Why am I Paying State Taxes & Fees for my Insurance Policy?

When I am working on placing insurance on behalf of a business, I first assess which "markets" will be the best place for this risk. There are two types of insurance markets: Admitted Insurance Carriers and Non-admitted Insurance Carriers (otherwise known as Excess & Surplus lines carriers). I've done a brief outline of the two sides below.

Your Online Reputation and How to Protect It

As a business owner or an employee of any company, I think we have all come in contact with a disgruntled employee of some sorts.  I know in my insurance career, I've definitely been around and experienced at least a handful of employees that truly felt like they were either not being treated fairly or that they were not valued enough.  Even if the accusations are false, the perception of the employee is all that matters.  

Who is wearing a Tiger Shark Costume to Work? This TEAM!

Today starts a sales competition here at Bozzuto.  All the producers and account managers are split up into three teams.  As you can see from the picture below, my team is serious about spirit and WINNING. 

 

Here at Bozzuto we're sincere about customer service and building a long lasting relationship with our clients.  And that is why our Tiger Shark team is looking for any insurance referrals.  Help our Tiger Shark team win!  If you refer three or more referrals to our team, we'll thank you by sending you a generous gift card.   Feel free to email us with any referrals at joileneh@dbinsurance.com! 

GO TIGER SHARKS!!!

How are Vacancy Insurance Issues Affecting the Real Estate Market?

In previous real estate years, we really never had to worry about vacancy issues, especially in Silicon Valley.  Everyone wanted to work here and therefore, move here.  Businesses, families, recent grads, start-up enthusiasts and Southern California transplants were itching to get their own piece of the Silicon Valley success pie. Now, whether you're buying and selling or buying and holding real estate for your own portfolio or the portfolio of the company you work for, vacancy issues scattered amongst the real estate world is creating quite an insurance nightmare for some property owners. 

Hire a Lawyer. Then Sue Your Lawyer....

Refreshed, relaxed and picking up a slight Chicago accent from a week long vacation, I came back to work with a few potential clients interested in lawyers E&O.  Somewhat organically, recently I've been gaining traction in the errors and omissions insurance arena with law firms.  I've worked with many different types of law firms to date: insurance law, construction defect, personal injury, labor employment, etc.  The list could go on and on.  As many different types of law as there are, there is one disturbing trend that is rising: malpractice or professional liability claims filed against law firms in 2011.

They Asked You What In An Interview?

Many of my friends have been going through the interviewing process attempting to either move from their current employer or are unemployed and looking for work.  Most of us know that asking how old someone is or what nationality they are, are not appropriate questions in an interview.  And, if people are asking you those types of questions, they are leaving themselves and their organizations open to discrimination lawsuits.

Making sure your hiring managers and human resource personnel know what they can and can't ask is key when beginning the hiring process.  And it may be a good idea to double check that your firm has Employment Practices Liability Insurance coverage, as well. 

I came across some hilarious and intriguing interview questions and answers on the Mindflash Blog. 

Camps, Clinics and Tournaments - Get In The Box!

Summer is upon us and finally we have some warm weather!  What does this mean?  Sports camps, tournaments and clinics are on the horizon!  If your league, school or association has organized or is putting on a camp, clinic or tournament, you need to make sure that you are properly covered with general liability and participant accident coverage.

Lately, I've seen some people who have taken some short cuts, believe that personal medical insurance covers all of their sports and entertainment liability and signed waivers are the solutions to all of their problems.  I cannot stress enough that if someone is seriously injured during a tournament, clinic or camp, that your association or organization is still liable and will be named in suit. 

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Spider-Man!!!

As I was watching the Tony Awards last night, U2's lead singer, Bono, came on screen and I thought to myself "Ohhhh yeahhh.  What ever happened to his Spider-Man Broadway show anyways???"

Back in February, Spider-Man created some major waves in the insurance industry and then again in March due to their alleged unsafe working conditions.  The Broadway Show costs approximately one million dollars a week to run and has been plagued by cast injuries.  The most serious injury being Chris Tierney who fell 30 feet while performing an aerial stunt due to a "human error" involving the harness which propelled him across the stage. 

"We Sell Doughnuts, Not Crystal Balls"

According to an article published in the Insurance Journal today, "A Dunkin’ Donuts employee mistakenly put sugar rather than artificial sweetener into a diabetic woman’s coffee, triggering a reaction that sent the woman to the hospital, according to a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Philadelphia.  The woman is seeking unspecified damages due to the fact that the employee added sweetner out of the customers presence."
 

Hired & Non-Owned Auto Coverage And Why Your Business Needs It

We all know how quickly auto accident bills can rack up.  Now think about those bills being pushed back on you as a business owner.  If I had my way, none of my clients would be able to deny Hired & Non-Owned Auto coverage.  If you own any type of business, you should have this coverage.  Period - End of Story. 

Are We All In For a Sony Security Breach?

High School Hay Prank Gets Moldy

It's about that time of year when Senior Ditch Day is in full effect and we begin to hear about all the funny high school pranks that clever seniors come up with.  I've heard of an old car in the school pool, thousands of cups of water lining school hallways and staircases and placing all of the desks and chairs on top of the school roof. 

Occasionally we hear of a high school prank going wrong.  But closing down a school for 4 days?  I don't think I've ever come across a prank that was that intense.  Until now.