In case you’re still wondering how Obamacare is going to affect you, you now have another answer.
You might start seeing Obamacare surcharges on your restaurant checks.
The Executive Editor of CNN Money, Chris Peacock, tweeted a snapshot of one such bill this morning. You can see the surcharge there right at the bottom: $0.20 for “ACA” — a.k.a., the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a., Obamacare.
Twenty cents isn’t exactly exorbitant. But this new practice will no doubt get the anti-Obamacare crowd howling.
Content provided by: http://www.businessinsider.com/restaurant-obamacare-surcharge-2014-2#ixzz2uYGl80Gq
Read more
If you’ve been to our office, chances are. Mary Myrick-Sunkler, CISR, CPIW is a central California coast native. Mary has been in the insurance business since 1988 giving her 26 years of experience. Mary has worked with Scurich Insurance Services for 15 of those years, starting in 1998.
Mary graduated from Monterey High School and went onto graduate from Monterey Peninsula College. Mary is a member of the Insurance Professionals of Monterey Bay which is a local chapter of National Association of Insurance Women.
In Mary’s spare time, she is an avid walker, loves bicycling, gardening, camping and cooking.
Stop by our office to say, “Hi,” to Mary today.
Read more
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%.
Read the entire article here.
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.
Content provided by http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20131218/NEWS08/131219828?tags=%7C338%7C309%7C305%7C87%7C304%7C92
Read more
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.
Read more
Scurich Insurance Services know that there is so many different types of insurance needs that everyone has. Commercial insurance needs are different than personal insurance needs and of course specialties. We also know that running around to different agencies for different needs is inconvenient, that’s why we have such a large array of services that we can provide you with. Look below and see just a few of the insurance needs we can accommodate:
Commercial Insurance
Commercial packages
Business auto
Workers Compensation
Umbrella
Directors & Officers
Professional liability
Employee practices liability
Personal Insurance
Auto
Home
Umbrella
Recreational vehicle
Watercraft
Life & health
Individual medical
Individual life
Group Medical
Group benefits
Read more
Last night there was a storm and some of the tiles came off of your roof. Which conversation would you prefer?
1. “Hi Mary, this is John Smith. Some of the tiles came off my roof last night.”
“Oh I’m sorry Mr. Smith, yes that storm was really something, wasn’t it? We’ll get help to you right away.”
2. “All our representatives are busy with other customers. Your wait time is approximately 20 minutes. Please hold.”
Customers have expressed their greater satisfaction when they have a local agent.
A recent study measured the satisfaction of homeowners when they had to file a claim for damages covered under their homeowner’s policy.
Local agents are known as the “personal insurance industry”. Those who have to go through direct channels – typically online or by calling a call center- are much less satisfied with the results. Satisfaction is 50 points higher among customers who file a claim through their agent than among those who file a claim through “direct channels”
For the industry average, the call center experience fails to deliver the same level of service as an agent. Especially during times of hardship when someone’s house has been destroyed or their valuable possessions have been lost, it’s difficult for a call center representative to replicate the personal relationship customers get with an agent.
California is subject to storms that can happen at any time. Your home is probably your largest investment and surely you would like the best coverage and service for it. Scurich Insurance Services is your local agent. Why not call them today for a free quote and suggestions for what you need. They will be ready to help you when you need it.
Scurich Insurance Services has proudly served the Monterey Bay area since 1924. Scurich will take care of all of your insurance needs. Are you a business owner, did you get a new car or maybe you are looking to protect your family in the event of a tragedy? Give us a call, we can help!
Let Scurich Insurance Services know if you are a Happy Customer!
We are located at:
Scurich Insurance Services
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Website | Facebook | Blog | LinkedIn | Happy Customer
Read more
