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Additional Insured Form Comparison

See revised and updated version of this post here: https://www.paperless-insurance.com/additional-insured-form-comparison-2/ – revised on August 12, 2024. CG 20 10 (Edition 11/85): Ties Additional Insured status to liability arising out of “your work” – i.e., the named insured’s work – for the additional insured. Applying the coverage to “your work: encompasses liability incurred while the named insured’s work is in progress and also the named insured’s completed operations. Addresses a coverage requirement that is frequently imposed by project owners on contractors doing work for them – “the contractor will provide the owner with additional insured status for claims against the owner arising out of… Read More »Additional Insured Form Comparison

Home Office Tax Deduction for 2020

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Have you and your employees been locked down at home and working remotely over the past six months? Then I have some good news about the home office tax deduction. And some bad news. First, the good news. If you’re self-employed or an independent contractor without an office, then you’ll be able to take advantage of this deduction. Even if you have an office somewhere but you regularly use part of your home exclusively for conducting business, you can take the deduction. If you use your home as your principal place of business, then you’ll qualify. If you conduct business at… Read More »Home Office Tax Deduction for 2020

How Moving Affects Your Auto and Home Insurance

America is on the move. With many employers required or volunteered to offer their employees to work from home and with the telecom availability, people are leaving their more expensive cities and houses, and moving out to cheaper places. In San Francisco, for instance, the exodus is so big, it’s a major news headline every other day with a special vacancy / rent reduction coverage once a week on all media outlets.

Moving can come with a lot of stress. Not only do you have to figure out moving costs, pack and orchestrate the movers, but you also have to update your address across all relevant forms. Two important things to pay special attention to during this time are your auto insurance and home insurance.

No one wants to spend hours getting new insurance quotes or transferring over insurance information, but doing so will protect you, your home, and your vehicle during and after your move. Here, we’ve answered the most common auto and home insurance questions to help cover your bases during your upcoming move.

Read More »How Moving Affects Your Auto and Home Insurance

Tax Recapture Insurance Policy

Each calendar year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes modifications and amendments to the tax code, but through each iteration, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Historic Tax Credit (HTC) have remained intact. These credits were created to encourage the flow of private funds into specific solar, low-income housing and historic preservation projects. When a guideline-compliant project is completed and tax credits are generated, taxpayers (e.g. public and private entities, as well as high net worth individuals in certain instances) can apply the credits on their federal and state tax returns.
Read More »Tax Recapture Insurance Policy

Ordinance or Law Insurance Coverage

Generally, Ordinance or Law insurance coverage provides limited protection for costs associated with repairing, rebuilding, or constructing a structure when physical damage to the structure by a covered cause of loss triggers an ordinance or law.

According to Adjuster’s International Disaster Recovery Consulting, compliance with ordinances and laws after a loss can add 50% or more to the cost of the claim*.

Insureds should take a proactive approach to their insurance program and the coverage provided by the program. Learning about important exclusions and limitations after a catastrophe strike will cause the Insured to experience frustration and anxiety. Insureds should always read their policies, and in some states, may be required by law to do so.

Ordinance or Law Exclusion

Most property insurance policies will have an Ordinance or Law exclusion. The exclusion applies to both physical damage and time element coverage.Read More »Ordinance or Law Insurance Coverage

Furnace Safety Tips

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Clean Or Change Furnace Filters Regularly. Replace disposable filters. Wash, brush or vacuum permanent filters. Check The Exhaust Vent From The Furnace. Clear obstructions such as leaves or animal nests from the vent pipe. Keep roof exhaust vents clear of snow. Inspect The Blower Motor With The Power Off. Vacuum any accumulated dirt. If the owner’s manual calls for it, oil the motor. Inspect the V-belt and pulleys for wear. Tighten the belt if it moves more than an inch when you push it. Check Air Intake. Most mobile home furnaces draw combustion air from beneath the home. To allow… Read More »Furnace Safety Tips

Step-by-Step Hurricane Preparation

emergency preparedness kit

What actions should property owners in the predicted path of the storm take to prepare?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides invaluable advice on what you should do when you receive a hurricane watch or hurricane warning alert from the National Weather Service for your area.

As the hurricane approaches, here’s a checklist of what to do as the storm approaches, broken down by hours:

1. What to do when a hurricane is 48 hours from arriving

– Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
– Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs of children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.Read More »Step-by-Step Hurricane Preparation

5 Things You Need To Know About the Home Office Deduction

Let’s talk about the home office deduction. People ask me about it all the time. “Can I take it?” “Do I qualify?” “Will it increase my chances of getting audited?” All of these are reasonable questions—particularly nowadays, when the numbers of mico-businesses, home-based entrepreneurs, remote workers, work-from-home employees, and freelancers have grown so much over the past few years.

Here’s the answer, in a nutshell: The home office deduction is perfectly legitimate and you should absolutely consider it. Here are some important facts about this deduction—all sourced from the IRS’ summary, Publication 587 (Business Use of Your Home) and Form 8829 (Expenses for Business Use of Your Home). Of course, you should also check with your accountant.

Number 1: To even consider getting the deduction, a part of your home has to be your principal place of business. Read More »5 Things You Need To Know About the Home Office Deduction

Contractor Insurance Requirements – A Primer

This article was originally published by AmWINS Group, Inc. It was edited and rewritten to simplify the content. To read the original article please click here.

primerWhen risk management department is assigned to focus on the major project, including construction, with particular attention to the insurance requirements to be imposed on the general contractor and any subcontractors, it’s very important not to make the insurance requirements so onerous that contractors are discouraged from bidding on the project.For those of us, who has not been involved in such projects before, let’s review insurance requirements from different projects and how those may affect our company (let’s call it ABC company – the one who impose insurance requirements).
Outdated Insurance Terminology
What may strike us about the old insurance requirements is the insurance terminology used. There is reference to “comprehensive general liability insurance” including endorsements listed as “broad form property damage,” “broad form blanket contractual liability,” “cross liability,” “XCU” and “additional named insured.” The limits are also listed as split limits – one applicable to bodily injury, and another lesser limit applicable to property damage.Similarly, the auto insurance requirement refers to “comprehensive auto liability” and workers’ compensation insurance includes the “broad form all states endorsement.” Further, all of the requirements are to be evidenced by a certificate of insurance that provides certificate holder a 30 days advance notice of cancellation. It becomes readily apparent that these requirements are so outdated as to be virtually useless – the coverage, endorsements and limits listed are obsolete and are no longer available. We must start from the beginning.Read More »Contractor Insurance Requirements – A Primer