Living and working on a yacht offers a unique lifestyle, but it also comes with significant challenges. These pressures can become even more pronounced during the holiday season, as being away from friends and family can intensify feelings of loneliness or homesickness. Combined with the high expectations of employers and guests, it’s no surprise that stress, anxiety, and burnout can take a toll on mental health. Taking the first step toward seeking help—or even acknowledging the need for it—can be difficult. However, mental health awareness within the yachting industry has grown significantly in recent years, and confidential, supportive resources are more accessible than ever.

At MHG Insurance , we understand the complexities of working in such a high-pressure environment and are committed to helping crew members access the support they need to thrive. Keep reading for an overview of resources, practical tips, and actionable solutions to safeguard your mental health. Remember, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful step toward resilience, balance, and a healthier, happier you.

Support Dedicated To Seafarers

Several organizations offer specialized services and programs designed specifically for seafarers, providing support that is both relevant and compassionate. Remember, seeking help isn’t just for moments of crisis—it’s about proactively safeguarding your well-being before challenges become overwhelming.

• ISWAN’s YachtCrewHelp – A free, confidential, and multilingual support helpline for yacht crew, accessible 24/7, every day of the year.

• Seas the Mind - Committed to fostering mentally healthy and resilient yacht crews through Mental Health First Aid training.

• Yachtie Minds Matter – Captain Kelly Gordon’s initiative promoting mental health awareness resources for yacht crew. An industry advocate, Capt Kelly fosters open conversations and offers tools, information, and support to prioritize crew well-being, drawing from her own relatable experiences in yachting..

• Safer Waves - Safer Waves offers confidential help for seafarers experiencing harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

Unlocking Mental Health Resources with Your Crew Health Plan

Crew Health insurance plans have made accessing professional mental health support easier than ever. Many policies now include mental health services as a standard benefit, with no deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance required. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the flexibility of virtual consultations, help is accessible no matter where you are in the world.

It’s important to note that coverage can vary between policies. If you’re considering seeking support, take a moment to review your policy details or reach out to your insurance broker for a complete understanding of your options.

Building Peer Support Networks

Though professional help is invaluable, the power of community should not be underestimated. Connecting with fellow crew members or others within the industry with shared experiences can provide a sense of solidarity and understanding.

Some yacht crew turn to social media pages , online groups, or local meetups for support. Platforms like Facebook may host private groups specifically for crew, where individuals share advice, stories, and resources. Others opt for more structured peer-support systems, such as attending crew wellness events or joining organizations that promote mental health awareness in the yachting community.

Onboard, fostering open communication with your team can make a significant difference. Crew members who feel comfortable discussing their struggles with trusted colleagues often experience reduced feelings of isolation. While the yachting industry is still evolving in its approach to mental health, the cultural shift toward openness and empathy is palpable.

Self-Care: The First Line of Defense

Although external resources are essential, your personal habits also play a significant role in maintaining mental health. Prioritizing self-care onboard can seem challenging, but even small changes can make a substantial difference.

Physical activity is a powerful way to reduce stress and boost your mood. While many yachties stay active through the demands of their job, taking time for enjoyable physical activities can make all the difference. Whether it’s using the yacht’s fitness equipment, practicing yoga on deck, swimming, or going for a walk or jog during shore leave, exercise provides a chance to clear your mind and release stress. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, try to steal a few moments for yourself. Prioritize activity that feels good for you—it’s an investment in both your mental and physical well-being.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or breathing exercises, are also excellent tools for managing stress. Apps like Calm or Headspace are particularly useful for busy schedules, offering guided meditations that can be completed in just a few minutes.

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and limiting alcohol are fundamental. While it may be difficult, try to get as much sleep as possible. It can be tempting to rely on convenience foods or energy drinks during hectic workdays, but prioritizing nutrition will provide long-term benefits for both your body and mind.

Taking the Next Step

Mental health is a vital component of your overall well-being. Whether you’re facing unresolved issues, navigating heavy emotional challenges, or simply need someone to listen, your Crew Health plan and industry resources are here to help. Prioritize your well-being by making healthy lifestyle choices and incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine. From professional counseling to peer networks and self-guided approaches, the resources available to yacht crew are designed to meet you where you are—no matter the challenges you face.

At MHG Insurance, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health of those who dedicate their lives to working at sea. Through comprehensive insurance solutions that include access to mental health services, we strive to ensure you have the care and support you need when it matters most.

Life onboard can be unpredictable, but with the right tools and resources, you can navigate the waves of mental health challenges with strength, resilience, and confidence.

Did you know? Years and years of hard work, saving, and planning can be gone in an instant. All because you were involved in an accident, or someone injured themselves in your home or on your property. Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, and are never expected, but what if I were to tell you that you could protect yourself, your business, and/or your family at an extremely affordable rate? There’s no reason to go through life worrying about when or where an accident is going to happen. Purchasing an Umbrella policy can help give you peace of mind when protecting your assets.

What Is an Umbrella Policy?

Just like the name says, an Umbrella policy provides an excess layer of liability protection. It typically extends over your current auto and homeowner’s policies to provide a higher level of coverage when needed. The Umbrella policy is triggered when the underlying limits on your auto or homeowner’s policy have been exhausted. In some cases, an Umbrella policy may provide coverage for losses that are not covered by a typical auto or homeowner’s policy. It is important to work with a knowledgeable insurance agent to be sure you have the correct policies in place for your situation.

More Coverage

If you own a business, you may wonder if this type of policy is available to protect your company in the event of a liability claim. There are times when your business or company will need Excess Liability coverage. You may have a business contract with a company that requires you to have more coverage than your General Liability policy can offer. Rather than increasing your General Liability limits, many times you can get an Excess Liability policy to cover the contract requirement. It can be more cost effective to purchase an Excess Liability policy rather than increasing the policy limits on the General Liability policy.

You Have A LOT to Protect

It’s not uncommon for someone to be involved in an accident and immediately look to sue. All it can take is for someone to slip and fall while walking on your property. If that should ever happen, it could threaten your financial security.

If you are looking for protection for your personal assets or your business and would like more information about Umbrella policies, MHG Insurance would be happy to assist you. Also, if you are looking to purchase other various forms of insurance such as General Liability or Professional Liability, our insurance specialists have the experience to assist your business and offer advice in finding the perfect plan to fit all of its needs. Contact MHG Insurance today at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com.

A new year is here, and now more than ever people are looking to either maintain the healthy habits they have adopted or look to try and start a new lifestyle to try and shed a few pounds or just feel better. Whether it is a new diet, new workout, or new way of living, this time of year is synonymous with people trying their best to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Yet there is one simple thing people can do that does not require expensive investments, trips to special facilities, or new gear… walking!

Why is walking important?

Walking is one of the best ways to get and stay healthy. Obviously going for a stroll is not as rigorous as going for a run or doing some of the latest fad workouts, but over time it can have the same benefits without the wear and tear on your body. According to the Better Health Channel , Just 30 minutes [of walking] every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Walking is also known to reduce your risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Should I track steps or miles?

Before you decide on how many steps or miles you should walk per day, first you need to decide what your goals are.

· Are you looking to lose weight or maintain weight?

· Where are you starting from, how is your current physical health?

· Are you looking to accomplish a milestone down the road?

After answering a few of these questions you should have a better idea of where you should start, and where you should set your sights.

Once you have that part figured out, it really is up to you whether you would prefer to track steps or miles. Experts say one mile is about 2,000 steps. So, will you be tracking your steps throughout the day? Or will you be allotting “walking” time to try and walk a particular distance?

Is it better to set a daily goal or a weekly goal?

It depends! Are you a person that has an extremely busy schedule? Or are you a person that has a lot of free time? At the end of the day, a goal is a goal, and there is more than one benefit to achieving them! Try not to over-extend yourself or set yourself for failure. It is important to be flexible, after all is there really a difference between walking 2 miles per day or 14 miles per week?

Selecting the right health insurance plan for you or your employees can be a difficult task, but the experienced insurance brokers at MHG are here to help. Call us today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com for help in selecting the ideal Employee Benefits plan for your team.

With so many of us stuck in our homes, or indoors in general, it can be hard to find the motivation, or even the tools to get a good workout in. For those of us looking to maintain our figure, or even drop some pounds while we are quarantining, it is important to try to stay active. Better yet, it is important for everyone to stay active, as exercising can help with stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental challenges associated with what is currently going on.

Calisthenics are a great way to get into or stay in shape. In fact, many people use calisthenics as their normal exercise routine. By using different exercises to target each muscle group, you can have a full body workout without leaving your home or your yard, in a short amount of time.

1. Upward and Downward Facing Dog- This is a common yoga exercise and is a great way to get your body warmed up before a workout or cooled down following one. Lay flat on the ground face down. Take a deep breath, push your hands against the ground to push your chest up while keeping your legs flat on the ground. Hold the pose for several breathes. On the last exhale, lift your bottom up to form a 90-degree angle with your body while keeping your feet and hands flat on the ground and your head between your arms. Stay in that pose for several breathes. On the last exhale, bend your knees to the floor so that your knees are under your hips and your hands are under your shoulders.

2. Planks- Planks are one of the best exercises you can do to work out your core. Lay face down on the floor. Prop yourself up with your forearms and keep your elbows directly below your shoulder. Remember to keep your body straight. For beginners, try using a straight arm with your hands directly underneath your shoulders.

3. Wall Sits- This is a great way to focus on your lower body as well as your core. Find a wall, then squat down into a sitting position with your back against the wall and your legs in 90-degree angles.

4. Mountain Climbers- Ready to get your heart rate pumping? Mountain climbers are a unique exercise that can get your heart rate up and work out your entire body without needing machinery or a large space to move around. Start in a push-up position and alternate bringing your knees to your chest.

5. Push-ups- This classic exercise focuses on your upper body strength and your core. To work out different muscles doing this exercise, try doing them on an incline and decline as well.

6. Sit-ups/ Crunches- This is another classic exercise that targets your abdominals. To increase difficulty try doing them with your legs up at a 90-degree angle. Or you could try air bike crunches where you alternate touching opposite elbows to knees.

7. Squats and Lunges- This exercise really targets your thighs and your gluteal muscles. Remember to keep your feet shoulder width apart and keep your heels flat on the ground when squatting.

For lunges, step forward with one leg lowering your hips until both legs are bend at 90-degree angles. Make sure your front knee is directly above your ankle and your back knee doesn’t touch the floor. Rotate legs.

8. Leg Lifts- As you may have already noticed, many of these workouts focus on your core, and leg lifts are one of the best ones you can do. Lay flat on your back and lift your feet 6 inches off the ground. For a change you could also try switching your feet from opened to closed every 10 seconds.

9. Burpees- Burpees are a great exercise that workout the whole body and even gets your heart rate up! Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, then bend your knees and lower your body into a squat. Place your hands on the floor and shift your weight onto them, then jump your feet back and get yourself into a plank or pushup positions. Then jump your feet back to land just behind your hands and rise up to jump explosively in the air. Repeat!

10. Tables- Sit down with your hands and feet on the floor. With your arms behind you, prop yourself up by lifting your hips as high as you can, and squeezing your glutes and shoulder blades as hard as you can.

There are several different ways to approach these exercises, you could try doing each one until exhaustion, breaking them up into different repetitions and sets, or a mixture of both. There are a ton of other non-weight exercises you can do; however, everyone is different, and some may find other exercises more successful than others. Try looking up other exercises and make a workout guide that fits you and your needs best.

With the spread of COVID-19 causing global concern, rest assured that all of us at MHG are here and ready to answer your insurance questions and concerns relating to the virus. For specific information on how COVID-19 affects your insurance coverage, please call us or visit your insurance carrier’s website.

In this ever-changing world, new threats and risks surface seemingly every day. Can you guess what one of the biggest threats to your business is? It’s not looting, and definitely not slander, it’s Cyber Breach! Years ago, a big topic was identity theft, and people having their credit cards compromised. As those issues are still common today, there is a much larger issue at hand. If a company has a breach, millions of customers could be at risk instantly, whereas before, people had their private information breached one by one. Can we go back to the old days?

Companies have begun investing heavily in security and creating in-house security teams to protect themselves from having their private information hacked. With millions of people affected by cyber breach across the world, it has become a common issue for businesses. According to Forbes, in 2019, personal account information surfaced on the dark web resulting from the data breach of Facebook and Instagram, exposing over 400 million user’s personal information.

How do I know if my business is at risk?

Many people think that a cyber breach can only affect businesses that have online stores, or sell a product or service through a website, however, that is not the case. Your business is at risk if it handles sensitive computer data such as credit card information and bank account numbers. Whether online, or in a computer system, information just isn’t safe anymore. Hackers are able to bypass security software and can get into your company’s servers to access all the information they want, at times getting through the best security available.

Unfortunately, these days having the best security software and team cannot guarantee the safety of your business. Although they are good investments to have, because they can make it quite difficult for a hacker which may make your company less of a target.

How will it affect my business?

A breach can cause an extensive threat to your financial stability. No matter the size of your business, federal law now requires you to notify every one of your customers affected by the breach. You may need to pay for extensive damages across your business. If you are one of the companies that has their business breached it may be necessary to hire a PR firm for damage control, forensic services to find out the extent of the breach and make the necessary security changes, legal services to protect you from individual and class action lawsuits, etc.

Hackers can also gain access to your employee’s information through email, and begin to contact others through that email address. This can create a massive headache for your company. Imagine an executive asking someone within the company for money in an emergency situation. Before you know it, your company just lost tens of thousands of dollars. It is critical to define certain protocols that offer an additional layer of protection. Requests for money transfers should be approved by more than one person and confirmation should be done in a secure manner or in person if possible.

How can I protect my business?

Until a few years ago, there was no insurance available to cover cyber liability. Businesses used Commercial General Liability Insurance to obtain coverage for bodily injury and property damage from accidents on their property or in their business, yet this does not protect them from any of the financial losses that can happen from failure to protect the private information of its customers.

Insurance companies now offer stand-alone policies to protect your business from many of the financial pitfalls that were stated earlier, that come with a cyber breach. Prices for these policies vary. Considering what they are protecting, it is well worth looking into the coverage. The application process can be quite simple depending on the need. Because the insurance company must know many details about spy ware protection, internet usage, etc. it is a good idea to work with your IT team when shopping for Cyber Liability coverage.

If you own a business, and are looking for protection against a cyber breach, MHG Insurance Brokers would be happy to assist you. Contact MHG Insurance Brokers today at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com.

As you may have heard, we are currently experiencing a global pandemic from COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. Across the world, countries and cities are being locked down to help prevent the spread of this virus, forcing many to be laid off or have to work from home, if their job allows. If you are one of the fortunate ones who are able to work from home and are staying home in these unprecedented times, you are doing your community a great service by doing your part to help stop the spread.

Many may think that working from home is easy, however, there are several challenges and issues that can arise, especially when working from home for an extended period, which looks to be the case for many. The following are some tips to better help develop a routine to make the most of your time, and to help limit distractions when working from home.

Get Ready in the Morning

Yes, one of the many benefits people may think of when working from home is that you get to stay in your pajamas all day. While everyone loves to have a lazy day, it is recommended to develop a routine. Try getting ready in the morning as if you were heading into the office. Take a hot shower, brew a cup of joe, or catch up on the latest news. Whatever your routine was before, try to mimic it the best you can.

Dedicate a Space

In addition to developing a solid and healthy routine, it’s important to create a dedicated space for your work. Set up your computer or lap tap, office phone, and whatever other supplies you need in order to creative an effective “home office”. Also, pick some place that will limit distractions, perhaps set up at the dining room table rather than in the living room? Whatever space works best for you, and will help you feel like you are clocking in.

Take Breaks

A lot of people don’t realize how many breaks they take at work, and while many supervisors may not want to hear it, frequent breaks are proven to be imperative for efficient work. Getting up from your desk and going to chat with a colleague or gathering around the water jug is something that you won’t have to opportunity to do. Make a note to take a break every so often. Pick a few times throughout the day to get up and walk around the house. If you have a dog, I’m sure they won’t let you forget to go on a walk.

Keep the Kids Busy

As the majority of schools are closing, you may be working from home with a few added responsibilities. Kids, especially younger ones, require a ton of attention, and it can be hard to get anything done if you are constantly having to keep them occupied and entertained. Try to come up with some activities that will keep them busy and inspire them to entertain themselves. Whether it’s putting on a movie, reading a book, or playing some board games, try to come up with some ideas to help keep them engaged.

Exercise

Last but certainly not least, being stuck inside all day can cause some mental challenges. Ever hear of cabin fever? Depending on where you are and what rules are being instituted in your country or city, go outside for a walk or run and get some physical activity. If you can’t leave your home, come up with an exercise routine for you to do every day. Exercise and physical activity is a great way to help battle the depression or other issues that may arise from being isolated and quarantined, and not to mention, it will only help you and your health!

With the spread of COVID-19 causing global concern, rest assured that all of us at MHG are here and ready to answer your insurance questions and concerns relating to the virus. For specific information on how COVID-19 affects your insurance coverage, please call us or visit your insurance carrier’s website.

Do you ever find yourself too busy to exercise? Is working a full-time job making it difficult for you to find the time to stay active?

Working a full time job is one way to keep someone busy. Trying to find time for yourself, or time to work out can be quite a challenge. After all, spending the majority of your day at work and battling rush hour can take a lot of energy. Yet, there still is no excuse for taking care of yourself. Living a healthy lifestyle is important, and sometimes it can feel like work gets in the way of that. If you find yourself willing to try something new in order to stay active while working full time, follow some of these great tips!

1. Get Up Early

Waking up early can be a drag if you aren't a morning person. Hitting the "snooze" button is almost unavoidable. While it may take some will power and extra motivation, getting up earlier to work out can have an amazing impact on your day. For one, exercising in the morning is a great way to start the day, get your blood pumping, and give you that feeling like you are ready to take on the world. You will even find that by working out in the morning that you may be sharper throughout the day.

2. Ride Your Bike or Walk to Work

One fun way to try and stay active is to walk or ride your bike to work. While this option may not work for everyone, those that live in close proximity to their job should give it a try. Enjoy the scenery, get some fresh air, and have some time to clear your mind before starting your day at the office. The best part is that you will be saving money on gas!

3. Take Periodic Walks

While on the job, you want to be productive as you possibly can. So, taking a long walk might be a bad idea. However, try breaking that long walk into shorter ones throughout the entire day. Use a bathroom break to walk around the building for a few minutes. Doing this every couple of hours will add up, and by the end of the day you might be surprised how much you have walked. Try wearing a pedometer to help keep track of your steps and help you reach any daily goals you might have.

4. Join a Gym Close to Work

If you work close to a gym, consider getting a gym membership there. You can go for a workout on the way in or just after you get off. Waiting until you get home to exercise is another option, but after having along day on the job and having to battle through rush hour can leave you feeling exhausted by the time you get home.

5. Use Your Lunch Break

Going on your lunch break is one of everyone's favorite parts of the day. If you plan on eating at nearby restaurant or are picking up food to take back, try walking instead of driving. Or if you joined a nearby gym, try going there during your lunch break to save time. Just be sure to shower before heading back to the office, no one wants to sit next to the sweaty person.

Here at MHG Insurance Brokers, we look forward to sharing tips and information with you that may help keep your stress levels down, and your quality of life up! Whether you are purchasing health insurance for the first time or already have a plan in place, or are simply looking for better coverage, we want to help you find an affordable health plan that works for you. Please feel free to contact us here by calling 954-828-1819 or visiting mhginsurance.com!

In today’s increasingly litigious society, business owners operate under the constant threat of lawsuits from employees, on a variety of issues. The proliferation of federal, state, and local employment laws has created a plethora of exposures that can leave your business vulnerable to costly litigation. Businesses of all sizes are at risk: whether you are the head of a large corporation or the owner of a small neighborhood company, once you hire your first employee, you expose your company to the possibility of a lawsuit.

An Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policy provides necessary protection for your business.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects your business, its directors, officers, and employees, providing coverage for the legal costs and damages associated with claims by current, former, and potential employees for a number of employment-related allegations, including:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Sexual harassment
• Hostile work environment
• Invasion of privacy
• Denial of promotion
• Failure to make partner
• Age, race, gender, or sexual orientation discrimination
• Failure to accommodate the needs of the disabled

The number of employment related lawsuits filed each year is rising.

Cases against employers are on the rise. According to the best industry estimate, 3 out of 5 businesses will be sued by an employee. Companies are now vulnerable from the first contact with a potential employee, from the pre-hiring process through the exit interview, even if the potential employee was never hired or was only with the company for a few days.

A single employee can sink your entire company.

No matter how vigilant you are, you cannot monitor every hire, termination, and conversation that takes place in your offices. Any misbehavior by your employees - a careless remark, inappropriate joke, or slightly mishandled termination – can be the basis of a lawsuit with the potential to bankrupt your business. There are steps you can take to minimize exposure, such as requiring attendance at workplace relations training sessions, implementing a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment, and establishing formal procedures for hiring, firing, and disciplining employees, but there is no way to ensure your company’s safety.

Defending against discrimination lawsuits, even groundless ones, is expensive.

Legal costs accrue at an incredibly fast rate during business litigation. The average cost to have a meritless lawsuit dismissed is between $10,000 and $15,000. If a slight concern about your company’s possible culpability causes you to agree to a quick settlement, expect expenses of $10,000 to $50,000. Costs rise sharply if there is any merit to the case against your company, with the costs of settlement and defense soaring to $150,000, $200,000, or more. Should your company be served with this type of lawsuit, your EPLI coverage reacts with legal defenses that may be included within or outside of the policy limits and would react to settlements and judgments awarded to the accuser.

Now that you have a better understanding of the many reasons why business owners should consider an Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policy, you can rely on MHG Insurance to ensure that you and your business are fully protected. The Insurance Specialists at MHG understand that every business is unique. We have the experience and resources to assemble a complete insurance plan that includes all the business insurance policies your company should have, including Commercial Property Insurance, Workers’ Compensation, Business and General Liability Insurance, and more. Call us today at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com, and let our Insurance Specialists show you how to protect your business from the expense of costly lawsuits and other risks.

Good help is hard to find. Everyone has heard different horror stories about coworkers and colleagues from their friends, or even ones they have experienced firsthand. Filling open positions properly within your company can have a great impact on your bottom line. From having unproductive and inefficient workers, or workers who go above and beyond, one thing that can have a direct effect to your bottom line is workers’ compensation. Workplace injuries can be quite expensive for employers, especially those companies that require skilled or physical labor. So, if you are interested in helping your businesses’ bottom line, use some of these tips to help avoid hiring your next costly claim.

Before the Hiring Process

Much like having a good foundation determines the strength of a building, hiring practices can have a similar effect to your business and its future. Preparation is very important when starting the hiring process. You want to be sure the right people are in the right jobs to get the most out of your team. Putting someone into a position that has no experience or background in said position could result in mistakes and possible injury if they lack training and experience. There are many ways to do your homework when beginning the hiring process, from gathering analytics of the mistakes that people make in the workplace, to psychology of people that will put them in the best position. Assessing problems before you make a hire can be best form of preventing a loss.

During the Hiring Process

Job interviews and job shadowing, or any other form of evaluating someone before hiring them is a great opportunity to see if someone is not only a perfect fit for the position, but your company culture as well. Unfortunately, you can’t ask someone about previous claims they were involved in, however, you can ask them about any gaps in their employment. Also, be sure to ask them how they would handle certain situations that can arise such as emergencies or other scenarios that may put them or their coworkers in danger. So far so good? If so, you should contact all their references to get a feel for how they are viewed from their past employers.

Don’t Stop Once They’re Hired

Once your new employee has passed all screening and gone through all the training necessary, welcome him or her to the company! An employment offer should be contingent on successful completion of screenings. Completion of a thorough hiring process should help to ensure the new employee will be a good fit. But the process shouldn’t stop there. Just because you have found your new employee, doesn’t mean you should stop working to avoid a claim. Implementing regular safety and training programs for all employees is a good practice that helps to avoid catastrophic and frequent claim. Lastly, all processes and procedures should be communicated loud and clear so that everyone in your workforce is aware of the company’s expectations. 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance should be a top priority for all businesses. If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing workers’ compensation insurance, or any other form of Property & Casualty Insurance, please contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit our website mhginsurance.com. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to assist and advise your business about all the necessary business insurances.

Workers’ Compensation, also known as Workers’ Comp, is usually one of the largest expenses for businesses. Since it is something that employers invest so much money into, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for your next audit, and make sure all of your ducks are in a row. The reason an audit is performed is to determine your Workers’ Compensation Insurance premium. Considering the outcome of the audit can result in drastic changes to your premium, you may want to follow these tips on how to prepare your business.

1. Gather all necessary records
To prepare for an audit, you will need to have all paperwork and documents ready and organized before the auditor arrives. They will most likely be looking for payroll records, federal tax reports, unemployment records, individual overtime payments, detailed job descriptions, and use of contractors and subcontractors along with certificates of insurance.

2. Make accurate payroll projections, and keep track throughout the policy year
When making payroll projections, you should try your best to be as calculated as you can be, especially if there are any class codes that apply to your operation. It’s also a good idea to monitor your projections during the policy year in order to know where you stand when the next audit comes around. To make it easy, set up quarterly reviews to compare your projections with your actual payroll.

3. Understand the breakdown of certain payrolls
Not all payrolls are the same. For example, if you employ a marine worker who spends half of their worktime on the water, that time will need to be kept separate from the time in the office because it is considered more risky. The same example can be used for a truck driver who splits time between an office, and on the road. Be sure to file the different payroll tasks by different job descriptions. Also, be sure to list overtime individually, because there is a good chance that overtime may have a discounted premium.

4. Check for certificates of insurance for any contractors or subcontractors
You will be required to show proof that any contractors or subcontractors that you hired had their own Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and were not covered by your company. It is also important to make sure all the dates are aligned for the time they worked for you. Without proper documentation, your company could be charged the premium for the contractor during the time you used them.

5. Be involved with the process
Don’t let them leave without reviewing their work and becoming aware of the impact that the audit could have on your business. Also, make sure you have looked over the worksheet the auditor will ask you to sign, and make sure to keep a copy for your records. If the worksheet has yet to be completed, don’t sign it! This helps keep all surprises down to a minimum.

Points to keep in mind

Dealing with an auditor may not be the friendliest experience. Don’t expect to make friends and go out for drinks after, they are only there to look at your payroll, get the figures they need, and leave. Also, it is good for you to know that most of the time, your insurance agent or broker isn’t involved in an audit unless there is a problem. If you don’t hear from us, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you! The auditor will contact you at the end of your period whether you have renewed or not, and at that time, it is a good idea to keep your agent in the loop of the situation.

If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing Workers’ Compensation Insurance, other types of business insurance, or group health insurance for your employees, please contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to cover your company’s risks appropriately.