Grab users can now buy insurance in-app following ZhongAn investment

Grab has partnered with Chinese online insurance giant ZhongAn to offer insurance products through its app, it announced today.

The two companies are forming a joint venture to create a digital insurance marketplace that will allow Grab users to browse and buy customized insurance products via the Grab app, without the need for an agent or a broker. The Lion City will get the new service during the first half of this year, before it gradually rolls out in other markets.

ZhongAn – which is considered a pioneer in online-only insurance – will “provide technologies and [charge] technical service fees” and share “insurance premium income through strategic investment as a strategic partner,” it said in an email.

Further details of ZhongAn’s investment in Grab were not disclosed.

Grab said the joint venture “will address the usual pain points of insurance discovery, unaffordable premiums, and payment options by allowing for insurance premium payments to be adjusted and automatically deducted through GrabPay or its affiliate payment partners.”

In March last year, Grab launched Grab Financial, its financial services arm. This brought together its existing digital payments platform, GrabPay, as well as new drivers’ insurance and microlending offerings in partnership with Chubb and Credit Saison, respectively.

Grab has been bringing a multitude of non-transportation services onto its platform in its self-defined mission to become Southeast Asia’s “everyday super app.” For example, its users will soon be able to buy medicine and book doctors’ appointments through its platform, thanks to a tie-up with PingAn Good Doctor announced last August.

The ride-hailing company is reportedly raising US$5 billion from an ongoing Toyota-led funding round, which has also seen participation from Microsoft, SoftBank, and Hyundai, among others.

What insurance coverage is needed for an unoccupied home?

We all have insurance, recognizing that whether you have a mortgage or not, your home needs protection. There are many different chapters in our lives, and we are so busy that insurance gets taken for granted.

You need specific insurance for certain circumstances. Here are some examples:

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You are purchasing a home, you close and plan to renovate. This new property will be unoccupied temporarily. You must communicate that to your insurance representative. Remember, you purchased insurance with an application to occupy the home. Even though the property is temporarily vacant, it still is a category that the insurance company needs to recognize.

In another instance, you go away or are not selling for 90 days. This property is still your responsibility. You must inform your carrier. There are homes that are vacant (nothing in them) and then there are homes with belongings and furniture which are labeled as unoccupied; your carrier needs specifics.

If your home is not occupied, whether it has your belongings in it or not, you must take care to keep your property protected. Safety features are easy to obtain. You can purchase water or heat detectors through a hardware store.

There are also sophisticated mechanisms to add to your alarm systems. These products monitor thermostat problems or water on the floor from a broken hot water heater or system.

There are a few different ways to winterize a home. Some owners turn off the water and others bleed the plumbing. If your pipes break in this winter climate and you have not properly taken precautions, your coverage may be compromised.

Homeowner’s insurance has many rules. Have a relationship with your agent. From safety features to changing guidelines, you want your cost for coverage to work for you.

Rest easy if you are in Florida for the winter and your agent is keeping a record of this for your protection. Problems can occur in all seasons. There are websites you can check with complete information regarding home insurance policies.

Barbara Lehrer,

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, (203) 640-6407, barbara.lehrer@

coldwellbankermoves.com

New York City Construction Industry 2018 was the most dangerous year in nearly a decade

New York Construction Accident Lawyer Representing Injured Workers

Construction industry is filled with numerous risks and potential hazards, especially in New York City. While construction accidents happen all the time, statistics collected by the New York City over the past decade have shown that 2018 saw more reported construction related injuries of any year following the post-recession building boom.

Key findings about construction accidents in 2018, according to statistics and an article from Crain’s New York:

• Through October 2018, the last month of available data, construction accidents and injuries already outpaced year-end numbers recorded in 2017 (650 for both).
• The number of construction accidents in New York City has increased each year since 2014, when the city’s building boom began to gain steam.
• As of November 21, when a construction worker was crushed to death at a worksite in Brooklyn, the number of construction fatalities in NYC was 12 – which is equal to the number of construction fatalities recorded in each of the previous three full years.
• When tracked using different criteria set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the number of construction injuries and deaths in the city is even greater.

Though experts state increases in construction work and incident reporting may contribute to the higher numbers, the data – which comprise only a fraction of the 2018 year – is alarming. That’s especially true given the efforts of City officials who have adopted a number of measures designed to protect construction workers and reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths on worksites.

These measures include improve oversight of project safety, higher fines for employers and others who violate workplace safety standards, and a new law requiring a minimum of 40 hours of safety training for all workers. The rise in construction site accidents despite these efforts suggests employers may not be doing enough to protect workers from construction accidents.

”Your Rights As A Construction Worker In New York”

How Do I Find Construction Accident Lawyer in New York?

Just as you wouldn’t call an electrician to fix your plumbing, you need to be sure that any lawyer you call is experienced in handling construction accident cases. Even the smallest missed detail in your case could result in you going without the financial compensation and benefits you and your family deserve. Our team of New York Construction Accident Attorneys of The Rybak Firm, PLLC., have the experience and knowledge to help you get the maximum compensation under the law. Call Now For A Free Consultation (718)569-7040 Available 24/7 or Contact Us online and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

Perhaps the most difficult question to answer about an accident that results in a personal injury is, “What is my case/claim worth?” That’s not the first question—not even close. First you ask whether you and your loved ones are going to be all right, whether all of you will fully recover, and whether this accident will affect you for the rest of your life.

Once those questions are answered, though—and satisfactorily, one hopes—practical considerations arise. You have suffered damages, both to you personally  (and property, in the case of an car accident). You require medical care, your car needs repair—or even replacement. What are these damages worth?

‘Personal Injury Case Worth. Want to know what matters?’

In New York, a No-Fault State, you usually are seeking reimbursement from your own insurance company. Not always, of course—there are exceptions. But for most cases, you are pursuing a post-accident claim against your own insurance company.

In any accident claim, remember several things. First, if police reports or the circumstances of the accident indicate the other driver was at fault, you might pursue a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy—even in no-fault New York, provided you meet certain requirements. That alone probably requires that you have a personal injury attorney to help determine the value of your claim. ‘Personal Injury Case Worth. Want to know what matters?’

Do I need A Personal Injury Lawyer?

Even if you are pursuing a claim against your own insurance policy, though, you could have a difficult time determining what that claim is worth. Certainly, online sources purport to help you calculate the worth of your claim, such as this site or this one. Online claim-valuation sites, however, cannot deal with some important factors in real time. Payments for accidents are losses for insurance companies, so insurance companies try to minimize payouts. No matter what your circumstances, the insurer’s goal will be to minimize its losses. The claims adjuster is an experienced negotiator. You are not.

The value of your personal injury claim is intrinsically tied to your past, present, and future medical bills. Other losses may also factor into the total, including out-of-pocket expenses and lost income. Calculating the total amount of your losses is difficult and frequently requires putting a dollar price on things that have no clear monetary value, including pain, suffering, and emotional distress. You will doubtless believe that your claim is worth far more than the insurance company’s offer. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. Yours is to get what you deserve.  ‘Should I Accept An Insurance Settlement Offer ?‘

If You Suffer a Personal Injury in New York City, Call The Rybak Firm, PLLC, Today to Discuss Your Options
If you are injured in an accident including but not limited to Construction Accident, Slip and Fall, Car Accident, Medical Malpractice in New York City, explore your compensation options. You need an advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine your claim’s worth. Take advantage of a free case evaluation to determine if an injury attorney can help maximize your compensation for your injuries. The accident attorneys of The Rybak Firm, PLLC, can help. Contact Us 24/7  (718) 569-7040 or through our online contact form.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me

Our offices are located in Brooklyn, New York. However, we serve clients throughout the whole New York City Metro Area and represent clients in every borough of New York City. If an injury prevents you from meeting at our offices, our personal injury attorneys may travel to meet with you. We also provide free transportation to and from our offices.

Our office address is at:

1810 Voorhies Avenue, Ste #7
Brooklyn, NY 11235

4 Seasons Of Personal Injury

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Injured Victims Of Negligence

One of the greatest things about New York is the changing of the seasons. As the temperatures and weather patterns change during the year, so will the activities in which you participate. Also changing are the risks of certain types of accidents and injuries. While some accidents can happen at any point during the year, certain hazards may present greater risks during different seasons.

What Are Common Accidents In The Fall?

With the weather getting cooler, many people want to get outside and enjoy the crispness in the air. This means playing sports, riding bicycles, or simply walking more places instead of hopping in cabs. Pedestrians and bicyclists are more exposed to injuries in the event of a crash and can experience serious losses as a result. Fall also brings the start of school for many young New Yorkers, exposing them to potential school bus accidents, playground injuries, and more.

What Are Common Accidents In The Winter?

With winter comes the holiday season— as well as snow and ice. Winter weather can wreak havoc on the roads in New York, making traffic even more treacherous than it already is, so the number of traffic and pedestrian accidents can increase. In addition, the holiday season comes with its own risks, including slip and fall accidents while shopping in overcrowded stores or getting hit by drunk drivers on their ways home from holiday celebrations.

What Are Common Accidents In The Spring?

Everyone wants to experience springtime in New York, so the number of visitors and tourists often increases. People who are unfamiliar with our city often make mistakes when crossing the street or driving, which can result in serious accidents and injuries. Cases resulting from visitor-related accidents can be complicated depending on the circumstances. In addition, many families may take vacations for spring break and can be involved in accidents involving:

• Planes
• Road trips
• Hotels or resorts
• Water-related activities

What Are Common Accidents In The Summer?

New York heats up in the summer, and the pool is a popular destination. Whether you go to a private or public swimming pool, owners have the duty to keep the pool and surrounding areas in safe conditions and in compliance with all applicable state and federal safety requirements. If a swimming pool area contains dangerous hazards or conditions, visitors can incur serious injuries and may even drown. Boating accidents are also a concern in the summertime in New York, because boat operators may be distracted or drunk and may cause serious accidents and injuries as a result.

If You Were Injured In An Accident Contact Personal Injury Lawyer Today For A Free Consultation
No matter what time of year your accident occurs, discuss your rights with an experienced team of Personal Injury Attorneys . The Rybak Firm, PLLC is familiar with the many types of accidents and injuries that occur in and around New York City and can help determine the best possible method of financial recovery in your case.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident and injuries by calling our firm at (718) 569-7040 or contact us online as soon as possible. We Are Available 24/7

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me

Our offices are located in Brooklyn, NY. We serve the entire NYC Metro Area and represent clients in every borough of New York City. Our Personal Injury Attorneys are able to travel to you if you are unable to meet due to an injury. We also provide free transportation to and from our offices.

Our office address is:

1810 Voorhies Ave

Suite #7

Brooklyn, NY 11235

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Motorcycle Accident

Although the dangers of riding are obvious even to those who have never hopped on a hog, some of the most seasoned motorcyclists are unaware of the steps they should take in the event of a collision. Since catastrophic injuries are likely in motorcycle accidents, all riders should know what to do in the aftermath of a crash. Otherwise, they risk jeopardizing their chances of recovering compensation from those liable for their damages.

If you ride, it is also wise to familiarize yourself with some of the most common mistakes people make following wrecks. When your financial security is at stake, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing how to proceed. Here are a few critical missteps to avoid after a collision:

Admitting Fault

Never apologize, accept responsibility, or admit fault at the scene. Although Minnesota motorists must file claims under their own no-fault insurance coverage, liability can play a role in certain scenarios.

For example, if a driver or passenger sustains an injury resulting in disfigurement, disability for at least 60 days, or the permanent limitation of an organ, system, or function, he or she can bypass the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for damages. There are different guidelines for motorcyclists, though, so it is wise to seek legal counsel following a wreck.

Despite the state’s no-fault system, riders do not have to purchase such coverage in Minnesota. Therefore, unless you bought an optional policy, suing the liable driver may be your only option for pursuing compensation. Naturally, this will be more difficult if you admit fault at the scene.

Postponing Medical Care

Failing to visit a doctor right away will threaten both your health and your subsequent personal injury claim. Postponing treatment increases the chances of suffering serious complications. It also provides the defendant with the opportunity to argue you are at least partially liable for the severity of your injuries because you put off visiting a doctor. 

Talking to the Insurance Adjuster

Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators who enter every interaction with an agenda. It is in your best interests to avoid talking to them at all. Let your personal injury lawyer handle all interactions with the insurance adjuster so you do not feel pressured to provide a recorded statement. 

Failing to Document Everything

Building a strong motorcycle accident claim begins at the scene. That means photographing the wreck from all angles and obtaining the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.

Upon leaving the area, it’s up to you to document the damages. Photograph visible wounds from day one, and write about your injuries and emotional trauma in a daily journal. Additionally, save all records, receipts, and invoices for expenses you incur related to the accident.

Call 800-770-7008 to Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Minneapolis

If you were hurt in a wreck while riding, turn to Bradshaw & Bryant. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will help you gather the evidence needed to prove liability and damages. Call 320-259-5414 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Minneapolis.

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Mike Bryant

A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer"  multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota  "Super Lawyers" four times.

How to Prove Negligence After a Car Accident

Although Minnesota follows a no-fault system when it comes to car insurance claims, there are scenarios in which injured parties may seek compensation from the at-fault motorist. But before they can recover a single dollar from the opposing party, they must be able to prove negligence played a role in the incident.

Since there are countless ways for drivers to be negligent while behind the wheel, there are also countless kinds of evidence to prove it; however, there are certain types of proof that are valuable in virtually all car accident claims. These include:

Official Police Reports: Responding officers are going to question everyone at the scene. If the other motorist admits fault or accepts blame, police are going to note as much in the official accident report. Under Minnesota’s implied consent law, police also have the right to administer chemical tests if they believe anyone involved was driving while impaired. Whether they conduct blood, breath, or urine tests will be noted in the report, as well, and the results of these tests can also be used as evidence of negligence.
Photographs of the Wreckage: The arrangement of the vehicles at the scene can reveal what happened in the seconds leading up to the crash. If one car crossed over the centerline and struck another vehicle head on, for example, photographs of the wreckage will indicate as much.
Eyewitness Testimony: Passengers, nearby motorists, cyclists, and/or pedestrians might have seen what happened in the moments before the collision. Although eyewitness testimony is not the most reliable kind of evidence, it can corroborate your version of events and provide additional insight regarding the cause of the wreck.
Statements from Accident Reconstruction Experts: When a crash involves multiple vehicles or liability is unclear, claimants can turn to accident reconstruction experts for help. These professionals can deduce what happened based on the available evidence.
Gathering the evidence mentioned above may sound like a lot of work, but doing so is not necessary following every car accident because of Minnesota’s no-fault laws. Injured parties only need to prove negligence if they pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, which they may do if the collision results in:

Permanent injury;
Permanent scarring or disfigurement;
At least 60 days of disability;
At least $4,000 in reasonable medical expenses, excluding diagnostic procedures like X-rays and MRI scans; or
Death.
Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud, Minnesota

If you were hurt in a motor-vehicle collision with a drunk, distracted, or reckless driver, a personal injury attorney from Bradshaw & Bryant will help you gather the kinds of evidence mentioned above to prove negligence. For six consecutive years, attorney Michael Bryant has been recognized as a SuperLawyer and has been named among the state’s Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics. Call 320-259-5414 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in St. Cloud.

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Mike Bryant
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer"  multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota  "Super Lawyers" four times.

Insurance Dashboard

DEFINITION of Insurance Dashboard

An interactive digital tool that combines and manages all aspects of a user’s insurance policies in one platform. An insurance dashboard provides much needed transparency within the insurance sector, and is used by both insurers and the insured to track and monitor activities related to an insurance account.

BREAKING DOWN Insurance Dashboard

Technology in the insurance sector (Insurtech) has surged following customer demand for more transparency and lower premium rates. Before the proliferation of technology in the insurance sector, significant time had to be invested by brokers and individuals in getting quotes from insurance companies. Traditional insurance shopping for best rates requires calling as many insurers to cross-reference the types of coverage each offers with their subsequent rates. With an insurance dashboard, a shopper avoids this lengthy process since the required information is readily available on the digital board. Dashboards provide immediate transparency, interactivity, and convenience—important traits that are much needed for financial inclusiveness.


Dashboards are used by online brokers to display rates quoted by different insurance companies for certain types of coverage. Insurance dashboards provide a one-stop comparison shop for consumers who can easily access information about insurance products quickly. Providing immediate quotes where clients can conveniently decide on the right coverage for their needs is one of the benefits of the insurance dashboard.

Users who are already covered by a policy can access their personalized dashboard online through a cell phone, tablet, or laptop by logging onto the insurer’s site. An customer with multiple coverage under the same insurance firm, say for car, home, health, and travel, will see information pertaining to all policies on the same dashboard. From the dashboard, the insured can file for and monitor the progress of an insurance claim without the step of making multiple calls to the claims department. Some insurance dashboards have an upload feature for claimants who would like to attach pictures or documents to their claims file. Information included on the dashboard include annual premium, status of claims if any, effective policy date, and other basic information like name and address of the policy holder.

Insurance companies use dashboards to gather the necessary data on its users. Data analytics involves using insurance data to determine the relationship between earnings through premiums collected and losses that arise from claims filed. Information that is retrieved by insurance analytics provides insurers with insight on the demographics of their policy owners that are more expensive to insure. For example, an insurer that reported losses in the previous year can analyze its dashboard metrics for the purpose of improving its operations. If it sorts through its available data and the numbers reveal that policy owners that are male between the age of 25 and 30 have the most claims on file, the company might decide to increase the premium paid by this group to cover for costs incurred. Dashboards used within insurance firms include information such as name and policy ID of policy holders, age, gender, claims history, claim type, risk assessment, loss ratio, and type of coverage provided.

Information on a dashboard can be filtered and sorted to make corporate decisions, converted to graphs and charts for visual communication, and shared with third party companies like banks. 

Through advancements in insurtech and fintech, dashboards have provided a means where brokers, insurers, insurance shoppers, and policy owners can readily access insurance information with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

Absolute Exclusion

What is an Absolute Exclusion

An absolute exclusion is an insurance policy clause that eliminates coverage of certain events. This type of clause allows insurers to deny coverage of claims regardless of how the event came to be, even if the claim only relates to the type of exclusion remotely. Insurers use absolute exclusions to clarify what events they will not cover in a policy, regardless of how an event comes to pass.


Insurance companies must provide policyholders with plainly worded forms that any absolute exclusions clear. If insurers willfully obscure or omit policy information or fail to provide clear, comprehensive forms, policyholders somteimtes take them to court for bad faith insurance practices.

BREAKING DOWN Absolute Exclusion

In recent years, absolute exclusion causes seem to happen more frequently. However, too many absolute exclusions in policies can create a problem for an insurance company. Insurance companies calculate risk carefully and price policy premiums accordingly. The price of premiums reflects how much money an insurance company needs to collect in order to confidently underwrite all of their policies.

If a company agrees to cover too many risks, it opens itself up to an increased number of claims, putting itself at risk of insolvency. However, if through use of absolute exclusions, a company covers an overly narrow set of risks and customers become dissatisfied with their coverage, the company won’t be able to sell many policies.

Critics of absolute exclusions point to the ambiguity with which companies often phrase these clauses, which can make determining what is covered difficult to parse out when a number of events occur in close succession. In some states, if the loss is caused by a combination of covered and excluded events, the loss is covered if the covered event was the proximate cause of the loss. However, if the covered event was only remotely involved in the loss, then the company often denies the policyholder’s claim.

How Absolute Exclusions Work

Let’s say a homeowner purchases a policy that does not cover mold damage. This policy has an absolute exclusion clause for mold. One evening, the pipes underneath the upstairs sink burst and water leaks into the walls and flooring. In addition to the water damage to the wood and flooring, mold begins to grow in the walls, as well.

The policyholder  make a claim that water caused all of the damage. However, due to the mold exclusion clause, the insurer refuses to cover the mold damage, and only cover the damage that the sink caused to the flooring and wood.

Best Age to Get Life Insurance

The optimal age for purchasing life insurance is technically right after birth. Life insurance is age-banded, which means that as each year passes, a policy becomes more expensive. There are arguments for and against a parent or relative purchasing life insurance for a newborn. Here's a look at the options.

A whole life insurance policy can be prepaid via lump sum for an infant or minor. When the minor child turns 18, policy ownership can be transferred to the insured, at which point the policy can be funded further, or cashed in if it holds any equity.

Life insurance cash values grow tax-deferred. Premium contributions to whole life policies purchased at early ages can accumulate considerable value over long-term time horizons, as the cost of insurance is fixed for the entire term of the policy. Cash values can be used as a down payment for a first home purchase. If held long enough, accumulations may supplement retirement income. However, the primary function of personal life insurance revolves around two major categories: income and debt.

Life Insurance and Debt

A college graduate entering the workforce may, in the absence of savings, obtain a credit card to fund relocation or housing costs. The acquisition of unsecured debt immediately places a burden on the debtor's estate, as card balances require payment upon the death of the holder. Ideally, the 22- to 23-year-old graduate purchases a life insurance policy to cover the debt assumed. However, most individuals under age 25 are more concerned with paying current bills than acquiring additional ones.

While the optimal age to purchase life insurance is under 35, Millennials are the least likely to purchase a policy. In 2015, individuals between 18 and 35 overestimated the cost of a policy by 213%. Among the 57% of U.S. citizens who own life insurance, more than half of those policyholders are 45 or older. With marital rates decreasing 21% from 1960 to 2010, life policy purchases are being delayed despite the inherent advantages of buying at a younger age.

Life Insurance and Income

Fewer people are tying the knot, and the number of dual-income households has more than doubled from 1960 through 2012. More than 60% of U.S. households contained two wage earners in 2012, a 35% increase from 1960. With life insurance existing to protect households from the death of a breadwinner, direct written life premium has nevertheless remained flat between 2012 and 2014. Monthly life premiums take a backseat to retirement savings among U.S. residents 25 or older. Furthermore, 40% of Americans don’t own life insurance. Among that population, more than half of them say that payments for conveniences such as cell phones, cable and internet service take precedence over prospective life insurance premiums.

Cost of Waiting

Forgoing life insurance purchases at a young age can be costly over the long term. The average cost of a 30-year level term policy with a $100,000 face amount is about $156 per year for a healthy 30-year-old male. By contrast, the annual premium for a 40-year-old male is about $216. The overall cost of delaying the purchase for 10 years sits at $1,800 over the life of the policy.

Additionally, the cost of waiting to purchase life insurance can have a greater impact on an attempt to purchase a policy. Medical conditions are more likely to develop as an individual grows older. If a serious medical condition arises, a policy can be rated by the life underwriter, which could lead to higher premium payments or the possibility that the application for coverage can be declined outright.