The General Insurance Group is the largest business segment within the Old Republic Insurance Group and specializes in the property & casualty marketplace. Each company focuses on a select segment, offering specialized insurance coverages or specializing by industries. This is our competitive advantage. While collectively we offer a full suite of risk management and insurance solutions, our expertise in unique industry segments is unsurpassed.
We serve large corporations with complex risks, small and mid-sized companies, and consumers with home and auto warranty offerings. No matter which Old Republic General Insurance Group company you deal with, we all operate with the same core values and tradition of delivering on our promises.
Get to know us and you will see we are an organization that values partnership and long-term relationships. We have the right solutions to manage your risk—and everything we do demonstrates our commitment to exceeding our clients' expectations. Old Republic General Insurance Group offers a wide variety of property & casualty insurance coverages and related services, and our parent company, Old Republic International Corporation, is one of the nation's 50 largest publicly held insurance organizations.
Learn six tips for winter weather driving to keep you and your employees safe More »
Learn the differences between the oft-confused homeowners insurance and home warranty More »
Exploring anticipating active shooter incidents and important considerations when building a comprehensive workplace emergency action plan More »
The EPA has phased out the R-22 and here are the phaseout details you need to know More »
Predictive analytic tools allow insurance companies to utilize historical claims data to proactively mitigate exposures and claim outcomes. Models can identify potential severity early in the life of a claim, ensuring appropriate assignment, collaboration with managed care, and execution of key claim management activities. More »
According to NCCI, workers’ compensation benefits cost U.S employers billions of dollars annually. Seven states account for 50% of all workers’ compensation spend in the United States – California, New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Illinois, Connecticut, and Alaska. More »
The impact of workers’ compensation accidents and claims on employers can be profound. Employees’ health and well-being are at risk, as are the organization’s reputation and financial health. More »
Technology in the workplace focusing on improved worker safety is constantly developing. Employers need to take notice and be continuously educated on emerging trends and the impact of technology on employee safety. More »
The internet is full of crazy real estate lawsuits, and a number of them center on real estate disclosure laws. One of the most famous examples occurred in the state of New York, where a seller failed to disclose her home’s reputation as a “haunted” house. It resulted in a lengthy legal battle that ultimately left both parties unsatisfied More »
After receiving a call that an employee has been involved in a catastrophic accident, the next steps taken are critical to the outcome of how the claim develops and can ultimately impact the lifetime cost. Learn more in our blog. More »
Slips and trips in the workplace are no laughing matter. Something as seemingly minor and innocent as slipping on a wet floor has the potential to turn into a much greater incident, possibly even a worker’s compensation claim if there is an injury involved. In this #BITCOInsurancearticle, Todd Boelter, BITCO Program Manager, Manufacturing and Wholesale & Distribution, shares his proactive measures to reduce risk and build a strong workplace safety culture. More »
Those in the commercial casualty insurance industry may have come across the term “In Rem,” but may not be very familiar with it. In the most recent post to the ORRM Blog, we explore how it came about and what place it has in certain insurance contracts. More »
More and more companies are implementing a telecommuting policy. This trend is becoming more prevalent in the insurance industry. More »
On average, people receive $2 in increased sale price for every $1 they put into staging a home." With a 100% return on investment, spending a little cash staging your next home is a no-brainer! More »
Stress can manifest itself in many ways and negatively affect your mood, body, and behavior. Read the information below about the symptoms of stress to see if any apply to you. More »
Aggressive driving puts you and others at risk of serious injury or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses that endangers other persons or property. Speeding, tailgating, erratic lane changes, and failing to obey traffic signs are just a few unsafe driving behaviors that can escalate to road rage or cause a crash. Read the information below, and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style. More »
Measuring the financial impact of a loss cannot be underestimated by motor carriers, especially those with narrow profit margins. Typically in the trucking industry, each motor carrier relies on the loss runs provided by the insurer to gauge the severity of claims, but these numbers do not paint a complete picture of the loss impact on operations or the company’s bottom line. More »
Having a safe work environment is one of many top priorities of any organization. It is the responsibility of the employer to empower their employees to operate safely on the job. More »
Even in the current #RealEstateclimate, which is dominated by technology, some old fashioned techniques still prove quite effective. Take your marketing to the next level with these ultra-simple strategies. More »
Blockchain is one of the biggest buzzwords in technology today... How can this tech change the #RealEstateindustry? Find out below!” More »
Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, Inc., was once asked if he played a musical instrument. He replied, “No, I don’t play an instrument. I conduct an orchestra.” The orchestra he referred to was his company, now the largest tech company in the world. A number of factors contributed to the success of Mr. Jobs and Apple, but one characteristic that stands out is teamwork. From senior leadership down to every line employee, it took a coordinated effort for Apple to achieve its performance goals, and, equally important, maintain them. More »
Claims costs are rising with the increasing complexity of the workers’ compensation landscape. Claims professionals are confronted with the challenges presented by this complexity and strive to manage their claims portfolios to achieve positive outcomes for injured workers and employers alike. More »
Handling workers’ compensation claims is detailed and complex. From start to finish, there are many factors to consider. With all of the details and steps involved in submitting, investigating and adjudicating workers’ comp claims, it can be challenging for employers to understand the nuances of the claim and the jurisdiction. More »
An effective claims review meeting should engage key participants in strategizing about how to best resolve claims and return injured workers to their jobs. A successful meeting should focus on the following key items: assessing the current state of your claim, identifying next steps to move forward, and collaborating to resolve the issue and close the file. More »
A boring driver meeting or orientation class is frustrating for both the trainer and the trainees. Making safety training memorable is important for two reasons: retention and morale. Motor carriers conduct safety training first and foremost because they care about their employees and want them to be safe. More »
Retrospective (Retro) rating insurance plans can have many advantages for employers. They are a hybrid risk financing plan in which an organization buys insurance subject to a rating formula that adjusts the premium after the end of the policy period based on the insured organization’s actual losses during the policy period. More »
A large deductible program can have many benefits for an employer and works like a traditional guaranteed cost plan with a special deductible endorsement. It is designed for large employers that have the capacity to shoulder some risk and be responsible for a portion of their losses. More »
Before starting any business partnership or relationship, it’s important to ensure that each party understands one another’s needs. This is especially true in the insurance industry where there are three parties engaged in the insurance process. It’s essential that brokers have a thorough understanding of a client’s business as a whole in order to effectively match them with a carrier. More »
With the increase in the volume of traffic, number of vehicle miles traveled, and deteriorating infrastructure, road construction is a year-round occurrence. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there were 514 fatalities in work zone crashes in 2010. More »
The sky is getting more crowded these days and it’s not due to the summer travel season. We are sharing our airspace with the now ubiquitous Unmanned Aircraft Systems, generally referred to as drones. These drones can be seen all across the United States flying, hovering, and circling in cities, parks, rural areas, and just about anywhere there is open sky. More »
Out-of-service enforcement for electronic logging device (ELD) violations began on April 1, 2018, and drivers may be experiencing the effects of the change already. Read on to learn about the ELD-related items that state and local law enforcement safety officials will check according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). More »
Summer driving presents many challenging conditions for drivers. Avoiding potential losses requires drivers to recognize the hazards that can lead to a vehicle crash, know the defense, and react properly. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style in any of the hazard categories. More »
A nightmare scenario for many executives is being the victim of a cyber crime. Once hackers have infiltrated your networks, they may have access to your trade secrets, customer data, and other proprietary information. More »
Every driver has a pattern of driving. These patterns, or habits, can be good or bad, or more precisely, safe or unsafe. A driver who integrates safety into all of his/her driving decisions, regardless of the environment, has established a pattern of behavior that reduces the risk of a crash. More »
Truck driving does not typically lend itself to a healthy lifestyle. Spending up to 11 hours behind the wheel, frequently eating fast food, and rarely exercising could eventually jeopardize a trucker’s job if he/she can’t pass the Department of Transportation’s required physical exam. Drivers must be alert and focused when on public roads, which begins with leading a healthy lifestyle. More »
Workers aged 45 and older account for an increasing share of the US workforce. Employment by workers aged 45-54 has grown moderately, while workers aged 55-64 has grown steadily. With these trends expected to continue, do older workers’ injuries tend to be more severe than those of younger workers, and if so, what strategies can be used to reduce the cost of Workers’ Compensation claims for the older worker? More »
Good drivers are hard to find; can I get an exception for a driver who doesn't have an acceptable MVR? With concerns about the driver shortage, to get a truck moving again, it can be tempting to consider younger, less-experienced drivers or those with a history of crashes or violations. However, hiring at-risk drivers puts a motor carrier in a bad position. More »
Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are here. Operations staff play an integral role in helping drivers plan efficiently and schedule their time to operate within the boundaries of the hours-of-service regulations. More »
According to a 2014 study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the average cost of all large truck crashes is approximately $91,000 per crash. That amount can increase exponentially if injuries and fatalities are involved. More »
On January 1, 2018, the final rule went into effect amending 49 CFR Part 40. The DOT announced several revisions, most notably the addition of hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone to its drug-testing panel, as well as methylenedioxyamphetamine as an initial test analyte. More »
Is your organization prepared for a disaster or an emergency? Organizations who have a plan in place may recover more quickly, whereas others may shut their doors permanently after a short disruption to their business. More »
Every motor carrier operates in a challenging environment that exposes it to the risk of a catastrophic loss. Serious injuries, loss of life, and high-dollar claims are just one crash away. Yet, even with this awareness, many motor carriers are ill-prepared for what follows that dreaded phone call informing them that one of their drivers has been involved in a critical crash. More »
Drastic weather changes, increased traffic, and the temptation to get out and get moving are springtime hazards drivers must prepare for. Drivers must be able to recognize these hazards and apply the right defenses. More »
Those working in the transportation industry might rank regulatory compliance as their least favorite thing to do, right up there with getting a crown at the dentist, but like it or not, motor carriers must comply with the regulatory requirements to which they are subject. More »
Loss sensitive plans give an insured the opportunity to have their premium costs more closely tied to their own loss experience. These plans have specific terminology that is used to describe their components. More »
In order to suggest the proper insurance product to fit the risk tolerance appetite of a diverse set of clients, you must understand the full spectrum of alternative risk plans that are available in the marketplace. The spectrum is as follows: guaranteed cost, retrospective rating plans, deductible plans, self-insurance, and captives. Factors that need to be considered when determining the best plan for your client include an understanding of their business objectives and the amount of risk they are willing to shoulder. We’d like to start by highlighting guaranteed cost plans and then proceed with key points surrounding loss sensitive p... More »
Workers’ compensation insurance, as well as other types of commercial liability coverage, has traditionally been delivered through two distinct policy types – guaranteed cost and loss sensitive. Each policy type has potential benefits and challenges, depending on the insured’s specific situation. In addition to these traditional options, some companies with the financial capacity to do so have made the decision to avoid the insurance marketplace altogether and self-insure. While this may be an attractive option for some organizations, it is beyond the reach of most middle market companies. As customers’ needs have evol... More »
From Great West Casualty Company - What is the new drug and alcohol testing rule for motor carriers who lease drivers from a staffing agency? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a notice of enforcement guidance on December 23, 2016, which went into effect immediately. The guidance states, “A motor carrier that leases one or more CDL drivers from a driver staffing agency is responsible for ensuring that each leased driver is participating in a compliant DOT drug and alcohol testing program. More »
From PMA Companies - What if an organization’s most valuable resource – an employee – gets injured on the job? Typically, the answer is “they go out on workers’ comp.” However, while employee wellbeing is of the utmost importance, employers don’t always prepare for and manage these incidents with the rigor and vigilance necessary to safely return the employee to work as quickly as is responsible. An effective post-injury management process can help resolve problems quickly, preventing long-term health issues and helping injured workers return to work safely and quickly. More »
From PMA Companies - In this issue, Mr. Chandler examines the overall impact of data analytics in workers’ compensation, the emergence of predictive modeling and the future of workers’ compensation data analytics. More »
Senior Vice President - Alternative Risks
Old Republic Specialty Insurance Underwriters
Schaumburg, Illinois
