To Claim or Not to Claim: That Is the Question

To Claim or Not to Claim: That Is the Question

In this episode of Falcon Forward, Peter Brecht sits down with Mike Tanghe to unpack one of the toughest calls for policyholders and agents alike: should you turn that incident into an insurance claim, or handle it out of pocket? They walk through real-world scenarios like parking lot fender-benders, runaway shopping carts, and minor home damage, and talk about how factors like safety, claim severity, prior claim history, and household drivers (especially teens) affect the decision. You’ll hear practical, plain-English guidance on what to do right after an accident, what information to collect on scene, and how to think about the long-term impact of “small” claims on your premiums. Whether you’re a personal lines client trying to avoid surprises or an agent looking for language to help your customers decide, this conversation will give you a simple framework for answering the age-old question: to claim, or not to claim? If you found this helpful, follow Falcon Forward for more conversations on personal insurance, risk, and real-life “what do I do now?” moments.

20 Minutes a Day: The Secret to Becoming a Top Insurance Advisor

Is your insurance expertise atrophying? Peter Brecht and Mike Tanghe discuss why the most successful people in the insurance industry treat their professional development like a daily workout routine. In this episode, the hosts break down the difference between being a salesperson and becoming a trusted advisor. They discuss the common pitfalls of cramming for license renewals and why a 20-minute daily study habit is the most effective way to build long-term confidence and value for your clients. You will also learn about new risks in the modern environment, specifically how government staffing shortages and permitting delays are making old business interruption formulas obsolete. Topics Discussed: * Why water loss is the leading cause of home insurance claims * The weightlifting analogy for property and casualty insurance * Why stopping points are just as important as starting points in time blocking * The pros and cons of pursuing professional designations like ERIS * How to use daily news and jury award reports to educate clients * Why the one-year rule for business interruption is no longer realistic Links and Resources: Falcon West Website: https://falconwest.com/ [https://falconwest.com/] Falcon West LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest [https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest] Connect with Mike Tanghe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/] Connect with Peter Brecht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/]

The Truth About Workers Comp Experience Mods and Premiums

Are you effectively auditing your clients' unit stat cards, or are they overpaying due to reporting errors? In this episode of Falcon Forward, Mike Tanghe and Peter Brecht provide an expert-level breakdown of the Workers' Compensation experience modification factor for insurance producers and HR professionals. We move beyond the basics to discuss the "stories in the numbers," focusing on how to identify missing payroll years, entity reporting errors during M&A, and reserve inaccuracies before they are locked in for a three-year cycle. You will learn the specific levers available to brokers, including how subrogation against at-fault third parties can be used to force a mod recalculation and how to navigate the differing medical-only thresholds in states like California and Minnesota. Topics Discussed: * The mechanics of the 1.0 baseline and actuarial experience * Strategic auditing of loss runs before the five-month valuation window * Ownership and entity rules that prevent "gaming" the system * Navigating state-specific indemnity vs. medical-only reporting * The technical process of filing corrected unit stat cards with the Bureau * Distinguishing between Bureau-set mods and carrier discretionary debits Links and Resources: Show website: https://falconwest.com/ [https://falconwest.com/] Falcon West LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest [https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest] Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/] Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/]

Why Your Subcontractor’s Insurance Might Fail You

Building 30-million-dollar homes requires more than just expert craftsmanship; it requires a bulletproof legal and insurance strategy. This episode dives into the essential risk management tools every general contractor needs to keep their business safe from the unexpected. Peter Brecht and Mike Tanghe discuss why relying on a subcontractor's basic insurance certificate is a dangerous gamble. They explain how to audit policies for exclusions and why specific legal language in your contracts is the only thing standing between your firm and a business-ending lawsuit. Topics Discussed: * Why general contractors must have rock-solid written contracts for every sub. * Essential coverage types including Cyber, Pollution, and Errors and Omissions. * The role of Waivers of Subrogation in preventing insurance company infighting. * How Per Project Aggregates protect your limits from being eroded by other jobs. * Lessons from a multi-million dollar water damage claim and a catastrophic injury case. * Strategies for reviewing Master Service Agreements and indemnity provisions. Links and Resources: Show website: https://falconwest.com/ [https://falconwest.com/] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@falconwestmedia [https://www.youtube.com/@falconwestmedia] Connect with Mike Tanghe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/] Connect with Peter Brecht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/]

Protecting Your Assets: High Net Worth Insurance Tips

PODCAST EPISODE DESCRIPTION Building and maintaining wealth requires a strategic approach to risk management that goes far beyond a standard, one-size-fits-all insurance policy. In this comprehensive deep dive, Falcon West President Mike Tanghe and Peter Brecht break down the essential levers successful families must pull to ensure their assets, lifestyle, and future earnings are fully protected. The conversation explores the critical mindset shift of viewing insurance as protection against catastrophe rather than a maintenance plan for small losses. Mike explains why high-net-worth individuals should opt for the highest deductibles possible—often finding a "sweet spot" at $10,000 or more—and how top-tier carriers like Chubb, Pure, and Cincinnati frequently waive these deductibles for major losses. Listeners will gain actionable insights into optimizing every aspect of their personal lines, from verified home replacement costs and trust-listed properties to the strategic importance of matching umbrella policy limits to net worth. Whether you are managing rental properties through LLCs, protecting a classic car collection with "agreed value" coverage, or navigating the emerging liability risks of e-bikes, this episode provides the roadmap for sophisticated personal protection. KEY TOPICS COVERED: * The High-Deductible Strategy: Why self-insuring small claims protects your long-term insurability. * Home Accuracy: Using contractor bids to verify replacement value and ensuring detached structures are covered. * Auto Insurance Optimization: The benefits of OEM parts, agreed value for high-end vehicles, and why you should never remove college students from your policy. * Umbrella Deep Dive: How high limits provide "unlimited" defense costs and why your carriers should always match. * Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Protecting your future earning potential from at-fault parties with low limits. * Global Protection: The vital importance of family medevac coverage for international travel. ---------------------------------------- Connect with Falcon West: * Show Website: https://falconwest.com/ [https://falconwest.com/] * Falcon West LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest [https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconwest] * Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tanghe/] * Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbrecht/] *