Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

Resources to help you manage ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) activity.
(Updated as of 10/1/2020)

The situation is quickly changing as COVID-19 is developing in the U.S. and globally, with potential impacts to your business. We care about the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities and wanted to share some resources to help keep you informed.

Moving forward

• Failure to educate claims are on the rise with virtual learning models: Schools that have opted to use some form of distance learning are facing new failure to educate claims. (Published on September 17 , 2020)
• COVID-19: More courts are embracing virtual technology while the jury is out: As COVID-19 continues to affect all industries, an increasing number of courts are exploring various virtual tools to address the backlog of cases put on hold due to the pandemic. (Published on August 31 , 2020)
• Employers are bracing for four types of employment claims arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic: There is early evidence that COVID-19-related employment claims are on the rise. Review four types of potential employment claims to expect and key questions to ask after receiving a COVID-related claim. (Published on July 15, 2020)
• COVID-19’s impact on the property and casualty market: Key predictions and how to respond: David Perez, chief underwriting officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Risk Solutions, predicts what’s next for the property and casualty industry’s largest product lines and outlines how businesses can respond. (Published on June 26, 2020)
• Our response to COVID-19 and putting people first: Dennis Langwell, president of Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Risk Solutions, shares his perspective on the organization’s response to COVID-19: how employees have adapted, why people come first, and what the long term might look like. (Published on June 2, 2020)

Regulatory updates

• California COVID-19 employer resources: The governor of California just signed new laws affecting workers compensation. These resources can help you understand and comply with the laws and what they require of employers and insurers. (Published on October 1, 2020)
• Workers compensation presumption legislation: Learn how policymakers are aiming to expand workers compensation for workers whose COVID-19 infections were work-related. (Published on July 21, 2020)
• COVID-19 pandemic prompts numerous policyholder accommodations: Learn how insurance regulators and insurers are expanding on refunds and credits for policyholders for individuals and business owners. (Published on July 21, 2020)
• Telemedicine goes mainstream: Learn about the key shifts in telemedicine access as a result COVID-19 and how it benefits Medicare healthcare enrollees. (Published on July 21, 2020)

Reopening resources

• Hand sanitizer storage property risk management guide: Hand sanitizer is typically stored in plastic containers, which presents a unique and challenging fire hazard. Consider these protection measures to help protect your property and reduce your risk. (Published on September 14, 2020)
• Legionnaires’ disease and property risk: A water management program can help reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and improve safety performance for a facility or complex operation. (Published on September 14, 2020)
• Even during a shutdown, preventive maintenance can help a school reduce emergency work: Establishing a proactive maintenance program as part of your school’s risk-management strategy can help you avoid injuries and property damage and also help with energy and resource efficiency. As many schools are looking ahead at re-opening, consider taking these measures. (Published on July 9, 2020)
• COVID-19 FAQs and tips for businesses: Liberty Mutual’s risk control team is here to help you mitigate operational risks your business may be facing. Review our COVID-19 FAQs and tips for businesses. (Updated June 26, 2020)
• Restarting equipment after business shut down: As a result of COVID-19, many businesses shut down equipment and could not perform necessary upkeep and/or routine maintenance. Review our guide on restarting equipment so you can return to operations in a safe manner. (Published on June 2, 2020)
• Resuming operations for fitness centers: Review steps to help you manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, customers, and business. (Published on July 29, 2020)
• Resuming K-12 school operations and activities: Resuming school operations and activities in response to COVID-19 guidelines presents unique challenges. Review steps to help you manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, your students, your school, and your community. (Published on June 1, 2020)
• Resuming hotel and resort operations: Resuming hotel and resort operations in response to new COVID-19 guidelines presents unique challenges. Review steps to help you manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, customers, and business. (Published on May 15, 2020)
• Restoring office operations: Resuming office operations in response to new COVID-19 guidelines presents unique challenges. Review steps to help you manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, customers, and business. (Published on May 15, 2020)
• Restarting operations in the restaurant industry: Resuming restaurant operations in response to new COVID-19 guidelines presents unique challenges. Review steps to manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, customers, and business. (Published on May 15, 2020)
• Resuming retail operations: Resuming retail operations in response to new COVID-19 guidelines presents unique challenges. Review steps to manage the reopening in a safe way, protecting your staff, customers, and business. (Published on May 15, 2020)
• Eight areas of focus for restoring business operations: As sections of the country slowly reinstate parts of the workforce, there are critical strategies businesses should consider as they anticipate returning to business operations. (Published on May 8, 2020)
• Restoring operations in manufacturing: Restarting your manufacturing business may present unique challenges. Our planning guide can help you as you work on your plan. (Published on May 8, 2020)
• Construction site safety during shutdown and reopening: COVID-19 activity has led to unplanned construction site closures, and now planned re-openings. Proactively developing shutdown and reopening plans can help you safeguard your workers, the public, and your project.  (Updated on May 8, 2020)

Coverage and claims response

• California COVID-19 employer resources: The governor of California just signed new laws affecting workers compensation. These resources can help you understand and comply with the laws and what they require of employers and insurers. (Published on October 1, 2020)
• COVID-19 Workers Compensation Response: Review our approach for workers compensation (WC) claims handling and employee safety strategies during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Updated on May 19, 2020)
• State-specific information regarding COVID-19:  Review state-specific information related to insurance policies for the loss of business income incurred during a business interruption caused by the COVID-19 virus. (Published on April 17, 2020)
• COVID-19 employer update: WC claims handling and care: Our workers compensation claims teams have activated a few plans to assist you better while keeping people safe. Learn more about the steps we are taking and answers some common questions from brokers and customers. (Published on March 27, 2020)
• Injured worker resources and FAQs: We know COVID-19 response is affecting injured workers. Here are some resources and answers to frequently asked questions to help injured workers with their workers compensation needs during COVID-19. (Published on March 27, 2020)
• Business Income – New York required policyholder information: The NY Department of Financial Services required explanations of the coverage provided in insurance policies for the loss of business income incurred during a business interruption caused by the COVID-19 virus. (Published on March 24, 2020)

Risk control resources

• COVID-19: Manufacturing and repurposed operations: Many manufacturers are changing operations to respond to the needs of this pandemic. Learn more about how repurposing operations may result in new and unexpected exposures. (Published April 22, 2020)
• Risk control tools for the current climate: As businesses work to address the unforeseen challenges of COVID-19, Liberty Mutual’s teams of risk control experts can help you prepare and protect your operation. (Published April 14, 2020)
  
• Guidelines for stores using employee vehicles for deliveries: To meet growing consumer need, many grocery and convenience stores have expanded their delivery services. Review guidance on selecting drivers, vehicle specifications, driver expectations, and more. (Published April 13, 2020)
• Business continuity in uncertain times: When business disruption hits, your operations may face daily unexpected challenges. There are steps you can take to minimize the impact so your business will be in a better position to recover. (Published March 31, 2020)
• Restaurant deliveries using employee vehicles: As state and federal guidelines ask that restaurant dining areas close for the safety of employees and patrons, here are some best practices for restaurants that have employees delivering food in personal vehicles. (Published on March 19, 2020)
• Temporarily closing a facility or downsizing operations: If you are closing a facility or downsizing operations because of COVID-19, having a facility plan can help reduce the exposure of property loss. (Published on March 19, 2020)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): protecting your workplace: Review general guidance for businesses on how to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. (Published on March 13, 2020)
• Working from home: ergonomic checklist: With more employees potentially working from home, this checklist provides tips for staying ergonomically safe. (Published on March 13, 2020)

Operational response (for Liberty Mutual agents and brokers)

• Mid-term exposure requests: Requests to reduce the estimated exposure on a current policy. (Published March 31, 2020)
• Premium audit: In this ever-changing environment, our premium auditors are being extremely flexible. There is no need to complete premium audits immediately. However, we want to ensure customers are only paying premium on the coverage they need. Premium auditors can work with clients to schedule a time in the future that will work best to conduct audits in person or virtually. Review frequently asked questions about our approach to premium audits during this challenging time. (Published March 31, 2020)
• Premium payment deadline extension: Introducing flexible terms on premium accounts payable. (Published March 26, 2020)

Additional resources

• COVID-19 impact on contract surety in the U.S.: All parties involved in construction projects are likely to feel the adverse impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. Review key steps you can take to assess the impact of COVID-19 and mitigate risk. (Published on March 25, 2020)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) resources for healthcare facilities: Access our resource library of COVID-19 guidance from the CDC, CMS, and OSHA to help your healthcare facility plan and respond to the changing landscape. (Published on March 13, 2020)

Your safety and well-being are our primary concern. These suggestions are general in nature, so please ensure that any activities you contemplate comply with all federal, state, and local COVID-19 orders impacting your facilities or operations as well as CDC guidelines for social distancing, hygiene, and other recommended best practices.

Our risk control services are advisory only. We assume no responsibility for: managing or controlling customer safety activities, implementing any recommended corrective measures, or identifying all potential hazards. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards, or regulations. Please refer to the appropriate government authority for interpretation or clarification.

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