hurried, or even just waiting to hold a door open for the person behind you... do it happily. 10. Wear something bright! Why does our black stuff always get used first? Orange skirt? Lovely! Yellow belt? Yes please! Red coat? Don't mind if I do! Color is a free and easy way to lighten things up. 11. Praise someone publicly. In a meeting or a group email -- thank someone or highlight something good they did. They will remember this! 12. Tell someone you love them. Even if it is just your dog. And look them in the eye when you do it. 13. Send someone a book! Books on Amazon can be cheaper than $10, but the thought and effort are priceless. Extra points if it is specifically relevant for them at the time, but an old fave of yours is great too. 14. Express your gratitude -- do you just love your salad every day? Tell the person who makes it! 15. Give a hug. People need them more than we think! I made my friends group hug over brunch the other day, and it made us happy and close. 16. Kill time with love. Instead of Candy Crushing or checking Facebook, play on Freerice.com. It's fun and for each answer you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated to people who need it. 17. Drink a glass of champagne. No, you don't need an occasion. Being alive in a beautiful world is reason enough. Share your acts of awesomeness using #kindnessrevolution to inspire others to do the same. How have you been awesome today? Content provided by http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-moore/kindness_b_5038449.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news

We're often asked when is a car so old that it's no longer a wise investment to continue buying collision insurance for it. The answer depends on your individual situation. First, what's the true worth of the car? Any repair or replacement costs following a collision will be based on the value of the vehicle at the time of the claim. Also consider your deductible amount. For example, if your car is now worth $2,000 and your deductible for collision claims is $500, insurance will pay no more than $1,500 for your loss. Once you've estimated the maximum that your policy is likely to pay for a collision, ask yourself whether the value of the car would create a significant financial hardship if it were totaled in an accident without insurance. Is the cost of collision coverage reasonable, considering the maximum you can receive at the time of a claim? Don't forget peace of mind -- if dropping collision will make you lose sleep at night over a possible loss, it's better to keep your coverage and get some rest. If you're considering whether it's still worth insuring your older car for collision, call our personal auto representatives. We'll be happy to review your current coverage, give you the book value of your vehicle, and estimate the changes in cost of your insurance if you make any changes. Let us help you make the best decision. Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

After-school program merges soccer coaching and academic tutoring

Watsonville >> Yoni Hernandez dashed around the Pajaro Middle School field at the center of a pack of students kicking a soccer ball Wednesday. Not that long ago, the 19-year-old Cabrillo College student was a player in the Breakaway College Access Project. Now, he's a coach in the after-school program that hooks kids with soccer and provides tutoring and mentoring to encourage them to get a high school diploma and continue on with their education. The program is celebrating five years of operations. As a Watsonville High freshman, Hernandez was part of Breakaway's first class. "In my family, no one had been to college so it was the last thing on my mind," he said. "(Breakaway) opened my eyes, and gave me the thought that college is an option to pursue a better life." Breakaway is the brainchild of a trio of soccer enthusiasts: coach Hillel Rom, former Watsonville High teacher Sara Roe and Carol Schimke, who brought organizational development expertise to her role as executive director. Schimke said the idea was to channel the Pajaro Valley's passion for soccer into academic success. "The caliber of kids coming out of the community every year (for soccer) is astounding," Schimke said. "We didn't see that same caliber coming out of the classroom." The program, which serves about 200 students annually, started at Watsonville High and expanded to Pajaro Middle two years ago. The voluntary drop-in three-hour sessions are split between honing soccer skills on the field and sharpening academic prowess in the classroom. Field trips to college soccer games provide opportunities for campus visits, and college coaches and players come to Watsonville as guest speakers. Students earn points for attendance, which are converted into scholarship dollars when they enroll in college. Every participant might not go right to college after high school, but the goal is to make sure they have the choice, Schimke said. "We plant the seed that college is an option," she said. Breakaway also stresses the importance of the relationships students form with their adult mentors. Program manager Eduardo Santana said students share their troubles with him and their joys. On New Year's Day, for example, several texted him good wishes. To him, it was a small, but meaningful gesture. "It showed me that I am making a positive difference in their lives," Santana said. Hernandez, who is majoring in sociology and plans to transfer to a four-year college in 2015, grew up in the same kind of neighborhoods as the participants. The stories he tells about his own youth — the pressure from gangs, the challenge to make good decisions — resonate with them, he said. "I give them the thought, 'He made it, and he's the same as us,'" Hernandez said. Content provided by http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/education/ci_25479741/watsonville-soccer-program-coaches-college

Springtime is known for many things, including beautiful blooming plants and flowers.  Getting ready to plant new crops, warmer weather, longer days and allergies. Allergies bring watery, itchy, irritated eyes; runny noses; uncontrollable sneezing and plain sinus misery.  The most common allergies come from pollens, animal dander, mold spores, dust mite and cockroaches allergens. Here are a few tips to help you with your allergies this Spring season:

• Head over to the pharmacy and stock up on allergy medications.  Talk with your doctor to see which ones will work the best for you.  Antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays should be at the top of your list.
• You can also ask about allergy shots.   An allergy shot could mean the end all of all allergy medications.
• Dehumidifers and air purifiers work great in the home.
• Get mattress and pillow coverings.  Mattresses and pillows host a ton of allergens.  Getting a cover for the mattress and pillow and washing them once a week or so, will keep allergens to a minimum.

Before settling on any specific medical treatment for your allergies, please consult your doctor for the best treatment plan. Content provided by Transformer Marketing.