Wedding Season Is Fast Approaching

If you or someone you know is going to be involved in a wedding this Spring or Summer, you might want to consider wedding insurance.  Travelers Insurance offers a Wedding Protector Plan which provides coverage in the event that something goes wrong.

What if the reception venue goes out of business a month before the wedding?  Or what if severe weather causes cancellation?  What about having the wedding dress damaged or stolen or having the bride or groom becoming suddenly ill and unable to attend?  These and a variety of other sudden or unexpected occurrences can be covered with insurance that will provide reimbursement for lost deposits or additional expenses.

The average wedding can now cost well above $20,000.  Our access to the Travelers policy can not only provide a bride, groom and their family liability coverage for the event, but also the security in knowing that all is not lost if something does go wrong.

The Travelers and Mars Insurance have you covered.

Safety For Your Home While Traveling

It’s so exciting to go on a vacation, isn't it?  To go on a trip to a new, exotic place.  It’s hard not to be excited, right?  There are so many things to do before you go – pack your bags, check with the airline, make sure the camera is charged….did you pack the sunscreen?  One of the most important steps in preparing for a trip is to make sure that your home is secure while you are away.  There are several easy steps you can take to make sure your home and property are safe in your absence.

First and foremost, make your home look like it’s still occupied!  There are several ways to do this.  This is an easy one especially if you have an animal at home that will need tending while you are gone.  Have a trusted friend or neighbor come by daily (at varying times) to take care of your pets.  If you don’t have a pet at home, have someone come by and bring in your mail.  Having your mail service stopped is a sure sign to a burglar that no one is home.  If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, have someone come by and shovel your walk or mow your grass, water the garden or take out your trash on garbage day.

Most people will use a timer on their interior lights to make it look like they are home.  While this is a good idea, if you set an interior timer to go off at the same time every day, if a would-be burglar is watching your house this will indicate that you are not home.  The trick is to purchase a timer that can be set for varying times of day or if you have the ability, control the lights at home from your cell phone while you are gone – at different times during the day and night.  You also might want to consider installing a motion sensor light inside that way if someone does get into your home they may be fooled into thinking that someone is there after all and change their mind about what they’re doing.

 In addition, DON’T advertise on-line that you are going to be away and for how long!  This is very hard for people to resist.  It’s so tempting to want to tell all of your 300 closest social media friends that you are going on a fabulous trip.  Try to resist uploading vacation photos while you are still away.  I know you think everyone else wants to see the play by play of your vacation but they can wait until you have returned.
Other good rules of thumb are to make sure to have your electronics plugged into a surge protector so that in the event of a power outage your computer and television are not damaged.  Keep your thermostat set between 55 and 80 degrees and have someone run the water for a bit when they come by to check on the house.  This will ward off damage from frozen pipes.   Be sure to take your insurance agents phone number and your insurance policy number with you on your trip.  This way in the event that something does go wrong while you’re away, you will know just who to call.  Bon voyage!

Super Bowl Fun Facts

In gearing up for the Super Bowl, we thought we would share some weird Super Bowl facts to keep you entertained.  On game day, be sure to throw a few of these useless informative facts out there just for fun.

1. On the Monday following the Super Bowl, on average, 6% of the workforce calls in sick to work. While it is often assumed that people are just faking, in reality, quite a few are actually sick – usually from overdoing it with the food, drinks or both.

2. Super Bowl Sunday is the second leading day for food consumption in the U.S., the first being Thanksgiving according to the USDA

3. The sale of antacids goes up by nearly 20% the day after the Super Bowl.

4. Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys was the first defensive player ever named Super Bowl MVP and he was also the first player to be named a Super Bowl MVP from the losing team.

5. The first celebrity to perform at halftime during the Super Bowl was Carol Channing in 1970.
She sang a tribute to the City of New Orleans

6. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are more alcohol related accidents on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year aside from St. Patrick’s Day.

7. It is estimated that 35% of all Super Bowl tickets that are sold are written off as a corporate expense.

8. 72 footballs will be on hand for use during the Super Bowl.

9. The toilet is flushed more times during halftime of the Super Bowl than any other time of the year.

10. The average number of people at any given Super Bowl Party is 17.

11. 1.23 billion Chicken wings fans will be enjoying more than 100 million pounds of chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday according to the National Chicken Council.

12. 9 out of 10 watchers are going to be at a home this Super Bowl, either their house or someone else’s house.  Boy that’s a lot of Super Bowl parties.

13. 11.2 million pounds of potato chips will be consumed during the televising of the big game.  But all those chips come with a price. Those many bags of chips will account for 27 billion calories and 1.8 billion grams of fat. Those grams of fat all add up too – it’s equal to four million pounds of fat nationally.  Information provided by Calorie Control Council and Snack Food Association.

14. 51.7 Million Cases of beer are sold to quench Super Bowl fan’s and help wash down all the food eaten on this day.

15. The first Super Bowl Rings were given to the winning team in the first Super Bowl played in 1967, the winning team……. The Green Bay Packers.

The Good and Bad of Credit Scoring

Most people are aware that one of many underwriting factors used in determining one's actual auto or homeowner insurance rate is credit scoring.  What many do not know is that a good credit score helps to lower your insurance cost.  The Insurance Information Institute, according to a recent article from Safeco Insurance, indicates that upwards of two-thirds of policyholders have a lower premium because of good credit.

The bad side of credit scoring is that the other one-third of policyholders have higher premiums due to their credit history.  The remedy is obviously trying to improve your credit in the future to more favorably affect your insurance premiums.

So, the next time you receive the privacy notice from your insurance company indicating that your credit score has affected your insurance premium, do not think that this is a bad thing.  You are most likely in the two-thirds of those policyholders who are getting better premiums because of good credit.


Frank Zimmerman

Alcohol and Tobacco Risks for Head and Neck Cancer

While tobacco and alcohol use are the main causes of head and
neck cancer, other risk factors include viral infections, sun exposure
and inhalation of carcinogenic materials.

The most common is cigarettes, but chewing tobacco has been gaining popularity, especially among young users. Although users of cigar and pipe tobacco tend not to inhale the carcinogens into their lungs, they are still at risk for lip, mouth, tongue, and throat cancers.


The use of chewing tobacco has tripled over the last 20 years, with a third of the users under age 21. Prolonged use increases the cancer risk five times when compared with a non-tobacco user. When heavy alcohol and tobacco are used together, the combined effect may increase the risk 100-fold. 75 to 80 percent of cancer cases are the result of heavy tobacco or alcohol use.


Risk also increases with age and is more often seen in men than in women. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiency can also make a person more susceptible to these types of cancer. Many believe that good oral hygiene helps prevent head and neck cancers. Genetic factors have been investigated as a cause, though head and neck cancers are not believed to be hereditary.

Information provided by : "Cure" Cancer Updates, Research  & Education

See the contents of the chemicals within a cigarette at http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm.

Life insurance premiums are higher for individuals using tobacco.
On average, the following table depicts how much more this age group will pay for Life Insurance if they use tobacco.

Age 20 - 25% higher premium
Age 30 - 50% higher premium
Age 40 - 100% higher premium
Age 50 - 250% higher premium
Age 60 - 250-500% higher premium
All numbers are approximate

Why Do You Need an Umbrella Policy?

An Umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond the limits of your auto and and homeowner's insurance.  An Umbrella policy kicks-in once you have exhausted the liability coverage under your home or auto policy.  For example; if you have a homeowner's policy with a $300,000 limit of liability and a $1,000,000 umbrella policy, you would have a total of $1.3 million in liability coverage.  Why would you need so much coverage you ask?  Even if your net worth is less than $1,000,000, in the event of a claim resulting in a lawsuit you could be ordered to pay based on your current assets as well as future earnings. An umbrella can also cover your defense costs.

Parents of youthful or inexperienced operators may want to consider purchasing an Umbrella policy.  Have an inexperienced driver in your household can substantially increase your liability exposure.  As a parent and policyholder you can be held liable for injuries or property damages caused by your teenage driver.  It's important to have adequate coverage for a serious accident.

An Umbrella policy can be an inexpensive way to cover your assets.  The cost of an Umbrella policy can vary per risk, however someone who owns one home and two cars might pay an average of $150 for a $1,000,000 Umbrella policy.  Additional limits of $2,000,000 and up are available with most carriers for an additional premium of approximately another $100 per million.  If you break the annual premium down $12.50 per month seems like a small price to pay for an additional $1,000,000 worth of liability coverage.

How Are Your Winter Driving Skills????

Driving during the winter takes specialized skills  in order to stay safe.  While the seasoned driver  may feel as if driving  in the winter months is common sense and second nature, a newer driver may not be aware of what to do to avoid an accident.

Test your knowledge for winter safety........................

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY QUIZ (answers at end)

1.  Hydro-planing is caused by:

     A.  Water spray from other vehicles

     B.  Lack of windshield wiper fluid

     C.  Driving too fast on wet roads

     D.  Icy roads

2.  While water turns to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, ice can form on roadways when the air temperature is above 32 degrees.

     True

     False

3.  The first winter storm of the season is considered by many to be the most dangerous because:

     A.  Many motorists are not prepared for winter weather.

     B.  Emergency crews may not be prepared.

     C.  You may not be accustomed to driving during winter weather conditions yet.

     D.  All of the above.

4.  It is beginning to snow and the roadway is almost snow covered.  Any delay could cause you to miss your appointment.  What should you do?

     A.  Move to the left lane to pass slower traffic.

     B.  Find somewhere safe to park and call ahead to let others know you will be late.  Continue driving  
          cautiously  if it is safe to do so, or stay put until conditions improve.

     C.  Convoy with four-wheel drive trucks that drive fast.

     D.  Take an alternate rout with less traffic to slow you down.

6.  You are at a four-way stop.  The roadway is snow covered and icy.  You have the right of way and proceed into the intersection as a vehicle approaches from the right.  The other driver is unable to stop and hits your vehicle in the intersection.  This accident is:

     A.  Preventable because you failed to anticipate that the other driver may have difficulty stopping.

     B.  Non-preventable because the other driver failed to stop.

     C.  Non-preventable because the other driver did not anticipate ice at the intersection.

7.  Steps to reducing weather-related accidents include:

     A.  Reducing speed

     B.  Increasing following distance

     C.  Turning and braking carefully on slippery roads

     D.  All of the above

8.  Ice forms more readily in the following areas:

     A.  On bridges and overpasses

     B.  Shaded areas

     C.  At intersections

     D.  All of the above

9.  During severe, adverse weather, such as heavy snow, glaring ice, torrential rain. or very strong winds, you should:

     A.  Follow the vehicle in front of you.

     B.  Find a safe place to park and wait for conditions to improve.

     C.  Wait for a police escort.

     D.  Block the roadway to stop traffic.

10.  To increase visibility during adverse weather conditions, you should:

     A.  Flash your headlights.

     B.  Turn your four-way flashers on.

     C.  Turn your headlights on.

     D.  All of the above.



Answers:  1 = C, 2 = B, 3 = T, 4 = D, 5 = B, 6 = A, 7 = D, 8 = D, 9 = B, 10 = C.

Drive cautiously and defensively!!!

Let us know you you did at https://www.facebook.com/MarsInsurance

Wonderful Words to Live by.... A Message from Rob Jost

December 20, 2012, is my parents 65th Wedding Anniversary.
The most important values my parents always stressed to me were my attitude and work ethic. I have always believed that I wasn't the "sharpest knife in the drawer"but I also knew that I had a positive attitude and I liked to work hard.

But this blog is supposed to be about Christmas and include a family recipe. Well here it goes...

I really believe that everyday we walk the earth it is Christmas. We take so much for granted. We are so lucky. Yes, EVERYBODY has issues; family, money, job, and health. But to me that's Life. The old saying goes "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans". My parents had issues, family, money, job, and health. My father lost his dad in 1948 and his mom in 1968. My mother lost her dad in 1951and her mom 30 years next month. Believe everyday is Christmas. Be nice to people EVERYDAY! Smile, EVERYDAY! Laugh, EVERYDAY! I believe Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

This recipe was on the kitchen wall of my wife's parents home. Since we have been married it has always been on our kitchen wall wherever we lived.

4 cups of love Take love and loyalty, mix it thoroughly with faith,

3 cups of forgiveness blend in tenderness, forgiveness and understanding,

6 cups of understanding friendship and hope - Sprinkle abundantly with laughter

2 cups of tenderness - Take it with sunshine.

1 barrel of laughter

2 cups of loyalty Serve Generous Helpings Daily!

4 cups of friendship

5 spoons of hope

6 cups of faith



Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!! Happy 2013

Rob Jost
Mars Insurance Agency Inc

A Special Gift from Santa - Jim Klocek's Walk Down Memory Lane

When everyone in the agency decided to share a part of Christmas on this blog, it took some time for me to think of what I should share. But as time passed, I had to think of my favorite Christmas present ever, and then it came to me.

When I was 2 years old I received a new rocking horse from Santa, which I still have today. That horse and I spent years watching Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, The Lone Ranger and The Cisco Kid on our 10" Black & White TV. How times have changed, but I still cherish this present.

Now that I have grandkids, they enjoy a ride on my trusty old steed. Not bad for a 63 year old nag!

Hey Cisco; Hey Pancho and a Hi Ho Silver....Now I watch ME TV to see all the reruns I enjoyed as a boy.



Growing up in a Polish family, I have carried out the traditional baking of my family. This bread is made every Christmas and every Easter. I hope you enjoy.

Babka

(Polish Bread)



3 cups scalded milk


1 cup shortening
3 cups sugar         
2 tsp salt

combine the above 3 ingredients and melt by adding the scalded milk while it is still hot


  6 large eggs well beaten

1 ½ cakes of yeast or 4 packages dissolved in 1 cup warm water ( add a little sugar )



12 cups of flour

2-3 cups of raisins



Combine all ingredients after yeast has doubled. Knead the dough well until smooth. Place in 5-6 bread pans (greased) filled about half way and let rise.

Bake in oven about 1 hour at 350 until starts to brown, brush top with egg or butter and let brown the last 5 minutes.


Great plain or toasted, with butter and makes awesome French Toast.

Have a Merry Christmas Jim Klocek

The Little Christmas Cabin - Julie Shoffner

The Little Christmas Cabin


I have always considered myself a creative soul so it’s not surprising that most of my favorite holiday memories revolve around the act of making something either with someone or for someone. Whether I’m preparing a meal, baking cookies or making ornaments I have always enjoyed creating something unique and special for the people I love. Now that I am a parent I especially enjoy making things with my seven year old son. Aside from the usual cookies and candies we make, we have a special project that we work on every year for my husband. Many years ago my husband’s grandfather crafted a small log cabin that he placed under the family Christmas tree. When my husband was a little boy his mother started adding some additional details to the little Christmas cabin. A light was added on the inside as well as some little chairs and a tiny table. She even added a tiny flower painting on the wall. My mother-in-law has since passed on and my husband has inherited the little Christmas cabin. Now every year my son and I add a little something to it to make it more like a cozy little home. One year we added a Christmas tree inside. Last year we added a reindeer and some bears outside. This year my son added six little Christmas carolers. If you look close enough at the photo below you can see two tiny carolers singing by the tree. Maybe next year there will be a turkey dinner on the table too.

Another project my son and I do each year once the weather is below freezing is to make Ice Lanterns. A easy way to make your home look warm and cozy on a cold winter night. This is espcially pretty when there is snow on the ground or when you are hosting a holiday party.

How to Make An Ice Lantern:

You will need a large bucket, a plastic container smaller than the bucket (a coffee can works well), duct tape and a tea light or flamless candle.

1-fill the bucket 3/4 full of water. (if you want to get fancy you can add a bit of food coloring to the water)

2-place the smaller container inside the bucker of water but don't let it fill up with water.

3-place some rocks inside the smaller container to weigh it down so it sits about half way down into the water in the bucket but not all the way to the bottom.

4-place a strip of duct tape across the top of the large bucket so it holds down the smaller container in the water. Set aside until frozen solid.

5-run warm water over the outside of the large bucket to remove the ice from the bucket. Run some warm water inside the small container to loosen and remove it. This leaves an indentation in the lantern into which you can place the candle.

You can make several of these to line your front stairs, sidewalk or driveway!

Have a wonderful Holiday.

Julie Shoffner

A Frank Zimmerman Christmas

As I look back on our favorite holiday memories, my wife and our 2 daughters have kept the same tradition with their grandparents (my wife's parents) ever since they were very young.  Every Christmas eve we get together for soup and salad - we always have 2 soups - but one has to be chicken broth with meat filled tortellini for Grandpa Love.  Then we all attend evening worship service at our church with the highlight always his rendition of "Silent Night."  Christmas morning is the opening of presents.  This is not just a brief event - but a one at a time opening - starting with stuffed stockings from over the fireplace, and then opening presents.  Grandpa's comments are always the favorite "oh is that ever neat!"  For several years we even video taped the opening of presents until video went out of style.

This year will be bittersweet as grandpa passed away this past September.  Both girls will be home for Christmas eve and Christmas day, so we will continue the tradition with Grandma Love - but it will not be quite the same without Grandpa.  Maybe we will break out one of the videos or listen to a lasting treasure we have - a CD that our daughter recorded a few years ago of Grandpa singing many of his favorite songs, including "Silent Night."  But life goes on, and we will start new traditions as we anxiously await the birth of our first grandchild - a baby girl due in late April!

In closing, below is our favorite holiday recipe from my mother (deceased 10 yrs ago) for a Scotch Short Bread (recipe handed down through her descendants from Scotland.)

1 1/4 lb flour (4 cups)
1 lb butter   
8 oz sugar (1 cup)

Cream the sugar & butter together.  Gradually add the flour.  Press lightly into pan.  Prick with fork as for pie crust.  Bake in low oven = 300 for about 1 1/2 hours.  Cut into pieces while hot.  Cool and remove from pan.

Happy Holidays!
Frank Zimmerman, Agent 

Kathi DePolis - Christmas Memories

Is there a more beautiful memory than one of a child remembering Christmas?  I think not.

From the time I was a small child, every year my sister and I would receive a Christmas ornament for St. Nicholas day which is celebrated on December 6^th.  (read about St Nicholas around the world).  Since my father’s ancestors came from Bohemia, we celebrated it as  Svatý Mikuláš

The ornaments were usually a small character.   The purpose of these ornaments was so that when we moved out on our own and had our own family, we would have enough ornaments to dress the tree.  Yet it was such a waste to keep these ornaments for years and never enjoy them.  Little ones do not understand the concept of keeping a treasure for the future; they wish to enjoy their treasure now.  Therefore, once we had collected quite a few characters, my mother, being the very creative person that she was and continues to be, would create a Christmas scene as part of our holiday decorations.  This scene became a fantasy land for a small child.

Because my sister and I loved this so much, even once we were too old to celebrate St. Nicholas day, the ornament collecting continued to grow and so did the expansion of our little fantasy village.  My mother would embellish with bottle brush trees filled with glitter and tiny ornaments, faux snow, little animals, angel hair, colorful lights and more glitter.

Every year we looked forward to being able to set up this village which extended along the ledge in our basement/family room from one end of the room to the other.   While dad would bring boxes and boxes of Christmas décor down from the attic, mom would be busy making peppermint punch for us to enjoy as we set up all of our exquisite Christmas decorations.

Now you may be curious as to what peppermint punch is.  My mother would warm milk in a saucepan, crush candy canes and melt them into the milk, add a bit of vanilla and serve in a cup with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some more crushed candy canes sprinkled on top.  This was the only time of year mom would ever make this tasty treat. What a delicious memory it is and one that I have continued with my children throughout the years.

As we sipped on our punch, we adorned the house with beautiful décor to make Santa and visitors proud.  Our little village came to life as we went along.  Once complete, I would sit for hours in the dark with just the lights of the village and imagine that I was exploring this little wintery town.

I hope you have such fond memories of a tradition within your family.  Perhaps you will enjoy incorporating the peppermint punch recipe into your family tradition.

These are my children from a few years back, Stephen, Adria and Olya.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from my house to yours.

Spring Property Maintenance Tips

Spring thunderstorm season is already here, but it’s not too late to prepare.  Each year, properties are damaged by thousands of thunderstorms, with the most sever occurring storms during the spring and fall.  These storms can produce damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. 

You may have noticed increases in insurance costs on your home coverage recently.  Over the past few years, increased storm activities have accounted for these increased costs.  Insurance carriers pay out millions in property losses every year resulting in higher costs for insureds.

Falling trees and limbs cause millions of dollars in damage alone each year by damaging homes and cars and downing power lines.  Windstorms are the leading cause of such damage and injury.

Homeowners represent the first line of defense but often times, neglect taking their surroundings into consideration when trying to protect or prepare their property from storms.  It is important to regularly examine trees and check for damage or other troubling signs.  Good pruning can prevent many problems, but over pruning can weaken a tree.

Some potential problems are easy to spot.  These include:

•                 Cracks in the trunk or major limbs
•                 Hollow and decayed trees
•                 Branches hanging over the house near the roof
•                 Trees that look one-sided or lean significantly
•                 Limbs in contact with power lines
•                 Mushrooms growing from the bark, indicating decayed or weakened stem
•                 V-shaped forks rather than U-shaped ones.  V-shaped are more likely to split
•                 Crossing branches that rub or interfere with one another

Good pruning can help to prevent many problems. Remove diseased, damaged or dead plant parts helps to limit the spread of harmful insects and disease as well as reduce the possibility of future storm damage.  Always check local tree regulations prior to pruning.

If it is time for a new roof, replace your old roof coverage with new asphalt shingles making sure they have a Class 4 rating under Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) 2218 standard.  A class 4 rating tells you a sample of the product did not crack when hit twice in the same area by a two-inch steel ball. 

What does this mean?  This means added protection when Hailstorms hit.

When a hailstorm strikes, if you are indoors, stay there.  Because large pieces of hail can shatter windows, close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent the wind from blowing broken glass inside.  Stay away from skylights and doors.

If you are outside, move immediately to a place of shelter.

Be sure to check the exterior of your home for loose siding, gutters and roof shingles.  Be sure to repair to avoid additional damage in the future.  It is always recommended to have a contractor review and make the necessary repairs to be sure they are properly corrected.

For additional repair and safety information, review the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety at www.disastersafety.org.

OH DEER! BEWARE!!!

The annual cost of deer-vehicle collisions in the United States is almost $4 billion. A 2010 study by State Farm Insurance and Fortune magazine predicted there would be 1.1 million such crashes before 2010 ended.

Though the mating season from October to December brings the most crashed, Bambi and his pals are crossing the roads throughout the year.

Pennsylvania had the highest number of crashes last year at 102,165, followed by Michigan with 101,174. Among the 35 states where at least 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur per year, New Jersey and Nebraska posted the largest increase, 54 percent. In all the states, crashes increased by more than a third from the previous year.

Some drivers avoid roads through forests and areas of heavy brush where deer can appear suddenly. Others drive at a reduced speed to give them more time to stop and the deer more time to cross.

 

At night, using high-beam headlights allows the driver more time to spot a deer.

Be aware of deer crossing signs and believe them. Deer generally use the same routes each day to find water, food and their resting places. They are most active from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Deer travel in groups so when you see one deer, there could be several others coming behind it.

Brake, don’t swerve. Swerving to avoid a deer can cause a more serious crash, such as into an oncoming car in another lane, or swerving off the roadway and into a tree or a utility pole. The goal is to maintain control of the vehicle

Information provided by our friends at Standard Mutual

For more information visit http://www.marsinsurance.com/

Illinois Contractors who Utilize Subcontractors

Did you know that if you have Workers’ Compensation in Illinois and you use subcontractors in your business you may be liable for uninsured subcontractors? Without VALID Workers’ Compensation certificates of insurance for your subcontractors you may be charged an additional premium and could be liable for injury and or death of your subcontractors and/or their employees.

 

Your subcontractors provide you with a certificate of insurance as evidence of Workers’ Compensation coverage. The certificate of insurance lists the Workers’ Compensation carrier, policy number and policy term. The subcontractor working for you is shown as the “Insured”, and your company as “Certificate Holder”. However, a certificate of insurance does not guarantee that coverage is valid and in force when the subcontractor is working for you.

 

Why do you need to know if a Certificate of Insurance is valid?

 

• You need to know this because if one of your subcontractor’s policies cancels you may be charged additional premium during the period the subcontractor was uninsured.

 

• As the primary contractor you may not always be notified of a subcontractor’s policy cancellation, which would then make you liable for providing Workers’ Compensation insurance for these uninsured subcontractors and premiums will be assessed to you.

 

• Just because you are a certificate holder does not guarantee that workers compensation coverage is valid for the subcontractor or that you will be notified of cancellation.

 

The Illinois Workers Compensation Commission provides an Employer Insurance Coverage Search on their website. The Employer Insurance Coverage Search web page provides information for 1) employers that have bought a workers compensation insurance policy (based on the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) database); and 2) employers (parent companies and their subsidiaries) that have obtained IWCC approval to self-insure.

 

The database does not include Illinois employers that are in self-insurance pools, which are regulated by the Illinois Division of Insurance.

 

         

 Go to: http://www.iwcc.il.gov/coverage.htm

• Click search for an employer’s insurance coverage
• Enter requested information for employer’s coverage in question
• When asked for Coverage/Injury/Illness Date, input date of your coverage inquiry

 

 

 

If you find coverage was cancelled or not in effect, please follow up with your subcontractor immediately as you may be liable for the uninsured exposure.

 

Remember, you as the primary contractor are liable for providing workers compensation insurance for uninsured subcontractors.

 

Boating Safety Tips

Have a safe boating season by following these tips:

•Take a boating safety course offered by your state DNR, Law Enforcement, or U.S. Coast Guard agencies.
•Make sure your boat is in top operating condition and that there are no tripping hazards.
•The boat should be free of fire hazards and have a clean bilge.
•Have safety equipment that is required by law on board at all times and maintained in good condition, also be sure to know how to use it.
•File a float plan with a relative or friend, or at the very least, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
•Have complete knowledge of the operation and handling of your boat.
•Know your position and where you are heading.
•Maintain a safe speed at all times to avoid collision.
•Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions.
•Know and obey federal and state regulations and waterway markers.
•Maintain a clear, unobstructed view forward at all times. “Scan” the water back and forth; avoid “tunnel” vision. Most boating collisions are caused by inattention.

Remember to always practice safety while operating any vessel or vehicle.
Also remember to have the proper insurance in place. No one ever plans to have a loss, but they do happen. Keep peace of mind by having your boat coverage in place.
Let Mars Insurance help you with your personal insurance.