As seen in: Property Casualty 360 4/25/2012 By Melissa Hillebrand
There is a federal insurance program in place that insurance agents use that specialize in Agriculture Insurance. Throughout the years this insurance program has gone through many different changes like cut backs like a lot of other programs are going though as well. The Federal Crop Insurance Program’s (FCIP) current bill with the Congress expired this September and that may mean even more cut backs for the program. Originally when the program was created during the depression era to help those farmers recover from the damages that occurred from the Dust Bowl.
The 2012 farm bill that is before congress would take the place of the current legislation that was passed back in 2008. The legislation that was passed in 2008 made it so that there was a reduction in the appropriation that is given to insurers that sale and serve crop insurance policies and the administrative fees for coverage with the policies are increased for farmers. The National Association of Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Office Employees (NASCOE) wants Congress to replace the private insurance agents with federal government employees (FSA), although there is much debate over where or not federal employees or private insurance agents should be the ones that handle the policies.
Although there is a significant amount of fear surrounding the Obama administration proposed plan to decrease the amount of subsidies to the industry by $8 billion over the course of 10 years, a reduction of ROI for crop insurers to 12% and having a reduction in producer-premium subsidies and how these changes will in turn affect farmers.
Contact Scurich Insurance Services today about any questions regarding Agriculture Insurance or your Agriculture Insurance Policy today!
Content was first stated by: http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2012/04/25/from-acorns-to-zucchini
Scurich Insurance Services did not create this content.
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CSPs gain certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, which is commonly referred to as the BCSP. The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies are responsible for accrediting Certified Safety Professionals in the United States. The ISO/IEC is responsible for international accreditation. To become a CSP, an individual must have a bachelor’s degree in any field or an associate’s degree in health and safety. They must also satisfy the following requirements:
- Pass the Comprehensive Practice and Safety Fundamentals exams.
- Provide the BCSP with proof of maintaining competency by re-certifying every five years.
- Have at least four years of professional safety experience.
Why Companies Should Hire CSPs. Companies that hire CSPs enjoy an enhanced reputation. CSP certification is one of the most coveted credentials in the United States today. Having an individual who is certified in environmental positions, health and safety is an asset. Employers in many fields seek these professionals. They work with not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses, various industries and consulting firms. In addition to this, many lawyers have started using CSPs as expert witnesses in trials where expert testimonies in health and safety are required. They have been involved in cases with OSHA citations, Workers Compensation, injury lawsuits and several other types of court proceedings. Many government and private agencies require CSPs in their contracts for assurance of experience and knowledge.
Employer Benefits of Hiring a CSP. Employers enjoy many benefits from hiring a CSP. The following are some of the most desirable advantages:
- The company name is associated with a prestigious global certification.
- An individual is identified as a source of expertise by extensive examination.
- Company relations with environmental, health and safety communities are improved.
- Enhances company reputation by keeping an individual certified in safety, health and environmental positions on staff.
- Establishes an examination basis for assessment of employee competency.
- Offers easy access to current information on applicable laws, regulations, consensus standards and licenses.
- Demonstration to other parties that certificate holders have been tested and deemed competent under the highest standards.
- Recognition of the highest level of professionalism in certified health, safety and environmental executives.
- Standards of practice for certification maintenance exemplify enhanced professional credibility.
EPA and OSHA standards show recognition of CSP certification in regulations, standards and laws. Many local and state government contracts require CSP services. These professionals continue to grow in value through government, public and employer recognition. They also continue growing in value because of the national accreditation benefit and the high standards they must abide by.
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“I have had Scurich Insurance cover my home, vehicles, trailer and boat for many years I can’t remember who I had last. I haven’t spent any time shopping around because due to previous experience I have been well taken care of after many incidents in my life that required assistance, attention and insurance coverage. To me that is worth any money that I might save by leaving for a less expensive company. Thank you.” Stacey T. Truckee, CA
“My family has been with Scurich for two generations, and they meet all our needs. They ate practical and reliable!” Brian M. Claremont, CA
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Born in Watsonville Tony has been in the insurance business since 1981 and with Scurich Insurance since 1983. Tony is married with 3 children, graduated from Watsonville High in 1977 and Santa Clara University in 1981. His current activities include running at Rio Del Mar Beach & West Cliff Drive, biking, cooking/BBQing, reading biographies and eating breakfast burritos at Pixie Deli. Past and present community activities include board member of St Francis High School, Pajaro Valley Historical Association, YMCA (board member and youth basketball coach), Boy Scouts of America and, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce (board chair in 2004).
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
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Business owners know an injury to an employee or severe property damage destroys productivity; so all losses should be avoided or reduced. So why do insurance loss control representatives visits and the ensuing safety recommendations bother business owners so frequently? Is it a nuisance? Is it the money to implement loss control strategies? Insurance companies understand that the frequency of claims, that is the number of claims, predicts risk levels much more accurately than does the severity of claims.
Insurance company recommendations tend to reduce the frequency of claims. In the long run, reduced frequency leads to better experience and greater discounts. Selfishly, you should implement loss control recommendations that lead to lower costs.
For small business, as defined as those that cannot afford an in-house full time safety officer, the insurance company loss control representative acts in that capacity to review the overall loss control picture. Use this service to your advantage. The insurance company wants to reduce risk as much as you do. Of course, the company is less concerned about the budget to do so when you’re fulfilling their recommendations. So, what can you do about costly compliance measures? Ask the loss control representative for help. These professionals are in the field all the time and see many solutions to the same problems. They will have some cost effective ideas.
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
eMail:[email protected]
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Worker stress levels have increased within the past few years as the economic downturn has led to layoffs, heavier workloads, a higher percentage of workers taking second jobs to make ends meet, and declining household incomes, due to family members’ lost wages.
In a recent “Stress in the Workplace” survey by Buck Consultants (www.buckconsultants.com), more than four in five participants (82%) reported that employee stress has a significant or moderate impact on their company’s healthcare costs. A large majority of respondents also said that stress has had a significant or moderate impact on absenteeism (79%) and on workplace safety (77%).
In response to rising employee stress levels, many employers are taking steps to help their workers manage stress. According to the Buck Consultants survey, 66% of participants have implemented four or more programs to reduce on-the-job stress, while 22% have at least eight programs in place.
The survey listed these Top 10 stress-reduction strategies:
- Employee assistance programs (78%)
- Flexible work schedules (63%)
- Work/life balance support programs (46%)
- Leadership training on worker stress (45%)
- Online healthy lifestyle programs (45%)
- On-site fitness centers (43%)
- Physical activity programs (38%)
- Stress awareness campaigns (35%)
- Financial management classes (32%)
- Personal health/lifestyle management coaching (29%)
- The more effective these programs, the lower the stress on your workers – which adds up to higher productivity and a healthier return on investment.
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