Industry News
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies and Rancho Mesa Participate in Nationally Renowned LANDSCAPES 2017
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) and Rancho Mesa Insurance Services (RMI) teamed up at the annual LANDSCAPES 2017 convention, the Green Industry & Equipment (GIE) Expo, and the Hardscape North America (HNA) Tradeshow, in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 17-20, 2017.
NALP Announces 2017 Safety Award Recipients
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate all 263 National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) members who achieved recognition for their safety efforts in 2017.
3 Steps to Protect Your Employees from San Diego’s Recent Hepatitis A Outbreak
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Whether you work in the human services sector like healthcare, community outreach, or schools, or you are in the construction industry working in areas like downtown San Diego, your employees may come in contact with the Hepatitis A virus.
Is your Company Prepared for OSHA’s new Silica Rule?
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 23rd 2017 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new silica standard for construction will go into effect. This means contractors who engage in activities that create silica dust or are known in the industry as respirable crystalline silica, must meet a stricter standard for how much dust there workers inhale.
Workers' Compensation Dual Wage Thresholds Increases for Construction Classes in 2018
Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In an effort to keep you informed, so that you can begin to plan your 2018 budget, we wanted to let you know of a potential change in the dual wage classes, for many but not all, the dual wage construction class codes.
Assembly Bill 72 Passes to Limit Unexpected Medical Costs to Californians
Effective July 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 72 (Bonta) went into effect by protecting Californians from unexpected medical bills when visiting in-network facilities (i.e., hospitals, labs, and imaging centers). No longer can providers who aren’t contracted with a patient’s health plan step into the operating room, for instance, and charge the patient more than the patient would have expected to pay an in-network provider. Furthermore, the patient can only be billed for his or her in-network cost-share, meaning in-network benefits apply to all providers seen, and services rendered, in an in-network facility.
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.
Adding an Additional Obligee to a Performance Bond
Author Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A Rancho Mesa construction client recently asked if they should be concerned when asked to add a Duel Obligee to a Performance Bond on a construction contract. The short answer is “no.” But, let’s expand on that answer.
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.