February – 2012

In this issue: A National Dilemma

State fraud bureaus investigate suspected schemes across most lines of insurance. Despite the fact fraud cost an estimated $100 billion annually, some states fail to realize the value in having multi-line fraud bureaus.

December 2011

In this issue: FACEBOOK POSTING PROMPTS WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD CHARGE

The sentencing of a woman whose Facebook posting revealed workers’ compensation fraud indicates an increasingly familiar crime trend, according to the New York State Insurance Department.

November 2011

In this issue: "THINK DIFFERENTLY"

For many of us who live in Northern California in and around Silicon Valley, Steve was a neighbor – a quiet neighbor with NO protective walls around his home (unlike Larry Ellison). We felt we had some insight as to what drove him and that was the simple yet extravagant notion he wished to change the world, and it was that mantra he would employ to motivate his staff.

August 2011

In this issue: INSURANCE FRAUD HALL OF FAME - Enter the Malice Palace

A tenant died when cash-poor landlord Jeffrey Alnutt burned down his apartment building to steal more than $300,000 in insurance money. The Johnstown, NY man’s second-floor tenant Debra Morris died when she dashed back into the flaming building to rescue her cat.

June 2011

In this issue: COMMUNICATING ELECTRONICALLY: WHAT EVERY MANAGER NEEDS TO KNOW

Electronic communication has become one of the most popular ways for managers to quickly and efficiently communicate with their employees. But that doesn’t mean managers are doing it right. If you rely on email to communicate, remember these seven rules:

April 2011

In this issue: BUSINESS INSURANCE 2010 BEST PLACES TO WORK

Employees at the 54 companies recognized last year gave their highest ratings to questions concerning their employers’ work environments, posting an average positive score of 94%.

February 2011

In this issue: COMP FRAUD LANDS JAILER IN THE CLINK

A former Folsom prison guard will be seeing the other side of the cell door after being sentenced to seven years for fraud in a worker’s compensation and disability case.

January 2011

In this issue: RED FLAGS IN HAIL DAMAGE CLAIMS

In addition to the surge in hail loss claims and hail loss QCs, the ratio of hail loss claims that are referred as “questionable” has risen, from 1.2 in 2006 to 1.7 QCs per 1,000 claims in 2009. This indicates that the increase of QCs is not just because of a higher volume of claims, but rather a response by NCIB members to an overall rise in potentially fraudulent hail loss claim activity.

November 2010

In this issue: Steer Clear of Common Listening Barriers

As we listen to others, we often succumb to distracting behaviors that get in the way of active, deep listening. However, if you become familiar with the behaviors that prevent you from listening fully, you can catch yourself, shift your attention and refocus on the conversation. Watch out for these common listening barriers:

October 2010

In this issue: INSURANCE AWARD GOES TO THE DOGS

A Labrador retriever that consumed a pesticide-soaked beehive containing thousands of dead bees – and lived – has something else to gnaw on: this year’s Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.’s Hambone Award.

The Brea, CA-based company awards its annual trophy to the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year. Nearly 3,000 people visited VIP’s website during the first two weeks of August to choose among a dozen nominees for the bronze trophy.