FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below a list of frequently asked questions. For your convenience, the list can be sorted and filtered by clicking on the topics at the head of the grid. To see all FAQs, just click “All”, to see claims-related FAQs, just click “Claims”.
If you are unable to find the answer to your question, our staff of experts are available to assist – call us at 1-800-556-8355 or email us at Info@LovellSafety.com.
Q: What is the difference between Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Disability Insurance?
A: Workers’ Compensation Insurance entitles a worker to medical care and to weekly benefits for loss of wages or salary due to an injury sustained on the job or an illness resulting from work-related activities. In contrast, Disability Insurance provides limited wage loss replacement for individuals who have non-work-related disabilities. Medical expenses are not covered by Disability Insurance.
Q: When must an employer file a claim (C–2F Form)?
A: If the injury or work-related illness requires the worker to miss time from regular duties of one day beyond the working day or shift on which the accident occurred, or which has required or will require medical treatment beyond ordinary first aid or more than two treatments by a person rendering first aid. You should also fax a copy to us at 212-269-6212. We will then send a copy to the insurance carrier and facilitate claim processing. Bear in mind that the C–2F Form must be filed within 10 days of knowledge of the incident. Failure to do so constitutes a misdemeanor and can result in a fine and penalty.
Q: If a worker is injured on the job and received first aid but requires no further medical care, does a C–2F Form need to be filed?
A: No. If the employer is willing to pay the medical bill for that one-time visit and no further medical attention is required or loss of time accumulated beyond two days, then a C–2F Form does not have to be submitted. However, the employer is required to prepare a C–2F on the incident and it must be kept in company files for 18 years. But it need not be filed with the carrier, the Workers’ Compensation Board or us.
Q: Is it a good idea for an employer to pay small medical bills?
A: Definitely. If a work-related accident necessitates a worker’s seeking medical attention on no more than two visits to a medical provider, we highly recommend that the employer pay the medical bills. A company’s premium is based upon several factors including an experience rating. Each time a Workers’ Compensation claim is filed, the employer’s experience rating is affected. In fact, an employer is penalized more for the frequency of claims rather than the severity of claims. So it makes sense to pay small medical bills out of pocket and save on the company’s premium payments.
Q: How long will it take for a worker to start receiving Workers’ Compensation benefit checks?
A: If the claim has not been challenged by the employer or the carrier, and if the worker has been disabled for more than seven calendar days, then the first benefit check is payable on or before the 18th day of disability or within 10 days of the employer having knowledge of the injury, whichever period is greater.
Q: If an employer suspects that an injury allegedly sustained on the job is not work-related, what should the employer do?
A: If the worker misses two or more days of work or visits a medical provider on more than two occasions, then the employer is legally bound to file a C–2F Form. However, the employer should contact the Lovell Claims Department as soon as possible and notify us that they believe the case should be investigated and/or denied. Our staff will advise as to the proper wording on the C–2F and then investigate the questionable claim, or authorize the employer’s carrier to do so. We will assist in determining whether the worker had a pre-existing medical condition and, ultimately, if the case is adjudicated at a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Board, Lovell will advise the carrier on litigation strategies.
Q: How are premiums for Workers’ Compensation determined?
A: Contrary to common belief, the Workers’ Compensation Board has nothing to do with determining premium rates. Premiums are actually set by the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (“CIRB”), subject to approval by the State Department of Insurance.
Premiums are based on classifications assigned to each type of business. Each company within a specific classification is assigned the same basic premium rate. These rates apply to each $100 of reportable gross payroll. To calculate the premium rate for each classification, the actual loss experience of all businesses within that classification is compared with the total reportable payroll for those businesses. In addition, each company’s experience rating has a significant impact on its premium rate.
Q. Do I need workers’ compensation insurance?
Generally, all for and non for profit businesses and organizations who have workers and employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in NYS. This includes employers of domestic workers and home health care aids who are employed 40 hours per week in a residence. More detailed information can be found at the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board who administer the WC law in NYS.
Business owners (sole proprietors, or individuals in partnerships, LLCs, and one- or two-person corporations where the owners own all stock and hold all corporate offices) who do not have any employees are are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Sole proprietors, partners members of an LLC are automatically excluded from any insurance policy. Executives of a two person or less corporation can elect to exclude themselves from coverage. In all cases these individuals can elect to be included on their workers’ compensation policy.
Q. How do I cancel my policy?
Unlike some insurance carriers, the NYSIF does not accept an Acord request a valid request to cancel a policy. To cancel a NYSIF Workers’ Compensation Policy, a policyholder must submit a letter on their company letterhead requesting cancellation of their policy. The letter must state the reason for cancellation and it must be signed by an owner of the business.
Please note NYSIF requires 30 days notice to cancel your policy to insure elsewhere. Policies cancelled for other reasons such as out of business or no longer required by law are generally cancelled 20 days after the letter is received by the NYSIF.
Please note if you cancel on a date other than your renewal date you may be subject to a short rate penalty.
Q. Why is this wrap up claim included in my experience modification calculation?
In order to determine the most accurate experience modification rate of a company, all experience needs to be included. This includes all wrap up and non wrap up work, entities and policies.
Q. Who do I contact, to speak to someone regarding my premium bill?
You can contact Lovell’s billing department by sending an email to accounting@lovellsafety.com or by calling us at 1-800-556-8355.
Q. Why did my Experience Modification increase/decrease?
Your experience modification can increase or decrease due to a number of factors. Your experience modification may increase/decrease due to: payrolls changing; a good/poor loss year being replaced in the formula; or a claim(s) value increases/decreases. We’re here to help, email us at info@lovellsafety.com or call us at 1-800-556-8355.
Q. When is the earliest I have scheduled my in person audit appointment?
A. Once the audit serial number is produced, an audit appointment can be scheduled using NYSIF’s Online Scheduling Tool – PASS. Call us today to assist you in setting up your audit appointment – 1-800-556-8355.
Q. Can you check to see if a subcontractor has WC insurance in NY?
A. Yes, Lovell can check the Workers’ Compensation Board to verify coverage on your behalf – contact us at 1-800-556-8355.
Q. Who is my Lovell Underwriter/Accounting/ Safety/ Claims Representative?
A. Lovell is known for our excellence in service and we have a team of resources to assist you. Contact Lovell at 1-800-556-8355, let us know what you need assistance with and we will have one of experts in Underwriting/ Accounting / Safety / or Claims help you.
Q. Can I rebill my policy to lower my payrolls?
A. Generally, Yes. Contact your underwriter at 1-800-556-8355 and they will coordinate your rebill request with NYSIF and advise if any additional information s needed.
Q. Does Lovell Safety provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consultation??
A. Yes, the Lovell Safety Management Safety Department’s safety experts are available to assist you in addressing occupational safety and health in your workplace. These services are included as part of your membership in a Lovell Safety Group. In the event you visited by an OSHA inspector and receive a citation and/or penalty, Lovell’s safety experts can assist you in understanding how to remediate the issue and assist you in working with OSHA to address their concerns. To speak with a safety expert call us today at 1-800-556-8355 or email safety@lovellsafety.com.
Q. Can Lovell provide me with safety training, safety videos, safety policies and procedures, safety pamphlets and other safety materials?
A. Yes, the Lovell Safety Management Safety Department’s safety experts are available to assist you in safety training and have safety policy and procedure templates that they can assist you in implementing. In addition, Lovell has a wide range of safety materials and videos to support your safety program. Contact our safety experts at 1-800-556-8355, or email us at Safety@LovellSafety.com.
Q. Does Lovell Safety provide 10-Hour Construction Safety Training Course and Certification?
A. Yes, the Lovell Safety Management Safety Department’s safety experts are certified OSHA instructors and regularly provide regional training sessions for our clients. These sessions provide your staff with the 10 hour OSHA certification in construction safety.
Q. When and how will I be audited?
A. You will receive a notice from NYSIF shortly after your policy period ends to conduct a payroll audit to verify your payroll. NYSIF will determine the methodology on how to conduct your payroll verification or workers’ compensation audit. Audits are typically performed one of three ways: Onsite Audit, Virtual Audit or by Audit Upload. Have questions, contact our underwriting experts at 1-800-556-8355 and we will assist you in the audit process.
