ABC Money

There has never been a better time to invest in St Kitts and Nevis. Here’s why

Investment

ABC Staff

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10 July 2018

There has never been a better time to invest in St Kitts and Nevis. Here’s why

The stunning islands of St Kitts & Nevis have always been dedicated to safeguarding its residents’ future, with a variety of funds available for businesses and communities. Now, the government is aiming to entice foreign investors with new rules and guidelines for the country’s popular Citizenship by Investment programme. After the Hurricane Relief Fund initiative ended at the end of March 2018, the government launched the , aiming to invest in sustainable living on the islands.

The scheme will benefit all citizens and residents, as well as tourists, in areas that include healthcare, education, tourism, and even alternative energy. Those who invest through the Sustainable Growth Fund automatically qualify for a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and passport, allowing them to enjoy better perks than ever before.

The Sustainable Growth Fund is focused on green initiatives

With a stronger focus on sustainability than ever before, going green is at the forefront of many campaigns around the world. Following on from President Trump’s decision to exit the Paris climate agreement, more cities, states, and companies have taken their own steps to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The St Kitts & Nevis government is one of them.

The Caribbean twin-island country historically relied on fossil fuels for energy, but it has since turned to green energy in order to preserve its natural beauty while minimising its carbon footprint. Wind and solar farms currently supply energy around Nevis Island, as well as the St. Christopher Air, Sea and Ports Authority, and the country is looking into harnessing geothermal energy, similar to neighbouring Dominica’s efforts.

With more funding through the Sustainable Growth Fund, St Kitts & Nevis will be able to invest even more in renewable energy sources, minimising the country’s impact on global warming. Being at the forefront of green energy in the region can also encourage other countries and islands in the Caribbean to follow suit, minimising the carbon footprint of the entire region, and offering entrepreneurs the chance to invest in a world-leading green energy region.

These investments benefit the St Kitts & Nevis community

As the green energy industry rises in St Kitts & Nevis, so does the opportunity to create more jobs. For example, having more solar panels or wind turbines around the island will require people to know how to install and maintain them. These roles require specific skill sets, which means education will be improved in turn. Investments will also go towards funding school construction, as well as other education related initiatives including equipment, bursaries and grants. All of this will encourage children and young adults to stay in school, providing a richer economy and community.

The government is also dedicated to helping small and medium businesses thrive in St Kitts & Nevis, with tax benefits, loans, and technical assistance available to entrepreneurs. Currently, the government offers the successful Fresh Start Programme, which helps fund the growth of start-ups, as well as small and medium businesses.

In 2017, the Prime Minister announced that over 500 businesses benefited from the programme, with over $33 million being dispersed amongst the companies. More investments into the local community and governments will offer more opportunities for these businesses to see success. Allowing businesses to grow within the country gives entrepreneurs the chance to create more jobs for the community, further enhancing and enriching the economy.

The St Kitts & Nevis tourism industry will flourish

Along with adopting more green living around the country, St Kitts & Nevis can also profit from the sustainable tourism industry. St Kitts & Nevis is already working towards promoting this even further, and in September 2017 it hosted the Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum. By ensuring that the natural landscapes are safeguarded from pollution, St Kitts & Nevis can attract more tourists looking for a luxury, pristine getaway to the stunning Caribbean islands.

Tourists and locals alike will be able to take in the breath-taking views on the St Kitts Scenic Railway, while catching glimpses of the historic landmarks the country has to offer, such as the Brimstone Hill Fortress and the National Park. With the picturesque views of the lush Central Forest Reserve National Park, visitors will be able to enjoy the view of hundreds of plants and can even peek at the vervet monkeys that call the island home. Thrill seekers have the option of taking on one of the five ziplines across the islands, which are up to 1,000 feet long, as part of the Sky Safari Tour, while those who are simply looking to unwind can enjoy the white, sandy beaches.

With the host of benefits that come with investing in St Kitts & Nevis, now is the time to take advantage of the limited opportunities to invest in this gorgeous Caribbean islands.

Which are the best social trading networks to use?

Technology

Elliot

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6 July 2018

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Which are the best social trading networks to use?

You may have thought about trading in the currency, commodity or stock markets in the past but have been a little cautious. After all, to stand any chance of making consistent profit in these kinds of financial markets previously meant many years of rigorous study and testing of strategies. However, all this changed at some point around 2005.

This was the year that mirror trading was invented, which performed the same basic function as social trading (also known as copy trading). With a few improvements and tweaks over the intervening years, true social trading came into effect and made the financial markets truly open for all to trade on.

No knowledge – no problem!

Social trading took mirror trading and moved it into the 21st century – but what exactly is social trading, and how does it work?

This type of trading allows you to connect with other more experienced traders via dedicated social trading networks and copy the trades that they are making. It took the copying element of mirror trading but added an extra social element into it. You can now interact with the trader you were copying as well as leaving comments or feedback for them. You were also free to interact with others on the network and copy other traders who you thought gave better returns.

Trading made simple

As the above shows, copy trading makes trading as simple as clicking a button. To trade and make money now, you don’t have to have any knowledge of the financial markets or spend time keeping an eye on them. Simply copy the trade that a successful trader has put on and wait for a good return.

Which are the best social networks to try out?

If you are interested in trying out social or copy trading, then there are lots of different social networks to try out. Here are some of the best around to enjoy:

eToro – this is probably the most well-known social trading broker and deals in the FX, stock, commodities and indices markets along with cryptocurrencies. It was one of the first to begin offering true social trading to its users and has remained committed to this vision since. It is a very easy-to-use platform that looks great and makes trading simple to understand when using it. There are lots of great traders here to connect with and copy – it is thought to have 4.5 million users in over 140 countries globally. And if you choose to stop trading, the platform has made it easy to close your eToro account.
ZuluTrade – another very popular social trading network now is this one. As with eToro, it has many successful traders to copy but is a very active forum to ask questions on. Many users also love a tool called “The Automator”, which sends email updates out when anything significant happens to affect any of your trades. With low fees and no entry cost, this is a very easy and powerful network to use.
Ayondo – this is a Swiss-based social trading network that has been going since 2009. Mainly for traders based in Europe, it has a great mix of traders and an opportunity to trade across a range of investment types for full diversification. Each trader has their own risk profile, so you can select one that matches up with your own. Like eToro, this network is also its own broker, which cuts down on any fees that you would otherwise have to pay.
TradeCrowd – this is another social network that acts as its own broker to make things easier and less costly for you. This is a joy to use with a clean layout and easy-to-read information on the traders you can follow. While you can copy traders in the same way here, the Contra Copy Trade feature is what helps it stand out. This means that you can find the worst-performing traders and do the exact opposite of any trades they place!
MyDigiTrade – one of the newer social trade networks to hit the scene is this one, based in the BVI. This stands out for its very sleek and easy-to-use platform, which makes trading very enjoyable. Although not its own broker, there are many fully regulated ones to place trades with along with some very experienced traders to copy, who show good returns.

Social trading has changed the landscape

When it comes to trading the various financial markets, social or copy trading has opened it up to all. Where once it was only financial whizz-kids or wealthy speculators who could trade, now you can do it without any knowledge of the markets you are entering. This means that there has never been a better time to get involved yourself!

Will England’s World Cup success cost the economy?

Elliot

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6 July 2018

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Will England’s World Cup success cost the economy?

England is in a state of euphoria after its football team won a tournament knockout game for the first time in 12 years. Dispatching a Colombian side hell bent on disrupting England’s newfound ability to actually pass the ball, Gareth Southgate’s men have won the hearts of the nation. After years of passionless, mundane football that achieved not even a modicum of success, England have finally moved on from lumping the ball up to a target man, and look set to go deep into this summer’s World Cup.

But this success comes at a cost. Sickies are up, work productivity is down, and this can be costly to businesses and the economy alike. So even if England does win the World Cup, it could be a bittersweet victory.

Increased sickies see the workforce depleted

An estimated five million fans ‘pulled a sickie’ after England’s Tuesday night victory over Colombia, with a study by Centropy PR finding that 16% of those questioned were thinking of calling in ill if England won. This could be extremely damaging for the economy.

Considering all of England’s first three fixtures fell before work days, and potential semi-final and final fixtures will do the same, it may have actually been better if England had crashed out earlier in the tournament. Well, at least for those who value finance above football. Businesses can be thankful that their quarter-final tie is on a Saturday afternoon.

Loss of productivity could hit the economy hard

The loss of productivity caused by the World Cup could be highly detrimental for the economy. Prior to the tournament, bookmakers William Hill conducted an in-depth analysis into how hard World Cup slacking could potentially hit the economy. Taking data from our GDP and workforce, they worked out that by the end of the quarter final stage, there would be a £918.8 million productivity loss if all five games attracted a 20% viewership. This cost would rise to £1.38 billion should viewership reach 30%.

Should England see off Sweden and set up a semi-final encounter with either Croatia or Russia, this total could reach up to £1.2 billion. Go even further, and reach a final for the first time since 1966, and the numbers are worrying. This could cost the economy a staggering £3.2 billion in lost productivity.

It’s not all doom and gloom

However, whilst a loss of productivity would be detrimental to the economy, the World Cup could actually end up causing economic growth. The Centre for Retail Research predicts that overall spending throughout the tournament’s duration will rise to £2.7bn if England reaches the final, with the World Cup already causing a sales boost in things like alcohol and electronic items. Experts believe that when England play well in a World Cup, the population is happier and more willing to fork out on non-essential items. People are also more inclined to host barbecues and parties during the tournament, so splash out more on groceries than usual.

The population is also more likely to spend money in the pub. In fact, during England’s last 16 game against Colombia, an estimated six million extra beers were bought. This boosted the economy to the tune of £18 million, and England’s quarter final game versus Sweden is expected to encourage home fans to splurge on eight million extra beers. According to the The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the game’s 3pm Saturday kick off is “perfect for Great British pubs to host the game.” With the potential of two more games following Saturday’s tie, and even post victory celebrations should England win the World Cup, more money could flow right back into the economy.

While England’s World Cup run will set the economy back in terms of work productivity, the increased spending in light of the team’s strong performance should offset this.

What is a prepaid funeral plan?

Finance

Elliot

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4 July 2018

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Sooner or later every one of us will need a funeral. Therefore, it is surprising how relatively little thought is given to how it is going to be paid for and by whom.

Too often, for example, the expense of meeting those funeral costs has to be shouldered by the family and friends who are already struggling to cope with the grief and mourning of your death – they are hardly in the best position to make decisions about how much to spend or what is a fair price.

To make matters worse, the average cost of a funeral in the UK has been increasing by leaps and bounds in the past few years. The basic cost of the funeral service alone is currently around £3,800 – with a further £2,000 typically spent on additional services such as floral tributes, memorial stones, cars for mourners and a wake or reception.

The burgeoning costs – which are estimated to have doubled in the past 14 years – have given sufficient concern for them to be investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper on the 1^st of June 2018.

Prepaid funeral plans

The investigation throws into stark relief the benefits of preparing now for your funeral and arranging payment in advance through a prepaid funeral plan.

Comparison website Over50choices makes the point that not all prepaid funeral plans are the same, and you may, therefore, want to make a point of comparing those on offer before settling for the one that meets your individual needs and circumstances:

Funeral Planning Authority

is your chosen provider regulated by the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA), for example;
regulation by the FPA ensures that member providers are bound by a code of practice which puts customers’ interests first and foremost and ensures adherence to higher than usual standards;

Standard of service

ensure that your prepaid funeral plan guarantees cover of the cost of the funeral director’s services;
typically, this is achieved through a separate contract between the funeral plan provider and the funeral director concerned – with the latter undertaking to provide the agreed services at a price determined at the outset, with any variation or increase borne by the funeral plan provider;

What services?

it is worth repeating that not all prepaid funeral plans are the same;
you might want to look closely at just what services are to be provided by the funeral director in question and consider those plans which also cover such costs as cremation fees and those of the minister celebrating the service – some prepaid funeral plans also guarantee these costs;
as a basic minimum, you are likely to guarantee the professional advice of a funeral director, preparation of and care for the body, a coffin, a hearse, services on the day and – depending on the particular plan you choose – the provision of limousines for mourners;

Payment options

you may also want to take into account your payment option – whether you choose to pay in full at the time you buy the funeral plan, a monthly payment schedule over the course of a year (which may be offered without the need for a deposit), or payment of a deposit, followed by instalments spread over as many as 25 years.

Not all funeral plans are the same, so careful comparison is necessary. There are lot of prepaid funeral plan choices for the over and under 50s, so comparing your options and, if necessary, seeking financial advice, may be your next step.

From one-man start-up to digital marketing agency – how ClickDo Ltd. grew in the UK

Technology

ABC Staff

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3 July 2018

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From one-man start-up to digital marketing agency – how ClickDo Ltd. grew in the UK

Everyone has to start somewhere and Fernando, the CEO of ClickDo Ltd., came to the realisation, after graduating from university, that he wanted to do his own thing. But how? He delved into books about business and technology and found an article in Forbes magazine that gave him the light-bulb moment: “Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the future”!

You need to find a skill and have a passion for it

There and then he sat down and taught himself all he needed to know about SEO. He started his first blog, fernandobiz, and shared his thoughts and knowledge about how to help small business owners. He fell in love with it and soon had his first clients, paying him a monthly fee for his SEO services. ClickDo Ltd. was born and it was run by Fernando all alone in its humble beginnings. Fernando describes “So I started my first blog with a self-hosted shared hosting plan on that he bought after so much thinking. Then later I collected money to host ClickDo and here I’m today owning multiple companies, including SeekaHost”. After his agency gained momentum he received more and more requests from local business owners in London and together with his friend Kasun, a self-taught web designer, he was able to build a business website and add services. To meet the ever-growing demand of his SEO services he hired more staff. Step by step Fernando built his own company and is a proud entrepreneur today, working on several projects and digital products simultaneously. If you want to learn more about Fernando’s personal journey to entrepreneurship read his first blog fernandobiz.com

What is ClickDo Ltd. today?

Fernando has established an SEO and digital agency that now does so much more! Look at case studies on ClickDo website to see everything Fernando and his team do for their clients. But it doesn’t stop there. Fernando’s wider vision is to share all the knowledge and skills he has acquired so that others can also lead the digital nomad lifestyle and be their own boss. Therefore, he has built the ClickDo Academy where you’ll find online courses teaching you everything Fernando knows about SEO and digital marketing. He’s also been busy developing an SEO Blueprint and Facebook Remarketing courses and to make sure you apply everything you’ve learned, Fernando helps you getting started with your own blog or website by offering free webhosting for start-ups. See Fernando’s guide on how to start your own blog here and get to work! For the next step, creating your own SEO start-up, read this detailed article https://www.clickdo.co.uk/blog/how-to-start-seo-business/. You think that’s it? Oh no, Fernando has another ace up his sleeve: if you think you got what it takes to become the next no. 1 SEO consultant, you have the opportunity to become a franchisee of ClickDo Ltd. You could establish your own set of clients with Fernando’s help and run your own SEO and digital agency under the ClickDo umbrella, which would give you the benefit of using a trusted and successful brand to market your services. To learn more about the ClickDo franchise model check out https://www.clickdo.co.uk/blog/seo-franchise-opportunities/

Why start a business in the digital economy?

The statistics in the UK speak for themselves: “There were a record 5.7 million private sector businesses at the start of 2017. There has been sustained growth in the total business population, with increases of 2.2m (+64%) since 2000 and 197,000 (+4%) since 2016.”

Now, if you decide to help just a small percentage of these businesses with SEO and digital marketing you’ll certainly make a good living as, according to Fernando, most clients will pay you on average a fee between £500 to £1500 each, depending on the services you offer them. He claims that you can easily get 5 clients on board with the support of ClickDo, being a franchisee. And it’s a win-win situation as you can also support your own business by applying your skills to ranking and marketing it. Fernando claims: “The internet is the new frontier, it’s where both the big and small brands compete for the masses in the battle for profits.” Online is where it’s happening now and, in the future, and that’s why now is the time to invest in a career that enables you to be free while working remotely and helping others. The opportunities are endless as you can see by ClickDo’s example – you can move into so many niches and digital services as more and more are emerging. See how lots of other successful entrepreneurs used their digital skills to create a thriving online business: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244808. What stands out here is that most of them started with a blog and had some SEO knowledge. That’s why Fernando is reaching out to you – get started with your own business now!

Global Great Hotels as an Investment

Investment

ABC Staff

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2 July 2018

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When you invest with Global Great Hotels, you are not only entitled to luxurious holidays every year, but also to a private reservation centre to take the hassle out of booking your holidays. You can also benefit from special programmes that help you make the most out of your investment. The benefits of becoming a client of this luxurious hotel chain and purchasing real estate periods are numerous, let’s explore some.

Hotels

When you become a customer of Global Great Hotels you are essentially purchasing accommodation for holidays every year with a minimum duration of 7 nights, plus an extra 7 additional nights. You own this real estate period for an unlimited duration. Investing in this way does not mean that you are tied into visiting the same hotel at the same time every year, with your periods you can travel to any hotel within the brand whenever you want. You can even divide up your 14-night entitlement, or more if you own several real estate periods, between two or more hotels during the same trip. With 11 stunning hotels within the chain, you’ll be able to explore and enjoy all the beauty and character that Spain, Balearics, Canary Islands and Andorra have to offer. You’ll also be able to take advantage of significant discounted rates with other hotel brands, airlines, cruise lines and car hire companies around the world.

Luxury

All the hotels within this chain are selected for their stunning locations. They offer all the services that you would expect from a luxury hotel club, including spas, golf courses, pools and numerous activities. The suites and apartments are comfortable and fully equipped, giving you a real home away from home feeling every time you stay. Apartments are available with 2-3 bedrooms so, you can holiday with friends or family whenever you use your real estate periods.

Private Travel Agency

Global GreatHotels clients can also enjoy the services of a private travel agency. Each client is assigned a member of the Customer Services team who will take care of the organisation of their holidays as well as all specific requests. This includes the reservation of their 14 nights (or more) or any other kind of holiday anywhere in the world. Services include accommodation, flights and car rental of course, but also cruises, safaris, villas, thalassotherapy centres and package holidays worldwide, all at significantly negotiated prices which appear to be extremely competitive.

Reassignment Programme

The reassignment programme allows you to rent out your annual 14-night allowance without causing you extra work in advertising and managing the process. To take advantage of this service you need to inform the Customer Services team before 31st December, that during the next year you would like to put all or part of your allowance up for rent. The Group then acts as your representative to sell these rentals and will pass on the income minus 15%, which goes to the Tour Operators, back to you. Should you choose to do this, you do not necessarily have to forego your holidays, you are still free to use your membership benefits and enjoy the special rates offered by Global Great.

Referral Programme

Your investment in the hotel chain can also generate an income for you, through a referral programme that the company set up years ago. This programme allows you to earn 1.600 euros for every person that you invite to the club who subsequently goes on to become a fully paid-up member. This amount is net and is without conditions. Should you reach three referrals in one year you earn the right to be put into the competition to earn the ‘Sponsor of the Year’ title which comes with nothing less than a 5.000 euro bonus. Under this scheme, you are also permitted to rent out your own referral invitations, at a rent level determined by you. This means that you have the potential to earn the bonus for referral as well as income from your own holiday. There is lots of advice on the hotel’s website with regards to advertising your referral hotel rooms for rental, should this be something you are interested in.

Any other benefits?

Membership with this hotel club works for you, so much so that when you invest you are automatically assigned to a tourism professional who will work with you to plan your holidays with your best interests at heart. This professional will work very hard to get to know you and your requirements so that they can help you tailor your holidays to your exact specifications. You can speak to them at any time about different ways of using your holiday weeks, should you not be able to use them during a particular year. They will guide you through a range of options to help you build up a reserve for later years whilst not losing your membership benefits.

What about passing on the membership?

Unless you tell them otherwise the hotel brand will automatically pass down your rights to your legal heirs and estate fees will not be payable. You can also leave your rights to any other party you wish to, simply by setting out your request in a letter sent by recorded delivery to the Customer Services team. In this way, inheritance issues are dealt with sensitively and all complications are removed.

How to Achieve a Hygienic Workplace

Business

ABC Staff

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2 July 2018

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Creating and maintaining a hygienic workplace is vitally important for any business, what’s more, when you employ larger numbers of staff or increase your workforce germs will multiply and create even more hazards! Workers will be far happier in a hygienic workplace, as there are fewer risks needing to be faced. Even more importantly, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stipulates that a clean working environment with supplies of suitable waste containers is a legal requirement.

No matter whether you manage a retail space, bar or office, or your industry is in the hospitality, manufacturing or distribution sector, the same guidelines for creating a hygienic workplace apply to a number of basic elements of everyday work life. Some of these are highlighted below.

Creating a hygienic workplace

Some general standards for creating a healthy and hygienic workplace are ensuring you supply essentials for all toilets and washrooms. These include:

– The provision of hot and cold water to all washing areas

– Soap and flour sack towels for hand washing and toilet paper for all toilets

– All toilets and washrooms should be regularly cleaned and maintained

– Where cold water supplies are unsuitable for drinking purposes, adequate signage should be in place to notify employees

Kitchens and canteens are other areas where bugs and bacteria can quickly multiply, so it’s important workers have easy access to cleaning products at all times. Any spills or crumbs are easy to wipe up and surfaces can be maintained in a clean, hygienic manner this way. Kitchens and food and drink preparation areas can be a real risk to health when the highest standards are not maintained at all times. Whether you serve members of the public or just your in-house team, it’s important to keep areas where drinks and food are prepared regularly in a scrupulously clean state, and any appliances should be cleaned regularly. Considerations include:

– Maintaining the cleanliness of all work surfaces used for the preparation of food; particular attention should be given to utensils and chopping boards (which are colour coded for the use of different foodstuffs).

– All appliances should be cleaned on a regular basis

– Cupboards used for the storage of food and eating utensils or crockery should be regularly cleaned inside and out

– All floors, windows and doors should be cleaned regularly

Remember that employees and customers alike are entitled to complain if they believe lack of maintenance and poor cleaning of the kitchen area has created a health risk. Once again, it’s best to encourage employees to take some responsibility to protect them and to practise good hygiene.

So, you’ve provided all the above, but it doesn’t stop there. Notices to remind all workers about the importance of personal hygiene are one way to help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. Dotting hand sanitisers around your workplace is another useful reminder of hygiene for workers in any area of your business, and encouraging staff to use sanitisers on a regular basis also helps prevent the build-up of bacteria and germs.

Providing industrial strength hand cleaners is important within industrial workplaces, like engineering units or vehicle service stations, and this makes it quick and easy for employees to maintain clean hands after every dirty job.

In the office, your workers should ensure all clutter is binned on a regular basis and keep their workstations tidy. Cleaning wipes and sprays located at strategic points in the office can help workers maintain the healthy, hygienic status of their work areas.

Finally, although many aspects of maintaining a hygienic workplace are down to employees, they are entitled to complain if your shoddy cleaning and lack of maintenance creates health risks. Take responsibility for managing the health and hygiene of your workplace from today by ensuring adequate supplies of all the essentials needed to maintain a clean environment.

Get the Most Money for Your Personal Injury Settlement or Reward

ABC Staff

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29 June 2018

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Get the Most Money for Your Personal Injury Settlement or Reward

You’ve been so badly injured in an accident that you’re unable to enjoy your life the way you used to. The injuries you’ve sustained are significant and they have cost you a lot both financially and emotionally. Though it can be hard to put a price tag on the quality of someone’s life, when you’ve been wrongfully hurt, seeking financial compensation can make getting through the other changes a lot easier. If you’ve recently filed a personal injury claim or have been injured in an accident and want to be compensated heavily for it, you should take heed to this advice.

Hire an Attorney

No need in sugar coating things, if you’re going to get a fair shake with your insurance claim, settlement, or lawsuit you’re going to need the backing of a legal professional. Experts like Steve Schwartzapfel are well-versed in personal injury law and work around the clock to help their clients get compensated. They can talk with insurance adjusters, other attorneys, and the negligent parties on your behalf to ensure you get what is rightfully yours.

Write Down Everything

With each passing day, the details of the accident can become a bit blurrier for you. In order to get compensated adequately, you must report every detail as it happens. When you’re able, it is important to record everything. Whether it’s what was said at the scene of the accident, witness information, how you felt, names of authorities, camera sightings, etc., no detail is too small in terms of its potential significance later down the line.

Keep a Journal

Outside of recording information, you remember about the accident, it is also important to keep a journal. One of the things you could get paid for in a settlement or lawsuit is pain and suffering. As you’re feeling uncomfortable and unable to enjoy life the same, this can all equate to a payout. Keeping a journal of how you’re feeling when you’re in pain, and how your life has changed, can help increase the offer and can also be very therapeutic.

Inform Your Doctor of All Problems

Immediately following the accident, seeking medical treatment is a must. However, not all accident injuries or complications will manifest in a few hours. Some can take days to realize. Other complications could also come as a result of medications or treatments you’re receiving. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor of everything that’s going on with you. If you reported back pain but a week later your neck is hurting, report this. If you’re taking medication and it causes you to throw up, tell your doctor.

Listen to Your Doctor

Medical records are a huge factor in determining offer amounts in personal injury claims. If you want to get the most money possible, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s orders to the letter. If they advise you to take physical therapy, for example, don’t argue, just go. If you have to take medications that you don’t particularly like, suck it up and take them. The point is, you don’t want your doctor to report that you’re not following their orders. This could be perceived that you’re doing better, not in as much pain as you claim, or that you’re prolonging your need for medical care which can ruin your claim.

Keep Records of Employment Excuses

Another thing you could be compensated for during a personal injury case is lost wages. You’ll need to prove that your injuries have resulted in your inability to work. This will include turning over medical records and letters from your doctor to your employer explaining your injuries and length of time you’ll be out of work.

Take Photos

Pictures tell things that people won’t or don’t remember. Immediately following the accident, get as many pictures of the scene and your injuries as possible. This can help both parties to see the extent of your injuries and determine what you should be compensated for. It can also work to counteract any false claims against you.

Your life was forever changed by this accident and you deserve justice. Filing a personal injury claim is the first step in getting restitution. Keep in mind, however, this process can be long and getting your offer can take awhile. With the help of a legal expert on your side, however, you’re sure to get the highest payout the law allows.

Saving Money and the Environment – Eco Driving Tips for the Modern Age

ABC Staff

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29 June 2018

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Saving Money and the Environment – Eco Driving Tips for the Modern Age

In the future, it’s increasingly likely that cars will boast incredibly Eco-friendly attributes. This is because the leading automotive brands will take the lead in this respect, while the UK government has also pledged to outlaw the sale of petrol and diesel cars by the year 2040.

In the meantime, however, there’s an onus on individual drivers and motorists to reduce their carbon footprint while out on the road, both in terms of the vehicles that they invest in and the way in which they operate them.

We’ll explore this in further detail below, while offering some specific tips on how to become an Eco-friendly driver.

Choose the Right Type of Car

Not all cars are created equal, with each one offering a variable fuel source and capable of producing a fixed number of miles to the gallon. In this respect, you choice of car is crucial, particularly if you’re serious about having a more positive impact on the environment.

With this in mind, we’d recommend choosing a hybrid or electric vehicle in the current climate, prioritising models based on their advertised fuel economy. In excess of two million electric vehicles have already been sold across the globe, and this number will increase markedly in the near-term.

If you do choose a hybrid model, we’d also recommend that you purchase an automatic car rather than one with a manual transmission. This negates the needs for manual gear shifts, minimising fuel consumption and creating a more efficient drive in the process.

Affordable, automatic models such as the Ford Focus are available through resources such as Motor Point, and these represent an excellent choice in 2018.

Adopt an Eco-friendly Driving Technique

While investing in automatic cars helps you to create an Eco-friendly driving technique, there are other steps that you can take to achieve this aim.

Accelerating and breaking gently represents a relevant case in point, as does maintaining a steady speed wherever possible. This requires to anticipate traffic and avoid delays where you can, as well as adapting the timing your journeys to capitalise on less-busy periods.

This also means refraining from travelling at high speeds, even when you have a stretch of open road in front of you. Sure, this requires a sense of discipline, but there are tangible rewards in terms of cost and fuel savings.

Refrain from Driving Where Possible

Sometimes, the most simplistic solutions offer the best possible value when looking to tackle complex issues.

The same principle can be applied here, as Eco-friendly drivers are often motorists who spend as little time as possible out on the open road.

This requires commitment and a significant shift in mindset, as you strive to walk where possible and take public transport where circumstances allow. The latter method can be extremely beneficial when commuting to work, for example, reducing your individual carbon footprint without necessarily compromising on your productivity.

Walking during warmer weather periods and over short distances are also extremely achievable measures, while they have a cumulative impact on your costs and the impact that your decisions have on the natural environment.

Getting Covered – Understanding the Vagaries of Professional Car Insurance

ABC Staff

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29 June 2018

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Getting Covered – Understanding the Vagaries of Professional Car Insurance

Few businesses or commercial models have come under as much fire as Uber in recent times, with nations from Bulgaria to Australia having moved to restrict the company’s operations.

Much of this has to do with Uber’s vague categorisation as a business, as it’s hard to determine whether it’s a tech venture or a private hire taxi firm. This leads onto other issues concerning the payment of its drivers, while representatives have also suffered at the hands of vague insurance coverage.

In the post below, we’ll explore this in further detail, while asking how businesses and drivers alike can avoid the pitfalls of commercial and professional car insurance.

Learning Lessons from Uber – Why Clarity is Key

While Uber and Lyft drivers may well think that they’re covered if they get into an accident, recent evidence suggests that this may not be entirely true.

The issue here is confusion surrounding the extent of coverage, as while representatives claim that coverage begins when the app is turned on, further investigating reveals that the effectiveness of insurance depends on what phase of the ride you’re in.

If there is a passenger in your car, for example, the full company policy will apply and provide coverage in excess of £1 million. If you’re searching for your customer or have just dropped off a passenger, you find that you’re only covered by a limited policy.

This means that you’ll need commercial insurance to plug this gap, and ensure that you’re comprehensively covered at all times while out on the open road.

Gap Insurance – Protecting your Company Vehicles at all Times

This issue underlines the importance of clarity when dealing with insurance, as employers and their drivers must collaborate to ensure the most comprehensive level of coverage possible.

This will involve a number of variable insurance products, including so-called GAP insurance. This refers to the actual difference between the value of an individual car and the balance owed on any financing repayments, and it will financially plug this void in the event of an accident or collision.

On a similar note, commercial firms may also want to take out extended warranties on their vehicles. This works particularly well with high value vehicles, as an advanced BMW warranty could help to protect against various faults that are rarely covered as part of standard policies.

This may be particularly effective when dealing with second hand cars, as this type of vehicle will typically be more likely to experience electrical or mechanical failings on a more frequent basis.

The Last Word

With these types of insurance product and a willingness to work closely with your employees, you can create comprehensive coverage across a diverse range of policies.

This removes the vagaries surrounding commercial vehicle insurance, while also protecting any investment that you’ve made in your cars, products or drivers.

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