Welcome to the Shield Insurance Agency Blog.
Here you will find a ton of articles on each of these topics: Auto Insurance, Boat/Watercraft Insurance, Business Insurance, Flood Insurance, Health Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance, Life Insurance, Michigan Auto Insurance Reform, Recreational Insurance, Renters Insurance, RV Insurance, Things To Do At Home, Umbrella Insurance, and even a list of the Shield Agency Weekly Gift Card Winners,
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Shield Insurance Agency & Foremost Insurance Company present Insurance Terms
Every industry has its own unique language – and insurance is no exception. Here are some key insurance definitions and terms you might come across as you consider insuring yourself or your stuff.
Stress can be debilitating, and it can cause and/or aggravate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of human existence — nobody is immune to it — it’s important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when stress rears its ugly head. (Amazingly, we don’t always notice it’s happening to us.) Stress Awareness Month happens each April. It’s important to learn some strategies for coping with this particular silent scourge. You’ve come to the right place for that. Let’s get started!
One of the most effective ways to deal with stress is to learn how to silence the mind. Meditation is one of the most popular methods of achieving this quiet.
Another way to battle the debilitating effects of stress is to exercise. Whether you’re a jogger, bicyclist our just like to take long walks, be sure to get some fresh air and exercise into your daily routine.
They’re really in the best position to get your started on the path to a stress-free lifestyle. Make an appointment today.
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EMERGING RISK TRENDS • 2 MIN READ
With many employees working remotely over this last year due to the ongoing pandemic, the shift to a virtual workplace has presented new challenges for some businesses. As companies continue moving away from the traditional work settings, now is the best time to reassess and mitigate work-related risks to remote workers.
From confirming business objectives to adjusting your processes and resource allocation, here are the key ways to prepare for new remote risks.
Have your risks changed with virtual workspaces? As you assess and prioritize work-related risks for each workgroup, consider if these new remote-work locations will be short or long-term.
A few top concerns may include:
To better understand and address risks, revisit your existing safety programs and strategies. What gaps need to be covered in this new workplace model? If the necessary programs do not currently exist, formalize an approach to assess and reduce risks to workers. While short vs long-term strategies may look different, it is important to treat employees consistently and effectively.
As you begin your strategic planning:
What can you do to limit risks for your workers? If you have accumulated real estate savings as a result of virtual work, consider reallocating that budget to employee safety. Provide easy access to resources for employees to get help during this unprecedented time, to eliminate cumbersome barriers to the process:
Consider the ergonomic and environmental risks associated with your employee’s virtual workplace as well. Environmental risks can include walking surfaces, stairs, and overuse of power strips and outlets in the home. Check our library of resources to help manage your team’s safety as you adjust to the new normal:
Commercial | AUTO FLEET MANAGEMENT • 2 MIN READ
More cars on the roads, rising medical costs, distracted drivers, and higher repair costs are just a few of the factors driving the increase in commercial auto losses. In an effort to help minimize risks and better control costs, more businesses are exploring telematics technology. According to the most recent Fleet Management Technology Report, 44 percent of fleets now use some form of telematics.
However, to get the most return on investment from telematics, businesses need to consider a variety of factors. Here are three steps that can help companies successfully adopt and implement telematics in their operations:
Certain vendors are better at certain things, so it’s important to know in advance the problem your company is trying to solve to help ensure your vendor’s capabilities will meet your needs. For example, a company with a fleet of service vehicles that charges by the hour may want to track exactly when a commercial vehicle arrives at and departs from a specific location to help avoid billing discrepancies. A delivery operation may want to optimize routes to improve productivity and manage fuel costs. A business that is experiencing an uptick in vehicle accidents may prefer to review driver performance by individual, location and vehicle type to identify potential issues.
The high volume of data, notifications and detailed reports generated from a telematics system can be overwhelming. A business wishing to develop a successful program must know how to transform the data into information that can be applied strategically. For a company that uses telematics to track driver performance, getting an alert for every “aggressive” driving event (speeding, hard braking, etc.) may not provide much value. However, being able to review event rates (number of events per 100 miles driven) for individual drivers could be a better way to compare performance and identify outliers. Establishing suitable reporting parameters to create driver rankings or “scorecards” can help a fleet manager understand “average” performance, set realistic goals that support company objectives, and develop action plans for drivers in need of improvement.
When spring hits in Michigan, there’s a short period before summer comes where you have the time to care for your lawn and make it presentable!
This kind of spring lawn care usually includes ensuring your sprinklers are working properly to keep your lawn hydrated during the warmer months, taking care of your grass and soil with fertilizer, factoring in weed prevention, and of course, getting ready to do something about those pests and mosquitoes.
Everyone wants a bright, inviting lawn and garden, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Take a look through these tips and tricks to be sure you have the best lawn on the block.
To keep your lawn looking clean and not overgrown, it’s always a good idea to start by taking care of your weeds. Weeds start to show up right when spring does. Michigan’s most common and most stubborn weeds can include Dame’s Rocket, Maple Seedlings, and Dandelion.
While not harmful to humans, besides the occasional allergy symptoms, weeds are essentially a death wish for your lawn. You’ll want to spray some weed killer or dig each one up from the root before it spreads. They can take over the lawn quicker than you think.
Fertilizing your lawn in the spring gives it the nutrients it needs to grow back after the harsh Michigan winters. After the snow melts and the spring rain comes, the nutrients your lawn needs have long been washed away.
A properly fertilized lawn can thrive, just like the one you’ve always dreamed of. It can recreate the whole look of your home, without really changing anything at all.
For a bright green lawn, a fertilizer containing Nitrogen helps; and you’ll want something to ensure your roots are healthy as well, so one containing Phosphorus is a good idea as well.
MARCH 29, 2021 | Walking Tours | Shield Insurance Bog
Topics include public art, history and notable landmarks
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. partnered with Grand Rapids Running Tours to offer visitors free walking tours around Downtown Grand Rapids throughout this spring season.
These walking tours explore topics ranging from public art, history and iconic Downtown landmarks.
All tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle and no registration is necessary. First come, first serve. Please bring your masks.
See the full schedule below.
March 30, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
This #WomensHistoryMonth, celebrate the #RadAmericanWomen throughout history via public art and FREE walking tours around #DowntownGR! The artwork and tours are based on the New York Times bestselling book “Rad American Women A-Z” by Kate Schatz. With a total of 27 works of public art on electrical boxes featuring portraits of #RadWomen from Angela Davis to Zora Neale Hurston, the tour will give you a background on each public figure and the Rad Local Artist behind each artwork.
April 7, 6:00 PM., Miles of Murals Part One Walking Tour
April 14, 10:00 AM, Miles of Murals Part One Walking Tour
April 21, 6:00 PM, Miles of Murals Part Two Walking Tour
April 28, 10:00 AM, Miles of Murals Part Two Walking Tour
Who says art museums must be inside, enclosed with 4 walls, a ceiling, and a floor? Swirling all about us in Grand Rapids are intriguing artworks on sides of buildings, underneath highway overpasses, on retaining walls, street surfaces, and utility boxes. These are murals – street and wall artworks – painted by artists that celebrate beauty, calls to action, or tributes to heroes. The murals transform otherwise unnoticeable – or worse – blighted spaces into a must-see, energizing attraction. Viewing these murals is a study in local history, community activism, and sheer expressions of creativity… art all the time! So many murals, so little time – so the walk is divided into two parts… we pick up where we left off when we meet for Part Two.
Shield Insurance Blog | Hemingway |
By MYNORTH NEWS SERVICE on March 12, 2021
Award-winning filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick direct the upcoming three-part, six-hour documentary on Ernest Hemingway, including historical photographs of the writer’s summers spent in Northern Michigan.
The series about Hemingway, the iconic literary figure considered one of the greatest American writers, will premiere on central and Northern Michigan PBS affiliate, WCMU Public Media, April 5 at 8 p.m., and include voice actors Jeff Daniels as Hemingway; plus Meryl Streep, Keri Russell, Mary-Louise Parker, and Patricia Clarkson as Hemingway’s four wives. The documentary series will also include historical photographs of Hemingway’s time spent in Northern Michigan, provided by Michigan’s Clarke Historical Library.
“The extraordinary pictures in the photo albums at the Clarke Library are absolutely irreplaceable to our film,” shares filmmaker Lynn Novick about the important photographs the Clarke Historical Library provided for the documentary series. “They make it possible for us to represent Hemingway’s family and life in Michigan in the most vivid, tangible, and authentic way, and we are so grateful to be able to include them.”
In anticipation of this series, and to explore Hemingway’s deep ties to Northern Michigan along with how they influenced his attitudes, passions, and writings, WCMU Public Media is partnering with the Clarke Historical Library and noted Hemingway historian Michael Federspiel for “Hemingway in Michigan: A Live Streaming Event” Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m.
During this virtual event, attendees will enjoy “Let’s Go Back” video stories featuring the Clarke Historical Library’s Hemingway Collection containing one-of-a-kind items from the legendary author’s life, watch an exclusive advanced preview of the Hemingway documentary series before its April 5 nationwide premiere on PBS, and participate in a question-and-answer session with Hemingway experts, including filmmaker Lynn Novick and producer Sarah Botstein.
When you make a Girl Scout Cookie purchase, you’re helping the next generation of entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful: teamwork, planning, and a positive outlook. Because proceeds from your purchase stay local, you also help create positive change in your community by powering life-changing experiences for Girl Scouts all year long.
Whether it’s an outdoor adventure she’ll never forget, a STEM activity that opens her mind to new possibilities, a service project that changes her community, or the chance to build a lifetime of memories with her Girl Scout sisters near or far, Girl Scout Cookies make it all happen!
The best part is this: as you help equip girls with the confidence and know-how they need to dream big and do bigger, you’re also giving yourself and your family the simple, powerful joy of biting into a delicious Girl Scout Cookie with lots of love, inspiration, and purpose in every bite. It’s a sweet reminder that just like Girl Scouts, you too can be brave, resilient, and dedicated to making the world a better place, no matter what.
Give cookies to a friend, enjoy them yourself, or donate them to a local cause—every bite counts!
Ready for cookies? There are several ways to satisfy your Girl Scout Cookie craving.
And remember, by buying and donating cookies, you support and celebrate girl ingenuity and innovation across the country, as Girl Scouts use creative sales methods like contactless delivery, virtual cookie booths on social media, and digital cookie platforms to keep you safe, meet their goals, and keep on shining.
March 19th, 2021
Last Oct. 27 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías froze the Rays’ Willy Adames for strike three, closing out a 3-1 victory in Game 6 of the World Series and igniting a joyous Los Angeles celebration. The Dodgers had won their first championship since 1988, officially closing the book on the 2020 MLB season.
It also began the countdown to Opening Day, which is now fast approaching.
That also brings up many questions for fans, such as, “Is baseball coming back in 2021?” and “Will MLB allow fans in stadiums?” among other things. To help with that, here is a complete guide to everything you need to know about the 2021 MLB season.
MLB and COVID-19
Last year, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic shut down Spring Training in mid-March and delayed Opening Day. Ultimately, the 2020 season did not begin until late July, and teams played a 60-game schedule, adhering to MLB’s strict COVID rules. They then embarked upon an expanded postseason, with the field widened from 10 teams to 16.
Nearly a year later, the pandemic persists, although ongoing vaccinations — including many at Major League ballparks — are providing hope. However, COVID-19 will continue to affect the MLB schedule in 2021, especially throughout Spring Training and early in the regular season. That will extend to both fans (in terms of how many are allowed to attend games) and players (who once again will have to abide by health and safety protocols, throughout Spring Training, the regular season, and the postseason).
Free agency and transactions
While the offseason got off to a slow start, most of the top free agents have now signed. That includes reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer (Dodgers), center fielder George Springer (Blue Jays), catcher J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), second baseman DJ LeMahieu (Yankees), and left fielder Marcell Ozuna (Braves). There also have been some blockbuster trades, including the Padres’ deals for pitchers Yu Darvish (Cubs), Blake Snell (Rays) and Joe Musgrove (Pirates), the Mets’ acquisition of shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco (Indians), and the Cardinals swap for third baseman Nolan Arenado (Rockies).
With that said, even with Spring Training now underway, some notable players remain on the free-agent market, including starting pitchers Rick Porcello and Cole Hamels. Clubs will continue looking to bolster their rosters ahead of Opening Day, especially as injuries cut into their depth.
Spring also tends to be a time when teams and players agree to contract extensions, as players often do not want to be involved in negotiations once the regular season begins. MLB already saw one huge deal in late February, with the Padres inking superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year pact. But there are many other extension candidates to watch.
Spring Training
Shield Insurance Blog | stop-loss | Start A Quote Today!
Over the past ten years, healthcare costs have risen steadily each year as treatment and care options have become more sophisticated and advanced. As a result, corporate health insurance buyers are looking for more effective solutions to manage their healthcare spend, which is their biggest cost behind payroll.
For employers who choose to self-fund their health insurance programs, employer stop-loss insurance protects those groups against large or catastrophic claims, as an alternative to traditional group health insurance and benefits plans. The medical stop-loss insurance sector has experienced dramatic growth in recent years as more employers migrate to self-funded health insurance programs, which offer customizable coverage for employees with disciplined cost containment oversight.
Karthik Mohan, vice president of sales & distribution for the medical stop-loss group at Liberty Mutual Insurance, outlines how medical stop-loss insurance can help organizations keep pace with medical inflation.
Today, approximately 61% of U.S. employers self-fund their health insurance programs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2019 Employer Health Benefits Report Annual Survey. Frequently, those same employers purchase medical stop-loss insurance, which is a financial management tool that transfers the liability risk arising from large, unexpected claims, like cancer treatments, new therapies for complex conditions, and organ transplants, to an insurance carrier – sparing the employer from unpredictable, catastrophic medical claim costs that can materially impact an organization’s cash flow and bottom line.
Medical stop loss insurance is typically offered with two types of deductible options:
Under these programs, the stop loss insurance carrier reimburses the employer for healthcare financial losses above the contractual policy deductible limit.
Since 2006, Shield Insurance Agency has been an Endorsed Local Provider with Dave Ramsey.
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