Blog

September 6, 2023

Preparing for the DOL’s Proposed FLSA Overtime Rule             

On Aug. 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to amend current requirements that executive, administrative and professional employees (EAPs) must satisfy to be exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirements. If the rule is finalized and implemented, the overtime protections will extend to approximately 3.6...

September 1, 2023

Captives Address Emerging Risks

Businesses are increasingly looking to captives to address emerging risks as commercial insurance market conditions remain difficult. Demand is growing for innovative insurance programs for cannabis and cryptocurrency risks, among others, panelists said last month at the Vermont Captive Insurance Association’s 2023 annual conference. “The search for capacity doesn’t end when your insurance broker says...

August 31, 2023

4 Trends Shaping the Casualty Market

No. 1: Inflation is changing the game. After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022 following more than two years of pandemic-induced growth, global inflation has trended down slowly for the last few quarters. Still, inflation remains a concern across the entire property and casualty (P&C) value chain. Naturally, rising costs will have a direct impact on insurers...

August 30, 2023

How Voluntary Benefits Help to Expect the Unexpected

In life, we need to expect the unexpected. One could argue that this is an apt description for voluntary benefits, which were long viewed by brokers and employers as a labor-intensive afterthought.  Individually underwritten policies like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, identity theft, pet protection and numerous other coverages offered through payroll deduction weren’t seen as strategic...

August 29, 2023

7 Factors Driving Commercial Property Insurance Costs

Several cost-driving trends have contributed to the hard commercial property insurance market. This environment has led to continuous rate increases and other challenging conditions. In these circumstances, it’s crucial for businesses to understand why premiums have been rising. This article discusses seven factors currently impacting commercial property insurance costs. Catastrophic losses—Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, winter storms...

August 28, 2023

DOL Proposes Rule to Clarify PPE Standard

On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to clarify the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry. The stated goal of this action is to align construction, general industry and maritime standards. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2023,...

August 18, 2023

OSHA’s New National Emphasis Program Aimed at Preventing Warehouse Injury and Heat Hazards and Its Possible Implications on California

On July 13, 2023, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced the launch of a three-year National Emphasis Program meant to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities, distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments. OSHA’s announcement explains that warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years, with over 1.9 million...

August 16, 2023

The Tech that Could Shape the Future of Workplace Safety

While artificial intelligence, wearable tech and exoskeletons are not yet commonplace at every worksite, it is a very real possibility that these technologies, and a host of other emerging ones, will play critical roles in the future of work safety and workers’ compensation. To find out what technologies are making a difference, or showing the potential to...

August 15, 2023

What is an Experience Modification Factor?

The experience modification factor (EMF) plays a significant role in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Also known as the e-mod, this figure represents an employer’s workers’ compensation claims history compared to other businesses of a similar size in the same industry. It is determined based on a formula set by the National Council...

CMR Named on the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies in America for the Third Year

CMR Risk & Insurance Services Ranks No. 4605 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 August 15, 2023 – Inc. revealed today that CMR Risk & Insurance Services ranks No. 4605 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful...