All posts by Michael Stoop

Michael Stoop is the president of Metropolitan Risk Advisory. He leads a team of smart & proactive risk advisors whose acumen and protocols yield a substantive outcome for their customers. The goal is to achieve a cost efficiency and cost consistency that better positions them for growth and continuity in their native markets. Michael has been in the industry for over 20 years.
Construction Practice Group Content, Other, Risk Management

Did You Know It’s a Felony for an Unsafe Work Environment?

Did you know it’s a felony for an Unsafe Work Environment?

Did you know that having a blocked emergency exit could cost your organization about $130,000?

Were you aware that safety and supervisory staff could face up to 25 years in FEDERAL PRISON for willful OSHA violations leading to deaths?

You want to have well-placed practical steps in order to protect your workers and prevent OSHA from issuing willful violations. Since 1970, OSHA was/is still ran by the federal government and are responsible for worker safety. OSHA regularly issues citations/fines based on the general duty clause. Broad by nature, the clause states that employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious harm.”

INSPECTION TARGETS

There are essentially two targets OSHA inspects, one of them being specific inspection targets such as an Employee, Union Rep, etc. The other, being general targets like the Administrative Plan for High Hazard Industry. Doing a mock check-up and informing your employees or anyone who is a target of safety violations once an inspector decides to come by increases your chances of reducing your citations to zero. A NJ Plastics manufacturer, who never had a repeat-violation, had one of their employees call OSHA to report a blocked exit which resulted in 16 citations and fines exceeding $430,000. The employer and employee were clearly never on the same page in regards to OSHA compliance and safety protocols.

HOW DO THESE INSPECTIONS OCCUR?

OSHA requires that employers report fatalities, hospital admissions (8 hours), severe work-related injury of an employee (24 hours) such as amputations, loss of an eye and in-patient hospital admissions. However, employees who have been exposed to smoke from a burning house and was checked in and out at a hospital do not count. Once an inspector from OSHA comes around, make sure they show their credentials, complaint, and warrant. Yes, you can ask for a warrant, however, this usually results in an annoyed inspector returning to you.

You also want to make sure you call the nearest OSHA office to verify the inspector’s credentials, verify that your organization is to be inspected and inform them if you are part of an OSHA voluntary program. During the inspection, the officer will explain why you were selected and the scope of the inspection. You can find the OSHA Reporting Guide for 2018 HERE for free.

BEGINNING OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS

During the initial stages of the visit, the compliance officer and the employer will have selected employee reps from the following groups:

  1. Union Selection (1st)
  2. Safety Committee Selection (2nd)
  3. Employees at Large Selection (3rd)
  4. No Selection → Then the compliance officer will conduct a reasonable number of employee interviews.

The inspection will continue as the compliance officer reviews OSHA logs/accident records, conduct employee interviews, point out violations, collect evidence (tests, readings, photographs), etc. At the end of the visit, the compliance officer will review the apparent violations, provide compliance literature, inform you of your rights, listen to additional compliance and abatement information, but he/she will not disclose and discuss fines.

THE BENEFITS & RISKS OF ASKING FOR A WARRANT

Benefits include preserving your rights of privacy against the government and buying time to address your circumstances. However, the risks underlie larger fines/citations. 2.6 violations are given if cooperated and 4.6 violations if a warrant is required. $1,800 in fines with cooperation and $3,200 in fines if they require a warrant. If you choose to cooperate it may give an innocent undertone, fewer citations/fines and increased control over the inspection process. In opposition, if you choose to risk it voluntarily, you may be visited more often, they may intricately inspect everything in sight and obtain any information needed for a warrant.

CURRENT FINES & EFFECTS

As of January 2, 2018, the violations and penalties have seen a surge of inflation. According to OSHA, a “Serious, Other-Than-Serious Posting Requirements” penalty results in a $12,934 fine per violation. “Failure to Abate” results in a $12,934 per day beyond the abatement date. A “Willful or Repeated” violation is a $129,336 per violation. Taking on these violations and fines can dig a serious financial grave for any business. Preventing these circumstances is your best bet.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIMAL STEPS FOR PREVENTION?

It’s simple but it’s also a culture that needs to be tailored to your industry/business.

A good method of making sure you are precise in your operations is to keep track of your safety efforts using technology. It can be as simple as using a smartphone to stay alert or keeping a laptop with you. Empowering your employees to sustain an anonymous reporting procedure, suppresses threats of retaliation. Always be ready to take the extra step to do your own mock inspections, interview your employees on knowledge of their rights, consider third party assistance and consult your legal counsel with your plans.

ACTIONS HAVE REACTIONS AND VICE VERSA (SOMETIMES)

When a Compliance Officer is on-site and you know you are not ready, correct what you can IMMEDIATELY. Have your capital address plans for safety, review appeals guide and appeal where it is appropriate, ABATE as soon as possible (do not pass abatement dates) and ensure that you have addressed recommendations from internal and external resources. However, ensuring you are not in this situation is what you want to aim for.

CRIMINAL PROSECUTION (VERY POSSIBLE) LIKELIHOOD, SEVERITY & STATISTICS

Factors which spike the likelihood are the memorandum of understanding between the DOJ & DOL, all prosecution is under the environmental crimes division of the DOJ and the increased communication and demanding accountability between the civil division/criminal division attorneys.

Did you know that a worker death due to unsafe work conditions results in a felony and a possible 25 years in prison! A former Class B misdemeanor is not a 6-month prison sentence. If you still need to understand the severity of your circumstances, contact one of our risk advisors right away.

Since OSHA intercepted there have been less than 80 cases prosecuted. But, 12 of these 80 cases have resulted in convictions, a 15% conviction rate.

ENDING NOTE…

As you can assume, these laws will continue to shape how businesses conduct themselves and possibly shrink flexibility. Complying with the OSHA is imperative, as is to take action towards fixing circumstances that may land you in jail.

Speak with one of our RISK ADVISORS for a free consultation or give us a call at 914.357.8444

Construction Practice Group Content, Loss Control, OSHA, Risk Management, Workers Compensation Insurance

REMINDER: Site Safety Training Requirements Due Dec. 1, 2019

This is just a quick reminder to all our clients and friends that as of December 1st, 2019 per Local Law 196 of 2017, Site Safety Training or SST, workers at job sites requiring a Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator or Site Safety Manager must have a total of 30 hours of safety training by December 1, 2019 and a total of 40 hours by September 2020. Supervisors must have 62 hours of training by December 1, 2019.

Further for General Contractors (G.C.’s), every site must post worker safety information posters as each job site they are running where safety is required. This was effective as of October 14th, 2019. 

 

Per the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), the signs must contain the following attributes.

  • Contain specific information about required worker safety training, including all site safety training deadlines and the number of required training hours, and the information must
  • Be in all languages used by workers to communicate at the construction site. In addition, the signs must
  • Be clearly visible to workers and must be posted at the construction site as follows:
    • Sites with construction fencing must post a sign at each egress point on the inside of the construction fencing, including vehicle delivery fence gates and existing loading docks.
    • Sites without construction fencing must post a sign at each egress point within the controlled access zone where construction is taking place and at each existing loading dock or location used for construction delivery or access.

To comply with the new requirements, the posted sign must:

  • be 44 inches wide and 30 inches high;
  • have letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high;
  • have white letters on a blue background; and
  • be made of a durable and weatherproof material such as vinyl, plastic, or aluminum that is flame retardant.

The NYC DOB also was kind enough to build out templates in various languages for a diverse workforce population. If you wish to obtain a Site Safety Poster in a different language than English CLICK HERE. 

Any questions we recommend so speak directly with Complete Safety Services, LLC Sinead O’Flaherty. CLICK HERE to contact Sinead. 

 

 

Other

NY Construction Payroll Limitation Increase Effective July 1st

On July 1st, 2019 New York construction payroll limitation will increase. The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board has made an update to the construction industry payroll limitation. Effective July 1st, 2019 the limitation will increase from $1,401.17.  This new limitation applies to policies effective on or after July 1st, 2019.  For policies effective before July 1st, 2019, the limitation remains at $1,357.11 per week

What is the construction payroll limitation?

Construction employees working under specific classifications will earn higher than average wages.  Location, skill level, and working on a prevailing wage job are reasons for this. This means employers paying higher wages for the same work end up paying higher premiums. The Rating Board started the payroll limitation in 1999 to bring fairness to insurance premiums by evening out the playing field. Each week, payroll for qualifying employees is established at the limitation set by the Rating Board for audit purposes.

What does this mean?

If a qualifying construction employee earns more than the limitation throughout the week, their payroll is capped at the limitation for audit purposes. Additionally, the limitation applies from week to week. If an employee earns more than the limitation one week, the rule applies. The full wage is included that week if an employee earns less than the limitation.

Does this apply to me?

If you are in the construction industry and have employees in the qualifying classes, this will apply to you. You can find a list of the eligible codes on the State Insurance Fund website.

Furthermore, if any of your employees earn more than the limitation, your workers compensation insurance might cost more than it should.

What About Wrap Ups?

Good Question! The payroll limitation also applies on Wrap Ups too.  Your certified payroll reports may not have a provision to report limited payroll. As such, you should not assume the wrap admin is making the adjustments for you.

Still need help? A Risk Advisor can help make sure the limitation is in your favor. To learn more, click here.

Construction Practice Group Content, General Liability Insurance

How The Insurance Marketplace Prices Your Construction Liability Policy

Do you want the secret in understanding how the insurance marketplace prices your construction liability insurance policy renewals? This is an instructional piece to be shared with your staff members in charge of assisting in the design and purchase of your insurance program.

Throughout my 30 year career, I have found it especially advantageous to have a clear understanding of what the other side is trying to accomplish, and how they execute. Too often CFO’s and owners of businesses lead with how they “feel” about their company and how the insurance marketplace SHOULD price their account. Often their feelings are far from reality. Here is a primer so you know how to properly position your account, set expectations and beat your competition.

The Parameters Underwriters Use To Build Your Underwriting Risk Profile :

Every good insurance broker should be framing your company’s Risk Profile so you and they control the narrative. The Risk Profile is essentially the main underwriting package or submission the brokerage community makes on your behalf. The goal is to transfer as much risk as possible to the insurance marketplace for the lowest possible premiums. This creates the most value for you the end-user buyer. Too often insurance buyers don’t transfer nearly enough risk, simply jumping at the lower premiums incorrectly assuming the coverage they are getting is equal. THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A CHEAP INSURANCE POLICY!! PERIOD!

How Do You Make Your Money ?

What the insurance underwriter is trying to understand is what is your “craft” , how do you make your money. In construction, your business model coupled with your means and methods is a very big deal.

If your company does masonry work they need far more detail than simply “masonry”. Are you only doing flatwork, or do you work at heights? If you work at heights; how high to you go up? Whose your end-user client? Condo’s Co-op’s, parking garages, commercial warehouse, municipalities?

How you answer these questions helps both the broker placing the risk AND the underwriter who is deciding what coverage’s to give, what exclusions to put on the policy and how much premium to charge.

We suggest that you have a well thought out descriptive write up about your company in advance which helps build your “Risk Profile”.  In the absence of this, you are leaving much to chance as this is not optimal for any stakeholders.

Where Do You Make Your Money ?

Your geographic footprint is very important. Insurance rates and claims experience is VERY local. The local laws really drive claims up or down contingent on the geographic region. Each locale has it’s own challenges and opportunities. Further, many insurance carriers restrict coverage in “hard market” locations where the challenges are acute like all of New York State due to the Labor Law and or “worse” New York City.  If your operation is countrywide or international we need to know that too as this affects coverage design and pricing. It’s important you disclose this. Often the carrier wants to know what % of sales come from each geographic region.

QUICK TIP: The higher the Risk Profile, the more risk the insurance carrier takes on which usually means they will charge more premiums in exchange for that risk.

What Are Your Results ?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Our customers at Metropolitan Risk understand the price companies pay for their insurance premiums are a function of how well they prevent and manage their claims.  We did a short little video called  “What’s the Most Important Metric When Evaluating Your Future Liability Insurance Costs.” If you haven’t seen it in we highly recommend it.

Spoiler alert, it’s about what your loss pic is by line of insurance. Your Loss pic essentially determines how profitable your account has been to the insurance marketplace over the prior 5 years. It’s simple if the carriers lost money on your account, expect a price increase. If they made money on your account you should be fairly flat contingent on the overall market. If the carriers are making a lot of money on your account, you should do really well at renewal. Every company should have its companies most current loss pic at their fingertips at all times. This is a GREAT leading indicator. Your actual insurance renewal is a lagging indicator.

How Many Times Have You Switched Carriers?

This is a simple concept. If your account is on the street every year and your bidding out the insurance annually the underwriters know this. In most markets, there are only a few insurance carriers that have an appetite for your risk profile. Like clockwork, the submission comes in, usually from different brokers. Most insurance carrier underwriter hate this. They see it for what it is. A short term situation whereby they are renting your account for a year or 2 and then you’re off to the next dance partner. After a few submissions like this, the underwriters cease to give your file the consideration it deserves. At Metropolitan Risk we believe this really hurts the company who does this. The brokers don’t care as it’s not their story or reputation.

QUICK TIP: You should not put your account on the street every year. Once every 3 to 4 years is best practice unless you have coverage concerns or problematic exclusions that are jamming you up.

Best Practice Additions :

Here is where most other brokerage’s stop. At Metropolitan Risk we believe these next few additions make a HUGE difference. We have the testimonials to prove it.

A) Company Org Chart :

If your properly staffed with safety personal, in-house legal counsel, HR Admins, Project Managers & Coordinators we encourage you to highlight this. If you’re staffed properly this is a strength of your organization. We believe there is a direct correlation to being properly staffed forward and you lagging claims results. Companies that are staffed thinly tend to have far higher losses.

B) What About Your Company Is Unique?

What are you doing as a company that’s different, unique, special, that sets you apart from your competition? Do you have a competitive advantage in your native market that makes you more competitive, increases your quality or your margins? Let’s talk about this. Those same qualities may help lower your risk profile too. We need to tell that story.

C) Got Claims? :

The carriers are going to see the losses on your claims history so there’s no hiding it. Instead lets’ talk about them. Why they happened and more importantly what changes you have made to make sure they don’t happen again. This is really important as we are asking the underwriter to discount the historical claims performance of the account. We need to give them something of substance here so they can go to management and argue for us as to why the past won’t be prologue.

D) Don’t Just Say; Show It!:

If you’re telling a good story above in B or C back it up. Show some physical evidence to the underwriter you are doing this. Too often both the brokers and the businesses they represent tell a good “story” but it’s a story of fiction at worse, a story of gross embellishment at best. Adding reports, minutes to meetings, something that adds credence that you are actually doing what you say your doing’ that is powerful!

E) Who’s Telling Your Story?

We probably should have lead with this. If you were smart enough to follow the entire submission blueprint above don’t forget the most important part. Have (1) broker submit your application to the marketplace. If your preference is to use two brokers that’s your preference however please be sure to control your story. Nothing is worse than when (1) underwriter gets 2 entirely different submissions from 2 different brokers. You only have (1) shot at a good first impression. We did a great short little video on this called HOLDING ON TO YOUR STORY.

A good underwriter is not going to take the time to figure out which submission is the “correct” one. Instead, both brokers and the company they represent lose all credibility and the underwriter moves on to the next file. The bottom line controls your story. The best way to do that has one broker represent you in the marketplace. IF you don’t trust they will get you the best price and coverage combination, then you have the wrong broker.

If you would like to see what a Best Practices Submission looks like speak with a Risk Advisor by calling (914) 357-8444 or CLICK HERE to Schedule a 5-minute call!

Workers Compensation Insurance

Understanding The New York State Insurance Fund Reservation of Rights Process

Executing the NY State Insurance Fund Reservation of Rights protocol is critical if you do not want to be surcharged for leaving the NYSIF.

As you may be aware if you want to leave The New York State Insurance Fund for greener pastures or a better offer for workers compensation insurance from the private market place you must reserve your rights within 30 days of the workers compensation insurance policy expiration date. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of at least 10% of the annual workers compensation insurance premium. Naturally, this little poison pill gets many a NY business owner sick, usually after the fact as many insurance brokers are no as conversant as they should be in the rule.

Thus in the spirit of good faith here are two important resources to help you execute.

Click Here

To download a sample letter you need to draft on your letterhead to let the carrier know your intentions so you can reserve your right to leave the NYSIF without penalty. This doesn’t mean you will, you just simply want the option just in case.

Click Here

To figure out who your NYSIF Underwriter is. This is the person the letter should be addressed to AND you should send to both electronically AND by Certified Mail just in case. It’s worth the $4 in case you do exercise your right to leave . If they come back with the penalty you can prove that you reserved your right and provide back up.

If you decide to remain with the NYSIF you must follow up with the underwriter and let them know your intent in writing or they will assume you left and cancel the policy. It’s tricky as reserving your rights SHOULD NOT mean auto cancel the policy, however, that is how the NYSIF interrupts the reservation of rights. Don’t let that trip you up. We suggest that you work with a Risk Advisor to guide you with this process . If they are a Metropolitan Risk Advisor they will do this gratis in appreciation for how time challenged you are. If you have any more questions about NY State Insurance Fund Reservation of Rights contact a Risk Advisor for more details. Simply complete the form below or give us a shout at (914) 357-8444. We are here for you.

 

Other

5 Critical Tips On Avoiding a Very Expensive Education On Safety

Over a decade ago in May of 2008, a Crane collapsed in NYC that killed 2 construction workers. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times both profiled the company owner Mr. James Lomma of NY Crane & Equipment Corp and the assistant district attorney, Eli Cherasky spoke on the matter saying “They were killed because a wealthy man was concerned about the bottom line and nothing else.”

We’re still talking about this accident today because of the effect it had on one construction business. Your safety policies may not be the strongest because you believe that this will not happen to your business. Like all risks, there is the possibility this could happen to you, but you have the opportunity to learn from someone else’s expensive mistake.

 

5 Critical Tips On Avoiding a Very Expensive Education On Safety:

  1.  Hire a site safety coordinator. Senior management and your new site safety coordinator need to have a concise safety plan that needs to be implemented company-wide. 
  2. Budget for committed resources for safety in every new project. Safety does pay a dividend although many don’t bother to understand or calculate it.  
  3. Offer a team bonus if your team achieves certain safety goals and enforce penalties for violations. You win as a team and you lose as a team while on a worksite.
  4. Start every project by reviewing your previous numbers and creating new safety goals based on past experiences. Learn from your past mistakes instead of making the same ones.
  5. Call in a professional. A professional may cost money, but an accident or claim could put you out of business.

 

If you understand the cost of loss, insurance claim or injury to your profit margins then it is much easier to commit a fraction of those management resources to safety. Its not just good business, it is the right thing to do for your community and your employees.

Are you ready to implement a plan but don’t know where to start? Request A 5 Minute Call with one of our Risk Advisors at no cost 1.914.357.8444

Claims Management, Construction Practice Group Content, Food & Beverage Practice Group Content, HR Challenges, Human Services Practice Group Content, Transportation Practice Group Content, Workers Compensation Insurance

When An Employee Refuses Medical Injury Treatment For Potential Workers Compensation Claim

Is your employee refusing medical injury treatment for a potential worker compensation claim? Based on the geographic location of your business, many state workers’ compensation statutes limit and mandate certain employer actions when a worker is injured. Depending on the state, there are specific timelines to follow and forms to complete. But what about when a worker injures themselves and refuses to accept treatment or file a claim? What are your responsibilities? While the exact legal answer depends on your situation and state laws, consider the following to limit your liability. Not sure click here.

When You Notice An Employee Injury

If you’ve notice that one of your employees has been injured, whether they have mentioned it or not, gently bring it up. Then, discuss the circumstances of the injury with the employee to determine whether the injury occurred when working. Many state workers’ compensation statutes obligate employers to report injuries as soon as they have knowledge of them. Delay in reporting the injury could result in a much larger claim & fines from the state. Completing the paperwork to report injuries is not an admission of your liability—on the contrary, it could protect you. This is where we see Employers are weakest, as they have no consistent systems in place. This could ultimately help them defend themselves in a workers compensation claim hearing.  

 

In the Case of An Employee’s  Refusal For Medical Treatment For A Potential Worker Compensation Claim

When discussing the injury with the employee, explain that reporting job-related injuries ensures injured workers to certain benefits. This is in action while recovering from the injury. This should have been in writing in your employee handbook as part of your policies and procedures. Further notifying your employees of their obligation to report timely. All potential workplace injuries should be part of your initial on-boarding process. If the employee refuses to file a claim for the injury, file the employer’s portion of the report with a statement of refusal to pursue a claim signed by the employee. It is crucial that you document this conversation to protect your organization from being penalized in the future. Typically we advocate separate reporting forms, one for the employee and one for the direct report supervisor. This serves a dual purpose of taking down details of the incident and as an accident investigation report. 

Employees that do initially report injuries but then refuse treatment under the physician or facility that your organization furnishes should sign a similar form confirming this refusal. The employer also has a right to state to the employee that the only way they could be allowed back at work is if they passed a medical clearance test. This test determines their physical capacity to perform the work. Self-diagnosis by an employee is rarely a good idea. 

Workers Compensation Benefits for Employees that Refuse Medical Treatment

State workers’ comp statutes vary, but in most cases, workers’ compensation benefits are suspended for employees that refuse to comply with any reasonable request for examination or refuse to accept medical service or physical rehabilitation which the employer elects to furnish. Benefits may not be payable for this period of refusal of treatment—check with your workers’ comp carrier. 

What Employers Can Do When An Employee Refuses Medical Treatment For A Workers Compensation Claim

It is important that you prepare for an eventual employee’s refusal to submit a claim or refusal to accept treatment for a workplace injury. All employers should have a legal representative draft a form for refusal of treatment that complies with state requirements so it is immediately available when needed. Discuss with supervisors the importance of documenting and reporting all injuries, whether or not the worker chooses to report them.

 

Workers compensation insurance is obligatory in most states. Contact a Risk Advisor at Metropolitan Risk by CLICKING HERE or call (914) 357-8444 for more information.

Construction Practice Group Content, Food & Beverage Practice Group Content, General Liability Insurance, Loss Control, Risk Management, Transportation Practice Group Content

10 Storm Preparedness Tips for Business Continuity

Proper storm preparedness can help your organization continue to operate if an incident occurs within your offices that require your employees to transition to remote work.  A weather incident like Super Storm Sandy in 2011 taught us these tips on weather preparedness.

  1.  Transfer incoming business calls to an answering service ( located off the east coast preferably), or your cell phone voice mail. No power no calls. You could be down days! Not too late to set up a Google Voice Account that provides a text translation of every call.
  2.  Alert your team to back up their workspaces onto an offline platform like a USB-drive or removable hard drive. Email the team to ensure they’ve backed up any information they may need while the servers are offline. If you didn’t do that, call all hands on deck to save these files. Burn it to a CD.
  3.  Back up all Server Data to a portable device or even better to a service like Google Drive. Duplicate and move the data so you can plug and play when the power is back, or from a remote location.
  4.  Make sure employees can access their email remotely. Remind everyone to charge their cell phones Saturday. Shut them down until Monday to conserve battery as power may be out days. Have them buy car chargers so they can charge the cells from the car battery.
  5.  Unplug all computers, servers, and electronics to prevent circuit damage from power surges. There are a million ways the circuitry can get fried, unplug it to reduce the risk of losing your electronics to fried circuitry.
  6. Remove electronics from the floor. Many organizations set desktop workstations on the floor to maximize desk space. If your employees are not working in the office, remove these electronics from the floor to prevent water damage if flooding occurs. Leaks, blown windows, and floods coming from all directions can be a problem. I don’t care where your office is, water is fluid and indiscriminate. Get it all off the floor, and put something over the top so leaks from above can’t hit it. 
  7. Have a list of employee contact information. Designated an employee or two (always good to have a back-up in case the first employee lacks cell phone service) as the designated contact. Cell service may be spotty, texting has a better shot of getting through. Create this list and distribute it to every employee.  You might be working remotely for a long time.
  8. Establish a chain of communication with employees. Keep them posted. Efficient communication is critical.  Set up social media accounts, or email chains to ensure quick and easy communications. 
  9. Alert your clients of an alternative way to contact your staff, if conventional means of communications are down. Create a banner or landing page on your website to alert clients of how to reach you in the event that your office is closed.  Create a landing page on your website that gives clients or customers an indication of how to reach you and what is happening with your business. Emergency contact numbers e.t.c. Communication is key!
  10.   Seal wind-exposed window seams with duct tape, remove sensitive items away from windows and off the floors. Take sensitive documents off the floor, and out from the bottom drawers, put them someplace safe.

 

For more information on storm preparedness for your business operations, contact a risk advisor at 914-357-8444.

Human Services Practice Group Content, Line of Insurance, Workers Compensation Insurance

Home Health Care Agencies Enjoy Lowest Workers Comp Rates For 2019 to 2020 Term In NY

If you own home health care agencies in NY State the loss cost assigned by the  NY Workers Compensation Rating Board governing the predominate labor class codes for Home Health Care Agencies have decreased by approximately 43% since 2017 for class code 9051,(Home Health Care Non_Professional Employees).

The loss costs rates are released in July each year effective for workers compensation policies that renew after October 1st. Insurance Carriers doing business in NY State can choose to deviate off these published loss costs. They can with either credits or debits to arrive at the workers’ compensation premiums.

At Metropolitan Risk we study which carriers have the best workers compensation rates for Home Health Care Agencies. Contingent on where your agency is located, how big your footprint is and what your current loss history is as denoted by your workers’ compensation experience modification factor you might be able to substantially lower your workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

“Just because the published loss costs are “x” this doesn’t necessarily translate directly to the rates you are paying “

Brandon Mueller, Risk Advisor, Metropolitan Risk

 

Naturally, you can try and figure all this out yourself. Or, you could give us a quick call and cut right to the chase.

 

Schedule a quick 5-minute call to evaluate your current situation before you automatically renew the workers’ compensation insurance policy. Reserve Your Consultation by BOOKING TODAY