Agent News

We’re proud to announce that AF Group – which includes Accident Fund and our related brands (CompWest, Third Coast Underwriters, United Heartland and AF Specialty) – has been selected as a Best Place to Work in Insurance for 2017 by Business Insurance for the seventh year in a row. And even more exciting — this year, we earned FIRST PLACE in the large employer category!

Business Insurance launched the Best Places to Work in Insurance program in 2009 to identify and recognize high-quality employers in the commercial insurance industry and honor them for creating workplaces that encourage employees to thrive. AF Group and its brands have an excellent reputation for creating a positive workplace culture focused on open communication and a commitment to inclusion and innovation. This atmosphere encourages employees to work hard and best serve our agents and policyholders.

We are excited to see some of our agency partners make the list as well. Congratulations to the following for their ‘Best Places to Work’ recognition:

• Assurance Agency Ltd.
• Bearence Management Group
• Cambridge Consulting Group
• CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services
• EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
• HNI Risk Services
• Holmes Murphy & Associates
• Hylant
• Kapnick Insurance Group
• Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance LLC
• Lockton Companies LLC
• Marsh & McLennan Agency
• NFP
• SIG
• TexCap Insurance
• TRICOR Insurance
• White & Associates Insurance

We are proud to once again be considered among the Best Places to Work in Insurance and pleased to share this recognition with our agency partners.

Accident Fund has launched its  second mobile app – AF Advantage – a new tool that will make doing business with us easier by putting company resources at your fingertips.

AF Advantage provides our agent partners immediate access to dynamic information and tools, such as:

• Class code lookup
• Company contact information (Help Desk, Billing and two customizable contacts)
• Marketing materials
• Access to events information and training opportunities
• Social media content

The app was initially introduced at Accident Fund’s Agent Meetings earlier this year and now features a number of  enhancements. “The app definitely piqued agents’ interest,” said Mike Seling, vice president of Business Development and Regional Operations for Accident Fund. “Several of them downloaded the app as we were discussing the details and functionality. We’re excited about the latest enhancements to AF Advantage and pleased to share this new tool with  our agent partners.”

The mobile app is publicly available in the Apple and Google store. We’d encourage you to download it – we’re certain you’ll find it very useful! Click here to access our marketing flyer.

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, new enhancements will be available in AccuPremium, our payroll reporting process for workers’ compensation.

To begin, we are combining AccuPremium and monthly self reporting into one single program, which will offer your clients a true “pay as you go” experience with no restrictions.

Other benefits include:

• Security deposit as low as 5% for policies over $150,000.
• Better cash flow and expense planning — you pay premium based on actual payroll.
• Fewer audit surprises — using actual reported payroll instead of estimates ensures minimal adjustments at final audit.
• No restrictions or limitations on states, class codes, policy size, minimum premium or payroll vendors.
• No administration fees.
• No checks to write – automated EFT draft approximately one week after reporting.

For a list of all benefits, please review the attached marketing material and share it with your customers.

If you have additional questions, please contact your business development consultant or email [email protected].

Nearly one third of workers’ comp claims in the Midwest are caused by slips and falls on ice and snow. With winter weather upon us, be sure your Accident Fund customers are taking advantage of our S.A.F.E: Slip and Fall Elimination campaign. This campaign increases awareness of winter weather-related slip-and-fall injuries and offers steps that can be taken to reduce their likelihood.

Throughout the winter season, you and your customers can access our WorkSafe Solutions e-blasts, as well as our newly updated website to gain valuable information on weather-related safety. We’re confident our array of materials will help your customers stay S.A.F.E. this winter, no matter what mother nature has in store.

Be sure to visit our campaign frequently and encourage your Accident Fund customers to do the same. Click here for a series of short, humorous videos promoting the campaign – feel free to share them!.

Following a number of postponements, OSHA has announced the launch of a new application for the electronic submission of injury and illness records to the agency. Employers will be required to upload their 2016 OSHA 300A form by Dec. 1, 2017, which was extended from the earlier deadline of July 1. The Injury Tracking Application (ITA), the system allowing for electronic submission of forms to the agency, will be accessible here on Aug. 1.

OSHA recently clarified that electronic reporting requirements are based on the size of the establishment or physical location, not the firm. A firm may have more than one establishment. Establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records will be required to submit all necessary records electronically using one of three data submission options provided by OSHA. Steps include:

1. Manually enter data into a web form.
2. Upload a CSV file to process single or multiple establishments at the same time.
3. Transmit data electronically via an application programming interface (for users of automated recordkeeping systems).

Additionally, establishments with 20 to 249 employees that are classified in certain industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses will also be required to submit injury and illness records electronically. However, these covered establishments will only be required to electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A. A full list of these industries can be found here.

The new reporting requirements became effective on Jan. 1, 2017, and will be phased in over the next two years. All covered establishments must submit information from their completed 2016 Form 300A by Dec. 1, 2017.

In 2018, covered establishments with 250 or more employees must submit information from all completed 2017 forms (300A, 300, and 301) by July 1, 2018, and covered establishments with 20 to 249 employees must submit information from their completed 2017 Form 300A by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019, and every year thereafter, covered establishments must submit the information by March 2. Click here for our recordkeeping brochure.

We want to pay you more for your new business. Send us everything you’ve got and we’ll give you a 2% bonus commission on all new accounts issued under $200,000 in premium, no exclusions.

To incentivize our agents even further, we’ve extended the program to run through March 31, 2018! Our new business incentive could equate to 29% more revenue for your agency. Contact your business development consultant to discuss how you can maximize the benefits.

Arkansas

8380   Automobile Service or Repair Center & Drivers

7380   Drivers, Chauffeurs & Their Helpers NOC-Commercial

5190   Electrical Wiring-Within Buildings & Drivers

5022   Masonry NOC

8017   Store: Retail NOC

Georgia

5537   Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems–Installation, Service and Repair and Drivers

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

Illinois

5215   Concrete Work-Incidental to The Construction of Private Residence

8835   Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

Indiana

8835   Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

3629   Precision Machined Parts Mfg NOC

Iowa

8380   Automobile Service or Repair Center & Drivers

3507   Construction or Agricultural Machinery Mfg

3632   Machine Shop NOC

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8832   Physician & Clerical

Kansas

5645   Carpentry-Detached One or Two-Family Dwellings

5221   Concrete or Cement Work-Floors, Driveways, Yards or Sidewalks-& Drivers

8107   Machinery Dealer NOC-Store or Yard-& Drivers

9082   Restaurant NOC

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

Louisiana

8046   Store: Automobile Parts &Accessories – NOC & Drivers

8010   Store: Hardware

Maryland

8861   Charitable or Welfare Organization Professional Employees

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8236   Ready-Mixed Concrete Dealers & Drivers

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Driverz

Michigan

7380   Drivers, Chauffeurs & Their Helpers NOC-Commercial

8833   Hospital: Professional Employees

9058   Hotel: Restaurant Employees

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8869   Professional Employees: School or College

Minnesota

5190   Electrical Wiring-Within Buildings & Drivers

8842   Group Homes – All Employees & Salespersons, Drivers

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8824   Retirement Living Centers: Health Care Employees

8033   Store: Meat, Grocery and Provision Stores Combined-Retail NOC

Mississippi

5190   Electrical Wiring-Within Buildings & Drivers

8833   Hospital: Professional Employees

Missouri

5645   Carpentry-Detached One or Two-Family Dwellings

5474   Painting or Paperhanging NOC & Shop Operations, Drivers

9083   Restaurant: Fast Food

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

2841   Woodenware Manufacturing NOC

Nebraska

5221   Concrete or Cement Work-Floors, Driveways, Yards or Sidewalks-& Drivers

6325   Conduit Construction-For Cables or Wires-& Drivers

4130   Glass Merchant

8293   Storage Warehouse-Furniture & Drivers

7600   Telephone or Telegraph Co.: All Other Employees & Drivers

North Carolina

8861   Charitable or Welfare Organization Professional Employees

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8236   Ready-Mixed Concrete Dealers & Drivers

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

Oklahoma           

4558   Paint Mfg.

8742   Salespersons, Collectors or Messengers-Outside

8010   Store: Hardware

8033   Store: Meat, Grocery and Provision Stores Combined-Retail NOC

9402   Street Cleaning & Drivers

South Carolina

8861   Charitable or Welfare Organization Professional Employees

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8236   Ready-Mixed Concrete Dealers & Drivers

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

South Dakota

8380   Automobile Service or Repair Center & Drivers

9014   Buildings-Operation by Contractors

8810   Clerical Office Employees NOC

9052   Hotel: All Other Employees & Salespersons, Drivers

8017   Store: Retail NOC

Tennessee          

5537   Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

9083   Restaurant: Fast Food

Texas

4034   Concrete Products Mfg. & Drivers

2105   Fruit Packing

5183   Plumbing NOC & Drivers

9079   Restaurant NOC

8293   Storage Warehouse-Furniture & Drivers

Virginia

8861   Charitable or Welfare Organization Professional Employees

8835   Nursing-Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

8236   Ready-Mixed Concrete Dealers & Drivers

7231   Trucking: Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery-All Employees & Drivers

Wisconsin

7605   Burglar Alarm Installation or Repair & Drivers

8835   Home Health, Public and Traveling-All Employees

Pending Rate Changes

The following states have a pending rate change. New rates for Accident Fund may not yet be available in eLink; however, some renewing policies may be viewable in the renewal index. Please refrain from releasing quotes and renewals for these states until rates are updated. Check our website for updates.

State	Effective   Date
Alabama	03/01/18
Alaska	01/01/18
Georgia	03/01/18
Louisiana	05/01/18
Mississippi	03/01/18
Nebraska	02/01/18
Nevada	03/01/18
New Jersey	01/01/18
Pennysylvania	04/01/18
Rhode Island	08/01/18
South Carolina	04/01/18
Tennessee	03/01/18
Texas	07/01/18
Vermont	04/01/18
Virginia	04/01/18

 

New Rates Now Available in eLink

Updated rates are now accessible in eLink for the following states:

State	Effective Date	Available in eLink as of:
Arizona	01/01/18	11/10/17
California (addition of new class codes, expiring class codes & assess.)	01/01/18	12/01/17
California (loss cost change to existing class codes)	02/01/18	12/08/17
Colorado	01/01/18	11/17/17
Connecticut	01/01/18	12/08/17
Delaware	12/01/17	11/17/17
District of Columbia	11/01/17	09/22/17
Florida	01/01/18	12/08/17
Hawaii	01/01/18	12/08/17
Idaho	01/01/18	11/03/17
Illinois	03/01/18	11/17/17
Indiana	01/01/18	11/10/17
Iowa	01/01/18	10/13/17
Kansas	01/01/18	11/03/17
Kentucky	01/01/18	09/22/17
Maryland	01/01/18	10/20/17
Michigan (CAOM)	01/01/18	11/03/17
Minnesota	01/01/18	10/13/17
Missouri	01/01/18	11/03/17
New Hampshire	01/01/18	10/27/17
New Mexico	01/01/18	10/13/17
New York	10/01/17	09/08/17
Oklahoma	01/01/18	10/27/17
Oregon	01/01/18	11/17/17
Pennsylvania	10/01/17	11/03/17
Utah	12/01/17	10/20/17
West Virginia	11/01/17	09/08/17

 

Please be sure to discuss pricing options for all new business and renewals with your business development consultant

Arkansas

Regions Insurance Inc, Fayetteville

Rogers Insurance Agency, Inc., Rogers

Georgia

Risk Innovations, LLC, Atlanta

Starr – Mathews Agency Inc, Calhoun

Illinois

Arthur J. Gallagher RMS Inc., Rolling Meadows

RWC Insurance Group, Frankfort

Indiana

AssuredPartners of Indiana, LLC, Indianapolis

ISU Stewart Brimner Peters & Co., Fort Wayne

Iowa

Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Davenport

Holmes, Murphy and Associates, LCC, West Des Moines

Kansas

Eils & Associates Insurance Group, Prairie Village

Fee Insurance Group, Inc., Hutchinson

Louisiana

Arthur J. Gallagher RMS Inc, Lafayette

Hub International Gulf South, Metairie

Maryland

Diversified Insurance Industries Inc., Hunt Valley

Georgetown Insurance Services, Inc., Silver Spring

Michigan

Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance Agency, Inc., Grandville

The Dearborn Agency, Inc., Dearborn

Minnesota

AssuredPartners of Minnesota, LLC, Saint Paul

Risk Placement Services Inc., Minneapolis

Mississippi         

Bottrell Insurance, Jackson

Insurance Associates, of Magee, Inc., Magee

Missouri

Missouri General Insurance Agency, Saint Louis

Risk Innovations LLC, Lees Summit

Nebraska

The Harry A. Koch Co., Omaha

UNICO Group, Inc., Lincoln

North Carolina

Harold W. Wells & Son, Inc., Wilmington

Summers Thompson Lowry, Inc, Chapel Hill

Oklahoma

Louis Blosch Agency, Tulsa

Rich & Cartmill Inc., Tulsa

South Carolina

KeenanSuggs/Hub Intl Southeast, Columbia

Southern Risk Insurance Svcs, Anderson

South Dakota

Black Hills Insurance Agency Inc., Rapid City

Howalt McDowell Ins, a Marsh & McLennan Agcy LLC Co, Sioux Falls

Tennessee

Strate Insurance Group, Inc., Morristown

Mathis Tibbets & Massey Inc, Memphis

RSS Insurance, Chattanooga

Texas

Bell Agency Inc, Dallas

Insurica TX Insurance Services Inc., Houston

Virginia

Preferred Insurance Services, Inc., Fairfax

Welch, Graham & Ogden Insurance, Inc., Manassas

Wisconsin

Johnson Insurance Services, Inc., Racine

Robertson Ryan & Associates Inc., Milwaukee

Wisconsin

The following link is a summary of workers’ compensation reform provisions produced by the Wisconsin  Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council. This summary was provided by our state trade partner — the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance (WIA).  The recommendations include modest increases in certain indemnity benefits, a Medicare and group health insurance based medical fee schedule, electronic billing provisions and restrictions on the dispensation of opioids to injured workers. We anticipate these recommendations will be formed into legislative language and pursued through the legislative process. 2018 being an election year makes the enactment of the proposal a challenge.  AF Group will monitor the situation moving forward. http://www.wial.com/documents/2017/08/wcac-agrd-bill-pkg-8_23_17.pdf

Indiana

Senator Randy Head is moving full steam ahead with trying to implement a workers’ compensation drug formulary in Indiana. His goal is to have the legislation drafted and implemented by the end of the 2018 legislative session (ends in March).  Currently, the Senator’s staff is drafting the formulary utilizing the Texas formulary as the model.

Politically, this initiative has serious potential to get enacted. Working with the state insurance trade, the Insurance Institute of Indiana, AF Group has been identified as a carrier expert resource for the Senator.  This will enable us the opportunity to truly impact the final proposal.  Issues being focused on at this point include: Duration and dosage of opioids, clearly defined process for dealing with non-approved medications, process and resources required to educate the provider community. As this initiative progresses into 2018, we’ll keep you informed.

Illinois

In November, the legislature concluded its fall veto session.  Of significance and positive news for our industry, no effort was made to override Governor Rauner’s veto of HB 2525, the workers’ compensation insurer price control legislation, so its total veto stands.  A veto override was attempted on HB 2622, the workers’ compensation state fund legislation, but that motion failed to obtain 71 votes, so that veto also stands.  We expect to see similar negative legislation reintroduced in 2018.  An additional legislative  issue of significance in 2018 will be addressing the opioid crisis. Lt. Governor Sanguinetti has been leading hearings on the topic across the state and it is expected that Governor Rauner will be pushing for legislative and administrative solutions to the crisis in 2018. We’ll keep you apprised of developments moving forward.

Missouri

Beginning January 1, 2018, a shareholder of an S corporation with at least 40% or more interest in the S corporation can individually elect to reject coverage under the workers’ compensation laws by providing a written notice of the rejection to the S corporation and its insurer. Failure to provide notice to the S corporation shall not be grounds for any shareholder to claim that the rejection is not legally effective. The shareholder may rescind the rejection in writing to the S corporation and its insurer. The rescission shall entitle the shareholder only to the benefits which accrue on or after the date of the notice of rescission is received by the insurance company. If you have any questions please contact your business development consultant. .