News

DHS Alerts OSHA of Possible Electronic Reporting Security Breach

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On August 1, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its online electronic data filing application.  It was designed to collect and publish injury data on companies throughout the United States in order to comply with a new requirement.

OSHA Launches Electronic Reporting System

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

It is official – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its website for the electronic submission of employers’ injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs).  

7 Tips to Protect Your Business from a Fire

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services

As San Diego’s East County battles a series of wild fires, it is a perfect time for business owners to review their insurance policies and proactively manage their fire risk, especially those who are located in semi-rural and rural areas.

Timely Claim Reporting Lowers Work Comp Claims Costs and Improves Your Bottom Line

Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Studies have shown, by reporting your workers compensation claims in a timely basis, not only will your injured employee receive better medical treatment, it will boost company morale.  Both the injured worker, as well as other employees, will see your sincere concern for their wellbeing.  In addition, timely reporting practices will also improve your risk profile through reducing the overall cost of the claim, which leads to lower loss ratios and lower experience modifiers, thus, resulting in lower premiums and improvement in your bottom line.

OSHA Not Prepared to Accept Electronic Submissions

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

For over a year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have championed the upcoming electronic submission of injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs) through its website.  The new requirement was designed to make OSHA records publicly available on the internet in hopes that it would encourage employers to maintain safer working environments.  The electronic submissions of the 2016 reports were supposed to be due by July 1, 2017.

Cyberattacks Threaten Small Businesses: Help Protect Your Company's Data by Following These Steps

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

With the recent cyberattacks spreading across the globe, Rancho Mesa would like to remind its clients to take the necessary precautions to protect their business’s data.

Taking Your Safety Program to the Next Level: Form a Safety Committee

Author, Daniel Frazee, ARM, CRIS, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Establishing a safety committee within your company will enhance the effectiveness of your safety program by identifying hazards and appropriate controls, implementing specific measures, developing clear safe work practices and communicating clearly through all levels within your organization.  

NALP Launches New Discounted Workers' Compensation Insurance Program

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is partnering with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies to offer NALP members a competitive workers’ compensation option backed by specialized landscape industry expertise and a dedicated service team.

Is Your Business Protected from Data Breach Costs and HIPAA Violations?

Author Chase Hixson, AAI, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As technology and the common usage of the internet in business grow, Cyber Crime is an ever increasing exposure for businesses.  Most businesses carry large quantities of sensitive data that if breached, can create a financial and administrative headache.  Many business owners are unaware of the real exposures they have should their information be compromised, whether directly or indirectly.

What is SB 562 all about?

It may be of interest, if not importance, for all Californians to know about current proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens and Senator Toni Atkins of San Diego.  The proposed bill would significantly expand the role of the state government within the healthcare system, by essentially establishing a single-payer system.

Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?

Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The insurance industry is experiencing record losses on their commercial auto books of business, which is dramatically driving up insurance premiums for business owners. There are many factors that are contributing to this increase in losses; let’s take a look at six of the most prevalent.

Should Union Janitorial Employers have a lower Workers’ Compensation rate than Non-Union Employers?

Author Jeremy Hoolihan, CRIS, Janitorial Group Leader Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

A recent study by the Commission on Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation made an argument that the janitorial industry should be split into two workers’ compensation class codes.  This change would be similar to how many construction operations field class codes are separated between an over and under dollar amount per hourly wage.   As an example, an electrical contractor’s field wages are split at over and under $30/hour.

Closing the "Gaps in Coverage" When Using Temporary or Leased Labor

Author, Dave Garcia, AAI, CRIS,  is the President and CEO of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. 

It has become more common for construction companies to use temporary or leased labor in order to meet the demands of their work.  While this is a useful tool it can create some unintended gaps in coverage for the contractor hiring the temporary or leased labor. These gaps potentially exist for on-the-job injury claims suffered by the temporary or leased workers. 

Why are hand injuries the most frequent claim reported in the Landscape Industry?

Author, Drew Garcia, with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, is the program director for NALP’s Worker’s Compensation Program

The landscape industry experiences frequent hand, wrist and finger injuries - they're three most frequent types of Workers Compensation claims.  Employees complain their personal protection equipment (i.e., gloves) limit dexterity, prohibiting finger movement, causing difficulty in performing their jobs.  As a result, employees remove their safety gloves to perform their job-related activities, and experience hand, wrist and finger injuries.

4 Factors That Shape Your Insurance Risk Profile

Author, Drew Garcia, with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, is the program director for NALP’s Worker’s Compensation Program

Ever wonder why your insurance rates high when your competitors are low? There are reasons for that including, frequency of claims, severity of claims, experience rating, average claim cost incurred, operations, trends, loss ratio etc. If you evaluate your risk profile you can take action to lower your premiums.

Rancho Mesa “Rocks” the Landscape Industry

Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On March 1st 2017 Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., The National Association of Landscape Professionals, and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies will introduce a unique National Workers Compensation solution designed to cater the needs of Landscape Contractors and Lawn Care Professionals. 

W-2 Phishing Scam – New Potential Risk to Nonprofits – Be Aware!!

There has been a recent increase in attempts of a phishing scams involving W2s in nonprofit, schools and other human services organizations.  We caution any business, but particularity organizations in these sectors to be very cautious if they receive any emails requesting information regarding W2’s, earning summaries or any other employee sensitive information.  In many cases these emails look like they originate from a high level employee and are sent to other high level, human resources or payroll department employees.

Court Case Endangers State Workers' Comp System

The California Chamber of Commerce recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a California Supreme Court case that will determine whether doctors who review workers' comp cases can be sued for certain medical decisions.