Archive for July, 2011

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Back to School! Coverage for College Students

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Four Seasons of Insurance – by Sam Engardio

Soon the weather will be getting cooler, football season will be in the air, and college campuses will be buzzing with activity. The time to send college students back to school is right around the corner, so make sure you are prepared with the right coverage.

How much “stuff” could you fit in a dorm?
Students away at college may not have much space, but they know how to fill it! From clothes and shoes, to expensive books, computers, digital cameras, televisions, microwaves and of course the mini-fridge…college students can have a significant value of personal property with them at school. So, is it covered?

The answer is yes. While some companies limit the amount of Coverage C in campus housing to the typical 10% off-premises limit, others will provide coverage up to the Coverage C limit for personal property of a full-time student away at school.  It’s a simple phone call to our office to let you know what your current policy covers.

Can I insure my child’s computer?
Yes! Either through scheduling your computer, or making it part of the contents, or staff can help you decide what’s best for your college students needs.

Helpful hints on students and vehicles
Wheels left behind – Students who are away at school over 100 miles without a vehicle can be rated as part time operators and given the Distant Student Discount.

Cruising campus – Students who take vehicles with them to school should have the garaging location address for their vehicles added to the policy. Also, for in-state schools the territory should be updated based on the address during the school-year while the vehicle is kept there.

Other items to consider…
Parents love to keep in touch…but what happens if a student loses his/her cell phone at school? Under a basic policy, this would be covered as personal property and subject to the policy deductible. However, some companies have endorsements that can cover the cell phones for all family members regardless of location and without a deductible.

Bicycles are a common mode of transportation on college campuses. Depending on the value, it may be beneficial to schedule this item to obtain broader coverage and also avoid losses being subject to a deductible.

The above article provides only a general description of the coverages. For complete descriptions, please go to the actual policy language.

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Health Coach Corner – The Ultimate Fat Burning (and quick) Workout

Monday, July 25th, 2011

by Maria Hicks

I love interval training and as a trainer, I get a lot of questions about it and people wanting to try it out.  One of my fitness mottos is “workout smarter, not harder” – I didn’t make that up, but, I heard it somewhere and I think that it fits well with exercise.  I know most people don’t have a lot of time to exercise, so, I think if you have a short amount of time to workout; you need to really make it work!

Research states that interval training will accelerate fat burning for several hours after you are finished exercising.  I started incorporating interval training in my exercise routine a few years ago and I like to do 2-3 interval workouts a week (never back to back).  I have noticed a huge change in my fitness levels in a shorter amount of time working out, than when I spent 1-2 hours a day working out.   Now, we can’t say “there’s no time” to exercise.  You will only need 20 minutes, or even just 10 minutes.

Here’s an example using a piece of equipment (stationary bike, elliptical or treadmill) – you could do this outside but a machine is easier to keep track of time and not risk twisting an ankle by running off a curb.

  • 5 minute warm up
  • 1 minute FAST (you really want to challenge yourself here but not to the point of feeling dizzy or risk falling off the machine)
  • 1 minute SLOW (this is your “recovery minute”)
  • Repeat 10 times (for a total of 20 minutes)
  • 5 minute cool down and stretch.  Yep, that’s it!

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The Healthy Bite – Guiltless Dips

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

by Maria Hicks

Bean Guacamole

1 15-ounce can white beans

1 small avocado, mashed

½ cup mild salsa

¾ cup chopped green onions

2 tbsp. canned green chilies

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 tbsp. lemon juice

½ tsp. minced fresh garlic

¼ tsp. salt

 

*Mash the beans with a bean or potato masher.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Serve with fat-free tortilla chips.

 

Fat-Free Hummus

2 15-ounce cans garbanzo beans

1 tsp. minced fresh garlic

1/3 cup packed chopped cilantro or parsley

1/8-cup water

 

*Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.  Serve as a dip with pita bread.

 

BBQ Garbanzo Dip

1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans

¾ cup diced green chilies

¼ cup fat-free BBQ sauce

¾ tsp. cumin

½ tsp. minced fresh garlic

 

*Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.

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Europeans Propose Getting Tougher on Data Breaches!

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

New Perils in a Connected World – by Stew Nelson

The European Union, EU, has had rules in place regarding storing and securing Personal Information since 2002.  These rules required breaches to be reported to National Regulators and the individuals affected by the data breach.  Now however after the recent spate of breaches, the European Digital Agenda Commissioner Neely Kroes announced that she was starting a public commentary to see if more regulation was required.  Last May regulators launched a trial balloon by proposing that EU regulations should be extended to online banking and shopping, social media and even online games.  As a side bar, Ms. Kroes singled out Sony for alleged lapse after their recent “gapping hole” was found in their firewall!

The good news is that unlike the U.S., the EU will adopt a common standard across all Euro Zone countries rather than having separate regulations in each state as is currently happening in the U.S.  The bad news is that the regulation will apply to data in “the cloud” regardless of where it is physically stored.  Presumably, this would extend the EU law to U.S companies if a European citizen’s data were stored in the U.S.

U.S. House Panel Follows Suit on Their Own Notification Law

Called the “Secure and Fortify Electronic Data Act”, (SAFE Data Act) the bill would require individuals to be notified only if their name, phone number or credit card numbers were compromised along with a Social Security number, driver’s license number, or other government ID.  The bill would not require notification if a Social Security number, credit card number or bank account number was compromised, unless it were combined with other personal information.  The bill must now go to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for their approval.

Key provisions of bill are:

  • The bill would preempt state laws already enacted in over 47 states.
  • Companies and other entities that hold personal information must establish and maintain appropriate security policies to prevent unauthorized acquisition of their data.
  • Following a breach, companies must notify law appropriate enforcement agencies within 48 hours after the discovery of a breach. (Unless that breach was an inadvertent and the breach was unlikely to result in harm.)
  • Organizations have 48 hours to begin notification after first taking steps to plug the hole to prevent further loss of data.
  • The Federal Trade Commission, FTC, would be granted authority over nonprofits for purposes of breach notification.

Stay Tuned! It is clear that breaches are going to become more of a headache for companies that store Personal Information. The moral is, if you don’t need to store PI…. Don’t!

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Driving Down Workers’ Compensation Costs; Kicking High Risk Behaviors

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Each year employers watch as their health care costs inflate and their Workers’ Compensation premiums trend upward asking themselves the same question “What more can we do?”  Safety programs, scheduled training and zero-tolerance drug use policies in place and costs continue to increase.  Statistics show employers are missing a major variable tied to both healthcare and workers’ compensation cost; employee health.

High risk health behaviors such as smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity attribute to 85% of Workers’ Compensation costs according to University of Michigan.  Claim costs are affected by the ability for an employee to recovery timely from and injury and return to work. Until both of those milestones happen, costs continue to rise. With the presence of these high risk health behaviors recovery or ability to return to work is impacted greatly.

Review of more than 40 published studies indicates that on average, workplace wellness programs reduce worker’s compensation costs by 30%.  Understanding your organizations’ needs is vital to successfully implementing a workplace wellness program. Challenge programs, educational sessions and corporate campaigns are all positive steps towards creating awareness but difficult to measure return on investment.  When developing a wellness program it is important to use the following as a quideline:

  • Outcome based, using objective data
  • Clear cut scoring and measurement
  • Carrier independence
  • Meaningful incentives for participation
  • Full spectrum support
  • Individual and executive reporting

 

For more information regarding Workers’ Compensation and Wellness contact  your Kapnick Insurance Group representative, visit www.kapnick.com or contact Amy DeKeyser, Risk Services Coordinator at amy.dekeyser@kapnick.com.

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Health Coach Corner – Drink Your Salad

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Drinking your Salad!

by Maria Hicks

Have you ever heard of drinking your salad?  It’s basically a smoothie!  I have been really into making green smoothies this summer.  Smoothies are very refreshing and can be loaded with nutrients.  The benefits of actually drinking your veggies are incredible and when we blend and drink our veggies & fruits, our bodies can use more of the wonderful nutrients and antioxidants.  Of course, I still encourage you to eat raw and steamed veggies, but in addition, try drinking more fruit & vegetable smoothies.  Smoothies have been known to help increase energy, improve digestion, improve skin tone and lessen the cravings for sugary foods.  Well, isn’t that great?

Here’s what I think… drinking a smoothie is a great way to start your day, have as a snack, a pre or post-workout meal or even have a smoothie for dinner (let’s say… if you went to a buffet and ate too much at lunch).  Don’t think of smoothies as just fruit and yogurt in a blender and voila!   I want you to think of drinking highly nutrient dense smoothies that include vegetables and Omega 3 fats!  Here’s a simple (and one of my favorite) recipes!  Enjoy!

 

Water (as much as you like for your desired thickness)

1 cup blueberries

1 cup of washed raw (or slightly steamed) kale

1-2 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds (Omega 3 fats)

½ banana

½ cup steamed broccoli and/or cauliflower

A few dashes of cinnamon

BLEND to smooth!   Add sesame seeds or chopped walnuts or almonds on top!

 

Posted in Featured Posts, Health and Wellness – Health Coach Corner | 2 Comments »

The Healthy Bite – Cowboy Caviar

Friday, July 15th, 2011

by Rene’ Carpenter

I love this recipe, I first had it when I lived in Waxahachie, Texas and every summer since it has been a staple in my fridge. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 4 Tablespoons of fat free Italian dressing
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 firm-ripe avocado (about 10 oz.)
  • 1 can (15 oz.) black-eyed peas
  • 1 can (11 oz.) corn kernels
  • 2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 pound Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix vinegar, hot sauce, salad dressing, garlic, and pepper. Peel, pit, and cut avocado into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to vinegar mixture and mix gently to coat.
2. Drain and rinse peas and corn. Add peas, corn, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes to avocado; mix gently to coat. Add soy to taste. Serve pea mixture with chips as an appetizer or side dish with fish or meat. You will probably want to double or triple this recipe because it won’t last long!

* YIELD: Makes 10 to 12 servings

 

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Identity Fraud on your Home Insurance? “It’s a Smart thing to do!”

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Four Seasons of Insurance – by Sam Engardio

During the summer months more people are traveling and using their credit cards more often, on their iphones,  in different areas of the country and letting their kids use them for different outings. While traveling and the summer months are great, it tends to expose you more readily to Identity Theft.

The fastest growing white-collar crime in the country is Identity Theft. The United States Secret Service indicates that the actual losses resulting from identity theft exceeds 700 million.

Did you know that many home insurance policies now offer some protection, at very little cost!

We’ve all heard the latest news that a bank, large retail chain, or even a local gas station data was comprised and resulted in your personal information being vulnerable. This is causing you to worry about your personal data being stolen by someone and ruining your credit. The Identity Theft endorsement added to your home insurance policy will help with the cost associated to (lost earnings, fees, and expenses associated with restoring your credit rating and reapplying for loans or credit).

In the meantime, while your deciding to add this to your policy there are several things you can do to help guard your information online. These days, many of us do most of our shopping and banking on the web. With all those account numbers and passwords floating around out in cyberspace, it’s easy for someone to grab your info and go on a spending spree – while you pick up the bill. Below are some tips to help minimize your risk:

  • Clear your logins and passwords. This is especially important if you’ve been working on a public computer. Change logins and passwords monthly.
  • Pay for online purchases with your credit card, which has better guarantees under federal law than your online payment services or your debit card.
  • Be alert for phishing, a trick in which spam or pop-ups mimic legitimate banks or businesses to obtain your personal information, which they use to access your accounts. Always verify that you’re on a familiar Web site with security controls before entering personal data.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements. Check your accounts regularly so you know when something’s awry. Purchases you didn’t make should be obvious—like a gas fill-up halfway across the country.
  • Verify your mailing address with the post office and financial institutions. Identity bandits may fill out change of address forms so that delinquent credit notices remain off your paper billing radar.
  • Monitor your credit report. By law, you’re entitled to a free report every year from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Request one every four months, changing bureaus each time. You can order the report directly through each agency, or at annualcreditreport.com. Use this URL—there are hordes of knockoff sites that will try to charge you for your report and other needless services. Scan it for abnormal activity, such as accounts or credit cards you didn’t open. (And don’t fall prey to faux free credit report advertisements.)
  • Shred sensitive documents. Buy a shredder and regularly shred outdated bank statements, credit card applications, bills, and anything with your personal information before tossing it into the trash or recycling. Junk mail often includes some of your personal details.

Does it make sense to pay for ID theft protection if you’ve taken all these precautions? It depends on your spending habits and overall level of caution. You might want to invest in an identity theft protection service if:

  • You do lots of online banking or shopping.
  • You don’t have time to monitor your information on your own.

To find out more please contact our Personal Insurance Department staff, any of our person insurance specialists can help you review your home insurance policy and determine if adding Identity Fraud/Theft Endorsement is a good idea for you.

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Health Coach Corner – by Maria Hicks – Hydration

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Health Coach Corner by Maria Hicks

Hello, my name is Maria Hicks and I recently joined Kapnick Insurance Group and the growing Health Solutions (formerly known as Health Management) team. I am a certified fitness professional and certified health coach. Workplace wellness is gaining popularity and we are here to help create innovative, engaging and successful wellness programs for our clients.

I am happy to be a contributing author to the new Health Solutions blog; formerly known as “Sarah Says” and now “Health Coach Corner” on a weekly basis. I will cover topics in the areas of healthy eating, weight management, exercise, stress, healthy baking, cooking & recipes, fad diets, hydration, holiday health and a variety of other health & wellness topics!

Since it’s July and the middle of a hot summer, my first quick tip is all about water! I know you have heard it before “drink plenty of water”. What does that exactly mean anyway? I mean, I hear it all the time and I think I know how to drink “plenty of water” but did you know almost 70% of Americans are actually dehydrated? Did you know dehydration causes more than headaches? Dehydration is linked to back pain, allergies, asthma and immune dysfunction. Dehydration may cause heartburn because it allows acid to reach the mucosal area, causing pain. This pain is a signal that more water is needed. Antacids will neutralize the stomach acids, relieving the pain, but will not address the principal problem, which is that the body needs more water. This may not be the sole reason you have heartburn but drinking more water will either eliminate the problem or help alleviate the problem.

On a regular basis, aim for at least 64 oz of water a day. You will need more if you exercise, sweat a lot and/or drink coffee, tea, or colas and since many people consume these other beverages, it’s safe to say we need more than 64 oz water everyday. Add lemon, fresh pineapple, blueberries or sliced cucumbers for a really tasty and refreshing hydration experience!

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The Healthy Bite – Curried Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower Recipe

Thursday, July 7th, 2011
No more dry chicken! With a little help from the well-seasoned yogurt marinade, these boneless chicken thighs remain moist and tender when oven-roasted.
Healthy Recipes

Quick Info:

Servings
Contains NutsContains Nuts
Contains DairyContains Dairy
Nutritional Info (Per serving): 

Calories: 473, Saturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 655mg, Dietary Fiber: 7g, Total Fat: 26g, Carbs: 34g, Cholesterol: 154mg, Protein: 52g 

Carb Choices: 2
Prep Time: 4 h 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 4 h 50 mins

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup(s) yogurt, fat-free plain
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder, Madras-style
  • 1 teaspoon coriander, ground
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, ground
  • 1 clove(s) garlic, minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cayenne
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken, thighs, boneless, skinless, 8 thighs, trimmed
  • 1 pounds potato(es), sweet, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 3 cup(s) cauliflower, florets (1 small head), or broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon oil, olive, extra virgin
  • pepper, black ground, to taste
  • 1/4 cup(s) nuts, dry-roasted, unsalted cashews, chopped (or unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts)
  • 1/4 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, loosely packed leaves

Preparation

1. Combine yogurt, curry powder, coriander, ginger, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and cayenne in a shallow glass dish; mix to blend. Reserve 1/4 cup of this mixture; cover and refrigerate. Add chicken to the remaining yogurt mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. 

2. Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on the prepared baking sheet. Toss sweet potato with the reserved yogurt mixture in a medium bowl and place on the baking sheet. Toss cauliflower with oil in a medium bowl and add to the baking sheet. Season vegetables with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Roast chicken and vegetables, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
4. Carefully turn the chicken over and stir the vegetables. Roast until the vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more.
5. Arrange chicken and vegetables on a platter or individual plates and garnish with peanuts (or cashews) and cilantro.
Recipe source eatingwell.com

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