Category: Repairs

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There are many reasons why one might want to install a car tracking system. Apart from the usual tracking purposes, it can also be used as an anti-theft device. It can also be used to monitor a particular driver and his driving habits. GPS devices have many professional purposes as well. In businesses like cargo delivery, car rental or ambulance service, these devices are indispensable.

Whatever might the purpose be, these devices work flawlessly and are actually easy to install as well. Once installed, these devices work with the global positioning system so they can deliver real-time location of the vehicle always. The direction of movement, the speed and of course, the location can be known remotely. The technology has reached such heights that these devices can also tell of the time spent halting at different locations. One can even opt for geo-fencing where the alarm will be activated once the car ventures outside the predefined route. All these data can also be stored in a central database for future reference.

Coming to the installing of such devices to your car, first thing you need is to find a power source for those. There are two ways to provide power to these devices. One can use dedicated batteries to power it, or one can also feed it from the battery of the car. If you want the second option, you need to go to a professional. However, if using dedicated power source, it is very easy to install and anyone can do it. You need to buy the device, and also a magnet-proof and weather-proof case to house it.

Now power the device using the battery cell and put the active device into the case. Put the case somewhere where it will not be seen easily. Next step is to test the device.

Once you have put the case into a safe and hidden area of the car, take the car out and drive for a while. Note the location, the speed, the direction and the halt timings manually. After the drive, check if the case is safe and secure where you put it. Now use the computer and check the data collected by the device. Compare it against your manual notes. If everything matches, you have successfully installed a GPS device yourself. If not, you better consult a professional. Also, keep a note about the battery so you don’t run out of power.

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A car power inverter is built to perform the function of an AC/DC inverter. It conveniently plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet to give a reliable power source while away from home. The inverter has a variety of sockets including a USB port to accept most standard items of electronic equipment. This means it is possible to charge power tools, games consoles, cell phones, or laptops when camping or similar.

There are a wide range of car power inverter units with a choice of outlets. They can vary with the type and number of outlets, as well as the voltage that can be handled.

Here is an overview of the different types of car power inverter:

Single

The most cost-effective option is the single outlet inverter. They are built with a single 3-pronged outlet to accept one electronic item. The current capacity can vary between 150 watts and 200 watts. A useful benefit of this unit is its compact size, which makes it really easy to use and store. Also, the ability to power only one device at a time means there is a low risk of overloading the system. But, the single use option means the all-round use is limited and not a practical choice when multiple devices are in need of charging. If it is necessary to charge several devices, the inverter will be in use for a long time, which can put a strain on the vehicle battery.

Multiple

The Multiple outlet inverters are a lot more expensive and larger than the single outlet units. Most are built to power two devices, although there are some that have up to three and include a higher wattage capacity. This type of inverter is great on a campsite when it is necessary to power a DVD player and television at the same time. When using the multiple outlet inverters it is essential to make sure the electronic items do not exceed the accepted capacity limit of the inverter. If it does go above the maximum limit the devices may not perform correctly or simply not work at all.

USB

There are certain inverters that include one or more USB ports. This is often in conjunction with the 3-pronged outlets. Easy access to USB power is practical to charge a wide range of devices like tablet PCs, smart phones, or other gadgets powered via a USB cable. Similar to the multiple outlet inverters it is important to avoid charging devices that will exceed the maximum current rating.

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Having a foundation repair service done on your home is not only very inconvenient, but also very expensive. Before calling your contractor, you should first calculate the total expense that you will incur you wish to repair your home foundation. There are many factors that you should involve in your calculation such as time, materials and the labor of the workers. After you have prepared a rough estimate about the cost, you can now contact your contractor in order to have him repair your foundation.

There are various factors that affect the total cost of your foundation repair. Most contractors will agree to repair your foundation for about three hours in a 100 square feet area with the helped of his skilled labor. The extent of the deterioration and damage is also put into account. More foundation to be repaired also means more costs to be incurred. The stones in your foundation are also a factor on the cost of your repair. The smaller the stones used in your foundation, the more joints to be repaired. This means that it will cost more to repair your problematic foundation. Another factor that would affect the cost of your repair work is the cause of the cracks. Cracks that were caused by leakage due to water in the soil generally cost more since they are going to pump up the water to start the repairing process. Replacement of the misaligned floor tiles must also be put into consideration. The time to repair these damages will also affect the overall cost of the repair work.

It is always highly recommended to take at least three estimates from different contractors before starting the job in order to give you the idea of ​​the total cost that you might incur. Most contractors will give free estimates to their customers so take this chance to know how much you are going to spend on getting your damaged home repaired. You also need to avoid cheap estimates since most of them are not the best deals that you should opt for. The material to be used to repair your home's structure might be substandard or the process of fixing may not be effective in making sure the structure is properly aligned and fixed. A higher estimate may mean that their work is of high quality and you never have to worry about your home anymore. You should always check the reputation of your contractor so that you can be assured that the repair service you're going to get is of good quality.

Contractors usually calculate the cost by taking into account how wide the area is to be repaired. Repairing a crack will generally cost you around $ 400 to $ 800 depending on the size of the crack. The entire basement floor that needs to be repaired would cost around $ 200 to $ 400. Replacing broken rods in your foundation will cost about $ 70 per foot. These rough estimations will help you have a good idea on how much is the total cost of the repair process. Take note that these repairs must be done by professionals only since they know what the best materials and techniques to be used in order to properly repair your home's structure.

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One annoying aspect about watches is how easily their straps break. They have that annoying little pin that slides into the hole at the top of the strap then fixes onto the watch itself. But the strap constantly falls off. If you have a watch for more than two years it will probably happen 4 or 5 times. Usually it can by fixed by yourself. Easily done, just slide the pin back into place. The problem comes when you bend that pin or lose it. Where do you get a new one?

Well of course you take it to a watchmakers to be fixed. Basically you get a new strap. It costs very little and takes a small amount of time to be done. There is virtually no waiting.

The problem comes when the watchmaker asks what strap you want. Nowadays there are so many different types. There are leather and metal straps as well as all different colors and designs. You came into get your watch fixed and you are now faced with the difficult but strangely pleasurably experience of trying to decide what strap will look the best. Which one will give you the most attention?

When you walk out of that shop you may as well be wearing a whole new watch it so little resembles what it looks like a mere five minutes ago. Yes by all means get your strap repaired just remember it is now considered as one of the most important aspects of the watch and can change its whole feel.

I remember I bought an awful watch from the market precisely for the reason that it was cheap. Nasty, but cheap. Like all cheap things from the market it broke within days. I caught the strap in a door and it ripped off. So off I went to the watch repair to get a new one. When I came out of that shop I still had the same awful digital clock face, but instead of the sweaty plastic strap I had a gorgeous green leather one. I loved my watch after that and it has to be said it drew a number of compliments.

The problem comes from course when you have an old watch and the strap breaks maybe for the first time. You go to the repair shop intent on getting the same strap and they no longer have it in stock. In fact it is no longer made. The best advice for that situation is trying the Internet. If that does not work there are enough straps out there to find a similar looking one. It may not quite be the same, but I suppose their is nothing you can do.

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As an employer or a participant you might be leaving money on the table by not properly taking advantage of certain features and benefits of your company’s health insurance. As a licensed Consultant and Group Benefits Brokerage company, with clients across the country, we are successful in reducing group benefit expenses because of our experience and our intimate knowledge of the factors used in determining pricing. This top 10 list should be helpful in increasing your insurance knowledge, maximizing your plan benefits and possibly reducing your company’s expenses.

Background and Overview:

For most companies, group benefit plans, specifically medical benefits, are among the highest non-producing company expenses. Unlike other expenses, medical benefits hits home since it affects our employees and our families personally. Therefore, it is of paramount concern that the CFO and Director of Human Resources take into consideration the needs of their employees, the needs of their employees’ families, pricing, and specific benefits being offered.

The ability for an employee or an employee’s family member to use a favorite physician such as a Pediatrician or an OB/GYN is often affected by this decision. The ability for employees and their families to use specialized treatment centers in the event of a catastrophic medical situation also lies in the balance of the Health Benefits decision. Quality and access to medical care varies from insurance carrier to insurance carrier.

Staffing and Retention:

The primary purpose of Group Benefits as a whole as it relates to employers is to attract and retain employees. It goes without saying that the broader the benefits, the easier it would be to attract and retain a higher quality workforce.

As a reciprocal, industries that utilize high turn-over positions with minimum-wage employees may not necessarily choose to utilize the highest quality insurance policies to attract and retain employees. Employee pools may be abundant and the bottom-line total expenses may be more important than the quality and level of care offered.

With that said, let us share with you some money-saving ideas and under-utilized features of your medical benefits. Keep in mind that some items may relate to your current coverage while others suggest a change in coverage or a change in features of your plans.

The following represents our list of the top 10 frequently made mistakes as it relates to Group Health Insurance. This list is in no particular order. Each item may or may not apply to your current situation.

Top 10 Medical Benefits Mistakes:

1. Not Catching Medical Problems Early

To use a few cliché’s, “a stitch in time saves nine” or “prevention is the best medicine”, or “kill the monster while it is tiny.” I am not sure if the last one is a main-stream cliché but it does hammer home the point that prevention is often the best medicine. Early detection is the second best course of treatment. Many doctors argue that colon cancer is extremely treatable if it is caught in the earliest stages. If the cancer is not detected early there is a risk of the cancer getting more aggressive and spreading through the body. Every person should take the time to get regular exams. Every person should be aware of key medical indicators such as weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. As a person gets to certain recommended ages, mammograms and other early detection tests should be done regularly. Just because you never went for a cholesterol check does not mean your cholesterol levels are zero. That is as foolish as driving around in an automobile without a gas gauge and assuming you don’t need to put gas in it since there is no indication of the level. The life you save with early detection could be your own or someone who you love.

Depending on the size of your group and which state your business is located in, early detection means fewer large insurance claims which translates into lower premiums for your company.

2. Not Using the “Value Added Benefits”

Many times, when you think of medical benefits you only think about doctor visits and drug plans. Often, employers and employees do not realize that their insurance carrier might also include services known as “Value Added Benefits”.

Health Insurance Carriers offer these Value Added Services to encourage healthy lifestyles. Healthy lifestyles would yield healthy employees which keeps insurance claims down.

It is important to understand your value added benefits for several reasons. First you, your family, and the employees you work with can benefit from these services. Second, your management or human resources department might come off as heroes just by telling employees about these value added benefits. The benefits are already included so you might as well tell people about them.

Examples of Value Added Benefits Include:

a. Vision – some carriers have pre-negotiated discounts for vision care such as eye exams and eyeglasses.

b. Nutrition and Supplementation – Certain carriers provide discounts or reimbursements for nutritional supplements. Supplementation might keep employees healthier and prevent certain diseases. Some employees are often already paying out-of-pocket for supplements so any discounts become bottom-line savings for the employee.

c. Quit Smoking – Employees may be entitled to discounts on programs that relate to quitting smoking. Without going into a lecture as it relates to the dangers of smoking, let’s just say that when an employee is ready to quit, it is easier to do it with the help of professional programs. In the event that the Surgeon General is right about the dangers of smoking, healthier employees are happier and more reliable as an employee. This could also avoid future hospital visits and catastrophic treatments as well as delay premature death.

d. Weight Management – Employees may take advantage of weight management programs. In some cases employees might already be using well known programs such as Weight Watchers™ or Jenny Craig™. Many scientific medical studies directly relate disease and health risk to an individual’s weight. Once again, a healthy employee calls in sick less often, is more productive, and on a selfish side, is likely to minimize the number of claims against your Insurance Policy. Certain company sizes in certain states may be rated and premiums are charged based on the claims filed against the insurance carrier.

e. Gym Membership – Discounts and reimbursements may be available for health club membership.

f. Hearing – Certain hearing centers may have pre-negotiated discounts with your insurance carrier.

g. Bicycle Helmets – Safety equipment such as bicycle helmets may be available at a discount with specific insurance companies and retailers. Certain states mandate that children under a specified age are required to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, skateboarding, or roller skating. Even if helmets are not mandated, it is alarming how many serious injuries might have been prevented with the proper head protection. If you need or want a helmet anyway, you might as well get a discount on it.

h. Store Discounts – Various retailers may have a pre-negotiated incentive worked out with your insurance company such as baby stores or household goods. This is good for the store from a marketing prospective and it is good for the consumer to get a discount.

i. Security Improvements – Security companies my provide discount services for your home protection and safety additions.

j. Stress and Alcohol Management – Different services may exist for stress management and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment programs.

k. Mail Order Discounts – Certain carriers offer additional discounts for mail order prescriptions. This is especially useful for drugs prescribed for the long-term such as heart medicine or cholesterol drugs. You know you need it any way so you might as well stock up by mail.

3. Not Getting a Second Opinion:

Different Insurance professionals have different experiences and abilities. Some Brokers are only Brokers while others are also Licensed Insurance Consultants. Some Brokers specialize in Property and Casualty or Life Insurance while others specialize in Group Health. If you are concerned with your Health Insurance rates and services, perhaps a specialist is what your company really needs.

Speaking as an insurance professional, we of all people, respect and appreciate client loyalty based on past service and existing relationships. On the other hand, how do you really know that you have the most appropriate policy and features if you do not get a second opinion from a different Broker or Consultant? If the relationship with your Broker is that solid, it would not be difficult for your Broker to keep your business. If your Broker’s skills are not current and sharp as it relates to your company, his/her complacency might be costing your company tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars.

Oftentimes, an insurance professional might become complacent with existing clients. This may be due to increased workload, understaffing, or the fact that they are too busy finding new clients. They may not be focusing on your bottom line.

A second opinion introduces a fresh perspective regarding your company’s health insurance needs and options. It keeps your broker honest and reminds them that they need to continue to service and provide creative solutions if they wish to keep your business.

Make sure the carrier alternatives are of “like kind and quality”. That simply means they are an apples-to-apples comparison.

Mix it up a little. Find out what the increase (or decrease) in premiums might be if you increase (or decrease) the co-pay, deductibles, in-network deductibles, and co-insurance. Look at different options with the drug plan as well.

Sometimes it pays to self-insure a portion in order to reduce premiums. Look at the total exposure, have your broker figure out worst cases scenarios, and contemplate the probability that the scenario could come true. This dovetails with mistakes #4, #5, and #6 coming up.

4. Not Looking at the Big Picture of Total Costs

Very often, companies only look at the monthly premiums associated with their healthcare coverage. This is not the only variable when it comes to insurance rates. It is important to look at the total picture which includes:

a. Co-pay amounts

b. In-Network and Out-of-Network Deductibles

c. In-Network and Out-of-Network Co-Insurance Levels

d. In-Network and Out-of-Network out-of-pocket expenses

e. Out-Of-Network Reasonable and customary reimbursement levels

f. Gated or Non-Gated

g. Drug coverage co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles

h. Disease Management and Wellness Programs

i. Employer/Employee Contributions

j. Network Accessibility

k. Disruption Analysis

l. Monthly Premiums

m. Maximum Exposure

n. Maximum Benefits

o. Tax Treatment (See #9)

p. Quality of Coverage

l. Introduced deductibles on drugs

m. Generic and non-formulary drug discounts

Each of the above can be a topic unto itself. We can offer a free consultation to look at your coverage and suggest ways to maximize cost savings and improvements. Please see the “About the Author” section at the bottom of this article for more details.

Paying 100% for Employees

If you pay 100%, by law, employees cannot “waive out” of the insurance plan. Participation must be 100%. By paying less than 100% of the benefits you are able to “create consideration”. This gives you flexibility.

What is so bad about having to take advantage of benefits if you are paying all of it? The fact is, certain employees would not be able to use a spouse’s insurance plan if they had to use yours. The spouse might offer better quality coverage with more options and better quality doctors.

Do you really want to have to pay for everyone’s insurance if they do not want insurance or prefer to waive coverage and go on their spouse’s plan? That means paying higher expenses for something that will likely never get used by certain people.

5. Not Listed as the Right Group Size (or Perhaps a Different Stated Size) Is There Common Ownership?

Depending on your circumstances, such as what state that you do business in, you may or may not benefit by being classified as a small group or as a large group. By simply classifying clients in the most appropriate group size we have saved clients thousands of dollars.

Generally speaking, small groups are considered to be groups consisting of between 2 and 50 full time eligible employees and large groups are considered to be groups consisting of 51+ full-time eligible employees. A full-time eligible employee is not the same as an employee that may be covered under the benefits. For example, a group can have 55 employees, with 40 employees on the group health plan, and be classified as a large group.

Depending on your employee population it could be either advantageous or disadvantageous to be considered a 2-50 sized group. Read #6 of this list for more information.

Is There Common Ownership?

In certain situations some companies have common ownership with other companies. Depending upon the percentage of ownership, in certain cases it makes sense to insure the companies separately, while in other cases it might pay to combine the employees and consider it a larger group.

6. Not Knowing Your Employee Population or Offering Different Plans

Similar to #5 in classifying the group size, money can also be saved by having an overall understanding of the demographics that makes up your group. Typically, younger people are healthier and can often afford to take certain medical risks that older employees cannot afford to take. If you realize that your company is mostly made up of younger people who are healthy, it might be a good idea to utilize a high-deductible tax qualified plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). A high deductible plan is essentially betting on the fact that claims will be minimal throughout the year, so why not pay the lowest premiums available, and at the same time accumulate cash in the Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A high deductible plan does not necessarily mean that you intend to pass on the increased deductibles to your employees. Your company can be willing to pay the deductible (or a portion) through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).

Not Offering Different Plans for Different People

More recently than not, the market has been trending towards companies offering multiple insurance plan options. The company may provide a base contribution allowing the employees to choose between “a base”, “a buy-up”, or “an HSA plan”.

In addition, companies can offer a plan based upon employee classification. For example, “Class 1” employees can consist of executives and managers and “Class 2” employees may consist of all others.

7. Not Comparing your Coverage to Your Peers:

The trick is to be competitive without giving away the shop. Typically, to generalize for a moment, law firms might offer the best insurance available for the money while assembly line workers might be given average benefits for manufacturing. But what is average and how do you find out what is standard and customary?

A “Benchmark Analysis” is a report that can be ordered to get statistics and trends about comparable companies in your industry, company size, and/or in your region. Although these reports often cost some money, the information provided could be valuable in attracting and retaining qualified employees without giving away all of the profits.

8. Blindly Auto-Renewing

Even if you love your Broker, it is a mistake in not treating each renewal period as an opportunity to find out what policies or other insurance companies are more competitive or appropriate for your company. Each renewal period should be treated just like you are looking for insurance companies for the first time.

With our clients this step is invisible to them. We always look at the renewal numbers and compare them to other carriers or to other policies within the same carrier. Over the years it became obvious that the only constant in life is change. Based on the insurance company’s desire to increase or decrease market share, they often choose to increase or decrease their risk tolerance and policies. A renewal period is a great opportunity to make sure you have the right coverage for your circumstances.

9. Not Using the Right Tax Treatment for Your Company

Although we encounter this particular “money-waster” often, we are not an accounting firm and suggest that you speak with your tax advisor, accountant, or CPA before doing anything.

Pre-Tax or After-Tax Dollars:

Typically speaking, health insurance premiums are tax deductible with pre-tax dollars, while co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, and prescription co-pays are usually paid with after-tax dollars. It might be a good idea for your accountant to work with your broker to come up with a tax strategy that works well with your human resources and health benefits objectives.

Employee Tax Treatment

Are the employees paying for their portion of the health insurance premium through the use of a “Section 125” premium only plan? This will allow employees to pay the health insurance premium on a pre-tax basis thereby reducing the employer payroll taxes.

You may want to consider offering a Flexible Savings Account (FSA). An FSA allows employees to pay for a portion of their un-reimbursed medical expenses on a tax-free basis.

10. Losing Money Due to Poor Administration.

We hear about it almost every day. Due to poor administration, employers neglect to advise the insurance carriers of newly terminated or newly eligible employees.

In many cases, the guidelines are rigid and clear. A simple mistake with administration may cause your company to either pay insurance on someone who is no longer with the company or it may open yourself up to liability. Had an employee been eligible for benefits, but somebody forgot to do the paperwork, your company could be liable for claims.

Liability of not setting out corporate notices

Notices may need to be communicated due to changes in coverage or policy changes. Once again, in many cases the burden of proof might be on you. If you do not notify employees of the changes you might be held accountable for the lack of notifications.

COBRA Notifications

Last but not least, in many circumstances an employee has a legal right to be notified if they are eligible to participate in the COBRA insurance program post termination. COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. This gives employees the right to continue health insurance given certain qualifications. By not properly notifying the employee, your company is in violation of federal law and can perhaps be held accountable for claims and medical expenses incurred by the employee. By properly notifying the employee, the liability lies in the hands of the employee and the insurance company if they choose to continue coverage.

So What is Your Next Step?

It’s great that you made it this far into the article and that by itself gives you plenty of things to look at in deciding if you are making any of the above mistakes. In some cases you can change your behaviors midstream. For example, you can find out from your current carrier if there are any Value Added Benefits that you may not be aware of. You can also make sure that your company has an accurate list of employees who should be on the policy or need to be added.

Once again, Group Health Insurance is one of the largest non-producing expenses for most businesses. It is up to the business as well as their employees to maintain an active role with wellness, routine exams, and disease management programs. Insurance might be considered an expense, but when it comes down to it, health and lives are at risk.

DISCLAIMER: Information is intended as a general nature. Always consult a licensed professional before implementing anything.

Copyright© 2008 Economic Evaluation Group, Inc.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John R. Klimchak has been in the insurance field for over 20 years. He is a licensed Insurance Consultant and a Licensed Insurance Broker. Mr. Klimchak is also the President of Economic Evaluation Group, Inc. (www.eegroup.com), a firm specializing in Group Health benefits and other related services. For a free consultation call (516) 338-2800 and reference the “Top 10 Mistakes Article”.

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Auto body repair NJ

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You don’t have to go far in the state of Virginia to find an antique car museum. Virginia is home to at least eight (or nine, if you stretch your definition of “car” to include tanks!). Here is a listing of all the vintage car collections I can find information on in Virginia.

The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum at the Luray Caverns traces the history of transportation in America. Items on display include horse-drawn carriages, coaches, wagons, and early automobiles. The automotive collection includes an 1892 Benz, a 1908 Baker Electric, a 1913 Stanley Steamer, and Rudolph Valentino’s 1925 Rolls Royce. You must purchase an admission to the Luray Caverns to get in to the museum. (540) 743 – 6551

The Roaring Twenties Antique Car Museum in Hood features 32 vintage cars on display, mostly from the 1920s and 1930s. The collection includes examples from Carter, Star, Stephen, Cleveland, Hupmobile, Paige, Nash, Essex, Packard and Cadillac. There are also horse-drawn carriages, old farm implements, and period advertising on display. (540) 948 – 6290

The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke has cars and other vehicles from nearly every decade of the twentieth century. The museum focuses primarily on the railroad industry, but also has an aviation and aerospace section. (540) 342 – 5670

Fred’s Car Museum in Appomattox holds more than sixty five antique cars, dating from 1906 up to 1980. Highlights of the collection include a 1906 Schacht, a 1914 Saxton, a 1920 Piano Box Buggy, a 1936 Packard, and a very rare 1939 Lincoln V-12 limo. (434) 352-0606

The Accomack-Northampton Antique Car Museum in Parksley features a 1922 Durant, a 1935 Auburn, a 1956 Thunderbird, and lots of automobilia. (757) 665 – 6161

Eavers Classic Cars and Collectibles Museum in Staunton has over twenty classic cars on display, including a genuine 1965 Shelby AC Cobra, Elvis Presley’s last Cadillac, and a 1959 Devin sports car. (540) 337 – 1126

Old Cranks Motor Car Museum in Galax has a unique assortment of antique cars including a one-cylinder Orient Buckboard, a Detroit Electric and a Stanley Steamer. (276) 236 – 5114.

The Wood Brothers Racing Museum in Stuart covers 58 years of racing history. You can view the 1971 Purolator Mercury Cyclone, a 1989 Neil Bonnet Thunderbird, and a 1937 Glen Wood Ford Coach. There are also trophies, racing suits and helmets, and tons of other racing memorabilia. (276) 694 – 2121

The AAF Tank Museum in Danville doesn’t have antique cars, but I couldn’t leave them out! Their collection includes 117 tanks and artillery pieces, plus over twenty thousand other military related artifacts dating all the way back to 1509! (434) 836-5323

Quite a variety for the automotive enthusiast to choose from if you are passing through Virginia, or live nearby. As always, call ahead for information on hours and holiday schedules before making the trip.

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Loans in particular have a lower rate of interest. Loans are issued subject to credit approval and equity requirements. Loans are issued subject to credit approval. Personal loans can be a godsend when you face a huge tax bill, an unexpected car repair bill, or another large expense.

Credit

A loan officer must determine your credit worthiness, even in the face of your bad credit history. Unfortunately, these rates often will be available only to borrowers with great credit who also have a credit worthy cosigner. Often the interest rates, fees and loan limits depend on the credit history of the borrower and co-signer, if any, and on options chosen by the borrower such as in-school deferment and repayment schedule. It is unclear how many borrowers qualify for the best rates, although the top credit tier typically encompasses about 20% of borrowers. Borrowers with bad credit can expect interest rates that are as much as 6% higher, fees that are as much as 9% higher, and loan limits that are two-thirds lower than the advertised figures.

Legally, a loan is a contractual promise of a debtor to repay a sum of money in exchange for the promise of a creditor to give another sum of money. If only one rate is listed, it is the best rate offered by the lender, and actual rates for borrowers with inferior credits cores will be much higher. Students may also be eligible for government loans that are interest free while in school on top of this line of credit, as private ones do not count against government loans/grants. By consolidating your credit card, loan and other debts you could end up with just one manageable amount to pay each month.

Interest

Interest rates are unlikely to drop enough over the next year or so to make it worthwhile to wait to consolidate. Interest rates for federal consolidation loans, fixed interest rate, weighted average of the interest rates of the loans consolidated, adjusted up to the nearest 0. Interest Relief is granted for periods of six months, up to a maximum of 30 months. Interest would normally be charged periodically according to the annual percentage rate (APR). Interest is then charged at a rate of 5% on the unpaid balance. Interest rates, which are periodically adjusted according to conditions, reflect the costs incurred by the IDB in borrowing funds, plus charges and spreads.

Many student loan providers offer low cost government and private loans with consistently high quality servicing and flexible repayment terms. Bank loans and credit are one way to increase the money supply. These may be available from financial institutions under many different guises or marketing packages: credit card debt, personal loans, bank overdrafts credit facilities or lines of credit corporate bonds. There are two types of auto loans, direct and indirect. Predatory lending is one form of abuse in the granting of loans. Grants may supplement these to aid students who face particular barriers to accessing post-secondary education, such as students with permanent disabilities or students from low-income families.

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This page will explain to you all kinds of steel side wall repairs, here are just a few: side wall rusted around the skimmer or return jet, rusted to the point of rupture, and actual rupture of wall.

OK, let’s get started, we’ll start with the most common of all side wall problems and that will be rusted around the skimmer and return jet. First thing to do is drain the pool to about six inches below the skimmer or return jet, while the pool is being drained, take off the top rails above and on both sides of the skimmer, you might have to take two sections off on either side of the skimmer or return jet. Once that is done, take off the coping (plastic piece holding the liner in place). By this time the pool should be drained enough to take the skimmer or return jet off the side wall. (All references to the skimmer, return jet and holes in the side wall, will be referred to as skimmer)

Now, that’s all done, gently pull the liner up and over the side wall and expose the rusted or damaged skimmer hole. Next you determine how much you have to cut out to get rid of the rust, example, let’s say you determine that you are going to need to cut a hole 12 X 12 inches then you will need a piece of galvanized metal 24 X 24 inches to cover the 12 X 12 hole. The galvanized metal should be at least the same thickness or the next size up. If your not sure take a piece of the wall you cut out, for sizing.

OK! You got the galvanized metal and your ready to put it in place so all you have to do is cut the hole for the skimmer, you can use the skimmer as a template to cut the hole. Your next step is to position the replacement piece so that your skimmer hole is level, the easiest way to do this is measure from the top of the side wall to the replacement on both sides the measurement should be the same. Then use some duct tape to hold it in place. A little trick to keep all those metal filings from going between the wall and liner is to put an earth magnet on the drill bit while drilling and use a medium speed on your drill and the magnet will not fall off. Once in place you can get your drill and rivets ready, the size of rivets you should use is anything from 3/16 to 1/4 inch, get a big box because you will be spacing them 1 inch apart.

Let’s get on with the drilling layout, with a tape measure make a line 1 inch in from all edges and a second line 3 inches in, now on the one inch line put a hole in each of the corners, next from each corner hole you measure 1 inch both horizontally and vertically. Now from here we measure three inches from each corner hole and drill another hole, but before we drill anymore holes we want to put in a couple rivets to hold the replacement in place solidly. As you noticed the holes are two inches apart continue from each corner until you reach the center.

Now for the three inch line we put a hole in the corner and one hole in each direction two inches from the corner hole if you have done it right it should be in between two rivets on the one inch line so that all the rivets are staggered. Once you have all the rivets in place you can drill the holes for the skimmer. The final step is to duct tape all the metal edges so their is nothing sharp to pierce the liner when put back in place. Now all that is left to do, is to put everything back together the way it came apart.

This concludes the instruction for repairing the rust around the pool skimmer and the return jet and any hole in the side wall, for instruction on how to replace a whole section please read on.

Heaven forbid, you actually have had a blow out, if your liner got ruined then it is an easy task to take it out and repair the section before putting in a new liner, if you were lucky and your liner just got stretched a bit then things get a bit trickier. If you were really lucky you probably noticed a soft spot in the wall and checked it out and realized it was going to need repair soon. If any of these scenarios fits your problem then the remedy is at hand. Read on.

First, you will have to take about half the pools top rails off. Of course if you are replacing the liner than they all have to come off. Next remove the coping and lift the liner over the side wall. Now depending on the size of the hole, you will need an extra two feet of galvanized metal the same size in height as the existing metal. Cut out the rusted piece and put in your new piece. Now from the end of the new sheet of metal measure in three inches and score a line from top to bottom on both ends, and a similar line nine inches in from the ends.

Also, make sure your lines don’t line up with one of your upright supports, if they do slide your panel one way or the other so that they don’t line up, OK, starting from the top measure down one inch on the three inch line and two inches down on the nine inch line and mark a drill hole, and you continue on both lines two inches apart till you reach the bottom. Drill three or four holes, then put in some rivets from the inside out, you want the flat part on the inside of the pool, and then continue drilling. When you have finished with the rivets put some duct tape on them and on the edge of the metal and put your Pool back together again. I hope these instructions helped you get more years of pleasure out of your pool.

If you have any questions please submit them at Above Ground Pools and Decks

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More common questions that are frequently asked by potential clients.

Question: I was injured in a rear-end collision where little damage was caused to my vehicle. The other driver’s insurance company is denying my claim, saying that I could not possibly have been injured when the damage to my car was so small. What do I do now?

Answer: Unfortunately, more and more insurance companies are implementing a policy of denying bodily injury claims outright, or only offering a nominal sum to settle, when the property damage is below a certain monetary amount, like $1,000. The first thing you should know is that there is no credible scientific support for the proposition that injury potential can be determined based on the extent of property damage caused to the vehicle. However, these “low damage” cases may be difficult to prove in court because jurors often believe that injuries cannot occur in low speed crashes.

Insurance companies will often hire self-proclaimed “experts” to help them spread the myth that low damage means little or no injury. If you find yourself in this position, here are a few suggestions. First, take your car to another reliable automotive shop to determine the full extent of damage. Quite often, most of the damage will be hidden and an expert will need to dissemble the rear bumper and check the vehicle for all possible signs of impact. Second, you must adequately document all damage and all evidence that a collision occurred. This means taking photographs and compiling a thorough repair estimate. Third, do not repair the vehicle or accept a property settlement until you have spoken to an attorney. Finally, you need to hire experienced counsel because a lawsuit is probably inevitable. My office has successfully handled many claims involving “low damage” collisions. Please email me directly or contact my office if you wish to discuss your claim further.

Question: I’ve been receiving medical treatment for injuries I received in a car crash 6 mos. ago and my insurance company has been paying the bills as required under my PIP coverage. Just recently, I attended a medical exam requested by my insurance company and now the medical examiner says that I am “fixed and stable” and no further treatment is necessary. Now my own insurance company is refusing to pay for any more of my treatment even though I still hurt and am no where near “maximum medical improvement” according to my own doctors. Is this legal!!?

Answer: Unfortunately, and in most cases, yes. Your insurance company has the contractual right to have you examined and to have your treatment reviewed by another medical professional. Insurance companies like to call these one-time examinations “Independent Medical Exams” or “IME’s.” This is a gross misnomer however– they should really be titled “Insurance Medical Exams” because insurance companies use these one-time exams (or in some cases, a one-time medical records review) as a way to terminate benefits regardless of whether you are still benefiting from additional treatment. Insurance companies use “IME’s” to save them money and their medical examiners are often “hired guns” willing to offer the right medical opinion to justify this goal. As one doctor friend of mine aptly states — opinions are commodities like everything else and you can always buy the right one you are looking for. If you find yourself being requested to submit to an “Insurance Medical Exam,” here are a few suggestions. First, before submitting to an exam, read your policy! The insurance company’s right to request an exam is contained within the insurance contract. Review it to make sure the company is not violating any of the policy provisions. Second, you really should consider hiring an attorney. Recent case law has suggested that the “IME” report may be discoverable by the third party tortfeasor, providing additional ammunition for the defense attorney. Attorneys can often insist that the exam be delayed and insist that an impartial observer be present during the exam. Third, make sure you give the examiner an accurate description of your prior health problems, current complaints, and the facts of the crash. Any discrepancies will be used against you. Lastly, recognize that the examiner will be looking for all signs that you are not injured — how you walk into the examination room, how you sit, how long you sit, facial expressions, etc. In one case I handled, the examiner wrote in his report how he watched my client drive into the parking lot, “jump” out of his car with no “apparent difficulty” and “ran” into the building entrance! Need I say more?

Question: Can I settle my case on my own without an attorney?

Answer: If most people could settle claims on their own for fair value, we wouldn’t need lawyers. Lawyers are necessary because there is no formula for determining the value of a given claim. Representing a person’s rights is complex–to do it successfully takes formal training, experience, guts, and some hard-earned intuition. Think about it, insurance companies make a lot of money settling claims for far less then what they are worth. If you don’t settle claims for a living, how are you to know whether the insurance company’s offer is fair and reasonable?

However, some claims do not require the assistance of an attorney. Each case is different and depends on its own set of facts. If we believe we can’t recover a higher settlement than the insurance company’s last offer, or that the attorney fee will leave little money left over for you, we usually will decline to take the case and advise you to settle on your own. We always decline to accept a case if the client is likely to recover as much money without the assistance of an attorney. On the other hand, if we accept your case, we guarantee that you will recover as much as you would have received based on the insurance company’s last offer before our office was retained. In most cases, you should retain experienced and competent counsel. Without an experienced attorney, a person can seriously damage the value of his or her case.

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Auto body repair NJ

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It is amazing how even one small inconvenience, change in plans, or malfunction can completely sour how we look at even the most incredible pieces of technology. So what should you do when your car suffers a breakdown or malfunctions in an unexpected way? The short answer is find someone who has the expertise necessary to properly fix your vehicle. That can become kind of tricky if the car that you drive is a foreign automobile that necessitates specific skills to properly fix. The good news is that there are experts in your area who specialize in foreign auto repair in Atlanta. The question is, how can you find the most highly qualified foreign auto technicians in your area? Here are a few places to start.

Hop Online

The Internet has become the great equalizer for consumers. Whereas shopping for services and products used to be a gamble with consumers never really knowing what they would get until they got it, the Internet allows the savvy consumer to conduct intensive research before they decide which service provider or product will work best for their needs. When it comes to finding a service provider to assess and then repair their automobile, the same rules apply. You can hop online and, with a few minutes of research, you can find a number of experts in your immediate area that offer the specialized services you need to ensure that your automobile gets back up and working in no time. If you don’t know where to start, then the Internet can be a great tool in helping you find a local service provider.

Trusted Recommendations

Another tried and true method of finding high quality products and services is talking to a trusted family member or friend and then picking their brain. If they have had good past experiences, they can most likely guide you toward a service provider that can take care of your vehicle. If they have had a negative experience in the past, they can guide you away from a car repair shop that offers subpar services. Many people actually prefer getting recommendations from trusted friends and family members because they know that the information that they receive is truthful. This isn’t always the case with Internet reviews. While you can’t always attest to the veracity of some reviews online, the Internet offers you a great way to gather a lot of information quickly. And while speaking with people directly might be a little more time-intensive, the results are often just as good or better at indicating who offers high quality services and who leaves a lot to be desired.

Visit a Few Shops Yourself

It might seem novel in this day and age where we have so much information at our fingertips with the Internet, but actually stepping into a shop and visiting with the mechanics there might be the best way to determine how well they can address your foreign automobile repair needs. Even if you don’t know what the problem with your car is specifically, you can still pick the brain of your potential mechanic to see if they have the experience necessary to properly fix your car. With a few pointed questions, you can quickly ascertain their skill level, their years of experience, and how confident they feel working with your type of vehicle. If your Internet searches and friend recommendations have left you without much to go on, then visiting a few mechanics in person might be just the solution that you’re looking for.

Finding a high quality mechanic to help you with your foreign auto repair in Atlanta is a big job. Chances are that you love your car and you want it in the best hands possible. If you don’t know where to turn, the good news is that you have a plethora of options at your fingertips. Between the Internet, personal recommendations, and stopping into a shop yourself, chances are that you’ll be able to find an expert who can get your car back on the road in no time.

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Auto body repair NJ

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Does your new car have a dent in the door? Has hailed damaged the Roof or Boot? If so, dent repair is probably your best option. In the past few years, paintless dent repair has offered an alternative to the traditional dent fix. Paintless dent repair does not damage the paint on your vehicle and it is much cheaper than the usual methods of dent removal.

The secret behind dent repair is that there is not "beating out" of the dents, nor removing parts of your car. This is one of the reasons it's much cheaper than some of the older methods for dent repair. A normal dent repair will cost only a fraction of a traditional repair that is completed within a repair shop.

Paintless dent repair is a very skilled procedure. In order to achieve the best results, the process requires experience, patience, and the right tools. Since there is no painting involved, the job is completed much faster and can be done as a mobile business. This means the dent repair professional can come to the customer.

The process requires the repair specialist to gradually push the metal back to where it's supposed to be. This is done a small section at a time and depending upon the size of the dent, may require a few hours to complete. There are several tools that are needed to complete the job properly.

The tools are long, flat, and very rigid in order to allow the correct amount of pressure to be applied, without the tool bending. These tools are slid into the gap found behind the panel. Pressure is applied to the dent from behind, but it's done slowly to move the metal back into its original shape, a little bit at a time. If done correctly, there should be no damage to the paint on the other side of the panel.

Many companies are providing mobile services for dent repair. The secret to a great dent removal job is to provide the specialist with enough room to work. This will help the repair specialist to provide the amount of pressure needed to correctly push the metal back into place.

You'll now find many paintless dent repair tools are sold to the public. However, without the proper training, you can easily cause a ripple in the metal or the paint to crack or chip. This will require a much more expensive repair bill and even a repair shop may not be able to completely remove the dent. It's best to leave it to the professionals.

Paintless dent removal is recommended as an alternative to the more conventional methods. However, you need to be certain you have a trained, qualified professional to achieve the best results. There are many companies that do not provide enough training to their employees and the results can be rather costly.

For those people that have two or three dents, it's often much easier on the wallet to have them all fixed at once. Understand that not all dents may be removed by paintless dent repair. The location of the dent is the determining factor, as well as if there is a crease in the metal. Paintless dent removal can work on some creases, but it depends on how deep it is, as well as how long it is. Consult with a professional dent removal specialist to find out how they can help you.

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One of the most trusted names in the camper van business, Winnebago has become nearly synonymous with motorhomes. For those who are thinking about this rewarding purchase, it can become a matter of not which brand of motorhome to buy, but whether to buy a new or used Winnebago motorhome. To make this decision, there are several different considerations that you should think about, including what you are going to use the vehicle for, how many people will require its services, and what sort of model and conveniences you are expecting out of this experience.

As far as size goes, the Winnebago motorhome is king of the road, making it one of the most used vehicles for touring rock bands or other large groups of people. This can include separate enclosed sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a full bathroom, with the largest models. The benefit of buying a new model is that generally there are more modern conveniences, such as hook-ups for laptops or other personal electronic items, and a heighted entertainment system that usually even includes DVD players or mp3 players. Entertainment is but one thing to consider when deciding which Winnebago is right for you however.

In addition, you should think about what you are planning on using your Winnebago motorhome for. If this is only going to be for the occasional trip, you could probably get away with getting a used model (as long as everything is in working order and it is only gently used). However, for those who are planning on retiring and staying on the road for long periods of time or indefinitely, the investment value of a new Winnebago can be well worth the price. These will last for years on end, and can be customized to suit your specific needs.

A family may wish to purchase a new Winnebago motorhome rather than used, for they may have need for more modern safety conveniences and up to date global positioning systems. However, the used models certainly should not be ruled out either. There is a whole world out there, and a whole world of features that are modelled to suit every family’s need when out there on the road. Safety should always come first, but fortunately with such a trusted reputation as Winnebago enjoys, this is hardly likely to even be an issue. Speaking to a sales representative or taking a few different models for test drives can help narrow down the possibilities.

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Auto body shop NJ

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Why buy a used Recreational Vehicle? Here are some good reasons why. Know all about used RVs, the advantages that they offer and how to go about buying one.

A Recreational Vehicle (RV) is a valued possession. It’s not an easy decision to make. The market for used RVs is flourishing. Used RVs are popular with the interested buyers of luxury RVs for several reasons, but with that comes a potpourri of other concerns that are not confined to only, used RVs but almost all used valuables. Would the RV perform as expected, are there any serious problems that it suffers from, how much can the repair work increase the expenses and the list of questions goes on. Why then purchase a used RV in the first place?

The question itself may seem senseless at the first look. Of course, as in all other used products, purchasing used RVs means saving money. However, on second thought the question does make sense. Is it worth spending thousands of dollars on a used RV? Well, yes it is. It makes a lot of sense to purchase a used RV when the savings are as good as 30% when compared to buying a new RV. Besides, going into a few more details, it becomes clear that buying a new RV is not a very logical choice. The fact can be simplified with a basic example. When you buy a new RV, the RV will not remain new for very long. That means the RV loses its value within a few days of purchase and if you now try to resell it, even if you have hardly driven it, the value you get will be below the price you paid for it.

Similar reasoning applies to other used RVs. Many of the used RV’s being sold are slightly used by the previous owner, meaning they are in good to like new condition.

As for the typical problems that are associated with used RVs, it is essential to take care of a few things before making the purchase. Firstly, a thorough inspection of the RV is necessary, that can point out the lemons from the good ones and can check the RV for any shortcomings and necessity for any repairs. A title and history check from a reliable third party will help you know the exact status of the RV and make your decision. Further, you will require such services as an appraisal service to arrive at the right price for the RV. Getting the RV insured is another important aspect that needs careful consideration. Finally, the transportation arrangement for the RV to reach your place is the final step in the process.

As you are searching for used RVs, the best option is to look for companies dealing in the sale and purchase of used RVs. For one thing, they can offer you a broad range of used RVs for sale and with greater options; the chances of finding the kind of RV that you are looking for increase by many folds. Further, you can expect better service and greater reliability when you are dealing with a big company instead of an individual owner.

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Auto body shop NJ

If you have trouble in finding a proper auto body repair shop to repair your cars, don’t worry, the following suggestions we offered can solve your problem and help you to find a desired shop.

Firstly, a qualified and trusted auto body repair shop must be equipped with well-trained auto-repair men and well-qualified facilities which can be used when repairing a car. Secondly, a perfect auto body repair shop must also have the good commons which can be received from customers when the customers have their cars repaired in their repair shop. In addition, the after-sale service and feed-back are also a must to take into account. Those with good customer service and after-sale service will attract more customers to have their car repaired. Furthermore, the auto body repair shop you look for must be a normal one that can guarantee the quality of the repairing.

Another significant factor you must take into consideration is the efficiency of the machines. The machines used for the repair must be well-trained and tested for each function thus can avoid some potential dangerous which may happen during or after the repair, therefore, prevent these unnecessary loss from happening. What’s more, you also can save money and make a good bargain by comparing the prices or the services with different auto body repair shops or by taking part in the promotions these shops offered to have a discount. Also you can find kinds of online coupons to enjoy the service in a money saving way.

Except for these helpful suggestions we have mentioned above when choosing a proper auto body repair shop, we can also come to our friends, relatives or some experienced specialists for help. On the other hand, with the rapid development of the internet, you can get some advantageous advice from relative websites which are provided with kinds of information about how to find a proper auto body repair shop and something to notice at the same time. You may search for the auto body repair shops as many as you like after you take the advice from the people around you or on the internet until you find the most ideal one that catch your eyes most. Usually, people prefer the ones that with neat and tidy circumstances and well-organized facilities, especially with a perfect parking lot. According to these suggestions mentioned above, you can find your perfect auto body repairing shop finally, thus you can set your mind at rest when have your car repaired at this shop.

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NJ auto body shop