Handyman Obtain Insurance Quotes for More Protection: With the various options available when it comes to automobile coverage consumers may want to take the time to carefully understand the number of aspects that can make up a policy. Often times motorists look to obtain a rate quote from different companies in order to find the cheapest deal available, but some individuals end up settling for inadequate protection in an attempt to save a few dollars on a premium. There are many affordable options and in many cases spending little more on policies can go a long way. Getting quotations based on a variety of coverage levels can help get better protected and may pay off down the road.

Although there may be a large number of combinations of coverage and it could take a while to get a quote on each from numerous carriers, it is often recommended to compare the rate of more extensive protection than what a state’s legal requirements are. Many states require very minimal coverage in order to operate a vehicle and can leave a driver susceptible to many unfortunate consequences; whether it is not having high enough limits to cover the bodily injury of another party to being a victim of a hit and run. Protection against these types of situations is available and an individual should at least look into what it would cost to guard against the cost of unexpected expenses from traffic accidents. Fortunately, a consumer can get several auto insurance quotes online or by speaking with an agent to see what options are available and within budget.

Get Car Insurance Quotes On Different Options

Aside from what amount of automobile coverage a state requires a motorist to carry it usually is not the amount recommended by consumer guides or industry professionals and in some cases it is far from the recommendation. The majority of states mandate that motorists must purchase bodily injury liability, but each at different amounts. An insurance professional will usually recommend that a driver purchase at least liability limits of $100,000 for bodily injury to one person and $300,000 for bodily injury per accident; one should keep in mind that there is no state that requires this level of coverage and some states do not mandate that motorist carry bodily injury liability at all; consumers may want to get some quotes based on higher limits than required and consider purchasing this protection when not a requirement.

One other option that may or may not be required is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This can be an extremely valuable type of protection, especially at this point in time. It is currently estimated that nearly 1 in 6 drivers are on the road at any given moment without an automobile policy. Generally, a consumer may be able to file a lawsuit to gain compensation for damages caused by an uninsured motorist, but this will take litigation and receiving payment could take years, if payment is received at all. Purchasing UM may take much of the hassle out of having to deal with such a hassle and compensation would come directly from the policyholder’s insurer. If this coverage is a required by law where a driver resides, they may also want to obtain quotes on higher limits as well. It is also a good idea for a consumer to check with state insurance regulators for recommendations. Every area is different and checking with local government departments can be helpful in getting properly insured.

Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/quotes/

October Handyman Construction Advances 2%: The value of new construction starts edged up 2% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $413.8 billion, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

First, it won the 2010 Stirling Prize. Now, the Zaha Hadid-designed MAXXI Museum in Rome has been named the “World’s Best Building of the Year.”

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched a new Center for Green Schools, headquartered at its offices in Washington, D.C., to further its efforts to give access to green schools to all students within a generation.

Steps to Cheaper Handyman Car Insurance: Automobile coverage is a product that many Americans will purchase at some point in time and making sure that the cheapest premium is being paid at all times can save a consumer a lot of money over time. While saving $10 a month may not seem to be too much of a big deal, that adds up to $120 a year and $600 over five years. Taking the appropriate steps as a motorist can help ensure that policies are the most affordable available and keep a driver’s money where it belongs, in their pocket.

One step to finding cheap car insurance policies is to shop around, but this should not only be done at the initial purchase of vehicle coverage. Motorists should be actively shopping around and comparing rates on occasion. Consumers should complete a quote comparison when something as small as a renewal notice is received to something as big as getting married. Policy terms are generally 3, 6 or 12 months and when a notice to renew has been received a lot could have changed in the meantime. A driver may have had a ticket fall off of a driving record or a more competitive company may have entered the market. In addition, if a person has gotten married, they are usually offered reduced rates. Whenever a driver has a change occur in their lives, it may be a good idea to check and see if coverage rates are positively affected.

Louis Berger Group has agreed to pay $69 million to settle civil charges by the Dept. of Justice that the company systematically inflated its overhead charges in cost-plus work for the federal government from 1999 to 2007.

Automobile policies in the Wolverine State are quite expensive when compared to other states and in some cases motorists pay extremely high rates. The reason for this is pretty simple; the state has one of the most comprehensive No-Fault insurance systems in the nation. In order for a resident to operate a motor vehicle legally, they must be insured with a policy consisting of quite extensive coverage. A basic No-Fault policy is made up of three parts and each require pretty high limits.

Individuals purchasing automobile policies must purchase Property Protection which comes with a limit of $1 million to cover property damage that a motorist may cause with their vehicle. This will compensate a third party for damages that are caused to property such as buildings, fences or a properly parked automobile. However, this does not pay for damage to cars that are being operated. Along with property protection, motorists must also purchase Michigan auto insurance that includes Residual Liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. The minimum limits that must be obtained are $20,000 for bodily injuries or death to one person, $40,000 for bodily injuries per accident and $10,000 for property damage in another state; higher limits may be purchased.

For the average consumer, buying automobile coverage is somewhat of a sour subject. After all, most motorists are required to purchase auto insurance and that can leave a bad taste in the mouth of individuals. Many would prefer to have the option to decide for themselves whether or not they will be purchasing vehicle policies. The fact of the matter is that an automobile policy is a very valuable product and the reason that states require it is not intended to punish those who choose to occupy the roads, but to protect them and purchasing the right amount can offer ideal protection.

If the local governments allowed motorists to operate vehicles without coverage, the sad fact of the matter is that there would likely be many more uninsured drivers utilizing the roadways; as it is, it is estimated that there are 1 in 6 uninsured motorists behind the wheel in the United States. Allowing motorists to drive without policies would mean tons of unpaid injuries and property damage along with flooded courtrooms and numerous lawsuits. This is not to mention the outstanding hospital bills. All of these factors would lead to high premiums and health care for the rest of the citizens. Therefore, automobile coverage is required, but consumers must also understand how much car insurance should be purchased. Simply because a state law mandates a certain level of protection, it does not mean that this will be adequate in the event of a traffic accident.

Motorists with automobiles registered in the Lone Star State are mandated by law to be financially responsible for the damages and/or injuries that they may cause to other individuals, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.  The state estimates that millions of Texans are still operating automobiles while uninsured and recently announced that approximately 20% of motorist are getting behind the wheel without a valid auto insurance policy. This is quite alarming and means that the chances of being involved in a traffic accident with an uncovered driver is about 1 in 5.

Although the state takes the matter of uninsured motorists very seriously and enforces strict laws and has even developed TexasSure, which gives authorities the ability to electronically verify the coverage status of an automobile, motorists are still taking the risk of driving uninsured. Aside from the stiff penalties and possible jail time that may come with being caught, drivers without policies can find themselves having to pay another party for property damage or injuries that they may have caused with their automobile that would have otherwise been covered by a policy; this can reach tens of thousands of dollars. Taking the time to find cheap liability insurance in Texas is a much wiser decision and can prevent financial hardships should a motorist cause a collision.

The Garden State mandates that all motorists are financially responsible for injuries and damages that result from traffic accidents and while this may be the case in just about every state, New Jersey’s drivers have to put in some careful thought when purchasing a car insurance policy to satisfy this requirement. This is because the state allows resident motorists to abide by this law in two different ways by choosing one of two types of policies available in the state. A motorist may choose to either purchase a basic or standard policy and the protection that each provides is significantly different.

Prior to purchasing automobile coverage, residents should take the time to fully understand what options that they have to choose from in order to determine which type of policy will best suit their needs. Basic policies provide much less coverage than standard policies and also limit an insured to the options they have to obtaining additional protection. The state advises that a basic policy is not for everyone and suggests carefully evaluating circumstances prior to making a decision. Consumers may be tempted to buy “basic” New Jersey auto insurance because it is cheaper than “standard” and does satisfy the state’s law, but it can leave a motorist underinsured.

Getting insured in the Golden State can be quite expensive, but is a necessity. Being one of the most heavily populated in the country also equates to having a large number of automobiles occupying the roadways as well. This is especially true for those who commute through such areas as Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego. Chances are that motorists who must drive through these locations will likely come across thousands of vehicles on a daily basis which enhances the chance of being involved in a traffic accident. Finding the cheapest auto insurance policy may be the best way to cover the expenses if ever involved in a collision.

Just like any other state, finding cheap car insurance in California comes down to due diligence and taking the time to shop around and compare the rates from multiple companies and also compare options. There are well over fifty insurers licensed to issue policies in the state and although it may be impossible or extremely time consuming to get a quote from each, the more quotes that are obtained, the better the chance of locating the most inexpensive rate. The good news is that consumers are not alone in their quest to find an affordable insurer and have a couple of valuable resources to help them locate affordability in an insurer.

Practically every motorist on the road must maintain financial responsibility at all times while operating a motor vehicle and most choose to comply with this requirement by purchasing an auto insurance policy. While satisfying this law may seem to be easy enough, automobile owners should also keep the documentation handy at all times whether they are behind the wheel or allowing another individual to operate the car. Insurers will issue identification (I.D.) cards to policyholders which are used to prove that automobiles are insured and it is advised by many state government departments to have this paperwork readily available by keeping it in the glove compartment in the event that it is needed.

When an insurer issues proof of insurance to a customer state law requires that certain information is included on the identification cards; this includes the name of the insured, the year make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the name of the carrier, policy number and the effective and expiration dates of coverage. It is up to the policyholder to make sure that all of these items on the I.D. cards are accurate, especially if they reside in a state that requires carriers to electronically notify the governing motor vehicle department; if the VIN does not match than the automobile may be considered uninsured and a registration could be suspended.

A major issue with many consumers is protecting their identity and privacy. Most individual feel comfortable knowing that any information that they may deem private stay secure, especially during a business transaction. Unlike applying for a home loan or credit card, getting a quote for auto insurance is a lot less invasive. Insurers understand that motorists need to shop around in order to find the right company and price for the product needed to adequate protect and cover their risks, whether it be for liability, personal injury, damage to their automobiles or any other vehicle related peril. Therefore, only basic items are ask to be quoted for a premium.

A social security number is probably considered the most sensitive piece of data to an individual, second to a driver’s license number and this is why policy providers will provide car insurance quotes without personal info to motorists who are looking to obtain coverage. The main reason that this is common practice is that many drivers will be reluctant to provide such details over the phone or on the Internet and the only way a that a company has a chance of securing a new customer is by providing a quote, after all, the whole reason insurer are in business is to gain as large of a part of the market place as possible and asking for sensitive data may only drive a potential policyholder away.

Handyman Complying with Ohio Insurance Law: Residents in the Buckeye State must comply with the state’s Financial Responsibility (FR) law to legally operate a motor vehicle. In addition, an automobile owner may not allow others to operate their vehicle without car insurance or another form of proof of FR. With the cost of Ohio’s automobile coverage premiums being among the lowest in the nation, most Ohioans choose to purchase vehicle policies to comply with the state requirements.

Individuals who with to purchase Ohio car insurance coverage must obtain a policy with liability limits of no less than $12,500 for bodily injury to one person, $25,000 for bodily injury per accident and $7,500 for property damage liability. When automobile coverage is purchased the insurer must issue an identification card (I.D. card) for each vehicle insured which must be carried at all times while a car is being operated. Proof of valid coverage will need to be shown when requested by a law enforcement officer during a routine traffic stop or during a safety inspection. Identification cards may also need to be shown in a courtroom when a motorist is cited for a traffic ticket or if a driver is involved in a traffic accident. It may be wise for the vehicle’s owner to leave I.D. cards in the automobile at all times so that anyone who may drive the auto will have access to them if needed.

Handyman Employer Beware: Employees Might Be Keeping Secret Records At DOL’s Recommendation — Tucked away in a recent U.S. Labor Department e-newsletter was the announcement of a new “Work Hours Calendar.”  It is a time-tracking document that the Wage and Hour Division urges workers to maintain separately from the employer’s official records.  According to the newsletter:

[The] Work Hours Calendar in English and Spanish has been developed to help workers make sure they are properly paid at the end of the work week.  The calendar helps workers track their rate of pay, when they start and stop working, and arrival and departure times.  This information would prove invaluable during an investigation where an employer has failed to maintain accurate employment records.  Designed for use by those who are the most vulnerable workers in the country, the calendar includes easy-to-understand information about worker rights and how to file a wage violation complaint.  The calendar can be ordered by calling 1-866-4US-WAGE (866-487-9243).

[Emphasis added].

Regulations already require employers to keep accurate records of all hours worked by non-exempt employees.  Nevertheless, DOL’s Calendar tells workers:

[I]t is recommended that you keep your own records of all the hours you work and of your pay.  It is recommended that you keep all your pay stubs, information your employer gives you or tells you about your pay rate, how many hours you worked, including overtime, and other information on your employer’s pay practices. This work hours calendar should help you keep as much information as possible.

[Emphasis added].

The Calendar not only contains spaces for each workday’s “start” and “stop” times but also calls for recording the employee’s “arrive” and “leave” times for the day.  We anticipate that this information might be used by DOL in an investigation to examine whether, for example, any compensable work was allegedly performed after the “arrival” time but before the “start” time, and whether the employer properly counted and compensated such time as hours worked, particularly when it comes to any overtime pay due for the workweek.

Despite its otherwise-detailed nature, the Calendar includes nothing calling for the employee to certify, attest, or so much as even acknowledge that the information written on it is accurate and correct.

The Calendar concludes by saying that workers have “the right to be paid fairly,” and that “[i]t is a serious problem when workers in this country are not being paid every cent they earn.”  As we have said in connection with DOL’s We Can Help initiative, statements like this might well lead to employee dissatisfaction about things having nothing to do with any law DOL enforces.  There are of course other compelling reasons to pay employees “fairly” and to be sure they receive “every cent they earn”, but federal wage-hour laws impose no such obligations.

Given today’s supercharged wage-hour litigation environment, and in light of this not-so-subtle urging that employees create an alternate set of records, employers are well-advised to be sure they can demonstrate that their records are the best accounts of all facts relevant to compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and similar laws.

Delayed Pacific Islands Handyman Minimum-Wage Increase: Why Should You Care? President Obama’s signature recently put the finishing touch on a delay of previously-scheduled increases in the minimum wage for American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.  Why should we care about this quiet action affecting these far-off places?  Because it highlights the impact that boosting a minimum wage has in the longer term.

Whenever raising the minimum wage moves back to the forefront, this inevitably renews debate about whether such action does more harm than good.  Opponents of the move contend that the resulting increased labor costs cause many employers to, among other things:

•   Eliminate or postpone hiring plans;

•   Limit any new hiring to segments of the workforce that are not affected by the minimum-wage increase either at all or at least in any material way;

•   Layoff existing employees;

•   Reduce or eliminate employment benefits, particularly those directly related to wages;

•   Shift lower-paying work offshore, or even move entire operations to other countries; and/or

•   Pass along increased costs to consumers, including those whom the minimum-wage jump is supposed to help.

Proponents of an increase usually respond that these effects are non-existent or are greatly overstated.

But for the last two years, the governments of American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands have fought to fend off what they saw as an approaching disaster that threatened many of these very consequences.  Island legislators cautioned that the “this legislation will, without a doubt, trigger an economic tsunami that will absolutely wipe out the Territory of American Samoa’s economic system,” and that, “[w]hile short time economic benefits will be realized, unfortunately, this short lived Utopian state will be followed by a period of drastic economic devastation.”  The officials’ concerns included the possible off-island relocation of tuna canneries and the loss of 1,600 jobs at a major hotel.

The U.S. economy and the economies of most states are of course far larger and are more varied, complex, interconnected, and dynamic than are those of these islands.  But this is precisely why the postponement is worth noting:  When viewed in a microcosm, the damaging impact of a minimum-wage hike is seen more easily and in starker relief, so much so that many who would otherwise be quick to say that the unfavorable results of such a step can be “absorbed” were convinced otherwise when faced with the real-world details.

Perhaps in the current circumstances this suggests that, at least for the time-being, the prospects for a broader-scale rise in the minimum wage are dim.

Hanydman Quick Quiz: Bonus Based Upon Company’s Annual Performance — Every February 1, Acme Banking pays a bonus to eligible nonexempt employees for the prior calendar year if Acme’s overall performance exceeded certain standards.  The standards relate to Acme’s return-on-assets, return-on-equity, deposit growth, and efficiency ratio.

If any bonus is paid, employees must be employed at the calendar year’s end to qualify for a payment.  An employee must be employed throughout the entire calendar year to receive a full payment; employees who are employed for more than four months of the year but for less than the entire year receive only a proportionate payment.  The bonus equals 2.5% of the employee’s base pay for the prior calendar year.  Acme tells each new employee at the time of hiring about the bonus’s general details and criteria.

Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, does Acme have to figure overtime on the bonus payment if a nonexempt employee worked overtime during the prior year?

Please use the poll buttons to the right to register your view.

Latest reports suggest that the already-anemic economy has stalled in recent months.  And the hard times seem to be fueling a continued wave of lawsuits by current and former employees over issues like minimum wages and overtime.  A number of these lawsuits seek to hold certain individuals personally responsible for claims for unpaid wages under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

The FLSA applies only to employment relationships, so a million-dollar question (sometimes literally) is – who qualifies as an “employer”?  The FLSA says that the term includes “any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.”  29 U.S.C. § 203(d).  Thus, in certain circumstances, courts hold that an individual is an FLSA employer so as to be liable – along with any other entity or individual meeting the definition of “employer” – for any back-pay, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees, penalties, costs, or other relief awarded in an FLSA lawsuit.

Whether an individual qualifies as an employer is decided on a case-by-case basis, and the factors considered might vary somewhat from one jurisdiction to another.  Generally speaking, the more control an individual has over the employment relationship, the more likely it is that he or she will be deemed to be an employer.   For instance, an individual who controls the nature, structure, or economics of the employment relationship is likely to be an employer within the meaning of the FLSA.  If an individual maintains a significant level of financial control over a company and/or has a significant role in making personnel decisions and in establishing pay policies, that person is more likely to be deemed an employer under the FLSA.  Consequently, owners, officers, and even managers and HR personnel can find themselves to be the individually-named targets of an FLSA lawsuit.

The bottom line is that individuals can be personally liable for unpaid wages and other remedies under the FLSA, which also means that an individual’s own assets could be used to satisfy violations.   Further, as employers continue to struggle financially, naming individuals as defendants might become an increasingly common tactic – suing more defendants means that there could be more pockets from which to collect a judgment.

Extreme losses in oil, gas and utility properties along the Gulf Coast over the next 20 years can be averted or mitigated by billions of investment by the public sector and private industry, according to a report released Wednesday by Entergy Corp: and the America’s Wetland Foundation.

Handyman, Chicago Spire’s Foreclosure Marks the End of an Era: Foreclosure lawsuits mounting atop the $2-billion Chicago Spire project come at a time when the Windy City’s glut of condominium inventory has forced developers to make other deals.

Handyman Defendants in Fatal Ground Zero Fire Face Manslaughter Trial in January: Three former New York City project officials indicted in connection with a fatal 2007 fire at a vacant Ground Zero high-rise being cleaned of asbestos and demolished will stand trial on manslaughter and other charges on Jan. 18.

Handyman Pelli Building Will Replace Flood-Damaged Iowa Theater: As it continues to rebuild and fortify after the devastating flood of 2008, the University of Iowa has chosen Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects to design its new main theater.

Handyman Recession’s Realities, the New Normal-And How To Win Work: Experts agree it’s going to be a new world once the U.S. emerges from the current economic slump. But what will that look like?

Going up against an icon, Steven Holl has released his plans for a new building that will rise directly across from the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art.

Handyman Bonds on the Ballots: What’s at Stake in the Voting: Voters around the U.S. will decide the fate of $4.8 billion in construction bond proposals on Nov. 2. The largest share of that total, nearly $3 billion, comes from local bond measures in Texas.