Industry News
Roofing Contractors Prepare for the Dual Wage Threshold Increase
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
There is a lot at stake for roofing contractors in California. Many of us recall playing the game “would you rather” as kids. Would you rather jump into a freezing cold pool in December or eat the world’s hottest chili pepper with no milk available?
Employee Retention Credit
Rancho Mesa's Account Executive of the Surety Department Andy Roberts is joined by Tina Jani, CPA and Partner at Covell, Jani & Pasch LLP, to discuss the Employee Retention Credit.
Retaining Non-Profit Employees in Vital Service Roles
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Employees and volunteers are the heart of non-profits. Without them, non-profits would never have a chance to fulfill their missions. They are the organizations who communities rely on for support.
Rise in Pure Premium Rates Impacts Tree Care Industry
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Pure premium rates are determined by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB). The rates reflect the amount of losses that an insurance carrier can expect to pay out in claims for that particular class of business. Every year, the WCIRB submits pure premium rates to the California Department of Insurance for approval. These pure premium rates are comprised of loss and payroll data submitted to the WCIRB by all the insurance companies in California.
Choosing the Best Surety Partner for Your Contractor Bonding Program
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Rancho Mesa Bond Department is currently appointed with twenty-five surety carriers to support our contractor clients with all sizes of bond programs. It is key that the contractor is matched with the correct bond company to ensure timely approval for bonding. For both new and existing clients, we look at several factors to ensure you are partnering with the bond company that will provide the best single and aggregate bond program at the most competitive rate.
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?
ELEVATE 2022: A Pre-Conference Discussion with NALP CEO Britt Wood
Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia interviewed the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) CEO Britt Wood about the upcoming ELEVATE 2022 conference event in Orlando, FL on September 18-21.
Staying Safe While the Weather Heats Up
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As temperatures continue to rise across the country, it is important for landscape companies to take proper precautions while working in the heat of summer. Heat-related illnesses are very much preventable, if the proper safety steps are in place.
The Link Between Your EMR and Primary Threshold
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
One of the biggest concerns for contractors is their Experience Modification Rating (EMR). If your EMR exceeds 1.00 or 1.25, contractors can be removed from bid lists and premiums can escalate quickly. Most decision makers have little idea what factors contribute to the EMR and just how claims can impact them.
California Insurance Commissioner Leaves Workers’ Comp Rates Flat
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released a statement that he is rejecting the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) recommended 7.6% increase in the workers’ compensation pure premium rates as well as the add-on to cover COVID-19 claim costs. The Commissioner also rejected a more modest 2.8% increase recommended by the Department of Insurance’s actuaries and the 1.4% decrease recommended by an independent actuary for the public members of the Bureau’s governing committee.
Blockchain Technology May Further Digitalize the Surety Industry
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In my previous article and podcast, “Surety Industry Forced to Innovate,” I discussed a few technological advancements within the surety industry and how the ultimate goal would be issuing bonds to obligees digitally. While that is still some ways off, the technology is here and there are companies and organizations already exploring how blockchain technology may be the answer when it comes to fully digitalizing the surety industry.
Proposal to Include COVID-19 Claims in EMR Calculation is Denied
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It appears the COVID-19 pandemic has finally entered an endemic stage and most companies have fully re-opened and/or are offering their employees some type of a hybrid work schedule. With this being the case, the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) proposed to amend the rule that excludes COVID-19 claims from the calculation of experience modifications for only claims with incident dates from December 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022.
Dashboard Spotlight: Your Path to an Experience MOD Below 1.00
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Safety KPI Dashboard allows businesses the ability to clearly visualize their path to an Experience MOD (XMOD) below 1.00 through goal setting.
WCIRB Approves 2022 Construction Dual Wage Threshold Increase
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has approved the recommended increase in hourly wage thresholds for all 16 construction dual wage classifications. The increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the classification and will go into effect for policyholders renewing September 1, 2022 and thereafter. The chart below outlines the increases for each classification.
Understanding the Impact of MEP Contractors’ Dual Wage & Total Temporary Disability
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
What is a dual wage threshold? According to the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), in California there are sixteen (16) construction operations that are divided into two separate classifications based on the hourly wage of the employee. There are different advisory pure premium rates for the low wage employee and the high wage employee.
Changes Are Coming to California Contractor License Bonds
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director, Surety Department, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Currently, all contractors licensed in the State of California are required by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to have a $15,000 contractor license bond on file with the state. This amount has been in effect since January 1, 2016.
Staying Ahead of the “Hard Market”
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the past 15+ quarters, California employers have been experiencing a soft workers’ compensation marketplace. At some point, however, this will start to pivot and the companies that will secure the more favorable pricing must be able to differentiate themselves to their insurance carriers. As we continue seeing signs of the hard market coming, without this solid explicit differentiation, it will become harder for our carriers to be aggressive with their pricing. With all of that said, as a business owner, you may be asking how you differentiate yourself to the insurance marketplace and protect your company from large premium increases. Following are some proven methods.
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.
CA Insurance Bureau Recommends 7.6% Rate Increase
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) voted to submit a September 1, 2022 Pure Premium Rate Filing to California’s Insurance Commissioner Lara.
Five Contract Provisions to Consider
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When the surety provides the performance and/or payment bond required by a contract, that contract is the basis of the surety’s guarantee. Simply put, the bonds follow the contract. Because of this, there are a few key things that the surety is going to want to review, and you should do the same. The goal is to make sure you, as the contractor, have everything in place to ensure your success.