Business Insurance Group

Interview Thank You Note Tips

When you go on a job interview, it is absolutely essential that you send a thank you note to the potential employer. This is usually a simple handwritten note of thanks for them taking the time to interview you and consider you for the position. It is also an opportunity for the employer to see your name again, and that is always a good thing. Here are several tips for interview thank you notes that you can use the next time you apply for a job:

First and foremost, it is important that you take the time to write the note by hand. Sending a thank you note that is not handwritten comes across as rushed and insincere.

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Senate Passes Health Care Reform Bill – A Look at Differences in Bills

The Senate has passed its version of health care reform. Now there are two bills and reconciliation must take place.

Let’s look at some key differences (to the extent time would allow I have garnered these differences directly from the legislation or from legislative summaries) between the Affordable Health Care for America Act (House) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

• How Will Effect Employers? – Larger employers will be mandated to provide coverage by both versions. The Senate Bill requires coverage for employers with more than 50 employees and will penalize the employer at $750 per employee if the employee is receiving subsidized coverage.

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Comparing the Health Care Bills

It looks as though the Senate will pass a bill.

In the early hours…of the shortest day of the year…the Senate overcame the first of three Republican roadblocks. Two more procedural attempts to derail the legislation before Christmas will occur; but it is likely the Democrats and other supporters will sweep those aside and we will have a Senate bill.

The bill differs a great deal from the bill passed by the House. There will need to be a consolidation of the plans.

I have not read the complete Senate bill. Giveaways to really small populations to overcome their Senator’s blackmail is not what I like to read about.

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Physician Insurance

Find Physician Insurance at Commercial Insurance.NET.  Fill out a request or call the 877 number to speak with an agent who can get you a price indication for Physician Insurance.  Agents at Commercial Insurance.NET take pride in building relationships over the phone and will construct a plan that includes a Business Owners Policy covering General and Property Insurance.  In addition the agent can research Professional Liability to cover Medical Malpractice.  Physician Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated and Commercial Insurance.NET will give you quotes from multiple companies.

Insurance Premiums may be Tax Deductible

As we get closer to the end of the year and your business is looking for tax savings, remember that certain insurance premiums are tax deductible as a business expense. I have posted an article on that issue that explains the most common premium deductions.

It is often worthwhile, especially if you are a small business on a cash accounting system, to review those liability policies that have renewal dates close to the new year. For example, a professional liability policy may have a six-month premium of $1000 due on February 1, 2010. If that premium is paid in advance (assuming the insurer allows) by year end, then the realization of that deduction comes for the 2009 tax year.

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End of the Year Insurance Planning

As the second Friday of December passes us by and we head off for the weekend (dome of us anyways), keep in mind there are only twenty days left until the end of the year.

End of the year is the perfect time to review your company’s business insurance. It is a good time to make sure that equipment purchased during the year is insured. It is a good time to make sure that automobiles and their drivers are properly identified. Update procedure manuals, review wellness plans, meet with your insurance professional–these and other steps are perfectly suited for the end of the year because the steps coincide with tax planning.

I have a post where I suggest a ten-step annual review.

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Zurich Adds a Virtual Library

Zurich in North America has created an electronic library of risk management and product information. Zurich calls it: the Zurich Virtual Literature Rack (VLR).

The VLR contains information relevant to risk managers, customers, and those looking to purchase business insurance. The VLR requires registration and the information requested is a bit invasive, but that is probably my only complaint. I have always liked RiskInsight, a publication produced by Zurich that covers different types of risks in each issue. That publication is available in the VLR for direct viewing or downloading.

Other publications and white papers are also available at the VLR.

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What cities are tops for starting a small business?

Chances are the Canadian cities where a new business is most likely to succeed might not be where you think. In fact, you might not have even heard of some of them until now.

The cities (those with a population of 25,000 or more) that scored best and were determined to be the friendliest cities to start a new business are: Lloydminster Alberta/Saskatchewan (the provincial border runs through town) Parksville, British Columbia Grand Prairie, Alberta Fort St. John, British Columbia Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Kelowna, British Columbia Sept-Îles, Quebec Fort McMurray, Alberta Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan Toronto’s ‘905’ Region, Ontario The list, the product of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s examination of 12 entrepreneurial factors in three key areas, shows that big cities are not a big deal. With Full Post…