The Concklin Blog

Restaurant Operators: Be Proactive about loss control before your next inspection: Risk manager inspections are typically ordered by Insurance Companies and often happen when a new policy is written or on a fixed schedule. Any concerns identified by a risk manager inspection should be addressed by the business promptly, as they could cause higher premium costs, or even risk coverage being revoked if not corrected. By proactively addressing any concerns that may arise during an inspection, policyholders can feel confident in their operations.

Understanding the factors that impact your commercial property can seem overwhelming.  Here we have broken down the key characteristics underwriters review when determining insurance rates.

As we move through summer towards fall your air conditioner has likely been working on overdrive to beat the heat. Having it quit now can be devastating as sweltering summer nights make sleeping more difficult. Many people might be disappointed to learn that their homeowner’s insurance may not cover the repair cost.

While ADA lawsuits previously focused on physical access barriers to businesses, in the past few years they have shifted to include cyberspace as well. Lawsuits alleging inaccessible websites and mobile apps accounted for at least a fifth of the total number of ADA Title III lawsuits filed in federal courts in 2019.  With the Supreme Court declining to review the Robles v. Domino’s case, small businesses in the United States continue to be without formal federal guidance on how to make their websites compliant.

Protecting yourself, your employees, your customers and your business during civil unrest.  “I think that you will all agree that we are living in most interesting times. (Hear, hear.) I never remember myself a time in which our history was so full, in which day by day brought us new objects of interest, and, let me say also, new objects for anxiety. (Hear, hear.)” – Joseph Chamberlin; 1898  2020 has certainly brought us “interesting times” as we continue to navigate the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 crisis and now the civil unrest following in the wake of the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests. Business owners continue to face new anxieties over an uncertain future.  Civil unrest creates unique challenges for businesses.  Vandalism, stolen or damaged goods, and extensive property damage are just some of the concerns business owners face.  There must also be consideration for the safety of employees, customers and themselves.  With this in mind it is crucial to take steps to mitigate the potential damages and risks to your business during times of unrest.

As a restaurant operator you know the importance of keeping your establishment clean.  You regularly disinfect surfaces and food-prep areas to avoid contamination and the spread of germs and have hand washing policies in place.  However, with the rise of the novel virus COVID-19 you may be wondering how you can make your patrons feel safe in your establishment. 

When you think of the top causes of home damage what comes to mind? Fire, hurricanes, extreme weather? Chances are water damage isn’t very high on your list of concerns. However, water damage comes in with a staggeringly high frequency of reported claims, just after hail, making it the 2nd most reported cause of loss.  It also peaks the top 3 for severity of damage and is in 1st place for single largest payouts.

Social distancing is a great way to help slow the spread of the corona virus.  Unfortunately, it can have a great impact on local businesses also as people choose to self-quarantine rather than going out to shop, eat, and socialize. Here are some ways you can help entice customers to your small business:

Many auto insurance providers offer vehicle telematics that offer you feedback on your driving habits, and many offer discounts based on the data collected.  This is often achieved with a small device you keep in the vehicle, or even an app on your mobile phone.  Using this vehicle telematics, data is collected and reviewed regarding:

Every year millions of people make resolutions at the beginning of the year of ways they are going to improve their lives. Commonly these revolve around diet, exercise, business and lifestyle. While we are big supporters of all positive change, adding a few Insurance Resolutions to the list is a smart choice. Here are 5 Insurance Resolutions to observe in 2020.

The Holidays are a time when friends and family come together in celebration. Memories are made that last a lifetime. Help make sure those memories are joyful by following these simple safety tips:

When family and friends get together food is almost always a must have. It nourishes our bodies, delights our pallets, and brings us together.  But food is not without its risks.  It's easy to get frazzled with all the planning that goes into hosting a dinner.  Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe and healthy at your next food-centric event.

Each Insurance Carrier seems to give it a different name, but the core of pay-as-you-go Workers’ Compensation remains essentially the same. So, what is it exactly?

Mistaking an employee for an independent contractor could be a costly mistake – and it’s not exactly up to you to decide. Whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor will depend on the facts and circumstances of the situation, not the label used by the employer. Since employees are, in general, more expensive to hire due to employee benefits, and unemployment compensation contributions, there is preference for employers to misclassify employees as independent contractors.

June is safety awareness month! Follow these tips to raise awareness of risks in your home, business and surrounding areas.

Do you have a plan for the unexpected?It is estimated that nearly 4% of workers will experience short term disability lasting up to 2.5 months, and 2% of workers will experience a disability that will hamper their ability to work for 6 to 12 months every year. These may not seem like high numbers, but the reality is over 1,700,000 working age Americans have already experienced a disabling illness or injury in 20191. Plus, the average long-term disability lasts over 30 months and accounts for over half of personal bankruptcies and mortgage foreclosures 2. Yet it is a risk many people ignore.

Retention ponds have become a common feature of suburban and urban areas.  They serve a critical purpose in water filtration and preventing flash floods during heavy down pours.  Plus, they can be a charming part of the neighborhood with plants, fountains and wildlife.  People often think of them as ponds rather than structures, and while it’s important to be cautious around both – retention ponds have unique risks you may not be aware of.

Spring is here, or at least it should be. The weather is turning warmer, albeit slowly.  Even these slightly warmer days make us want to fling our widows open and air out our homes.  It is a season of optimism with trees budding and flowers about to bloom, the promise of life is evident everywhere you look.  This can sometimes lead us to forget about the hazards that can come with spring.

Today, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day. On this day, people with Down Syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down Syndrome. March 21st symbolizes the presence of a 3rd – 21st chromosome which is the cause of Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down Syndrome.

Liquor Liability Insurance offers coverage against claims of property damage and injuries that are the result of the consumption of alcohol. Commonly this coverage is closely associated with taverns, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that serve alcohol. However, liquor Liability Insurance is not as straight forward as you might think. So, we asked the experts.

It is no secret that stress is hard on the heart. It can lead to high blood pressure which, if left untreated, can result in heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease has become wide spread – effecting more than 1 in 3 women and is the leading cause of hospitalization among men. The majority of Americans list their jobs as their biggest source of stress, pointing to heavy workloads, pressure to preform, long work hours, office politics and conflicts with coworkers as the largest contributors to their stress.