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St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

Wondering what kind of St. Patrick’s Day crafts you can do to keep the kids entertained and make it fun for them? Maybe you want a sweet treat they can munch on while making the crafts? You’ve come to the right place.

Why do St. Patrick’s Day Kids Activities and Crafts?

Most kids like being creative and making things with their hands. That’s why doing some kind of crafts will usually go over pretty well with them.

It’s a win-win for everyone:

  • The kids are engaged and learning something new.
  • It’s something you and your child can do together
  • Everyone gets a little more creative and exposed to something fun
  • You end up with a tangible craft the kids can play with, decorate their room with, etc.
  • It kids your kids away from a screen (video games, tablets, etc.)

The best news is these crafts don’t need to be too difficult.

Easy Craft Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

In no particular order, here are a few things you can try.

Toilet Paper Roll Stamp

Cardboard tubes like toilet paper rolls are a crafty parent’s best friend. You can do all kinds of things with them – today, it’ll be turned into a “stamp” that can be used to help your kids make shamrocks.

First, fold in part of the roll so when you look through the tube, it’s the shape of a heart. Put a piece of tape across where you just pushed it in to hold the heart shape.

Now that you have your stamp, dip it into some green paint. Stamp the green paint onto some construction paper 3 times, putting the bottoms of the hearts touching each other. This gives you a shamrock shape – you just need to add the stem and color the leaves!

Rainbow Binoculars

This craft is more proof that a toilet paper roll is a great tool for crafty parents. For this project, you’ll need

  • Two toilet paper rolls
  • Six pieces of construction paper (purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red)
  • Tape
  • Ribbon

First, tape the toilet paper rolls together, side by side. Make sure the ends are even with each other.

Next, cut the construction paper into strips and put the red strip around one end. Tape the ends together on the bottom.

Put the orange strip next to red, again taping at the bottom. Continue with the rest of the colors in order: yellow, green, blue, and purple.

The ribbon is optional but we recommend it. It’s a way for your child to hang the binoculars around their neck, so cut a decent length – about 2-3 feet – and tape the two ends to the binoculars.

Paper Plate Leprechaun

For this one, you’ll need

  • Green, black and yellow construction paper construction paper
  • A paper plate
  • Orange paint
  • A black marker or crayons

First, turn the paper plate upside down and paint the outside “frills” orange.

Next, use your marker to draw the leprechaun’s eyes, nose, and mouth.

Use your construction paper to cut out a hat. You need 4 things to make the hat:

  • The tall part (a wide rectangle)
  • The brim (can be a narrow rectangle or oval)
  • The belt (a small black rectangle that goes across the tall part)
  • The buckle (a small yellow square with a hole in the middle that goes on the belt)

Attach the hat to your plate and voila! You have your leprechaun.

St. Patrick’s Day Cookies

Who doesn’t love a good cookie? For this, we recommend keeping it easy.

  • Make your favorite sugar cookie dough
  • Get some St. Patrick’s Day cookie cutters (leprechauns, shamrocks, horseshoes, rainbows, etc.)
  • Use the cookie cutters to make the shapes you want
  • Add frosting to the tops of the cookies after they’re done baking

Simple but effective!

We hope you enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day!

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What You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Photo Credit: Halfpoint / Shutterstock.com

 

If you are a business owner, you know first hand how hard it is to build a successful business. Countless hours of ensuring not only your customers’ happiness, but also the happiness of your employees is crucial in making sure that your company stays afloat. In addition to happiness, you must also ensure that your employees are safe while at work, and that any accidents on the job do not have the ability to destroy the hard work you put into creating your business.

 

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ Compensation Insurance was created to help companies cover the cost of on the job injuries or illnesses without the process of a lawsuit.

In most states, Workers’ Compensation Insurance is required by law and applies to any business that has one or more employees. This insurance is essential for owners to adopt in the workplace so that they may rest assured that their business and your employees are protected in the case of any injuries, illnesses, or work-related deaths. Workers, and your business, are in turn protected in the case of any injuries on the job, any work-related illnesses, or any automobile accidents that happen on business trips.

 

What Benefits Do Employees Receive?

As a result of implementing Workers’ Compensation Insurance in your business, employees receive a plethora of benefits. These benefits include medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits and a return-to-work supplement, and death benefits.

 

How Can We Help Your Business?

At Partners Direct Insurance, our team of professionals can assist you by providing several insurance package options that will suit your business needs. We will give you all guidance necessary in determining what kind of coverage your business requires, and any coverage for your personal needs as well. Our goal is to help you protect your employees from harm, and to make sure that your business does not end up in a lawsuit that may threaten its success.

 

Give us a call today or fill out our online form to get a quote today!

 

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New Job Stats Out: Are We Fully Employed?

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”  

 

This iconic phrase became popular due to author and humorist Mark Twain, who attributed it to then current British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. You might often think of that quote from Twain when you read the latest headlines.

 

The new jobs report on US employment numbers may have you seeking answers to that statement. Policymakers and economists are asking whether the US is really at full employment.

 

So Give Me Some Numbers

 

On May 4th, 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent, which is the lowest percentage in more than 17 years. It sounds great, and is, but the definition is critical: the unemployment rate includes anyone who is older than 16 who is actively searching for work. That’s important, because embedded in its calculation is that students, retirees and others on government assistance who are not in the labor force are excluded from that calculation.

 

Let’s Talk Some History

So what does full employment mean, anyway? You would think full employment would mean a jobless rate of zero, but that has never occurred. The lowest documented unemployment rate happened in 1944: the unemployment rate was 1.2 percent. What was going on then that made it happen? World War II. Millions of men were drafted to fight overseas in Europe and the jobs they left were filled by women like Rosie the Riveter.

 

What is NAIRU, Anyway and Why Should I Care?

The government has an acronym for just about anything, including an acronym for the jobless rate. It’s called NAIRU, and stands for Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment. But NAIRU really doesn’t take into consideration the number of people who have given up looking for work or who are between jobs. Our jobless rate declares that we are in full employment. It essentially means that so few workers are available that companies need to begin raising wages in order to attract workers.

 

So right now, the Congressional Budget Office puts NAIRU at 4.8 percent which is slightly above the unemployment rate. What that means is that the US is considered to be at full employment, which means wages should be going up, but they really aren’t in most areas of the country..

So Let’s Head Deeper Into the Weeds

The Federal Reserve also takes into account the definition of full employment because it helps to set interest rates. The Fed tends to lower rates when unemployment is somewhat high and raise them when we are at full employment and wages are increased.

 

These latest reports say the US is technically at full employment, but paychecks are not catching up, so it remains to be seen if the Fed will continue to inch up interest rates.

So What Can You Expect From Us?

At Partners Direct Insurance, we know that what the Federal Reserve does impacts your bottom line. We also know the cost of providing insurance is on your mind if you are a business owner. That’s why at Partners Direct Insurance, we want to know you and your insurance needs inside-and-out, so we can tailor-make insurance policies based on what is best for you, your business and your employees. We take time to work with you to find the best solutions at the most competitive prices.Contact us and let us know how we can assist you!

 

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Natural Disasters Strike AIG’s Stock Price

We have all watched the stock market’s rise and fall in the past year. Overall, the Dow Jones Industrial Index is reaching new milestones, while taking a big dip now and then. One of the nation’s biggest insurance providers has been on that roller coaster ride in the last few weeks.

American International Group (AIG) has seen its stock ebb and flow on the DOW, and in the midst of the swings, a major investor pulled out. AIG’s shares tumbled in early May after the insurance heavy-hitter posted disappointing earnings. In fact, earnings were down 30 percent in adjusted income.

What Happened?

According to industry insiders and AIG’s reports, the company took a huge hit from paying out for the California mudslides, the severe weather that hammered a great deal of the eastern part of the country, and other natural disasters. In all, these cost AIG $376 million. So what did this do to the stock price of AIG? Analysts were forecasting $1.26 a share in profit, but when adjusted for the payouts, the overall adjusted profit was $963 million, or $1.04 a share. That’s down from $1.36 in the first quarter a year ago.

So Who Bailed on AIG?

Investor Carl Icahn has a net worth of $18.8 billion. He is considered one of Wall Street’s most successful investors and has been shaking up corporate boardrooms for decades. He is not without his own rocky financial roads, however. His investment fund, Icahn Capital Management, has suffered three straight years of losses. After President Trump took office, Icahn advised him on regulatory overhaul but he left the position due to potential conflicts of interest.

Carl Icahn decided to sell his stake in AIG and it was publicly announced on Monday, May 7th. It’s significant because he held around a 4.8% stake in the company, which made him the third-largest shareholder in AIG. According to Forbes, Icahn sold his shares when the stock was between $60 and $65, which occured in early February.

Carl Icahn is well-known for his hostile takeovers of businesses. In 2015 he began purchasing shares of AIG and then called for the resignation of the company’s CEO, Peter Hancock. He demanded the insurer be split into three separate companies. That didn’t happen. Instead, the board approved a turnaround plan, and Icahn decided to sell his shares.

What Does This Mean to You?

Partners Direct Insurance works with a wide variety of insurance providers. It is important to us that your specific, unique needs are met with insurance, whether it is property, casualty, health, commercial insurance needs, or employee benefits. We can tailor an insurance plan that perfectly takes care of the things most important to you. Contact us so we can sit down with you and together work up a plan that has your best interests at heart.

 

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6 Types of Construction Insurance to Help Protect Your Business

As a small business owner, you likely can’t bear the weight of a potential construction accident. To help keep you and your business protected, we compiled a list of some of the most common types of construction insurance policies and what they each mean. Continue reading to find out which insurance policy is the best choice for your business to have during your next project or remodel!

 

  • Builder’s Risk

 

If your business is set to undergo building construction or remodeling in the future, builder’s risk insurance is a smart choice to help protect it. This type of insurance can protect the structure itself, provide coverage for necessary materials, and insures you, the business owner, from any accidents. This kind of policy usually only lasts for the duration of the project, so you don’t wind up paying for insurance before or after you need it. Builder’s Risk insurance does not usually provide coverage from situations like earthquakes, employee theft, or weather damage, so it’s important to clarify these situations with our team at Partner’s Direct prior to signing.

 

  • Commercial General Liability Policy

 

A Commercial General Liability Policy is the most common for construction-related projects, and it is known as a good starting base for business owners who might not know what specific policies they need to protect their project. The standard form of this policy insures against bodily injuries and property damage caused on a construction job. This policy, however, does not cover the costs of repairing any flawed work done incorrectly during the initial project, but this differs based on the contract signed between you and your insurance provider.

 

  • Umbrella Liability Coverage

 

This type of insurance is useful for contractors or business owners who are operating large construction sites or multiple projects at one time. A good supplement to the Commercial General Liability Policy, a ULC policy protects larger projects that might be maxed out on a basic CGL policy. If you’re wondering whether this policy is a good add-on for you, talk to our team at Partners Direct to see what’s right for your specific situation.

 

  • Contractor’s Pollution Coverage

 

If your business’s construction projects involve mechanical, excavation, carpentry, industrial, or other heavy-duty work, this policy could help protect you and your business from any damages caused by pollution from these services. This policy protects you from third-party claims and could help save your business thousands of dollars if a pollution accident caused bodily harm onsite.

 

  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance

 

Does your construction project involve more than five workers? In most states, this is when Worker’s Compensation Insurance is a required investment for your company. However, the State of California dictates that this type of insurance is needed in every work environment, even if there is only one employee. This policy can protect your business in the instance of an employee getting injured on the job, even in a non-construction related setting. It can help prevent you from paying out-of-pocket for any potential medical bills and lost wages that could be incurred by an injured employee, so this type of insurance is one of the most essential for any business owner.

 

  • Commercial Automotive Insurance

 

Does your construction project require any type of vehicle or heavy equipment? We’re guessing it does. If so, a Commercial Auto Insurance policy is necessary to protect these vehicles, as well as your wallet. No matter if it’s you behind the wheel or an employee, you will likely want to insurance covering your business if an accident occurs.

By signing up for several types of insurance policies for your business, our team at Partners Direct is willing to discuss discounts and potential packages to help fully protect your business. Whether you are searching for an overall policy like a Commercial General Liability Policy or need something that offers more coverage, like an Umbrella Liability Coverage Policy, our team wants to provide you with the coverage needs to protect you, your employees, and your wallet. Take a look at a comprehensive list of our services here and if you have any questions, give us a call today!

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6 Reasons Why Protecting Your Business is Your Best Investment

Your business is like your baby. You spend months, even years nurturing this fledgling idea into a healthy, thriving enterprise. Maybe you are early in that journey and are just starting out with an exciting idea, a plan and a lot of focused energy. At Partners Direct Insurance, our focused team offers insurance ideas that uniquely fit your business. We understand that a good business team is always looking hard at the bottom line, but sometimes that can leave them vulnerable to events outside of their control. That’s where a comprehensive insurance plan, tailored for you can make all the difference. Here are 6 reasons why protecting your business is your best investment. 

 

As you know, when it comes to insurance, it is all about managing risk. What could potentially happen that could devastate your business and your future? What is the smartest way to keep your business (and your family) covered in case of something unforeseen? Partners Direct has relationships with some of the finest consultants and vendors in the market to get you the quick, efficient help you need should the unexpected occur and you need to use your policy to protect your business.

 

Each business, and each business owner(s) are unique. That’s why we don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ kind of approach. But here are some general things to consider as you move forward with your ‘baby.’

 

  1. General Liability Insurance–this is Step One. You simply must have insurance to protect your business from from liability, should a person claim bodily injury while on your property. It protects you from staggering medical costs, property damage, personal injury and data loss. It is essential if you are your employees:
  • Visit a client’s workplace, or they come to see you at your place of business
  • Represent your client’s business in the public
  • Operate a business without owning or renting any property
  • Have access to a client’s equipment, like a computer network
  • Need a General Liability policy in order to qualify for contracts

 

2) Business Property Insurance–this protects you from damage to a property and covers the cost of replacing the equipment inside. You would want to check with our team about Business Property Insurance if you:

  • Own the building
  • Rent a space
  • Have costly business equipment like computers or furniture
  • Work with large amounts of data
  • Are concerned with employees who could steal client’s property or steal from your business

 

3) Professional Liability Insurance–This policy protects you in the case a client or customer would charge you with negligence or injury for the services your company provides. As you know, even if you are completely not at fault, a lot of money can be tied up with attorney fees and court costs. You should talk with us about Professional Liability if you:

  • Have a consulting firm, like a marketing, architectural or counseling firm
  • Provide professional services to your clients
  • Need to enter contracts as part of doing business

 

4) Workers Compensation Insurance–In the state of California, employers are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of the number of employees. If your employee is hurt on the job, or becomes sick as a result of the workplace, you are required to pay workers’ comp benefits. These benefits include medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits and a return-to-work supplement, and death benefits.

 

5) Commercial Auto Insurance–this policy protects your business vehicle just like your personal car insurance protects you. If an employee drives unsafely, or is hit by an errant driver, or skids off the road during a rainstorm, you are covered. Each business is unique, and that’s why we like to meet with you to discuss your individual needs so we can tailor-make the policy that makes the most sense for you.

 

6) Cyber Insurance–as you can imagine, this is a relatively new type of insurance coverage. There are two ways a business can be vulnerable in the cyber world. First of all, if its data is hacked and the hackers are demanding ransom to give it back. Imagine the disruption and cost to your business to be virtually cut off while the problem is being rectified. The other type of coverage may be needed if you experience a cyber attack, and someone steals your clients’ data and it is used to compromise their identities. You would want to consider this type of insurance if you:

  • Have a website that is accessed by the public
  • Do business online
  • Have your customers data stored on your website
  • Have your customers data managed by a 3rd party vendor

 

Our Partners Direct Insurance team prides itself on tailoring solutions to fit your business needs. Call us so we can consult with you on the best ways to keep you covered!

 

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