Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are popping up in cities across America, but they have been popular in Europe for years.  We are at the beginning of this new form of personal transportation, which creates a few questions regarding risk, liability, and insurance coverage.
 
Scooter usage Facts (Forbes)

• Only 4.4 % of riders wear helmets
• 80% of accidents are results of falling
• Head trauma is the most common type of injury 

Most cities do not have regulations or rules regarding scooters because they do not qualify as motor vehicles.  Some cities require a driver's license and helmet, but these are mostly on the honor system.  Users can rent a scooter then leave it anywhere they want, even in your front yard or in front of your business.
 
Insurance companies are busy trying to figure out who is liable in the event a scooter injures someone.  What if the scooter rider injures someone while on the job, will the injuries be covered under workers' compensation?  Will liability be the responsibility of the employer’s insurer?  Many insurance policies may not address scooters specifically.  Depending on the circumstances, some electric scooter-related injuries may be covered, while others may not.
 
Right now, most insurers will not cover scooter crashes.  Auto insurers also will not cover scooters, as they are not defined as an automobile.  Scooter companies have strict waivers that are included in the rental agreement limiting any liability to the rental companies.  One company offers a $1,000,000 liability policy, but all claims would be subject to extensive investigations.
 
Most legal experts agree that riders will bear the legal liability arising from accidents because of the terms to which the rider agrees to when downloading the app.  The laws, the courts, and the insurance industry are often slow to respond to new technology, and this may be the case with electric scooters.  Relatively few laws specific to electric scooters have been passed.
 
We recommend you contact your insurance agent to discuss if your personal insurance provides any coverage, or if you need to add coverage to your program.
 
Drones and Insurance
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released guidelines on the use of drones for commercial and personal use. Many businesses are considering, or actually using, drones as part of their business.  Just a few drone applications include real-estate sales and appraisals, making commercials, construction projects, and even security.
 
Most drone users have little or no aviation experience, so even if you follow the regulations and the laws, you might experience a pilot error or unplanned equipment failure.  With some models tipping the scales of up to 55 pounds, rogue drones can pose a significant threat to people and property—and to your personal liability.  That is why it is smart to add an insurance review to your pre-flight checklist.
 
Here is a link to the FAA rules
 
Here Are Some Things to Know

1. Drones must weigh less than 55 pounds, and operation must be less than 400 feet above the ground.
2. Drones must be in your line of sight at all times.
3. The operation must also be within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset.
4. Operators need to obtain a pilot certificate with the U.S. Airspace by passing an aeronautical test. 

Will My Insurance Cover Drone Operations?
Each insurance policy is different. But generally, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover your liability if your drone causes a covered loss. It always pays to check with your agent.
 
Driverless Cars 
Every year auto manufacturers come out with new technology that improves the operation of their vehicles. 
 
There is no question that self-driving cars are in our future, and there are many questions that come with this kind of technology.  A transport scholar at the University of Minnesota believes that by 2030, every car on the road will be driverless.  According to another expert source, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there will be 3.5 million self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads by 2025, and 4.5 million by 2030.
Most states have already enacted legislation or executive orders around legal issues involving self-driving cars.
 
Key Issues around Self-Driving Cars

1. Legal liability.  If an accident occurs, there will undoubtedly be litigation involving the vehicle’s owner and the manufacturer.
2. There may be a no-fault system put into place.
3. There may be fewer accidents, but the cost of repairs will go up due to the technology within vehicles.
4. With a greater need for shared vehicles—especially in large cities, there will also be the need to understand who is legally responsible for injuries, and assurance that there will be enough insurance to cover these injuries.
5. Will you be able to obtain excess insurance for ridesharing cars if needed?  Each state has different minimum insurance requirements, so if you are going to be traveling across state lines, it will be important to understand your risks.
6. The degree of driver control over a vehicle could also affect the division of liability between driver and manufacturer.

The question is no longer will auto insurance change—it will definitely change, the real question is when and how it will change.  That is why it will be important to have a professional insurance agent to help guide you through all the legal issues.  There are currently some self-driving vehicles on the market.  It will be important for you to seek the advice of a professional insurance agent to help educate yourself on your risks.

While these are responses from large corporations, we take away many applications for medium and small businesses. Here are some of the risk issues for 2021. According to a recent AMEX survey, 92% of businesses pivoted last year, and 76% of small businesses believe they will need to pivot again in 2021. The 2021 pivot may have a different nature, however. 2020 pivots were mainly adjustments to shock changes in customer demands due to safety measures.

1. Cyber Liability- Cyber liability and data theft is one of the hottest topics for businesses, risk managers, and insurance companies.
2. Employee Safety- Making sure your business follows all COIVD compliance protocols will be a top priority.
3. Remote workers- In 2021, remote working and safety measures should become more routine. How businesses recruit, onboard, train, and terminate employees has changed, some say permanently. How businesses are dealing with employee burnout, talent management, and allocating will need to be addressed.
4. IT security- Remote workers will require new IT protocols.
5. Slow economic recovery- Businesses will need to do planning to manage the recovery in 2021.
6. Government mandates and regulations - There continues to be increased oversight from the government in healthcare and financial reporting that creates new risk and liability for businesses.
7. Political and Civil Issues - As seen in 2020, political and civil issues have a direct impact on many small businesses. Having the right kind of business insurance is important to protect your business in the event of civil riots.
8. Business Interruption - If your business has a loss and you are unable to operate for a period of time, you will need financial resources in order to get back in operation. You may even need to continue payroll for a period of time. Business interruption insurance can provide these resources.
9. Class actions and COVID-19 cases- This year has also seen the first class-action lawsuits directly related to COVID-19. Examples include lawsuits against cruise lines that suffered coronavirus outbreaks, as well as suits regarding the business impact of COVID-19 on companies’ financial performance or operations and misrepresentations about COVID-19-related therapies.

 Strive Insurance Group, Inc. is a full-service independent insurance agency that has been serving the insurance needs of the Dallas area since 1984 (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance). Don't worry, nothing has changed, but our name. In addition to having a presence in the Dallas and North Texas area, we have also expanded to Austin and Central Texas with agent representation and the same professional service.

We represent, and have established a strategic alliance, with only the highest quality insurance carriers. In doing so, we can provide you with the service and protection to meet your dynamic needs. As your needs change, we can review and collaborate to decide which insurance company or companies are best suited to your situation.
 
Sources: Forbes, Insurance business

Every business must have COVID-19 safety procedures in place in 2021. Helping your employees return to work safely and confidently during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is no easy task.

Employers must ensure social distancing for employees and customers, frequent and adequate employee hand-washing, and that sick employees stay home. Employers must also provide basic workplace hazard education about coronavirus and how to prevent transmission in languages best understood by employees. Your workers’ compensation insurer can offer tools and advice in this area.
​
Here are tips for your business to consider

• Making sure your facility is fully clean, disinfected, and equipped with a blueprint for maintaining safe conditions.
• Setting up a support system in place for employees as they return to work and adjust to new realities and emotional challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Creating a plan for a safe work environment that protects employees and customers alike from risks connected to COVID-19, including exposure and transmission.
• Prepare business continuity plans for significant absenteeism, supply chain disruptions, or changes in the way you need to conduct business.
• Establish an emergency communications plan. Identify key contacts (with back-ups), the chain of communications (including suppliers and customers), and processes for tracking and communicating about business and employee status.
• Share your response plans with employees and clearly communicate expectations. It is important to let employees know plans and expectations if COVID-19 occurs in communities where you have a workplace.

Insurance coverage made easy. When it comes to buying your insurance, you have options.  You can go to a captive insurance agent, an agent that represents one company, or you can go to an independent insurance agent that represents many companies.  Strive Insurance Group, Inc. (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance Agency, Inc) is a full-service independent insurance agency representing many insurance companies.  This means that we shop many different insurance companies to obtain the best rate and coverage for your insurance.  We do this at no additional fee or service charge to you.  Simply put, our goal is to find you the best coverage and rate for your auto, home, business, or life insurance.  Whether you need a business insurance quote or an auto insurance quote, we can help.  To obtain an insurance quote, click on the tab and enter your information into the form.  If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact one of our insurance agents.
 
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, CDC, & OSHA

​Part of your business planning for 2021 should include an annual business insurance review. Your business changes, and so do your exposures. After you review some of these items, call our office, and we will be happy to discuss these and more with you.
It’s never been more important to partner with a broker that specializes in your business, understanding your unique exposures, with risk services capabilities and strong carrier relationships.
 
Why Complete a Business Insurance Review?

• Your exposures may have changed.
• COVID-19 has created the need to evaluate everything you do.
• Laws and regulations may have created new liabilities.
• Your policy may have had small changes that require consideration and adjustment.
• You may have too much coverage or to little coverage.

 
COVID-19 Planning

• Do you have remote work policies and procedures?
• Make sure you have a cleaning protocol in place.
• Check your business interruption coverage; it may need to be adjusted and increased.
• Make sure your business follows OSHA guidelines.
• During an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners must prepare for disruption in their business as well as prepare to protect their employees’ health and safety in the workplace.
• Do you have the right kind of insurance to cover business equipment off-premises?

 
Items to Consider When Completing a Business Insurance Review

• Review sales and revenue- Have your company’s annual sales increased or decreased? The more business you do, the greater the potential liability you face.
• Property Values- Have you added any new equipment, purchased or leased a new building?

• Did you purchase any new vehicles?
• Do you sell any of your products in foreign countries?
• Is your safety and loss control program up to date?
• When was the last time someone reviewed your SIC codes for accuracy?
• Are you serving any new industries? This might increase your liability.

 
Have you added any new partners? There might be a need for life insurance.
As a business owner, you can ensure that your company is protected by keeping your general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and commercial auto policies updated to reflect changes in your business.