UA Blog
Urgent News Regarding Your FSA’s! COVID Relief Bill’s Immediate Impact
The new COVID relief bill, which was signed into law this week, includes a lot of things we will combing through over the course of the next few weeks.
Webinar, Jan. 12, 2021: Employment Law Update 2021 – COVID Compliance & CFRA Expansion
The COVID 19 pandemic has created upheaval in daily life, especially in the workplace. As 2020 thankfully comes to a close, a number of workplace COVID prevention requirements have been mandated by the legislature and state agencies. Employers must understand these requirements and prepare for compliance well into 2021.
Thank You and Happy Holidays From United Agencies
As 2020 comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for entrusting us with the service of your insurance policies and financial protection. Our relationships with you, our clients, took on even greater meaning this year as we navigated this strange and difficult year together. While 2020 has been very challenging, we believe 2021 will be much better. Although the holidays may look a little different this year, all of us here at United Agencies wish you the very best of health, happiness, success, and peace during this holiday season and into the year ahead. Be well and please stay safe.
Whatever You Do, Do NOT Have a Griswold Christmas! 4 Ways to Avoid Holiday Mishaps
Most of us have watched the ever-so-popular “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and we all pretty much laughed mightily, as one disaster after another wreaked havoc on the Griswold family’s holiday. Unfortunately, accidents like these happen regularly during the holidays. They are all too common in the real world and are no laughing matter at the end of the day. But, the good news is having the proper homeowners insurance coverage can minimize the financial damage of most disasters. Here are a few holiday mishap scenarios that may (or may not) be covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.
5 Things to Do Before Moving into a New Rental
Article By: Author, Andrea Bailey Maintenance-free and real estate tax-free living — these are some of the reasons why around 43 million housing units in the United States are rented rather than owned. Renting lets you enjoy a home without the heavy financial and...
COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know and How Carriers Will Cover It
Important Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines: Keeping you up to date on the latest developments for a COVID-19 vaccine is our top priority. It will be an important way to slow the spread of the disease. That’s why we are committed to helping you find vaccine information and get the vaccine. For guidance on the vaccine and your health, talk to your health care provider. Several trials from multiple companies are happening now, with promising results that you may have read about. It’s also helpful to know that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has a review process that it completes before it will authorize vaccines for emergency use by the general public.
Emergency Cal-OSHA Regulations Effective Immediately!
Effective 11/30/2020 Cal-OSHA implemented emergency regulations regarding COVID-19 and how to prevent the spread of the disease. This includes investigating a COVID-19 case, providing notices to certain employees, implementing a written prevention plan, testing after a workplace case, making certain disclosures and notices to 3rd parties and health departments in the event of an outbreak, and some training requirements. Additionally, there is a new paid time off requirement where employees who cannot work due to an isolation, quarantine mandate, or a positive test, must continue to be paid their regular wages.
Free COVID-19 Testing: Easier Said Than Done For California Health Plans
The California Senate Health Committee held an informational hearing on Nov. 23 that suggested private insurers have not fully complied with free testing regulations and that adhering to these mandates is not always straightforward for health plans. The committee met to discuss the role of private insurance in COVID-19 care, and testimony revealed a lack of compliance from health plans in providing free testing to enrollees.
Happy Thanksgiving! Some Quick Tips for Staying Safe During The Holidays
It’s holiday time! Thanksgiving is upon us and there is nothing like family and friends gathering to enjoy and celebrate. But did you know? Unattended cooking is the number one cause of fires year-round, which triple on Thanksgiving Day, to an average of 1,630 NATIONALLY, compared to the 470 on a typical day. Additionally, overused electrical extension cords account for 3,330 fires annually!
Webinar, Dec. 1st: Managing Political & Cultural Tensions at Work (It’s Still 2020!)
As if 2020 hasn’t brought about enough challenges to business owners, leaders, and employees, so please join us for another great United Agencies webinar, on Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PST). In a time when we continue to struggle with COVID-19 restrictions and to address racial tensions, we also have a current political climate that is causing a division throughout our country. All together, these issues have completely permeated the ways we connect and interact. We feel the impact personally and professionally, and it is affecting our ability to communicate, team, collaborate and work with one another.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Changes Due to COVID-19
In March and April, as states first began releasing their “shelter-in-place” orders, plan sponsors had to deal with questions about all aspects of their businesses, including their employee benefits programs.
5 Top Security Tips to Instantly Protect Your Identity from Harm
As most of us are aware, cybercriminals never take a day off. They are increasingly going after nearly everyone and everything they can. This means community groups, schools, businesses, institutions, technology systems, municipal governments, and of course, individual people are potential targets.
Webinar, Nov. 12th: Cyber Liability Explained: Hacking Trends During COVID and 2020
United Agencies is partnering with the cyber specialists at Evolve MGA www.evolvemga.com to conduct a 1 hour cyber webinar training course to explain in non-technical terms, how to understand cyber exposures and coverages. The course will break down Evolve’s top 2 cyber claims and review real claims examples, all while demonstrating key coverages and coverage gaps to avoid when purchasing a cyber policy. Due to COVID-19, cyber claims are on the rise as hackers are taking full advantage of the population working remotely. This course will highlight COVID related cyber exposures, new hacking trends, and cyber security best practices that businesses can implement to reduce their cyber risk during this critical time.
Time Off to Vote: Mandatory Notice / Posting
As you know, the general election is on Tuesday, November 3rd! Not less than ten (10) days prior to the election, all employers (both public and private) must post a notice advising employees of their right to take paid leave to vote, if they do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to do so.
Wildfire Preparedness Info & Checklist: Keeping Your Home Safe
As most everyone is aware, wildfires are spreading across California and the west at an astonishing rate, leaving thousands of scorched homes and businesses in their wake. Flying embers from wildfires can ignite and destroy homes as far as one mile away.
Webinar, Oct. 22nd: Q4 Legislative Update – CFRA Changes, Sick Leave Reqs., Equal Pay Mandates & MORE
Governor Newsom has signed numerous measures into law that will impact California Employers immediately, in 2021 and beyond. Don’t wait to prepare. Join us to get quickly up to speed on the new laws so you are protected and prepared. We’ll be reviewing everything you need to know…and MORE!
Newsom Signs Law Requiring Employers with Over 100 Employees to File an Equal Pay Report
On the evening of Wednesday, September 30, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 973, which requires businesses with 100 or more employees to submit an annual report with salary and wage information for specific job categories along with workers’ race, ethnicity, and sex to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
Some Insurers Move To Stop Waiving Telehealth Copays
Starting Oct. 1, several private health insurers will no longer fully pay for virtual visits under certain circumstances — effectively reinstituting costs for patients reliant on the virtual care that has been heralded as a lifeline at a time when Covid-19 is still killing more than 700 Americans each day.
Webinar, Oct. 7th – Worksite Safety: Update on New COVID-19 Regulations for Employers
Join us for a comprehensive update of new regulations and best practices around workplace safety and COVID-19. Employers need to be aware of the latest safety requirements for their workplaces and job-sites. We will cover newly signed legislation, SB 1159, and the latest directives from Cal-OSHA. There will also be time allowed for Q & A.
New Workers Comp Law Signed, Effective Through 2022
There are new changes to California Workers Compensation laws related to COVID-19 claims. These changes were passed by the California Legislature on 8/31/2020 and signed into law by Governor Newsom on 9/17/2020. They apply retroactively to July 6, 2020 and remain effective until January 1, 2023.
