Like Flood Insurance, Earthquake, Volcano and Mudslides are not included in the vast majority of insurance contracts written today. This coverage will be picked up via Endorsement (or for the old folks a “Rider”). For us in Michigan, this often overlooked coverage option is available from most commercial carriers. Earthquake coverage is also available from many personal insurance carriers, but this blog will focus on the commercial area. ISO Commercial Risk Services, which provides “coverage forms” for many of the approved Michigan carriers has a specific form which is CP 10 40 06.

Seismic Activity in Michigan is not necessarily up over the past couple of years, however we have “felt” neighboring states (Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania) increased activity. And, of course, many of you reading this likely know that one of these earthquakes come from the New Madrid Fault. One of the most powerful earthquakes in the history of the US emanated from the New Madrid fault in the Midwest. As recent as 1947 Michigan did experience a Magnitude 4.6 earthquake that caused widespread structural damage centered southeast of Kalamazoo and including the areas of Bronson, Coldwater, Colon, Matteson Lake. This earthquake as recorded by USGS (US Geological Survey) caused chimney damage, window and plaster damage as well as brick cornices coming down.

Water! Water! Water! - We are in the middle of the hot summer and we need a quick reminder on water and proper hydration.

You can protect yourself from the outside but you can also protect yourself with certain foods that help strengthen your skin against the harmful rays of the sun.

Kapnick Insurance Group is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Rutkowski to its Commercial Property & Casualty Sales Team. Mike comes to Kapnick from Federated Insurance, where he worked for over 5 years, responsible for sales and client service for a designated territory. He holds licenses in both Property & Casualty and Life/Health.

It’s summer and it’s hot and sunny. We need to protect ourselves from the harmful rays of the sun. We love sunshine! It’s actually healthy for you, but in small amounts

Here are my favorite tips to staying healthy in the sun!

This week is 4th of July and we are gearing up for parties and picnics. In today’s blog, I will give you some tips for having fun but also staying healthy on this holiday weekend.

Healthy 4th of July picnic choices:

This week I would like to talk about the importance of summer safety when it comes to swimming, biking and the sun. I believe this is an important topic because one, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4 and children 10-14 years of age. Two, July, August and September have the highest percentage of bicycle-related deaths. Lastly skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Below are a few suggestions on how to be proactive when it comes to these safety concerns. I have also added links to some national websites for more information. Be safe this summer!

Kapnick Insurance Group is pleased to announce the addition of Michele Rivas, Compliance Attorney, to its Benefits division. Michele comes to Kapnick with 20 years of experience providing legal services in the areas of employee benefits, employment and corporate law to a variety of clients, ranging from small employers to Fortune 500 companies. Michele previously worked for Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton P.C. (SWAP) located in Southfield, Michigan. Michele spent the past four years focusing primarily on providing compliance advice regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Health Care Reform”). Before working at SWAP, Michele worked in the employee benefits/employment and business transaction groups of Dykema, Honigman, Jaffe and Ice Miller.

In her position as a compliance attorney at Kapnick Insurance Group, Michele will provide legal advice with respect to a wide range of compliance and regulatory issues, including providing day-to-day advice within the following areas: Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, Health Care Reform, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, FLSA, and state law. Michele will also monitor and analyze pending and new legislation and its anticipated affect on benefit plans and arrangements. "The addition of Michele to our benefits team will add a critical service benefiting our clients," said Steve Peck - President of the Benefits Division. "In addition, it will allow us to be more proactive in alerting our clients in advance of new legislation, or changes in legislation, which may affect their benefits programs."

Kapnick Insurance Group is pleased to announce the addition of Bill Lyle to its Commercial Property & Casualty Sales Team. Bill comes to Kapnick from Hylant, located in Ann Arbor. Bill spent the past seven years working as a senior account executive and sales consultant to clients all over the United States. His responsibilities included new business sales as well as current client retention. Before working at the Hylant, Bill held sales and management positions at Armstrong Robitaille Riegle Insurance. He is a University of Michigan graduate and former captain of the golf team.

Kapnick Insurance Group is pleased to announce the addition of Tyrone Jordan II, Client Executive, to its Employee Benefits division. Tyrone comes to Kapnick from the OPG Benefits, located in Brighton, MI. Tyrone spent the past three years working as a senior account executive and sales consultant to clients all over the state of Michigan. His responsibilities included new business sales as well as current client retention. Before working at the OPG, Tyrone held sales and management positions at Bankers Life and Casualty and DHL. He is a University of Michigan graduate and former member of the football team.