Cla ins.

[BCW]

You guys that have it. Is it competitive to your old policy. Is it adequate, Apples to Apples in coverage. Did you take the optional bus. interruption and for what length of time. Coverages? etc. I have a couple questions about the workmans comp. form, I hope somebody can answer. What the heck is Agency Customer ID CPK# and UI# (unemployment Ins.) and Risk ID# ?

Thanks, Tom

[thinkclean]

You guys that have it. Is it competitive to your old policy. Is it adequate, Apples to Apples in coverage. Did you take the optional bus. interruption and for what length of time. Coverages? etc. I have a couple questions about the workmans comp. form, I hope somebody can answer. What the heck is Agency Customer ID CPK# and UI# (unemployment Ins.) and Risk ID# ?

Thanks, Tom

I used CLA for both insurance and workers' comp but didn't shop around because I didn't feel the typical broker understood what we need. I did compare my rate with my friend's mat and he said I have a good rate and he was going to check in with CLA. Working with CLA has been a pleasure, fill out an application and you can talk to them on the phone too if you have questions. The underwriter is America's First Insurance and CNA for workers' comp.

[CanCanCase]

Noting that Credit ratings and other policies held with the same broker/underwriters will affect the premiums, the CLA option was a slight bit higher than what my local agent could get for me.

In CLA's defense, I didn't have any idea (at the time) what my opening/closing/remodel/re-opening dates were, nor to what extent we would be remodeling the rehab store, so it was very difficult to put firm numbers on equipment value, number/size of machines, etc... it was only after Store #1 was completed and we had a floorplan and timeline for Store #2 that I was able to hammer those numbers down... the local agent got the business.

I will absolutely comparison shop the CLA policy when it comes renewal time next year, however, as I did get the impression they have a better handle on what we need. The local agent has "canned" policies that include plenty of extra unnecessary fluff and are missing a few basics (like bailee coverage for WDF)... sure, I've added the missing pieces on, but can't get rid of the fluff, so now the cost is about 3-4% higher than the CLA version without the fluff.

For general purposes, I dislike dealing with insurance agents. The CLA folks were as helpful as I could have expected being new to the business. Now if I can get my yacht insurance underwriter to tell me just how far "offshore" waters extend I'll be able to go tuna fishing in a few weeks...!

-Case

[Adamski]

... Now if I can get my yacht insurance underwriter to tell me just how far "offshore" waters extend I'll be able to go tuna fishing in a few weeks...!

Case,

Yeh, I just love studying insurance policies of all kinds ... about as much as I love flying through a thunderstorm. Anyway, my yacht policy covers usage in the Great Lakes and connecting waters so basically, if my yacht is wet ... I'm covered.

I know a guy who's yacht sank in Lake Michigan a few years ago. Divers went down to find out what caused it to rapidly sink. They found a large hole in the bow. Funny part was, the hull material was forced outward indicating the hole was made from the inside of the hull. Claim denied and go directly to jail.

[BCW]

I ended up switching the rest of my policies to one co.(where I had my truck./auto ins.) Excellent agent, excellent policy. A++ rated underwriter, with a nice discount for having all of my insurance with one co. CLA is non rated underwriter, so I couldn't even consider them. I did alot of research on ins. Now, I know. Everyone should review and compare ins. What you don't know could ruin you.

Tom

[Jefflange]

I thought the CLA just acts as broker now. I think in the past they had their own policy.

[Michelle_Comer]

CLA Insurance is an agency that insures laundries using one of five A-rated carriers.

Since CLA Insurance only writes coverage for laundries, agents are experts who understand the unique nature of the laundry industry and the proper coverage required.

Laundry owners are always welcome to a free quote and/or free policy review.

[chad]

I went thru safco, which had great rates, now i belive they are some other company. But they do a ton of laundrymat policyes.

[STOUT]

CLA Insurance is an agency that insures laundries using one of five A-rated carriers.

Since CLA Insurance only writes coverage for laundries, agents are experts who understand the unique nature of the laundry industry and the proper coverage required.

Laundry owners are always welcome to a free quote and/or free policy review.

Michelle;

Why do you need 5 different carriers? Could you not just have 2 or 3 to secure more business and receive larger discounts?
Who are the 5 carriers? (names)
What are the differences between them which one is better?

[Duane]

Not all carriers cover the entire country. Some carriers will cover Florida while others will not. Some carriers offer better rates some areas, but not other areas. As with different type of stores (attended - unattended, regular hours - 24 hours, etc) some insurance companies will only insure certain types of stores. With multiple carriers the CLA can receive several quotes for the best rate possible for each owner.

Also, when a carrier decides to drop laundromat coverages, it is good to have several other carriers to fall back on.

[STOUT]

Duane and everyone else;

I understand about having a choice and only having certain geographic conditions. However CLA is an agent.

I was talking to an insurance agent and discussed about group laundry insurance. He told me that the groups represent certain industries. If they are doing there job they will tell the insurer what they want in the policies so the insurance company will alter their blanket policy to more specific coverages. Like x amount of $ for art work or more $ coverages for sewer. Or since we are mainly a cash business and not accrual the groups opt for higher coverages for the amount of cash on premises.

All in all they should provide us with a better cost and stronger coverage because they are representing a specific target market with only certain needs and not a lot of fluff that normally will not give us the coverage we do not need.

In my opinion CLA should have the best insurance because they know us and should represent our needs more distinctly.
Is that the case?

[Brian_Wallace]

For the sake of further transparency and clarity, I wanted to add the following about laundry insurance in general and what we do at CLA Insurance.

CLA Insurance is an appointed agent for five insurance carriers. While we have offered insurance to laundry owners for 22 years through multiple formats (i.e. fully-owned offshore captive, exclusive single-carrier program, independent multi-carrier agency), we believe that the current structure enables us to deliver the best coverage at the best prices to the most laundry owners. This way we can shop your policy within the agency and not have “all of the eggs in one basket.”

This is especially important for our industry where claims do occur and loss ratios tend to run much higher than normally-accepted insurance industry norms. Another reason for multiple carriers is to access a variety of underwriting appetites for self-service laundry insurance. For example, some carriers will not write policies for laundries that are unattended, partially-attended and/or 24-hours. As a multi-carrier agency we are able to extend coverage to owners in these situations.

One thing that all of our carriers have in common is an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of “A, A- (Excellent)”. CLA Insurance will only offer coverage from A-rated carriers.

CLA Insurance’s objective is - and always has been - to offer members the best possible service and coverage at the best price available to the agency. The agency suggests that owners shop their policies every one to two years. When doing so, keep in mind that laundries need specific coverage, which is unique to this line of business. These added coverages can affect the premium, but more importantly, they can have a major impact if you have a claim and are not correctly covered. Always thoroughly review your policy to ensure that the coverage provided is accurate and adequate. If you’re not sure, ask us – whether you’re insured with us or not.

As a licensed insurance agent myself, I am committed to making sure that our customers are insured the right way for the right coverage at the right price. This may not always be the absolute lowest premium in every case, but you can be sure that it has been insured the right way by an agency that has a vested interest in the self-service laundry industry and in your success as an operator. Laundry insurance is the only type of coverage we sell as an agency.

CLA Insurance is a wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary of Coin Laundry Association and if you believe in the association’s value, you should feel good about the fact that any profits derived from the company are used to pursue CLA’s non-profit mission to protect and grow the self-service laundry industry. Can your insurance agent say the same?

Brian R. Wallace
President and CEO, Coin Laundry Association
President and Chairman of the Board, CLA Program Services, Inc. (CLA Insurance)

[Sudds]

Speaking of CLA Ins. I tried calling them on Friday afternoon to get insurance but they were closed for the holiday. "?" But why couldn't we leave a message for a callback no?

[Brian_Wallace]

Sudds, thanks for the heads-up and sorry you couldn't get through on Friday afternoon. I called the number on Saturday morning myself after reading your post and got the same weird voicemail message (...enter you mailbox number...). In talking with our staff this morning, it turns out that there was a system-wide voicemail glitch with our phone provider that is currently being repaired. You are welcome to give them a call today during business hours (8:30am to 4:30pm Central) or send me an email at brian@coinlaundry.org with your contact information and I will have one of our representatives give you a call to get the ball rolling. Thanks!

Brian Wallace
President and CEO, Coin Laundry Association
President and Chairman, CLA Program Services, Inc. (CLA Insurance)