Programs that protect your business.

Even in the most well-run business enterprises, workers get injured – it’s just a fact of business life. Human error will happen, so your business needs to be protected in the event of an accident. Workers compensation insurance will provide the protection you need to cover the resources to aid in the injured worker’s recovery and return to productive work.

Workers compensation programs in California can be turbulent. It wasn’t too long ago that many businesses had only a single market to turn to for workers comp insurance. Then it seemed like every insurance company was trying to get into the workers compensation arena. Now, well, you can guess how this is going. The fly by night companies have gone by the wayside and many reputable companies are tightening up their guidelines, and we’re heading back to stricter times. So, as a business owner, how do you manage this risk?

You start by selecting a broker who has vast knowledge and experience in the California workers compensation insurance market. Engle & Associates has been helping employers manage their risk since 1980. The best way to keep your workers compensation costs down, is to control your losses. We can help you control losses, reduce your experience modification (xmod) and implement safety programs. Our goal is not to sell a cheap workers compensation policy in a hot market. Our goal is to be your business partner and help you take control of your workers compensation expense, long term. Is your insurance broker a part of your team? Or do they simply give you a price? Engle & Associates will help you not only secure a competitive rate on your current workers compensation insurance now, but with our risk management tools, we will also help you ensure that you receive the maximum credits for your long term exposure by identifying and reducing hazards in the workplace.

Explore our interactive work safety scene!

Learn about common risks regarding work safety and discover how the proper insurance can help.

Work Safety
Pre-Hire Physical
Risk Factor

Are you about to hire your next workers' compensation claim? In an effort to get a position filled quickly, you may take shortcuts that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Solution

Prospective employees should be required to complete a pre-hire physical. A copy of the intended job description can then be given to the medical provider with the physical requirements of the position. This helps to ensure only those capable of doing the job are hired and keeps other employees safe.

Education and Injury Reporting
Risk Factor

Oftentimes employees don’t understand the workers' compensation process and may be afraid to report a claim for fear of losing their job or impacting a daily count of injury-free days that are tied to an incentive program.

Solution

Educate employees on the workers' compensation system. During the hiring process, consider explaining how workers' compensation coverage protects your employee when an injury occurs. Your employees should understand that it is their responsibility to report an injury immediately and follow the company’s guidelines for seeking medical attention. Explain your return to work policy and have your employees sign an agreement stating they understand the process.

Communication
Risk Factor

Your employee may become injured and you might be tempted to rely on someone else to communicate with them. As a result, your employee may be confused by the workers' compensation process and unsure where to turn.

Solution

You and your supervisors need to stay in constant communication with your employees. Your insurance broker can provide some coaching and guidance throughout the process. Above all, your employees should feel that you care about their injuries and that you will be involved in helping them recover. Your direct supervisors play a key role in this process and should be trained to effectively communicate with your employees throughout the injury.

Return to Work Program
Risk Factor

When your employees become injured, they may need time to recover. As an employer, you may be tempted to rely solely on the workers' compensation insurance company and/or your employee’s medical provider to communicate throughout the process. If you do, the process can become unnecessarily prolonged.

Solution

As the employer, let your insurance company and your employee’s medical provider know that you have a return to work program in place. Ask the medical provider to refer to the job description that has been provided for the injured employee. As soon as the employee is medically cleared, offer a light duty position and ask them to report to work. If needed, your employee can continue to receive treatment while they continue to recover.

Payroll Audits and EMR
Risk Factor

Statistically, your company’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR) has more than a 70% chance of being incorrect. Your EMR is a number used by insurance companies to gauge any past cost of injuries and future chances of risk. In addition, over 80% of payroll audits are done incorrectly. Both factors impact your workers' compensation coverage.

Solution

Trust your insurance advisor and have them assist and advocate during the annual payroll audit conducted by the insurance company. Your agent should also monitor all claims, but especially claims reserved over a $10,000 threshold. Larger claims should have a quarterly report prepared by your insurance agent to let you know the status of the claim. Your agent should work with your insurance company’s claims adjustor to close any claims as quickly as possible.

Medical Provider Communication
Risk Factor

Claims can remain open longer than needed due to poor communication between you and your employee’s medical provider. As a result, you may be unaware that your employee is well enough to return to work on a modified basis.

Solution

Get to know the doctors that are helping your employee heal. Your insurance broker should foster this relationship by assisting you in the selection of the medical provider prior to a claim. Meet with the medical provider, interview them, tour their facilities, ask them to tour your location, and explain your return to work program. Job descriptions can be provided to the medical provider and an agreement of services can be achieved. Once a claim takes place, a clear line of communication should be established so you are kept aware of your employee’s status.

Safety Training
Risk Factor

Sometimes employees are trained to do a job well, but are not trained to do their job safely. Many work-related injuries can be avoided by effective training.

Solution

Your insurance broker should be able to organize monthly training classes. Many insurance carriers offer training tools at no charge and your broker can help you utilize these tools to your advantage. For example, topics such as proper lifting techniques can be critical for many job functions. Also, using tools like payroll stuffers can be very effective.

OSHA Inspections
Risk Factor

Many employers are concerned about their next OSHA visit. Worried about citations and fines, employers see OSHA as the enemy. Sound familiar?

Solution

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs.

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How about eliminate audit surprises based on inaccurate payroll?

Areas We Serve

Engle & Associates Insurance Brokers offers workers compensation insurance, including pay as you go workers compensation insurance in California in the following areas: San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Cayucos, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Oceano, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Cambria, Santa Margarita, Santa Maria and Templeton.