http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/car-insurance-covers-against-car-flooding.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/car-insurance-covers-against-car-flooding.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
“Drivers spend a lot of money on auto insurance, but too often they wait until they need to make a claim after an accident or emergency and don’t remember what their policy will cover,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. “After a widespread emergency such as a flood, when many people are making claims simultaneously, it’s important for car owners to ask the representative handling their claim about their coverage and deductible, as well as any options that are included, so they get their money’s worth.”

According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), a non-profit organization, comprehensive coverage will reimburse drivers for loss due to damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object, such as fire, falling objects, catastrophic storms, vandalism, or contact with animals such as birds or deer. This includes flooding.

“Although many states do not require that you purchase comprehensive coverage, if you have a car loan, your lender may have required you carry it until your loan is paid off,” said Carolyn Gorman, vice president of the I.I.I. “Comprehensive insurance is usually sold with a $100 to $300 deductible.”

Many drivers also have coverage for a replacement rental car, although they may not realize it because this optional coverage was added at such a minimal expense, usually just a couple of dollars a month. This coverage provides immediate access to a replacement rental car until repairs are made to their flooded car or they are authorized by their insurance company to purchase a new car.

Drivers whose cars are totaled may not have to continue making payments on the balance they owe on the car if their auto insurance included gap coverage. This coverage pays the difference between the amount the insurer pays for the totaled car and the amount the insured owes on their lease or loan. Without this coverage, drivers are responsible for paying the remainder of their lease or loan even when their car is totaled.

The best advice is to be prepared to know what your auto insurance covers and what you should do if your car sustained damages in the flood by following these tips:

Report damage as soon as possible. If your car is not drivable, your agent or claims center may be able to save you time and money by having the car towed directly to the repair facility instead of to a temporary storage facility. In addition, arrangements may be made immediately to provide you with a replacement rental car, if your policy includes this coverage.

Know what your deductible is and any other additional charges before authorizing work. Expect your insurance adjuster, claims representative or repair facility appraiser to review the damage with you and explain the repair process, including the use of original or generic auto parts. Before authorizing repairs, know what your deductible is, as well as any additional charges you will be expected to pay once repairs are complete.

Ask about warranties on repairs. Ask whether your insurer has a repair facility referral program that offers a written limited or lifetime repair warranty backed both by the repairer and insurer for as long as you own your vehicle.

Do business only with a reputable company. Obtain insurance from companies, independent brokers or direct marketers that have a proven track record of handling auto insurance claims effectively. Get a referral, or contact BBB or your State Department of Insurance.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Car Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/concord-insurance-brokerage-jenkins-rebrands.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/concord-insurance-brokerage-jenkins-rebrands.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Jenkins Athens Insurance Services, the Concord insurance brokerage and employee benefits firm, has renamed itself Jenkins Insurance Group in a brand repositioning move that consolidates all of its services under one name.

The name change will take place in two steps: the new brand and logo will be introduced immediately for the company's property and casualty insurance services, and in early 2009 for the firm's benefits division, Athens Benefits. The Athens name was introduced in the 1980s when the firm expanded into offering employee benefits services.

Jenkins had premium volume of $436 million last year, up from $423 million in 2006. It is the third-largest brokerage in the East Bay, according to East Bay Business Times research.

The company is repositioning itself at a time of upheaval and consolidation in the insurance industry, which has seen commercial property and casualty premiums decline 5 to 15 percent a year for the past four years as companies fight for market share.

The drive to strengthen market share and leadership in growth markets while at the same time increasing economies of scale is behind a number of recent mergers, including Willis Group Holdings Ltd.'s $2.1 billion acquisition of rival Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co., a deal announced earlier this month. London-based Willis is the third-largest broker in the world behind Aon Inc. and Marsh & McLennan.

Closer to home, Oakland firm Saylor & Hill Co. in May completed a merger with Barney & Barney LLC of San Diego. And Wells Fargo & Co. has made a string of acquisitions in the insurance space over the last several years.

Independent brokerages have sold out to larger firms as founders sought an exit strategy, and, increasingly, as they have found it is harder to compete against larger, deep-pocketed firms.

Jenkins CEO Curt Perata said Jenkins is committed to remaining independent. The 71-year-old company was started by James W. Jenkins and is still family-owned. The founder's son, James C. Jenkins, is chairman of the company, and a member of the third generation, James R. Jenkins, is president of the Athens Administrators division.

"Rebranding costs a lot of money," Perata said. "There is a lot of investment and a lot of thought process that goes into the brand." In this case, the name change was a way to better reflect the values and history and relationships that the firm has, he said. Jenkins has spent close to $500,000 on the rebranding effort, Perata said, which includes a new Web site. "In these times it is significant investment."

The premium declines are good for Jenkins' clients, but the flip side is that commissions go down as well. Jenkins has grown its total client numbers 10 to 15 percent on both sides of its business, Perata said, but revenue on the property and casualty side, which accounts for about 60 percent of the company's total revenue, is flat. Revenue on the benefits side, meanwhile, is growing 10 to 15 percent annually.

In 2007, Jenkins' revenue was $39 million, roughly flat with $38 million in 2006. Perata declined to disclose exact income figures, but said the income from the benefits side has remained strong while income from the property and casualty side has seen a lot of downward pressure.

Jenkins hopes to leverage the repositioning of its brand to bring in more business, and increase the amount of cross-selling it does between its divisions. Right now, about a third of its customers buy services from both sides of its business, Perata said.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/halifax-home-insurance-to-include-bike-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/halifax-home-insurance-to-include-bike-insurance.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
While National Bike Week is a great time to hang up the car keys and take a greener approach to travel, Halifax Home Insurance is concerned that people could become victims of theft if they do not take care. A recent study from the British Crime Survey shows that a bike is stolen in the UK every 65 seconds, on average, and that the cost of replacing a bike is typically £337.

Head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, David Rochester, said: "One bicycle theft every 65 seconds is shocking. While cycling has many benefits for people's health and also the environment, it is important that people take adequate measures to protect their cycles and also make sure they are insured, both in the home and also when out in public places."

Halifax data shows that London is the most risky area for cyclists, with regions of the Capital accounting for four of the top ten bike theft hot spots. Other vulnerable areas include Bristol, Reading and Chester.

Despite the risks, the company claims there are various simple ways to reduce the likelihood of having bikes stolen. It encourages cyclists to make use of specific bike parking racks and always keep bikes locked, even when leaving them for short periods of time. Using hardened steel U-type locks and considering anti-pry devices are advised.

In addition to the general safety tips, it reveals that Halifax Home Insurance offers bike cover up to £500 as standard and that those with a value exceeding this will be insured providing the customer has listed it as a special item on their policy. And for additional cover, it may be worth looking into cover for theft away from the property.

Halifax Home Insurance is currently offering customers £50 when they take out a buildings and contents insurance policy. It will also give customers a further £50 a year they keep their policy without making any claims.

The British Crime Survey (BCS) is an important source of information about levels of crime and public attitudes to crime as well as other criminal justice issues. The results play an important role in informing Government policy.

The BCS measures the amount of crime in England and Wales (the first survey covered Scotland as well, but now Scotland and Northern Ireland carry out their own crime surveys) by asking people about crimes they have experienced in the last year. The BCS includes crimes which are not reported to the police, so it is an important alternative to police records. The survey collects information about: the victims of crime, the circumstances in which incidents occur and the behaviour of offenders in committing crimes.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Bike Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/van-drivers-protesting-due-to-van-insurance-and-petrol-prices-rising.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/van-drivers-protesting-due-to-van-insurance-and-petrol-prices-rising.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Organisers TransAction 2007 welcomed around 300 vehicles to an A40 protest, with a further 100 reported in Wales, according to Times Online. "We are not faceless multinational companies - we are small and medium family companies built up over generations with hard work and determination," read a letter from the group to Gordon Brown.

Meanwhile, French president Nicholas Sarkozy has stated that a Europe-wide cut in VAT would bring down the cost of fuel across the continent

About 65 vehicles converged in Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices in 12 months. The organisers presented a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms they claim have gone bankrupt as a result.

It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes. Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry.

The convoy started off in Kent and headed up M2 motorway into the capital.

Organisers said fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week. The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said. "Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added.

"Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies." First to arrive was driver Mick Clifton, 37, who works for the JS Cook company based at Moulton Chapel in Lincolnshire. He said: "The price of fuel at the moment is ridiculous. We just don't know whether our jobs are going to be safe.

"If Gordon Brown doesn't do something about this soon he'll be out of office." The Road Haulage Association's chief executive Roger King has urged the government to abandon plans to raise fuel duty by 2p next October. He said: "We support a peaceful and legal protest and that is what this is. We think such an exercise helps underscore the real feelings hauliers have." Protesters have also handed a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry. The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate.

The Road Haulage Association represents over 10,000 transport companies that operate within the hire-and-reward sector of the UK based logistics sector. The association provides dedicated advice, information and business services tailored to the needs of its membership. Another vital role is that of negotiator. Not just in high profile discussions with Government on national issues; but also through regular contact with local planning committees, regional transport groups and, of course, the European Commission.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Van Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/ama-issues-first-report-card-on-health-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/ama-issues-first-report-card-on-health-insurance.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Dr. Dolan explained that the report card is an effort to reduce the cost of claims processing to doctors and help them as they negotiate contracts with insurance companies; adding that the report card will help patients if it reduces wasteful administrative costs. The report card compares Medicare and seven national commercial health insurers on the timeliness and accuracy of claims processing. It is based on a random sample drawn from 3 million claims.

There are no grades like A, B and C, and many of the technical measures may not mean much to most patients. But business leaders and health policy makers are interested in cutting an estimated annual $210 billion in wasted administrative claims processing costs, AMA leaders said.

Four years ago, Dr. Marcy Zwelling got so frustrated with the time and cost of making sure she was paid accurately by insurers that she stopped dealing with them. She now runs a so-called "boutique" practice. Most of her patients pay her an annual fee out of their own pockets.

"The best thing is, I get to be a doctor" instead of a claims processor, said Zwelling, of Los Alamitos, Calif. She says she doesn't make any more money than she did when she accepted insurance, but she has more time with patients.

UnitedHealthcare had the lowest rate of contract compliance, according to the AMA report. About 62 percent of medical services billed were paid by UnitedHealthcare at the contracted rate, compared with 71 percent for Aetna and 98 percent for Medicare.

UnitedHealthcare spokesman Gregory Thompson said doctors and their billing services share responsibility for prompt payment. "Data show there is often a significant lag time between when services are provided and physician claims are submitted," he said.

He said UnitedHealthcare has improved its electronic claims systems and noted the AMA gave the company higher ratings on other measures.

Medicare performed better than the private insurers in most areas, said Dr. Lawrence Casalino, a University of Chicago health economist and former physician. Commercial insurance plans compete by promising employers that they are tough on holding down the cost of claims, he said.

"There's no question that administrative costs for doctors and the country would be a lot lower in a single-payer system," Casalino said in an interview after the meeting. But a market-based system has advantages of competition, choice and innovation, he said. "Are the benefits enough to justify the cost?"

Peter Lee of the Pacific Business Group on Health welcomed the report card, but said he hoped the AMA would look at a broader range of areas that would be helpful to consumers.

"Increased payments to physicians means increased premiums and increased costs in a system that is spiraling out of control," Lee said.

Susan Pisano, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, said that for claims to be processed accurately and quickly it takes two parties: insurers and doctors. She complained that while insurance companies that rate doctors generally share the information with doctors before they make it public, the AMA did not share its report with insurers before releasing it online Monday.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Health Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/disabled-holidaymakers-told-to-check-travel-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/disabled-holidaymakers-told-to-check-travel-insurance.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
He noted: "You may need to ask a few questions about the facilities; even if it says it is accessible you should find out whether it meets your particular needs." New European legislation is coming into force from July this year that means airports will now be responsible for meeting the needs of disabled travellers as approximately two million disabled passengers use UK airports each year.

Furthermore, a recent survey carried out by Leonard Cheshire Disability found that 37 per cent of disabled passengers have experienced negative attitudes from airport staff and those onboard flights. In other news, charity for the elderly, Age Concern, has reported that the inability to find cheap travel insurance for pensioners has been called "ageism" by one newspaper columnist. Writing earlier this month in the Guardian, Jackie Ashley called on the government to tackle the problem of prejudice against the elderly.

Ms Ashley cited the opinion of one Age Concern campaigner on the issue of travel insurance for pensioners, saying: "The effect of insurance companies refusing even to give a quote to elderly people is like walking along the high street and finding eight out of ten shops with a sign reading 'no old people here'."

Rather than searching for travel insurance, another article in the Guardian has revealed that many British pensioners may soon be "exploiting a tax loophole" by transferring their retirement pots abroad. Retiring overseas rather than simply holidaying there could cost the UK taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds as wealthy pensioners escape paying British tax rates.

Age Concern is the banner title used by a number of charitable organisations (NGOs) specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people - those over the age of 50 - based chiefly in the United Kingdom. In addition to providing practical support to individuals, Age Concern campaigns on issues such as age discrimination and pensions, and works to influence public opinion and government policy about older people.

Numerous Age Concern organisations have been established throughout the UK, working at national and local levels. At the national level, four Age Concern organisations cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Local Age Concerns vary from small village groups to countywide organisations. In England, over 370 of the individual charities are members of a national federation. Although each is a separate registered charity working under the Age Concern banner, the federation allows members to collaborate at local, regional and national levels, to share resources, expertise and influence

Age Concern's origins are British and can be traced back to a realisation in that country of the effects on aged people of the second world war; the dislocation and breakdown of family life arising out of conscription led to a recognition that existing poor laws failed to provide effective support for old people separated from family support networks.

In 1940, the Old People’s Welfare Committee (OPWC), chaired by Eleanor Rathbone, was formed as a forum for discussion between government and voluntary organisations. OPWC was a sub-committee of Liverpool Personal Service Society (PSS). In 1944, the committee changed its name to the National Old People’s Welfare Committee (NOPWC), and took on responsibility for coordinating the activities of numerous local OPWCs.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Travel Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/home-insurance-flood-risk-properties-could-be-uninsurable.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/home-insurance-flood-risk-properties-could-be-uninsurable.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The report stated insurers could not commit to covering all the homes identified by the Environment Agency as being at significant risk of flooding, over 517,000 of them, unless the government announced plans for them to be adequately defended.

The ABI added that without government action and stricter enforcement of planning controls to prevent new homes being built on flood plains, some properties could become "uninsurable, unsaleable and uninhabitable". It was also stated that last year's floods in Hull and Gloucester led to 180,000 claims for flood-damaged homes, businesses and vehicles, and that its members had dealt with four years' worth of claims in two months.

More than 17,000 policyholders were put up in temporary accommodation and a total of £3bn was paid out in claims.

Statistics regarding some of those living in the flood-hit areas found eight out of 10 thought the danger of flooding was increasing, while three-quarters did not think enough was being done to tackle the problem. Improving drainage was seen as a top priority for 98% of people, followed by tougher planning controls for new homes. Three-quarters of people believed the government's target of 3m new homes by 2020 should be reduced if it would lead to more homes being at risk of flooding.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "These findings reinforce our call for a long-term flood management strategy.

"In particular, we must tackle the problem of surface water drainage. Planning for the future is essential if we are to minimise a repeat of last year's terrible floods, and to ensure that flood insurance protection remains widely available."

A spokesman for the government's communities and local government department said: "If councils properly use the tough new planning rules we have put in place to protect new homes against flood risk, which includes consulting the Environment Agency, it will ensure that all homes are safe from flooding and sustainable for the future - effective surface water drainage and flood defences must also be part of new housing infrastructure."

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) represents the collective interests of the UK’s insurance industry. The Association speaks out on issues of common interest; helps to inform and participate in debates on public policy issues; and also acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry.

The Association has around 400 companies in membership. Between them, they provide 94% of domestic insurance services sold in the UK. ABI member companies account for almost 20 per cent of investments in the London stock market.

The ABI’s policy work is organised around four main policy departments: General Insurance; Life and Pensions; Financial Regulation and Taxation and Investment Affairs.In addition, the ABI has an expert Research and Statistics Department, and represents the insurance industry to external audiences through its Media and Political Affairs and European and International teams.

The ABI organises a large number of conferences, seminars and other events for the insurance industry. It also publishes research reports and policy documents.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Home Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/nfu-mutual-voted-best-car-insurance-provider.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/nfu-mutual-voted-best-car-insurance-provider.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The survey, entitled ‘Driver Power’, covered 45 leading insurance provider companies which the magazine’s readers were asked to rate in four categories - communication, value for money, helpfulness and overall performance. A team of independent number-crunchers then calculated an average score for each company before Auto Express formed the overall ranking.

Expressing opinion on NFU mutual one costumer said it was "the best all rounder I have ever dealt with, good levels of cover, excellent customer service and keen prices." In addition to being rated first overall, the company also came out top for the individual aspects of communication and helpfulness.

Paul Richardson at NFU Mutual said: "We are delighted to have achieved our hat trick and come out top in the Auto Express survey for the third year running. This survey is particularly important because it is voted for by our customers who clearly value personal service, both at the time of purchase and beyond. Yet again our combination of excellent cover and service has been a winning one."

The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited, better known as NFU Mutual, is an insurance company in the UK. It is a mutual company, owned by its policyholders rather than by shareholders, and deals in both life and general insurance. It is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and is closely associated with the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Within the UK, the company's business includes the sale of pensions, annuities, savings and investments along with property, liability and motor insurance. They are particularly well-known in rural and agricultural areas and have won several insurance awards for their products. It has a Standard & Poor's credit rating of AA (February 2005).

While making use of a telephone sales call centre, unlike most other UK insurers, NFU Mutual still relies on a direct sales force based in 300 offices around the UK. This local sales force plays a large part in publicity campaigns and great focus is given to the fact that they provide a face to face local service.

Auto Express is a weekly motoring magazine sold in the United Kingdom, which has been in circulation since 1988. It regularly includes features including news, road tests, first drives, readers' letters, product tests, long-term tests, used cars, prices, motorsport and comment columns. In the UK, it is currently the best selling weekly motoring magazine and sells more copies on an annual basis than any other motoring magazine.[1] It is currently edited by David Johns.

It periodically carries out consumer satisfaction surveys such as this latest car insurance related one. The NFU Mutual insurance have been delighted with their three years in a row success, in particular as it has meant more costumers for them.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Car Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/reliance-life-insurance-to-offer-new-plan.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/reliance-life-insurance-to-offer-new-plan.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group firm Reliance Life Insurance has launched a pure equity unit linked insurance plan that provides investors an opportunity to invest in eight different fund options, including a Shariah compliant fund. Reliance Life Insurance is the fourth largest private insurer in the country and has introduced 'Reliance Super InvestAssure Plan (RSIP)' that offers guaranteed additional contribution for policyholders, apart from returns on investment and maturity benefits.

This is Reliance Life's first pure equity unit linked insurance plan (ULIP) and has added Shariah compliant features like having no investments into industries such as non-banking finance, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, and sugar among others, a company statement said.

The RSIP is designed to provide an opportunity to invest funds in eight different fund options, including the Gilt and sectoral funds like infrastructure, energy and mid-cap which, the company stated, provide relatively higher returns.

"One of the unique propositions of RSIP is that it contributes into a policyholder's account from 50 per cent (in 10th year) to 250 per cent (by 30th year) of the paid annualised premiums. This is the additional income which policyholders will get from the company and it will have compounded growth as well, depending on market conditions," Reliance Life Insurance CEO, P. Nandagopal, said.

He then added: “We aim to make it our top-selling product given the additional values and sound maturity benefits and expect a sales contribution of 20-25 per cent by the end of this financial year.” It also provides a plan for a child of 30 days and covers life of the insured up to 20 times of the annual premium, depending on the age.

Reliance Life Insurance expects the ‘Super InvestAssure Plan’ to emerge as its flagship product under ULIPs and account for about 25 per cent of the new premium income for the current fiscal. In 2007-08, the company’s new premium collections stood at Rs 2,754 crore.

Based in Tunbridge Wells UK, Reliance Mutual dates back to 1911 when it was known as Farringdon Reliance Friendly Collecting Society. In 1951, it converted to a Mutual Society - having no shareholders, its existence came about solely to provide benefits to the policyholders. Reliance Mutual currently provides life insurance, critical illness cover and pension and investment products to clients in the UK. It is a part of Reliance Capital Ltd. of the Reliance - Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. Reliance Capital is one of India’s leading private sector financial services companies, and ranks among the top 3 private sector financial services and banking companies, in terms of net worth.

Reliance Life Insurance is another step forward for Reliance Capital Limited to offer need based life insurance solutions to individuals and Corporates in India.

The plan claims to be the ‘only plan to offer fixed income for life even in case of accidental disability of the child’, to ‘offer rewarding online community for child’s overall development’ and boasts that ‘the company also donated Rs 5 Lakh to Akanksha Foundation, for underprivileged children’. Reliance Life Insurance are very optimistic about the new plan and hope that customers will be attracted to its benefits and bonuses.

“The Reliance Secure Child Plan aims to offer an innovative product with unique and fun-filled benefits to children while securing their future. This is in line with our strategy to offer best-in-class products to our customers”, said Mr. P. Nandagopal while launching the product. The plan also offers an inbuilt waiver of premium benefit in the event of the death of the insured proposer (parent), that protects the future of the child by paying all the future premiums, so that the plan remains in full force.


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to Life Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/legal/personal-injury/new-worrying-reports-high-rates-of-accidents-at-work.html http://www.articletrader.com/legal/personal-injury/new-worrying-reports-high-rates-of-accidents-at-work.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
"It is deeply worrying that fatal accidents at work are being brushed under the carpet. This report suggests that health and safety inspections and investigations simply aren’t carried out often enough, which has had devastating consequences.Previous reports have highlighted that Health and Safety Executive is underfunded and overworked but the Government hasn’t acted on these findings. Ministers must take steps immediately to ensure that people are safe at work.Deregulation is not a licence for employers to abandon their responsibility to protect their employees."

The report, which was launched in parliament later on Tuesday found that at least 1,300 people died as a result of fatal occupational injuries in 2005-06 in England and Wales, compared with 765 homicide victims. Non-fatal workplace injuries requiring hospitalisation were also likely to be greater that year than those needing such treatment following the violent offences formally recorded as crimes.

The report, `A crisis of enforcement', argues that the recent trend towards the `light touch' regulation of business has in effect `decriminalised' death and injury at work. Serious incidents are significantly underreported, the authors claim. A reduction in the capacity of bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive to inspect business and take appropriate action has led to a situation where the vast majority of the most serious injuries, as well as many deaths, are not subject to any form of investigation. This raises a number of important questions, the authors argue, about whether the current policy preoccupation with `conventional' crimes such as homicide, street violence and theft should be complemented by a much greater focus on workplace crimes and harms.

Professor Steve Tombs, a report author, said `Violent street crime consumes enormous political, media and academic energy. But, as hundreds of thousands of workers and their families know, it is the violence associated with working for a living that is most likely to kill and hospitalise.'

Dr David Whyte, another report author, said: `HSE enforcement notices fell by 40% and prosecutions fell by 49% between 2001/02 and 2005/06. The collapse in HSE enforcement and prosecution sends a clear message that the government is prepared to let employers kill and maim with impunity.'

Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, stated: `Safety crimes are worthy of greater acknowledgement given the harm caused and the contexts within which they occur. This research raises important questions about what is currently defined as crime, who gets to decide, and how we as a society deal with harmful and dangerous practices.'

CCJS is an independent charity at King's College London that informs and educates about all aspects of crime and the criminal justice system. It was established in July 1931 as the 'Association for the Scientific Treatment of Criminals'. It was renamed the 'Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency' in July 1932, and the 'Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency' in 1951. It adopted its current name - the 'Centre for Crime and Justice Studies' - in 1999.

They have stated their mission as ‘the aim of the early founders of what became CCJS was to promote the notion, backed by scientific research, that there was a better way of dealing with offenders than prison and to translate this notion into action.’


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Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Work Accident Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>