Regarding Your Business Insurance Learn 4 Ways To Save Money…Our First Idea Can Get You Refunds of as Much as $500,000!

1. At no up front cost to you, no hassle on your part, we can review your past 7 year Worker’s Compensation policies and if we find mistakes get you refunds!  It is our opinion 30%+ of policyholders have mistakes in their past 7 year premium calculations.  Saved one contractor $230,000. Saved a manufacturer $500,000!  We cover NY, NJ and CT.  Call Gary at 914-806-5853.

Article Which Explains How:

https://bgesgroup.com/new-york-contractor-gets-refund-of-230000-from-their-past-workers-compensation-carriers-you-can-be-next

2. Unhappy with what you pay for your Worker’s Compensation Policy?   Let us market your account to our network of 20+ insurance companies and find you better!  Call Gary at 914-806-5853.

Article on What We Can Do:

https://bgesgroup.com/unhappy-with-your-workers-compensation-rates-company-audits-or-brokers-service

3. Unhappy with what you pay for your General Liability and/or Umbrella Liability Policies?  As one of tri-states leading construction insurance experts lets us market your account to our network of 60 companies and find you better!  We represent probably all the best programs for New York contractors so if you have any concerns about your pricing or coverage come to us!  Call Gary at 914-806-5853.

Article on What We Can Do:

https://bgesgroup.com/contractors-unhappy-with-your-liability-auto-umbrella-workers-comp-or-health-insurance-pricing-coverage-or-brokers-services

  1. Unhappy with what you pay for your Group Health insurance? We have plans tied into payroll programs that can offer you better coverage at lower rates. It’s a bit of work on both our parts but in the end may be worth your benefit!  Call Gary at 914-806-5853.                                                                                                                                              

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft. 

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.                                            

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to. 

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2022 – BGES Group

New York Contractor Gets Refund of $230,000 from Their Past Worker’s Compensation Carriers! You Can Be Next!

We want to share with YOU a way to get thousands, tens of thousands even hundreds of thousands of dollars back from your past Worker’s Compensation carriers!

YES it can be done!  YES the refunds can go into the hundreds of thousands!

At NO up front cost to you, NO hassle on your part (you sign 3 pieces of paper, we do all the work), us working on a contingency fee basis, we will do a comprehensive review of your past seven year policies and if we find mistakes, get you refunds from those companies.

Just a Few Examples of Mistakes We Find – There are Plenty More:

  1. Large claims that get closed out are not recorded properly in employers EMR.
  2. Payroll caps not applied. This happens with contractors.
  3. Misclassifying of payrolls. There’s a special rule that contractors miss out on.
  4. Failure to apply for NYCPAP credit. Contractors are a good example of missing out on this credit.
  5. Overtime credits.
  6. Subcontractor charges are miscalculated
  7. OCIP Payroll not subtracted

Examples of What We Saved Business Owners:

  1. Large kitchen manufacture in NJ $500,000
  2. Elevator company in NY $230,000
  3. Structural steel in NY $150,000
  4. Electrical contractor in NY $190,000
  5. HVAC contractor in NJ $40,000
  6. Plumbing contractor in NY $50,000
  7. General contractor in NJ $300,000
  8. Painter in NY $15,000

Lets us find YOU refunds in your policies.  Again we work on a contingency basis.  Again we do all the work.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get a refund of $50,000?  Who wants to overpay an insurance company for Worker’s Compensation?

You know the saying, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

If a red light is flashing in your head because you feel you’ve overpaid, give us a call and let us do that FREE review!

By the way, if you’re looking for a NEW Worker’s Compensation Policy, let us find you one.  We represent 25 plans, specialize at Worker’s Compensation (doing so for 41 years) and are Encyclopedias of Knowledge when it comes to rates, coverage, audits, claims and day to day service.  Unlike other agencies that charge $500, $1,000, $2,500 policy fees or up to 10% service fees, we DON’T CHARGE ANYTHING!  Another way you save by using us!

With food, gas, rent, health insurance escalating, WE ARE LOOKING TO SAVE YOU AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE!  When it comes to YOUR MONEY we are going to fight like heck to get you every dollar back of overpayment!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, Worker’s Compensation Premium Recovery, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2022 – BGES Group

Workers Compensation Premium Recovery

Why It Is Not In Your Best Interest To Buy Worker’s Compensation Directly from an Insurance Company.

This article focuses on the Construction Industry.  Tri-State area in particular.

If you’re a contractor rates can range from $3+ to $50+ per $100 of payroll.  Rates can vary drastically by class code by state. 

It is our opinion buying insurance from an insurance company is like letting a fox guard your chicken coup.

You may not want to hear this but we feel 2022 company discounted rates, some are financially inadequate.  Aggressively pricing Workers Compensation coverage will eventually cause companies to lose money which will cause rates to skyrocket like they’ve done many times over the years.

Yes your company may offer you low rates to get your business but do you really think it’s in their best interests to keep charging low rates?

Think about health insurance.  Has your rates gone up or down?  For 2022 ours went up 23+%.  Workers Compensation is like on the job health insurance then throw in disability coverage too.  With the amount of fraudulent claims, their reserves, the number of lawyers per capita and the state of the financial market it is our opinion the system has large rate increases coming.  Who is going to give you a heads up?  Your insurance company or someone like me, a Workers Compensation Specialists?

There’s much more that goes into Worker’s Compensation pricing.  For example payroll caps apply to trade class codes.  Failure of your insurance company to apply them which happens plenty can cost YOU thousands, tens of thousands of dollars.

Then there’s the NYCPAP or equivalent NJ and CT credits.  We can see a company sending you written notice once, maybe twice but will they stay on top of you until the information is filed?  Our guess is 30%+ of contractors miss out on this credit because their company lets it fall thru the cracks.

What about audits?  You know how many mistakes are made?  How can a company that does your audit help you locate their mistakes?  Unless your accountant checks you’ll probably not find them.

What if your operations change?  You think a company that services thousands of policies is going to be alert and tell you what needs to be done?   Do you even hear from your company annually other than by mail?

Here’s an idea!  If you have the slightest concern mistakes were made we can GO BACK UP TO 7 YEARS, review your policies and if we find them get you refunds.  We DO ALL THE WORK, you get back overpayments!  We work on a contingency basis so there’s no up front cost to you.  What a WIN WIN! 

We work with contractors who work in multiple states.  If you don’t have the right coverage and a claim occurs you can be financially liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars.  How are you going to know?  It’s not like you have a dedicated person who is in contact with you regularly.  Our guess is every time you call you deal with a different person.

There is a great way to get great rates and first class service.  That is working with our office who specializes in Contractor Workers Compensation.  We offer special programs at competitive rates, the right coverage and you will deal with one person who is available to speak day or evening!  They are an encyclopedia of knowledge!

If you have a tax problem would you rather work with a tax lawyer/accountant or a regular accountant?  Maybe the regular accountant charges less but costs you more because of what they miss.

That’s what BGES Group can offer you!  This is our specialty helping you avoid costly mistakes by not getting the right advice!  Best part is our advice saves you money!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2022 – BGES Group

Buying Workers Compensation directly from an insurance company.

8 Tips to Shorten the Life of Workers’ Comp Claims

One workers’ compensation claim can send your experience modifier spiraling out of control if the injured employee stays away from work for an extended period of time.

The longer they are off work, the more costly the claim becomes since they will continue receiving temporary disability payments. That’s in addition to any medical expenses that are incurred.

Long open claims can hurt your future insurance premiums as well, so it’s to your benefit to work with the doctor, the injured worker and the insurance company claims adjuster to get the claim closed as soon as is feasible and safe for the injured worker.

Here are eight ways to support your injured workers and get claims closed:

  1. Report accidents promptly

Require workers to report accidents immediately, no matter how minor.

While some injuries require just first aid that can be taken care of using first aid supplies (which you should have on hand as per Cal/OSHA requirements), others are more serious. If you are unsure whether first aid can fix the problem, it’s best to send the worker to a doctor.

  1. Accompany worker to the clinic

Ask a supervisor to accompany the injured employee to the industrial clinic you have pre-chosen. There are good reasons for doing this, including:

  • There are reports of lawyers soliciting employees going into and out of clinics.
  • You gain useful feedback from your supervisor regarding the length of time it takes to be seen and how sanitary the clinic is. A filthy clinic does not send a good message to your employees.
  • Having someone along shows you care about the worker’s well-being and how serious the injury may be.
  1. Investigate the accident

As soon as an accident is reported, investigate to determine what happened. Identify witnesses and separate and interview them one at a time to fully understand the whole story.

  1. Explain the process

Explain the workers’ comp process and file the necessary claim forms.

Answer the employee’s inquiries quickly and designate someone as the primary contact.

  1. Don’t leave them hanging

One reason that injured workers get an attorney is that they feel abandoned by their employer.  Assign a supervisor to visit with the employee on a regular basis to keep them motivated to return to work and to answer any questions they have.

Positive, encouraging messages of the employee’s value to the company are often the best medicine.

  1. Return them to work program

Have a return-to-work program in place. If the physician clears the individual to return to work or for light duty with restrictions, make sure the worker, their supervisor and fellow employees understand the restrictions.

  1. Have coverage with a doctor network

Establish relationships with doctors who have expertise in occupational medicine and understand the value of returning injured employees to work.

  1. Monitor the claim

We can help you monitor the claim to ensure it’s on track. You can also make a point of regularly reaching out to the claims adjuster as well as the employee.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

 If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2021 – BGES Group

Time to Post Your OSHA Form 300A

Time to Post Your OSHA Form 300A

Employers with 10 or more employees must post their completed OSHA Form 300A by Feb. 1 and keep it posted in their workplace until April 30.

The form must be posted where the company usually posts other employee notices, like minimum wage and workplace safety notices. Form 300A summarizes the total number of fatalities, missed workdays, job transfers or restrictions, and injuries and illnesses at a business, as recorded on Form 300.

The Summary (Form 300A) requires the following information from the Form 300 Log:

  • The total number of non-first-aid occupational injury and illness cases.
  • The number of cases with days away from work and cases with job transfer or restriction, and the number of other recordable cases.
  • The cumulative number of days from all injuries or illnesses, including days away from work and job transfer restrictions.
  • The number of occupational injury/illness cases, including skin disorders, respiratory conditions, poisoning, hearing loss and all other illnesses.

If your business recorded no injuries or illnesses last year, you must enter “zero” on the total line and still post the form, which must be signed and certified by a company executive.

The following employers are also required to electronically submit 300A data online to OSHA:

  • Employers with 250 or more employees at an establishment.
  • Employers with 20-249 employees at an establishment in industries on OSHA’s High Hazard Industry list.

The last day employers can submit their forms electronically is March 2.

COVID-19 cases

Employers must also record work-related COVID-19 cases like any other occupational incident. To be recordable, an illness must be work-related and result in one or more of the following:

  • Days away from work
  • Restricted work or transfer to another job
  • Medical treatment beyond first aid
  • Loss of consciousness
  • A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional
  • Death.

If a work-related COVID-19 case meets any of these criteria, covered employers must record the case on their 300 and 300A forms.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2021 – BGES Group

Delays, Higher Insurance Costs Burden Owners, Contractors

Increasing construction project delays are combining with a hardening market for builder’s risk and liability insurance to create headaches for project owners and contractors.

If your project suffers from delays, you may find it difficult or costly to extend the length of your insurance coverage as insurers have tightened their underwriting policies and some have stopped underwriting construction projects altogether.

Owners need to understand the insurance marketplace and take steps in advance to keep insurance issues from throwing a monkey wrench into a project.

Delays weigh on contractors

Contractors report several reasons for delays:

  • Projects are increasingly complicated and have long durations.
  • Initial budgets and estimated timelines may prove to be inadequate or over-optimistic.
  • The process of obtaining permits can take years, particularly if there are environmental concerns about the project.
  • Increasingly volatile weather conditions are setting some projects back, as hurricanes, floods and wildfires can prevent work from starting or damage work already completed.

Insurers’ response

This is happening at a time of persistently tight insurance market conditions. The size of court damage awards is growing. More frequent and intense storms have sent the cost of property damage losses soaring.

Some insurers have responded by reducing their appetites for insuring construction projects, while others have pulled out of the construction market entirely.

Those that remain are hiking rates, increasing deductibles and self-insured retentions, and adding provisions that reduce the scope of coverage.

In a state like New York with a difficult legal environment, it can be a struggle to obtain adequate coverage at affordable premiums.

Consequently, when an insurer is asked to extend the coverage expiration date for a construction project, the agreement may come with these unpleasant strings attached.

Also, the project budget likely did not contemplate increases in insurance costs and uninsured loss costs midway through the process.

What you can do

Solving these problems is not easy, but there are things that can be done to address them, as follows:

Identify solid insurers  At the beginning of the process, owners and contractors should work with their insurance brokers to identify insurers with long track records of providing construction coverage.

Some insurers may jump in and out of markets, depending on how profitable they appear at the time. Multi-year construction projects require insurers who will not exit the market when their profit margins slip.

Where one or more of the project’s insurers have departed the market, it is impossible for the project owners to negotiate a solution. However, if the insurers are still willing to offer coverage, those that have solid, long-standing relationships with owners and contractors may be willing to negotiate terms satisfactory to all.

Negotiate automatic extensions   Owners and contractors should attempt to include automatic coverage extensions during negotiations for the original policies.

These projects involve multiple insurers providing different layers of coverage and it’s important to try to negotiate these coverage extensions with all of them. If one insurer drops out, it may be possible to get some of the others to fill in the gap.

Consider a ‘captive   In some cases, contractors may have the option of turning to “captive” insurers to fund higher retentions and uninsured losses. A captive insurer covers the risks of its owners; companies sometimes create them because of tax and cash flow advantages.

Stay on schedule    Do all you can to stay on schedule, so you don’t run into insurance issues. This requires closer coordination among all the contractors and the subs and more attentive management of the project. That may mean additional outlays by the project owner, but staying on schedule is less costly than blowing through the completion deadline.

With the current supply-chain problems not easing anytime soon, the problem of project delays will likely continue. Insurance problems may complicate that further, but they can be managed.

Before your next project, call us so we can get the ball rolling early.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2021 – BGES Group

Non-Owned Auto Coverage Essential for Any Business

Non-Owned Auto Coverage

Even businesses that own fleets of autos sometimes use vehicles that do not belong to them. Often, a company asks an employee to run an errand or visit a customer or vendor using that employee’s car.

The business may be legally liable for anything an employee acting on its behalf does while behind the wheel. Lawsuits and accompanying legal costs may confront the business if they have an accident, putting the company’s assets at risk.

Many business automobile insurance policies cover this situation, but they do not do so automatically.

The standard Insurance Services Office business auto policy uses numbered symbols to identify covered autos for each coverage the business has purchased. The policy provides liability coverage for non-owned autos only if symbols 1 or 9 are shown on the information page:

Symbol 1 means “Any auto.” This is the broadest symbol designation and covers any auto, including borrowed, hired, owned or leased.

Symbol 9 means “Non-owned autos.” The policy defines non-owned autos as vehicles the insured business does not own, lease, hire, rent or borrow and that are used in the business. The term includes autos owned by the business’s employees; partners (if the business is a partnership); members (if it is a limited liability company); or members of their households.

However, coverage applies only if the vehicle is used in the business or in the policyholder’s personal affairs.

Scenario: A consulting firm has run out of paper and a worker is asked to go to an office supply store to purchase supplies, and he drives his personal vehicle to run the errand. On his way back to the office, the employee collides with another car going the opposite direction.

If the firm’s auto insurance policy’s information page has either symbol 1 or 9 for liability coverage, it will cover this accident, including:

  • Cost of damage to the other vehicle (importantly, it does not pay for collision damages to the hired or non-owned vehicle),
  • Cost of medical costs for injured third parties, and
  • Legal defense costs arising from the accident.

If the policy has another symbol, it will not cover an accident resulting from the use of the employee’s vehicle.

For companies that do not own their own vehicles but have employees who drive their own vehicles for work or rent them when on business, this type of coverage is essential.

It is possible that the employee’s personal auto insurance policy may provide some coverage for the employer. However, you should not assume that this is guaranteed.

In the event of an accident, you could be found negligent for various reasons, including:

  • The employee’s insurance has lapsed.
  • The employee only carries the minimum limits required by the state, and the amount of damages exceeds this limit.
  • The employee’s vehicle is not properly maintained.
  • The employee’s driving record is below standard.
  • Your company does not have any fleet controls or policies in place to address these issues with employee vehicles that are used for business purposes.

If the accident burns through the employee’s policy limits, the damaged third party will turn to the employer next. With no non-owned auto or “all vehicles” coverage, the company would be on the hook for any damages out of pocket.

The takeaway

Almost every business has situations where it asks someone to use a personal vehicle for business, and an uninsured loss can both financially devastating and easily avoidable.

All autos and non-owned auto insurance protects your business by covering potential coverage gaps that put the company’s financial stability in peril.

Call us to learn more about this coverage that every business needs.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2021 – BGES Group

Long-Haul COVID Can Be Covered under ADA

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued guidance stating that employees suffering from “long COVID-19” may be protected under workplace disability discrimination statutes.

The guidance states that someone suffering from impairments resulting from long-haul COVID-19 symptoms can be considered “disabled” under the Americans with Disabilities Act and entitled to the same treatment as other disabled workers. But not in every case.

The EEOC emphasized that long-haul COVID symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and that eligibility would have to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Employers should read the guidance, posted on the EEOC’s website on Dec. 14, to ensure they stay on the right side of the law if they are confronted with a worker who is battling COVID-19 symptoms for more than a few weeks and they ask for special accommodation under the ADA.

According to the guidance, a person infected with COVID-19 who is asymptomatic “or who has mild symptoms similar to those of the common cold or flu that resolve in a matter of weeks — with no other consequences — will not have an actual disability within the meaning of the ADA.”

But for those who have COVID-19 symptoms lasting more than a few weeks, and depending on their specific symptoms, a worker may have a “disability” if the illness is affecting them in any of the following ways:

Physical or mental impairment вЂ” The EEOC states that COVID-19 is a physiological condition affecting one or more body systems, which would be considered a disability under the ADA.

Substantially limiting a major life activity вЂ” “Major life activities” include both major bodily functions, such as respiratory, lung or heart function, and major activities, such as walking or concentrating. COVID-19 has been known to cause these issues. An impairment need only substantially limit one major bodily function or other major life activity to be substantially limiting.

Examples of COVID-19 cases that may be considered a disability under the ADA include:

  • An employee who experiences ongoing but intermittent multiple-day headaches, dizziness, brain fog and difficulty remembering or concentrating, which their doctor attributes to the coronavirus.
  • Someone who received supplemental oxygen for breathing difficulties during initial stages of treatment and continues to have shortness of breath, associated fatigue and other virus-related effects that last for several months.
  • Someone with heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath and related effects due to the virus that last for several months.

What to do

As a result of this guidance, an employee experiencing long-haul COVID with symptoms that could be considered a disability may ask for reasonable accommodation for work. To determine if the employee is eligible, the employer and the employee must enter into an interactive process.

The employer can ask the worker to provide backup documentation about their disability or need for reasonable accommodation, such as notes from doctors outlining restrictions. The employer can also request that the employee sign a limited release allowing the employer to contact the employee’s health care provider directly.

If the worker doesn’t cooperate in providing the information, the employer can deny the accommodation request.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance, Personal lines and Identity Theft.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 60+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages. We help contractors set up proper risk transfer. If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Replacing policies that are being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;  9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

website: http://www.bgesgroup.com

© – Copyright – 2021 – BGES Group