OSHA estimates power industrial trucks (PIT), commonly called forklifts, cause about 85 fatal accidents per year, 34,900 accidents resulting in serious injury, and 61,800 non-serious accidents.  Approximately 42% of PIT-related fatalities involve being crushed by a PIT that's tipped over; 25% involve being crushed between the vehicle and a surface.  The industries with the highest percentage of fatality claims include manufacturing (42.5%) and construction (23.8%). According to OSHA, 70% of all PIT accidents could have been avoided.  West Bend's loss prevention team put together a technical bulletin including safety tips, procedures and information on inspections.  Read, download and post it in your facility as a visual reminder!

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Timely claim reporting and return-to-work-programs are vital in reducing the cost of workers’ compensation claims. Just as important, however, is preserving evidence when a third party is involved. This may be obvious for a property claim, but why would it be true for a workers’ compensation claim?

Because workers are sometimes injured due to the negligence of a third party. Examples of such exposures include malfunctioning equipment, exposure to toxins, motor vehicle accidents, or injury that occurs on the property of a third party. Subrogation and recovering costs related to accidents at work aren’t usually top-of-mind when there’s a workers’ compensation claim. Because of this, it can be challenging to pursue a third-party claim due to the lack of supporting documentation and the failure to preserve evidence.

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To say motorized auto dealers have unique exposures is an understatement.  Inventory loss or damage, personal injuries, work comp claims, property damage, manufacturer problems are all risks they face.  Fortunately, over the years, West Bend has developed extensive expertise when it comes to commercial risk.  Our underwriters are skilled; they know and understand what coverages are necessary to protect them.

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Fire is one of the biggest threats for restaurants and bars.  A recent study, completed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, found that as little as 3% of cooking oil residue left in towels after laundering can spontaneously combust.  Fibers in the towels trap oil and grease over time, creating an opportunity for combustion.  When people think of spontaneous combustion and towels, they usually think of solvent-soaked towels; however, towels soaked with cooking oil – vegetable or animal – present the same risks and potential loss. 

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While there are many benefits to leasing equipment, such as commercial trucks, insureds should beware of the damage coverage included by the leasing company. 

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Cyber security, data breach, safeguards, cyberattacks are terms that are all too prevalent in the news today.  From big box stores, to mom and pops shops, to online retailers, restaurants and bars, we can no longer ignore how a data breach would damage reputations and cause huge headaches and financial hardships for your consumers.  The 2015 second annual Data Breach Industry Forecast by Experian states that almost half of organizations had a security incident within the last 12 months.  Cyber insurance policies or Data Compromise programs are becoming a necessity in protecting businesses, reputations, and your customers.

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From a young age, you’ve loved animals so deciding to become a veterinarian came naturally and without question.  You studied feverishly to become the best you can be to care for those furry companions that fill your heart with joy.  Your education will serve you well while you perform wellness exams, stitch up lacerations, treat allergic reactions, and remove foreign bodies.  But do you know what insurance coverage you need?

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A claims department functions because of loss to property, an accident, or an injury due to legal liability, misfortune, negligence, or other risk. Without these losses, there would be no service to provide.

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For many years, video surveillance cameras have been used as a theft deterrent or to help apprehend criminals in banks, convenience stores, and gas stations. In recent years, video cameras have slowly been infiltrating many other businesses. In fact, most people now assume they’re being filmed while shopping in big box stores, and they’re probably right.

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Did you know West Bend offers Professional Liability for specific classes of business on our SMARTbusiness™ and Commercial Package Policies? Here are brief descriptions of the coverages we offer: 

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