Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits
Q. With all the changes in the COBRA law, where can I find updated information?
Q. How does the new health care reform legislation affect my coverage under my group health plan?
Q. Why should my company start a Wellness Program?
Claims/Safety
Q. Are workers' compensation losses that fall under the Voluntary Compensation Endorsement included in the calculation for a workers' compensation Experience Modification?
Q. How long do losses remain on my experience modification worksheet?
Q. How can I compare my employees’ injuries with the injuries of other companies in my same line of business?
Q. What can I do to prevent workplace accidents in order to lower my insurance premium costs?
Q. Where can I find out what OSHA regulations apply to my business without calling OSHA?
Q. My company has never had an OSHA inspection. What happens if an inspection is done?
A. The Compliance Officer will first identify the purpose for the inspection. They will proceed by gathering evidence through photos, observations, measurements, and employee interviews. The Officer will review any proposed citations with you before leaving your business. After reviewing the findings, the Area Director might issue a citation with penalties via certified mail. You will be given 15 days to correct the hazards and pay the fine. You will also have the option to contest the citation either informally with the Area Director or formally at a higher level.
Q. As an employer, what can I do BEFORE a loss occurs to maximize a claims reduction in the event of a safety violation?
Q. Where do I start if I need to report a claim?
Q. What does depreciation, actual cash value and replacement cost mean?
Q. Who should complete the Workers’ Compensation First Report of Injury (FROI)?
Q. What are TTD, TPD, PPD and PTD?
Q. What is work hardening I hear mentioned when discussing Workers’ Compensation claims?
Q. What is Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
Q. What’s the advantage of returning an injured employee to work when they have work restrictions?
Surety
Q. What can I do to verify that financing is in place before I enter into a private and/or public run project?
Q. How do Joint Ventures affect my bond program?
Q. What is the basic information a bonding company will need?
Q. Are surety bonds the same as insurance?
Q. What do surety companies look at when they underwrite a specific risk?
Commercial Insurance
Q. Are workers' compensation losses that fall under the Voluntary Compensation Endorsement included in the calculation for a workers' compensation Experience Modification?
Q. How long do losses remain on my experience modification worksheet?
Q. How can I compare my employees’ injuries with the injuries of other companies in my same line of business?
Q. What is the difference between insuring agreements under an Umbrella policy that state the insurer will “pay on behalf of the insured” versus agreeing to “indemnify the insured”?
Q. Can my insurance premiums be premium financed?
Q. What is meant by a monopolistic state?
Q. Why is my building value on my policy more than its current real estate value?
Q. Do I need a separate policy for flood coverage?
Q. We are going to work in a state that we have never worked in before. Should we advise our broker?
Q. Most builder's risk policies have a condition that states coverage will end when the building or structure has been completed for more than ninety days. The policy, however, does not define "completed." At what point is a building or structure considered to be completed?