2 min read

Surety Bond Scams: How To Be Sure You Don't Fall Victim

By Gibson on Dec 30, 2013 10:46:00 AM

Earlier this year the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority was forced to postpone the planned demolition of the Regency Hotel, located on airport grounds. In September, the authority announced that it would rebid the demolition project due to an increasingly common issue faced by contractors and local authorities – bad surety bonds.

The lowest bidder, Nelson Inc, was awarded the $485,000 contract to demolish the hotel, but the bid went out the window after it was found that the surety bond, bearing the name of Chubb Insurance, was bad.

Topics: Commercial Insurance Construction
3 min read

7 Tips for Reducing the Risk of Data Privacy Breaches

By Gibson on Dec 18, 2013 3:25:00 AM

During 2012, 55 percent of small businesses experienced at least one data privacy breach and 53 percent encountered multiple breaches, according to the Ponemon Institute. Despite this, the National Small Business Cybersecurity Study found that only 10 percent of small businesses have an allocated staff member who is responsible for online and cyber security.

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management
1 min read

Three Benefits of a Return-to-Work Program

By Gibson on Dec 11, 2013 3:28:00 AM

A return-to-work program has many benefits, and the pros far outweigh the cons! The proper understanding and communication of the rationale for a return-to-work program will help make the naysayers change their minds. Consider these three benefits:

Topics: Commercial Insurance Construction Workers' Compensation
3 min read

Hosting A Company Holiday Party? Limit Your Liquor Liability

By Gibson on Dec 9, 2013 3:12:00 AM

A bartender is legally liable for serving alcohol to a patron who becomes intoxicated and then injures a third party. Does a business face a similar exposure when it hosts a social event where alcohol is served, such as an open house, holiday party or employee picnic?

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management
3 min read

Key Person Insurance

By Gibson on Oct 16, 2013 4:20:00 AM

Most organizations employ at least one individual who is essential to the company’s success. This person may be a partner, owner, majority stockholder, or another individual who is crucial to the business. If this person unexpectedly leaves the organization – due to a death, disabling accident or an immediate resignation – it may be hard for the organization to survive without the person who makes the business run smoothly.

If your organization employs people who are vital to its success, key-person life insurance or key-person disability insurance can help protect your business. These insurance solutions can give your organization options other than immediate bankruptcy should you lose the key person or people without warning.

Who Needs Key-Person Life Or Disability Coverage?

Topics: Commercial Insurance
4 min read

Tips for Combating Construction Fraud

By Gibson on Sep 25, 2013 7:33:00 AM

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management Construction
3 min read

The Story Of PINK SLIME! A Colorful Introduction To Credit Insurance

By Rick McNamar on Sep 4, 2013 8:12:00 AM

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management
2 min read

Bridging The Gap: Company Car Coverage And Personal Use

By Gibson on Jul 22, 2013 1:59:00 AM

Many employees drive company cars for their work-related duties. But what if the company car were your only car? Even as an employee of the company, it’s likely you are not listed on the company’s business auto policy.

So what happens when you borrow your neighbor’s car to run some errands on the weekend? This type of situation can leave you with serious gaps in coverage. Under a business auto policy, individuals using a borrowed auto for personal use are not covered, even if the policy covers hired or borrowed autos. The individual must be listed as an insured on the company’s business auto policy to have coverage.

Topics: Commercial Insurance Personal Insurance & Risk Management
1 min read

What’s Being Done To Change The Workers’ Compensation System In Indiana?

By Gibson on May 29, 2013 9:00:00 AM

The Indiana General Assembly passed and Gov. Pence has signed into law HB 1320, which introduces a fee schedule into Indiana’s workers’ compensation statute. Over 25 states have enacted fee schedule legislation since the mid-1990s to impose a limit or cap on medical reimbursement. Insurers generally favor fee schedules while medical providers generally oppose it. Indiana will now have a schedule set at 200% of Medicare reimbursement levels.

Prior to this passing, Indiana had relied on a “usual and customary” method, which had many pitfalls. Both the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and theNational Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) have published studies showing how, overall, “usual and customary” states had higher comparable medical costs and higher rates of increases in cost.

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management Workers' Compensation
1 min read

What’s Being Done To Change The Workers’ Compensation System In Indiana?

By Gibson on May 29, 2013 5:00:00 AM

The Indiana General Assembly passed and Gov. Pence has signed into law HB 1320, which introduces a fee schedule into Indiana’s workers’ compensation statute. Over 25 states have enacted fee schedule legislation since the mid-1990s to impose a limit or cap on medical reimbursement. Insurers generally favor fee schedules while medical providers generally oppose it. Indiana will now have a schedule set at 200% of Medicare reimbursement levels.

Prior to this passing, Indiana had relied on a “usual and customary” method, which had many pitfalls. Both the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and theNational Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) have published studies showing how, overall, “usual and customary” states had higher comparable medical costs and higher rates of increases in cost.

Topics: Commercial Insurance Risk Management