Category: Industry News

OSHA Posting Reminder

January 19, 2018

As a reminder per this email, all employers with 11 or more employees (except those in certain low-hazard establishments in the retail, professional services, finance and real estate sectors) are required to post the OSHA 300 Form summarizing their workplace illnesses and injuries for 2017. This must be posted in a place where the employees can easily read the information and understand the types of accidents that are occurring at their workplace. This form must be posted until the end of April 2018.

Please contact Steve Gutilla, Jr. with any questions you may have.

 

IIABCal: Legislative Update on Fire Insurance Legislation Proposed In 2018

January 9, 2018

There is the potential to be as many as 30 fire insurance related legislative measures introduced by the February 16, 2018 bill introduction deadline for the year, the majority of which to be potentially sponsored by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.

These are currently proposals, with the exception of those in Section I which have been formally introduced. The following is intended to provide a primer on potential legislative action in this issue area.

Click here to read on.

 

Quarterly Conference Call: Workers’ Compensation

January 4, 2018

 

Mark you calendar and remind your clients:

D&D Insurance invites our clients to a quarterly Worker’s Compensation conference call! The call will be held on January 10th, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

Topics covered include:

-Proper claim reporting
-First Aid
-MPN requirements
-Proper DWC-1 execution
-Transitional return to work

Please RSVP to Michelle at (559) 437-6812 if you’d like to attend.

Solar Equipment and Artificial Lawns: Customer Info

January 2, 2018

We are seeing an uptick in People installing Solar Equipment and or Artificial Lawns to their homes and businesses.

Solar Equipment:

  • Solar equipment can be either leased or bought outright. A typical lease states the user must indemnify for repairs beyond normal maintenance. In either case, check with the Insurance Co. Underwriter on how they want to increase coverage. Some are increasing it by Dwelling/Building limits and others are requesting it to be added by Endorsement. Ask the client if it is attached to the roof or a separate standalone structure. If it is a standalone structure, remember to increase the “Other Structure” limits or by Endorsement. The point being, the Solar Equipment adds overall value to the Risk and needs to be accounted for in the risk valuation. We don’t want to be short changed if the property is destroyed, i.e. fire.

 

Artificial Lawn:

  • Artificial lawns are still classified under Tress, Plants & Lawns extension of coverage. There are financial limitations for lawn coverage. Most Dwelling or Business policies have a maximum lawn allowance of $500.00 to $1,000.00. Artificial lawns are not cheap, so inquire with the client on costs. The lawn will need to be a “Scheduled Item”. There is a new trend of Artificial Lawns being stolen.

 

On behalf of John Manning & The Claims Team

IRS Notice 2018-06

December 29, 2017

On Dec. 22, 2017, the IRS issued Notice 2018-06, which extended the 2017 deadline for furnishing statements to individuals under Sections 6055 and 6056. Notice 2018-06 also extended good-faith relief from penalties for 2017 reporting. However, the notice does not extend the due date for filing forms with the IRS for 2017. This ACA Bulletin outlines the new due date and additional guidance in this notice. Click here to read more.

Safety Saturday: Wildfire Preparation and Recovery Tips from Travelers

December 9, 2017
Wildfire Preparation and Recovery Tips from Travelers
Travelers is continuing to monitor the progression of the fast-moving wildfires that are currently impacting various California counties. Because the safety of our agents and customers is important to us, we’d like to share some steps that may be taken to help you prepare and stay safe.

We will also provide these preparation and recovery tips to personal and business insurance customers later today.
For Personal Insurance Customers
✓ Prepare for a Wildfire
✓ Prepare an evacuation plan
✓ Build an emergency preparedness kit in case you’re evacuated quickly or you can’t return to your home
✓ Monitor nearby wildfires on statewide fire maps published by the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection
✓ Above all else, please follow local evacuation notices to help protect the personal safety of yourself and others
For Business Insurance Customers
In addition to the above, have a business continuity plan with alternative arrangements for continuing critical operations. Here are some additional resources to consider that may help you reduce the risk of property damage and of injury to you, your family, and employees:
✓ Emergency preparedness
✓ IBHS: Reducing Wildfire Risk, Commercial*
✓ American Red Cross: Wildfire Preparedness*
Claim Reporting
To offer further assistance, Travelers Claim professionals have set up a customer resource center at the following location:
✓ Ventura Beach Marriott
2055 Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Map It
At the resource center customers will be able to:
✓ Speak directly to one of our Claim professionals
✓ Begin the claim process, or receive assistance with an existing claim
✓ Receive an advance for a covered loss
We’re here to help when your customers need us most. If your customers experience damage or loss, they can contact us:
✓ Online at:
https://www.travelers.com/claims/report-claim/index.aspx (This is a customer reporting site that also is available to agents to report claims on their customers’ behalves. Customers will receive a confirmation email and can expect to hear from their assigned Claim professional shortly thereafter.)
✓ By phone:
• Personal Insurance – 1.800.CLAIM33 (1.800.252.4633)
• Business Insurance – 1.800.238.6225
Suspension of Binding Authority 
As a reminder, with some severe events, one or more of our business units may suspend binding authority. You can get updates on suspension of binding authority by logging onto the “For Agents”section of our website.
*Travelers expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content, materials, accuracy of information and/or the quality of the products or services provided by, available through, or advertised on these third-party sites.