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Avoiding the Most Common Transportation Claims
When you get into an accident with your car, the cost of damage is always high. But when an accident involves a tractor-trailer with 15,000 kilograms (33,069 pounds) of expensive cargo, the combined cost of repairs and claims can put you out of business. To prepare your drivers for taking on the dangers of the…
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Attractive Nuisance Hazards on Construction Sites
Attractive nuisances are man-made conditions on your property, vacant site or active site that draw after-hours trespassers. If children trespass on-site due to these conditions, the general contractor on the site can be held liable for any injuries they sustain. Construction sites have an abundance of attractive nuisance hazards, especially for children, including unstable walls…
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Decorate Safely During The Holidays
Holiday loss prevention tips As the holiday season gets into full swing, many families decorate to spread cheer and make their homes more festive. While holiday decorations can be fun and beautiful, they can also present fire hazards. To keep your home and family safe this holiday season, consider the following decorating tips. Here are…
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Beating Holiday Stress
It is of little surprise that the holidays can be a significant source of stress for many Canadians. Financial strains, pandemic concerns and shipping delays of highly anticipated gifts can add to holiday stress levels. This year, on top of typical holiday pressures, there is the additional concern of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. To keep…
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Ways to Help Employees Reduce Stress
Many people experience higher stress levels as the year comes to a close because this is often a busy time due to the holidays. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has also negatively impacted mental health, which is why it’s more important than ever to provide employees the support they need to reduce stress…
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Are you prepared for a Cyber Attack?
Unlike physical threats that prompt immediate action—like stopping, dropping and rolling if you catch on fire—cyber threats are often difficult to identify and understand. Cyber threats include dangers such as viruses erasing entire systems, intruders breaking into systems and altering files, intruders using your computer or device to attack others and intruders stealing confidential information….
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Indemnity Agreements and Additional Insured Endorsements
Understanding your business’s risk exposures is the cornerstone to managing them. Whether your business relies on outside vendors to provide goods and services, or you’re a provider of goods and services to your clients, you should be aware of how to take contractual precautions to protect your business against potential losses or damages. An indemnity…
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De-icing Outdoor Walking Surfaces
Keeping outdoor walking surfaces—such as parking lots and sidewalks—clear of ice in the winter is a crucial practice at many workplaces. Not only does ice removal offer aesthetic benefits, but it can also help keep you, your co-workers and the general public (e.g., customers or passersby) protected from the risk of slips and trips on…
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Construction Insurance: What Contractors Need to Know
You know that insurance is essential for your construction business, but did you know that not all construction insurance brokers are the same? If you tend to compare policies based solely on price and coverage, then you are missing vital services that only select brokers can provide—services that will save you time and money. An…
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The Impact of Diversity and Inclusion on Management Liability
In recent years, senior leadership teams have been held increasingly accountable for their organizations’ failures by shareholders, stakeholders and the general public. Specifically, organizations’ diversity and inclusion practices have garnered additional scrutiny. Certain social initiatives—such as the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements—have helped elevate awareness on the importance of promoting diverse representation and adopting…
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Construction Risk: Protecting Work Sites From Fire
Many potential risks exist on construction sites, such as fire, theft and water, all of which can cause significant property damage that can impact project timelines, budgets and employees’ health. Buildings under construction have greater potential for significant damage from fire, especially before fire suppression systems are installed and operational, but there are a few…
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Creating an Effective Safety Culture in a Manufacturing Workplace
There’s more to creating a safe workplace culture than simply stating rules and providing the correct protective equipment; it’s about instilling a mindset in which safety is always at the forefront and at the heart of every decision, policy and procedure. Only when safety is woven into every aspect of a workplace can it be…
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Agriculture Risk: How To Build a Business Continuity Plan
Business continuity planning is crucial for farms and ranches. Building an effective plan can help prevent long-term loss of income, protect employees’ safety and get a business back to operating sooner after a disruption, such as severe weather events or supply chain interruptions. The following are some steps to help develop an agriculture business continuity…
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Trucking Insurance: Your Total Cost of Risk
Total cost of risk in insurance terms describes the cost of both pure and speculative risk. It is synonymous with the price of your risk management program. For example, if you are faced with a union strike, how do you estimate losses? It is difficult, at best, to quantify this scenario. In contrast, other components…
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Cyber Liability: How to Proactively Defend Against Ransomware
Ransomware threats happen when an attacker plants malware on a system that encrypts all the files, making the system useless. Then the attacker offers to sell the victim the key needed to decrypt the files. If the ransom is not paid, the attacker will either delete the key or publish the data publicly. Cybersecurity company…
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Shopping for auto insurance rates in Alberta
Before you purchase a car, it’s a good idea to understand all the costs associated with the purchase of the vehicle — including the cost of automobile insurance. The Basics Learning about how automobile insurance rates are determined will help you to navigate why rates vary and assist you with your auto buying decision. Factors…
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NEW! Alberta Auto Insurance Changes
The Alberta Government has passed changes that introduce Direct Compensation for Property Damage (DCPD) coverage to all automobile insurance policies throughout the province effective January 1, 2022. Here is what you need to know. What is Direct Compensation for Property Damage (DCPD) coverage? What are the benefits of Direct Compensation for Property…
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Top Trends for Manufacturing in 2021
Many industries have been tasked with rapidly adapting and evolving in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the manufacturing sector was no exception. The following are trends that are expected to continue into 2021: For more best practices, or to find out how to reduce your manufacturing insurance costs call CMB at 780.424.2727 or click…
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Top 10 Threats To Small Businesses
Optimism is the fuel that drives the entrepreneurial spirit, so it isn’t surprising that most small business owners consider themselves optimists. Too much optimism, however, can get a small business owner into trouble. A business plan built solely on the “best case scenario” is like a house of cards—one gust of wind (or fire or…
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Types of Technology Insurance
Tech Insurance Terms to Know Technology companies own valuable intangible assets, such as sensitive data, software and intellectual property, which a general liability policy doesn’t account for. General liability provides protection in the event of bodily injury or property damage. Technology insurance coverage is designed to protect against the significant risk of economic loss related…
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Auto Insurance Add-ons
Your insurance coverage should be based on your specific risks and assets. Add-on auto insurance coverages allow you to increase your automobile coverage and provide peace of mind. Liability, accident benefits, collision and comprehensive insurance coverages make up the core of a typical auto insurance policy. However, your options don’t end there! In addition to…
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Understanding Subcontractor Default Insurance
Got questions about subcontract default insurance? CMB has over 30 years experience insuring the construction industry. Book a free insurance review today. Subcontractors’ financial well-being and stability are an ever-present concern for most general contractors. Projects can stall when subcontractors fail to complete the full scope of their work midway through construction, leading to frustrating…
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Dump Truck Safety Precautions
There are many vehicles used at the construction site that require specific safety precautions due to their unique nature, and dump trucks are no exception. Share the following tips with dump truck drivers: Dump Truck Dos Dump Truck Don’ts For more best practices, or to find out how to reduce your trucking insurance costs call…
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What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?
Construction projects, regardless of their size, can present complex insurance issues. Are you confused about your exposures and policy options? If so, it’s no surprise—there are no standard builder’s risk policy forms covering these types of risks. To help you limit your exposure, here are some helpful builder’s risk policy basics. The Basics Builder’s Risk…
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Cyber Liability Data Breach Insurance
Understanding and Preventing Data Breaches What do Kroger Co., Best Buy Canada, AbeBooks and major U.S. banks and credit card issuers like Barclays Bank and Capital One have in common? All these companies have been victims of a data breach in 2012, totalling millions of stolen records that include personal information such as social insurance…
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Fall Prevention Precautions for Oil and Gas Workers
Handrails, guardrails, stairways, walkways and ladders are installed during the rigging up process for safety and easy access to other areas of the site. Though they provide ease of use, they also present hazards. To reduce risk of injury, employees should: Employees should also keep their fall protection systems in good working order. To do…
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Understanding the Bill of Lading
Got questions about trucking and transportation insurance? CMB has over 30 years experience insuring the trucking industry in Alberta. Get a free quote today. A bill of lading (BOL) is arguably one of the most important documents involved in the shipment of goods. During medieval times, when merchants needed a way to track the condition…
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Mandated Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance by Province Basic auto insurance is mandatory in every Canadian province and territory. However, each province’s requirements for mandatory coverage vary. In British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, required auto insurance is sold by government-run insurance companies. Private and government insurers then compete to sell additional coverage options. In Quebec, the government system covers…
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Does Your Builders Risk Policy Cover Soft Costs?
Builders risk insurance provides valuable protection in the event of a direct property loss experienced by a contractor, project owner or other insured party during the construction process. However, when a catastrophic loss delays a project, indirect costs, such as soft costs and lost business income, can create substantial financial exposures for the businesses involved….
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How to Have a Proper Video Call
While organizations are starting to get back to normal, employees still would like the option of working from home. Therefore, the use of video calls is still necessary. Working remotely will continue to be a popular option due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness and ability to prevent the spread of illnesses. However, it’s important to be…
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Auto Repair Shop Loss Control Tips
Running an auto repair shop carries numerous challenges. After all, auto repair shop owners are responsible for performing a wide range of services—whether it’s routine maintenance or significant repairs—to help customers keep their vehicles in good condition and stay safe behind the wheel. What’s more, auto repair operations also carry several liability, employee safety, security…
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Detecting and Overcoming Cryptojacking
Cybercrimes are becoming an increasing threat to organizations. There are even various types of cyberattacks to be aware of now, such as cryptojacking. Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of someone’s computer to mine cryptocurrency. Instead of buying computers and chaining them together to extend processing power, people steal computing cycles by infecting internet-connected devices. This…
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Preventing Logging Truck Rollovers
Log trucks and similar vehicles are commonplace in forestry operations. They are essential to keeping operations moving. However, improper use of these vehicles can result in deadly rollover accidents. Vehicle rollovers can be caused by a number of activities, but are most often a result of the following: Thankfully, log truck rollovers are fairly easy…
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Cross-border HOS Regulations
On June 12, 2021, full enforcement of the federal rule for electronic logging devices (ELDs) for trucking fleets operating in Canada came into effect. The ELD mandate requires truck drivers who follow HOS regulations to switch from paper logbooks to ELDS. This rule affects both Canadian trucking fleets and U.S. fleets that travel to and…
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Attracting and Retaining Commercial Drivers
Commercial fleets need to maintain a workforce of loyal, qualified drivers in order to succeed. But recently, increased demand for freight volume has highlighted an ongoing driver shortage that’s left many motor carriers operating under capacity. In fact, according to a recent report prepared for the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), there could be a shortage…
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Cyber Risks: Protect Your Email
Email has become a critical part of everyday business, from internal management to direct customer support. The benefits associated with email as a primary business tool far outweigh the negatives. However, businesses must be mindful that a successful email platform starts with basic principles of email security to ensure the privacy and protection of customer…
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Take Care When Hauling Animals
Tips for livestock truckers to prevent accident and injury Carrying livestock is one of the most difficult loads a trucker can deal with. Not only is it a challenge to keep the livestock healthy while in transit, but the load is constantly shifting without warning. Whether the stock belongs to you or you are simply…
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Oil and Gas Operations – Job Safety Analysis
Today, many companies within the oil and gas industry use the Job Safety Analysis Process (also referred to as a JSA, Job Hazard Analysis, or JHA). The JSA is a very effective means of helping reduce incidents, accidents, and injuries in the workplace. It is an excellent tool to use during new employee orientations and…
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Understanding Mobile Payment Risks
As a relatively new financial service, mobile payments have the potential to significantly change how consumers buy and sell goods using their phones, tablets and other devices. While mobile payments will undoubtedly become more popular, such payments are not without risks. Read on to learn about mobile payment risks and what you can do to…
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Use Caution with Lift Gates
Lift gates are powerful devices, and it is very important that drivers take safety procedures seriously when using them. Lift gates can be dangerous to both drivers and the freight they carry, but if drivers take proper precautions, they will stay safe. Uses of Lift Gates Lift gates are designed to load and unload cargo….