John McKusker

As of April 1, 2003, a decision was made by the Board of Directors to renew insurance coverage with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and The Helmsman Insurance Agency. These firms provide insurance coverage for Workers’ Compensation Benefits, Liability Coverages on all operations, vehicle, equipment, and property insurance coverage. Negotiations commenced early last fall and concluded in March. Several changes have taken place within the Manatt’s Insurance Program. This change was due in part to market conditions, loss trends, and because most of the major insurance companies have suffered poor earnings on their investment portfolios.

All households in America will begin to be affected by rising insurance costs. This change is sweeping across America and you, as a consumer, will begin to see premium increases on your home and auto insurance coverage as well. Corporate America, in certain industry sectors, has seen dramatic premium increases and policy condition changes in the past three years.

I want to thank Liberty Mutual, their affiliates and support staff for remaining committed to providing insurance coverage for the construction industry. Several of the other large insurance companies are either no longer in business or choose not to provide insurance coverage to the construction industry.

As we begin this construction season, certain insurance changes are inevitable. The one thing we can do is work smart and attempt to be safer so injuries and accidents are minimized.

Make sure any vehicle you operate or supervise has a current insurance packet of information in it.