7 Dirty Secrets of Workers Compensation Insurance Print
Articles - Workers Compensation Insurance

Dirty Secret #1

Insurance companies don't pay for your employee injuries — they just finance them for you at usury interest rates.

Do you realize that you pay $2 to $3 back to the insurance company for every dollar they pay out for your employee injuries? Each claim results in the most expensive financing contract you have in your business.

You pay outrageous premiums. Then you have to pay for almost all of your claims. You pay:
  • For employee injuries through lost dividends and return of premium
  • Increased costs because your Experience Modification skyrockets
  • Lost productivity
  • Reduced morale for the unhurt employees who fill in for the injured employee
  • Increased stress for management and staff
You have Workers Compensation for only two reasons:
  • The law requires it.
  • Workers comp spreads the true cost of employee injuries out over time. Work Comp does not pay for employee injuries. You do!

Dirty Secret #2

Claims Management Services are usually dreadful.

Now that you know you write the checks for your employee's injuries (you can have more proof if you want it) you should realize how critical it is for you to demand "two thumbs up" claims management service.

Claims adjusters are snowed under with too many cases. Your injured employee doesn't get the attention he or she deserves. In spite of this, insurance companies continue to downsize as they strive to increase profits.

Add Managed Care to the mix and your employee's claim is often outsourced to a case management company. The adjuster doesn't even know what is happening or how your injured employee is being treated. You just can't notify the insurance company your employee was injured and expect them to "do their job." You must have a proven process in place to minimize the cost of the injury and expedite your injured employess return to work.

Dirty Secret #3

You are penalized and overpay when the "Audit Police" make a mistake on an audit

Because your real insurance cost is determined after your policy expires, it is essential the audit is correct.

You're at a disadvantage from the start. The insurance company auditor knows the rules, you don't. The auditor is not compelled by law to explain the rules, especially if applying a rule that would cause you to pay a lower premium.

Here's how the auditor works against you:
  • Your entire payroll is put into the highest classification
  • Then, the "standard class exceptions" are put into the correct cost classification. When someone is not properly moved to the lower cost classification, you pay at the highest rate.
Misclassifications are common and the system is designed for you to pay for all mistakes. There are many other errors or omissions that are made in addition to misclassifications. Of course not. Then, why allow an insurance company auditor to conduct an audit without an expert at your side? A workers comp audit may actually cost you more money than an IRS audit. A workers comp audit is every year. You may go years without an IRS audit.

Dirty Secret #4

Experience modification factors are often wrong or mismanaged

Most insurance buyers accept on “good faith” that their experience modification factor is correct. Why? You need to know, because most of the time it may be wrong and the insurance company benefits. Even correct, these are simple strategies to lower it. Do you know these strategies?
  • Your entire payroll is put into the highest classification

Dirty Secret #5

Your dividend may not be what it appears to be.

Did you just buy your workers comp based on that fancy proposal your agent presented or did you really read the contract that states the terms of your program? If you don't understand the contract, you're in for a big surprise that could cost you thousands.

Dirty Secret #6

Your money will fly away unless your contractors insurance agent pays closer attention to your Workers Comp than any other insurance buy.

Here's what your agent must do to insure you have the best value for your workers comp insurance:
  • Claims need to be monitored
  • Premium audits must be managed and verified
  • Experience modifications must be double checked for accuracy
  • Contract must be analyzed
  • Sub-contractor's insurance must be controlled
Many actions are time sensitive. If you don't know why 6 months after your policy expires is such a critical date, you may be overpaying your insurance. If you need a specialist in any one area of your insurance program, it is in the management of your insurance that affects your employees the most- workers compensations, medical and disability benefits.

Dirty Secret #7

You can drastically slash your costs - if you install the right system.

Contractorsinsurance.biz only works with employers like you on insurance that affects your employees - typically 20 to 25% of your payroll costs. Wow!

Through implementation of Contractorsinsurance.biz comp review you can drive your employee related insurance costs down 20% or more.
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