Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates Inc. "Work Comp Rates To Go Up 14%" 2-23-14

It was recently announced that the DCRB and the Insurance Department of Delaware have reached an agreement on the increase in Delaware work comp rates. It looks like 14% is the new number for 2014. Business owners may feel somewhat relieved as it was discussed that the rates should go up 40% or more. However 14% is nothing to sneeze at, as most business owners will still have a tough time paying for the increase in a lagging Delaware economy. The work comp rate making game has become an event most Delaware business owners have come to expect. Each year DCRB gives a suggested loss cost rate increase and the Insurance Department pushes back. Sometime after the start of the new year new rate structures are approved. What is problematic with this system is the affect it has on small business and the Delaware economy. Business owners have a hard time planning their budgets for the new year as work comp is a big number on their income statements and has to be factored in. Most of my clients hold back on hiring new employees or buying new equipment until they know the cost of their work comp premiums. Over the last few years as rates have sky rocketed, many businesses are not hiring or buying at all. The cause of increased work comp rates is the subject of another blog post, but one thing is for certain, as rates go up, business growth is negatively affected. This is not a good scenario for the Delaware economy. Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.

G. Kevin Nemith, President ,CNC Insurance Associates Inc & The Small Business Insurance Center
Serving DE,MD,VA,NJ, & PA
www.cncinsurance.com
www.bizinsuranctv.org

Popular posts from this blog

Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates, " Personalization of Auto Insurance Could Reduce Rates !" 12-25-18

Insurance rates may go down in the future because of "auto personalization". What is this you ask? Imagine being charged insurance rates based on your personalized use of your auto. If you drive very little next week, then your rates go down. If you drive the speed limit most of the time, your rates go down. If you avoid hard braking and tailgating, your rates go down. Get the picture?  The use of telematics has given the insurance industry a chance to personalize insurance costs directly to the users' driving habits. Gone may be the days of surcharging a male driver under the age of 24 just because they are young. If the telematics show that he can drive as safe and responsible as a 40 year old, then his insurance premiums should be comparable. If you go on vacation and park the car for two weeks, telematics will inform the insurance company that there has been no risk, and your insurance premiums will reflect that. Now as good as this sounds it will work the other wa
Read more

Get employees back to work quickly to keep work comp costs down

Image
In the past I have spoken to clients regarding a particular workers compensation claim affecting them and have asked if they have brought the employee back to work yet. Too many times the answer is no, they have nothing for that employee to do since said employee is not 100% and unable to perform their specific job prior to their workers compensation injury/claim. The problem with this is that too often employers miss the point that even though an employee can't perform in the position they were in prior to their injury, it behooves the employer to create some type of alternative task/job the employee can do until such time they are able to resume their normal duties. Bringing that employee back to work means that work comp benefits /payments in that particular claim are being curtailed, thereby saving the employer potentially more being paid out, while adding to their experience mod and driving their overall work comp expenses up.
Read more

Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates. " Mental Health Issues in the Workplace Needs Risk Management" 12-2-18

Employees with depression and severe anxiety are very common in the work place today. Studies have shown that close to 50% of all who suffer mental health issues at work are not being treated effectively. Mental health disorders do not discriminate, as it affects all employees even in the C Suite. So what is the employers' responsibility for dealing with this issue? It definitely requires risk management.  Employers can begin by making sure the health insurance that is offered to employees has mental health coverage. Many plans do not carry this coverage even though the ACA requires it. More importantly employers should create a culture of conversation which can allow employees to openly discuss their mental issues. Employee Assistant Programs set up by employers can offer education and services to help employees improve their wellness and sleep. Also employees abuse of prescription medications , need employers attention to make sure doctors and counselors are part of the assistant
Read more