Industry News
Top 5 Risk Exposures for Janitorial Service Providers
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Running a successful janitorial company means more than delivering spotless facilities. Every day, your employees work around customers, expensive property, cleaning chemicals, and equipment creating exposures that can lead to costly liability claims.
Jobsite Fuel Theft is on the Rise
Author, Jessee Keirstead, Risk Control Consultant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Gasoline and diesel theft has emerged as a growing and often underreported risk across Southern California, driven in part by persistently high fuel costs and organized theft activity.
Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Landscape Maintenance Fleet Safety
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The National Safety Council introduced the Hierarchy of Controls in the 1950s as a safety framework. The framework is organized as an inverse pyramid of risk mitigation practices that can help organizations reduce workplace hazards.
Success with SafetyOne™: A Fundamentals Refresh for Administrators
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne™ platform is built to support and enhance the implementation of an effective safety program. Real-time data insights, industry-specific safety trainings, and intuitive technology empower organizations and administrators to make safety a priority on the job.
Overlooked Coverage that Keeps Projects Moving After an Equipment Loss
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For trade and general contractors that own heavy and/or valuable specialty equipment, there is an overlooked coverage that can be critical in certain loss scenarios.
Strategies to Help Contractors Reduce Insurance Costs
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rising insurance costs in California continue to put pressure on contractors. While many companies focus on finding lower premiums, the most effective way to control insurance costs is to reduce risk before claims occur.
Construction Equipment Theft on the Rise
Author, Jessee Keirstead, Risk Control Consultant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Across the United States, construction equipment theft is on the rise. And, for companies that depend on small and/or heavy equipment to operate, a stolen piece can have devastating consequences that result in project delays and lost revenue.
NALP 10-Hour OSHA Construction Safety Course for the Landscape Industry
Some landscape companies require OSHA 10 training, but not all OSHA 10 courses are created with landscape professionals in mind.
Back to School Traffic Safety: Protecting Students and Drivers
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
August marks the start of a new school year and an increase of traffic risks for company drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports motor-vehicle fatalities often increase in the month of August. Daily driver routes can be impacted by new drivers, students on e-bikes, and school zones. It is important to prepare and train company drivers for potential hazards they will face on the road.
The Evolution of Credit-Based Bonding Programs
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When I first started in the industry, 8+ years ago, there were a handful of surety companies that offered credit based surety programs. They required a one-page application, would do a soft pull on the owners credit, and so long as it was sufficient, they could qualify for up to $400,000 in single and aggregate bonding limits. Since then, the limits in these programs have continued to grow as the market for the credit-based programs has evolved.
The Evolving Workers’ Compensation Landscape with State Fund CEO Vern Steiner
Rancho Mesa President and CEO Dave Garcia speaks with California State Fund CEO Vern Steiner about the current state of California’s workers’ compensation market. They discuss key industry trends, cost drivers impacting employers, and offer considerations for the future of the workers’ compensation system in California.
Education, Leadership and Impact: A Conversation with Francis Parkers CFO Mike Rinehart
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
General engineering contractors deal with a myriad of risks on a daily basis. Even though these risks are typically few in frequency, they are high in severity. This means the claim is going to be significant and could ultimately impact your company’s financial and reputational standing within the industry. Too many times I have seen contractors only focus on the claim after it happens, which is reactive. I recommend taking a proactive approach and have your foreman and project managers focus on the near misses.
Improving Hiring Practices in a Tight Labor Market
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Hiring practices are an overlooked aspect of an organization’s safety culture. Who you choose to employ can play an important role in the success of your business. Poor hiring practices can lead to a higher risk of injuries or claims from inexperience workers, damaged equipment and vehicles, and costly lawsuits which can negatively affect an employer’s bottom line. Even in a tight labor market, there are steps employers can take to improve hiring practices.
Hiring as a Risk Strategy: Controlling Insurance Costs in Construction
Author, Kyle Dunlap, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Best-in-class construction contractors treat hiring as a strategic function. When scaling quickly after winning large contracts, these employers use structured recruiting, safety-focused screening, and disciplined onboarding to reduce risk, protect their workforce, and control workers’ compensation costs and their experience modification rate (EMR).
PAGA: The Scariest Four-Letter Word for California Employers
Account Executive Raysan Benito sits down with employment law attorney Bob King and breaks down how PAGA works, why it has become one of the most feared compliance challenges for home care agencies, and the practical steps business owners can take to reduce their exposure and protect their organizations.
Near Misses Are Often Missed Opportunities
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
General engineering contractors deal with a myriad of risks on a daily basis. Even though these risks are typically few in frequency, they are high in severity. This means the claim is going to be significant and could ultimately impact your company’s financial and reputational standing within the industry. Too many times I have seen contractors only focus on the claim after it happens, which is reactive. I recommend taking a proactive approach and have your foreman and project managers focus on the near misses.
Navigating Today’s Nonprofit Challenges with Arnulfo Manriquez
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Human Services Group Vice President Sam Brown interviews Arnulfo Manriquez of the Manriquez Group to explore the evolving challenges facing nonprofit leaders, from funding pressures and board governance to leadership transitions. With his decades of experience in the nonprofit world, Arnulfo shares practical insights on adaptability, strategic decision-making, and how nonprofits can position themselves for long-term sustainability in a changing environment.
Supplement Electronic Visit Verification Data with SafetyOne™
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Federal law mandates Medicaid-funded personal care services and home health service companies use the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system to ensure patients actually received the care they need. However, companies providing these service may want to collect additional information above and beyond the minimum that is required.
The Real Reason Sureties Require Fund Control (And Why It Matters)
Author, Josh Hill, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When a surety company issues a bond, the main goal is simple, to make sure the job gets finished and no one loses money. Even if a company has deep experience and strong finances, that does not always mean project money will be handled the right way. Because of this, a surety may ask for fund control when there is more risk.
Safety First: Protecting New Employees from Day One
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As high schools and colleges let out for the summer months, your organization may be looking to hire young workers as interns or full-time employees. For many of these individuals, it may be their first job, or first time working in a professional setting. So, it will be necessary to ensure they understand the potential hazards they may face, their rights in the workplace, and how to address safety concerns that may arise.