InterWest Insurance Services

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, commercial insurance rates are continuing to move higher, pretty much across the board with the exception of workers’ compensation. A new report by online insurance exchange MarketScout found that in the third quarter of the year the highest rate increases were in liability lines, but hefty rises in property insurance were also noteworthy. Most of these rate hikes were occurring before the COVID-19 pandemic, but their magnitude increased recently. Here’s what’s going on. https://www.iwins.com/commercial-insurance-rates-continue-/

Many business owners may be good at running their companies, but the majority of them are failing to address essential long-term planning that is critical to sustaining their businesses. The one area that the majority of business owners often neglect is planning for business continuity if they die or become disabled. Here’s how to avoid the mess that can ensue if there are no plans in place for business continuity. https://www.iwins.com/dont-get-caught-without-a-business-s/

With the opioid epidemic continuing to sweep the nation, more and more workers are battling addiction than ever before. But if you as an employer suspect or know one of your staff has a substance abuse problem, you need to be careful about how you approach them and try to deal with the issue. This item explains. https://www.iwins.com/the-difficulty-of-dealing-with-worke/

As part of InterWest’s month-long, Company-wide awareness & fundraising campaign for the Wounded Warrior Project, InterWest employees are showing their pride for the everyday warriors in their life by nominating them for placement on the InterWest warrior wall. A warrior is a brave veteran or a person who is strong, confident, and doesn’t give up easily. Everyone knows onebelow are our most recent nominees.

Burglary, robbery and vandalism can be particularly devastating to small businesses in terms of money, customers and employee safety. You can see thousands of dollars of merchandise or equipment damaged or stolen, and your employees and customers can be in mortal danger if your facility is robbed. These types of risks to your business are unpredictable, but there are crime prevention steps business owners can take to protect their assets and employees. https://www.iwins.com/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-theft-vand/

While the number of COVID-19 workers’ compensation cases filed in California continues to grow, total workplace injury and illness claims in the state have fallen nearly 20% so far in 2020 compared to 2019. https://www.iwins.com/covid-19-workers-comp-claims-grow-wh/

As part of InterWest’s month long Company-wide awareness & fundraising campaign for the Wounded Warrior Project, InterWest employees are showing their pride for the everyday warriors in their life by nominating them for placement on the InterWest warrior wall. A warrior is a brave veteran or a person who is strong, confident, and doesn’t give up easily.... Everyone knows onebelow are our most recent nominees.

Employees are your most valuable asset, but many businesses overlook the importance of having a workplace safety program in place to protect them. If you want to reduce the costs and risks associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, you need to address safety and health right along with production. The best way to start is with an injury and illness prevention plan. Here’s how to get started. iwins.com/injury-and-illness-prevention-plans-save-you-mon/

Everyone’s worried about COVID-19, especially workers who are back at work. Now with flu season upon us, the stakes are even higher. Many employers are considering requiring their staff to get seasonal flu vaccinations this year. Is that a wise move? https://www.iwins.com/more-firms-urge-workers-to-get-seaso/

The California Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has amended its 2021 rate filing to make its earlier recommended COVID-19 surcharge more equitable. The Rating Bureau is leaving unchanged its overall recommendation that benchmark rates be increased an average of 2.6% for policies incepting on or after Jan. 1, 2021. But it modified an earlier recommendation that a COVID-19 surcharge of $.06 per $100 of payroll be applied to all policies in favor of a six-tiered surcharge. Which tier does your industry fall into? https://www.iwins.com/new-workers-compensation-rate-filing/

InterWest's Distinguished Employee: Kathy Dorantes Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out for their invaluable contributions. #IWINS #InterWest #DistinguishedEmployee #CommercialInsuranceBroker #teamwork #insurance #insuranceindustry #teamIWINS

Our Marysville office has moved to: 866 Plumas Street Yuba City, CA 95991... #IWINS #InterWest #commercialInsurance #insurance #insuranceindustry #propertyandcasualtyinsurance #insuranceBroker #insurancebrokers #propertyandcasualtyinsurance #yubacityinsurance #yubacityinsurancebroker

A new law that takes effect in January 2021 will expand the California Family Rights Act to cover even small employers those with five or more staff. The law, which requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year for family and medical leave purposes, currently only applies to employers with 50 or more workers. It also expands the list of family members that an employee can take leave to care for. Get all the details here and what you need to do to prepare for these changes. https://www.iwins.com/law-expands-california-family-rights/

News last year of McDonald’s Corp. dismissing its chief executive for having a consensual sexual relationship with an employee reflects the hardening stance in corporate America towards inter-office romances. Many companies have instituted zero-tolerance policies for managers who are romantically involved with company employees. The companies are mainly cracking down to reduce their chances of being sued for the actions of one of their management team, and for those of skirt...-chasers. Here’s what’s happening and why you should consider instituting your own fraternization policy. https://www.iwins.com/more-companies-bar-manager-employee-/