Expand Your Understanding of Captive Insurance Options

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services discusses the captive insurance option and upcoming workshop.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the East County Boys & Girls Club located at 8820 Tamberly Way, Santee CA 92071.

To register visit www.RanchoMesa.com/workshops or follow the registration link below.

“Momentum" Video Premiers at Leaders Forum 2019

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, along with Margaret Hartmann, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, participated in NALP’s Leaders Forum last weekend in Aruba. 

The Leaders Forum is an annual leadership education conference for landscape industry professionals. It is a great opportunity for fellow company owners and executives to connect, share, and learn.

The event marked the video premier of Rancho Mesa’s Momentum. After the video ended, Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia was welcomed to the stage to address the audience on behalf of the company.

“It was a great opportunity to speak in front of some of the landscape industry’s greatest leaders,” said Drew Garcia. “I’ve had the privilege to work with some incredible leaders throughout my baseball and insurance career. I look forward to this event each year, I always come home with so much information that I can apply to my life; both at home and at work.”

Leaders Forum is a great way to jump start the year with fresh ideas that can be brought back to the workplace and positively impact your business.

“Let’s keep the momentum going in 2019!” said Drew Garcia.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

About Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies

The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies is a group of six insurance carriers that are part of the Berkshire Hathaway group of insurance companies. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 40 years in business, BHHC has grown from a regional organization to a national insurance group, offering insurance products from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.bhhc.com.

RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ Lights Up the Sky

Author, Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The response to Rancho Mesa’s proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ has been like a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, lighting up the sky. Countless clients from California and as far away as Illinois have already begun the certification process in a race to see who becomes the first Safety Star Team Member.

This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries, while promoting a safety culture. There are many reasons for completing the certification process, including improving the safety culture of the organization which:

•  Reduces the probability of claims.

•  Improves productivity by keeping your employees safely at work.

•  Demonstrates care about the impact a claim has on the employees’ families.

•  Provides a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace.

•  Lowers overall costs of insurance.

Leaders in the insurance marketplace agree, stating:

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

This program is available exclusively to Rancho Mesa clients. If you have not already registered and want to enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

For non Rancho Mesa clients who want to learn more, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619)438-6869 or aburley@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Releases New Fillable Accident and Investigation Forms

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its new fillable accident and investigation forms to clients, in January 2019.

The new forms are distributed as fillable PDFs, making completing the information simple and easy for clients who are at a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The “Supervisor’s Report of Employee Accident or Near Miss” form now includes a body diagram where employees can specify exactly where the injury has occurred on the body. Identifying all injured body parts at the time of the accident is important when documenting a workplace injury. This ensures additional body parts are not added to the claim at a later time.

Each form in the library is offered in both English and Spanish. And, both versions are now combined into one PDF document, making distribution of the forms easier for employers.

Rancho Mesa clients can access the new forms through the online Risk Management Center, Accident and Investigation Center or by contacting the Client Services Department at (619) 438-6869.

Rancho Mesa Launches RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries while promoting a safety culture. Each module provides the participant with a better understanding of the major hazards that face their industry and drive insurance premiums.

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

Currently, the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program is offered exclusively for the construction industry; however, plans are underway to offer a program specifically designed for human services organizations, in the future.

The construction program can be completed 100% online or through a combination of online and in-person workshop modules.

All participants take the Accident Investigation and Analysis module while choosing two remaining modules from Mobility & Stretch/ABLE Lift Protocol, Fall Protection, Heat Illness Prevention, and Fleet Safety.

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“This compelling and creative service approach is an example of the differentiation that Dave Garcia and his Rancho Mesa team bring to their business partnerships,” according to Bryan Anderson Senior VP/Regional Manager at Zenith Insurance Company.

Sending management through the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program can give the company a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace and lower its overall insurance costs.

“This program, when rolled out and followed in its entirety, should reinforce any companies safety program, safety protocol, and safety practices,” said Stephanie Cassady, Underwriting Branch Manager at ICW Group. “As a carrier, I am excited at the positive momentum that a program like this would have on a insureds’ frequency/severity of losses.”

To enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

Download the program flyer.

For more information, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869.

East County Posse Gives Military Families Walmart Gift Cards

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the East County Posse, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 80 East County business owners, provided $15,000 to 30 military families in the form of $500 gift cards to Walmart. The 4th Annual Gift Card Giveaway was held at the East County Chamber of Commerce.

“Many of our military families struggle this time of year,” Tim Ney, Executive Director of the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, “We are extremely grateful that the East County Posse has chosen to provide support to our military families during this holiday season.”

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, has been a long-time member of the East County Posse and was privileged to participate in the event.

“We are pleased to honor our military families and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make and the service they provide, so that we can all enjoy the freedoms that we have here in the USA,” Tim McDougal, President of the East County Posse.

About the East County Posse

The East County Posse is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping their fellow East County residents who are in need of support. Our goal is to help those less fortunate improve their quality of life by way of donation of our time, skill or trade, as well as monetary donations. For more information, visit www.eastcountyposse.com.

About Armed Services YMCA San Diego

Armed Services YMCA (San Diego ASY) is the leading non-profit that makes military life easier for active duty service members and their families. The San Diego ASY gives military personnel and their loved ones the support and resources they need to be resilient, confident, connected, and secure. Founded in 1920 as a national affiliate of the YMCA, its mission is to enhance the lives of service members and their families in mind, body, and spirit. Through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, the ASY strengthens the military community. The San Diego ASY is, and always will be, dedicated to strengthening our military family. For more information, visit www.asysd.org.

2019 Legal Update Workshop Video Now Available

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa has released the video presentation from the 2019 Legal Update Workshop that took place on November 1, 2018 at the San Diego Bar Association. The legal update workshop is designed to inform human resources personal and business owners about the most important changes happening in 2019.

The workshop covers common employer and human resources pitfalls and solutions. Attorney Alexis S. Gutierrez from Higgs, Fletcher and Mack discussed:

• Federal Immigration Law (AB 450)

• Equal Pay Act (AB 2282)

• Classifying Independent Contractors

• Data Protections in California - GDPR by 2020

• Overtime for Non-Exempt Employees

• Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64)

• Minimum Wage Increases

The presentation is now available in the Risk Management Center for clients to review on-demand.

For questions about viewing the 2019 Legal Updated Workshop video on-demand, contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869.

Rancho Mesa Leads Mobility & Stretch Program at CLCA Landscape Industry Certified Technician Testing

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Landscapers from all over Northern California gathered at Buckeye Ranch in Petaluma, CA on Saturday, October 13, 2018 to test their skills at the California Landscape Contractors Association's (CLCA) Landscape Industry Certified Technician testing.

Rancho Mesa's Drew Garcia led the certification participants in the Mobility & Stretch Program.

About Landscape Industry Certified Technician Program

The Landscape Industry Certified Technician program seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrade the status of the landscape professional and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals. for more information, visit www.clca.org/certification.

Rancho Mesa Educates Contractors at San Diego Airport Authority's 'Meet the Primes' Event

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Wednesday, October 17th, 2018, the San Diego Airport Authority hosted a “Meet the Primes” event at The Scottish Rite Center.

The event was designed to help contractors and vendors build their “business by forming relationships between [their] business and the Airport Authority, and obtain valuable resources,” according to the San Diego Airport Authority.

Rancho Mesa’s Andy Roberts did an excellent job educating contractors and subcontractors on what it takes to get a bonding program started. He also explained the steps they can take to increase their bonding capacity with a surety company once the program is put into place.

Rancho Mesa’s Kevin Howard was busy speaking to guests about the 2019 Experience Modification Formula changes which is important for contractors to understand if they plan on bidding work for the Airport Authority.

The San Diego Airport Authority has a very strict policy regarding experience modification acceptance. Contractors or vendors who would like to conduct work for the Airport Authority must have an experience modification of 1.00 or less, to stay eligible.

With the 2019 changes creating an entirely new formula, the questions were flying and Kevin invited guests to Rancho Mesa’s November 8th webinar that will educate viewers on the 2019 changes and how they will affect California employers.

For more information, register online for the November 8th, 2018 webinar.

Employee Benefits Workshop Video Now Available On-Demand

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, August 30, 2018, Rancho Mesa's Shane Medlin and Barbara Ciudad from Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) discussed employee benefits compliance topics at the workshop for Rancho Mesa Insurance Services clients.

The workshop was designed to discuss frequently missed employer requirements within COBRA, ERISA requirements and summary plan descriptions.

The video of the workshop is now available via the Risk Management Center or by submitted a video request form.

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for questions about the Employee Benefits Compliance Workshop on-demand video.

About Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC)
TASC is proud to provide administrative services that are second to none. Comprehensive, competitive, and dependable, its nationally known products have grown to dominate the industry over the past 40 years. With more than 21 innovative service offerings, we confidently serve businesses of all sizes in all 50 states. Last year our annual revenue exceeded a robust $100 million. All this is possible thanks to TASC's team of dedicated professionals, made up of 7,600 field representatives and more than 900 associates at our Madison, Wisconsin, campus and remote locations. For more information, visit www.tasconline.com.