What Types of Businesses Need a Commercial Contract Bond?

There are many types of businesses that might require a commercial contract bond as part of their total insurance program. While some people may think of construction when contract bonds are mentioned, service contractors, manufacturers, suppliers/installers and retailers/wholesalers may need a commercial contract bond when they enter into a contract to provide work or perform a service.

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Dan Zeiler
Workers Compensation Insurance

Employers are legally obligated to take reasonable care to assure that their workplaces are safe. Nevertheless, accidents happen. When they do, workers compensation insurance provides coverage.  Workers compensation insurance serves two purposes: It assures that injured workers get medical care and compensation for a portion of the income they lose while they are unable to return to work and it usually protects employers from lawsuits by workers injured while working.

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Beware of Fake QR Code Scams

QR codes were created in the 1990s and have seen a resurgence in use due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cybercriminals and scammers have been able to create their own QR codes replacing legitimate codes to steal users’ money and personal information. Learn how to help prevent being scammed by fake QR codes by staying cyber vigilant

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Dan Zeiler
OSHA Issues New Penalty Enforcement Guidance

On Jan. 26, 2023, OSHA announced it issued new enforcement guidance making its penalties more effective to stop employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with workplace safety and health requirements.

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Dan Zeiler
5 Insurance Mistakes Landscapers Make

If you own a landscaping business, you know things happen! Some mistakes aren’t preventable, even when you take every precaution. What can be prevented is how much your business suffers financially when things go wrong. You might think the only mistakes you have to worry about are made in a regular day’s work. In reality, the biggest mistake you can make is not protecting yourself before the mistake ever happens.

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Housekeeping Failures Lead to More Than $15 Million in Penalties

Violations of workplace health and safety standards and subsequent OSHA citations can impact organizations of all sizes and sectors. In addition to highlighting unaddressed safety hazards, these citations often carry a number of consequences, including costly penalties, diminished workforce morale and widespread reputational damages. This case study outlines a recent OSHA citation and explains what the affected organization could have done to avoid it.

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Dan Zeiler
Best Practices for Avoiding Contract Liability

Entering into a contractual relationship can expose your company to significant contract liability. Implementing standard safeguards indicates a well-rounded risk management program that guards against potential losses. An organization should require a contractor to assume liability arising out of the contractor’s negligent conduct, delivery of products, services or activities.

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To Pay or Not to Pay? That Is the Ransomware Question

When a hacker infiltrates your system, paying their ransom demand right away might not be the best approach. One’s first instinct might be to pay, pay, pay. Data is locked up tight, and sensitive client, customer and employee information is on the line … not to mention business reputability and operations. But paying a hacker outright might not be the best first step.

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Dan Zeiler
Watch Out for Vendor Social Engineering Scams Near the Holidays

Social engineering scams manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information via a phishing email or other email compromise - and they are getting more sophiscated. Learn why small businesses must stay vigilant throughout the holiday season and be on the alert for social engineering scams involving fraudulent vendors.

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Dan Zeiler
Tips for Hiring Seasonal Workers

As companies start getting ready for the busy holiday season, many may focus on attracting customers and hiring seasonal workers quickly. However, it’s important to keep employee safety in mind, too. Find out some of the top mistakes employers make when hiring seasonal workers – and what they can do to avoid them.

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Dan Zeiler
Don’t Overlook These 5 Fire Hazards

Fire hazards are in every area of a business, and causes are diverse—ranging from faulty wiring or machinery to dust, chemicals, hot work and even poor housekeeping. Even though there are countless ways a fire can start, here are five areas that you may not realize are severe risks. Since fires are so devastating to property and lives, it’s one concern that should keep managers and employees on constant alert.

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Dan Zeiler
Cost Control Strategies for Your Small Business

Controlling costs is essential to running a profitable business. If you don’t keep track of your operating expenses, it can become nearly impossible to catch issues that reduce your business’s profitability. You may even risk allowing operating costs to spiral out of control and land your books in the red. That’s where cost control comes in.

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Dan Zeiler
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

Theft of catalytic converters has skyrocketed in recent years due to the highly valuable precious metals they contain. The National Insurance Crime Bureau found that the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 52,000 in 2021. See why catalytic converters get stolen and how vehicle owners can prevent their theft.

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