Blog

Radon Awareness and Safety

Radon, a colorless and odorless gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in rock, soil and water. From there, it can make its way into any environment or building. However, the largest exposure area is your home, where you likely spend the majority of your time. The EPA estimates that 1 out of every 15 homes has dangerous levels of radon. As a result, the EPA and the Surgeon General both recommend testing all homes below the third… READ MORE

Medical Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation

In the November 2016 elections, the use of medical marijuana was approved through four state ballot measures, bringing the total to 28 states and the District of Columbia that have legalized medical marijuana in some form. Additionally, the District of Columbia and eight states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington—have legalized recreational use of marijuana in some form.However, under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, marijuana… READ MORE

When is a Workers’ Compensation Claim Compensable?

Carefully evaluating workers’ compensation claims is crucial in helping your company save money and prevent fraud. Workers’ compensation is simply a form of insurance that offers employees medical coverage in the event they are injured during a work-related function. Depending on the state of residence, it may also give compensation for disabilities sustained or cover rehabilitation costs so the employee can return to the workplace quickly and smoothly. Workers’… READ MORE

The Importance of Prompt Workers Compensation Claims Reporting

The rising cost of claims presents a significant challenge for employers today. However, there is a simple strategy that can significantly reduce your claims costs: report all claims promptly.In fact, the sooner a claim is reported, the lower the cost is likely to be. Beyond cost, reporting claims promptly can help avoid unnecessary conflict with insurance companies, ensure a proper investigation, preserve employee morale and maintain compliance.Minimize CostIt’s no secret that… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: NHAIA Golf Classic

This past Thursday, Marcus, Tia, and I had the pleasure to attend the “Trusted Choice Big ‘I’ Golf Classic” at Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown, NH. This golf tournament serves as an annual event for the New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents, and is attended by many members of the New England insurance community.We attended this event as volunteers for the New Hampshire Young Agents Committee, and were able to assist in various tasks to support both the… READ MORE

Fuel-saving Strategies

Fuel costs tend to fluctuate, and you never know when the price to fill up is going to break the bank. As such, it’s important to save on gas whenever you can by doing the following:Lighten your car by removing heavy items from your trunk. This can help improve your car’s overall fuel economy.Avoid idling for long periods. Idling for just one minute consumes the same amount of gas as starting your engine.Stay up to date on oil changes.Drive slower. You can improve your fuel… READ MORE

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Worker misclassification can be a costly mistake. This video explains the consequences of worker misclassification and helps employers determine if their workers are employees or independent contractors. For more information please visit https://www.dol.gov/whd/workers/misclassification/#stateDetails or for Maine visit http://maine.gov/labor/misclass/legal.shtml.  READ MORE

7 Safety Tips for Bike Commuters

As the weather begins to warm up, more and more commuters may consider biking to work. Biking to work is not only a great source of exercise, but it can reduce a commuter’s carbon footprint and help him or her save big on gas.In fact, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average person spends nearly $9,000 a year to drive his or her car. However, before making the switch, commuters should do the following to make their bike rides to work safe and fun:Practice your… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: "Five Employee Concerns That Keep You Up at Night"

During the recent MWV Business Expo, I was able to attend several educational workshops sponsored by both Chalmers and the NH Business Review. Each workshop was presented by a member of a local business and covered material that was relevant to that member’s organization.The first workshop, “Five Employee Concerns That Keep You Up at Night,” was presented by attorney Chris Meier of Cooper Cargill Chant in North Conway. This presentation focused on areas of employment law that… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: "The Core Qualities of High Performing Work Teams"

At the MWV Business Expo, we attended “The Core Qualities of High Performing Work Teams,” presented by Howard Stanton and Erin Wright of Vanguard Coaching and Training.This workshop was highly interactive, as attending members sat in a circle and discussed our experiences working in teams. I was looking forward to this workshop, as I have come to realize the importance of team performance through my time in athletics, college, and the business world.Howard and Erin asked the group… READ MORE