Industry News
COVID-19 Business Shutdown: What Coverage Gaps Exist with Vacant Properties
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing shelter in place restrictions, many non-essential businesses have been shuttered for several weeks. As those businesses deal with the massive revenue and employee losses, building owners must be cautioned to review their property policies closely for vacancy provisions and exclusions.
CA Governor Issues Executive Order Making Workers’ Compensation Benefits More Readily Available to Essential Workers
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, May 6 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order making workers’ compensation benefits more readily available to essential workers.
Update Your Handbook with Ease Using the RM365 HRAdvantage™ Handbook Builder
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal offers an easy-to-follow process to build a company handbook from scratch. Choose from a single state or multi-state based handbook with the ability to include your own custom policies. The RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal helps keep your handbook up to date and compliant by sending alerts when policies change or need to be included.
Surety Tightens Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Surety Department, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Before COVID-19, the construction industry had been enjoying one of the longest economic booms that this county has seen in recent memory. And, even though construction has been deemed essential, the industry is already seeing some effects from the pandemic, ranging from delayed material supplies, projects being shut down, and late or non-payments from project owners.
How Will Job Losses and the New Normal Workplace Triggered by COVID-19 Impact Employment Practices Liability?
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As insurance companies brace for a spike in claim filings due to COVID-19, one under the radar coverage that could be severely impacted is Employment Practices Liability (EPLI). With just over 22,000,000 employees recently laid off, terminated or furloughed nationwide, most experts anticipate that EPLI claim frequency will jump.
Employee Handbook Builder Adds Two New COVID Policies
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
If you are a Rancho Mesa client who has utilized the Living Handbook builder within the RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal, you may have noticed email notifications alerting you of the latest legislation policy changes. When a new government policy goes into effect or an existing policy needs to be revised, the HR portal will give you the option to update your handbook(s).
Special COVID-19 Workers' Compensation Filing and Executive Order Imminent
Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) voted unanimously this past Friday, April 17, 2020, on a special filing and sent it to the Insurance Commissioner for signature. If approved, this order would…
Potential Workers’ Compensation Changes Due to COVID-19 Claims
Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Last week the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) began developing emergency regulations resulting from the COVID-19 crisis that will be presented to the Insurance Commissioner in the coming weeks. The major areas to be addressed are…
How COVID-19 Might Create a Non-Owned Auto Liability Gap
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As landscape businesses continue to adapt operating protocol due to COVID – 19, they may also be creating new risk. Newly formed “work from home” policies for the office staff and direct reporting to job sites for workers in the field can create more of a non-owned auto liability exposure.
Nurse Triage Can Save You Time and Money
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When dealing with minor injuries, one of the last places you want your employees having to go right now is to a clinic or hospital emergency room. What are ways that you can keep your employees well cared for, without subjecting them to the added exposure of a waiting room? Telephonic Nurse Triage allows your employee to have a conversation with a registered nurse and possibly avoid the trip to a clinic or emergency room.
FFCRA Requiring Mandatory Display of Notice
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is requiring all employers with fewer than 500 employees, to post the Employee Rights - Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act notice in a conspicuous place on their premises. An employer may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees and new hires or posting it on the employer’s website (“an employee information internal or external website”).
Manage Your COVID-19 Risk With These Tools
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While most of the country is under shelter-in-place orders, many of our clients work in essential industries that must continue to provide vital services to the community. Therefore, it is imperative that they have the tools they need to keep their employees safe.
3 Cyber Threats of Employee Telecommuting
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created numerous challenges for both individuals and businesses all over the world. Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom required all residents to “shelter-in place” and all “non-essential businesses” to cease “in-person” operations. In doing so and in order to keep their business operating, many employers transition employees to work remotely, otherwise known at Telecommuting.
Healthcare Insurance Carriers Respond to COVID-19 Threat
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As Rancho Mesa continues building resources for our clients and their employees across all sectors, we have compiled a list of healthcare insurance providers and their enhanced benefits designed to respond to the COVID-19 virus. Listed below is information related to COVID-19 testing when ordered by a physician.
Frustrated You’re Not Getting Paid on a Bonded Project?
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Getting paid on time by project owners is essential! As construction companies attempt to collect their account receivables, a frustration builds as the overdue payments stretch from 60, to 90, to over 120 days. You might have already paid certain suppliers or subcontractors, and now your cash flow is getting stretched because your receivable has been delayed. If this is a bonded project – you do have an additional avenue of recourse to collect.
3 Reasons Your Pre-Renewal Meeting Is the Key to Your Success
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Business leaders across the country head into each year with questions regarding the upcoming business insurance renewal process. Owners and officers alike rely on their insurance broker to help them navigate these uncertainties. What should a best practice renewal process look like?
What Employers Need to Know Before a Serious Injury Occurs in the Workplace
Author, Jim Malone, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Timely reporting of an employee’s work-related serious injury, illness or death can pose a challenge to the employer. As of January 1, 2020, these incidents (including any hospitalizations, unless the injured worker is admitted for medical observation or diagnostic testing) must be reported immediately to Cal/OSHA. Immediately means as soon as practically possible but not longer than 8 hours after the employer knows or, with diligent inquiry, would have known of the serious injury, illness or death.
Strategies Employers Can Use to Combat the Coronavirus
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence of widespread transmissions of COVID-19 (commonly known as Coronavirus) in the United States, at this time. But, business owners should ask themselves, would my company be prepared in the event of an outbreak? Employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring some semblance of business operations. The CDC has recommended the following strategies that employers can use, today.
Fire, Earthquakes, Leaks, Oh My! Property Insurance Market Continues to Worsen
Author, Chase Hixson, Account Executive, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Many of our clients have opted for alternative options to the standard insurance programs most are accustomed to purchasing to cover their property. These alternative approaches are allowing our clients to save money while still insuring their property to a level that they feel comfortable.
Don’t Trim Down Your Safety Procedures
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Trees require regular maintenance to ensure their health and safety. Dead or diseased trees must be cut down in order to prevent injuries to people or damage to nearby structures. Maintaining trees through trimming is a dangerous task, even for experienced professionals. Unfortunately, accidents do occur. The three most common types of serious accidents experienced by tree trimmers are…