The U.S. Department of Labor in January 2024 finalized a new federal rule that will make it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors.

The final rule formally rescinds the independent contractor rule issued by the DOL during the Trump administration a few years ago and provides a different interpretation of how the key test of employment, called the “economic realities test,” should be applied.

But for employers it is likely to sow confusion and may result in individuals being improperly designated as employees when they are, in fact, operating as independent contractors.

Companies who hire contractors that work exclusively for them will have the hardest time trying to continue classifying them as independent contractors. Here are the proposed changes you may want to pay attention to in case your firm uses outside contractors.

The debate about classifying workers has been brewing for decades. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees have rights to benefits that elude independent contractors, including the rights to a minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, health insurance, sick time and employer contributions to Social Security taxes.

Their employers also purchase workers’ compensation insurance to cover them if they are injured on the job.

The final rule

The new rule allows an employer to classify someone as an independent contractor if, “as a matter of economic reality,” that person is in business for themselves.

What “economic reality” is depends on the answers to a six-pronged test, which the courts had used until the Trump-era rule.

Note: One answer by itself does not make a person an independent contractor.

Can the worker increase their pay only by working more hours or producing more? If so, this might make the person an employee. Conversely, they do so by negotiating pay, selecting projects, marketing their service or cutting expenses? That would tend to make them an independent contractor.

Does the employer purchase most of the worker’s tools and equipment? This might make the person an employee. On the other hand, if their investments are for purposes like expanding the types and amounts of work they can do or cutting expenses, that might tend to make them an independent contractor.

Under the rule, when comparing investments made by the worker and potential employer, the analysis should focus on the types of investments made by each and not focus exclusively on the relative size of the investments.

Does the employment relationship have a definite end date? If so, this implies that they’re an independent contractor. Otherwise, they might be an employee.

How does the employer control the worker, and how much? The worker may be an employee if the employer:

• Sets their schedule
• Supervises the work
• Explicitly limits their ability to work for others
• Can discipline the individual
• Monitors their activity.

The less control the employer has, the more likely the worker is an independent contractor.

Is the person’s work integral to the employer’s business? The more integral the work is, the more likely the person is to be an employee. The less integral it is, the more likely they are to be an independent contractor.

Does the worker use specialized skills developed outside the employment? If the worker doesn’t use specialized skills or depends on the employer for training, they are more likely to be an employee. If the person brings those skills to work and does not rely on the employer for training, they are more likely an independent contractor.

The takeaway

If your firm uses independent contractors as a normal course of business, you will need to revisit your practices and determine if the new rule changes your relationship with them. It may be wise to consult legal counsel.

Finally, business organizations have already indicated they will challenge the rule-making in court. And some Senate Republicans have said they will seek to repeal the rule via the Congressional Review Act.

For now, however, the new rule is codified and applicable. It takes effect on March 11, 2024.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

The construction industry has the highest percentage of electrical fatalities out of all industries.

While electricity is a crucial component in a construction project’s success, it poses a risk of harmful shock, horrific burns or fatal electrocution. These accidents can occur when workers come into contact with power lines, wiring, transformers or other electrical machinery.

Fortunately, there are steps that companies can take to minimize the dangers. The following are eight tips on how to improve electrical safety in the construction industry:

1. Provide personal protection — Electrical safety in the industry starts at a personal level. All the electrical work personnel or people working in an area with electrical materials should wear protective gear, such as insulated gloves and footwear. This provides basic safety when they get into contact with electrical equipment, whether accidentally or intentionally.
2. Training in handling electrical equipment — Electrical mishaps can occur when there is misuse or mishandling of electrical equipment. Workers should be trained on how they should handle and operate the equipment safely. Conduct regular training to ensure the workers don’t become lax when they use the same equipment.
3. Use proper testing equipment — Proper testing equipment should be part of the essential tools required on a construction site. Voltage detectors, receptacle testers and clamp meters are among the tools every worksite should have to enhance electrical safety and help prevent electrical accidents.
4. The right signage — Lack of awareness can lead to catastrophic electrical accidents. All electrical hazards should be marked to warn your workers of the dangers. The signs should have labels in language and illustrations that can be easily understood by a layman. This way, all the personnel working on the site can take precautions and avoid electrical accidents.
5. Proper risk assessment and planning — Conduct a risk assessment survey of the worksite before operations begin. This will help identify hazards that can compromise electrical safety and allow you to come up with solutions accordingly.
   The assessment will also help your team develop a plan on how to lay out electrical infrastructure with safety in mind. A plan will indicate where and how electrical equipment will be placed and how the wiring will be done.
6. Use circuit breakers and voltage regulators — Even with all the planning and precautions, emergencies can occur in case of a power surge, short-circuit or any other electrical issue. That’s why it’s essential to have circuit breakers and voltage regulators to cut off power during such situations.
   The ability to regulate or shut down power supply on time during a crisis can avert catastrophic damage and loss of life on a site.
7. Avoid wet conditions — Electrical equipment and infrastructures in the worksite should be shielded from coming into contact with water at all costs. This should be done during the planning process. When the equipment comes into contact with water, the power supply should be cut off immediately and later turned back on a professional electrician’s recommendation.
8. Organize and insulate all exposed cables — A construction area should never have messy or uncovered power cables. When unorganized, the cables can contact each other, resulting in short-circuiting and possibly fire. If left uncovered, workers may accidentally touch them, leading to shock or electrocution.
   Cover all cables in a construction site with appropriate insulating material and organize the cables to enhance electrical safety.

The takeaway

While overall safety is a significant concern in the construction industry, electrical safety can be contained if the right measures are implemented.

The above tips can help construction firms to boost electrical safety in their operations. However, all the parties on a construction site must be diligent for maximum electrical safety.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

Dump truck and semi-trailer dumping rig tip-overs are occurring at an increasing frequency, often resulting in drivers and sometimes workers on the ground being injured or killed. 

The reason for the increase is that end-dump-truck bodies and semi-trailer dumping rigs are being built longer than ever before.

For the most part, tip-overs are more often associated with semi-trailer rigs than with straight dump trucks, but both are susceptible to tipping over. 

If you have these vehicles in your fleet, you should be concerned about the main factors that can result in tip-overs:

• Truck stability
• Poor hazard controls
• Poor maintenance 
• Improper loading
• Improper dumping

Stability

The time when the dump truck is at its most unstable is when the box is in the raised position. When the center of gravity of the box and load is not roughly between the frame rails of the unit, there is a risk of tip-over (see diagram). 

One or more of the following factors can adversely affect stability: 

• The truck is on an unlevel surface when dumping. 
• There is too much material in the upper portion of the raised box. 
• Material gets stuck in the top portion of the box, or on one side of the top portion.
• The rear wheels settle unevenly as the load slides out of the box. 
• Heavy winds can tip trucks with raised boxes over, especially if the box is of the longer variety. 

Hazard control

You should also avoid using semi-trailer dump trucks on rough grading, or on uneven or loosely compacted surfaces. 

If you are hauling material on these types of surfaces, you should opt for a straight dump truck instead, which has less chance of slippage since it is not pulling a trailer. 

If the truck is hauling aggregates that will be spread for road construction, belly-dump semi-trailers are a better and safer choice than end-dump semi-trailers.

We understand that you may not always have a choice of dump vehicles, but you should try to use trucks that are appropriate for the conditions. 

One other consideration: In cold weather environments, you should consider heated boxes. Otherwise, there is a chance the materials may freeze in the box and stick during dumping. 

Maintenance 

Preventive maintenance can also reduce the chances of tip-overs. 

• Check tire pressures before the start of each work day. The pressure should be the same on both sides of the vehicle, and according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Uneven pressure can cause instability.
• Examine and lubricate pins and bushings regularly. 
• Inspect suspension systems under the box to ensure that they work properly and provide even suspension. If the suspension system is worn or weak, replace it immediately. 
• Inspect hoist cylinders regularly. If worn, replace them with cylinders of the same specification (no smaller cylinders and none that are rated at lower operating pressure). 
• Make sure that repairs to boxes leave the bottom and sides clear and unrestricted. Rough patchwork repairs near the top of the box can catch and hold sticky materials. 

Loading

Boxes should be loaded front to back, and the load must be less than allowable gross weight and axle weight limitations set by the U.S. Department of Transportation or your state’s DOT. 

Don’t pile too much material at the top end of the box, as it can impede the flow. Consider spreading it out more or reducing the load. 

You may also want to install box liners, which can help materials flow better during dumping. 

Dumping

Follow safe operating procedures when dumping materials. 

• Operators should be trained to recognize unsafe dumping areas like soft surfaces or surfaces that are not properly compacted. Before dumping, the truck should be on a reasonably level surface.
• Before dumping, operators should ensure that the tailgate is unlocked. 
• Before spreading material by dumping it from a moving truck, make sure that the entire length of travel is reasonably level. 
• Trucks should not dump when they are parked side by side with another vehicle, as this can risk injury to the operator of the adjacent vehicle. 
• Dumping operations should not be too close together, which increases the risk of injury. 
• Other personnel must be warned prior to the dumping operation to stay clear. 
• Workers should not congregate in areas where dumping is under way. 

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

Dump Truck Tip Overs

One of the by-products of the digital revolution – with most people staring many hours each day at tablets, smart phones and computers – is eye strain.

According to The Vision Council, the average U.S. adult spends more than two hours a day looking at electronic screens. Looking at such screens for too long can result in dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision and eye fatigue, as well as headaches.

Besides the trouble for eyes, using these devices can also result in back and neck pain from that hunched-over position that many people use when on these devices.

Prolonged use can cause “computer vision syndrome,” which manifests itself in a number of symptoms like eye strain, dry eyes, blurred vision, red or pink eyes, burning, light sensitivity, headaches and pain in the shoulders, neck and back.

To help prevent digital eye strain, you should ensure that:

• Your employees sit with their eyes about 30 inches from their computer screen,
• Your employees rest their eyes every 15 minutes, and blink frequently, which helps keep the eyes moist. It’s been found that when people work on computers they blink about one-third as much as they typically would.
• You have proper lighting in the office. Eye strain often is caused by excessively bright light, either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. When you use a computer, ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices.
  If possible, turn off the overhead fluorescent lights in your office and use floor lamps that provide indirect incandescent or halogen lighting instead.
• Upgrade your displays. If you have not already done so, replace your old tube-style monitor (called a cathode ray tube, or CRT) with a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), like those on laptop computers. LCD screens are easier on the eyes and usually have an anti-reflective surface.
• Adjust computer display settings, which can help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Ask your employees to adjust the brightness of their display so it’s approximately the same as the brightness of the surrounding workstation. They can also adjust text size and contrast.

Consider vision benefits

If you don’t already do so, consider offering your workers vision benefits.

First off, your employees would be more apt to get a much-needed pair of glasses that have anti-glare attributes for when they work on computers.

Computer glasses are specially designed for optimizing vision when viewing content on screens, and they can be provided with or without a prescription.

Wearing computer glasses can help users experience more relaxation, sharper focus and reduced blurriness and pixilation, which can cause discomfort unless corrected. The lens designs allow the eyes to relax, adjusting to intermediate-distance objects and reducing glare during prolonged use of digital devices.

Also, workers with vision benefits tend to get regular eye exams, which can identify serious chronic conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and some tumors.

Detecting these symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and better treatment of the conditions.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

The cyber-security landscape changes constantly. This year, experts are predicting greater threats to business computer networks and individuals seeking to keep their information private.

For employers, it’s important to stay on top of these threats so that they can ensure that their security protocols and internal procedures are up to the task of beating them back.

Recent reports from cloud-computing provider Google Cloud and cyber-security vendor Netwrix forecast several trends, including:

• Tighter cyber insurance requirements. Insurers already insist that their policyholders implement employee security training, multi-factor authentication and security patch management. Netwrix predicts that in 2024 carriers will also require user identity and access management practices.
• Artificial intelligence will have negative and positive effects. Google Cloud says criminals will use AI to make phishing attacks and information-theft attempts more convincing. However, it will also make event response and analysis faster.
• Theft of encrypted data will become more frequent.Netwrix says criminals will bet on future improvements in technology that will permit them to eventually unlock encrypted data that is unintelligible today.
• Criminals will seek out and exploit ‘zero-day vulnerabilities.’ These are security holes in software that are unknown to the manufacturer or vendor when it is released. Criminals will look for these weaknesses and use them to infiltrate systems.
• AI will make criminals convincingly multilingual.Netwrix expects criminals to use AI to write e-mails in languages other than English and with better grammar. This will make phishing e-mails more difficult for even wary users to spot.
• Security fatigue will become a greater problem.Experts and organizations warn users often about cyber-security risks and require frequent training. However, the constant warnings and admonitions about passwords may wear them out.
  Users accessing systems remotely may have to enter as many as five or six passwords before they even begin working. Security fatigue can cause user errors that security is supposed to prevent.
• Current events will influence and be influenced by cyber crime.The 2024 U.S. elections, the Summer Olympic Games, military conflicts around the world and animosity between the U.S. and China may lead cyber criminals to select certain targets. They may also use technology to impact these events.

What to do

These new challenges can seem overwhelming, but there are things individuals and businesses can do to face them:

• Regularly assess cyber-security risks and implement improved mitigation methods to address them.
• Make encryption one facet of data protection, not the only one. Invest in incident detection technologies and create a written plan for incident response.
• Recognize that stolen encrypted data may not be used immediately. Monitor the internet for future use of the data.
• Update phishing training for users so they will be more suspicious of even convincing e-mails.
• Similarly, train non-English speakers on the potential for phishing e-mails in their languages.
• Require users to have unique strong passwords that they must change every three months or less.
• Limit and control the use of system administrator access.
• Tailor awareness training to the needs of specific user groups to avoid overwhelming all users with security information they might not use.

The takeaway

Computer network technology runs the world. Systems and data will always be inviting targets for criminals. Constant awareness of the threats coupled with effective mitigation steps will help protect individuals and organizations from the worst effects.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

In the course of doing business, you may sometimes find yourself entering into contracts requiring that your business be named as an additional insured on another party’s insurance policies.

This is often done to make sure that your own insurance is not depleted by defense and indemnification costs for losses for which you may be legally liable as a result of the business relationship you have with the other party, and that are not due to your own firm’s direct negligence.

An additional insured is defined as an individual or entity that is not automatically included as an insured under the policy of another, but for whom the named insured’s policy provides a certain degree of protection.

When to opt for additional insured statusThere are many instances when you may want your firm included as an additional insured on another’s policy. Here are just a few examples:

• If you are a building owner, you want to be an additional insured on the property and general liability insurance of your tenants in case one of them damages your building or in the event that a visitor to the property is injured.
• If you are the owner or a contractor on a construction project, you want to be an additional insured on the general liability insurance of your contractors and subcontractors in case there is an injury to one of their employees.
• If you are a distributor or a retailer, you may want to be an additional insured on the insurance programs of the manufacturers of the products that you sell.
• If a contractor comes onto your property to perform work of any type, including erecting displays or other maintenance or structural work, you will want to be named as an additional insured on their policy in case the display falls on someone, or someone is injured due to the work they are performing. You don’t want to be held responsible for any dangers or injuries created by the contractor’s work.

If you are to become an additional insured on another company’s policy, you need to confirm that the other party has indeed named your company as an additional insured with its insurance company. Their word alone is not good enough.

You should demand a copy of the policy that explicitly lists your company as such. You want to see a copy of the policy and not the certificate of insurance, which is not sufficient proof that your company has been added.

Additional insured status is effectively conferred through an additional insured endorsement to the other party’s original insurance policy. An endorsement essentially serves as an amendment to the terms of an insurance policy that is incorporated into the relevant insurance policy.

These amendments can take the form of an endorsement that specifically names a particular additional insured, or a general endorsement that identifies some class of parties as additional insureds.

But, if there is ever a dispute about your company’s status as an additional insured, you will want to have in hand not only the other party’s certificate of insurance, but also a copy of the policy itself and the endorsement that makes your company an additional insured.

Ensuring your status is properly secured

There are a few best practices that you can implement to help make certain your firm’s status as an additional insured has been properly secured:

• At a minimum, always insist on receiving a copy of the relevant additional insured endorsement, as this is the instrument that establishes additional insured status;
• An additional insured endorsement does not, however, state an insurance policy’s terms and conditions. In order to avoid being surprised by unexpected policy terms (such as strict notice requirement or unfavorable notice of cancellation provisions), you should ask for and receive a copy of the entire insurance policy under which you are an additional insured, and be sure to read it; and
• Retain additional insured endorsements and the relevant insurance policies for as long as there is any potential that claims triggering those policies might be made.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

For the most part, when a business needs to file an insurance claim, the carrier accepts the claim and sends out an adjuster to assess the damage, after which it starts paying the claim.

But the process sometimes doesn’t go smoothly, particularly if the insurance policy includes any number of exclusions. And many companies make mistakes in the claims process that may violate their policy’s conditions.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your claim is paid, as follows:

Contact your insurer immediately — When an accident or loss occurs that’s potentially covered by your policy, you should contact your insurer right away. The earlier the better as it’s easier for a carrier to assess any damage shortly after an incident.

If you are late in filing your claim, the insurer may question the severity of injury or damage.

Also, most business insurance policies require policyholders to promptly file claims for damage or loss. If you fail to report a loss or claim within a reasonable amount of time, your insurer may deny coverage on the basis that you’ve breached the insurance contract.

Review the insurance policy carefully — Review the insurance policy to understand what it does and doesn’t cover. Be sure to read the entire contract, including all endorsements. If you have trouble understanding the wording, feel free to call us for assistance.

Review your policy again before you file a claim. Be sure you understand the duties you are obligated to fulfill to obtain payment for a loss.

Create an inventory of losses — This is essential for providing a clear picture of the loss or damage. Include descriptions of items, their original values and estimated current values. You should keep receipts for high-cost items and equipment as backup documentation.

It is also helpful to include a description about the condition of the item before it was damaged. If it is possible to take photos of the damaged items, do so and submit them with your claim.

Show proof of the loss — Insurers require policyholders to sign sworn statements that show proof of their losses, and the required information must be sent along with the statement.

This statement must be made and signed within 60 days of the insurer’s first request for it.

Prepare for the adjuster — Be ready for the adjuster to inspect the property. Document any losses that occurred and take as many photos as necessary to provide a clear image of the losses.

If there is a large number of photos, you can create a file on the cloud or save them on a thumb drive that you can provide to the adjuster.

It is also helpful to do a walk-through of the damaged area with a video camera or a cell phone camera. Videos help show the damage live and from multiple angles. Use videos to supplement photo files.

Make temporary repairs if needed — If you have to make temporary but necessary repairs, you can do so before the agent or adjuster surveys the property, but contact your insurer first to let them know. Do not order any unnecessary repairs.

The only types of temporary repairs that should be made are those that will prevent further damage or prevent a possible liability. For example, a temporary roof repair may be necessary to prevent the roof from collapsing and injuring people, and a broken window may be fixed to prevent rain from coming in a building and causing damage.

Since repairs are deducted from the settlement, keep receipts for any services and items purchased. For contracted work, obtain two written bids from separate companies before hiring someone. 

A final word

Always stay organized when going through the claims process. Keep all papers and files accessible and have information ready in the event that your adjuster calls.

When talking to any repair companies or other related parties on the phone, keep track of calls and the reason for calls. Save receipts for any items that you purchased in relation to the damage.

If you have any questions about filing a claim on one of your policies, feel free to give us a call.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

When you’re in the construction industry you already have lots to worry about: Keeping your workers safe in one of the most dangerous industries, uninsured or underinsured subcontractors, and finding experienced employees from a shrinking pool of talent.

Not only that, but lawsuits lurk in any project, exposing you to serious losses that can threaten the survival of your business. For these reasons, it’s important that you understand your insurance coverages and that you know how to address any deficiencies that may exist in your risk management strategy.

To make sure that you are not left exposed, we recommend the following:

Choose the right insurance company — We can help you find an insurance company with the experience in writing policies in your industry and the resources to tailor coverage to your needs. Remember, some large projects and lenders require that you are covered by only an A-rated insurer.

Don’t buy the cheapest policy — If the policy price is significantly lower than other insurers, that may be a red flag. Make sure the insurer will be covering what the project owner, your lenders and other stakeholders require. If you find out your policy is deficient after you’ve purchased it, you’ll have to cancel it and buy a new one. There go your profits.

Understand your policy — All policies have exclusions and you should understand what the insurance company will cover and what it won’t. We can sit down with you and review every line of your policy, including any additional insured endorsements or exclusions, so you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.

Don’t buy insurance you don’t need — We can do a thorough review of your business and its risks with your help. It’s important your coverage meets your needs and that you don’t carry coverage for risks you’re unlikely to face.

Use the correct class codes — It’s easy to misclassify certain employees, and if you err it can come back to haunt you. When it’s time for renewal, go through your books and make sure you have job descriptions for all of your employees. Keep track of your staff so that you get it right the first time.

Also, keep track of new employees that you hire (or let go) during the course of the year, so that adjustments can be made to your policy.

Avoid the independent contractor trap — During the last few years, the IRS, the Department of Labor and a number of state agencies across the country have been cracking down on the practice of worker misclassification.

There are many implications for classifying someone who is an employee as a contractor, and all of them are costly. You could be looking at back taxes, owing additional workers’ comp premiums, lawsuits, and more.

Don’t understate payroll — If your insurer audits your business and they find that your numbers just don’t add up, you could end up having to pay additional premium or risk policy cancellation.

Understand how ‘claims-made’ coverage works — “Claims-made” policies have lower up-front and ongoing costs and they only let you make a claim during the policy year during which a project is being built.

The biggest drawback of these policies is that if you have to file a claim years after the project is completed, you may be out of luck — especially if you’ve switched insurance companies.

Check your subs’ insurance certificates — Know whether or not your policy will cover subcontractors or if they need to carry their own liability coverage. Verify that any subcontractors you use have valid and current certificates of insurance.

Keep your policies current and up to date — Many factors should prompt you to revisit your insurance policy: Hiring new employees, buying new equipment or vehicles, or opening a new office. 

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

There are many issues that can cause setbacks for businesses. Electrical fires can damage inventory and equipment as well as shut down a business temporarily. Customer injuries can lead to lawsuits, natural disasters can destroy property and burglaries can result in thousands of dollars of losses in equipment and valuables.

After any of the above events you’ll have to file a claim with your insurer. But if you aren’t prepared, take too long to file your claim or fail to document all of your losses, you may not receive a full claims payout. You can avoid that by following these tips:

Gather all the information — Before you file a claim, you have to first understand what happened, because the insurer and your claims adjuster will need detailed accounts of the event and circumstances leading up to it.

Look at the insurance policy to see if there are any other necessary steps to take. Some policies include instructions about what to do if certain types of insurable losses occur.

Don’t procrastinate during this time. It’s important that you quickly collect and document all the pertinent information.

File a claim with your insurer — The most efficient way to get your claim started is by contacting the insurance carrier directly.

The best way to get the claim underway is by visiting your carrier’s website and going through their claims process. Many offer a convenient online method, but also provide an 800 number to call if you prefer to speak to someone one-on-one.

Whether you do it online or over the phone, you will be walked through the claims intake process. Be prepared to provide the information you gathered in the first step because your insurance company will need to know all the details about what and when it happened to properly assess your claim.

Most insurers will contact you within 24 to 48 hours after you file your claim.

Inform us of the claim — Once your claim has been started, it’s now time to inform us, your insurance agent. In addition to answering any questions, we can explain your coverage and properly set expectations for what’s to come.

Additionally, if your claim has any complexity or nuance, we will be able to work with the carrier and/or provide useful advice and guidance.

Create an inventory of losses — While you wait for the claims adjuster to contact you or for them to come out to assess the damage, you can work on creating an inventory of your losses.

This is essential for providing a clear picture of the loss or damage. Include descriptions of items, their original values and estimated current values. It is also helpful to include a description about the condition of the item before it was damaged.

If it is possible to photograph the damaged items, take photos for the insurer. Find copies of any receipts for damaged items.

It is also helpful to do a walk-through of the damaged area with a video camera or a cell phone video camera. Videos help show the damage live and from multiple angles. Use them to supplement photo files.

Show proof of the loss — Insurers require policyholders to sign sworn statements that show proof of their losses, and the required information must be sent along with the statement. This statement must be made and signed within 60 days of the insurer’s first request for it.

Make temporary repairs if needed — If temporary repairs must be made to prevent further damage or to protect other assets, they can be completed before the adjuster surveys the property. Do not order any unnecessary repairs.

The only types of temporary repairs that should be made are those that will prevent further damage or prevent a possible liability. For example, a temporary roof repair may be necessary to prevent it from collapsing and injuring people, or a broken window may be fixed to prevent rain from coming into a building and causing water damage.

Since repairs are included in the settlement, keep receipts for any services and items purchased. For contracted work, obtain two written bids from separate companies before hiring someone.

The takeaway

Always stay organized when going through the claims process. Keep all papers accessible, and have information ready in the event that an agent or adjuster calls.

When talking to any repair companies or other related parties on the phone, keep track of calls and the reason for the calls. Save receipts for any items that are purchased in relation to the damage. To learn more about what to do during the claims process, give us a call.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group

Emergencies usually happen without notice, but if you have an emergency action plan in place and have trained workers to respond quickly and appropriately, you have a better chance of weathering the event, relieving anxiety – and potentially saving lives.

Management commitment and worker involvement are essential to an effective emergency action plan.

The action plan should be explained to workers and reviewed whenever the plan or responsibilities change.

But, how good is your emergency action plan? Does it account for different types of emergencies and set out steps employees need to take?

Find out by asking yourself and your workers the following questions:

General questions

• Is there a means of reporting emergencies and accounting for personnel before and after an incident?
• Who is the person responsible for decision-making during emergency conditions?
• Does everyone in the workplace know the procedures to follow in various emergency scenarios (e.g., fire, explosion, earthquake, chemical spill, workplace violence)?
• Do workers know the escape routes and evacuation procedures, including where to reassemble for a headcount or for further instruction?
• Do they know where emergency supplies are located?

Medical questions

• Do your employees know how to respond in the event of a medical emergency?
• Are there workers trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid? Does the worksite have first aid equipment that corresponds to the possible injuries workers may encounter (e.g., emergency wash stations, personal protective equipment (PPE), oxygen tanks, ice packs)?
• Are emergency response phone numbers (fire department, ambulance, medical facility, etc.) clearly posted where they can be readily accessed?

Fire questions

• Does the worksite have fire extinguishers that match the possible fire hazards?
• Have workers practiced using the fire extinguishers so that they’re aware of their operation and limitations?
• Have the fire extinguishers been recharged within the last year? (They must be tagged to indicate the recharge date.)

Spill questions

• Does the worksite have absorbent material that matches the quantity and type of chemicals which could spill?
• Do you have relevant PPE that would be needed to respond to a chemical spill?
• Have employees been properly trained in how to safely respond to a chemical spill?

The next step

The answers to the above questions should be in your emergency action plan and/or should be accounted for in your training and safety materials for your workers and supervisors. If your plan is silent on any of the questions, you should take the time to update it.

If you don’t have an emergency action plan, you can use the questions to guide you as you create one.

Once you have established your emergency action plan, make sure employees are trained and retrained in the possible emergencies they may encounter, the emergency procedures they should follow, any first aid or rescue procedures, and in the location of emergency response equipment and phone numbers.

In an emergency, an immediate, educated response can save lives, the business operation and thousands of dollars in potential losses.

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.

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 – 2024 – BGES Group