2022 and new beginning concept, hand show icon global network line, growth plan for business.

Top 10 Technology and Business Trends of 2022

Denise GillinNews

By Anis Uzzaman, General Partner and CEO, Pegasus Tech Ventures for Inc.com The impact of Covid-19 continues to be felt as several technologies are poised to pick up steam in the new year. As Covid-19 vaccinations increase globally, life is getting back to normal. However, it’s no longer the world we experienced before the pandemic. The long-term nature of this global crisis has changed customer needs and daily lifestyles. This will, in turn, change what I expect the world to look like in 2022 and beyond. Let’s review the top 10 technology and business trends that we’ll likely encounter in the coming year. Click for more information>>>

Not Your Average Bond

Denise GillinBonds, Risk Management

By Lynne W. Cook for AssuredPartners Ironically, there are thousands of surety bonds, but most people are unfamiliar with this three-party agreement that is designed to guarantee a principal’s (the #1 party, which is likely you or your business) integrity, honesty, performance, and financial responsibility, as well as compliance with a law or contract. So, who are the other two parties involved in this three-party agreement and what is it that requires I get a bond? Here are a few of the more common situations that use commercial surety bonds to lessen the risk of loss to the obligee (the #2 party, who is requiring the bond) by the third-party guarantor (the # 3 party, which is a corporate surety …

Addressing the Ag Industry’s Supply Chain Challenges

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News, Risk Management

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners Weather, geopolitics, structural issues, consumer demand, and labor shortages represent just some of the many issues working together to compound the global supply chain problem for the ag industry. This confluence of factors has made it difficult to move product, contributing to supply chain inflation and concerns about food security. Supply chain problems are likely to stick around for the foreseeable future and addressing them will take time. To protect your agribusiness, you must understand what makes your operation vulnerable and look for opportunities to do things differently. Click here for resilience-building measures>>>

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Denise GillinRisk Management

By Reginald Shubert, Senior Risk Control Consultant, Murray The Holiday season is upon us, and it’s a great time for parties with family, friends, and coworkers.  As the song goes, it’s time to “deck those halls and trim those trees,” but, you don’t have to be Clark Griswald and overdo your holiday decorations. Not only can it be a little tacky, it can also lead to an unsafe environment in your home or office. Seasonal decorations, including lights, trees, and wreaths can help put your home or office in the holiday spirit. However, when not displayed properly, decorations can create safety hazards or cause fires.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 43% of …

Best Report Finds Captives Continuing To Outperform Commercial Market

Denise GillinAlternative Risk

Copyright © 2021 A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Shared from Captive.com Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rated captive insurance companies in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Barbados continue to outperform US commercial casualty insurers, according to A.M. Best. A Best’s Market Segment Report, “Rated BCIB Captives Continue Strong Performance in Comparison to Commercial Casualty Composite,” suggests that captives in the three domiciles outperform the US commercial casualty composite on underwriting and operating profitability. Despite the pandemic and the addition of new risks as a result of the hardening commercial insurance market, the group of captive insurance companies saw net earned premium growth of 11 percent in 2020, Best said. Read more>>>

Five Misconceptions About Life Insurance

Denise GillinLife Insurance

By Scott Toombs for AssuredPartners Regardless of age, it’s natural to think about what is ahead as we enter the holiday season and get ready to turn the calendar to a new year. One of the topics that is often reviewed at this time is making sure family is protected at the time of the passing of a loved one with life insurance. While life insurance is extremely important, there are misconceptions associated with it that many need clarification on. Click to learn the 5 misconceptions>>>   Contact Todd Geist at 570.590.3388 to discuss your life insurance needs.

Seven Manufacturing Trends for 2022

Denise GillinManufacturing

Shared from Wolters Kluwer To stay one step ahead of industry trends and keep pace with the competition, technology innovation has taken a front seat. But manufacturers must also remain agile and find ways to rapidly respond to customer demand. Given this, here are seven key manufacturing trends to watch for. Onshore instead of offshore Shifting from B2B to B2C Additive manufacturing (3D printing) Predictive maintenance Increased automation Securing talent for the new workplace Sustainability For more details>>>

The Ins and Outs of Contractors Professional & Pollution Liability Coverage

Denise GillinConstruction

By Gary Semmer, CIC, CWCA, Executive Vice President & Construction Vertical Practice Leader for Assuredpartners Does standard General Liability insurance provide coverage for design activities or modifications and environmental or remediation services? Great question, and the chances are likely that the answer is no. Commercial General Liability and Umbrella policies have evolved over the years, but one thing has remained constant: they contain Professional Liability and Pollution Liability ‘exclusions or restrictions’ that negate coverage. Additionally, more subcontract insurance agreements require Contractor’s Professional Liability (errors & omissions) coverage for design/build activities or design modifications and Contractors Pollution Liability coverage for environmental/remediation services provided. Read more here>>>

The Supply Chain Crisis’ Latest Woe

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management, Transportation

By Dani Romero for Yahoo!finance With a number of cargo containers bottlenecked at California’s ports, another problem has ensnared the companies trying to ship goods, and the customers and shops waiting for those supplies. Theft. The worsening supply chain troubles are making stolen shipments an increasingly common problem that’s affecting shoppers, already facing long delays and soaring prices. Cargo that finally makes its way out of backlogged ports on the West Coast is being aggressively targeted by criminals eyeing containers filled with electronics amid the chip shortage. What are the implications>>>

Mandates and Old Man Winter

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Risk Management, Transportation

By Kevin Rettberg for AssuredPartners The weather is turning, and with it the conditions on the roads will be changing. The incoming winter weather is set to turn the peace and quiet of the tranquil summer, sun-filled roads into a wintry mix of ice and snow in many areas of the country. The idea of what winter brings is nothing new, but somehow this winter feels a little unlike anything we have every experienced. Our weather is a microcosm of what is happening in the US right now: a calm before a storm. However, while we know exactly what weather brings us, there is an upcoming vaccine mandate that is causing a concern from the unknowns that it causes many …