The law requires most businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This protects employees and employers both, and it gives income to workers in the event they are injured badly enough they require time off of work to heal. For employers, workers’ compensation liability insurance gives coverage for any lawsuits that may be filed due to work-related injuries.

The amount of money employers pay for workers’ compensation insurance will vary depending on the industry of work and the company’s claim history. For companies where the work is based out of an office, insurance is much less expensive than it would be for more dangerous jobs such as warehouses, trucking companies or factories. Regardless of the industry, there are several ways employers can keep their workers’ compensation costs under control. Keep these helpful tips in mind.

Train all new employees thoroughly. According to research, about 30 percent of claims come from accidents that involve new hires. Employers should review their orientation programs to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. It is better to be too thorough than not thorough enough with these programs.

Keep safety as the top priority. Not incurring claims is the best way to keep costs lower. Employers should build a culture of safety throughout the workplace that engages workers in their efforts. For example, making safety councils where ideas are solicited from workers about how to make the workplace safer is a useful step.

Screen all potential new hires carefully. Make sure the right workers are hired initially by taking advantage of screening options. Researchers say that workers who are substance abusers are much more likely to cause accidents on the job and sustain injuries. Drug screening programs should be essential in every workplace for possible candidates, and background checks that are applicable with state laws can also help in many instances.

Classify all workers correctly. Classification codes are used to identify workers’ levels of compensation. When employees are not classified correctly, the employer may find coverage is inadequate. There are fines for wrongly classifying workers and not having enough coverage.

Manage all claims proactively. If an employee sustains an injury on the job, it is important for the employer to keep track of the worker’s condition. He or she should also begin planning for the worker’s return as soon as possible. It is better to have the worker come back and perform light duties than to stay off work for a long time waiting to return to his or her traditional heavier duties. Having a worker rejoin the workforce and perform lighter duties is a good way to help reduce a claim as well.

Workers’ compensation coverage is a must for all employers. Controlling costs will help keep the business competitive and lower expenses. To learn more, discuss concerns with an agent.

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, Workers’ 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

As businesses have gotten wise to malicious e-mails that try to trick their employees into clicking on unfamiliar links in e-mails, cyber criminals have devised a new way to con people into opening up their networks a method called “BazarCall.”

Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that blocks a user from accessing programs and data on a workstation or entire computer network until a ransom is paid to the criminals who installed the malware.

Cyber criminals typically install ransomware on networks by sending phishing e-mails (e-mails sent by someone impersonating a legitimate business) to users. The e-mails contain links that, if clicked on, give the criminal access to the user’s network.

Once access is gained, the ransomware is installed, the user’s network eventually grinds to a halt, and the user’s organization has to either pay the ransom or recreate its data.

The BazarCall threat

BazarCall has created a new threat to businesses. According to cyber insurance provider CFC, BazarCall is a new type of attack methodology, known as “telephone-oriented attack delivery” (TOAD). Here’s how it works:

• A cyber criminal sends a phishing e-mail with instructions that the recipient should call a certain phone number. The message typically refers to a subscription the recipient allegedly has.
• The recipient calls the number (supposedly a call center) and receives instructions to visit a specific website. For example, the e-mail may have advised the recipient to call the number if they no longer wish to continue the “subscription.” The “call center” directs them to a website that supposedly will enable them to cancel the subscription.
• The recipient, following instructions, visits the website. The site directs them to download a file, such as a Microsoft Excel file. Unbeknown to the recipient, the Excel file contains code that, once enabled, infects the computer with ransomware.
• From a public folder on the computer, the ransomware installs on the network and the cyber criminals are off to the races.

This method gets the initial e-mail past security screenings because it does not ask the recipient to click a link. The criminals have no need to penetrate the target’s network because the recipient does the work for them by downloading the file.

This is a relatively new method and many organizations have not warned their users about it. CFC found that this method was used in 10% of ransomware attacks in the spring of 2022.

What to do

To protect your network against BazarCall and other TOAD attacks:

• Keep antivirus and firewall firmware updated. This can help remove infections before they spread.
• Require remote users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all connections to the network. MFA requires the user to input a second identifier in addition to their password in order to gain access. It presents an additional obstacle to cyber criminals.
• Make employees and other users aware of the new threat. Raising awareness may be the single most effective thing an organization can do, since most successful attacks result from human error.

Cyber criminals are relentless in their quest to find new ways to victimize people and organizations. The financial losses they cause are growing at astronomical rates. A continuing mix of technology and user training are the best ways to fight back.

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, Workers’ 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

With a red-hot economy and many companies forced to operate with more new employees and/or limited staffing, mistakes are bound to happen and that can be costly.

These mistakes can result in workplace accidents, lagging productivity leading to missed deadlines, or errors that result in returns or, in the worst-case scenario, lawsuits by angry clients.

If your business has taken on new employees or if you’re understaffed, you have to get firm control of your operations and properly manage your risk.

The risks of new employees

Workplace injuries can increase when you have new staff with less experience on the floor. In prior recoveries, when employers increased their workforce to meet the growing demand for their products and services, the number of workers’ compensation claims tended to rise disproportionately. New employees with less experience typically are more likely to sustain a workplace injury or injure other workers.

Double down on workplace safety if you have new staff, particularly if you operate a busy workplace.

Inexperienced employees can also make mistakes, which can cause problems with customers. If the mistakes are large enough, like a large print mailer that went out with the wrong phone number, you could be sued by your client.

Again, training is key to reducing the chance of mistakes. You should have safeguards in place, like supervisors double-checking products before they are delivered to clients.

Inexperienced employees are also more likely to contribute to incidents where third parties are hurt, such as new drivers. Moreover, new hires may still be going through their training or may not be properly supervised when they work.

The risk of being short-staffed

Because of the labor shortage, many employers have been forced to operate with fewer employees than they actually need, squeezing more work out of existing staff. But tired workers make mistakes.

If you can’t find enough employees to fill open positions and are forced to work short of optimum staffing levels, you can face a number of risks:

• It can leave existing employees spread thin and stressed out.
• Lower production, service delays, or missed deadlines.
• Overworked staff are less likely to be high producers.
• If your workers become disgruntled because of being overworked, they may find fault with your leadership practices, opening you up to possible employment liability claims.
• In order to get the work done, some employees may cut corners, which can result in workplace accidents or shoddy final products.
• Overworked staff cause more workplace accidents. Some of the worst industrial disasters have been the result in part of tired workers. Bhopal, Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez oil spill all involved decisions made late at night or extremely early in the morning by people working long hours.
• If you miss deadlines or your quality slips due to staffing issues, you’re more likely to be sued by your clients.

The takeaway

The dual threat of new employees and being short-staffed creates a number of risks for companies to manage. Management and supervisors need to be especially vigilant during these times to ensure that your existing staff are not overworked and that new workers are trained properly in their jobs, as well as in the dangers in your particular workplace.

If possible, pair up new workers with experienced ones who can show them the ropes and proper work techniques, and how to avoid workplace accidents. Safety training is also key and safe work practices need to be reinforced regularly.

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, Workers’ 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

In a town about 30 minutes’ drive south from Boston, there is a former fireworks factory. The factory made and tested munitions there for more than 60 years. Its operations left the soil and water there with high concentrations of chemicals, including mercury and lead. The pollution is so bad that the site qualifies for the federal Superfund program. However, the town government instead will receive $70 million from a fund the owners negotiated with federal prosecutors.

Press reports have not mentioned the owners’ insurance coverage. This situation illustrates why businesses need environmental liability insurance.

Most businesses buy commercial general liability insurance policies. For decades, CGL policies have not covered the large sums necessary to repair environmental damage. They emphasize that they do not cover liability for injuries or property damage arising out of the actual or suspected release of pollutants. The term “pollutants” includes solids, liquids and gases, such as smoke, fumes, acids, chemicals, and waste products. While the policies may provide some limited coverage for pollution incidents, the insurers’ clear intention is to not cover most of them.

For this reason, insurers have created different types of environmental liability insurance. The Insurance Information Institute describes several of them. The owners of the fireworks factory needed environmental impairment liability insurance. This coverage applies to incidents first reported during the policy term and occurring after a specified date. For example, the date might be one, five or ten years before the date the policy took effect.

The insurance applies to the policyholder’s legal liability for pollution-related damages to specific locations. It covers the costs of government-required clean-ups of contaminated sites. It also covers damages the business owes to third parties for injuries or property damage. The cost of defending the business against associated lawsuits is also covered.

EIL coverage applies to sudden incidents, such as when a chemical storage container ruptures. It also covers gradual losses, such as when pollutants leak over a long period of time into the ground or a stream. The insurer will ordinarily inspect a site prior to providing coverage, to verify that it is not contaminated.

There are other types of environmental insurance policies as well.

– Environmental contractor liability insurance covers the operations of firms that clean up sites.

– Contractors pollution liability insurance covers pollution incidents at job sites.

– Environmental testing laboratory liability insurance covers mistakes labs make when analyzing soil, water and air.

– Pollution clean-up indemnity insurance covers ships and vessels carrying oil or other toxic substances.

– Underground storage tank pollution liability insurance covers property owners who store fuel or oil in UST’s.

– Errors and omissions insurance covers environmental consultants. It can also cover real estate agents and lenders who work with properties that turn out to be contaminated.

Massachusetts officials have pegged the cost of cleaning up the site of the old fireworks factory at up to $100 million. Costs like that can bankrupt a business. Any business or landowner who works with or suspects the presence of toxic substances should discuss this important insurance with a professional agent. If they are to survive environmental damage claims, they need this vital protection.

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, Workers’ 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

Cyber Insurance Policy

With reports of cyber criminals increasingly focusing on smaller companies for targeted attacks, now more than ever businesses that store sensitive data need to consider how they protect their information systems.

And while you can install firewalls and take other precautionary measures, should an attack occur, you will be left facing untold costs and possible fines and lawsuits by those whose data may have been exposed. One way to protect your company is by securing a cyber liability policy.

But what does a cyber policy cover, and why should you get one? You may think an attack may never target your firm, but if it does and you are without insurance coverage, you may be sorry you didn’t act.

The following are the top 10 reasons for buying a cyber liability policy:

1. Data is a very valuable asset

Your data is almost certainly worth many times more than the physical equipment that it is stored upon.

Yet most business owners do not realize that a standard property policy would not respond in the event that this data is damaged or destroyed. A cyber policy can provide comprehensive cover for data restoration and rectification in the event of a loss, no matter how it was caused and up to the full policy limits.

2. Systems downtime is not covered by a business interruption policy

If a cyber attack, computer virus or malicious employee brings down electronic point-of-sales software or other important electronic functions, a traditional business interruption policy would not respond.

Cyber insurance can provide coverage for loss of profits associated with a systems outage that is caused by a computer virus or denial-of-service attack.

3. Cyber crime is the fastest-growing type of crime

Thanks to the internet, your business is now exposed to the world’s criminals and is vulnerable to attack at any time of the day or night.

Phishing scams, ransomware, identity theft and telephone hacking are all crimes that traditional insurance policies do not address. Cyber insurance can provide comprehensive crime cover for a wide range of electronic perils that threaten your financial resources.

4. Your company can be held liable if it loses third party information

Non-disclosure agreements and commercial contracts often contain warranties and indemnities in relation to data security that can trigger expensive damages claims if a breach occurs.

Also, consumers file suit after businesses lose their data. You can also be subject to fines for not acting quickly and notifying clients whose data may have been breached.

A cyber liability policy can help protect against these various costs.

5. Businesses face severe penalties if they lose customer credit card data

Global credit card crime is worth over $7.5 billion a year, and increasingly this risk is being transferred to the retailers whose customers’ credit card data is breached.

Under merchant service agreements, compromised businesses can be held liable for forensic investigation costs, credit card reissuance costs and the actual fraud conducted on stolen cards.

These losses can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars for even a small retailer. Cyber insurance can help protect against all of these costs.

6. Complying with breach notification laws costs time and money

Breach notification laws generally require businesses that lose personal data to notify individuals that were potentially affected.

Customers who have had their data compromised expect openness and transparency from the businesses they entrusted it with. Cyber policies can cover costs associated with providing a breach notice, even if it is not legally required.

7. Your reputation is your top asset, so why not insure it?

Although there are certain reputational risks that can’t be insured, you can insure your reputation in the event of a security breach. When your systems have been compromised, you run a risk of losing the trust of your loyal customers, which can harm your business far more than the immediate financial loss.

Cyber insurance can not only help pay for the costs of engaging a PR firm to help restore this, but also for the loss of future sales that arises as a direct result of customers switching to your competitors.

8. Social media claims are on the rise

What employees say on behalf of the company on social media can be a liability if posted carelessly. A cyber policy can cover claims arising from leaked information, defamatory statements or copyright infringement.

9. Portable device loss or theft can expose your firm

A laptop left on a plane, a smartphone stolen in a restaurant or a USB stick going missing are all examples of risks that can open your company up to data theft or stolen intellectual property.

Also, the devices themselves are being targeted, with a growing number of viruses being built just for them.

Cyber insurance can help cover the costs associated with a data breach should a portable device be lost, stolen or fall victim to a virus.

10. Small firms are increasingly being targeted
While the large-scale attacks in the news often involve big companies, small firms are also at risk and often don’t have the financial resources to get back on track after a cyber attack or other kinds of data loss.

According to Symantec’s “The Threat Landscape in 2021” report, the fastest growth area for targeted attacks is on businesses with fewer than 250 employees, accounting for 31% of all attacks.

A cyber liability policy can help protect smaller companies against the potentially crippling financial effects of a privacy breach or data loss.

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, Workers’ 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

The Monday morning surprise the term for when an employee approaches you on the first morning of the working week to report an injury he or she sustained at work on Friday can be a dreaded situation for an employer.

Nearly all organizations face this at some point and the injury report is likely to trigger an agonizing chain of events, according to a report by the Society of Human Resource Management.

The Monday morning surprise comes with several questions. Is the injury truly work-related?

Could it be a case of cumulative effects? Was this an injury sustained over the weekend, on the employee’s personal time? Do you have evidence to prove it?

The injury could be legitimate (especially if it involves the musculoskeletal system) or due to cumulative exposure, but employers should be wary of instances where an employee clocks out of a shift on Friday with no reported injury and returns on Monday with an injury.

That’s a red flag for workers’ comp fraud.

What not to do

Workers’ compensation fraud experts recommend that you do not:

• Spy on employees If the employer plays investigator and creates a Big Brother atmosphere of spying on workers, especially when they’re injured, a huge divide in trust is created between employees and managers. When a supervisor functions as a spy, employees are quick to notice and feel devalued.
• Have employees sign a no-injury pledge While the intent may be positive, to eliminate work-related injuries and illnesses, such an agreement discourages early reporting and could deter a worker from reporting an actual injury that gets worse over time.
• Restrict employees’ personal activities The range of activities outside of work that could be deemed too risky for employees is impossible to define, and is not legally defensible. An employer who tries to dictate employees’ personal lives will end up with disgruntled workers.

What you can do

First you should put a policy in place that all workplace injuries should be reported to management on the day they occur. That way, the employer can investigate immediately and talk to other staff that may have witnessed the event.

The more time that goes by, the less likely that witnesses will remember anything pertinent to the claim investigation.

As you gather the facts on your injured worker, be sure to address how and when the injury occurred. Did they cite a very specific incident, or was it a gradual onset that worsened over time? If it was gradual, how long ago did the symptoms start? Did the pain stay in the same location, or is it moving around into extremities? Is it worse now after some rest or is it feeling better?

You should ask the employee why they are only reporting it on Monday, instead of Friday when the injury occurred. Often it could be an honest mistake.

Perhaps they told a supervisor who didn’t kick the information to management. Or perhaps they didn’t report it because they didn’t want to go to a clinic and thought they’d feel better after the weekend.

But the biggest violation may not be the employee’s fault, it could be yours. If they did not know they were supposed to tell you about a near-miss or incident-only injury, that’s due to poor communication on your part. Workers need to know that should any incident happen, they are required to report it.

End-of-week employee injury statement

One way to address the Monday morning surprise is to develop an “End-of-Week Employee Injury Statement.”

Your accounting department can attach something like the following statement to each employee’s paycheck:

I have not received or witnessed any injury during the course of this week’s work with [Employer Name Here.]

Employees would be required to complete the form, sign it and return it to their supervisor.

The benefits of such a reporting program include:

• Employees reporting workplace injuries in a timely manner.
• Improved management-worker communications.
• Strengthened accident prevention and employee safety.
• The ability to reconcile injuries that have occurred and to alert supervisors and management of hazardous conditions and unreported injuries.
• The identification of witnesses who should be interviewed during accident investigations.

It should be noted, however, that the use of an end-of-week statement would not be defensible against a claim for benefits at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, but it could be used to establish the condition of the employee leading up to the at-work injury.

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, Workers Compensation Insurance, 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

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Looking for a New Workers’ Compensation &/or Payroll/Workers Compensation Company That Offers “Great Coverage,” “Better Rates,” “Great Expertise” and “Great Service?”  We Offer Quality Programs for Auto Service, Construction, Limousine Services, Truckers Just About all Industries!  Call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 for Help Today! 

P.S. With Some of Our Plans You Can Purchase Your Group Health Coverage!  Doing So Affords You Lower Rates, Better Coverage Access To Larger Provider Networks!  Call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 for Help Today! 

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The Pros and Cons of Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs)

Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) earned over $20 billion in gross revenues in 2022.  Their clients, primarily small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, outsource to the PEOs the responsibilities for payroll administration, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, human resource management, and related operations. Businesses trying to reduce costs and focus on growth may find PEO’s to be an attractive option. It is an option, however, that comes with advantages and disadvantages for both employer and employee.

The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) cites a number of benefits from PEOs. The benefits for employers include:

• Access to professionals with expertise in human resources, payroll, risk management, and employee benefits.
• Assistance with labor law compliance.
• Professional claim management.
• Reduced and controlled administrative costs.
• Professionally written employee handbooks, policies, and procedures.
• Relief from some employment-related liabilities.
• Reduced workers’ compensation costs resulting from improved workplace safety.
• Reduced health insurance costs, better coverage, larger provider networks due to group purchasing power.

Employees may also benefit from PEOs in several ways.

• Access to benefits that might not have otherwise been available, such as 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, insurance, and credit union membership.
• Timely and accurate paychecks.
• Protection under federal labor laws.
• Improved communication among and between employees.
• Employees who move from one PEO to another do not necessarily lose eligibility for benefits.
• Efficient and timely claim processing.
• Assistance with employment-related issues.

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We Specialize at Offering Payroll/WC Through Professional Employer Organizations!  Looking for a New Company That Offers “Great Coverage,” “Better Rates,” “Great Expertise” and “Great Service?”  We Offer Quality Programs for Auto Service, Construction, Limousine Services, Truckers Just About all Industries!  Call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 for Help Today! 

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PEOs carry some risks. A poorly managed PEO firm may mishandle payroll and benefits or may go out of business, leaving the client with its obligations. The employer may also be legally liable for the actions or inactions of the PEO.  For example, if the PEO firm fails to comply with regulations, it may be the employer who bears ultimate responsibility. Also, the employer has a co-employer relationship with PEO. The PEO has say over who gets hired.  To date, we rarely if ever have seen this to be an issue.

Employers who decide to use PEOs should carefully evaluate the firms it considers. The financial stability of the firm and of the insurance companies providing its benefits are a major consideration, as the failure of either may leave the employer with unfunded obligations. The firm’s experience in the employer’s industry, track record of success, and safety record are also important. Another consideration is the range of benefits the firm offers; a plan that does not meet the employer’s needs will not be worth the expense of hiring the leasing firm.

PEOs is a big step and not one to be taken lightly. Employers must weigh the upsides and downsides of leasing and make decisions that is best for their employees and their businesses.

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 Workers 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

Save on Workers’ Compensation Costs by Keeping Losses Low

In 2008, U.S. employers reported 3.7 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While this number was down from the prior year, it still shows that workplace safety must be a priority for employers. When workers get hurt or sick on the job, productivity suffers, the employer becomes less attractive to the other employees, and managers’ attention shifts away from growing the business. Preventable accidents also hurt the bottom line in another way — they eventually raise workers’ compensation costs by increasing the employer’s experience modification factor.

The experience mod is a number calculated by the workers’ compensation rating bureau in the employer’s state. It’s a reflection of how the employer’s loss history for the prior three years (not including the current year) compares to that of an average employer in the same industry. It takes into account the size of the employer’s payroll for those years, and the number and severity of its losses. The formula penalizes an employer more so for frequent losses than for expensive ones. For example, an employer with 10 losses of $3,000 each will have a higher experience mod than will a similar employer with one loss of $30,000. The insurance company must, by law, multiply the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance premium by the experience mod factor; a factor of less than 1.0 reduces the premium, while a factor greater than 1.0 increases it. Therefore, it makes financial sense for employers to take steps to prevent frequent on-the-job accidents.

There are several things employers can do to improve their accident records and save on their workers’ compensation premiums.

* Management should make workplace safety a top priority. The things that are important to managers become important to workers. Provide continuing training to workers on job site safety and enforce safety requirements.

* Obtain and review publications about the industry from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These publications provide practical recommendations for preventing injuries. For example, the “Construction – Hand and Power Tools” category has a document titled, Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations.

* Keep the work environment clean. This reduces the risk of employees contracting airborne illnesses; eliminating clutter makes trip-and-fall accidents less likely.

* Maintain machinery and equipment in good working order. Check it regularly for safe operation.

* Institute programs to keep the workplace drug and alcohol free. Within legal parameters, test employees for drug and alcohol use.

* Review loss information from insurance companies. Look for trends in the types of losses that occur. They could indicate dangerous work procedures, incentives that cause employees to rush, defective tools, or another factor in need of correction.

* Take advantage of the expertise in the insurance company’s loss control department, particularly if the company specializes in insuring businesses in that particular industry. They can recommend measures that have proven to work for similar businesses.

* Monitor employee morale. Unhappy workers can become careless or slipshod in their work. Take steps to improve morale and to deal with employees who may be causing problems.

* Review the experience mod worksheet with the firm’s insurance agent. Ensure that the insurance companies have accurately reported all losses to the rating bureau. Ask to have errors corrected, and follow up with the agent until it happens.

* Require employees to report all injuries, no matter how minor they appear. Make sure that injured employees receive prompt medical attention.

No one benefits when employees get hurt on the job. With focus and effort, employers can make workplace injuries less frequent and less severe. That will make their businesses better places to work and add hard-earned dollars to the bottom line.

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

As Risks Rise, You Need a Commercial Umbrella

As a responsible business owner, you no doubt make sure that you are properly insured for any liabilities resulting from damage to other parties.

But, imagine the following scenarios:

• What if a visitor trips and falls at your business, breaking a leg and is unable to work for a few months while they recover?
• What if a customer suspected of stealing later proves his innocence and sues for defamation of character?
• What if one of your employees, driving a company truck, rams into a passenger car severely injuring some of the occupants?

The costs of a large financial settlement could surpass the primary liability limits of your existing insurance policies, leaving your business responsible for the rest of those costs. And a high-cost accident or lawsuit could potentially put your company out of business.

To avoid any of these scenarios, it’s wise to carry a commercial umbrella policy, which will essentially pick up where your primary insurance leaves off — or runs out.

All of your policies have limits. Once those limits have been breached, the other party can sue and go after your firm’s assets. Breaching those limits is getting easier due to the increasing prices of vehicles as well as health care costs, should the other party suffer physical injuries.

An umbrella policy will also cover you for liability for which there is no primary insurance, or when a primary policy includes an exclusion that the umbrella policy doesn’t.

Unfurling the umbrella

An umbrella policy will kick in after limits are breached for:

• Commercial general liability (bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, defense costs and attorney’s fees, limited contractual liability).
• Business owner’s liability.
• Business auto liability.
• Employer’s liability.

Most umbrella insurers require you to purchase primary insurance coverage before selling you an umbrella policy for example, general liability insurance, auto liability insurance, workers’ compensation or employers’ liability insurance.

Umbrella policy limits may range from $1 million to $10 million, depending on the policy and the insurance company underwriting the policy.

Excess liability

If your company operates in a business area that has potentially higher liabilities, you can secure an excess liability policy that kicks in after the umbrella policy is breached.

This coverage provides extra liability limits over an umbrella policy. It typically follows the terms of the first underlying insurance policy.

Higher limits may be necessary for businesses with high loss potential, high profile, sizable sales, numerous assets, large auto fleets, a worldwide presence, and/or significant public exposure.

The takeaway

Every business is at risk of being sued at some point, and some companies see more litigation than others. It’s important that you carry the appropriate amount of liability coverage to account for the most common risks your business may face.

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

Fudging Workers’ Comp Payroll Records Can Cause Major Problems, Even Jail Time

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’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