CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK OFFERS JOB TO BEST INSURANCE ESSAY WRITER

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility policy of encouraging research especially in the study of insurance at tertiary level organized an Annual Essay Competition. The competition which commenced in 2011 is currently in its 5^th Year.

Lot of entries were received from students in several tertiary institutions. The entries were thoroughly assessed by a double tier system comprising the HODs of the institutions on one hand and an independent panel of distinguished insurance practitioners  on another hand. 

The Managing Director, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Mr. Eddie Efekoha (left above), posited that the company is rewarding the overall winner of the insurance essay competition with instant employment in the company.

He said this while presenting the first three winners of the competition with prizes in Lagos. Efekoha said the company was keeping to its promise of rewarding the first prize winner with automatic employment and cash prizes every year.

He said “the winners from the previous competitions that were given employment in the company have continued to excel at work. The managing director said the company was using the competition to promote insurance awareness and increase students’ interest in pursuing a career in insurance.

A female student from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Florence Ogunleye, emerged the overall winner and was presented with N250,000 and automatic employment.

Two students from University of Uyo, Julius Olabiyi and Esekwe Ifeanyichukwu came second and third, winning cash prizes of N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

The Director General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Alhaji Kola Ahmed said as part of its collaboration with Consolidated Hallmark, the institute will publish the essays of the winners in its next journal.

This is another proof of our commitment to deepening insurance awareness and giving back to the society. 

If you desire to talk to us, we are available on major social media platforms. Reach out to us for our array of customised insurance products today. 

Twitter - @con_hallmark

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Website - www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Phone nos.: 01-2912543, 2912532

CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC & OTHERS EARN 17bn AVIATION PREMIUM IN 2015

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc and other insurance firms earned a gross premium of N17 billion from Nigeria’s weak aviation industry in 2015, indicating a capacity for a huge insurance market if the aviation industry is well energised. 

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance is market leader in aviation insurance in Nigeria with 12 aviation insurance policies and co-insuring another 36 policies, while NICON follows. 

The Managing director of the company, Mr Eddy Efekoha, who gave the figures during a presentation titled “Regulation and Aviation Insurance,” yesterday at Aviation Round Table (ART) breakfast meeting in Lagos, said that complying with the rules including timely payment of premiums would ease indemnity, should there be risk. 

Representatives of the two leading aviation underwriters, Consolidated Hallmark and NICON at the forum solicited for improved synergy between the insurance and aviation sectors noting that getting the system right would provide a win-win partnership for insurers and airline operators. 

Efekoha said that the numerous plane crashes in the past, business interruption and supply chain risk exposure necessitated the need for regulation as well as aviation insurance in the industry. 

He listed policies for the sector to include aircraft hull, passengers, aviation third party as well as excess liability. Also included are aircraft hull war, aviation refuelling; hanger keepers’ liability and airport operator liability. 

“In accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 2006, every airline operator, providing air transport services for hire and reward, must have adequate insurance for passengers/cargo and third party. The insurance must be sufficient to pay compensation of $100,000 per passenger in case of death or injury, Efekoha said. 

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance is a General Business & Special Risk insurance firm with branches scattered all over Nigeria. We have carved a niche for ourself through big ticket transactions in Aviation, Oil & Gas, Marine and Hull business and  other non-life policies such as Motor, Fire, Burglary etc.

We are available on major social media platforms. Talk to us for our array of customised insurance products today. 

Twitter - @con_hallmark

Facebook - conhallmark 

Website - www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Phone nos.: 01-2912543, 2912532

TYRE CARE - USING THE COINS TEST

Proper tyre care and safety is simple, easy and can be done in a few minutes, using a spare change. Tyres depend on good thread condition depth to maintain and to shed water on wet roads. The thread should be checked at least once a month for excessive and uneven wear.

Tyre problems are thought to be a factor in one out of 11 vehicle crashes. Blowouts, thread-separation, under inflation, and worn threads, the grooves in your tyres that offer stability and traction are some of the tyre problems associated with these crashes.

Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of thread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tyres for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas can help detect if you need to replace your tyres. Also check for signs of damage.

Many people think only worn tyres need to be replaced. That is certainly true. But old tyres are also a concern. As tyres age, they become more prone to failure, whether they have been used or not.

But age is not the only factor. Thread matters too. A worn tyre can be just as dangerous, or even more so, than one that is simply old. In one study, vehicles with shallower threads (less than 2/32″ deep) were 3 times more likely to experience pre-crash tyre troubles than those with deeper threads.

While the minimum safe tyre thread depth is 2/32″, consider replacing your tyres at the 4/32″ mark, especially if you drive in rainy conditions.

Like a pair of sneakers that get more slippery with use, your tyres lose their ability to grip the road as their threads wear down. Checking your tyre threads can help keep you safer on the road.

Luckily as mentioned above, it only takes a few minutes, and some spare change to traditionally check the status of your tyres;

Take a N1 coin and place it in multiple grooves around your tyres. If the top of Herbert Macaulay’s head is always covered, you have more than 2/32″ of thread remaining. If you can see all of Herbert Macaulay’s head, it is time to replace your tyres.

Basic checks like these take just a few minutes and can help save lives. So put that change in your pocket to good use to help keep you safe.

Follow us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

& facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for our tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Sources:

http://www.rma.org/tire-safety/

http://exchange.aaa.com/automobiles-travel/automobiles/car-care-and-maintenance/tire-safety-and-maintenance/#.VtgN8vkrKM8

http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Safety1nNum3ers/june2013/SafteyInNumbersJune2013.html

SAVE PETROL CONSUMPTION – GET A LOWER BILL

Petrol is an essential commodity which is for the most part used to run our vehicles and generators daily. However, with the recent return of the persistent petrol scarcity, the cost of purchasing petrol increases which makes it pertinent that we find ways of conserving this essential commodity so as to save cost

. Additionally with the financial hardship that is as of now being experienced across the country, it would be efficient if these tips can be practiced as they would definitely reduce our overall spending on the purchase of petrol.

The following are ways we can save petrol while using our vehicles:

Make fewer trips

Did you know that when you drive a car that has been parked for a few hours, the engine is cold and it uses much more fuel for the first five miles or so? Ideally you’d combine all your daily errands into one big trip. Often that’s not possible if you have to pop out during the day to drop off and collect the family, but try not to go out separately to the supermarket shop or buy a newspaper or to attend a meeting.

Accelerate smoothly (Be a patient driver)

The perfect way to travel is at a constant speed (ideally around 80Kmph), and in the highest gear (five or six). So if you’re a patient driver, you’ll have lower fuel bills – it’s as simple as that. It’s unrealistic to avoid overtaking, but there’s little point accelerating past a car to simply be in front of it at the next set of lights – any instant gratification will appear on your fuel bill the next time you fill up.

Don’t drive in the rush hour

There are few worse places to spend your time than stuck in traffic jam, but it’s also a very expensive way of travelling. Every time that you stop and start in traffic, your car needs first gear and a huge amount of fuel to get moving again. Second gear is not much better. The best solution is to not travel during the rush hour. You can also save some fuel by trying to understand what the traffic is doing in front of you, and travelling steadily at a slow speed, rather than accelerating and braking.

Turn the air-conditioning off

It’s tempting to leave the air-conditioner on the while driving, but it uses quite a bit of fuel, so we’d advise you turn it off when it’s not hot.

Check your tyre pressures regularly

The lower the tyre pressure, the more fuel the car needs to move it down the road. We recommend that you take five minutes every fortnight to check the tyres. If you’re not sure what the pressure should be, you can normally find the figures near the lock inside the driver’s door.

Don’t push the accelerator down too far

This one always surprises people. It’s not just to do with what gear you’re in. You may be in a high gear and travelling at a sensible speed, but if you’re pushing the accelerator down a long way to avoid changing into a lower gear (into third from fourth, for example), then you’re actually using more fuel not less. Obviously, if your car has an automatic gearbox (you’ll know if it does), then it will probably do a better job than you of choosing which gear to be in, so it’s not a problem.

Stick to the speed limit

Driving at a higher speed can actually get to your destination in record time but it uses much more fuel than driving at a constant speed. If for example, you could shave a bit of time off your journey through Lagos Ibadan Expressway by travelling above the speed limit at an increased speed above 140kmph on a 114-kilometers trip. Although you might arrive about 20 minutes early but it’s false economy. While the car is running for 20 minutes less, it uses much more fuel when it is travelling. That 20 minutes could cost you up to N1,600.00 extra on fuel.

The few tips noted above can be help reduce our daily consumption of petrol and ultimately our overall spending on petrol. Practice them today and you will be glad you did especially during this scarcity period. 

Drop a line and let us know ways you have employed to conserve fuel apart from the above. We would love to hear from you.

Follow us on out twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

& facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for our tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

HOW A FIRE EXTINGUISHER CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

Do you know that an average of 400,000 home fires happen yearly. These fires cause an average death 5000 civilian deaths, 20,000 civilian fire injury and 500 billion naira in direct damage. The statistics are very alarming as regard the colossal losses recorded in home fires.

The reasons are varied from cooking equipments, smoking, high voltage supply etc. A very vital protective and preventive tool is the fire extinguisher. It is unfortunate that most homes do not have this relatively cheap but important home equipment.

Why spend so much on your exquisite homes and find it difficult to protect them with serviced fire extinguishers? I know you will say "Isn't that the reason for buying insurance?'' Insurance is bought in order to give protection against fire but fire insurance will not cover deaths that may result from home fires? As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

Here is a brief report by Mr Tunde on how his family and assets were saved by a fire extinguisher.

"Firefighters were called to my home on a Wednesday morning after a laptop computer burst into flames. My wife, Kenny, was at home reading e-mail on a different computer when the Sony Vaio laptop computer caught fire. "Flames started to shoot out from all different directions” Kenny said.

She put out the fire with a fire extinguisher and called me at work to tell what happened. "(The laptop) burst into flames again while she was on the phone with him. She had it put out by the time everyone got here," Ahmed said. His laptop computer was turned off, but was charging at the time of the fire. He said the only damage was a smudge on the wall and fire extinguisher dust on the furniture."

Having a serviceable fire extinguisher help prevent fire outbreak. Installing fire extinguishers seem to be the first step but what is more important is the state of the extinguishers at the point of need. How do you identify an empty fire extinguisher. How often do you need to service them. Where should they be located?

How do you use the fire extinguisher? Below is an easy acronym that drives home these tips

Remember the word P.A.S.S when using a fire extinguisher:

P – Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

A – Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

S – Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

  

S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side

It is important to use fire extinguishers with caution.

Use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY if you have been trained by the fire department and in the following conditions:

• The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing.
• The room is not filled with smoke.
• Everyone has exited the building.
• The fire department has been called.

The fire extinguisher is the first line of defence against fire outbreak. If detected early, fire extinguishers can help put off home fires before it becomes an uncontrollable fire. Stay safe, install and make use of fire extinguisher today.

Your safety should be a priority.

Share your thoughts with us and we will be glad to hear from you.

For effective insurance cover for your assets and properties, click http://tinyurl.com/jual2z9

Follow us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark & facebook page - conhallmark 

Visit our website for more tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com  

TIPS TO PREVENTING FIRE AT HOME

One of the worst and scariest things that can happen is a home fire. The fire when it happen can occasionally get out of control, and when they do, the damage is often significant.

There are several things that can trigger a fire in your home. In addition to common cooking or heating fires, a number of other fire causes including malfunction of electrical and heating systems, negligent use of candles, cigarettes and matches, and arson can plague homeowners.

Based on the reports from Nigeria Fire Statistics of 2015, approximately 184 deaths from 397 home fire incidents occurred and properties worth 6 billion naira was lost.

Between those statistics, and the other tragedy of losing your home, and your possessions, it's important that you take fire safety extremely seriously.

So in the interest of ensuring we continuing to reduce fire statistics across the country, here are some tips the average person can practice in order to maintain a household safe from accidental fires.

Install smoke alarms

Installing functional smoke alarms throughout the home can help reduce accidental fires. This helps in detecting smoke/fires at the earliest which prompts for quick fire emergency control measures. The smoke alarms should be installed inside every area both inside and outside. But it isn’t enough to merely install smoke alarms; they need to be maintained as well. To do this, those with smoke alarms in their home should commit to once-a-month checks and replacing the batteries once a year.

The majority of actions that prevent a fire are free, low cost or cost-effective; and ensuring that you have a fully functioning fire alarm system in place can save you hundreds of thousands in the long term.

Inspect cords

Many cords plugged into multiple outlets throughout the home can present a fire hazard and thus should be checked periodically to ensure they are generally in good condition and are not otherwise frayed or damaged. This is because frayed cords can present a risk of shock as well as being a fire hazard. Also, it’s important to never cover cords with carpeting or rugs, as this can restrict air flow and cause damage to the cord.

Look out for faulty outlets and switches

To cut down on the risk of fire of these types, residents in home should perform periodic checks of their home’s outlets and switches. Some warning signs to look for include

1.     Noises coming from the outlet

2.     Plugs that don’t attach firmly to the socket (loose plugs)

3.     Switches or outlets that are warm to the touch

Any of the above can be signs of bad wiring or insecure electrical connections – both of which are a fire hazard.

Check appliances

Household appliances should never be used in contact with heat sources, such as stoves or ovens. Even more subtle scenarios, such the cord of a blender running around a toaster, can present a fire hazard. And, of course, portable heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything flammable.

Make sure everyone knows where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.

Include fire extinguisher locations and instructions for use in every part of your home. If a small fire does start, it is much easier to squelch if every occupant is prepared. Locate fire extinguishers in visibly and clearly marked places throughout the home especially the kitchen.

Consider light-bulb wattage

Unfortunately, many people use light bulbs with a wattage rating not properly suited to the fixtures they are plugged into in the home. Needless to say, this can present a fire hazard. The best course of action for those who don’t know how much wattage their fixtures are equipped for is to be on the safe side and use a 60-watt bulb.

Don't leave the kitchen or grill unattended

Grease fires are some of the most common types of fires, so make sure that your kitchen is clean and that you never leave the stove or grill on when you step outside. 

Keep matches and lighters away from kids

Be sure to lock up all sources of flame at all times. 

By adhering to these simple tips and guidelines, we can do our part to reduce the occurrence of home fires and protect ourselves and our families in the process.

For a comprehensive plan to protect your home and properties against the loss/damage by fire accident, get our Fire Insurance policy today! 

                    More about Fire Insurance >>

                    Get a Fire Insurance Quote Today>> 

Follow us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

                      & facebook page - conhallmark 

Visit our website for more tailor-made insurance covers at:  www.consolidatedhallmark.com

SMART WAYS TO SAVE MONEY - CONSERVE ENERGY

Energy conservation is the act of saving energy by reducing a service. In other words, to conserve energy, you need to cut back on your usage. Examples include driving your car fewer miles per week, turning off your air-conditioner during the rainy season and unplugging your computer or home appliances when they are not in use.

"Saving energy is all about making choices and rethinking your lifestyle"

In all of these examples, you are reducing the amount of energy you use by doing without or making due with less fuel or electricity. While energy conservation might cut down on your comfort level and make things a bit less convenient, it can help reduce monthly electricity bills and save money at the gas pump.

Based on current realities, it is expedient to devise means of conserving energy. There is an urgent need to save energy in order to reduce your monthly payout on Power. We may be used to a particular way of life, but there is need for a paradigm shift as the cost of power is increased.

"The best way to save energy is to conserve it"

Habits, as we know, are difficult to change overnight but if they do cost us more in payouts, we may have to watch those habit closely. Replacing those habits should be our priority. Do you know that a change in habit as regards energy conservation can help you save up to N15,000 yearly.

There are some indispensables in the household that require energy for its production. A good example is water. It is absolutely one of the most important household resources. Since energy is needed to make water available, its conservation has to be priority. 

Saving energy is all about making choices and rethinking your lifestyle, so here are some energy conservation tips to help you make the right decisions.

• Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly. The more ice builds up, the harder they have to work and the more energy they use.
• Even if they’re supposed to defrost automatically, keep an eye on them to make sure the automatic function is still working.
• An outdoor clothes line is the most energy-saving way to dry clothes – using an indoor airer is better than a tumble dryer.
• Check the seals on your fridge and freezer to make sure they’re still airtight – otherwise the appliance has to work harder and use more energy to maintain a steady temperature.
• Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to let the warmth of the sunshine into your home.
• Dust your light bulbs. The dust reduces their intensity, which could encourage you to buy higher-wattage bulbs.
• Switch to new, energy-efficient light bulbs. If you do need to use traditional incandescent bulbs, make sure you buy the lowest wattage possible.
• Still using a full-size computer? Swap it for a laptop or ultrabook.
• It’s better to keep your fridge full, as it will use less energy when it’s well stocked.
• Don’t leave the tap running while you’re cleaning your teeth, shaving or washing (your face or the washing up). A running tap wastes more than six litres of water a minute.
• Get dripping taps repaired – they probably just need a new washer. A dripping tap can waste more than 5,500 litres of water a year.
• Don’t leave electrical devices on standby. you could save around N10,000.00/ year doing that.
• Don’t leave electrical devices on standby. you could save around N5,000.00/year doing that
• Turn off the lights as you leave a room, unless you’re coming straight back.
• Don’t leave electrical devices on standby. you could save around N10,000.00/ year doing that.

The few tips noted above can go a long way in freeing scarce resources from your electricity bills to other projects and assignments. Practice them today and you will be glad you did. 

Drop a line and let us know ways you have employed to conserve energy apart from the above. We would love to hear from you.

Follow us on out twitter handle - @con_hallmark & facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for our tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com