Schwartz Insurance Group Blog

Getting the Most out of Your Health Insurance Plan

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:45:00 GMT

Your health insurance plan can and should work for you even when you're not sick. A common misconception is that you only "use" health insurance when someone in your family gets sick and needs to be treated by a healthcare professional.

The key is learning what your health insurance plan offers ... many plans include incentives and rewards for staying healthy, encourage healthy activity among members and offer perks for preventive care. As employers focus on finding ways to control costs, promoting these services become increasingly important.

Check out this quick and fun video which explains some other ways you can use your healthcare benefits, even when you're well. Schwartz Insurance Group can help you review your options. Many businesses rely on us to help educate and engage their employees to take responsibility for their own health. This helps reduce health claims, lower renewal increases and most importantly, improve healthy habits. Contact to us to learn more.

Schwartz Rewards Employees with Buddy Bucks

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:17:00 GMT

Finding ways to reward employees is a priority for most businesses. At Schwartz Insurance Group, we have long believed that we can never thank our people enough for going above and beyond in taking care of customers.

Buddy Bucks is the name of our internal rewards program, created several years ago in honor of our founder, Buddy Schwartz. We often talk about the daily opportunity we each have to continue “building on a legacy” of service. Buddy would have been thrilled to have his name attached to EVERY thank you we give for a job well done.

At our monthly agency meeting, it’s not uncommon to have ten solid minutes of quick anecdotes … some are thanks for internal teamwork, others come directly from clients and sometimes, it’s our chance to thank the person who led a community service project. Whatever the reason, it’s gratifying to reward someone with Buddy Bucks!

Buddy Bucks can be then be “cashed in” for gift cards, a day off work, a jeans day and more. Truth be told, it’s not uncommon for some people to build up a stockpile …

Creating a fun and rewarding culture reflects on all of our people’s caring nature and the service they provide to our customers. If you want to find lower insurance rates or would like a quick review of your individual, business or professional coverage, contact us. One of our team members will be happy to assist you.

February Core Value Winner - Meet Melissa Stewart

Jessie Devine — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:31:00 GMT

Again this month, Schwartz Insurance Group selected one peer-nominated associate to receive a Core Value award. The winner is chosen because they "lived” one of our agency’s core values … typically an event or accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty in servicing our customers. This month, Melissa Stewart was selected – here’s Melissa’s story:

Opportunity comes in many forms. At Schwartz, we might simply mention all the areas we handle to our current clients or even to prospects we’ve just met. By opening that door, we’ve done the easy part.

The hard part is delivering on the promise and then bringing the decision to close. A financial services firm is a great example – our two leaders met over a year ago. The initial focus was benefits and several personal lines successes followed … the business insurance opportunity finally came. They came to understand what they really needed – corrected a few issues – and after working diligently for 4 months, Melissa finally proved the timeless reality of doing good … success will come!

Congratulations Melissa! Here’s a bit more about her, in her own words:

My main goal is to educate our clients on the best way to protect the business that they have spent their time building.

When I’m not at work, my family keeps me very busy. I have an 18 year old daughter that plays volleyball year round and a 12 year old son that plays most every sport that is offered. We travel quite a bit cheering them on.

A quick story about how I got into the insurance industry. While in high school, my house burned to the ground. I remember our insurance agent bringing my sister and me some clothes – she became the one person my mom could trust and lean on in all that chaos. Now, to say I ran out and got a job from there would be great … but honestly, I started as a receptionist at an insurance company because I didn’t want to work weekends. While there, I realized I could help others the way Martha helped our family.

In December, I celebrated my 17th anniversary with Schwartz Insurance Group. I love the relationships I have built. I love the fact that I often receive voice mail messages that simply say, “Hey Melissa, call me back” and that I usually know who to call. My clients are like family – I care about them and we have become that comfortable.

When I’m not at work, I love to be outside – walking, jogging, hiking or just in a chair reading. If I was not in the insurance industry, I would spend my time mentoring preteen girls, helping build their self esteem and confidence.

By the way, Go CARDS!

The 4th Annual Kentucky Worksite Wellness Conference is Coming Up

Matt Schwartz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:59:00 GMT

Nearly everyone WANTS to live a healthier lifestyle. There’s that little voice in the back of our minds always saying, “I should eat better and exercise more.” And, that’s where it usually stays … as a nice thought with no action plan.

But, most people just aren’t sure how to start a “health plan” or where to start. And keeping it going once they do start is very tough!

For employers, a focus on helping instill healthy habits among employees and keeping healthy employees committed to that lifestyle is good for business. It is considered one of the biggest business challenges, especially when the cost of insurance is increasing.

The 4th Annual Kentucky Worksite Wellness Conference may shed some light to the issue. This year’s conference will be held at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa in Lexington, KY. The conference brochure notes:

The focus of wellness is changing: employers are more focused on keeping healthy employees healthy — not just encouraging unhealthy employees to change their lifestyles. Improving the health of at-risk employees, while maintaining the wellness levels of already healthy employees is the key to lower health care costs and higher workplace productivity. Employers who take aggressive action toward implementing wellness programs will see decreased health care costs, increased awareness for both low and high risk employees, and reduced absenteeism, which can save the company thousands of dollars on down-time, temporary employment and other factors that come into play when employees cannot work due to illness. This conference will help you understand exactly what it takes to create and implement an effective wellness program, how to measure your return on investment, how to create a culture of health and the legal implications you need to be aware of when implementing or maintaining a worksite wellness program. This is a must attend event for any company that is serious about worksite wellness.

The conference is February 8-9. Download the full brochure or register for the event here.

Are you prepared for when disaster strikes?

Matt Schwartz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:09:00 GMT

The weather around Louisville has been a bit unpredictable this winter. I know because everyone’s sinuses are unhappy with ever-changing temperatures, there’s no skiing – not much snow – and my kids just described hearing the “freight train noise” of tornadoes in January! These are strange and unusual weather patterns.

If you’re not thinking about tornadoes either this time of year, you probably would not be prepared should one actually cause damage to your home or other property. From an insurance perspective, one of the most important things a homeowner can do is review their coverage regularly. Scheduling a coverage review with your agent ensures that your policy is up-to-date and that you know what you’re covered for in advance.

Another important step homeowners can take, as noted in the video below, is to take an inventory of the items in their home, BEFORE disaster strikes. This will not only save you valuable time during the claims process … it will help you make sure that your insurance repays you for everything you lost. It’s just not easy to remember all the details after a disaster occurs!

Watch the video for more tips on how to be better prepared from an insurance perspective and what to do if a tornado or other disaster strikes your property. Contact Schwartz Insurance Group today to schedule your 2012 coverage review.

Whitepaper: Employee Engagement Starts with Communication

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Are your employees genuinely interested and committed to the success of your company and the work they perform? For many employers, this scenario is all too familiar: A company starts a wellness program or purchases a benefit in hopes that it will boost morale, retain top talent or even shrink future insurance costs. Yet, the company still ends up with an unhappy and unhealthy workforce that is unproductive and difficult to motivate.

A common reason: Regardless of what rich perk or plan an employer offers, it likely will fizzle if employees either don’t know about it or don’t care. That’s why employee engagement and communication is just as vital as the benefit itself.

This white paper explores the importance and advantages of implementing an employee engagement program, with a variety of experts sharing insights about communications strategies, motivational activities and financial benefits, including how to:

Increase productivity and employee retention
Build employee appreciation of benefits offerings
Improve employee engagement with consistent communication
Boost profits through more engaged workers

Download the report for free here.

Video from Schwartz Insurance Group: Protect What's Important

Matt Schwartz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Insurance should be there to protect you from the things you least expect. Make sure you have what you need… at a price you can afford. Contact Schwartz Insurance Group to schedule a coverage review and make sure the things that are important to you are properly protected.

Negotiate to save on insurance premiums for your small business

Matt Schwartz — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:08:00 GMT

Owning a small business is challenging on a number of levels, but especially when health insurance is concerned. It’s one of the key benefits your people use and your employees rely on you to provide reliable, reasonable-priced plans for them and their families. But, how do you do that when premiums continue to rise and more money comes out of your pocket each month?

One word: negotiate. Successful negotiations can save your small businesses in a big way when it comes to health insurance premiums. A very common misconception is that the letter you receive from the insurance company – unveiling next year’s rate increase – is fixed. You can either move the plan or cut benefits in order to save money. But, that’s simply not true! In many cases, the number in the letter is simply the first offer.

Since you may not know where to start or how to handle negotiations, the first step is to find a trusted agency. By working with a proactive firm, you gain a partner who can do this for you. You will be able to compare costs and negotiate to ensure you’re getting what you want and expect from your health insurance plan. You will also learn about changes taking place as a result of new health care reform laws and what that means for you. Finally, you’ll hear new ideas about other important issues like reimbursement plans, employee privacy, claims analysis, claims advocacy and more.

There is a method to the madness though. Start the process early – well before you receive that letter. Time always runs short and many of the steps you SHOULD take to position yourself best, may not be possible. So, think back to Einstein’s insightful comments … “the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over but expecting a different result.” Do you want a different result? Maybe its time for a different partner.

The associates at Schwartz Insurance Group work hard to provide insight, creativity and personalized service. That often means lower expenses for benefit plans. Contact us today to schedule a coverage review and see if working with Schwartz makes sense for your small business.

January Core Value Winner—Meet Katie

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:32:00 GMT

Each month, Schwartz Insurance Group selects one peer-nominated associate to receive a Core Value award. The winner is chosen based on their “living out” one of our agency’s core values … typically an event or accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty in servicing our customers. This month, Katie Tate was selected – here’s Katie’s story:

A doctor’s family needs health insurance just as much as everyone else. A doctor needs trusted advice to find affordable health insurance just as much as everyone else. And that’s our specialty.

When a local surgeon faced a significant jump in premiums, he turned to us for advice. Of course, it was not a simple situation. It seemed un-solvable.

But, after weeks of collecting, negotiating, pleading and finally, succeeding, Katie Tate delivered on our promise. With Schwartz, you can consider it done!

Congratulations Katie! Here’s a bit more about her, in her own words:

I help our personal lines clients with their home, auto, umbrella, etc. needs. I also take care of individual health plans, both under 65 as well as Medicare.

When I’m not at work, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I am also an independent stylist for Stella and Dot and host one jewelry party a week.

I have been in this industry nearly five years. I was in retail management for over a decade before becoming an insurance agent. While working at Pier 1 Imports, a friend’s mother suggested looking into an insurance career. I took her suggestion and here I am!

The thing I love most about my job is being able to educate people about their insurance needs. Insurance can be very confusing and if I can assist our clients so they better understand their coverages, it makes me feel like I am doing good. Education is so important in this field and I enjoy doing it every day!

I know this sounds just like a woman, but I thoroughly enjoy shopping. When I was in my 20’s, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I love to look at clothing and see how it was made. I usually look beyond the overall look of a garment and focus on the details. I also really enjoy spending time with family and friends. I have a great relationship with my husband and we laugh together all the time.

If I wasn’t in insurance, I would definitely be in apparel design. Unfortunately, living in Louisville doesn’t allow me any opportunities with design and I don’t plan to move any time soon!

I graduated from U of L so I have always cheered for the Cards if they are playing UK. But, I don’t really watch college sports as much … I am a big Green Bay Packers fan!!

Video: Moving up in the world? Is your insurance keeping up?

Matt Schwartz — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:54:00 GMT

Changes in life can bring new responsibilities — along with changes to your insurance needs. Make sure you are protecting all that you value with regular insurance reviews. Contact Schwartz Insurance Group today to schedule a free coverage review.

Download the Health Plan Trends Report

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:32:00 GMT

For several years, we have helped create the largest health plan survey in the nation through our membership in United Benefit Advisors (UBA). Employers have come to appreciate the value of good information.

Did you know that in 2011:

The average health plan renewal increase was 8.2 percent.
The average employee contribution was $117 single and $467 family.
As a direct result of health care reform criteria, 81.3 percent of all plans now offer an unlimited lifetime maximum benefit compared to just 16.1 percent in 2010.

Those are just some of the preliminary results released from the 2011 UBA Health Plan Survey.

With detailed comparative data by size, location and industry, decision makers are better equipped to choose the right benefit programs and strategies to maintain competitive benefits.

Be informed when making decisions that affect your business and its employees. Download the full report for free here.

Contact Schwartz Insurance Group with questions about the data in the report or to schedule a coverage review.

How healthy is your business?

Scott Schwartz — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:15:00 GMT

As we approach the beginning of a new year, health and weight loss are hot topics, weighing heavy on most people’s minds.

While many individuals start thinking about health as the end of a year draws near, their employers likely think about health issues year-round. That’s because insurance premiums continue to rise as more and more Americans are overweight and partake in unhealthy lifestyles.

As noted in a recent Business First article, many employers wonder whether they’ll be able to afford insurance altogether. Scary, but true.

Our agency President, Matt Schwartz, who serves on the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Worksite Wellness Committee, was asked to weigh in on this issue. He stated that many businesses are taking steps to fight back by implementing employee wellness initiatives and offering more consumer-driven health plans.

Wellness plans are an interesting solution. Many businesses who offer wellness programming also provide incentives for those who participate. Some offer reductions in premiums, gift cards and even paid time off. Schwartz stated that under current law, companies can offer premium discounts up to 20 percent while the new health care reform legislation will soon increase that allowable discount to at least 30%.

So this begs the question, how healthy is your business? As an employer, would you or do you offer wellness programs? And as an employee, do you or would you participate in them? As Americans continue to live with many unhealthy habits and insurance costs continues to rise as a result, this could be a solution for many employers.

It’s never too late to begin a “health” plan and stick to it. And as the new year approaches, what better time than now to get started? Contact us for a fresh look and a review of the latest cost control strategies available for employee benefits.

Improving the REAL bottom line

Scott Schwartz — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:55:00 GMT

In a recent edition of Business First, Matt Schwartz, President of Schwartz Insurance Group, shared insights on improving the REAL bottom line. That’s something every business needs, regardless of size or industry. As a leading authority in employee benefits and communication, Schwartz Insurance Group takes an advisory role in helping employers succeed.

Matt recommends starting improvement to the REAL bottom line with a strategic plan for employee benefits. In most businesses, employees are your organization’s most valuable assets. Does your employee benefits plan communicate that value to your employees?

Most benefits plans are not fully understood and therefore not fully appreciated. Do your employees understand the benefits they have with your organization and how to use them to their best advantage? If not, they might not see the real value of the plan as part of their total compensation package. That could mean that you’re paying for benefits and services that are not being used properly. That can have a negative effect on the REAL bottom line for your business.

Finding ways to retain good people is one of the best ways to improve your business and your bottom line. Schwartz Insurance Group takes a unique approach to employee benefits planning with The Benefits Prism, a unique process we created to help you assess where you are now, what you want to achieve and the steps to take to get you there.

Contact us to schedule a coverage review and let us show you how to take advantage of best practices in benefits planning. Make sure you get the most out the money you invest in your employee benefit plans in order to attract and retain top talent and improve your REAL bottom line.

Happy Holidays from Schwartz Insurance Group

Bryce Raley — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:26:00 GMT

The holiday season is upon us! Can you believe the year is almost over? Every December, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on the passing year and consider where we succeeded and where we could improve. It’s an exciting time as we re-set our plans for the year(s) ahead.

We also like to take this opportunity to let our associates and our clients know how much we appreciate them. The people we work with every day help make our business shine … and we are fortunate to enjoy a fun, positive and unique culture! Last week, several of us volunteered at a program run by The Dream Factory – it was another great reminder for each of us to be thankful for what we have and to enjoy the people around us.

We are grateful for the loyalty of both our associates and our clients and we look forward to continuing to build those relationships as we enter a new year. Hopefully, the excitement of the holiday season lingers a bit as we enjoy time with family and friends over the next couple of weeks.

Everyone at Schwartz wishes you a joyous holiday season and memorable times with family and friends. For each of us, 2012 holds the promise of a new year … let it bring health, happiness and success!

Our holiday hours are listed below.

December 23: closing at 3 pm
December 26: closed for the day
January 2: closed for the day

The benefits of using one agency for all of your insurance needs

Matt Schwartz — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:55:00 GMT

In the insurance world, you usually get to decide who represents you. By choosing an independent agent, you are guaranteed more options and you gain more control over your insurance experience.

Watch this quick video – it summarizes the advantages of using one source as your personal insurance advocate. See for yourself whether having one company manage all of your insurance needs makes sense to you.

If you want to learn more about Schwartz Insurance Group, check out our website. You can request a quote and learn more about our process.

Business insurance—Is your business properly protected?

Matt Schwartz — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:36:00 GMT

If you’ve achieved the accomplishment of owning your own business, then you owe it to yourself to ask this question: Does my business have enough commercial insurance coverage? Without it, even a minor loss or lawsuit could spell disaster.

To ensure your business isn’t vulnerable, make sure you have adequate coverage and that it’s obtained from a reputable insurance provider—one you can trust.

Our business clients know they can count on advice from their Schwartz team to protect their businesses. One great example is Melissa Stewart, Business Client Advisor … she takes the time to talk with you and understand your insurance needs. She asks questions that can reduce rates, like whether the building has a sprinkler system, or an alarm system installed. Both features can lower insurance premiums. And she can help you assess the replacement value of your business property and your liability coverage needs.

If you lease office space, you’ll want to start with a renter’s property insurance policy. Renters are responsible for their own coverage on the property. Landlords, or property owners, carry insurance to cover their own interests — the building structure and their liability risk – this policy does NOT include coverage to the business leasing the property.

Next on the list should be business liability insurance providing protection against injury or damage claims made by other parties, usually resulting in protection from lawsuits. The general rule here would be, MORE is better. If you have a claim, you’ll never wish you had LESS coverage.

You may want to consider a Business Owners Package which combines your liability, property, and other types of coverage into one comprehensive policy which can help you save time and money on your total insurance program.

Unless your business has a few million in the bank, securing the right amount of insurance is a critical decision for your protection, and for the long term success of your business. Contact us today and we can tell you more about these important plans and what will make sense for you.

Schwartz Insurance Group supports kids through The Dream Factory

Matt Schwartz — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:43:00 GMT

Schwartz Insurance Group makes giving back to the community a top priority – one that we enjoy. And one of our favorite organizations to help through donations of time and money is The Dream Factory.

The Dream Factory is all about the KIDS. They make visits to Kosair, bringing small gifts to the critically and chronically ill children, and make the parents aware of what The Dream Factory does – make dreams come true for the kids.

I’m sure you can understand why we enjoy our involvement with The Dream Factory. It’s something we started years ago and intend to continue.

Buddy Schwartz, the founder of Schwartz Insurance Group, first became involved with The Dream Factory in 2004. Following Buddy’s death, we created The Buddy Schwartz Memorial Classic golf tournament in 2007 to bring clients and friends together to benefit the kids through The Dream Factory.

The annual donation we make to The Dream Factory on behalf of our clients now goes directly into the endowment fund that we created in 2007. We are proud to have started something new – and lasting – and were gratified to receive their Corporate Appreciation award in 2009, thanking us for establishing the endowment.

Some of our staff members have really gone all out to get involved with The Dream Factory. There are so many opportunities to serve the kids and their families and so many ways to donate both time and money.

Maureen Lippy, Client Services Director here at Schwartz Insurance Group, describes her personal involvement with the Dream Factory. —

“I began volunteering for the Dream Factory in 2009. I am involved with various events including the annual Christmas party for the children and their families who have received dreams. The Dream Factory serves a meal. Gifts and prizes are given to the children and families, there are games, face painting, etc. Santa comes and there are Christmas carols sung.”

“I also have been involved with collecting donations for events such as the Celebrity Forks & Dreams. This was a dinner where celebrities not only baked the dessert items auctioned off, but also waited on those who purchased the tickets. There was a silent auction as well.”

Building on a legacy is one of our Core Values … and is the perfect description of this effort started by Buddy Schwartz which continues to grow each year. We greatly appreciate our relationships with clients and the trust they place in our agency and staff. We work hard to live up to our reputation and to find ways to give back to our community.

Attract top talent with competitive employee benefits

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:16:00 GMT

How attractive is your organization? That might seem like an unusual question, but it isn’t really. Employee benefits can play a significant role in employee recruitment and retention. It’s a fact that many businesses are rediscovering. Unfortunately the recent economic decline has taken a toll on benefit packages offered by employers.

Take a look at a couple recent findings on this issue:

—A Gallup poll found these results – “Employer-sponsored health insurance is one of the main pillars of the $2.6 trillion U.S. health care industry. But companies have increasingly scaled back benefits and raised employee charges to cope with health care costs that are rising sharply despite anemic economic growth.”

—An article on ebn.benefitnews.com had this to say on the matter – “Many companies were forced to scale back their total compensation packages during the height of the recession and benefits were not spared those cutbacks,” says Amy Kaminski, director of marketing for Compdata Surveys. “Now, as companies are looking to expand their workforce again, they realize the need to offer a wide range of benefits in order to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.”

Clearly, organizations offering the best total compensation package – including employee benefits – will be in position to recruit and hire the most qualified employees. Do you know what benefits your employees value most? Are you certain that your program is competitive with other employers in your industry or your area? Do your employees appreciate the value of the benefits you provide?

If you can confidently answer YES … congratulations! If not, maybe it’s time for a strategic review of how you will compete for talent in the coming months and years. With so many organizations now looking closely at their existing benefits packages and pricing, this is actually a great time to review your employee benefits and your strategies. In-force carriers are focused on retaining existing clients and are willing to negotiate, so competing carriers are very aggressive in their pursuit of new business.

This is where Schwartz Insurance Group can save your organization a lot of time, research and money with up-to-the-minute industry information and cost-lowering strategies. Contact us today to review your current coverage and discuss negotiating lower rates and better benefits for your employees.

Give thanks and take time to protect all you have

Matt Schwartz — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:33:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate friends, family and the fruits of our labor. Whatever it is that we have, give thanks and remember there are many that are less fortunate. It’s also a time to take the steps necessary to protect those we love and review our personal insurance plans … that includes coverage on your home, auto, health and life.

When was the last time you took a look at the things that mean the most to you? In addition to family and friends – although this is the perfect time to reflect on those things as well – we’re referring to the tangible and intangible assets that would need to be replaced if something unexpected happened.

Do you have the right amount of coverage on your home? Did you add a room or finish the basement? What about that growing list of pricey electronics and personal devices? Sometimes, purchases that are made throughout the year are not included in your insurance coverage and would not be covered in a loss without updates to your policy.

Does your auto policy offer enough liability coverage? How long has it been since you reviewed the drivers and discounts on your policy? What about your deductibles? Our experienced advisors can help you get the most coverage for your money, but only buy what you need.

On a more personal note, if you buy your own health insurance, is it sufficient to cover the costs of an illness? How long has it been since you reviewed your life insurance? Is it sufficient to give financial security to your family in the event of your death? Not happy topics, but certainly what you and your family deserve. Our professionals can help you understand what insurance you need, secure the best possible deals and then set up a schedule of regular reviews.

Make this season of giving the time to give yourself and your family security and peace of mind. Schwartz Insurance Group can help you with a coverage review and professional guidance in selecting the plans that are right for you. Request your free coverage review today.

Honesty is the best (business) policy

Matt Schwartz — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:14:00 GMT

A recent article shares a thought from legendary entrepreneur Warren Buffet, “Trust is like the air we breathe. When it’s present, nobody really notices. But when it’s absent, everybody notices." That could be said of any business relationship. Clients expect you to operate your business with integrity.

In the insurance industry, reputation is everything. Business ethics play a huge role in business success. “Consider it done” is a core value at Schwartz Insurance Group – you can count on us to follow through – and has earned us the reputation of being a company you can trust. “Building on a legacy” is another of our core values – what I do should reflect what we’ve built – and reminds us every day of the importance of doing the right thing, for the long term.

Regardless of industry, it’s important to make sure your company representatives are above reproach. The ethical culture in your company starts with management. “The national media have recently begun to lament the loss of ethics in today’s business world. According to a recent survey cited in The Wall Street Journal, 79 percent of young Americans believe that there are no absolute standards in ethics. Honesty in business dealings doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of people’s minds.” Having a clearly defined and written Ethical Code of Conduct for your business helps to eliminate any gray areas.

Start at the top with a management team committed to honest business practices and then use strict hiring practices to make sure the people you hire share your core values. Offering ethical conduct training and rewarding those employees who live your core values daily is another good way to ensure that everyone on your team is aware of the core values held by your company.

B.C. Forbes sums it up well in this quote – “Honesty pays dividends both in dollars and in peace of mind”.

Employee dishonesty costs small businesses billions

Melissa Stewart — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:24:00 GMT

Is your company at risk for loss from employee theft? According to an industry article, "Specialists say the cost of employee theft and embezzlement adds up to billions of dollars annually. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, organizations lose 6 percent of their revenues to dishonesty from within. Security experts estimate that as many as 30 percent of all employees do steal, and that another 60 percent will steal if given sufficient motive and opportunity." Those statistics are a bit troubling, but taking a common-sense approach to employee policy can limit exposure to significant loss.

*The Small Business Administration offers the following tips to reduce employee theft:*

*-Watch for the tell-tale signs of internal theft - like a sudden rise in their living standards or receiving complaints from customers about excessive charges and billing inconsistencies.*

*-Perform background checks - on all new hire prospects, especially for positions involving the flow of money.*

*-Create an internal checks and balances system - delegate tasks among several staff members so no single employee has too much authority. Occasional audits of inventory and bookkeeping also help in preventing fraud and theft.*

*-Establish Clear Policies - on ethical behavior to be signed by each employee, including managers and owners.*

*-Create a team environment - this is good for morale and creates an environment in which they think there is a good chance of being caught. Encourage employees to report any evidence of internal theft and reassure them that there will be no repercussions.*

*-Offer employee financial assistance and screenings - to help employees facing dire financial situations or suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. Financial desperation and substance abuse are often linked to employee theft.*

The good news is that coverage to protect you from these losses is easy to obtain. Schwartz Insurance Group can help you review your business risks and secure the right coverage at very affordable costs. We help you understand what is covered and how to take advantage of the best deals. Contact us today for help protecting your business from employee dishonesty.

National Flood Insurance Program extension expires this week

Bryce Raley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:03:00 GMT

National Flood Insurance Program extension expires 11/18/2011 – pending Congress extension of Act. According to the official FEMA website, early on October 5, “President Obama signed the continuing resolution that includes a provision reauthorizing the NFIP through November 18, 2011.” That’s just a few days away.

These important updates were listed on the FEMA site:

When property owners receive financial assistance from the Federal Government following a Presidentially declared disaster, they may be required to purchase flood insurance coverage. Find out more.

FEMA offers a booklet that is intended to acquaint the public with the National Flood Insurance Program. This publication is designed for readers who would just like a basic understanding of the program and the answers to some frequently asked questions. Download this booklet.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is made up of these three components: 

- Flood Insurance 

- Floodplain Management 

- Flood Hazard Mapping

Flood insurance is designed to provide an alternative to disaster assistance. Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion a year through communities implementing sound floodplain management requirements and property owners purchasing of flood insurance. The NFIP also identifies and maps the Nation’s floodplains to increase awareness of the flood hazards and provides the data needed for floodplain management programs.

If all of that information seems a bit overwhelming, don’t worry – Schwartz Insurance Group has experts who can explain it to you and help you find out if it applies to you. Call us for a coverage review to assess all of your insurance needs.

Schwartz Insurance Group sponsors Breast Cancer Walk

Bryce Raley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:53:00 GMT

Schwartz Insurance Group was a sponsor of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Louisville a few weeks ago. Our very own Shelley Kuussalo was a key volunteer in organizing the event.

Here at Schwartz, Shelley Kuussalo is a Client Advisor and manages employee benefits for the small employers in both Kentucky and Indiana. But that’s only a part of the role Shelley plays in improving the lives of others in our community.

As a cancer survivor herself, Shelley knows first-hand the importance of getting support from other cancer survivors in addition to the support from family and friends. She has been actively involved in organizations and activities to make finding that support a little easier.

The author of an article in Today’s Woman, Barbara MacDonald, described Shelley as “the inspiration behind the 2009 Surviving Cancer calendar”. Here’s a quote from Shelley that was included in the article about her reason for participating with cancer awareness, support, and fundraising activities – “I wanted people to see survivors in their own community, their neighbors and friends. No matter how alone you feel in the beginning, there is help.”

She is also involved with Friend for Life Cancer Support Network which is a team of cancer survivors who provide one-on-one emotional support to anyone experiencing a diagnosis of cancer and to their loved ones.

Our Schwartz team is proud to support Shelley and proud to participate as a sponsor of such a worthy event.

An example of how we do what we do

Bryce Raley — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:58:00 GMT

It’s past bedtime and you smell smoke. You manage to escape your burning house only to watch the flames destroy your home and everything in it. As you can imagine, handling an emergency situation like this can be overwhelming. What would you do?

Well we can tell you what one of our customers did a few weeks ago. She called us. Here’s how our team responded.

One of our Individual Client Advisors, Traci Morreau, took immediate action. Traci arrived at our customer’s home near midnight and stayed with her until 2:00 am when Paul Davis Restoration stepped in to begin handling everything for her.

Her home was in ruins – the first floor was a total loss. Our customer had been recently widowed and was so grateful we were there for her. She found out first-hand why insurance often does come down to having a dedicated service team – and the folks here at Schwartz Insurance Group are here to help when disaster strikes. She didn’t have to deal with this loss on her own.

We can help you too. Our insurance agents are experts at assessing needs and recommending the right insurance coverage to meet those needs. The best time to deal with an emergency is BEFORE it happens.

Let us review your coverage and help give you total peace of mind. We’ll be there for you 24/7 – you can count on it.

Time for employee benefits year-end review

Bryce Raley — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:20:00 GMT

Believe it or not, 2011 is quickly coming to an end. Now is the time to review your company’s employee benefits. Schwartz Insurance Group offers a comprehensive process to get you started so you can stay on track towards your goals in 2012.

This unique process helps you assess and analyze your current situation and then create a step-by-step plan to achieve your goals and implement your timeline. It will help you regain control over the cost of benefits and improve the total benefits experience. Sound like something your company could use about now?

We agree. In fact, that’s our specialty. Our goal is to partner with you and provide your company with the right coverage, no matter what insurance needs you may have. It’s our job to help you easily navigate all the available products and select the ones that are right for your company.

Finding the best benefits package for your employees is crucial in this economy. And making it affordable – for both employer and employees – is just as important. With potential changes in healthcare on the horizon, you’ll want professional guidance to ensure compliance and maximum benefits-to-cost ratios.

There’s still time to schedule your coverage review and get the new year off to the best start. Use our expertise and extensive products and services to explore the options and choose the right benefits to take care of your employees and your budget at the same time.