General Industry

February 20, 2025

Employers Must File ACA Returns Electronically by March 31, 2025

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) to their employees. Under the original rules, any reporting entity that was required to file at...

February 18, 2025

Common Exposures for Personal Lines Clients

Personal lines insurance can be a crucial aspect of financial planning that offers individuals and families financial protection against various risks. Personal insurance refers to a range of policies aimed at safeguarding individuals and their families from financial setbacks caused by unforeseen events. This type of insurance encompasses policies such as auto, home, renters and...

January 28, 2025

Earthquake Awareness Month

February is Earthquake Awareness Month. It is a good time to make sure your property is protected against the impact of earthquakes. Even though earthquakes are seen as more common on the West Coast, earthquakes have occurred in 39 states. Consider implementing the following safety measures to protect your property from the impacts of an...

January 21, 2025

Inflation Rose in December 2024 As Expected

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9% year over year in December 2024, up from 2.7% in November. This figure matched economist expectations and was likely impacted by seasonal factors, including gas, food and vehicle prices. The “core” CPI, which strips out the unpredictable food and energy...

January 16, 2025

Preventing Theft and Vandalism for Small Businesses

Theft and vandalism pose significant risks to small businesses across all industries. These incidents can lead to financial losses, property damage and operational disruptions. Given these potential consequences, business leaders must take steps to safeguard their organizations. Theft and vandalism can affect a small business’s finances and operations, so business leaders should take steps to...

January 3, 2025

U.S. Commercial Property Pricing Is Turning a Corner Heading Into 2025

With years of double-digit rate increases now in the past for many buyers, the U.S. commercial property market has improved and shows signs of stability even amid obstacles, according to a new report from the Insurance Information Institute (III). Growth in the U.S. commercial property market has been primarily rate-driven for the last several years,...

December 30, 2024

 How the Trump Administration May Impact the Employee Benefits Landscape

Former President Donald Trump has won a second presidential term. Employers can expect a number of changes to employee benefits under the Trump administration. Although the specific policy objectives that are enacted remain to be seen, employers may look to the campaign policies that President-elect Trump ran as well as the initiatives that Trump took...

December 19, 2024

Vacant Property Risks

Vacant construction sites face the risks of theft, trespassing, fires and other hazards. Potential losses might include the value of damaged or stolen materials, the liability of an individual being injured on the property, and the costs of organizational disruptions if an essential piece of equipment is vandalized or taken. The insurance risks and liabilities...

December 17, 2024

Key Drivers of 2025 Health Care Cost Increases

Health care costs in the United States are likely to increase by 7%-8% in 2025, marking multiple years of compounding costs. As 2025 begins, many employers remain curious about what is driving these increases. Here are key factors that will impact rising health care costs: GLP-1 Drugs Although initially approved as Type 2 diabetes treatments,...

December 12, 2024

Commercial Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2025

Insurance experts often examine how outside trends, reforms and movements in the larger economy affect the insurance marketplace, and businesses should follow suit to determine the factors that may impact their coverage. For 2025, there are a host of sweeping market developments to consider. Extreme Weather Events Extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms and...