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If your business owns or uses trucks, you need to have the right Truck Insurance to protect your vehicles, employees, and business. 

Trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars, and they are also taller with greater ground clearance. Trucks also take longer to stop. A loaded tractor-trailer takes 20-40 percent farther to stop than a personal vehicle. 

Therefore, the risk for trucks is significantly higher than it is for personal vehicles. Higher risks mean higher consequences. In 2019, 4,119 people died in large truck crashes, and 97% of vehicle occupants killed in a two-vehicle crash involved a large truck. The average cost of a significant truck accident involving a fatality is $13.6 million, and the average cost of all large truck accidents is $91,000. 

The right truckers' insurance helps ensure that one major accident doesn't put you out of business. 

If you use a truck (or any vehicle) for business, you need to have Commercial Auto Insurance (a non-fleet insurance); however, you may qualify for fleet insurance if you own five or more trucks. Fleet insurance can help you save money and manage your fleet more efficiently. 

Here's what you need to know about Fleet Insurance. 

Fleet Insurance vs. Non-Fleet Insurance

Your vehicle(s) can be classified as non-fleet, which means each vehicle is insured under an individual insurance policy. If you can classify your vehicles as fleet vehicles, all of them are insured under one policy. 

Non-Fleet Insurance

In almost every state, it is illegal to operate a vehicle without valid insurance. If a vehicle is used for commercial purposes – such as transporting goods - a Commercial Auto Policy is required. Many business uses or vehicle types can be excluded from personal auto Insurance policies. 

A non-fleet vehicle can be owned by a company or an individual. With a "non-fleet" Commercial Auto Policy, the underwriting is based primarily on the driver – his or her driving record, driving experience, documented claims, etc. 

Fleet Insurance

Fleet insurance is a commercial vehicle insurance that covers more than one vehicle and driver. It can be a fleet of cars, trucks, ships, or aircraft covered under one insurance policy. How many vehicles constitute a fleet varies by state and by insurance companies. Typically, the minimum is five vehicles. Often, ten or more units is required to qualify for fleet insurance. 

To qualify for fleet insurance, the vehicles must be owned by a business, not an individual/driver. Because there are more underwriting variables with a fleet, working with an insurance agent with experience in Trucking Insurance is crucial. 

Advantages of Fleet Insurance

Utilizing a fleet insurance policy means having one insurance policy for all of your vehicles instead of multiple policies. Fleet insurance may reduce the overall cost of insurance, save hours of administrative work, and make fleet management more manageable. 

Fleet Insurance often comes with more deposit down payment options, and there is only one renewal date, so you don't have to keep track of multiple insurance policies. Fleet insurance can also make it easier to assign drivers to different vehicles. 

How to Save on Fleet Insurance

Typically, the more trucks you have, the higher the value, which means higher insurance premiums, but the number of trucks is not the only thing that will affect your costs. Other factors include…

• Type of Trucks
• Age of Trucks
• Value of trucks
• How the trucks will be used
• The type of policy 

An insurance agent with experience in Truckers Insurance – like the agents at American Insuring Group – can help determine which type of policy is best for your specific needs and share opportunities for cost savings. Plus, as independent agents, we will compare different policies and quotes to ensure you pay the lowest price for that coverage. 

Give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

A Return-to-Work (RTW) Program can help lower Workers' Compensation costs. Injured employees who can return to work – even if they're on modified or transitional duty – recover more quickly and feel more productive and connected with their workplace. Employers benefit by reducing the likelihood of litigation and – of course – controlling Workers' Compensation claim costs. 

What are Modified and Transitional Duty?

Sometimes injured employees can come back to work for what is called modified duty. Modified duty allows injured employees to perform their original duties with some modifications. With modified duty, the PA Department of Labor & Industry states, "Every effort will be made to place the employee in the most productive assignment available." Modified duty may include a shorter workday or providing a chair for the injured employee, so they can sit while working. 

However, sometimes restrictions imposed by the treating physician are too much to allow an injured employee to return to their regular duties, which is where transitional duty comes into play. With transitional duty, an employer is looking for something within the company that the injured employee can perform and still meet the physician's restrictions. 

For example, you may move a factory worker into the office to help – maybe scanning documents or answering phones. The idea is that the injured employee is gradually transitioned back to their original duties. 

The Key to Successful Transitional Duty

The key to successfully transitioning an injured employee back to their regular job is communication, so weekly meetings are essential. Those meetings should be held by a transitional duty coordinator or the supervisor handling the injured worker's RTW. Here are the benefits of weekly meetings. 

1. Weekly Meetings Keep Injured Employees Connected

Humans are a social species, so it's essential that employees performing transitional duties feel connected to their supervisors and co-workers. Weekly meetings boost morale, enhance self-worth, and make injured employees feel like valued members of the team. 

2. Weekly Meetings Help Transition Injured Employees More Quickly

Weekly meetings allow the employer and injured employee to work together so the employee can transition into other duties and move closer to their regular responsibilities more quickly. 

Injured employees should bring any changes in their medical condition, such as medications, work restrictions, and physician's recommendations to the weekly meetings. This allows the employer to determine if an injured employee is building strength or capabilities. 

The employee can discuss concerns they have or any obstacles they foresee in transitioning into new duties. Together, the employee and employer can address those needs and discuss options. Sometimes a simple change – such as an ergonomic chair – can allow an injured employee to transition into a duty closer to their regular work. 

The Weekly Meetings

During the weekly meetings, make sure that the injured employee feels like a valuable part of the team. Allow them to be a part of the conversation that will allow them to return to their regular duties. 

Here are a few tips:

• Send a letter to the injured employee's home address informing them of the meeting's time and date. If possible, send an email reminder of the meeting.
• If the injured employee is unable to drive due to the injury, provide transportation to the meetings.
• Make sure you follow all state and federal regulations, such as ADA, FMLA, and COBRA.
• Allow for an open dialogue so the employee feels comfortable expressing his or her concerns.
• Ensure that the employee is fit to perform new transitional duties safely. 

Save on Workers' Compensation Insurance

Another way to save on Workers' Compensation Insurance costs is to work with an agent who has experience with WC. American Insuring Group has specialized in WC for many years and can help your company save on Workers' Compensation costs. Give us a call today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

The construction industry is filled with risks, but understanding those risks and how to mitigate them can save you a ton of money on your Contractors Insurance costs. Here are three top risks every construction company should be aware of, steps to minimize those risks, and insurance to protect your business when something does happen. 

Risk: Injuries

Job site injuries are all-too-common. According to BigRentz, construction injury rates are – on average - 71% higher than injury rates across all industries and every year. The total cost of construction injuries in the U.S. is more than $11.5 billion per year, and in 2019, 130,000 construction workers missed work due to injuries. 

Employees aren’t the only ones who can be injured on a job site. Clients, vendors, etc., who visit your job site are also susceptible to injuries and may not be familiar with your safety protocols. 

Minimize the Risk of Injuries

The most effective way to minimize the risk of injuries is with a safety program. According to OSHA, construction companies can save $4 to $6 for every $1 invested in a safety program. However, according to National Funding, construction companies spend about 3.6% of their budgets on injuries and only 2.5% on safety training. 

OSHA suggests the following core elements of a Safety and Health Program:

• Management Leadership
• Worker Participation
• Hazard Identification and Assessment
• Hazard Prevention and Control
• Education and Training
• Program Evaluation and Improvement
• Communication and Coordination for Host Employers, Contractors, and Staffing Agencies 

Insurance Protection for Injuries

Workers’ Compensation (WC) Insurance – WC -mandatory in most states - is designed to cover medical expenses and lost wages when an employee is injured on the job. It also helps protect the employer against accident-related lawsuits. 

Business Liability Insurance – Clients, vendors, etc., who are injured on your job site are not covered under your WC policy. Business Liability Insurance typically protects your company if someone other than an employee is injured on a job site. 

Risk: Equipment Damage and Theft

Contractors rely on their tools and equipment to get the job done, and damaged or stolen equipment can quickly put a project at risk. Every year, as much as $1 billion is lost in the U.S. due to stolen construction equipment and tools. According to the NCIB, less than 20% of it is ever recovered. 

But the cost of stolen or damaged equipment goes well beyond replacement costs. IT also costs time spend filling out police reports and insurance forms. And whether the equipment is stolen or damaged, contractors need to find alternative equipment or make repairs to finish the job. 

Minimize the Risk of Equipment Damage and Theft

The risk of damage can be minimized with regular maintenance and training to ensure the equipment is being operated properly. 

The risk of Theft can be minimized with a few steps:

• Assess risks on each job site and develop a theft prevention policy.
• Secure your job site with fencing, security cameras, etc.
• Secure your equipment by locking it up and consider adding security measures such as alarms, fuel and equipment cut-off switches, and locks that immobilize controls. 

Insurance Protection for Equipment Damage and Theft

Commercial Property Insurance - Most Commercial Property Insurance policies cover tools and equipment that is stolen or damaged. However, it does not usually cover equipment that is in transit or stored at a job site. 

Builders Risk Insurance – Builders Risk Insurance is designed to protect equipment, structures, and materials in transit or at a job site. 

Risk: Litigation

We live in a litigious society, and anyone who works on a project can be held liable for any number of things. For example, you can be held responsible for property damage and projects that are not up to code or have other defects, such as cracks in the foundation, faulty drainage, or heating or electrical issues – even if it isn’t your fault. 

Minimize the Risk of Litigation

Litigation can cost a lot of time and money in legal fees and potential judgments against you. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of litigation:

• Pay attention to the contract and fulfill the terms of the contract
• Document daily reports for defects
• Set realistic schedules
• Keep communication formal and reasonable
• Consult a specialist when appropriate 

Insurance Protection for Litigation

General Liability Insurance - This type of policy helps cover risks such as injuries of non-employees, customer property damage, libel, and slander. 

Professional Liability Insurance – This type of insurance helps cover lawsuits that result from a failure to deliver on promised services, negligence in providing services, and errors and oversights. 

The Best Way to Protect Your Construction Company

Minimizing risk should always be a top priority, but when all of your best-laid-plans fail, the right insurance helps protect your company from those risks. The independent agents at American Insuring Group will check with multiple insurance companies to ensure that you pay the lowest price on your insurance coverage. Give one of our experienced agents a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

As more and more risk managers require Cargo Insurance, it’s essential to understand how it fits in with your Trucking Insurance Coverage. When the cargo you are transporting is lost or damaged, liability for that loss can fall on the transportation company, the shipper, the recipient, or the driver. And while you may do everything within your power to ensure the safe delivery of your cargo, things – beyond your control – can happen. 

Cargo Insurance helps cover the freight or commodity that you are hauling if it is lost or damaged. However, not all Cargo Insurance policies are the same; therefore, you must understand the policy you’re purchasing so you have the protection you need without paying more than you need to. 

Here are five questions every driver should ask about Cargo Insurance: 

Do I qualify for Motor Cargo Insurance?

Cargo Insurance is available to for-hire truck drivers. Typically, it is available for the following truck body types:

• Tractor
• Most trailers
• Dump Trucks
• Box Trucks
• Cargo Vans
• Flatbeds
• Car Haulers
• Cement mixers 

Typically, Cargo Insurance is not available for the following:

• Garbage Trucks
• Ice Cream Trucks
• Limousines
• Hearses
• Buses
• Passenger Vans 

What cargo is covered and not covered?

Most types of cargo are covered under Cargo Insurance; however, there are also many exclusions, which is why it’s important to work with a trusted insurance agent. 

Typical exclusions include the following:

• Live animals
• Art, Jewelry, Money, Paper
• Tobacco and Alcohol
• Pharmaceuticals
• Contraband
• Explosive materials
• Shipping containers
• Storage longer than 72 hours
• Cargo in the custody of another carrier
• Cargo owned by the insured
• Cargo not included in the Bill of Lading

Some Cargo Insurance policies also include debris removal. If your cargo is accidentally dumped on the road, this coverage helps pay for the expense of removing it or the extraction of pollutants caused by the debris. You can also purchase coverage to pay for costs related to preventing additional damage to the spilled cargo. 

What incidents are covered and not covered?

Most Cargo Insurance policies cover collision, theft, natural disasters, acts of war, customs rejection, and fire, but again, you must confirm that what you are hauling is covered by the insurance you’re purchasing. 

Refrigerated truck drivers may also want to consider purchasing reefer mechanical breakdown coverage, which helps cover refrigerated cargo that is spoiled due to a mechanical breakdown or an accident. But read the fine print as there may be cargo excluded from that policy, such as seafood, tobacco products, or pharmaceuticals. 

What are the limits and the deductible?

Your Motor Truck Cargo Insurance will also come with a limit, which is the maximum amount the insurance company will cover if your cargo is lost or damaged. If you are carrying high-end cargo – such as electronics – you’ll need to ensure that you have a higher limit. On the other hand, if the value of your cargo is low, you may be able to lower your costs by reducing your limit. 

Increasing the deductible is a common way to lower just about any insurance premium, and Cargo Insurance is no exception. The deductible is the amount that the policyholder will have to pay before the insurance company kicks in if a claim is made. The higher the deductible, the lower your premiums. However, you need to make sure that you have some way to cover that deductible if you need to make a claim. 

How can I save on Cargo Insurance?

The best way to save on Cargo Insurance is to work with independent agents that specialize in trucking insurance. American Insuring Group has specialized in Truck Insurance for many years. Our agents know what questions to ask to ensure that you have the right coverage for your needs, and as independent agents, they check with several carriers to ensure you pay the lowest price for that coverage. 

Give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online for a free estimate.

Workplace injuries do more than increase your Restaurant Insurance costs. They cost your business in many other ways, such as lost productivity, lower morale, and more. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates the “total economic costs of work-related deaths and injuries” in 2019 at $171 billion, $1,100 per worker, and $1.2 million per death. Those figures include “income not received or expenses incurred because of fatal and nonfatal PREVENTABLE injuries.”

The good news – as the NSC points out – is that many of these injuries are preventable. Here are seven ways to minimize the risk of injuries – and the ensuing costs – in your kitchen. 

Suitable Attire

Ensuring your employees are appropriately dressed can go a long way to preventing accidents and protecting the quality of the food you serve. 

Providing or requiring closed-toed, non-slip shoes is essential to keeping workers safe in the kitchen. Closed-toed shoes help prevent cuts from falling knives and burns from hot oil. Non-slip shoes help prevent slips and falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27% of the nonfatal work injuries in 2018 that resulted in days away from work were related to slips, trips, and falls. 

Personal Protective Equipment – such as gloves, oven mitts, and aprons – help prevent injuries such as burns. Properly-fitting uniforms - such as chef coats, cook shirts, and aprons – can help protect employees and minimize injuries. 

Professionally laundered uniforms have been shown to provide superior cleanliness as opposed to home washing machines. Hats and hairnets keep hair out of the way and prevent food from falling into the food. 

Non-Slip Mats

Again, 27% of work injuries result from slips, trips, and falls, and restaurant kitchens tend to be high-paced, busy places with employees constantly on the move. Therefore, anything you can do to keep your employees from slipping, tripping, or falling is essential to kitchen safety, making non-slip mats crucial for any restaurant kitchen. 

Proper Ventilation

“Having proper ventilation for your restaurant is imperative for employee and customer health as well as food sanitation,” FSR magazine states. “Improper ventilation can result in safety violations, higher utility bills, decreased employee productivity, and even flaring tempers from customers as well as employees. It can also result in loss of traffic due to unpleasant odors or uncomfortable conditions.” 

Fire Suppression System

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “Restaurant fires accounted for about 6 percent of all nonresidential building fires reported to fire departments each year. These fires resulted in an average of less than one fatality per 1,000 fires, 11 injuries per 1,000 fires, and $23,000 in loss per fire.” 

Deep fryers are involved in one out of ten kitchen fires. Pouring water on a grease fire is not a good idea as it can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire, and the vaporizing water may carry grease particles, which can spread the fire further. 

Proper maintenance and cleaning of deep fryers help minimize the risk of fires, and installing a fire suppression system helps ensure that if a fire does occur, it is put out quickly and safely. 

Equipment Guards

Kitchen Equipment, such as mixers, grinders, and slicers, are an essential part of most commercial kitchens, but they also present a safety risk. In a fast-paced environment or without proper training, accidents can happen. An easy way to avoid cuts or amputations is installing appropriate guards that keep fingers and hands out of harm’s way. 

Appropriate Signage

Signage can draw attention to potential hazards – such as a wet floor – and prevent injuries. 

Proper Cleaning

Good sanitation should be a top priority in any kitchen. One uncleaned filter can cause a fire. A spill that isn’t immediately cleaned can cause an employee to slip and fall. 

Employees need to be trained on how to clean surfaces, equipment, and floors properly. Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly cleaning checklists and schedules should be strictly adhered to. 

When Injuries Can’t be Prevented

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an employee is injured. Or a customer gets sick from a foodborne illness. Or a fire damages your kitchen. The right insurance helps protect you, your business, your customers, and your employees. 

Give one of the experienced agents at American Insuring Group a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online. Not only will we ensure you have the right insurance, but we’ll also ensure you get it at the lowest cost.

No Workers' Compensation Insurance program is perfect; however, if you want to improve your company's bottom line, it's imperative that you continually look for ways to improve your WC program.

Here are five tips to help any business improve its Workers' Compensation Plan. 

1. Get Started

This may sound like common sense, but sometimes the most challenging thing with any project is just getting started. Here are five areas that you should focus on to see the most significant impact. Pick one and get started!

1. Improve safety
2. Reduce costs
3. Reduce litigation
4. Build relationships with medical providers
5. Get injured employees back to work 

2. Create a Culture of Safety

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2019 there were 5,333 fatal work injuries recorded and 2,814,000 non-fatal work injuries that resulted in 888,200 cases with days away from work. The median number of days away from work was eight. These work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars every year, which is why workplace safety should be a top priority at any company. 

Creating a business culture that focuses on safety will have one of the most significant impacts on reducing your organization's number of injuries. That culture must be embraced by all employees at every level of the organizational chart. 

Here are three tips to help create a culture of safety:

1. Create a safety program with a set of controls designed to help protect employees from potential harm within the workplace.
2. Ongoing training should be a big part of any safety program. According to the National Safety Council, "Investing in workplace training is money well spent. Employers with effective safety and health training programs benefit from fewer workplace injuries and claims, better employee morale, and lower insurance premiums."
3. Employees should be recognized and/or rewarded for committing to workplace safety practices. 

3. Set Program Goals

Bill Copeland said, "The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score." Research shows that setting measurable and attainable goals boosts performance because it motivates and challenges employees to increase their effort, allows them to focus better, and helps them prioritize. 

Goals you may want to consider are reducing the number of injuries, reducing the time it takes to get an injured employee back to work or reducing the number of litigation claims. 

Once you have specific goals in place, create a plan of action and consider recognizing or rewarding employees for helping accomplish those goals. 

4. Avoid Common Mistakes

There are certain mistakes that many employers make. Knowing those mistakes is the first step to correcting them. Here are seven common Workers' Compensation mistakes to watch for:

1. Not having a safety plan in place or not enforcing it
2. Not having a return-to-work program
3. Underestimating the projected annual payroll
4. Not assigning the correct classification codes or not changing those classifications when business operations change
5. Listing an employee as a subcontractor – on purpose or by mistake.
6. Poor claims management
7. Working with inexperienced insurance agents 

5. Work With an Experienced Independent Workers' Compensation Insurance Agent

The agents at American Insuring Group specialize in Workers' Compensation Insurance. We have a clear understanding of the WC process and a proven track record of providing exceptional service to businesses – both big and small. 

The American Insuring Group's independent agents can help ensure that you get the best coverage at the lowest cost on all of your business insurance needs because, as independent agents, they are free to shop and compare among competing insurance carriers. Give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online today!

Builders’ Risk Insurance is a type of Contractor Insurance designed to help protect contractors, subcontractors, and construction companies if there is damage to buildings or structures during construction. You may ask, “Isn’t that what Commercial Property Insurance and General Liability Insurance is for?” The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.” 

What is Builders’ Risk Insurance?

Builders’ Risk Insurance - sometimes called Course of Construction Insurance or Inland Marine coverage – is a temporary insurance policy that can help protect a specific renovation or new building while under construction. It is designed to protect a building, structure, materials, tools, and equipment on a job site, in transit, or stored elsewhere during construction or renovation. 

Builders’ Risk Insurance is typically purchased by property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, lenders, or architects – anyone with a financial interest in the project. Usually, we recommend that it is purchased before materials are delivered and end only when the property is ready to be occupied or sold. 

The cost of Builders’ Insurance varies depending on the type of project, the construction materials used, and the policy coverage amounts and limits. The coverage amount should include the total estimated cost of the completed project – including land value, materials, and labor. 

Sometimes, a client contract will require that you carry Builders’ Risk Insurance, and sometimes, you may be covered under the property owner or developer’s insurance. 

What Does Builders’ Risk Insurance Cover?

Every project is unique; therefore, every Builders’ Risk Policy is unique. Consequently, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced insurance agent to ensure you have the right coverage, so there are no unpleasant surprises if you need to file a claim. 

Typically, a Builders’ Risk policy will cover damages caused by the following:

• Fire
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Explosion
• Weather events, such as hail or lightning
• Vehicle accident 

Additional perils included in some Builders’ Risk policies include the following:

• Damage to temporary structures
• Removal and disposal of pollutants
• Costs incurred by delayed construction, such as lost rental income or loan interest
• Changes required to meet environmental standards 

Perils that are not covered in a typical Builders’ Risk policy include the following:

• Wind
• Flood
• Earthquake
• Normal wear and tear
• Employee theft
• Terrorism
• Faulty work or materials
• Mechanical breakdowns
• Contractual penalties 

Some policies do cover these last perils but come with higher deductibles. An extension or endorsement to your policy may also cover these perils. 

When reading an insurance policy, it is also essential to understand the difference between a “structure” and a “building.” A structure is usually temporary and is not occupied – such as scaffolding or a temporary structure built to store materials. A building is a structure – such as a house or an office building – that can be occupied. 

Why Isn’t Commercial Property Insurance and General Liability Insurance Enough?

Commercial Property Insurance is designed to cover commercial properties – buildings and everything in them - from perils such as fire, damage caused by theft, and natural disasters. You’ll want to purchase this type of insurance to protect your office space, warehouse, or other buildings you use to conduct business. However, Commercial Property Insurance does not typically cover damage to your equipment or materials when offsite or in transit, nor does it usually cover buildings that are under construction. 

General Liability Insurance is designed to protect your business if you are responsible for property damage or bodily injury to others. It does not cover your property if it is damaged. 

How Can I Get the Lowest Price on Builders’ Risk Insurance?

If you want to get the right coverage at the lowest cost, work with an independent insurance agency like American Insuring Group. They specialize in Contractors Insurance throughout Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and all points in between.

They can help you customize your Builders’ Risk Insurance to meet your specific needs and compare the cost of your coverage with several insurance companies to ensure that you’re paying the lowest price for that coverage.

Give the independent agents at American Insuring Group a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online for a free quote on all of your business insurance needs.

If you want to manage the cost of Restaurant Insurance, you must manage risk. Food delivery, which has skyrocketed since the pandemic began, poses new risks that need to be addressed. 

According to SevenRooms, two in five restaurants began offering food delivery services due to pandemic-related closures in 2020. Many turned to third-party delivery services as restaurants that did not formerly offer food delivery scrambled to adjust. 

In 2020, more than 45 million Americans used a food delivery app - a 25% increase over 2019. Between 2019 and 2020, Grubhub grew its customer base by 35%. On average, consumers have two delivery apps on their phones that they use three times per month. However, most off-premise orders - 78% -were still placed directly with the restaurant, and only 22% were placed through third-party platforms. 

Experts and three in ten restauranteurs do not expect the demand for food delivery to decrease significantly in 2021 once indoor dining is back to full capacity. So, whether you hire your delivery people or use a third-party, it looks like food delivery is here to stay. 

Two of the most significant risks with food delivery are food safety and food quality, which should always be a top priority with any restaurant. Ensuring the safety and quality of the food you serve in-house is challenging enough. Start shipping that food off with employees and third-party drivers in extreme weather conditions, and you have a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help minimize those risks. 

Temperature

When it comes to both safety and quality, temperature is a key component. To begin, you'll want to keep food safe before it's picked up. Timing drivers and food delivery isn't an exact science. Keep cold foods in the fridge or cooler and hot foods in a warmer, only transferring the food to the driver at the last possible moment. 

Then consider how you keep hot foods hot during frigid temperatures and cold foods cold during hot temperatures. You may need to invest in insulated food delivery bags, coolers, ice packs, food warmers, or heat packs. 

The packaging you use can also make a difference. For example, Styrofoam containers are good insulators and help keep food hot; however, they aren't considered as environmentally friendly as some of the other options. Aluminum foil also holds in heat, keeps steam from escaping, and is relatively inexpensive but not appropriate for all food types. On the other hand, a vented container helps reduce moisture buildup, which helps keep french-fries from becoming soggy. 

Hot food should never be packaged in the same container as cold food. At the most basic level, that means not putting ice cream and hot soup in the same bag. But also consider keeping foods within the same meal separate. For example, a cold salad with hot chicken might not fare too well in a 15-30-minute car ride, so you may want to consider keeping the chicken in a separate container and allowing the diner to mix the two. This will help minimize cross-contamination and result in a more tasty and appealing salad. 

Prevent Food Tampering

You know what it's like driving home with hot fresh French fries in your car. They smell so good, and your mouth begins to water. You can't wait to get home and dig in, and you may even "steal" a few fries to hold you over until you get home. Many food delivery drivers face the same temptation. 

Your customers would probably be shocked to discover that a survey conducted by US Foods found that nearly 30% of delivery drivers are snacking on the food they're delivering. Gulp! 30%! One way to avoid food tampering is with tamper-evident labels. If a driver tries to open a package with a tamper-evident label, the seal is broken, and it's clear the food has been tampered with. 

Choose Your Drivers or Third-Party Delivery Company Carefully

Hiring your own drivers gives you more control over your customers' experience, but finding good drivers can be challenging. Finding good drivers starts with the hiring process, developing specific protocols, and focusing on training. TouchBistro offers more tips. 

If you're working with a third-party delivery company, make sure drivers are provided appropriate equipment for maintaining temperatures and that they aren't making too many stops before delivering your food. Restaurant Clicks offers more tips. 

Get the Right Restaurant Insurance

Despite every precaution you take, things happen. A customer gets food contamination, one of your drivers is in an accident, someone hacks into your system and accesses customer data. 

The right Restaurant Insurance – such as Liability, Commercial Auto, and Cyber Insurance - will protect your business if/when something does happen. Give one of the American Insuring Group's independent agents a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

Cargo Theft is a $15 to $35 billion industry that can drive up Truck Insurance premiums and deductibles. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 8,676 cargo vehicle thefts reported in the U.S. in 2017, translating to about 24 thefts every day. 

And it appears the COVID-19 pandemic is only making the problem worse. Freight Waves reported a 26.92% year-over-year increase in reported cargo thefts in September 2020 and a 91.43% year-over-year increase in April 2020.

If you want to minimize the cost of lost loads, the effort of recovery, and increased insurance costs, you need to take steps to ensure the safety of the cargo you’re shipping. Here are some tips: 

Know What is In Demand

Drivers need to know if they’re transporting in-demand commodities so that they can take additional precautions. Thieves will steal what they can resell, and they can be very focused. 

Typical targets include food and beverages (which can be quickly consumed and leave no trace), consumer electronics, and drugs. After severe storms, there is an increase in building supplies being stolen. It’s no surprise that during the pandemic in the third quarter of 2020, there was a significant increase in the theft of commodities such as cleaning supplies and PPE. 

Freight Waves also reports an increase in pilferage theft – stealing small portions of a load. Trailer break-ins and pilferages accounted for 22% of all reported robberies in the third quarter of 2020. 

If a driver knows they are carrying high-value or in-demand products, they need to be even more vigilant. 

Know the High-Risk Places and Times

Thieves tend to go where the pickings are good. According to Port Technology, Los Angeles (traffic of 9.46 million TEU in 2018) and Long Beach (8.09 million TEU) are the two busiest container ports in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that California tops the list of the biggest hot spots for cargo theft. Texas is at the center of cross-border freight, which accounts for its second place on the list. 

The NICB reported the ten states that are the biggest targets for cargo thefts are:

1. California (1,770)
2. Texas (1,255)
3. Florida (921)
4. Illinois (712)
5. New Jersey (468)
6. Georgia (438)
7. Alabama (214)
8. North Carolina (204)
9. Indiana (192)
10. Missouri (181) 

According to the NICB, most cargo thefts occur on weekdays, with Monday and Friday being the most significant days for these thefts. So, if a driver is driving through California on a Monday or Friday with an in-demand commodity, they should be on high alert. 

Hire and Train Wisely

Drivers are responsible for hundreds or thousands of dollars in commodities, so it’s crucial that you hire the most honest and dependable drivers (and warehouse employees). It starts with innovative recruiting. Attract the best drivers by showing that your company is a great company to work for and let them know what your company is all about with pictures and videos on your website and social media sites. Another way to attract the best drivers is to offer competitive wages. 

It’s also crucial that you screen potential hires (and warehouse workers or anyone with access to shipping information) with thorough background checks following your industry’s screening laws. Background checks could potentially include criminal records, drug and alcohol testing, driving records, and license checks. 

You should also establish best practices and provide security training, including hijack awareness and prevention, so drivers know how to protect themselves, along with your truck and your cargo. 

How to Save on Truck Insurance Costs

Another key to managing risk is Trucking Insurance. American Insuring Group offers all of your Truck Insurance needs – from Cargo Insurance to Transit Coverage and more. Give one of our independent agents a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online for a free quote. They’ll check with several insurance companies to ensure you pay the lowest price possible for your insurance needs.

Restaurant Insurance helps protect your business if something bad happens. If a fire destroys your kitchen, Property Insurance will help you rebuild your kitchen. If an employee is injured on the job, Workers' Compensation Insurance will help pay for medical bills and lost wages and help protect you against accident-related lawsuits. 

Insurance is vital to any business's health and success, but wouldn't it be better never to have had a fire in your kitchen or an employee injured on the job? Benjamin Franklin had it right when he said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  

One way to prevent many workplace injuries and even help protect your customers is by providing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to your employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has PPE standards that require employers to provide specific PPE, but we recommend going beyond those basic requirements.  

While this will mean a higher up-front cost, you will make up much (if not more) of that cost by lower insurance costs, higher employee morale, productivity, fewer lost workdays, etc.  

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

OSHA defines PPE as "equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards."  

Standard PPE used by restaurant workers include the following:

• Gloves – dishwashing, cut-resistant, and freezer
• Oven Mitts
• Aprons
• Anti-Slip Shoes 

COVID-19 has introduced a new PPE requirement – masks. 

What is Appropriate PPE?

The best way to determine appropriate PPE for your employees is to look at any potential safety (knives, ovens, and slippery floors), ergonomic (repetitive tasks or heavy lifting), or other health hazards (noise, chemicals, heat, and stress).  

Once those hazards are identified, consider controls your restaurant can put in place to keep workers safe. OSHA recommends asking three questions. Here's an example. 

Many restaurant workers get burned cleaning fryers or lowering frozen food into deep fryers.  

1. Is there a way to remove the hazard? Install grease pans that dump automatically for cleaning. 
2. What improvement in work practices would help? Train workers on the importance of shaking ice crystals off frozen foods before putting them into the deep fryer to avoid splattering. 
3. What protective clothing or equipment would help? Gloves, sleevelets, and long aprons. These need to resist heat and grease to at least 400º F for anyone working with fryers. 

Other PPE Considerations

PPE should be appropriately cleaned and maintained and should properly fit the employee using it. A PPE program should be implemented that addresses hazards and the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE. It should also include employee training and monitoring to ensure it is effective. 

Training should teach employees on the proper use of PPE, such as…

• When PPE is needed
• What PPE is necessary
• How to put PPE on, adjust it, wear it, and take it off
• The limitations of PPE
• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE 

The proper use of PPE will protect your greatest assets – your employees, minimize injuries, and lower insurance costs.  

Another Way to Save on Restaurant Insurance

Another way to lower your Restaurant Insurance costs is to work with an agency – like American Insuring Group - specializing in Restaurant insurance. Our independent agents will compare your insurance cost with several companies to ensure that you pay the lowest price for your coverage.

Give us a call today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online for a free Restaurant Insurance quote!