Industry News
Workers' Comp Rate Increases On the Way with Margaret Hartmann: Part 3
In the final episode of a three-part series, President David Garcia and Margaret Hartmann, Sr. VP and Chief Marketing Officer with BHHC, discuss the WCIRB's proposed 11.2% workers’ compensation rate increase in California. They explore how this may impact employers, and actionable steps businesses can take to mitigate rising premiums.
Ensure Pricing Accuracy and Validity of Insurance Coverage
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As the insurance market for nonprofit and human service agencies continues to harden, with fewer and fewer insurance companies willing to insure valuable community programs, careful completion and review of the insurance applications will ensure proper pricing and coverage following an insurance claim.
Workers' Comp Rate Increases On the Way with Margaret Hartmann: Part 2
In the second episode of a three-part series, President David Garcia continues his discussion with Margaret Hartmann, Sr. VP and Chief Marketing Officer with BHHC, and explains how companies can mitigate cumulative trauma claims in light of the WCIRB’s recent 11.2% recommended rate increase.
New Auto Insurance Minimums Could Expose Coverage Gaps for HVAC and Plumbing Contractors
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The State of California has raised its minimum auto insurance limits effective January 1st of this year, and it could be problematic for some HVAC and Plumbing contractors. Although the intention of the limits increase was to expand coverage for victims of accidents, there is concern that it will marginalize many drivers.
Workers' Comp Rate Increases On the Way with Margaret Hartmann: Part 1
President David Garcia sits down with Margaret Hartmann, Sr. VP and Chief Marketing Officer with BHHC, to offer insight on the outcome of WCIRB’s recent 11.2% recommended rate increase, what areas are driving this increase, and what employers can do to mitigate it.
4 Ways Tree Care Companies Can Strengthen Their Insurance Profile
Author, Rory Anderson, Partner, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When it comes to insurance, your broker is responsible for representing your business to the marketplace. And, how your company is presented makes a real difference. There is a clear distinction between a submission that includes only the basics, an application and loss runs, and one that provides a full picture of your operations, safety practices, and credentials. Underwriters respond more favorably to businesses that take risk management seriously and can show it.
Four Areas of Focus for Landscape Contractors During A Hard Insurance Market
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The property and casualty insurance market continues to impact landscape contractors resulting in increased costs, changes to carrier appetites, and overall concerns for insurability. There are four areas of focus your business can review to help manage the things that are somewhat unpredictable during this difficult insurance market
How Changes to the Expected Loss Rates Will Impact Concrete Companies
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In addition to the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) proposed 11.2% workers’ compensation pure premium rate increase, the WCIRB will also be updating the 2025 Expected Loss Rate (ELR) effective 9/1/25.
Forty Year of Surety Bonding: A Look Back
Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia and Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety look back on Matt’s carrier in the surety business and how it has evolved over the last 40 years, as he prepares for his upcoming retirement.
A Proactive Approach to Insuring Your Commercial Property
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Wildfires in California over the last several years have had a dramatic effect on the insurance marketplace. With expected losses of the recent Los Angeles fires alone to exceed $30 Billion, insurance companies have been taking action to stop the bleeding. These actions include non-renewing policy holders in high hazard zones as well as pulling out of California all together.
Construction Safety Week 2025
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
From May 5th – 9th, 2025 businesses across the country have the opportunity to participate in the annual Construction Safety Week. Since 2014, Construction Safety Week has been providing companies with free resources to help promote a culture of safety in the industry. For employers, this is a chance to focus on jobsite safety and make a continued commitment to keeping your employees free from harm.
Key Dates that Will Define California’s Workers’ Compensation 2025 Rates
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In California, September 2025 will be a pivotal month for the state’s workers’ compensation marketplace. With inflated post-Covid-19 payrolls still affecting premiums, both the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) and California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara have been working to establish appropriate pure premium rates that are reasonable for both insurance carriers and employers.
The Importance of an Insurance Pre-Renewal Meeting
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
At Rancho Mesa, we conduct annual insurance pre-renewal meetings with all of our clients and it has always been a crucial part of the insurance renewal cycle. Now with increased pressure on all lines of coverage, the importance of the pre-renewal meeting is even more critical.
Avoid Surprise Premium Increases by Collecting Subcontractor Insurance Certificates
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In the nonprofit world, every dollar matters. Whether you are running community programs, providing housing, or supporting individuals with disabilities, it is important to keep operating costs predictable and under control. There is one area where we are seeing many nonprofits get blindsided during workers’ compensation audits and it often leads to unexpected premium increases.
Workers’ Comp Rate Increases are Here — Are You Prepared?
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.; Matt Gorham, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The workers’ compensation market in California is hardening. After many years of rate decreases, it appears that the market has started to bottom out. The Governing Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) voted in favor of pursuing an 11.2% rate increase. If the California Department of Insurance approves the WCIRB’s request, it would make the first rate increase in more than a decade.
Shaping the Industry's Future with SDSU’s Construction Management Program
Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts interviews Thais Alves, Chair of the Construction Engineering and Management Program at SDSU, about her journey to academia, the growth of SDSU's construction management program, and the role industry support plays in shaping future leaders in construction.
Understanding Premise Liability for Landscape Maintenance Companies
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Vice President at Rancho Mesa, Drew Garcia sits down with John Fischl, Regional Executive with Sentry Insurance, to discuss premise liability risks for landscape maintenance companies, focusing on preventing slip and fall accidents and strategies for mitigating these risks.
Evolution of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems in California
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) has been around since 1969 and has grown in demand for new construction in California with a constant push to get closer to “net-zero” buildings. With our strong niche in plastering, drywall and painting contractors in California, one of the most frequently asked questions by insurance carrier underwriters pertains to whether a contractor self-performs or subcontracts out EIFS work. This has become a significant concern for insurers, particularly when it comes to the proper installation of drainage systems over wood-framed buildings and/or the use of inferior materials. Over the past decade, there have been significant strides to insulate contractors from claims arising from EIFS.
Keeping Drivers Safe with Proper Training and Vehicle Inspections
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
April is Distracted Driver Awareness Month, marking a perfect time to revisit your company’s driver training policies. Motor vehicle safety in the workplace is essential to protect employees from injury while limiting costs for the company. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports 39% of all fatal workplace injuries are caused by transportation incidents. Additionally, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) found that an on-the-job highway crash costs employers an average of $26,000, and an injury costs the employer nearly $80,000 on average. With these statistics in mind, it should be a top priority of all employers to implement a driver and fleet safety program.
The Crucial Role of Third-Party EPLI Coverage for Tree Care Companies
Author, Rory Anderson, Partner, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Operating a tree care business comes with numerous risks, from ensuring your team’s safety on the job to managing potential property damage. One crucial area of risk that is often overlooked is Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), specifically third-party coverage. Third-party EPLI can help protect your business from expensive lawsuits, making it essential for businesses that regularly interact with the public.