Industry News
Resources and Tools for Completing Your Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As July 1st quickly approaches, California businesses are working hard to prepare their Workplace Violence Prevention plans before the deadline. In our aim to serve the needs of our clients, Rancho Mesa has outlined resources we offer to supplement your specific company’s training and plan.
Subcontractors: The Prime Contract and Its Impact On Your Rights and Responsibilities
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Reviewing contracts is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. But, I would like to share some quick thoughts on why asking for and reviewing the prime contract (before you sign your subcontract, ideally) can be important for subcontractors. This can help strengthen your position if certain conflicts arise.
Understanding Insurance Options for Tree Care Vehicles with Permanently Mounted Equipment
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The vehicles that tree care companies are using today have become more specialized and more mechanized than ever. These specialized vehicles contribute to the overall productivity, profitability, and safety of the tree care industry.
WCIRB 2024 Construction Dual Wage Threshold Increases Approved
The California Insurance Commissioner Lara has approved an increase in hourly wage thresholds for all 16 construction dual-wage classifications.
Four Weeks of Safety: Important Resources for National Safety Month
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As we hit the halfway mark on the 2024 year, we’ve explored plenty of important topics related to health and safety each month. The month of June is National Safety Month by the National Safety Council (NSC), in partnership with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Beyond Insurance: Employer Strategies to Prevent Wage and Hour Claims
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It was June 86 years ago, Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) signed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). In the words of FDR, the FLSA ensured “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Building an Effective Renewal Submission in a Hard Market
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Insurance renewals can be challenging for nonprofits, especially in the hard market of 2024, characterized by higher premiums, stricter underwriting, and reduced coverage from insurance carriers. Leaning on your insurance broker as the quarterback, a well-prepared submission can significantly impact the outcome of your insurance renewal, potentially leading to better terms and lower premiums. Nonprofits can work effectively with their insurance broker to build a comprehensive submission using the following strategies.
Surety Bonding: Understanding the Client-Broker-Carrier Relationship
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
People from outside the surety bond industry will sometimes ask if we work for 1) the carrier (bond company) or 2) the contractor client. This is an easy one. While we are approved to issue bonds by the 20+ carriers we are appointed with, make no mistake that we work 100% for our clients.
Return to Work Programs: Best Practices for Handling Workers’ Comp Claims
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
How do you handle the situation when a great employee is injured but not quite ready to return to full duty? We do all that we can to prevent injuries and make sure once they do happen our employees are taken care of quickly and properly. The one true variable we have in our control, after a claim has been filed, is how to accommodate employees that are injured but not able to return to normal duties until deemed fully recovered.
Focus on Frequency with a Small Work Comp Deductible
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Economies of scale create leverage for landscape businesses as they grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 table of incident rates notes that the landscape industry has an incident rate of 3.4 per 100 full time employees. Landscape is classified by BLS under Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services; this sub class has an incident rate of 1.9. The average for all other industries is 3.0.
National Electrical Safety Month: Preventing Hazards in the Construction Industry
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
We’ve just started the month of May, National Electrical Safety month. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) dedicates this month annually to help reduce electrical-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss.
WCIRB Files for Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier this month, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) recommended a nominal .9% increase in the advisory pure premium rates. The reason given, increased loss development for medical costs and higher claims adjustment expenses. This recommendation is now sent to the California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for approval. If approved, the increase in rates then take effect September 1, 2024.
Property Insurance in California Continues to be a Ticking Time Bomb
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Insurance industry experts and legislators continue to work with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to address the overwhelming crisis in the insurance property market. On March 26th, 2024, there was a public hearing to address the crisis.
Rising Reconstruction Costs and the Impact on Building Owners
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The continuing trend of catastrophic claim activity over the last several years, rising number of nuclear settlements due to increased litigation funding, and hyperinflation are impacting all economic sectors. One of those sectors is the commercial property insurance market and the rapid increase in reconstruction costs.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Prevent Fleet Accidents Through Training
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month across the nation. The month is dedicated to preventing distractions while driving as well as spreading awareness of these dangers on the road.
Navigating Contractor Challenges in 2024: Insights from the Surety Association of San Diego
Author, Andy Roberts, Surety Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent special StudioOne™ Podcast episode, I’m joined by my three fellow board members of the Surety Association of San Diego as we explore some of the biggest challenges facing contractors in 2024 and beyond.
Empower Your Crew: The Importance of Heat Illness Training and Preparedness
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As the calendar turns to April and warmer weather into spring time, now is a great time to take a look at your current Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP), as well as make sure all crew members are up to date on their heat illness training.
SafetyOne™ Updates Company News: New Recipient Role Added for Users
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, SafetyOne™ released new updates to the Company News feature of the platform. These updates include a new company news recipient user and added email notifications for all users.
California Enacts Strict Updates to Lead Exposure Regulations
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Cal/OSHA Standards board approved stricter standards for occupational lead exposure in both the construction industry and general industry.
Dual Wage Thresholds Set to Increase Again
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In an effort to keep up with wage inflation, California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has recommended increases to all 16 construction dual wage thresholds, which, if approved, would impact policies beginning on September 1, 2024 and could drive up insurance premiums for those unaware.