Tag: automotive

Are You Leaving Health Insurance Money on the Table? . . Top 10 Money-wasters for Group Health Insurance Benefits

by  on  in General Article

As an employer or a participant you might be leaving money on the table by not properly taking advantage of certain features and benefits of your company’s health insurance. As a licensed Consultant and Group Benefits Brokerage company, with clients across the country, we are successful in reducing group benefit expenses because of our experience and our intimate knowledge of the factors used in determining pricing. This top 10 list should be helpful in increasing your insurance knowledge, maximizing your plan benefits and possibly reducing your company’s expenses.

Background and Overview:

For most companies, group benefit plans, specifically medical benefits, are among the highest non-producing company expenses. Unlike other expenses, medical benefits hits home since it affects our employees and our families personally. Therefore, it is of paramount concern that the CFO and Director of Human Resources take into consideration the needs of their employees, the needs of their employees’ families, pricing, and specific benefits being offered.

The ability for an employee or an employee’s family member to use a favorite physician such as a Pediatrician or an OB/GYN is often affected by this decision. The ability for employees and their families to use specialized treatment centers in the event of a catastrophic medical situation also lies in the balance of the Health Benefits decision. Quality and access to medical care varies from insurance carrier to insurance carrier.

Staffing and Retention:

The primary purpose of Group Benefits as a whole as it relates to employers is to attract and retain employees. It goes without saying that the broader the benefits, the easier it would be to attract and retain a higher quality workforce.

As a reciprocal, industries that utilize high turn-over positions with minimum-wage employees may not necessarily choose to utilize the highest quality insurance policies to attract and retain employees. Employee pools may be abundant and the bottom-line total expenses may be more important than the quality and level of care offered.

With that said, let us share with you some money-saving ideas and under-utilized features of your medical benefits. Keep in mind that some items may relate to your current coverage while others suggest a change in coverage or a change in features of your plans.

The following represents our list of the top 10 frequently made mistakes as it relates to Group Health Insurance. This list is in no particular order. Each item may or may not apply to your current situation.

Top 10 Medical Benefits Mistakes:

1. Not Catching Medical Problems Early

To use a few cliché’s, “a stitch in time saves nine” or “prevention is the best medicine”, or “kill the monster while it is tiny.” I am not sure if the last one is a main-stream cliché but it does hammer home the point that prevention is often the best medicine. Early detection is the second best course of treatment. Many doctors argue that colon cancer is extremely treatable if it is caught in the earliest stages. If the cancer is not detected early …

Auto glass repairment and replacement

by  on  in Car, Truck

One cannot predict of any mis-happening that can happen to your vehicles. You never know when a rock might fall on your car or if the stone breaks the glass of the front side. There are automobile companies that help to get replacement or repair of such broken class. If the windshield of the car is broken, then it is very natural that people would like to fix it in cheaper rate with quality of service. Around the world, there are many companies where you can get this kind of problem fix. In Calgary, auto glass repair and replacement is possible and it protects you completely as the windshield of the car is one of important parts. 

When it comes to auto glass replacement, it is very necessary that one chooses the services very wisely and protectively. In affordable range, it should get fixed. The windshield of the care is very important part in the sense that it protects you from dirt and rain and also protects you from debris that could fly into vehicle. Since nowadays, you hear many cases of theft in which the vandals steal things from the car but windshield protects all your valuable belongings from the vandals that are kept in the car. If it gets damaged then auto glass replacement is an option available in Calgary. When the little nick grows in the spider web of the crack it goes into the costing of few dollars to get an auto glass repairment. It becomes very necessary.

In Calgary, auto glass repairment, is done by the experts and within very low cost. There are a couple of choices when it comes to such services. There it takes few hours probably two hours to complete the task of replacement. Before the people drive their car safely after auto glass repairment, the glue takes time to stick and experts have already completed their work in just few hours with passion and dedication. After owning a car of high price, the car of whatever price it is would require maintenance. The maintenance lets you drive smoothly as it has been brought recently.

After the windshield has been damaged, one can take a day off for the replacement of auto glass. Replacing auto glass Calgary requires less time than others. You can drive the damaged to the repair shop and allow the experts to deal with the rest. It depends upon the vehicle, which auto glass is needed for the repair, so if that is not available when you bring your car in the repair shop then it is important that you go the repair next day for auto glass repairment. In Calgary, the experts have better knowledge and they also give life time warranty on all workmanship. …

Winnebago Motorhome – Purchasing A Used Vs. New Vehicle

by  on  in Truck

One of the most trusted names in the camper van business, Winnebago has become nearly synonymous with motorhomes. For those who are thinking about this rewarding purchase, it can become a matter of not which brand of motorhome to buy, but whether to buy a new or used Winnebago motorhome. To make this decision, there are several different considerations that you should think about, including what you are going to use the vehicle for, how many people will require its services, and what sort of model and conveniences you are expecting out of this experience.

As far as size goes, the Winnebago motorhome is king of the road, making it one of the most used vehicles for touring rock bands or other large groups of people. This can include separate enclosed sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a full bathroom, with the largest models. The benefit of buying a new model is that generally there are more modern conveniences, such as hook-ups for laptops or other personal electronic items, and a heighted entertainment system that usually even includes DVD players or mp3 players. Entertainment is but one thing to consider when deciding which Winnebago is right for you however.

In addition, you should think about what you are planning on using your Winnebago motorhome for. If this is only going to be for the occasional trip, you could probably get away with getting a used model (as long as everything is in working order and it is only gently used). However, for those who are planning on retiring and staying on the road for long periods of time or indefinitely, the investment value of a new Winnebago can be well worth the price. These will last for years on end, and can be customized to suit your specific needs.

A family may wish to purchase a new Winnebago motorhome rather than used, for they may have need for more modern safety conveniences and up to date global positioning systems. However, the used models certainly should not be ruled out either. There is a whole world out there, and a whole world of features that are modelled to suit every family’s need when out there on the road. Safety should always come first, but fortunately with such a trusted reputation as Winnebago enjoys, this is hardly likely to even be an issue. Speaking to a sales representative or taking a few different models for test drives can help narrow down the possibilities.…

Maximize Your Car’S Speed: Cylinder Head Porting

by  on  in Automotive, Car

Cruising along a hi-way, a powerful car easily overtook you at speeds you and your car can only dream of. Do you want that extra kick from your engine?

Dream no further. The most effective way to maximize your car’s engine power is to increase airflow in its cylinder heads. With any engine, an efficient cylinder head set equals heightened horsepower.

Energy is converted from the mixture of air and fuel that passes through the cylinder heads before being transferred to the wheels. As you can see, the greater amount of this mixture that is able to enter the cylinder heads results to higher energy availability.

Ported Cylinder is the answer

Porting is a process that involves grinding away excess protruding parts in the cylinder heads. In effect, greater amounts of air will easily flow in the intake and exhaust ports of your engine. Even the tiniest unnecessary material in the cylinder will cause the engine to work double time in creating energy.

Generally, the best way to gain greatest airflow is from a technique called “deep pocket porting”, which places the cylinder head in an area that is half-inch in combustion chamber while half-inch over the port. Combined with necessary removal of dirt and unwanted materials in the cylinders and chambers, this technique is the fastest and most efficient way to promote airflow.

Porting Tools

The required tools are easily available in most hardware stores or Internet.  First, air compressor and air powered die grinder for faster porting. Next, 60 to 80 grit sanding rolls for a smoother finish in the cylinders. It also removes tiny protrusions left by the grinder. Lastly, carbide cutters and shop vaccuum.

Aside from ensuring that the cylinders are correctly ported, you must also properly level out the guide bosses and make sure the cylinder heads are perfectly fitted to enable a smooth intake of air from the port.

After porting the heads, a check-up from an expert automotive machinist is advised. He will further determine if valves are properly sized, valve seats and faces are correctly grinded, and if the heads are flat and perfectly fitted.

Safety Instructions

With any automotive work, safety steps are required. When dealing with a grinder, always wear safely glasses and mask to avoid particles from irritating facial parts. Also, use a powerful shop vacuum to suck out tiny materials in the chamber and ports.

For more tips and information about Cylinder Head Porting, please visit http://www.rj-performance.com/…

Vehicles Impact on the Environment

by  on  in Car, Truck

Everyone knows that the vehicles we use have an impact on the environment. In fact, it is the one action that probably caused the most harm from an individual’s perspective. In an age where people are increasingly becoming more and more conscious of their impact on the environment, the way people choose vehicles is shifting. This is why we have seen a shift to more people purchasing hybrids and other smaller and environmentally friendly vehicles.

How a vehicle impacts the environment is now considered an important criteria for purchasing a vehicle. It is right up there with fuel mileage, price and the look of the vehicle. Why do you think we have seen such as shift in the way cars are marketed to the public?

Vehicles and air pollution

From a high level perspective, there are three main ways that vehicles impact the environment and the air we breathe. From a local perspective, vehicles have a negative impact on the air we breathe as we walk down the street. From a community perspective, vehicles spread chemicals into the air. From a global perspective, the air pollution that comes from vehicles impacts our environment and has an effect on the atmosphere.

Vehicles Impact on the Environment

Vehicles impact the environment in a number of ways, some that most people overlook. Here are some of the most intrusive ways that vehicles have an impact on our environment:

  • Air quality: This is perhaps the most well-known area where vehicle impact the environment. Even with increased restrictions on vehicles, air quality continues to be a concern when it comes to vehicles emitting gases into the air.
  • Natural Resources used: Many people overlook the impact that vehicle production has on the use of natural resources. Vehicle production uses fossil fuels, metals and petroleum. The more cars that are produced, the greater strain that is placed on our natural resources.
  • Noise pollution: Cars are noisy and when you live in an urban area, car noise can be a source of distraction from work, sleep and reduce your overall ability to concentrate. This is one of the reasons why many people want to move outside of the city where it is quieter.
  • Production of greenhouse gases: The production and use of cars has an impact on our climate and global warming. How? Through the release of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Each has a negative impact on the environment.
  • Water pollution: Most people probably do not associate water pollution with vehicles. However, vehicles impact the quality of our water as they drop or leak oil, which then gets washed into our water supply over time.

Society’s shift to more environmentally friendly cars is a great start to help protect our environment. However, for it to be truly effective, consumers need to buy in and begin to purchase cars that have less of an impact. Government regulations on vehicle emissions, coupled with vehicles that are better for the environment …