Archive by Author | Jimmy Kinmartin - Business Insurance & Risk Management
December 19, 2013  

Minimum Wage Increases for 2014

As of December 1, 2013, 14 states, including California, have announced an increase in their minimum wage rate. In addition to California, these states are: New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Employers in these states should review their employees’ wage payment rates and update their minimum wage poster requirements as necessary to ensure their compliance with state regulations.

Here are the 2014 minimum wage rates for all of these states:

2014 Minimum Wage Rates-JK

December 18, 2013  

2014 Marketing Ideas

As 2013 comes winding down to a close, I’ve been thinking long and hard of new ways and ideas to market myself as a reputable business insurance agent/broker. How about a sign waving mannequin in front of the agency?

This commands respect! I’m sure the neighbors in Torrance and Palos Verdes would love seeing this on their sidewalks.  And business owners will be lining up to talk about their insurance needs.

Back to the drawing board…

-JK

December 10, 2013  

New High-tech Auto Theft Device Showing Up In The U.S.

From Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL, thieves with no keys are breaking into automobiles with mysterious new high-tech hand-held box device. It appears this is the latest high-tech crime tool as cars have become “rolling computers.” Check out this news piece from CNN which was originally published on 6/21/13.

According to the California Highway Patrol, there were more than 700,000 auto thefts nationwide in 2011, with 156,796 occurring in California, the most for any state.

It’s important to know what to do if your vehicle is stolen. Here are a few suggestions:

1 – The best offense is a good defense. Consider purchasing comprehensive car insurance, which covers your vehicle if it is damaged in anything other than a collision. This includes auto theft, vandalism, floods, hailstorms and fire damage.

2 – Contact police immediately if your vehicle is stolen and file a report. The chances of recovering a stolen vehicle decreases as time passes.

3 – Be sure to have the following information when filing a claim with your insurance carrier:

  • Policy number
  • When and where you last saw your car (date, time and location)
  • Year, make and model
  • Vehicle identification number
  • License plate number
  • Police report number

4 – Be sure to list any additional valuables that were in your car at the time it was stolen.

5 – Offer photos of your car, if possible, to the police and your claims adjuster.

-JK

November 29, 2013  

Happy Black Friday 2013!

Walmart Fort Worth, Texas:

Walmart Puerto Rico:

God Bless America!

-JK

 

November 14, 2013  

Exercise To Improve Hunchback Posture

I don’t know about you, but I’m in front of the computer way too damn much in my opinion. I worry all the time that my posture is going to go to crap and I’m going to be a hunchback one day. That’s why I got a little excited when I saw this video of an exercise to improve hunchback posture

Two times per day for one month?? I’m in. I’m going to set some reminders in my Outlook to make sure I stick to this. And when I’m on the road I’ll make it up at other times. Who’s in?

-JK

November 7, 2013  

There Is Always Someone Who Will Do It Cheaper

I saw this photo and caption surfing my LinkedIn home page, so I don’t know who to give credit to on this one, but had to share. I think pretty much any human can identify with this one:

Cheaper

This totally reminds me of the insurance industry, especially personal auto insurance. Every commercial you see on TV is along the lines of “give us 15 minutes and we’ll save you 15% on your car insurance.” Or, “you can save hundreds on your car insurance.” 

Well, maybe you can, but at what costs when you actually need the coverage? Instead of looking at the bottom line only, know what value you’re getting on what you’re buying. I don’t care if it’s the sprinkler repair guy, rain gutter installation, home remodeling, or insurance, is cheaper always better in the long run? Or, just more time, money, and headaches in the future?

Don’t believe everything you see from the surface. Have a need? Talk to a friend and see they have had a good experience with someone they can recommend. Then you can have the peace of mind knowing you’re getting the best VALUE for what you’re buying.

My go-to quote from Oscar Wilde sums it all up: “Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing”

-JK

November 5, 2013  

Be Stocked and Ready For Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a nationally recognized day celebrated on November 30th when millions of consumers spend billions of dollars at independent neighborhood shops and restaurants. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, find out what every Main Street business owner needs to know and do to stay safe, grounded and be ready for the busy holiday season provided by Travelers Insurance Company.

Here are some nice resources provided by Travelers Insurance Company touching on the following risk management topics. Be sure to click on the links for each of these topics to learn more:

Store Safety Tips (Workplace Safety | Slips, Trips, and Falls | Fire Safety | Ladder Safety | Ergonomics)

Business Continuity (Why You Need a Business Continuity Plan | Create A Business Continuity Plan in Four Steps | Identifying Business Threats | Employee Communications and Considerations)

Supply Chain Management (Tips for Managing Your Supply Chain | Working With Overseas Suppliers | How To Identify Counterfeit Parts | Have An Inventory Backup Plan)

Cyber Threats (Employee Training | Cyber Safety Tips | Password Security | Business Continuity For Data Management | Incident Response Plan)

You can contact me for additional information or if I can help you in developing risk management plans for your business.

-JK

October 18, 2013  

“No Soliciting”

I spent some time knocking on doors yesterday. Saw a lot of these signs.

In my opinion, “No Soliciting” signs are meant for door–to–door type of salespersons who canvass an area trying to sell commodities such as handbags, perfume, wall hangings, etc. I am offering a service, not selling a product. Truthfully, I’m not trying to sell anything on the spot, rather, gathering information to hopefully establish a relationship and build trust.

Are you out there knocking on doors? What are your thoughts on “No Soliciting” signs for B2B sales?

-JK

October 15, 2013  

OSHA Releases 2013 Most-cited Workplace Violations

Fall protection was once again the most-cited workplace safety violation in OSHA’s annual top 10 violations list for fiscal year 2013. The whole list is as follows:

  1. Fall protection: 8,241 Violations
  2. Hazard communication: 6,156 Violations
  3. Scaffolding: 5,423 Violations
  4. Respiratory protection: 3,879 Violations
  5. Electrical – wiring methods: 3,452 Violations
  6. Powered industrial trucks: 3,340 Violations
  7. Ladders: 3,311 Violations
  8. Lockout/ tagout: 3,254 Violations
  9. Electrical – general requirements: 2,745 Violations
  10. Machine guarding: 2,701 Violations

The list was presented at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo in early October.

Take this opportunity to review your company’s safety policies and address any areas of weakness.

Contact me or your risk manager to find out more about how you can reduce worker injuries and keep your employees safe and healthy.

-JK

October 5, 2013  

Grand Opening of Long Beach Fire Station 12

On Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Mayor Bob Foster, Councilmember Steven Neal, Long Beach Development Services, and the Long Beach Fire Department hosted the Grand Opening and Dedication of newly constructed Fire Station 12.

The new Fire Station 12 and the Emergency Resource Center is located at 1199 E. Artesia Blvd., on a 1.2 acre site covering the entire northwest corner of Artesia Boulevard and Orange Avenue.

The 11,296 square-foot Fire Station has a 100-foot-tall communication tower that will greatly enhance radio coverage throughout the city. The Station has been built on a highly visible major traffic corridor; which provides noise and traffic-safety benefits.

The landscape design at this location uses native vegetation with water-saving irrigation systems 90 percent of construction debris was diverted from landfills and recycled.

In addition, the facility will also serve as home to a 5,294 square-foot Emergency Resource Center (ERC) that will serve as an important supply and distribution facility in North Long Beach. With the ERC in place, Station 12 will allow the City to create a regional disaster supply depot with enough materials to handle the northern half of the City in case of a major disaster.

-JK

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