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Fighting Employee Practices Lawsuits
Studies show that workplace-based claims continue to soar - despite employer's efforts to create workplaces immune from employment practices claims and lawsuits. Even when insured against, this kind of claim is time-consuming and disruptive.
Her are some of the tools employers are using to prevent and settle claims:
- A written policy manual
- Training for managers
- Employee-grievance procedures
- Human Resources managers or consultants
- Employee Practices Liability insurance
Employers should realize that most employment practices claims can be prevented by judicious use of prevention tools - which are available from insurance companies that offer Employment Practices Liability insurance. Call us for more information. |
The End of Coverage
As with other insurance policies, coverage under a Builder's Risk policy ends when the policy expires or is canceled. Builder's Risk coverage can end for other reasons, too. As a builder or contractor, you need to know when your responsibility ends and the owner's begins if you want to prevent uncovered losses.
According to the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) policy form, coverage ends when the purchaser accepts the property, when the builder's interest in the property ceases, or when the builder abandons the job with no intent to return. More commonly, coverage ends 90 days after construction is complete, or 60 days after any building listed on the policy is occupied in whole or in part or is to put its intended use. Builders need to keep these time frames in mind. The insurer can alter the 60- and 90-day limits, but the changes must be in writing to be enforceable.
"Occupied" and "intended use" aren't defined in the Builders Risk policy, so quite a bit of litigation has surrounded these two terms. In both cases. the courts usually hold the Builders Risk policy to be in force. Don't take a chance - when the end of coverage is unclear, call us. |
| Flood Insurance: How Much Do You Know?
You may be living outside of what's mapped as a flood-hazard area, but you have no guarantee that your home won't be hit by a flood. Weather experts say that almost all areas have some risk of flooding.
Homeowners policies don't cover flood losses - but coverage is available at reasonable rates under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For homeowners in low- to moderate-risk areas it comes at a very low cost. Nonresident building owners can purchase up to $1 million of Flood insurance to protect their building and contents.
Renters haven't been left out. Their Homeowners policies (also called Renters or Tenants policies) |
are different from standard Homeowners because they don't cover flood damage. Renters can purchase NFIP insurance to protect their personal property.
You may wonder, "Why should I get NFIP Flood insurance when the feds always help people out after a flood?" Well, federal disaster assistance is some help, but it's far from a solution to serious flood damage. Often it doesn't kick in unless a major disaster has occurred - so it wouldn't cover the damage you suffer when, say, a creek backs up. The assistance amounts to very little in cash and is sparingly granted. Loans must be paid back. If you live in a designated flood zone and don't have NFIP insurance, you're not even eligible for the federal loan program.
About 80 private insurance companies are partnering with NFIP to offer Flood Insurance. Call us. We can set you up with insurance for a rainy day. |
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Wipe Out Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries. What do experts recommend as the single most important step to take in preventing slips and falls? Simple...keep floors clean, dry, and free of obstruction. When it comes to safeguards against slips and falls, nothing is more important than good housekeeping.
When you walk through a work area, look for spills, grease spots or dust (floor and machine byproducts can be highly slippery). Water spilled by drinking fountains or tracked in on wet or snowy days can create a major hazard. Look around and be aware of wet areas or objects on the floor. Then take the time to do something about it. Clean up the hazard or place cones or hazard signs nearby, warning of the danger. People can walk on extremely slippery surfaces by modifying their speed and stride, provided they know about the dangerous condition. It's the lack of warning that can cause problems. An unexpected shift from a smooth to a slick surface heightens the likelihood of a slip or fall.
Look for signs of flooring change. Changes in lighting and floor color can conceal a change in friction or angle between adjacent surfaces. Wherever possible, waxes and polishes should cover an entire area. extending to natural breaks in flooring. Choose footwear according to floor surface.
Consider the slips and falls when you're doing a job. Some tasks, such as pushing loads, may require special attention to slip-resistant floor surfaces or carefully selected sole material and treads. For some jobs, better lighting or a stable brace is helpful.
Carefully placed and mounted hand rails, poles or hip bars may help operators brace themselves. This reduces reliance on foot/floor friction, which thereby reduces the potential for slipping.
Slips can occur because of how you walk on a surface. Some simple things you can do to minimize your chance of slipping and falling would be to wear appropriate footwear; watch where you're going; take slow, short steps where slip potential is high; and use hand holds where possible. |
None of Our Business
You may have recently had a birth in the family, Or a death, Or a divorce, Or a child moving out, Or a move to a new house. These are the milestones in one's private life - so why should you let us know about them? We need to know because we want to keep your insurance valid and sufficient for your needs. For instance, although the last thing you want to think about in a divorce is Auto or Homeowners insurance, a policy that fails to reflect your new status could lead to some sticky - and very expensive - situations for you.
Protecting your life from unexpected financial losses is our business. Help us do that by keeping us apprised of changes in your life. |
