How Office Temperature Affects Productivity
Whether you live in John’s Creek, Roswell, Alpharetta or Atlanta, you have to know that when it comes to the temperature in an office, the struggle is real. No matter what the thermostat reads, it seems like one employee will always be freezing while another is overheating.
While we don’t see the battle of the UP and DOWN buttons on your office’s thermostat stopping anytime soon, perhaps we’ll all start paying more attention to the IMPACT it has on productivity in the workplace, thanks to new data from the folks at heating and ventilation company Andrews Sykes.
It should be noted that an employee’s metabolic rate, gender, clothing materials, etc., play a role in determining how his/her enviroment’s temperature impacts his/her overall productivity. However, it’s estimated that almost a third of all employees lose productivity because they simply aren’t comfortable in their office. And, only 24% of surveyed employees believed that their office temperature was suitable for working the entire year.
In the infographic below, heating and ventilation company Andrews Sykes share the data they uncovered from a survey on employees and office temperature (source: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/office-temperature-affects-productivity):
We may not be able to solve your office temperature problem, but we can solve your Business Insurance Atlanta coverage needs! Contact us for a free quote at 888.869.6509 or by requesting a quote online at www.gillmanins.com-upgrade!
What are the policy limits for Workers’ Comp Insurance
Workers Compensation Insurance in GA
Presents:
What are the policy limits for Workers’ Comp?
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Even though Workers’ Compensation is one policy, there are two major parts. Depending on the part, there are different policy limits. The difference is important when understanding how much will be paid to the injured employee.
The first part, Part A, does not have a set limit when it comes to how much employees will be paid. The amount paid is
set by the Workers’ Compensation Board in each state. When figuring out how much this will be, the Board takes into account weekly salary and the severity of the injury. Compensation will also be made for the medical tab.
The second part, Part B or Employers’ Liability, does have set limits. For most states the limits are $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, $100,000 per employee for bodily injury by disease and a $500,000 policy limit for bodily injury by disease. State fund policies do not provide employers’ liability coverage. Employers are generally encouraged to increase their limits for this coverage. For a low premium increase you can normally get a significantly higher coverage limit, which makes it worth it.
Have questions about Workers’ Compensation limits or just want to start figuring out your own policy? Contact Gillman Insurance today and we will help you solve your problems!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Atlanta Workers Compensation GA Insurance Quote
Top 5 Economic Changes that Affect Car Insurance
Alpharetta Auto Insurance
Presents:
Top 5 Economic Changes that Affect Car Insurance
In the past year, a survey by state insurance commissioners reveals that 53 percent of Americans have made an economic-driven change that could impact the cost of their car insurance.
With the price of gas going up…and up…and up, we’re giving YOU a heads-UP in order to avoid making a decision that could leave your wallet hungry and keep you from SAVING money! These days, every penny counts!
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) survey identifies FIVE of the most common trends in the past year that could impact their insurance costs:
1. Relocation
The survey found that many Consumers have relocated within the past year! This may be due to employment opportunities, moving into more economy-friendly housing or pursuit of higher education in light of unemployment
rates.
2. Changing Vehicles
Nearly 20% of car owners traded in a vehicle for a lower-priced model or got rid of a second vehicle.
3. Changing Jobs
Unemployment is still perched at around 9% and many consumers are looking for jobs. During the process of finding/changing jobs and suffering the hardships of unemployment, car insurance coverage has been either canceled or reduced by close to 20% of drivers.
4. Driving Less
The survey indicates that nearly 40% of respondents are either driving less overall and/or taking public transportation.
5. Damaged Credit Score
In the midst of a challenging economy, damage to credit scores looms in front of many drivers. However, it’s no secret that an unfavorable credit score can result in higher premiums and in some case, an inability to secure insurance with certain carriers.
Have a question about your GA Auto insurance coverage? Need a Georgia Auto Insurance policy? Contact the Alpharetta GA Auto Insurance the Problem Solvers at Gillman Insurance. Our Georgia Insurance staff is prepared to share their expert knowledge and offer you unmatched, professional advice.
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Atlanta Insurance Quote
Employee Insurance Claims: Are you High Risk?
Workers Compensation in Atlanta GA
Presents:
Employee Insurance Claims: Are you High Risk?
What: Employee Claims are on the Rise!
Atlanta’s well respected commercial insurance experts urge all Atlanta small businesses to take precautions. Illegitimate employee claims are becoming more frequent, and adding risk to the survival of your company.
Employment Practices Liability insurance (EPLI) provides protection for you (the employer) from claims made by employees, former employees, or even potential employees. This coverage may also protect directors and officers of your firm. The actual coverage includes discrimination claims (age, sex, race, disability, etc.), wrongful termination of employment, sexual harassment and other employment-related allegations.
Why: Employee Claims are on the Rise!
As the economy tightens, the workplace is most definitely impacted. Employees become more concerned with job performance and don’t always take the precautionary steps they should when performing work-related tasks. This leads to added risk and an increase in claims for the employer.
How can I decrease my risk?
A simple way to decrease your risk of being victim to illegitimate claims is to hire the RIGHT people. Your risk for future claims can be a direct reflection of your hiring practices as a small business. Thus, our experts urge you to integrate best hiring practices into your processes.
In the meantime, don’t trust just anyone to protect your business! Contact a trusted Georgia commercial insurance provider to take care of your livelihood! We believe in putting our customer FIRST because we can! We represent multiple insurance carries and thus have the ability to “shop around” and find the right custom policy for your business needs!
But, hey… don’t let us do the talking! Nobody can tell you better than our customer- check out our reviews and see for yourself:
GOOGLE REVIEWS straight from our customers!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Quote
Homeowners Insurance Misconceptions
Homeowners Insurance can get a little tricky to understand. We seek to provide the very best information, and some of that come with understanding common Homeowners Insurance misconceptions.
When you think of purchasing homeowners’ coverage, you may need to think of the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”
Sure, saving a few dollars on homeowners’ insurance sounds like a grand plan, right?!?! Maybe not if you understand what you’re getting.
Let’s take a look at some of the common homeowners’ misconceptions:
— 30% percent of homeowners think their insurance coverage is based on the current market value of their home. In reality, the available coverage limit for homeowners insurance is based on the cost to rebuild the home.
— 71% of homeowners’ think insurance pays for the full cost to rebuild their property in the event of a major loss, such as a fire or other natural disaster. Actually, almost all insurance companies “cap” the amount paid to rebuild the home after a total loss, unless additional coverage is purchased. The coverage is also subject to a deductible, and certain causes of loss, such as water damage caused by the natural disasters of flooding, are excluded completely.
— 73% of homeowners’ think insurance will pay the full cost to replace personal items in the event of a loss. Depreciation, however, is usually factored in, unless optional replacement coverage is selected. The coverage is typically always subject to a deductible as well.
Georgia Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation Insurance Claim?
Workers Compensation Insurance in GA
Presents:
Personal Injury Claim or Workers’ Compensation Claim in Atlanta?
If you are trying to figure out if an incident falls under a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim in Altanta GA there a couple of big differences to look at it. These two differences are the fault requirements and the type of compensation available.
When it comes to a personal injury case, fault is needed. Someone’s negligence has to have caused your injury in order for you to recover damages. For example, if you slip and fall on someone’s property and break your ankle, you 
cannot collect damages unless the property owner was negligent in some way, shape, or form. In the situation of workers’ compensation claims, NO fault is needed. The whole point of workers’ compensation coverage is that employees don’t have to prove that their employer or coworker was negligent in order to receive compensation. Even if it was your own negligence that caused your injury in the workplace, you can still receive compensation.
Another big difference is in the damages. In a workers’ compensation case you can only receive weekly compensation, permanent impairment benefits, medical bills, and vocational rehabilitation. However, in a personal injury lawsuit you can receive much more. You can recover all of the damage that you have suffered. This includes lost earnings, lost earning capacity, medical bills, future medical expenses, permanent impairment, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Because of the way workers’ compensation is set up, you cannot sue your employer or coworkers. The whole point of no fault is that you get to receive compensation regardless of what happened, in return for waiving your right to sue.
Whether it’s a personal injury case or a workers’ compensation claim can make a big difference in what way the lawsuit will go. So make sure you understand the difference before pursuing anything!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Georgia Georgia Workers Comp Insurance Quote
Fire pits and safety precautions in Atlanta
Alpharetta Auto Insurance
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Firepits and Safety Precautions in Atlanta
Sitting outside on a warm spring evening while enjoying a backyard fire can be one of life’s simpler pleasures. There is just something about watching those flames dance that helps to calm the nerves and relax even the most stressful days. To maintain that stress-free atmosphere it is important to be cautious about fire safety and always be prepared for the worst.
Before you even light the first bit of kindling, you will want to prepare the area in which you are having the fire. Check all around to see that all flammable materials are far enough away from catching fire if a spark were to fly out. That includes leaves, papers, pine needles, fuel tanks, and anything else that could burst into flames easily.
If your fire pit is portable, make sure you place it far enough away from your home or other buildings. Not only do you need to worry about sparks that could catch your buildings on fire, but you can risk melting your vinyl siding if the fire is too hot and too close.
Always keep a water source near the fire area in case you need it. Water can come in handy when accidents happen. When stoking the fire, it is not uncommon for a bit of smoldering wood to fall onto the ground. Having water available to extinguish it before it becomes a problem is important. Also, you will want to use the water to make sure your fire is completely out before leaving it unattended at the end of the evening.
Alway check to be sure your city has not issued a burn ban before proceeding. With the draughts lately, this is always a good idea.
We hope you enjoy your backyard fire pit as often as you can this season. Be sure you get the proper permits, take safety precautions and be sure to call us to find out if or how your fire pit could affect your homeowner’s insurance (especially in John’s Creek)!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Atlanta Insurance Quote
Georgia Insurance Questions: Driving Your Personal Vehicle for Business Purposes?
Alpharetta GA Auto Insurance
Presents:
Georgia Insurance Questions: Driving Your Personal Vehicle for Business Purposes?
If you’re using your personal auto in your Georgia based business, you’re likely taking more risk than you realize. The top providers of automobile insurance in this country have exclusions on their policies for business use. There may be some situations where you’re covered, but unfortunately there may be other situations where you’re not.
Even if there did happen to be coverage under your personal policy, you’re limits may only be $100,000 or LESS. This could prove to be financially disastrous to you in the event of an accident. Commercial auto policies are usually written with $1,000,000 liability limit due to the higher liability risk of business related accidents, and would help protect your assets.
At Gillman Insurance, we’d be happy to take a look at your current policies and let you know the best insurance coverages for your business! Contact us today for a free quote!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Atlanta Auto Insurance Quote
We “Insure” Small Business Success for our GA Clients
Workers Compensation Insurance GA
Presents:
We “Insure” Small Business Success for our Georgia Clients
As a trusted insurance provider to hundreds of local Georgia small businesses, we understand that times are tough. With the economy suffering and the National debt crisis looming over our heads, it’s safe to say that our small business leaders aren’t catching a break.
Georgia’s small businesses currently make up almost 30% of our state’s (and average national) payroll while also accounting for over 60%-80% of all new jobs (nationally). However, it’s a fighting game in the small business world… especially within the first five years. Statistics show that only 49% of small businesses will survive the first half-decade in business.
While these statistics may be discouraging, we believe that local entrepreneurs are an asset to our country! As a small, 
business ourself, we understand the risks, trials and mindsets of a small-staffed, yet dedicated workforce.
We want to not only insure our commercial business customers with the best policy and coverage their business-dollar can buy, we also want to “insure” that they succeed.
For every business insurance customer, we offer an exclusive invitation to become a “partner” with us. Being a partner, or part of our Partners Program means that our Problem Solvers will include you in our network of hard-working and dedicated small business professionals. In addition, we are gearing up to offer you opportunities to receive free marketing consult and become a part of our marketing campaigns.
We are opening our doors to current customers as well as new customers to become a part of our partners page as it exists today, but we’re looking forward to our official Partners Page launch that will include a comprehensive package of benefits for your small business- at no additional cost to you.
We believe in Georgia small businesses and believe that our customers’ success is our success. Please contact us at 678-297-7977 or email us for more information on how we can help your business!
Find us on Social Media, call 678.297.7977 or get an online Atlanta Georgia Commercial Insurance Quote
Ed Gillman a Panelist at Atlanta Business Leaders Event
Gillman Insurance Problem Solver’s very own Ed Gillman has been selected as a panelist to discuss the challenges of a closely held business in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by Thompson Hine Law Firm in Atlanta, GA and the Newport Board Group, is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1st from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Thompson Hine office lounge.
Ed will be joining Nick Bayless, the co-founder and Principal of Fastpak Systems, Inc., and John Pratt, a Partner at the Newport Board Group as they share stories from the trenches of closely held entities, as well as identify and explain how to stay out of trouble along the way.
There is no charge to attend the event, but participants are asked to register online by January 30th to reserve a seat. A networking reception will follow the program where participants can enjoy premium cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
For more information, contact Lamar Dixon at Thompson Hine LLP.
