unico-master

May 4, 2017

General Liability Insurance: What’s Covered and What’s Not

As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate — everything from accounting, marketing, and sales to product development, inventory, and hiring. With all of this to manage day to day, details like liability insurance could slip through the cracks, leaving your business financially vulnerable. The hard truth is that nearly anyone your business interacts with — vendors, clients, or visitors — can make claims against you. These claims could cripple your operation if you don’t have the right insurance protection. What General Liability Insurance Covers General liability (GL) coverage can be offered as a stand-alone policy or as part of a business owner’s policy. The policy safeguards your business’s finances and reputation should a customer or other third party take legal action against you or your employees. Types of claims covered by a GL policy: Bodily injury: A third party is injured at your place of business or as a result of work performed away from […]
April 13, 2017

UNICO Group acquires Union Agency, Inc.

UNICO Group, a 2016 “Top Performing Agency” national award recipient, headquartered in Lincoln NE, is pleased to announce that they have acquired Union Agency, Inc. an insurance and risk management company affiliated with Union Bank & Trust (UBT).
April 4, 2017

Three From Midlands Financial Qualify for Million Dollar Round Table

Founded in 1927, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 42,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 470 companies in 71 countries. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client service. Top of the Table and Court of the Table are MDRT’s top membership levels comprised of the world’s most successful life insurance and financial service professionals. Achieving membership in MDRT is a career milestone. LeaAnn M. Moore* has qualified for MDRT’s Top of the Table for her sixth consecutive year and has been a part of Court of the Table since her first year of membership seven years ago. Stephen D. Andersen* is a 45-year Qualifying and Life member of MDRT with 11 Top of the Table and 8 Court of the Table qualifications.Tony J. Ojeda* has eight years on Court of the Table while being […]
April 1, 2017

Safety Topic: April Showers

You’ve all probably heard the old adage “April showers bring May flowers.” In the construction world, April showers bring additional hazards. This time of year, people who work outdoors may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as severe storms. Severe storms include thunderstorms, lightning, hail, flooding and even tornadoes. Proper planning is a key component in keeping your employees and property safe. Preparing in advance will keep your workers safe so they know what to do when the weather takes a turn and puts them in harm’s way. OSHA recommends that worker have an awareness of the unique hazards brought on by violent storms. Thunderstorms and lightning occur most on hot, humid days. During a thunderstorm, you should avoid tall, isolated objects – which may attract lightning strikes – and let professionals handle fallen electrical wires. Be careful if there are strong winds, which can knock over trees and utility poles and send objects flying. Tornados can occur at any […]
March 14, 2017

Have You Scheduled Your Safety Kickoff Event?

As winter slowly dissipates and the onset of spring is upon us, you and your employees are returning to work for another busy season. Your company is constantly changing to stay relevant in this competitive marketplace and one of those changes is hiring additional help for the volume of work you are expecting. In the weeks prior to your busy season it is the perfect time to hold a “Safety Kickoff” event. At this kickoff, bring everyone together to go over your company’s mission statement, culture and share your goals and expectations for the upcoming season. With your seasonal employees being off the past few months, the thought of safety and safe practices may have been pushed to the back of their minds. They may have forgotten about some of your important policies and procedures, so this event allows you to reeducate and train your employees, as well as share any new rules or regulations. Retraining your employees at the […]
February 24, 2017

Our Latest Risk Management Newsletter

It is February already and I think I can see a hint of Spring just over the horizon. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to get there. I am tired of cold, wind, rain and snow and I am willing to bet that you are too. As we head towards that ultimate destination, here are a couple of things to think about regarding your risk management activities. You may want to take this relatively “quiet time” to think ahead and get ready for the busy plant construction season that includes the use of contractors as they can bring a substantial amount of liability and extra costs to you. They must be “good” contractors that you have vetted completely (before hire) or else the possibility exists that they will bring you more trouble than you planned on. See my data sheet elsewhere in this issue for the full details on selecting a contractor. You will be glad you […]
February 21, 2017

UNICO Group Welcomes Katie Meyer as Benefits Advisor

UNICO Group recently welcomed Katie Meyer to the team. Meyer joined the Employee Benefits division as a Benefits Advisor. “I knew that I wanted to work at UNICO because of the consultative and relational approach UNICO uses with their clients. UNICO’s foundation is based upon the fact that long-lasting relationships/partnerships are the key to success and that is exactly the type of company I wanted to work for” said Meyer. Katie brings nearly 10 years’ worth of experience working with business owners and HR Managers to her position at UNICO Group. For the past seven of those years, she worked as a Core Sales Representative with Paychex, Inc. “We are excited to expand the energy and the team in our La Vista office and we are thrilled to have Katie join our team” said Ryan Swinton, EVP of Employee Benefit Division. “UNICO opened an Omaha office in 2009, but has primarily focused on property and casualty insurance. With the addition of Katie […]
February 9, 2017

UNICO Group Nationally Recognized as “Top Performing Agency”

UNICO Group is honored to announce its national recognition as “Top Performing Agency” by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”).  The Lincoln-based insurance agency has received the “Best Practices Agency” award for the past seven years and this year excelled to the elite status of “Top Performing Agency” in 2016 for its respective revenue size of $10 to $25 million. Since 1993, Big “I” and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, join forces to study the country’s leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies comprising the study groups are selected through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process. “This award is vetted through a highly competitive process among other leading agencies in our industry,” says Scott Nelson, President of UNICO Group.  “We are humbled by the top recognition and are proud of our employees who excel at adding value to our customers and make UNICO’s growth and success possible. More than 1,200 agencies around the […]
January 24, 2017

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

Protecting Your Business Against Equipment Breakdown No matter the size or type of business you own, your equipment and technology help keep your operation running. Without fully functioning equipment, how would your business fare financially? While standard property insurance protects you against external causes of loss, such as fire, losses resulting from equipment failure – such a short circuit or power surge – may not be covered. Liberty Mutual Insurance offers packaged or stand-alone equipment breakdown coverage for these types of losses. Types of equipment covered include: Boilers Computers and telecommunications systems Diagnostic equipment Mechanical and electrical equipment Pressure vessels Production machinery Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment Coverage Options Equipment breakdown insurance can cover more than the cost to repair or replace your equipment. It can cover lost income if you need to temporarily shut down, the extra expenses needed to continue running your business while equipment is being fixed, or the lost value of spoiled or contaminated products. It can […]
December 9, 2016

Dan Mickells Featured in Strictly Business’ Star City 6

  UNICO’s Dan Mickells, a Risk Advisor in the Lincoln and Omaha offices, was recently featured on Strictly Business’ website and in their magazine in the Star City 6 section. In the article, Dan describes how he got started in the insurance business and finding the perfect fit for all of his strengths at UNICO. He answers questions about his family, his favorite thing to do on a day off, and discusses the non-profit organizations he is passionate about! Dan now works with all types of businesses, assisting with insurance solutions and managing business risk exposures. Click the link to learn more about Dan Mickells and UNICO Group!
November 11, 2016

Seminar: WorkComp, Pre-Employment Screening and Return to Work

Join us for a seminar about how manage work comp and how pre-employment screening can help you get your employees back to work!       Hosted by:        Questions? Contact Mary Savage at 402.361.5912 or [email protected]
November 11, 2016

UNICO Group 2016 Recipient of the Governor’s Wellness Award

August 12, 2016, Lincoln, NE. – UNICO Group has been included in the Governor’s Wellness Award at the Sower level. UNICO is now a part of a prestigious group of more than 250 businesses statewide that have received the Governor’s Award designation since 2007. This year, a total of 44 Nebraska employers representing 28 communities are being honored for developing and implementing successful worksite wellness programs. The Sower Award recognizes that the organization “plants the seed of wellness” by building a comprehensive program to empower the people. By meeting the standards of this award, UNICO Group demonstrates leadership and vision to implement comprehensive worksite health promotion initiatives that positively affect the health, productivity, and bottom line of the organization. Most importantly, UNICO Group has provided the opportunity for employees and families to live a healthy life and improve the quality of life for Nebraskans. “We feel honored to have qualified for the Governor’s Wellness Award. Our employees are our biggest […]
October 28, 2016

Five Vacant Building Exposures

When your company decides it no longer needs to keep a particular property up and running, it doesn’t mean your risk management responsibilities for that idle building have ended. From fire, vandalism, and theft to wind, water, and collapse, there are many forces that can damage, or even destroy, your vacant properties. According to Charlie Bauroth, senior property referral underwriter for Liberty Mutual Underwriting Technical Consulting, “Amid day-to-day operations, many companies forget the importance of maintaining their vacant or idle properties. But without the proper utilities and maintenance, these structures can deteriorate—making them vulnerable to damage from vandals and the elements.” With this in mind, Bauroth advises on how you can help prevent major losses. 1. Theft and Vandalism Inadequate security in vacant and idle buildings can often result in both theft and vandalism. And in case you think your “empty” building holds nothing of value for thieves, don’t forget the value of copper pipes and wiring. While the value […]
October 25, 2016

UNICO Group Welcomes Dan Mickells

October 24, 2016, Lincoln, NE. – UNICO Group recently welcomed Dan Mickells to the team. Mickells joined the Large Business division as a Risk Advisor. Mickells brings over 20 years of insurance experience to UNICO. Previously, he worked for a large national insurance company managing both Third Party Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Litigation teams throughout the Midwest. Mickells has a passion for insurance education and has obtained multiple designations including CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), AIC (Associate in Claims) and ALMI (Associate Life Management Institute).  His educational background and extensive insurance experience provides him with a unique perspective for clients on providing them quality insurance solutions to best manage their risk exposures. “As we continue to expand our business, Dan will play an integral role in the Lincoln community. Dan brings such positive energy to the team and we are thrilled to have him on board,” said Scott Nelson, president of UNICO. You can contact Dan Mickells at 402.434.7208, [email protected], or connect with […]
October 25, 2016

Reducing the Impact of Cyber Crime

Every business handles some sort of data – on operations, products, customers, and more. That means every business stands to lose something valuable if it were to suffer a data breach. Data breaches have become increasingly common among small businesses, so it’s more important than ever to protect your business against these types of incidents. Watch the video above to learn more about cyber exposures and how to safeguard your business. If you’re looking for an expert in Cyber Insurance, UNICO Group has you covered. Give us a call to today to learn how to protect yourself from cyber crime! Content for this article was originally published by Liberty Mutual Insurance at http://passiontoprotect.libertymutualgroup.com/cyber-crime
September 30, 2016

Upcoming WorkComp & Employment Law Seminar

UNICO Group, Madonna Fit for Work, and Knudsen Law Firm would like to invite you to attend a WorkComp and Employment Law Seminar on October 27, 2016. The seminar will go from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and will be located at the Lincoln Country Club on 3200 S 24th St. Lincoln, NE 68502. Agenda Where Wellness and WorkComp Meet Speaker: Tom Champoux, Risk Consultant, UNICO Group How to read your Experience Mod Monitoring Insurance Reserves Recent Split Point Change The impact of wellness on WorkComp claims The Opioid Epidemic Speaker: Morgan LaHolt, MD, Medical Director, Madonna Physician Services Monitoring and preventing abuse of prescription drugs The importance of proper opioid selection, dosage, duration, follow-up and discontinuation Best Practices and the Economic Benefits of a Healthier Workforce Speaker: Karen Rehm, Corporate Wellness Coordinator, Madonna Fit for Work Best practices for integrating wellness How a healthier workforce affects the economy DOL Regulation Changes Speaker: Jeanelle Lust, Attorney, Knudsen Law Firm What the […]
September 26, 2016

UNICO Group Awarded Best Practices Agency for Seventh Consecutive Year

September 14, 2016, Lincoln, NE. – UNICO Group has been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group. Each year since 1993, IIABA and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, join forces to study the country’s leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies comprising the study groups are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a “Best Practices Agency” designation. The selected “Best Practices” agencies retain their status during the three-year cycle by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year. “We feel truly honored to have qualified for the Best Practices Agency award for the seventh consecutive year. Our people are our biggest asset, and without them, we would not be where we are today.” says Scott Nelson, President of UNICO. More […]