Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 24, 2011

Cheap Auto Insurance Arizona

The Arizona Department of Insurance has recently reported that the average costs of an auto insurance policy for a family can vary up to 600% on identical coverage depending on the particular company that you choose while selecting the policy. The auto insurance premiums in Arizona averaged to $932 in the year 2009, showing a 1% change from the previous year, 2008. Though there are some states that boasts outrageously high auto insurance premiums, the rates in Arizona are also no less. People in Arizona complain that a major portion of their monthly income goes in paying the huge premiums on their auto policies. Fortunately there are ways in which you can get a cheap auto insurance Arizona and save some bucks.

More than one thing affects the rate of premium that is offered to you by the lender. One thing that you can be sure of, being a citizen of Arizona, that you’ll be charged high premium rates due to the increasingly large number of thefts in the state. Additionally, the city in which you live, your gender, your credit history, driving history are also taken into consideration by the lenders before granting you an affordable auto policy in Arizona. Check out some important questions you must ask yourself before applying for an auto policy.

• Did I compare and contrast quotes of various companies?

This is the first question that you must ask yourself before settling on a particular auto insurance policy in Arizona. If

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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 24, 2011

RAC: illegal faults on fleet vehicles soar

The number of fleet vehicles being driven with illegal faults (such as defective lights and tyres) has more than doubled in a year, according to estimates from RAC.

The Aviva subsidiary points out that aside from breaking the law regarding vehicle roadworthiness, negligence over faults increases the risk of companies being charged with corporate manslaughter.

In the first quarter of 2011, RAC fleet checks failed 36% of vehicles for tyre maintenance and 20% for faulty lights, with the failure rates up two-fold and four-fold respectively on the same period of 2010.

Furthermore, 37% of vehicles checked failed their inspection for under the bonnet fluid levels, an increase of 26% on last year.

RAC senior partnership manager, Ron Richards, comments: “The current economic climate may mean that companies are reluctant to pay for their vehicles to be checked professionally and regularly, but this leaves them exposed to potential corporate manslaughter charges if the lack of maintenance on a car or van leads to a death on the road.”

 

No Comments » Tags: Fleet Vehicles, Illegal Faults, Vehicles
Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 23, 2011

Corporate fraud on the increase

Company bosses, including chief executives and managing directors, are increasingly committing fraud.

According to a global survey from KPMG, board members at divisional, subsidiary and corporate level are currently committing 18% of fraud, up from 11% in 2007.

Employees accepting bribes to sign off inflated project costs and supplier/employee collusion leading to overbilling are two of the most common forms of corporate fraud, and the study also suggests that in the UK, 57% of fraudsters will have been working for their employer for over 10 years, with 50% in senior management or board roles.

Formal whistleblower reports and anonymous tip-offs account for 34% of detected frauds in the UK.

A further 6% are identified due to customer or supplier complaints, and 11% due to issues raised by third parties such as banks, tax authorities and regulators.

Meanwhile, KPMG suggests that “red flag” warnings, such as an employee who rarely takes holidays or who leads an excessive lifestyle, are frequently missed or ignored by firms, particularly since the onset of the credit crisis.

The firm’s EMA forensic investigations network lead, Richard Powell, comments: “The dramatic increase in red flag warning signs of fraud, which are not being noticed or not being properly followed up, is a wake-up call to companies and public sector entities everywhere.”

 

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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 22, 2011

Court of Appeals Hears Arguments in Healthcare Reform Case

There are several ongoing challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Last Wednesday, one of the cases got to the apellate level when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on Florida et al v. United States Department of Health and Human Services (3:10-CV-91-RV/EMT).

This case involves the State of Florida and 26 other states (including Ohio) and a business group. In January, 2011, the federal district court, through Judge Roger Vinson (Reagan appointee, 1983), ruled the individual mandate aspect of the Act was unconstitutional and could not be stripped away from the remainder of the Act and, therefore, the PPACA was unconstitutional. Judge Vinson stayed his order conditioned upon the defendants seeking appelate review within seven days from his order. The stay order also criticized the government for continuing to implement the PPACA after his ruling in January.

So, the matter proceeded to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals where the three-judge panel heard arguments last Wednesday. The panel is comprised of one Bush appointee and two Clinton appointees. Various news reports suggest the judges were “skeptical” of the government’s right to mandate the purchase of insurance, but that is an oversimplification of the questions asked by the panel. The judges focused a great deal on the expansion of medicare and its interplay with preexisting state programs.

It is anticipated at least two other cases will reach the appelate level and are expected to result in two or three seperate holdings regarding whether the PPACA is constitutional.

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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 11, 2011

Global insurance managers short on visibility

Companies with global insurance policies may be duplicating cover, according to JLT Specialty, which surveyed 70 delegates attending a Global v Local workshop at the recent AIRMIC Conference.

The research revealed that while 54% of those responsible for arranging insurance for their companies knew what their global insurance programme comprised, only 12% thought they had full visibility of their programmes.

JLT therefore suggest that many companies may not know if they have duplicate cover and are spending more on insurance than needed.

They may also be unaware of gaps in their cover and/or if they are setting policies in the most effective and efficient way.

JLT partner, Karen Gorman, comments: “It’s easy to worry about compliance, local anomalies and local buying patterns and let these cloud the best decision for the buying of the insurance that’s needed.”

She adds: “Whilst control is key so are regular reviews, a proactive outlook and careful weighing up of options”.

 

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Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 01, 2011

JLT launches online property owners’ facility

JLT Specialty has launched an online quote and bind facility for property owners’ risks, aimed at the broker sector.

The firm says its research identified the need for an end-to-end solution for the purchase of landlords’ insurance, and the new facility offers brokers a number of key benefits including:

Comparative premium quotations at special rates from Aviva and Axa.

Regular updates on events within the real estate sector that may affect them or their clients.

The ability to bind cover and produce policy documentation immediately online.

Online claims notification and access to a 24/7 claims helpline.

Membership of an exclusive broker club.

JLT Specialty partner, Lee Rossney, comments: “Our depth of understanding and experience means we have been able to create a facility that suits both broker needs and those of their clients.”

 

No Comments » Tags: Facility, Property Owners’
Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | June 01, 2011

Cheap Auto Insurance North Carolina

In the year 2009, the average auto insurance rates in North Carolina were $598, an amount that was an increase of 1.4% from the rates of the previous year, 2008. Among 46 states in the US that were suffering from sky high auto insurance rates, North Carolina was one of them. The speed limit in cities and highways, the blood-alcohol percentage limit, handheld cell phones, cell phones used while driving are some factors that affect the cost of the auto insurance policies in North Carolina. If you’re someone who is looking for cheap auto insurance North Carolina, you must be aware of the ways in which you can reduce the costs and make your premiums affordable according to your budget. Have a look at some such ways to be adopted in North Carolina.

Getting your auto insurance policy at the right age matters as the lenders will consider your age before lending you with an auto insurance policy. If you’re just 25 years old or lower than that, chances are high that the auto insurance lender will charge you high premiums as you’re more prone to road accidents at this age. The best time to get your policy is within 30 and 55 years as this is considered to be the least risky age. With lesser possibility to file a claim, you will be charged low premium rates.

Drivers who own a sports car will also be subject to sky high premium rates that can go beyond your financial affordability. Sports car will certainly be driven at excessively high speed and this will naturally make it more vulnerable on road. As th

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No Comments » Tags: Auto Insurance, Carolina, North Carolina
Posted by Gabriella Hopkins | May 20, 2011

Hackers new worst enemy for business

Lockton is warning that hackers pose an increasing threat to business, as commerce continues to move online.

The insurer reckons that no firm is safe; only last month Marks & Spencer along with as many as 50 other clients of email marketing company, Epsilon, had thousands of customer details stolen.

In the case of M&S, Lockton partner, Ben Beeson, says: “It was a major breach. How much it damages them will come down to the regulation and how much litigation in the US comes out.”

According to the cyber-liability specialist, in the UK only between 1% and 2% of businesses are insured for losses resulting from hackers obtaining customer data, but Mr Beeson is expecting the proportion to rise to around 50% in the next five years.

 

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