Pricing for workers compensation insurance continued to harden in California during the first half of 2013, according to a report published Wednesday by SNL Financial L.C.
California’s 10 largest workers compensation insurers by premium volume, which account for roughly 60% of the state’s marketplace, increased their rates an average of 4.3% during the first half of the year, based on filings for new business effective between Jan. 1 and July 1, according to SNL Financial’s report.
Excluding a 7% decrease filed in March by the State Compensation Insurance Fund, which is the state’s largest workers comp insurer, the average rate increase among California’s market leaders through July 1 was 5.9%. Within that group, the largest rate increases belonged to American International Group Inc. and Liberty Mutual Holding Co. Inc., which submitted rate hikes of 10.0% and 10.9%, respectively.
Statewide, rates for new workers compensation accounts were at their highest in February, when insurers in California filed average rate increases of 9.8% on $1.1 billion in premiums written, according to SNL Financial’s report.
At least 20 insurers in California included in SNL Financial’s analysis filed rate increases of 15% or more for new business in the first half of the year. Seven firms — including units of Liberty Mutual, CNA Financial Corp. and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. — filed rate increases of 20% or more, while units of Hanover Insurance Group Inc. and American Financial Group Inc. filed rate increases in excess of 30%.
Few decreased rates
Only a handful of companies included in SNL Financial’s analysis reported rate decreases in the first half of 2013. Among them was Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, Church Mutual Insurance Co. and units of Nationwide and Utica National Insurance Group.
California’s workers comp market has been particularly bothersome for Tower Group International Ltd., SNL Financial said in the report.
Tower Group cited market conditions in California, where roughly 44% of the company’s workers compensation premiums are written, as one key driver behind the $326.7 million reserve charge it reported in its second-quarter earnings statement. Several of the company’s operating units in March were granted rate hikes of 6.2% for new business in California, and one unit — Preserver Insurance Co. — filed a rate increase of 17.1%.
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Contact Scurich Insurance Services today at 831-722-3541 to find out how we can assist you with all of your business insurance needs including workers compensation.
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This weekend we will crown the 2013 AFC and NCF champions and then the two teams will go head to head on February 2nd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to become the coveted 2013 Superbowl Champions.
The Showdown for the NFC: 49ers v. Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
Once again we find the 49ers back in the running to the NFC championship and quite possibly the Superbowl. Jim Harbaugh joined the 49ers in 2011 after winning the Orange Bowl. That year was an anticipated rebuilding year with not much expected. However, Jim brought the 49ers to a 13-3 season winning the NFC West division. In the 2012 season, Jim took a chance and replaced starter Alex Smith with the backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick proved to be a more powerful asset as a starter than as a backup. The 49ers won the NFC championship and went on to the Superbowl.
Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll has developed the Seahawks into a formidable football machine. Pete joined the Seahawks in 2010 coming from the head coaching job at USC. Pete also took the reigns of becoming the Seahawks executive vice president of football operations at the same time. In the first year of Carroll’s leadership, the Seahawks struggled, however still managing to become the first 7-9 team to win the division title by beating the Rams. In 2011, the Seahawks had the same 7-9 stats but lost to division rival, 49ers and did not make it into the playoffs. In 2012, the Seahawks’s turned things around with a 11-5 record in the regular season. Seattle lost to the Falcons in the 2012 playoffs.
The Showdown for the AFC: Broncos v. Patriots
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos started this season with a 9-0 record. Peyton Manning is playing his best this year coming after 4 neck surgeries and having to relearn how to throw the ball. The Broncos this year are 13-3 in the regular season. With great ease in the first three quarters in the game against the Chargers, they seemed to have the game in the bag. The Chargers came back, but the Broncos held on tight to win the game. Manning brought the Broncos to the playoffs in 2012, however lost to the Baltimore Ravens in double overtime.
New England Patriots
Tom Brady and the Pats are no stranger to the playoffs. The Pats have been in the playoffs every year since 2009 and winning the AFC in 2011. Being 12-4 in the regular season, the Pats have been a formidable force in the AFC. The Pats won by a field goal when the Broncos met them at Gillette Stadium in November. This time the Pats are heading to Mile High Stadium where the Broncos have home field advantage.
Bottom Line
Any rivalry game is going to be an exciting game. These two are no exception. Carroll vs. Harbaugh and Manning vs. Brady.
The NFC championship game will be marked with a formidable rivalry that will prove to be an exciting game. The Seahawks will have home advantage but will that be enough to beat the 49ers who have beaten the Seahawks in the regular season?
The Pats narrowly won the game against the Broncos in the regular season and with home field advantage. Manning is playing his best, and he is ready to win. One thing is for sure, both teams are eager for another shot at the Superbowl.
To top it off both home team stadiums have limited ticket sales to the surrounding areas. Sorry, 49er and Patriots fans, you’ll have to cheer your team on from your home.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.” Abraham Lincoln
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Identity theft is moving a lighting speed. Credit scores get destroyed, bank accounts and investments get heisted, and people’s lives are ruined. And it’s so swift, it’s practically unnoticeable until you get to the bank.
Unfortunately, you may be giving the thieves everything they need to take everything you have. Here are a few tips that you can start doing today to protect yourself from identity theft.
- Log off all public computers. Using the public library’s computer is a good tool if you don’t have your own computer. But be cautious while you are using it. Make sure you log off from all of your programs and applications. Staying logged in may give the person who uses the computer after you, all the information they need.
- Change your passwords. Don’t write your passwords out for everyone to see. Keep your passwords in a safe location that only you know of. Every so often, change out your passwords. Hackers can get your information if you have a weak or the same password for everything.
- You fall for phishing scams. Phishing scams are commonly seen in your email. You receive a notification from your bank telling you that you have a problem with your account, and they need you to sign in. Don’t fall for it! Those are scams trying to get your information. You may also find emails that say you’re entitled to a large sum of money when some unknown relative in a distant country died and left you all of their fortune. If you don’t know this unknown relative, chances are they never existed, along with this large inheritance.
- Get that paper shredder out. Don’t just throw out papers with your personal information on it. Shred them.
- Shop on secured sites. Make sure when you do your online shopping the address starts with https://. Make sure your anti-virus program is up to date.
- Don’t give out information over the phone. If you get an unsolicited call from your bank or credit card company chances are, they are scammers.
- Hold on to your belongings. Keep your bag and your phone with you at all times. It may seem like a quick trip to the store and, “Why not? I’ll be out in a jiffy.” Problem is, it takes just a jiffy for thieves to break into your car and grab your belongings. It’s not worth it.
- Don’t text confidential information. Your phone can easily be hacked by hackers. Keep your confidential information off the phone.
- Don’t store your personal information on your computer. If your computer gets stolen, so does all of that information.
- Public WiFi. Don’t use public WiFi to do transactions. It’s never a good idea, your information is out there and ready for others to grab a hold of.
Keep your personal information safe and out of the hackers grasp.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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December’s Mega Millions Jackpot reached $636million by the time two winning lottery tickets were sold. One was sold in Georgia and the winner came forward right away.
The second winner has finally emerged.
Steven Tran had watched as winners were announced. Steven thought to himself, “must be a lucky man.” Little did he know he was the lucky man.
Steven had purchased tickets at Jennifer’s Gift Shop. The owner of the gift shop will receive $1 million.
Steven has since retired and plans on taking a long vacation after claiming the lump sum of $173 million before taxes.
Congratulations to Steven Tran and your family!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing & http://www.calottery.com/Media/Press-Releases/Press-Release?Item=%7B124F8F5E-5A23-484C-803F-85CCC827E2FB%7D
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Seven principles lay the foundation for effective wellness. The principles are think, breathe, drink, eat, sleep, exercise, detox and environmental. Within these principles are the keys to a well-balanced wellness program. Here are just ten tips to get you started.
- Pay attention to your thoughts. It’s real easy to get caught up in the negativity with this world today. Don’t let that happen to you. Stay positive. Positive thoughts include gratitude, forgiveness, courage, happiness and there’s so much more I haven’t even touched on.
- Learn to breathe. Breathing exercises have been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, heart rate, circulation, digestion and many more!
- Drink lots of water. Water helps maintain the body’s fluid levels, helps control calories, energizes muscles, water helps your skin maintain a good look and many more! Water is essential to your overall healthy lifestyle.
- Get in touch with your spiritual side. Pray, meditate, and go for a walk in the labyrinth.
- Eat organically. Fresh fruit, vegetables, little starch and carbohydrates. Blueberries, beans, broccoli, oats, oranges, salmon, pumpkin, soy, spinach, tomatoes, turkey, walnuts, tea (green and black) and yogurt are just a few of the super foods. Olive oil is another favorite of mine. I use it exclusively for everything.
- Get plenty of sleep. Sleep helps improve your memory, sleep can help you live longer, spurs creativity, sharpens attention span and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
- Get out and move. Yoga is great for stretching the tired muscles, going for a brisk walk benefits your heart, running helps your relieve stress and even can eliminate depression, do a high impact cardio workout. Twenty minutes a day three days a week and you’ll be seeing a change in yourself.
- Get rid of all the junk. Throw out the processed macaroni and chesses boxes, pass by McDonald’s and see how differently your body will react. It’s a known fact that the fast and processed foods that we eat everyday drag us down. Get rid of it and feel more energized.
- Get away from it all. Go up the mountains and surround yourself with peace or go to the beach and soak up the sun. The concrete jungle is not going to cut it. Make a monthly effort to get away from it, even if it’s for a nice long day hike.
- Have fun. Anything and everything that you do, make sure that you have fun doing it.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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Pricing for workers compensation insurance continued to harden in California during the first half of 2013, according to a report published Wednesday by SNL Financial L.C.
