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Virginia

Addicts Can Sue Pharmacies and Doctors

According to the recent ruling of West Virginia Supreme Court pharmacies and doctors who negligently prescribed pain medication can be sued for enabling people’s addictions. According to court documents, FBI raided and shut down the Mountain Medical Center in Williamson in 2010 and found evidence of improperly prescribed controlled substances involving 29 people who became addicted while were Center’s patients looking for a treatment in connection to job-related injuries or injuries stemming from car accidents. The plaintiffs had filed eight separate lawsuits against three pharmacies and Medical Center and four of its physicians. After the FBI raid, one of the… Read More »Addicts Can Sue Pharmacies and Doctors

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

Protection for Water and Sewer Districts

Serving the public is a serious, round-the-clock responsibility. It’s your job to protect, plan for, and serve the needs of your community as it grows. And it’s our job to protect you with thoughtfully designed, tailored insurance coverages. Our dedicated underwriting, claims and risk control teams work specifically with water and sewer districts and can provide you with one source for your insurance and risk management needs.

WE UNDERSTAND YOUR GENERAL LIABILITY HAZARDS

• Training modules for unique risks such as flagging/traffic control
• Risk control specialists to assist in analyzing digging sites for pipe-laying hazards
• Coverage available for failure-to-supply services and sewer back-up liability
• Utilization of immunities and tort caps where applicable
• Coverage for members of boards, commissions and sewer authorities

WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY-LEADING WORKERS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

• Co-located medical and claims professionals promptly handle, thoroughly investigate and fairly resolve claims, with a focus on return-to-work
• Discounts and savings through carrier’s preferred medical provider network

WE KNOW YOUR MACHINES

• Specialized equipment breakdown  coverage and certified boiler and machinery inspections and consultations through carrier’s Boiler & Machinery

WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

• Complimentary EPL hotline provides access to EPL attorneys* to answer your questions
• Discounts for employee training to help protect against “failure to train” exposures

WE UNDERSTAND EMOTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SEWER BACKUP

• Our dedicated Sewer Backup Claim Unit  understands the importance of balancing residents’ emotional reactions to water backup events with prompt claim handling
• Specialists work with sewer backup adjusters for valuation of residents’ personal items, antiques, etc.

WE OFFER CYBER LIABILITY PROTECTION

• Coverage to protect against cyber and ID fraud for entities that store data electronically

Read More »Protection for Water and Sewer Districts

Increases for Liability Insurance for Construction Firms

The commercial general liability market for the U.S. construction industry continues to firm with underwriters seeking rate increases of up to 15 percent, according to a report published by Marsh. Construction firms with poor loss histories are experiencing even larger liability rate increases and in some cases receiving non-renewal notices from their underwriters. After nearly a decade of rate declines, insurers also are typically seeking to raise rates on umbrella and excess liability insurance of between 8 and 10 percent, according to Marsh’s August 2012 Construction Market Update. According to the report, rates for project-specific general liability, general liability wraps,… Read More »Increases for Liability Insurance for Construction Firms

Building Codes Study Results 2012

FL and VA have received good marks in a survey that looks at building codes in hurricane-prone states. The Tampa-based Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety conducted an analysis, evaluation, and comparison of building code and enforcement systems for residential buildings in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes in the U.S. Florida and Virginia both scored the highest, with 95 out of 100 possible points. Institute spokesman Joseph King said last week the two states did well due to a combination of strong statewide residential building codes and comprehensive regulatory processes for the building code officials, contractors, and subcontractors.… Read More »Building Codes Study Results 2012

Safe-Driving Campaign in Virginia

According to Associated Press Virginia high schools will be participating in a safe driving campaign. The three-week campaign called “Buckle Up, Driver Sober” is designed to help teens develop long-term safe driving habits. Remember: disciplined teen drivers equals lower insurance premium. Sponsors of the campaign cited statistics that show the majority of teens killed in highway crashes in Virginia were not wearing a safety belt and that 427 teens have died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia since 2000.

New Enhancements to Real Estate E&O Program

We are proud to announce that we’re now offering an exclusive Real Estate Errors and Omissions Liability protection. Easy Way to Quote and Bind Online We offer an advanced and intuitive online application that allows to facilitate the quotation, binding and policy issuance process for our customers. For qualified applicants, a quote and policy may be processed in minutes. Coverage Features We’re confident that our program will bring you superior underwriting and service. That said, the policy’s coverage will remain packed with coveted features and include 2 free hours of access to a toll-free, confidential risk management hotline and, for qualifying risks, new coverage… Read More »New Enhancements to Real Estate E&O Program

Live in VA? Review your HO for Hurricane Coverage

Virginia regulators are urging homeowners to review their insurance policies with the start of hurricane season this week. The State Corporation Commission, which regulates insurers, said Wednesday that some companies automatically include a deductible for wind or hurricane losses in their policies, while others offer them as an option. These deductibles can be written as a flat amount or can be applied to the loss as a percentage of the insurance coverage on the dwelling. Regulators note that much of hurricane-related damage is caused by flooding, which often goes uncovered by insurance policies. Flood insurance is available separately through the… Read More »Live in VA? Review your HO for Hurricane Coverage