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Category: Business Insurance

Can Your Business Improve Your Work Comp Experience Mod?

Posted on by Ownby Insurance Service

Owning and operating a business can be very rewarding and potentially very profitable, but it can also be very expensive. Having inventory, property, taxes, and especially employees – it all comes with costs. But some of those costs can be controlled, is your workers’ compensation insurance one of them? Possibly so, and the source of control may be your experience modification factor (also known as experience mod rate, EMR, xmod, Mod, and more). Let’s review how.

Safety Programs

As you can read in another of our Blogs, your Mod is based on the comparison of your business to others in your industry. The average Mod is 1.0, so your business will be higher or lower depending on the circumstances. If you have a good business history with minimal and less severe claims, you will likely have a Mod lower than 1.0.

So, can you lower this Mod? Yes, and having a safety program in place is a great first step. To build one, take steps that include examining your risks, determining processes, deciding who is responsible for them, documenting the plan, and implementing/reviewing the plan and its results.

Your Data

Insurance companies are underwriting your coverage to predict future losses. They’ll review your company’s history and compare it to others in your industry. Making sure this data is accurate is critical. What are your employees’ roles, and are they classified properly. Is the industry you’re being compared with accurate to the work your company does? Do they understand your safety plan and the risk management measures you have in place. Work with your agent and the insurance company to be sure this information is complete and accurate.

Covering Investment Property Risks

What you actually need to cover investment property may still vary, but let’s start with the basics. Investment property, rental property, or even sometimes call landlord risk – these insurance policies are designed to cover you for losses to property you are renting out to others. Property damage, injuries, theft, and liability are all parts of this coverage you need to understand and know your limits for in the policy you have in place. You also need to keep in mind that while some coverages may be “bundled” into policies, there are often additional gaps to address. For example, sewer backup or flood insurance are unlikely to be included in these policies. Other considerations like loss of income or tenant rent default should also be discussed.

Claims Prevention

In addition to safety on-site, preventative measures can be taken before the job ever starts. Onboarding, training, screening, and testing of employees and potential hires can help you save.

In addition to safety, the above steps may help your company run more efficiently – which may lead to happier employees and higher profit margins. It’s a win-win!

Let us help you understand your Mod and the options you have to improve it! Contact Brandon Patterson at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com and let us help you get started.

Do Your Cabin & Vacation Rental Risks Change During Busy Season?

Posted on by Ownby Insurance Service

If you own or operate Cabin and Vacation Rentals, it’s likely that one of your busiest seasons is Memorial Day through Labor Day. You may have more occupants, and at a higher frequency than during the slower months of the year. So, does more use – and more users – equate to higher risks for your property? It may, and let’s take a look at how.

Damage from Renters

Even well-intentioned renters of your property may cause damage by accident, and these could be small concerns or large issues. The more people that are using the property, the higher the likelihood that an issue will occur. Doing a thorough check after renters complete their stay may help you identify any issues that need to be addressed before they become larger problems.

Risks for Liability

Having families or groups on your property under their own supervision can sometimes lead to accidents or injuries. And while you may have the proper structure in place to avoid significant liability, that doesn’t mean lawsuits can be completely prevented. In the litigious world we live in, there are unfortunately some “bad actors” as well. Having as much documentation of maintenance and systems in place might help you avoid a lengthy legal issue.

One specific area to monitor liability is for properties with pools and/or hot tubs. Be sure to have clear rules of use and waivers of liability in your rental agreement to help protect the interests of you and the renters.

Seasonal Risks

The Summer months also have concerns around their weather impacts. Dry weather can result in wildfire conditions; heavier storms can result in flooding, lightning strikes, or hail; and more active wildlife can also be a concern for property.

Preparation is the Key

Preparing your property for these risks and having the right coverages in place should an issue occur is critical. Some steps for preparation to consider include:

  1. Have very clear policies in procedures in place. Have extensive language in your rental agreement that addresses use and liability. Ideally, work with an attorney to review the language.
  2. Maintain your property. When you keep up with maintenance and fix issues as they arise, you are much more likely to avoid something larger occurring. Small leaks, loose fixtures, and unchecked equipment can result in larger problems if left unchecked.
  3. Review and understand your insurance. What would you be covered for, and what may be excluded or uncovered under your policies? What other options – like umbrella coverage – may be available?

Let us help you review these options and determine the coverages that are best for you! Contact Brandon Patterson at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com and let us help you get started.

Our Business has Workers’ Comp – Why do we Need Disability Insurance?

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

You know you want to protect your employees, but sometimes the different options for covering them can be confusing. If an employee gets hurt at work, you want to have coverage in place to help them and also protect the interests of your business. As a result, you purchase a workers’ compensation policy that will help support you both should that happen. But then your insurance agent asks you about short-term and long-term disability insurance – why do you need those policies if you’re already covered? Let’s break it down.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Workers’ comp coverage will typically cover medical expenses of employees that get injured on the job doing tasks related to their role. It may also replace a portion of their wages while the miss work to recover from the incident. Other claims, such as training replacement staff, permanent injuries, and in the worst case – death benefits – may also be payable from workers’ comp.

However, these injuries have to be work-related. What happens if your employee is an accident outside of work that leaves them unable to perform the duties of their job? That’s where disability coverage may come into play.

Short-term Disability Coverage
If you have an employee that is injured – let’s say in a car accident as an example – and needs time to recover, a short-term disability policy may help pay them a percentage of their salary for a time determined by the policy. This is often for a term of weeks, months, or possibly a year. And while disability “insurance” from Social Security may be available, that only applies after a term of five full months of the disability has occurred.

Long-term Disability Coverage
As you might imagine, long-term disability typically has a greater amount of time that the policy will provide income replacement. While the amount and time period depends on the policy, some terms are as long as though retirement age.

In addition to policies through a business, some people decide to purchase individual disability policies. These may cover more income replacement, and/or may have longer terms of coverage. What’s right for your business and your employees? Get in touch with Brandon Patterson at our agency by calling 865.453.1414 or emailing kevin@ownbyinsurance.com to discuss your insurance options.

The Trends of Cyber and Data Risk

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

Cyber liability continues to be a big concern for businesses – and individuals – with data. And whether we like it or not, we all have data that can be targeted. For businesses, the amount of data is likely much larger and more susceptible to attack. And while this has been true for a while now, the way that cyber criminals attempt to breach this data continues to evolve. Let’s take a look at some of these trends.

Sustained Campaigns

Data shows that there is cyber attack every 11 seconds. Hackers are trying more methods that used heavy “campaigns” to try and find vulnerabilities. One such method, A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack occurs when multiple systems flood the bandwidth or resources of a targeted system, usually one or more web servers. A DDoS attack uses more than one unique IP address or machines, often from thousands of hosts infected with malware.

Automation of Attacks

You’ve heard about automation for all sorts of industries and tasks, so it only makes sense that cyber criminals would automate as well. Crimeware is the name for this form of automated attack, and it is used in a wide array of activities. Stealing passwords, logging keystrokes, redirecting websites to malicious sites – these are all activities being automated perpetrate identity theft through social engineering or stealth.

Espionage and Cyber Spying

When you have sensitive or proprietary data, perhaps plans, blueprints, recipes, etc. that are advantages for your business, they may also be under attack. The goal of these attacks is to access the “secret” info, and then use it either for ransom demands, or in some cases, to give rival entities an advantage over the attacked business.

What Your Business Can Do

In addition to these “trending” attacks, there are plenty of other methods used. Card skimming, point of sale attacks, malware, phishing – it’s all still around. So, with all these threats to your data, what can you do to prepare your business?

  1. Have protocols in place for use of devices and access to files
  2. Back up files in secure cloud storage
  3. Utilize cybersecurity programs and regular update programs and scan files
  4. Consult with cybersecurity specialists on your unique risks
  5. Have a cyber attack response plan in place
  6. Have the right cyber liability insurance

Your business may need cyber liability coverage added to its policy, or it may need “standalone” insurance with higher limits and more coverages. We can help you review your risks and understand what’s available to help protect you, your business, and your data.

Get in touch with Brandon Patterson at our agency by calling 865.453.1414 or emailing brandon@ownbyinsurance.com to discuss your insurance options.

Protect Your Business from Seasonal Risks with the Right Insurance

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

If you’re a business owner, you know that the seasons can bring unexpected surprises that can disrupt your operations. You may face risks from extreme weather or product shortages due to seasonal changes that could cost you time and money. But did you know there are insurance policies available to help protect your business against some of these seasonal risks? Let’s dive in and explore the different types of insurance options out there for seasonal changes in your business.

Property Insurance for Extreme Weather Events

We all know how unpredictable Mother Nature can be. Heavy rain, hail, and windstorms can cause property damage to your business premises or equipment. A good property insurance policy will protect you against losses related to damages caused by severe weather events. But did you know that most business property policies do not include coverage for floods or earthquakes? There are options available for covering against these risks, and your business may be better protected if you have them in place.

Business Interruption for Contingent Businesses

If your business relies heavily on seasonal products or inventory, a product shortage could have serious financial implications for you. If you rely on suppliers to provide you materials, supplies, food products, or other goods and services – your business may have a contingent risk. Business interruption coverage may help protect you if a supply chain issue results in your business being unable to build inventory or meet increased demand.

Increased Value for Seasonal Changes                                                                              

If Spring is one of your busiest times of year, it is likely you stock up on inventory or increase your production to meet demand. This may mean you have higher than normal value on this inventory, seasonal employment increases, higher operating costs, more business income, and additional risks that may be significantly different than other times of year. It is important to factor these into your coverages, and possibly even look at “peak season endorsements” or other options for coverage.

We may not know what’s in store as the seasons change, but we can be better prepared. Get in touch with Brandon Patterson at our agency by calling 865.453.1414 or emailing brandon@ownbyinsurance.com to discuss your seasonal risks and the coverage options you may have available.

Spring is in the Air! What Coverages will Prepare You?

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

For those that don’t enjoy cold weather, springtime is a welcome relief! As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s an exciting time to be outdoors more and enjoy nature. But there are some risks that seem to “return” more heavily in the Spring, and we want you to be prepared!

Flood Risks
As the weather changes, storms are more common. Heavy, and more frequent, rains often lead to flash flooding or even overflowing creeks, lakes, and rivers. Every building is in a Flood Zone, and anywhere can flood if the worst conditions occur. Flood insurance is typically not included in your homeowners coverage, and our building and contents are also covered separately when it comes to Flood insurance. Make sure you’re aware of what you do – and don’t – have covered if a flood impacts your property.

Boats and Recreational Vehicles
Getting that boat, RV, ATV, or other vehicle ready for the season? Do you have it covered properly? Damage to these vehicles can often occur during their storage, preparation, and/or transportation – not just during regular use! Does your policy have coverage for when this other damage occurs?

Potholes
Road conditions often “show up” more frequently during weather changes. Potholes may open as road coverings warm up, leading to sometimes dangerous hazards. If you only have collision coverage on your vehicle, pothole damage is unlikely to be covered by your policy.

Vacation Rental Coverage
Americans begin to take more and more trips as the weather improves, with Spring Breaks a common “kickoff” to this heavier travel season. Is your rental property prepared? Often, the Winter season has impacts that lead to necessary Spring maintenance. If you’re properly maintaining your properties, you may be avoiding risks that can lead to damage or liability. Even so, heavier use of your properties also comes with increased risks. Having the right policies in place for high traffic seasonal use is a critical part of protecting your property.

To help ensure you have that right coverages in place for seasonal risks, contact Brandon Patterson in our agency at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com to get started!

The Liability Risks Small Businesses May Face

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

As a small business owner, it’s important to be aware of the risks you face when it comes to liability. These risks can come in many different forms and can vary depending on your type of business. Knowing what these risks are and how to best manage them is essential for running a successful business. Let’s explore what liability risks you might face as a small business and how you can protect yourself.

Employment Law Risks
The most common risk that small businesses face is employment law-related issues. This includes things like wage disputes, discrimination claims, and wrongful termination suits. To minimize your risk here, make sure you have a clear employee manual outlining company policies and procedures, as well as properly document all employee disciplinary action taken. Additionally, regular training on relevant laws and HR practices will help keep your team up-to-date on current regulations so they know their rights and responsibilities while avoiding potential pitfalls.

From a coverage perspective, having Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) may protect you if one of these issues results in a lawsuit against your business.

Operational Risks
Operational risks refer to the day-to-day activities of running a business such as customer service, marketing campaigns, data security measures, etc., which can all lead to potential liabilities if not managed properly. Implementing proper protocols for dealing with customer inquiries, setting up secure systems for storing customer data, and making sure you’re compliant with relevant laws are all key steps to mitigating operational risks related to your small business operations.

Your operations may require multiple coverages to help protect against these operational risks. A General Liability (GL) policy may cover some of them, while standalone policies like Cyber Insurance may help insure you have higher limits of coverage based on your needs.

Commercial Property Liability
Property damage is another common source of liability for small businesses. If a customer is injured on your premises due to an unsafe condition that wasn’t addressed properly or quickly enough by you or your staff members, they may be able to sue for damages depending on the severity of their injury and how much responsibility lies on your shoulders as the property owner or manager. To lessen this risk as much as possible, make sure all safety regulations are followed and that regular maintenance checks are carried out on a regular basis. If there is ever an incident involving property damage caused by someone other than yourself (e.g., an employee), investigate immediately and take appropriate action if necessary so that you don’t end up liable for damages caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing.

Again, a GL policy may be all you need here, but your policy limits are always something to consider based on your level of risk.

Product Liability Risks
If you manufacture or sell products, then product liability should also be top-of-mind for you when it comes to managing risk. This means understanding the potential dangers associated with your product or service and making sure that customers are adequately informed of any safety warnings or instructions prior to use. Having a comprehensive warranty program in place can also help reduce product liability risk as well as provide an additional layer of protection against customer complaints or lawsuits over faulty products or services.

Separate Product Liability insurance may also be available for your business, and may be needed if you have a higher level of risk based on what product(s) you produce.

No matter what type of small business you own or operate, there are always liability risks associated with it that need to be managed properly in order to ensure smooth operation and avoid potential legal complications down the road. To help ensure you have that right coverages in place to respond to legal concerns, contact Brandon Patterson in our agency at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com to get started!

I Have a Small Business – Is a BOP All I Need to Insure It?

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

Operating a small business typically includes trying to find ways to lower your expenses. But you also have to protect your interests, and the interests of your customers and employees. Insurance is a critical piece of that planning, and a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) seems like the easy answer. While in some cases it may be, don’t overlook other coverages you may need to have in place.

What’s a BOP, and What Does it Cover?
A BOP typically provides your business with coverage for liability and property and may also provide you coverage if your business is forced to shutdown because of a covered loss. So, claims like lawsuits against your business; damages to property, inventory, or equipment; and business interruptions are all things you may be covered for if you have a BOP in place. But there are other potential claims you may face depending on what goods or services your business provides.

What if I Have Employees?
If you have employees, you are likely required to have workers’ compensation coverage for them. In Tennessee, if you have five or more employees – one or more in construction – you are required to have work comp insurance. There are certainly exceptions, but it is something you’ll want to review with an agent. Your premium and level of risk for employees will be based on the work they perform – you can read more on how that’s determined here – and also your business’s history.

What About Cyber Coverage?
For example, let’s say you have a business that deals with customer data (as most do now). In today’s market, you need to have cyber liability insurance to protect your customers and your business in the event of a data breach – and your BOP may not have coverage for that. If your BOP does offer coverage for cyber liability or data breach, it may not be enough coverage. That all depends on the amount of and way you use your customer data.

Additional Risks?
Does your business deliver goods? Do you have special equipment, work with expensive technology, or rely heavily on suppliers? There are many factors that can impact your small business, and it is important to discuss them with an agent. Then you can determine if there are additional coverages you may not have considered.

A BOP is a great start for many small businesses’ insurance – but it’s not all-encompassing protection. Make sure you understand your business’ risks and needs and purchase the appropriate coverage to protect your property and interests.

Contact Brandon Patterson at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com and let him help you determine your risks and understand your coverage options!

Insuring Condos is Just Like Insuring Any Other Home – Right?

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

Owning a condominium is a big investment, and it’s important that you take the necessary steps to protect it. And while condos do have many of the same risks as houses, there are also other risks you need to be aware of – and coverages that can protect you. There may also be less that needs to be covered than a traditional house, but it’s important to understand what that really means. Let’s take a look!

What Kind of Insurance Do I Need?
As you might expect when insuring a condo, there are three common types of coverage: dwelling, liability, and personal property. Dwelling coverage typically covers any repairs or replacements needed due to fire, theft, or specific natural disasters. Liability coverage is to help protect you from lawsuits that may arise from an accident in or around your condominium. And finally, personal property coverage is used to cover items inside your condo if they are damaged or stolen.

However, condos are typically insured on an “HO6” policy. The main difference in that and a “regular house” policy (typically covered by an “HO3” policy) is that condo owners are not usually responsible for the “common areas” around their condo. As examples, the hallways, land, parking areas, etc. are usually the responsibility of the company that owns or manages the condo – or the condo owners’ association.

So, as a condo owner with an HO6 policy, you may have “less” to cover. But that doesn’t mean you have less to protect. HO6 policies don’t typically protect you against losses from earthquakes, sinkholes, floods, and municipal water/sewers.

What Other Coverages Do I Need?
To fully protect your condo, you should discuss additional coverage options with your insurance agent. Coverages for flood, water backup, earthquake, and umbrella policies for additional liability may make sense depending on your specific risks.

Another coverage to review is “unit assessment” insurance, which can reimburse you for your share of an assessment charged to all unit owners as a result of a covered loss. For instance, if there is a fire in the lobby and all the unit owners are charged the cost of repairing the loss.

Insuring condos, like most property, is often unique to the risks you face. Contact Brandon Patterson at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com and let him help you determine your risks and understand your coverage options!

Are Your Cabin & Vacation Rental Risks Higher During Winter?

Posted on by Ownby-Client-Login

Over the past decade, Cabin and Vacation Rentals have continued to increase in popularity, and winter has quickly become one of the busiest times of year for these properties. However, with the colder weather comes a unique set of risks. So, are there greater insurance risks during the winter months? Let’s take a closer look at this important question.

Winter Weather Risks

One of the biggest risks during winter rentals is weather-related damage. Snowstorms can cause roofs to collapse, ice dams can form on gutters, and freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst – all of which can lead to costly repairs or replacements. If you or a renter isn’t occupying the cabin, even more damage can occur while these damages go unchecked.

Higher Risks for Fire

Another risk associated with renting out a cabin or vacation home in the winter is the potential for a fire. Many people who rent cabins are looking to enjoy activities that involve open flames such as fireplaces, candles, campfires, fire pits, etc., which carry an inherent risk of fire damage. Additionally, bad weather can make roads impassable or make it difficult for emergency services to reach their destination.

Insurance Fraud Issues

It’s also important to be aware of potential insurance fraud when renting out your property in the winter months. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals may try to take advantage of your generous hospitality by claiming damages that never actually occurred or inflating their claims in order to receive more compensation than necessary from your insurer.

Preparation is the Key

Preparing your property for these risks and having the right coverages in place should an issue occur is critical. Some steps for preparation to consider include:

  1. Take steps to winterize your property, including cleaning gutters, changing filters, checking pipe insulation, and inspecting roofs.
  2. Post clear instructions for renters on using fireplaces, candles, and open flames near any flammable materials.
  3. Review potential renters’ profiles and previous “reviews” if available. Compile all the appropriate information to contact them should an issue occur.
  4. Having cameras on your property to keep up oversight may also be a good idea, but be sure to be mindful of privacy and appropriate locations for monitoring.

With a little bit of foresight and preparation, cabin owners can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their rental properties are properly insured during the potentially hazardous winter months. By researching different policies and understanding what types of risks are associated with renting out a cabin during this time period, you can ensure that you are adequately protected against any unforeseen events that might occur while renting out your property during this season. Let us help you review these options and determine the coverages that are best for you! Contact Brandon Patterson at 865.453.1414 or email brandon@ownbyinsurance.com and let us help you get started.