How about all the miscellaneous classes you need insurance for. . We are proud of our role in the development of innovative insurance policies designed to meet emerging coverage needs for companies that perform professional services for others. Below you will find a sampling* of classes eligible for our program:

Eligible Classes

*Please call or email us for additional classes available.

APPRAISER
An appraiser estimates the value of real or personal property based upon the interpretation of facts and judgement in accordance with recognized valuation principles. There are many types of values depending upon the use for which the appraisal is required – replacement cost, insurable value, investors value, etc. The most common is fair market value which is the highest amount a willing buyer will pay a willing seller in an open, competitive market.

Appraisal values are determined for a variety of reasons. Examples would be:

• Insurance – determining coverage limit or loss
• Buying or selling property
• Taxes – gifts, deductions, capital gain, avoidance of excessive valuation for assessments, etc.
• Estate valuation
• Condemnation for public purpose
• Estimating the cost to build, replace or reproduce property
• Determine the non-monetary benefits or characteristics that contribute to value such as good will, location, condition, quality, etc.

EXPOSURE 

• Inaccurate interpretation and judgement of the true value of the property
• Appraisal of the wrong property
• Lack of knowledge for a specialty area such as fine arts or antiques

PROPERTY MANAGERS

A property manager is employed by a residential or commercial property owner to solicit tenants, execute leases, collect rents, supervise or contract for maintenance, and otherwise manage the property of others. The property manager attempts to maintain the investment and income in the property and to maintain the physical features of the building. In some states, persons performing such functions for others and for a fee, must either hold real estate licenses or special property manager licenses. Property managers are responsible for assuring the smooth operation of their property so as to assure the long-run profitability of the project and its value. They must comply with all laws including general commercial business practices, building codes, and affirmative action. Managers must work with tenants and tenant organizations, assure compliance with lease agreements, and report to the owner on the financial situation each month.

EXPOSURE

• Failure to secure and retain tenants
• Vicarious liability for management of buildings with code violations
• Failure to collect rents or pay taxes
• Failure to detect or remedy building deficiency
• Discrimination in the selection of tenants
• Free disputes

COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS/SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
Computer programming is the process of writing, testing, debugging/troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software. The discipline of software engineering encompasses knowledge, tools, and methods for defining software requirements, and performing software design, software construction, software testing, and software maintenance tasks

EXPOSURE

Acceptable Classes and/or Exposures:

1. Data Processors including consulting and remote processors
2. Software Programmers
3. Value-added resellers of both hardware and software
4. System design and analysis consultants
5. Outsourcing Firms
6. Technology training and support consultants
7. Time-sharing
8. LAN/WAN consulting

Prohibited Classes and/or Exposures:

• Aerospace
• Fund Transfer
• Robotics
• Medical diagnostics software/systems
• CAD/CAM
• Process Control
• Gaming/Gambling
• Government – military weapons
• Internet

Management consulting refers to both the practice of helping companies to improve performance through analysis of existing business problems and development of future plans, as well as to the industry composed of firms that specialize in this sort of consulting. Management consulting may involve the identification and cross-fertilization of best practices analytical techniques, change management and coaching skills, technology implementations, strategy development, or operational improvement. Often management consultants also rely on their outsider's perspective to provide unbiased recommendations. Management consultants generally bring formal frameworks or methodologies  to identify problems or suggest more effective or efficient ways of performing business tasks.

Management Consulting is becoming more prevalent in non-business related fields as well. As the need for professional and specialized advice grows, other industries such as government, quasi-government and not-for-profit agencies are turning to the same managerial principles that have helped the private sector for years.

While management consulting refers to providing business consulting services, it can be hard to definitely distinguish between management consulting and other consulting practices such as Information technology consulting and human resource consulting because these fields directly support business operations and often overlap the field of management consulting.

EXPOSURE

Description – Human Resource/Personnel

Providing consulting services in the various areas of human resource and personnel management. Compensation, job descriptions, recruiting, hiring, firing, discipline, compliance with various state and federal fair employment practice laws, training in employment-related areas such as sexual harassment, interviewing, etc.

 Acceptable Exposures

• Compensation Consulting – research to develop compensation scales, grading, and job descriptions
• Compliance – civil rights, ADA, FMLA, and other employment-related laws and regulations
• Employee Relationship Training and Development – sexual harassment, interviewing skills, performance review process, or other related training

Unacceptable Exposures

• Employee Management or Leasing – actual hands-on hiring, firing, and performance review process
• Union organizations

Description – Marketing

Consulting in the area of marketing strategies, consumer marketing, advertising, product and customer service, and sales management and training. Opinion surveys and research would also be included. Some marketing consultants may also get involved in public relations and hands-on advertising campaigns, etc.

Acceptable Exposures

• Marketing Strategy – conducting general business surveys, pricing policy, performing products/market analysis
• Consumer and Industrial Marketing – direct marketing and mailing, advertising and sales advice, product and customer service, and sales management and training
• Opinion and Fact Gathering – consulting and gathering data through surveys and opinion research from a public relations perspective
• Public Relations – assess and critique an organization’s previous and current public relations activities; design new public relations policies and programs
• Crisis Management and Public Relations – plan for crisis management actions or assess public relations activities following a major event such as massive layoffs

Unacceptable Exposures

• Financial Relations – consulting and advice on communications with shareholders and investors
• Consulting related to gambling, lotteries, sweepstakes, or similar games
• Fund raising activities
• Advertising services, production of advertising campaigns (any type of media)
• Feasibility studies or business valuations; consulting in merger or acquisition

Description – Non-Profit

Consulting for any type of non-profit organization. Can perform consulting in many of the areas referenced in general business, training and development, government compliance, benefit, marketing, and human resource consulting areas.

Acceptable Exposures

• Strategic – organization and administrative review, strategic analysis, cost management, and procurement review
• Regulatory Compliance – federal and state regulatory review and compliance analysis
• Religious – focusing on mainstream religious organizations
• Grant Writing

Unacceptable

• School management or any sort of hands-on management services
• Fund raising
• Counseling

Description – Training and Development

General training and development of employees and management/executive. This could include basic training in areas such as problem solving, time management, negotiation, sales, quality, self-directed teams, etc. Management and executive development. Working with business to introduce new programs or develop new attitudes due to change, etc. Also, includes job trainers (individuals that train employees in specialty jobs).

Acceptable Exposures

• Training – employee, management, and executive training and development (as described above)
• Job Trainers – specialized job trainers brought in to train and develop employees

Unacceptable Exposures

• Temporary professionals
• Psychological Counseling Services – involved in evaluation and analysis on a one-on-one basis
• Pension plan management or administration
• Human Resource Consultant – see human resources class
• Job trainers specializing in areas such as health care or any BI/PD-related exposures

TRAVEL AGENT
Assist individuals, groups, and businesses in planning and arranging travel and vacation. Arrangements are made for airline, train, ship, or bus travel. Often they make ancillary arrangements such as hotel, entertainment, and car or boat rental. They help set itineraries, obtain tickets, and assist in preparations of the necessary travel documents. Travel agents frequently book prepackaged tours, put together by a tour company. Tour operators are primarily wholesalers, marketing their products through retail travel agents who are paid a commission. However, some tour operators mass market their products to the public or offer their products through clubs and organizations. Tours may be escorted, unescorted, or partially escorted.

EXPOSURE

• Unavailable or inadequate lodging or transportation that leaves a customer stranded and subject to additional costs
• Dissatisfaction regarding travel arrangements
• Vicarious liability for the acts and omissions of transportation and lodging owners/operators, including bankruptcy of travel supplier
• Misrepresentation or unrealistic promises
• Breach of confidentiality
• Unfair or partial representation of carriers or hotels
• Fee disputes
• Failure to secure or prepare travel documents causing travel delay and additional cost

DOCUMENT STORAGE and DOCUMENT SHREDDING
Document management companies help organizations reduce the costs and risks associated with information protection and storage. They offer comprehensive records management, data protection, and information destruction solutions along with the expertise and experience to address complex information challenges such as rising storage costs, litigation, regulatory compliance and disaster recovery.

In today’s environment daily business operations are generating explosive amounts of information, both paper and digital.  All the while, regulations and security mandates become more stringent, making companies increasingly aware of the need to manage and protect their information.  Document storage companies understand these challenges and offer services for protecting and storing information. 

Today, organizations must address and comply with burgeoning regulations that require them to safeguard sensitive information for the purpose of preventing identity theft. Forward-thinking businesses also seek to protect proprietary information and intellectual property from falling into the wrong hands. To eliminate the associated risks and costs, information destruction has become an essential component of records management programs.

Document storage services arise out of the outsourcing of business services over the past few years. Various businesses such as hospitals, doctors offices, insurance companies and other businesses processing large amount of documents may use document storage services.

EXPOSURE

• Relay of wrong information or improper release of documents
• Relay of information or release of document to wrong client
• Breach of confidentiality, libel and slander
• Failure to deliver information or document
• Destruction of wrong documents

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
Set up computerized bookkeeping systems for customers on computer. Review existing bookkeeping systems, learn the customer's needs and make recommendations.Regularly (determined by need) input new information. Run financial management statements for month-end, quarterly or year-end periods. Prepare payroll records including state and federal withholding reports. Create management reports as requested. Assist with tax preparation. Assist with invoicing or other office data management tasks.

MEDIATOR
Mediation is a dispute resolution process in which an impartial person or persons (the mediator) assists the parties to negotiate a consensual and informed settlement. In mediation, decision-making authority rests with the parties. The role of the mediator includes reducing the obstacles to communication, assisting the parties to identify and explore alternatives, and addressing the needs, interests and concerns of the parties and others affected.

Mediation is based on principles of fairness, privacy and self-determination of the parties.

COLLECTIONS AGENTS
A collection agency is a business that pursues payments on debts owed by individuals or businesses. Most collection agencies operate as agents of creditors and collect debts for a fee or percentage of the total amount owed.

AUCTIONEER
The auctioneer is a fiduciary for a seller with the capability to turn assets into cash. The seller consigns or entrusts property or goods for sale to the auctioneer. Auctioneers are responsible for arranging and conducting the auction, including determining and preparing the auction site, inventorying and cataloging the goods, appraising the goods, arranging for advertising, ensuring that the seller has title to the goods, receiving payment from buyers, and paying the consignor. They typically pay auctioneers a percentage of the gross sales of the auction plus expenses. The Uniform Commercial Code governs all auctioneers and auction houses, and some are subject to governmental regulations.

EXPOSURE
Major exposures include:

• Improper or fraudulent appraisals
• Collusion between the auctioneer and the seller
• Breach of contract
• Failure to fulfill a fiduciary responsibility
• Auctioneer does not have legal title to sell goods
• Auctioneer exceeds authority

ADJUSTERS
An adjuster determines the amount to be paid in settling an insurance claim. There are independent adjusters who represent the insurance company in the adjustment of claims. There are also public adjusters who represent the claimant. An adjuster can be all lines – doing Property, Inland Marine, Liability, Watercraft or they may specialize in one area. There are highly specialized adjusters that work in areas such as marine or aviation.

EXPOSURE

• Inaccurate estimate of damage resulting in an inadequate or denial of claim payment
• Timeliness of decision
• Conformance with state law
• Negligence in gathering information
• Over authority of company represented
• Bad faith claims – Unfair Claims Practices Act
• Potential Statute of Limitation

NOTARY PUBLIC
A notary, in almost all common law jurisdictions, is a qualified, experienced practitioner trained in the drafting and execution of legal documents. Traditionally, notaries recorded matters of judicial importance as well as private transactions or events where an officially authenticated record or a document drawn up with professional skill or knowledge was required. Specifically, the functions of notaries include the preparation of certain types of documents (including international contracts, deeds, wills and powers of attorney) and certification of their due execution, administering of oaths, witnessing affidavits and statutory declarations, certification of copy documents, and  noting and protesting of bills of exchange.

COURT REPORTER
A court reporter, stenotype reporter or stenographer is a person whose occupation is to transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form, typically using a stenotype or stenomask to produce official transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other official proceedings. These shorthand systems allow the reporter to keep up with the flow of speech so that no words are missed. In the United States, the court reporter is often also a notary public who is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses, and who certifies that her or his transcript of the proceedings is a verbatim account of what was said.

Court reporters may be employed by court agencies to provide transcription in court, or they may work as freelancers. In the freelance capacity, they may either work for themselves or work for court reporting agencies as an independent contractor.

In a courtroom environment, they may make suggestions regarding proper procedure, do research for items in the official record, and assist in other ways. Importantly, realtime reporting has proven beneficial for the judiciary, and many judges insist that their reporter be realtime capable.

Many court reporters work outside the courtroom in depositions and other situations that require an official legal transcript, such as arbitration hearings or other formal proceedings. Court reporters also often provide realtime transcription for public events, religious services, webcasts, and educational services.

MESSAGING SERVICES
Companies that offer various types of business answering services including an 800 answering service, online answering service, and phone answering service for small business use