Mark Kofalt, Author at Premier Insurance Services

8 Tips for Improving Electrical Safety on Construction Sites

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 15, 2021
Post category:Business

The construction industry has the highest percentage of electrical fatalities out of all industries. While electricity is a crucial component in a construction project's success, it poses a risk of harmful shock, horrific burns or fatal electrocution. These accidents can occur when workers come into contact with power lines, wiring, transformers or other electrical machinery. Fortunately, there are steps that companies can take to minimize the dangers. The following are eight tips on how to improve electrical safety in the construction industry: Provide personal protection вЂ” Electrical safety in the industry starts at a personal level. All the electrical work personnel…

Are You Covered for Invasion of Privacy by Drone?

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 10, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

If you or one of your kids has a new drone and are excited about flying it, one issue that you need to be aware of is invading another person's privacy, particularly if you are flying it around your neighborhood and capture images of your neighbors and their backyards. Because many drones are also equipped with cameras, and with the continuing proliferation of social media, chances are high that someone will be posting images or video captured in their neighborhood by a drone they are flying. In other words, drones present a new form of privacy invasion that can land…

Survey: Commercial Insurance Rates to Continue Rising in 2021

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 8, 2021
Post category:Business

The commercial insurance rate hikes that have been ongoing since 2017 are expected to continue into 2021 with double-digit increases for most lines of insurance, according to a new report. The survey of insurance executives by Alera Group Inc. forecasts that commercial rates will increase across all lines nationwide by an average of 11.6% this year. While the rate hike percentages will certainly vary from state to state, it predicts that workers' compensation will see the lowest rate average rate increase of 4.7%, while the highest is forecast to be for medical malpractice insurance at 17.5%. The rate increases continue…

Stay Safe on the Roads This Winter

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 3, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

During the winter months, driving conditions can become hazardous as the weather gets less predictable. In extreme conditions, it is better to stay off the roads altogether; however, this is not always possible. There are several essential steps you can take to reduce your risk. Know your vehicle You need to be aware of what conditions your car can safely handle. You may have anti-lock brakes, all-wheel drive and all-weather tires, but while all of these features are valuable, don't be fooled into thinking your vehicle is accident-proof in bad weather. Becoming too confident in your vehicle's ability to respond…

COVID–19 Relief Bill Extends Unemployment Benefits, PPP and More

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 1, 2021
Post category:Business

The $900 billion COVID–19 relief bill, passed by Congress and signed into law on Dec. 27, includes a number of provisions that affect employers and their workers in terms of paid sick leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act provisions. The legislation also boosts unemployment benefits to out–of–work Americans, as well as reopening and expanding the Paycheck Protection Program that was introduced in March as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Paid sick leave and family medical leave The new law has not extended the obligation for employers to provide emergency paid sick leave…

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During the Winter

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 27, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Every winter, about 250,000 households find themselves with messes from pipes that freeze and burst. In addition to erupting and filling a room with water, a burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Carpeting, photos, furniture and other belongings can be permanently damaged to the point they need to be replaced. A crack measuring only 3 millimeters can spew as much as 250 gallons of water into a person's home in just one day. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to protect pipes and avoid the hassles associated with bursts: Bundle up the pipes. Use…

Why Every Business Needs Non–Owned Auto Coverage

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 25, 2021
Post category:Business

Even businesses that own fleets of autos sometimes use vehicles that do not belong to them. Often, a business asks an employee to run an errand or visit a customer or vendor using that employee's car. The organization may become legally liable for anything an employee acting on its behalf does while behind the wheel. Lawsuits and accompanying legal costs may confront the business if they have an accident. Many business automobile insurance policies cover this situation, but they do not do so automatically. The standard Insurance Services Office Business Auto Policy uses numbered symbols to identify covered autos for…

Why Everyone Needs Life Insurance

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 20, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family Senior Care

People who are considering life insurance usually debate whether they need it or not. If anyone will suffer financially after a person's death, that person should have life insurance. This death benefit is meant to help surviving family members or dependents cope with the financial difficulties of losing the deceased's income and paying for final expenses. Life insurance isn't subject to federal income tax. In order to determine how much life coverage to buy, it's important to consider what surviving loved ones would need if death occurred suddenly. Be sure to consider monthly living expenses, debts and final expenses when…