About / Our Team / Kevin Howard
Phone: (619) 438-6874
Kami Elam, The HVAC Exchange, Inc.
"For the first time, the HVAC Exchange, Inc. has not only MORE insurance coverage but also more appropriate insurance coverage for LESS money! Kevin is a total professional. I have tremendous gratitude for Kevin and I am excited to say he makes my job easier."
Andrew Moreno, President, Able Heating & Air Conditioning
“We work in an industry where insurance procurement can be a challenge and having a partnership like Rancho Mesa and Kevin Howard really helps. We have seen our experience mod rate drop on a very rapid decline. With our type of work if your XMOD gets over 1.00 you can lose a job so it’s important. We lean on Rancho Mesa quite a bit. Risk management is not what we do. We build things so we love leaning on their expertise."
Melissa Rogers, Lunstrum Windows & Doors
"Christina Haake, at Rancho Mesa, has been an extremely helpful business partner when navigating through the wide array of insurance requirements needed on all our different projects. She has always been super responsive, very professional, and tremendously personable. I enjoy working with her and never hesitate to call if I have any questions regarding our insurance."
Kelly Terrell, Huntington Hardware
"It feels like Kevin and Christina are in the next building with how fast they respond, and how diligent they are with getting us answers. We don’t have many insurance claims and that is attributed to the ongoing efforts of Kevin and Rancho Mesa keeping us in the know about changes in our industry. One of One is a perfect way to describe RM. There is no one else like them around.”
Graycia Garlough, Office Manager Asphalt & Concrete Enterprises, Inc.
"Kevin & Vicki are all over it - Vicki with the insurance certs and Kevin being on point with insurance policies & risk management. They do an awesome job, always there to help."
Allison Shaw, Office Manager, Curtis Drilling Co.
“Partnering with Rancho Mesa has been both cost effective and educational. We have received continued support with managing claims and reducing policy cost. Our RMS team is always there for the day to day requests with professionalism and promptness.”
Jessica Romo, Corporate Secretary, Spring Valley Insulation Contractors, Inc.
"Although Spring Valley Insulation Contractors has been in business since 1963, as of 1999 there had always been the same insurance agent. My oneofone moment with Rancho Mesa was when Kevin Howard came into our office and truly educated us on what the power of being proactive in regards to our experience modification rate. Since that day, he has made it an enjoyable task to become wholeheartedly involved in keeping our rate down!"
Kevin Howard, CRIS
Partner, Construction Group
As an insurance advisor and broker, Kevin works closely with the construction industry. Customer service is his top priority and he aims to please. A major part of customer service within the insurance industry has to do with the ability to protect clients from insurable risk. This often means designing a series of work safety meetings, organizing safety trainings, or enhancing their accident investigation procedures to manage risk. Once these actions are implemented, the end result is a more attractive risk profile which is a key element needed in order to achieve a satisfied customer.
In conclusion, Kevin's goal is to create tailor fit insurance options that allow business executives to make educated and robust decisions that will positively affect their company's future.
Experience
Partner, October 2023 - Present
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Account Executive, March 2006 - October 2023
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 2005
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Designations
Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS)
About
Kevin resides in Rancho San Diego, CA with his two daughters. Kevin enjoys playing sports, with his two dogs Rammy and Luna, and being active within the local community. Kevin played baseball at SDSU. Kevin is very excited about PowerOne™, Rancho Mesa’s newest solar and roofing program.
Podcast
Industry News
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The continuing trend of catastrophic claim activity over the last several years, rising number of nuclear settlements due to increased litigation funding, and hyperinflation are impacting all economic sectors. One of those sectors is the commercial property insurance market and the rapid increase in reconstruction costs.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Construction companies nationwide are grappling with a shared challenge: a labor shortage propelled by various factors. In this article, we will explore these factors and highlight key areas that can contribute to managing bottom lines effectively.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Since the outset of the 21st century, the solar installation industry has been bustling with the demand to create clean sustainable energy. Based on growing political and ecofriendly needs, the solar industry is ever changing and trying to keep up with constant fluctuations when it comes to energy storage, federal and state regulations, and supply chain demands.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Mechanical HVAC contractors are essential to making sure that buildings around the globe have controlled temperatures and are energy efficient. Nationwide, the demand for mechanical HVAC contractors often keeps these businesses with full backlogs. These companies use various materials that create the potential for a pollution liability claim. Refrigerants, gases, flammable liquids, and lubricants are examples of these types of pollutants. If leaked or exposed, walls, ceilings, and floors can develop damage or mold that is not covered by standard commercial general liability policies.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California faces a critical need to prioritize heat illness awareness among its workforce. The combination of Southern California's recent above average rainfall and the anticipated heatwave resulting from El Niño has created the possibility of an extremely warm summer. Construction companies must remain vigilant and adaptable, implementing appropriate measures to address these changing weather dynamics and ensuring the safety of their workers. By staying informed about weather forecasts and implementing flexible work schedules and site preparations, companies can effectively navigate these challenging conditions and prioritize the well-being of their employees. By understanding the significance of heat illness awareness, companies can ensure the safety and well-being of their workers while fostering productivity, minimizing downtime, and improving overall project efficiency.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For businesses that rely on a fleet of commercial vehicles, insurance costs can be a significant expense. Insurance carriers calculate premiums based on a variety of factors, including the age and condition of the vehicles, driver experience and record, and the frequency and distance of trips. One factor that can positively impact insurance costs is the use of global positioning systems (GPS) in commercial vehicles. Below, we will explore some of the insurance benefits of installing GPS systems in commercial vehicles.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As a landlord and owner of commercial property, you have exposures like fire, theft and bodily injury that must be addressed to protect your investment and, in many cases, a family asset from risk. As you look to finance these properties, most lenders will require checks and balances to ensure that your property is properly insured and that the mutual investment is protected.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
There is a lot at stake for roofing contractors in California. Many of us recall playing the game “would you rather” as kids. Would you rather jump into a freezing cold pool in December or eat the world’s hottest chili pepper with no milk available?
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In California, motor vehicle accidents are among the leading cause of severe injuries on a daily basis. From a risk management perspective, a company’s fleet safety program has a primary goal of keeping employees safe while driving which lowers the amount of annual auto premiums paid.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On January 25, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he had made a deal with legislative leaders on a framework that would provide up to two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave to those who are unable to work due to COVID-19, quarantining or experiencing side effects from the vaccine. As of February 7, 2022, the California legislature passed the bill and we are waiting for the governor to sign it into law.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
There are 16 construction workers’ compensation class code pairs in California, each set up as dual wage classifications. The purpose of these “split” class codes allows the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) and California insurers to better predict future risk and underwrite with more accuracy.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As we continually build broad and competitive insurance programs for solar contractors in southern California, we recently interviewed a Senior Underwriter from a national workers’ compensation carrier in an effort to learn best practice controls for these types of risks. To our delight, this underwriter provided the top five controls their team looks for while reviewing a submission to quote. Having these controls in place can show an underwriter that your company deserves the best possible pricing available in the insurance marketplace…
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As a business owner, you might hear about group captive insurance but are unsure whether or not it would be a fit for your business model. With auto rates rising dramatically and property and casualty premiums poised to shift upwards over the next 5 years, exploring a group captive could benefit your business. A group captive could help you potentially recover more than 60% of your premiums, generating substantial returns on your investment in safety.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Builder’s risk policies protect construction materials while they are being stored on a jobsite or have been installed during the course of a project, prior to the completion of the work. These policies are often required by the project owners or developers and provide protection from day one up until the last speck of paint is dry when the project is completed.
Author, Kevin Howard, C.R.I.S., Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
COVID-19 has created a multitude of challenges for California business owners in the first half of 2020. A concerning trend is the potential combination of lower payrolls and the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) recommendation to lower expected loss rates, creating what very likely could be significant Experience Modification Rate (XMOD) increases for numerous California businesses.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As insurance companies brace for a spike in claim filings due to COVID-19, one under the radar coverage that could be severely impacted is Employment Practices Liability (EPLI). With just over 22,000,000 employees recently laid off, terminated or furloughed nationwide, most experts anticipate that EPLI claim frequency will jump.
Author, Kevin Howard, C.R.I.S., Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Based on a recently published survey from the Associated General Contractors of America, 80% of contractors predict growth in 2020…but there is a twist. There is a major labor shortage.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California contractors focused on their experience modification are paying close attention to the soon to be published 2020 Expected Loss Rates (ELRs).
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services’ RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ checks several boxes for contractors who are looking to improve their safety culture and lower risk. The program provides safety training designed to reduce an organization’s probability of work-related injuries; thus, minimizing the likelihood of an OSHA citation when used in conjunction with the Risk Management Center tools.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this unsettling time throughout various workforces, it makes good business sense to consider EPLI options with varied deductible ranges. Having that clarity brings comfort to many clients who have worked years to build their business, acquire assets, and improve their net worth. Exposing their business to what could very well be unlimited costs creates considerable risk moving forward.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) released the 2019 Expected Loss Rates (ELR’s) in the 4th quarter of 2018. The ELR’s in the plumbing class code 5187 dropped 17% on January 1st 2019. This decrease is not getting significant attention, but could potentially create negative implications for California plumbing contractors and their respective experience modifications in 2019, 2020 and beyond.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Research conducted by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) shows that California benefits from roughly 3,000 solar contractors conducting business in the state. Panels are being installed at a rapid rate. In fact, statistics show that as of January 2018, over 5 million California homes have “gone solar” and that number continues to grow. There are other benefits to using solar panels to harvest energy besides just generating electricity. They can also be used to heat water in pools, spas, storage tanks and other plumbing systems using hot water solar panels.
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Metal theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. Copper, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel and scrap iron have become the desired target of thieves looking to make a quick buck.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Construction Gorup, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Insurance is often considered a necessary evil by business owners. It can represent a significant line item on a profit & loss statement rivaling the cost in some cases of payroll, material costs and rent. With deductibles that can range from $15,000-$25,000 per claim, why then would a business spend dollars on an insurance policy that is not required by either state law or part of any General Contractor’s insurance specifications?
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Construction Group
If the title of this article gave you a good chuckle, you most likely have bid a job somewhere near a body of water; then, found out you need U.S. Longshore and Harbor (USL&H) Workers’ Compensation coverage. You were surely not the first one to overlook this requirement and you definitely will not be the last.
Kevin Howard in the News
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to introduce its newest partners to the ownership team, Account Executive Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive Kevin Howard, Accounting Manager & Office Administrator Lori Stone, and Media Communications & Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley. These individuals have been offered ownership stakes in recognition of their contributions and dedication to Rancho Mesa’s success.
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, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
It’s a birdie! It’s an eagle! It’s a bogey?! It’s the 12th annual National Association of Women in Construction golf tournament. On August 26, 2021, NAWIC San Diego hosted its golf tournament at the Twin Oaks Golf Course. The yearly event raised nearly $17,000 for Rady’s Children’s Hospital and the Future Construction Leaders Foundation.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, August 12, 2021 the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) hosted a Summer Family Fun Night. The event strikingly raised over 42 thousand dollars, directly benefiting nonprofits in San Diego County through the IICF Community Grants Program.
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, 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.
Kevin Howard and Christina Haake took Jeraldine Hartson, CompWest Insurance underwriter for Rancho Mesa, and her boyfriend Jim, to a San Diego State Aztecs basketball game at Viejas Arena located on the San Diego State University campus in San Diego, CA on December 28, 2019.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc .
On February 12, 2019, in a close race to become the first Safety Star, Eddie Lopez, Safety Coordinator at Century Painting Corp. was the first to complete the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program in Construction Safety.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Happy Halloween! Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley, Jessica Morton, Christina Haake, Lori Stone, John Parker, Brittani Kyriss, Sierra Pedersen and Kevin Howard (not pictured) dressed up to celebrate Halloween.