Category Archives: Commercial Lines

Three Components of Effective Worker’s Compensation Claims Handling

Author: Leslie Bramwell, CPCU, Senior Workers’ Compensation Program Coordinator, EMC Insurance, Des Moines, Iowa | The average medical cost of a workers’ compensation lost-time claim was 56 percent higher in 2013 than in 2003, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Experts predict this figure will continue to grow. One way employers can control… Read More: Three Components of Effective Worker’s Compensation Claims Handling »

Pollution Exclusion Hits The Family Farm

Author:  David Dybdahl – Excerpt from the 09 February 2015 ia Markets Pulse e-newsletter  | On Dec. 30, 2014 in Wilson Mutual v. Falk, the Wisconsin Supreme Court determined that the standard ISO [Insurance Services Office] pollution exclusion excluded losses caused by bacteria seeping into wells after a farmer spread manure on a field … Pollution Exclusion Hits… Read More: Pollution Exclusion Hits The Family Farm »

Property Damage: When is Recovering ACV (depreciated value) the Only Option?

Excerpt from ia Magazine – Author Bill Wilson | An agent’s insured has multiple rental properties. During a recent inspection, the insured found hail damage to a roof and reported the claim to his agent, but was not sure of the date the hail caused the damage. Q: “The adjuster claims the last hail storm… Read More: Property Damage: When is Recovering ACV (depreciated value) the Only… »

NCCI Files For 3.7% Decrease of Iowa Workers’ Compensation Rates [Updated]

As the 2015 new year approached we thought it was time to update this short article originally posted in August, 2014.  At that time the Iowa workers’ comp loss costs (rates) were only advisory with no final approval.  After rereading the article, we quickly realized it was not only narrow in scope, but also quite boring in nature.  It really needed something to pep it up.  After making several attempts, we had… Read More: NCCI Files For 3.7% Decrease of Iowa Workers’ Compensation Rates… »

The US Senate Adjourns Without Passing Terrorism Bill

Thanks to our friends at Insurance Business America –     Author:  Caitlin Bronson – December 17, 2014 | The 113th US Congress adjourned last night without taking action on a bill addressing two critical insurance industry issues, leaving the future of several lines of insurance in doubt. The House-passed bill to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act… Read More: The US Senate Adjourns Without Passing Terrorism Bill »

The riots in Ferguson: What insurance applies?

Thanks to our friends at Insurance Business America     Author:  Caitlin Bronson – August 20, 2014 |   The world is transfixed on the rioting in Ferguson, Mo. following the police shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9. Sky-high tensions in the town of 20,000 have resulted in the arrests of 78 people and as-yet… Read More: The riots in Ferguson: What insurance applies? »

Green Snap, Wind Coverage and Extra Harvest Expense Deadline

We would like to take this opportunity to remind our insureds that the deadline to submit Green Snap, Wind Coverage and Extra Harvest Expense is June 15.  Please contact us if you have any questions. · Green Snap Coverage: provides coverage caused by wind which severs the stalk above the brace roots and below the ear causing… Read More: Green Snap, Wind Coverage and Extra Harvest Expense Deadline »

Rain and Hail – Important Claim Notice

CLAIM REMINDERS REPLANTS – RMA clarification – ‘Failure to obtain AIP consent to replant in advance of replanting will result in denial of the replant claim’ Exceptions may NOT be made even if the original stand remains intact because of inter-seeding, replanted alongside the original damaged rows, or left check strips at the insured’s discretion.  The adjuster must give consent… Read More: Rain and Hail – Important Claim Notice »