Newsletter

These Business Tips Brought to You by Roussel Insurance & Financial Services

Every business goes through changes including growth, new products or services, or equipment upgrades.  If your business has experienced any change it might be time to have a business insurance and risk review.

New Products Or Services

If your business is providing new services or is selling new products it will be important to make sure your business insurance covers these changes. For example, if you are a contractor and are now providing plan review services, you will need Professional Liability Insurance.

Employee Changes

With employment changes always comes the need for Employment Practices Liability Insurance. If you have added new classes of employees, your workers’ compensation coverage will need to be updated.

New Equipment

If your business has purchased new computers, office equipment, or machinery you may not have enough property insurance coverage. Your Property Insurance premium varies depending on the type and volume of hardware/software you buy.

Change In Ownership

Often businesses have a change in ownership. It could be the death of a shareholder, divorce involving one of the shareholders, or your business may have added a new partner. Whatever the case, these changes need to be addressed with your agent and insurer. If you do not have Directors and Officers insurance, now may be the time to consider this coverage.

Remember that when things change in your business, one of the first things to consider is how those changes will impact your risk coverage.

Please call us anytime at 818-848-3331 to set up an appointment.
 

It is the time of year when many people are preparing for a restful vacation. Perhaps you  are heading off to see the grandkids, or your whole family is taking a cruise. No matter what the activity, vacations are no reason to give up on healthy living. Here are few tips to help you stay healthy while on vacation.

How To Have A Healthy Vacation:

• Wash your hands often.

• Take vitamin C or Echinacea. Echinacea is a popular herbal supplement used to boost immunity.

• Dink lots of water. If you travel abroad, consider bottled water.

• Take long walks everyday, use the stairs when possible, or use the hotel fitness room.

• Limit fast food.

• Pack healthy snacks likes dried fruit, healthy crackers, or nuts.

• If you are driving, take breaks every few hours.

• Find a famers market near you. Pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, pretzels and popcorn that can serve as snacks or a breakfast alternative during your stay.

• Always select a sit down restaurant. Order dressing on the side. Try local cuisine or fish.

• Share your meals around the table. Serving sizes at standard restaurants can easily feed two people.

• Turn off the IPad and TV news for a few days. Try reading a book.

• Limit the use of alcohol.

• Keep bed bugs away.  Don’t store your clothes on the ground, use luggage racks; bed bugs do no climb.

According to travel experts these are the top vacation spoilers: overeating, dehydration, hangovers, overspending, and getting sunburned. Try to stick to your normal sleep schedule and, bring your own pillow with you if possible.
​

These Healthcare Tips Brought to You By Roussel Insurance & Financial Services

Healthcare reform has created many questions and concerns for individuals. When considering health insurance, you want the most coverage for you and your family. We can provide you with guidance and support in selecting a plan that is best suited for you. We have identified a number of factors for you to consider when selecting an individual plan.

Healthcare Reform Key Information

The open enrollment lasts only three months; about half the time as last year. The enrollment period is November 15, 2104 to February 15, 2015.
You can enroll outside of this period if you qualify.
Individuals may also qualify for Special Enrollment Periods outside of Open Enrollment if they experience certain events. These include; getting married, having a baby, losing health insurance, moving, plus others.
There are plenty of health plans available directly from insurers, without going through a marketplace. In fact, some insurers are only selling policies outside the marketplace in some states.

How To Select Your Individual Health Plan

We have access to many markets and special programs. This would include coverage under the healthcare reform.

Look at several plans- Each plan offers different levels of coverage.

Consider any dependents- If you have children under age 26 without health insurance coverage through an employer; the law permits them to be on your insurance.

Review many providers- You may want to make sure your primary care physician is in network.

Determine what you need vs. what you want- Determine what you need and focus on that.

Consider deductibles- Plan premiums can vary with high deductibles; this may save you considerable dollars.

Make sure your drugs are covered. You’ll want to make certain that the plan’s formulary, or list of covered medications, includes those you take regularly, especially if they are expensive.

Don't just look at premiums. Figure in other out-of-pocket costs you will face and compare these within each plan. Finally, you should expect your agent to continue advising and helping you even after you purchase a policy. It does not cost you anymore to use our services, so call us today at 818-848-3331.

 

 

There are two different kinds of risks and we will address each. The first risk is what we might call incidental use. The second risk is when a person drives his/her own car every day as part of their job, like a sales person. This person’s job description actually includes using their own car as part of the day to day job functions.

Situation One-Incidental Use

Generally in these situations you would be covered under your personal auto policy. If you find you are driving more than 30-40% of the time on company business, it would be best to contact our office for a review of your coverage. Examples of incidental use would be:

• Going to a company event

• Taking the mail to the post office

• Picking up supplies at the store

• Going to see a client - occasionally

Situation Two- Drive as Part of the Job

Many personal auto policies have drive-for-business exclusions, requiring individuals to inform their agents that they drive for work and to acquire an endorsement. Without the endorsement, insurers may refuse to cover a claim. Here are some examples of work related situations where you might need to make adjustments to your insurance:

• Outside sales professionals

• Real-estate agents

• Driving more than 50% of the time for the company

• You receive an auto allowance

• You take a tax deduction for work related driving

If you use your vehicle for delivery or landscaping you might need to consider a commercial policy, especially if the vehicle is used 100% for business use.

We are ready to help you with all your auto, home, RV, and motorcycle needs. Call us today. We can combine your insurance under one program and save you hundreds of dollars.

 

These Healthy Tips to Live By Brought to You By Roussel Insurance & Financial Services

 

The New Year has passed and 2015 is well under way. We wanted to provide you with a few healthy living tips in order to keep you as healthy as possible. Keep these in mind as you manage your health for the rest of 2015 and beyond.
 

• Get your flu shots. It may be late it the year, but check with your doctor if it would be beneficial.
• Plan for Social Security ­changes: On January 1, 2015, benefits increase by 1.7% to a maximum of $2,663 each month.  The part B premium for Medicare will remain the same at $104.90 as it has been the past two years.
• Have you had your blood pressure checked, do it now. Many drug stores offer free or low cost testing.
• Coffee has some positive health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, prevents diabetes and may even fight skin cancer.
• A glass of red wine every day may also have health benefits.
• Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); it is important to remember that dinner does not have to be the largest meal.
• Control portion sizes; eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger and then stop eating.
• Research suggests that people with mild eczema who drink oolong tea three times a day may show improvement in itching and other symptoms.
• Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise. This is the type that benefits your heart most. Examples include walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling, skiing, skating, rowing, and aerobics or cardio classes. These strengthen your heart and lungs.

Our insurance rates are extremely competitive. Please call us at 818-848-3331 for a quick quote!