Direct Bill Workers Compensation

What is a Direct Bill Policy?

Workers Compensation Shop.com writes direct bill workmans compensation insurance for all types of employers. Our direct bill payment plans are the standard billing option for retail workers compensation. Most employers are used to purchasing this type of policy because it is the industry norm.

Direct Bill insurance refers to the way a policy is billed. It indicates that the policy holder will be billed directly by the insurance company once a workers comp policy is bound (sold) and the deposit premium is collected by the agent or billed by the insurance company. Direct bill workers' comp is the most traditional way in which most business owners purchase work comp policies.

Traditionally, insurance companies have required a deposit of 15% to 25% down in order to start, or bind, a policy. Carriers will then bill the remaining premium balance over 3 to 9 installments. While this is a good billing option for many small businesses with consistent payroll, it can create the following issues for some employers:

1. It can require a more significant amount of cash in order to start (bind) a policy
2. Billing is usually based on the first 3 to 9 months which can create cash flow issues since income is earned throughout the entire year

Keep in mind that traditional Direct Bill work comp is based on estimated payroll and subject to an annual year-end audit. If your actual payroll ends up higher than your estimated payroll, you will more than likely owe additional premium as a result of the audit.

Example: 6 Installments; $5,000 Insurance Policy:

Typical Payment and Billing Options:

• Installment checks by mail
• Payments over the phone by bank or credit cards
• Online payments
• Direct Pay As You Go options
• Agency bill Pay As You Go
• Monthly Self Reporting

Direct Bill workers compensation billing is a perfect solution for small businesses who have a low premium (typically under $5,000), predictable payroll, and extra operating capital. Employers who have payroll that tend to fluctuate or larger premiums may be better served by getting quotes for self monthly reporting work comp plans or Pay As You Go workers comp programs.

What is an Expense Constant?

An Expense constant is a flat dollar amount added to the Pure Premium on every workers comp quote or policy. The expense constant represents a flat administrative charge kept by the insurance companies for overhead costs. It serves the purpose of covering the cost of issuing and servicing an insurance policy regardless of any claims or losses.

State 2nd Injury Funds and Workers Comp

State fund surcharges are designed to protect employers from the higher cost of insurance that can occur when an injury combines with a prior disability to result in substantially increased medical or disability costs than the accident alone would have produced. These funds are designed to ensure that an employer is not made to suffer a greater monetary loss or increased insurance costs because they hire or retain an employee who has a disability. 2nd Injury Funds also help ensure the payment of workers' compensation benefits to injured employees who worked for employers who failed to obtain coverage for employees.