Industry News
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Leaky roofs can be a major headache for commercial property owners, often leading to significant damage and costly repairs. Understanding how insurance policies respond to these situations is crucial in navigating the claims process.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On July 1st, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to reform the Private Attorney’s General Act (PAGA). The legislation was enacted to help ensure workers retain a strong tool to resolve labor claims and receive fair compensation, while reducing shakedown lawsuits that hurt employers and employees.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Commercial real estate owners may face significant exposure nationally due to vacancy clauses and policy exclusions. The vacancy permit endorsement can potentially fill a major coverage gap within commercial property policies for landlords.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board approved new requirements for California businesses, heat illness prevention for indoor work spaces. The new Section 3396 addition to the California Labor Code will go into effect as early as August 1, 2024.
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When sureties began offering credit-based programs, there were only a few companies who would offer this type of program and the limits were low, most often around $250,000 for a single project and aggregate.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
This year has seen several changes to minimum wage in the State of California. On January 1, 2024, the California general minimum wage increased to $16 per hour, regardless of tips. However, as of July, several individual industries across the State, including healthcare, saw minimum wage increases.
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Imagine you are a landscaping company owner and your workers’ compensation policy just renewed January 1st. You are probably thinking, now what? Well, the next date that should be on your radar is June 30th, your unit stat date.
Author, Matt Gorham, Account executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Your Experience Modification Rating (e.g., EMR, X-Mod, or Mod) can have a significant impact on controlling costs within your insurance program. While most business owners recognize that a lower EMR typically leads to lower insurance costs, few owners understand the mechanics for determining an EMR and how they can be used to proactively manage resources to their company’s benefit.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As July 1st quickly approaches, California businesses are working hard to prepare their Workplace Violence Prevention plans before the deadline. In our aim to serve the needs of our clients, Rancho Mesa has outlined resources we offer to supplement your specific company’s training and plan.
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Reviewing contracts is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. But, I would like to share some quick thoughts on why asking for and reviewing the prime contract (before you sign your subcontract, ideally) can be important for subcontractors. This can help strengthen your position if certain conflicts arise.
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The vehicles that tree care companies are using today have become more specialized and more mechanized than ever. These specialized vehicles contribute to the overall productivity, profitability, and safety of the tree care industry.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As we hit the halfway mark on the 2024 year, we’ve explored plenty of important topics related to health and safety each month. The month of June is National Safety Month by the National Safety Council (NSC), in partnership with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It was June 86 years ago, Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) signed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). In the words of FDR, the FLSA ensured “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Insurance renewals can be challenging for nonprofits, especially in the hard market of 2024, characterized by higher premiums, stricter underwriting, and reduced coverage from insurance carriers. Leaning on your insurance broker as the quarterback, a well-prepared submission can significantly impact the outcome of your insurance renewal, potentially leading to better terms and lower premiums. Nonprofits can work effectively with their insurance broker to build a comprehensive submission using the following strategies.
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
People from outside the surety bond industry will sometimes ask if we work for 1) the carrier (bond company) or 2) the contractor client. This is an easy one. While we are approved to issue bonds by the 20+ carriers we are appointed with, make no mistake that we work 100% for our clients.
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
How do you handle the situation when a great employee is injured but not quite ready to return to full duty? We do all that we can to prevent injuries and make sure once they do happen our employees are taken care of quickly and properly. The one true variable we have in our control, after a claim has been filed, is how to accommodate employees that are injured but not able to return to normal duties until deemed fully recovered.
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Economies of scale create leverage for landscape businesses as they grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 table of incident rates notes that the landscape industry has an incident rate of 3.4 per 100 full time employees. Landscape is classified by BLS under Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services; this sub class has an incident rate of 1.9. The average for all other industries is 3.0.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
We’ve just started the month of May, National Electrical Safety month. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) dedicates this month annually to help reduce electrical-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss.
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.
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