What do you do with workers comp?

[ForTheArborist]

I spoke with a few insurance brokers today. So far ive learned that i need to go through state fund instead of going through a private surety co. This would be because it costs so much otherwise.

Id be interested in what kind of rate you pay and how your plan is set up. I have it in mind that the climbers being the only fellas above 20 ft (they charge more above 20') should be the only ones charged for over 20' instead of everyone in the ground crews charged this way too.

 

[jefflovstrom]

If a climber is working above 15 feet, it is a tree job and even the ground guys rate is that of the climber. It is not what each guy does, it is what the job is. Maybe un-fair, but that is how it is.
Jeff

 

[Ghillie]

Here in Ohio, we are state fund (we have to "buy" it from the state), I was able to go through a local chamber of commerce to get a group discount. When I did this, my initial rates went from 54% to 14%. Since then it went up to about 25% due to a statewide evaluation of rates.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Here in Ohio, we are state fund (we have to "buy" it from the state), I was able to go through a local chamber of commerce to get a group discount. When I did this, my initial rates went from 54% to 14%. Since then it went up to about 25% due to a statewide evaluation of rates.

Is there any difference between state fund and chamber of commerce? Isnt one just a form of the other.

 

[Ghillie]

Chamber of Commerce is an organization that businesses or individuals join for the advancement of their business. Kind of like TCIA, only not tree company specific.

Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is a state run fund that everyone with coverage pays into and the state handles any claims that the covered worker has. Injuries and illnesses that are work related.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[capecodtree]

Wc

I pay $17/100 her in MA. I could put myself down as office/sales and my rate would be $4/100. But if I get hurt doing tree work I am not able to file a WC claim.
I seems to me that the goverment on both the state and federal level are against small business. And I believe that small business's like ours are the backbone of this country. It's small companies that employ the majority of the US labor force. Taxes, mandatory over priced insurance/WC I think put an unfair burden on companies. I have no problem paying reasonable taxes, reasonable insurance and workmans comp. rates. Look at your pay roll taxs, look at what you pay for liability, you get taxed at at least $33/100 before you can start to make a profit. Never mind fuel, maintenance, payroll, breakdowns, etc. Some days I wonder why I bother

 

[capecodtree]

WC follow up

Tax's, insurance and workmans comp. always get me going. I had to vent.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Ouch, here I think its 1$ per 100. Heck I dont even know, the bill isnt one I pay much attention to. Start shooting lawyers, eventually all your insurance, medical bills, and general costs will get cheaper. you just have to shoot enough of them

 

[ATH]

What do you do with workers comp?

Ben Dover

As Ghillie alluded to in Ohio we have to buy it from the state. There are only 4 monopolistic states left: Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, Wyoming. That meas we have no choice but to purchase 'insurance' from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (sounds a LOT like a tax to me...). If you are part of a "group" you can be included in a discount program in what is called "group rating".

Last year, the State passed new laws that limited the discount the group can offer. My rate also went up to nearly 25% (from 12%). That is the lowest price available for tree workers (in the mean time people wonder why we are in the bottom half of the country with unemployment numbers...). Having said that, I was a little more motivated to pursue other options for more affordale coverage. After discussing my circumstances with a BWC auditor, I was issued two now codes. I can now code employee time to tree care (that is 25% smack in the wallet) or established landscape maintenance or new landscape installation (both under 10%). There will be red flags if I report a majority in the second two without changing some other things with BWC registration and that would result in an audit. But those 2 allow me to pay reduced rates when I am not above the ground, falling a tree, running a chipper, etc...

 

[ForTheArborist]

ATH, thats exactly what i should be doing. I need to asking questions to find out about the deals.

I have the feeling that what some of the arb co.s do to stay at the table is pay the comp costs, but thin out their income reports. Im not as afraid enough to do the same thing, but i am seeing the road is covered in speed bumps and why the legal acting owners are intrepid about slamming the hacks.

 

[Blackdog]

In North Carolina you will have to go with one of the four state chosen insurance companies (STATE POOL), who charge what the state sets the rate at every year, around 40/100 dollars, unless you can find a private carrier to insure you. If you can get your Experience Rating below 1.00, you can probably get a good rate down around 25/100. Either way, you will have to audit every year.

The TCIA and ArborMax have teamed up to offer WC to members. There are some pre-qualifications, such as a CTSP on staff or Accreditation through the TCIA, but the program is tailored to Tree companies.

Amerisafe is another one out there that caters to the tree industry. Our rate has gotten under 25% and ER under .98, and audits and premiums are run monthly to avoid any surprises at the end of the year.

Be aware that splitting categories can be dicey. Clerical is easy to split off, and I pay less than 1% for them. Anyone and any work done for a job that can be classified as a tree job will be required to pay the Tree Worker WC rate, even if you split your crews into takedown and cleanup on different days. Stumpgrinding is classified as tree work, even if that is the only thing you do on a job, as well as raking, driving, blowing, etc. These regs are in the NCCI Scopes manual which defines industry classifications for the US. There are a few states that do not use the NCCI classification system. California, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are states that have their own classification systems. Texas licenses much of the NCCI system, but makes significant variations in specific classification rules. Many other states have some "state special" classifications that can vary significantly from NCCI definitions for certain workplace exposures.

 

[ozzy42]

Start shooting lawyers,

Better yet .I propose a national dual day just like in the old days .
Have every lawyer, pistol dual with every politician.
That would eliminate 1/2 of them in one day.
Rinse and repeat , one day a year for ten years.
A lot of problems would be solved.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Better yet .I propose a national dual day just like in the old days .
Have every lawyer, pistol dual with every politician.
That would eliminate 1/2 of them in one day.
Rinse and repeat , one day a year for ten years.
A lot of problems would be solved.

Lol Suddenly i hear children singing praise to Stalin and marching before the Kremlinbin moscow.