By admin
The most easily misplaced, damaged or stolen valuable many individuals own is jewellery. The tragedy of such losses is far greater for people with either no insurance, the wrong type of insurance or insurance inadequate to cover replacement costs.
Many home owners wrongfully assume their homeowner’s insurance covers their valuables. Many such policies specifically exclude jewellery and those that include jewellery coverage often exclude damage or accidental loss. Most home owner policies do not have travel clauses and are woefully lacking in the amount of coverage necessary to cover the full replacement cost.
Consider a special rider on homeowner’s insurance to cover even items such an inexpensive diamond wedding ring or watch. An item which may have been inexpensive when purchased could have tripled in value so insurance for replacement costs and update the policy every year to keep current with increases in value.
Be aware that homeowners insurance may have a low total amount for jewellery coverage. In the event of thievery or accidental loss all jewellery could be stolen, damaged or lost so a policy is needed which covers replacement costs of every piece of jewellery owned by every member of a family or establishment. Even a special jewellery rider on a homeowner’s insurance policy may only cover jewellery stolen from the home if there is evidence of a forced entry. It may not cover accidental loss at all.
Insuring with an agency specializing in jewellery insurance may be the safest way to recoup losses should an expensive piece of jewellery go missing or become damaged. Such insurers cover every type of loss. A jewellery insurance policy covers repair or full replacement cost of every insured piece, regardless of how when or where it was lost or stolen or how much it has increased in value.
Most jewellery insurers allow the insured to choose a reputable jeweller of their choice for repairs or replacement pieces. And, unlike homeowner’s insurance policies, jewellery insurers seldom require the insured get estimates for a low bid which might result in a repair or replacement of inferior quality.
Prior to insuring, fine jewellery, cherished antique jewellery, timepieces and all items made of precious metals or set with valuable stones should be appraised by a certified jeweller. High quality jewellery can also be marked inconspicuously for identification purposes.
In addition to an appraisal, which may include a photograph, the jewellery owner should have all insured pieces photographed, both individually and as a group. This type of photography can be done by an amateur photographer equipped with a digital camera with a zoom lens and good lighting. Such photographs and the professional jeweller’s appraisals should be securely stored in separate vaults or storage areas.
Getting appraisals, photographing every piece of jewellery and obtaining insurance for jewellery and valuables are not only wise financial decisions; they contribute to the jewellery owner’s peace of mind.
By admin
First off why would someone need long term insurance? Because tens of thousands of people every year find themselves in need of long term care and it doesn’t come cheap! We live in times when nothing is sure and in time of crisis, like right now, being covered has never been more essential.
Long-term insurance (often called long term health insurance) is somewhat different from the usual, run of the mill health and medical insurance. But what makes it so different and, therefore, preferable is that it covers almost everything that might happen to you. Injury and disease can strike without warning and when it does, people often find themselves in need of respite, intermediate or long term care. That’s where this type of insurance comes in.
Officially there’s no age barrier for long-term insurance. Even so, generally speaking, the insurance companies do tend to save their more favorable policies and premiums for the ‘younger generation’. The reason for this is because they are more likely to stay actively employed and thus able to make the installments, plus they are not considered to be such a ‘high risk’ population, medically speaking. If a person doesn’t consider long term insurance while still young, they may find themselves being refused if they leave it too long. All too often the time when you need it most will be the FIRST time you realize how important it is.
Of course, the reasons why people choose to have this insurance vary. The top reason is probably that they don’t want to be a burden to their family — whether that be a spouse, parent or child. Few could be content knowing they are a huge financial burden to their loved ones. Another reason to sign up is that they don’t want to leave their home should they be unfortunate enough to suffer from a long term illness or need to convalesce after receiving an injury or undergoing an operation.
As the market changes, new types of long term polices have appeared. For example, the Taxqualified (TQ) insurance is definitely a preferred policy. This type of policy covers the policy holder should they find themselves unable to eat, drink, bathe (and all other vital human needs) on his or her own, as well as any specialized medical treatment they may need.
Another type of long term insurance is Non-tax qualified (NTQ), a forerunner of the TQ insurance and considered the more “traditional” type of policy. According to the criteria of NTQ insurance, the doctor of the patient (or a doctor who works for the insurance company) can claim that the patient is in need of special medical care or treatment in which case, the insurance policy will pay for that treatment.
If you are a person who thinks ahead and would like to be sure that there will always be someone to take care of you, it might be a good idea to check out the coverage offered by the various insurance companies around. Don’t let the future catch you unaware
By admin
Id theft protection as nearly everyone knows is now among the essential things you need for survival in this computer age. Thus, it is no longer and issue nor a question if you need to have this kind of protection. You should therefore not think that this kind of protection is only for those who often do business in the internet of those having to use the computer either online of offline. You should always bear in mind that everybody or anyone for that matter is definitely a potential victim to identity theft that is why it is pretty essential to have this kind of protection.
Even if you are the kind of person who does not need to do any forms of online transactions, you still need to have id theft protection. Yes, id theft protection in its real sense. This means having to protect all your personal information away from fraudulent individuals who may be trying to lure you into something enticing yet bogus.
How then should you have id theft protection would definitely be your next question. Well, if you are just an ordinary person who does things the normal way, then no need for you to hire companies providing much technical and complicated ways for id theft protection. Being extra cautious and keeping your personal information as personal as they can, would more then suffice.
On the other hand, if you are the kind of person who could not seem to do away with online transactions like banking and shopping then you surely need to have a much technical and truly efficient type of id theft protection. You surely need to have professional assistance on this matter. Those that will surely provide you with the most efficient yet inexpensive manner of having to protect yourself from identity theft.
Due to the fact that identity theft is indeed on the rise especially in the United States and some parts of Europe, it is really a must to protect yourself from this modern crime. Having the help of professional experts on this matter will definitely help a lot. Just make sure though that you do not need to spend all your fortune for it. It is therefore recommended that you have the most efficient and results oriented yet inexpensive id theft protection.
By admin
More than ever now is the time you should be using a licensed Realtor to buy or sell real estate. In today’s ever changing market it is imperative that you are aware of all the types of home listings on the market. It’s not as simple as driving around to open houses, writing a purchase agreement and then moving in two weeks later. With the influx of foreclosures and short sales the market is much harder to navigate on your own. Below are some of the most important things to ask any prospective Realtor:
1. Are you a full time Realtor and how long have you been in the business?
2. How are you keeping up with the changing market? Do you take continuing education and do you specialize in any type of real estate?
3. What are your main sources of marketing? Do you use online and e-mail marketing? Ask to see examples of their current marketing. Most people find thier homes online rather than print marketing so make sure they are keeping up with technology.
4. How do you communicate with your sellers/buyers? Will I get daily or weekly updates from you regarding my home?
5. Do you have a list of other professionals you work with? Such as mortgage brokers and inspectors? This list will show that they are involved in the real estate community and you can call them for refrences as well.
6. Do you have an assistant or a team of Realtors to help with your work load?
7. What do you believe are the most important aspects to consider when selling your home?
8. How are you going to sell my home?
9. How do you feel you stand out from other agents?
10. If I am unhappy with the service how can I cancel my contract with you and will it cost me anything? You should be able to cancel at any time without being charged. Realtors get paid whel the house sells.
11. What is the difference between short sales, foreclosures and regualr listings? These are very hot topics right now and if your Realtor does not know about these new types of listings it can end up costing you a lot of time and money.
12. Always ask your Realtor to explain any paperwork you sign and make sure you get a copy of everything you sign.
These are just some top questions to ask when choosing a Realtor. It is always good to interview a few Realtors and don’t let them pressure you into choosing them. Your Realtor should want the best for you and a good Realtor will encourage you to interview others.
By admin
Lots of new businesses fail because the owners don’t take into account how long it takes to start bringing in any money at all, let alone enough dough to keep themselves and their business going. Why does this happen?
The Problem - Too Much Time
New and even experienced business owners often don’t realize that there can be quite a delay from the time when they first come up with a product idea, have it developed, tested and then launch it. No matter how much time you estimate, expect it to take longer.
Then on top of that comes the time it takes to actually start producing some revenue.
And it is not just businesses with products for sale. Even a service business or an on-line content provider can go through a lengthy development and launch phase. Especially if they want to do it right. Tossing up a slapdash website isn’t the road to riches, either. It is going to take some time.
The Solution - Throw Yourself a Lifeline
What does your business do for cash in the meantime so you stay afloat? Try these lifesaver ideas:
* Consider selling a simpler or a beta version of your product or service until the final version is ready.
* Look for some other work you can take on from someone else.
* Do some freelance or outsourced projects to generate some cash.
* Consider what other products or services you could resell.
This work might not be what you really want to do and might not make a lot of money, but it can bring in cash that you need to keep your business running in its early days.
By admin
What a fantastic topic for a philosophical debate, this practice of self-checking your merchandise at stores. Having somewhat limited experience in the act of self-checking, I am unable to speak fluently in the mechanics of this process. In casual observation, it appears self-checking is an achievable, yet not quite comfortable task for the non-techno-savvy such as I. Designers of the machinery utilized to facilitate self-checking have obviously kept us in mind. A sidebar of irony: the establishment in which I have performed the act of self-checking maintains humans to monitor the self-checking aisles. These humans are, by my observation, kept quite busy assisting us, the self-checkers.
The previously suggested debate, as I see it, would consist of two panels. Panel one would be filled by those for whom self-checking is seen as a boon for society. Members of this debate team would (between cell phone calls and PDA entries) argue the benefits of self-checking, indeed the benefits of all robo-sprawl, to individuals and society as a whole. One could imagine their points of interest being the reduction in time spent standing in line, and more control for the shopper in the shopping process. Also, they would also cite as evidence supporting their position the reduction in wages spent by stores to employ cashiers. This, they believe, would equate to savings passed along to the consumer in the form of lower merchandise prices. Mechanization, automation, and robotization will, they say, lead to a much improved quality of life.
The opposing panel would represent the Neanderthals of modern society, opponents of micro-processed living. Those who, for either moral or practical reasons, reject the notion that quality of life is attained through improved motherboards. This group, as they pass pencil-scribbled notes to each other and shuffle through reams of paper (looking for hardcopy data), would decry the end of civilization as we know it. They would quote studies by researchers warning damage to the economy as a result of workers displaced by mechanization. There would be points made regarding the loss of social interactions, and therefore reduction in social skills, ultimately leading to the degradation of our entire social fabric. First, this panel would predict, comes a future of humans completely relying upon devices, followed soon after by a Terminatorian loss of control by humans and an earthly takeover by machines. Self-checking, they say, stands at the beginning of the slippery slope to human demise.
Alas, the circuits are already firing. The transistors cannot be resisted. In 2007, team two remains standing (ready the oxygen masks). However, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to prognosticate ultimate victory by the techies. We may go kicking and screaming, but if history is any indicator we will all eventually follow suit. In the meantime, would somebody please page a bagger to the self-checkout line.
By admin
The internet has become an integral part of millions of peoples’ lives. This
took place within one generation. We are barely aware that we’re utilizing
the internet for a myriad of seemingly mundane activities. We are able to shop
for blue jeans at bargain prices and purchase expensive sports cars that ordinary people
could never possibly afford. We can also order seasonal edibles and collectibles.
We can readily buy electronics, books and so many more things. We can look up words
in on-line dictionaries and we can translate words and phrases, for free, from one
language to another. We can instantly find out news from around the globe and also
access our local weather. We can view owner’s manuals for various items that we’ve
purchased…in case we never received them or in the event that we lost ours long ago. We
can pay our bills on-line too. But what if…the unthinkable happened?! A short term
power outage or a long term upheaval like war could steal away a luxury that turned into
a necessity for so many of us.
What would life be like without the internet? Most children and teenagers would scream
in unison “BORING!” Most elderly people, non-users of course, wouldn’t really care
or maybe they’d smile to themselves and each other. After all, they’d spent 50+ years
without it! We would feel as if our world had shrunk. Some may feel as though a dear
friend had died. Some people may even need professional help to deal with the
catastrophic loss. We would be forced to do business “face to face” or over the phone
or by snail mail. We would have to learn how to do things the old-fashioned way.
We’d definitely need to relearn patience and understanding. Children and teenagers
could still rely on their video games at home but they would lose the opportunity of
sending instant messages about gaming strategies with hundreds or thousands of fellow
on-line gamers. Research for students and others would be more difficult. Libraries
could face a Renaissance period. Many people would lose their livelihoods.
There could possibly be a period of mourning for this “Death of the Internet”. It would be
hard to calculate how long it would take for people to get used to life without the
internet. We would be forced to make the necessary adjustments though. Civilization
would somehow overcome this tragedy. We would develop coping skills that would
carry us through this terrible time. But we could live without it. People are
quite resourceful. We, as a global community, would find a solution. Hopefully,
in far less than a generation.
By admin
Time management is one of those concepts that everyone wants to master, but many people struggle with in a variety of settings. People literally spend millions of dollars a year on time management training and tools. Whether these opportunities actually make people more efficient is debatable, but for now they are continuing to be a trend. The reason people want to improve on their time management is that they want to have a sense that they can accomplish more tasks in less time. Of course, the challenge is also in finding balance between work, play, and other priorities, because the danger of increased efficiency is that some people will fill the saved time with something else. This can re-create the stress of feeling overwhelmed, and put people in the same predicament as before. Therefore, here are a few techniques and strategies for increasing time management.
Knowing is half the battle
The first thing people have to do is admit that they have a problem. If people are unaware that they struggle with time management or they attempt to minimize the problem, then they are only going to improve themselves so much. Therefore, a good first step is admitting that improvements have to be made. This can be a bit humbling for people, particularly if they feel that they should have mastered time management by now. However, a bit of humility may go a long way towards personal improvement.
Experiment
There is no one technique that will solve everyone’s time management problems. To be sure, there are some interesting technological tools on the market, but they won’t guarantee success. PDA’s, “smart” phones, laptops, and computer-based calendars can certainly help and people should experiment with these tools. However, a notepad or paper calendar can also do the trick as long as people are diligent about using them. People should give themselves some time to settle into a routine, but if something isn’t working, it is fine to try something else.
Scheduling time
One technique that is helpful is to give every task a time slot. Rather than having a list of things to do, people should put things on a calendar, and give them a specific time slot for completion. Granted, things do come up and people have to shift their tasks around, but at least if it is on the calendar, people will dedicate a time to work on something. This prevents the undesired activity from remaining on the bottom of the task list for more time than it should be there.
Transporting
Finally, time management is about being diligent. It means that people have to stay “on task” by being willing to stop one activity and move on to the next if the new task is a higher priority. In addition, it means that whatever time management task is used, it should be carried almost everywhere so that people can make notes, schedule appointments, and put tasks on the calendar. Unfortunately, the human memory can be a bit suspect, so it is important to make time management a lifestyle. Then, people will be more likely to stay on task and free up that time that they so desire to manage more effectively.
By admin
Customers are human beings that come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Customers are not dependent on us, we are dependent on them. Customers are the reasons that any organization exists. The customer is doing the organization a favor by allowing them to provide a service for them and not the organization doing a favor for them by providing that service. Without satisfied and happy customers you will have no business, you will have to close your doors and your business will cease to exist.
Customer service starts with recognizing that we are all customers. There are experiences with an organization that you will never forget. These types of memorable experiences should be the goals that customer service is based on. These are the experiences that the customer will share with others and will build the reputation of the organization you are working for. It really is pretty simple, treat everyone in a timely, courteous and competent manner and you have gained a customer who will spread the word. There is no better advertising for any kind of organization than the words of a satisfied customer.
There are times when there is a negative customer service. There is no perfect world where everyone is happy and satisfied all of the time. The most important thing for any organization to do when something has gone sour is service recovery. Do something to make the customer feel right again and admit you made a mistake. Honesty goes a long way to providing good customer service.
There are behaviors that can kill customer service in an instant. If you appear cold, never smile, have no warmth or caring you have just eliminated good customer service from happening. If you are unfriendly, pushy, discourteous or insensitive you will create a bad impression and a good customer service experience will not occur. Customer service and satisfaction is everyone’s responsibility in any organization and these negative behaviors should never be tolerated and need to be addressed.
Having committed customers should be the goal of every organization. They are the fuel for success and the future of the organization. Customer service is the measure of the organization performance, if you have built loyalty and commitment with your customers, this is what customer service is all about. If you know what your committed customers value and will continue to expect, you have built a organization that is model for customer service and what many organizations will never be able to achieve.
A key component is to never forget the employee that work for the organization and have created the culture of good customer service. Employees want to be recognized and appreciated, without them there would be no success. Employees need to be aware of what is negotiable and what is not negotiable when trying to keep customer satisfied. There should never be punitive measures taken if an employee has made an honest mistake trying to meet the needs of a customer. Instead there should be recognition for taking the effort to try to meet their expectations and help them to find a more effective way to deal with the customer. Customer service is achievable with the right focus and commitment form the employees to make it happen.
