Happy New Year!

All of us at Oakland Insurance hope that you have a Happy (and safe) New Year! Feel free to check back on January 2, 2013 for more informative tips for your personal insurance needs!

Divorce and Your Insurance

While going through a divorce, you need to reassess your finances. To start, you should:

• Review all insurance policies in place during the marriage
• Decide which policies you still need
• Decide how health insurance for all family members will be provided for
• Decide what additional coverage is needed

The Basics

Health Insurance – Health Insurance coverage should be covered in the final divorce decree. Who pays for what should be clearly stated so that there is no confusion. If you have children, it is imperative that an agreement is reached as to who will provide coverage. Usually whoever had the coverage for the children prior to the divorce will continue that coverage. Who is responsible for unreimbursed medical expenses should also be addressed.

If you had medical coverage through your spouse’s employer-sponsored health plan, you may be allowed to continue that coverage for up to 36 months under COBRA. If you do qualify, coverage is not automatic. You must contact the employer within 60 days of the divorce and complete the necessary paperwork. If you do not qualify, you should consider a standard health insurance policy or, at a minimum, a policy that would protect you in the event of a major medical emergency.

Life Insurance – You should review your Life Insurance policies and make sure that they still meet your needs. You may also want to change beneficiaries at this time. Make sure that your ex-spouse carries coverage and that you are named as a beneficiary if you depend on their income for support. Check with your attorney before making any beneficiary changes. Now might also be a good time to increase your policy. Who carries Life Insurance, the amounts of the insurance, named beneficiaries, and accrued cash values should all be provided for in your divorce decree.

Disability Insurance – This pays a monthly benefit in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work. If alimony or child support is ordered, it’s especially important if the payer has no other sources of income to continue to make those payments. Consider what your needs would be in the event that you became disabled. We can help you determine specifically what type of insurance and the amounts you need to best protect your interests.

Homeowners and Renters Insurance – These policies protect your residence and the contents from damage or theft. If one spouse remains in the residence, they will want to make sure that they change the Homeowners Insurance policy to their name only and review their coverage. As a single parent, we recommend Replacement Cost coverage, which will reimburse you for what it would cost to replace an item. Also, opting for a higher deductible will help you save money on your premium.

Automobile Insurance – Automobile Insurance covers damage to your vehicle and damage that you may cause with your vehicle. Inform your insurance agent if you are separating or divorcing. Separate policies may be required if you and spouse are not living under the same roof. When you divorce, you will need to remove your spouse from your insurance policy. As a single person, you may now find options like towing, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance beneficial.

Umbrella Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance are additional coverages you may want to consider.

Helpful Tip – Avoid post-divorce credit problems by closing all joint accounts.

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking your insurance needs when going through a divorce. The lack of adequate insurance for yourself, your children, and even your spouse can lead to financial ruin.

Contact your insurance agent to discuss some important things to consider when going through this stressful time.

Safe Open House

Slip and fall accidents during an open house are every realtor’s nightmare. The good news is that most are preventable. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your open house goes smoothly:

• Remove any rugs, even those with a rubber backing. 

• Have guests keep their shoes on. They provide better traction on wood and tile flooring. Avoid over-the-shoe booties if possible.

• Do not wax floors immediately before an open house.

• In the winter, clear any pathways leading up to the front door and have guests remove all snow from their shoes upon entering the house.

• Remove any clutter on and around stairways, especially if the layout of the stairs is unconventional.

This can pose as a risk on your insurance, even when you’re trying to sell the house. Contact your agent for more tips to keep yourself (and your guests) safe during the winter season.

4 of the Healthiest Holiday Cocktails

When it comes time to enjoy traditional holiday cocktails, many people abandon any efforts that they maintained to stay healthy at other times of the year. However, by choosing the right foods and drinks to consume during this time of year, and by maintaining portion control so that you don’t overeat, you can enjoy all of the traditional holiday favorites without putting your health at risk. Read on for some of the most popular holiday cocktails that also happen to have ingredients which are good for you.

1. Spiced Apple Cider

Apple cider is a delicious and healthy fruit drink. It comes in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, and both contain antioxidants. Natural apple ciders oftentimes also contain unrefined sugars, which are healthier than highly processed sugars are. A popular cocktail is Spiced Apple Cider, which contains apple cider and rum or equivalent liquor. You can boost the healthiness of this particular drink by adding cinnamon into the mixture. Cinnamon is widely popular because of its effects as an antioxidant and also for its ability to help regulate your blood sugar levels. This can be especially helpful at holiday occasions, where there may be many different types of sugary foods available.

2. Red Wine Sangria

Sangria is a popular drink all throughout the year, although it is also very commonly consumed at holiday times. Red wine is one of the primary ingredients in this cocktail, and the health benefits of red wine are many and varied. Red wine has been proven to have antioxidant effects, and it also helps to lower blood pressure when consumed in small quantities. It can also reduce bad cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots, and provide a range of other cardiovascular benefits as well. Many sangrias are also made with fresh fruit, which can provide many other nutrients and health benefits, too.

3. Eggnog

One of the most iconic holiday drinks is the festive concoction of milk, cream, eggs and liquor known as eggnog. Eggnog has the potential to be very unhealthy. However, by choosing low-fat versions of the drink, you can avoid the potential health risks and enjoy all of the benefits of this drink at the same time. Eggnog is rich in calcium and high in protein as well. Be sure to drink only pasteurized or treated eggnog, as consuming raw eggs may cause a variety of health risks.

4. Cranberry Cocktails

Cocktails made with cranberries and cranberry juice is very timely for the holiday season. Cranberries are slightly bitter berries that are full of antioxidant benefits and vitamin C, among other nutrients that are beneficial for you. Basing your cocktail on cranberry juice can have beneficial effects on your digestive and urinary tract as well as other parts of your body, too.

The key to maintaining a healthy diet over the holidays, including with healthy cocktails, is to enjoy everything in moderation. By maintaining high levels of activity, you’ll ensure that you stay fit and healthy throughout all of the year.

Any suggestions on healthy alternatives this holiday season, contact your physician. Any questions regarding your insurance, contact your agent.

Interviews: What’s Illegal to Ask?

Federal and state laws require that questions on the job application, during the interview and during the testing process be job-related. Employers should not ask about race, gender, religion, marital status, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin or age. Illegal interview questions are those that single an individual out for reasons that are contrary to equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination laws. It is important to be aware of the laws to avoid legal penalties and potential lawsuits. 

Technically it is not illegal to ask these questions in a certain manner, but if a question has discriminatory implications and employment is denied based on the applicant’s answer, the employer may have broken the law. The following are examples of illegal or inadvisable questions and legal or acceptable alternatives.  

1. Subject: Relatives/Marital Status

 Illegal: What is your marital status? What is the name of your relative/spouse/children? With whom do you reside? Do you live with your parents? How old are your children? Do you plan to have a family? How many kids do you have? What are your child care arrangements? 

Legal: What are the names of relatives already employed by the company or a competitor? Are you willing to relocate if necessary? Are you willing to travel as

needed by the job? (Must be asked of all applicants) Are you willing and able to work overtime as necessary? (Must be asked of all applicants)  

2. Subject: Residence  

Illegal: With whom do you reside? Do you rent or own? Do you live in town?

 Legal: Inquiries about address to the extent needed to facilitate contacting the applicant. Will you have problems getting

applicant. Will you have problems getting to work by 9 a.m.?  

3. Subject: Pregnancy 

Illegal: Questions relating to pregnancy and medical history concerning pregnancy. Do you plan on having more children?  

Legal: Inquiries to duration of stay on a job or anticipated absences which are made to males and females alike. Do you foresee any long-term absences in the future?

4. Subject: Physical Health  

Illegal: Overall general questions which would tend to divulge handicaps or health conditions that do not relate reasonably to fitness to perform the job. Do you have any handicaps or disabilities? What caused your handicap? What is the prognosis of your handicap? Have you ever had any serious illness? Please complete the following medical history. Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations? What was the date of your last physical exam? How is your family’s health? Have you ever been treated for a mental condition? Are you taking prescribed drugs? Have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol addiction? Have you ever filed a workers’ compensation claim?  

Legal: Can you lift 40 pounds? Do you need any special accommodations to perform the job you’ve applied for? How many days did you miss from work (or school) in the past year? The questions have to relate to the job. Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations?  

5. Subject: Family

Illegal: Questions concerning spouse, or spouse’s employment, salary, child care, arrangements or dependents. How will your husband feel about the amount of time you will be traveling if you get this job? What kind of child care arrangements have you made?  

Legal: You may ask whether an applicant can meet specified work schedules or has activities or commitments that may prevent him or her from meeting attendance requirements. Is there any reason why you can’t be on the job at 7:30 a.m.? This job requires that you work overtime on occasion – would you be able and willing to work overtime as necessary?   

6. Subject: Name  

Illegal: Any inquiries about an individual’s name which would divulge marital status, lineage, ancestry, national origin or descent. If your name has been legally changed, what was your former name? 

Legal: It’s legal to inquire whether an applicant has worked for the company or a competitor under any other name and to ask what name it was. Also acceptable: By what name do your references know you? Have you ever been convicted of a crime under another name? 

7. Subject: Sex  

Illegal: Any inquiry that relates to sex. Do you wish to be addressed as Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms.? Do you have the capacity to reproduce? What are your plans to have children in the future? 

Legal: None 

8. Subject: Photographs  

Illegal: Requests that an applicant submit a photo at any time prior to hiring.

Legal: Photos may be requested after hiring for identification purposes. 

9. Subject: Age  

Illegal: Any question that tends to identify applicants age 40 or older. How old are you? When did you graduate from college? What is your birthday? Requests for birth certificate or record are illegal before employment. 

Legal: Are you 18 years of age? If hired, can you furnish proof of age? 

10. Subject: Education  

Illegal: Any question asking specifically the nationality, racial or religious affiliation of a school. 

Legal: All questions related to academic, vocational or professional education of an applicant, including the names of the schools attended, degrees/diplomas received, dates of graduation and courses of study. What is the highest level of education you have completed? 

11. Subject: Citizenship  

Illegal: Asking whether an applicant is a citizen or requiring a birth certificate, naturalization or baptismal certificate. Any inquiry into citizenship that would tend to divulge an applicant’s lineage, descent, etc. Are you a citizen of the U.S.? Are your parents or spouse citizens of the U.S.? On what dates did you, your parents and/or your spouse acquire U.S. citizenship? Are you, your parents or your spouse naturalized or native-born U.S. citizens? What is your native tongue? 

Legal: Questioning whether applicant is prevented from lawfully being employed in this country because of visa or immigration requirements is illegal. It is legal to ask an applicant to provide proof of citizenship (passport), visa and alien registration number after hiring. If you are not a U.S. citizen, do you have the legal right to remain permanently in the U.S.? What is your visa status (if no to the previous question)? Are you able to provide proof of employment eligibility

upon hire? Are you authorized to work in the U.S.? What languages do you read, speak or write fluently? (Ability must be relevant to performance of the job). 

12. Subject: National Origin/Ancestry

Illegal: What is your nationality? How did you acquire the ability to speak, read or write a foreign language? How did you acquire familiarity with a foreign country? What language is spoken in your home? What is your mother tongue? 

Legal: What languages do you speak, read or write fluently? This is only legal when the inquiry is based on a job requirement. 

13. Subject: Race or Color  

Illegal: Any question that directly or indirectly relates to a race or color. What is your race? What is your complexion? 

Legal: None

 14. Subject: Religion

 Illegal: Any question that directly or indirectly relates to a religion. What religious holidays do you observe? What is your religious affiliation? 

Legal: Can you work on Saturdays? (Only if it is relevant to the job.)

 15. Subject: Organizations

 Illegal: To what organizations, clubs, societies and lodges do you belong?

Legal: To what professional organizations do you belong which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this work? (Exclude those names that indicate the race, religious creed, color, national origin or ancestry of its members. These inquiries must only relate to the applicant’s professional qualifications.) 

16. Subject: Military

Illegal: The type or condition of military discharge or an applicant’s experience in anything other than the U.S. Armed

Forces. A request for discharge papers is illegal. Were you honorably discharged? In what branch of the Armed Forces did you serve? 

Legal: Inquiries concerning education, training or work experience in the Armed Forces of the United States. What type of training or education did you receive in the military? 

17. Subject: Height & Weight  

Illegal: Any inquiries not based on actual job requirements. How tall are you? How much do you weigh? What color are your eyes and hair? 

Legal: Inquiries about the ability to perform a certain job. Being of a certain weight or height will not be considered a job requirement unless the employer can show that no employee with the ineligible height and weight could do the work. Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight, an essential function of the job? 

18. Subject: Arrests & Convictions  

Illegal: All inquiries relating to arrests. Have you ever been arrested? (Arrests are not the same as convictions. An innocent person can be arrested.) 

Legal: Legal inquiries about convictions. Have you ever been convicted of any crime? If so, when, where and what was the disposition of the case? Have you ever been convicted under criminal law within the past five years (excluding minor traffic violations)? It is permissible to inquire about convictions for acts of dishonesty or breach of trust. These relate to fitness to perform the particular job being applied for.

Cold or Flu? How to Spot the Difference

Though the common cold and seasonal influenza share several symptoms, there are points of differentiation that will help you identify which you may have and seek proper treatment. It is important to tell the difference, as the flu can result in more serious health complications, while the cold likely will not.

Common Cold

Typically, symptoms of the common cold come on gradually, and may start with a sore throat or irritated sinuses. The most common symptoms of a cold are nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose. Symptoms can also include a cough, mild headache and minor body aches. Young children may get a low-grade fever as well, but a fever in older children or adults typically indicates the flu.

People are generally contagious during the first three days they have a cold. Symptoms tend to go away within a week.

Seasonal Flu

Unlike the common cold, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and vigorously, often starting with a high-grade fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. In addition, flu symptoms can include a dry cough, sore throat, and sometimes a runny or stuffy nose.

Symptoms are generally more severe than with a cold. Flu symptoms tend to gradually improve after two to five days, but can last for a week or more. You should stay home for at least 24 after your fever is gone to avoid passing your illness to others.

Prevention

There are strategies that can help you avoid getting sick from either of these conditions. These include frequent hand washing, sanitizing commonly touched surfaces, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you are sick, cough and sneeze into your elbow to prevent spreading germs to others.

Also consider getting a seasonal flu vaccine each year, which is now recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all people over 6 months of age.

Treatment

For the common cold, a doctor visit is usually unnecessary.  Over-the-counter medications can be effective in treating symptoms. For the flu, a doctor may prescribe anti-viral drugs that will help decrease the severity and length of symptoms.

Potentially serious health complications can occur in people suffering from the flu. Call your doctor if you think your symptoms are worsening or if you have a condition such as asthma, diabetes or are pregnant.

Did You Know…?

Whether you have a cold or the flu, there are home remedies that can help you recover sooner. Drinking warm liquids or taking steamy showers can help soothe a sore throat and ease nasal congestion. And make sure to get plenty of rest so your body can focus its energy on fighting off the illness.

Any questions regarding preventing illness, contact your doctor. Any questions regarding your insurance, contact your agent.

Make Healthy Holiday Choices

The holiday season brings thoughts of family, friends, fun and food. However, each year millions of Americans struggle to maintain their waistlines during the holidays while surrounded by tempting treats.

Consider the following healthy tips to enjoy all your holiday parties – while also staying in control of your eating:

• Do not leave the house on an empty stomach – this promotes overeating.
• Make socializing your top priority; conversation will keep you occupied and away from the food table.
• Abstain from or limit your drinking, as alcohol increases hunger and lowers willpower.
• Reduce your portion sizes and stop eating when you feel satisfied rather than stuffed.
• If you are the one hosting a holiday event, use this to your advantage. Substitute high-fat or calorie-laden ingredients with more healthy choices.

Remember… the holidays are no time to abandon your healthy habits or feel pressured to eat and drink more than usual. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, exercise and plan your meals ahead of time.

Any suggestions to avoid overeating this holiday season, contact your physician. Any questions regarding your insurance, contact your agent.

Proper Temporary Wiring

Even though it will only be used for a limited time during a project, temporary wiring needs to be installed correctly. To ensure worker safety, OSHA requires certain practices for dealing with temporary wiring.  Your insurance company requires all employees to follow applicable OSHA standards, and thus, requires you to adhere to the following.

Installation Requirements

When installing temporary wiring, follow these guidelines established by the OSHA standard:

• Wiring systems cannot be installed in ducts used to transport dust, loose stock or flammable vapors. Wiring also cannot be placed in ducts used for vapor removal or for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment.
• Any noncurrent-carrying metal parts that are meant to serve as grounding conductors must be bonded to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current that may be imposed on them.
• Flexible cords or cables (extension cords) cannot be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure. They also cannot be concealed behind walls, ceilings or floors.  

Usage Restrictions

Temporary wiring systems for electrical power and lighting of 600 volts or less may be used as follows:

• During remodeling, maintenance, repair or similar activities to structures or equipment.
• For a period of no more than 90 days for decorative Christmas lighting, carnivals or other similar purposes.
• For experimental or development work.
• During emergencies.  

Inspecting

Since temporary wiring is often more exposed than permanent wiring, it is important to regularly inspect temporary installations to ensure that they are in proper working order. When inspecting temporary wiring ask yourself:

• Is wiring in good condition and firmly secured?
• Is this wiring capable of safely carrying the amount of current that is required?
• Is there a circuit breaker to prevent overload?
• Are all wires grounded properly?
• Do all conductors have the proper insulators?
• Are temporary light fixtures guarded properly?
• Are switches clearly labeled as to what they control and what positions are on and off?  

Removal

All temporary wiring must be removed as soon as the project that requires it is completed.

For more advice on temporary lighting throughout the year and during the holidays, go to your local home improvement store.  For any questions regarding how this affects your home insurance, contact your agent.

‘Tis the Season to Decorate Safely

As the holiday season gets into full swing, many families decorate to spread some cheer and make their homes more festive. While adding holiday decorations to your home can be fun and beautiful, they can also present fire hazards. To keep your home and family safe this holiday season, consider the following decorating tips:

Christmas Tree Tips

•  Cut a two-inch diagonal piece off of the bottom of the trunk of your tree. This will help the tree absorb water.
• Place the tree in a sturdy stand at least three feet away from heat sources such as heating vents and fireplaces.
• Make sure that your tree stand is able to hold water and refill it everyday.
• Only keep a tree in your home for two weeks since it dries out quickly and can become highly flammable.

Lighting and Decorating Suggestions

• Only buy electrical decorations that have a UL rating on the label, which indicates that they have been tested for safe use.
• Follow all installation and usage instructions for lighting decorations to assure that you are not increasing your chance of starting a fire.
• Inspect new and used lights before using them and discard any that have cracks, exposed wires or loose connections. Also replace any bulbs that are missing.
• Do not connect more than three sets of lights to an extension cord at one time.
• Plug outside lighting into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting (GFCI) outlet only, as this will safeguard the outlet from any interaction with water.
• Do not secure outside lights with staples or nails, and avoid placing indoor extension cords under carpeting, rugs and furniture.
• Unplug lighting decorations before going to bed and leaving the house.

If you blow a fuse while decorating, discard the faulty light string or decoration and replace the blown fuse. If the fuse blows again, contact an electrician to investigate the problem further. This might indicate a more serious wiring problem in your home.

To learn more about claims reduction strategies during the holiday season, contact your home insurance agent.

Stick to Your Budget at Holiday Time

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the leading cause of stress during the holiday season derives from money problems. To combat stress, smart shoppers incorporate the gift giving season into their budget each month and buy presents throughout the year. However, if you are like most consumers, you have not planned ahead and may find yourself struggling for cash come January. Don’t despair though – proper budgeting and smart shopping techniques will help you stay within budget while finding something special for everyone on your list.  

Holiday Budgeting Techniques

• Check your shopping list and make sure that everyone you are buying for needs a gift. If you’re budget is tight, buy only for close family and friends.
• Write down a maximum dollar amount that you want to spend for your entire list and then track how much you are actually spending.
• Buy items in bulk so you always have something little on hand for unexpected gifts. Consider a case of wine, candles or chocolates.
  • Be realistic about your purchases and ask yourself the following: Can I really afford this gift? Do I have the cash in my bank account to pay for it? When shopping, leave your credit cards at home. Then, if you do not have the cash to pay for it, you can’t buy the gift.
  • Consider staying home and shopping online. Not only do many retailers waive shipping fees during the holidays, you’ll save money on gas by not having to visit the mall, too.
  • Take advantage of post-holiday sales on gifts for next year.
  • Get a part-time job during the holidays, such as wrapping gifts at the local mall or being part of the Christmas display. This will increase your holiday budget and get you into the spirit.
  • Consider opening a holiday savings account. You can make arrangements for automatic payroll deductions throughout the year to be financially fit when the shopping season hits.

Aside from money problems causing Americans stress during the holidays, the APA found that 61 percent of consumers cite lack of money, pressures of gift giving and credit card debt as major stressors.

Instead of worrying about these money-related problems, get your finances in order and spend time worrying about what color to frost your holiday cookies instead!