05/29/23

Special Event Liability Insurance

By: Jeremy Dickman, Personal Lines Account Manager

It is that time of year when graduation parties, company picnics, and weddings are in full swing, and a Special Event Liability Policy should be on the top of your party planning list.  The team at Elliott, Powell, Baden, and Baker can help find the right policy for your special event, offering protection and peace of mind so you can enjoy the festivities.  

What is an Event Liability Policy:

Special event insurance is insurance coverage for a wedding or other special event. Event insurance can help cover a broad range of risks; for instance,

  • Severe weather. If severe weather (such as a hurricane) forces you to postpone your event, an Event Liability policy can provide reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
  • Lost deposits. If a vendor goes out of business, declares bankruptcy before your event, or simply fails to show up and you lose your deposit, the event liability policy can help reimburse you.
  • Ruined photos and damaged gifts . If your photographer’s camera is defective, or memory cards are l lost or damaged, it can help cover the cost to re-take new photos.
  • Reimbursement . Some events like street carnivals or outdoor concerts may create revenue from charging admission, and an event policy would insure money lost or stolen from and event llost or stolen during the event.

Do I need to have an Event Liability Policy?

If the event is being held at a public or private venue, chances are that venue will require an event policy to be in place to protect the venue from injuries caused by the insured/organizer and their guests. Event liability protects the organizer from suit if somebody gets hurt or causes damage. It also covers all others involved in the planning and execution of the event, such as venue owners, municipal employees, building or landowners, anybody, or any entity the event may touch or impact while it is happening.

Do I need an Event Liability Policy if it is held In my home? 

Event policies are recommended even if you have the party/event in your own home, as there is a possibility that something could go wrong that would not be, covered by the homeowner policy or personal umbrella policy. This is especially true of alcohol will be served or provided.  

**IF alcohol is served, it is HIGHLY recommended that the homeowner hires a licensed bartender/server to do this. Doing so will allow the homeowner to get a Host liquor Liability endorsement on their event policy . This can be added to protect the organizer, attendees, the host venue, and employees in the event an attendee becomes intoxicated and causes damage to another person, the venue premises, or somebody’s property.  

How do I get an Event Liability Policy? 

Last-minute lead time for an event policy should be three days at the minimum, but it is recommended that a week’s notice be given.  In last-minute circumstances,  the team at EPB&B will strive to obtain the requested policy for our clients.  After the purchase of the policy, proof of coverage and any applicable certificates of liability can be sent directly to our clients within minutes by email.

Let the team at EPB&B help find the right policy for your special event.

Jeremy Dickman

Account Manager

Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, Inc.

971-255-5183

971-255-5184 (fax)

05/22/23

How To Protect Yourself From Heat Related Illness

The Northwest Spring weather took a big jump last week from soggy to sizzling in just a matter of days, breaking seasonal records and making our bodies work overtime to adjust to the extreme temperatures.  Although the forecast shows a cool down this week, we still have a long summer ahead with some anticipated high temperatures. High temperatures are more than just uncomfortable—if you’re not used to them, they can actually be dangerous. There are a few simple measures you can take to gradually get yourself accustomed to your surroundings and beat the heat.

STEPS TO ACCLIMATE TO HEAT:

  1. Go Slowly. Back off on your normal routine during extreme heat until you know how your body will respond. Save yard work, exercise and errands for early morning hours before the sun is at its peak.
  2. Wear lightweight clothing. Stick to short-sleeved items like t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, and moisture-wicking activewear until you’ve built up an immunity to the heat. Pieces with loosely-woven materials and more relaxed fits are also preferable, as they’ll allow your skin to breathe. Whatever you wear, it’s important that it be properly ventilated to release heat rather than trapping it close to your body. Lighter colored clothing essential as it reflects heat and keeps you cooler.
  3. Drink plenty of water. Fill up on cold water before you set out for your daily activities and plan for frequent hydration stops along the way. Keeping your tissues flushed with water is crucial if you’re going to be out in stifling conditions—elevated temperatures will cause you to sweat constantly, even when you’re not actively exerting yourself.

Be Patient. The most important thing to remember is to build up your tolerance a little at a time. Start with minutes and build to an hour and go from there. Beyond that, make sure you pay attention to warning signs heat-related illness.

HEAT EXHAUSTION vs HEAT STROKE

Heat Exhaustion: When a body cannot cool itself fast enough, it can lead to heat exhaustion.  Symptoms include:

  • Muscle Cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Headache 
  • Nausea and vomiting. 

If you see someone with signs of overheating, move the person to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes, and then slowly drink a cool beverage. Get medical attention for them immediately if they do not feel better.  

Heat Stroke: Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, causing death if not treated immediately. Symptoms include

  • Extreme body temperature.
  • Red, hot, dry skin.
  • Rapid, strong pulse.
  • Concussion and unconsciousness.  If you see any of these symptoms call 911 immediately.

For those working jobs in which extreme heat can be a factor,  Oregon OSHA has established Oregon Safety and Health rules that are required for employers to protect workers from the high and extreme heat of 80 degrees and higher. The requirements include specific actions regarding access to shade and cool water. They also include regular cool-down breaks, training, communication, emergency planning, and other measures that apply both indoors and outdoors. 

05/16/23

EPB&B Supports Teens In Foster Care Through Howard’s Heart.

When the team at Elliott Powell, Baden, and Baker learned about the Portland area non-profit Howard’s Heart , we wanted to be a part of supporting their mission.  Today we are pleased to be a Presenting Sponsor at their Summer Kickoff Fundraiser and Auction  held June 10, 2023. 

As teens in the foster system grow, their needs grow with them, and that is where Portland area non profit Howards Heart comes in.  Providing School supplies, college application fees, and extracurricular activities all cost time and money that many vulnerable teens and families find beyond their reach.

The team at Howard’s Heart works in tandem with teens, youth, and their team members, including caseworkers, mentors, foster and bio parents, attorneys, and CASAs to identify where they need extra support; they work to fill their wishes within our community through fundraising and making connections with fellow non-profits.

Howard’s Heart strives to go beyond the basics, working to connect teens with scholarships and financial assistance for summer camps, occupational internships, and extracurricular courses in an effort to help students explore their interests and passions. 

“We first became aware of Howard’s Heart last year through the glowing review from Seema Steffany, Founder of Project Never Again, “explains EPB&B President Marc Baker. “Both organizations work tirelessly to help support kids in our state foster care system, and being that May is National Foster Care Month, it seemed like perfect timing to support a grassroots organization that is making a difference like Howard’s Heart”.

The EPB&B team President, Marc Baker; Personal Lines Account Manager, Olivia Astrue and; VP Of Operations, Jill Perucca, present a check to Founding Director oF Howard’s Heart, Amy Bunker (L) who named the organization after her grandfather, Howard.

05/14/23

EPB&B Welcomes A New  Member To The Commercial Lines Team

We love welcoming new members our ever evolving team at Elliott, Powell, Baden and Baker. This week we are happy to introduce the newest member, Rose Petersen, who is joining the Commercial Lines Team as a Commercial Lines Assistant. With a passion for helping people, emphasis on teamwork and a desire for learning, Rose makes a natural fit within the EPB&B team. Here is more about Rose’s experience, interests and love of live music.

1. What is your background in the insurance industry? As far as industry experience goes, I’m a little green. I started contracting with Providence a year ago for in-home medical equipment referrals and found reward in mastering my role and getting life-saving equipment to people who needed it. I also took great pride in being able to train new colleagues – I helped build a fantastic team that operated like a well spun spider’s web. I am so looking forward to finding that here at EPB&B as well. 

2.  What do you look forward to most about working in the insurance industry? I used to work directly with patients in hospice care as well as their families, and I found it incredibly rewarding to ease their way when I could. Especially in healthcare, the processes can be confusing and treacherous for patients and families to navigate – I felt like a hero when I could simplify those processes and get people the treatments they deserved. Helping others is a ubiquitous part of my identity, and I’m grateful I can exercise it here. 

3.  What made you choose EPB&B as the next step in your career path? It appears that EPB&B has no ceiling as far as growth goes. It was immediately apparent that they wanted to invest in me as a part of their future, which means so much more than signing a paycheck to me. I am incredibly excited to get to work with this company and the kind people here. 

4. Is there anything you’d like to share to allow people to get to know more about you? I love to play pool! It’s how I met my husband, but it’s not the only sport we shoot – I have a compound bow, and he’s got a lever action that we take out for target practice, weather permitting. Lately, we’ve been camping near hike-able hot springs and falls. I also play piano and sing a mean karaoke game. Most of all, I love to dance and go to see live music whenever I can – quarantine was insufferable without concerts and night clubs.  If you could – and you can’t – sum me up in 3 words, they would be: short, smart, and sanguine. I approach life with a smile on my face and a curiosity that nearby cats even flee from (except my own).

Welcome to the team Rose.

05/01/23

Tips To Support Mental Health In The Workplace

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, one in five people will experience a mental health illness in their lifetime, and two-thirds of those diagnosed will not seek treatment for their mental illness. 

Although taking care of your mental health is important on a daily basis, there are many factors that can contribute to a mental illness, such as life challenges,  brain chemistry, substance abuse, and feelings of isolation (something so many of us can relate to these past two years). 

There are many resources available to you and your families.  From warning signs and symptoms to screening tools, and support networks, help is available. 

Employers can help too. A good leader knows that a successful business relies on happy, healthy employees, and it is important to take a look at the role the workplace plays in a person’s mental well-being.  A productive job is vital for mental health; it gives a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and connection, while an unhealthy workplace can harm a person’s physical and mental well-being. Issues such as workload imbalance, harassment, and poor work relationships can play a role in depression and anxiety, leading to poor productivity and increased absenteeism in the workplace.  With so many Americans affected by a mental illness, it is essential to foster not only a healthy work environment but one that is also open to discussions on mental health issues.

According to Workplacementalhealth.org, here are suggestions from leading employers who have taken action to address stigma:

  • Tailor programs/approaches to your company culture and existing strengths. Do what is right for your culture.
  • Mention your commitment to leading a behaviorally healthy workplace every time you mention the company’s commitment to its overall culture of health, attracting
    and retaining the best talent, being an employer of choice, and valuing its employees and their family members as human beings.
  • Train leaders to identify emotional distress and refer to EAP or other behavioral health resources.
  • Provide adequate vacation time and consider making it policy that vacation time be taken.
  • Offer EAP to family and household members as well as the employee. Connect your education and awareness efforts with specific information about how to access the EAP and reinforce confidentiality.
  • Model work/life balance. Have leaders embody concepts and model behavior, paying attention to workload.
  • Be welcoming of the need for accommodations. Train managers to respond appropriately and understand their role in supporting employees.
  • Ensure that senior leaders routinely include language about emotional well-being when they talk about business issues.
  • Consider emotional well-being when you have to make tough business decisions (head count reduction) and include EAP in the planning of such actions.
  • Train leaders on responding promptly and constructively to behavioral performance issues. 

Download the Working Well toolkit for employers here. 

Together, we can help fight stigma, and  the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.