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Content

Risky Business: Essential Insurance Strategies Every Business Needs to Know

📅 March 4, 2026 ⏱️ 42:11 🎤 Jim Cali, Jason New, Chris Psencik, Chase Campbell, Cal Fallaize

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    The Rising Cost of Auto Claims
    The episode opens with a stark example of how legal actions and increased settlement values are driving up insurance costs, particularly for auto-related incidents.
  • 0:26
    State of the Insurance Market
    The hosts and guests discuss the current landscape of the insurance market, highlighting auto insurance as the biggest challenge for landscape companies and how it impacts their P&L.
  • 1:20
    Common Insurance Mistakes
    This segment identifies common mistakes businesses make, such as having stale relationships with insurance agents and not adapting insurance strategies to business growth and changing legal environments.
  • 2:00
    Protecting Your Assets & Mod Rating
    The discussion shifts to protecting business assets, understanding the 'experience modification rating' (mod), and strategies like 'return to work' programs to manage workers' compensation costs.
  • 3:00
    Maximizing Insurance Coverage
    The experts explain how they help businesses analyze their mod, identify minimum possible mod targets, and make informed decisions to improve their insurance standing and profitability.
  • 3:50
    Subcontractor Insurance & Risks
    This chapter addresses the critical issue of managing risks associated with subcontractors, including contract agreements, certificates of insurance, and the dangers of lending equipment.
  • 4:40
    Proactive Renewal Strategies
    The episode provides advice on how to approach insurance renewals proactively, emphasizing the importance of year-round review and avoiding common pitfalls like frequent policy shopping.
  • 5:20
    Key Takeaways & Future Trends
    The guests offer final actionable advice, including the importance of GPS, telematics, and cameras for fleet safety, and how to preserve 'legacy rates' in a volatile insurance market.

Speakers

J
Jim Cali
Host — principles and coaches of McFarland Stanford
J
Jason New
Host — co-founder and principal at McFarland Stanford
C
Chris Psencik
Host — Mcfallen Stanford
C
Chase Campbell
Sage Insurance and Risk Advisors
C
Cal Fallaize
Sage Insurance and Risk Advisors

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize fleet safety: Implement GPS, telematics, and dash cameras in all vehicles to mitigate auto insurance risks, which are a major cost driver for landscaping businesses.

✦

Understand your experience modification rate (Mod): Actively manage your mod through 'return to work' programs for injured employees and regularly review its calculation to ensure accuracy and reduce workers' comp costs.

✦

Review subcontractor agreements thoroughly: Ensure all subcontractors have appropriate insurance (COIs) and legally binding agreements that transfer risk and protect your business from their actions or equipment use.

✦

Be proactive with insurance renewals: Don't wait until renewal notice. Engage with your insurance advisor year-round to review policies, identify potential savings, and make strategic adjustments as your business evolves.

✦

Seek specialized advice: Work with insurance advisors who understand the unique risks and operational nuances of the green industry to ensure you have tailored coverage and avoid common policy pitfalls.

✦

Protect 'legacy rates': Avoid shopping your insurance policy too frequently, as carriers value loyalty. Focus on risk management to maintain favorable renewal rates and prevent significant premium increases.

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