A new state law that allows for digital license plates to be installed on vehicles in California, may have created a privacy nightmare for employers. The Motor Vehicle Digital Number Plates Act, which took effect Jan. 1, enables fleet and commercial vehicle owners to purchase and install digital license plates and soon-to-be-approved alternative devices for…
Rick Macias with Love Inc. stopped by InterWest’s Merced office on Tuesday to pick up donated items from the fundraiser the Merced staff coordinated to help neighbors who lost their belongings during recent flooding. He was not expecting the mountain of items collected and was completely surprised by the outpouring of love and generosity of…
In the continuing quest to reduce health care costs and make care more accessible, a new type of health plan has been taking shape: The virtual-first health plan. These rapidly evolving plans integrate virtual care delivery models into a comprehensive health plan that encourages enrollees to access virtual care with their doctors before resorting to…
As businesses use more and more devices in their operations, their vulnerability to cyber attacks increases exponentially. Some employees may have a work smartphone, a laptop for the road and a desktop unit for when they work in the office. And there may be other systems and assets that are connected to the company network…
After a decade of furious deal-making, insurance agency and brokerage mergers and acquisitions ebbed in 2022, likely due to rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, according to two new reports. A report by Optis Partners, an insurance industry consulting firm, notes that the number of M&As among insurance brokerages and agencies in the retail and…
The key to getting the biggest bang for your buck in your wellness program is to focus on a few tried and tested offerings that studies have found result in better health for employees and reductions in your overall health care insurance costs. If you use a scattershot approach, the returns may not be as…
Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out for their invaluable contributions. ______________________________ Daniel DiMeo Director, Property & Casualty Claims, Claims & Risk Management Services Chico…
Cal/OSHA is in the process of updating its regulations on first aid kit requirements, an effort that’s stirred up controversy over some of the proposed elements of the standard. According to a report by the trade publication Cal-OSHA Reporter, one of the most controversial parts of the proposal is that a doctor or other licensed…
No one plans on becoming disabled and missing work, but it can happen. An illness or an accident could cause one of your employees to be unable to work for months, or even years. While their health insurance will cover their medical expenses, it won’t cover the cost of living while they recover. Only 30%…
In the waning days of 2022, Congress passed a bipartisan $1.7-trillion spending bill that includes legislation that expands rights for pregnant and nursing employees. The budget bill, which President Biden has signed into law, included the Pregnant Workers Fair Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). Employers will…