6 Current Cyber Threats Companies Face: How to Stay Safe

in , ,

As companies adopt digital solutions, they are exposing themselves to risks that can compromise their operations and sensitive data. Preventing these threats is essential and understanding them is the first step to keeping your company safe. In this article, we’ll discuss 6 of the most common cyber threats that companies face today and provide simple and effective strategies to keep them secure.

1. Lack of security awareness

Employees and stakeholders may not recognize potential threats, making them susceptible to phishing attacks or inadvertently sharing sensitive information.

Solution: Develop a culture of security awareness

It is essential to establish and communicate clear security policies, ensuring that employees are well-informed through regular training sessions. Simulating phishing attacks helps test and improve employee vigilance, while encouraging a culture of reporting ensures timely responses to potential threats. Staying informed about the evolving threat landscape and adapting training materials accordingly ensures that the office remains proactive in addressing emerging risks. Through these measures, a comprehensive security culture can be cultivated, providing a collective defense against cyber threats.

2. Outdated software

Running outdated software exposes the company to vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals, leading to data breaches or system compromises.

Solution: Keep your computer’s software up to date

Keeping your computer’s software up to date is essential for staying safe in the digital world. Cyber-attacks and ransomware have become more sophisticated in recent years, meaning that outdated software is much more vulnerable to malicious threats. Updating your software regularly provides your device with the best defenses against hackers and other online criminals. Not only will you stay protected against attack, but new updates often include improvements to processing speed, additional functions or bug fixes, allowing you to enjoy a faster, smoother experience on all of your favorite program.

3. Lack of security program

Without a tailored security system, companies may lack the necessary safeguards to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats effectively.

Solution: Install a reputable security program on your computers

If you use your computer for any purpose, it’s important to have a good security program installed. Criminals are more and more technologically advanced, so you need a reliable program that can protect against the latest threats. It’s worth taking the time to research different options, as some may offer more protection than others. Investing in a reputable security program not only safeguards your valuable data but also gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re protected from malicious hackers and viruses. Make sure to set up timely automatic scans and frequently updated virus-definition files to stay one step ahead of any attempted cyberattack.

4. Use the same old weak password everywhere

Reusing weak passwords across multiple accounts increases the risk of unauthorized access, as a breach in one account could potentially compromise all others.

Solution: Use strong, new and different passwords everywhere

It’s no secret that you should always use strong passwords for email and other account logins. Not only can weak passwords be easily hacked, but reusing the same password across multiple accounts increases your vulnerability to hackers. Your email account might not contain sensitive information (or it may!), but someone could use your email address to gain access to other important accounts with potentially devastating results. Even better than a strong password? A two-step authentication process with a password authenticator — this way, even if someone gets past your password, they still won’t be able to get into your accounts. So take the time to protect yourself and develop an impenetrable defense against cyber intruders.

5. You don’t have a cyber policy

In the absence of a dedicated cyber insurance policy, companies may find themselves financially exposed to the costs associated with data breaches, legal liabilities, and other cyber-related incidents.

Solution: Invest in Cybersecurity Insurance

Investing in cybersecurity insurance is an important step for any company owner. With the evolution of technology, data has become increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, making insurance more and more essential for both small and large companies. There are various types of coverage available that can provide assistance when it comes to reviewing and examining existing security structures as well as responding to any incidents involving data breaches or malware attacks. Having insurance in place will ensure you have the necessary protocols and safeguard your information from digital intruders.

6. Irregular data back up

Failure to regularly back up data leaves the company vulnerable to data loss in the event of a ransomware attack or other catastrophic events, impacting organizations’ continuity and recovery efforts.

Solution: Back up your data regularly

We’ve all seen the headlines after natural disasters where thousands of people have lost years’ worth of precious data in an instant. Don’t let yourself be one of them! With ever-increasing tech storage and transfer speed, backing up your important family photos, documents, videos, or anything else you don’t want to lose is easier than ever. Take five minutes a month or so to plug in an external hard drive, pop in a USB stick, or click on the button to save your work to cloud storage, and you’re good to go. Trust us – you’ll thank yourself if disaster strikes!

By fostering a security-conscious culture and adopting practical measures, you’re not just securing data; you’re securing your peace of mind. By keeping your software up to date, using strong passwords, and investing in cybersecurity insurance, you can minimize the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now to protect yourself and your company. For more information about cybersecurity insurance, contact us today.

We can help you find the best policy to provide the coverage you’ll need to bounce back if attacked.

Featured image credit: Envato Elements by AndersonPiza | Licensed | All Rights Reserved

Understanding the Hard Insurance Market and Its Impact on You

in , , ,

The insurance landscape in California is undergoing a significant shift, with major carriers reducing their presence in the state’s market. This development has led to the emergence of a “hard market,” characterized by rising rates and limited coverage options. In this blog, we aim to shed light on what a hard market means for consumers and why it’s a cause for concern.

A hard market refers to a period in the insurance industry where rates increase, coverage becomes more limited, and insurers become more cautious about taking on risks. This tightening of conditions stems from various factors, including rising construction costs, catastrophic events like wildfires, and regulatory constraints.

As insurance carriers withdraw or reduce their presence in California, consumers are left with fewer options to choose from when it comes to securing coverage, which leads to higher prices and potential gaps in insurance protection.

In fact, one of our clients, a construction contractor, recently received a notice from their insurance carrier. They were informed that their carrier would be discontinuing coverage for their warehouse location in Riverside. With a notice period of just 90 days, the contractor was faced with the challenge of finding alternative insurance options within a limited timeframe. This example highlights the difficulties companies encounter in obtaining affordable insurance and the impact it has on their operations and overall costs.

Homeowners are also affected by the hard market, as limited coverage options and rising premiums make it more challenging to find affordable and comprehensive homeowners insurance. This can lead to financial hardship and potential gaps in coverage, leaving homeowners exposed to significant risks.

The emergence of a hard insurance market in California brings forth challenges for consumers, including higher premiums, limited coverage options, and potential gaps in insurance protection. It is essential to be aware of these market dynamics to make informed decisions and explore alternative options to secure the necessary coverage.

Working with insurance professionals who understand the complexities of the current market can help navigate the challenges and find the best available solutions.

Featured image credit: Envato Elements by rfaizal707 | Licensed | All Rights Reserved

EPLI: Does Your Construction Business Need It?

in , ,

In the world of insurance, there are so many acronyms to keep track of. Today, let’s chat about Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).

More specifically, we’re going to cover the industries that need EPLI as well as answer the question, does your construction business need it? If so, why?

WHAT IS EPLI?

Employment Practices Liability Insurance, or EPLI, is insurance that “provides coverage to employers against claims made by employees.”

WHAT DOES EPLI COVERAGE COVER?

Employment Practices Liability Insurance policies typically extend coverage to the following:

  • Wrongful Termination
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Wage-Related Claims
  • Claims of Unequal or Unfair Pay
  • Discrimination Claims (i.e. age, race, gender, sexual orientation)
  • Third-Party Claims

According to Amtrust Financial, the below are also common employer missteps that may be covered:

  • Failure to Hire or Promote
  • Libel, Slander, Defamation of Character, or Invasion of Privacy
  • Wrongful Infliction of Emotional Distress
  • Wrongful Discipline or Demotion

WHY IS EPLI IMPORTANT?

According to Advisen, only 32% of all construction firms with 50 to 200 employees and 20% of all firms with fewer than 50 employees have stand-alone EPLI coverage.

This statistic is low and frightening as the costs associated with EPLI claims can be shocking.

EPLI claims can be detrimental to businesses of all sizes and types. EPLI helps protect against many kinds of employee lawsuits, which is why it’s important for businesses to invest in coverage.

WHAT INDUSTRIES NEED EPLI?

The fact of the matter is that some industries are more susceptible to these types of claims than others. These industries include:

  • Healthcare
  • Professional services
  • Restaurant and food services
  • Retail, and
  • Manufacturing

An additional industry that should consider EPLI is construction. Continue reading to find out why.

DOES YOUR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEED EPLI?

The answer is most likely ‘yes.’

The construction industry is known for its rapid growth and often accompanying layoffs, which can lead to a particular job being eliminated or terminated.

Additionally, due to the fluctuating nature of contract work, contractors may find themselves vulnerable to wrongful termination and potential discrimination claims.

Employees also often introduce post-employment wage and hour claims, which stem from improper overtime and breaks.

Lastly, when contractors work, they often come into contact with the public which can lead to remarks or actions that other people find objectionable. It is difficult for employers to prove these allegations due to not being present for the incidents in question.

HOW TO MINIMIZE EPLI CLAIMS AS AN EMPLOYER

So, how can an employer minimize expensive EPLI claims against their construction business?

Most importantly, study and adhere to the guidelines established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Some of these guidelines include:

  • Clearly define employment practices and policies
  • Schedule training workshops
  • Keep your eye on your workplace
  • Let your workforce know employment practices violations will not be tolerated
  • Maintain an “open door” policy

A Final Word

EPLI is important for any business, but it’s especially important for construction companies. If you’re in the construction industry, make sure you have the right EPLI policy in place to protect your business from employment-related lawsuits.


As discussed above, hiring employees carries inherent risks. Because of this, we’ve put together a few tips on how to reduce your risk when hiring, in California specifically.

How to COPE in an Inflationary Environment

in , ,

Recently, Hartford did a study that showed that 75% of all commercial buildings were underinsured. And of those that were underinsured, they’re at 40% underinsured. That means that if you have a property that’s worth a million dollars, you’re only having it insured for 600,000.

If you have a catastrophe, you’re only going to get paid the 600,000 for the rebuild costs now, and not the million dollars that it’s going to cost to make you whole again. What’s really important for commercial building owners is to understand how the insurance carriers rate your properties and it’s called COPE, C-O-P-E: construction, occupancy, protection, and exposure.

In this blog, we’ll discuss COPE and learn more about it directly from the founder of Competitive Edge Insurance, Brenda Jo Robyn.

What is COPE?

As a commercial building owner, it’s important to understand how your property is being rated for insurance purposes. The four main factors that go into this rating are construction, occupancy, protection, and exposure (COPE).

Construction is how your building is built. Things like the roof, walls, windows, and doors all factor into how well your building can withstand a disaster. 

  • What is the building made of? 
  • What is the age of the building? 

All commercial buildings are going to be rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. So if you have a fire resistant building, that would be a 1. If you had a wood frame building, that would be a 10. 

Occupancy is what your building is used for. If you have a lot of people coming in and out of your building, or if you have hazardous materials inside, that will affect your rates.

  • Who’s in it? 
  • Is it manufacturing? Is it retail? 

So if you have a retail store, that would be a low hazard. If you had a chemical plant, that would be a high hazard. 

Protection is what you do to protect your building. Things like security systems, sprinklers, and alarm systems can help lower your rates.

  • What are the protections you have there? 
  • How far away is the fire department? 
  • Do you have a fire hydrant on your block? 

So if you have automatic sprinklers, that’s going to give you a better fire rating. 

Exposure is how likely your building is to be damaged in a disaster. If you’re in a high-risk area for hurricanes or tornadoes, your rates will be higher than if you’re in a low-risk area.

  • What is around your building? Fire brush, lakes, potentials for flood? 
  • What is the neighborhood like? Is it in a crime area? 

If you’re on a busy street, that’s going to be a high exposure. If you’re in the middle of a field, that’s going to be a low exposure.

All these factors are what carriers take a look at. Understanding COPE can help you make sure you’re getting the best possible rate on your commercial property insurance. 

Instability Caused By Inflation

Currently, insurance rates have been increasing and they have also been very unstable for the last year. The instability is being caused by inflation.

Supply Chain Issues

The raw material costs are all over the place. They don’t know how much they’re gonna cost when they get ordered by the contractor. Some can order it a week out and some are being told, “Hey, here’s your bill now, but when it comes in, we’re gonna give you what the real cost is.” Obviously, the sluggish supply chain issues haven’t gone away. 

Demand for Skilled Labor

There’s a high demand for skilled labor. Not only are we having people retire, but we don’t have enough people being apprentices and it’s not being able to translate to more people being able to do a job. 

Lingering COVID Effect

And lastly, the lingering COVID effect. Unfortunately, during COVID, people were placing insurance on buildings that were only looked at over the internet on your desktop. And what they come to find out later is that the building has not been maintained, that there’s storage of plastics in there and there’s no sprinkler system. So this has all led to an increase of rates.

What Can You Do?

And what can you do? In order to be a building owner that’s gonna continue to make money, you have to control your costs. And how do you do that? You have to make a commitment to do so, and you’re gonna do it by controlling your losses. 

Steps to control your costs: 

  • Maintain your buildings 
  • Update the electrical wire, heating, plumbing, roofing 
  • Have good housekeeping 
  • Perform regular safety checks 

What is it that’s been able to be implemented in the last three years so that it protects your office building better now than it was three years ago? All these things will go ahead and poise you into a place where the carrier will look at you favorably and give you more credits. 

When you are able to show the insurance company that you are in a mode of safety, maintenance, and security, carriers will give you rates that you can live with and you won’t have to pass on to your customers. It’s a win-win for everybody.

A Final Word

All of these things go into how the insurance carrier rates your property and what they’re going to charge you for premiums. As a commercial building owner, it’s important for you to understand how your property is being rated so that you can make sure you’re properly insured. If you have any questions about your commercial property insurance coverage, reach out to us today! 


Or if you’re interested in learning more from Brenda Jo, you can check out her other videos including, Why You Need to Audit Your Commercial Property Insurance.

Top Tips to Recession-Proof Your Business

in , ,

Over the past several months, most business owners, and individuals alike, have heard mutterings about a recession.

Although we in no way can predict what’s coming, at Competitive Edge Insurance, we thought it’d be helpful to provide business owners with the top three tips they can take to recession-proof their businesses.

Let’s dive in; first, with an overview of what’s going on.

What Is Going On?

Many Americans might already be feeling the heat with decades-high inflation, record gas prices, and hefty grocery bills.

​​Bloomberg Economics says there’s close to a 75% probability there will be a recession by the start of 2024.

But how did this happen? And what is a recession?

What Is a Recession?

A recession, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), is a “significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.”

This period of time is when the economy contracts and business activity slows down. This can be caused by a number of factors, including a:

  • decrease in consumer spending
  • increase in taxes
  • decrease in government spending 
  • natural disaster

Businesses typically suffer during a recession, as there is less money circulating and people are more likely to save rather than spend. This can lead to layoffs, closures, and decreased profits.

As a business owner, it is important to recession-proof your business as much as possible. This means taking steps to ensure that your business can weather a recession and still remain profitable.

Contributing Factors

There are many contributing factors that have led the U.S. economy to tip its way toward a recession—inflation, supply chain issues, a nationwide labor shortage, the list goes on.

Moreover, The Washington Post notes that the Federal Reserve’s efforts to temper demand and tame prices have also been a contributing factor.

Oracle writes that “since 1950, recessions have lasted between two and 18 months.” This period can be “stressful for business owners, since they don’t know how long it will last. A business can freefall without an end in sight — if it isn’t ready.”

So let us help you prepare.

How Can You Recession-Proof Your Business?

There are many things you can do to recession-proof your business. For example, business owners can create a business emergency fund, assess their risk tolerance, reduce overhead, and more.

Minimize Workers’ Compensation Claims

One thing you don’t want in the midst of, or prior to a recession, is workers’ compensation claims being filed against your business. Why? It’s expensive.

Employers face both direct and indirect costs when a workers’ comp claim is filed.

Most obviously, when an employee is out on workers’ compensation, a business owner essentially “loses” their work. You then have to pay for another employee to pick up the slack (overtime in some cases), which can be costly.

Additionally, workers’ compensation claims can:

  • Increase your insurance premiums
  • Damage your public reputation, and
  • In some cases, a business can be penalized up to $136,532 per person by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for repeated or willful violations

(Yikes, that’s a lot of money!)

This considered, it’s crucial (especially during this time of teetering toward a recession) to do everything you can to make your workplace safe, and therefore, reduce workers’ compensation claims.

Interested in learning how workers’ compensation plays out for remote workers? Read our article “What Does Workers’ Comp Look Like for Remote Employees?”

Create Trust and Safety Among Employees

Significant layoffs can already be observed across the nation. This considered, a recession can be an especially scary time for your employees.

During this time, as a business owner, it’s especially important to create trust and safety among your employees. Consider doing the following to build employee retention:

  • Keeping an open, honest line of communication
  • Listening to your employees
  • Utilizing employee engagement data
  • Offering consistent and effective feedback
  • Recognizing a job well done
  • Not letting team building fall to the wayside
  • Encouraging health and wellness and work-life balance

Invest in Insurance

The last thing you want during a recession is to get hit without the proper insurance. Typically, business profit is already top-of-mind during a recession.

If a cyber attack occurs, you receive high levels of workers’ comp claims, or an injury takes place on your commercial property, you want to be sure that you have the right insurance in place to keep your business financially protected.

Without proper insurance, a business owner may have to pay out-of-pocket for costly damages and legal claims against their company.

Additional Steps to Help

Minimizing workers’ comp claims, creating trust and safety among employees and investing in insurance are our top three tips, but there are so many other steps that you can take to help your business during a recession, such as: 

1. Diversify your revenue streams

Don’t rely on just one source of income. If possible, try to have multiple, different streams of revenue coming in. That way, if one or two of them dry up, you’ll still have money coming in from the others.

2. Cut costs where you can

During a recession, every penny counts. Take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut costs. Even small savings can add up over time and make a big difference.

3. Build up your cash reserves

Having a healthy cash reserve is always a good idea, but it’s especially important during a recession. This will help you weather any tough times and keep your business afloat.

4. Focus on customer retention

During a recession, it’s more important than ever to hang onto your existing customers. Keep them happy and they’ll stick with you, even when times are tough.

5. Invest in marketing

Marketing is vital for any business, but it’s especially important during a recession. Why? Because that’s when people are scaling back their spending and being more particular about where they spend their money. If you want to stay top of mind, you need to keep marketing.

Keep Your Eye On the Prize

It’s easy to get discouraged during a recession, but it’s important to remember why you’re in business in the first place. Stay focused on your goals and don’t let tough times get in the way of your long-term success.

As a business owner, recession-proofing your company is vital to ensuring that success.

Interested in learning more about how to keep your business safe? Read on to find out what types of insurance your business needs during a recession.

Cyber Liability: Mitigating BYOD and E-discovery Risks

in , ,

The prevalence of employee-owned smartphones and other devices in workplaces across the country has grown considerably in the last few years and shows no sign of stopping. A recent study by Bitglass found that 85% of organizations surveyed allowed their employees to use their personal devices for work functions. If it wasn’t obvious already, the “bring your own device” (BYOD) era is here to stay. While there are numerous benefits of implementing a BYOD policy at your workplace, it can be problematic from an e-discovery standpoint, should your company enter litigation.


E-discovery Basics
Electronically stored information, or ESI, can be subject to discovery, which means it can be requested as evidence in court cases. ESI is a category of discoverable information separate from print documents, and includes both structured and unstructured data such as emails, instant message logs, Word® documents, PowerPoint® presentations and scanned documents.

In litigation, e-discovery is the process of identifying, collecting, preserving, reviewing and producing relevant electronic data or documents as evidence. Determining which ESI is relevant is not simple due to the lack of precedence and established standards; however, it is important to be able to quickly access the right ESI. While failing to produce all required ESI can be considered negligence, handing over too much data could mean disclosing privileged competitive information and jeopardizing corporate strategy or product plans.


BYOD’s Skyrocketing Popularity
Allowing employees to use their personal phones, laptops, tablets or other devices for work purposes has quickly become the new norm. Employees enjoy being able to use their own devices for several reasons:


· They can get more work done on their own devices with a more flexible schedule.
· They may prefer the operating systems of their own devices.
· Company-provided devices may lack the functionality that employees desire.
· Bringing personal activities into their work lives can lead to happier employees and more productivity.

Employees aren’t the only satisfied party. Employers can save money by not having to buy company-owned devices for employees to use, including technical support costs associated with diagnosing problems employees may have. In addition, many employers can save on telecommunication costs, as employees are often willing to self-fund their own mobile plans.


BYOD Litigation Risks
Allowing employees to bring their own devices can seem like a pretty good deal for both sides. However, there are inherent risks with the practice, especially from a legal standpoint. Employers must consider the following risks that may hinder the e-discovery process:

· Since you do not own employees’ devices, you do not have total control over the devices and how they’re used.
· There are many different types of data on devices, depending on the operating system, applications used, etc., and
· separating personal data from business data may be difficult.
· Data on devices can be stored in several locations.
· It is difficult to protect data on employees’ devices from harm, including theft and hacking.
· Employers cannot just seize an employee’s device for discovery—they need consent from the employee.


Best Practices for BYOD Policies and the E-discovery Process
If you have a BYOD policy at your workplace, or are planning to implement one, consider the following to ensure it is comprehensive and e-discovery-friendly:


· Have employees sign an agreement that lets them know how e-discovery requests will be handled, should the need arise.
· Consider using Mobile Application Management (MAM), which allows employers to control how applications perform on employee devices. It can control application encryption and even wipe sensitive data off the phone of a former employee.
· Consider purchasing and implementing one of the many applications capable of separating business data and personal data, making it easy for employers to locate discoverable data.
· Mandate that employee devices be configured to save certain information directly to the company servers.
· Create an acceptable use policy that lets employees know how you want them to handle company data on their personal devices.
· Prohibit employees from uploading sensitive company data to any third-party cloud storage system, such as Dropbox, Google Drive or Box.
· Sync data between employee devices and company servers regularly.
· Educate employees on best practices for keeping all data on their devices safe—the devices may contain sensitive company information.
· Mandate that employee devices be password-protected.
· Ensure that your BYOD policy is forthright and outlines the exact process for e-discovery, including a clear chain of custody.
· Ensure your IT and legal teams are on the same page. Your IT team should be able to advise the legal team on exactly what kinds of data are stored on employee devices and the best way to retrieve the data. The legal team, whether employed or contracted, should be familiar with the e-discovery process to advance the procedure as quickly as possible.
· Require compliance with your BYOD policy. In addition, keep the policy flexible to keep up with the ever-changing data landscape.
· Determine how you will handle the data on phones of former employees. Some companies remotely wipe former employees’ devices, but that can bring up questions about the ethics of deleting personal data from a device.
· Carefully decide which employees can use their own devices. BYOD may not be relevant or useful for all employees.
· Consider listing what devices are and are not acceptable. BYOD does not mean employees are free to use whatever device they wish. Employers may not want to offer support for certain devices due to the particular operating system or inherent security issues.
· Always put data security ahead of employee device security. Your company’s data should always be your number one concern.

Contact Competitive Edge Insurance today for more ways to help make sure your BYOD policy properly protects your company’s data.

Inflation and Property: What You Need to Know

in

Inflation is one of those economic concepts that everyone has heard of—especially today—however, few people understand what it means.

In essence, inflation is a rise in prices across the economy. This phenomenon can have several consequences for property owners and investors. This considered, it’s important to understand how inflation works and how it affects property owners.

Below, we’ll discuss:

  • The relationship between inflation and property values
  • Why property owners need to be aware of each (that is, if you want to make smart decisions about your investments!)

What is Inflation? What Causes It?

First things first, what is inflation, and what causes it? Inflation is defined as the rate at which the prices of goods and services increase over time. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an increase in the cost of raw materials, or a decrease in the supply of certain products.

While inflation is caused by several factors, the most important one is simply too much money chasing too few goods. When there is more money in circulation than there are goods and services to buy, prices go up.

This is because people have more money to spend, so they are willing to pay more for things.

One of the most important things to understand about inflation is that it is not evenly distributed. Some prices will go up faster than others, and some might even go down. This means that while your rent might go up by a lot, the price of bread might not change much at all.

How Does Inflation Affect Property?

Inflation can have several different effects on property values.

The most important one is that it erodes the value of your money.

This is because, as prices go up, each dollar you have buys less and less. So, if you own a property that you bought for $100,000 and inflation is running at two percent per year, then after five years, your property will be worth $110,000 in today’s money.

In other words, you’ve made no real gain on your investment—inflation has just eaten away at the value of your money.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that property values never go up. They can, and do, go up in nominal terms (that is, in the actual dollar amount). However, if inflation is high, then these nominal gains might not be worth very much in real terms (that is, after taking inflation into account).

Secondly, inflation can affect your mortgage.

If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, then your monthly payments will stay the same even if inflation goes up.

But if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, then your monthly payments could go up if inflation increases. This is because your interest rate will be tied to an index, like the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the overall level of prices in the economy.

How Does Inflation Affect Property Insurance?

When inflation goes up, so do property insurance rates. This is because insurers must account for the increased cost of repairs and replacements when setting premiums.

The cost of rebuilding your property goes up due to the cost of materials and labor increasing from inflation. As a result, your property insurance rates will likely go up—and if you’re not prepared for this, it could have a serious impact on your finances.

Moreover, inflation can lead to higher deductibles on policies. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on your policy and inflation increases by 20%, your new deductible would be $600.

Ways to Minimize Inflation on Your Property Insurance

So, how can you minimize the impacts of inflation on your property insurance as a building owner?

Luckily, while inflation can have a significant impact on your property insurance rates, there are some things you can do to minimize the impact:

  1. Make sure you have an insurance policy that covers inflation. This way, your coverage will automatically adjust to keep up with the rising cost of rebuilding your property.
  2. Consider raising your deductible. This will lower your premium, although you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket if you need to make a claim. Make sure you have enough savings to cover the deductible.
  3. Don’t forget about discounts! Many insurers offer discounts for things like installing security systems or being claims-free for a certain period. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to mitigate your risk.

Read on to learn more about risk mitigation.

A Final Word

Of course, there are a lot of other factors that affect property values, such as the state of the economy, interest rates, and demographics. Inflation, however, is one of the most important—and least understood—factors that property owners need to be aware of when making decisions about their investments.

By understanding the relationship between inflation and property, you can take steps to protect your finances and ensure that your property is properly covered. 

Interested in learning more? Contact us today to speak with one of our insurance professionals about what inflation-related changes you should make to your policy.

After all, with a little strategic planning, you can safeguard your property against inflationary increases! Learn more in our article “Top Three Tips to Recession-Proof Your Business.”

How Do You Reduce Experience Modification?

in ,

If there’s one thing a business owner doesn’t want, it’s paying high workers’ compensation insurance premiums. One way to decrease the workers’ comp premiums that you pay, however, is by reducing your experience modification.

Below, we’ll chat about experience modification: What is it? Why should you care about your rating as a business owner? And what can you do to reduce experience modification, and therefore, worker’s compensation costs?

Let’s dive in.

WHAT IS EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION?

First things first, what is experience modification? Experience modification, according to The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB), is calculated by comparing a business’s actual losses to its expected losses.

Actual losses include “medical and indemnity claim costs resulting from a work-related injury that an insurance company has paid or expects to pay in the future.” Expected losses represent the amount of loss an insured party experiences compared to the amount of loss similar insured parties have.

Experience modification might also be referred to as a workers’ comp experience mod, an EMR safety rating (EMR stands for experience modification rate), or Ex Mod.

WHAT IS AN EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATE?

An experience modification rate (EMR) is assigned to every business that purchases worker’s compensation insurance. The EMR is a number that reflects the company’s past losses due to worker injuries. It is used by insurers to help predict future worker injury claims and to set premiums for worker’s compensation insurance.

There are various elements that can affect a business’ EMR. These can include:

  • The type of business
  • The number of employees
  • The industry, and
  • The state in which the business is located

Businesses with a high number of worker’s compensation claims will typically have a higher EMR.

FORMULA FOR CALCULATING EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION

Experience Modification = Actual Losses / Expected Losses

These losses involve several factors, including:

  • The number of worker injury claims filed
  • The cost of those worker injury claims, and
  • The amount of time that has passed since the last worker injury claim was filed

EMR’s are based on information from your insurance claims history, reported to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), over the past five years. However, only claims from the past three years will be assessed by insurance agencies.

If you’re a newer business that has less than three years of claims history, your EMR is typically calculated at a base rate of one.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION?

A business’s experience modification rate represents, numerically, how safe your business is compared to others in your industry.

Insurance companies use your ex mod to evaluate and measure the amount of risk they are taking on by having you as a client. A higher ex mod means paying higher workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

Standard ratings begin at one; one means your business is as safe as the average. For businesses who have had safety incidents, however, they’ll likely receive a number higher than one—perhaps a 1.2 depending on the accident or number of accidents. As for small businesses with spotless records, they might even score lower than one.

This considered, you might be asking yourself: How does my business fare? What is the highest experience modification rate possible? Workers’ Compensation Consultants tell us that any ex mod over 1.0 could be considered high if you’re comparing your business to its industry average.

In fact, “if you are comparing to the best performers within your industry, who may have very low mods, a 1.00 could be considered high.”

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A GOOD OR BAD EMR?

As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to save money. Worker’s compensation insurance is one of those necessary evils that can eat up a lot of your budget if you’re not careful. One way to keep your worker’s compensation costs down is to maintain a good experience modification rate.

EMRs can commonly range between 0.48 to 1.25 or higher. The lower the rating, the better. A high rating, above a 1.0, is considered a bad EMR and will increase your worker’s comp premiums. 

Again, worker’s compensation insurance rates are based on your company’s claims history. The more claims you have, the higher your rates will be. Your EMR is a way to measure this claim history and predict future costs.

A good EMR is one that is below average for your industry. For example, if the average EMR for construction companies is 0.85, a company with an EMR of 0.75 would be considered a good EMR.

HOW TO REDUCE EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION

So, how can you reduce or improve your experience modification rating? Below, we will provide you with some guidance.

IDENTIFY YOUR RISKS

The first step is to identify your risks. Each business will face its own unique set of them. Conduct a risk assessment to find out what your business’s risks are. As the adage goes, “you can’t fix what you don’t know.”

IMPLEMENT A KILLER SAFETY PROGRAM

At the core of a low experience modification rating is a stellar safety program. After all, no injuries or incidents equals no claims—and no claims equal the lowest possible EMR.

Now, before you doubt the effectiveness of a top-notch safety program, let’s look at the statistics. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that “employers who establish safety programs (and return-to-work programs) can reduce costs related to workplace illness and injury by up to 35%.”

With reduced costs up to 35%, imagine how much more you’ll be saving on your workers’ compensation premiums. The basics of your safety program should include:

  • Safety Meetings
  • Safety Tests
  • Safety Equipment and Tools (i.e. safety goggles, safety shoes)
  • The list goes on

Safety, of course, will look different for every industry. The bottom line, however, is to provide and do whatever you can to prevent employees from getting hurt or sick.

So, ensure that employees:

KNOW HOW TO SAFELY PERFORM THEIR WORK

Don’t assume employees ‘just know’ how to do their job or work off the bat. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to train and teach your employees.

HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

For employers with remote employees, this might be as simple as providing ergonomic office equipment to reduce carpal tunnel workers’ comp claims!

Read on to learn what workers’ compensation looks like for remote employees.

ARE REWARDED FOR SAFE BEHAVIOR

Consider implementing a safety-incentive program.

OSHA recommends safety-incentive programs, which reward “workers for reporting near-misses or hazards.” Safety-incentive programs typically reward employees for reporting unsafe conditions and making the workplace safer altogether. Programs “provide positive reinforcement for reporting illnesses and injuries.”

A FINAL WORD

Throughout all of this, it’s crucial to ensure your management and leaders are on board. Additionally, by documenting the safety measures you’ve put in place, the chances of lowering your EMR increase; thus, decreasing workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

Underwriters will be more likely to provide better terms and lower insurance premiums for businesses that document and articulate what they’ve done and the steps they have in place to reduce risk. Depending on the size of your business, you could save thousands of dollars.

It’s a win-win.

Read on for more information on risk mitigation: what is it and how can you do it?

Why Increases in Inflation Might Mean that Your House is Underinsured

in

Reviewing “Rising Inflation Can Mean Your Home Is Underinsured”

It’s no secret that inflation has been on the rise lately. In fact, it’s been increasing at a steady rate for the last few years. This might have you wondering if your home insurance policy is still adequate. If your policy was purchased when inflation rates were lower, then it’s likely that your coverage is now worth less than it was before. 

With the inflation rate rising, that means that the cost of rebuilding a home after an insured event will also rise. Homeowners need to be aware of this and make sure that their home insurance policy provides adequate coverage. 

Don’t worry, though! According to a recent article entitled, “Rising Inflation Can Mean Your Home Is Underinsured” from Syracuse.com, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your home is properly insured despite inflation. 

One way to do this is to purchase extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which will pay for more of the cost of rebuilding in the event that inflation has raised prices. 

Homeowners should also check their policy for inflation guard coverage, which will automatically raise coverage limits to account for inflation. Finally, if homeowners are worried about being underinsured, they should talk to their insurance company or agent to get a better understanding of their policy and what it covers. 

By taking these steps, homeowners can be sure that they are adequately protected in the event that their home is damaged or destroyed. 

Interested in learning more? Read on for the full article. 

Rising Inflation Could Mean Your Home Is Underinsured

By Ben Moore | NerdWallet

The cost of home construction is skyrocketing due to inflation, and this could spell trouble for homeowners. Increases in the cost of lumber and other building materials, in conjunction with continued supply chain issues and labor shortages, could leave many homeowners underinsured if they need to rebuild after a covered insurance claim.

Should disaster strike, homeowners without enough coverage could find themselves digging into their wallets to cover the shortfall. Now is the time to be certain you have enough insurance to pay the cost of what it would take to rebuild your home, also known as replacement cost. Here’s what you need to know.

Know your home’s replacement cost

Insurers use replacement cost calculators to determine how much dwelling coverage is needed to rebuild your home. Information about your home, like its square footage, construction materials and the year it was built, are all incorporated into the estimated replacement cost.

You can also take steps to determine your home’s replacement cost on your own. One method involves multiplying your home’s square footage by the current cost of construction per square foot in your area, said Alan Himmel, a public insurance adjuster in Florida, by email. “You can get an idea of per square foot building costs by calling the builders association in your area, an insurance agent, or even … contractors.” Most estimates will range from $100 to $200 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.

You can also hire a contractor to provide a construction estimate, or have an independent insurance agency pull multiple homeowners insurance quotes to get a sense of what each insurer believes it will cost to rebuild your home.

Be sure to check the declaration page of your policy to see if you’re covered by replacement cost or actual cash value, especially when it comes to your personal property. Replacement cost coverage pays to repair your home or replace your belongings up to your coverage limits, without factoring in depreciation, or the loss of value over time. This means that your insurance company will pay to rebuild your home to the condition it was in before the claim, plus replace your personal property with new items, like paying for a new laptop regardless of the depreciated value of the lost one.

Meanwhile, actual cash value does account for depreciation and will likely mean having to pay the difference between what your policy covers and how much it costs to fully replace your belongings. For example, if your sofa is lost in a covered fire, your insurer will only pay for what the sofa was worth when it was destroyed, not the amount it would cost to replace it with a brand new one.

Consider extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage

Extended replacement cost coverage can be added to a home insurance policy to help offset such uncertainties. This coverage will pay a percentage over your dwelling coverage limit if that amount isn’t enough to completely rebuild. For example, if your policy’s dwelling coverage is $100,000 and you have 25% extended replacement cost coverage, your insurer will pay to rebuild your home up to $125,000.

If you want full assurance that your insurer will cover the entire cost to rebuild your home, regardless of how much construction costs increase, consider guaranteed replacement cost. “The most confident I ever am when I sell a policy is when the client has a guaranteed replacement cost endorsement,” says Peter Conte, an independent insurance agent in New York City. “They can sleep better because, come time for a claim, they know they’re getting their house back.”

Guaranteed replacement coverage typically comes with a higher premium. It may not be available from all insurance companies, and it may not cover older homes.

Check for other coverage options

Many home insurance policies come with an inflation guard, which can offset the possibility of being underinsured due to expected inflation increases. An inflation guard will automatically raise your coverage limits to account for inflation when your policy is renewed.

Your premium may rise due to the inflation guard, but don’t lower your coverage limits just to save on home insurance. “The inflation guard is actually there to help you stay in line with the inflation rate of the U.S. dollar,” says Conte.

If you live in an older home, check your policy for ordinance or law coverage. In the event of a covered claim, this coverage will pay the cost to meet current building codes when rebuilding. Without it, you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket for any work done to abide by building codes, even if you have guaranteed replacement cost coverage.

If you’re still worried about being underinsured, talk to your insurance company or agent, as they’re best equipped to break down your policy, including what’s covered and what’s not. Be sure to keep them informed of any changes you make to your home, such as upgrades or renovations, so they can increase your coverage limits accordingly.

Parametric Risk Insurance: What You Need to Know

in ,

What if you could have insurance that paid out when a specific event occurred, regardless of the cost of the damages? This is what parametric risk insurance is all about.

In this blog post, we will discuss what parametric risk insurance is, how it works, and who can benefit from it. 

What is Parametric Risk Insurance?

Parametric risk insurance is a type of insurance that pays out a predetermined amount of money when a specific event occurs. The benefit of parametric risk insurance is that it does not require an assessment of the damages caused by the event in order to make a payout. This can be helpful in situations where traditional insurance would not cover the entire cost of the damages.

Why Do You Need It?

Parametric risk insurance can be used to cover a variety of risks, including natural disasters, business interruptions, and even political risks. In many cases, parametric risk insurance can provide coverage that would not be available through traditional insurance policies.

One of the key benefits of parametric risk insurance is that it can help businesses to manage their exposure to risk. By having a parametric risk insurance policy in place, businesses can be sure that they will have some financial protection in the event of a major loss. This type of insurance can also help businesses to avoid the hassle and expense of making a claim on their traditional insurance policy.

What is Catastrophic Risk Insurance?

Catastrophic risk insurance is similar to parametric risk insurance in that it pays out a set amount of money when a specific event occurs. However, catastrophic risk insurance is designed to cover much more severe events than parametric risk insurance. Catastrophic risk insurance is typically used to protect against natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes. It also protects against riots or terrorist attacks.

An example of a business that has used parametric catastrophe risk insurance is an airline. In the event of a plane crash, the airline would receive a payout that would cover their losses without having to go through the process of filing a claim.

What is Parametric Home Insurance?

Parametric risk insurance has many benefits over the standard homeowners insurance. One of the main advantages is that parametric risk insurance can cover a broad range of events that are not typically included in homeowners insurance policies, such as flooding.

Another advantage of parametric risk insurance for homeowners, is the speed of a claims payment. With a standard home insurance policy, you need to have your home inspected, get cost estimates from contractors, and in some cases wait for work to be completed before receiving full reimbursement. However, parametric policies pay out as soon as the insurer can verify that the event occurred.

Another benefit is that parametric risk insurance claims can be paid out much more quickly than traditional insurance policies. This is especially useful in widespread disasters, where the claims process can be delayed for months. In addition, parametric risk insurance policies do not have deductibles or exclusions, so the process of making a claim is much simpler.

Why is Parametric Insurance Important?

Parametric risk insurance is important because it pays out a benefit when certain conditions are met, without the need for a detailed claim process. This can be incredibly useful in situations where traditional insurance would be impractical or too expensive.

Some parametric policies can provide cover for things like natural disasters, business interruption, and even death. This means that they can offer protection against a wide range of risks.

Parametric insurance can be used to supplement traditional insurance, or as a standalone policy. Parametric insurance can help to protect against unexpected events and give peace of mind in knowing that you have some financial protection in place.

Examples of businesses that have used parametric risk insurance include manufacturers, government agencies, and airlines. In each of these cases, the policyholder was able to receive a payout that covered their losses without having to go through the process of filing a claim.

What is One of the Main Advantages of Parametric Insurance?

One of the main advantages of parametric insurance is that it can help to transfer risk from one party to another. This can be particularly helpful if the party who is taking on the risk is better able to manage it. Additionally, parametric insurance can help to reduce the overall cost of risk. This is because parametric insurance typically pays out a fixed amount of money, regardless of the actual loss that is incurred. As a result, parametric insurance can help to stabilize costs and protect against large losses.

Parametric risk insurance can be particularly helpful for businesses that are exposed to catastrophic events. For example, it can be used to protect against losses that occur as a result of a natural disaster. Parametric insurance can also be used to protect against other types of risks, such as the failure of a key supplier.

How Big is the Parametric Insurance Market? 

The parametric insurance market is growing rapidly. As reported by Business Wire, “the parametric insurance market was valued at $11.7 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $29.3 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2022 to 2031.”

Why is Parametric Insurance Growing?

There are a few reasons why parametric insurance is growing. One reason is that traditional insurance can be difficult and time-consuming to file a claim with. Another reason parametric insurance is growing is because it can be used to cover a variety of risks. This type of insurance provides businesses with a way to manage their exposure to these risks.

A Final Word

Utilizing parametric risk insurance can be an effective way for your business to address and cope with risks, but it is important to understand how it works before purchasing a policy. If you are interested in learning more about parametric risk insurance, contact one of our advisors today. They will be able to help you determine if this type of insurance is right for your business.

LET’S TALK

WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU COULD BE SAVING ON YOUR INSURANCE COSTS?

WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU COULD BE SAVING ON YOUR INSURANCE COSTS?

LET’S TALK

Connect With Us

Competitive Edge Insurance

LIC #0H31982

P: 619-259-5459
F: 619-377-0144

830 Orange Ave Suite L Coronado, CA 92118

Privacy Policy

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

© Copyright 2021- Competitive Edge Insurance

site design by digitalstoryteller.io

© Copyright 2021- Competitive Edge Insurance
site design by digitalstoryteller.io