EXPERT ADVICE FOR YOUR BUSY LIFE.

In many cases, business owners and decision makers see insurance as something they need only because a law makes it mandatory for them to remain in business. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Insurance is here to protect your business, it’s employees, the equipment, etc. We have also found that some aren’t aware what insurance is protecting them from, and don’t know what their exposures are. While recognizing certain buzzwords such as general liability, and workers’ compensation is great, we want people to understand why they have to have these insurance policies. After all, accidents happen, but there is no need for an accident to ruin your business.

Workers’ Compensation

A workers’ compensation insurance policy provides wages, medical treatment, disability, and if necessary a death benefit to employees who are injured on the job. While workers’ comp makes up a large portion of many businesses expenses, it is necessary because without it, businesses would liable for any injuries an employee experiences while working. It also protects the business from any lawsuits that could be filed by the injured employee.

General Liability

Commercial general liability policies protect businesses in a lot of ways. Typically, it provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury which protects the insured from slander and false advertising. General liability may also cover fire damage that is caused by the negligence of the insured.

Marine General Liability

Marine general liability policies are similar to general liability policies except they are designed specifically for those who work at sea, as general liability insurance will not cover those who work near or on the water. These policies include coverage for marine contractors and others who work on or near water.

Professional Liability (PLI or E&O)

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O), will cover your business if you provide advice, or provide a service. It will protect you against negligent claims and damages that are awarded from a lawsuit.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Employment practices liability insurance protects your business against claims made by your employees. It can protect you from claims alleging discrimination based on sex, race, age, or disability. It can also protect you from claims alleging wrongful termination, harassment, and many other employment-related issues.

United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (US L&H)

Thanks to the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA also known as USL&H), those who work in the maritime industry and fall into certain categories, will have coverage backed by the federal government, not just the state. The law ensures that workers’ comp benefits are provided to those who work in the maritime industry, which will protect your business from any lawsuits associated with a workplace injury.

Maritime Employers Liability (MEL)

This policy generally covers employees who are working onboard a vessel, whether owned by the company they work for or as a contractor. Think of workers’ compensation insurance for those who work at sea.

Having the necessary insurance policies isn’t all you should be doing to protect yourself. Practicing good risk management also includes taking precautions around your workplace to make it as safe as possible. Read our previous blog, “10 Tips on Creating a Safe Work Environment”, for help in deciding what steps you should take in order to further protect you and your employees. If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing workers’ compensation insurance, USL&H or other types of business insurance, or group health insurance for your employees, please contact us at954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to cover your company’s risks appropriately.

Summer is upon us! Which means a couple things; people are ready to show off their summer body and will look to maintain their figure, and people will be taking summer vacations and traveling abroad over the next few months. Being healthy and traveling are two important aspects of life, however for some reason the two aren’t always synonymous. While traveling, many people may want to relax and kick their feet up, or eat delicious foods that may not be deemed “healthy”. Of course you could always go for a run or walk around the hotel grounds or the surrounding areas, or you could go for a swim in the hotel pool as swimming is one of the best exercises anyone can do. You could even do yoga to exercise the mind, body, and soul. But if you aren’t feeling any of those options, and there isn’t a gym in the hotel to work out in, try doing some non-weight exercises, or calisthenics, in your hotel room!

Calisthenics are a great way to get into or stay in shape. In fact, many people use calisthenics as their normal exercise routine and not just when in a hotel room. By using different exercises to target each muscle group, you can have a full body workout without leaving your hotel room in a short amount of time.

1. Upward and Downward Facing Dog- This is a common yoga exercise and is a great way to get your body warmed up before a work out or cooled down following one. Lay flat on the ground face down. Take a deep breath, push your hands against the ground to push your chest up while keeping your legs flat on the ground. Hold the pose for several breathes. On the last exhale, lift your bottom up to form a 90-degree angle with your body while keeping your feet and hands flat on the ground and your head between your arms. Stay in that pose for several breathes. On the last exhale, bend your knees to the floor so that your knees are under your hips and your hands are under your shoulders.

2. Planks- Planks are one of the best exercises you can do to work out your core. Lay face down on the floor. Prop yourself up with your forearms and keep your elbows directly below your shoulder. Remember to keep your body straight. For beginners, try using a straight arm with your hands directly underneath your shoulders.

3. Wall Sits- This is a great way to focus on your lower body as well as your core. Find a wall, then squat down into a sitting position with your back against the wall and your legs in 90 degree angles.

4. Mountain Climbers- Ready to get your heart rate pumping? Mountain climbers are a unique exercise that can get your heart rate up and work out your entire body without needing machinery or a large space to move around. Start in a push-up position and alternate bringing your knees to your chest.

5. Push-ups- This classic exercise focuses on your upper body strength and your core. To work out different muscles doing this exercise, try doing them on an incline and decline as well.

6. Sit-ups/ Crunches- This is another classic exercise that targets your abdominals. To increase difficulty try doing them with your legs up at a 90-degree angle. Or you could try air bike crunches where you alternate touching opposite elbows to knees.

7. Squats- This exercise really targets your thighs and your gluteal muscles. Remember to keep your feet shoulder width apart, and keep your heels flat on the ground when squatting.

8. Leg Lifts- As you may have already noticed, many of these workouts focus on your core, and leg lifts are one of the best ones you can do. Lay flat on your back and lift your feet 6 inches off the ground. For a change you could also try switching your feet from opened to closed every 10 seconds.

9. Lunges- Step forward with one leg lowering your hips until both legs are bend at 90 degree angles. Make sure your front knee is directly above your ankle and your back knee doesn’t touch the floor. Rotate legs.

10. Tables- Sit down with your hands and feet on the floor. With your arms behind you, prop yourself up by lifting your hips as high as you can, and squeezing your glutes and shoulder blades as hard as you can.

There are several different ways to approach these exercises, you could try doing each one until exhaustion, breaking them up into different repetitions and sets, or a mixture of both. There are a ton of other non-weight exercises you can do, however everyone is different and some may find other exercises more successful than others. Try looking up other exercises and make a work out guide that fits you and your needs best.

For more help when traveling overseas, read our previous blog, “Tips for Traveling Abroad.” We wish you safe travels along your journey. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, or have any questions or concerns, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0)1624 678668 or visit us at mhginsurance.com. It is important to have proper travel insurance coverage in case of an unexpected emergency while traveling abroad. Our insurance brokers have the experience to assist you in selecting the right plan for you, with the best value.

Are you ready to begin planning your next trip? Instead of visiting a tropical island, or sailing on a cruise ship, your next trip should be to somewhere that you have probably only seen on TV or in textbooks, Africa! Many people consider all of mankind can trace their roots back to Africa. With so much history, so many cultures, and natural beauty that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, everyone should make a point to visit this continent at least once in their life.

While there are many countries in Africa that are worth visiting, for 2016 Botswana is at the top of our list. This year Botswana celebrates its 50th year of independence from the United Kingdom. With plenty of celebrations planned, this year is the time to make Botswana a top destination. It is also one of Africa’s top safari destinations. Go camping and see the night sky how it was meant to be seen. Get in touch with nature and see wildlife such as the “Big 5” (lion, elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros). You can visit Botswana year round, however between May and October which is their dry season, you have a much better chance of seeing animals.

For those that don’t remember, earlier this year we wrote a blog, “The Top 5 Places to Visit in 2016.” Number four on that list was Botswana!

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana, and is Botswana’s first national park. This park has one of the largest concentration of game animals in all of Africa, and is especially famous for its elephants. While Chobe National Park offers many different ways to explore such as a traditional safari ride, here you can take a safari from a different perspective, by boat! Try the Chobe River cruise where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of other animals as the approach the river to rehydrate. Chobe is also a great place to go for bird watching as about 460 bird species have been recorded in the national park.

Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is an inland delta in northern Botswana. It’s formed where the Okavango River meets a tectonic trough where the water eventually evaporates as it doesn’t flow into oceans. It is one of the most diverse natural habitats that range from wetlands to drylands. It’s no wonder that it was voted as one the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. One reason it is such a great place to see wildlife is because many of the animals in the surrounding area migrate here during the summer wet season. You can see much of the big game animals here such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, etc. The Delta is also home to one of the popular national parks that Botswana has to offer, the Moremi Game Reserve.

A trip to the Okavango Delta is not complete without a mokoro ride. A mokoro is a shallow canoe commonly used to navigate the shallow waters of the delta, and should give you the opportunity to see animals that may otherwise be scared away by louder boats or vehicles.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Unlike other areas in Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a dry and arid environment. This is home to one of the largest salt pans in the world, Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. Salt pans, or salt flats, are areas of ground covered in salt or other minerals that shine white under the sun, typically found in desert areas. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan is all that is left of Lake Makgadikgadi which dried up thousands of years ago. Here you can find the famous Boabab trees, which have very fat trunks with short, skinny, and winding branches. In fact, they look as if they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. During the dry season very little wildlife can exist here, however how many places in the world can you see a salt pan this epic?

Another point of interest in this national park is Kubu Island. Famous for its archaeological history, Kubu Island is a very isolated and remote area. Seeing the landscapes, fossils scattered on the beaches, and stone age tools along the shoreline will have you feeling like you are in another world.

Kuru Dance Festival

Most people come to Africa to get in touch with nature and experience untouched natural beauty. However, a trip wouldn’t be complete without diving into the culture of the area in order to get the full experience. The Kuru Dance Festival is a great way to get entwined into the native culture of Botswana. You will get a firsthand experience of the originally people of Botswana who are known as Basarwa, San, or Bushmen. See the wardrobe which consists of clothing made from animal skin and colorful headbands. Watch men, women, and children dance to drums and traditional songs. The Kuru Dance Festival takes place every August and is organized by the Kuru Cultural Center. Oh, and don’t forget to dance!

Gcwihaba Caves

If you’re looking to see a different side of Africa rather than going on a safari, try visiting the Gcwihaba Caves, one of the most remote destinations in Botswana. Hike through caverns and crevices ranging from 10 meters high, to tight spaces that you may need to crawl through. While making your way through the caves you will come across stalagmite and stalactite formations, thousands of bats, and birds and plants that are unique to this region. This experience will only add to what would be an unforgettable trip to Botswana.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Rhinos are one of the most endangered species in the world and their total population decreases by the day as poachers hunt them for their ivory. Visiting the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is one of the best ways to see these animals up close in their natural habitat, along with many of the other animals you would want to see while in this part of the world. Now it’s just a matter of what you want to do! Here you can go camping, take a 4x4 safari, or stay in one of the accommodation facilities on the grounds.

Now that you have some ideas of where you should be traveling in the upcoming year, don’t forget to protect yourself by getting Travel Insurance. As stated in a previous blog, “Tips Everyone Should Follow When Traveling Abroad”, it is important to have proper travel insurance coverage in case of an unexpected emergency while traveling abroad. Our Insurance Specialists have the knowledge and experience to offer advice or help select the best insurance plan for your needs. Visit mhginsurance.com or call +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 for help in selecting the plan that fits you best. Safe travels!

The bottles are popping! The champagne is flowing! The confetti is falling! MHG is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, which means it is time to get this party started!

MHG Insurance Brokers has been serving the marine industry, businesses, and groups and individuals around the world since 1991. Reaching this milestone is no small feat, and makes it a perfect time to look back and do some reflecting. What better way to do that than by giving some insight into the history of MHG and its employees?

A lot goes into a business lasting 25 years. Even more goes into a business experiencing success and continuing to grow during that time. While much of it can be attributed to a company’s philosophy, structure, and culture, a business is nothing without the people who execute that philosophy and help create a one of a kind culture. Here at MHG, we are an extremely diverse bunch. Many of us are from various countries, involved in several community organizations, and from different career backgrounds. It takes a special group of people to make insurance fun, which is why you should get to know us!

So, let’s get to know the Director of our Cruise Division, Edward “Mole” Telfer!

Mole’s MHG Timeline

Originally from London, England, Mole attended the University of Portsmouth where he studied business and finance. Upon completing his studies, Mole has since found himself in several business development positions. He joined MHG in 2013 as a Business Development Manager for the Life and Health Division. After a year, Mole was recognized as a key member in growing the Life and Health Division and was promoted to succeed Sheree Lynch as Director of the Cruise Division, which is the position he holds today.

Interesting Facts

Prior to joining MHG, Mole lived in Zambia for 7 years where he married his wife Mandy, and ran several hotels near Victoria Falls. He is a big hockey fan, and is a supporter and season ticket holder for the Florida Panthers. Cycling is one of Mole’s great passions, as you can find him cycling around South Florida every Sunday. Every year, Mole is an active participant in different cycling challenges that benefit local charities. He participates and raises money for events such as the SMART Ride and the Dolphin Cancer Challenge.

Community Involvement

Mole is currently a board member for the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center (CDTC). He is also a Sunflower and a Transformer, which are two separate programs within CDTC that organize events and such to help raise money and benefit children in need. Before becoming involved with CDTC, Mole helped found the Marine Industry Cares Foundation (MICF) in 2010, which is a foundation that supports organizations such as CDTC and Kids in Distress, Inc. He also serves on the Advisory Board for of the Winterfest Boat Parade, a premier event in Fort Lauderdale during the holidays.

To hear some insurance advice from some of our employees, read our previous blog, “If You Could Give One Piece of Advice to Your Clients, What Would it be?” MHG is here to help and provide assistance with all of your insurance needs. Whether you are looking for marine crew insurance, health insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, expatriate insurance or insurance for your business, we have the experience and knowledge to help you find the right policy. Please contact us at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. Let our insurance specialists find you, your family, or group, the best insurance available for your budget.

Do you have a trip planned this summer? Are you traveling to the tropics to kick your feet up on a beach somewhere with an umbrella in your drink?

Nothing beats a relaxing summer vacation to recharge you for the second half of the year. Depending on where you are going, there are some things that you need to be aware regarding the Zika Virus. The Zika Virus is a mosquito borne illness that is making headlines in the news all over the world. Since mosquitoes are most prevalent in warm tropical areas, you should be prepared and take any necessary precautions if you are traveling to or live in ones of the areas. It should also be noted, this virus is a mosquito borne illness but just because mosquitoes are in warmer areas, doesn’t mean those who live far away from the tropics can’t be at risk too.

The CDC has issued an alert for those who are traveling to areas where the Zika virus is spreading. Click here for more information.

Prevention

Pack proper repellant! There are several different steps you can take to protect yourself from being bitten by a mosquito. Some steps include using insect repellant sprays, wearing long sleeves and pants, using bug screens on windows and doors, sleeping under a mosquito bed net, etc. There are even children’s clothes with bug repellant in them.

For those already infected, the virus can be found in the blood and can be passed onto mosquitos who aren’t carrying the virus.

The Zika Virus can also be spread during intercourse by an infected male to his partner(s). Practice safe sex, as it is not known how long the virus can stay in the semen of men who have had the virus, although it is known that it can stay longer than in blood.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of the Zika Virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Symptoms tend to remain mild, lasting several days to a couple of weeks, which is a reason many may not realize they are infected with the virus. This is a problem because becoming infected with the disease while pregnant can lead to serious birth defects including microcephaly.

Treatment

There is no vaccine or specific treatment. Focus on treating the symptoms such as getting rest, prevent dehydration, and taking acetaminophen for fever and pain. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not be taken due to risk of bleeding.

Don’t Leave Without Coverage

Getting sick or needing medical treatment while you are abroad is a situation which no one wants to find themselves. However, having travel insurance can alleviate any stress about costs, what steps to take, and what doctors you can trust. Our insurance specialists can assist you in finding the proper coverage you and your family may need for your trip.

For more help when traveling overseas, read our previous blog, “Tips for Traveling Abroad.” We wish you safe travels along your journey. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, or have any questions or concerns, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0)1624 678668 or visit us at mhginsurance.com. Our insurance brokers have the experience to assist you in selecting the right plan for you, with the best value.