Articles – Susman

August 29, 2018September 3, 2018

Micronation Benefits and Insurance

Benefits for a Micronation

There are 203 sovereign states in the world today, according to the United Nations. Citizens of these recognized nations enjoy the benefits of accepted, transferrable currency, the freedom to travel with official passports, a government voice in global politics, and more. Micronations are unrecognized country projects and model territory claims that attempt to survive outside of, and often in spite of, the rule of parent countries.

The first formal micronations have been traced back to the 19^th century and statehood creation has become increasingly popular since the advent of the internet. Micronations vary so widely that the only true defining link across all groups is the lack of official recognition. Rulers and citizens of micronations face unique challenges, including the lack of conventional passports, unrecognized currency, and the difficulty of finding benefits and insurance for dual citizens.

Explore the wide range of ideologies, locations, legality, size, and tolerance with a list of 5 distinctive micronations below:

Atlantium

Atlantium was originally founded in New South Wales, Australia in 1981 by three teenagers in pursuit of unrestricted international freedoms and personal rights. The politically-based micronation gained support from pledged online citizens from over 100 countries who championed the right to abortion, freedom of movement, assisted suicide, and other foundational rights.

The shape of the state has transformed many times and the micronation now functions as a fully-online, non-territorial claim for dual citizens.

Liberl and

The Free Republic of Liberl and was founded in 2015 by activist Vit Jedlička to claim a 2.7 sq mi wide parcel of disputed l and between Croatia and Serbia. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, international borders have been widely disputed and the founder raised a flag to claim the uninhabited l and.

With the motto ‘To Live and Let Live,’ the unofficial state is currently accepting applications for citizenship and approximately 30 citizens have been inducted along with a provisional government. Most state business is conducted outside of the claimed region due to the difficulty of border crossing with neighboring parent countries.

Westarctica

Unlike most micronations that are forced to compete with sovereign states for l and claims, Westarctica pursues sovereignty over a parcel of unclaimed l and on western Antarctica. The micronation was founded in 2001 with an established royal government that ruled from abroad.

In 2014, Westarctica shifted its focus and filed to become a legally recognized nonprofit in the state of California. Today, the online citizens and activists campaign against ecocide and polar ice depletion.

Republic of West Who

Inspired by the whimsy and joy of Doctor Seuss, West Who is a micronation in California that stakes claim to .02 acres of l and. The micronation is passionate about space and planet exploration and maintains an active counter-intelligence spy agency.

Stamps and e-passports are the primary source of revenue and the micronation has reported a small budget surplus with no national debt. According to the president, West Who dual citizens have some of the highest GHI (gross happiness index) ratings in the world and the lowest unemployment rates.

Republic of Molossia

Molossia is a decidedly trivial micronation that exists peacefully within the United States and pays taxes to its parent country. President Kevin Baugh founded the nation in 1977 and all three of the tiny claimed territories are under his family homes. Including dogs, there are only 34 citizens and the country’s proposed currency, the valora, hinges on the value of Pillsbury cookie dough.

The micronation is more than 12,000 days into a proposed war with East Germany, even though the country has not existed since 1991. Molossia primarily exists online for profit and amusement with the sale of war bonds, coins, stamps, and merch andise.

Although unrecognized dual (or full) citizenship in a micronation comes with its challenges, there can also be distinct benefits. Susman Insurance offers specialized insurance benefits for micronations with competitive rates and no network restrictions. Custom micronation benefit packages can cover citizens with the following premium services:

Life Insurance
Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Aflac Expense Benefits
Savings Plans

Benefit packages are available for micronation citizens with open enrollment and we can also help create state-sponsored or state-paid savings plans and insurance programs. Micronation insurance benefits are distinctly different than sovereign states. At Susman Insurance, we underst and and respect your purpose. Get in touch today to learn more about insurance and savings plan options for your citizens with no underwriting.

Reach out to us today!

January 3, 2017

Insurance for start-ups

When the calendar flips to a new year, hype explodes over the phrase or phrases like ‘New Year, New You.’ However, for the business minded, the new year – or any time of year – may focus more on ‘New Year, New Start-up.’

From concept to creation, every minute has been spent developing the dream start-up company. Br anding reflects the mission, products, and services, social media is ready to infiltrate the target market, and the business plan has become a personal member of the family. The ingenuity, emotion, and finances poured into the start-up creation need to be protected.

It is critical for every start-up to get the proper insurance coverage and should be an immediate priority. On a foundational level, insurance is necessary to get funding for a new company. Whether from a bank or private investor, nobody will give a new business financial support without insurance. Additionally, vendors won’t negotiate or sign contracts for partnerships without the proper insurance and consumers find businesses without proper insurance to be untrustworthy. Without insurance, your start-up won’t start.

Proper coverage provides protection. It is a fallacy to think that a new company has nothing to fear or to safeguard. Insurance protects the business owner, Board of Directors, and the decisions made on behalf of the company. Start-ups need protection against potential lawsuits from competitors and former employees, and need the assistance provided in the event of loss from fire, theft, or cyber-attack. The protection provided by insurance as well as why it is needed is an infinite combination specific to each new business.

There are numerous types of insurance coverage necessary for new businesses.

General Liability Insurance– An insurance policy issued to business organizations to protect against liability claims for bodily injury and/or property damage arising out of premises, operations, products, and completed operations; and advertising and personal injury liability.

Commercial Property Insurance – Insurance that covers any type of commercial property, protecting from such things as fire, theft and natural disaster.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance – Coverage that protects employees and the business. M andatory in many states, worker’s compensation covers lost wages and medical treatment resulting from employee work-related injury or illness, as well as services needed for recovery assistance and the return to work.

Professional Liability Insurance – Also called professional indemnity insurance and more commonly known as Errors & Omissions (E&O) in the US, it is a form of liability insurance that helps protect professional advice and service providing individuals and companies from bearing the full cost of defending.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance – Often called D&O, this insurance is payable to the directors and officers of a company or to the organization(s) itself, as reimbursement for losses or advancement of defense costs in the event an insured suffers such a loss because of a legal action for alleged wrongful acts in capacity as directors and officers.

Cyber Liability Protection – Insurance that covers liability for data breach in the event customers’ personal information – Social Security or credit card numbers – are exposed or stolen by a hacker or other criminal who gained access to the firm’s electronic network.

The listed types of insurance partner with other coverage to provide the support and protection every new business needs. Susman Insurance Agency has the experience and capability to determine coverage needed for all facets of a startup business. A personal approach is used by meeting in person to learn about the unique needs of the business, evaluate risks, and create the perfect insurance coverage plan. Susman Insurance Agency provides the policies that start-ups need. While insurance coverage doesn’t guarantee start-up success, it does promise protection and peace of mind.

March 18, 2016

Wake Up and Be Successful

I love mornings. Almost everyone in my life tries to do everything they can to avoid waking early the morning. For me, if the sun is up, I am up. I LOVE it!

One of the only other weekly events that gets as bad of a rap as mornings are Mondays. I will never underst and why poor Monday always has to be picked on and bullied – especially when Monday isn’t anywhere the start of the work week for everyone anymore. In an effort to help show Mornings and Monday some love, I wanted to share the highlights of an article I came across called, 5 Ways Successful People Tackle Monday Morning by William V anderbloemen (see link below for complete article).
While measuring success can be subjective, we all want to be successful in some shape or form. We want a successful insurance business, while perhaps you want to be successful at making pizza. It doesn’t matter – we all want it.

Here are some ways to kick start your day right into success mode:

Sleep, but do not snooze – there is no possible way to catch-up on lost sleep so it is important to get the best sleep you can when possible. Sunday night might be your most important night to sleep, so stop running yourself down to fumes and gets some rest. However, when Monday morning rolls around, DO NOT HIT SNOOZE! It tells your body that the wake-up was a joke and those few extra minutes cause more harm than good. Get up the first time and you will be more productive.

Get your body moving – yes, this means getting physical and exercise. This will help motivate you, improve performance, and keep you from falling into a slump – thus more productive and successful!

Don’t start work until you get to work – meaning stay away from work email! At the beginning of the week, you set your mental state and if you maintain focus on projects and devote brain power where it is needed, you will avoid the distractive power of email overload.

Avoid big decisions – don’t suddenly quit a job, project, workout, etc.…or make a huge decision on a Monday. That is not a healthy way to start the week. Wait for Tuesday.

Only schedule tangible result work – Monday should be a day of serious results to start the day and the week off on a successful and productive path. Making a list of attainable goals and project and checking them all off will help motivate your workflow the remainder of the week.

Do you want to be successful? How about giving mornings and Monday ( and the combination of the two) are better try!

LINK:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williamv anderbloemen/2016/03/13/5-ways-successful-people-tackle-monday-morning/#543b7b887433

November 6, 2015

Group Long Term Care Insurance: Providing Peace of Mind

It is a sad fact, but an estimated 70% of the population will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime. The costs of any kind of long-term care (LTC) can be great; especially if you are relying on your wallet. Group long-term care insurance will make the insurance more affordable. Group long-term care insurance will mean having a policy at a lower cost than an individual insurance policy for long-term care.

You have worked hard and saved a lot of your money through the years. If you should happen to experience an accident or illness that prevents you from performing daily activities, then you will need assistance. Without any kind of group long-term care insurance, you will have to dig into that retirement fund you worked so hard to establish. You can purchase a group insurance policy for long-term care and know that you will have help with the costly bills associated with long-term care expenses.

Care for long-term is something that you may not want to think about, but the odds are that you will have to deal with it eventually. Group long-term care insurance is a way to make sure you and your family will not have to use all of your finances and assets to take care of you in your golden years. Since group long-term care insurance is less costly than an individual policy, you can still use your cash for your enjoyment or living expenses.

For many, long-term care is inevitable; not having a group long-term care insurance policy to help with costs can really be a huge oversight. If you are 57 or older, it is highly recommended that you begin to seriously consider joining a group long-term care insurance policy.

Searching for the best group long-term care insurance policy for your long-term care is easy when you visit www.bestlongtermcarequote.com. Don’t wait another day to take care of the potential for needing long-term health care; purchase a group long-term care insurance policy and keep your money for a rainy day.

One of the most important steps in securing you and your family’s financial future is investing in a LTC Insurance company. When calculating the cost of health care insurance today, many people do not take into consideration the high cost of a LTC insurance company policy. Many senior citizens spend years of their retirement years in nursing homes due to a disability or a prolonged illness. LTC insurance can be used on a permanent or temporary basis. This insurance plan may be used for help in activities such as cooking, bathing and dressing.

An LTC insurance company policy may be extended at an adult day care center or an assisted living facility. This long-term insurance plan can also be used at a nursing home or within the comfort of the patient’s home.

Who Pays for LTC Insurance Company Policy?

An LTC insurance company policy is not a government funded health care plan. A LTC insurance company policy is out of pocket. Those who can not afford to pay out of pocket for their own LTC insurance company policy can use their life savings, retirement fund, 401k Plans, real estate property and close relatives to pay for this policy.

November 5, 2015

Group dental insurance 101

Even if you get insurance as part of a group you essentially enjoy the same benefits that an individual dental insurance plan provides with an added advantage. Because you are part of a group, you pay lower premiums.

Dental insurance carriers prefer to insure groups because the risk is spread around and more members in the group guarantee them additional business.
Many companies and unions offer this benefit to attract and keep good employees. The effect is very positive effect. This is to lighten the financial load of the employee by paying for a portion of their dental plan.

As a member of a group, your dental insurance plan is a result of a contract between your employer (or union), or plan sponsor, and a third party (insurance company). Any your concerns you have regarding your plan coverage should be directed to the plan sponsor or your employer.

To maximize the benefits found in your dental plan you should take time to know how it is designed and what its limitations are. A good group dental plan is one which covers around 60 to 80 percent of each dental treatment you undergo.

Some Features Common To Group Dental Insurance Plans

Direct Reimbursement program
Under this plan, the patient can go to their preferred dentist. After treatment patient is reimbursed a portion of the amount spent on dental care, regardless of whether the treatment is a minor or major procedure.

UCR or “Usual, Customary, and Reasonable” program
This design plan offers flexibility because the patient can go to their preferred dentist. The “reasonable” or “customary” fee limit is jointly determined by the plan purchaser and the third party payer.

Table or Schedule of Allowance programs
Each covered service is tabled and assigned a specific fee. The amount represents how much the plan pays for the services. Most times, plan does not pay for the entire treatment, and the patient has to pay for the difference.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) program
Contracting dentists give a discount on their service fees to attract patients. However, patients cannot avail of these discounts if they choose a dentist who is not part of this network.

Capitation program
The dentist signs a contract with the sponsor of the plan, and provides all or a specific number of treatments covered under the dental insurance program. In return, the dentist is paid a set fee for each patient or subscriber.

October 25, 2015

Get Moving Insurance before Moving

There are different kinds of Insurance that pertain to moving:

• Released Value Insurance, the most basic coverage provided by moving companies. Estimated by weight it covers US$0.60 per pound of objects.
• Declared Value Insurance offers coverage of US $ 1.25 per pound, coverage is on the total weight of your movables. If any objects are damaged, the insurance is based on the depreciated value of the object to the maximum value of items shipped.
• Lump Sum Value, this insures based on the actual value of goods shipped and not by weight. The specific value of items must be declared on the bill of l anding.
• Full Value Protection, covers all damage or losses. Objects will be replaced, repaired, or cash for value of object will be offered.

Tips:

• Decide which objects are to be moved and which are to be stored.
• Prepare a detailed list of objects to be moved along with weight and value.
• It is advisable to take insurance over and above that offered by the movers.
• Ask for advice on which insurance would benefit you the most.
• Get estimates from insurers.
• Remember a customer has to file a complaint within nine months of the move.
• A mover is legally obliged to acknowledge a claim within 30 days and offer settlement within 120 days.
• Even if there is damage a customer is obligated by law to pay for the move. After which the customer should address the claim procedure to receive compensation.
• Ask the mover to explain clearly the insurance cover offered by them, the exclusions, and limits.
• Always read carefully the small print on the mover’s contract and insurance papers.
• List antiques and valuables separately and take extra coverage for them. Extra premium is generally charged for fine china, paintings, and so on.
• If any goods are damaged, never unpack/remove them from their boxes until all procedures for claims are completed.

Check whether your homeowners insurance covers moving. Purchase an insurance that best covers the value of the property being transported.

Find out what can be insured. Normally, jewellery, cash, as well as items not packed by movers are not covered. Goods like fuels, fertilizers, acids, ammunitions, paints, aerosol cans, corrosives, as well as flammable substances will invalidate insurance and should not be moved.

It is important to know the laws of the state or country where you live and the place you are moving to.

Experts recommend transit insurance as a good supplement to moving insurance. It will generally cover the gaps left by the insurance policy.

Clever coverage can save hundreds of thous ands of dollars and insurance is available on the net, through the mover, a move-it-yourself company, or homeowner’s insurance companies.

October 3, 2015

Florida Flood Insurance: How Residents Can Obtain and Benefit from It

Flooding is a tragic event that damages countless homes and can cause injuries to hundreds of people each year. What many individuals do not know is that flooding can occur just about anywhere in the United States. Excess rain and broken drainage systems are just a few of the many causes of flooding all across the country. Despite the fact that flooding can occur anywhere in the United States, there are some areas that are more prone to flooding than others.

Each year, a large number of individuals move into the state of Florida. Due to its warm temperatures and beautiful weather, Florida has not only become a vacation hotspot. Florida has also become a popular place to live. Despite the fact that Florida is almost always beautiful, it does have its fair share of bad weather. When this bad weather comes it is often in the form of a hurricane.

Hurricane can bring high winds, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and large amounts of rainfall. When it comes to a hurricane it has been said that flooding is a large concern in Florida. Many individuals are unable to pay out-of-pocket to repair their flood damaged homes. That is why a large number of Florida residents obtain flood insurance coverage.

Insurance anywhere in the United States is important, but Florida flood insurance could be on the most important. Every summer Florida is at risk for multiple hurricanes, excess rainfall, and flooding. That is why it is important that all residents obtain Florida flood insurance.

As with car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance, there are options when it comes to selecting a coverage plan. A large number of individuals mistakenly believe that all flood insurance coverage is the same. The cost of Florida flood insurance is likely to vary. The National Flood Insurance Program, which offers affordable flood insurance to all Americans, takes a number of factors into consideration when deciding on coverage plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed Flood Rate Maps. These maps are used by the National Flood Insurance Program to determine the risk associated with providing flood insurance to a specific household. In addition to the Florida Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the National Flood Insurance Program may also take into consideration what Florida has done to prevent or limit the amount of flooding that occurs in their area.

Florida flood insurance that is backed by the National Flood Insurance Program and the Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sold directly through the program or through a licensed agent. Purchasing Florida flood insurance from a licensed agent may save Florida residents additional money. Due to state laws on rebates, flood insurance agents are able to offer insurance coverage for a discounted price. In fact, AmeriFlood is currently offered a 12% upfront rebate discount on all plans.

Florida flood insurance is a must have for all state residents. When the next hurricane makes l andfall, do not be unprotected. You are encouraged to contact a flood insurance agent today to obtain a free flood insurance quote.

October 2, 2015

Flooding – Keeping thoses gutters and drains clear

Insurance claims from damage from flooding, cold and stormy conditions during the summer months have soared. 60% of current home insurance claims are related to bad weather conditions. Home owners are being warned that not only do they need to prepare their home by checking trees, gutters, drains and roofs, but they must make sure they are in a position to cover any damages by being adequately insured.

The overwhelming majority of household policies provide cover in respect of flood, however, it is necessary to check your policy to make sure this is so. Simple steps can be taken to prepare a property for the worst that the weather can bring. Built up leaves, seeds, dirt and other debris that has run down your roof and into your gutter can lead to a blockage in the system which in turn can lead to major problems. The good news is most of these blockages can be easily cleared, but it must be done often, ideally at the beginning of winter to clear leaves that have fallen during autumn and summer since high rainfall appears to be on the increase in most parts of the UK.

No matter what type of guttering you have, the troughs will need clearing. It is not a particularly difficult job, but it is essential if you wish to avoid problems further down the line such as water damage and serious outbreaks of dry rot.

October 1, 2015

Flood Insurance

There are many risks that people are accustomed to insuring against. These will include, health insurance, auto insurance and fire insurance. There are others that are less familiar, such as dental and flood insurance but there are many reasons why you should reassess the insurances you currently have in place and perhaps consider relocating them to cover the risks that you are most afraid of experiencing.

For example, did you know that losses due to floods are thirty times more likely to occur than fire losses? This is especially true if your home is located in a flood prone zone. While flood loss is generally less devastating than fire loss, if your home is located in a flood prone zone, the chance of even experiencing catastrophic damage is still 25% greater from flood than from fire.

Flood loss

Most basic home insurance policies do not automatically include flood loss as st andard. Commercial property policies are the same, with flood loss only being covered if it is specifically mentioned in the policy. If the flood is extremely severe, it may be classified as a disaster site by the federal government. This will cause some protection to be made available in the form of loans. These loans, which come through the Federal Emergency Management Assistance program, are not like insurance however, as you are required to pay back the loan that they give you, as well as any other home loans you already have. They will also require you to carry flood insurance in the future. The other thing about the Federal Emergency Management Assistance program is that it only kicks in if your area and flood are declared a federal disaster site. This can be fairly rare when compared to the amount of floods that are experienced annually.

Flood insurance will be offered by various insurance companies but should be backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. This type of coverage, which is supported and regulated by the federal government, is the only type of flood insurance that will fully protect your home and contents from rising water flood insurance.

Shop Around

If you are considering taking out a policy of this kind, shop around for the best rate and find out what is covered and what is excluded. It may be that a specific company’s exclusion is exactly the situation in which you require coverage and other companies may not have the same exclusion so you are wise to shop around. Also, all insurance companies vary in what they offer and what they charge. Do not accept the first offer or quote you receive and do not expect all companies to provide the same deals. You should always shop around when it comes to insurance and find yourself the best deal available.

September 13, 2015

Family Dental Insurance 101

Purchasing a family dental insurance plan provides you and your family two important benefits:

• Better oral health for the entire family as most plans pay 100% of the preventive service fees such as cleaning every six months. This encourages the family to visit the dentist for regular check ups and cleaning treatments. Prevention is half the battle!

• Generate more savings because the dental insurance company pays a certain percentage of dental services for minor and major procedures.

Here are six questions to guide you in the selection of the right dental insurance plan for you and your family.

1. Does the plan allow you to pick your own dentist?
Some dental insurance carriers give you bigger discounted rates provided you use their network of dentists. If your favorite dentist is not part of the network, the dental insurance plan may not cover the treatment. You should consider paying extra for a plan, which allows you and your family to go to your preferred dentist.

2. Are there restrictions when it comes to choosing the best treatment options? Some insurance plans put a cap on the number of treatments or limit the amount paid for a condition. If you or your family has a history of poor dental health care, then you should choose a plan that has few restrictions on this aspect.

3. What is does the plan cover? An ideal dental insurance plan allows for one cleaning treatment every six months, with X-ray and fluoride treatments that come at little or no cost for each member. For the major procedures, some dental plans require you to pay 50 percent of the entire bill. If your family has a history of good dental health care, then you may want to negotiate for lesser coverage when it comes to the major procedures.

4. Which family members are covered by the family insurance plan? Most dental insurance carriers cover the spouse and dependent children, from birth through 18. Some exceptions are given for children up to the ages of 22 if the child is a full time student, and dependent on the principal for support.

5. Is there built in flexibility in scheduling dental appointments? Some inexpensive dental insurance plans limit when you can come in for dental treatment. Check to ensure that these scheduled appointments do not inconvenience you or your family.

6. How much savings does this plan generate? Whether you and your spouse decide to purchase a family dental insurance plan, or avail of your employers’ sponsored plan – you will still be able to generate savings, for you are not paying for the entire procedure.

Micronation Benefits and Insurance

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