Industry News
Contractors’ Guide to Navigating Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In true government fashion, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirement, more commonly referred to as CMMC, is a mouthful! While most companies are familiar with or are working on compliance with this requirement by now, we felt it was appropriate to share the history of this certification with our audience.
A Hardening Insurance Market for Non-Profits-Steps to Prepare for the 2025 Renewal Process
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Non-profit and human services leaders started experiencing a hardening property and casualty insurance market in 2024 illustrated by reduced limits of liability, higher deductibles, and increased premiums. And, the market shift still may not have been enough to right the ship.
Step Up Your Safety: Essential Ladder Topics for National Ladder Safety Month
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
March is national ladder safety month. While worker safety should be a priority all year long, this month is a reminder of the dangers associated with ladders in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. A fall prevention plan and thorough ladder safety training can help protect workers from injury and prevent fatalities.
4 Steps to Ensure I-9 Compliance and Prepare for an Audit
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Trump administration has placed a strong emphasis on immigration policy. Significant changes to employment-based immigration and work authorization are anticipated to take effect within the next four years. For employers, this means I-9 compliance should be a top priority in order to avoid costly fines.
Creating a Standard Operating Procedure for Work-Related Incidents
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In order to improve a process, there needs to be a baseline. When it comes to tracking, reporting, and following through on a work-related incident, injury or illness, creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) sets the foundation. Flow charts can help all stakeholders better visualize the process and show potential next steps based on yes/no questions. This type of operating procedure also shows the duties and obligations for the individual employee, supervisor, human resources personnel and safety manager that is involved.
Controlling Auto Insurance Costs for Plumbers and HVAC Contractors
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Like most businesses, vehicles are an essential part of a plumbing or HVAC contractor’s operations. Whether the focus of their business is service and repair, tenant improvements, installation, or new construction, company leaders depend on trucks, vans, and cars to get their people, equipment, and materials safely to the jobsite.
SB 428: Expanding California’s Workplace Violence Restraining Order Law to Protect Against Harassment
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A new California law expands the state’s protections around workplace violence restraining orders. Beginning January 1, 2025, employers were given the right to seek a temporary restraining order on behalf of an employee who has suffered harassment in the workplace. California State Senate Bill 428 (SB 428) was authored by Senator Catherine Blakespear and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Beyond a Single Bond: How We Help Contractors Stay Ahead of Their Surety Needs
Author, Matt Gaynor,Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
We recently issued a very large bond for one of our contractor clients which prompted a discussion during the underwriting process about potentially moving their account to a surety carrier with a larger capacity. However, after enjoying a seven-year relationship with the current bond company and receiving an early indication that they could support the larger bond request, this provided us with an initial understanding that we might be okay staying with the current carrier.
Updates to California Sick Pay and PTO in 2025
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, changes to California paid sick leave and paid family leave took effect in California. To ensure your business is in compliance with these new requirements, update your paid sick leave policy to include these new uses. Employers should also update family leave policies to remove any requirement that employees must use accrued vacation time before receiving PFL benefits on or after January 1.
Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards End, Employers Still Required to Document COVID-19 Cases
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
February 3, 2025 marked the end of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards. However, while California employers are no longer required to follow any regulatory requirements, COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements (Title 8 Subsection 3205(j)) remain effect until February 3, 2026.
Group Captives May Be Contractors’ Solution to Rising Insurance Premiums
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the last few years, contractors have started to see rate increases on multiple lines of coverage within their insurance program. And, the difficulty insurance companies are having in the property market, especially here in California with the wildfire risk, has been pretty well publicized. We have seen both homeowners and commercial landlords forced away from the standard property market and into surplus lines, or, worst case scenario, the California Fair Plan. We are also seeing commercial auto policies come under pressure due to increases in litigation, costs to repair vehicles and social inflation.
Non-Owned Auto Can Be A Janitorial Company’s Hidden Nightmare
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It is common for employees of janitorial companies to drive their own vehicles, whether that is driving to various jobsites, transporting cleaning supplies, or simply running errands. For the janitorial company, this creates what is referred to as a non-owned auto exposure.
Risk Management and Contract Strategies to Protect Your Landscape Business
In this second episode of a special two-part series, Landscape Group Vice President Drew Garcia, is joined by Josh Ferguson, attorney with Freeman Mathis & Gary, to discuss contract strategies and risk mitigation for slip and fall incidents.
Steps to Prevent Social Engineering Fraud
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Social engineering fraud is when cybercriminals impersonate a trusted individual to manipulate others into performing actions such as making wire transfers, sharing confidential information, or granting access to their systems. It is often confused with hacking, but the two are fundamentally different. Hacking involves identifying vulnerabilities in software to breach a system, where as social engineering fraud relies on impersonation and manipulation to trick individuals into helping the cybercriminal.
Navigating Snow and Ice Contracts: Best Practices for Landscape Contractors
In this first episode of a special two-part series, Landscape Group Vice President Drew Garcia, is joined by Josh Ferguson, attorney with Freeman Mathis & Gary, to discuss risk management for snow and ice operations and what landscape contractors should know.
Exploring the Self-Insured Group Alternative
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The fabric of the California’s workers’ compensation landscape is ever changing. Most California-based subcontractors utilize what are called guaranteed cost options for their workers’ compensation needs. This is a safe option that allows for business owners to budget for their overhead costs, however, they have minimal control based on the ebbs and flows of the market. Additionally, with medical inflation and litigated claims on the rise, CA is now experiencing a hardening market as rate increases threaten 2025 and beyond.
Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: A Workplace Safety Guide
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Some of the most catastrophic fires in California history are currently burning in Los Angeles, and 2024 saw no shortage of other extreme weather, from flooding in the Northeast to record-breaking heat in the Southwest.
Mitigating Inland Marine Losses
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Inland marine insurance can sometimes be a forgotten line item in some construction companies’ insurance portfolio. This insurance covers your materials, equipment and tools once they are in the field or in transit. Sometimes insured’s feel they have coverage through their property insurance but once the equipment, materials or tools leave your premises, inland marine is the line of insurance that covers you.
Utilizing Your CPA's Expertise with Nick Balaity
Andy Roberts, Rancho Mesa's Surety Account Executive, is joined by Nick Balaity, CPA with Aldrich CPA + Advisors, to discuss the tax law outlook for 2025 and offer insight on contractors’ business decisions in the coming year.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Updates Fatal Work Injuries Data
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released their Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary for 2023. This data highlights important safety trends across multiple industries and demographics, and can be helpful in determining what areas an employer should look to emphasize in their safety program.