Ways Construction Coverage is Provided

The cost of construction coverage varies by insurer in both the provisions utilized and the available limits. Many of the basic coverage provisions are similar and provide the following according to
Adjusting Today.

1. The requirement that this coverage applies only when the building is written on a replacement cost basis.
2. Coverage does not apply where the insured was required to comply with an ordinance or law before the loss, even when the building was undamaged and the insured failed to comply.
3. No coverage applies for any costs associated with the enforcement of any ordinance or law requiring an insured to test for, monitor or clean up pollutants, or in any way respond to or assess the effects of pollutants.
4. No coverage applies to costs associated with any ordinance or law requiring an insured to respond to fungus, wet or dry rot, or bacteria.
5. The covered costs incurred are not payable until the property has been actually repaired or replaced at the same or another premises.
6. The insured generally has no more than two years to make the repairs or replacement.

For more information contact a Kimberley Vassal Insurance agent by visiting our website at www.kimberleyvassal.com

PA Umbrella Insurance Coverage

Umbrella Insurance provides exactly the type of coverage that it sounds like it would; it provides an umbrella for you to stand under. Liability issues are everywhere and you never know what could cause someone to present you with a lawsuit. Basically, Pennsylvania Umbrella Insurance policies protect you from liability issues that go beyond the liability limits of standard insurance policies, such as your homeowner’s insurance, car insurance, etc. This policy literally puts you under its umbrella so that when you exceed the liability coverage limits on an insurance line, you will still be protected. Click here for more information and a free quote!

Zurich Insurance Company: Builders Risk Plan

Zurich Insurance Company has a superior Builders Risk Plan for the General Residential and Commercial Contractors here are a couple of coverage that set their product apart:

• Unsold buildings can be written for 36 months on the Zurich reporting form policy or may be written for 2 years on an unsold dwelling policy as long as the building has been covered under the Zurich builders risk plan for 2 years. Most Builders Risk ceases as soon as the construction is complete.
• Coverage is extended for interest of subcontractors for materials that may be Damaged or Destroyed from Job Site.
• Coverage allows home purchaser to occupy a dwelling for up to 90 days pending closing while builder collect rent.

These are only a few specific coverage which separates the Zurich Builders Risk policy from other builders Risk programs. For more information contact a Kimberley Vassal Insurance Agent today or visit our homepage at http://www.kimberleyvassal.com/

All Risks, Get It Done Right. Now.

Allow All Risks to help you cover your Fall exposures. It offers a wealth of specialty coverages, general liability and property coverage for your special risks. All Risks gets it done right now by offering breadth and depth of products, strong carrier relationships, national jurisdictional knowledge, extensive experience, and industry expertise. For more information visit our website at, http://www.kimberleyvassal.com/

Cobra Requirments

Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services feels you should be aware of the following requirements. Did you know? Compliance with many Federal and State regulations is based upon the number of employees that you have.

For example:

· If you have 2-19 employees, you must offer Mini COBRA, if you provide health/dental insurance, to qualified employees.

· If you have 2-+ employees, you must offer COBRA, if you provide health/dental insurance, to qualified employees.

· If you have 50+ employees in a 75 mile radius, you must off Family and Medical Leave to qualified employees.

If you need further clarification or assistance please feel free to contact our office and one of our knowledgeable insurance advisors can work with you on this issue.

Commercial Automobile Tip!

When employees or a principal of a company are required to rent/lease a vehicle for business, it is important that the vehicle be leased in the companies name in lieu of the individual employee or principal’s name, this will assure protection under the companies commercial automobile policy.

All company commercial automobile policies should include hired and non-owned liability coverage. For more information visit our website by clicking here or feel free to call us at 800.511.9377.

Home Improvement Contractor’s Requirement

Kimberley Vassal Insurance Service would like you to be aware of the followingThe Home Improvement Contractor Registration Bill 100 requires that all home improvement contractors must register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection within the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Failure to register and abide by this law, can lead to civil penalties and felony prosecution.

Home improvement contractors are defined as individuals or companies that conduct business in excess of $5,000 annually with customers. The bill instates harsher penalties for this type of fraud. All contractors must register with the state before July 1, 2009. They will be assigned a registration number which will be provided for future potential customers.

If you have any questions about this requirement or have any other insurance related questions please contact Jim Johnson at KVIS, or vist our Chadds Ford office in Delaware County or Visit our Website by Clicking Here.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services would like to share the overview of the following law. Business may want to consider purchasing EPLI and reviewing their Employee Handbook.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (LLFPA) was signed into law on January 29, 2009.
This is the first step in returning Title VII, the law against employment discrimination and other federal legislation, to the original intention regarding remedies for pay discrimination.

It requires that:

· Each paycheck that delivers discriminatory compensation is illegal regardless of when the discrimination began.
· Family members may become plaintiffs in a discrimination suit over pay.
· Compensation is defined as pay and any benefits/rewards.
It may require that:
Promotions and demotions are considered.
Denial of training required for promotions is considered.
Pay at hiring is considered.
What should you have in place?

A compensation policy
Records and retention policies
Reviews of past pay policies to see what, if any, problems in disparate pay
may exist under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Equal Pay Act

Training for Supervisors and Managers in evaluating and documenting
performance, understanding the dangers and risks of poor pay related decisions and the specifics of the LLFPA

A commitment to taking remedial action if pay problems exist
An Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) to pay for legal and other costs in case charges are filed.

Let us assist you with implementing an Insurance & Risk Management Service provided by Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services.

Work Safely in Hot Weather

We at Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services want to pass this valuable information along. As Sgt Esterhouse of Hill Street Blues has coined “be careful out there”
Those hot, hazy days of summer are approaching. The heat can be especially harmful for those who work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot environments, making them susceptible to heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress, heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke.

“Working in extreme temperatures is not only uncomfortable, it can be life-threatening,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “As we move into the summer months, it is important for workers and their employers to minimize the chances of heat-induced illnesses, and imperative that they recognize the signs of heat stress and take proper precautions to reduce the chances of illness or death.”

High temperature and humidity, physical exertion and lack of sufficient water intake can lead to heat-related stress. Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke include confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, abnormally high body temperature and hot, dry skin.

OSHA advises workers to take preventive measures such as reducing physical exertion and wearing light, loose-fitting clothing. The agency advises employers to provide workers with water and regular rest periods in a cool recovery area.

For more information visit us at KimberleyVassal.com

Insurance Audits Costly

After reviewing thousands of insurance audits we found that over 60% of insurance audits were wrong. Our clients are provided at no cost this valuable Insurance & Risk Management Service that reduces audit time and mistakes. However, we are not trying to sell insurance. In light of the tightening economy Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services will provide a “no cost” review of your insurance audit.

We found that most agents or broker’s do not review or understand the insurance audit process. That leaves you all alone against the insurance auditor.

We will identify audit mistakes and misclassifications that have increased your audit and insurance costs. All we need to perform this no cost service is:

· Audit Work Sheet: The worksheets should have been left when the audit was preformed however, most carriers do not leave them.
· Audit Invoice: The invoice is needed for verification.
· Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Policies: Initial insurance payrolls and classifications should be reviewed and evaluated.
· Thirty Minutes of your time: We want to determine if there are other cost reduction alternatives that we can utilize to reduce your insurance costs.

A report will be provided and we will provide you with the necessary support to obtain your refund. We only get paid if we find an error in the audit.

For more information visit us at KimberleyVassal.com