From the monthly archives: March 2016
The data for the study “Insurance Costs for Mid-Rise Wood Frame and Concrete Residential Buildings” was drawn from published literature and consultations with brokers, underwriters and property managers. Interviews with three underwriters and data from the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) show that builders’ risk insurance rates per $100 monthly for comparable wood and concrete buildings are on average $0.008 for concrete and $0.053 for wood. When excluding the rate provided by CWC for wood frame insurance, which was significantly lower than the rates provided by the underwriters, the average rate for wood buildings rises to $0.06, a factor of 7.5 times greater than that for concrete buildings. Continue reading
There are several warning signs that a workers’ compensation claim may be fraudulent. These include Monday morning reports of an injury that happened the previous week, conflicting descriptions of how the injury occurred, no witnesses and a history of claims, according to a 2011 white paper on the subject released by Employers, an insurer specializing in small businesses. Continue reading
Imagine a scenario where sensor-laden vehicles pass through intersections by communicating with each other, rather than grinding to a halt at traffic lights. A newly published study co-authored by MIT researchers claims this kind of traffic-light-free transportation design, if it ever arrives, could allow twice as much traffic to use the roads. Continue reading
The House is considering H.R. 4723, a bill that would require all public exchange plan advance premium tax credit (APTC) users to pay any extra APTC subsidy money they get back to the government.
House Ways and Means members approved the bill by a vote of 22-15 last week.
Continue reading
Garage Keeper’s liability coverage is an optional but recommended insurance coverage for business owners that store customer’s vehicles. It is specifically beneficial to have for a business that provides either towing service or parking service. Basically, a garage keeper’s liability policy will protect the customer’s vehicle while their automobile is stored for parking, during maintenance or for general storage needs. Continue reading
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is stepping up its enforcement against severe workplace safety violators, raising concerns about publicly shaming employers and the large number of small employers on the list. Continue reading
Some health insurers are hoping to ease headaches that can flare when customers try to confirm whether a doctor is covered in a plan’s network of providers.
The trade association America’s Health Insurance Plans will soon start testing a more efficient way to update insurer provider directories, which are becoming critical for finding the right fit as insurance evolves and coverage networks shrink. Continue reading
Short-acting opioid painkillers will carry strong new warnings under U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements announced on Tuesday that will bring information about addiction and abuse in line with that on long-acting pills.
The FDA’s action comes a week after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended doctors prescribe non-opioids, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, for patients with pain unless they have active cancer or are receiving end-of-life care. Continue reading
