21+ Useful Insurance Terms You Should Know

INSURED - A person or a corporation who contracts for an insurance policy that indemnifies (protects) him against loss or damage to property or, in the case of a liability policy, defend him against a claim from a third party.


NAMED INSURED - Any person, firm or corporation specifically designated by name as an insured(s) in a policy as distinguished from others who, though unnamed, are protected under some circumstances. For example, a common application of this latter principle is in auto liability policies wherein by a definition of "insured", coverage is extended to other drivers using the car with the permission of the named insured. Other parties can also be afforded protection of an insurance policy by being named an "additional insured" in the policy or endorsement.


ADDITIONAL INSURED - An individual or entity that is not automatically included as an insured under the policy of another, but for whom the named insureds policy provides a certain degree of protection. An endorsement is typically required to effect additional insured status. The named insureds impetus for providing additional insured status to others may be a desire to protect the other party because of a close relationship with that party (e.g., employees or members of an insured club) or to comply with a contractual agreement requiring the named insured to do so (e.g., customers or owners of property leased by the named insured).


CO-INSURANCE - The sharing of one insurance policy or risk between two or more insurance companies. This usually entails each insurer paying directly to the insured their respective share of the loss. Co-insurance can also be the arrangement by which the insured, in consideration of a reduced rate, agrees to carry an amount of insurance equal to a percentage of the total value of the property insured. An example is if you have guaranteed to carry insurance up to 80% or 90% of the value of your building and/or contents, whatever the case may be. If you don't, the company pays claims only in proportion to the amount of coverage you do carry.


The following equation is used to determine what amount may be collected for partial loss:


Amount of Insurance Carried x Loss


Amount of Insurance that = Payment


Should be Carried


Example A Mr. Right has an 80% co-insurance clause and the following situation:


$100,000 building value


$ 80,000 insurance carried


$ 10,000 building loss


By applying the equation for determining payment for partial loss, the following amount may be collected:


$80,000 x $10,000 = $10,000


$80,000


Mr. Right recovers the full amount of his loss because he carried the coverage specified in his co-insurance clause.


Example B Mr. Wrong has an 80% co-insurance clause and the following situation:


$100,000 building value


$ 70,000 insurance carried


$ 10,000 building loss


By applying the equation for determining payment for partial loss, the following amount may be collected:


$70,000 x $10,000 = $8,750


$80,000


Mr. Wrong's loss of $10,000 is greater than the company's limit of liability under his co-insurance clause. Therefore, Mr. Wrong becomes a self-insurer for the balance of the loss-- $1,250.


PREMIUM - The amount of money paid by an insured to an insurer for insurance coverage.


DEDUCTIBLE - The first dollar amount of a loss for which the insured is responsible before benefits are paid by the insurer; similar to a self-insured retention (SIR). The insurer's liability begins when the deductible is exhausted.


SELF INSURED RETENTION - Acts the same way as a deductible but the insured is responsible for all legal fees incurred in relation to the amount of the SIR.


POLICY LIMIT - The maximum monetary amount an insurance company is responsible for to the insured under its policy of insurance.


FIRST PARTY INSURANCE - Insurance that applies to coverage for an insureds own property or a person. Traditionally it covers damage to insureds property from whatever causes are covered in the policy. It is property insurance coverage. An example of first party insurance is BUILDERS RISK INSURANCE which is insurance against loss to the rigs or vessels in the course of their construction. It only involves the insurance company and the owner of the rig and/or the contractor who has a financial interest in the rig.


THIRD PARTY INSURANCE - Liability insurance covering the negligent acts of the insured against claims from a third party (i.e., not the insured or the insurance company - a third party to the insurance policy). An example of this insurance would be SHIP REPAIRER'S LEGAL LIABILITY (SRLL) - provides protection for contractors repairing or altering a customer's vessel at their shipyard, other locations or at sea; also covers the insured while the customer's property is under the "Care, Custody and Control" of the insured. A Commercial General Liability policy is needed for other coverages, such as slip-and-fall situations.


INSURABLE INTEREST - Any interest in something that is the subject of an insurance policy or any legal relationship to that subject that will trigger a certain event causing monetary loss to the insured. Example of insurable interest - ownership of a piece of property or an interest in that piece of property, e.g., a shipyard constructing a rig or vessel. (See BUILDERS RISK above)


LIABILITY INSURANCE - Insurance coverage that protects an insured against claims made by third parties for damage to their property or person. These losses usually come about as a result of negligence of the insured. In marine construction this policy is referred to an MGL, marine general liability policy. In non marine circumstances the policy is referred to as a CGL, commercial general liability policy. Insurance policies can be divided into two broad categories:


First party insurance covers the property of the person who purchases the insurance policy. For example, a home owner's policy promising to pay for fire damage to the home owner's home is a first party policy. Liability insurance, sometimes called third party insurance, covers the policy holder's liability to other people. For example, a homeowners' policy might cover liability if someone trips and falls on the home owner's property. Sometimes one policy, such as in these examples, may have both first and third party coverage.
Liability insurance provides two separate benefits. First, the policy will cover the damage incurred by the third party. Sometimes this is called providing "indemnity" for the loss. Second, most liability policies provide a duty to defend. The duty to defend requires the insurance company to pay for lawyers, expert witnesses, and court costs to defend the third party's claim. These costs can sometimes be substantial and should not be ignored when facing a liability claim.


UMBRELLA LIABILITY COVERAGE - This type of liability insurance provides excess liability protection. Your business needs this coverage for the following three reasons:
It provides excess coverage over the "underlying" liability insurance you carry.
It provides coverage for all other liability exposures, excepting a few specifically excluded exposures. This subject to a large deductible of about $10,000 to $25,000.
It provides automatic replacement coverage for underlying policies that have been reduced or exhausted by loss.


NEGLIGENCE - The failure to use reasonable care. The doing of something which a reasonably prudent person would not do, or the failure to do something which a reasonably prudent person would do under like circumstances. Negligence is a 'legal cause' of damage if it directly and in natural and continuous sequence produces or contributes substantially to producing such damage, so it can reasonably be said that if not for the negligence, the loss, injury or damage would not have occurred.
GROSS NEGLIGENCE - A carelessness and reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, which is so great it appears to be almost a conscious violation of other people's rights to safety. It is more than simple negligence, but it is just short of being willful misconduct. If gross negligence is found by the trier of fact (judge or jury), it can result in the award of punitive damages on top of general and special damages, in certain jurisdictions.


WILLFUL MISCONDUCT - An intentional action with knowledge of its potential to cause serious injury or with a reckless disregard for the consequences of such act.


PRODUCT LIABILITY - Liability which results when a product is negligently manufactured and sent into the stream of commence. A liability that arises from the failure of a manufacturer to properly manufacture, test or warn about a manufactured object.


MANUFACTURING DEFECTS - When the product departs from its intended design, even if all possible care was exercised.


DESIGN DEFECTS - When the foreseeable risks of harm posed by the product could have been reduced or avoided by the adoption of a reasonable alternative design, and failure to use the alternative design renders the product not reasonably safe.


INADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNINGS DEFECTS - When the foreseeable risks of harm posed by the product could have been reduced or avoided by reasonable instructions or warnings, and their omission renders the product not reasonably safe.


PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE - Liability insurance to indemnify professionals, (doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, etc.,) for loss or expense which the insured professional shall become legally obliged to pay as damages arising out of any professional negligent act, error or omission in rendering or failing to render professional services by the insured. Same as malpractice insurance.


Professional Liability has expanded over the years to include those occupations in which special knowledge, skills and close client relationships are paramount. More and more occupations are considered professional occupations, as the trend in business continues to grow from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-oriented economy. Coupled with the litigious nature of our society, the companies and staff in the service economy are subject to greater exposure to malpractice claims than ever before.


ERRORS AND OMISSIONS - Same as malpractice or professional liability insurance.


HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT - A contractual arrangement whereby one party assumes the liability inherent in the situation, thereby relieving the other party of responsibility. For example, a lease of premises may provide that the lessee must "hold harmless" the lessor for any liability from accidents arising out of the premises.


INDEMNIFY - To restore the victim of a loss, in whole or in part, by payment, repair, or replacement.


INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS - Contract clauses that identify who is to be responsible if liabilities arise and often transfer one party's liability for his or her wrongful acts to the other party.


WARRANTY - An agreement between a buyer and a seller of goods or services detailing the conditions under which the seller will make repairs or fix problems without cost to the buyer.


Warranties can be either expressed or implied. An EXPRESS WARRANTY is a guarantee made by the seller of the goods which expressly states one of the conditions attached to the sale e.g.,"This item is guaranteed against defects in construction for one year".


An IMPLIED WARRANTY is usual in common law jurisdictions and attached to the sale of goods by operation of law made on behalf of the manufacturer. These warranties are not usually in writing. Common implied warranties are a warranty of fitness for use (implied by law that if a seller knows the particular purpose for which the item is purchased certain guarantees are implied) and a warranty of merchantability (a warranty implied by law that the goods are reasonably fit for the general purpose for which they are sold).


DAMAGES OR LOSS - The monetary consequence which results from injury to a thing or a person.


CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES - As opposed to direct loss or damage -- is indirect loss or damage resulting from loss or damage caused by a covered peril, such as fire or windstorm. In the case of loss caused where windstorm is a covered peril, if a tree is blown down and cuts electricity used to power a freezer and the food in the freezer spoils, if the insurance policy extends coverage for consequential loss or damage then the food spoilage would be a covered loss. Business Interruption insurance, extends consequential loss or damage coverage for such items as extra expenses, rental value, profits and commissions, etc.


LIQUIDATED DAMAGES - Are a payment agreed to by the parties of a contract to satisfy portions of the agreement which were not performed. In some cases liquidated damages may be the forfeiture of a deposit or a down payment, or liquidated damages may be a percentage of the value of the contract, based on the percentage of work uncompleted. Liquidated damages are often paid in lieu of a lawsuit, although court action may be required in many cases where liquidated damages are sought. Liquidated damages, as opposed to a penalty, are sometimes paid when there is uncertainty as to the actual monetary loss involved. The payment of liquidated damages relieves the party in breech of a contract of the obligation to perform the balance of the contract.


SUBROGATION - "To stand in the place of" Usually found in property policies (first party) when an insurance company pays a loss to an insured or damaged to the insureds property, the insurer stands in the shoes of the insured and may pursue any third party who might be responsible for the loss. For example, if a defective component is sold to a manufacturer to be used in his product and that product is damaged due to the defective component. The insurance company who pays the loss to the manufacturer of the product may sue the manufacturer of the defective component.


Subrogation has a number of sub-principles namely:


The insurer cannot be subrogated to the insureds right of action until it has paid the insured and made good the loss.
The insurer can be subrogated only to actions which the insured would have brought himself.
The insured must not prejudice the insurer's right of subrogation. Thus, the insured may not compromise or renounce any right of action he has against the third party if by doing so he could diminish the insurer's right of recovery.
Subrogation against the insurer. Just as the insured cannot profit from his loss the insurer may not make a profit from the subrogation rights. The insurer is only entitled to recover the exact amount they paid as indemnity, and nothing more. If they recover more, the balance should be given to the insured.
Subrogation gives the insurer the right of salvage.
In its history of providing insurance services to its clients for over thirty years, Nausch Hogan & Murray has provided coverage for all areas of liability - both on land and at sea.


Over the years Nausch Hogan & Murray has found it helpful to draft a glossary of useful insurance terms that come up time and again in discussions with an insured concerning their coverage needs. We hope these help you as well.


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Low Priced Hotels Near London Make Your Trip Enjoyable

London is one of the most important business centres and thus finding a quality hotel here at affordable rates is like finding a needle in haystack. The hotels that are situated in the heart of the city demand exorbitant prices and those which are affordable, offer very poor quality services and other facilities. So, instead of finding a lodging place at the heart of the city, you can book rooms in hotels near London. In this way, you will save much money and at the same time enjoy the ambience of London life.


Booking hotels near London does not mean you have to be far away from the city and miss all the fun. You will have your own quota of fun and entertainment. You can enjoy the view of the famous Thames River from any of the ultramodern suites. These hotels give you an opportunity to explore the different cultural sites of Greater London. With easy accessibility of underground tube stations, you can travel to the city centre and have a fabulous time at the shopping stores on Oxford Street and Soho. Staying in these hotels near London means you can enjoy a lot of facilities and amenities at very reasonable rates. The well furnished and contemporary styled suites in these hotels give you complimentary tea/coffee facilities, king sized bed, free internet connection, personal laptop sized safes, complimentary toiletries and so on. Even the bathrooms are attached with the suites and have state-of-the-art showers and other fixtures. You can even get bathroom slippers and bathrobes. These hotels also offer you to enjoy manifold amenities like the swimming pool, spa, beauty parlour and salon, gymnasium, bar, in-house restaurant and so on. If you are on a business purpose, you can conduct board meetings in their spacious conference rooms, which have free internet facility as well.


These hotels near London are just a stone's throw away from all the major tourist and business attractions. As these are well commuted by roads and tubes, you will not face any problem going to the Buckingham Palace, London Museum, the Big Ben, London Hyde Park and such other places. If you are a shopaholic, you can enjoy yourself in the streets of Westminster and spend your time in the various departmental stores, electronic shops and fashion stores. You can also visit the popular stores like Marks & Spencer, Nike, House of Fraser, Topshop, New Look, Zara and Gap.


Instead of going to a travel agent and spending a lot of money on his commission, you can book rooms through online websites. You will find many hotels near London have websites of their own. You need to log onto those websites and do reservation through online payment method. You can also take advantage of deals and discounts sometimes offered by these hotels. Before making room reservation you can also go through the feedbacks and reviews given by previous travellers and make your choice accordingly.


If you are interested to enjoy an enjoyable stay in of the best hotels near London, log onto http://www.themontcalmlondoncity.co.uk. This hotel will surely make your trip a memorable one.


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Hotels in London Put You In the Heart of It All

London is a very exciting city with a lot to offer. Many hotels in London will put you close to the most interesting places and things to do. The Ambassador South Kensington in South Kensington is within walking distance of London's finest museums, The Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum. All three museums face each other and each one will take a full day to thoroughly explore all it has to offer. To the north of the museums is Imperial College London.


Just past that is the Royal Albert Hall. This is the main concert hall of London. The Science Museum has 300,000 exhibits on the history of western science, technology, and medicine. Kids will enjoy the hands on workshops they offer. Victoria and Albert Museum is dedicated to the decorative arts from around the world, both ancient and modern. As a complete opposite The British Galleries houses furniture, sculpture, and ceramics that show the history of British design from 1500 to now.


The Natural History Museum was built between 1873 and 1881 to look like a palace. It is home to a collection of fossil and living plants, animals, and minerals. Very popular is the Dinosaur exhibit with a life size robotic dinosaur. The full scale whale exhibit is also a favourite among visitors. This hotel is also close to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London with 142 hectares (350 acres). Kensington Gardens is separated by a lake from Hyde Park called The Serpentine. This is a great place for swimming in the summer and row boat rentals.


Another one of the hotels in London that is close to everything is Norfolk Towers Paddington Hotel by Paddington Station. Paddington Station is a major railway and underground station that will connect you to all the best destinations. It houses The Heathrow Express. Its an express that takes you directly to and from Heathrow Airport. It is also close to many shops and restaurants. Paddington Bear was said to have arrived here when he first came to London. Paddington Bear gifts can be found at Paddington Station.


The Berjaya Eden Park Hotel in Bayswater is close by Oxford Street. This is one of the major thoroughfares of Westminster. It is a huge shopping area with 548 shops. It is considered to be London's main shopping district. All the major department stores have their flagship store on Oxford Street. It is also a common place to see preachers, political demonstrations, and Hare Kirshnas. At Christmas time Oxford Street is decorated in festive lights.


London is a great place to visit with nice places to stay close to everything.


Roo Sadegi is an online travel writer who spends much of his time travelling around Europe's travel hotspots.






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Finding cheap online auto insurance

Automobile car insurance is something that we all need and should command careful consideration. When in the market for auto insurance coverage, and with so many car insurance companies to choose from, it can be a bit confusing when trying to decide on the best and most affordable coverage for your vehicle. With the convenience of the internet, finding all the information required to get the best deals and rates can easily be accomplished online. 


Finding a reputable auto car insurance company is a job within itself, and like buying a home, it is imperative you clearly understand what you are getting.  When in search of cheaper car insurance rates you should take into account all the factors that can affect your car insurance premiums. So before you sign on the dotted line, read the fine print of Automobile Insurance Policy to insure you are getting the necessary coverage to protect yourself.  It happens time and time again, when the car owner gets into an accident or fender bender, the coverage they thought they were paying for is not part of their policy which can lead to out-of-pocket expenses. 


Get several car insurance quotes


Some key factors when shopping for cheap car insurance is to first make sure you get at least three or four quotes since the price you pay for your car insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars. Finding cheaper insurance rates depends on your previous driving records, to include any type of infraction such as speeding, seat belt and auto accidents. Age, gender and the type of car you are seeking auto insurance coverage on including the age of the vehicle, will clearly be critical factors in determining your annual car premiums.


It is equally important to find a car insurance company that can answer any questions you may have and how quickly they handle claims fairly and efficiently. Once you decide on a quote you are satisfied with, before agreeing to anything check with your state insurance department about the company’s history. Finding out the financial well-being of an insurable institution and the number ratio of consumer complaints, could avoid headaches or any future regrets.  


Learn the facts about car insurance


Some other ways of saving money is to ask your insurance broker or agent for a higher deductible. The deductive is the amount of money you pay before the insurance company pays out on your claim. The purpose of requesting a higher deductible can lower your auto rates substantially.  When you increase the deductible from $500 to $1,000 you can potentially save you over 40% on your car insurance rates simply because the insurance company will pay out less for your claim. However, if you know that you can not pay out the higher deductible should something happen to your car in the instance of an accident, and then it is best to remain at a lower deductible.


When figuring out the appropriate insurance coverage for your car, take into account the age of the car. This could also influence your auto premium, for example you may want to consider excluding the collision or comprehensive coverage on an older car. It is not cost saving to yourself when you continue to pay full coverage on a car worth less than amount you pay for your insurance coverage.  If the car has a market value of $2,000 or less, you would not want to pay more in premiums since you will never get back what you are paying out. 


You can easily find out the current market value of your car in order to find out what coverage you will require from a number of valued sources such as banks, auto dealerships, or go online and use the search term, “finding the value of your vehicle”. You can find several reputable services such as, www.kbb.com or www.nadaguides.com where all you have to do is type in the applicable information about your car and instantly you will have the market value. As the saying goes, an educated consumer is a smart consumer, the more you understand prior to purchasing auto insurance, you will be able to make an informed and valued decision. 


Written on behalf of http://www.insurancequote4you.com/ your premium source for finding the best online car insurance rates.

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Worst Case Scenario: Will Your Home Buildings Insurance Cover You?

Nobody likes to consider the ramifications of a worst case scenario, least of all the financial consequence. However, did you know that if a major storm (of the likes we experienced in the UK in the late 1980s) struck the UK today, almost one-half of all homes in the UK would have inadequate home buildings insurance to cover the cost of repairs!

Valuation of your home buildings insurance – is it being done correctly?


Before you consider the value of your home, ask yourself a quick couple of questions:
- what is the principal reason why you have home buildings insurance?
- who assess the value of your home buildings insurance?


In most cases, the answer to the first question is you need to have home buildings insurance because it is a requirement under your mortgage agreement.  The answer to your second question is also likely to be your home mortgage provider, because they feel they know the value of your home better than you do.  So, what’s the problem?  Well, the problem is, each year your home mortgage is going down, but hopefully the value of your home is going up.  As your insurance is principally to cover your outstanding mortgage, a disparity - between the value of your home and the outstanding mortgage amount - will rapidly arise. Therefore, it is vital that you keep control of valuing your home for home buildings insurance purposes and always ensure that the insurance relates to the actual value of your home, not the outstanding mortgage amount.


Improvements to your home – are they being included?


Likely as not, over time you are going to do some building work to your home.  Maybe you’ll add an extension.  Put in a greenhouse.  Add a conservatory.  Etc.  The question is – are all of these add-ons being included in the additional value they bring to your home, or are you only continuing to insure the main part of the home that was part of the original policy?


Increased costs – have you factored these in?


Nearly every insurance policy comes with an excess amount.  Essentially what this means is that you have to pay a threshold amount before you can claim against the insurance company.  Fine, let’s take an example: say you bought your home in 1980 and set the threshold amount at £500.  Would you get more or less in materials and labour today if you were still maintaining an excess sum of £500?  Answer, far less and you’d be claiming on your insurance far sooner, which in turn means your premiums are likely to be higher.


As you can see then, home buildings insurance is not as simple as guessing what you think the value of your home is.  It takes certain precision and year-on-year upkeep if you want to make sure you’ll be sufficiently insured should the unfortunate worst case scenario occur.

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Skin Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for both women and men. The number of confirmed cases has steadily increased over the past few decades. Knowing your risk factors, how to identify the early stages of this disease and how to protect yourself from skin cancer is essential for early detection and effective treatment.


There are two types of skin cancer: melanomas and keratinocyte cancers. Melanomas are less common yet more serious than other types of skin cancer. It is important that you locate and receive treatment for all types of this cancer to prevent the spread into surrounding tissues.


A major risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or tanning beds. UV rays can penetrate the skin even when it is cloudy, cool or hazy outside. There are some things you can do to limit your sun exposure. Many physicians recommend daily use of sunscreen. You should seek shade when spending time outdoors and try to avoid activities outside when the sun's rays are strongest, usually between 10am and 4 pm. Hats, sunglasses and protective clothing protect your skin from UV exposure. Stay away from indoor tanning beds as they have been linked to melanoma and squamous cell skin cancers.


Individuals with fair skin that freckles and burns easily are at a higher risk for this type of cancer than those individuals with darker skin. This is because pigment or melanin in your skin provides protection from UV radiation. If you have light-colored eyes and blond or red hair, you may be at a higher risk as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, some other risk factors include:


Personal or family history of skin cancer
Excessive sun exposure
History of sunburns
Moles
Weakened immune system
Increasing age
No matter what your risk factors, it is important that you examine your skin each month. Many skin cancers are highly treatable with early diagnosis. Look for any changes in moles or unusual areas on your skin. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for a thorough skin exam each year. These check-ups are the best way to make sure that your skin remains healthy.


If you or the dermatologist finds a spot on your skin that causes concern, he may take a biopsy of the area. If the lab finds cancerous or pre-cancerous cells, more tests may be needed to determine the stage, type and extent of the cancer. Once the cancer is staged, the physician will determine which treatment options will be most effective. Most skin cancers are highly treatable if found early. Follow up exams and tests will be needed to ensure that the cancer does not reoccur.


While there is no way to avoid UV exposure completely, taking a few precautions can make a big difference in the overall health of your skin. Be vigilant about your skin checks and contact your physician with any concerns. With a little bit of prevention and routine checks, you may be able to lower your risk for developing any form of skin cancer.


Laura Mims is a writer for FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, which specializes in oncology, cancer care and cancer treatment for most types of cancer, including skin cancer






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How Ordinary Moles Can Turn Cancerous

Summary

By definition, a mole is a lesion found on or under a person's skin. The skin mole has nevus cells. Moles are typically acquired during the early stages of an individual's life, sometimes vanishing during the middle age.

The average person may have somewhere between 10 and 40 moles. The most common kind of moles are moles that occur above the surface of the skin, flat moles, and skin tags. Skin moles that lie in the dermis are embedded in the skin and those that on or covered by the epidermis rest on the skin's outer layer. They're usually benign and range in size, color, texture, and may occur at any part of the body. Although most skin moles are oval and not larger than a pea or raisin. However, some of them may resemble malignant skin lesions since they show a different color with an amorphous shape.

What is melanoma?

Some moles are melanomas which are harmful tumors that are a type of skin cancer. Although it's less common than other kinds of skin cancer, it's considered the deadliest form. Diagnosis is more prevalent in women that live in warm climates, as excessive exposure to the sun is one of the top causes of melanoma. Fair-skinned people with light-colored hair and eyes are also more at risk. This is such because the skin is less resistant towards the grueling and harsh rays of the sun which may or may not contain ultraviolet light, which further increases the chances of developing melanoma.

What are causes of cancerous moles?

While ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is usually the culprit of the most typical cause of cancerous moles, there's also other ways to become afflicted with melanoma. Tanning beds are another common cause, as well as extreme exposure to x-rays. Additionally, those who have impaired immune systems from taking various medications at once are more susceptible to fall victim to melanoma. Frequent contact with chemicals in oil, soot, and tar are contributors as well.

How are cancerous moles diagnosed?

Dermatologists are skin specialists that are most likely to detect melanoma. They may run diagnostic tests if they see symptoms, such as darkish blue coloring and irregular shaped moles, on the skin. Most indications are easy to spot with the naked eye, and it's important to act on clues early to prevent metastasis or the spread of cancer to other organs.

What treatments are available for cancerous moles?

There's several forms of treatment for cancerous moles that are often performed by nuclear medicine technologists or plastic surgeons. Many people choose to undergo cosmetic surgery to have their mole(s) removed. Some endure chemo and/or immunotherapy while radiation therapy may work better for others.

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Protect Yourself From the Sun, Not Your Sunscreen

Check your sunscreen label. If the active ingredients include one or more of the chemicals listed in this article, you need to look into a mineral based alternative.

In 1927, 12,745 physicians endorsed smoking Lucky Strike® cigarettes as a healthful activity; by 1999 smoking-related illness had become the number one cause of death in United States. Similarly, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been on the rise since the first sunscreen arrived on the market in the late 1960's. Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical based sunscreens have been heavily promoted.

While it is important to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it may be just as important to protect yourself from the chemicals used in most sunscreens. Chemical-based sunscreens include ingredients that absorb UV radiation from the sun. These chemicals get into the skin and absorb UV radiation which leads to free radical release. Free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging.

Health-related U.S. government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have important information about potential dangers of these chemicals.

The good news is avoiding chemical-based sunscreens may be easier than you think. Below is a list of some potentially dangerous sunscreen chemicals.

Oxybenzone Oxybenzone is a chemical that can be absorbed by the body and mimic or block hormones thereby disrupting their normal functions. Oxybenzone was found in 96.8% of human urine samples analyzed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008. The same study found a lower birth weight in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to Oxybenzone during pregnancy.

Oxybenzone is a photo-carcinogen, a chemical that can potentially cause cancer when exposed to light. Known as a powerful free radical generator, oxybenzone is used to destabilize chemicals in a number of industrial processes. In addition Oxybenzone has been known to trigger photo-allergic reactions. These allergic reactions are caused by exposure to UV radiation.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that specializes in environmental research and advocacy, identified nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. that contain Oxybenzone, including leading brand names like Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, and many facial moisturizers as well.

Avobenzone Similar to Oxybenzone, Avobenzone is a chemical that absorbs UV radiation and is easily absorbed through the skin, potentially releasing free radicals. Avobenzone has been shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less UV protection over time.

Octocrylene According to recent studies, Octocrylene, causes bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, often killing the entire structure. The UN World Trade Organization estimates 78 million tourists visit coral reefs each year, releasing between 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen into the water. Several marine reserves in Mexico have banned sunscreens that use oils and chemical ingredients.

Octinoxate

The little amount of data on Octinoxate noted estrogenic effects as well as disruption of the thyroid hormone and brain signaling. Estrogenic effects can potentially increase cancers, cause birth defects in children, and cause fertility and other developmental problems.

Homosalate

Homosalate is a penetration enhancer that may promote the absorption of other harmful chemicals. Very little data exist on the effects of homosalate exposure, but preliminary data has found it to be a possible carcinogen.

Octisalate

Alone, octisalate may not be harmful. However, similar to homosalate, octisalate is a penetration enhancer and may promote the penetration of other harmful chemicals.

Solution

Although these reports are alarming, safer sunscreens do exist. Most physicians continue to support the use of sunscreen, but now advocate using physical barrier sunscreens instead of chemical based sunscreens. Rather than absorbing into the skin, a physical barrier sunscreen reflects or scatters UV radiation. It's like wearing millions of tiny mirrors. Most physical barrier sunscreens contain either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Click on any of the sunscreen ads located in this blog to purchase a safe and healthy sunscreen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6803427

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Short Code Marketing

Nearly everyone in the United Kingdom has a mobile phone, and many of those people spend their days texting each other. So it's no surprise that more and more businesses are turning to SMS and text message marketing to make an impact.


And one of the fastest, most effective and simplest ways to make that impact is by using Short Codes.












What are Short Codes?
Short Codes are five digit numbers that clients can use to text your company. You'll have noticed them, as they've become extremely popular with radio stations, nightclubs and television programmes which use them instead of long-winded and hard to remember mobile phone numbers.


An example of a five digit code used in this kind of SMS marketing is this: 80818.


What is Short Code Marketing?
Short Code marketing is the act of using text SMS short codes to allow prospective or current clients to carry out various actions using their mobile phones. Common uses include:


- Signing up for promotions or offers
- Entering competitions or prize draws
- Voting or completing a survey
- Requesting a call or further information, such as a brochure
- Registering an interest for a product, service or event
- Applying for a discount or promotional coupon


Your company can carry out any of these marketing actions, or prompt any other action or response you would like clients to carry out using an SMS text message.


Why Should I Use This Type of SMS Marketing?
The main reason for a business to use a text SMS Short Code marketing campaign is to engage with customers. It's far easier to motivate prospective clients to send a text message to a short, easy to remember number than it is to get them to phone in and speak to someone or visit a website.


Because it's so quick and easy, and texting is so widely used, it's something your customers will engage with without a second thought.


In short, you should use them because they're quick, simple and attractive to customers. And if you find a good service provider, you won't pay over the odds for it.


How Does My Business Start Short Code Marketing?
That's easy. Just find a company who specialise in the field of Short Code marketing, and they'll take you through it step by step.


Of course, there are many other ways to market your business using SMS and text messaging services, but this is one of the quickest and easiest. So when you've found a service provider, don't forget to see what else they can do for your company. Chances are, you'll be happy with their answer.

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Top 25 Interview Questions You Should Ask a Potential Caregiver

Finding the right caregiver to take care of your loved is not always an easy task. Here are some key interview questions to help you get started. Be sure to take notes during the interview. Always check the references of at least two final applicants. Do not wait too long to make the offer, as good applicants may find another job. If the offer is accepted, the caregiver and the in-home helper should set a date to sign the contract and begin work. Both employer and employee should keep a copy of the contract. 


1. Name, address, home phone number, cell phone number, and the best time to call.
2. Do you smoke?
3. Do you have a driver's license? If yes, do you have reliable transportation and insurance? How far from here do you live?
4. Do you have any CPR or first-aid training? Do you have any formal caregiving training?
5. Do I have your permission to run a background check?
6. What type of position are you looking for? After reviewing our job description, is this the type of position you are looking for?
7. Can you perform the duties required for this position?
8. Are you comfortable with pets?
9. Are you able to work the hours needed?
10. When are you available to start working?
11. Do you have any medical conditions to prevent you from heavy lifting? Would you be able to transfer someone from a wheelchair into a car or onto a bed? 
12. If we are delayed, go out of town, or go on vacation would you be able and willing to adjust your schedule?
13. Where was your last job? How long were you there? Why did you leave? May we contact your past employer? Please provide contact name, phone number, and email address.
14. If meal preparation is needed, what kind of food do you cook? Have you had experience cooking for other people
15. How do you feel about caring for an elderly/disabled person? Or a person with memory problems? 
16. How do you handle people who are angry, stubborn, or fearful? 
17. What type of diagnoses have you cared for?
18. Is there anything in the job description that you are uncomfortable doing?
19. Give an example of a difficult situation you handled with a client. For instance, how did you handle refusing to take a shower? 
20. What time commitment are you willing to make to stay on the job?
21. Will you keep daily records? Do you know how to use a computer? 
22. Why should I hire you?
23. Are you willing to sign a contract saying you will not accept money or gifts from my parents?
24. How will you keep the family informed?
25. Can you give me two work related and one personal reference? 


When you hire a caregiver be sure to provide an employment application, W-4 tax Form, job description, and summary of the care-receiver's condition. Ask the caregiver to provide written references, completed employment application, completed W-4 Form, and signed copy of job description, copy of driver's license, car registration, and insurance.


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/free-articles/top-25-interview-questions-you-should-ask-a-potential-caregiver-563234.html

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Choosing a Free Myspace Tracker

Finding a free tracker for myspace has become a hot topic amoung bloggers and disgruntled myspace users. We have tested and tried all of the free myspace trackers and have only found 1 that is worth our members' valuable time. Finding a worthy myspace tracker was a task in itself, and we can only hope that readers will utilize the information provided to make their decision. Please note that most of these myspace trackers are fake, contain spyware, exploit myspace security holes or are completely useless. Below is a list of fake myspace tracker services and their actual function.


Adware merchants such as Myfriendspy.com was one of the worst adware sites to hit the myspace community. This site tricked users into downloading spyware brought to you by 180 Solutions, Inc. However note, this site no longer distributes adware, at least not for the time being.


Fake Bulletin Websites: Spyspace, Viewtracker and other dumb tracker names are basically just a trick to get users to repost a bulletin to increase traffic. These are highly successful for the owner in terms to traffic production, however are frowned upon by myspacers everywhere. (example: www.ryanchunn.com) Do not participate in these as they only make you appear stupid.


Now that we have gotten the spamming scams out of the way, let's go over some of the tracking websites that actually provide tracking.


ProfilePeep is soon becoming one of the most popular profile trackers, not because of their features but because of their marketing efforts. The service and information this website provides is useless. It does not sort by visitors, but instead by hits. There is no incentive to upload photos and the geolocation database is weak. They do not provide tools for their members to get better results except for 1 link. They also reveal IP which is very neglegent. 95% of users cannot find use for IP. The other 5% would only use this information maliciously. Read Privacy Policy regarding what they do with your email.


WhosOnMyPage.com is probably the most useless of the tracking breed. This website provides less information than profilepeep and because of its status with Myspace is non-functional. Once insterting the code into your page, myspace.com automatically deletes the code, making this myspace tracker useless. This website rarely works. Read Privacy Policy.


WhosOnMyProfile.com is a sham and a scam. During registration you are forced to complete a survey which asks for personal information such as street address and phone number. Once completed you are brought to a screen that says 'The code no longer works on myspace.' This website is a scam and will steal your time as well as your contact information. Read their privacy policy.


Beyond these scams, shams and lies there is actually a free myspace tracker worth your precious time. The tracker that stands above there rest is definatly http://www.TheSpaceTracker.com. The Space Tracker provides comprehensive visitor tracking and traffic statistics. These statistics are of premium grade and help greatly with friend tracking, marketing or overall entertainment. This myspace tracker WILL NOT tell you who every single person that visits your site is, expecting this feature in any free tracker or paid tracker for that matter is unrealistic. But if you have some patience, The Space Tracker provides tools that greatly improve your tracking results with minimal participation. If you want a free tracker for myspace, TheSpaceTracker is it! No other tracker can currently sort visitors by time, consistancy, users, month, hour and geographical location. The space tracker is the only solution that actually offers some structure. Users can now control what information they reveal about themselves and in turn those settings dictate the information that is provided from results. For example, if a member does not have a photo uploaded, then that member will not be able to view photos in their tracker. This makes for a better community as it definatly entices action by the user. No other free myspace tracker has ever tried so hard to provide members with decent statistics. According to TheSpaceTracker.com's admin, they are trying their hardest not to get zapped by myspace by providing the most myspace compliant tracker available. This tracker was also mentioned in The Washington Post blog and has gotten great reviews across the board.


All in all, TheSpaceTracker the only myspace tracker worth joining. TheSpaceTracker does not spam, install spyware or steal your myspace information. A free tracker for myspace is hard to come by without the correct knowledge, but with some helpful tips your free tracker for myspace is just a click away!


http://www.thespacetracker.com


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/free-articles/choosing-a-free-myspace-tracker-32239.html

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Socialization, Culture, Norms and Values Into a Society

Socialization: Socialization is a process by which individual learn the culture of their society as it is the process of social learning and as such is a lifelong process.  Without undergoing this process, an individual would bear little resemblance to any human being defined as normal by the standards of his or her society, e.g. so called “wolf children of midnapore” two females aged two and eight, were reportedly found in a wolf den in Bengali in 1920.  They walked on all fours, preferred a diet of raw meat, they howled like wolves and lacked any form of speech.


Such an example indicates that socialization involving prolonged interaction with adults is essential not only for fitting new members into society but also the process of actually becoming human.


Culture: Ralph Linton: “The culture of a society is the way of life of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation. 


Since human beings have no instinct to direct their actions, their behaviour must be based on guidelines which are learned.  But for a society to operate effectively, these guidelines must be shared by its members.  Culture therefore has two essential qualities: firstly it is learned, secondly it is shared.  Without it there would be no human society.


Culture defines accepted ways of behaving for members of a particular society.  Such definitions vary from society to society.  Every society has certain common problems to deal with for example the problem of dependent members such as the very young and the very old.  However, solutions to such problems are culturally determined.  It is to be noted that the solutions provided in one society may well be regarded as indefensible by members of other societies, e.g. under certain circumstances, “infanticide and geronticide” have been practiced by certain groups of Australian aborigines, Eskimos and Caribou Indians.


Norms: Norms are guidelines which direct conduct in particular situations.  It is a specific guide to action which defines acceptable and appropriate behaviour in various particular situations, e.g. Norms governing dress which vary from society to society.


Norms are enforced by POSITIVE and NEGATIVE sanctions that is rewards and punishments.  Sanctions can be informal such as an approving or disapproving glance, or formal, such as a reward or a fine given by an official body.


Usually, the threat of negative sanctions is sufficient to enforce normative behaviour.  Conversely an admiring glance a word of praise or an encouraging smile provides rewards for conformity to social norms.


Values: Unlike norms which provide specific directives for conduct, values provide more general guidelines.  A value is a belief that something is good and desirable.  It defined what is important, worthwhile and worth striving for.  In the west for example the value of materialism motivates individuals to invest time and energy producing and acquiring material possessions.  In term of Sioux values which place a high value on generosity, the acquisitive individual of western society would at best be regarded as peculiar and more probably would be condemned as grasping self-seeking and antisocial.  Shared norms and values are essential for the operation of human.


Primary socialization, probably the most important aspect of the socialization process, takes place during infancy, usually within the family.  Through the family, the child learns the language and many of the basic behaviour patterns of its society.


Ultimately, the agents of socialization are the family, the educational system, the peer group, the occupational group and mass-media.


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/socialization-culture-norms-and-values-into-a-society-736912.html

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How to Recycle Your Old Mattress

Do you have an old mattress you want to get rid of? Mattresses are full of materials and chemicals that are decidedly not eco friendly: formaldehyde, polyurethane, petroleum based materials, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and so on. (Come to think of it, why are we sleeping on something containing such hazardous chemicals?)


For anyone wanting to be environmentally friendly, mattress recycling poses a substantial obstacle. You can’t take it to the typical recycling center and most charities won’t accept them because of health regulations. What to do? Here are a few ideas.




1) Craigslist.org. As they say, one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. In this tough economy there are tons of people who would simply love to take a free mattress off your hands.


2) Freecycle.org. Freecyle is a worldwide network comprised of local groups whose members give away and exchange items for free so as to recycle products and keep them out of landfills. Check to see if there is a Freecycle group in your area (my local one has over 6000 members!)


3) Your City or County. Your local government may offer mattress recycling–but if they do, make sure they’re not just taking them to the landfill because your attempt to recycle it will be for nothing.


4) Ecohaul.com. Can’t find someone who wants the mattress? Have it hauled away by this company that pledges to do everything possible to keep materials it picks up out of landfills.


Looking for ways to reuse your old mattress will keep it out of the landfill and the environment.


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recycling-articles/how-to-recycle-your-old-mattress-738453.html

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Generation Xyz

Which event made the most impression in your life?

MTV debuts


Grunge was fashionable


American Idol


Paris Hilton in jail




The answer depends on your age or which generation you relate to most. Each generation is shaped by events, developments and trends of its time. And the media plays a big part in transforming and shaping the perception of generations.


Generation X: the letter "X" originally suggested the ambiguous, misunderstood, disheartened generation. The ambiguity has since been clearly defined, so its alternative name Thirteenth Generation (we are the thirteenth generation since the founding of the country) should be more appropriately used. Gen X can be described as growing up with MTV, Pac Man and The Breakfast Club. Pressed between two large generations of the Baby Boomers and Gen Y, Gen X is also characterized with having the middle child syndrome - always being ignored and underappreciated. Like sibling rivalry, with Boomers as the self-righteous eldest and Millennials as the pampered baby with a sense of entitlement. The media has focused a lot of its attention on the Baby Boomers entering into retirement, social security problems, health issues and the rise of biotech. With even more spotlight, the media is fascinated with tabloids of today's youth, their lifestyle, their relationships, and more of the same monotony. Gen X are feeling overlooked and invisible. So we have a generational chip on our shoulders, but how about coverage on success of a X turning 40, X icons, or X as a technologically influential generation? Is it too much to ask for more face time, more visibility, more recognition?


Generation Y: the offsprings of the Baby Boomers make up of today's teens and twenty-somethings. They love fame, celebrities, technology, brand names, and six degrees of separation through social networks. Somewhat ironic, Millennials inherited and benefited from the creation of Gen X platforms such as Google, YouTube, MySpace, and Amazon which are largely responsible for classifying this generation as the Internet Generation. This is a large population of 76 million people who are technically savvy and can be powerful because of their ability to connect to each other. With their sense of empowerment, they demand "I want what I want when, where and how I want it." Quick access to information, to communication equate to instant gratification. This generation's easy access to a plethora of information can be an overload. This trend will continue to a great degree onto Generation Z. 


Generation Z: the future of our tomorrow who are predominantly the children of Gen X. This is a very young generation with the oldest at 12 years old. Despite their young age, the characteristics of this generation are quite apparent. They are exposed to technology very early in their lives and most already have an online identity. They are considered the most stressful generation for their involvement in too many extra-curricular activities – piano lesson, tap dancing, swimming, soccer practice, singing class, etc. With the rigid schedule of daily activities, they sometime forget to be children.


There is no doubt that each generational difference is marked uniquely. The previous generation lays the path for the next. Of course, conflicts between generations are commonplace as one generation expects conformity from the other generation. This would indubitably make our relationships less complicated, but that is not reality. The reality is that generational differences should be embraced, accepted and respected.


Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/generation-xyz-522842.html

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