The recent Supreme Court ruling that barred restrictions put on religious services in New York put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus may effect houses of worship everywhere.
The United States Supreme Court said in this most recent ruling that the Constitution does not take a holiday during the pandemic; in some ways, those rights are more important and more necessary than ever,” said legal analyst Dan Eaton.
This ruling gives new hope to all churches hoping to be able to meet indoors with no limitations. Legal experts say the new ruling doesn’t mean churches can do whatever they want. They will still have to follow local public health guidelines, but it might make politicians ease up on restrictions on houses of worship to avoid legal challenges.
We are not providing any legal opinion; we recommend you work with your attorney before any action is taken. This is to be considered informational only.
2020 and COVID-19 have changed the way we think about remote working. Most businesses are having employees work from home, and even if there is a vaccine, the work from home trend is likely to continue well into 2021. A PWC survey on US remote working found that 55% of executives believe that most of their employees will continue working remotely at least one day a week post-pandemic.
A Remote Work Policy Might Include:
- Work hours
- Equipment used
- Time management
- Define the scope of work
- Designated work area
- Proof of presence in the work area
How Does Worker’ Compensation Apply To Remote Workers?
In general, employees are covered for work-related injuries that occur outside the office or other workplaces. Generally, employers are still responsible for injuries that occur during a detour, such as when an employee physically departs from his or her job duties that is considered minor activity, getting coffee, etc.
Some questions that will determine whether an injury is a work-related include:
- Was the employer benefiting from the employee’s actions when the injury occurred?
- Did the employer require the employee to engage in the injury-causing activity?
- Did the employer approve the off-site activity in advance?
While employers cannot completely eliminate safety hazards in a home office setting, just as they cannot in the traditional office setting, employers should enforce good risk management practices to ensure those home office workplaces are as safe as possible.
Finding and buying the insurance that meets the unique needs of your business can be easy when you work with the experienced team at our agency. We understand that your business is one of a kind and needs specific protection.
Call us to speak with one of our agents or complete our online quote form. Please have your current policies available when you call.
Jul 21
17
Cyber Risk For Churches
Today’s technology helps Christian ministries extend their reach when proclaiming the Gospel. Innovation is crucial when it comes to communication, but it brings about its own challenges—especially when it comes to software, social media, online giving, and e-commerce.
Our cyber liability coverages help protect your ministry against property damage, financial damage, or emotional injury claims resulting from your ministry’s activities related to computer use and electronic data.
Brotherhood Mutual’s cyber liability coverages protect your ministry against claims of:
- Unauthorized computer use that causes damage to another’s computer-related property.
- Computer-related activity that accidentally damages another individual, organization, or enterprise.
- Financial losses of others from unintentional transmission of computer viruses or other harmful files.
- Data breach liability for improperly using, failing to properly protect, or losing electronic personal information.
- Errors caused by specified IT contractors working on your behalf.
Jul 21
11
Accident Insurance
Ministry doesn’t always go according to plan. When an accident occurs during church, school, or camp activities, these excess Accident Insurance plans will help by providing coverage for medical expenses associated with accidental injuries, with deductibles as low as $0.
Coverage applies on an excess basis, after all other applicable health care plans are exhausted. If no other health care plan or policy exists, coverage will be payable like primary coverage. Additional and optional benefits may also apply. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, and limitations.
Protect the people who make your organization what it is. Contact your Brotherhood Mutual agent to learn more about these accident insurance plans.
Jun 21
23
Property Insurance For Your Church
Every ministry owns business property, and you may also own the building in which you run your operations. Property insurance protects the physical assets your nonprofit owns – such as computers, office equipment, buildings, furniture, fixtures, and other property.
Every business should have a property insurance coverage to respond to the many risks associated with property ownership. Property policies offer many unique coverages, some of which we have highlighted:
- Building Coverage – allows you to quickly rebuild or repair buildings or other property damaged by fire, theft, natural disaster or other events, allowing you to return to normal operations.
- Business Personal Property Coverage – covers costs to replace the contents in your building if they are stolen or destroyed by a covered unforeseen event.
- Business Income Coverage – provides for continued income or lost revenues while the building and its contents are being rebuilt and replaced. Business income helps you to cover operating and ordinary payroll expenses needed to keep an organization operating after a loss, usually for a specific time.
- Fine Arts Coverage – includes loss or damage to artwork or sculptures housed in your building.
- Building Ordinance Coverage – covers the increased cost to comply with building codes, ordinances or laws that have changed after your building was originally constructed. For example, under new building codes, your structure may be required to have a sprinkler system, which will increase construction costs.
- Outdoor Signs and Property Coverage – covers costs to replace outdoor fences, signs, trees, shrubs or plants.
- Equipment Breakdown Coverage – includes loss due to failure or breakdown of equipment such as boilers, heating systems, and electrical machinery.
- Computer Coverage – covers costs to replace or repair damaged hardware, software, data or media vital to your operations.
- Back-up of Sewer – covers costs to repair or replace items damaged by back-up or overflow of a sewer or drain.
- Earthquake Coverage – provides insurance to repair or replace damaged equipment and buildings resulting from an earthquake. Earthquake coverage is typically excluded under most property policies.
Jun 21
17
Managing Risk In Uncertain Times
We are living in uncertain times. COVID-19 and all that goes with it have created a new set of operating rules and risks. There is a number of new risks that have emerged as a result of these changing times.
It is vital that your business insurance program have the flexibility to respond to the changing and uncertain times we are living in. Your business insurance program needs to be designed to give your business the best possible coverage at a reasonable price from an agent who understands your individual needs.
Remote Workers
COVID-19 has changed the way we think about remote working. Most businesses are having employees work from home, and even if there is a vaccine, the work from home trend is likely to continue. In general, employees are covered for work-related injuries that occur outside the office or other workplaces. Generally, employers are still responsible for injuries that occur during a detour, such as when an employee physically departs from his or her job duties that are considered minor activity, getting coffee, etc.
New Cyber Risks
Commercial businesses to become more dependent on the internet with an increase in remote workers. This new normal now requires special procedures and policies to protect your organization, its data, and network. When workers feel secure, you can nurture productivity and enhance collaboration.
Finance, Social Life And Health Of Employees
Because of the requirements and arrangements following the pandemic, employees have been faced with unexpected expenses related to travel, digital needs, accommodation (home workspaces) health concerns, and protective measures. Employers need to find ways to address these needs on a long-term basis, possibly through smaller in-person gatherings, remote learning opportunities, and even allowances for home office improvements.
Employees With Disabilities
Disabled employees need additional support to adapt to changes. Specific measures are required to address their needs and ensure their access to remote works issues.
As with any risk, you want to get out in front of it quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it is to mitigate the damage. The most successful companies are those that put systems and processes in place to help them quickly recognize the warning signs and navigate the best path forward.
If an employee is injured on the job, employers are legally liable to the employee. Workers’ compensation will even cover employees who are involved in auto accidents while away from the worksite, if the accident occurred while on the job. Workplace accidents happen every day and most could have been prevented.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Academy of Social Insurance, workplace accidents cost U.S. employers nearly $62 billion dollars every year, according to the 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace study. The top five costly causes of loss may surprise you.
Top Five Costly Injuries
- Overexertion — Involving lifting, pulling, or carrying an object.
- Trip and falls — Employees tripping over an object or falling down stairs.
- Struck by an object or equipment — These involve an employee being struck and injured by a piece of equipment falling on or near them.
- Sprains and Strains — These motions include bending, crawling, reaching, twisting, climbing or stepping.
- Auto Accidents — Employees may be the driver or passenger where an accident caused injury.
Prevention Tips
- Have a pre-shift stretching program.
- Teach proper lifting techniques.
- Make sure equipment is securely attached to table or shelf.
- Make sure you have proper ladders and other devices for use.
- Require all employees to use seat belts.
- Prohibit use of any mobile device while driving.
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May 21
26
How To Manage A Property Loss
Business Insurance Update
Most every business in owns business property, which may include the building in which you run your operations. Property insurance protects the physical assets your business owns – such as computers, office equipment, buildings, furniture, fixtures, and other property. Every business should have a comprehensive property insurance portfolio to respond to the many risks associated with property ownership.
We hope to help you indemnify a proactive plan in the event of a fire, theft, storm, or some other kind of damage that might involve your business insurance policy. There are a number of actions you can do to help get the best possible settlement from the insurance company.
Pre-Loss Practices
- Maintain vital records
- Have photos of all buildings, major equipment, etc
- Blueprints- keep complete sets
- Keep at least 5 to 10 years of financial records
- Appoint key individuals as communicators
- Have emergency response plan
- Secondary locations identified
During The Loss
- Notify the insurer
- Protect the property
- Track claim costs
- Separate budget line items
- Keep records of all internal and external costs
- Make temporary repairs
- If you hire contractors or consultants you might want to get the insurers approval, if you want the costs covered under insurance
- Meet regularly with the agent and Insurer
- List and address key issues and concerns
- Note any changes from original design
- Will you rebuild or not?
- What might cause delays?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system of benefits provided by states to most workers who have job-related injuries. If your company has employees, you are required by Alaska law to buy workers’ compensation insurance.
However, todays technologies allow employees to work from home, and this creates unique workers’ compensation risks for businesses. If you have telecommuting employees, you will need to make sure they are covered under your businesses workers’ compensation insurance.
A Few Actions That Might Not Be A Compensable Claim Under Workers’ Comp
- Employee leaves home to run a personal errand.
- Your employee takes a break and falls off a ladder at home.
- An employee who sets up a remote office in a local coffee shop goes shopping next door and is injured in a slip-an-fall accident.
Risk Management Techniques For Telecommuting Employees
- Clearly define work boundaries within the home.
- Set specific work hours.
- Businesses should ensure that the employee’s desk and chair are set-up ergonomically.
- Make sure the employee understand that work from home options may change.
- Specifically describe the scope of the employee’s activities.
May 21
19
Earthquake Risk…Disasters Can Happen
Natural disasters are part of the price we all pay for living on the west coast. We all appreciate the good weather, lakes, mountains, and the natural beauty found on the west coast. However, fires, mudslides, floods, and earthquakes are just a few of the natural disasters common to the western states. Earthquakes are especially a concern in many of the western states, and they are almost impossible to predict with 100% accuracy.
Earthquake Insurance – Typically, earthquake insurance covers damage to your home, business, and your personal property. Most policies also cover costs incurred to minimize further damage after the earthquake, plus costs for additional expenses. Deductibles are generally 10-15% of the insured amount. Earthquake losses are not covered under your homeowners insurance policy.
Earthquake Safety Tips
- Brace tall fixtures.
- Get to know nearby evacuation sites, such as schools or parks.
- Secure all electronics.
- Major appliances, like your water heater and refrigerator, should be secured with straps screwed into the wall studs to help keep them from falling over.
- Install foundation straps or bolting.
- Brace chimneys.
Unlike flood insurance, earthquake coverage is available from private insurance companies rather than from the government.
Every agency and business has a critical component that ensures its performance. It’s known as employee engagement. It can mean the difference between your employees feeling motivated to take the company to greater heights or feeling overwhelmed to the point of sabotage. It is important that all employees feel engaged in the business so that the entire team is moving toward a common goal. The results will be customers who are getting their needs addressed.
This is important when you don’t treat insurance as a product but a service, but rather a relationship. Customers want advice, communication, education and partnerships with their insurance agent. In order to accomplish this, agencies must create a different management model. Here are ways to help employees feel more engaged.
Ask employees to how to improve customer service
Your staff knows better how to improve customer service. Ask them what they believe your customers are looking for. Then create policies and procedures that address these areas.
Seek impute from customers
Unlike some big national firms, we don’t have a set of scripted statements to give to you. We listen to what you are saying and then respond accordingly. We ask the right questions to find the individual insurance solution for you.
Be intentional about culture
Reichley Insurance is in the business to meet people’s and businesses’ needs. We don’t ever sell you a product. We create and deliver personal and business solutions that address your individual needs, and sometimes that may not include any insurance if it is not in your best interest. Our belief is that by doing what is best for you… we will also benefit.
Build performance goals and hold everyone accountable
Most people desire to know where they stand and how they can improve in order to make more money or advance.
We know and understand your industry. Before we do anything, we take time to get to know you. Our staff has a deep understanding of how insurance works, and we continually seek training and education. Our team has over 150 combined years of experience.
These commitments result in the highest customer satisfaction and confidence. They are Reichley Insurance Agency’s highest priorities.
With all the changes going on in our world, customers’ needs seem to change as well. In a recent customer satisfaction survey regarding customer service, we found many interesting changes in what people what.
Customer service has quickly risen to the top of the priority list for consumers, and 2021 will be no exception. But why are so many businesses putting a premium on the consumer experience, and what happens if they don’t?
A customers’ loyalty is no longer based on price or product. Instead, they remain loyal to businesses because of the experiences they have had with them.
Customers want to have a place to get all their insurance fulfilled at one time.
Top Consumer Priority
- Customer experience 46%
- Pricing 21%
- Product 33%
The survey found that 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. How we define customer service:
- We educate rather than sell.
- Seeking alternatives to insurance is always an option.
- Giving our clients many ways to communicate with us is a priority.
- We develop relationships.
- Insurance should be one of many solutions to your risk concerns, not just a product
- Trust is one of the few remaining differentiators available to the modern insurer. Not only that, but it’s still the biggest indicator of a long-term sustainable business.
The client, regardless of the insurance firm, looks to you, the agent, for guidance, support, and responsiveness. Remember to put your client relationships first, despite the evolving tactics and focuses in today’s insurance markets, and you’ll find yourself building a book of business that sticks around for the long haul.
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