A strong, well-written subcontract agreement is a must for any good contractor to remain profitable while maintaining good business relationships with their subcontractors. Too often this issue is not thoroughly discussed and reviewed up front. Instead, it's dealt with only when there's a claim and a question of liability at hand. Well-written contracts, with clearly defined responsibilities and appropriate insurance, can save a business relationship. When the unfortunate claim happens, it

As a property owner, it never fails that problems will arise — and how you handle these issues can affect your tenant retention rates and your reputation as a landlord. Here are solutions on how you can approach the top five most common tenant complaints. State Auto Insurance makes no representations or guarantee as to the correctness or sufficiency of any information contained herein, nor guarantees results based upon use of this information. State Auto does not warrant that reliance upon

Birthday bashes, going away shindigs, surprise parties, dinner, cocktail and pool parties, new jobs, or college graduations, there are a million reasons to have a celebration! Apartment complex clubhouses can be a great place to throw a rock star style blow out or classy upscale function. As building owners, amenities such as clubhouses can add to your property value as well as can be an excellent selling feature for apartment complexes or condos. And if your residents are looking to host a

Ever had a less-than-cooperative tenant?  Maybe this renter didn't meet your requirements or maybe they actually caused a lawsuit against you while living on your property. Whether you're the landlord of one property or multiple apartment complexes, the security of your livelihood may depend on your understanding of risk transfer. So, what is "risk transfer"? It's basically moving legal responsibility from one party to another by means of a contract.   As a landlord, you want to try to avoid

Summer is just around the corner and soon swimming pools around the country will be filled with water in anticipation of another swimming season. Tenants at an apartment complex or vacationers at a hotel probably never stop to consider the potential liability exposures of a swimming pool. However, the owner of that apartment or hotel should be aware of the associated risks, and ways to help try to control them the best they can. Here are some tips to consider, which could help to ensure pool

Cold weather can cause significant damage to buildings. Heavy snow, ice and water can cause roof collapse. Pipes can freeze and burst, causing water damage and impairing the fire sprinkler system. Freezing temperatures can damage heating and air conditioning equipment, steam piping and boilers. Along with the property damage, you could have a costly interruption to your business operations.  Roof collapse: The greatest winter loss All buildings are susceptible to damage in severe winter

You look outside and see streets covered in snow and ice. But at the same time, you have those new shoes that you really want to wear. So you throw them on, but then you wipe out when you're crossing the street.  Falling on ice hurts more than your pride. It can cause serious physical injury. And while salt truck drivers and maintenance workers may do their best, there is still a risk of slipping when walking on snow or ice. Tips that may reduce your risk of falling on snow or ice: Check the

Depending on where you live, warm-weather activities, like swimming, might be the last thing on your mind right now (unless you're dreaming of a winter escape further south).  At the beginning of summer, swimming pools around the country are filled with water in anticipation of another swimming season. That's when people tend to think about pool safety. Yet, when pools are emptied at the end of summer, they leave a big … gaping … concrete hole in the ground.  If you're responsible for a pool

The problem of insurance fraud goes beyond the potential financial impact to an insurance company. When a fraudulent incident is staged, it costs time and money for everyone involved.  If a slip and fall accident is staged at a business, for example, the management team will spend time responding, working with their insurance company on the claim, and possibly having to close or make changes to their operations, costing indirect financial losses. And, too often, insurance fraud cases can cause

In today's global market, many manufacturers and distributors are choosing to import materials from outside the U.S. Foreign imports can be a sound business move, but it comes with some inherent risks. If your business is importing foreign manufacturing materials, it needs to be addressed in your risk management program. While it may seem like a supply and distribution issue, there are some major insurance concerns associated with using foreign materials in your operation.  One of the largest