Latest Contractors Headlines

All the headlines from our Contractors Topic Page, ordered by recency.

With Growth of the Gig Economy, States Rethink How Workers Get Benefits

Feb 23 2017 // As more and more Americans hold nontraditional jobs that don’t have benefits attached — think freelance graphic designers or Uber drivers — cities and states are exploring ways to ensure those workers still have...

How the Federal Government Could Lead by Example in Cyber Insurance

Feb 16 2017 // The takeup rate of cyber insurance is rising, but the market’s growth to date has been uneven. Anne Hobson, a technology policy fellow at the R Street Institute, may have a solution to that problem. She proposes that...

Heat Is on Florida Lawmakers to Fix Assignment of Benefits Crisis

Feb 15 2017 // Florida’s insurance industry will apply significant pressure on lawmakers to pass assignments of benefit (AOB) reform in the upcoming legislative session as consumers face rate increases and a looming coverage...

A Look at Smart Buildings and Construction Risks

Feb 3 2017 // With “smart” building becoming the gold standard in today’s commercial construction world, builders, building owners, workers and insurers are dealing with new technologies and risks. These smart...

New Bill Grants Bonding Assistance to Small Businesses in New Jersey

Jan 25 2017 // A recently passed bipartisan bill in New Jersey has brought good news to small businesses that want to participate on public construction projects. Senate Bill 123, signed by Governor Chris Christie on January 4,...

PCI Throws Support Behind Montana Bill Aimed at Storm-damage Contractors

Jan 18 2017 // The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America is throwing its support behind a bill in Montana that would toughen rules on storm-damage contractors. House Bill 222, authored by Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, would create...

BTIS Announces Launch of New Direct Bill Option for Victory Contractor General Liability

Jan 13 2017 // Rocklin, CA, January 13, 2017- Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services, Inc. (BTIS) is pleased to announce the launch of BTIS DirectPay, the direct bill option for Victory Contractor General...

Illinois Roofing Contractor Barringer Fined Again for Fall Hazards

Jan 10 2017 // An Illinois roofing contractor has once again been cited and fined by federal safety officials for exposing workers to fall hazards. Proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties total...

California Labor Commissioner Nails Taxi Company for Failure to Carry Comp

Jan 9 2017 // Santa Rosa, Calif., taxi company A-C Transportation Services Inc. has agreed to settle a $522,300 citation for refusing to provide its 30 drivers with workers’ compensation insurance coverage and for misclassifying...

Texas OKs New Rule for Wrap-Up Construction Project Policies

Jan 5 2017 // The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has approved a filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to establish eligibility requirements for wrap-up construction project policies. The changes in Item...

U.S. Refineries’ Accident Risk on Rise Due to Labor Shortage

Jan 3 2017 // After years of running flat out, U.S. Gulf Coast refiners are lining up repairs to plants in 2017 – but facing a severe labor shortage that could delay work, drive up costs and raise accident risks. Fuel producers...

California Labor Commissioner Nails Taxi Company for Failure to Carry Comp

Dec 30 2016 // Santa Rosa, Calif. taxi company A-C Transportation Services Inc. has agreed to settle a $522,300 citation for refusing to provide its 30 drivers with workers’ compensation insurance coverage and for misclassifying...

Republicans Prepare Assault on Obama’s Final Regulations

Dec 20 2016 // Republicans in Congress plan to deploy a powerful tool soon after Donald Trump is inaugurated to scuttle a host of rules put in place in the last months of Barack Obama’s presidency, yet they must act quickly for the...

Contractors to Pay $147.5K after Worker Injury, Death at Vikings Stadium

Dec 13 2016 // Two construction companies have agreed to pay a combined $147,500 in fines over safety violations in the death of one worker and injuries to another during construction of the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium last...

Unions, Gig-Economy Firms Prepare for New York Benefits Battle

Nov 28 2016 // Faced with a barrage of lawsuits from workers demanding benefits and recognition as employees, some companies in the fast-growing ‘gig economy’ are looking to settle the issues through legislation. Joseph...

Louisiana Contractor Fined More than $152K for Federal Safety Violations

Nov 23 2016 // A construction contractor in Louisiana has been cited and fined over what federal safety officials say are hazardous workplace conditions. Proposed penalties total $152,147. Don M. Barron Contractor Inc. in Baton Rouge was...

Great American, Hub International to Offer Program for Elevator Contractors

Nov 23 2016 // Great American Insurance Group’s Alternative Markets Division has entered into an agreement with JM Associates/Burnham + Company, a division of HUB International Northeast, to be the insurance carrier for The...

How Smart Building is Changing Construction

Nov 21 2016 // With “smart” building becoming the gold standard in today’s commercial construction world, builders, building owners, workers and insurers are dealing with new technologies and risks. These smart...

Amazon Drivers Deliver ‘Joint Employer’ Claims Against E-commerce Giant

Nov 4 2016 // Amazon.com was sued by Illinois delivery drivers who say the company failed to pay them overtime for hauling its goods. Among the questions the judge will have to answer? Whether they actually worked for...

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Warns Flood Victims About Repair Scams

Oct 27 2016 // Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller is urging homeowners whose properties suffered damage in the recent flooding that hit several North Central Pennsylvania counties to be cautious of scams when seeking...