Posted by Sharon Little on May 11, 2012
Wouldn’t you agree there is good and bad uses for mud; mud masks, mud baths, mud fights, mud pies if you are a kid or a parent receiving one from a kid. Probably my favorite use for mud is in a big ole mud puddle with a dirt bike or a Jeep and all my friends around to take pictures of the splash!
The worst kind of mud I can think of is mud residue. This is the yucky stuff left behind on your carpet, tile and hardwood floors when the flood waters recede. As we talk about...
Posted by mtardif on May 11, 2012
Today’s update focuses on the Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee (CERF) mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The annual fee will be due for plan years ending after October 1, 2012. The annual fee for 2012 will be $1 per covered life including retirees and dependents. (For example, if your plan covers 200 employees plus 150 dependents and retirees the fee for 2012 will be $350 for the 2012 plan year.)
The CERF will be used to...
Posted by Sharon Little on May 3, 2012
Is your business ready when disaster strikes?
Severe weather in 2011 resulted in a U.S. record 14 billion-dollar disasters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Meanwhile, natural disasters accounted for more than $107 billion in insured losses globally, while the catastrophic disasters resulted in more than $434 billion in economic losses, according to an annual report by Aon Benfield.
Severe weather can be particularly disastrous for businesses. In...
Posted by mtardif on Apr 27, 2012
Today’s update focuses on the final regulations for Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Notice of Material Modifications required under health care reform. The final regulations were issued in February 2012 followed by a FAQ in March 2012.
The attached overview has been updated from the version provided to you last year. Please note, the requirement to provide the four-page Summary of Benefits and Coverage goes into effect for the first open enrollment and plan year...
Posted by Sharon Little on Apr 26, 2012
Have you ever wondered what the coinsurance clause on your policy means?
According to the independent Insurance Agents of America, most homeowners insurance policies include a "coinsurance" clause, determining what percentage of the value of your property must be insured in order to be fully reimbursed for a loss.
If you insure your home for less than that amount your insurance company imposes a "coinsurance penalty" once a claim is filed....
Posted by Sharon Little on Apr 17, 2012
April is…. spring showers that bring May flowers, April is Autism Awareness, Stress Awareness and Donate Life Awareness month. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill along with spring cleaning and preparing the garden for the summer produce. As busy as we are in April and really every month of the year we should also remember to slow down a bit. Not everything is as urgent as it may seem, consider cell phones for a minute.
Is it really necessary to be...
Posted by Sharon Little on Apr 6, 2012
Boats, yachts, row boats and kayaks all provide hours and hours of fun and relaxation with family and friends. However if we don't take care of our waterways our boating season could be short lived and miserable. It is important that, when out on your boat or personal watercraft, be environmentally conscious and respect nature.
Follow these five guidelines to do your part to keep water clean.
Boating Guideline 1: Keep your engine tuned up and seals, gaskets...
Posted by mtardif on Apr 4, 2012
Today’s update addresses the requirement for reporting employee health insurance costs or premiums on W-2 Forms. The IRS issued a notice in January further defining this requirement. Attached is a brief overview of the requirements. /sites/default/files/blog-content/u6/W-2%20Compliance%20Instruction%20-%20March%202012.pdf Please note, this document varies significantly from the one issued by our office in November 2011.
The requirement still applies...
Posted by Sharon Little on Apr 2, 2012
Spring is always a time that we naturally want to get outside more and mingle among the leaves and sticks that fell and accumulated all winter long. Clean up is almost enjoyable when you find yourself blessed with a beautiful blue sky and warm breeze. Take advantage of those days with the following Honey Do List of sorts. Maybe break up the list and save those indoor spring chores for another day!
Have your air conditioning system...
Posted by Sharon Little on Mar 23, 2012
Did you ever stop to think about the specific wording of your automobile insurance policy and how it pertains to your households needs on an ongoing, ever changing basis? Do you think that it could be a once and done type of project? Could it possibly be a one size fits all purchase?
Your life changes and your needs change along with it. What was a great coverage package for you at 20 years old isn’t always so great for you in your 30’s when you’ve...
