Risk Management
 The global business world of
today poses a wide range of risks and exposures. Our professional risk
management team at The Accel Group specializes in bringing you proactive
solutions that are tailor-made for your company. Contact us today and discover the difference Accel
can make for your company.
Meet the Risk Management team
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Mike Byl, President/CEO and Partner
Leading the company since 1990, Mike believes in partnering with
clients to provide a strong relationship that leads to success. In addition to
his CEO duties, Mike also works with the Risk Management division of the Accel
Group. A University of Northern Iowa graduate, Mike brings more than 20 years
of insurance experience and knowledge to work for you. |
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Tony Pollastrini, Risk Management
Specialist
Tony brings a fresh look and customized solutions to the Risk Management division. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa,
Tony has four years of insurance and sales experience. He focuses on consulting and building strong business partnerships with his clients. |
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Ty Burke, Risk Management Specialist
Ty works with a passion to help businesses manage their insurance goals. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Ty has five years of insurance sales experience. His goal is to develop relationships built upon trust. He takes pride in customer service and works interdependently with his clients to help them proactively manage their risks. |
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Ann Remmert, Risk Management
Specialist
With a well-rounded education in all aspects of
insurance, Ann puts her knowledge to work specializing in small businesses. She
provides more than eight years of experience to help her clients find the
perfect solution to their small business insurance needs. She is a Wartburg
College graduate. |
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Jim Moody, Risk Management
Specialist
Jim focuses on evaluating and facilitating Risk
Management plans for contractors, manufacturing facilities and trucking
companies. With 11 years of insurance experience, he believes in the Accel
Group's pro-active approach and values the relationship aspect of the industry.
His goal is to move beyond the traditional agent relationship to become a
partner and advisor of your insurance needs. |
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Lori Frerichs
Client
Coordinator |
Jodi Harn
Client
Coordinator |
Darcy Byl
Claims
Coordinator |
With nearly 50 years of combined experience,
our Client Coordinators handle day-to-day client needs and claim assistance
with professional, personalized service.
Risk Management services
The Accel Group is
dedicated to assisting our clients in preventing and controlling losses before
they occur. We help identify risks and exposures to help develop effective risk
management and loss control programs that will help control your workers'
compensation, property and liability losses. We provide:
- Liaison service between you and the insurance
company
- Safety program development resources
- Training materials and talking topics
- Loss history reviews for errors and/or claim
reserves for reductions, which may lower your experience modification
factor
- Updates on large, open claims
- Future experience modification factor
forecasting
- Recommendations to reduce worker's compensation
insurance costs
Services we provide:
- Risk Control:
Workplace safety is vital.
At the end of the day, everyone's goal is to send employees home happy and
healthy. For your business to prosper, risk must be controlled. That's why we
are committed to identifying improvements that lead to increased production and
reduced turnover for your business. Our Risk Control professionals assist with:
• OSHA record-keeping and incident rate calculation
• On-site
accident investigations
• Safety committee participation by
request
• Implementing a service plan timeline
- Financial Protection Strategy:
This is a
big-picture review that helps keep your coverage's current with the realities
of your business. It's based on the short- and long-term needs of your business
and includes a review of your life insurance coverage, estate protection needs,
disability income protection plan, employee benefits program and retirement
plans. Changes in your business operations, tax law, personnel or market may
require changes in your financial protection strategies as well.
- Claims Administration:
We create an
effective claims management process as your risk management partner. We believe
in developing clearly-established expectations throughout the claims process
and we maintain a beneficial working relationship between you and your
insurance carriers, serving as an advocate for fair and preferential results.
- Exposure Analysis:
Identification of
areas of risk and possible financial loss is an ongoing service we perform in
conjunction with you and your operating personnel. Further, your insurance
program is reviewed and your loss experience is analyzed to support
decision-making through our annual meeting 90 days prior to renewal. Our risk
management recommendations are phrased in the context of your financial
position, philosophy and plans for the future. The degree of possible loss must
be assessed in terms of loss or damage to physical property, loss of earnings
or extra expenses resulting from such loss or damage and loss at suppliers',
and/or processors' plants. Risk exposures such as General and Products
Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Bonding, contingent exposures,
Marine, credit risks, foreign risks, Workers' Compensation and Employee
Benefits must all be addressed. In conjunction with you, we assist in the
determination of limits of liability required to ensure that your assets are
properly protected.
- Business Continuation Planning/Disaster
Recovery:
By planning ahead, you can help protect against indirect
losses your firm may suffer during the shutdown period immediately following a
disaster. Once you resume operations after a disaster, business continuation
plans are put into action. Losses and downtime can be minimized by working with
your risk management partner at the Accel Group to assess your building,
systems and equipment.
Commercial Insurance products Click below to
view description
Commercial Property
Building coverage
applies to described structures and includes fixtures, machinery and equipment
that are owned by the building owner, attached to a covered building, and
permanently installed. Such related property may be covered by endorsement when
it is not permanently installed. Business personal property coverage may be
written to cover all contents and personal property belonging to the insured,
located as described, for a specified amount of insurance.
Commercial General Liability
Protection for
third-party bodily injury and property damage claims may be insured under a
Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, which includes coverage for both
premises and products-completed operations exposures.
Business Income
A time element
coverage which pays for loss of earnings or income when business operations are
interrupted, curtailed or suspended due to property loss as a result of an
insured cause of loss. Also covered are loss of rents and rental value. Extra
expenses incurred to continue operations at another location are included as
long as they reduce the total amount of loss.
Inland Marine
Designed for specific
classes of property of concentrated high value that are, generally, subject to
risks associated with movement and transportation as well as theft and causes
of loss to which most business personal property is vulnerable.
Electronic Data Processing
An "all-risk" policy
that provides protection on computer-related equipment, software and extra
expenses incurred as a result of failure of such equipment caused by an insured
loss and loss of earnings. Also known as an EDP policy. Coverage may be
extended to include liability claims alleging errors and omissions by date
processing companies.
Boiler & Machinery
Protection against
loss from sudden or accidental disruption of boilers and machinery by an
insured peril: loss to the boiler and machinery itself, damage to other
property, business interruption losses, or all three. Also known as machinery
breakdown insurance.
Crime
A generic term used
to encompass the variety of crime coverage forms available to protect against
losses of money, securities and property by such causes of loss as: employee
dishonesty, forgery, theft, burglary, robbery, kidnap, extortion, fraud.
Worker's Compensation
Workers' Compensation
coverage applies to bodily injury and diseases arising out of and in the course
of employment. Any bodily injury must be accidental, and the term includes
death resulting from the accident. Only occupational diseases, which are unique
to the occupation, are covered. Wellness programs have been linked to
controlling Worker's Compensation costs. Learn about your Wellness options with
our Employee Benefits partners.
Commercial Auto
Coverage insures
vehicles that are owned, leased, hired or borrowed by businesses, whether they
are associations, corporations, partnerships or sole proprietorships.
Commercial Auto coverage also may be used to insure private passenger autos and
all types of trucks, trailers, semitrailers and commercial vehicles designed
for use on public roads.
Garage/Garagekeepers
Protects garage or
service station operators, vehicle rental agencies, car washes, auto or vehicle
dealers, and trailer or RV dealers for claims alleging bodily injury or
property damage caused by the operator's negligence in business operations and
the sale or use of automobiles.
Umbrella
An umbrella provides
excess liability limit over the scheduled underlying policies. It also fills
some gaps in the underlying coverage. There is no standard umbrella policy.
Therefore, coverage comparison is a must. Key areas of comparison are
exclusions, deductible, whether a follow-form is offered over unusual
underlying exposures, limits, and defense cost (in or out of the
limits).
Professional Liability
Professional
liability coverage is designed to protect the professional from actions that
stem from their professional capacity and training. The coverage is called
"professional" for some and "errors and omissions" for others depending on the
particular coverage form and the company issuing the coverage.
International Exposures
Operating in a
global economy, many businesses have international exposures. The Accel Group
can help examine your risks or facilitate coverage tailored to your specific
needs.
Director's and Officer's Liability
Insures corporate
directors and officers against claims, usually by stockholders, alleging loss
arising from mismanagement. In the case of non-profit organizations, claims may
also be made by other than stockholders against the corporation for
mismanagement, which would also be covered. This also covers decisions by a
non-profit board.
Employers Practice Liability
Covers lawsuits
brought by employees (past, present or prospects), or governmental entities
against the insured employer, alleging wrongful discharge, discrimination or
certain types of harassment.
Pollution Liability
May be written to
cover the pollution exposure associated with the insured's property and
operations, including costs of cleanup and remedial (corrective) action at
third party demand or government order. The pollution exclusion in general
liability insurance effectively eliminates coverage for damages for bodily
injury, property damage and cleanup costs arising from most types of pollution
release. Consequently, tailor-made protection for the pollution exposure of
numerous insureds in this category is essential. There are specific policies
for remediation operations or abatement contractors. Coverage can address
lead-based products, asbestos or numerous other hazardous substances.
Fiduciary Liability
Under ERISA,
fiduciaries may be held personally liable for breach of their responsibilities
in the administration or handling of employee benefit plans. Fiduciary
Liability Insurance is not required by ERISA. However, it is strongly
recommended if you are a fiduciary of a welfare and/or pension plan because
your personal assets are at stake. Many fiduciaries believe incorrectly that
their ERISA fidelity bond protects their personal assets.
Contract and Performance Bonds
In general terms, a
surety bond guaranteeing the performance of a contract, usually associated with
construction work, but possible for almost any kind of contract.
Flood Insurance
As a business owner,
you know that protecting your building and your contents is vital to its
survival. Your business is either in a high-risk or moderate-to-low risk area.
Flood insurance offers three main options, depending on your risk level:
building and contents coverage together, only building coverage, or only
contents coverage.
Small Business Owners Package
We are committed to
helping small business owners succeed. The Accel Group offers:
•
Immediate policy changes
• Timely quotes
• Annual renewal
consultations by request
• Informed, understandable answers to your
questions
• Custom solutions that fit your needs
• An
understanding of the unique challenges you face
• A small business
owners package is designed like a commercial homeowners policy. It provides
property, liability, inland marine, crime and hired/non-owned auto in one neat
package.
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Quick Contact
Online Forms
Claims Information
24 Hour Claims Service
Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00 p.m.
(319) 483-4846
After
hours/weekends:
866-666-8119
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