About / Our Team / Sam Clayton
(619) 937-0167
Sam Clayton, IV, ARM, CRIS
Vice President, Construction Group
In 2002, Sam joined Rancho Mesa as an Account Executive in the Property and Casualty Department. In 2009 he became a stockholder in the Agency and was named Vice President.
Sam has targeted the construction and real estate development industries. His focus is helping clients to manage their total costs of risk.
Sam was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He moved to San Diego in 1998. He enjoys spending time at the beach with his two daughters, Lola and Elsie.
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Experience
Vice President, February 2009 - Present
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.Account Executive, 2002 - February 2009
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.Education
Bachelor of Science
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
DesignationsAssociate in Risk Management (ARM)
Construction Risk Insurance Specialists (CRIS)
Associations & OrganizationsIndependent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego
President, 2021
President-Elect, 2020
Secretary/Treasurer, 2019American Subcontractors Association
National Electrical Contractors Association
East County Posse
Safety & Risk Management Podcast
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to talk about using near misses on a jobsite as an opportunity to create corrective plans before an incident occurs.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to talk about heavy equipment theft and ways companies can prevent it.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss why having third-party subhauler agreements is recommended if you hire a third-party to move a piece of heavy equipment or use someone to import/export material from a project.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss the ways contractors can prepare for higher workers’ compensation rates. how the expected loss rates will impact concrete contractors in California.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss how the expected loss rates will impact concrete contractors in California.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss about the workers’ compensation rate increases in California.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss how group captives may be contractors’ solutions to rising insurance premiums.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss the key differences between umbrella and excess liability coverage.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sits down with Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group to discuss how effective fleet safety programs can be the solution for distracted driver auto claims.
Rancho Mesa's Lauren Stumpf and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau's (WCIRB) recommended increase in the advisory pure premium rates.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss the top 5 OSHA violation trends and solutions in 2023.
Rancho Mesa's Lauren Stumpf and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss the importance of a contractor’s EMR rate during the pre-qualification process of construction bidding.
Executive Vice President of Rancho Mesa Insurance, Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton continue their conversation on General Liability Policies and delve deeper into a key endorsement often seen as they negotiate terms and conditions with underwriters. Sam walks listeners through the Subcontractor Warranty Endorsement and why contractors should pay attention to this endorsement.
Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton and Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee discuss residential exclusions and how they can impact those in the construction industry.
Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton and Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee discuss professional liability.
Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President of Rancho Mesa Insurance, and Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss pollution liability.
Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President of Rancho Mesa Insurance, and Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss important forms and endorsements in general liability policies.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss how a pollution liability policy is best for protect a contractor during a pollution incident.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss how contractors can begin the pre-qualification process for the federal government’s massive infrastructure projects.
President of Rancho Mesa Insurance Dave Garcia interviews Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton on his upbringing, personal life, and professional career.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss the latest decision in the debate to include or exclude COVID-19 claims in the experience modification calculation.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss the recently approved dual wage threshold increase in California for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (or MEP) contractors.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss wearable technology for jobsite safety.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and, Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss OSHA’s top violations of 2021.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and, Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss federal OSHA’s new COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator Lauren Stumpf discuss the top Cal/OSHA citations.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and, Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton discuss how rising construction material costs can leave contractors underinsured.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and, Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton talk about changes in California that are likely to affect workers' compensation.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton talk about the challenges Construction Contractors are facing in 2021.
Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss a new workers' compensation surcharge coming to California and what it means to employers.
Episodes Featuring Sam Clayton
Industry News
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.
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.
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Street and road, general engineering and trade contractors understand the importance of having a written and executed subcontract agreement in place when using different subcontractors to complete a project. This agreement serves to protect both parties by clarifying responsibilities, managing risk and providing legal protections in the event of a dispute.
Authors, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the last couple of months, we have published multiple articles and podcasts on the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s proposed rate increase and now the approved 8.7% increase to the pure premium rates effective 9/1/25. But, what we have not touched on are the specific steps our best-in-class contractors are doing to position their companies to offset these increases.
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.
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.
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.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When reviewing insurance requirements that contractors receive from municipalities and/or general contractors, two lines of coverage that are often misunderstood are umbrella and excess liability. These terms are commonly interchangeable in the contract, but have subtle differences. In addition, the limits required by contracts are increasing significantly.
Contractors have seen significant increases in commercial auto rates over the last few years. Because of this, it is imperative for companies to implement a written fleet safety program.
The fleet safety program must detail leadership’s expectation of what is required to be a driver for the company and the consequences if the policies are not followed.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier this month, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) recommended a nominal .9% increase in the advisory pure premium rates. The reason given, increased loss development for medical costs and higher claims adjustment expenses. This recommendation is now sent to the California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for approval. If approved, the increase in rates then take effect September 1, 2024.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Every year, Federal OSHA conducts thousands of inspections and issues costly citations to companies. So, it is imperative for business owners and safety managers to be aware of the most common citations and how to avoid them through effective safety programs.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With 2024 right around the corner, general engineering and trade contractors will be required by government agencies and general contractors to enter the annual pre-qualification process in order to bid work. These entities are looking closely at a company’s project history, including project size, bonding capacity, limits of insurance as well as a companies’ Experience Modification Rate (EMR).
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent podcast episode, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa, sat down with fellow Agency Principal Sam Clayton to explore a crucial topic in the realm of general liability insurance policies, the subcontractor warranty endorsement. This endorsement outlines essential requirements that contractors should pay close attention to when working with subcontractors.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 339 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton interviews Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee as they discuss the importance of Residential Exclusions in General Liability (GL) Policies for companies in the construction industry.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 315 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss pollution liability, and why virtually all general liability policies exclude this coverage.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 315 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discuss pollution liability, and why virtually all general liability policies exclude this coverage.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Two agency leaders within Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. made a special appearance in a recent episode of the StudioOne™ Safety & Risk Management Podcast. During episode 293, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discussed the important forms and endorsements in general liability policies.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
No matter what trade, contractors face environmental risks from their operations. Contactors pollution liability (CPL) insurance has now become an integral part of a contractor’s insurance program. The industry is seeing contractual requirements for this coverage from a combination of owners, developers and general contractors for projects of all sizes.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Last fall, the federal government passed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to rebuild and modernize America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail, airports, broadband and wastewater infrastructure. With this tsunami of public funds starting to become available, state and local government agencies will require contractors to enter a pre-qualification process in order to bid upcoming projects. Many of these entities will look closely at the contractor’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR or ExMod).
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It appears the COVID-19 pandemic has finally entered an endemic stage and most companies have fully re-opened and/or are offering their employees some type of a hybrid work schedule. With this being the case, the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) proposed to amend the rule that excludes COVID-19 claims from the calculation of experience modifications for only claims with incident dates from December 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The future is here and construction companies are starting to adopt wearable technology for their workers to reduce and prevent injuries from occurring on their jobsites. Wearable technology can be defined as any device that construction workers wear on his/her body. Since the construction industry accounts for nearly half of all fatal work injuries, this new type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is going to look radically different in the years ahead and should reduce both fatal and non-fatal injuries on jobsites worldwide. Below is an overview of five technologies in use today or soon to be in use in the near future.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Every year, Federal OSHA conducts thousands of inspections and issues costly citations to companies. So, it is imperative for business owners and safety managers to be aware of the most common citations and how to avoid them through effective safety programs.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Workers’ compensation rates have fallen steadily over the last ten years, but businesses in California still pay the highest rates in the country. In addition, California has the highest frequency of permanent disability clams, the highest medical cost per claim and the highest litigation rates per claim.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the last 15 months, COVID-19 has brought numerous challenges to the construction industry. Second to only the labor shortage, the most pressing challenge faced by contractors is the spike in material costs which can leave them underinsured if a proper installation floater is not updated.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Changes by the WICRB typically take place at the first of every year and can impact workers’ compensation Pure Premium Rates, Expected Loss Rates (ELR) and Wage Thresholds. However, the WCIRB has amended its filing schedule in 2021 to take effect September 1st.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As a result of COVID-19’s impact on the overall economy, the construction industry will likely see some strong head winds not only operationally, but also from a risk management and insurance standpoint in 2021.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Adding frustration to the growing concerns for businesses dealing with COVID-19, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has recommended California employers pay a COVID-19 surcharge on their 2021 workers’ compensation policies.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As if the 2020 business landscape has not already been challenging enough, a hard market for excess/umbrella is occurring at a concerning rate, resulting in rising premiums, limited capacity and a restriction in terms and conditions.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Equipment and material theft as well as jobsite vandalism are exposures that unfortunately contractors have become accustomed to over the years. Over the last decade, however, the construction industry has seen a new threat arise and its name is Cybercrime.
Articles Written by Sam Clayton
Rancho Mesa News
On March 8-10, 2026, Construction Group Vice President, Sam Clayton, represented Rancho Mesa at the Artisans Insurance Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On March 9-11, 2025, Construction Group Vice President, Sam Clayton, represented Rancho Mesa at the Artisans Insurance Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton attended Artisans Insurance Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas, during March 10-12, 2024.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, March 10, the Rancho Mesa team gathered at the La Mesa Brigantine Seafood Restaurant to hear President Dave Garcia announce the company’s plan to move to a new office, located in Mission Valley.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For 31 years, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) have hosted its Annual Celebrity Waiters Holiday Party for Charity.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s staff celebrated with Sam Clayton, the company’s Vice President of the Construction Group and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB) President, at the annual Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-DAY) on October 27, 2021.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (IIAB) of San Diego, also known as the Big “I", hosted A Day of Golf at Maderas in Poway, CA.
On October 8, 2020, players came out to support the IIAB San Diego and its contributions to the San Diego community.
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Services Inc.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter held their annual golf tournament on August 27th, 2020 at the Twin Oaks Golf Course in San Marcos, California. This year’s event was conducted a little bit different to ensure safe social distancing between attendees.
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, recently had an article published in the July/August 2020 issue of NAWIC Today, the National Association of Women in Construction's (NAWIC) official publication.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter will celebrate its annual Women in Construction (WIC) Week with its highly anticipated 2nd Annual Toast to the Trades dinner on March 6, 2020 at The Dana on Mission Bay Resort.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton and Jeremy Hoolihan were the guests of Sentry Insurance Company at the Green Bay Packers vs. the Oakland Raiders game played on October 20, 2019. Sam and Jeremy were two of the four brokers selected from California for this amazing experience, based on Rancho Mesa’s relationship with Sentry.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Jeremy Hoolihan, Yvonne Gallagher, and Christina Haake took home 2nd place in the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) 12th Annual Bowling Tournament on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Kearny Mesa Bowl.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Members of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services spent the afternoon with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) at the organization’s Padre Game Event on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at San Diego’s Petco Park.
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.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Jeremy Hoolihan, Kevin Howard, and Chase Hixson were the guest of Sentry Insurance company at the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament played at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Friday January 25, 2019.
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 Wal-Mart. The 4th Annual Gift Card Giveaway was held at the East County Chamber of Commerce.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 started off like any other day at Rancho Mesa. Co-workers said their morning hellos, while greeting each other with a smile.
However, it didn’t take very for an awkward pattern to develop. Not two, but three people showed up to the office wearing the same shirt!
Kevin Howard, Sam Clayton and Casey Craig were accidental triplets for the day. We think they secretly enjoyed the extra attention.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The National Association of Women in Construction San Diego Chapter (NAWIC) hosted its 9th Annual Golf Tournament at the Twin Oaks Golf Club on Thursday, September 27, 2018. With nearly 40 teams participating in the tournament, the event supports Rady Children’s Hospital and NAWIC Future Construction Leaders Foundation San Diego.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
OneofOne drawing winners, Tom and Debby Doyle of Progressive Electric Co. were honored on August 29, 2018 at the Family Health Centers of San Diego Logan Heights clinic.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For the 11th year, the East County Posse (ECP) hosted its Annual Golf Tournament which raises funds to help those in San Diego's East County. The sold-out event took place on Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Steele Canyon Golf Club in Jamul, CA.