Human Services

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.

A Hardening Employment Practices Marketplace Likely to Impact Many Businesses

Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) marketplace has faced a number of factors that are contributing to skyrocketing premiums and deductibles. Many insurance companies are facing the choice of whether to remain in the marketplace or exit altogether. Those willing to remain are then faced with having to consider the following changes…

Can Employers Mandate a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy?

Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As COVID-19 vaccinations become more available and the positive results of our efforts are realized, employers may ask how this impacts the workforce and a full-scale return to the workplace. More specifically, they may ask if an employer can mandate a COVID-19 vaccination policy.

The Heart of Rancho Mesa

Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

If you are reading this article, listening to our podcasts, and taking advantage of the meaningful risk management content we share weekly, you and your business likely find some degree of value in what is produced. While much of this content originates from our Media Communications Group, they, with other Rancho Mesa family members join together as the backbone of our operation.

Cal/OSHA 300A Form Posting Begins February 1st

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. would like to remind its clients that February 1, 2019 marks the start of the Cal/OSHA Form 300A posting period. The Cal/OSHA Form 300A is a summary of the company's annual work-related injuries and illnesses. It must be posted from February 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019.

Four Factors that Shape your Risk Profile

Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

How do you differentiate your company from your local competitors? Product, customer service, delivery, etc. The same can be said for your risk profile and insurance costs. Why are my insurance rates high when my competitors are low? This article breaks down four factors that influence your risk profile and impact pricing.

Total Cost of Risk

Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The total cost of risk is the sum of the measurable expenses that are associated with managing risk within any organization. Every successful business has a process for tracking and measuring performance to improve results. It is important for business owners to keep a pulse on key performance indicators. But, how are you measuring risk related costs? Some people may think that insurance premiums are the only cost associated with risk, but we need to look at the bigger picture.

2021 Insurance Game Plan

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

As we come to the end of 2020, the most challenging year most of us have ever experienced, where COVID-19, wild fires and other natural disasters took their toll emotionally, physically, mentally and financially on all of us we can only hope for a brighter 2021.

Preparing the Home Care Industry for 2021

Author, Chase Hixson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services

This past year has brought significant changes to many industries as they navigated the effects of COVID- 19. This article gives an overview of the effects to the home care industry and what employers can do to be better positioned in the marketplace.

6 Steps for California SB1159 COVID-19 Reporting

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. has developed a six step guide to help employers navigate through the reporting of COVID-19 cases to their insurance carriers per California Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159). The document will lead you through specific employee scenarios that will determine if you should report the claim.

4 Key Factors in Developing a Motor Vehicle Report Program

Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Auto liability is often one of the most substantial risks a business will have. Driver selection is one of the most important evaluations a business can do to prevent accidents. It’s been proven that drivers with a history of moving violations and accidents pose a higher risk for organizations. Best practices for reducing this risk allow only safe drivers to operate a company vehicle.

CAL/OSHA Adopts Written COVID-19 Prevention Plan

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

On November 19, 2020, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board adopted temporary emergency standards to protect workers from COVID-19. These standards are expected to go into effect November 30, 2020, upon approval from the Office of Administrative Law.

Safety Programs Can Reduce Workers’ Compensation Premiums

Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As California business owners continue incurring costs as they work their way through the maze of ever-changing COVID-19 regulations and protocols, prioritizing critical elements of your internal safety program can directly lower your insurance costs. Refocusing on key areas below will help present an effective, detailed submission to the marketplace that will lead to talking points with an underwriter for schedule credits and ultimately, lower rates and premiums.

Risk Management and the Virtual Workforce

Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As American employers navigate the Coronavirus Pandemic, many business leaders quickly adapted to a virtual office and virtual workforce. While many organizations anxiously wait for the day employees can all safely head into the office Monday through Friday, employers must adjust risk management practices to account for the virtual workforce.

New Hires Pose Hidden Exposure

Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Hiring is never an easy task, especially during a pandemic. Dealing with COVID-19 has made finding the right employees much more difficult for many business owners in the construction industry. Now is the perfect time to evaluate your hiring practices to ensure you don’t make a costly hiring mistakes that can affect your Experience Modification Rate (XMOD) and workers’ compensation premium long after the pandemic has passed.

CA Anti-Harassment Training Deadline Quickly Approaches

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Lately, we've been getting a lot of questions about California's required anti-harassment training, who has to complete it, when it's due, and how much it costs. This article will clear up any confusion; covering the history of the requirement, training conditions and deadlines, and the online training offered to Rancho Mesa clients.

COVID-19 Workers Comp Surcharge Coming to California

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.

AB 685 Creates New Notice and Reporting Requirements

Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc.

On September 17th, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159) and Assembly Bill 685 (AB 685), both COVID-19 related bills. Both pieces of legislation will impact how employers respond to incidents of COVID-19 infections. This article will help business owners understand AB 685’s heightened occupational health and safety rules. Employers also need to understand how AB 685 grants California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) greater enforcement powers.

Safe Cloud Computing for Contractors

Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many construction companies were utilizing some form of cloud-based systems to effectively streamline business operations and increase accessibility of information. While hosting sensitive data in the cloud has many benefits like shared access to data, applications and storage, there are some risks contractors should take into account before relinquishing their data to the cloud.

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.