What is Pollution Liability?

Pollution liability insurance is known as "pollution incidents"" in the insurance world. There is a thought to suggest that this insurance policy came into picture following the great amount of asbestos litigation in the 1970s. It was around that time that insurers thought it better to do away with pollution liability insurance in general policies and instead offer it independently.
Pollution liability insurance protects you in two ways: one is when the pollution takes place on your property; the other is when you suffer losses resulting from pollution on somebody else's property. In such cases, it is the insurer's responsibility to recover costs from the party that caused the incident. Conversely, your policy pays for damages you may cause to other properties.
The most general use of pollution insurance is to protect lenders, buyers and sellers in property transactions. Conventionally, buyers do hire environmental consultants to assess sites. That may take a little over twenty days and cost up to $5,000. Concomitant to the delay, there is another major danger in this. Consultants opine on the current condition of the site and not what may happen in the future.
Pollution liability insurance, on the other hand, guards the insured for the entire term of the policy, including for any later discovery of damage. The policies are largely renewable and can be in place for up to ten years. Also, these policies are a lot more cost effective than a site assessment.
Pollution liability insurance is doubtless a useful and an economically viable way of managing environmental risks. It can be particularly beneficial to those companies that deal with materials that may be considered as pollutants once released into the environment.

Lansing Fire

From David Chapman Agency, Inc.

80 residents were displaced after a fire ripped through a Lansing apartment complex this morning. Many of these people lost everything they owned.

Renter's insurance covers your stuff while you are living in an apartment or rental home as well as providing personal liability coverage. Your landlord's insurance only covers the building not your stuff.

Renter's insurance is cheap; starting as low as $100 / year and can qualify you for a multi-policy discount on your auto insurance.
Red Cross: 80 residents displaced by Lansing apartment fire lansingstatejournal.com Lansing Stat
www.lansingstatejournal.com
UPDATED 8:30 A.M. -- The American Red Cross Mid-Michigan Chapter is reporting that 80 residents were displaced by a large fire that broke out early today at a south Lansing apartment building.

Business Start Ups & Legal Issues

Owning and operating a small business is no small feat. It also comes saddled with a variety of legal issues that are worthy of a great deal of attention. Legal business issues apply to ventures of all sizes. Small, medium or large, legal protection is just as important as good accounting practices.

Startup Legal Business Issues

The importance of legal issues in business begins right at the start of the business venture. Laying the groundwork for a small business consists of the following:

The Business Name: Quite possibly the first legal issue one crosses in business is developing the actual name of the company. Obviously, you cannot legally use a business name that has already been chosen by another company. Local state agencies have detailed search systems that will allow you to research what names are already in use and if the ones you are considering are available. Typically, the Secretary of State will have information available on business names and legal protection for the business name that you choose.
Business Structure: There is more than one way to structure your small business, and each one provides legal protection in a variety of different capacities. Some of the options include sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, s-corporation, or a limited liability company. The legal issues in business change with each of these different structures, and it is important to do comparative research before selecting the best option.
Business Licenses: Depending on the nature of your business, there may be a variety of licenses or permits that are required by the state or federal government. At the absolute minimum, you need to secure a business license and tax registration. These will help you to avoid certain legal business issues. Research the type of business you are starting to see if there are any other special licenses required.
Ongoing Legal Business Issues

After the doors are open and the operations are running smoothly, legal issues in business don’t disappear. The following factors influence legal business issues on a regular basis:

Non-Disclosure Agreements: If you are providing all or even part of the financing for your business, or if you sign contracts with suppliers and vendors, non-disclosure agreements will provide the degree of legal protection that you seek. Whenever an outside firm has access to pertinent information about your business, you must develop an agreement to ensure confidentiality.
Employee Labor Law: There are a myriad of legal business issues pertaining to employees and labor. For example, discriminatory hiring practices of any kind are not permitted, and you also must be very careful when you fire employees. There are also restrictions regarding age and work permits for non-citizens of the United States.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OHSA) also provides a host of requirements regarding workplace safety. Complying with OSHA standards is part of protecting your employees and one of the foremost legal issues in business. You will need to actively comply with standards and devise strategies for adapting to any changes on a regular basis.

There are more startup and ongoing legal business issues when it comes to small business, but these basics will get you started on the right foot. Whenever possible, it is best to consult with an attorney before making any decision or changes that may impact legal protection issues.

Traffic Never Stops...Towing Safety Tips

Tow Truck Operations
Tow truck operators transport cars and trucks that are damaged, non-operational, or parked illegally, aid motorists, and keep streets and highways clear. Traffic never stops, so tow truck operators are called out at all times of day, year-round. The job involves personal safety, driving, heavy equipment, and traffic safety, so operators should learn safety basics for tow truck operations.

Mind your personal safety; ensure that someone is tracking or has a record of your planned route. Don’t enter a situation that looks or feels dangerous; be calm and diplomatic when dealing with customers. When exiting your truck, be aware of the traffic around you; look and think before you make a move. To avoid a fall, use the steps and handles getting in and out of the truck; never jump in or out of the cab or bed.

Maintain your fitness for the job which may require stretching, bending, lifting, and climbing. Use good body mechanics and lifting techniques to avoid back injuries. Don’t strain, twist, or over-reach, and avoid extreme or awkward positions as much as possible.

Drive defensively and stay alert. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and medications that cause drowsiness. Follow safe hours of service guidelines. Wear your seatbelt. Obey speed limits and road regulations. Don’t multi-task; keep your eyes and mind on the road. When towing, use your lights or a light bar to signal your intentions and show the rig length.

Know your equipment rating and capacity; overloading may cause an accident. Be aware of your truck height for maneuvering under overpasses and bridges. Inspect the truck before each use. Check the utility body and mounts and fix broken bolts, cracked welds, or stress fractures. Inspect the chains and hooks on the rig; make sure the security pins are not bent or falling out and the chain has no bent, stretched, or hammered links.

Inspect the winch and cable often, keep it clean and lubricated; repair or replace if necessary. Use hooks and clamps rated at the same capacity as the wire. Maintain 3 to 5 wraps on the winch drum and rewind it periodically to lay the cable flat and even. Watch the lines so that they don’t get tangled; placing continued pressure can shear the cable and send it flying at high speed.

When hooking up a towed vehicle, block and chock the wheels before disengaging the driveshaft or the brakes. Try not to work under a lifted truck; if you must do so, block and chock the wheels, front and back. Use lockout/tagout procedures on the wheel lift, boom and winches while working under a truck or between the truck and towed vehicle. If you have a remote to the lift, boom or winch, do not leave it in your pocket or on the ground where it could be accidentally activated; lockout and secure the remote inside your truck until you are ready to use it.

When working in the tow-away zone, stay in the safety zone.

Is it time for a new Agent?

Most business owners wait until their policy is up for renewal before reviewing the policy. Often, the owner of the business does not review the policy at all and instead makes the decision to simply trust the agent to review the policy. The problem is, the agent does not run or operate your business. They simply cannot be aware of all the changes that may have occurred since last year’s review. Sure, you contacted your agent when you bought that new company van. They responded quickly, the van was added to the policy, and your insurance proofs were sent promptly. But did you inform your agent of the upgrades you’ve made to your building in the past year? If not, then you may be missing out on some discounts. Did you inform your agent of changes in payroll? If not, then you may get an unexpected bill from your insurance carrier due to an increase on your Workers Compensation policy. Have you hired or let go of employees? Some General Liability Policies are rated based on the number of employees; this can cause an increase or reduction in premium on your General Liability as well.
It’s important that your agent maintains an ongoing relationship with your business. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when evaluating whether or not you should consider changing your insurance agent:
1. Are you more loyal to your agent then they are to you? You have been with an agent for several years, but have they visited you at every renewal? Do they stop or call periodically and inquire on issues related to your policy? Was the last time you saw them when they came to collect your down payment? Regular visits and occasional calls from your agent can make all the difference in the world. It will often play a vital role in helping you avoid insurance issues before they come up.
2. Does your current agent respond quickly to your questions and concerns? Are they difficult to get ahold of? Do you have their mobile number in the event of an emergency?
3. Do they provide you with the professional respect you require? This is often overlooked, but it is of great importance. Do you tolerate a less than normally acceptable level of care because you feel you couldn’t get the same coverage elsewhere, or at least not at the same price? The real question you need to ask yourself is, if they don’t treat me well when it comes to the small things, then how likely are they to perform well when it comes to something important such as a claim?
4. Does your agent shop your rates for you? Many agencies will have multiple carriers that they can shop your policy through. If you have an agent that meets or exceeds your expectations, then request them to shop your rates for you. Ask them to provide you with a list of each carrier and the rate they offered. A good agent will let you know if a new carrier is better suited for your company.
Now that you have a new agent, make sure you set clear expectations for one another. After all, you are essentially hiring this new agent as you would a new employee. Keep in mind that the agent also has the right to clarify how his/her agency works and what is expected of you as their client in order to keep the policy as accurate and up to date as possible. I refer to this as “Defining the Relationship." Taking a few minutes to define the relationship can not only save you from headaches down the road, it can also be the start of something good.