Life Insurance Awareness Month

An older couple sits closely together with the man's arm around the woman, promoting Life Insurance Awareness Month. The "SIA Blogs" logo appears in the lower-right corner.

Life insurance may not be the most exciting topic, and it might feel like an unnecessary expense. However, if you have loved ones who rely on your financial support, life insurance is essential for their protection. In the event of your passing, your designated beneficiary would receive a financial benefit. To help you navigate the…

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Over 75% of Homes Damaged by Hurricane Debby May Lack Flood Insurance

A flooded basement with water covering the floor is shown, featuring scattered objects and furniture partially submerged. The image highlights the aftermath of Hurricane Debby, with a statistic indicating that over 75% of homes affected may lack flood insurance. The "SIA Blogs" logo is displayed in the lower-right corner.

More than three-quarters of the homes hardest hit by Hurricane Debby were located outside federal flood zones, meaning they weren’t required to carry flood insurance. Since standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, uninsured damages from the storm could reach up to $12.6 billion, according to an analysis by the First Street Foundation. Hurricane Debby made…

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Managing Work-Life Balance During Return to School

Two parents gazing out of car window as they drop their daughter off at school. The "SIA Blogs" logo is displayed in the lower-right corner.

Working parents are a critical part of the U.S. workforce. According to the job website Glassdoor, 2 in 5 workers have a child under the age of 18, and 1 in 9 have a child younger than 5 at home. For anyone with caregiving responsibilities, balancing them with work can be a real challenge with…

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5 Risks of Hiring an Uninsured Contractor

A construction worker in safety gear, working in the rafters of a newly built building. The "SIA Blogs" logo is displayed in the lower-right corner.

Project owners or general contractors must carefully vet contractors to ensure jobsite safety and financial security. A critical factor in this selection process is verifying that contractors carry adequate insurance. Hiring uninsured contractors can expose a project to significant risks, including safety hazards, liability issues and potential financial losses.  The following are five risks associated…

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ERISA Penalties: Employer Fined for Failing to Provide Mental Health Benefits Information

A woman consults with a therapist, holding a tissue. Text overlay discusses ERISA penalties related to mental health benefits. The "SIA Blogs" logo is displayed in the lower-right corner.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana recently awarded over $32,000 in penalties against an employer’s self-insured health plan and its third-party administrator (TPA) for failing to provide requested information to a plan participant. This case involved a dispute over mental health benefits and underscores the importance of promptly responding to participants’ information…

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