Born into a humble family in Bogota, Colombia, Gonzalo Jimenez has always been motivated by his desire to be more and do more. After coming to the United States as a teenager, Gonzalo used his creativity and staunch work ethic to continue his education and start a new life in a new country. Today-still a humble man-Gonzalo is blessed with a beautiful family and one of the most successful insurance agencies in the state of Texas. Meaningful is the story of a simple man who followed his passion to build his ideal life. That life not only includes a successful career, but is a life rich with music, family and friends. Read along as Gonzalo shares his story and his heart-how he overcame adversity and conquered challenges to forge his own path and create his own future-a life filled with music, family and friends.

This applied study addresses the large flood exposures of Central Europe and proposes efficient financial and risk transfer mechanisms to mitigate fiscal losses from such natural catastrophes. In 2010 the V-4 Visegrad countries (i.e., Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) demonstrated their historical vulnerability to floods - Poland suffered $3.2 billion in flood related losses, comparable to it $3.5 billion of losses in 1997. Flood modeling analysis of the V-4 shows that a disaster event with a 5 percent probability in any given year can lead to economic losses in these countries of between 0.6 percent to 1.9 percent of GDP, as well as between 2.2 percent to 10.7 percent of government revenues. Larger events could quadruple such losses. The European Union Solidarity Fund is available as a mechanism for disasters but it comes into effect at only very high levels of losses, does not provide sufficient funding, and is not speedy. An insurance-like mechanism for National Governments can be tailored for country-portfolio needs for buildings, properties and critical infrastructure. By virtue of the broad territorial scope, fiscal support should use mechanisms that provide payments triggered by physical flood measurements in selected areas (rather than site-by-site losses as in the traditional insurance industry). A multi-country mechanism for insurance pooling of risks to protect infrastructure can also provide major cost efficiencies for all governments, using parametric-or index contracts. Savings from pooling can range from 25 to 33 percent of the financing costs that each country would otherwise have paid on its own. There are several instruments and options for both insurance, and debt financed mechanisms for funding catastrophes. All instruments can be analyzed based on equivalencies in terms of market spreads. A hybrid-like instrument, the catastrophe bond, is really a risk transfer instrument but structured as a debt security. The V-4 countries should therefore begin to set up the financial mechanisms to prevent major fiscal losses from future catastrophic floods and avoid fiscal disruptions when these occur. The instruments proposed can be market tested and supplemented with exacting studies on hydrology and topography used to fine tune the loss estimations per event and where property and infrastructure are exposed.|Kill the Messenger is perhaps the most thorough and authoritative work in defense of educational testing ever written. Phelps points out that much research conducted by education insiders on the topic is based on ideological preference or profound self-interest. It is not surprising that they arrive at emphatically anti-testing conclusions. Much, if not most, of this hostile research is passed on to the public by journalists as if it were neutral, objective, and independent. This volume explains and refutes many of the common criticisms of testing; describes testing opponents strategies, through case studies of Texas and the SAT; illustrates the profound media bias against testing; acknowledges testings limitations, and suggests how it can be improved; and finally, outlines the consequences of losing the war on standardized testing.

Let author, Kevin L. Glaser, CPCU, CIC, SCLA, ARM, AAI, AIC, ARM-P, AIS, share with you his wealth of first-hand experiences gained in his roles as insurance company adjuster, underwriter, marketing representative, risk manager, and expert witness over a period of thirty years. This revised third edition contains expanded content in most chapters, including factors affecting the price of insurance, litigation related information, comparisons of the insurance industry to the automobile industry, as well as the addition of an index and new easier-to-read book formatting. Who should read Inside the Insurance Industry - Third Edition? This book contains useful information for attorneys, new insurance company hires, risk managers, financial planners, business owners, college students taking insurance courses and individuals who purchase insurance to protect their financial well-being. Sample areas of interest to readers include: Mechanisms and processes by which insurance is sold -Identification of various distribution methods -Definitions of common industry terminology Internal workings of insurance companies -Discussion of responsibilities of departments such as marketing, claims, underwriting, policy services, audit, loss control, legal, actuary, subrogation, internal audit, product development, information technology and management Little known factors that impact insurance companies and policyholders Factors affecting the price of insurance -How to get the best insurance deal -When (and how) to make an insurance claim External resources available to assist purchasers of insurance -Consultants -Public adjusters Risk management -Risk manager essential responsibilities -Sample case study Litigation-related information What the future holds for the insurance industry This book is written in an easy-to-understand format which allows people with limited experience working with insurance to better understand many areas of insurance which were previously unknown to them. It contains just the right mix of broad and specific information. All of the above are valuable reasons to purchase Inside the Insurance Industry - Third Edition. But the #1 reason for you to buy this book is that it will save you money

Organisations and Companies should consider whether they have ensured everything possible has been completed to make their products, processes and procedures safe, and they have concise documentation to prove the actions that has been taken. The purpose of this book is to provide a step by step guide in achieving safety by Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment that culminates in a safety culture and a duty of care

Ever dream of having the freedom to travel? Do you ever wish you had more time off? Adjuster's Life shows you how to do just that-and get paid for it to boot. Your new business as an Independent Insurance Adjuster is at your fingertips. Now, there's no need to waste time and money going to an expensive school. What you need to know, from resume to payday, is packed inside the pages of this little book. No sales gimmick or hook. Just the simple words of a seasoned adjuster penned with sweat from years of one on one field training. This manual comes not only with words, examples and web-links, but a promise to coach as you build your adjusting career. Do you want to see what it's like to ride through a storm as an adjuster? Well then, what're you waiting for? Jump in-let's roll. This business thrives in any economy, and you can too. Whether you're looking for a rewarding career or just want to become a better adjuster-this is for you.

You don't need to read this book, but you'll want to...
Any successful businessperson today knows you have to drive positive results to be competitive in your marketplace. You've got to continually look for ways to cut costs, improve staff efficiency, and drive higher sales.
Some of you need money to purchase new capital equipment or repair your current equipment to stay competitive. This book is filled with insights and strategies that are designed to help you do the following: Increase profitability Lower operating costs Reduce business risk that you may be totally unaware of Make you more competitive in your marketplace This book will show you how to lower the human and financial costs of your workers' compensation program which is a huge cost driver to your profitability. Specifically, it will review the policies and procedures you should have in place to accomplish the goals listed above. The book will also share with you some tools used by companies today to streamline big ticket areas, including training and claims management.
Who should read this book?
This book is designed for CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Risk Managers, HR directors, Administrators, Safety Directors and Claim Coordinators. It offers a comprehensive "holistic approach" to an integrated system to all levels of company management. Some material will speak the language C-Suite executives relate to, but there will also be material that will need to be communicated and carried out throughout your company.
Here is what this book will help you achieve.
You will take away a clear understanding of how to administer a successful workers' compensation program in your business. The book is broken down into easy manageable steps, which are all part of a system called the "PX4" process.
Here is the good news. The "PX4" process works Your company will experience fewer claims and those claims will cost you less, on average. Following the "PX4" process outlined in this book will drive better results for your company and make you more competitive in your marketplace.
Ask yourself this question.
What if you changed some business practices within your company which had the effect of adding millions of dollars to your topline sales results, put you in control and increased your profitability, would you be interested in knowing how companies are accomplishing that? If yes, read on.
The ideas revealed in Accidents Waiting to Happen provide user-friendly, turnkey, and proven strategies that will put you in control in the administration of a results-focused, successful workers' compensation program, whatever your industry.
"The concepts presented in this book are "spot on" for companies looking to become "Best in Class." If you truly want to become more competitive in your marketplace, it is important to understand from an insurance company perspective, employers considered "Best in Class" typically receive better pricing at renewal time." " Eleanor Powell-Yoder, President, Michigan Commercial Insurance Mutual"
"It is extremely important to pick partners who can truly help your company. In that regard, we are glad to have worked with Rick. I was amazed that in just eight short months, he dramatically lowered the number and severity of workers' compensation claims we typically had through the years, improving our profitability and lowering your operating costs. With his leadership, we effectively added over $13 million to our financial statement. I highly recommend you read his book." " Jim Ginas, President, Southeast Modular Manufacturing"

Scott Cooper has simplified the complex world of business insurance specifically catered to restaurants industry, regardless of their size or number of locations. In this comprehensive book he has utilized his 27 years of being a restaurant commercial Insurance Broker and an ex-restaurant owner to provide invaluable must know information. The Ultimate Guide to Business Insurance - Restaurant Edition you will get: -Answers to most common questions asked about all lines of commercial restaurant insurance. -The knowledge to ask all the right questions from your Agent -What are the most damaging and prevalent claims which are on the rise -How to separate Myths from Facts by understanding real claim situations. -Must know information on how to eliminate and/or reduce your claims -Practical solutions to reduce insurance costs Bonus Section of interviews with other professional industry experts. - A Top Industry Legal Counsel discusses employment practices and what are the most common lawsuits against restaurant owners. Also, what are the do's and don'ts of handling employees. - A Top Southern California Restaurant Broker with wealth of information on how to buy and sell a restaurant and what to watch out for xxxxxx - A Financial Consultant specializing on key principals coverage and protection. Also how to evaluate your numbers and profitability. This is a must read for new and experienced restaurant owners, managers and operators.

The Ultimate Medicare Decision-Making formula is designed to simplify and educate readers about the seemingly complicated and confusing aspects of Medicare. It will also enable them to make swift and accurate decisions in regards to their health and prescription drug choices. Developed through thousands of hours working with new Medicare beneficiaries, this proprietary decision making process will allow you as the reader to select the right Medicare health plan for your individual health care needs, lifestyle, and budget. You'll find everything you need to know from when, where and how to apply for benefits, to the optimization of your plan from year to year. In addition to the book itself, readers will also have the ability to access audio-video tools as well as personal assistance via the internet. Finally, the consumer tips following each relevant chapter will help readers avoid common pitfalls associated with the enrollment, and plan selection of Medicare. Although designed primarily for the new Medicare enrollee, this material is relevant to anyone receiving benefits from Medicare.

Gaining Cooperation is designed to help any Workers' Comp Professional who deals with injured workers on a regular basis. Sometimes injured workers can be uncooperative. They may not want to sign a form, give information, or supply documentation, even if it is to their benefit. This book provides the reader with a simple three- step process to not only getting the injured worker's cooperation, but to improving customer service. Some basic maxims are outlined and explained to help the reader gain the cooperation they are looking for. Maxim #1: Great negotiators never argue with reasons, they argue with facts. Maxim#2: You never have to prove anyone wrong, you only have to prove yourself right. Maxim#3: People will consider your point of view to the exact degree that you demonstrate you understand their point of view. This book relies heavily on the "acknowledgment tool" to help the reader see that a little bit of empathy can go a long way.

Broker Executive is a strategic guidebook for business owners and executives to help them get the most out of their insurance and insurance broker. It also describes a new type of insurance broker - the broker executive - as one who adheres to the highest standards of customer service and business ethics. This book gives business executives an understanding of the thought process their broker should go through to find the right solution for them, with an emphasis on the usage of life insurance as a business tool. It identifies some of the hazards of the insurance world, and ways to avoid them. It also uncovers techniques top brokers can use to create additional value using insurance, including succession planning and key personnel retention strategies.

Do you know what percentage of your income the government defines as "affordable" when it comes to what you will pay for your health insurance? Will you be eligible for government subsidies? If your employer offers you coverage you may not be, even if you don't take it. Do you know why most Americans under 65 will not be able to keep the health insurance that they currently have? In this book you will find concise explanations about the sweeping changes Obamacare brings to health insurance in America, what it means to you and what your options are. When finished with this short read you will have a comprehensive knowledge of how this law affects you and things that you can do right now that will save you money in the future. What you will not find in this book is theory, rationale or politics. Obamacare is the law of the land in America and beginning in 2014 it is going to have a huge impact on the way Americans obtain and pay for their health insurance. What you need are the facts provided here, everything else is academic. This book is a must read for every American under the age of 65. For over 30 years, Ronald's clients have benefited from his expertise as a benefits broker and his ability to explain complex matters in easy to understand, simple English. This book deals with Obamacare in that same manner.

Old Risks-New Solutions, or Is It The Other Way Around is the latest in a series of volumes which examines new developments in the political risk insurance (PRI) industry. Based on presentations made at the 2010 MIGA Georgetown Symposium, it provides important insights into challenges facing investors and practitioners from the political risk insurance (PRI) industry, including investors, insurers, brokers, lenders, academics and members of the legal community. This volume reflects the key issues which have faced investors and insurers alike including arbitration and a dynamically evolving marketplace. Contributors to this volume reflect on the evolution of the PRI industry during a period of dramatic changes in the marketplace. Not only has the crisis had a tremendous impact on the volume of investment projects, particularly into developing countries, but also on the perception of risk and claims management. The volume begins with a look at the global market place in the aftermath of the financial crisis from an insurer's perspective. It continues with an overview of claims experience and key issues investors should understand when relying on bilateral investment treaties. The volume then examines challenges facing investors and insurers alike when considering sovereign risk within the context of political risk. The volume concludes with an overview of the PRI industry and its evolution over time - how did insurers see the global marketplace evolving over time, what are they predicting now, and how much has it really changed? Old Risks - New Solutions provides valuable insights for practitioners and investors alike, particularly in today's turbulent and uncertain markets.

If your goal is to pass your insurance test the first time without the hassle of big thick study books, the Life & Health Insurance, Iowa License Exam Manual is right for you. Every effort has been made to reduce the number of pages necessary to pass the test. The fresh format has smaller bites of information. Each exam topic is followed by multiple choice questions to reinforce your learning. Designed to stand alone or be used as a supplement, this easy to read manual is complete with a table of contents, insurance text, over 500 multiple choice practice questions, study tips and test taking tips. You will learn the exam topics needed to successfully pass your Life insurance test: types of policies, policy riders, provisions, options, exclusions, completing the application, underwriting, delivering the policy, taxes, retirement, other insurance concepts, and Iowa rules and regulations. Health insurance test topics include: types of policies, policy provisions, clauses, riders, social insurance, field underwriting procedures, other insurance concepts, and Iowa rules and regulations.

The Handbook on Systemic Risk, written by experts in the field, provides researchers with an introduction to the multifaceted aspects of systemic risks facing the global financial markets. The Handbook explores the multidisciplinary approaches to analyzing this risk, the data requirements for further research, and the recommendations being made to avert financial crisis. The Handbook is designed to encourage new researchers to investigate a topic with immense societal implications as well as to provide, for those already actively involved within their own academic discipline, an introduction to the research being undertaken in other disciplines. Each chapter in the Handbook will provide researchers with a superior introduction to the field and with references to more advanced research articles. It is the hope of the editors that this Handbook will stimulate greater interdisciplinary academic research on the critically important topic of systemic risk in the global financial markets.

"Commercial Insurance Claim Secrets Revealed is Russell D. Longcore's follow-up book to his Top Selling book "Insurance Claim Secrets Revealed." This new book concentrates on commercial insurance claims, and shows you how to take control of your commercial insurance claims, and collect thousands more dollars in your claim settlements Russell D. Longcore release his first book, "Insurance Claim Secrets Revealed" in June 2007. By October 2007, the book had reached the Number One Position for insurance claims books at Amazon. It has remained in the #1 position every month continuously to this very day in 2012..nearly FIVE YEARS AT THE TOP The book is also the #1 book on insurance claims for the most general search term "Insurance." "Commercial Insurance Claim Secrets Revealed is the best book you can own on the strategies YOU need to use to get the insurance companies to pay you ALL the money you are entitled to collect when you have a commercial claim. Wouldn't you agree that nothing else matters about insurance other than getting the claim PAID IN FULL? In this book, you will learn: - The games and scams insurance companies use to cut costs and keep claim payments at the lowest amounts possible - When it's the right time to use an attorney - How you can take control of your claim, and not allow the insurance company or claims adjuster to control YOU - What a Public Adjuster is, and the valuable help you can get from Public Adjusters - That the insurance adjuster is NOT there to help YOU - and much more You will learn: - Insider tips about the Commercial Package policies that might save your business - Why Liability Insurance can be more important than Property coverage - Business Income claims can make you or break you. Learn how to win - About Diminished Value on automobiles, and how it can cost you THOUSANDS if you don't fight - Inland Marine coverage: You can't live without it - The Co-Insurance Clause: Miss this and lose untold thousands at claim time - Hopelessly deadlocked with the insurance company? Win with the Appraisal Clause - Using The Unfair Claims Practices statutes to protect yourself and WIN - And so much more Ask yourself these questions: Do you carry a spare tire and jumper cables in the trunk of your car? Do you have a toolbox at home? Have you ever bought a book or read an article that showed you how to fix something? Do you own a first aid kit? Do you have a fire extinguisher or smoke alarms in your home? Why would you do ANY of those things? Answer: So you are prepared BEFORE something bad happens. READ THIS BOOK BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO YOU READ THIS BOOK AFTER SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO YOU, TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING WORSE This book should be on the desk of every CEO and CFO in America.

How much do you pay for your auto insurance? If you are reading this, the answer is most likely "too much " You are looking for information that will help you save your hard-earned dollars, and you have found it.

"Ten Questions" has been completely updated, revised, and expanded for 2012. It has also been reformatted for the Kindle at last, and the most effective way to use the guide is to own both the ebook and paperback versions.

"Ten Questions" is not a book for "dummies," but it is an easy to use, half-hour read, specifically designed to help save you money.

It is a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the underwriting process involved in determining the amount of premium you pay. The facts and clear examples included in the guide are based on my years of experience as a top-rated Sales Agent, and the thousands of auto insurance policies I personally have sold.

Chapter One, "Risk" will help you understand what factors are used to determine your rating "tier," and how to improve them. The amount of premium you pay is determined by the amount of "risk" you are seen to represent. Much of that determination is made through your answers to a series of questions you will be asked, either online, or in person by an agent. These are the "Ten Questions" referred to in the title.

Chapter Two, "Discounts" contains a detailed description of nearly every available auto insurance discount, and how to obtain them. A single 5% discount that you have been missing each policy term is costing you far more than this guide will. You will also gain the knowledge that you will need to progressively lower your rates over time.

Chapter Three, "Coverages" is a comprehensive explanation of nearly every available auto insurance coverage, including what each one does, (and does not do) for you, and how to the determine the proper balance of cost versus benefit when choosing them. When you finish reading it, you will know more about auto insurance than most agents do. "Ten Questions" isn't about getting the cheapest policy at the cheapest price: It's about getting the best policy at the best price.

Chapter Four, "Sample Quote Process," is your ultimate weapon in getting your new policy, because it details an actual phone quote in real time, along with the "correct" answers to the "Ten Questions." Knowledge is power, and this guide is a very powerful tool that you will be able to use as long as you are driving and insuring vehicles.

Advanced Topics is new for 2012, and this section includes "Youthful Driver Strategies," and "State Specific Information," such as a layman's explanation of so-called "No-Fault" coverages, and "Full," versus "Limited" Tort.

The Appendix contains all the technical terms that are used in the guide, to help you understand the "trade talk" in the auto insurance industry.

This guide will save you money in several ways, including: It will help you find and qualify for discounts. It will show you how to improve your rating tier, and lower your "base rate." It will help you allocate your premium dollars more effectively, so that you get the best coverage at the best price.

Find out what the insurance companies don't want you to know, like the fact that you can switch carriers any time you want, as often as you want. You do not have to wait until your current policy renews in order to do so.

Learn the answers to the "Ten Questions "today, and get a better policy for less money, tomorrow.

There are a handful of Long-Term Care books and Long-Term Care Insurance books which have been published. Some explain Medicare and Medicaid in depth. Others include guidance in elder law issues, or in choosing a care provider or facility (aka "community"). Still others explain Long-Term Care Insurance exhaustively, down to the last industry-specific contractual clause. This book is aimed at those who have decided they need to plan ahead for eventual care, but want data: what is their risk, what does care cost where they live, what sources of funds do they have access to which will pay for care, etc. The book offers an even-handed approach; there is no attempt to coerce the reader into buying a product or service. This book is unique, first because of its primary purpose: to review every possible method of paying for Long-Term Care at some point in the future. It won't help you if you're currently caring for a family member, and it doesn't explain Medicaid, Medicare, or Long-Term Care Insurance in depth. It does give what I believe to be the relevant details of the governmental plans which help pay for care, and the private, insurance industry plans which help pay for care. It's also a resource for those who want to know if it makes sense to self-fund their care with cash or assets. Following the review of all sources of payment, etc., you'll find a workbook which will walk you through the number crunching related to setting a budget and creating a plan to pay for future Long-Term Care. The workbook is also unique. This is your opportunity: don't ignore this issue

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast region, causing intense winds, high rainfall, waves, and storm surge, as well as economic disruptions in states throughout the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic region. Communities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut were particularly hard hit. The devastating floods exposed vulnerabilities in the region's public transportation and infrastructure and underscores the nation's growing exposure to coastal hazards. The full economic cost of Sandy will not be known for years, but current preliminary estimates of physical property damage, not including flood losses likely to be paid under the government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), range from $30 billion to $55 billion, of which about $16 billion to $22 billion will be privately insured losses. Sandy is expected to require substantial federal disaster recovery assistance, including tens of billions for flood and hurricane protection and coastal restoration. Given the geographic scope of heavily flooded areas and residential take-up rates (number of flood policies divided by total number of households) in affected coastal communities that participate in the NFIP, government payouts under the NFIP are estimated to be from $12 billion to $15 billion in flood claims. This amount exceeds the $4 billion in cash and remaining borrowing authority from the Treasury Department. The Obama Administration has announced it will ask Congress to raise the NFIP borrowing authority to $25 billion, or $4.025 billion over its current borrowing authority. But some experts have suggested a $30 billion borrowing cap would be needed to cover even higher projected losses. Emergency supplemental spending on disaster assistance comes at a time when Congress is considering spending cuts and tax increases to address the nation's fiscal debt. In the wake of disaster clean-up and recovery along much of the East Coast region, policymakers, local officials, and other stakeholder groups have expressed a range of flood management concerns facing the NFIP. These include (1) escalating spending on federal emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief assistance; (2) uncertainty surrounding the NFIP's ability to reduce the nation's growing exposure to flood losses; (3) rising population growth and economic development in coastal watershed counties or floodplains areas exposed to hurricane induced coastal floods; (4) persistently low insurance participation (take-up rates) in the NFIP; and (5) financing the cost of rebuilding communities stronger, more resilient. On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, P.L. 112-141, that reauthorized the NFIP through September 30, 2017, and made a number of reforms to strengthen the future financial solvency and administrative efficiency of the program by raising historically low premiums and reducing homeowners' incentives for rebuilding in flood risk zones. However, several post-reform issues of contention remain for congressional consideration: revisions in the analysis and mapping of non-accredited levees; actuarial soundness, program solvency, and affordability; debt forgiveness; an integrated watershed flood risk assessment framework; and expansion of the private-sector role in flood risk. This publication provides an analysis of flood risk management, summarizes major challenges facing the NFIP, and outlines key reforms in the recently enacted Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. The publication also identifies and presents some key remaining flood management issues for congressional considerations, and it concludes with a discussion of relevant policy options for the future financial management of flood hazards in the United States.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures home mortgages made by private lenders against the possibility of borrower default. If the borrower does not repay the mortgage, FHA pays the lender the remaining principal amount owed. By insuring lenders against the possibility of borrower default, FHA is intended to expand access to mortgage credit to households, such as those with smaller down payments or below-average credit histories, who might not otherwise be able to obtain a mortgage at an affordable interest rate or at all. FHA also traditionally plays a countercyclical role in the mortgage market. In other words, it generally insures more mortgages during periods when lenders and private mortgage insurers tighten their lending standards and reduce activity in response to market conditions, and it generally insures fewer mortgages at times when lenders and private mortgage insurers make mortgage credit more easily available. When an FHA-insured mortgage goes to foreclosure, the lender files a claim with FHA for the remaining amount owed on the mortgage. Claims on FHA-insured loans have traditionally been paid out of an account, known as the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMI Fund), that is funded through fees paid by borrowers, rather than through appropriations. However, if FHA were ever unable to pay claims that it owed, it can draw on permanent and indefinite budget authority with the U.S. Treasury to pay those claims without additional congressional action. In recent years, increased default and foreclosure rates, as well as economic factors such as falling house prices, have contributed to an increase in expected losses on FHA-insured loans. This increase in expected losses has put pressure on the MMI Fund and reduced the amount of resources that FHA has on hand to pay for additional, unexpected future losses. This has led to concern that FHA may need to draw on its permanent and indefinite budget authority for funds from Treasury to hold in reserve to pay for these higher expected future losses, or, eventually, to pay insurance claims. An annual actuarial review of the MMI Fund released in November 2012 showed that, according to current estimates, FHA does not currently have enough funds on hand to cover all of its expected future losses on the loans that it currently insures. The results of this actuarial review heightened concerns that FHA could need funds from Treasury. However, whether FHA actually needs to draw funds from Treasury would be determined as part of the annual budget process, not by the actuarial review. FHA faces an inherent tension between protecting its financial health and fulfilling its mission of expanding access to mortgage credit. In addition, the share of mortgages insured by FHA has increased in the past several years as the availability of mortgage credit has tightened, further contributing to this tension. FHA has recently proposed or implemented a number of changes to its single-family mortgage insurance program that are intended to minimize risk to the MMI Fund while still allowing FHA to support the mortgage market and expand access to affordable mortgages. These changes have included increasing the fees that it charges to borrowers for insurance, modifying its underwriting criteria, and taking steps to increase oversight of lenders who make FHA-insured loans. While many of these changes were made administratively by FHA, some involved congressional action. Congress has also weighed additional changes to FHA's programs, and has considered additional legislation aimed at protecting the financial health of the MMI Fund. An example of such a bill is the FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012 (H.R. 4264), which passed the House of Representatives during the 112th Congress. An identical bill (S. 3678) has been introduced in the Senate.

Insurance plays a positive role in economic development, but some of its traditional products are inhibiting in some cultural settings. 'Takaful and Mutual Insurance: Alternative Approaches to Managing Risks' explains the development of a hybrid model. Takaful (which means 'cooperative') is intended to deal with three prohibited or haram practices under Islam: the payment of interest (riba), the existence of uncertainty in a transaction (gharar), and gambling (maysir). The primary intent of this relatively recent entry to world insurance markets is to provide a core service to Muslims and others who have religious or ethical objections to conventional commercial insurance models. A secondary intent is to develop a model that deals with the capital challenges that have faced mutual insurers in the West and the subsequent decline of the mutual business model. Two realities-the uneven approaches to takaful and the economic potential that its availability is releasing-mean that it is especially important to facilitate debates that promote an understanding of takaful. This book-while not attempting to take on a role belonging to sharia lawyers and regulators in Islamic countries-provides a comprehensive overview of mutual insurance structures, including Christian and Jewish examples as well as other hybrid models, to provide a broad overview of the universe of operating models and to present ideas for moving forward. It also explores avenues for further opportunities, including the application of takaful to microinsurance markets in emerging countries with large Muslim populations. Takaful and Mutual Insurance: Alternative Approaches to Managing Risks seeks to increase the understanding, appreciation, and discussion of the challenges and solutions needed for the active development and implementation of takaful.

If your goal is to pass your insurance test the first time without the hassle of big thick study books, the Health Insurance, Iowa License Exam Manual is right for you. Every effort has been made to reduce the number of pages necessary to pass the test. The fresh format has smaller bites of information. Each exam topic is followed by multiple choice questions to reinforce your learning. Designed to stand alone or be used as a supplement, this easy to read manual is complete with a table of contents, insurance text, over 250 multiple choice practice questions, study tips and test taking tips. You will learn the exam topics needed to successfully pass your insurance test: types of policies, policy provisions, clauses, riders, social insurance, field underwriting procedures, other insurance concepts, and Iowa rules and regulations.

It is well known that migration law often imposes restrictions which severely in uence entitlement and access to social security bene ts for migrant workers. However, in the wake of new social problems created by economic globalization, new patterns of migration, and political pressures - and in an effort to make sure that countries treat each other's subjects equally and that rights to bene ts are maintained - an increasing number of countries today have entered into bilateral and multilateral social security agreements with a basis in human rights. A network of such agreements is now starting to extend over the entire globe.

Every year wildfire destroys thousands of homes, devastates countless lives and burns millions of acres. And every year people who've lost everything say, "We didn't think it would happen to us. If only we'd been better prepared." Now homeowners have a straight-talking handbook to help them get prepared, stay alive and rebuild their lives if disaster strikes. Surviving Wildfire's compelling combination of real-life experience and in-depth research makes it an indispensable tool for anyone living with wildfire risk. CONTENTS Assessing Your Risk; Firewise Building & Remodeling; Defensible Space You Can Live With; Advance Planning (A Pound of Prevention Can Save a Ton of Trouble); Evacuation Essentials (What to Take, When to Leave, How to Escape); Insurance (How Much You Need, What It Covers, How It Works); Filing a Claim (Insider Tips & Tactics); Recovery (Picking Up Your Pieces & Starting Over); Our Story; plus an Appendix with further resources for homeowners.

Nonfinancial Defined Contribution (NDC) schemes are now in their teens. The new pension concept was born in the early 1990s, implemented from the mid-1990s in Italy, Latvia, Poland and Sweden, legislated most recently in Norway and Egypt and serves as inspiration for other reform countries. This innovative unfunded individual account scheme created high hopes at a time when the world seemed to have been locked into a stalemate between piecemeal reforms of ailing traditional defined benefit schemes and introducing pre-funded financial account schemes. The experiences and conceptual issues of NDC in its childhood were reviewed in a prior anthology (Holzmann and Palmer, 2006). This new anthology serves to review its adolescence and with the aim of contributing to a successful adulthood. To this end the book offers a deep and comprehensive review of the experience of countries where NDC schemes have been in place for a decade or more, takes stock of the discussions of the place of NDCs in the world of pension reform, and addresses in detail important issues related to implementation and design, such as the of the "NDC story", making transparent the legacy costs, financial accounting, balancing, creation of a reserve fund, gender, and longevity. The book also contains analyses of the pros and cons of NDC contra FDC and a typical paygo DB scheme in two Latin American countries. The key policy conclusions include: (i) NDC schemes work well (as documented by the experience of Italy, Latvia, Poland and Sweden during the crisis) but there is room to make them work even better; (ii) Go for an immediate transition to the new scheme to avoid future problems; (iii) Identify the legacy costs and their explicit financing during the transition as they will hit you otherwise soon; (iv) Adopt an explicit stabilising mechanism to guarantee solvency; (v) Establish a reserve fund to guarantee liquidity; (vi) Elaborate an explicit mechanism to share the systemic longevity risk; and, last but not least; (vii) Address the gender implications of NDC with deeper analysis and open political discourse.