What you need to know about discrimination claims
Your employees can be, and should be, your most important asset. Often, they are the front line of customer services. They solve problems, sell your products and services, and represent your business to your customers and prospects. Managing employees can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. Employees are very aware of their rights and your responsibilities; which should lead you to be professional, kind and follow the law as you relate to your employees.
Employment Practice Liability Insurance is a product that many businesses buy to protect themselves from litigation. A recent article in the Insurance Journal points out that while employment claims are down; claims involving retaliation are at an all-time high.
The following are the top 10 categories of charges filed with the EEOC:

• Retaliation under all statutes: 37,955 (42.8 percent of all charges filed)
• Race (including racial harassment): 31,073 (35 percent)
• Sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment): 26,027 (29.3 percent)
• Disability: 25,369 (28.6 percent)
• Age: 20,588 (23.2 percent)
• National Origin: 9,579 (10.8 percent)
• Religion: 3,549 (4.0 percent)
• Color: 2,756 (3.1 percent)
• Equal Pay Act: 938 (1.1 percent) But note that sex-based wage discrimination can also be charged under Title VII’s sex discrimination provision
• Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act: 333 (0.4 percent)

How To Reduce The Possibility Of Employment Claims
This is not a complete list, but is considered a start to developing solid human resource policies.

• Create an employee handbook
• Have a clear anti-discrimination policy
• Document conversations
• Complete annual employee reviews

Putting a little effort into your business insurance renewal can reap rewards in the form of better coverage and lower premiums. As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help. Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote. 

To say that your insurance policy is only as good as your agent is a bold statement.  You have also heard me say, that not all policies are created equal.  Just what do I mean by this?  The idea is that your agent is the most important part of your insurance program.  Here are three reasons why this is true:

1. Insurance companies only offer a policy, they do not design coverage.  On the other hand, independent agents can design coverage that is best for your specific needs.
2. Independent agents work for the client, not the insurer.
3. Experienced agents can help you identify and manage your risk, rather than sell you a policy.

The best way to ensure you are getting the best advice and value is to have a trusted relationship with an experienced agent.  Like any relationship, communication is the key.  A good agent will listen to the customer and offer risk and insurance solutions.  There are times when insurance is not the best solution.  Again, here are examples:

1. Contractual Risk Transfer – There are many ways to transfer your risk through a contract or agreement.  An example might be for products liability.  If you are distributing a product manufactured by another party you can transfer the product liability to them, rather than take that risk on.
2. Self-Insure – There are times when the risk may be such that you are better off self-insuring rather than spending a lot on an insurance policy with a super high deductible.  Sometimes, you can mitigate risk by putting risk control techniques in place to reduce or eliminate the risk all together.

Only an agent who is interested in your best interests would offer you options that included no insurance.  Rather than using any agent to get you an insurance quote, select a qualified independent agent who will collaborate with you and design a risk management program that meets your needs.

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.

An Insurance Review
March is over and we spent the while month watching 64 college basketball teams play to the final four, then to the championship game.  Congratulations to North Carolina! The entire thing reminded us of some insurance madness. We thought we would share with you our “insurance madness final four.” These can impact your business insurance and personal insurance programs.

Insurance Madness Final Four

1. Always use an independent agent. Independent agents will search the market for the best possible insurance designed for your family or business.  Independents agent do not work for an insurance company, they represent you and look out after your interests first.
2. Never buy insurance online. When you buy insurance online you never know if you are getting the best combination of coverage, price, and service.  However, you do find out when you have an uninsured claim.
3. Always consider deductible options.  A simple way to save money is to consider increasing your deductible on your auto insurance, home insurance, or even your business insurance.
4. Many people don’t consider these coverage’s but they should
   1. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States.  Every homeowner should consider identity theft coverage.
   2. A personal umbrella can offer additional protection for those who own a home or have personal assets worth protecting.
   3. Your business might be at risk if you do not have cyber liability or employment practices liability.

 
Striving for High Levels of Service:
As our name implies, we strive to make your insurance experience positive. We understand you have many options when it comes to getting personal insurance, so we are going to strive to give you first class customer service you deserve.
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.