Tag: liability insurance

Hurricane and Disaster Preparation Resources

Posted on by adRKTmin

Hurricane season is at its peak.  If you aren’t already well-prepared for the impacts of deadly and destructive storms like Hurricane Florence, use these resources from our insurance program and carrier partners to prepare and respond:

Resources Courtesy of CNA

www.cna.com/prepwise

Hurricane Florence preparation and recovery resources

Resources Courtesy of Travelers

Storm Preparedness for Boat Owners

Emergency Preparedness for Disasters of All Types

Resources Courtesy of the Professional Protector Plan® for Dentists (PPP)

PPP temporary dental services

PPP Direct Claims and Risk Management Resources  – Claims should be reported directly to R.K. Tongue by calling 410-752-4008 whenever possible.  If you are a dentist and need to report a claim or obtain assistance outside of business hours, or if R.K. Tongue’s operations are interrupted by disaster conditions, please take advantage of these helpful resources

For more information, contact your R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. agent or client service specialist

Dental Malpractice Insurance News

Posted on by adRKTmin

The R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. team is thrilled to announce that the Professional Protector Plan® for Dentists (PPP) is transitioning to a new financial underwriter/insurer, Aspen American Insurance Company (AAIC). The change comes with benefits including bigger discounts for PPP risk management seminar or online course attendance and a pipeline of other innovative policy enhancements that we can hardly wait to share.

If you are one of R. K. Tongue’s 3,000+ PPP-insured dentists, you will notice at renewal that your PPP coverage has been automatically rewritten to AAIC with no additional action on your part. You will seamlessly continue to enjoy PPP program coverage and R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. expertise and service that you deserve and have come to expect.

About AAIC:

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited is a leading company in the industry, with assets of $12 billion at the year ended 31 December 2016 and over 1,600 employees across 11 countries.

Founded in 2002, Aspen has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2003 (NYSE:AHL). Aspen American Insurance Company, the new writing company for the PPP program, is A.M. Best “A (Excellent)” rated.

About The Professional Protector Plan® for Dentists: 

Through our network of specialized agents, the Professional Protector Plan®  for Dentists (PPP®) has continuously served dentists nationwide since 1969. This comprehensive insurance program was developed holistically for the dental practice by providing insurance protection through professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, employment practices liability insurance, and property insurance products. The PPP is available in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is offered locally by exclusive insurance agents, or State Administrators, chosen for their expertise and their commitment to your practice needs. The underwriting companies who partner with the PPP are chosen for their experience and expertise in this field. Combining unparalleled claims handling with unique, innovative risk management programs, your practice and your reputation are given top priority. The PPP is continuously re-examined and enhanced to address the unique concerns of the dental profession. Our National Advisory Board, consisting of  prominent practicing dentists, plays an integral role in our continued development of the program.  The PPP is endorsed by more state dental associations than any other dental professional liability insurance program.

Physicians Protector Plan®/Aspen Insurance rate advantages appear in MD Insurance Administration Med-Mal study

Posted on by adRKTmin

The highly competitive Maryland premium rates of The Physicians Protector Plan®/Aspen Medical Malpractice Insurance program are on public display in The Maryland Insurance Administration’s “2016 REPORT ON THE AVAILABILITY & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTH CARE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE”  Access a full copy of the study here.

In the case of some specialties, Physicians Protector Plan®/Aspen Medical Malpractice Insurance program premium rates are 30% lower than those of the largest Med-Mal insurers and risk retention groups in Maryland:

“The Physicians Protector Plan® is a Medical Professional Liability Insurance Program with a singular focus on [physicians] and surgeons working in solo to small group practices. The Physicians Protector Plan team understands the needs of health care professionals working in today’s rapidly evolving health care landscape. Our value proposition is simple — We bring together the best of what the insurance industry has to offer and make it easily accessible to [physicians]” said a spokesperson for The Physicians Protector Plan®

The Physicians Protector Plan®, underwritten through Aspen American Insurance Company, an admitted A.M. Best ‘A XV’ rated carrier with over $11.1B in total assets (as of 12/31/15), entered the Maryland medical malpractice insurance market in 2013 after identifying an opportunity to offer a robust malpractice insurance policy at a lower cost compared to other major insurers.

As stated in the MD Insurance Administration Study, medical malpractice claims are less frequent now than in the preceding decade, yet major medical malpractice insurers and risk retention groups have left rates unchanged: “In Maryland, insurance premium rates increased significantly between 2002 and 2005 before declining in 2006 and remaining relatively stable since then. The largest writer of medical malpractice insurance, an admitted carrier, has not requested any change to its rates between 2013 and 2016. Premiums appear stable, there has been a decrease in closed claims, and a decrease in the number of lawsuits filed.”

R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. is a leading insurance intermediary specialized in professional liability (malpractice) insurance and all other types of insurance and benefits for physicians, surgeons, dentists, lawyers, and professional service professionals.  R. K. Tongue is proudly partnered with the Physicians Protector Plan® wherever it is offered.

Starting or Buying a Business

Posted on by adRKTmin

Planning for your own business

Before you start your own business or buy an existing business, you should do some initial planning. You may have already decided what type of business you want–your own restaurant, retail outlet, service, or manufacturing plant. You need to choose a suitable location–can you work from home, or do you need a separate facility? You should assess your financial requirements, schedule daily activities, and plan for contingencies, which may be included in your business plan. Planning your business usually requires the help of any number of professionals–an attorney or accountant, for example. The success or failure of your business may depend on your initial planning, but how do you plan and what do you plan for?

Factors to consider when starting your own business

Legal structure

You will have to decide upon the legal structure of your business. For example, will you conduct business as a sole proprietor, or will you instead create an entity separate from yourself, like a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company? Each type of entity has its own characteristics, and the structure you choose will depend on which ones you need. Certain forms of business entity offer limited liability protection, allowing you to protect your personal assets from lawsuits involving the business.

Taxation

Uncle Sam takes a special interest in your business! How you and your business will be taxed is an especially important factor to consider. For example, if you choose a C corporation as your legal structure, you may be subject to a double tax–one tax when the corporation makes a profit and another when those profits are distributed to the owners (shareholders). Alternatively, if you choose a partnership, only the owners (partners) are taxed. For this and many other reasons, tax considerations must be weighed carefully.

Accounting and record keeping

Contrary to what many may believe, accounting serves an important purpose. Accounting statements are used to help you and others gauge how the business is doing. To keep your accounting information up-to-date, as well as to prepare for an unexpected visit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you must be sure to keep thorough records.

In addition to record keeping, you’ll need to choose a method of accounting, such as cash-basis or accrual method. Moreover, you must decide when your business’s financial or fiscal year begins and ends. Usually businesses use the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) as their fiscal year, though your accountant or the IRS may suggest otherwise.

Insurance

You will need to purchase different types of insurance. Your insurance needs may include property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and liability insurance. If you have employees, you need to think about whether to provide medical insurance and benefits; worker’s compensation insurance is typically required in most states.

Staffing

Are you going to do all the work in your business yourself? If not, whom will you hire? What skills must your employees possess? What tasks will they be responsible for? Keep in mind that the more employees you hire, the more your company will be subject to laws at the state and federal level. Some federal laws that address discrimination in the workplace are based on the number of employees in the business. Certain employee benefits may be mandatory, depending on the size of your company. You may be subject to certain tax rules when employing family members.

Marketing and advertising

Every business markets and advertises. Whether by word-of-mouth for a sole proprietor or through a global campaign in the case of a giant corporation, marketing and advertising are invaluable ingredients for success. In order to market yourself effectively, you’ll need to think strategically. It helps to have a written marketing plan. Be prepared to answer questions like: Who are your competitors and what are your company’s advantages over them? How will you price your product or service? Who is your target market and what is the best way to reach them? What is the key message you want to convey (i.e., your “value proposition”)? It might help to conduct market research before putting together a marketing strategy. This research will help you gauge market perceptions and may help you identify new opportunities for product, pricing, and promotion.

Financing

Insufficient financing is probably the most common obstacle to starting a business. In addition to calculating how much money (capital) you’ll need to start and run your business, you have to figure out where to get the funds. Will you borrow from a bank or family member (debt), or will you take money from investors in exchange for a share in the ownership of the business (equity)? If you intend to seek equity financing, you will be subject to securities regulations. Moreover, you have to decide on how to structure the financing–will you have more debt than equity, for example?

Patents, trademarks, and copyrights

How will you protect your intangible assets–your company’s name, for example (trademark)? Perhaps you have an invention you wish to protect (patent). Or maybe you’ve written a book and wish to protect your written words (copyright). Whatever your concern, you’ll need to think about protecting your creation. An experienced attorney can help you with these issues.

Licenses, permits, and registration

You may need to obtain licenses or permits, or even register with a governmental agency. For example, if you choose to create a corporation, you must register with the secretary of state. If instead you are a sole proprietor, you might be required to obtain business permits from, and/or register your business’s name with, the municipality. To find out more, contact the office of the secretary of state or the chamber of commerce in your state or municipality.

Factors to consider when buying an existing business

In addition to all of the factors to consider when starting your own business, there are other considerations when buying an existing business–is it a stock purchase or are you buying company assets? How is the business being valued? In addition to finding a business and arranging for the purchase and financing, you may also be reconsidering the form of business entity. Just because you bought the assets of a sole proprietorship doesn’t mean you can’t change the entity to some form of corporation.

Factors to consider when buying a franchise

If you are considering buying a franchise, there are important additional considerations. In exchange for assistance from the business granting you the franchise, you are obligated to pay certain fees and accept a certain level of control from the franchisor.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly

available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or

completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and

without notice.

 

 

 

How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

Posted on by adRKTmin

All states have financial responsibility laws that either explicitly or in effect require you to purchase at least some auto insurance. However, there is often a large gap between the amount of coverage you’re required to have and the amount of coverage you really need. Even in states with the most stringent requirements, many insurance professionals suggest that you have a broader scope of coverage (i.e., more types) than what the state mandates, and that your coverage limits in most areas exceed the required state minimums.

The basics

Auto insurance coverage is typically broken down into component parts, each providing a different type of protection. These types of coverage may be optional or required, depending on the state in which you live:

• Liability coverage: This provides protection for claims made against an insured, where the use of an insured vehicle caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else

• Medical payments or personal injury protection: This provides coverage for various medical expenses incurred by the insured and others as a result of an accident, regardless of negligence or liability on the part of the insured

• Collision: This provides coverage for losses the insured suffers as a result of damage to his or her covered vehicle caused by a collision

• Other than collision (also known as comprehensive): This provides coverage for losses the insured suffers as a result of damage to or loss of a covered vehicle not caused by a collision (e.g., fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects, explosion, earthquake, flood, civil commotion)

• Uninsured motorist (UM): This provides coverage for losses the insured and others sustain when injured through the negligence of an uninsured or unidentified hit-and-run motorist

• Underinsured motorist (UIM): This provides coverage for injuries the insured and others sustain when injured through the negligence of an underinsured driver

Aside from any state requirements, determining the amount of auto insurance coverage you need is a balancing act. You’ll need to weigh how much coverage you need against what you can afford, your ability to weather any financial risk (e.g., lawsuits), and whether you have assets that you need to protect. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow.

Liability coverage

When you injure or kill someone in an accident, bodily injury claims for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering can easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Property damage claims can also be costly. For example, suppose you caused severe damage to someone else’s expensive, brand-new car or struck and damaged a telephone pole. Would you be covered for the damages you caused?

In most states, the required minimum liability coverage doesn’t come close to covering the costs associated with a serious accident. That means you could have to pay part of the claim out of your own pocket if you’re sued. This is particularly dangerous if you have a home and other large assets to protect. So it may be in your best interest to carry both bodily injury and property damage liability coverages well beyond state minimums.

Keep in mind, however, that you shouldn’t buy more insurance than you can afford. And if you don’t have significant assets to protect, the minimum auto insurance coverage required by your state’s laws (or by your lender) may be sufficient.

Medical payments coverage

If you and your family have good health insurance coverage, you might think that medical payments coverage is unnecessary. It’s important to note, however, that your health insurance won’t cover anyone outside of your family, while medical payments coverage often will cover anyone who is a passenger in your car.

In states that require medical payments coverage, you may not need to purchase more than your state’s minimum coverage requirement. However, you can usually purchase additional medical payments coverage for only a small increase in your premium. And even if medical payments coverage is optional in your state, you may want to buy at least a small amount of coverage.

Collision and other-than-collision coverage

In most states, both collision and other-than-collision coverage are optional. If you are still paying off a car loan, the lender will no doubt insist that you carry both. But if you don’t have either of these types of coverage and your car is stolen or damaged, you will have to pay for the vehicle’s repair or replacement out of your own pocket (unless the accident was caused by another driver and you can prove it).

Keep in mind, though, that both collision and other-than-collision coverage are subject to deductibles and generally only provide coverage up to the actual cash value of your vehicle. Having collision or comprehensive coverage on older, less valuable vehicles may not be cost effective, since any claim payment you’d receive would be minimal and might not exceed what you pay in premiums and deductibles. Ask your insurer or agent to look up the book value of your car to help you decide.

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage

Even though both UM and UIM coverage are optional in some states, the number of uninsured and underinsured motorists on the road makes these types of coverage extremely important. You probably want to purchase some level of UM and UIM coverage. Otherwise, you might have no recourse against a driver who doesn’t have adequate auto insurance or has no auto insurance at all.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.