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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Form a Healthcare Professional Liability Insurance Program

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Form a Healthcare Professional Liability Insurance Program

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Inova. A smart alternative to traditional healthcare professional liability insurance for large entities, from ProAssurance.

As healthcare continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so do the challenges that come with treating patients effectively and safely. Protect your healthcare professionals and entity with coverage that’s right for your unique situation.

That’s where Inova from ProAssurance comes in:

• An alternative form for healthcare professional liability insurance providing a common-sense approach to risk management and loss financing.

• Helps you control your organization’s future. If you want greater program control and are willing to share some risk, if your premiums exceed $1 million and you have an excellent claims history, then Inova from ProAssurance is likely the right fit for you.

• Expect commitment, respect, and collaboration. At ProAssurance, we are dedicated to treating you fairly. That’s the touchstone we live by when dealing with each and every customer – and how we earn and keep your business.

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Additional Resources

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Additional Resources

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Where else can you go for help and information? As your workers’ compensation carrier, Eastern Alliance Insurance Group (EAIG) provides you with answers to some of the most common questions Injured Workers have about their claim, and a glossary of commonly-used insurance terms.

INJURED WORKER BROCHURE

Want a pocket-sized guide to ecovery? Request our Injured Worker brochure.

GLOSSARY (PDF) In case you haven’t noticed, workers’ compensation is filled with abbreviations and acronyms. We’re here to help you decode them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An often overlooked resource is your state’s workers’ compensation website, which can provide unbiased information regarding workers’ compensation. Click on the state’s name to be redirected to their workers’ compensation website:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• Delaware

• Florida

• Georgia

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Maryland

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• North Carolina

• New Jersey

• New York

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• Washington, D.C.

• Wisconsin

• West Virginia

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Additional Resources

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Additional Resources

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Already Have a Claim?

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Already Have a Claim?

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Many employers have questions about what happens after they report a claim. You may also wonder how an ecovery program fits into the claims process.

1.      The claim is reported to Eastern and assigned to a Claim Representative. Prompt reporting is very important to the process! Your claim should be reported immediately so that Eastern can begin managing it appropriately.

2.      The injured worker seeks medical attention and treatment begins; if you have a medical provider panel in place, you may need to have the employee sign an acknowledgement form prior to treatment (except in an emergency situation). Physicians should be informed that the injury is work-related and that you have a Return to Wellness (RTW) program. This way, the treatment plan can be tailored with the goal of restoring productivity and a return to the workplace. All medical bills should be submitted for Eastern’s review.

3.      Eastern initiates a 3-point claim investigation, contacting the injured worker, the employer and the medical provider. This investigation will result in an approval or denial of the claim. Regular contact among all three parties is encouraged and plays an integral role in a successful outcome.

4.      Eastern obtains wage information to determine the amount of weekly wage benefits the injured worker will receive.

5.      Reserves are developed based on disability and medical diagnosis, treatment plan and your ability to offer modified duty.

6.      Eastern investigates any viable subrogation possibilities.

7.      The medical provider addresses the injured worker’s ability to work by reviewing your pre-injury job description and proposed modified duty job description.

8.      You should then utilize the ecovery modified duty task lists and the restrictions provided by the treating physician to develop a modified duty job offer.

9.      The injured worker returns to the workplace, performing modified duty within the physician’s restrictions.

10.  The injured worker continues to recover, receiving the physical, financial and psychological benefits of returning to modified duty. Additional medical treatment continues, as appropriate, and the treating physician periodically re-evaluates the injured worker’s work capabilities.

11.  Your designated Risk Management Consultant reviews the accident information and will make recommendations to prevent future injuries.

12.  The injured worker is either eventually released to his/her pre-injury job without restrictions, or is given permanent restrictions. The outcome is influenced by a variety of factors, including jurisdiction, job availability, the individual details of the claim, and other considerations.

13.  Any additional benefits due are paid and the claim is brought to resolution.

ecovery’s Return to Wellness philosophy is linked to every step of a claim! Modified duty options should be consistently re-evaluated and monitored to achieve the best possible outcome for all parties.

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Employer Recognition Program

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Employer Recognition Program

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What is the purpose of the Program?

The intention of the program is to acknowledge an employer’s commitment to Return to Wellness and thank them for their dedication. Sometimes the focus is only on employers who do not offer modified duty. The ecovery Recognition Program keeps Return to Wellness in a positive light and provides us with an opportunity to say “thank you” to your clients who embrace the ecovery philosophy, as well as provide additional employee ecovery education.

How does the Program work?

Both agents and Eastern team members can nominate an employer who has demonstrated a commitment to the ecovery and Return to Wellness philosophy by completing the ecovery Employer Recognition Program nomination form on the www.eains.com website. The form is submitted for Eastern’s review, and each quarter, approved nominees will be recognized.

Who should be nominated?

Employers who have demonstrated a commitment to the ecovery and Return to Wellness philosophy through such actions as: implementing and utilizing an ecovery Program, creatively providing opportunities for modified duty, or taking steps to incorporate ecovery into their workplace culture.

What will the employers receive?

Employers will receive a letter of appreciation and a placard to publicly display their commitment to the ecovery philosophy. Recipients will be listed on the ecovery website and blog. They will also receive instructions on how their employees can enter a quarterly drawing for a grand prize.

How do employees enter the drawing?

There will be instructions included in the letter to the recognized employers. The employer should notify Eastern within the provided time frame if they are interested in having their employees participate in the drawing. Eastern will then send the employer cards to distribute to each employee. The cards contain a link the employee can use to enter the drawing upon viewing a brief introduction to ecovery and completing a quick survey.

How often are nominees acknowledged?

At the end of each quarter (March, June, September and December), the person submitting the nomination form will be advised as to the status of the nomination. Employers who have been selected for recognition will receive a phone call from Eastern and will be mailed their recognition materials. The grand prize drawing occurs once per quarter, after which the winner, his/her employer, and the employer’s agent are notified.

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Online Security - Best practices to protect your small business from internet threats

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Online Security - Best practices to protect your small business from internet threats

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No one is excused from cyberattacks. Even your small business could fall victim to one attack or another. With all the important sensitive data you have involving your clients and staffs; the repercussion of a breach can be serious and frightening. For this reason, it is necessary to take precaution, establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the internet.

Here are some of the most important steps every small business should be taking to protect themselves from cyberattacks.

• There are a number of ways files can be lost unexpectedly, this is why it is important to frequently backup data. Save it in a secured remote location in case anything goes badly wrong with your computer.

• Choose the best security software that can:

- catch viruses and Trojan horse programs

- control spam that may contain malicious code or links

- detect financial hacking techniques

Many security software are available on the market. Make sure to install it on every PC and server running and up-to-date.

• Protect your network with a firewall to control internet traffic coming into and flowing out. You need to use a firewall whenever you go online to provide protection from unsafe internet sources.

• Implementing a strong password is the easiest and simplest way you can do to strengthen your protection. You should definitely avoid using your personal data in creating a password and consider setting a password protection policy where you can make user passwords expire after a certain number of days.

• Computers and electronic devices must contain passwords and stored and lock in a safe place. They contain highly sensitive data, thus, securing them is a must. In addition, limit the people who have access to records and ensure that they understand the sensitivity of the data they work with and their role to make it safe and secure.

• Stored paper receipts with personal and financial information shouldn’t be kept for a long time in your cabinet if it is no longer needed. Buy a paper shredder and shred those papers instead.

• Do not underestimate the importance of physical security. Get a surveillance camera and an alarm system to protect your personnel, hardware, and data from physical actions and events that may cause severe loss or damage to your business.

• Establishing IT security policies is essential to a company’s health. It must contain rules and measures that target the prevention and elimination of the common kinds of internet attacks that may threaten the company. Make sure that your employees will understand and follow each guideline and you yourself should set a good example to everyone else in the business.

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Ecovery: Return to Wellness

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Ecovery: Return to Wellness

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Fresh Outlooks for Return to Work Programs

What is ecovery?

ecovery is Eastern’s innovative, holistic program to help return injured workers to wellness and productivity by using work as a therapeutic tool.

How does ecovery help me?

Whether you are an employer, injured worker, medical provider, or producer, ecovery provides you with the resources you need to:

• Promote faster recovery

• Reduce your insurance costs

• Increase productivity

• Improve retention

• Implement a Best Practice for employers

• Promote a culture of commitment to employees’ wellbeing

ecovery focuses on helping employers and injured workers return to wellness after a work-related injury. Unlike basic “Return-to-Work” programs, ecovery addresses the economical, physical, psychological and financial benefits of returning injured employees to productivity after an injury. Our holistic approach focuses on the big picture, not just dollars and cents.

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Wellness Resources

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Wellness Resources

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Eastern takes a holistic approach to workers' compensation coverage. We look at our clients' needs through a macro lens and ask ourselves: what products and services can we offer to help keep workers safe and healthy - and workers' compensation costs low? By bringing a fresh outlook to your employees' wellness, we know we can deliver better outcomes—for them and for you.

Why implement an Employee Wellness Program?

A healthier workforce means more productive employees, through:

Fewer lost time injuries

Less time out of work

Faster-healing injuries

Strategic Partnership with Wellness Coaches USA

Our partnership with Wellness Coaches USA enables us to help our clients promote healthier lifestyles among their employees. Wellness Coaches provide one-on-one, face-to-face coaching to employees right in their workplace. This personalized, confidential coaching includes educational, motivational and supportive components regarding lifestyle issues, such as nutrition, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, etc., to improve overall health.

Contact us today to learn more about our employee wellness programs and how to get one started at your workplace.

Industry Links

http://www.wellnesscoachesusa.com/

http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/browse.asp?a=174&C=38987&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Core Values

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Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Review - Core Values

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Mission

To be the premier provider of specialty insurance products and services recognized in the industry for bringing fresh outlooks and providing better outcomes to employees, shareholders, agents, brokers, clients and their employees.

Vision

A specialty insurance marketplace where integrity, service and relationships drive results. We will deliver on our Vision and continue to build and grow the company. Every day we should embody the Vision and continue to live up to the Brand Promise of "Fresh outlooks. Better outcomes."

Core Values

• Integrity: We strictly adhere to a level of personal conduct that embraces professionalism, honesty and credibility. Our behavior is the benchmark to which others aspire.

• Relationships: We work collaboratively with our agents, brokers and clients; our partnerships help our clients improve their productivity and bottom line profitability.

• Leadership: We employ individuals who inspire confidence in those with whom they come in contact. Our leaders are measured by their actions, not words.

• Innovation: We sustain a work environment that fosters energy, creativity and a passion for excellence. Our employees are committed to identifying progressive solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

• Enthusiasm: We embrace every day as a singular opportunity to reach for extraordinary outcomes. Our positive attitude is infectious and promotes mutual success.

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The Top Cyber Security Risks in Asia-Pacific In 2017

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The Top Cyber Security Risks in Asia-Pacific In 2017

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Cybercriminals will continue to innovate through ransomware

The malware business is a business like any other: cyber threat groups compete and innovate, with the most successful growing and spreading rapidly. Given the success of ransomware in 2016, we will see a continuation of ransomware attacks – with new innovations emerging and propagating, according to whichever attracts most payment.

2016 saw real innovation in the ransomware market, with a particularly interesting recent variant called ‘Popcorn Time’ that allows the victim’s files to be decrypted for free if they can infect two other people.

Commoditized versions of ransomware will, however, be a less pervasive threat for large corporations, as they gradually improve the management of this threat and their ability to mitigate it. Rather, criminals will target high-value assets using more sophisticated and innovative ransomware variants, and will develop additional functionality to seek out more lucrative individual targets within organizations, to enhance the chance of victims paying ransoms. Criminals will extort victims not only by threatening to deny access to data, but also by threatening to publish sensitive data.

Website defacements will be old school – website ransoms will be the new tactic

One specific kind of attack we expect to grow is website ransomware, where the contents of websites are targeted. This trend started emerging in Asia last year:

• In November, several websites were found to be compromised and their web contents encrypted by a ransomware variant called JapanLocker. Control Risks’ research into this variant reveals that it was developed by a hacker known as Shor7cut, a member of the Indonesian Defacer Tersakiti group. This group is well known in the Indonesian hacking community and has more than 22,000 members.

• In October, several Pakistani government websites were compromised and their contents encrypted by the CTB-Locker ransomware. The hackers, believed to be from the Indian group known as Hell Shield Hackers, used this method to retaliate after Pakistani hackers breached nearly 7,000 Indian websites.

• In March, a ransomware variant known as KimcilWare was spotted targeting websites running the Magento eCommerce platform. This variant is thought to have been developed in Indonesia.

• Also in March, Kaspersky Lab detected more than 70 servers, located in ten countries, compromised by the CTB-Locker ransomware. Most of the victims were from the US; this shows how threat actors in Asia Pacific are taking successful tools from other regions, adapting them, and applying them in their own region.

Such attack techniques will continue to emerge and evolve in 2017. We foresee further ransomware variants of this kind being developed by threat actors in Asia Pacific, and used for cyber activist and cybercriminal activities in the region.

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The Top Cyber Security Risks in Asia-Pacific In 2017

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Oakmere Wealth Management Advisors - Working With You

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Oakmere Wealth Management Advisors - Working With You

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Putting our clients firmly at the heart of everything we do enables us to run a genuinely client-focused business. In our experience, no two clients are the same and we therefore ensure that we understand your personal or business objectives and deliver solutions that are right for you.

We do not provide off the shelf solutions, but we offer the benefit of a single relationship for all of your financial planning needs. We strive to offer the very best service to develop a long term relationship with you.

We aim to deliver our commitment by:

• Providing personal face-to-face financial advice

• Giving you the opportunity to review your financial affairs regularly

• Effectively managing your investments via our distinctive approach

• Keeping you informed of the latest news and any changes that might affect your personal situation

• Listening to your feedback

• Ensuring that our dealings with you are sensitive to your needs

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

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Preventing Insurance Fraud - What is an Insurance Adjuster?

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Preventing Insurance Fraud - What is an Insurance Adjuster?

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Most of us know what an insurance company is. But just what is an insurance adjuster?

Sometimes it’s not clear who adjusters are and how they’re trained for the job. (After all, how many colleges offer “insurance adjusting” as a major?)

To get some answers, we went behind the scenes with Chad Smith, a property specialist at Erie Insurance who handles large losses. Read on to learn more about him and all the important ways he helps Customers in their time of need. (And feel free to check out our short video above to learn even more!)

In your own words, what is an insurance adjuster?

To me, an insurance adjuster is someone who has a great deal of responsibility and accountability. An adjuster owes that not just to the company he or she represents, but to the customers who’ve experienced a loss.

At Erie Insurance, adjusters are the ambassadors of the company. People don’t really see how an insurance company works until they have a loss, and we represent that.

What kind of background do you need to become an adjuster?

More often than not, you need to have a college degree. I have a business degree, but insurance adjusters can pursue other fields as well. I would also recommend adding computer and math classes to your coursework.

How did you become an adjuster?

ERIE hired me as an adjuster shortly after graduating from college. I went through a few months of training that included both classroom and field training. I was tested on information and then spent some time out in the field with seasoned adjusters and appraisers to learn about what they did first hand. Because I work directly for an insurance company, I don’t need a license to be an adjuster. However, the rules vary by state.

What kind of skills do you need as an adjuster?

Being people-oriented is a must. You need to be able to empathize with the Customer by putting yourself in their shoes. Honesty and integrity are essential in establishing trust.

Because of the way the field is evolving, you need to be really comfortable with technology or be willing to learn it. To grow as a professional adjuster, you have to move beyond in-house training and pursue professional insurance designations like the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Claims (AIC).

What’s a normal day like?

There really is no normal day. And that’s one reason why I love my job!

In order to handle it, you have to structure your days to a certain degree, but also maintain flexibility. I might plan to make calls all morning—but if I get an urgent claim, I need to reorder my day. I’m always busy.

What hours do you work?

I usually start early and end late. Sometimes I work weekends. I enjoy a lot of freedom with this position—and I’m available almost 24/7 because that’s how you provide great service. You can’t be stuck in the traditional nine-to-five, Monday through Friday mindset as an adjuster.

What’s the most memorable claim experience you’ve had?

Over the years, I’ve had many. One that stands out is working during the 2011 tornado catastrophes in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. ERIE was the first insurance company on the scene. There was a lot of damage, but I was able to respond quickly and help Customers affected by the tornadoes. The fast response was made possible by the way ERIE set up its catastrophe team units. Some people I spoke to said neighbors with other carriers hadn’t even heard from their adjusters yet. It was extremely gratifying to help ERIE’s Customers when they really needed it.

What’s the most gratifying part of your job?

Knowing in my heart that I did the best I could for ERIE and for the Customer on every claim that I handle. I remember one claim we had to deny; even still, the Customer sent me a card thanking me for how polite and helpful I’d been during the process. Everyone should receive the same level of service, regardless of the outcome.

Do you have the backing of a company that offers the kind of top-notch service Chad delivers? If not, contact a local Erie Insurance Agent in your community to discuss your options and get a free quote.

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Preventing Insurance Fraud - How to Get 4 Overlooked Business Risks Covered

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Preventing Insurance Fraud - How to Get 4 Overlooked Business Risks Covered

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The success of any business depends on hard work and ingenuity. Business insurance helps protect the effort and money you’ve invested in your business is covered in case a disaster strikes. But because businesses are so diverse, there are a variety of optional coverage that you should consider, too. These extras are added to your business insurance policy as endorsements.

Here’s how to help cover four common business risks with endorsements.

1. Data breaches: Any business that has personal or medical information about customers, tenants or employees is at risk for a data breach.

Don’t think it can’t happen to you? A study commissioned by Hartford Steam Boiler and conducted by the Ponemon Institute found that over half of small businesses have experienced a data breach, and many did not inform victims as required by state law. Most states have breach notification laws that not only require a business owner to inform any affected individuals (customers) of a data breach but also specify the manner and period in which the business owner must inform customers.

Two coverages you may want to consider:

• Data Breach Response Expenses: It could cover your expenses to notify affected individuals of a breach per state laws.

• Data Breach Liability Coverage: It could cover damages that you are legally obligated to pay due to fraudulent use of your customers’ non-public personal information that is lost, stolen or accidentally released. It also covers the cost to defend lawsuits seeking damages.

2. Employment liability: These days, hiring, firing and day-to-day employee management can be a risky business. You’d like to think that your employees would never dream of filing a claim or suit against you or your business for discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment or sexual harassment. Unfortunately, it does happen. Responding to claims or suits like these will require time and money.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 89,385 charges of workplace discrimination during fiscal year 2015, which ended in September. EEOC also secured more than $356.6 million for victims of discrimination in the private sector.

With Employment Practices Liability Coverage, you will not have to face an employment claim on your own. It can help protect you against liability damages and cover defense costs.

3. Professional liability: You’re expected to have technical knowledge or training in a particular area of expertise or perform certain services according to the standards of your profession. If you fail, you could be held responsible for any harm that you caused to another person or business. Professional liability coverage can provide you with protection for claims arising out of negligent business or professional practices.

4. Personal identity theft: As a small business owner, your personal credit may be tied closely to your business. Having your own identity stolen, could jeopardize your credit and affect your business operations.

Last year, fraudsters stole $16 billion from 12.7 million U.S. consumers, according to the 2015 Identity Fraud Study, released by Javelin Strategy & Research. That means that every 2 seconds in 2014 there was a new identity fraud victim.

Personal Identity Recovery coverage can be added to a business insurance policy1 and provide:

• Case management services to assist you in recovering a personal identity by contacting authorities, credit bureaus and businesses to correct the records.

• Reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses that you incur because of identity theft, including lost wages, mental health counseling and child and elder care supervision costs.

Talk to an Erie Insurance agent to learn more about the risks that you may face and how to protect your business.

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Social Media Helps Solve Insurance Fraud Cases

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Social Media Helps Solve Insurance Fraud Cases

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It’s Monday morning and Jeremy McFadden, a fraud program specialist at Erie Insurance, is surfing Facebook.

Jeremy isn’t reliving memories from the weekend—he’s knee deep in investigative work that saves ERIE and its Customers many thousands of dollars every year.

“Though the vast majority of claims are legitimately submitted by honest people, there is a small portion that requires further review,” says Gene Robertson, director of Special Investigation and Analysis at ERIE. “Social media is absolutely helping us do that.”

Insurance fraud cases

Insurance fraud is a serious crime in which someone knowingly and intentionally sets out to deceive their insurance company. It is different from an innocent misrepresentation in which someone unknowingly presents false information to their insurer. (For instance, a fire destroys an appliance and someone overestimates how much it cost because he lacks a receipt.)

Circumstances surrounding suspected fraud tend to be highly unusual. “There is a big red flag when truly fraudulent activity occurs,” says Gene. Insurance fraud is a crime in every state—and in most cases, it’s a felony.

Insurance fraud cases end up costing Customers

The property and casualty insurance industry estimates that fraud costs between $30 and $60 billion a year. Insurance fraud is the second most expensive white-collar crime after tax evasion—and it costs honest Customers, who eventually foot the bill in the form of higher premiums.

Today, more people are making this connection. “Thanks to successful advertising and public awareness campaigns over the years, the way the public views insurance fraud has really changed,” says Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a not-for-profit organization that partners with insurance companies like ERIE and law enforcement agencies to fight insurance fraud.

“People used to brag about getting one over on insurance companies, but there’s now a realization that this causes your friends and family to pay more,” he says.

Piecing it all together

ERIE fights insurance fraud cases on many fronts. There’s old-fashioned detective work like visiting premises, conducting interviews and acting on tips. ERIE also uses sophisticated software and collaborates with the NICB, law enforcement and other insurers.

Fraud investigation is about seeing the whole picture, and social media posts, photos and videos are increasingly a part of that picture. This doesn’t mean all information is free game. ERIE respects Customers’ privacy rights by only looking at publicly available information. That means ERIE investigators will never create fake profiles to “friend” or “follow” a Customer with a suspicious claim.

“Our whole premise at ERIE is about doing the right thing,” says Robertson. “Protecting and respecting our Customers’ privacy is a priority in all we do, including our investigative work.”

Fortunately, such measures usually aren’t needed.

“What we find is that fraudsters often neglect to cover their tracks,” continues Robertson. “Even if their profile is private, they often post to pages of friends and groups whose accounts are public.”

A few recent insurance fraud cases

Just a few instances in which information gleaned from social media played an important role in unraveling insurance fraud cases included:

• The Playground Scam: A claim was filed for a playground that was allegedly damaged beyond repair in a storm. The playground was disposed of, leaving ERIE no way of verifying the claim. A few weeks later, the claimant was selling the same playground on Facebook.

• The Tractor Pull Scam: A claim was filed alleging an engine was damaged when someone put the wrong fuel in it. ERIE later found a YouTube clip and Facebook photos of the claimant participating in a tractor pull in the same truck. ERIE personal auto policies exclude coverage while participating in organized racing, high performance driving, stunting and similar sporting events.

• The Livery Van Scam: Several people simultaneously filed claims to an ERIE personal auto policy. ERIE later discovered a Facebook page advertising the claimant’s van as a public transportation business. ERIE personal auto policies exclude transporting people or goods for hire.

ERIE investigators have also unearthed many online photos and comments implicating claimants of committing workers’ compensation fraud. “I’ve seen claimants who are ‘too hurt to work’ post updates about their marathon training schedules or photos of themselves backpacking through the mountains,” says McFadden.

When ERIE presents someone with solid evidence of fraud, most people will withdraw or stop pursuing a claim. ERIE then turns things over to law enforcement, who will decide how to handle the crime.

You can help ERIE fight fraud

Though social media is playing an increasingly important role in combating fraud, your input still matters.

If you suspect that someone is committing insurance fraud, let ERIE know by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 800-368-6696 or emailing fraud.finders@erieinsurance.com. Together, we can reduce this costly crime.

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Tyre and Auto Southbourne Group Review: Make sure to have regular car maintenance

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Tyre and Auto Southbourne Group Review: Make sure to have regular car maintenance

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Maintaining the good condition of a car needs regular maintenance and necessary repair. Ensuring the safety of everyone concerned should also be the main concern of every driver. People should always keep the safety standards of their own cars as well as maintaining their perfect running condition to have a peaceful drive.

What comes first before learning how to move a car forward or backward? The answer is how to brake properly. For Tyre&Auto Southbourne Group, this symbolizes the importance of safety. The company understands the significance of safety in driving a car, so they only provide quality service to their customers to make sure that they would be danger-free inside their own car.

Tyre&Auto Southbourne Group is a family-operated company that has an excellent record in trading car parts and accessories. They offer car servicing, tyres, brake checks, MOT’s, and free seasonal tune-ups and check-ups.

Moreover, the company provides online transactions, which can deliver fast tyre quotation to their customers, making fitting faster. Tyre&Auto can also provide local collect and delivery of a car wherein you can be sure of its car maintenance or repair.

An MOT test is also possible with Tyre&Auto, and included in this examination is checking the safety of your car and the amount of exhaust emission. And in order to guide you in your yearly MOT certificate requirement, the company provides you with regular reminders such as when is the due of your test. This way, Tyre&Auto could be certain that you will renew your road tax and car insurance in time.

Each of us has our own destinations every day, and the introduction of cars made it easier for us to reach them. Owning a car can provide you with few advantages, so it’s apparent that you should take care of it properly. Such advantages include ease, mobility, personal comfort, and emotional or psychological benefits.

With 10 years of trusted service, Tyre&Auto Southbourne Group continues to deliver honest automobile services to their customers, and they always make sure to deliver top-notch maintenance and repair.

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Online Security - Hidden Money Revelations

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Online Security - Hidden Money Revelations

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Of many interesting articles this week the one that caught my attention the most was about how to hide 400 million dollars. Written almost as if it were a mystery story, it tracks how an estranged husband sought to salt money away in international banks such that his wife would have no access in a divorce. As described in the article, the husband and the wife are not the kind of people with whom I would want to spend my time. They made money in fraudulent schemes, many of them played out on the internet. But liking or not liking them was not the intriguing point.  It was the revelation within the story that shell companies and trusts designed to hide money — much of it either generated illegally or being held to avoid legalities — hold a purported 21 TRILLION of the world’s financial wealth. 21 TRILLION USD.

That is a staggering amount of money hidden away for purposes of keeping one step ahead of tax bills, blinkered business partners, or an estranged spouse. This sum undoubtedly includes money acquired through criminal activity.  That is also an enormous percentage of the world’s wealth to be sequestered away from the active markets. In Adam Smith’s view of the world, that money would otherwise be available to generate new wealth, to grow economies, to pull scores of people out of poverty, or to keep existing working and middle classes from sinking back into want.  No wonder many developed countries in Europe, Asia and the United States have been relatively stagnant for some time now.  No wonder it is so difficult to penetrate endemic, destructive poverty in Central and South America, Africa, many parts of Asia and even within the United States and Canada.  Wealth exists, but it is not in circulation. This article implies that it is sitting still in some remote bank in the Cook Islands as the result of nefarious activities abetted by legal tricks.

The issues surrounding global internet governance parallel these implications. First, international governance to bring the principles of justice to bear on either global banking or the internet does not exist. Second, the dark interstices of this ungoverned territory create a haven for illegality and fraud. Third, about the only means of penetration into this world is through intermediaries, for example lawyers and financiers, on-shore banks that assist in holdings and transmission. Lawyers afraid of losing their license, credit card companies and legitimate banks that avoid legal action or bad publicity, accounting firms that make an honest living often act as check points from perpetrator to ungoverned cash. But to the tune of 21 trillion dollars and the intractable challenge of cyber insecurity on the internet, intermediaries may not be good enough to stem the tide of layers and layers of illegality.

Where neither moral compass nor legal constraint exist, human nature’s darker side lurks. That dark side lends itself to unchecked violence and dehumanization that often lies within the illegal processes of generating much of this hidden wealth. Knowing that you can safely hide ill-begotten money encourages brutal behaviors played out in drugs and addiction, sexual slavery, extortion, theft and fraud. Moreover, these activities are not separate from global economics. From perpetration to prosecution, those activities create enormous inefficiencies within rational society. They also impose aching burdens on people who live by the rules.

I have no pat answers to these problems, but I feel strongly that they are vital questions. And the relationship between and among crime, global banks and the internet is more than an interesting insight about parallel tracks. Insofar as the internet facilitates crime, disorder and debasement, we must include its properties in our assessment as how to assert justice.  The medium, curiously, is also the message.

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Security and Risk Online - Online scams cost Christmas shoppers over £10m last year

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Security and Risk Online - Online scams cost Christmas shoppers over £10m last year

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The festive period is a time for giving gifts, eating mince pies and spending quality time with your loved ones. However, unfortunately, police warn it’s also “prime time” for fraudsters as Christmas shoppers were fleeced of more than £10 million in online scams last year.

As huge numbers of bargain-hunters prepare to log on on Black Friday, officers highlighted the growing trend for criminals to use social media to target potential victims with apparently attractive deals.

One victim lost £86,000 when they tried to purchase a boat from a fraudster on eBay, police said.

Some 12,142 people said they had been bitten by online shopping fraud during the last Christmas period – with 133 saying they had been defrauded on Black Friday and another 115 falling victim on Cyber Monday.

City of London Police, who run the national reporting centre Action Fraud, are launching an awareness campaign aimed at helping shoppers avoid being conned.

Commander Chris Greany, the National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime, said: “Christmas is prime time for fraudsters to take advantage of the British public.

“During the festive season people rush to buy the presents they have been asking for; however, fraudsters see this period of generosity as an opportunity to strike and steal money from unsuspecting victims.

“Our campaign is designed to give individuals up-to-date advice that will keep them one step ahead of the criminals that target UK shoppers from all over the globe. Everyone deserves a crime-free Christmas so make sure it’s the criminals that are left short-changed this festive period.”

Young people are increasingly being approached on social media channels by fraudsters who offer seemingly great Christmas shopping deals, according to the police force.

It said that last year more people than ever reported that they had been initially approached on Instagram, with a 67% increase compared with the year before.

Analysis of Action Fraud reports from last Christmas showed that items such as home electricals, mobile phones and jewellery were the most common items which fraudsters offered to victims.

Separate research published earlier this week found that nearly a third of online shoppers may be tempted to put themselves at risk of fraud during the frenzy to grab a Christmas bargain.

Criminals use scam emails, fake ads on social media or internet searches promising heavy discounts for desirable goods to trick people into visiting fake websites and entering their card details. Once fraudsters harvest this information, they use victims’ details to go on shopping sprees.

So make sure you’re careful when online shopping, to make sure that your Christmas isn’t anything less than happy.

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CRIB Advisors Mentors Singapore - FOUNDERS

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CRIB Advisors Mentors Singapore - FOUNDERS

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Dr. Elaine Kim

Elaine is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and travel journalist. She currently practises palliative care at HCA Hospice Care, and is a Partner of Trinity Bridal in Hong Kong and Trinity Gallery in Singapore. Within CRIB, Elaine co-founded and serves as a creative director for boutique event planning company Milk and Honey and co-founded Trehaus Co-Work, Singapore’s first co-working space with adjacent child-minding and enrichment facilities. Elaine is an ambassador for SNOW and has led awareness-building and fund-raising initiatives for causes that support patients with cancer, the terminally ill, and protect at-risk children from trafficking and abuse. She is married to venture capitalist John Kim and they have two young sons. Her ABC Entrepreneur Profile is Angel.

Marilyn Lum

As the director of Lum Wen Kay Holdings, Marilyn manages investments in Singapore and China. She started her career in the hospitality and tourism industry, with over 5 years of experience in the front office, food and beverage and recreation department at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. Marilyn is currently pursuing her doctorate in education and is an adjunct lecturer and curriculum developer for several hospitality management schools. She is also on the lifestyle committee of Singapore Island Country Club. Marilyn and her husband have a young son. Her ABC Entrepreneur Profile is Business Manager.

Tjin Lee

Tjin is Founder and CEO of the award-winning Mercury Group of companies comprising, Mercury Events, Mercury PR, Mercury Creative and Mercury M&C. She is also the Founder and Festival Director of the Audi Fashion Festival and a passionate entrepreneur with a directorship in nine local businesses, including Trehaus Co-work, Curated Editions, Baby Style Icon and Wolfgang Violin Studio. Tjin is the recipient of the inaugural Singapore Tatler Young Achiever Leadership Award 2010, and Mercury has won numerous awards including the Singapore Tourism Board Experience Awards for Best Leisure Event for Audi Fashion Festival, and Best Exhibition for Blueprint. Tjin has a two young sons. Her ABC Entrepreneur Profile is Creative.

Mei Chee

Mei is the regional head of product marketing at a global technology company. Prior to that, she held various roles in portfolio and product management, research, marketing and strategy within the ICT industry. Mei is passionate about how technology and social enterprises can impact lives and shape culture. She served as advisor to The Whiz Times, a digital media platform for 5-12 year olds, and co-founded a global microenterprise initiative while pursuing her MBA at the Harvard Business School. Mei and her husband have a son, and she shares her parenting journey at Finally Mama as a member of Singapore Mom Bloggers. Her ABC Entrepreneur Profile is a blend of Angel, Business Manager and Creative.

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BRICON ASSOCIATES PTE LTD - International Health Insurance

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BRICON ASSOCIATES PTE LTD - International Health Insurance

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Whether you’re at home or living or working abroad, the last thing you want to worry about is your health. You need the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your medical needs are protected and you have access to the appropriate treatment available, whenever and wherever you need it. Naturally, you want a comprehensive international health insurance plan, giving you and your family instant access to an expert team of people who understand your situation and treat you with respect and compassion every time you contact them. With this international health policy, this is made possible.

We understand that everybody has a different budget and requirements. That is why our International healthcare insurance plans has three levels of cover, as well as options for extra international assistance and a choice of deductibles.

Prime level – This level gives you all the health coverage you need for both in-patient and out-patient care. Gold also covers family doctor treatment and any prescription you may need, as well as accident-related dental treatment. Maternity cover (after 10 months of continuous membership), home nursing and a range of four preventive health checks are also included in this comprehensive plan.

Middle level -This is designated to cover you and your family for any specialist medical treatment or diagnosis. You will be covered for in-patient hospital stays as well as out-patient consultations, treatment such as physiotherapy and a range of preventive health checks. Drugs, dressing and GP (family doctor) consultations are not covered. Maternity cover is available after 10 months of continuous membership.

Essential Plan – This level concentrates on covering you for in-patient hospital stays. You have the security that you will be covered for treatment you may receive as an in-patient or day-care patient.

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Car Tips - Dishonesty and Car
Insurance Policies

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Car Tips - Dishonesty and Car
Insurance Policies

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If drivers have one thing in common, it is that we all want low car insurance rates. Taking advantage of the discounts car insurance companies offer and maintaining a good driving record could go a long way towards saving on car insurance.

While these are good, honest ways to lower your rates, some customers choose to hide information or lie on their car insurance applications in an attempt to get cheap car insurance.

It may be tempting stretch the truth with your car insurance provider, but it can lead to negative consequences.

How Car Insurance Rates Are Determined

It is important to understand how car insurance rates are determined in order to know how and why people would lie on their applications to get lower rates.

Your car insurance is typically determined using several rating factors that include the following:

• Your driving record and the driving records of each additional driver you wish to add to the policy.

• Insurance claims history.

• Credit history.

• Your car’s year, make, and model.

• Primary parking location of the car.

• Average miles driven per day.

• Your age and gender.

• Your marital status.

The above rating factors are examples of the most common car insurance rating factors. Some states restrict insurance companies from using certain factors to determine car insurance rates. These restrictions generally apply to credit history and gender.

Common Lies Told by Applicants

When applying for car insurance, a driver might not tell the truth regarding some of the above rating factors. When an applicant deliberately lies on his application to save money, this is considered “soft fraud.”

Car insurance agents see certain misrepresentations more often than others. Often, applicants intentionally (or unintentionally – e.g., because they forgot) give false information regarding the following:

• The number of traffic violations or accidents on the driver’s record.

o Having tickets, at-fault accidents, or other violations can increase your rates. Some applicants may lower the number of violations they’ve had in order to try to obtain a better quote.

o NOTE: Background and driving record inquiries can easily check this information.

• Where the driver parks.

o Parking your car in a garage rather than out on the street can save you money on car insurance

o Some applicants will lie about keeping their car in the garage, even if they don’t own a garage.

• Miles driven.

o Driving less means you face fewer risks, which ultimately means cheaper car insurance rates.

o Applicants will often lie by giving a number significantly lower than their actual average miles driven per day.

Remember, with the Internet, checking accuracy on the facts you provide is relatively simple. Always assume your information will get verified and give accurate information.

If you can’t remember a piece of information, don’t make up facts. Try to gather all the necessary information before getting a quote.

Effects on Your Policy

Most states have laws regarding when an insurance company can or cannot cancel your policy. Lying on an application is typically considered grounds for cancellation of your policy, but typically only if the information is material, meaning the information can affect the decision about whether to insure you.

Keep in mind that most states require you to have car insurance if you are driving your car on public roads. A cancellation of your policy would cause a lapse of car insurance coverage and you could be in violation of law if you operate your car while it is uninsured.

Dishonesty and Car Insurance Claims

As stated earlier, it isn’t always easy for car insurance companies to know if you are being truthful on your application. They cannot check every detail, such as where you park your car overnight. However, this can change if you need to make a claim on your insurance.

If, for example, you have comprehensive car insurance and you need to make a claim because your car was damaged in a hailstorm, you may find that your insurance company will investigate this claim.

If they find that you park your car out on the street when you stated in your application that you park it in a garage, they can deny that claim. You will responsible for paying all the repair costs.

If your car insurance company finds out you gave false information in your application, and they do not cancel your policy, you might experience a hefty rate increase.

Honesty Really Is the Best Policy

Lying to get a better rate can be tempting, but it does come with consequences you don’t want to face. Car insurance companies also pass any costs they face due to lies on to other customers. So in an attempt to get discounted rates, you actually contribute to the increased rates for everyone.

Taking advantage of car insurance discounts and driving safely is a much better way of saving on your policy.