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Alta Vista Insurance Agency

2585 Pio Pico Dr, Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008

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USL&H Coverage for Workers Compensation

Does your businesses do construction or service work on or near navigable waterways?

If so, you need USL&H coverage on your workers compensation policy.  

USL&H stands for United State Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Which is a federal law requiring specific workers compensation coverage for employees working near, on and under navigable waterways. Navigable water ways are anywhere boats or ships travel.

Many businesses that have a standard Workers’ Compensation policy and THINK they have USL&H coverage (or worse, don’t even know that they need it).  Even some of the best insurance underwriters miss it!

Before I dive into the importance of having USL&H coverage, let’s define a few important terms.  The United States Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (USL&H) is a federal coverage that applies to maritime employees who work on or over navigable waters – in or adjacent to the United States (sailors, seamen, masters and crews of any ship/vessel/watercraft are exempt).

Navigable water is defined as water that provides a channel for commerce and transportation of people and goods.  Jurisdiction over navigable waters belongs to the federal government rather than states or municipalities, which is why USL&H is very different than Workers’ Compensation and not an automatic coverage.  There are only a handful carriers that can write USL&H coverage as an endorsement to the Workers’ Compensation policy, since it must be approved by the federal government. 

Workers’ Comp carriers that offer USL&H coverage as an endorsement will apply an additional percentage charge on top of the class code’s state rate.  It’s often twice the price since there are no set benefit schedules.  Every single claim goes to court with USL&H which is very expensive.

The “situs and status” test is your key to determining what jobs or tasks are eligible to receive USL&H coverage in the event of a claim.  Where is the work being done (is it on or near navigable waters) and what is the employee doing – you must qualify for both. 

If your business builds docks and files a claim on their Workers’ Comp policy and it is deemed the claim should have been covered under USL&H and there isn’t coverage, it does NOT fall to the standard Workers’ Comp policy – there is no coverage at all. What’s worse is that because there are no standard scheduled benefits with USL&H, the claims are much more expensive.

Here are some common jobs that require USL&H coverage:  dock builders, marine contractors, boat builders, bridge builders, freight handlers, vendors delivering products to cruise ships – just to name a few. 

Even if your business is working in/on two feet of navigable water (or less), they legally must have USL&H coverage. Failure to have coverage is against the law and carries serious fines.  If that isn’t enough to scare you, it poses a huge Errors & Omissions exposure for insurance agents.  Your client is counting on you to advise them on all coverages they need; but when your cabinet contractor failed to mention they occasionally go on boats to fix their cabinets, you are both exposed.

Alta Vista Insurance Agency is standing by to help.  When we say we are Workers’ Compensation experts, we mean it.  The second water comes up in conversation with your commercial clients, give Alta Vista Insurance a call.  We know the questions to ask and the coverage that is needed to properly protect you and your business.

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Volunteering at North San Diego County Food Bank

We can’t stay away!! We were back (last Friday) at North County San Diego Food Bank, Vista branch location, where we volunteered to help fill 853 bags of food going to local elementary school children and their families!! We had such a good time supporting this great cause while spending quality time together off site! Thank you to everyone who participated, including our special industry friends, Sandi and Nancy!!!

Left to Right: Beth Walls, Sandi Grigg (Hanover), Jim Owen, Nancy Trejo (Safeco), Morgan Hege, Holly BIshop, Vira Rodriguez, Tandy Owen, Dawn Grant

We really appreciate the opportunity to get involved. The Food Bank does an amazing job supporting members of our community with food insecurities! If you are interested in volunteering or you know someone who needs food support please go their website for more information: https://northcountyfoodbank.org/

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~Community Service Volunteer Project ~ and Morgan’s 50th Birthday December 2022!

We were at it again! Back to the North County San Diego Food Bank Vista branch location to volunteer as a group. Afterwards we took a little “R-&-R” at Belching Beaver PUB 980 – Where I highly recommend the BBQ chicken flat bread. Also, everyone really liked the “Nitro Stout Peanut Butter Ale,” Sounds Yummy!

From left to right: Jim & Tandy Owen, Holly Bishop, Nancy Trejo (Safec), Diane Nagle(Mercury), Morgan Hege, Beth Walls, and Raymond Lowder

Our Alta Vista Insurance Agency team were joined by Diane Nagle from Mercury Insurance and Nancy Trejo from Safeco. Two of our favorite carrier partners! It’s great to see the people behind the policies at our carrier relationships out in the community making a difference for the kids that need it. THANK YOU BOTH NANCY FROM SAFECO and DIANE FROM MERCURY!

In the 2 hours we were there, we were able to complete 477 bags to go out to various middle schools around North San Diego County for kids with food insecurity to be able to take home over the weekend when they don’t have access to free and reduced lunch service at their school. We were “Group 1” and completed 214 of the bags, and “Group 2” completed 263. But really the kids are the winners!

Did I mention it was also my 50th birthday? Thank you everyone on our team for the happy birthday wishes! You all make working together a lot of fun! I appreciate each and every one one of you!

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Back in the day…

Back in the day, while taking an auto insurance application by phone, I asked a client if his wife was employed? He said no, and she said, ” YES I AM!” (this is dating myself, it was back when Roseanne Barr was doing her stand up.) The wife says, “I’m a DOMESTIC GODDESS!” We all laughed, and then she said. “Put that on the application.” So I did, marked her as employed, and moved on. I really didn’t think twice about it.

A few days later, an underwriting associate at the firm I was with came over to my section, and with their boss, and my boss, and my bosses boss and they kept looking at me while I was on another sales call. Finally my boss came over, and said to not take another call. Needless to say, I finished the call sweating bullets, wondering what could have happened that 1/2 the management team was in my section waiting for me?!

Turns out “Domestic Goddess” is not a job, and cannot go onto an auto insurance application.  Who knew?

EDIT: This was decades before Roseanne Barr was cancelled from ABC for being a racist.

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Barbecue for Labor Day 2020

Labor day marks the end of summer and usually the return to school. But here in California it also means the beginning of fire season. Sadly, this year is no exception with over 1.2 million acres burned so far this year nationwide.

Here in San Diego is the Valley Fire near Alpine having burned 17,665 acres as of 9/10/2020. (For more recent updates check the Cal Fire website https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/

What does this mean for insuring my property? Many insurance carriers are on new business binding moratorium. Meaning they have closed zip codes where there are active fires. If you are shopping for home insurance, or in escrow and trying to close, this can mean delays in the transaction process.

How else should I prepare? Consider making sure your policy protection is up to date. Standard homeowners insurance policies cover fire and your contents, but more and more frequently we are seeing the standard carriers declining homes for brush. Luckily there is a program set up through the state called the California Fair Plan. However, California Fair Plan policy only covers the structure for fire, and does not provide liability, loss of use, or contents coverage. For that you will need another policy called a “Difference in Conditions” or DIC policy. With the two policies together, you have similar coverage to a normal homeowners policy.

What Are My Next Steps? To learn more about insuring your home in California start by comparing home insurance quotes on our website. If you would prefer to speak to a licensed insurance guide; book an online appointment with one of our agents.

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San Diego Food Bank

Do you even lift, bro?



Get Involved!

“Do you even lift, bro?”

Psh, these guys and the team from Liberty Mutual lifted 18,000 lbs of food for the hungry. These mighty people went to the San Diego Food Bank last Wednesday and helped package heaps of potatoes and other produce.

We love our city!

Interested in volunteering?

Some of their upcoming fun events that you can attend and/or volunteer at:
July 22, 10:30-8pm, Drive Out Hunger Golf Classic, Vista
Sept 7, San Diego Blues Festival, 12-8, Embarcadero
Nov 28, Thanksgiving morning, Run for the Hungry, downtown SD

Thankful for organizations that make a difference in our community!



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Expert Advice on Life Insurance

Life happens, and often at the most inconvenient time.

Most clients I speak with don’t know where to start when it comes to life insurance. They think it will be a difficult and scary process.

As someone very familiar with the matter, I can assure you, having a policy provides peace of mind and is easier than you might think.

There are two different types of policies:

  1. Term Life Insurance (lasts 10, 20, or 30 years)
  2. Universal (permanent) Life Insurance.

Most clients I speak to are interested in term life insurance because this is a policy which will typically get them to retirement or will cover them until the kids are out of the house and/or the mortgage is paid off.

When speaking to new clients about life insurance, here are a couple of things I ask them to think about:

  • Think about your mortgage, car payments, and bills, etc. What would it cost to keep your family just as they are now financially if something were to happen?
  • Do you want a plan you can put into place and not think about again? Or do you want a plan that offers things such as benefits for critical, chronic or terminal illness?

After getting a sense of what you want to protect we can then look at products and an application.

Putting a policy in place can protect your assets and loved ones. With a trusted insurance adviser to help you through the process, your life insurance fears can be dealt with, potentially providing a well-planned solution at a time when the unexpected happens and you can’t be there.

Call me today at 888.724.2124 or Get a Quote Here!

 

Get Started

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What is Obamacare? Kirby Thomas has your answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51XATE5hFfM

irby Thomas heads up the Employee Benefits Division at Alta Vista Insurance Agency. This video will help you understand the highly debated healthcare plan: Obamacare. Kirby answers many common questions that you may have on Obamacare and how this healthcare plan will affect you and/or your business. Call him today 888-724-2124.

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7 Things you didnt know about San Diego County!

San Diego’s North County is a vast, expansive region known for its immaculate beaches, natural preserves and miles of open spaces. It is made up of a collection of unique communities, from the picturesque seaside villages of La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to the scenic Rancho Bernardo, nestled in a lush valley amidst golf courses and wineries. If you’re looking for opportunities for outdoor activities in San Diego, the north region is the ideal spot. From hiking in Torrey Pines State Park and cycling up Palomar Mountain to surfing or kayaking in La Jolla, there is something for everyone. For a true California experience, take a scenic drive along the Pacific coast on historic Highway 101 and explore a range of picturesque coastal communities as you make your way north from Del Mar to Oceanside.

North County is also home to some of San Diego’s top attractions, including the San Diego Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad, and the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla. A stay in San Diego’s North region puts you halfway between Disneyland and downtown San Diego where the museums of Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.

You think you know San Diego, but you have no idea! Here are 7 things you didn’t know about San Diego

1. San Diego is cursed!

How come San Diego hasn’t won a Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA final, ever? One Ruth-like explanation tossed out there: a curse following the trade of Lance Alworth to the Cowboys after the Chargers AFL-championship 1963 season. That’s powerful juju (Ruth only jinxed ONE sport).

2. Jewel wrote her song “who will save your soul” here!

San Diego’s Java Joe’s and Innerchange Coffeehouse were where folk-“Soul” singer Jewel gained prominence. She moved to horsey suburb Rancho Santa Fe, which showed up in headlines when a cult known as Heaven’s Gate committed mass suicide with the appearance of the Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997.

3. Famous residents!

We all know Ted Williams grew up there, but he’s not alone among sports idols raised there. Think Julie Foudy (women’s soccer), Tony Hawk (skateboarding), and WWE’s Rey Mysterio (a.k.a. Oscar Gutierrez). Our guess? Mr. Mysterio is a good hitter too.

4. McDonalds is the best!

The man who made the Golden Arches our nation’s fast choice, Ray Kroc, made San Diego his home. Queasy, unrelated fact: a McDonald’s in the city’s San Ysidro area served as the site of one America’s biggest mass murders in 1984, when a man killed 21 people. It’s a park now.

5. We are huge!

A possible explanation for mellowness: While Boston is crammed into a mere 48 square miles, San Diego (like, Jacksonville, come to think of it) makes Boston look like a geographic dwarf. San Diego spreads over 372 square miles.

6. God Bless our Military!

San Diego hosts the largest naval fleet in the world. The city is home to the majority of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

7. Alta Vista Insurance Agency is old!

Established in 1927, Alta Vista Insurance is a full service Vista Insurance agency dedicated to providing you with superior California insurance policies. As an independent insurance brokerage located in Vista, they have access to a quality assortment of insurance carriers, offering you the best rates throughout California.

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