Industry News
Managing the Inherent Risks of Personal Vehicle Use Within Your Company
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While costs associated with auto liability continue rising across the country, there are risks within existing fleet safety programs that often get overlooked. If your business allows employees to use personal vehicles to conduct business even just occasionally, you could be exposing your firm to considerably more risk.
Have You Brushed Up on Your ABC’s?
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), better known as the “Gig Worker’s Bill” became law on January 1st 2020 and is designed to reclassify many independent contractors as employees for purposes of wages and benefits. What does this bill mean and how does it affect you?
Cal/OSHA Updates: AB 1805 Changes Definition of Serious Injury or Illness
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For reporting purposes, California Assembly Bill 1805 (AB 1805) outlines new definitions for what is considered a serious injury or illness. These changes were made to bring California’s laws more in line with Federal OSHA reporting standards. These changes include…
Skilled Labor Shortages Prompt Subcontractors to Provide Performance Guaranty
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Surety Division, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The construction industry is currently booming. According to a survey conducted by the AGC of America, and a recent article written by Rancho Mesa’s Kevin Howard, the industry shows no signs of slowing down, as 80% of contractors predict growth in 2020. While that’s great news for the industry, we are starting to see some trends that can cause some issues for contractors.
OSHA Penalties Increase in 2020
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On January 15, 2020 the Federal Register published the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2020. This final rule increases civil penalties the Department of Labor assesses including those issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based on workplace inspections and potential violations of safety and health standards. The rule is effective January 15, 2020. Beginning January 16, 2020 OSHA civil penalties will increase.
Cal/OSHA Updates: AB 1804 Changes How Injuries and Illnesses Are Reported
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As of January 1, 2020, California Assembly Bill 1804 (AB 1804) changed how an employer reports a serious employee injury or illness to Cal/OSHA. The bill removes the option to submit the report via email and replaces it with an “online mechanism,” according to Labor Code section 6409.1 (b). Reports may continue to be made via phone.
2020 Promises Growth for Contractors but With a Twist
Author, Kevin Howard, C.R.I.S., Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Based on a recently published survey from the Associated General Contractors of America, 80% of contractors predict growth in 2020…but there is a twist. There is a major labor shortage.
Work Comp Unit Stat: The Meeting That Saves You Money
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California business owners are aware that their experience modifier (XMOD) is published annually, roughly three to four months before the expiration of their current workers compensation policy term. However, more often than not, companies are missing an incredible opportunity to make an impact on the calculation of their XMOD by strategically evaluating their work comp claims prior to the most critical month in the XMOD calendar known as Unit Stat.
It’s OSHA 300A Time
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The holidays have come and gone and here we are at the end of another great year. Year-end means calendar updates, process changes and document reviews, as well as time to prepare for filing your OSHA 300A form.
Generating Your Employee Handbook Is Easier Than Keeping a New Years Resolution
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When business owners are asked if their employee handbooks are up to date, they typically shrug and say “It’s something we have been meaning to tackle.” It is hard to blame them when it often feels as though a newly revised employee handbook quickly requires an update due to changes in employment laws! There is a significant need for an easy to use option where employers can have an up to date handbook throughout the year and, have it generated at no cost. Rancho Mesa provides that solution.
Have You Met With Your Bond Company This Year?
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In the world of surety bonding, the various financial information the bond underwriter will analyze includes the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, A/R & A/P Aging, Bank Line of Credit, Work In Progress Schedule, and the owner’s personal financial statement. This is to determine the level of single project and aggregate program credit line to support the contractor’s bonding.
The Flu Isn’t the Only Bug You Need to Worry About
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When we hear of a data breach, we typically think of large corporations or more recently municipalities that collect customers’ personal identification information or are using technology to manage physical locations (i.e. buildings), transit systems, and people. However, just about any large, medium or small organization that uses technology to operate their business faces a cyber-exposure.
Youth Protection Policy - Are You Protected?
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor, Gavin Newsome, signed a new state law on October 13th, 2019 to better protect California’s survivors of child abuse. In response, youth organizations and insurance companies expect a surge in legal activity in 2020.
Don't Let Your Communications with Employees Hurt as Much as Their Injuries
Author, Jim Malone, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A work-related injury is a traumatic event for your employee and their family. Even though your employees are trained and educated to immediately report work injuries, it is sometimes difficult for them to do so.
New Law Changes Which Injuries Must Be Reported
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A new California law, Assembly Bill 1805 (AB 1805), changes when employers are required to report serious workplace injuries to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The law now broadens the scope of what will be classified as a serious illness, injury or exposure. Many believe this change will increase the number of workplace accidents that will have to be reported in 2020.
Employers Embrace Benefits of Telemedicine to Treat Work-Place Injuries
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Telemedicine is becoming prevalent in the workplace as a more efficient way to treat non-emergency type injuries. Employers, employees, and insurance companies alike are seeing the benefits of telemedicine from a convenience and efficiency standpoint.
California Non-Profits Brace for Higher Insurance Premiums and Dramatic Changes to Coverage
Author, Chase Hixson, Account Executive, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For years, the insurance marketplace for non-profits, specifically general liability, abuse, property and management liability have been somewhat stable (subject to loss history, of course). Unfortunately, that is looking to change as the marketplace braces for significant correction.
What is an LLC Employee/Worker Bond?
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Surety Division, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In California, when a contractor opts to organize their business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) they are required to maintain an LLC Employee/Worker Bond in the amount of $100,000 in order to obtain their Contractors License, per the California Business and Professions Code, Section 7071.6.5. After our clients receive notice of this requirement, we are often asked why this bond is required and what does it protect against.
Contractors Brace for Impact of 2020 Expected Loss Rates
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California contractors focused on their experience modification are paying close attention to the soon to be published 2020 Expected Loss Rates (ELRs).
Autonomous Mowing – Are you Covered?
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Autonomous mowing is becoming more common in commercial and residential landscape management. As the market begins to adapt and utilize this technology it creates a very unfamiliar and unique exposure for you and your General Liability carrier.