Industry News
The True Cost of DSP Turnover in Developmental Disability Services
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Non-profit organizations supporting adults with developmental disabilities fulfill their missions and promise to individuals and families by employing a dedicated group of people, Direct Support Professionals (DSP). The evergreen challenge to attract and retain DSPs adds hidden costs and increases an organization’s exposure to risk. Below we outline these challenges and questions to raise with a National Best Practices insurance agency.
Navigating Today’s Nonprofit Challenges with Arnulfo Manriquez
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Human Services Group Vice President Sam Brown interviews Arnulfo Manriquez of the Manriquez Group to explore the evolving challenges facing nonprofit leaders, from funding pressures and board governance to leadership transitions. With his decades of experience in the nonprofit world, Arnulfo shares practical insights on adaptability, strategic decision-making, and how nonprofits can position themselves for long-term sustainability in a changing environment.
Essential Steps Non-Profit Leaders Should Take in the Pre-Renewal Process
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Non-profit organizations and their leadership often rely heavily on their insurance agent’s experience and insight, gained from working with similar organizations, when considering insurance buying options and risk management throughout the year.
Foreign Voluntary Workers’ Compensation: Closing the Coverage Gap for Cross-Border Teams
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In San Diego County, with its diverse workforce and cross border business activities, employers increasingly consider hiring talent from nearby Tijuana or have employees travel into Mexico for business purposes. In other scenarios, American employees decide to move and work remotely from Mexico or commit to a daily commute into the US.
Protecting the Organization and Employees When Offering Retirement Plans
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this competitive labor market, employers may offer ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) compliant retirement plans to draw and retain a talented workforce. It makes sense; data shows that retirement benefits reduce turnover, build employee trust, and offer predictable retirement savings.
Ensure Pricing Accuracy and Validity of Insurance Coverage
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As the insurance market for nonprofit and human service agencies continues to harden, with fewer and fewer insurance companies willing to insure valuable community programs, careful completion and review of the insurance applications will ensure proper pricing and coverage following an insurance claim.
A Hardening Insurance Market for Non-Profits-Steps to Prepare for the 2025 Renewal Process
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Non-profit and human services leaders started experiencing a hardening property and casualty insurance market in 2024 illustrated by reduced limits of liability, higher deductibles, and increased premiums. And, the market shift still may not have been enough to right the ship.
Market Update: Sexual Misconduct Liability in Healthcare Organizations
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s insurance brokers specializing in healthcare, education and non-profit organizations continue to navigate the hardening insurance marketplace, characterized by tighter underwriting guidelines, reduced limits of liability, increased deductibles, and higher policy premiums.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late: Notify Your Insurer of a Claim Right Away
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s commercial clients purchase insurance to transfer financial risk to a third party and protect their business against claims of liability. These clients rightfully expect their respective insurers to fulfill the obligation found in black and white on the Insurance Service Office (ISO) general liability form that reads “We will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury or property damage to which this insurance applies.” So, what must a policyholder do to ensure this obligation is fulfilled?
Beyond Insurance: Employer Strategies to Prevent Wage and Hour Claims
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It was June 86 years ago, Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) signed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). In the words of FDR, the FLSA ensured “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Litigation Funding Contributes to Higher Claim Amounts and Premiums
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The first quarter of 2024 is in full swing and the insurance industry is already feeling the rising cost of insurance claims, often referred to as social inflation. Commonly discussed reasons for social inflation include socioeconomic, legal, and behavioral trends that produce costly lawsuits, according to research conducted by The Institutes. In addition to these familiar observations, a relatively new factor is now playing a role in large lawsuits: third-party litigation financing.
Protecting Non-Profit Operations with Business Interruption Insurance
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A non-profit organization’s culture and positive impact often flows through its strategically placed locations in the communities it serves. These locations, whether they be offices, group homes, childcare centers, or shelters all further the mission and may drive revenue. The cost to the organization if one of these locations becomes inoperable due to a property damage claim can often add undue stress to the finances and leadership. This article will address how business interruption insurance (BII) can address these costs.
First Four Steps to Take Immediately After a Data Breach
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, July 14th Rancho Mesa hosted a popular workshop titled “Cyber Liability Explained: Hacking Trends for 2023” with presenter Beau Bechelli of Evolve MGA. His 60-minute presentation educated the audience on the cost of cyber-attacks, the most common types of attacks, and practical ways to help reduce the threat of a breach.
Guidance for Developing an Effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As some company leaders may recall, since 1991, all California employers are required to maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). An IIPP is an understandable and accessible safety program tailored to a business’ operations. An effective IIPP will help an employer establish and maintain a safe workplace while setting expectations and protocols for all employees.
Inflation Increases Cost of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As non-profits and leaders of human service organizations navigate important business decisions in the face of inflation, it’s important to consider measures that can reduce inflation’s impact to an organization’s operating budget. Today, we look at inflation’s effect on workers’ compensation insurance and strategies to reduce future costs.
Training Supervisors on Workplace Injury Protocol Can Improve Claim Outcomes
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California employers work hard to maintain a safe workplace, but accidents and injuries can occur. While human resources professionals typically have an excellent understanding of the workers’ compensation claim process, proper supervisor training can improve workers’ compensation outcomes for employers and their injured workers.
Duty to Defend vs. Reimbursement: A Short Comparison
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
You hoped this day would never come, but it’s time to notify your insurance agent of a liability insurance claim. You know you need to retain defense counsel, but who chooses the firm and pays the bills?
Four Factors Contributing to Employee Theft
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Crime insurance policies act as one line of defense against financial loss to an employer. At times, guarding against theft can feel like an uphill battle with many factors outside of our control. One common form of crime insurance claims may be more preventable than ever with some quick education. We are talking about employee theft.
Nonprofits Insurance Alliance® Discusses Their Mission
On February 8th, 2022 Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services Group, welcomed Nonprofits Insurance Alliance® (NIA) founder, president, and CEO Pamela E. Davis to Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne® podcast. Pamela shared how she turned a graduate school project and a vision for insuring nonprofits into $250 million in written premium. Sam and Pamela discuss how a nonprofit specialist broker serves clients, and how NIA provides cost-saving tools tailored for nonprofit leaders and brokers.
SB 606 Broadens Cal/OSHA’s Enforcement Reach
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Senate Bill 606 (SB 606), greatly expanding Cal/OSHA’s enforcement powers and monetary penalty amounts. The new law will take effect January 1, 2022, so California employers have only a few months to tighten their safety practices or face steep monetary fines.