Receiving benefits from your employer is something that all employees appreciate. The question is who is eligible to receive benefits, and when is it required for an employer to offer them.

Who Can Qualify for My Employee Benefits?

There is a short answer and a long answer. The short answer is “eligible employees”. However, there are many different scenarios where more people may qualify.

Eligible Employees

“Eligible employees” which is sometimes defined by the health plan and the group’s employee handbook. Generally speaking, it is full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week. Businesses have no obligation to offer health insurance to part-time employees. However, not every company is required to offer benefits to their full-time employees, but if there are more than 50 full-time workers on the books, then that company is required to offer healthcare benefits, covering 50% of the employee premium of the lowest cost health plan. Some businesses elect to cover even more of the premiums as an additional form of compensation.

Dependents

Per certain rules and laws, eligible dependents are defined as a “qualifying child” or “qualifying spouse or domestic partner”, but premium responsibility is based on the defined employer contribution. To claim a child as a dependent, they must meet the qualifying criteria, which means they must be a certain age, which is based on the selected policy and the home state of the group. An employer is not required to cover the premium of any dependents, and it is typically deducted from the employee’s paycheck. However, some businesses also elect to cover a portion or all of the premium as another additional form of compensation.

Spouse or Partner

In some places, the only way to get health insurance for your partner is if they are your spouse. Depending on the company and the health insurance, you may be able to add someone to your plan if they are your domestic partner. If that scenario applies to you, it’s important to clarify the requirements ahead of time, and ask questions!

Selecting the right health insurance plan for you or your employees can be a difficult task, but the experienced insurance brokers at MHG are glad to help you sort through the terminology and key features to determine the best health insurance plan for your situation. Our Insurance Specialists will help you assemble a complete insurance offering that includes health insurance, gap insurance coverage, life insurance, disability, and more. Call us today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help in selecting the ideal health insurance plan for you and/or your employees.

Most professions will have times of the year when there is a busy time and a slow time, that is no different for yacht crew. However, just because you may be headed to the off-season, that does not mean you should not stay busy.

How Can Crew Make the Most of the Off-Season?

If you are between yachts or just have some down time due to the yacht not being used as much, it is important to use the available time in your favor. First off, try making a checklist of things you would like to accomplish with your time. Whether there are tasks you need to complete to advance your career, or just some personal items, try your best to stay organized and on top of things.

Stay Within the Industry

The yachting industry is worldwide, yet it is still a small industry in terms of players. Therefore, if you are not participating in the industry, it is much easier for an opportunity to go to another person. Stay involved and stay connected to the best of your abilities.

Keep Licenses Up to Date

Keep up on any licensing renewals that you may need to take care of, and that includes your ENG 1. If you are looking to move up, taking courses that improve your skills or certifications is also a great way to make use of any spare time. Most professions require people to work and take classes at the same time, so it is highly recommended to make use of any growth opportunities!

Take Care of You

Down time is a great time to re-evaluate your health habits. Do you eat right? Do you exercise regularly? Do you have a healthy stress outlet? This is a great time to assess how well you are taking care of your personal health and wellbeing. It is a lot easier to create new and healthy habits when you are not under stress and high workloads like when you are on back-to-back charters or Owners trips.

Having proper insurance is important whether you are at sea or docked at a shipyard. MHG is your specialized broker when it comes to crew insurance. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to find the policy that works best for you. If you are interested in purchasing, or have any questions about yacht crew insurance or travel insurance, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. For more information on preparing to work on a yacht, read our previous blog, “ Yacht Crew Insurance Terms 101”.

What is the best travel insurance for international travel?

Are you planning to go on a trip? Chances are you have a whole checklist to finish, including securing the proper coverage for you and/or your loved ones. The issue is, that question isn’t as easy to answer as it may seem. First, there are other questions you need to ask yourself.

Where are you traveling to?

Are you a US resident and traveling within the US? Then you do not need to worry about travel insurance because it is only for when you leave your home country. However, if you are traveling abroad, or if you are a resident of a foreign country traveling to the US, we are here to help!

How often are you traveling?

If you are planning a family vacation once or twice per year, you will be a great candidate for a traditional travel insurance plan. However, if you are taking frequent trips of short duration, it may be worth your while to invest in an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan. Basically, one plan that offers coverage for the whole year. Say goodbye to having to double check that you got your plan secured before every trip and hello to removing an item from your checklist!

What are you traveling for?

There are 2 types of travelers, business and pleasure. What type of traveling are you doing? Are you going on a family vacation? Or are you on your way to a tradeshow for work? The reason it is important to know what type of traveling you are doing is because there are different options to be presented. Of course, there is always an opportunity to purchase a travel insurance policy, however, it may save you money in the long run if your company is willing to purchase an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan to offer as a benefit for employees.

Having proper travel insurance can help to limit your distractions and help you to have an efficient and successful business trip. Maybe having an eased mind will allow you to enjoy some of the sites while you are there, or focus on closing that deal! If you have any questions about your travel insurance plan, are interested in an annual multi-trip plan, or are looking to purchase a travel insurance plan for your next business or leisure trip please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. MHG has the insurance specialists to assist and advise you, your loved ones, group, or business, on all of your insurance needs. Safe travels!

What are the four major types of employee benefits?

Medical

The main benefit that you can and should be offering your employees is medical insurance. There are several laws and regulations around group size and mandatory contribution rates, however no matter the rules, we have consistently seen that offering medical insurance to your employees promotes loyalty, increases happiness, and is one of the top motivators for a workforce.

Dental

Unfortunately, medical insurance offers little to no coverage for any dental procedures for adults. Also, a lack of proper oral care can lead to several overall health issues, which is why dental insurance is increasingly important. As you may know, even with regular trips to the dentist, and proper dental hygiene practices at home, one can still find themselves needing to have some work done.

Vision

Vision insurance is another important benefit for the overall wellbeing of your employees. After all, chances are that some of your workforce is looking at a computer for much of the day, which has been shown to damage our eyes. Having vision insurance allows for preventive measures to be taken such as annual eyes exams.

Disability/Life

Disability and Life Insurance coverage acts more as financial protection for your employees rather than an active benefit. Disability insurance offers coverage for an individual in case they are ill or injured and can no longer work. Depending on the plan, they will receive up to 66% of their wages for a number of years or until retirement.

Life Insurance offers coverage for an individual’s loved ones in the event an employee loses their life. There are great options for group life insurance where the benefit amount can be reflected based on someone’s salary or a set amount.

GAP

GAP Insurance isn’t included with the four major benefits; however we believe it should have an honorable mention. While GAP Insurance does not offer a particular benefit, it may be one of the most advantageous benefits you can offer your employees. GAP insurance is paired with medical. The purpose of GAP Insurance is to supplement a portion or up to the out-of-pocket costs of the medical plan, reducing the overall amount of medical expenses for your employees.

Selecting the right health insurance plan for you or your employees can be a difficult task, but the experienced insurance brokers at MHG are glad to help you sort through the terminology and key features to determine the best health insurance plan for your situation. Our Insurance Specialists will help you assemble a complete insurance offering that includes health insurance, gap insurance coverage, life insurance, disability, and more. Call us today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help in selecting the ideal health insurance plan for you and/or your employees.

What is no medical exam life insurance?

No medical life insurance is a life insurance policy that does not require an individual to go through the medical screening process to be approved for purchase. According to Forbes, Over the past decade, more and more insurers have stated offering life insurance policies that don’t require medical exams. This may seem strange, as you would l think that insurers would want to have as much information as they could obtain about you before deciding whether or not to insure you, however many people are turned off by having a stranger come examine them in their home (or elsewhere) in order to be approved to make a purchase. Also, insurance companies have access to health records through the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) and other resources to make an overall decision on the risk that you may present to them.

What is a life insurance medical exam?

The medical exam associated with life insurance is part of the underwriting process and is usually a simple medical screening, but can be more involved, especially for older applicants. The exam can take up to an hour or more and will check your height, weight, blood pressure, and include a blood and urine sample. The exam will look to confirm that your vital signs are where they are supposed to be based on age and look to confirm whether or not you may pose a higher risk in terms of overall health. It is part of the underwriting process, where the insurer decides how insurable you are, much like the lending process of trying to qualify for a loan.

Who benefits from not having to take a medical exam?

Not having to take a medical exam benefits people who are concerned about having an unknown medical examiner come to their home, or who are simply looking to save time. It can offer quicker coverage without having to go through the typical full underwriting process.

What are the pros of no medical life insurance?

· Quick approval

· Good coverage

· No need to go through invasive screening process

· Transparent pricing

What are the cons of no medical life insurance?

· Coverage amounts are limited

· Can only obtain a term policy limit of 20 years

· Fewer policies to choose from

· Higher potential premiums than policies that require medical exam

Do you want to leave more to loved ones? Cover potential loss of income to the household? Then you will need to account for your debts and add more coverage beyond them to leave a legacy. Our experts can help you formulate what amount would be best for you in your situation and budget in this case, or any case for that matter. Contact us today at 954 828 1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for a quick and easy quote!

A new year is here, and now more than ever people are looking to either maintain the healthy habits they have adopted or look to try and start a new lifestyle to try and shed a few pounds or just feel better. Whether it is a new diet, new workout, or new way of living, this time of year is synonymous with people trying their best to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Yet there is one simple thing people can do that does not require expensive investments, trips to special facilities, or new gear… walking!

Why is walking important?

Walking is one of the best ways to get and stay healthy. Obviously going for a stroll is not as rigorous as going for a run or doing some of the latest fad workouts, but over time it can have the same benefits without the wear and tear on your body. According to the Better Health Channel , Just 30 minutes [of walking] every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Walking is also known to reduce your risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Should I track steps or miles?

Before you decide on how many steps or miles you should walk per day, first you need to decide what your goals are.

· Are you looking to lose weight or maintain weight?

· Where are you starting from, how is your current physical health?

· Are you looking to accomplish a milestone down the road?

After answering a few of these questions you should have a better idea of where you should start, and where you should set your sights.

Once you have that part figured out, it really is up to you whether you would prefer to track steps or miles. Experts say one mile is about 2,000 steps. So, will you be tracking your steps throughout the day? Or will you be allotting “walking” time to try and walk a particular distance?

Is it better to set a daily goal or a weekly goal?

It depends! Are you a person that has an extremely busy schedule? Or are you a person that has a lot of free time? At the end of the day, a goal is a goal, and there is more than one benefit to achieving them! Try not to over-extend yourself or set yourself for failure. It is important to be flexible, after all is there really a difference between walking 2 miles per day or 14 miles per week?

Selecting the right health insurance plan for you or your employees can be a difficult task, but the experienced insurance brokers at MHG are glad to help you sort through the terminology and key features to determine the best health insurance plan for your situation. Our Insurance Specialists will help you assemble a complete insurance offering that includes health insurance, gap insurance coverage, life insurance, disability, and more. Call us today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help in selecting the ideal health insurance plan for you and/or your employees.

What is the difference between a broker and an agent?

The main difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker is that agents represent insurance companies, and brokers represent customers. Knowing the difference can be extremely helpful when you are shopping for a new policy or in the market for new coverage.

Why do brokers have a stigma?

Insurance brokers are not evil, in fact they are quite helpful. It is a common misconception that brokers work for insurance companies, however that could not be further from the truth. As insurance brokers, we work for you, the people!

It is also incorrect that working through an insurance broker costs the client more money. In contrast, working with a broker can save clients both time and money, in addition to frustration. Insurance brokers receive their compensation from insurers, but that does not (or should not) cloud the judgement of a good broker to recommend whatever policy is most appropriate to the situation as presented by you, the client.

What does a broker do that I cannot do myself?

First, they spend all day, every day dealing with insurance. They know the insurance industry, they live and breathe insurance, and they understand all the confusing terminology and phrases, which hopefully they can explain to you in a straightforward, no nonsense way. They also know the insurers, and the people who work there, which is a significant advantage over you calling a toll-free number and hoping for the best.

Second, insurance brokers evaluate and research the marketplace on a regular basis. A reputable broker knows the dynamics of the insurance industry, what the headlines are, what is no longer relevant, and which carriers provide consistent service. Nothing is more frustrating than finding an insurance plan that fits your needs, only to realize at time of claim that the company does not deliver.

Finally, as stated before, a broker advocates and works on your behalf. When a situation arises where a helping hand is needed, you can turn to your broker for assistance, leaving you to continue to concentrate on your work.

How do you know if a broker is reputable?

Word of mouth is the best form of marketing for a business, as well as the best form of research for a customer. There is no better way to find something than by asking someone you trust who has experience with your issues or concerns. This is also the case when finding a good insurance broker. Generally, though, you want to look for a broker with experience and longevity in the health insurance business and one who certainly should be able to provide references. It is also important that the broker is specialized and experienced in the yacht crew area as it is quite different from the typical expat insurance market.

Having proper insurance is important. MHG is your specialized broker when it comes to marine specific insurance. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to find the policy that works best for you. If you are interested in purchasing, or have any questions about yacht crew insurance or travel insurance, please contact us at +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com.

MHG Marks 30 Years with a Fresh New Look and Office

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (January 19th, 2021) – MHG Insurance is marking its 30th anniversary since introducing crew benefits to the marine industry. Thirty years and over tens of thousands of captains, officers, and crew insured, MHG continues to develop crew benefit plans to make the industry a better place to work and live.

Founders, Andrew Dudzinski and John Haagensen, launched MHG after industry growth and ensuing competitive pressures, cruise lines needed new ways to attract and retain their officers and crew. Dudzinski, with a background in expatriate insurance programs, and Haagensen, a former seafarer and practicing insurance agent, saw the solution in creating and providing customized crew benefits plans. Dudzinski and Haagensen combined their extensive experience and contacts to convince the industry that seafarers are better motivated, remain more loyal, and work more safely when a benefit plan is provided as part of an employment package.

“While hesitant at first, the cruise lines listened, and once the competitive advantages were understood, benefit plans were implemented by many lines,” said Andrew Dudzinski, MHG’s Chairman and CEO. “Other marine industry sectors, such as luxury yachts and commercial shipping, followed soon after.”

Three decades on, MHG is recognized not only for developing innovative crew benefit programs for the maritime industry but also for providing liability and casualty coverage for ship repairers, contractors, entertainers, and cruise concessionaires, in addition to hull and P&I insurance for pleasure craft.

Today, MHG provides insurance solutions, insight, and advice to many of CLIA’s global member cruise lines. In 2017, MHG released a ground-breaking report on the cruise industry’s shipboard benefits provision, which has been updated and released to clients every other year. On the yacht side, MHG provides yacht crew insurance to hundreds of yachts, including 20% of the world’s top 100 largest yachts. In 2018, MHG partnered with The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to investigate wellness issues specific to the yachting industry. The survey findings were shared with the industry and highlighted the need for mental health awareness.

“We’re so proud of the achievements and lasting impact that we have made in the marine industry,” said MHG’s Chief Revenue Officer Mark Bononi. “While we have successfully introduced and made crew benefits more mainstream in the industry, our work is not done. We will continue to be at the forefront of developing and implementing a full range of crew benefits solutions, all designed specifically for the marine industry.”

MHG has offices in the U.S. and Europe, staffed with a team of insurance specialists experienced in the marine environment, and are experts in the intricacies of all different types of insurance products and the regulations with which they must comply. In addition to the efforts to impact the industries they serve, MHG also strives to implement a culture for its employees that is second to none. From day one, they have practiced what they preach when it comes to taking care of employees and have seen the positive effects firsthand. MHG has been recognized as a “Best Places to Work,” has an extremely low turnover rate, and truly instills a “family” atmosphere that many businesses try to promote.

As part of its 30^th anniversary, MHG is also launching a new logo and moving its U.S. offices a few blocks from its current location to 1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 320, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.

Looking ahead, MHG plans to continue to expand its reach throughout the marine industry, with the same purpose and idea they were founded on. With an updated look and new offices to call home, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

About MHG Insurance

Established in 1991 in Miami, Florida, MHG Insurance is a global insurance brokerage and consultative facility, with a focus on the marine industry. Through its extensive relationships with international underwriting markets, MHG develops and provides a full range of employee benefits, risk mitigation programs, property and casualty insurance, and financial services, all supported by comprehensive attention to service support for all of our clients. In the marine community, MHG is well known for its expertise in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and developing MLC-aligned crew insurance solutions. In the U.S., MHG provides group and individual employee benefits and advice on federal regulations regarding the Affordable Care Act. For more information about MHG Insurance and the services we provide, please visit mhginsurance.com.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (January 6, 2020) – MHG Insurance Brokers, the cruise industry’s crew health insurance specialist, announced today the promotion of Sherry Wertz to Director, Cruise Division. In this key role, Wertz will lead MHG’s Cruise Division, one of the company’s founding departments. MHG introduced benefits to the cruise industry, making it a better place to work and live, and with this appointment will look to further advance the livelihood and well-being of those within the industry.

Prior to this appointment, Wertz was MHG’s Senior Manager, Operations, responsible for managing cruise line accounts. A veteran of the cruise industry, Wertz has more than 30 years’ experience working for various cruise lines, concessionaires, and other companies supporting the industry. Wertz joined MHG in 2016.

Wertz will report to Mark Bononi, MHG’s Chief Revenue Officer, and will be supported by Kelly Morris, Claims Specialist.

“Sherry is a pleasure to work with and is a great fit for this role,” said Bononi. “With her dedication to service and compassion for the crew, Sherry truly epitomizes the MHG spirit.”

While MHG’s focus was initially on captains, officers, and crew, the company has enjoyed continuous growth and has since grown into a multi-discipline marine insurance brokerage and adviser. This year, the company will mark its 30th anniversary with the release of a new company logo, social media campaign, and celebrations later in the year.

About MHG Insurance Brokers

Established in 1991 in Miami, Florida, MHG Insurance Brokers is an independent, global, full-service insurance brokerage and consultative facility. Through its extensive relationships with international underwriting markets, MHG develops and provides a full range of employee benefits, risk mitigation programs, property and casualty insurance and financial services all supported by comprehensive attention to service support for all of our clients. In the marine community, MHG is well known for its expertise in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and developing MLC-aligned crew insurance solutions. In the U.S., MHG provides group and individual employee benefits along with advice on federal regulations regarding the Affordable Care Act. For more information about MHG Insurance Brokers and the services we provide, please visit mhginsurance.com.

From today, professional yacht crew anywhere in the world will be able to access 24-hour support via Yacht Crew Help, a new helpline launched by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).

Despite the many benefits of working on board a superyacht, the challenges of working away from home for long periods and living in close quarters with colleagues can become overwhelming. In a 2018 survey of superyacht crew, ISWAN found that 82% of superyacht crew experienced low crew morale sometimes, often or always, and 55% of female respondents found accessing mental health care to be an occasional or regular challenge.

Prompted by these findings, ISWAN set up a steering group of representatives from across the superyacht industry and collaborated to develop Yacht Crew Help – a free, confidential, multilingual helpline for professional yacht crew. Whatever problem someone is facing, wherever they are in the world, Yacht Crew Help will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide guidance and support. The helpline is run by ISWAN, a charity which promotes the welfare of seafarers working in all sectors of the maritime industry. The helpline officers are trained in counselling skills, suicide risk assessment and providing emotional support to crew all over the world, and the team is connected with a wide range of organisations to help yacht crew find further support.

ISWAN’s Executive Director Roger Harris said: ‘Although the superyacht industry can be glamorous, the demands on crew are very high and living in your workplace away from loved ones can be tough. With Yacht Crew Help, we want to make sure that men and women working on superyachts can easily access the support available to them worldwide whenever they need it – free of charge, day or night. We are incredibly grateful to all of our partners for helping us develop a service tailored to professional yacht crew and their specific needs.’

Captain Brendan O’Shannassy, President of the ISS Captain’s Committee and one of the key members of the Yacht Crew Help steering group, said: ‘The most valuable component of the superyacht industry are the crews. Yacht Crew Help will be key to educating and supporting yacht crew as they strive to deliver the excellence demanded by the industry. ISWAN are a highly credible non-commercial entity to provide this support without crew having any concern of commercial compromise when raising personal concerns.’

Crew members, whether they are currently on board or ashore, can currently contact Yacht Crew Help via three different contact methods:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3713 7273 (a call back can be requested via the Yacht Crew Help website)

E-mail: help@yachtcrewhelp.org

Live Chat: via www.yachtcrewhelp.org

A range of information, guidance and resources on issues affecting yacht crew is available on the Yacht Crew Help website at www.yachtcrewhelp.org, including mental health and wellbeing, bullying and harassment, sexual assault, substance misuse and employment concerns.

Yacht Crew Help would not be possible without the support and guidance of a number of key companies and organisations: Y.CO (Official yachting partner); Bond Technology Management & Consultancy (Primary partner); Burgess (Gold sponsor); MYBA (Gold sponsor); LYBRA (Gold sponsor); The Professional Yachting Association; Nautilus International; wilsonhalligan; MHG Insurance Brokers; United Advisers Marine; Yotspot; AYSS; Yachting Matters; Superyacht Charities; Impact Crew; International Superyacht Society; and Superyacht Services Guide.

For more information about Yacht Crew Help, please contact ISWAN’s Project Manager, Caitlin Vaughan: caitlin.vaughan@iswan.org.uk.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN): A charity and membership organisation which works to promote and support the welfare of seafarers all over the world. The free, 24-hour, multilingual helpline, SeafarerHelp, is one of the direct welfare services that ISWAN provides to seafarers. Others include relief funds for seafarers and their family members in need and a range of health information resources. ISWAN works with companies, unions, governments, welfare organisations and ports for the implementation of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. ISWAN supports those who establish and provide welfare facilities and services in port and on ships. ISWAN is funded by membership subscriptions, grants from foundations, sponsorship and earned income. For more information, visit www.seafarerswelfare.org.