Dave Garcia

Actual Impact of Auto Claims to Your Bottom Line?

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In two previous articles/podcasts, we explored “below the surface” impacts from payroll inflation and lost time workers’ compensation claims. We provided detail on how these can negatively impact a business’s productivity and profitability and what companies can do to mitigate those impacts. Today, let’s look at another area where you need a keen awareness to really understand all the impacts.

Is Now the Time for a Performance-Based Insurance Program?

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In the three preceding articles in this series, we took a deep dive into some areas where a business’s productivity and profitability could be impacted by various factors emerging in the insurance marketplace. In the course of those articles, we also examined some tools, strategies and ideas that a company might implement to help manage and mitigate those impacts. Today, we will look at a way to exert the most control over your insurance program and premium outcome through performance-based insurance programs.

How is Payroll Inflation Impacting Your Workers' Compensation Premium?

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Inflation is rampant everywhere from consumer goods like groceries and gasoline to increased housing costs to labor. Today, I want to talk with you about the specific impact that payroll inflation is having on the workers’ compensation marketplace and ultimately on your premium cost.

What is the True Cost of a Lost Time Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

There are many insurance professionals that have tried to quantify the real cost of indemnity or lost time claims, using multipliers anywhere from 2 to 4 times the claim amount in an effort to determine what the real cost of a claim will be to a company. While this may be true, it remains subjective to many. Let me help you understand the ways this type of claim will impact you and then you can decide the real impact to your business.

The Field Guide to Navigating Your Insurance in 2022

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As a business owner preparing for 2022, what areas of insurable risk should cause you the biggest concerns? During the 2021 year, we experienced a hardening insurance market. All lines of insurance were negatively impacted as a result of the catastrophic events we experienced such as wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, and the emergence of COVID-19. Large national and worldwide crises like these caused underwriting losses in the billions of dollars to both front line insurers and reinsurers.

Performance-Based Workers’ Compensation Programs – Are Retros In Your Future?

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In the past, we explored performance-based workers’ compensation programs. These plans can create a competitive advantage and an opportunity to monetize your company’s insurance program.

How to Choose a Workers’ Compensation Carrier Partner

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Many years ago, when I was a young producer, one workers’ compensation carrier legend pulled me aside and told me never to forget that a workers’ compensation decision is not a one-year decision, but at least a 4-year decision. Of course, policies are only written on a one-year basis but what he was teaching me was that the carrier you choose will handle all the claims you have through your Experience Modification cycle. So, evaluating and recommending a workers’ compensation partner for my clients just became a much more thorough analysis of many critical factors beyond just the premium.

SB 1159 Is Now Workers’ Compensation Law

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As expected, California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159) into law Thursday, September 17, 2020 and it will have several impacts on workers’ compensation and the presumption of the claim. Below is an outline of some of the more important elements of SB 1159. In simple terms, just remember three numbers, 4/4/14 - I’ll explain, later.

Commissioner Lara Approves WCIRB Proposed Amendments Addressing COVID-19

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

California Insurance Commissioner Lara has approved, as filed, the proposed special regulatory filing submitted by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) concerning proposed amendments addressing the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The special regulatory filing is effective July 1, 2020 and will apply retroactively starting March 19, 2020, the day California Governor Newsom issued the Stay-at-Home Executive Order N-33-20. Those amendments are as follow…

Special COVID-19 Workers' Compensation Filing and Executive Order Imminent

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) voted unanimously this past Friday, April 17, 2020, on a special filing and sent it to the Insurance Commissioner for signature. If approved, this order would…

Potential Workers’ Compensation Changes Due to COVID-19 Claims

Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Last week the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) began developing emergency regulations resulting from the COVID-19 crisis that will be presented to the Insurance Commissioner in the coming weeks. The major areas to be addressed are…

Distracted Driving, Not Just an Automobile Insurance Issue, Bad News for Workers Compensation Too

Author, David J Garcia, A.A.I, CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

I’ve written at length on the negative effects distracted driving is having on the automobile insurance industry and its impact on the rise in accidents, claim costs, and increases to your automobile premiums. But, have you considered its effects on your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) and ultimately workers’ compensation cost?

Independent Contractor Classification Changes Expected to Impact Construction Industry

Author, David J. Garcia, AAI, CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

With the recent ruling by the California Supreme Court concerning how 1099 employees (independent contractors) are defined, the construction industry's approach to utilizing these workers has changed significantly. The Court adopted a new test to determine whether the worker should be classified as an employee or independent contractor. The previous test to determine if a worker was an employee or independent contractor was whether the employer had the right to direct the manner and means by which the worker performed the services.

Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies and Rancho Mesa Participate in Nationally Renowned LANDSCAPES 2017

Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) and Rancho Mesa Insurance Services (RMI) teamed up at the annual LANDSCAPES 2017 convention, the Green Industry & Equipment (GIE) Expo, and the Hardscape North America (HNA) Tradeshow, in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 17-20, 2017.  

Workers' Compensation Dual Wage Thresholds Increases for Construction Classes in 2018

Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In an effort to keep you informed, so that you can begin to plan your 2018 budget, we wanted to let you know of a potential change in the dual wage classes, for many but not all, the dual wage construction class codes.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage - Are Your Limits Adequate? - Be Careful!


Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Earlier in the year, we published the article "Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?," which addresses how insurance companies are all experiencing adverse loss experience within their commercial automobile books of business. The result of these mounting losses is causing a dramatic rise in commercial Auto premiums for most policyholders.

Timely Claim Reporting Lowers Work Comp Claims Costs and Improves Your Bottom Line

Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Studies have shown, by reporting your workers compensation claims in a timely basis, not only will your injured employee receive better medical treatment, it will boost company morale.  Both the injured worker, as well as other employees, will see your sincere concern for their wellbeing.  In addition, timely reporting practices will also improve your risk profile through reducing the overall cost of the claim, which leads to lower loss ratios and lower experience modifiers, thus, resulting in lower premiums and improvement in your bottom line.

Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?

Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The insurance industry is experiencing record losses on their commercial auto books of business, which is dramatically driving up insurance premiums for business owners. There are many factors that are contributing to this increase in losses; let’s take a look at six of the most prevalent.

Help Control Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs through Accident Investigation

Authors, Dave Garcia, AAI, CRIS, President and CEO, and Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director from Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. 

When a workers’ compensation claims occurs, in order to both control the costs of the claim and look for preventive measures to reduce or eliminate similar claims from reoccurring, it is vital that a thorough accident investigation report is completed.