Industry News
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Landscape companies with a low Experience Modification Rating (XMOD/EMR) typically exhibit similar best practices when dealing with work-related injuries. Their proactive approach helps close claims faster and return employees to work sooner than their counterparts.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With California Insurance Commissioner Lara’s recent approval of a special regulatory filing introduced to alleviate the burden COVID-19 workers’ compensation (WC) claims threaten to have on California employers, we reached out to several prominent carrier executives to share their thoughts.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As businesses begin to reopen across the country, employers are now faced with the real possibility that one or more of their employees may be diagnosed with COVID-19. Those who are familiar with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recording requirements may be wondering how to handle an employee COVID-19 case on their OSHA logs.
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…
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As states begin to lift COVID-19 restrictions and move into later phases of reopening plans, and companies begin to bring back their employees, it is important to take the necessary health and safety precautions in the workplace. Your staff should be well informed about safety precautions and resources to keep one another safe. When choosing a COVID-19 employee training, make sure it is comprehensive and includes all the necessary topics recommended by local, state and federal agencies.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As businesses re-open across the country, it is important that we all do our part in preventing and slowing the spread of COVID-19. For many companies in construction and those in the service industry, employees often work in close proximity with others. Keeping your workforce and the public safe should be priority number one.
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Aerial lifts have become extremely popular over the past few years in the arboriculture industry. An aerial lift is an ideal way to reach higher trees safely and securely. They can also make potentially hazardous tree removal safer and more efficient. This equipment requires extensive training to operate responsibly, and the lack of this training has led to an increase in accidents and injuries with aerial lift devices.
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…
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As landscape businesses continue to adapt operating protocol due to COVID – 19, they may also be creating new risk. Newly formed “work from home” policies for the office staff and direct reporting to job sites for workers in the field can create more of a non-owned auto liability exposure.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While most of the country is under shelter-in-place orders, many of our clients work in essential industries that must continue to provide vital services to the community. Therefore, it is imperative that they have the tools they need to keep their employees safe.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Business leaders across the country head into each year with questions regarding the upcoming business insurance renewal process. Owners and officers alike rely on their insurance broker to help them navigate these uncertainties. What should a best practice renewal process look like?
Author, Jim Malone, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Timely reporting of an employee’s work-related serious injury, illness or death can pose a challenge to the employer. As of January 1, 2020, these incidents (including any hospitalizations, unless the injured worker is admitted for medical observation or diagnostic testing) must be reported immediately to Cal/OSHA. Immediately means as soon as practically possible but not longer than 8 hours after the employer knows or, with diligent inquiry, would have known of the serious injury, illness or death.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence of widespread transmissions of COVID-19 (commonly known as Coronavirus) in the United States, at this time. But, business owners should ask themselves, would my company be prepared in the event of an outbreak? Employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring some semblance of business operations. The CDC has recommended the following strategies that employers can use, today.
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Trees require regular maintenance to ensure their health and safety. Dead or diseased trees must be cut down in order to prevent injuries to people or damage to nearby structures. Maintaining trees through trimming is a dangerous task, even for experienced professionals. Unfortunately, accidents do occur. The three most common types of serious accidents experienced by tree trimmers are…
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While costs associated with auto liability continue rising across the country, there are risks within existing fleet safety programs that often get overlooked. If your business allows employees to use personal vehicles to conduct business even just occasionally, you could be exposing your firm to considerably more risk.
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), better known as the “Gig Worker’s Bill” became law on January 1st 2020 and is designed to reclassify many independent contractors as employees for purposes of wages and benefits. What does this bill mean and how does it affect you?
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Surety Division, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The construction industry is currently booming. According to a survey conducted by the AGC of America, and a recent article written by Rancho Mesa’s Kevin Howard, the industry shows no signs of slowing down, as 80% of contractors predict growth in 2020. While that’s great news for the industry, we are starting to see some trends that can cause some issues for contractors.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On January 15, 2020 the Federal Register published the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2020. This final rule increases civil penalties the Department of Labor assesses including those issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based on workplace inspections and potential violations of safety and health standards. The rule is effective January 15, 2020. Beginning January 16, 2020 OSHA civil penalties will increase.
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As of January 1, 2020, California Assembly Bill 1804 (AB 1804) changed how an employer reports a serious employee injury or illness to Cal/OSHA. The bill removes the option to submit the report via email and replaces it with an “online mechanism,” according to Labor Code section 6409.1 (b). Reports may continue to be made via phone.
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California business owners are aware that their experience modifier (XMOD) is published annually, roughly three to four months before the expiration of their current workers compensation policy term. However, more often than not, companies are missing an incredible opportunity to make an impact on the calculation of their XMOD by strategically evaluating their work comp claims prior to the most critical month in the XMOD calendar known as Unit Stat.
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