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Employee Practices Liability, often referred to as EPLI, covers businesses against claims by workers that their legal rights as employees of the respective company have been violated. There has been a considerably large rise in lawsuits where employees file against their employers. Traditionally, most lawsuits are filed against larger corporations such as Walmart or Target, but no company is fully immune to the risk of a lawsuit via an employee. Smaller companies are now beginning to understand that they, too, are going to need the type of insurance protection that EPLI provides. Some insurance providers add this as an endorsement to a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) they offer, but remember that an endorsement will change the terms and conditions of the policy. Other companies tend to offer EPLI as a stand-alone coverage policy.  

What EPLI Covers 

• Sexual harassment 
• Discrimination 
• Wrongful termination 
• Breach of employment contract 
• Negligent evaluation 
• Failure to employ or promote 
• Wrongful discipline 
• Deprivation of career opportunity 
• Wrongful infliction of emotional distress 
• Mismanagement of employee benefit plans 

Cost of Coverage 

As we see with every type of insurance coverage, the coverage cost you pay will always depend on the type of business you are insuring. When it comes to EPLI coverage, the cost depends on your business type, the number of employees you have, and various additional risk factors. Risk factors usually refer to if your company has been sued over employment practices in the past. The policies will reimburse your company against the costs of defending a lawsuit in court and for judgments and settlements. Whether your company wins or loses the lawsuit, the policy will still cover the legal costs. Typically, the policies will not pay for punitive damages, civil or criminal fines. If there are liabilities covered by other insurance policies, they are excluded from EPLI policies. 

How to Avoid Potential Employee Lawsuits 

When reviewing your hiring and screening process make an effort to make sure that you are avoiding discrimination the entire process. Ensure that you have the corporate policies posted throughout the workplace and a dedicated section in the employee handbook so the policies are easily accessible to all employees. Take care in teaching your employees the proper steps to take if they are the object of sexual harassment or discrimination while at the workplace. Express to all employees that they need to know where the company stands on what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not permitted. Keep documentation on everything that occurs and the steps that you and your company are taking to prevent and solve employee disputes.  

If you would like to learn more about the policies and coverage included in Employee Practices Liability insurance, reach out to your local agent today.  

Many people in the world still have jobs and positions that require them to complete work outside no matter the weather. Worker’s compensation benefits were indoctrinated to help protect those who work in labor-intensive positions. While we can lean on the workers’ compensation benefits to cover work-related injuries, it is in everyone’s best interest to try and avoid all potential harm that could occur. Winter is in full force and those workers who are out on the job should keep in mind the potential dangers that come with the territory. Working outdoors in cold, wet, icy, or snowy conditions can lead to cold-related illnesses and injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite. Below we’ve reviewed some of the best ways to help prevent any winter weather-related injuries from happening to you or your staff.  

Who Is at Risk? 

As mentioned previously, those who work in a cold environment may be at risk of cold-related illnesses and injuries, or “cold stress.” There are many professions where workers must be subject to the harsh weather that comes in the winter months. These professionals include police officers, snow cleanup crews, sanitation workers, farmers, construction workers, and many others. If your employees take certain medications, are in poor health, or suffer from any illness (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease) it could mean they will face high risks in the work field.  

Prominent Winter Injuries and Illness  

There are three prominent illnesses that can be contracted through working in a cold-weather position. Below we have listed the three illnesses, what causes them, and how to prevent them from occurring. 

Hypothermia  

What Causes It: 

When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Once outside for a prolonged period of time, the heat that your body has stored will be used up. As your body heat is released the temperature of the body will become abnormally low and begin the process of hypothermia. Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion, or disorientation. 

How to Prevent:  

Hypothermia is an illness that affects the brain. This will cause the victim to be unable to think clearly or perform normal functionality. To combat this, work with another coworker or work in groups.  

Frostbite 

What Causes It: 

Your fingers, toes, nose, and ears are the most prominent body parts that are affected by frostbite and the most prone to it. Frostbite occurs when a part of the body freezes, causing damage to the tissue. Signs of frostbite beginning include numbness or tingling, stinging, or pain on or near the affected area.  

How to Prevent: 

Checking the weather and wearing protective clothing to combat the weather of that day. If working in icy and snowy conditions items such as warm gloves, insulated footwear, and warm hats will be the best choices. 

Trench Foot  

What Causes It: 

If your feet are kept wet and cold for an extended period of time, you may come down with trench foot. Moisture causes your feet to lose heat, and this can slow the blood flow and damage tissue. As an example, trench foot can happen when it is as warm as 60 degrees. 

How to Prevent: 

Be mindful of your footwear and the maintenance of them in order to help keep your feet warm and dry. 

If you need to add worker’s compensation to your business insurance plan or would like to know more about the policy, talk with your local agent today. 

Applying for disability can be a scary situation to be put in. The government has two different programs that are set in place to help assist those who are now needing disability assistance. If you are newly disabled, you may be wondering if you qualify for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The two programs are known as Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  

The Social Security Disability (SSDI) program is a program that is set up to pay benefits to the insured and their family members. This means that the person applying for disability has worked recently, long enough, and paid Social Security taxes on those earnings.  

 The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. To learn more about how to apply for disability, view the required documentation and information about you and your medical condition. See below for a list of items you need to provide when applying through the SSA.  

Information About You 

When you are in the process of applying for disability through the SSA programs. View the required personal information below: 

• Your place of birth, date of birth, and Social Security number. 
• The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. It is important to know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate).  
• Names and dates of birth of your minor children, if you have any. 

• Your bank or other financial institution’s routing transit number and the account number. 

Information About Your Medical Condition 

Similarly, to the required information about you, you must also provide the required personal information below: 

• Name, address, and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application. 
• Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries, or conditions: 

• Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics. 
• Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them. 
• Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who sent you for them. 
• Information About Your Work: 
• The amount of money earned last year and this year. 

• The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year. 
• The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. 
• A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs. 
• Information about any workers’ compensation, black lung, and/or similar benefits you filed, or intend to file for. These benefits can: 
• Be temporary or permanent in nature. 

• Include annuities and lump sum payments that you received in the past. 

Documentation Needed to Apply 

Along with the information listed above, the SSA may ask you to provide documentation that shows you are eligible, such as: 

• Birth certificate or other proof of birth. 

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States. 
• U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968. 
• W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year. 
• Medical evidence already in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors’ reports, and recent test results. 
• Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements, or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits you received. 

 Looking to apply for disability or want more information on the process? Reach out to your local agent, today.  

With the introduction of DIY products and ambitious projects done on Pinterest, more and more people are trying their swing at becoming a contractor in their spare time. Working as a contractor seems to be more fun than working a regular 9 to 5 job. Being a contractor means you’re the boss. You could own your own business, have business partners, or just practice contracting as a fun hobby. Being the boss means that you are on top! When you are the boss, you will have better working conditions, you set the start time of the workday, and there is no HR officer who will take notes while glaring at you. Being a contractor, you’ll need some type of insurance for your business. Good thing there is a type of insurance just for contractors! But, why do you need insurance? Below are listed 3 great reasons why you should invest in getting contractors’ insurance.
 

1. Claims Protection

When you are a contractor, you are solely responsible for the area in which you do your work. If someone were to get injured within your area because of an accident or plain negligence on your part, you can expect that person to file a claim against you. This same responsibility applies to your employees if they were to cause any type of accidental or, in the worst case, intentional damage to the property area you are working within. Why do you need this protection? These types of claims could be big enough to completely shut down your business if you’re forced to pay for the damages out of pocket. To avoid the potential of disasters like this, you should consider taking a general liability insurance policy for contractors. Whatever potential financial liabilities you end up with, you can be reassured that the general liability insurance will cover them and help to keep your business from shutting down.
 

2. Protection of Your Employees

As we know, workplace accidents happen, they’re accidents. High-risk contracting jobs like roofing are a step away from accidents happening. One wrong step while working on a roof and the accident could lead to a worker sustaining an injury. The injured employee has every right to file a claim against you, they were hurt while working on your job site. They can file a claim for their pain and lost wages due to recovery time. If you don’t have worker’s compensation insurance it’ll be a path of trouble. Almost all states require employers to get workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage is a win-win for all parties involved. Injured employees can get all the benefits that are due to them and it wouldn’t matter who is at fault for the unforeseen accident. On top of that, you will be spared from the cost and hassle of a potential lawsuit that the injured employee could have filed against you.
 

3. Payment of Legal Costs

Here is a big one. Did you know that uninsured contractors often get hit hard by attorney’s fees, court expenses, and other legal financial expenses when some films a claim against them in court? In case of an interested party suing you in court, your contractors’ insurance policy should cover the legal costs that a lawsuit may entail. This is a piece of mind when you go to work a new job with a new client. 

These days we’ve seen an influx of people choosing to travel rather than buy material things. It’s about the experiences over physical objects. Usually, choosing a car would result in hours of research, test-driving, and multiple visits to different car lots. You got the car and you’re all set to hit the road, right? Being behind the wheel means you have one final decision to make: what type of auto insurance is right for me? The usual trend is that many will see the cheapest option and go with it just to get it and go. This path is riddled with hazards that may end up costing you more in the end. Take the time to sit down and evaluate which type of auto insurance matches who you are and how you drive.  

How Are You Riding? 

Most of us are given a hand-me-down car when we first get on the road. It’s a little beat up from its long lifetime, but it’s still a great running car. If this is the case you may be straying away from quality insurance, but it’s still important to protect yourself with liability insurance for potential accidents. Do you tend to be protective of your vehicle and want to keep it clean and pristine? Comprehensive insurance may be the best option for you. Comprehensive insurance is a policy that covers all losses that aren’t covered by collision coverage, such as weather-related incidents or vandalism. 

What Are Your Assets? 

Minor car accidents can end up becoming a bigger hassle than originally anticipated. Add a potential physical injury or a possible totaled car for the situation to become a nightmare. Every state is different, and it’s important to read up on your state’s circumstances and laws on handling auto accidents, as you could be held personally responsible for repair and medical costs. What happens if the total is over the state’s minimum liability and you don’t have that type of money? Other assets like your house or complete savings could be at risk in the case of a lawsuit. Umbrella insurance is typically encouraged in case there is a need for any assets to be covered. 

Ride-Share Insurance 

With the increase in popularity of services such as Lyft and Uber, you may be interested in getting a Ride-Share policy. If you are working with one of these companies don’t assume they have insurance to cover you. In actuality, the company’s full coverage doesn’t kick in until the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or already has passengers in the vehicle. Be wary that if anything does transpire, the rideshare company’s insurance may not cover it. If you plan to work with one of these rideshare companies the best course of action would be to notify your insurance provider immediately. 

Additional Services to Help Ease a Potential Headache 

As the old saying goes, “Better safe than sorry,” and the saying would be correct. You never know when life could throw a curveball your way. If you are someone who worries and is anxious about the next unexpected issue, you may find it beneficial to look into additional small benefits you could add to your current insurance policy. Having this small cushion could save you from a potential fall down the line. Here are some options to consider: 

• Roadside Assistance – If your car breaks down, you won’t have to worry about finding and paying for a tow company to get you out of your current predicament. 
• Rental Car Reimbursement – If your car is in a shop, your insurer will pay for your rental for the time your personal vehicle is unavailable. If you cannot go with a vehicle this addition can save you frustration and expenses.  

Full Glass Coverage – With this benefit, your windshield will be repaired or replaced without spending a penny. Most minimum policies won’t cover cracks or chips in your windshield. 

If you are planning to move out on your own for the first time or maybe you are renting a room, chances are you’re going to need to invest in renter’s insurance. Only a staggering 41% of renters actually have renter’s insurance. Some building managers require tenants to get renters insurance, but many don’t. Just because no one is requiring you to buy it doesn’t mean you should write it off.

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover? 

Renter’s insurance will generally offer two or more types of coverage: personal property protection, liability protection, increased living expenses and guest medical protection. Personal property will protect your belongings in case there is a covered loss, and liability protection can help protect you financially if someone is injured in your home and they file a lawsuit. In the case of increased living expenses, this policy helps cover the cost of staying someplace else after a covered loss renders your home uninhabitable. Guest medical protection is a coverage option which can help pay for medical expenses for someone who was injured at your home.   

What Doesn’t It Cover?

We’ve gone over what renter’s insurance covers, but what doesn’t it cover? The answer could vary based on different circumstances, but we will stick to the basics. Typically, renter’s insurance will not cover damage done by flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, sinkholes, pests, or terrorism. When taking inventory of your personal items, it is important to check with your policy to see if a higher ticket item will be covered in the event of a loss. If not, you may want to raise your coverage limits. Another important note to keep in mind is that if you have roommates, they will not be covered by your policy unless they are directly added onto the policy.

What If I Don’t Own Much? 

In the end, you may think that your belongings aren’t worth much, but when it comes down to replacing the electronics, clothing, furniture, and even appliances, the price tag will grow very quickly. If you had a small house fire, this could still lead to thousands of dollars in repairs and replacement if it is needed. As we mentioned earlier, renter’s insurance is there to help protect you in case of the unexpected. You may believe disaster could never strike, but truly you cannot know.  

How Much Does Renter’s Insurance Cost?

As with most things, the insurance rate depends on a few factors and may be different based on those circumstances. These circumstances can be based on where you live, the type of policy you are looking to buy, and the value of the property you are insuring. In general, a basic renters insurance policy can cost between $10 and $20 a month, or $120 to $240 a year. Reach out to your agent today to get a renters insurance quote and start protecting your belongings. 

Ray Silverstein, president of small business advisory group President’s Resource Organization, has said that there are specific benefits that good employees expect out of a job. Entrepreneur published his perspective that while medical insurance is at the top of that list of expectations, business owners should also be intentional about offering employees retirement plans, disability insurance, and life insurance as well. The reality is, only some benefit packages are required by law. These include withholding FICA taxes for the sake of retirement and disability; complying with FMLA; aligning with worker’s compensation requirements; and giving your employees time off for jury duty, military duties, or voting. However, it’s important to see why a great benefits package–including less traditional benefits like flex time–is key to showing your employees they have value. Here’s why.

Employee attainment and retention. 

Randstand US Research has noted that 61 percent of employees would consider accepting a lower salary if the company making the offer had a great benefits package. Forty-two percent of employees would actually consider quitting their current job and accepting a new one elsewhere because they are unhappy with current benefits. An attractive benefits package is basically viewed as a part of a salary offer and can, at times, make up for an annual wage that could be topped elsewhere.

Focus and attention. 

Employees who aren’t worried about finances are employees whose minds won’t wander as much at work. When it comes to long-term financial planning, the difference between feeling focused and committed to the job you have (instead of daydreaming for what position you should pursue next) can be rooted in a healthy 401(k) match, life insurance, or college debt assistance.

Loyalty. 

You want loyalty not just from your customers but also from your employees. Employees who feel seen and understood seem to know that their employer recognizes the number of hours they are putting in, not just in the office but on the telephone at home and during what was supposed to be a lunch break as well. At times, this recognition looks like the benefit of flex time. This may mean permission to head home early on a Friday, or permission to work some days remotely from home. Flex time also recognizes the pull of family circumstances on full time employees. 74 percent of employees say they have missed work due to a family circumstance. Employers who offer benefits communicate that they understand employees are also parents, children of aging parents, and simply “doing life” with people they love who have unexpected needs. 

Overall general health. 

Employees who have a strong health insurance package are more likely to see a physician when health issues arise. Instead of avoiding astronomical bills and giving a potentially treatable problem a chance to snowball, employees with health care plans, co-pays, and reasonable deductibles are less likely to put off important procedures and more likely to seek care when needed. This is where dental and vision insurance also steps in. If the numbers are doable for you as a business owner, you want to communicate to your employees that you fully value their physical and mental well-being.

Did you know that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to crashes than other drivers? According to NHTSA, there were 5,172 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes – a decrease of 3 percent from the 5,337 motorcyclists killed in 2016. Motorcycle safety is becoming a growing concern. Of the 5,172 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 94 percent (4,885) were riders and 6 percent (287) were passengers, says NHTSA.

Motorcyclists – How To Stay Safe

NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 749 lives could have been saved. An important note is to never buy a used helmet. A used helmet could have issues that are not noticeable on the surface and this could lead to a higher risk while operating a motorcycle. Helmets should not be worn after they have been through a crash. Here are some additional tips to help keep you safe on the road: 

• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions. 
• Remember to position your motorcycle to avoid a driver’s blind spot. 
• Use turn signals for every turn or lane change. 
• Following the speed limits on the road can help lessen the likelihood of a crash occurring. 

• Do not weave in and out of lanes. 

Drivers – How To Be Aware of Motorcyclists

It’s not only up to motorcyclists to be safe and aware while driving on the road. Other drivers need to be aware and cautious when driving on the same road as a motorcyclist. Taking precautions while on the road can help protect yourself and those on motorcycles from being involved in an accident. Here are a few helpful tips to help keep you and others safe: 

• Allow a greater following distance when you are driving behind a motorcyclist.  
• Exercise extra caution at intersections. Most crashes occur when a driver fails to see a motorcyclist while turning. 
• Do not try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Give motorcyclists the full lane width. 

• Always be aware of your blind spots. Motorcyclists tend to be in the blind spots of a vehicle.  

If you would like to learn more about how you can help keep yourself and motorcyclists safe on the road, visit NHTSA. They have more tips and information on motorcycle safety while you are on the road. 

Backyard fun may come at a cost, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid splurge purchases like trampolines and treehouses altogether. Ultimately, it’s a family decision, partly based on feedback from your pediatrician on risk vs. benefit, and partly based on whether your spirit for adventure outweighs your concern for a potential accident. It’s also a decision that could impact you financially, should your children or a guest get hurt on your property.

Trampolines

First, know that when you own a trampoline, it’s impossible for you to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for an injury if it’s an injury sustained by someone who lives in your household. This would become a medical insurance claim instead, and if medical insurance coverage is denied, you’ll be paying out of pocket. Anyone else who is injured on your property would be covered by your homeowner’s insurance–but only if your policy covers trampolines. It’s possible that your policy will only cover injuries if your trampoline has a safety net, is built over a sand pit or wood chips, isn’t being used while wet, isn’t being used by more than one child at a time, etc. You’ll need to know the details of your coverage before you and your children begin to bounce. In some cases, homeowners insurance explicitly denies coverage to any “loss, damage, cost, claim expense, bodily injury, property damage or medical payments” related to trampolines.  This is why it’s important to consult your insurance company before any purchase of a trampoline. If it’s considered enough of a risk, your insurance company could cancel your coverage or refuse to renew, and you’ll need to decide if a change in insurance altogether is worth the trouble. Changing insurance companies would mean a new inspection on your home, so if you’ve got some lingering repairs or potential red-flags that would show up on an inspection, it may be more costly than you expect. 

Treehouses

About 2,800 children per year are injured playing in a treehouse, and most of those injuries fractures, cuts, and bruises that happen when a child either falls or jumps willingly from the treehouse. Similar to trampolines, you’ll have to start with a health insurance claim if someone who lives in your home experiences a fall. If it’s a guest, you’re on the hook for liability. If you want to insure your treehouse in the same way you would insure a gazebo, for example, because it’s an added asset to your home, you’ll need to contact your insurance agent and ask for coverage as an “accessory structure” and be ready to report its full value (or replacement cost). Similarly to acquiring a trampoline, however, you need to speak to your insurance agent about your policy before adding a treehouse to your yard to find out whether the addition will raise your premiums and make sure your policy doesn’t prohibit it explicitly. If not prohibited, make sure your treehouse is named specifically on your policy in order for accidents to be covered. When preparing to communicate with your insurance agent, know that being able to communicate effectively that your treehouse will be built safely will help. For example, you should select a tree that doesn’t need to be pruned, that hasn’t dried out and become fragile. The lower to the ground your plan, the better. Anything over 10 feet in the air is likely to be considered too dangerous. You also may want to research how to use an artificial limb system under the treehouse for basic support. A fence around your yard to keep out uninvited children is also in your best interest. 

In insurance speak, trampolines and treehouses are called an “attractive nuisance” because they are completely attractive to children and yet undesirable to many due to the risk of serious injury. Having either in your backyard is something that must never be hidden from an insurance company. In fact, it must be specifically disclosed, as omission of the information is just as problematic as an out-right lie. The reason is this: should you lose your home to a fire or sustain another type of damage that needs to be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, then your insurer realizes you were dishonest about an “attractive nuisance” in the backyard, the insurer has grounds for denying any claim. The insurer simply has to state that they would have denied you coverage completely had you disclosed your backyard purchase, which means any claim you are trying to file would have never been covered to begin with.

Whether you actually hurt yourself or just suffer from a bruised ego, slipping and falling is always a nasty shock. At home, you can usually just dust yourself off and forget about it, but if you own a business, slips and falls suddenly become much more serious. Maintaining a safe business property for your employees and customers becomes paramount, both to give them a great experience, and to prevent any big insurance claims from knocking at your door. 

Reduce your business’s potential for hazardous slips and falls by implementing these safety tips: 

Secure Stairways and Ramps 

Stay up to date with your city’s local building codes, and install the proper handrails along every stairway and ramp. Even tiny platforms comprised of 1 or 2 steps should have some kind of banister in place. This gives stability to your pedestrians and helps protect you if someone falls in those areas and decides to pursue legal action against you. Also, consider lining your stairs and ramps with a non-slip material. 

Maintain Walkways and Lawn Areas 

Remove obstructions from any walking paths that your employees or customers have to use. It is also important to repair uneven, broken, or bumpy surfaces in the parking lot or on the sidewalk. In the winter, make sure your sprinkler systems are turned off and drained to prevent leaks and icy patches around your establishment. 

Keep Safety in Mind All the Time 

Aside from covering the basics to keep your business up to code, just make it a habit to look for potential slipping/falling hazards located all-around your business.  

• Maintain adequate lighting in all areas where pedestrians will be walking.  

• Keep “Wet Floor” signs in areas where your employees can conveniently access them to warn people away from spills. 
• Repair torn carpet, loose or missing floor tiles, and other flooring materials as soon as you can after they are damaged. 
• If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, establish a snow removal plan for parking lots, sidewalks, and dumpster areas.  
• Keep emergency phone numbers posted in areas where people can see them easily. 
• Stay stocked up on first-aid kits and keep them in plain sight. These emergency resources help you and your staff minimize the damage of a bad fall. 

When an employee or a customer takes a fall at your business, the consequences have the potential to be dire. Prevent them as much as you can by keeping the area clean and maintained. People will be safer and your business will look better for your efforts! Overall, make sure you are protected by a solid insurance policy that will cover your company if someone gets hurt anyway. You can never be too secure!