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Kapnick Insurance is your trusted independent insurance brokerage throughout the United States and internationally.

Your family, your business and your possessions are all important, but you may not know how to best protect them. We have the experience to navigate your unique risks.
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2023 Market Forecast

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance Over the past couple years, it’s felt like the world is constantly changing and evolving, making it difficult for organizations to keep up. While insurance tends to be steadier than many industries, it’s not without fluctuations. This is where Kapnick comes in – we’re here to help you thrive, not just survive. We have a deep understanding of the industry and what it takes to stay (more…)
February 1, 2023
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2022 Mid-Year Market Update

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance The business insurance marketplace in 2022 continues to face challenges, though there is good news on the horizon—the rate of increases has slowed across almost all lines and we hope to see rates softening as we move into 2023. The cause of the hard market that businesses continue to face is multi-faceted, including: (more…)
Kapnick News

A Look Inside the History of Kapnick Insurance

Many people have heard of or seen Kapnick Insurance in one way or another, but probably don’t know about our vast history. Take a look inside the history of Kapnick Insurance and how it all got started when Doug, Jim, and Mike sat down with WJR’s Business Biography’s host Jeff Sloan. Kapnick was founded in 1946 by Elmer Kapnick. He started the company out of necessity, (more…)
Kapnick News

Kapnick Insurance 2021 Year in Review

From our 2021 Year in Review: As we welcome the new year, Kapnick Insurance reflects back to 2021 and our 75th year in business with fondness and pride. Founded in 1946 by Elmer Kapnick, our firm was originally focused on personal and small commercial insurance, but has since grown into one of the largest, most respected independent brokers in the nation. (more…)
February 1, 2022
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2022 Market Forecast

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance The past few years have been challenging for both businesses and the insurance industry. The increased frequency and severity of claims, social inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, medical inflation, trends in cybercrime, the cost of reinsurance, natural disasters and investment returns have all fundamentally reshaped the insurance market as we know it. (more…)
January 19, 2022
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2021 Mid-Year Market Forecast

The business insurance marketplace in 2021 continues to be hard. Rates are increasing and capacity is decreasing. The cause of the hard market is multi-faceted, but follows a 10-year period of a soft market in which rates decreased and capacity in the marketplace was not an issue. Most believe COVID-19 is still impacting rates, including pricing, (more…)
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2021 Market Forecast

A Letter from Jim Kapnick, CEO I began my introduction to last year’s market forecast with the note that 2019 was a year of both challenges and opportunities. Most would say 2020 was a year of straight challenges. In the US, social upheaval and an election cycle meant uncertainty and stress, while the lingering coronavirus pandemic brought considerable devastation (more…)
Auto ReformPersonal Insurance

The Bare Minimum Could Leave You Bare

We all know that car insurance is important. But sometimes, in an effort to save money, people will buy the bare minimum. Unfortunately, this could end up costing them more in the long run if they're involved in an accident. The following is a excerpt from our article The Bare Minimums Could Leave You Bare on why buying the bare minimum auto insurance is a risky move, and what to focus on instead. What To Do If You Can't Afford Full Coverage Finding a good balance (more…)
February 7, 2023
Auto Reform

MCCA to return surplus funds to Michigan auto policyholders

If you’re a driver in Michigan, you’ve no doubt heard that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) has acted upon Governor Whitmer's call to return surplus funds to Michigan auto policyholders and will begin the process of refunding $400 per vehicle to Michigan drivers who were insured as of 11:59 pm on October 31, 2021. Updated 3.22.2022 Governor Gretchen Whitmer has directed (more…)
February 3, 2022
Auto Reform

No-Fault Reform Update: How Benefits Are Prioritized

Keeping up with the most current information surrounding the No-Fault Reform can be challenging. Today we will cover exactly how benefits are prioritized in this update. What is Changing? PIP – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will be transitioning to tiered levels of coverage. Drivers will have the ability to choose from various tiers that best fit their individual needs. These offerings include: (more…)
Business Insurance

Be Ready: Safeguard Your Business From Unexpected Disruptions

Business interruption is a time when a company is unable to operate because of a negative event, like a fire or flood.  These unexpected disruptions are one of the most worrisome business hazards in today's environment of rising unpredictability. These interruptions can be very expensive and even fatal to your organization if you don't plan carefully. Read on to find out how you (more…)
Business InsuranceEmployee Benefits

Experts in Michigan and Beyond

Wherever you’re located, you want on-the-ground, local experts to ensure you have the best access, resources, and insider knowledge. At Kapnick, we provide this. While Kapnick is the largest privately-owned insurance brokerage in Michigan, our reach extends far beyond our beautiful Great Lakes’ State’s borders. And if we don’t have direct, personal experience (more…)
Business Insurance

Construction Benchmark Report Now Available

You have a lot of decisions to make on a regular basis that have big impacts on your business. So we’ve got big news that can help you! As part of our series of industry-specific benchmark reports on the purchasing decisions of insurance buyers, we just published a 2021 Construction Benchmark Report that dives deep into the decisions made by construction company (more…)
February 28, 2022
Business InsuranceFrom the Experts

The Underwriting Process for Cannabis Risks

The underwriting process for cannabis risks is unique to the cannabis industry. Unlike many other industries, underwriting moves quickly. At Kapnick, we pride ourselves on being flexible yet aggressive. In many cases, carriers will quote based on applications as opposed to accord forms, so having a marketing and service team with strong connections to (more…)
December 8, 2021
Business InsuranceFrom the Experts

What exactly is a surety bond for cannabis, anyhow?

A cannabis surety bond can range from $5,000 to $5,000,000 and provides a financial guarantee to a state or municipality that a company will perform according to the laws and regulations governing your license. A surety bond does this in two ways: 1. By requiring companies to be bonded, additional scrutiny of company and leadership’s finances and credit ensures (more…)
November 29, 2021
Coronavirus

Tips and Tricks on Working from Home with Kids

Kids are off school. You are working remotely, possibly for the first time ever. Everyone is staying home to stay safe, and trying to find a new normal. Juggling your responsibilities won’t be easy, but by following some tips and tricks, you can establish some household best practices to make the transition easier for everyone.
Protect your workplace from the CoronavirusCoronavirus

Protect Your Workplace from the Coronavirus

Much is unknown about how the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads, but following best practice guidelines for dealing with infectious diseases is the first step toward protecting your workforce. Below are guidelines on how to plan and respond to COVID-19 from the CDC, along with an HR-specific FAQ on how to handle infectious disease outbreaks, and how to create a plan to protect employees who may be exposed to disease at work. While protecting your office, be sure to remain vigilant on compliance and liability concerns. Employers must prevent stigma and unlawful discrimination by taking into account…
FSA letters hanging on rope with colorful clothespinsEmployee Benefits

The Tax Benefits of FSAs

Are you tired of paying exorbitant medical, dental, vision, or hearing bills with after-tax dollars? Look no further than flexible spending accounts (FSAs)! These accounts are a powerful tool that allow individuals to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Here's how it works: As an employee, you agree to contribute a portion of your pre-tax salary into an FSA. This money is then automatically (more…)
April 20, 2023
Employee Benefits

DEI: Increasing Awareness Of Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias happens when people form impressions about other people that are either positive or negative based on stereotypes or preconceived notions about things like race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, or other characteristics. Unconscious biases are usually ones that people aren't aware of; they result from the brain's tendency to group things together to (more…)
Employee Benefits

Mental Health Matters: How Business Leaders Can Help

Mental health is an issue that affects all of us, but for business leaders it can be especially daunting. In a world where success is measured in terms of profit and productivity, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of mental health for both you and your teams. As a leader, it’s important to recognize the impact of mental health on overall performance and take (more…)
Employee Benefits

Why DIY COBRA Can Be Costly for You as an Employeer

Do-it-yourself (DIY) COBRA administration can be time consuming and expensive due to the legal ramifications of not following the multiplicity of requirements for each COBRA event. Failure to comply can lead to costly penalties and/or claims responsibility for you as an employer. Due to the complexities of the law and potentially serious consequences for mistakes (more…)
Employee Benefits

Diversity vs. Inclusion: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to business, the terms "diversity" and "inclusion" are often used interchangeably. However, there is a big difference between the two concepts – and it's important for leaders to understand the distinction. Defining Diversity And Inclusion Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but rather an embodiment of how we strive to make everyone feel safe and accepted. (more…)
February 7, 2023
Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits Education: FMLA Guide

Whether you are unable to work because of your own serious health condition, or because you need to care for your parent, spouse, or child with a serious health condition, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides unpaid, job-protected leave for qualified employees. Leave may be taken all at once, or may be taken intermittently as the medical condition requires. Kapnick provides this FMLA guide as a simple (more…)
February 2, 2023
Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits Education: Health Insurance Terminology

The health care system in the United States can be confusing. In order to get the most out of your health care benefits, you need to understand the terms used by insurance companies, the government, health plans and health care providers. As part of Kapnick Benefit Services employee benefits education series, we put together this handy list of health insurance terminology. (more…)
January 20, 2023
Employee BenefitsLegislative Updates

Key 2023 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines

Employers must comply with numerous reporting and disclosure requirements throughout the year in connection with their group health plans. If you are concerned about missing key 2023 health compliance deadlines, we created this compliance overview that explains key 2023 compliance deadlines for employer sponsored group health plans. It also outlines group health plan notices employers must provide each year. (more…)
January 19, 2023
Employee Benefits

DEI: The Value of Using Inclusive Language in the Workplace – 6 simple tips

In today's world, the need for businesses to embrace inclusivity is more important than ever. Research indicates that by changing language and implementing self-awareness strategies, employers can make meaningful progress towards a more diverse and equitable workplace. Creating a welcoming environment goes beyond hiring practices and involves using inclusive language in the workplace that's sensitive (more…)
January 17, 2023
Case StudiesEmployee Benefits

HDHP vs. PPO – A Kapnick Case Study

The following is a case study based on real Kapnick clients about an employee trying to choose between a HDHP or a PPO medical insurance plan. THE PROBLEM An employee whose main healthcare expense is prescription costs were given the choice by their employer between a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Despite the fact that their (more…)
Employee Benefits

Health and Wellness Improve Workplace Productivity

One of the most important things for employees in the workplace is their health and wellness. A healthy employee is a productive employee as they are able to focus their time and energy on work, not what might have them feeling under the weather. At Kapnick, we have various tools and resources available to help improve and maintain the health and wellness of clients (more…)
Employee BenefitsFrom the Experts

Maneuvering the Return to the Firm, Post-COVID

Over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic started to change the world, it is still affecting everyday lives – especially in the workplace. Many employees do not want to return to the “normal” that was before the COVID pandemic, preferring a hybrid or fully remote schedule. In a recent Mercer study, the flexibility to work from home went from 17th in 2020 to 2nd in 2022 on the list of what (more…)
July 6, 2022
Employee Benefits

Consolidating Complicated Cannabis Employee Benefits

At Kapnick, we understand there are a variety of ways to structure your organization and employee benefits plan, particularly if you have multiple locations and profit centers. Cannabis organizations in particular can have complicated arrangements. Whatever your unique situation, we can help ensure you have the right benefits structure. Read more about how we saved (more…)
Business InsuranceEmployee Benefits

Experts in Michigan and Beyond

Wherever you’re located, you want on-the-ground, local experts to ensure you have the best access, resources, and insider knowledge. At Kapnick, we provide this. While Kapnick is the largest privately-owned insurance brokerage in Michigan, our reach extends far beyond our beautiful Great Lakes’ State’s borders. And if we don’t have direct, personal experience (more…)
Employee Benefits

Expanding Your HR Team Without Hiring

Enrolling, administering, filing, auditing, correcting, answering questions. Managing your employees’ benefits can be challenging, especially during busy seasons like open enrollment, or if you don’t have a fully staffed HR team. Kapnick can help expand your HR team without hiring additional employees. Kapnick's online benefits platform allows our clients to significantly reduce administration costs, eliminate time-consuming paperwork, and enable a (more…)
Employee BenefitsFrom the Experts

Retain and Recruit Employees Without Breaking the Bank

A full year since the start of the “great resignation” employers are still struggling to retain and recruit, and employees continue to walk away from their employers in record numbers. A Prudential survey conducted toward the end of 2021 found that 46% of workers were actively seeking or considering finding a new job, and labor statistics backed those findings. (more…)
Employee BenefitsFrom the Experts

Expert Insight to Keep Your Cannabis Company Growing

At Kapnick, we understand not all industries, businesses, or individuals have the same challenges or concerns. To that end, we have developed Kapnick’s areas of specialization, where our experts dig into the specifics details of your industry’s unique risks. One of those specialized fields of knowledge is the quickly evolving cannabis industry. As experts in employee (more…)
Case StudiesEmployee Benefits

One Firm Solutions – A Kapnick Case Study

The following is a case study based on a real Kapnick client. THE PROBLEM One of our Employee Benefits clients was having issues with their Business Insurance broker. Not only were they not receiving the kind of care and service they were used to with their Kapnick benefits team, but they felt as if they were paying too much premium for too little coverage. (more…)
Older latinx couple kayakingPersonal Insurance

Financial Risks for Women in Retirement

Retirement is an important and exciting time for many individuals, but it can also be a source of financial risk. Women are particularly at risk due to factors such as longer life expectancies, higher healthcare costs, and widowhood. By understanding the challenges and having a plan in place, women can ensure that their retirement years are secure, comfortable, and rewarding.  ​​ (more…)
Personal Insurance

Don’t Let Storms Catch You Unprepared

Each year, weather-related disasters affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Fires, floods, earthquakes, and man-made disasters are only a few of the many different forms of emergencies. Basic services like electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephone service could be interrupted for days, even weeks. You might not have immediate access to local responders, or they might need to direct their attention (more…)
Woman Building Brick Path Home Improvements - GettyImages-1351328558_1200x800Personal Insurance

Remodeling? Review your homeowner’s policy!

As a homeowner, you need to protect your investment, especially after a remodel. The following tips will help you ensure you have the coverage you need—eliminating worry and additional hassles. Review Your Homeowner's Policy Limits Make sure that your home has sufficient coverage if you’ve remodeled, made an addition, or purchased an expensive item for your home. (more…)
Personal Insurance

Insuring Your Collectibles

You've spent years collecting your favorite items. So how do you make sure your collection is protected in case of fire, theft, or damage? Collectibles, such as comic books, baseball cards, whiskey, art, and vintage toys, can be precious investments that require special care when it comes to insurance. If you own any collectibles of significant value or sentimental importance, it's essential to have the right coverage in place to protect them. (more…)
Auto ReformPersonal Insurance

The Bare Minimum Could Leave You Bare

We all know that car insurance is important. But sometimes, in an effort to save money, people will buy the bare minimum. Unfortunately, this could end up costing them more in the long run if they're involved in an accident. The following is a excerpt from our article The Bare Minimums Could Leave You Bare on why buying the bare minimum auto insurance is a risky move, and what to focus on instead. What To Do If You Can't Afford Full Coverage Finding a good balance (more…)
February 7, 2023
Insurance UpdatePersonal Insurance

7 Simple Strategies For A Safe and Secure Home Office

During Home Office Safety and Security Week which occurs in the second full week in January each year, individuals are urged to assess the safety of their home work environments. Take time to learn about home office safety and security strategies, then assess your workspace to pinpoint any security vulnerabilities that could jeopardize you or your data. Many of the best practices for home office safety and security are common (more…)
January 20, 2023
Employee BenefitsLegislative Updates

Key 2023 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines

Employers must comply with numerous reporting and disclosure requirements throughout the year in connection with their group health plans. If you are concerned about missing key 2023 health compliance deadlines, we created this compliance overview that explains key 2023 compliance deadlines for employer sponsored group health plans. It also outlines group health plan notices employers must provide each year. (more…)
January 19, 2023
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due to CMSLegislative Updates

Legislative Update – PCORI Fees Alert – June 2022

Quick Facts: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and employers that sponsor self-funded group health plans to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees. Employers that sponsor fully insured health plans are not required to pay the fee directly, but employers sponsoring self-funded plans must pay the fee annually on IRS Form 720. (more…)
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due to CMSLegislative Updates

Legislative Update – ARPA EB Changes – March 2021

Quick Facts: Congress passed the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which President Biden is expected to sign tomorrow. The bill includes significant employee benefits related provisions including a federal subsidy that will cover 100% of the cost of COBRA continuation coverage effective April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 (more…)
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due to CMSLegislative Updates

Legislative Update – DOL Releases EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 – March 2021

Quick Facts:Last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued new guidance regarding notice and disclosure timeframe relief for employee benefit plans and plan participants due to COVID-19. EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 (The Joint Notice) clarifies that the deadline for extended timeframes, such as a COBRA election, will be based upon the date each (more…)
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due to CMSLegislative Updates

Legislative Update – IRS Extends ACA Reporting Deadline – October 2020

Quick Facts: In Notice 2020-76, the IRS extended the 2021 deadline for employers and insurers to furnish individual statements on 2020 health coverage and full-time employee status (Forms 1095-B and 1095-C) from February 1 (generally due January 31, but this year it is a Sunday) to March 2, 2021. The notice also extends the good-faith penalty relief to 2020 for incorrect or incomplete reports due in 2021. For more information, including a link to Notice 2020-76, click below: (more…)
October 29, 2020
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due to CMSLegislative Updates

Legislative Update: PCORI Fees Due July 31

Quick Facts: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and employers that sponsor self‐insured health plans to pay Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). Though the PCORI fee was scheduled to expire for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2019, it was extended to plan years ending on or before September (more…)
Insurance UpdatePersonal Insurance

7 Simple Strategies For A Safe and Secure Home Office

During Home Office Safety and Security Week which occurs in the second full week in January each year, individuals are urged to assess the safety of their home work environments. Take time to learn about home office safety and security strategies, then assess your workspace to pinpoint any security vulnerabilities that could jeopardize you or your data. Many of the best practices for home office safety and security are common (more…)
January 20, 2023
Risk Solutions

Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Services

Now is the time to review your disaster recovery plans and procedures for hurricanes and other natural disasters. At Kapnick, we have tools to help, including emergency plan worksheets, checklists, and more. Storm's brewing. Be prepared. When disaster hits, many businesses find themselves under-prepared. (more…)
Specialty Risk

KSR Summary: PPP Insurance Summary

Background: In connection with the COVID-19 epidemic, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES Act in order to provide financial support and relief to businesses and individual citizens. As part of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (‘PPP’) was put in place to provide potentially forgivable loans to small businesses (under 500 employees) who were struggling financially due to the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. The PPP loans were administered by local, regional and national banks and the program is overseen by the Small Business Administration (‘SBA’). The Risk: Applicants for PPP loans needed to demonstrate that the loan request…
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2023 Market Forecast

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance Over the past couple years, it’s felt like the world is constantly changing and evolving, making it difficult for organizations to keep up. While insurance tends to be steadier than many industries, it’s not without fluctuations. This is where Kapnick comes in – we’re here to help you thrive, not just survive. We have a deep understanding of the industry and what it takes to stay (more…)
February 1, 2023
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2022 Mid-Year Market Update

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance The business insurance marketplace in 2022 continues to face challenges, though there is good news on the horizon—the rate of increases has slowed across almost all lines and we hope to see rates softening as we move into 2023. The cause of the hard market that businesses continue to face is multi-faceted, including: (more…)
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2022 Market Forecast

Market Insights from Kapnick Insurance The past few years have been challenging for both businesses and the insurance industry. The increased frequency and severity of claims, social inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, medical inflation, trends in cybercrime, the cost of reinsurance, natural disasters and investment returns have all fundamentally reshaped the insurance market as we know it. (more…)
January 19, 2022
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2021 Mid-Year Market Forecast

The business insurance marketplace in 2021 continues to be hard. Rates are increasing and capacity is decreasing. The cause of the hard market is multi-faceted, but follows a 10-year period of a soft market in which rates decreased and capacity in the marketplace was not an issue. Most believe COVID-19 is still impacting rates, including pricing, (more…)
Kapnick NewsMarket Forecast

2021 Market Forecast

A Letter from Jim Kapnick, CEO I began my introduction to last year’s market forecast with the note that 2019 was a year of both challenges and opportunities. Most would say 2020 was a year of straight challenges. In the US, social upheaval and an election cycle meant uncertainty and stress, while the lingering coronavirus pandemic brought considerable devastation (more…)
Case StudiesEmployee Benefits

HDHP vs. PPO – A Kapnick Case Study

The following is a case study based on real Kapnick clients about an employee trying to choose between a HDHP or a PPO medical insurance plan. THE PROBLEM An employee whose main healthcare expense is prescription costs were given the choice by their employer between a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Despite the fact that their (more…)
Case StudiesEmployee Benefits

One Firm Solutions – A Kapnick Case Study

The following is a case study based on a real Kapnick client. THE PROBLEM One of our Employee Benefits clients was having issues with their Business Insurance broker. Not only were they not receiving the kind of care and service they were used to with their Kapnick benefits team, but they felt as if they were paying too much premium for too little coverage. (more…)