Ellerbrock-Norris

08/26/2026

There's a question every contractor should ask about workers' comp: how much of this do I actually control?

Most business owners look at insurance costs and assume the answer is "not much."

Workers' comp is different. It starts with something as basic as who you bring onto the job site and extends to safety culture, claims management, recover-at-work programs, and how closely you're watching reserves and reporting.

Andy and Elliot break down all of that and more in the latest episode of the .

If your mentality on workers' comp is "it is what it is" – it's worth rethinking. You probably have more control than you realize.

🎧 Hear the full conversation: https://hubs.li/Q04vrSDk0

08/25/2026

Our team showed up in force this past weekend for Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation's Stars Come Out gala – and came home with the 2026 Lanning Award! 🎉

The award is presented each year to organizations whose work has helped keep Mary Lanning Healthcare strong and independent for the people of Hastings. Nearly 120 years in business there, and moments like this still mean everything.

Thank you, Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation, for the honor – we're always proud to be a part of the community.

08/21/2026

Know a college student looking for real-world experience? 👀

We're hiring a year-round Commercial Insurance Intern here at Ellerbrock-Norris. They'll work alongside our commercial team, support actual client accounts, and see how an independent agency runs day to day.

Send them our way or tag someone who'd be a great fit!

Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04tLSNv0

08/20/2026

North Carolina banned third-party litigation funding outright – the first state to go that far.

Here's what that means: Outside investors were paying plaintiffs' legal bills in exchange for a cut of the settlement. They only get paid if the case wins big, so they push for bigger settlements and longer fights. That's part of why claims have gotten so expensive, and it shows up in your premiums whether you've been sued or not.

The law only applies in NC for now. But it passed almost unanimously, and laws like that tend to spread.

We broke down what it does and why it's worth watching.

🔗 https://hubs.li/Q04tJRM30

North Carolina has banned third-party litigation funding, impacting businesses statewide. Learn why this law matters and how to prepare for potential risks.

08/18/2026

We're officially only a week out!

Nebraska recently changed how workers' comp deductibles are reported – and for qualifying contractors and manufacturers, that can mean a meaningfully improved EMR and stronger eligibility for bids that set a hard mod ceiling, without changing anything about how you run your job sites.

We're covering exactly what changed, who qualifies, and what to do before your next renewal in a free 30-minute webinar on August 25 at noon CT.

Built for Nebraska contractors and manufacturers with $125,000+ in annual workers' comp premiums, and the finance and operations leaders who manage those decisions.

Register with the link below 👇

08/14/2026

A high Experience Modification Rate can disqualify a contractor from data center, government, and OCIP bids – no matter their price or track record.

Under Nebraska's new net reporting rules, that EMR can improve significantly, with no change to actual claims history.

We're breaking it all down in our free upcoming webinar on Wednesday, August 25th at 12:00 PM CT.

You'll learn what changed, whether your business qualifies, and what to do before your next renewal.

This is built for Nebraska contractors and manufacturers carrying $125,000 or more in annual workers' comp premium, along with the finance and operations leaders who manage those insurance decisions.

Save your seat: https://hubs.li/Q04t66-M0

08/11/2026

When financing fell through on several major projects, Doug McCune company had to replace $40-50 million in expected work – fast.

With only one dedicated estimator on staff, Doug, President/Owner of Puetz Design+Build, took his team straight into the open market to compete against 14-16 other bidders for new work.

In this episode of , Doug joins Andy Bassett to talk about that pivot and what it taught him about trusting his employees under pressure. The conversation goes well beyond that moment, though — covering how Puetz has diversified into complementary construction services, why the company's leaders have all done the work in the field themselves, and how a 74-year-old business keeps developing the next generation of talent.

Hear the full conversation: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/podcast

08/10/2026

AI can read your 80-page policy in seconds – but It can't walk your job site and catch the frayed wire in the corner.

That's the line worth drawing. Use AI to cut through the admin like parsing documents, building a stronger story for underwriters and benchmarking against comparable businesses. Use people for the judgment calls only humans can make.

The businesses building the most resilient operations aren't choosing between technology and expertise. They're using both.

Read the full breakdown: https://hubs.li/Q04sw7620

Discover how AI enhances your risk management strategy by simplifying complex documents, improving submissions and streamlining planning processes for better outcomes.

08/06/2026

All four Ellerbrock-Norris offices came together yesterday for Innovate & Elevate – our quarterly chance to get everyone in the same room, focused on where we're headed as a team.

The highlight: we unveiled our new Vivid Vision! This statement defines what we're building toward and guides how we show up for our clients and each other going forward.

Grateful for a team that shows up ready to grow. Excited for what's next!

08/03/2026

Risk management done right doesn't just protect the business. It makes it worth more.

A true holistic plan builds value by building a stable workforce, a clean risk history, documented processes and more.

Ultimately, these areas are what will show up in your valuation when it's time to sell or step back.

Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04kMbTP0

Ready to see where your business stands today? Take our FREE assessement: https://hubs.li/Q04kFpZc0

Discover common pitfalls in corporate risk management and learn how to strengthen your strategy for long-term resilience and business value.