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More accidents mean higher Truck Insurance, so it's crucial that all truck drivers understand potential hazards and how to avoid them. One hazard common to all drivers is deer and other animals. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was an upward trend in deaths from collisions with animals from 1975 to the mid-2000s, which has leveled off in the past few years.

In 2020 there were 202 deaths from collisions with animals, reaching costs as high as $1 billion annually in damages nationwide. While smaller vehicles often experience more damage when colliding with large animals, commercial trucks are not immune. Collisions with animals can result in injuries or death, damage to trucks and cargo, lost time, and loss of revenue.

Sometimes collisions with deer and other animals are unavoidable, but there are steps truck drivers can take to minimize the risk and the damage caused by these collisions.

Know where there is higher risk.

Deer sightings can occur just about anywhere, but there are certain areas and times that have a higher risk.

• According to the Insurance Information Institute, the top five states in 2021-2022 for the likelihood of animal-involved claims from a collision are West Virginia (1 in 35), Montana (1 in 44), South Dakota (1 in 51), Michigan (1 in 51, Wisconsin (1 in 54), and Pennsylvania (1 in 57). Therefore, drivers in these states should be more vigilant.
• Watch for the yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer, which indicates an area of high-level deer activity. When you see one of these signs, you should be extra alert.
• According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, deer are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.
• Autumn (November – the peak, October, and December) are a deer's breeding season, and they may be less aware of their surroundings.
• In May and June, one-year-old deer begin to disperse to new areas.
• Less populated states and regions tend to have higher animal populations.
• Long stretches of isolated highways tend to have a higher risk of an animal darting in front of a truck.
• Rural highways built along creeks, rivers, and lakes attract deer.
• Heavily forested areas have higher animal populations.
• Areas where farmers are harvesting crops, can cause deer to run onto a road.
• During hunting season, deer are more likely to bolt in front of an oncoming vehicle.
• If you travel a route regularly, watch for a pattern of areas with higher activity of deer and other animals.
• Deer tend to travel in packs, so if you see one deer, chances are there are more nearby, and you need to remain on high alert.

Drive Safely

• Stay alert.
• Continually scan the road for signs of animals and activities.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Light can reflect off an animal's eyes, revealing its location.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Drive the posted speed limit.
• Never drive impaired.
• If driving on a multi-lane road, stay in the center lane to give you more time to respond if a deer runs onto the road.
• Don't tailgate. Allowing space between you and the vehicle in front of you provides a broader field of vision and more reaction time, enabling you to break rather than swerve if a deer runs in front of you or the vehicle in front of you.

Know what to do if a deer does come into your path.

If a deer or other animal crosses your path, try to stay in your lane and avoid the urge to swerve. Swerving can cause you to lose control and increase the chance of colliding with another vehicle or ending up in a ditch. Plus, deer can be unpredictable, and swerving may put the deer right in your path. It's better to hit the deer than risk veering off the road, overturning your truck, or hitting another vehicle.

Sometimes, using your horn can frighten the animal and keep them off the road.

If a collision is imminent, remove your foot from the brake because braking hard may cause the front end of your vehicle to go down, causing the animal to fly over your hood and towards your windshield.

How to Save on Truck Insurance

At American Insuring Group, we go beyond providing you with affordable truck insurance. First, we carefully analyze the needs and risks associated with your business. Then, we match you up with the best trucking insurance policy based on a careful analysis of many competing insurance companies. The result? You get the high-quality commercial insurance coverage you need at a very affordable price.

Get a free quote today by calling (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

Within small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the role of Workers' Compensation manager is often given to someone who has other roles within the business and little to no experience with WC. Unfortunately, Workers' Compensation can be complicated, and mistakes can be costly. So, if you find yourself in the role of WC manager, here are eight tips to help.

1. Know What Your State Requires -Your state will determine whether or not you are required to carry Workers' Compensation Insurance, the WC regulations you need to follow, and how you can purchase the insurance. Click here for a state-by-state comparison and links to the entities responsible for Workers' Compensation. And remember, even if you are not required to purchase WC insurance, it may be worth having.
   
   
2. Understand WC Basics – You need to know what WC does and doesn't cover, what WC classification codes and experience modifiers are, etc. Check out these 10 PA WC FAQs.
   
   
3. Know How Workers' Comp Premiums are Calculated - Your Workers' Compensation premium is based on the following formula: WC Premium = Classification Code Rate X Experience Modifier X payroll/$100. Understanding this calculation helps you 1) ensure no errors are made and 2) see where you can save money on WC costs.
   
   
4. Understand the Effect of Safety on WC Costs – According to The Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB), your experience rating is based on past claims and helps determine your experience modifier, which is an adjustment of your annual premiums based on the likelihood that you will file a claim. The safer your workplace, the fewer claims you will file, which lowers your experience modifier and what you pay for WC insurance.
   
   
5. Realize That Timing is Crucial – Injuries should be treated immediately and reported promptly. Failure to report an injury promptly can jeopardize investigations, increase potential litigation, violate state law, and increase the cost of the claim. You must also manage WC claims (see below) to ensure quicker resolution.
   
   
6. Consider a Return-To-Work Plan – The sooner you can get an employee safely back to work, the better. Studies show that returning to work after an injury is essential for recovery and can help reduce your WC costs. One way to get an injured employee back to work sooner is with a return-to-work program (RTW). An RTW is designed to get injured employees back to work as quickly as possible (based on their doctor's recommendation). That could mean the injured employee returns to modified duties or a temporary position to accommodate any limitations caused by the injury.
   
   
7. Manage WC Claims – An employer's role does not end with filing a WC claim. Managing a WC claim is key to a quicker resolution, which includes ongoing communication with the injured employee, their medical team, and your insurance company during the claims.
   
   
8. Learn How to Read a Loss Run Report - Loss Run Reports list the date of each loss and claim, a brief description of each claim, the amount paid to the insured, and whether or not the claim is closed. Insurance companies use this information to determine how risky your business is to insure, which can affect your premium. Therefore, you should check that the information is accurate, and you can use the information to lower insurance costs and improve other areas of your business.
   
   
9. Protect Your Business from WC Insurance Fraud – Most injured employees are honest; however, some employees commit Workers' Compensation fraud, costing companies billions of dollars every year in rising insurance premiums, production delays, and training costs. Protect your business from WC insurance fraud by recognizing the warning signs of fraudulent claims.
   
   
10. Review Annually - Your insurer will conduct an annual audit, and so should you. It's an opportunity to check for errors and provide any updates.

Bonus Tip: SAVE by Working With the Right Insurance Company

Each business has particular needs, and American Insuring Group specializes in commercial insurance for small to medium-sized businesses. In addition, we offer cost-effective Worker's Compensation insurance from various competing insurance companies. We'll work hard to get you the best price on quality insurance to protect your employees and your business!

Get a free quote today by calling (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

To lower Contractors' Insurance costs, you need to reduce the number of accidents and subsequent claims. In other words, you need to create safer worksites. Unfortunately, construction sites are filled with hazards - power tools, heavy equipment, etc. – and potentially unsafe conditions. 

Toolbox Talks, defined by Harvard as "an informal group discussion among employees of an individual department that focuses on a particular safety issue," is one way to create a safer worksite and lower Workers' Compensation (and other) costs. You can choose many safety topics for your Toolbox Talk, but one crucial topic is "How to Recognize and Report Unsafe Conditions." 

First Step

First, you must create a workplace where employees feel comfortable reporting potentially unsafe conditions. Here's why. 

Studies have found that nearly 50% of employees did not report a safety issue to their supervisor. The reason? Some employees didn't feel comfortable reporting a potential issue – some even felt it was unsafe. In addition, some employees didn't feel it was their responsibility or that nothing was done when safety hazards were reported in the past. 

It is your responsibility to develop a culture of safety, to encourage your employees to report potential issues, and to make them feel safe doing so. It is in your best interest and theirs because it can minimize accidents and injuries, create happier, more engaged employees, and help prevent litigation and lawsuits against your company. 

Furthermore, ensure you have a straightforward process for reporting potentially unsafe conditions that you communicate to your workers. 

Most Common Hazards on a Construction Site

The following list includes the four most common workplace hazards according to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 500 deaths could be prevented each year if the hazardous conditions leading to the Fatal Four were improved, making it a great place to start a Toolbox Talk about Recognizing unsafe conditions.

• Falls – Fall-related accidents are the most common cause of construction-related fatalities. This includes slipping or tripping, leading to falls and falling off ladders, roofs, scaffolding, etc.
• Caught-In or -Between – Examples of this type of hazard include cave-ins, being crushed between shifting objects or being pulled into or caught in machinery equipment.
• Struck-By – According to OSHA, this type of injury "is produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or piece of equipment."
• Electrocution – OSHA states, "Electrocution results when a person is exposed to a lethal amount of electrical energy." It can occur when workers are exposed to burns, electrocution, arc flash, fire, or explosions.

OSHA offers an in-depth training program regarding these four Hazards. 

Recognizing Unsafe Conditions

Many accidents related to these and other hazards are preventable by increasing awareness and showing workers how to recognize unsafe conditions. Here are a few unsafe conditions workers should be aware of:

• Spills that aren't cleaned up
• Clutter
• Over-stacked loads
• Glare or shadows
• Unprotected edges
• Lack of signs cautioning workers about unsafe conditions, such as slippery surfaces
• Insufficient fall protection
• Unstable or unavailable scaffolding
• Faulty or unsupportive ladders or ladder misuse
• Failure to routinely inspect the equipment
• Poorly maintained equipment
• Frayed or damaged wires
• Unprotected power lines
• Power supplies that are not grounded
• Someone inspecting or repairing equipment that is not de-energized
• Using too many extension cords
• Lack of proper lockout/tag-out procedures
• Insufficient communication regarding safety
• Lack of appropriate PPE
• Lack of adequate safety training
• Lack of the right equipment to move heavy materials

 Call Us to Lower Your Contractor Insurance Costs!

The agents at American Insuring Group specialize in Contractors' Insurance, so we can ensure that you have the right insurance coverage to protect your business. In addition, as independent agents, we can ensure you pay the lowest premium for that coverage. Contact us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online and start saving on Contractors' Insurance today.

COVID has undoubtedly brought the importance of health and safety to the forefront of every restauranteur’s mind. The good news is that creating a safer restaurant has many benefits for restaurant owners and managers, including lower Restaurant Insurance costs. 

That’s why we often discuss tips to keep restaurant employees safe, such as proper training and appropriate PPE, in this blog. However, prioritizing customer safety is just as crucial to the health and well-being of your restaurant. A sick or injured customer can increase your Restaurant Insurance costs and affect your restaurant’s reputation and bottom line. 

Here are some important tips for keeping your customers safe and your restaurant prospering. 

Commercial Truck Insurance is essential to protect you, your business, and your commercial vehicle(s). However, many truck owner-operators and small fleet owners who come to us are over-insured, paying for insurance they don't need and producing a higher premium than necessary.

 Why? Perhaps it's the frightening statistics that cause this to happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2020, there were 4,444 fatal crashes involving large trucks

and 108,000 injury crashes involving large trucks or buses. Furthermore, the FMCSA reports that the average cost of property damage-only crashes was $15,114, the cost per non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258, and the average cost of fatal crashes was well over $3 million per crash. 

Without the right insurance coverage, one significant accident could quickly put you out of business. Still, there is no reason to carry coverage for risks your business is not exposed to.

There are many myths or misconceptions about Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Insurance that can end up costing business owners time and money. So let's set the record straight on these myths once and for all. 

What is Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation (WC) Insurance?

Most states, including PA, require employers to carry WC for their employees. The PA Department of Labor & Industry states, "If you employ workers in Pennsylvania, you must have workers' compensation insurance -- it's the law." This includes both full and part-time employees, even if they are family members. There are very few exceptions. 

If a worker is injured in the workplace or becomes ill because of their work environment, Workers' Compensation (WC) helps cover medical costs and lost wages if the employee cannot work. In Pennsylvania, it doesn't matter who or what caused the injury. If the injury or illness occurred during the course of their employment with you, WC would pay those expenses. 

WC also limits an injured employee's right to sue an employer directly for damages that injury or illness causes. 

Most Common Workers' Compensation Myths

MYTH 1: You don't need WC coverage for your business.

FACT: In Pennsylvania, if you employ even one person, even if that person happens to be your brother-in-law, you probably need to carry WC coverage for that employee. The only exceptions are If ALL employees fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Federal workers
• Longshoremen
• Railroad workers
• Casual workers
• Persons working out of their own homes or other premises not under the control of management
• Agricultural laborers making less than $1200 per calendar year
• Domestic workers who have not elected to come under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act
• Sole proprietors or general partners
• Those who have been given an exemption by the Department of Labor and Industry due to religious beliefs
• Executive officers who have been granted exclusion by the Department of Labor and Industry
• Licensed real estate salespersons or associate real estate brokers affiliated with a licensed real estate broker or a licensed insurance agent affiliated with a licensed insurance agency, under a written agreement, remunerated on a commission-only basis and qualifying as independent contractors for State tax purposes or Federal tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 

If a business does not qualify for one of these exceptions, it must carry Workers' Compensation Insurance for its employees. Failure to do so can result in the employer being required to pay back any costs paid by the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund or a work-related injury or illness, including interest, penalties, and fees. An uninsured employer may also face civil and criminal risks that can result in fines and imprisonment. 

MYTH 2: Your company must be at fault for Workers' Comp to pay.

FACT: As mentioned above, Pennsylvania WC is a no-fault system. Regardless of the cause of the injury - a faulty machine, a mistake made by an employee, etc., if the injury occurred in the course of their employment, WC will pay. 

MYTH 3: An injury must happen on-site to file a WC claim.

FACT: If an employee is injured while driving to a meeting, at a work conference, etc., while conducting business for you, you can (and should) file a WC claim. 

MYTH 4: All work-related injuries are covered by Workers' Comp.

FACT: In Pennsylvania, Workers' Compensation claims can be denied to employees whose injuries are caused by the use of illegal drugs or alcohol intoxication. 

MYTH 5: Your role ends once the WC claim is made.

FACT: When an injury occurs, you are responsible for submitting the claim form and supporting documentation promptly; however, your responsibilities don't end there. 

You also need to manage the WC claim, continue cooperating with your insurance carrier, help ensure the claim is resolved quickly, keep in touch with the injured employee, and consider return-to-work options when appropriate. 

MYTH 6: A minor injury is not worth reporting

FACT: Injuries that initially seem minor may become more severe and require additional medical treatment. Not reporting work-related injuries can keep your employees from receiving proper care and put your WC policy at risk. 

Reduce Your Workers' Compensation Insurance Cost

Understanding these common myths and working with one of the experienced independent insurance agents at American Insuring Group can help ensure you get the best coverage at the lowest cost. Our independent agents shop the market to help you save on the proper insurance protection for your business.

Contact us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

As a busy contractor, it may be tempting to simply renew your Contractors' Insurance without reviewing it first. However, failure to review your insurance can result in paying more than you have to or being underinsured. Taking a few minutes to review your current policy, evaluate your current needs, and discuss it with a trusted insurance agent can make all the difference. 

While every business faces certain risks – employee injuries, property damage, etc., it could be argued that contractors face many challenges unique to the industry. For example, the construction industry is currently facing rising material costs, supply chain issues, a shortage of skilled laborers, increased risk of cybersecurity exposures, and more. 

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,764 U.S. workers suffered fatal work injuries in 2020. The private construction industry accounted for 21.2% of those deaths. The construction industry fared better in non-fatal injuries but still experienced 174,000 injuries out of 2.7 million total non-fatal workplace injuries reported by the private sector. 

The right insurance will help protect you financially from those risks, but to ensure you have the right insurance for your business, you need to take the time to review your policies before renewing them. 

The best time to start the renewal process is three to four months before your current policy's expiration date. This gives you time to review your policy, gather information, determine if there are any changes in your insurance needs, and compare the cost of your coverage. 

7 Insurance Review Tips:

• Identify any changes to your business, such as…
  • Did you increase or decrease the number of employees?
  • Have you added, replaced, or sold any vehicles or equipment?
  • Did you add or change your location?
  • Has your business structure altered in any way?
  • Has your payroll changed?
  • Has the classification code for any of your employees changed?
    
    
• Review your current policy. Is all the information correct – payroll, classification codes, experience modifier, etc.?
  
  
• Run a loss run report. Loss Run Reports list the date of each loss and claim, a brief description of each claim, the amount paid to the insured, and whether or not the claim is closed. This information is used to determine how risky a business is to insure, which can affect the premium you pay or even if an insurance company will issue or renew a policy for your business. In addition, you can use the information to lower your insurance costs and even improve other areas of your business.
  
  
• Research industry trends. Factors such as litigation, a recession, or the availability of materials can affect your risks and coverages. Knowing what challenges you may face can help ensure you have the right insurance coverage.
  
  
• Work with an insurance agent who specializes in Contractors' Insurance. American Insuring Group specializes in insurance for small to medium-sized construction companies. We start by taking a close look at your business and then recommend the proper types of coverage to protect you, your business, your employees, and your assets.
  
  
• Ask about discounts and how you can lower your premiums. Some insurance carriers offer a discount for the following:
  • Combining policies
  • Paying your premium upfront (rather than monthly payments)
  • Paying by electronic funds transfer
  • Allowing them to access your driving data via an electronic logging device (ELD)
  • Installing certain safety features (burglar alarms, sprinklers, etc.)
    
    
• Compare the cost of your coverage with several insurance companies. The good news is that, unlike many agencies that sell only one insurance brand, American Insuring Group is a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency. That means we are free to offer not just one but more than 25 competing brands of insurance to ensure you pay the lowest rate for your insurance coverage.

 Who to Call for the Best Rate on Contractors' Insurance

Whether it's general contracting insurance, construction insurance, contractor workers comp, carpentry, HVAC, handyman, or any other type of insurance, American Insuring Group has you covered!

Contact us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online and start saving on Contractors' Insurance costs today!

It’s that time of year – Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, followed quickly by St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a busy time for restaurants, and it’s also a time when Restaurant Insurance is more crucial than ever! And if you serve alcohol, Liquor Liability Insurance should be part of your insurance portfolio, especially if your business operates in one of the thirty-five states with dram shop liability statutes – such as Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. 

What is the Dram Shop Liability Statue?

“Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “This is one death every 50 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion.” 

In an attempt to prevent drunk drivers from hitting the roads, many states have increased DUI penalties, raised sales taxes on beer and liquor, and/or tried lowering the legal drinking age. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have also instituted dram shop liability laws that allow individuals who are hurt by drunk drivers to sue the bar or restaurant that served the alcohol to the drunk driver. 

Justice Guardians describe Pennsylvania’s dram shop liquor liability as follows: “Under the state’s Liquor Code, any licensed establishment that sells alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron can be held liable for injuries caused by that patron after they leave the premises.” Those injuries can be caused by fights, falls, car accidents, etc. Justice Guardian also states, “Courts in the state [PA] have almost unanimously considered this liability to be ‘negligence per se.’ That means victims probably won’t have to prove the vendor was negligent in any way other than serving alcohol to a visibly-intoxicated patron.” 

How Can You Lower Liquor Liability?

Prepare for larger crowds

If you expect larger than normal crowds – like on Superbowl Sunday – have extra servers and bartenders working to help track alcohol consumption and consider hiring security to control unruly or intoxicated customers.

Establish a Policy Regarding Liquor Service

Have a written policy that clearly states you have zero tolerance for serving minors and directions on how and when to refuse service. You should also have an incident reporting system in place.

Be Prepared to Refuse Service

Your servers have the right to refuse alcohol to anyone who appears intoxicated. And yes, we realize that the more drinks you sell, the more you make, but is it worth the hassle of a lawsuit or a hit to your restaurant or bar’s reputation?

Card Everyone

If caught serving alcohol to minors, you will lose your liquor license, so ensure that your servers card everyone.

Train Your Staff

Staff should know and understand your liquor service policy, know how to measure alcohol correctly, so they don’t over-serve a customer, and be able to identify the signs of intoxication.

Provide Water

Medical News Today states, “When a person hydrates by drinking plenty of water, it can give their liver time to metabolize the alcohol in their body, as well as spacing out the alcoholic drinks they consume.” Therefore, providing water, even if they don’t ask, can help minimize the risk of intoxication.

Serve Food

Medical News Today also states that eating before drinking can slow the processing of alcohol, and eating while drinking may help customers drink slower. You may consider keeping pretzels or chips out for customers to snack on or offering discounted food specials.

Provide Alternative Transportation

You never want to let an intoxicated person behind the wheel of a car. At the very least, you can display the phone numbers of transportation services available or try to partner with Lyft or Uber to offer discount rides. You may even want to call a taxi for an intoxicated customer. It’s a small price to pay for the safety of your customers and the public (not to mention the cost of a lawsuit).

Purchase Liquor Liability Insurance

Suppose, despite all of your best efforts, you get sued for serving alcohol to someone who has caused damage or injury. In that case, Liquor Liability Insurance is your safety net (and may be required by your state or financial institution if you serve alcohol). Liquor Liability Insurance typically covers legal costs, settlements or judgments, repair costs, and medical bills. 

How to Save on Liquor Liability Insurance

The agents at American Insuring Group specialize in Restaurant Insurance, so they understand your unique challenges and can help protect your business with the right insurance coverage. As independent agents, we compare rates among multiple insurance carriers to ensure you pay the lowest premium for Liquor Liability Insurance and all your commercial insurance needs.

Contact us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

If you’ve ever worked with Workers’ Compensation Insurance, you’ve probably come across the term “indemnity.” So let’s take a look at both Workers’ Comp Insurance and indemnity entail. 

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

In Pennsylvania, Workers’ Compensation (WC) Insurance is “mandatory, employer-financed, no-fault insurance which ensures that employees disabled due to a work-related injury or disease will be compensated for lost wages and provides necessary medical treatment to return them to the workforce.” 

If an employer fails to carry WC and an employee suffers a work-related injury, they will be required to reimburse the PA Department of Labor & Industry for money paid by the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund concerning the claim, plus interest, penalties, and fees. In addition, an uninsured employer may face civil and criminal risks. 

A misdemeanor conviction could result in a $2,500 fine and up to one year of imprisonment for each day the employer is in violation. Felony convictions could result in a $15,000 fine and up to seven years in prison for each day the employer is in violation. 

What Are Indemnity Benefits?

An indemnity benefit is the money an injured employee receives for lost wages while they are unable to work due to a work-related injury or illness. There are basically four different types of indemnity benefits. 

1. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are paid when an injured employee is temporarily unable to return to any job with the same employer – neither the work they performed before the injury nor any other position with that employer. This is the most common type of indemnity benefit. Typically, with a TTD benefit, injured employees are paid two-thirds of their pre-injury average weekly rate. 

2. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are paid when an injured employee can return to work (as determined by the treating physician) for a limited time. For example, if an injured employee was working an eight-hour day before their injury, but following the injury, their physician stipulates that they can only work four hours per day, they would receive TPD benefits. The amount of the payments is typically the difference between the injured employee’s average weekly wage (AWW) and the amount they are able to currently earn, multiplied by two-thirds. TPD = (AWW – current wage) x 2/3. 

3. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) is defined by the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) as “a workers compensation disability level in which the injured employee is still able to work but not with the skill and efficiency demonstrated prior to the injury. As a result, the earning capability of the worker is affected.” These payments are typically based on the percentage of the disability. 

4. Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits are paid when the physician determines that the employee will never be able to return to work. The IRMI states, “Under most statutes, the employee will receive weekly wages for life.”

 NOTE: When discussing indemnity, you may also hear the term “maximum medical improvement” or MMI. MMI is “a legal concept where no further significant recovery from or lasting improvement to a personal injury can be reasonably anticipated, regardless of subjective complaints from the employee. In essence, additional medical care and treatment may still be required to keep the employee in a stable condition, but no noticeable improvement will take place in that medical care.” 

How to Lower Workers’ Compensation Insurance Costs?

Workers’ Compensation Insurance can be complicated, but the more you understand it, the more likely you can lower your WC costs.

The agents at American Insuring Group specialize in Workers’ Compensation Insurance and would be happy to work with you to explain the ins and outs of this – and all your commercial insurance needs – and help ensure that you have the right coverage at the lowest cost.

Contact us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

Commercial Truck Insurance is crucial to protect your business, employees, and fleet. Here’s why. In 2020, 4,998 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, 108,000 large trucks or buses were involved in injury crashes, and 160,000 people were injured in large truck and bus crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Experts report, “The average cost of a commercial truck accident that includes an injured person is $148,279. If a fatality occurs, the cost can shoot up to over $7 million.” So one significant accident could put you out of business without the proper insurance. 

Ensuring that you have adequate insurance at the lowest cost is a balancing act that an experienced insurance agent can help you achieve. 

10 Tips to Lower Fleet Insurance Costs:

    Understand Fleet Insurance

It’s essential to understand what fleet insurance does and does not cover and what affects the cost of your premiums. Fleet insurance is available to businesses with two or more business vehicles, which can include trucks, cars, and most motorized equipment. Fleet insurance covers you against bodily injury and property damage when operating a company vehicle. It saves time and money as it eliminates the need to purchase a policy for each vehicle in your fleet.

Hire Good Drivers

Drivers can be your greatest asset or your greatest liability. Hire only drivers with clean driving records – no accidents, moving violations, or license points. Cleaner driving records mean lower insurance premiums. Plus, a driver with a clean driving record is less likely to be involved in an accident, which could further increase insurance premiums. Also, some insurance companies may charge more for younger drivers.

Purchase Vehicles Strategically

When you need to expand or decrease your fleet, consider the cost of repairs if the vehicle is in an accident and how each vehicle could affect your insurance premiums.

Combine Policies

Combining multiple commercial insurance policies with one insurance company could lower insurance premiums.

Ask About Discounts

Bundling policies, installing certain safety features, paying in advance, and other discounts can help lower your insurance premiums.

Consider Increasing Deductibles

The Insurance Information Institute defines a deductible as “the amount of money that you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss. When a disaster strikes your home, or you have a car accident, the deductible is subtracted, or ‘deducted,” from what your insurance pays toward a claim.” Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. But before increasing your deductible, remember that you will need to have the amount of the deductible available when you make a claim.

Utilize Technology

There is a great deal of technology available today, such as GPS tracking, dash cams, or fleet telematics systems (FTS), that may lower your insurance premiums and improve overall safety.

Maintain High Safety Standards

Create a culture of safety in your organization that clearly communicates a priority on safety. Do this by following a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving, encouraging regular breaks to reduce driver fatigue, requiring pre- and post-trip truck inspections, providing regular driver safety training, and instituting incentive programs to reward safe drivers.

Maintain Vehicles

Regular maintenance of your vehicles – oil changes, inspections, tire rotations, etc. – helps minimize the risk of mechanical failures and accidents, which will help lower insurance premiums.

Compare Costs

The cost of premiums can vary from one insurance brand to another – even for similar coverage. So it’s important to work with an independent agent who can compare the cost of your coverage with several insurance carriers.

 Start Saving on Fleet Insurance Today

The independent agents at American Insuring Group work with not just one but more than 25 competing brands of insurance to ensure you pay the lowest rate for your insurance coverage.

Contact us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online and start saving on Fleet Insurance costs today!