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... rain, hail, and (to a lesser extent) lightning strikes. All important electrical devices should be connected to surge protectors. Install UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) units for critical equipment in which the loss of power may result in a loss of important information or equipment damage. Even with appropriate electrical-protection equipment in place, it may still make sense to power down and disconnect electrical equipment before a severe thunderstorm strikes. Electrical wires as well as any electricity-conducting materials should not be touched during a thunderstorm. As with tornadoes, safety measures are critically important for businesses that have employees in outdoor areas. When atmospheric conditions are favorable for thunderstorm development, someone should be assigned to monitor weather reports and weather conditions. When thunderstorms are occurring or are about to occur, discontinue outdoor activities and seek shelter. Note that lightning strikes often precede the actual thunderstorm, and should signal the need for precautions. If lightning threatens your area, take cover inside a home or building. Avoid water fixtures, telephone lines, and any electricity-conducting materials. Because motor vehicles are supported on rubber tires (an effective electric insulator), they are generally safe from lightning strikes. If you are outside and unable to reach a safe shelter, apply the following rules: In an open area, go to the nearest ditch or ravine and drop to your knees (be alert to the possibility of flash flooding) . Do not: stand in an open area stand underneath a tall tree (especially one located in an isolated area) seek shelter in a small structure in an open area Other advice includes: ...

... and brokers sell the financial protection their companies offer. Some agencies operate under the guise that they are just selling insurance policies. It is up to marketing managers to elevate the status of the insurance industry in the minds of agents. Insurance is a profession, not just a job or service. For agents to adopt this philosophy, they must have a thorough understanding of fundamental principles: the provision of financial security and protection. This view can be compared to Maslow's Hierarchy of human needs. Maslow theorized that after each human need is met, a new one can be satisfied. He used a pyramid to illustrate the concept. Air and water are the foundation of the pyramid; after a human attains these necessities, the needs at the next level of the pyramid, such as food and shelter, can be pursued. Protection and security are slotted into one of the mid-levels of the pyramid. Why? Because once a human has achieved food, shelter, and other advanced necessities, these things must be protected and secured. Therefore, protection and security are among basic human needs. WHY THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS Insurance protects basic human needs, and it provides a comfortable living for those who sell it. Agents help fellow human beings while helping themselves. HOW TO BUILD IT There are four stages to building business. They are: 1. Sell more present coverage to present customers. 2. Sell new coverage to present customers. 3. Sell present coverage to new customers. 4. Sell new coverage to new customers. As a marketing manager dealing with heavy competition from ...

... x No Thanks Loading.. Disability/Homeowners 4/30/2013 by CompleteMarkets Editor This content has not been rated yet. DISABILITY/HOMEOWNERS Dear (Customer Name): Your family depends on you. You provide them with food, shelter, and all the comforts of life. But what if you were not able to do so? How would they get by? Who would pay the bills - the mortgage? The statistics are clear: 1. The average homeowner has a one-in-four chance of dying before a 30-year mortgage is retired. 2. That same homeowner is three times more likely to be disabled for an average of five years than he or she is to die during the term of the mortgage. That average' homeowner could be you or I. If these facts are as disturbing to you as they were to me when I learned them, stop by or give me a call. (Your Agency Name) can help you protect your family's security. I will be happy to explain how you can insure your most valuable asset - your earning power. Sincerely, Login or Register (for FREE) to gain access to thousands of other great articles. Need more reasons to join? Need insurance for you, your business or your family? Get quality appointments - Save yourself a whole lot of time & money when you use our directory of carriers, wholesalers and service providers. Negotiate lucrative contracts with carriers and wholesalers. Net result. More revenue for your agency! Clients & Prospects will research you, your co-workers and your agency here. The most ...

...ities involving community youth, shelters for abused women, and the local hosp...

... since certain sophisticated tax shelters were done away with. So it makes se...

... . If you have hazardous wastes at your facility, the federal HAZWOPER regulations require you to have a plan for training employees to handle emergencies involving releases of hazardous substances Planning and practice are essential for safe evacuations. When you plan for the safe evacuation of employees, keep these steps in mind: Post floor plans indicating evacuation routes and emergency exits around your department in prominent places where employees will be sure to see them. Assign each employee a primary and alternate evacuation route from your department, and make sure that new employees are assigned an evacuation route during orientation, which should take place during their first few days on the job. Encourage employees to familiarize themselves with the evacuation routes from other areas of the facility where they go frequently, such as restrooms and break rooms. Develop plans for sheltering in place or a partial evacuation to safe areas of your facility as an alternative to a total evacuation, and train employees in these procedures. Talk to employees about appropriate behavior during an emergency evacuation (for example, remaining calm, moving quickly without running toward emergency exits, alerting others of the need to evacuate, and helping as directed by emergency response personnel) . Plan to evacuate disabled employees and employees who might be injured during the emergency. Have a way to account for employees once they've gotten out of the building. Remember, practice makes perfect — and keeps you, and your workers safe. Make sure all employees (including the bosses!) participate in regular emergency drills and simulations to give everyone the opportunity for practicing evacuation and other emergency procedures. Login or Register ( ...

... alcohol concentration must be removed immediately from their safety-sensitive position. Drivers with 0.04 concentration cannot return to duty until they have been evaluated by a substance abuse professional and have undergone treatment for alcohol misuse. EBT Record Maintenance EBT records are confidential and can be released only to the employee and the substance-abuse professional. Records that must be retained for five years: Results of tests greater than 0.02 alcohol Results of positive for controlled substance Documentation of refusal to take required tests EBT calibration documentation Substance Abuse Professional evaluation and referrals Annual summaries Records that must be kept for two years: Collection process documentation. Training Negative test results These records must be available to DOT and compliance investigators In-House Versus Outside Testing It will cost a company much time and money to establish an in-house specimen-collection and testing program. These expenditures do not shelter a firm from any of the liabilities. Since alcohol testing renders immediate results, you risk violating the employee's right to privacy. Only persons with a "legitimate" need to know should have access to screening results. In-house operations tend to risk disclosure. The burdens of in-house testing also include purchasing and maintaining EBT devices, employee training, and record-keeping. Use of third-party testers also has its drawbacks. You need to consider the reliability, quality, experiences, and resources of the organization. In all cases, only NHTSA-approved equipment should be used. Only Mental Health Services Administration-approved labs can be used, and testers must be adequately insured. The bottom line is it's important to have a properly defined drug and alcohol testing program. This program will help with employee relations ...

... and manually operated fixed-sprinkler or extinguisher systems may be installed. Process and work flow should be analyzed for contribution to fire hazard or inhibition of effective response. PLANNING The second step is development, documentation, and communication of emergency response plans. Plans should include: Responsibilities of management, supervisors, employees, public Response resources, including sprinklers and extinguishers, by-pass, shutdown, and reservoir systems Response personnel duties, training, and tools Coordination with public resources such as fire departments and their equipment and facilities such as fire hydrants Means of sounding alarm and communication with affected persons Isolation and containment planning Planning and resources for disabled and others Evacuation-locally, horizontally (nearby areas), and globally Shut-down procedures and back-up systems Emergency communication systems First aid provisions and training Provision of water, food, clothing, and shelter as needed TRAINING The third step is employee and public training: Are postings appropriate, understandable, and adequate? Are employees trained to identify and respond to emergency situations? Are designated employees trained to participate in response to fire emergencies? Are reviews and drills conducted as appropriate? INSPECTION The fourth step is regular inspection to: Ensure compliance with plans Test systems and extinguishers Verify adequacy of postings Review response capability and training Identify new or existing hazards Effect and verify improvements FOLLOW-UP The fifth step includes: Maintain watch after fire is extinguished Account for all personnel and public Secure the site, facilities, equipment, and materials Search affected areas for hazards (plumbing, electrical, structural, hazardous material or fire by-products) and report findings Identify causes and effect changes to prevent recurrence Report as appropriate to management ...

... sparks, or smell of hot insulation), turn off system at main fuse box. Location of Main Fuse Box: ____ ` Turn on battery-powered radio and listen for advisories. Locate flashlight, if necessary. Location of Radio: ____ Location of Flashlight/Batteries: ____ ` Check emergency supplies: Location of Water: ____ Location of Food: ____ Location of First Aid Kit and Medication: _____ ` Check house, roof, chimney for damage. ` Start cleanup effort. Be prepared for aftershocks. If You Have to Evacuate ` Post a message in clear view telling where you can be found. List reunion points in case of separation. Such points may be homes of neighbors, friends, relatives, a school or community center, a Red Cross shelter. ` Take with you: first aid kit, radio, money, important papers, food, sleeping bag or bedding, extra clothes, water. Login or Register (for FREE) to gain access to thousands of other great articles. Need more reasons to join? Need insurance for you, your business or your family? Get quality appointments - Save yourself a whole lot of time & money when you use our directory of carriers, wholesalers and service providers. Negotiate lucrative contracts with carriers and wholesalers. Net result. More revenue for your agency! Clients & Prospects will research you, your co-workers and your agency here. The most comprehensive online insurance industry reference library for - Personal Lines Professionals Commercial Lines Professionals Life/Health & Benefits Professionals Online newsletters and content that you can ...

... , and the publishing dates soon stretched further and further apart to the point of nonexistence. Something else always took precedence. According to Wood, Agencies that attempt their own newsletters often don't realize how much is involved. From the research and writing through the review and proofing, a lot of time and expense is involved. In addition, an agency could end up spending more for the printing alone than an entire full-service program would cost. Depending on the frequency, such full-service programs usually cost only $1 to $5 per client every year. Additional Benefits Ever the marketer, IMMS' Michy Greenberg points out, Even the stuffing, addressing, and mailing can be beneficial to an agency's community relations. We've found that virtually every city or county in the United States has a nonprofit group, shelter society, fundraising effort, or senior center that can provide the logistical support for newsletter mailings. In some cases, this is the only source of support for their organization. When using such services, an agency is truly helping the community and has a tremendous opportunity for positive public relations. Author's note: Attesting to Greenberg's comment, our company has very successfully used the members of the local high school band to perform mailing services. The students donate their time, and we donate their earnings' to the Band Booster Fund. Summing It All Up A newsletter is not a great treatise or novel, but it serves an extremely useful purpose for insurance agents. Customers are demanding more and more education about their insurance purchases because insurance has a tremendous impact on the quality of their lives-health care, ...