Fighting Fraud within the CA Workers’ Compensation System: Workshop Recap

Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday, September 22 attendees gathered at Rancho Mesa’s office in Mission Valley for an informative workshop, Fighting Fraud within the CA Workers’ Compensation System, presented by Chris Dill from ICW Group.

This was the first workshop to be held in Rancho Mesa’s new Mission Valley office since the team made the move from Santee in April 2023. Clients enjoyed donuts and fresh coffee while they learned about common workers’ compensation schemes in the construction industry and ways employers can prevent them.

Dill explained how fraudsters earn $34 billion per year and makeup 16% of claims. With California as one of the most prevalent states for fraud, he outlined how both employees and medical providers can commit these crimes. Dill ultimately emphasized the difference between the symptoms and the disease when fighting workers’ compensation fraud within your company.

“The suspect workers’ claims that you see [are] just symptoms, right? You start seeing more of those? That means the disease – there's more going on, so you have to address the disease… [and] there’s factors that make it more likely that the disease will develop at your location,” Dill said.  

Rancho Mesa was pleased the workshop not only allowed clients to learn important information, but also gave them the opportunity to visit the new office and mingle with both Rancho Mesa team members and fellow attendees.

Our next workshop is Control Your Insurance Costs with a Captive on Friday, October 20, held at the Rancho Mesa Mission Valley office.

Dave Garcia Attends ICW Trusted Advisor Event

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia, a member of the ICW Trusted Advisor Group, recently joined ICW’s Executive Leadership Team at their annual meeting at the beautiful Pelican Hills Resort in Newport Beach, CA.

Garcia indicated ICW’s primary goal was to learn from their members on how they could improve both their services to policy holders as well as their insurance agency partners.

“I’m honored to be selected as part of this amazing group and to continue building my relationships with their executive team,” Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, said.

In addition to the business meetings, ICW also hosted a Bocce Ball Tournament, which Dave and ICW San Diego Branch Manager Leo Carlino teamed up to win. The team also enjoyed a round of golf on the Pelican Hills Ocean Course, and five star meals each night.

“It’s an event I always enjoy attending, and I want to thank President Kevin Prior, Sr. Vice President Paul Zamora, and Branch Manager Leo Carlino for extending the opportunity to me,” Garcia said.

Rancho Mesa Hosts Educational Webinar on Fighting Workers' Comp Fraud

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Due to popular demand, Rancho Mesa has once again hosted the “Fighting Fraud within the CA Workers’ Compensation System: Addressing the Symptoms & the Disease” live webinar on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Rancho Mesa was excited to welcome back Chris Dill, Special Investigation Unit & Claims Legal Management Director at ICW Group, to educate our clients on fraud in the California workers’ compensation system.

Rancho Mesa provides resources like this webinar to help our clients better understand how to mitigate risks.

To register for upcoming workshops and webinars, please visit our Workshops & Webinars page.

Daniel Frazee and Paul Zamora Team up for the Win

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

Rancho Mesa’s Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and ICW Group’s Senior Vice President of Workers’ Compensation Paul Zamora pose together with the coveted trophy signifying their win at last year’s golf retreat.

In preparation for this year’s trip, Zamora brought the perpetual trophy into the Rancho Mesa office which allowed for a quick photo op and friendly banter about the games to be played in a few weeks.

Annually, the pair team up to play a few rounds against Standard Drywall’s President Bob Caya and Rancho Mesa’s President Dave Garcia, while in Lake Tahoe.

Outings like these allow for carriers and insureds to get to know each other on a more personal level.

In a few weeks, the 2022 winning team will be added to the trophy.

Rancho Mesa President Receives ICW Coin Designation

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 Rancho Mesa’s President Dave Garcia received an eminent award from ICW Group.

Dave is the first outside of ICW Group to receive ‘The Coin,’ for embracing above and beyond characteristics and visionary business practices.

‘The Coin’ encompasses four main qualities; honor, integrity, passion, and focus. From valuing our commitments, our communities and each other, to focusing on the details and putting our customers first, Rancho Mesa has indeed embodied these attributes.

“I was completely surprised and honored to receive this recognition and be the first outside of their company to receive it – a true OneofOne moment I will always remember,” says Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa.

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held group of insurance companies domiciled in California. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims, and is committed to meeting the needs of its policyholders and elevating the trusted agents and brokers who advise them. To learn more, visit www.icwgroup.com.

Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ Podcast Publishes 100th Episode

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

StudioOne™, Rancho Mesa’s media productions team, is very excited to announce the publishing of the Safety and Risk Management podcast network’s 100th episode!

In January 2020, the podcast originally launched as a way for industry professionals to share safety and risk management knowledge with their peers. What started out as the release of one to two episodes a month, soon became two episodes a week. StudioOne broadened their audience and began recording weekly industry news insights, law updates, and episodes to get to know the Rancho Mesa team and industry partners.

The 100th episode is close to Rancho Mesa’s hearts because it discusses how the podcast came to life, the motivation to start interviewing guests, how we are able to record, edit, and release content, and even includes some fun behind the scenes content.

Rancho Mesa could not do this podcast without our team, carrier partners, and listeners like you. We want to thank our sponsors Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, CNA, CompWest, ICW Group, Nationwide, Sentry, and Zenith for believing in Rancho Mesa and supporting our efforts to educate our clients and community.

Subscribe to the StudioOne™ Safety and Risk Management Network podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode. Episodes can also be listened to from your computer by visiting the StudioOne webpage.

RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ Adds New Ladder Safety Module

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

Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce the addition of the Ladder Safety module to its RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ for construction safety.

ICW Group’s Tom Jolliff, Sr. Risk Management Consultant and Rick Fineman, Vice President of Risk Management Services provide 50 minutes of practical ladder safety information in the training module.

Ladder safety has been in the top 10 OSHA-cited violations for the past 5 years. As a business owner, supervisor or safety manager, you must find a way to get ahead of this problem and improve your safety program starting with ladder safety. In this module, you will learn:

• Alarming trends with ladder safety.

• Ways to reduce the frequency of injuries from ladder falls.

• Ways to ensure you are using the proper equipment for the job at hand.

• Components of a proper ladder safety program for your company.

To complete the RM365 Safety Star Program™, all participants will take the Accident Investigation and Analysis module while choosing two remaining modules from Mobility & Stretch/ABLE Lift Protocol, Fall Protection, Heat Illness Prevention, Ladder Safety, and Fleet Safety. 

The construction program can be completed 100% online or through a combination of online and in-person workshop modules.

To enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ today, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

Business Owners Stay On Top of Ladder Safety

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

Thursday, March 12, 2020, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. hosted the Ladder Safety workshop in La Mesa, CA.

Ladder safety has been in the top 10 OSHA Cited Violations for the past 5 years. As a business owner, it is important to find a way to get ahead of this potential oversight and improve your safety program, starting with ladder safety.

Owners, foreman, and safety managers gathered for an educational demonstration on ladder safety. This workshop covered:

• Alarming trends with ladder safety.

• Ways to reduce the frequency of injuries from ladder falls.

• Ways to ensure you are using the proper equipment for the job at hand.

• Components of a proper ladder safety program for your company.

The workshop was conducted by Rick Fineman, Risk Management Vice President, and Tom Jolliff, Sr. Risk Management Consultant at ICW Group. March is National Ladder Safety Month. This is the perfect time to review your ladder safety program an educate your employees on the importance of following proper protocols. 

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest group of privately held insurance companies domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Property, Auto and Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. For more information, visit www.icwgroup.com.

Dave Garcia Joins ICW Groups’ Trusted Advisor Board

Authors, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager and Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s President and CEO Dave Garcia was recently invited to serve on ICW Group’s Trusted Advisor Board.

The distinguished members will meet to discuss ICW Group’s role within the insurance industry and provide a broker’s perspective.

Dave currently serves on several President Advisory Councils and is truly honored to be a member of ICW Group’s Trusted Advisor Board. “Working with and partnering with Kevin, Paul, Stephanie, and the entire ICW service team over the years has been a huge part of our success at Rancho Mesa. I’m excited for the opportunity to be a part of their Trusted Advisor Board!” says Dave Garcia.

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held group of insurance companies domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Property, Auto and Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company.

Additionally, ICW Group was recently recognized as the 16th ranked carrier in Direct Work Comp premiums written nationwide. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims, and is committed to meeting the needs of its policyholders and elevating the trusted agents and brokers who advise them. More information is available at www.icwgroup.com.

Talking Risk: Daniel Frazee Delivers Talk To ICW Group Risk Managers

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Insurance Company of the West (ICW) risk consultants gathered on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 for training and to hear Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. speak about the importance of the broker/risk manager relationship.

Daniel covered in detail the important role risk consultants can play in developing a strong relationship with employers. He encouraged the new employees to study claim trends, look for cause and nature of injuries, and listen with intent as they build partnerships with businesses.

Daniel also recommended asking pointed questions in initial meetings about what specifically businesses are looking for in their relationship with a workers' compensation carrier. Tying those answers together and working in step with brokers were critical pieces to Daniel’s message to the group.

“It is always a pleasure working with Tom Joliff and his team of risk consultants," said Daniel Frazee. "It just continually reminds me what a forward-thinking insurance company ICW is. They have been so proactive with their growth, adding quality talent to ensure that their servicing remains strong for their policyholders. Having a chance to speak to these new employees allowed us to share some of Rancho Mesa’s service tenants and philosophies, as well. Building on this partnership to ultimately reduce risk for our clients is very satisfying.”

"Daniel did a great job," said Tom Jolliff, Sr. Risk Management Consultant for ICW Group. "What we were looking for from Daniel today was just to give a little input to our associate risk managers about the broker/producer relationship with the carrier and also the risk management consultants. And the information that he provided was exactly what we were looking for. Daniel is a perfect example of somebody who's a great business partner with ICW Group. I've dealt with him for over ten years and I understand you know what that relationship with the broker and the risk management consultant means. So, he was really my first choice when it came to thinking about somebody to talk to our new folks. That's really why I chose Daniel."

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest group of privately held insurance companies domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Property, Auto and Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. For more information, visit www.icwgroup.com.