Industry News
Connecting Leaders in the Green Industry: Highlights from the 2026 NALP Leaders Forum
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
This year’s National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Leaders Forum took place in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, just up the coast from San Diego. As always, this is one event that my brother Drew Garcia and I really enjoy going to every year. In fact, this marks Rancho Mesa’s 8th consecutive year sponsoring this event.
Protect Your Equipment this Year with the National Equipment Register
Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The National Equipment Register (NER) plays an important role in protecting heavy equipment owners from theft by maintaining a national database of equipment ownership and stolen machinery that is used by both law enforcement and insurance agencies.
Valentine’s Day and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Valentine’s Day can be a fun occasion, but in the workplace it also brings unique challenges that employers must proactively address. Harassment prevention training is essential to maintain a respectful, inclusive environment.
Four RCFE Operational Breakdowns That Turn into Claims
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), most claims do not start with just one huge mistake. They usually begin with small breakdowns that get repeated and eventually one incident turns into a complaint, a licensing issue, or a lawsuit. In my experience working with RCFEs, there are several areas that tend to lead to claims.
How Rancho Mesa’s Risk Control Consultant Improves Client Safety
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is continually exploring new ways to support our clients’ risk management goals, and a key step we’ve taken is adding a Risk Control Consultant to our team.
GPS Tracking Isn’t Enough: One Simple Step Can Protect Your Heavy Equipment from Theft
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The use of heavy equipment by grading/excavating, street/road and water/sewer contractors is vital in their daily operations. Outside of their employees, this is their 2nd most valuable asset and also very expensive to replace, if stolen. Contractors across the country have seen an increase in heavy equipment theft. According to the National Equipment Register (NER), heavy equipment is nine times more likely to be stolen than vandalized and five times more likely to be stolen than encounter fire damage.
Cumulative Trauma Injuries: What They Are and How to Combat Them
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Cumulative Trauma injuries are on the rise in California, and employers should be aware of the consequences of these costly claims.
PAGA Lawsuits: The Employment Risk Catching California Businesses Off Guard
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As insurance advisors, we have a responsibility to keep our clients (and any business within earshot) informed about emerging risks that could impact their operations. One area that has grown significantly in recent years is Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits.
Using Technology to Reduce Risk in the Landscape Industry with Bryan Mours
Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Landscape and Tree Care Group, Drew Garcia, interviews Bryan Mours, founder of Mours Enterprises, where they explore the technology being used to reduce risk within the landscape industry.
California “Know Your Rights” Notice: Important Dates for Employers
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Employers in California will soon be expected to adhere to new employee protections and emergency contact requirements. Although the law took effect on January 1, 2026, specific compliance dates are expected to be met in February and March.
OSHA Releases the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Safety Violations for Fiscal Year 2025
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
During the 2025 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released preliminary data on the most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2025.
Navigating California’s Hardening Marketplace
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California’s insurance market has shifted dramatically in recent years, creating challenges for both carriers and insureds. While premium increases are often the most visible sign of a hard market, the underlying issues are far more complex.
Safety Resources from Rancho Mesa in 2026
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
New training resources are now available for Rancho Mesa clients online and through the SafetyOne™ platform. SafetyOne users now have access to 20 new safety trainings and four updated trainings.
A Year-End Meeting with Your Surety and Agent Could Make or Break Your 2026
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As 2025 comes to a close, companies are focused on finalizing their year-end financials. For contractors, it is important to have a surety agent who will coordinate a meeting with the surety company early in 2026, once the year-end financials are completed. This meeting is important for several reasons, including reviewing the previous year's financial performance, looking at the outlook for the coming year, understanding current bonding capacity limits, and discussing any potential issues on the horizon.
The Impact of Claim Frequency and Severity on a Landscape Company’s Experience MODs
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The experience modification rate (ExMod or MOD) is a measure produced by insurance rating bureaus to summarize a company’s claim history versus their industry peers. A rating generated below 1.00 is considered a credit to the workers’ compensation policy while a number above 1.00 is a debit. The ExMod has a direct impact on the cost of workers’ compensation insurance.
Elevating Your Surety Program with Reviewed Financials
Author, Josh Hill, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the last several years, contractors have been challenged to manage rising costs, especially those companies operating in the steel and concrete industries. These rising costs in the private sector can be mitigated through escalation clauses and other price adjustment features which offers some level of protection from inflation; however, in the public sector where bonds are necessary, fixed price contracts are a more common practice which creates additional pressure on surety underwriters in their evaluation of risk.
Staying Ahead of Winter Hazards: A Guide to Slip and Fall Prevention
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Temperatures are beginning to drop, and as winter weather sets in, the risk of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace is on the rise. Snow, ice, and wet conditions can turn parking lots, stairways, and lobbies into hidden hazards. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 865 fatalities due to slips, trips and falls. From office employees walking in from the parking lot to construction crews working outdoors, everyone should be aware of the potential risks that come with the seasons changing. Preventing injuries requires awareness, preparation, and a proactive safety culture.
Foreign Voluntary Workers’ Compensation: Closing the Coverage Gap for Cross-Border Teams
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In San Diego County, with its diverse workforce and cross border business activities, employers increasingly consider hiring talent from nearby Tijuana or have employees travel into Mexico for business purposes. In other scenarios, American employees decide to move and work remotely from Mexico or commit to a daily commute into the US.
OSHA Requirements for Safety Meetings
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires employers to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), and regular toolbox talks are often a key training element in an effective safety program. Toolbox talks, also known as tailgate talks or tailgate safety meetings, are brief, informal safety trainings typically held at the jobsite.
Understanding the Three Deadliest Hazards in Tree Care
Author, Rory Anderson, Partner, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Tree care remains one of the most hazardous professions in the country. Whether crews are pruning, removing hazardous trees, clearing storm damage, or performing routine maintenance, the work demands planning, precision, and strong safety practices. Despite ongoing improvements in training and equipment, three accident types continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities: falls, electrical contact, and struck by incidents.