<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Cottingham & Butler]]></title><description><![CDATA[4th largest privately and independently held insurance broker in the U.S. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:39:37 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.cb-sisco.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[MLR Rebates &#38; How to Handle Them]]></title><description><![CDATA[Each year, employers sponsoring a fully insured group health plan may receive a medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate from their insurer. Under the ACA's MLR rules, insurers must provide rebates when their spending on clinical services and quality improvement activities, relative to premium revenue, falls below the applicable MLR standard.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/mlr-rebates-how-to-handle-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acfddbdf01b30c0f505d9d7</guid><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:20:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93684e_a8ff4baca6d446f1ac91fbead2e7e21c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[DOL Issues New Guidance on Mental Health Parity Rules Enforcement]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires group health plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits to provide those benefits on terms that are no restrictive than medical/surgical benefits. That’s the “parity” part of the law. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/dol-issues-new-guidance-on-mental-health-parity-rules-enforcement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acfda1ef5987ab09562d3d4</guid><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Compliance]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:44:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93684e_838aa34fb2674762a61f840dc49a1472~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Annual Non-Discrimination Testing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Does your organization need to run nondiscrimination testing on its cafeteria plan every year? In this video, Bret McKitrick, VP of Compliance at Cottingham &#38; Butler, explains why the IRS cares about who benefits from these plans, why testing is the only real way to prove your plan isn't discriminatory, and what risks to weigh if you decide to skip it. Spoiler: it's a "maybe, kinda, yeah, sort of" answer, and Bret walks you through why.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/annual-non-discrimination-testing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac79b1f8a6cb34ccd5aaf69</guid><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:31:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://cottinghambutler.wistia.com/medias/wcc3b5fne5" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 2026 Transportation Summit Recap]]></title><description><![CDATA[t. Whether you missed the Summit altogether, missed a session or two, or attended and want a closer look at what matters most, this recap highlights the key takeaways from each session and the biggest themes for carriers heading into 2027.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/the-2026-transportation-summit-recap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abe86ce0baa3fe7ecc7490f</guid><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Event]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:42:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ca7c57_4d937e61493a45f29dc0eea6fb0412f9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Compliance Webinars – On-Demand Library]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our 2026 Compliance On-Demand Series is designed to keep you informed, prepared, and confident heading into every quarter.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/compliance-webinars-on-demand-library</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69caac6f595b1ffbde1e65b4</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[On-Demand]]></category><category><![CDATA[Compliance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:15:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93684e_c725020e0b86430db5ec041979a8f3d5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where Rates Stand in Q2 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[The turn that started in Q1 is broadening. Q2 posted a second straight quarterly decline, property is leading the drop, and auto and umbrella are still climbing. Here is what moved, why, and how to think about it.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/the-softening-accelerates-where-rates-stand-in-q2-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa19aff4a5b3b7837142827</guid><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ca7c57_f547c893f20d47c5bb6c713fa38f2dd2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Manufacturers Can No Longer View Cybersecurity as an IT ProblemIntroduction]]></title><description><![CDATA[When forging companies think about risk, the focus often falls on equipment breakdown, workers’ compensation, and property losses. However, cyber risk has become a growing concern for manufacturers, customers, and insurance carriers. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/why-forgers-can-no-longer-view-as-an-it-problem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab2d534817ca0bac4e9d597</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Manufacturing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cyber]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:00:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_cec83b93a5db4122afdeef035684c9e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Contingent Business Interruption Insurance]]></title><description><![CDATA[Just one brief business interruption can be incredibly costly for an organization, often leading to serious reputational damages or long-term closures. Standard business interruption policies are vital in these instances, providing protection against a variety of common interruptions, including natural disasters, equipment damage and vandalism.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/contingent-business-interruption-insurance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab2cec5a9cd81127b6317f7</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Food & Agribusiness]]></category><category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category><category><![CDATA[Manufacturing]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:18:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_9d9cb70baf8743d78e0f69f9b101de6e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Agriculture Risk Insights: Emergency Preparedness for Farmworkers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Farms, like most workplaces, face unexpected emergencies and disasters, which can be natural or man-made. To help lessen the impact of these events, employers and supervisors should develop and exercise emergency action plans (EAPs), which prepare workers for emergencies and disasters before they occur.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/agriculture-risk-insights-emergency-preparedness-for-farmworkers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab2c263a9cd81127b630119</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Food & Agribusiness]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:39:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_b01eda2d0120496fa42b8de298787e9a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Construction Risk Insights: Managing Project Delays and Stoppages ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Construction projects may be delayed or temporarily halted for a range of reasons, including adverse weather conditions, permit problems, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and financing challenges.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/managing-project-delays-and-stoppages</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab2bdfe703293e421748ff9</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:55:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_e162587907234f568a6a17ae41f35a25~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Litigation Tactics Behind Nuclear Verdicts ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nuclear verdicts are sizeable jury awards, typically $10 million or more. They’ve become far more common over the last decade, largely due to shifting litigation tactics designed to enhance settlement leverage.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/the-litigation-tactics-behind-nuclear-verdicts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab2afc0eef4b3ab47c985b6</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Food & Agribusiness]]></category><category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category><category><![CDATA[Manufacturing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Nuclear Verdicts]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:37:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_3eb94f41a5a24d658af438d675480c7e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cyber Liability: Zero-day Vulnerabilities Explained]]></title><description><![CDATA[A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw in a technology’s software, hardware or firmware that the product vendor either hasn’t discovered or hasn't yet patched. Because there’s no fix for this flaw, there’s also no way to prepare for or defend against it. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/cyber-liability-zero-day-vulnerabilities-explained</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab29cc7f44e7bfeb9e48ce4</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cyber]]></category><category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category><category><![CDATA[Manufacturing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Food & Agribusiness]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Metalcasting]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:40:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_447631dbac344ee7a3dd21be698b1e5d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Securing the Scene: Best Practices After a Collision]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our recent webinar, "Securing the Scene: Best Practices After a Collision" with SMSC Senior Safety Consultant Justin Smoot covered how to respond effectively in the critical minutes and days following a crash. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/securing-the-scene-best-practices-after-a-collision</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aaae9fd9c899360661af6a2</guid><category><![CDATA[On-Demand]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:18:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_4a9cb29e92b14580adb65d99c36f3d4a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[IRS Proposes Rules for Dependent Care FSA Nondiscrimination Testing]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Aug. 11, 2026, the IRS issued proposed rules addressing nondiscrimination testing requirements for dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs). This marks the first set of regulatory guidance on the mechanics of nondiscrimination testing for dependent care FSAs. ]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/irs-proposes-rules-for-dependent-care-fsa-nondiscrimination-testing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa9b338d7d2dc3316856fca</guid><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:06:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93684e_00fde0506dfa48cba04f6a61d68a15c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15, 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learn about Medicare Part D creditable coverage disclosure requirements for employers. Annual notices must be sent to Medicare-eligible employees before Oct. 15, 2026 to avoid premium penalties.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/medicare-part-d-notices-are-due-before-oct-15-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68cb12becb71c6cbb6ccc39e</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:33:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/27b3e9_88f06921aa64434c8be84839cc0fa954~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump Account Contribution Programs]]></title><description><![CDATA[For employers seeking family-focused benefits, TACPs provide a way to help employees save for a child's future while receiving favorable federal income tax treatment.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/trump-account-contribution-programs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa187b7ec8bffeaf8fab03a</guid><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Compliance]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:29:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93684e_3e6a217f08d54d86b17c62fa47e0b556~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A 40-Year Partnership Built on Strategy: Bay Family of Companies and Cottingham &#38; Butler]]></title><description><![CDATA[Karen Young shares how a decades-long partnership with Cottingham &#38; Butler has shaped the way Bay approaches risk and benefits.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/a-40-year-partnership-built-on-strategy-bay-family-of-companies-and-cottingham-butler</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a85ca0fdc2d5ce90c98b245</guid><category><![CDATA[Case Studies]]></category><category><![CDATA[On-Demand]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Employee Benefits]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:24:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://cottinghambutler.wistia.com/medias/2i8kkriqqv" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emerging Risks Facing the Ready Mix Industry]]></title><description><![CDATA[As liability costs continue to rise, producers are finding that claims related to concrete performance often exceed the reach of a general liability policy, while nuclear verdicts fueled by third-party litigation funding push settlements far beyond typical budget expectations.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/emerging-risks-facing-the-ready-mix-industry</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a97487a9c8db6195f82221e</guid><category><![CDATA[On-Demand]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:57:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_89c396373b8b42f1ac3a1e7c809c0c7a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Targeted: Staged Crashes, Stacked Courts, and What Carriers Can Do About It]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fleets are investing more in safety than ever before—so why are insurance costs still climbing? Wilson Elser's Joseph Baiocco breaks down how staged-accident schemes are engineered to look legitimate, and what carriers can do to spot fraud early and fight it in court.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/targeted-staged-crashes-stacked-courts-and-what-carriers-can-do-about-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8ba9b521368453a749fb12</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5350150f2c4d3688bc550562af468f.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Safety Training That Sticks: Learning Principles in Action]]></title><description><![CDATA[From understanding how adults actually learn to applying stronger facilitation techniques, designing cleaner training materials, and using reinforcement strategies like micro-reminders and peer safety moments, this session provided practical tools for turning passive attendees into active participants and driving stronger safety performance on the job.]]></description><link>https://www.cottinghambutler.com/post/safety-training-that-sticks-learning-principles-in-action</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a85b26435e255971cd474e7</guid><category><![CDATA[On-Demand]]></category><category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category><category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:50:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6e92c2_938acdb06e03482197bebaae301d7efc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cottingham &amp; Butler</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>