R&R Insurance Blog

Even without owned assets in a political hotspot a company dependent on the movement of goods through the region faces exposure to risk caused by unfolding political events.

The Suez Canal and the Straits of Hormuz are main arteries of world trade. If they close many supply chains will be disrupted.

For example, in November 2004 one vessel blocked the Suez Canal for three days delaying 140 vessels.

Sanctions can also have an impact - for example an imposition of sanctions on the Ivory Coast is having a huge impact on cocoa supply chains.

Non-physical damage business interruption/trade disruption insurance are proven claims paying policies that can protect your client's revenues, extra expenses and contractual penalties in situations beyond their control.

For more informayion contact the knowledgebrokers

In recent years North American companies have been increasing their trade with the Middle East and North Africa. In the business mix will be service contracts, sales of goods and product purchasing. All of these are threatened by political turmoil.

It is possible to purchase contract frustration and/or trade credit insurance to protect balance sheets and cash-flow.

For more information contact the knowledgbrokers

At times of political uncertainty long term policies without cancellation provisions begin to demonstrate their value. Political risks underwriters have paid many hundreds of millions of dollars in claims following changes in government.

Causes can vary from seizure of fixed assets such as refineries, mobile assets like satellite equipment through to consumable goods that sustain warring factions. In one such claim it was fish for the rebel forces to eat!

In cases of emergency evacuation kit and property is abandoned. This is also insurable.

For more information contact the knowledgbrokers

As most of us know Iran, Algeria, Yeman, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Libya have all been witnessing differing degrees of anti-government demonstration in recent weeks. Responses from security services have been variable. As situations escalate so the levels of insurance policy adequacy are tested- make sure there are no gaps in your client`s coverage.

For more info contact the knowledgebrokers.com

Recently one of our LWMMI (League of Wisconsin Municipalities) insureds asked this question, "Are municipalities (and related entities) covered by OSHA?" and an issue of The Municipality, confirmed a response we initially provided...

"Local governments are not subject to state regulations, which are at least as stringent as OSHA, does not have jurisdiction over the state or local governments because the definition of "employer" under the OSHA Act of 1970 specifically excludes states and any political subdivision of a state."

"Instead, the State of Wisconsin has jurisdiction and the Wisconsin Statutes requires that the Department of Commerce adopt, by administrative rule, standards to protect the safety and health of public employees. These standards must provide protection at least equal to that provided to private sector employees under OSHA standards." - The Municipality (a publication of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities)

This article gives good advice on the subject of sexual molestation. This is a district's best defense for allegations in a particular molestation event. The best way that school personnel can protect themselves against harassment and sexual abuse allegations is to avoid scenarios with students that could be inappropriate, misunderstood or misinterpreted by students or staff.

Ten Tips to Preventing Sexual Harassment or Accusations For School District Staff

1. Never be alone with a student in your classroom, outside of the regular school day, without informing and/or seeking approval from your principal.
2. Never be alone with a student behind a closed door; keep your classroom door open during and after school or before school meetings. If your classroom does not have a window, ask for one to be installed or meet in a more open area.
3. Never make a habit of meeting students outside of school for a meal, coffee, soda, etc.
4. Never counsel your students in non-academic matters. Refer students who have questions, concerns, etc. to a guidance counselor, career counselor or social worker, etc.
5. Never transport students in your own vehicle or allow students to have access to your car.
6. Never give students hall passes to come to your classroom on non-school-related matters.
7. Never allow students to engage you in and do not offer advice in conversations regarding their romantic or sexual problems, concerns, fears, curiosities, etc. Don’t discuss your personal problems with students.
8. Never entertain students in your home unless it is a school-sponsored activity. Always have other faculty present. Never suggest that a student come to your house alone or be dropped off at your home.
9. Never make sexual comments or gestures about a student’s body, and don’t tell sexual jokes or display sexually suggestive images, videos, etc. in the classroom.
10. Never put your hands on your student in a manner that a reasonable person could consider as inappropriate under the circumstances or suggests something sexual, intimate, physically pleasing, etc. Examples include brushing up against the body; rubbing shoulders, necks, backs; hugging; tickling; wrestling; spanking; etc.

A portion of this content was taken from PreventionLink.
District administrators should contact Bill Hattendorf with R&R Insurance for more information.

Beginning January 1, 2011, a new insurance rating option from FEMA`s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) allows many property owners who previously didn't qualify, to take advantage of the low-cost insurance for two years before they are required to pay standard rates.

NAPS (North American Precis Syndicate) provides information about the options for low-cost insurance from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that went into effect 1/1/11. This new option represents an important way to save on flood insurance for those who are newly required to carry it. After two years at the reduced PRP rates, policies will increase to standard rates.

To learn more visit the FEMA website or call (800) 427-4661.

The Internal Revenue Service released final guidance for small employers eligible to claim the new small business health care tax credit for the 2010 tax year. This includes a one-page form and instructions small employers will use to claim the credit for the 2010 tax year.

New Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, and newly revised Form 990-T are now available on IRS.gov. The IRS also posted on its website the instructions to Form 8941 and Notice 2010-82 , both of which are designed to help small employers correctly figure and claim the credit.

More information about the credit, including a step-by-step guide to claiming the credit and answers to frequently asked questions, is available on the Affordable Care Act page on IRS.gov.

Dan Larsen, Coordinator of Facilities and Operations with West Allis-West Milwaukee School District wrote a synopsis of playground safety January issue of the WSSCA (Wisconsin School Safety Association) that is worth your read. He also offers a few valuable links to assist with your playground safety efforts.

This ties in nicely with the upcoming Playground Safety Seminar offered through Liberty Mutual Group and Indiana Insurance. The April seminar, held in Madison, WI, is taught by certified playground safety inspectors and is free for principals, facility managers, maintenance directors and others responsible for ensuring playground safety.

Contact a School Practice Group Knowledge Broker to sign up for the seminar! It's free!

As teenagers get their driver’s licenses and hit the road, parents usually decide what their children drive, and most feel comfortable with a vehicle that’s as safe as can possibly be. A lot of times that choice is a pick-up truck because it's large, and seemingly indestructible. Parents and teen drivers, however, take note: a pick-up truck could be the most dangerous vehicle for a 16-17 year old to drive. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Texas and published in the traffic safety journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, teens driving pick-up trucks are two times as likely to be severely injured during a crash than a teen of the same age driving a car.

Teenagers driving a pickup are more likely to drive aggressively and sustain serious injuries in a crash, according to the study which also found that when it comes to aggressive driving behavior, a 16-17 year old is 368 percent more likely to drive aggressively than those 65 or older, while a teen just a couple of years older is only 195 percent more likely.

Full article: Teen Drivers and Pick-up Trucks, A Bad Mix? at ABC News.