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The CIG Risk Report
Volume 1, Issue 1 2008 |
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Meet Kasondra, the newest member of the CIG team!  |
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Kasondra joined CIG in November as our new receptionist. She brings several years of customer service experience to her position.
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1.) Have each job applicant sign a consent form for a background check including a check for criminal records, past employment and education.
2.) Employment applications should ask about criminal records in the broadest possible terms allowed by law, and should not be limited to felonies.
3.) Advise applicants that the firm will perform a criminal background and reference check as a standard business practice. Ask whether the applicant has any concerns.
4.) Applicants should be asked during an interview what they think a former employer would say about them.
5.) Applications must clearly state that any false or misleading statements or material omissions are grounds to terminate the hiring process or employment, regardless of when it is discovered.
6.) If employment begins before a background check is completed, state in writing that employment is contigent upon satisfactory background report.
7.) Verify past employment. This is probably the single most important tool for an employer.
8.) Obtain a listing of all addresses for the past 10 years. This is also needed for a criminal search.
9.) Include future screenings in the consent language in case a future investigation is needed for a criminal search.
10.) Check for criminal records. You may consider convictions or cases currently pending, but not arrests. Also, certain cases may not legally be used for employment decisions. |
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Thank your for taking a few minutes to read our inaugural edition of The CIG Risk Report.
This month, We are excited to announce the introduction of our new home page www.cigcorp.com and the many time saving and educational services CIG now offers online. We welcome you to take a look, and, as with any new electronic media product, we encourage any feedback you have to offer.
Also this month, according to Insurance Industry Analysts, the 2008 outlook appears to mirror what we experienced in 2007. With the majority of insurance carriers reporting solid profits both on the underwriting and investments sides, we are anticipating level to reduced rates for the majority of our clients. Commercial clients with good to excellent loss ratios will continue to be very attractive to the insurance carriers.
In the personal lines arena - Wichita is experiencing a phenomenon which I have not seen in the past 20 years. Insurance carriers are now aggressively pursuing writing new policies. The two major hail storms in the '90's are long forgotten and the direct result of current "good" weather has moved Wichita into a preferred class of underwriting.
Again, thank you for reading our newsletter. We will publish it bi-monthly and add topics of interest as we progress. If you have a friend or associate that you think would benefit from a copy, please send me their e-mail address.  Regards,
Chock Chapple
Managing Partner
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From the Court to the Office |
 CIG recently added a new Vice President to the group and he definitely knows what it takes to be a part of a winning team. At 6' 10", Brian Martin started his basketball career at the University of Kansas where he played from 1981-84, winning the Big 8 Tournament and going to the NCAA tournament in '84. He then played professionally for the next ten years, including a year in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics and the Portland Trailblazers. He also played several years in Europe in such countries as Spain, Belgium, Germany and Italy. "While there is no doubt that playing in the NBA was the greatest experience for me, I would also have to say that playing, and living, overseas was a great opporturnity for me and my family. It was very exciting to travel and experience things that I probably never would have had it not been for basketball." As for life after basketball, Brian entered into the "real world" where he worked in sales and management for 7 years in the textile and commmercial sign industries. This experience has served him well since moving back home to Wichita and beginning his insurance career in 2002. "I think my past experiences have given me a good understanding of what business owners expect and need from their insurance broker." Although he has worked for other agencies, Brian believes none are quite like CIG. "I am excited to be here, and to be a part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference for their clients. I don't think there is another agency in this area that is as aggressive or as committed to its customers as this one."
Brian Martin is vice president, specializing in the manufacturing, hospitality, and retail industries, as well as personal lines. He can be contacted at bmartin@cigcorp.com or 316.440.3521 |
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The Client/Agent Partnership |
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By Brent Wasson
As a business owner, when selecting an agent to assess your risk management program, what is most important to you? Many would say working with an agent who will best represent their interest and having the confidence in his or her ability to perform as promised. The assessment process is a time consuming event that requires communication and understanding of your business between the two parties. The owner and the agent should consider this working relationship as a partnership, one working with the other to achieve the final goal: a comprehensive program at a competitive annual premium. Commercial Insurance Group strives to be that partner with all of our customers. With the current soft insurance market, the producers at CIG continue to work in the best interest of the business owner, insuring that they recieve the best coverage at the most economical rate. Whether you are a contractor, manufacturer or commercial property owner, Commercial Insurance Group has the experience and knowledge to serve your needs and represents a number of insurance carriers willing to listen.
When buying insurance, a business owner wants an advocate who will properly assess the risks they face and give them an objective analysis of the marketplace. It's up to you to make the final choice.
Brent Wasson is vice president specializing in construction risk management, manufacturing, property management, and non-profit commerce insurance coverage needs. He can be contacted at brent@cigcorp.com or 316.440.3503. |
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Customer Spotlight
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Allen Clouse is the owner of The Design Centre, a unique company that designs exhibits, events, and environments for companies and individuals. They have been bringing the imaginative ideas of all kinds of companies to life for 39 years now. The Design Centre is one of the nation's leaders in developing creative 3-dimensional exhibits for customers all over the country. Thanks for your business Allen! To learn more about the Design Centre, click here! | |
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Did you Know?..........
By Lance Spence
The Revised I-9 Form and Requirements Have Been Released
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) AGCA issued a revised press release and fact sheet about the revised I-9 form. It has removed the part about encouraging employers to use the new form immediately and instead states: "As of November 7, 2007, the Form I-9 with a revision date of June 5, 2007 is the only version of the form that is valid for use. However, DHS will publish a Notice in the Federal Register that provides employers with a 30-day period, beginning on date of publication of the Notice, to transition to the new Form I-9."
A fillable and savable copy of the revised form is also available. The form and USCIS's "Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9" are available online at www.uscis.gov.
Key to the revision is the removal of the following five documents for proof of both identity and employment eligibility because they lack features to help deter counterfeiting, tampering, and fraud:
Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-570)
Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-151)
Unexpired Reentry Permit (Form I-327)
Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571).
Also, one document was added to List A of the List of Acceptable Documents on the revised form: the most recent version of the Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).
Lance is vice president, specializing in risk management and surety bond programs for the construction industry. He can be contacted at lspence@cigcorp.com or 316.440.3504 |
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Healthy Body, Productive Mind
By Mike Odermatt
It is a proven fact that a healthy lifestyle can lead to more productivity at the office. A few small changes that include daily activity and wiser food choices can certainly give a big return on your investment. Increased self-esteem, productivity, and motivation coupled with reduced stress levels are just some examples of the positives.
Below are six tips on how to stick with your New Year's resolutions.
1.) Focus on positive self-talk. Congratulate yourself every time you take a step towards your resolution goal. Be your own best cheerleader.
2.) Avoid berating yourself if you should fall back or break a resolution. Just brush yourself off and start over again.
3.) Stick to your resolution by considering it a promise to yourself, not a test of your willpower.
4.) Avoid situations that put you in temptation's path, meaning if you're on a diet, don't go to the ice cream parlor.
5.) Keep a sticky note in a prominent place so that you see it every day, reminding yourself of your resolutions. (i.e., on your bathroom mirror, next to your bed, on the visor of your car, on the refrigerator)
6.) Be realistic. Make sure your plan is a realistic one that can fit into your lifestyle. Will you really have the energy to go out for that evening exercise class? Make changes as easy and convenient as possible.
Happy New Year and best of luck to all! 
Mike Odermatt is a property and casualty specialist here at CIG and works evenings and weekends as a certified and degreed personal trainer. He can be contacted at mdo@cigcorp.com or 316.440.3513. |
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