Wade Millward
wade@rikor.io

Wade activity

3 Articles Written Last Month

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Updated September 6th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Workers Compensation: How to add Class Codes to ADP

Adding workers' compensation class codes to your employee profiles within ADP is important to make the auditing process easier.  Here is a quick tutorial by Chad Rabideau at ADP instructing how to do it.  ADDING WORKERS COMPENSATION CLASS CODES TO ADP Login to your ADP Dashboard Click on the Settings  tab in the left panel  Scroll down to the bottom...

0 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

RMS Overview Tab

The RMS Overview Tab includes the following:  Average Compliance Score  The overall average compliance score of all active franchisees COI Request Status Pending vs uploaded certificates of insurance  Coverage Analysis Shows required coverages only and their respective status        ...

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Updated March 21st, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: Understanding Your Insurance Audit: Why You Might Owe More Than Expected

If you’ve received a surprise bill after your insurance policy term ended, you’re not alone. Audits are a standard part of Workers' Compensation and General Liability policies, and they’re designed to compare your estimated payroll and revenues to what actually happened during the policy period. If those estimates were low — or if documentation was ...

3 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Rikor's Service Level Agreement

  Service Level Agreement for Rikor Insurance Customers New insurance quotes: 91% of all quotes are completed within 14 Days Certificate of insurance requests: 1 Day Average turnaround time Change request: 1 Day Average turnaround time Additional information: Insurance quotes can vary and sometimes take 14 business days depending on the circumstance...

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Updated February 26th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Hidden Factors That Shape Your Franchise Insurance Costs

Franchise owners know that insurance isn't just a checkbox—it's a strategic financial shield. But what many don't realize is how seemingly minor details can dramatically reshape your general liability insurance costs. Insurance premiums aren't arbitrary numbers pulled from thin air. They're carefully calculated algorithms based on specific business ...

1 min reading time
Updated January 27th, 2025 by Wade Millward

How to upload a COI

You'll receive different emails requesting you to upload a COI. Follow the instructions by first clicking on the link. The email that you will receive will look similar to the following:    After clicking “View in RMS” it will take you directly to your dedicated COI Upload page:  Once you're on the upload page all you need to do is drag and drop you...

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Updated January 11th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: What does minimum or fully earned mean?

Fully Earned Policy A "fully earned" policy means that the insurance premium is non-refundable, regardless of when the policy is canceled. From the moment the policy is effective, the insurer considers the premium to be fully earned. This concept is common in certain types of insurance policies where the risk of a claim does not decrease over time. ...

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How Do I Look for Problematic Exclusions in My Policy?

Introduction Understanding your commercial insurance policy is crucial to ensure you are adequately covered. Exclusions are specific conditions or circumstances that are not covered by your insurance policy. Identifying and understanding these exclusions can help you avoid unexpected gaps in coverage. Here’s a guide on how to look for and understand...

1 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

First things first

First things first Before Franchisors partner with Rikor, it's important to go through a few steps to ensure success. These are vital to establishing a partnership to ensure the franchisor receives the most value from the relationship. The franchisee will also greatly benefit from these initial steps, making their insurance experience easier, simple...

1 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

How do I incorporate it into my current process?

This is intended for the Director of Operations or main point of contact at the Franchisor Level. Successful adoption begins with the Director of Operations assuming a new role of encouraging a culture of “Risk Management.” A strong culture of Risk Management will hopefully lead to a higher Average Rate of Compliance . The higher the rate of complia...

2 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Supporting your franchisees insurance experience

Supporting your franchisees insurance experience NEW ZEE ONBOARDING/QUOTING PROCESS:  Franchisees partner with us because we keep the insurance purchasing process simple. Our goal is to make it simple and transparent.  During our discovery call our dedicated franchise brand consultants will get to know you, and your needs. What they won't be doing i...

1 min reading time
Updated October 21st, 2024 by Wade Millward

Phase 3: Continuous Monitoring and Reporting

Expected Outcomes Improved Franchisee Compliance : A structured communication plan and clear consequences will encourage franchisees to prioritize compliance. Reduced Risk Exposure : By ensuring all policies are verified and compliant, you significantly reduce the risk of uninsured events and legal issues. Strengthened Franchisee-Franchisor Relation...

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Updated March 17th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Why Is Workers’ Compensation So Hard to Secure for First-Year Franchisees in High-Risk Industries?

Securing workers’ compensation insurance poses a unique challenge for first-year franchisees in high-risk fields like roofing, framing, or high-rise window cleaning (above three stories). These industries face elevated injury risks, making them tough to insure—especially without a proven track record. This article explores why coverage is hard to ob...

3 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

RMS Settings Tab

RMS Settings Tab Account Information Franchise entity information Point of Contact Add users to access the RMS  Remove users from the RMS  Turn on or off different reports that are sent out periodically Insurance Requirements All insurance coverages the RMS can monitor Includes all currently required coverages Includes all requirements for each type...

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Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Incorporating Rikor into onboarding new zees

Incorporating Rikor into onboarding new zees The Director of Operations (DOO) can experience the highest rates of successful adoption by seamlessly onboarding new Zees during training. We suggest the DOO review all training and onboarding materials such as the onboarding workflow and incorporate rikor into them. We are usually at least “step 3.” Get...

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Updated January 30th, 2025 by Wade Millward

How do I See a List of My Franchisees?

The RMS Franchisee tab shows all active franchisees in the system, their business information, and insurance compliance data.  Franchisee List View includes:  Search - you can use this to search center name, entity name, first name, last name etc…  Center Name - this is the center name, territory name or number, depending on how you identify your fr...

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Updated January 11th, 2025 by Wade Millward

I work with subcontractors, what should I be aware of?

Why Franchisees Use Subcontractors Current Difficulty with Finding Employees: The tight labor market has made subcontractors an appealing solution. Avoidance of Payroll Taxes: Many franchisees believe subcontractors reduce administrative burdens like payroll taxes. Belief that “1099 Employees Don’t Require Coverage”: A common misconception that can ...

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Where is Rikor licensed to sell insurance?

Rikor is licensed in all 50 states.  Additional information:  Some states like Hawaii, Florida, and New York are more challenging. Coastal hazards and regulations make it difficult for all brokers. Pricing will vary based on location, it is not standard. Please do not compare your insurance costs to another franchisee within the same brand, especial...

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Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Initiating Franchisee Insurance Compliance

Initiating Franchisee Insurance Compliance This process is critical to ensuring Rikor receives the correct data to initiate the franchisee insurance compliance process. Franchisors partner with Rikor because we try to simplify the process of collecting existing data. To make it simple for you, we've partnered with several franchise management system...

2 min reading time
Updated February 12th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: Do I Need to Request a W-9 from My Insurance Agent to Issue a 1099-NEC?

In most cases, no, you do not need to request a W-9 from your insurance agent to issue a 1099-NEC. Here’s why: Insurance Premiums Are Not Reportable Payments made for insurance premiums are not considered taxable income to the agent or broker. Since these payments go toward coverage provided by the insurance carrier, they do not require a 1099-NEC. ...

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Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

What insurance companies does Rikor work with?

Rikor works with many national and regional insurance companies. The above is a sample of some of the insurance companies we work with. As we align with new franchise partners, Rikor also continues to increase the number of insurance carrier partners to ensure franchisees are getting the best product at a competitive price.  Additional information: ...

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Updated November 8th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Getting Started

REQUEST A QUOTE When our clients are prepared to request a quote the fastest way to initiate this is through our quote request form.  Click to Quote Select your brand Enter your email address Confirm your identity with the verification # in your email Complete your form Press “Get Quote”  This will initiate our team to actively take your insurance t...

3 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

General Liability: Bodily Injury

Bodily Injury' coverage is a part of your liability insurance that protects against claims of physical harm caused to someone by your business operations. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, and legal defense costs if your business is sued. It's a fundamental part of your policy, considering the physical nature of home services work. Imag...

0 min reading time
Updated September 12th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How to request a certificate of insurance or COI

To request a certificate of insurance or COI, follow these simple steps. Following these steps will allow us to issue a certificate of insurance correctly and eliminate back-and-forth, which takes time away from what you should be doing.  Email support@rikor.io Include the formal request, often there is an email or a pdf attachment Certificate holde...

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Updated March 21st, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurnace 101: How do I prepare for an audit?

Some surprises are nice — but an unexpected invoice with an additional premium due to an insurance audit definitely isn’t one of them. Here’s how to avoid that unpleasant surprise and stay ahead of your audit. Step One: Setting Up the Policy Insurance policy premiums are based on one or more of the following: Annual Revenue, Annual Payroll (broken d...

2 min reading time
Updated March 3rd, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: How do I complete a Statement of Values (SOV) Form?

Understanding the Statement of Values (SOV) Schedule The Statement of Values (SOV) Schedule is a critical document used in insurance underwriting. It provides a detailed breakdown of an insured's property values, helping insurers assess risk exposure and determine appropriate coverage. Below is a comprehensive explanation of each field in the SOV. 1...

3 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Process Integration

Process Integration Rikor insists that building a “Culture of Risk Management” begins with a process. Zee’s want to adequately protect their investments but lack processes. These are the processes that are needed: Onboarding Process Quoting Process Policy Servicing Process Renewal Process Monitoring Process Onboarding Process: Inform the franchisees...

1 min reading time
Updated November 8th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Franchisee Support Information

CONTACT US Rikor remains committed to optimizing communication. This is why we use a team inbox for franchisees interested in getting a quote, hello@rikor.io. This allows as many eyes on our inbox as needed to deal with the flow of emails. We'll respond quickly. POLICY SUPPORT Many of our clients need support for their policies, either requesting ce...

1 min reading time
Updated November 20th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How do I estimate my revenue or payroll for renewals?

Instructional Guide: Exposure Reporting for Insurance Renewal When renewing your insurance policy, accurate exposure estimates are crucial. These estimates, which may include revenue, payroll, subcontractor expenses, and other factors, determine your premium and help avoid surprises during or after the policy period. Depending on your policy type, t...

1 min reading time
Updated October 7th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How do I view what's wrong with my COI?

Key Steps: If you don't have an email that has been sent to you from Rikor, navigate to app.rikor.io to login Use the “Send a Code” option if you don't have a password Be sure to use the exact same email that you use for your franchise Navigate to the compliance tab on the portal to view a list of requirements and issues that need to be addressed. C...

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Updated January 13th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Mission, Vision & Values

Vision Protecting the risk-takers from the unforeseeable. We Believe At Rikor, we believe in the power of entrepreneurs—the ones who dare to dream, build, and make things happen. These risk-takers are the backbone of progress, driving innovation and creating opportunities. They face the unforeseeable with courage, and our vision is to stand beside t...

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Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Why is the RMS important?

The Risk Management System (RMS) is crucial for several reasons: Insurance Compliance Monitoring: The RMS automates the monitoring of insurance compliance for franchisees, ensuring they maintain the necessary coverage as per the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) requirements. This reduces the administrative burden on franchise owners and helps the...

2 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Rikor's audit mitigation strategy

As a small business owner, audits are inevitable. They are most common with workers compensation. Do not avoid them, they won't go away. Audits are involuntary and mandated by the states, not the insurance companies. The best we can do is mitigate them.  Rikor's strategy to mitigate an audit is to reach out throughout the year. You'll see emails lik...

0 min reading time
Updated October 7th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Why is Rikor requesting a Certificate of Insurance from me?

The franchise brand has partnered with Rikor to ease the challenge of monitoring insurance compliance at scale for all franchisees. Insurance is important to both the franchisee to protect your investment and the franchise brand. The brand's reputation is at stake, one franchisee can bring the entire franchise brand down with an uninsured claim.  A ...

0 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

What to expect

THE RIKOR SHIELD™ is our commitment to servicing your policy throughout the year with performance excellence. Rikor remains dedicated to delivering unmatched policy support to our franchisees. The shield represents our commitment to providing 14 -day quote turnarounds,  1 -day turnarounds for Certificate Requests, and  1-day change requests for Endo...

0 min reading time
Updated November 8th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Phase 1: Eliminating "Not-Verified" Policy Statuses

Expected Outcome To help you, as a franchisor, ensure that all franchisees have at least uploaded their policy documentation (moving their status from "Not-Verified") and subsequently work on improving compliance for those who are "Non-Compliant." This plan outlines a clear pathway using your RMS dashboard, along with potential consequences for non-...

1 min reading time
Updated March 5th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Getting to know the RMS

Getting to know the RMS RMS stands for Risk Management System. It is a platform that we use to automate insurance compliance monitoring, ensuring that franchisees or vendors maintain the necessary coverage. The RMS helps alleviate the burden on administrators by managing all insurance documentation and compliance monitoring for the franchisees assoc...

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Updated October 7th, 2024 by Wade Millward

What is the Difference between Bonded and Insured

Objective: This guide aims to help small business owners understand the difference between being bonded and insured, particularly in the context of licensing requirements. Key Concepts Definitions: Insured: Being insured means you have protection against financial loss or damage. It provides coverage in case of accidents, lawsuits, property damage, ...

1 min reading time
Updated November 15th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Garage: Auto Liability vs Garage Liability

Auto liability insurance covers damages or injuries you may cause to others while driving a company vehicle. It’s essential for businesses that own and operate vehicles, like automotive repair shops or window tinting services with mobile units. This policy protects you financially if one of your employees causes an accident on the road. However, if ...

0 min reading time
Updated January 11th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Who is Rikor

At Rikor, we are committed to protecting the risk-takers from the unforeseeable. Our mission is to shape the future of insurance by partnering with 1,000 franchise brands, making insurance more accessible, transparent, and effective. Rikor's purpose is clear: we aim to eliminate virtually all insurance compliance risks and friction through relentles...

0 min reading time
Updated November 5th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: How to Read a Certificate of Insurance

Understanding the ACORD 25 Certificate of Insurance Introduction to ACORD In the U.S. insurance industry, ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) standards are widely used to facilitate accurate and standardized documentation. The ACORD 25 Certificate of Insurance is a common form used to provide evidence of insurance...

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Why Correct Classifications Are So Important

Introduction In the insurance industry, correct classifications are fundamental to the integrity and effectiveness of the entire process. Accurate classifications ensure that risk is properly assessed, premiums are fair, and claims are handled efficiently. Here’s a detailed look at why correct classifications are so crucial. Key Reasons for Correct ...

1 min reading time
Updated October 28th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Franchisor FAQ

Q: When should I step in if a franchisee doesn’t respond or take action on their compliance status? What are the consequences? How do other franchisors handle this? A: You should step in after the RMS has sent several automated reminders, typically around 30 days after the compliance issue persists. Consequences are decided by the brand, but some fr...

3 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Commonly Asked Questions - FAQ

Do I need a work comp policy if I have subs that have a policy? When you sub our work to independent contractors or subcontractors who already have workers' compensation coverage, you're not required to cover them under your own policy. However, it's still mandatory for you to obtain workers' compensation insurance. Upon the expiration or cancellati...

2 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Do you offer Pay as you go?

  Rikor offers a pay-as-you-go solution for workers compensation that works with most all payroll providers including ADP, paychex, gusto, and QuickBooks. Our paygo solution works with most insurance carriers.   ...

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Updated January 11th, 2025 by Wade Millward

Insurance 101: What is an audit?

What is an Audit? A Business Insurance Audit is a review conducted by your insurance company to verify that the premium you're paying matches the level of risk and operations your business actually has. It ensures that you're neither underinsured, risking significant out-of-pocket expenses in case of a claim, nor overinsured, where you might be payi...

3 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Why is my insurance quote higher than that of other locations?

Introduction Insurance quotes can vary significantly from one location to another, even within the same state. Several factors contribute to these differences, which can result in higher insurance quotes in certain areas. Understanding these factors can help you make sense of why your insurance quote might be higher compared to other locations. Key ...

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Billing Questions

If you're a current customer with billing questions, please refer to the below information.  Amtrust 1-800-380-9986 https://ao.amtrustgroup.com/Insureds/policy-verification CNA 1-800-CNA-2000 https://billing.cna.com/#/login Employers 1-888-682-6671 https://quickpay.employers.com/quickpay Great American 1-866-467-8730   Hartford 1-866-467-8730 https:...

0 min reading time
Updated November 11th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Start Here: Compliance Culture

Expected Outcomes Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Considerations: Franchisors who carefully implement an insurance compliance program will  consider how it may impact the entire organization.  Engaged Franchisees: Franchisees who understand the importance of compliance are more likely to engage fully with your insurance compliance program. Risk Mit...

3 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How to upload a COI on behalf of a franchisee

Find the franchisee you need to upload a COI for Click the Compliance tab Scroll to the bottom to upload the COI in the drag-and-drop Upload Certificate of Insurance box...

0 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Rikor Glossary

This is a auto-generated Article of all your definitions within the glossary. Glossary This is a auto-generated Article of all your definitions within the glossary. All...

0 min reading time
Updated October 21st, 2024 by Wade Millward

Phase 2: Addressing Non-Compliance

Expected Outcomes Increased Compliance Rates - The structured communication plan encourages franchisees to resolve non-compliance issues early, reducing the need for legal action or penalties. Lower Risk of Uninsured Incidents - By focusing on critical compliance gaps, such as Lapsed policies, the brand minimizes its exposure to potential legal and ...

1 min reading time
Updated September 11th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How to send a franchisee their upload and report portal link?

Key Steps: Navigate to the franchisor or franchisee tab in the system. Locate the specific franchisee by searching for their name or email address. Click on the compliance tab to access information. Find the unique URL or portal link for the franchisee. Copy the unique URL. Email the unique URL link to the franchisee. Franchisee receives the link an...

0 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Purchasing Power

Your purchasing power is diluted if every franchisee purchases insurance on the market alone. This provides short-term independence and control. But by leveraging your franchise, you pool your collective buying power. This in turn gives you (the business owner); favorable terms, favorable unwriting, faster turn-around times, low friction approvals, ...

0 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

How Is Another Local Agent Promising Such a Low Commercial Insurance Rate?

Introduction When seeking commercial insurance, you might come across significantly different quotes from various agents. Understanding the reasons behind these discrepancies can help you make an informed decision about your coverage. Here are some key factors that might explain why another local agent is promising a lower commercial insurance rate....

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Why Are My Commercial Auto Insurance Rates So Expensive?

Introduction Commercial auto insurance rates can sometimes seem excessively high, leaving business owners wondering why they are paying so much. Several factors contribute to the cost of commercial auto insurance, and understanding these can help you identify ways to manage and potentially lower your premiums. Key Factors Influencing Commercial Auto...

1 min reading time
Updated July 27th, 2024 by Wade Millward

Why partner with Rikor

Rikor’s  Mission is to remove virtually all insurance compliance risk and friction through service and technology for franchise-based institutions. Essentially, Rikor is focused on inking an insurance contract that is likely to be triggered and provide adequate coverage. This means preventing franchisees from being  uninsured , or  under-insured, an...

1 min reading time
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