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. ...

This page is for franchise owners when something happens that could lead to an insurance claim: an injury, damage to a customer's property, a theft, an accident or a lawsuit. Report it quickly. A late report can put the claim at risk. Step 1. Take care of people first If anyone is hurt, get them help and call 911 if needed. For an injured employee, ...

This page is for franchise owners who want insurance through Rikor, whether you're opening your first location or shopping your coverage. It walks through the whole path, from your brand's application to the policies that protect your business. Rikor works only with franchise businesses. Your brand has told us what insurance it requires, so your con...

This page is for franchise owners who got an insurance bill they didn't expect, or want to avoid one. These are the causes we see most, and what heads off each one. A big bill after the audit Many policies, especially workers comp and general liability, are priced on an estimate of your payroll, revenue or subcontractor costs. After the policy year,...

Trying to upload your certificate of insurance (COI) and it won't go through? Find the message you see below and follow the fix. If none of them works, email the PDF to support@rikor.io and we'll add it for you. The upload page doesn't show numbered error codes. If you see a message that isn't listed here, take a screenshot and send it to support@ri...

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 ...

Yes. Rikor places insurance for businesses in the United States, and every policy is written for a U.S. location. If you're opening a franchise in the U.S. and don't live here yet, you can still get started. If you're moving to the U.S. to open your franchise Use a U.S. address in the state where your business will operate. If you don't have a home,...

This page is for franchise owners insured through Rikor whose policy is coming up for renewal. Renewal is when the insurance company sets your price and terms for the next year, so it's the best time to make sure your coverage still fits your business. Step 1. We reach out at least 90 days before your policy expires You get an email from Rikor, on b...

If you've had an accident in a vehicle you use for your business, here is what to do and who to tell. Report it as soon as you can, even if the damage looks minor. Step 1. Make sure everyone is safe Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the vehicles block traffic. Move to a safe place if you can. Call the police if your state or the s...

Rikor is an insurance agency for franchise businesses. If you're opening a franchise or shopping your coverage, you can start a quote online in about 3 minutes. Rikor already knows many brands' insurance requirements, so your quote is built around what your franchise agreement asks for. Before you start, have: Your business name, address and the ema...

This page is for franchise owners insured through Rikor who need to change a policy: add a vehicle or driver, add a location, change an address, or add or change coverage. Tell us before the change happens when you can, so you're covered from day one. Step 1. Email us what's changing Send it to support@rikor.io with your business name, your brand an...

Your franchisor requires a certificate of insurance (COI) that names a specific certificate holder, word for word. This page shows where to find the exact wording for your brand, why it has to match, and what to send your insurance agent so the certificate is right the first time. Step 1. Find your brand's certificate holder Open your upload page fr...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This page is for franchise owners who want to know whether Rikor can insure them where they operate, and which insurance companies we place with. Where we're licensed Rikor is licensed in all 50 states plus DC. Some states are harder to place than others. Coastal weather and state rules make Florida, New York and Hawaii difficult for every agency, a...

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 is ...

This page is for franchise owners insured through Rikor, and for anyone deciding whether to be. It covers how to reach us, which address handles what, and how fast we turn each request around. How to reach us Email: support@rikor.io for certificates, policy changes, billing, claims and anything else about a policy you have with us. Email is the fast...

This page is for franchise owners whose brand has asked them to send their insurance documents to Rikor. It explains why, what you need to do, and what you can expect. The short version Your brand requires you to take part in insurance monitoring through Rikor. You can keep your current insurance agent. Buying insurance through Rikor is optional. Mo...

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 can import your franchisee roster from FranConnect. T...

This guide is for franchisors. When a franchisee emails you their certificate of insurance (COI) instead of uploading it, you can upload it for them. It goes through the same review as any other upload. Before you start, have: the franchisee's certificate as a PDF. Ask for the original ACORD 25 from their insurance agent, with every page and endorse...

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Expected outcome This plan helps you, as a franchisor, make sure every franchisee has at least uploaded their insurance documentation (moving them out of "Not Verified"), and then work on improving compliance for those who are "Non-Compliant." It outlines a clear pathway using the RMS, along with potential consequences for non-compliance, drawing on...

Franchisors hosting annual franchise events like conferences or summits need a dedicated event liability policy. Learn what coverages are required, how to get them, and how to ensure your venue’s insurance requirements are met. Key Takeaways Do not rely on your existing General Liability policy — it likely doesn’t extend to events. Obtain a dedicate...

The Executive Summary Report is a monthly email that shows a franchisor where the brand's insurance compliance stands. This guide covers who gets it, how to turn it on or off, and what each part of the email means. When it arrives and who gets it The report goes out on the 1st of each month. The subject reads Monthly Insurance Report: [your brand] ·...

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...

This page is for the person who runs franchisee onboarding at a franchise brand. It shows where Rikor fits in your new-franchisee process, when to introduce us, and the copy to paste into your own onboarding. Why this is the step that matters most Rikor protects your brand two ways: we check every franchisee's insurance against your requirements, an...

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 ...

This page is for anyone on a franchise brand's team who works with Rikor: operations, legal, compliance or the executive team. If you're new to the team, start here. It covers what Rikor does for your brand, the one step that makes it work, and how to use the RMS day to day. What Rikor does for your brand Rikor exists to protect franchising: your br...

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...

Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance addresses claims involving how your company is led and governed. Where E&O is about professional service delivery failures, D&O is about leadership decisions — the choices made by the people running the business. This guide explains the key terms you'll find in a D&O policy in plain English, s...

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 ...

This page is for franchisor leaders setting up how the brand treats insurance. It covers how to set the tone with franchisees, what to train, and the questions to answer as a team before you launch. The three phases that follow it cover the day-to-day. Protection, not paperwork Franchisees comply when they see insurance as protecting their own inves...

Every franchisee has their own upload page in the Rikor RMS, where they upload their certificate of insurance (COI) and see their results. You don't need to send them the link. Here is how franchisees get to it, and what to do when one can't. Rikor's emails carry the link Rikor emails franchisees automatically when their certificate is missing or ne...

Analytics is the franchisor's home page in the Rikor RMS. It shows how well your locations are insured against your brand's requirements, how that has changed, and which locations need attention. Every number opens the list of locations behind it. Analytics replaces the old Overview tab. The numbers update every day. Step 1. Open Analytics Sign in a...

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...

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...

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...

This page is for franchise owners who've been asked whether they're "bonded and insured," often for a contractor license or a customer contract. Bonds and insurance do different jobs, and one doesn't replace the other. The difference Insurance protects you. If your business causes an injury or damage, or gets sued, your policy pays the claim. A bond...

This page is for franchise owners filling in revenue, payroll or subcontractor numbers for a quote or a renewal. Those estimates set your premium. Getting them right keeps your price fair and your audit small. Start from last year, not your goal Base your estimate on what you actually did this past year, within about 10% either way. An ambitious goa...

Expected outcomes Increased compliance rates. A structured communication plan encourages franchisees to resolve non-compliance early, reducing the need for legal action or penalties. Lower risk of uninsured incidents. By focusing on critical gaps, such as lapsed policies, the brand reduces its exposure to legal and financial risk. Greater accountabi...

Franchising carries unique risks that standard insurance policies often fail to cover. Two of the most important protections for franchisors are Errors & Omissions (E&O) and Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance. This article provides a high-level overview of what these coverages do, why they matter for franchisors, and the key featur...

Understanding your insurance policy can be tricky — especially when it's filled with legal terms and technical language. This guide explains the key terms you'll find in an Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy in plain English, so you can have more informed conversations with your broker and better understand what you're reading. Use this as a qu...

Your franchisor requires a current certificate of insurance (COI) for your business. You upload it to your own upload page in the Rikor RMS, and Rikor checks it against your brand's insurance requirements. It takes about two minutes. Before you start, have: Your current certificate from your insurance agent, as a PDF. Ask for the original ACORD 25 P...

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 ...

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...

This guide is for franchisees who hire subcontractors. You set the insurance your subcontractors must carry, invite each one by email, and Rikor collects and checks their certificates of insurance (COIs). You see every subcontractor's coverage in one list. Before you start: look for Subcontractors under Insurance in the left menu of the RMS. It appe...

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 ...

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...

The RMS (Risk Management System) is the software Rikor uses to monitor insurance across a franchise brand. This page explains what it does, who uses it, and what happens to a certificate of insurance (COI) from upload to result. It is for franchisors and franchisees. What the RMS does Every location in a franchise system carries insurance risk the b...

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 ...

What is an Experience Modification (Mod) Rating? Think of an Experience Mod (EMR) as a "credit score" for a company's workplace safety. It compares a business's workers' compensation claims history against the average for their specific industry. 1.0 Mod: Average safety record. The business pays the standard manual rate. Below 1.0 (Credit Mod): Bett...

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...

This page is for franchise owners with employees who want workers compensation that follows their real payroll. Rikor offers pay-as-you-go workers comp. How it works With a standard workers comp policy, you pay up front based on an estimate of your payroll for the year. At the end of the year the carrier audits your actual payroll, and if you grew, ...

This page is for franchise owners whose policy is audited, which includes most workers compensation and many general liability policies. It explains what an audit is, what to have ready and how to avoid a large bill at the end. What an audit is An audited policy is priced on an estimate of your payroll, revenue or subcontractor costs. After the poli...

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. ...

If you buy your insurance through Rikor, you can ask us to issue a certificate of insurance (COI) to a landlord, a customer, a lender or anyone else who asks for one. Follow these steps so we can issue it correctly the first time, without back-and-forth. Email support@rikor.io Include the formal request. Often this is an email or a PDF attachment. C...

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...

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....

This page is for franchisor teams starting with Rikor, or picking it back up after a change on the team. It lists what to set up first, in order, so your brand and your franchisees get the full benefit. What Rikor is for Rikor protects your brand and every franchisee's investment in it. We make sure your insurance requirements are right, insure fran...

This page is for franchise owners with more than one location, more than one DBA, or more than one legal entity. Set up right, you can often cover several locations on one policy, which saves money, keeps certificates simple and closes gaps. Insurance follows your legal entity Your business is a legal entity, such as an LLC or a corporation. That en...

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...

This page explains every status you see in the Rikor RMS, for franchisors and franchisees. Each location has two main statuses: Policy Status says whether its insurance is in force, and Compliance Status says whether that insurance meets your brand's requirements. A location can have an active policy and still be non-compliant, for example when a li...

This guide shows franchisors and franchisees how to add people to the Rikor RMS. Everyone you add is a contact. You decide whether they also get a login (portal access) and how much they can do. Before you start, have: the person's name and work email. Inviting someone to sign in takes Manager access. If you don't see Add person, ask a Manager on yo...