The major source of flood insurance for homeowners has limped along this year from one extension to another. The latest runs through Sept. 30 while Congress debates whether to extend the program for five years and impose several proposed changes.

A homeowner or prospective home buyer who is weighing whether to get flood insurance shouldn’t wait for Congress to act. Some home buyers will need the coverage because mortgage lenders routinely require flood insurance when a home is in a flood-hazard zone.

And a lot of Hampton Roads is in such zones, subject to flooding during tropical storms, nor’easters and even extremely high tides.

The fine points of flood insurance and flood maps have taken on greater meaning for property owners in parts of Hampton Roads. Flood maps for Hampton were recently redrawn, and the process is under way in Suffolk and Newport News.

In Hampton, more than 1,700 properties and their structures were added to a new flood-hazard zone, while 2,568 were removed. An additional 2,734 properties were added to the new flood zone, but their structures remain outside the zone. The changes are scheduled to take effect by February.

Read full story

The National Flood Insurance Program offers federally backed insurance to property owners and renters in Oklahoma communities that participate in the program. Those communities have agreed to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed the Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) August 3, 2010

With boating season in full swing and many boats on the water during the summer months, national boat insurance company Wallace Welch & Willingham (www.marineins.com) warns Florida boat and yacht owners to familiarize themselves with maritime salvage claims guidelines before taking to the waters. Wallace Welch and Willingham Marine Insurance has seen an increase in the number of boat and yacht owners who accept help when stranded on the water without knowing the financial consequences that could be involved if that help is deemed to be a salvage claim instead of a tow.

Advisors in Marine Insurance, Wallace Welch and Willingham specializes in providing marine insurance to recreational boaters and the commercial marine industry.

Maritime salvage claims occur when the vessel needs assistance and the vessel is in peril. A boat/yacht that has fallen into peril has been affected by extraordinary forces of nature; for example stranding, sinking, collision, fire or heavy weather.

A simple tow, on the other hand, is performed when the vessel is not in peril. A towing reimbursement loss may occur if vessel has a dead battery or is out of fuel. A towing company will normally charge a flat fee per hour for their towing services. Receiving towing services will not normally affect your loss history or boat insurance premiums.

A boater who accepts help when their boat/yacht is in peril could have a salvage claim in addition to a hull claim. Factors like the difficulty of the salvage operation, the risk that was involved to the salvor, and the value of the vessel saved would be components of the loss settlement. The amount of a salvage award is determined by the courts or negotiated between the salvor and the claim adjustor. The amount the boat or yacht owner may owe to the salvor could be up to 50 percent of the vessel’s value.

In the event that a boater is forced to pay a large claim to a salvor, often it is the boat insurance or yacht insurance company that must pay on the boater’s behalf, and that claim may impact your loss history. This may cause the boat or yacht insurance premium to increase (at renewal) which can have a long term effect on the mariner.

“If you find yourself stranded out on the water or in need of help, make sure you clarify in advance with the party helping you whether the service they are providing is towing or salvage services” advises the Marine Insurance division at Wallace Welch and Willingham. “If you do not have boat or yacht insurance you may find yourself in court trying to maintain ownership of your vessel or paying out of pocket a large claim to the salvor.”

About Wallace Welch & Willingham:

Based in Florida, Wallace Welch and Willingham Marine Insurance specializes in competitive and comprehensive yacht insurance and boat insurance policies in Florida and nationwide. For more information on salvage laws and how this may affect your boat insurance policy, or to obtain a marine insurance or yacht insurance quote, visit www.marineins.com.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebMarine/Insurance/prweb4332404.htm

Jacksonville, FL (Vocus) August 3, 2010

U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc., the leader in prevention, has announced the appointment of Joel Bender, MD, PhD, FACOEM, as the company’s global medical director. Previously Dr. Bender served as corporate director of Global Health Services for the General Motors Corporation where he directed health management programs for more than one million GM employees and their family members. His activities have included clinical, executive, governing, and medical advisory roles in many national, international, and professional organizations.

In his new position with U.S. Preventive Medicine, Dr. Bender will be involved in product development and research. He will also be a key strategist in developing the company’s blueprint for future growth both nationally and internationally, with specific emphasis on solutions for employers seeking to reduce skyrocketing health care costs and lost productivity due to preventable conditions.

According to Christopher Fey, chairman and CEO of U.S. Preventive Medicine, “Dr. Bender has focused his career and life around advocacy for effective disease prevention and health promotion. Through his work, he has helped individuals across the United States and around the world become healthier and more vital, productive individuals.”

From 1998 until 2002, Dr. Bender was a partner at Patient Advocates, Ltd., providing health education and formal methods for resolution of health care disputes. During this same time period he was managing director of Health Strategies, a consulting service to health care organizations, trade associations and manufacturers regarding health care delivery, toxicology and occupational medicine.

Dr. Bender worked for Owens Corning as vice president of health, safety and environmental affairs and as chief medical officer from 1987 until 1998. He was also invited to participate on several World Health Organization panels and workshops sponsored internationally by organized labor. From 1979 to 1987, Dr. Bender worked at many levels for DuPont, including manager of field services at Haskell Laboratory for Toxicology and Industrial Medicine and in Houston, Texas as corporate medical director for Conoco Inc.

Dr. Bender has also been an active member of the Advisory Committee for the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and past executive director of the American Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association. In addition to authoring or co-authoring more than 30 technical papers, he is a recipient of the C. Everett Koop Award, The US Department of Health and Human Services Award for Health Promotion and Wellness, The 2000 Kehoe Award of Merit and The 2004 President’s Award from The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

U.S. Preventive Medicine’s vice chairman, Ron Loeppke, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACOEM said, “Dr. Bender is an exemplary physician leader with outstanding expertise and experience in the field of preventive and occupational medicine. He is a tremendous asset to U.S. Preventive Medicine and will help us deliver unparalleled innovation in prevention and continue our global mission of providing more good years to all those we serve.”

About U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc.

U.S. Preventive Medicine is leading a global preventive health movement focused on saving lives and money by keeping people healthy and better managing chronic conditions before they progress. The company provides an integrated continuum of prevention programs – primary, secondary and tertiary – that are based on the clinical science of preventive medicine. The world’s first preventive health benefit, The Prevention Plan™, moves beyond traditional wellness to identify each individual’s top health risks and design a customized plan of action supported 24×7 by nurse coaches. The company is accredited in wellness and health promotion by NCQA and disease management by URAC.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/08/prweb4343834.htm

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 3, 2010

Connecture, Inc., the leading provider of Web-based sales, service, and process automation solutions to the health insurance industry, has announced a long-term investment in expanded distribution services across the health insurance industry. This investment focuses on leveraging Connecture’s existing sales automation technology as well as on developing new products to support the future of health insurance sales and distribution channels.

Eleven of the top 20 health insurance carriers in the country utilize Connecture’s InsureConnect software platform for online sales functions, including quoting, rating, and enrollment across all market segments. “We have a history of connecting carriers to their constituents via an efficient, user-friendly, online shopping experience from the carrier’s website,” commented Dan Maynard, Chief Executive Officer at Connecture. “But, consumers, brokers, and groups have so many different ways now to shop, compare and buy insurance online. We intend to leverage our current technology to support our client’s need for connectivity to multiple distribution channels.”

Connecture’s recent acquisition of the multi-carrier quoting platform Insurint is the first step in the company’s strategy involving public and private shopping platforms. The acquisition created the largest end-to-end sales automation provider in the health insurance market, which Maynard said will allow Connecture to extend its existing technology to support state-based exchanges, retail shopping platforms, and for all future distribution channels that will evolve.

“Leveraging our technology in public and private shopping platforms will take the cost and friction out of the distribution of health insurance,” explained Maynard. “In this post-reform environment, it is critical that the technology used to create both the public state-based exchanges and the private retail distribution channels be a proven technology that is implemented by people with a deep understanding of the health insurance industry. Connecture’s 11 years of experience automating the sales and service processes for health insurance companies makes us uniquely qualified and well-positioned to be a strong partner in the development of state-based exchanges and other shopping platforms for retailers and aggregators.”

“We believe that by effectively utilizing multiple sales distribution channels, carriers will increase their sales productivity and lower costs to their customers,” Maynard concluded. “To support our clients, Connecture will invest in adding product features, along with allocating internal management and leadership to this effort, to successfully support a full range of sales distribution channels.”

About Connecture

Connecture is solely focused on delivering integrated Web-based sales, service and process automation solutions to the health insurance industry. Connecture has automated elements of the insurance sales and service process for over 80 health plans and insurers, and its InsureConnect suite of solutions currently supports the sales and servicing of 11 of the 20 largest health plans and insurers in the country. Its industry-proven solutions encompass the entire spectrum of multi-channel insurance sales and services for small group, large group and individual markets. Connecture offers an end-to-end business process transaction platform consisting of focused modular applications that fully integrate with existing systems. Connecture’s solutions have proven to deliver increased sales, enhanced broker loyalty, improved back-office efficiencies, lower customer acquisition costs, and decreased overall operating expenses. For more information, call Meg Riddle at 262.408.3865 or visit the Connecture website at www.connecture.com. Connecture has offices at 101 Marietta Street, Suite 1600, Atlanta, GA, and at One Riverwood Place, N17W24222 Riverwood Drive, Suite 330, Waukesha, WI.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/08/prweb4342214.htm

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) August 3, 2010

DocuSign®, the market leader and global standard for electronic signature, today announced that 1st Guard® Corporation integrated the DocuSign electronic signature management service to complete and sign insurance applications online. 1st Guard, a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance to leased owner operators, trusts the DocuSign eSignature platform to quickly, securely and completely transact insurance documents online from anywhere, anytime.

“Our clients are truckers, essentially on the road 24×7 so we needed a flexible, mobile solution to meet their unique needs,” said Dan Ribar, chief information officer at 1st Guard. “With DocuSign, we get it all—ease of use, digital forms, legal compliance and complete mobility. Being able to complete election forms electronically is a huge benefit for our customers.”

1st Guard has eliminated the logistical nightmare of faxing, printing and mailing applications to customers constantly on the move. By integrating DocuSign into their online workflows, 1st Guard customers can complete insurance election in minutes. Plus, DocuSign offers the convenience of signing using an Apple iPhone, RIM® BlackBerry® or any other smart phone. DocuSign provides 1st Guard customers with a fast and trusted method to complete insurance forms, thereby significantly reducing the time, environmental impact and cost of traditional paper-based processing.

Insurance companies across the country are adopting the DocuSign electronic signature management. Industry leaders such as Amica, BannerLife, First Premium, iPipeline, QuickQuote and hundreds of other insurance carriers and agencies have migrated to DocuSign to ensure compliance and enhance client satisfaction. For more information on how the DocuSign eSignature management service can positively impact the insurance industry, visit http://www.docusign.com/e-signatures/insurance.

“We are pleased to be the trusted electronic signature provider for 1st Guard and look forward to working with them continue to quickly and conveniently serve their clients,” said Steve King, president and CEO of DocuSign. “Customer service is a top priority for insurance carriers and we’ve seen a steep increase in the adoption of DocuSign across the insurance ecosystem. By automating the signing process and enabling consumers to complete forms online, from anywhere at any time, companies like 1st Guard can strengthen their ties with their customer base while cutting costs and improving efficiencies.”

About DocuSign, Inc.

DocuSign, Inc. is the market leader and global standard for electronic signature. DocuSign provides the world’s largest and fastest growing electronic signature platform, empowering businesses to complete transactions online quickly and securely while improving compliance and dramatically reducing costs.

DocuSign is the only cloud computing-based electronic signature platform that entirely replaces slow, expensive paper transactions with a fast, efficient and completely digital solution. Accessible from any Internet-connected device, DocuSign supports virtually any document and form type in simple and complex workflows, and provides broad user authentication options, data collection, secure document/data storage and retrieval, as well as real-time negotiation and collaboration tools.

DocuSign employs the industry’s only multi-site enterprise class, SAS-70 data centers delivering 99.9% uptime for customers over the last four years. With more than 5 million unique signers processing millions of transactions per year, DocuSign is trusted by more people, more companies, more times than any other electronic signature provider in the world. In addition, DocuSign is the official and exclusive provider of electronic signature for the National Association of REALTORS® 1.1 million members, under the REALTOR Benefits® Program.

To learn how DocuSign can accelerate your business, visit www.docusign.com or call (866) 219-4318. Subscribe to the DocuSign blog at www.docusign.com/blog and follow DocuSign on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DocuSign.

DocuSign, the DocuSign logo and “the fastest way to get a signature” are trademarks or registered trademarks of DocuSign, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebDocuSign-1st-Guard/electronic-signature/prweb4342624.htm

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) July 29, 2010

The Jellyvision Lab announced today the launch of the Jellyvision Benefits Counselor. Benefits Counselor, an interactive online multimedia experience, will eliminate the confusion, anxiety and drudgery employees feel when learning about their benefits.

The application features a virtual host, David, who guides employees through their available benefits, asks questions along the way, and offers individualized benefit plan recommendations to each participant based on their answers.

The Benefits Counselor was developed and piloted in 2009 through a partnership with Aetna, and the response was overwhelmingly positive—from employees and employers alike. This is great news for businesses, especially considering that benefits are the second-most important factor in job-satisfaction and employee retention (according to the Society of Human Resource Management) and that so few employees actually understand their benefits (fewer than 20%, according to a new study by Colonial Life). Companies who provide insurance benefits through Aetna can get Benefit Counselor at a special discount. Aetna markets the application as the Aetna Benefits Advisor.

The conversation with David relies on The Jellyvision Lab’s proven design techniques in developing compelling interactive media. Not to mention its exhaustive research in the healthcare field, which turned up some shocking results: employees prefer understanding their benefits to being confused by them, enjoy fun interactive experiences more than reams of insurance documentation, and would rather spend several minutes selecting benefits than several hours.

“I mean, given a choice between learning about insurance or doing – well – practically anything else, most people will choose anything else,” said Harry Gottlieb, Founder & CEO of the Jellyvision Lab, and the creator of YOU DON’T KNOW JACK. “But when you need it, insurance is REALLY important,” said Gottlieb. “We want to help every employee in America understand what their employer is providing them, make smart decisions for themselves and their families…and have a good time while they’re doing it.”

Comcast was an early adopter of Jellyvision Benefits Counselor. Benefits Project Specialist Melissa Dulin summarized the results she achieved at Comcast: “Because of the Jellyvision Benefits Counselor, Comcast was not only able to achieve our goal of providing a valuable support tool to our employees, but we were also able to increase FSA participation by 30 percent. Employees actually liked using the Jellyvision Benefits Counselor, calling it everything from helpful to downright funny.”

The information gleaned during the interview with David is analyzed in real-time against specific plan details, to provide a recommendation best suited to each individual. Jellyvision Benefits Counselor currently offers education and guidance on medical, dental, life, disability, and AD&D plans, as well as on FSA/HSA contributions. Employers can include information on their other benefits as well.

After using the Benefit Counselor’s medical module, thousands of employees were asked to rate how much their understanding of their benefits had improved. Average rating: 4.4 out of 5.

When asked “Any more feedback?” 24% of employees who filled-in-the-blank with a response used the word “love” or “great” or “awesome” to describe their experience.

For more information on the Jellyvision Benefits Counselor or to view a demo please visit http://www.jellyvisionbenefitscounselor.com

About The Jellyvision Lab:

The Jellyvision Lab is the Interactive Conversation Company, known for creating the hit game YOU DON’T KNOW JACK. We create highly interactive, rich media experiences to communicate complex subjects in a simple, engaging way. Using the dynamic branching architecture of Conversation, we first ask questions of each participant and then, in real time, tailor how we respond and educate. You know, like a really good teacher. We are delighted to be working with a roster of awesome clients to create award winning solutions. Visit www.jellyvisionlab.com for more information and for stuff to click on.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/07/prweb4323764.htm

Itasca, IL (PRWEB) July 30, 2010

Euclid Insurance Services, Inc. announces the formation of Euclid Executive Liability Managers, LLC (Euclid Exec) and the hiring of James Seymour and Paul Bunone to lead the new operation. Euclid Exec is a managing general agency dedicated to bringing a superior level of underwriting expertise, flexibility and service to the Management Liability marketplace. Euclid Exec plans to begin accepting new business submissions in the fourth quarter of this year.

“The formation of Euclid Exec continues our tradition of strategic expansion and product diversification,” says John Colis, President and CEO of Euclid, “With Jim Seymour and Paul Bunone at the helm, this new management liability insurance offering is an excellent addition to our current collection of professional liability and public entity products.” Seymour has 15 years of underwriting, management and product development experience and Bunone has 25 years of underwriting and management experience. Prior to joining Euclid, the two held executive liability leadership roles at a major insurer.

Jim Seymour can be reached at jseymour(at)euclidexec(dot)com or 630.238.2755. Paul can be reached at pbunone(at)euclidexec(dot)com or 201.426.0303. For more information on the underwriting operations of Euclid Insurance Services, Inc., visit www.euclidmanagers.com.

Founded in 1952, Euclid Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned, full-service agency, managing general agent and underwriting manager and claims administrator with annual revenues in excess of $20 million. Through offices in Itasca, IL; Melbourne, FL; and Kansas City, MO, the firm offers a wide range of professional liability, property, casualty, life, accident and health insurance products.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/07/prweb4320464.htm

Bridgeport, CT (PRWEB) July 30, 2010

A body mass index calculator can make it easier for consumers to purchase health insurance at affordable rates. LoveTheRates.com has developed an easy to use system that replaces BMI charts for both adults and children. The BMI calculator can accept data in either pounds and inches or kilograms and centimeters.

This easy to use BMI calculator replaces the complicated BMI charts seen elsewhere. It also combines the data for adults and children. This makes it easier for consumers to calculate BMI since they can use the same calculator for an entire family.

Why is BMI Important?

Private medical insurance companies base their rates on many factors, but one of the most important is BMI. Your BMI or body mass index is based on your height, weight, gender and age. Often consumers will apply and get denied for coverage or overcharged because they are a pound or two away from standard rates.

Those who know their BMI and know how each company will treat them can often avoid paying higher rates. In some cases they can bypass companies that have stricter requirements and will add a surcharge to their rates in favor of companies with more liberal height and weight charts.

In other cases, they can wait a short while before changing health insurance companies. This can give them time to reach their weight goals and get a better policy for less money.

How do you use this information?

If a consumer discovers that their BMI is significantly above the average or below the average, they should take additional steps before applying for coverage. They can contact their insurance agent and see how their height and weight will impact their ability to get coverage.

They may find that one company will see their weight as a preexisting condition for health insurance and either charge more or deny coverage altogether. This can mean that a second company that has a more liberal height and weight chart will be a better bargain for that consumer.

Most people are surprised to find that different companies look make different decisions about the same medical conditions. For example one company may add a surcharge on underweight children while another will not. The same is true for many other medical conditions.

Those who have significant medical conditions should shop around differently. Knowing a policy’s standard rate may not be enough. It is important to find the company that will give you the most value for your money.

The changes promised by health care reform are coming, but today your height and weight as well as your health history still matters. Knowing where you stand before you apply can allow you to make better choices when searching for affordable health insurance.

The BMI calculator was developed by Alston Balkcom a veteran insurance agent from Connecticut. He is been an insurance agent for over 20 years and counsels individuals and families looking for health insurance in Connecticut.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/07/prweb4211984.htm