Mold is a serious problem in a number of older homes, apartment buildings and commercial buildings.
It’s often caused by poor maintenance and unchecked water leaks that over time create conditions that are ripe for the growth of the fungus.
The problem is that this mold can aggravate tenants’ allergies, and there are plenty of cases where they sue landlords over being sickened by mold. And juries round the country have awarded large settlements (sometimes in the millions of dollars) to tenants after they claimed they were sickened by mold in their homes, apartments or offices.
Worse, it’s difficult to make a claim on your landlord’s policy if you are sued by a tenant over mold issues, as many of the policies exclude pollution.
Fortunately, there are steps a landlord can take to reduce the chances of being sued by a tenant for mold issues.
While most states do not have mold-specific laws, they do have negligence laws. And most often, mold growth is the direct result of poor maintenance or just pure negligence as some landlords may detect a leak and not bother fixing it. Leaking water and moist conditions are the breeding ground for mold.
In order for a landlord to be considered negligent in a premises liability lawsuit, they must be aware that the problem exists or should have been aware that the problem existed.
When the issue is toxic mold exposure, it’s easy for a landlord to be held liable for having allowed a toxic environment to fester.
Steps you can take to avoid being sued
You can take steps to reduce the chances of being sued by a tenant. It may take some extra time and upfront expense, but it will be worth it if you can avoid being targeted with litigation.
Require tenants to immediately notify you about water damage, broken dehumidifiers, condensation or related problems — In your lease you should require that your tenants notify you about a leak or other water issue that they become aware of. This will allow you to remediate the problem once they call and also provide you with a strong defense if they later try to sue, claiming you are liable for damages.
Some sample language that you can include in the lease could include advising tenants to keep their dwellings clean, remove visible moisture on windows, walls, ceilings, floors and other surfaces as soon as possible, and notify landlords — in writing — about any signs of water leaks, water infiltration or mold.
Require tenants to carry renter’s insurance —Your insurance will cover the structure itself, but renter’s insurance will cover any mold damage to your tenants’ property and belongings.
Stay to a strict maintenance schedule —You should schedule times with your tenants so you can regularly inspect for leaks in pipes, windows and roofs, as well as water staining, and moisture and condensation (including in the HVAC system). Leaks are usually where mold starts.
During inspections, besides looking for those obvious issues, you should look out for mildewy, musty odors, and look for mold and fungus. If you find any issues, remediate them promptly.
Respond quickly when a tenant complains — Proactive landlords that fix problems their tenants raise, have a much less chance of being sued. Therefore, if one of your tenants reports a mold or moisture problem, you should immediately have the property inspected by a professional.
If they detect any mold, mildew and/or leaks that may be causing it, you should hire professionals to remove the mold and repair any problems that were causing the growth in the first place.
Make sure to document any inspections you conduct, as well as any repairs, cleanup and remediation.
Finally, you should make sure to follow up with your tenants to make sure the problem hasn’t recurred. A good idea is to check with them a week later, a month later and then six months later. But before that six-month mark, you may want to have the property reinspected for mold.
Insurance
The typical landlord’s insurance policy covers:
Property damage — From fire or other natural catastrophe.
Lost rental income/rental default — Should something cause your property to be uninhabitable (severe mold, termites, a rat infestation or a sinkhole), this provides temporary rental reimbursement to cover the income you’d otherwise receive if tenants could be occupying the property. It also covers lost income from a tenant’s rental default.
Liability — This is coverage for the medical or legal costs that might ensue if the tenant or a visitor suffers injury due to a property maintenance issue.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
The owners of a California flooring installation company allegedly underreported their payroll amounts to workers’ compensation insurers to the tune of $30 million, costing the insurance company almost $4 million in premiums. The men are each facing three felony charges.
These are the potential consequences for those who deliberately falsify their payroll records and reports to the companies providing their workers’ compensation insurance. To avoid this pitfall and the fallout, it’s important that employers understand the vital role accurate payroll reporting and records play in determining premiums.
The importance of payroll records
Workers’ comp premiums reflect the amount of a business’s payroll and the riskiness of its operations. Carpenters suffer more frequent and severe injuries than do architects, so the premium rates for construction firms are higher than those for architecture firms.
Monthly, quarterly or after each policy term, the insurer audits the employer’s payroll records to determine the accurate amount of payroll and the proper classification of the work performed.
The carrier applies the reported payroll to the premium rates, calculates the premium and compares it to the deposit the employer paid at the start of the period. The insurer then returns premium to the employer if the deposit was too high or bills them if it was too low.
If an employer’s records are incomplete or not up to date, the insurer may estimate the classification and payroll based on the information available. Those estimates do not often favor the employer.
Avoiding temptation
While some may be tempted to provide artificially low payroll amounts to insurers (by, for example, labeling some workers as “independent contractors” rather than employees), the consequences can be serious. An insurance company that determines its customer was untruthful will cancel its coverage at the first opportunity.
Also, the insurance contract gives them the right to pursue the employer for the shortfall in premiums. The employer could end up on the wrong side of a court judgment.
Deliberately concealing information about workers to reduce premiums is also a crime in many states.
A New York construction labor supply broker conspired with his insurance broker to mislead five insurers about the size of his operation and work performed by his employees. Their actions cost one insurer $1 million in reduced premiums and left injured workers without workers’ comp claims payments for more than a year.
The insurance broker pleaded guilty to two felony charges. The labor supply broker is awaiting trial.
Depending on the state and the amounts involved, a conviction for workers’ comp fraud can carry lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. In Minnesota, someone convicted of insurance fraud for more than $35,000 faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Two people in California received 10-year sentences.
The lesson: Keep accurate and honest payroll records for your insurance company and pay the premiums you owe. It will be better for you and your business in the long run.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
Fraud adds to workers’ compensation costs for all businesses, but it hits small businesses the hardest as they may not have the resources to identify bogus claims.
According to a new study by workers’ comp insurer Employers Holdings Inc., about 20% of small business owners are not sufficiently prepared to identify workers’ comp fraud.
It’s estimated that at least 10% of workers’ compensation claims are fraudulent, and identifying those illicit claims would keep your workers’ comp claims in check and reduce your premiums.
Claims fraud happens when an employee tries to gain workers’ comp benefits by falsely stating that an injury or illness occurred at work, or by exaggerating an existing injury or illness.
“Workers’ compensation fraud … can strain business operations, lead to higher insurance costs for businesses, and even undermine honest workers who are legitimately injured on the job,” said Ranney Pageler, VP of fraud investigations at Employers.
The disconnect
The study found that:
13% of small business owners are concerned that one of their employees would commit workers’ comp fraud by faking an injury or illness to collect benefits.
21% said they are unsure of their ability to identify fraud.
24% of small business owners have installed surveillance cameras to monitor employees on the job.
The strongest indicators of potential claims fraud noted by survey respondents include:
The employee has a history of claims (58%).
There were no witnesses to the incident (52%).
The employee did not report the injury or illness in a timely manner (52%).
The reported incident coincides with a change in employment status (51%).
Nipping fraud in the bud
Investigator Pageler recommends that small business owners look for the following warning signs:
Monday morning (or start of shift) injury reports. The alleged injury occurs first thing on Monday morning, or the injury occurs late on Friday afternoon but is not reported until Monday.
Employment changes. The reported accident occurs immediately before or after a strike, job termination, layoff, end of a big project or the conclusion of seasonal work.
Suspicious providers. An employee’s medical providers or legal consultants have a history of handling suspicious claims, or the same doctors and lawyers are used by groups of claimants.
No witnesses. There are no witnesses to the accident and the employee’s own description does not logically support the cause of the injury.
Conflicting descriptions. The employee’s description of the accident conflicts with the medical history or injury report.
History of claims. The claimant has a history of suspicious or litigated claims.
Refusal of treatment. The claimant refuses a diagnostic procedure to confirm the nature or extent of an injury.
Late reporting. The employee delays reporting the claim without a reasonable explanation.
Claimant is hard to reach. The allegedly disabled claimant is hard to reach at home and does not respond promptly to messages.
Frequent changes. The claimant has a history of frequently changing physicians, addresses or jobs.
It should be noted that one of these indicators on its own may not be indicative of fraud, so don’t jump to conclusions.
What to do if you suspect fraud
Employers who suspect a worker may be committing claims fraud should first alert the special investigations unit or fraud unit within their insurance company’s claims department.
If your complaint is found to have merit and they believe the claim may be fraudulent, the insurer may report it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. But that will only happen after the insurance company has conducted its own investigation.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
More businesses are finding fewer insurers willing to write their policies for certain types of coverage that are seeing rapidly escalating claims costs, particularly in some liability lines as well as property insurance in areas with exposure to natural catastrophes.
When no insurers that are licensed in your state are willing to write a policy, we as your agent have to go to another market made up of insurance companies that are not licensed or regulated by your state government. It’s called the surplus lines (or “non-admitted”) market, and it can be a valuable alternative for insurance buyers.
As insurers get more selective writing some risks, it’s important for you as an insurance buyer to understand this market.
It is legal in every state for an unlicensed (non-admitted) insurance company to sell coverage. We can access those insurance companies as well by working with specially licensed brokers who are regulated by the state.
Unlike standard insurance companies, non-admitted companies do not have to obtain approval from state regulators for the policy forms they use or the rates they charge.
Why use a non-admitted carrier?
Why would someone buy insurance from an unregulated company? Because it might be the only one offering coverage for your type of risk. Non-admitted companies insure businesses that standard insurers avoid, such as:
Business in sectors where the cost of claims is suddenly rising, resulting in fewer licensed insurers willing to write policies.
Businesses and industries with histories of frequent or large claims.
Businesses with the potential for very severe losses, such as amusement parks or manufacturers of power tools.
New companies.
Homes and commercial properties that are vulnerable to extreme events such as hurricanes and wildfires.
Properties that require very large amounts of insurance.
What non-admitted carriers can do
State regulators limit how much standard insurance companies can charge in premiums. They will not offer coverage if they believe they cannot charge enough to make a profit.
Meanwhile, non-admitted companies can charge what they need to, so they are willing to insure these accounts. They can also quickly and easily introduce new types of insurance that businesses need.
Some types of policies that are standard today, such as cyber insurance and employment practices liability insurance, got their start in the non-admitted market.
State laws typically permit a broker to obtain coverage from a non-admitted insurer only if they cannot find coverage from admitted insurers. A broker cannot use a non-admitted insurer just to get a lower premium. Admitted insurers can only be used when the coverage is not available from the admitted insurers.
Risks
There are risks associated with non-admitted insurers. State insurance departments do not regulate or supervise non-admitted insurers. State back guarantee funds are not available for non-admitted insurers which go insolvent.
Your broker can mitigate the risks for non-admitted insurance. First, many states have a list of approved non-admitted insurers. Brokers should only use insurers on these approved lists.
Second, many non-admitted insurers are owned by large insurance holding companies. Travelers, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and other well known insurance companies have subsidiaries that are non-admitted in some states. Use of these subsidiaries is safer than stand-alone non-admitted insurers.
Lastly, non-admitted insurers are rated by AM Best as well. Brokers should ensure the non-admitted insurers meet the size and quality threshold they establish for their admitted insurers. Because the guarantee funds do not respond, financial size and strength are important for non-admitted insurers.
The takeaway
Despite the risks, the non-admitted market serves an important function, giving buyers a place to get needed coverage that would be otherwise unavailable.
Those who think they may need to tap this market should consult with us to find the right coverage at an acceptable price.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
If a natural disaster were to strike, would your company be ready? Has your management team hardened the business to continue operating in case of a disaster?
With natural catastrophes growing in number and severity, businesses more than ever need to have in place plans for a quick recovery for the sake of their investors, customers, employees and vendors.
Here are some basic tips to ensure the survival of a small business in the event of a disaster:
Create a written disaster preparation and recovery plan. This document should be in hard copy in your office and e-mailed to all workers, so that they can access the plan even if your offices are inaccessible.
Inventory on-site first aid kits and other emergency supplies.
Secure backup data offsite. What will happen if your servers are destroyed in a flood or fire at your office? If your business would be affected, you should prepare ahead of time by backing up your files at a remote location or in the cloud on a daily basis.
Designate an alternate meeting site. If your office is suddenly destroyed or inaccessible, your employees should know where to report for work. Managers should have a roster of phone numbers.
You should scope out alternate locations in case you need to arrange new office or warehouse space in a hurry.
Get a generator. Don’t count on waiting until disaster strikes to get one. There will be a run on supplies.
Ensure the generator has enough output to power your key equipment, whatever it is, from computers and printers to refrigerators.
Designate responsibilities. Who will come to the office prior to a massive storm to put up storm shutters? Who will be available to come fill and place sandbags? Who can clean up if there is severe damage, and when?
Remember that some of your employees may be busy preparing their own homes and ensuring their families’ safety. Others may be members of the National Guard, and may be mobilized for disaster response. Take this possibility into account.
Review your insurance coverage. Check all of your policies for the possible hazards they cover, as well as your policy limits to make sure they reflect your needs. Double check flood coverage. Most regular insurance coverage doesn’t cover flooding.
Double check key-person life insurance and disability insurance coverage. The same disaster that disrupts your business could disable or kill key people, and cause severe disruption to the rest of the business as well.
Consider business interruption insurance. These policies provide a cash benefit to keep a business going in case of a temporary closure. Business interruption insurance can help you continue to meet payroll and even avoid going bankrupt, or to retain valued employees while your business has shut down.
Have a public relations plan. Designate a spokesperson for the company. Reach out to the local media with your recovery story. Don’t let people get the impression your business closed, particularly if you have to relocate.
Diversify your telephone systems. Hurricanes and other disasters may knock out Verizon phones but not AT&T service, and vice versa. It can take time before workers can repair towers or reroute signals.
By ensuring your workers have different mobile providers, you can spread the risk out, so that your ability to communicate by cell phone is not wiped out by the loss of any one cell tower.
Some businesses need emergency funds if they are unable to operate after a disaster. The Small Business Administration can provide low-interest loans to qualified small businesses to help them keep running through a disaster and its aftermath.
Copy your tax returns and other key documents. Keep them online somewhere. Keep hard copies in a fireproof safe or deposit box off-site. If you live on the coast, keep it inland. If you live in a flood plain, keep it uphill.
Identify your hazards, and don’t expose your valuable assets and papers to the same hazard in two different locations.
The takeaway
There is no cookie-cutter approach to hardening your business to cope with a disaster.
All businesses are different, and one may have different needs than another business next door.
Above all, though, use your judgment, critical thinking skills and work through the different contingencies that may affect your organization.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
As the construction industry booms, contractors face evolving risks that, left unchecked, can leave their operation exposed to new liabilities.
If you already operate a construction firm, you know that there is a labor shortage that has made it difficult to find experienced workers, and that hiring entities are asking builders to take on more of the design function, as well.
Your liability picture has also likely changed with the increasing use of wrap-ups and, if you’re using technology in your operation, you now have rising cyber-security risks, too.
Lack of qualified workers
The bottom fell out of the construction industry in the U.S. during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many worksites were idled. Now that the industry has found its footing, it’s been dealing with a severe labor shortage.
As construction firms struggle to find workers, the ones who are on the job are having to take on larger workloads, which can put them at risk of injury or making mistakes.
Also, many contractors are having to take on younger, less-seasoned laborers, who may lack the experience to identify and avoid hazards, which puts them and others at risk of injury.
Those injuries in turn affect your workers’ comp premiums.
A lack of workers coupled with inexperienced new ones on sites, can also end up drawing out projects, forcing contractors to miss deadlines.
Professional liability risks
As more project owners want an all-in-one job with the lead contractor designing and building the project, contractors now face a new type of risk: professional liability.
But the typical contractor’s insurance policy doesn’t provide protection for any design work you take on. Courts have ruled that:
Designers who perform “builder activities” lose limitation of liability typically enjoyed by design professionals.
Builders who perform “design activities” assume responsibility for design deficiencies.
Wrap-ups more prevalent
Many construction projects are now covered under one general liability policy to cover the work of the general contractor, as well as of all the subs. More lenders are requiring that liability is set up in one all-encompassing policy.
A properly assembled general liability wrap-up should provide coverage not only during the construction period, but also up to 10 years after the work is completed.
These policies often reduce the cost of coverage.
More cyber-security risks
Like all industries, the construction sector has grown increasingly reliant on technology to get the job done. That exposes contractors to a variety of cyber risks, including keeping project designs, client records and employee records confidential.
Many building contracts today include clauses requiring the contractor to be responsible for potential cyber breaches.
Given the increasing popularity of practices such as “building information modeling,” “integrated project delivery,” and file-sharing between participants in a construction project, contractors may be at increased risk of liability in the event of a data breach.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
A work-related vehicle accident will cost an employer an average of at least $16,500, according to OSHA.
If injuries are involved, that figure can quadruple. If there’s a fatality, you could be looking at costs exceeding half a million dollars. Not to mention the suffering and broken lives that kind of event leaves in its wake.
To ensure your employees are safe at all times, and are also protecting the public, you need to have in place:
A proper maintenance program for company vehicles, and
A safe driving program.
Your employees play a key role in the success of both programs.
If you have workers who drive as part of their job, your commitment to workplace safety extends to the vehicles they drive.
Driver engagement
Since your workers are the ones driving your fleet vehicles, they also serve as the eyes and ears to any problems you might not be aware of.
Just like rental car companies do, you can have a check-off sheet that workers use when taking out and returning a vehicle. They can report any damage that occurs and if the vehicle is making a strange sound or running rough.
Employees should also be up front about any accidents or near misses that occur while using a company vehicle.
Staying safe on the road
Clearly state your expectations and qualifications for using a company vehicle.
Also, make sure your drivers know the repercussions for misuse. After all, employees represent your company when they travel on business.
You should train them to:
Follow all applicable traffic laws, including those relating to speed and phone use while driving.
Know what to do when they are involved in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Know how to contact roadside assistance if necessary.
Make sure the vehicle is turned off, locked and keys removed when leaving it unattended.
Also, remind your driving employees that you won’t compromise on rules or policies within your safe driving program. This way, drivers know that you’re very serious about their safety.
Fleet safety meetings
First and foremost, cover your procedures for inspecting a vehicle and how to report any trouble.
If you hold the meeting in the fleet parking area, you can show your drivers exactly how you want them to conduct the inspection that happens both when taking out a vehicle and returning it.
Make them aware that you will be conducting random inspections of your own to check they don’t ignore the examination of a vehicle before and after use.
Regularly review your safe driving policies and update them as needed.
You can incorporate customized videos and other presentations to keep your staff updated on new laws as well as remind them of existing ones.
While your employees likely have been driving for many years and may have good driving records, it’s also a good idea to review rules of the road ― especially when new laws take effect.
Just as important as safety is communications with your employees. Since you’re not usually with them on the road, you don’t know what might be happening with a vehicle ― but they do.
What you don’t know not only can hurt your bottom line, but also literally can hurt employees.
So, make sure that you instill in them the importance of reporting any issues with the vehicle or any incidents they may have been involved in.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Return them to work
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.
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.
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.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
Your workers’ underlying health can greatly affect the amount of time they are off the job recovering from a workplace injury.
Employees with pre-existing health issues like hypertension, obesity and mental health spend 60% more time recovering from workplace injuries than healthy workers, according to a study by Newport Beach, CA-based Harbor Health Systems.
These underlying health issues affect the cost of claims, increase temporary total disability (TTD) days, recidivism (aggravating of the original injury), and lead to more litigation and surgery, according to the industrial injury clinic’s analysis of 7,000 injured worker cases it handled.
The longer it takes for a worker to recover and return to work, the more expensive the claim becomes, which can affect the employer’s future workers’ comp premiums.
The findings illustrate the importance of trying to keep your employees healthy through wellness programs and access to health insurance to control their conditions.
The study looked at seven comorbidities:
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypertension
Addiction
Mental health
Tobacco use, and
Multiple comorbidities (more than one of the above)
Shocking outcomes
The two comorbidities that have the greatest impact are multiple comorbidities and obesity, followed by addiction, mental health and hypertension, with diabetes and tobacco having the lowest impact.
Relationships between comorbidities — such as the link between obesity and diabetes – can exacerbate complications and health risks. The age of the injured worker is another factor that is associated with comorbidities and can complicate the management of a claim.
Duration and cost
For claims involving multiple comorbidities, claim duration increased by 76%.
For claims involving addiction, duration increased 67%.
For claims involving obese individuals, duration increased 55%.
For claims with multiple comorbidities, total incurred costs rose by 341%.
Claims in all the comorbidity groups had significantly higher TTD days compared to the control group.
TTD days increased by 285% for multiple comorbidities claims, and 274% for addiction-related claims.
Litigation
Litigation rates for claims with multiple comorbidities are 147% higher compared to claims with no comorbidities.
Litigation rates for claims of injured workers with an addiction are 224% higher.
Litigation rates for claims of injured workers with mental health issues are 248% higher.
The takeaway
You can encourage your employees to improve their health through company wellness plans and ensure that they have access to health insurance to treat their medical issues.
Claims management experts say that insurance company adjusters need to intervene early in cases for injured workers with these comorbidities.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists (we cover the tri-state area) that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are there and will help you!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors, Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
BGES Group offers all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
Go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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.
Even if you have company cars or a fleet of vans, occasions may arise that require an employee to run an errand in their personal vehicle or one of your employees needs to rent a car while on a business trip visiting a client.
In these circumstances if you don’t have the proper coverage, you could be leaving your organization exposed to liability if an employee injures a third party in an accident. There are two types of insurance that are vital in these situations: Non-owned auto coverage and hired auto insurance.
These two policies offer very different types of coverage, and it is important to understand each to ensure you find the policy that is right for your operation:
Non-owned auto coverage — This insurance protects your company if sued as a result of an auto accident that you or one of your employees has in a personal vehicle while on company business.
Hired auto coverage — This provides your company with liability insurance for vehicles that you rent, hire or borrow on a short-term basis for business purposes.If you or an employee are in a car accident while driving one of these vehicles for work, hired auto insurance can help pay for your liability costs.
You should consider these two coverage options if your company ever rents cars or vans for business purposes (including travel to conferences, visiting clients, etc.) or if employees use their personal vehicles to run company errands.
These important coverages are usually added to a general liability policy or a commercial auto policy as an endorsement or a rider.
When there are no vehicles titled in the company name, this additional coverage will serve to meet the contract requirement for commercial auto coverage in most states.
How the coverages work
Both hired and non-owned auto insurance are a type of liability insurance, meaning they will only cover property damage and injuries to third parties, as well as any legal fees, settlements or court judgements relating to third party claims. Hired and non-owned auto insurance helps cover:
Physical damage to a third party’s vehicle,
Bodily injuries and medical expenses if a third party is hurt in an accident with you or one of your staff, and
Legal expenses if your business gets sued for negligence.
However, these polices won’t help with:
Property damage to your business’s hired or non-owned vehicle.
Medical bills if you or your employee get hurt in an accident while using rented or personal vehicles.
Liability coverage, property damage or bodily injury from an accident while you or your employee drive for personal reasons that are not related to your business.
Do you need coverage?
If your business rents or borrows vehicles to do work or if your employees use their personal vehicles on business, hired and non-owned auto coverage is crucial to manage your risk.
It can help pay for any property damage that you or your employees cause while on company business in rented or personal vehicles. It also covers vehicles used for your business if they cause bodily injury to another driver in a car accident.
BGES Group, located in Larchmont, N.Y. are New York Construction Insurance Specialists that represent 50+ companies and all the BEST general & umbrella liability programs! We offer every coverage you need including property, builders risk, inland marine, general liability, umbrella liability, auto, bid & performance bonds, workers’ compensation, N.Y.S. disability and group health. We are extremely responsive, responsible, trustworthy, fast, minimize your insurance headaches, we don’t charge ridiculous policy or service fees and when you call, text or email, whatever time of day, even weekends, we are ARE THERE to help YOU!
BGES Group are Workers’ Compensation Insurance Specialists for Tri-State Business Owners: Unhappy with your rates, company, being cancelled, losses causing difficulty getting coverage, in the middle of an audit dispute, payrolls misclassified, whatever your issue, we can help! We have special programs for: Auto Service, Contractors (especially New York), Limousine Services, Logistic Companies, Manufacturers, Recyclers, Truckers, we can help ANY tri-state business owner. We are considered “Preferred Agents” for this one program that if we can get you in, their pricing is excellent, offers long-term coverage stability and can cover multi-state operations. Program takes the hassle out of doing annual audits too.
In addition, we offer all personal insurance coverages including home, auto, boat, jewelry, fine arts, life, disability, health and long-term care. When was the last time you got a complete check up for all your coverage needs? We are extremely caring and would love the chance to help you with your personal insurance needs.
BGES Group is an insurance agency whose owner is very responsible, responsive, offers boutique, very personal service and is ALWAYS there when you need him most!
We know reading an article we post or getting an email is not the best way to consider working with someone. If you are interested, go read our “Google Reviews” and see what people have to say about us! That can give you the comfort level needed to contact us.
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
