Blog Entries

Prevention of HAVS in the Workplace

bryan@beachins.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

To Prevent HAVS in the workplace, an employer can train their employees to:

replace older tools with minimal to no vibrationuse tools that are ergonomically designed, anti-vibration isolators, or tools with vibration-dampening handlesTake a break from use of vibrating tools every hour, or rotate between vibrating and non-vibrating toolsKeep tools sharpened and in good working conditionDon't grasp tools tightlyWear tight fitting, padded gloves. Invest in specially desig [...]

Safety Topic: HAVS and Symptoms of HAVS

bryan@beachins.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

You may be asking yourself right now, "What is HAVS?". For those of you that have repeated exposure to vibrating hand-held or stationary tools during the course of a work day HAVS is important to know about and understand in prevention of workplace health risks.

HAVS, or Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, is a potentially debilitating health condition caused by repeated exposure to vibrating hand tools. Symptoms of HAVS can affect the circulatory and n [...]

What is Supplemental Insurance?

bryan@beachins.com — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Supplemental insurance are additional insurance policies you can purchase beyond types of basic insurance that provide specific coverage for a variety of business situations.

As your business changes, consider the following supplemental insurance types:

Vehicle or fleet insurance - this is usually needed if you have purchased vehicles for use in business operations. Directors and officers insu [...]

California Property and Casualty Insurance Coverages

bryan@beachins.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

California Property insurance covers the loss or damage to real estate or personal property, resulting from fire, lighting, or other covered perils.

Casualty insurance covers almost everything that isn't covered by fire or marine insurance, such as automobile insurance, general liability, burglary and theft, worker's compensation, and miscellaneous lines.

What Lines are Included in California P&C Insurance Coverage?

bryan@beachins.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Pr0perty and casualty insurance is usually classified by the following major lines:

Fire and allied linesMarineCasualtyMultiple line insurance Fidelity and surety bonds

Steps to buying Contractor's General Liability Insurance

bryan@beachins.com — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

1. Look up your license number at www.cslb.ca.gov. Write down the number, year licensed, and license classification.

2. Make a list of ALL your operations (plumbing, electrical, painting, remodling, etc.)

3. Determine what percentage of work is residential, commercial, or industrial.

4. Determine what percentage is new construction and which i [...]

Tips for Buying a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy

bryan@beachins.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

1. Comparison shop both offline and online.

2. Understand the fine print of a policy completely.

3. Install safety and anti-theft devices on all vehicles to help reduce costs.

4. Make sure all who drive vehicles have good driving records and have taken defensive driving courses.

5. Consider aspects such as higher ded [...]

Is Your Personal Property Insured for Actual Cash or Replacement Value?

bryan@beachins.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Making sure your insurance company will do what you expect it to do if you suffer a covered loss is vital in a homeowner's insurance policy. The most important thing an insured can do is verify that their homeowner's insurance policy is covering their personal property for "Replacement Value" and not just the actual cash value of the property. Doing this can save the insured headache and loss in the future.

For example, if you have an actual ca [...]

Safety Topic: Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

bryan@beachins.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Musculoskeletal disorder is the number 1 cause of workers' compensation claims for roofers. Knowing the typical symptoms can help employers prepare workers to avoid effects of the disorder. Symptoms of MSD may include:

continual deep fatiguepoor sleep habitsdeteriorating normal endurance levels for agefrequently cold fingers/hands in mild temperatureschanges in skin color over joints (inflamed or pale)prolonged swelling of soft tissuesslight numbness to total loos of t [...]

How Umbrella Liability Insurance Works

bryan@beachins.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Umbrella liability insurance provides an extra cushion of protection above and beyond the limits of your auto or home insurance policies. This type of liability covers damage claims that you or your dependents may cause.

This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive due to the fact that the majority of claim risk is paid by your primary auto or home policies. A $1 million umbrella policy can be purchased for about $150 to $300 per year. The [...]

The Difference between a "Dwelling" Policy & a "Homeowner's" Policy

bryan@beachins.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Many of you may have asked yourself this question when considering purchasing Homeowner's insurance. The difference between the two types of policies are that a Homeowner's policy is a package that covers loss not only to the dwelling structure, but other structures on the land, personal property contained in the dwelling, and liability to third parties who come onto the dwelling and surrounding land. A Dwelling policy covers only the dwelling structure itself.

Operational Risks Involved in a Business

bryan@beachins.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

There are many risks associated with operating a business. A few potential risks are as follows:

1. Risk of property damage

2. Risk of inventory loss or damage

3. Risk of loss from employee theft

4. Risk from various liabilities

5. Risk from error and omissions liabilities

6. Business interruption risks

What does a Business Owner's Policy (bop) include?

bryan@beachins.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Usually a business owner's policy includes the following:

1. Property insurance - covers buildings, equipment and inventory.

2. Business interruption insurance- covers losses that cause you to shut operations or reduce production for a period of time.

3. Casualty or liability protection- covers harm done by employees or products to other people or their property.

4 [...]

What is a Business Owner's Policy (bop)?

bryan@beachins.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Often compared to a homeowner's policy, a business owner's policy is a very popular form of insurance for small and medium sized businesses. This type of policy combines basic coverages into a standard package at a premium that is usually less than if the coverages were purchased seperately.

Miscellaneous Insurance

bryan@beachins.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

In today's insurance marketplace almost anything can be insured. The following are some unusual policies that are available today:

- Accident Insurance: this insurance policy will pay you if you are injured in an accident.

- Cancer Insurance: this insurance will pay you if you are diagnosed with cancer. This policy will pay different amounts depending on the type and duration of treatment received.

The following are some insurance terms you should familiarize yourself with before looking for insurance.

1. Appraisal- the evaluation of a claims adjustor or appraiser that tells the damage done to your car, house, or other item of value, and the estimated cost for repairs.

2. Actual Cash Value- the value of your lost or damaged property at the time of loss. This is based on the "current market value". In the case [...]

Should I Worry about the Economic Crisis and Insurance?

bryan@beachins.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

During the current economic crisis it is only natural to wonder what the consequences are for insurance. There is no need to worry about insurance for a few good reasons.

- An insurer's activity is strictly regulated, and in most cases, is not involved in the same risks that unregulated industries are. Because of the recent banking crisis, there is also tighter control within the industry.

- If an insurer is in a bad [...]

Benefits of Surety Bonds

bryan@beachins.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The following are benefits of having a surety bond:

- the obligee gets a guaranteed performance of the contract from the principal and the surety.

- the bonds enforce that the contractor completes the contract within the stipulated time & contract money.

- guarantees payment from the obligee to the contractor and from the principal to the subcontractor.

- ensure [...]

Renters Insurance-Tips to Consider before Purchasing

bryan@beachins.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

If you rent a house, apartment, car or some type of machinery, you may want to consider purchasing renter's insurance to protect you from being liable for replacement costs and any extra damages done to property.

The following are several tips when considering purchasing renters insurance:

1. A landlord's policy does not cover your personal belongings when they are damaged or stolen. Could you replace your belong [...]

How Landlords can Minimize Repair & Maintenance Financial Losses

bryan@beachins.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Many problems can be avoided if steps are taken by the landlord in maintaining his/her property and keeping it in excellent condition. Here is a checklist of how:

1. Inspect premises and fix any problems before new tenants move in.

2. Landlords should encourage tenants to report problems immediately to the landlord.

3. Landlords should keep a written log of all complaints and requests by the [...]