Industry News
Insurance Costs Are Rising— So Are The Costs Behind Every Claim
Author, Kyle Dunlap, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For California business owners, renewal increases can be frustrating because insurance is one of the largest expenses that often feels outside management's control. But insurance should not be evaluated in isolation. The same inflation affecting fuel, vehicles, equipment, repairs, wages and medical care also increase the cost of the claims insurers pay.
Accident Investigation: Turning Incidents into Opportunities for Improvement
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
During my recent podcast episode, I discussed how near misses can represent missed opportunities for general engineering contractors to prevent future workplace injuries.
What to Do After A Vehicle, Equipment or Fuel Theft
Author, Jessee Keirstead, Risk Control Consultant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When a company vehicle, piece of equipment, or fuel supply is stolen, taking immediate and organized action is critical. A prompt response can increase the chances of recovery, support insurance claims, and help minimize business disruptions.
Your Plumbing or HVAC Website May Be Sending the Wrong Message to Your Insurance Carrier
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Most plumbing and HVAC contractors view their website as a sales tool. However, insurance carriers increasingly view it as an underwriting tool. The same website designed to attract customers is at the same time influencing how an underwriter evaluates your business, impacting carrier appetite, available coverage, and, ultimately, the cost of your insurance program.
Jobsite Fuel Theft is on the Rise
Author, Jessee Keirstead, Risk Control Consultant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Gasoline and diesel theft has emerged as a growing and often underreported risk across Southern California, driven in part by persistently high fuel costs and organized theft activity.
Overlooked Coverage that Keeps Projects Moving After an Equipment Loss
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For trade and general contractors that own heavy and/or valuable specialty equipment, there is an overlooked coverage that can be critical in certain loss scenarios.
Strategies to Help Contractors Reduce Insurance Costs
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rising insurance costs in California continue to put pressure on contractors. While many companies focus on finding lower premiums, the most effective way to control insurance costs is to reduce risk before claims occur.
Construction Equipment Theft on the Rise
Author, Jessee Keirstead, Risk Control Consultant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Across the United States, construction equipment theft is on the rise. And, for companies that depend on small and/or heavy equipment to operate, a stolen piece can have devastating consequences that result in project delays and lost revenue.
Hiring as a Risk Strategy: Controlling Insurance Costs in Construction
Author, Kyle Dunlap, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Best-in-class construction contractors treat hiring as a strategic function. When scaling quickly after winning large contracts, these employers use structured recruiting, safety-focused screening, and disciplined onboarding to reduce risk, protect their workforce, and control workers’ compensation costs and their experience modification rate (EMR).
Near Misses Are Often Missed Opportunities
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
General engineering contractors deal with a myriad of risks on a daily basis. Even though these risks are typically few in frequency, they are high in severity. This means the claim is going to be significant and could ultimately impact your company’s financial and reputational standing within the industry. Too many times I have seen contractors only focus on the claim after it happens, which is reactive. I recommend taking a proactive approach and have your foreman and project managers focus on the near misses.
A Strategic Approach for Insuring HVAC and Plumbing Contractors in California Requires an Industry Specialist
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The insurance landscape that California plumbers and HVAC contactors currently face looks noticeably different than that of recent years. A prolonged period of sharp economic and social inflation has driven up claim costs for carriers, forcing many to exit or reevaluate their positions in the market. As carrier appetite shifts and capacity is constrained, contractors are largely experiencing frustration arising from limited carrier options, reduced coverage, and rapidly rising insurance premiums.
Construction Risk Management in Action: Century Painting Making Safety A Priority
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
StudioOne™’s Episode 603 was packed with safety knowledge as I had the opportunity to interview and spotlight Rancho Mesa’s long time client, Century Painting Corp.
Building Protection Through Strong Subcontract Agreements
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As insurance requirements become increasingly stringent across California’s construction industry, specialty contractors are facing more scrutiny from both general contractors and insurance carriers. It has become standard practice for prime contractors, and sometimes project owners, to require specialty contractors to sign detailed subcontractor agreements outlining scope, pricing, claims procedures, termination rights, indemnification, and strict insurance requirements.
Fleet Maintenance: An Overlooked Pillar of Jobsite Safety for Electrical Contractors
Author, Kyle Dunlap, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Fleet maintenance is essential for electrical contractors that rely on service trucks, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles to transport employees, tools, and materials safely to job sites on a daily basis. When contractors prioritize clean, safe, and well-maintained vehicles on highways, back roads, and active construction zones, they protect their workforce, prevent costly mishaps, maximize fuel consumption and reduce insurance challenges at renewal.
Protecting Your Bottom Line: The Critical Role of Excess/Umbrella Liability Coverage for Contractors
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The construction industry operates in one of the highest‑risk environments. Contractors work with heavy machinery, multiple layers of subcontractors, hazardous jobsites, strict contractual obligations, and constant exposure to the public. These conditions create significant exposure to large liability claims. And, although general liability, auto liability, and employers’ liability insurance make up the foundation of a contractor’s risk management program, these primary policies often do not provide enough protection when a major incident occurs.
Navigating California Labor Laws: Key Compliance Challenges for Contractors
Jason Fischbein of Fisher Phillips sits down with Matt Gorham to discuss some of the primary labor and employment law issues currently impacting contractors, especially those within the HVAC and Plumbing industries.
GPS Tracking Isn’t Enough: One Simple Step Can Protect Your Heavy Equipment from Theft
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The use of heavy equipment by grading/excavating, street/road and water/sewer contractors is vital in their daily operations. Outside of their employees, this is their 2nd most valuable asset and also very expensive to replace, if stolen. Contractors across the country have seen an increase in heavy equipment theft. According to the National Equipment Register (NER), heavy equipment is nine times more likely to be stolen than vandalized and five times more likely to be stolen than encounter fire damage.
PAGA Lawsuits: The Employment Risk Catching California Businesses Off Guard
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As insurance advisors, we have a responsibility to keep our clients (and any business within earshot) informed about emerging risks that could impact their operations. One area that has grown significantly in recent years is Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits.
Navigating California’s Hardening Marketplace
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California’s insurance market has shifted dramatically in recent years, creating challenges for both carriers and insureds. While premium increases are often the most visible sign of a hard market, the underlying issues are far more complex.
Three Key Elements in A Fleet Safety Program for Plumbers and HVAC Contractors
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Commercial auto insurance continues to be problematic for plumbers and HVAC contractors as skyrocketing premiums are eroding profitability.