Is it Simply Weight Loss? - Finding the Truth in Commercial Diets

How many times have you or a friend gotten excited about the newest 'diet craze' to hit the market? You see an ad full of thin, smiling people doing active things highlighted by the many benefits of the product? From prepackaged meal plans to pills, it is not just simply weight loss anymore. For many business people, there is money to be made in the world of dieting. This can have an adverse effect on the quality and effectiveness of new products. The downside for consumers is that, it really is not simply weight loss anymore. It is possibly a way to lose money on a product that does not work. Before you run out and spend hundreds or more on a commercial diet or product, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Amazing Promises of Fast Weight Loss

"Their website says it's simply weight loss at its best!" Of course the company is going to talk their product up. You might even find customer comments everywhere, praising the product. However, remember there is a buck to be made here. Always check other sources for reviews on the product. There are many websites dedicated to presenting an unbiased look at a product, scrutinizing it's potency with a sounding board for real customers. If you notice confliction between what you read on their website and what you read off of it, think twice before buying.

The Label says it Works!

Bad press would do little to help sales, so of course the company will keep things positive on the label. Whether it is simply weight loss focused or intended to do more, make sure you get the facts about how it works. Research the ingredients list and find out what is really in the product and how it will make you drop weight. Some manufacturers will put a lot of information on the label that can become confusing, and all of it is meant to sell you on the product's effectiveness. Always search for a list of potential side effects or health risks, no matter how small the print is.

Don't be a Sucker

It's simply weight loss, right? What's the big deal? Your health is the big deal, and these products can greatly affect it. Some can really damage your body without you realizing it until it is too late. Make sure you do your homework and find out what previous customers thought of the product. Also check for discrepancies on the website versus what you find through other, more reliable sources. One of the best pieces of advice you will hear is: if it is too good to be true, then it probably is! Know what you are buying and avoid thinking it is "simply weight loss." You should take your body and health seriously. Make sure you know what you are putting in it and avoid relying on companies to give you 'good' information. You can lose weight fast, but make sure you do so safely

Wendy Livermore of WeightLoss-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping you shed the pounds fast and rid your body of excess fat naturally without expensive pills that don't work. Wendy, a weight loss specialist by trade constantly reviews new resources that help you discover the most effective fat loss techniques to get your body back into shape that work! Turn your body into a natural 24/7 fat burning machine. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular get your weight loss resources at WeightLoss-User-Reviews.com.

What is Required For Commercial Liability Coverage? What is Optional?

Is a small service company less likely to have a lawsuit brought against it than a manufacturing plant? No, but this is a common misconception among office-based businesses. The fact is, in today's dynamic and complex business climate, businesses small and large, office-based, or physical-labor intensive, are all equally susceptible to various claims.

Typically, with Commercial Liability insurance coverage, four types of claims are covered: bodily injury; property damage or loss; personal injury, such as libel or slander; and advertising injury. While commercial liability insurance is fairly inexpensive, costs for defending a claim are not and if the company does not have adequate commercial liability insurance coverage, it may have to foot the bill. This, in turn, could lead to financial hardship or bankruptcy. Commercial Liability insurance coverage will pay for all damages, legal fees and settlement charges up to the policy limits.

Commercial Liability insurance for office-based businesses is absolutely essential for financial planners, mortgage brokers, medical offices, architects, and engineers, to name a few. Too often, however, a business owner will forego liability insurance in an effort to reduce operating costs. This may save the company some money on paying premiums, but it also exposes the business's assets to paying for damages, if found liable, as well as legal defense expenses, regardless of whether the business is found liable or not.

Small business owners can take several proactive steps towards reducing their insurance costs, including:

Shop around: Business liability insurance coverages range by company; read up on what is covered and what is not. Review policy plans from several insurers and compare rates.

Consider a Business Owner's Policy (BOP): Rather than purchasing separate types of insurance from various companies, consider purchasing a package of policies. This will help eliminate costly duplication of benefits and, in some cases, special rates are offered on packaged policies.

Enlist a specialist broker: If the small business operates in a niche, it will often require specialized insurance to safeguard against unique risks. Insurance brokers will know what coverages are necessary for the business and know where to go for the best rates.

In some cases, operating without insurance is not an option. Federal and state law requires certain businesses to have liability insurance coverage, referred to as Workers' Compensation insurance. Additionally, some states also require auto insurance. This typically provides coverage for injury, damage or theft on company-owned vehicles, as well as for employees who may be involved in an accident while driving a personal car on company business.

Business owners can also purchase specialized, optional coverages specific to their industry. In fact, there are a number of products and services that compliment Commercial Liability insurance for office-based businesses. These include:

Directors and Officers - this protects directors and officers against claims of alleged negligent conduct committed in their role as director or officer.

Errors and Omissions - protects individuals and organizations against claims of professional negligence and errors or omissions in professional work.

Umbrella/Excess Liability - this provides additional coverage when insurance limits on an underlying policy are exceeded.

Optional coverages offer an extra layer of protection and are designed to meet unique needs. For small business owners who may not want to spend the additional money, Commercial Liability insurance is good coverage to start out with. When searching for proper coverage, an agent can help assess what will best fulfill the needs of a small business.

James Cochran is the founder of Business Insurance Now, a company specializing in commercial liability insurance. Business Insurance Now also offers professional liability insurance for those in the consulting industry and workers comp insurance to cover your company's employees.