Industry News
Mitigating Risks in the Solar Industry with Professional Liability Insurance
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Since the outset of the 21st century, the solar installation industry has been bustling with the demand to create clean sustainable energy. Based on growing political and ecofriendly needs, the solar industry is ever changing and trying to keep up with constant fluctuations when it comes to energy storage, federal and state regulations, and supply chain demands.
Safety Evolution: General Contractors Begin Requiring Safety Helmets Over Hard Hats
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The hard hat has long been a staple for construction-site safety. However, a new contender has entered the industry in 2023 as more and more general contractors are requiring safety helmets.
How Important is Your EMR in the Pre-Qualification Process?
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With 2024 right around the corner, general engineering and trade contractors will be required by government agencies and general contractors to enter the annual pre-qualification process in order to bid work. These entities are looking closely at a company’s project history, including project size, bonding capacity, limits of insurance as well as a companies’ Experience Modification Rate (EMR).
Understanding the Importance of Subcontractor Warranty Endorsement in General Liability Policies
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent podcast episode, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa, sat down with fellow Agency Principal Sam Clayton to explore a crucial topic in the realm of general liability insurance policies, the subcontractor warranty endorsement. This endorsement outlines essential requirements that contractors should pay close attention to when working with subcontractors.
Digitalization in the Construction Industry: A How-To Guide
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The construction industry stands as one of the biggest contributors to the U.S. economy. With the rapid advancements in technology, however, it still stands out as one of the least digitized industries in the world. While traditionally, construction companies have been loyal to paper methods, digitalization in construction brings many benefits such as increased efficiency, improved safety, and enhanced communication.
Unraveling Residential Exclusions: Navigating General Liability in Construction
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 339 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton interviews Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee as they discuss the importance of Residential Exclusions in General Liability (GL) Policies for companies in the construction industry.
Risk Tamed and Rewards Claimed: Requiring Subcontractor Bonds
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
We often receive questions from our contractor clients regarding if/when they should require a subcontractor to provide the protection of a performance & payment bond for a project. Although the premium charged for the bond will add cost to the project – on many occasions the benefit of the bond will far outweigh the cost.
The Critical Role of Pollution Liability Insurance for Mechanical Contractors
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Mechanical HVAC contractors are essential to making sure that buildings around the globe have controlled temperatures and are energy efficient. Nationwide, the demand for mechanical HVAC contractors often keeps these businesses with full backlogs. These companies use various materials that create the potential for a pollution liability claim. Refrigerants, gases, flammable liquids, and lubricants are examples of these types of pollutants. If leaked or exposed, walls, ceilings, and floors can develop damage or mold that is not covered by standard commercial general liability policies.
Cal/OSHA to Enact ETS for Silica Exposure in Artificial Stone Industry
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On July 20, 2023, the Cal/OSHA board approved a petition that requested an emergency temporary standard for respirable crystalline silica, a byproduct of manufacturing and cutting artificial stone material.
Contract Provisions to Review for Successful Projects
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Contracts are not always the most fun to read, but certainly important for all of us in the construction industry.
A Deeper Dive Into Professional Liability
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 315 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss pollution liability, and why virtually all general liability policies exclude this coverage.
A Brief Discussion on Pollution Liability
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 315 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss pollution liability, and why virtually all general liability policies exclude this coverage.
Heat Illness Awareness Vital for California's Construction Companies
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California faces a critical need to prioritize heat illness awareness among its workforce. The combination of Southern California's recent above average rainfall and the anticipated heatwave resulting from El Niño has created the possibility of an extremely warm summer. Construction companies must remain vigilant and adaptable, implementing appropriate measures to address these changing weather dynamics and ensuring the safety of their workers. By staying informed about weather forecasts and implementing flexible work schedules and site preparations, companies can effectively navigate these challenging conditions and prioritize the well-being of their employees. By understanding the significance of heat illness awareness, companies can ensure the safety and well-being of their workers while fostering productivity, minimizing downtime, and improving overall project efficiency.
Contractor Strategic Planning with Kevin Brown of RBTK, LLP
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In my recent StudioOne™ podcast episode with Kevin Brown, Of Counsel with the CPA Firm RBTK, LLP, we discuss the anatomy and considerations that go into strategic planning for your business.
Implementing Best Practices when Hiring in the Construction Industry
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With unemployment rates settling near 4 percent, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the right employees to help grow your construction company. With most able-bodied workers having secure employment, this leads to having either apprentice-type employees that come with unique challenges or pulling from an aging workforce that can bring cumulative injuries and risks. Navigating these issues can be complex and there is not a perfect solution, but employer’s hiring practices need to change in order to keep up with the current state of the industry.
Understanding General Liability Forms and Endorsements
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Two agency leaders within Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. made a special appearance in a recent episode of the StudioOne™ Safety & Risk Management Podcast. During episode 293, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discussed the important forms and endorsements in general liability policies.
Plan Your SafetyOne™ App to Best Suit Your Organization’s Needs
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa aims to provide clients with tools that are flexible in order to best fit their individual needs, including our proprietary SafetyOne™ application. SafetyOne’s features are systemized based on “Projects.” However, projects are highly adaptable to the way each individual organization works.
Best Practices for Growing Your Surety Program
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
You may know that the surety client/agent/underwriter relationship is different from other lines of insurance.
Whether you are new to the bonding process, or have been doing bonded work for years, there are a handful of important items that can assist with securing the best relationship for your bonding needs. It really boils down to a few key areas: timely information, accurate information, and regular communication.
Insurance Benefits of GPS Systems in Commercial Vehicles
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For businesses that rely on a fleet of commercial vehicles, insurance costs can be a significant expense. Insurance carriers calculate premiums based on a variety of factors, including the age and condition of the vehicles, driver experience and record, and the frequency and distance of trips. One factor that can positively impact insurance costs is the use of global positioning systems (GPS) in commercial vehicles. Below, we will explore some of the insurance benefits of installing GPS systems in commercial vehicles.
Properly Utilizing Tailgate Meetings
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For many foremen and superintendents, weekly tailgate meetings can feel like a task that just needs to be checked off the list. However, while the purpose of these meetings is critical for the health and well-being of fellow field employees, the time required and repetitive nature of them can create challenges. To maximize the benefits of these meetings, construction firms must be proactive and thoughtful as they develop an inventory of topics.