Louisiana Insurance News & Articles

Heavy rain, storm surge, hurricanes and other severe weather events can lead to devastating floods that cause extensive damage. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flood damage totaled over $8 billion in 2017 and many of the affected areas are still recovering from the impact.

After a flood hits your business, you’ll still have expenses such as building leases, employee payrolls and cleanup costs. And because any business interruption means that your revenue will be lowered or gone altogether, you’ll need a source of income quickly.

Although flood insurance is there to help you recover and rebuild your business, you need to know how to make a claim so that you can get all of the coverage you can as soon as possible.

Starting the Claims Process
You can start the claims process immediately after a flood. However, before you call us at (504) 322-7299 you should make sure you have the following information:

• A copy of the policy declarations page that details your flood insurance coverage if you have it
• The best way to contact you, since normal phone lines and internet access may be disrupted
• The name of any applicable mortgage company

When the insurer that issued the flood policy gets notice of your loss, you may be able to qualify for an advance payment before the inspection. However, these payments are at the discretion of the insurer and shouldn’t be relied on when you’re planning your recovery process.

Pre-inspection Steps
After the claims process has started and local officials have determined that it’s safe, you should return to your property to prepare for an inspection to assess the damage.

Here are some steps to take before an inspection:

• Make sure that all of your employees are safe and accounted for.
• Ensure that the gas, electricity and other utilities have been shut off before entering your property.
• Cover any part of your workplace that’s exposed to the elements to prevent further damage.
• Take well-lit pictures and videos of property damage as soon as it’s safe to do so, since receding waters could affect the situation. Pictures and videos should focus on structural damage to the building and standing floodwater levels both inside and outside. You should also document damage to appliances, furniture and other items before moving anything.
• Record the serial numbers of any appliances, electronics and other property that you find.
• Look for undamaged samples from flooring, wallpaper, drapes and other materials so a claims adjuster can assess their value.
• Arrange for any temporary repairs that will protect your property from further damage. However, you shouldn’t make agreements with a cleaner or contractor without consulting TWFG Insurance - Tony Voiron first.
• Keep detailed records of any expenses you incur after a flood.
• Keep a detailed inventory of all damaged and undamaged personal property. Be sure not to dispose of anything until a claims adjuster gives you the OK.

The Inspection Process
Once a claims adjuster arrives to inspect your business, make sure to record their contact information. After walking through the National Flood Insurance Program’s claims process, the adjuster will inspect your property and take measurements and pictures of the damage.
If an adjuster finds that your business has extensive damage, you may qualify for an accelerated claims process to help you begin repairs immediately. Your adjuster may also have advice for you based on your specific policy.
 
Making Repairs and Other Resources
When working with contractors, vendors and third parties after a flood, it’s important to keep copies of all receipts, bank statements, invoices and other documents that show how you paid for repairs. These items may be used as permanent records in case your business floods in the future, and they could affect how much you’re compensated.

Getting your insurance coverage after a flood is key, but you have other resources at your disposal. FEMA’s website has a number of resources and programs you can use to recover. You can also contact TWFG Insurance - Tony Voiron for any questions on your flood policy or for resources to help you reduce your damage with pre-incident plans.

A new year brings new issues for HR professionals to contend with. Some challenges are similar to previous years (overtime uncertainty), while others are more unique and complicated (legal marijuana and employment). Despite inherent difficulties, staying tuned in to these six trends can keep you ahead of the game in 2019. Ignoring them will only put you behind.

Below are the top trends to monitor in the coming months.

1. Opioids, Marijuana and the Workplace
Opioids have been concerning employers for the last few years, and quietly ravaging the country for even longer. In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a national emergency due to tens of thousands dying each year from prescription painkillers. Many of these tragedies started with a legal prescription after a common medical procedure.

Beyond their deadly risks, opioids also cause absenteeism and performance issues in the workplace. Opioids are difficult to detect in a drug test and even harder to perceive without one. Knowing this, it’s critical to modernize your drug policy to address opioids and offer resources for alternative pain management strategies.

Legal marijuana is also complicating drug policies. Similar to opioids, marijuana is increasingly difficult to detect, with the growing popularity of oils and edibles. Moreover, the drug is legal for medical use in 30 states, making testing legally tricky.

You may find it easiest to adjust your drug policy to focus on workplace performance. For instance, clearly prohibiting impairment at work or the promotion of drug use through paraphernalia. Adopting a zero-tolerance policy may backfire with state laws, so be sure to have legal counsel review your policy before enforcing it.

2. Leave-related Issues
Did you know that 47 percent of employers were very challenged by cross-state leave laws and 43 percent found it extremely difficult administrating leaves in general, according to a recent XpertHR survey? With ever-expanding legislation, it’s not too surprising.

Multistate businesses must contend with different state laws, but even smaller employers can find themselves juggling laws between localities. Without proper guidance, handling common requests like family leave, sick time and reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act can be a nightmare.

The first thing employers must do is determine which leave laws apply to them, remembering that certain localities might have different rules. Other aspects, like which leaves can be used concurrently and proper leave documentation should come next. And, of course, proper employee communication is a must—not just putting policies in a handbook, but posting leave notices as well.

3. Soaring Health Care Costs
Paying over $15,000 annually for each employee’s health care in 2019 sounds like a bad dream, but it’s the real cost trend. With rates surpassing $680 and $20,000 for single and family coverage, respectively, employers are scrambling to cut costs wherever they can. Yet, that can be easier said than done.
Some organizations are encouraging workers to utilize telemedicine or virtual care as a way to trim costs. By “visiting” a doctor online for minor health issues, patients can save a trip to the hospital. And, since it’s virtual, everyone saves money.

Another cost-saving strategy is the consumer driven health plan (CDHP) model. This strategy empowers employees to control their health care decisions and choose care that best suits them. Since employees use a savings account to help offset costs from their high deductible health plans, they are incentivized to pick more affordable options.

4. Wage and Hour Concerns
Hire more workers or pay overtime? That’s the question growing businesses must ask themselves. With overtime changes looming in the first quarter of 2019, you may think it’s easier to hire more workers at lower salaries. But, depending on your situation, that may not be true.

Many states are primed to raise their respective minimum wages in 2019. What’s more, the majority of those rates are already higher than the federal minimum. If you’re considering hiring more workers, check to make sure you know how much you’ll have to pay them in your state. The same goes for federal contractors.

As for salaried employees, it looks like we won’t know anything about the overtime rule until at least March 2019. This leaves the current overtime threshold at $23,660. Experts expect that number to increase to between $32,000 and $35,000—far lower than the $47,476 rate initially proposed in 2016. This means you should keep watching for regulatory updates in the coming months.

5. New Technologies
HR is always looking for new ways to streamline and improve its processes. In 2019, it appears that people analytics and recruiting technologies will be at the forefront of the trend, according to professional HR organization Toolbox.

People analytics is a way of tracking things like employee engagement data, training program effectiveness or ad placement success. The practice examines human data and crunches the numbers so you have a better idea of the return on investment. Need to know if your employees feel appreciated?

Want to discover which methods employees are using to communicate with each other? This is where people analytics can help.

TWFG Insurance Tony Voiron - Business Insurance, Metairie, LA - 504-322-7299

With holiday travel and extreme weather in our near future, we thought it would be a good time to share extreme weather driving tips with the new drivers in your household.
RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS
• Turn on your headlights, wipers, and defroster on to increase visibility.
• Drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you and reduce your speed.
• Allow for increased space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• If you hydroplane, hold the steering wheel straight and remove your foot from the gas.
SNOW, SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN
• Clean ice and snow off your windows, hood, and trunk before departing.
• Drive with extreme caution and at reduced speeds.
• Do not brake quickly as you may spin out of control.
FOG
• Slow down before you reach a patch of fog in front of you.
• Use only your low beams or fog lights and put on your defroster and wipers to increase visibility.
• If the fog is extremely thick, roll down all of your windows to hear other vehicles around you.
Feel free to share with friends that have new drivers in their household.
TWFG Insurance Tony Voiron | 504-322-7299 | www.twfglouisiana.com

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help them have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly so they don't slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day.
  
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  
• Do not use decorative contact lenses. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits all," or "no need to see an eye specialist," using decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
  
• Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.
  

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
  
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and not on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.
  

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
  
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  
• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater or run away.
  

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
  
• Have flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
  
  • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
    
  • Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
    
  • Carry a cellphone for quick communication.
    
  • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
    
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
    
  • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
    
  • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
    
  • Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
    
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
  
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
  
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  
• Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.
  

HALLOWEEN AND FOOD ALLERGIES:

• Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. It's important that parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction: 
  
  • Always read the ingredient label on treats. Many popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.
    
  • If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.
    
  • Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce many different products. Also, "fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.
    
  • Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.
    

©2018 American Academy of Pediatrics

​On Oct. 9, 2018, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recovered a record $304 million in wages owed to workers in fiscal year (FY) 2018. In comparison, the WHD recovered $270 million in back wages in FY 2017.

Compliance Assistance
The DOL’s secretary, Alex Acosta, states that the recovered wages are a demonstration that the DOL and WHD are committed to ensuring workers receive the wages they deserve. Moreover, the WHD’s compliance assistance efforts demonstrate its commitment to helping employers meet compliance requirements. Specifically, in FY 2018, the WHD held 3,643 educational outreach events to help job creators understand their responsibilities under the law.

PAID Program Extension
On the same day, the WHD also announced a six-month extension of the voluntary Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program. This program is an initiative designed to help expedite back wage payments to workers. Without this program, workers may have to wait for investigations and court cases to be resolved or concluded.

What does this mean for my organization?
Complying with wage and hour regulations should be a priority for your organization. This is especially important as the DOL has demonstrated that it will focus on ensuring compliance, as seen by the record numbers it has collected recently.

With more employees working remotely, using their smartphones to access email or work at home, and looming overtime rule changes in 2019, now is the time to ensure your organization’s compliance.
Contact TWFG Insurance - Voiron Insurance Services today for help complying with wage and hour regulations, or for additional resources. 

On Sept. 28, 2018, Facebook announced that nearly 50 million user accounts were compromised in a data breach. The breach, which can be traced back to July 2017, is one of the largest in the company’s 14-year history.
​
While investigations are ongoing, the company said hackers exploited a software vulnerability in Facebook’s "View As" feature to steal access tokens and gain control of user accounts. Access tokens are effectively digital keys to specific accounts, and stealing them allows attackers to view private posts or compose status updates without the knowledge of the affected user.

In addition, the attack allowed the hackers to see anything that users can see on their own profile, including the names and birth dates of friends and family members. Such information could be used in future phishing attacks.

In response to the attack, Facebook reset 90 million logins automatically, fixed the software vulnerability and informed law enforcement officials. While the company says that users do not need to change their passwords, individuals experiencing login issues should navigate to Facebook’s Help Center.

As a safety precaution, users are encouraged to log in and out of all of their accounts on every device. Users can see all of the devices they’re currently signed into here.

To learn more about the breach, read Facebook’s official blog post.

Know The Risks and Be Prepared
​Many people do not realize just how dangerous fireworks and sparklers can be—which is a primary reason that injuries occur.  Fireworks can not only injure the users but can also affect bystanders.
 
Most injuries and accidents occur because people often underestimate the dangers posed by fireworks and don’t take proper safety precautions. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that more than half of fireworks-related injuries were the result of unexpected ignition or consumers not using fireworks as intended.
 
Unfortunately, all fireworks carry potential risks of burns, blindness and other injuries, but you can significantly reduce the potential for danger through proper planning and safety.
 
Tips for Safe Firework Use
When using fireworks, always plan in advance who will shoot them, and what safety precautions will be in place. Here are some suggestions to ensure safety and avoid accidents:
 
• Keep spectators at a safe distance.
• Never give sparklers to children under five.
• Only use fireworks as intended. Do not alter or combine them, and do not use homemade fireworks.
• Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them from metal or glass containers.
• Point fireworks away from people, homes, trees, etc.
• Show children how to properly hold sparklers, how to stay far enough away from other children and what not to do; throw, run or fight with sparkler in hand—and always supervise closely.
• Always have a hose or water bucket handy.
• Never try to relight a dud (a firework that didn’t properly ignite).
• Soak all firework debris in water before throwing it away.
• Use fireworks and sparklers outdoors only.
• Wear safety goggles when handling or shooting off fireworks.
• Do not shoot fireworks off while under the influence of alcohol.
 
Take Precautions, Reduce Risk
​Be sure that your celebrations comply with all applicable state and local laws. The laws regulate who can purchase and use fireworks, when they can be purchased and used, and what the maximum noise levels may be. Under these regulations, the focus is not only on product safety but also on the reduction of accidents and injuries to you the consumer.