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Top 10 States for Hail Claims

According to State Farm: Texas—47,000 claims Illinois—41,000 claims New York—34,000 claims Ohio—31,000 claims Missouri—25,000 claims Tennessee—24,000 claims Indiana—23,000 claims New Jersey—23,000 claims Kentucky—22,000 claims Colorado—16,000 claims While hail storms most frequently impact the Great Plains and Midwest, every state in the nation is susceptible, according to the insurer. * According to State Farm damage caused by wind and hail cost insurance carrier and its policyholders more than $3.9 billion in 2012.

Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

commercial grade kitchen equipmentOperation of a commercial grade kitchen, many safety considerations should be addressed, including food safety, employee and volunteer safety, and fire safety. This blog post addresses the specific issues associated with providing adequate fire safety for your kitchen.

Commercial cooking operations are defined as kitchens that have cooking equipment that produce grease and grease laden vapors. This includes flat grills, char broilers and deep fat fryers. The typical residential range (electric or gas) would not be considered a grease producing appliance. Other equipment, such as ovens, microwaves and steam kettles also fall into the non-grease producing appliance category. The following is information regarding two of the most common types of equipment that produce grease and/or grease laden vapors.

Deep Fat Fryers

Deep fat fryers are a major cause of kitchen fires. Oil can splash and easily come into contact with an open flame from an adjacent piece of cooking equipment, such as a gas-fired range top. A 18-inch clearance must be maintained between the deep fat fryer and the open flame cooking equipment. If a 18-inch clearance is not possible, a vertical steel barrier extending 12 inches above the top of the deep fat fryer or open flame appliance(s) can be used as an alternative means of protection.Read More »Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety

Questionable Insurance Claims on the Rise in TX

Questionable insurance claims rose by 38 percent in TX from 2010 through 2012, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports.

Questionable claims (hereby referred as QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single claim may contain up to seven referral reasons.

This report analyzes QCs by loss city, core-based statistical area (CBSA), policy type, loss type, policy and loss type combined and referral reasons.

In 2010, there were 7,520 Texas QCs referred to NICB from its member insurance companies. In 2011, the number increased to 8,016 and rose again in 2012 to 10,368 — a 38 percent increase over 2010′s figure.

The top 5 loss types were:

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Tips for avoiding slip, trip and fall accidents

Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of injury for businesses and workplaces. Employees and other parties on your premises – visitors, customers, vendors, contractors and subcontractors – could be at risk for this type of accident or injury.

It is a common misconception that slip and fall injuries “just happen” and that there is little that can be done to prevent them. Years of experience show that proper slip, trip and fall prevention can help in reducing the number of injuries and in reducing loss costs.

Slips-Trips-Falls

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Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

prepare businessMenorahs and Christmas trees light up Main Streets across America during the holidays, but there are risks associated with these decorations. Risk management professionals and insurance agents can help business owners understand how to keep their stores festive yet hazard free during the holidays.

The holidays usually bring several things to a small business – more foot traffic, celebratory decorations and additional staff to help with boosted sales.  However, with added customers and distractions, slips and trips are never far away. So when getting into the holiday spirit, you should make safety a priority.Read More »Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

New is Well Forgotten Old

California Woman Sues McDonald’s Over Coffee Burns. She says she suffered second-degree burns when she spilled hot coffee on her lap at the drive-up window of a McDonald’s has filed suit against the fast-food chain. The Fresno Bee reported she seeks more than $2 million in damages. If a settlement isn’t reached, her lawyer said they plan to present their case to a Fresno jury. In 1992, a similar case made national headlines. A New Mexico woman who said she was burned by McDonald’s coffee was awarded $2.9 million.

Coverage options for your barber and beauty business

Beauty Salon Parlor InsuranceCoverage for barber and beauticians professional liability is automatically included for your “employees” under the commercial general liability coverage form. We have the ability to provide professional liability coverage for barbers and beauticians that are independent contractors – this optional coverage is available for $25 per independent operator under the Additional Insured-Independent Operators form -CG T567 (11-03).

The form does require each operator be scheduled. For additional information, contact us via email or call 877-239-0067

Read More »Coverage options for your barber and beauty business

Private Choice Ovation – Comprehensive Insurance Protection

Today’s complex economic, regulatory and legal climate leaves little margin for error in running a business. Do you have the necessary comprehensive insurance protection needed to defend against all of the exposures you can face running a business in this environment? Paperless Insurance Services in partnership with A+ rated Hartford Insurance Company is excited to introduce Private Choice OvationSM (Ovation), a new and enhanced management liability coverage offering from The Hartford. Designed to help protect businesses from unforeseen loss, Ovation offers an exclusive suite of products with customizable coverage parts and limits to meet your client’s specific business needs. These coverages can help… Read More »Private Choice Ovation – Comprehensive Insurance Protection

100-Car Naturalistic Driving

A 100-car “naturalistic” driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) says that fatigue is a cause of 20% of car crashes, rather than the 2%-3% previously estimated based on surveys, simulator studies and test tracks. Plus, the study found, 18- to 20-year-olds account for significantly more fatigue-related crashes than any other age group. Adolescents’ sleep patterns shift to later hours; however, the school day still tends to start early, resulting in daytime sleepiness. Older drivers can face similar issues with late nights and early work times, but have more experience coping with moderate fatigue – although, not… Read More »100-Car Naturalistic Driving

Insurance for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers

Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation facilities provide medical assistance and behavioral and nutritional counseling to individuals who are in need of substance abuse services. Eligible risks may include Outpatient Alcohol & Drug Counseling, Rehabilitation Centers, Halfway Houses Inpatient, Methadone, Early Release Prisoner Programs (Alcohol & Drug related offenses only) and Outpatient Detox. Clinics may also be included as an eligible class when the clinic is only a part of the facility’s overall services. Our program includes a Package, General & Professional Liability, Property, Umbrella, Auto (some restrictions may apply) and Abuse & Molestation. Our pro- gram also offers Coverage Endorsements &… Read More »Insurance for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers