Industry News
WCIRB Approves Dual Wage Threshold Increases for 2026: What California Contractors Need to Know
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has reviewed and approved a proposal to increase the hourly wage threshold for 13 out of the 16 dual wage classifications by $2 to $5 per hour that would go into effective September 1, 2026, once Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara agrees.
A Proactive Approach to Insuring Your Commercial Property
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Wildfires in California over the last several years have had a dramatic effect on the insurance marketplace. With expected losses of the recent Los Angeles fires alone to exceed $30 Billion, insurance companies have been taking action to stop the bleeding. These actions include non-renewing policy holders in high hazard zones as well as pulling out of California all together.
Non-Owned Auto Can Be A Janitorial Company’s Hidden Nightmare
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It is common for employees of janitorial companies to drive their own vehicles, whether that is driving to various jobsites, transporting cleaning supplies, or simply running errands. For the janitorial company, this creates what is referred to as a non-owned auto exposure.
Best Practices Approach to Insuring Janitorial Companies
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Running a successful janitorial company in California can often be cut throat. With low profit margins, janitorial companies continue to face daily challenges like increased wages and material costs, as well as aggressive competition that continues to under bid contracts. It is natural for business owners to explore ways of cutting costs to help their bottom line, but insurance should not be one of them. In fact, they should be looking to add coverages that are unique to janitorial operations and protect the long term health and viability of the company.
The Road to Recovery: Commissioner Lara's Plan to Rescue Property Insurance in California
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared property insurance a State of Emergency in CA based on a mass exodus of property insurance companies. This has allowed CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to strike a deal with insurance companies to encourage new coverage in the State. The changes are slated to go into effect by the end of 2024. However, the hope is that insurers will begin to write homeowner’s policies sooner.
SafetyOne™ Mobile App Streamlines Safety Within the Janitorial Industry
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier this year, Rancho Mesa launched its proprietary SafetyOne™ mobile app. Feedback so far has been extremely positive, with many clients taking full advantage of the extensive resources the app provides.
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.