Blog

Sep
17
2018

Prompt Filing of Commercial Auto Claims Can Stop Problems before They Start

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

While a driving employee may be flustered after an accident and may not be thinking of reporting the incident immediately, for you, the policyholder, the clock starts ticking the moment the accident has occurred. To ensure that the claim is dealt with in a timely manner and to prevent a number of unforeseen consequences, the sooner after an accident that you report a claim, the better. The reason it’s so important to file the auto claim in a timely manner is that there is often a third party involved. If there is a gap between when the accident occurs and…
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Sep
17
2018

Number of Employers Offering Coverage Grows

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

The number of companies offering health insurance to their employees has risen for the first time in a decade, according to new research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. In 2017, almost 47% of private-sector employers offered health insurance, up from 45.3% in 2016. The percentage had previously been dropping steadily since 2008, when more than half (56.4%) were providing coverage. The trend continues that the larger the company, the more likely it is to offer coverage, with 99% of firms with 1,000 or more employees offering health benefits. Interestingly, the pre-Affordable Care Act numbers are higher than the post-ACA…
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Sep
17
2018

Conducting Legal Background Checks On Applicants And Employees

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

With the number of harassment, discrimination and other employee lawsuits growing, besides examining their internal policies, employers need to be careful about who they hire. Apart from calling previous employers and schools and checking for any lawsuits with the courts, many businesses will also consider using a vendor to do a background check and to look at an applicant’s social media posts. The key to staying on the right side of the law is following the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Despite its name, the law covers more than just credit checks. It governs how an employer or a third…
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Sep
17
2018

Fifteen Warning Signs of Workers’ Comp Fraud

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

  Workers’ compensation fraud costs the insurance industry roughly $5 billion each year, according to estimates by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. And depending on whom you ask, fraud accounts for as much as 10% of the costs of all workers’ comp claims. This type of fraud is typically associated with malingering employees who fake injuries in order to collect compensation and some paid vacation time. In tougher economic times, particularly as lay-offs mount, some experts think there is an increased exposure for employees to claim a work-related injury for a variety of manufactured reasons, such as for an injury…
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Aug
13
2018

5 Employee Benefits that Help You Attract Top Talent

by CoreMark Insurance Services | posted in Blog

What value do you place on your employees? If it’s compensation alone, you are offering no more than any other organization and your picks for new talent will be slim. Job seekers, especially millennials, are seeking out employers who offer more than just a fair wage–they are looking for outstanding, creative, and competitive employee benefits. It’s in the benefits that they are seeing how much an organization truly values those who are behind it. We’ve put together a list of 5 employee benefits that will not only help you attract top talent, but will also increase productivity, profitability, and reduce…
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Aug
07
2018

Why Disability Insurance Is Vital for Your Employees

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

NEARLY 80% of Americans said that they had at least two types of insurance when it came to health, home and auto policies. But, only about 35% reported having disability insurance from an employer, according to a survey conducted by the Harris Poll for OneAmerica. Of the 2,100 people surveyed who did not have disability insurance from an employer, more than 40% said that employers did not offer it. About 15% said that they did not have it because they could not afford the cost, and they felt that other living expenses were higher priorities. Why disability insurance? People are…
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Aug
07
2018

New Rules Allow Short-term Plans to Last up to Three Years

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

The Trump administration has taken another step in its effort to roll out short-term health insurance plans by extending the amount of time such plans can be in effect. Under the new rule, which was issued August 1, short-term plans can be purchased for up to 12 months and policyholders can renew coverage for a maximum of 36 months. These controversial plans, though, do not have to comport with the Affordable Care Act. A few examples include not covering the ACA’s “10 essential benefits” or pre-existing conditions – and they can even exclude coverage for medications. Possible Impact As a…
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Aug
07
2018

Preparing for a Workers’ Compensation Audit

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

  Just the mention of a workers’ compensation audit can stir up the butterflies in your stomach and add a serious dose of stress to your existence. But, if you are scheduled for an audit, there is no need to dread it. A small amount of preparation and common sense can save you a lot of aggravation and money. Timing Devoting a few hours of effort now can save you a lot of time in the future. Give your full attention to the auditor and remain with them throughout the entire process. The process may take a couple of hours…
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Aug
07
2018

As Dump Trucks Grow Longer, Tip-overs Increase

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

Dump truck tip-overs are occurring at an increasing frequency, often resulting in drivers and surrounding workers being injured or killed. The reason for the increase is that end-dump-truck bodies and semi-trailer dumping rigs are being built longer than ever before. For the most part, tip-overs are more often associated with semi-trailer rigs than with straight dump trucks, but both are susceptible to tipping over. If you have these vehicles in your fleet, you should be concerned about the main factors that can result in tip-overs: Truck stability Poor hazard controls Poor maintenance Improper loading Improper dumping Stability The time when…
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Jul
24
2018

Upgrade Your Employee Benefits Through Communication

by CoreMark Insurance Services | posted in Blog

Employee benefits communication has long been a struggle for HR professionals. When providing employees with information about their benefits, it has been an ongoing battle to effectively convey what they need to know regarding terms, policies, and especially changes. In Aflac’s 2017 Workforces Report, 67% of employees reported that reading about their benefits is stressful or complicated. The majority also named “simpler language” as one of the top things they would change about their benefits enrollment to improve it. Only about 25% of employees felt confident in their benefits selections. Others said they needed more information or help from a…
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