The Premium Audit Process

We want the Premium Audit experience to be pleasant for you and value-added for your company. In fact, we hope we can help you lower your premiums. Always feel free to ask questions if you don't understand something.

• What is a Premium Audit?
• Why an Audit is necessary
• When Audits usually occur
• Mail Audits
• On-Site Audits
• Service Audits
• Preparing for an Audit
• Your Premium Audit Checklist

What is a Premium Audit?

Put simply, a workers’ compensation premium audit is a review of your records and operations to ensure that your coverage information is accurate. The goal is to assess and collect a premium that accurately represents your risk exposure.

Why an Audit is necessary

Your premium is calculated based on the projected payroll information we receive from you at the inception of your policy. To make sure that your premium is priced accurately and fairly, we will compare your payroll estimates to your actual payroll at the end of your term. Each policy term may have a physical audit or a mail audit, based on the size of the policy, the nature of your business and other circumstances.

When Audits usually occur

An audit is usually performed shortly after your policy expiration, but we can also perform it earlier to verify the accuracy of your estimated exposures.

Audits are also conducted after a policy cancellation, to determine the final earned premium for the shortened policy period.

Audits are typically performed on an annual basis, but can be performed at anytime during or after your policy period.

Mail Audits

It may be sufficient to conduct a mail audit. This means that that we'll mail the necessary forms to your company along with instructions on how to complete them. You'll supply information regarding your payroll, subcontractors, etc. Maintaining the proper records will help you easily complete the mail audit.

On-Site Audits

If necessary, a premium auditor will contact you to make an appointment for a physical (on-site) audit. We will examine your records to determine the correct exposure, or risk. This may include: payroll records, journals, tax reports, individual earnings cards, cash disbursements, etc. The various operations of your company may be observed to help better categorized risk classes.

Service Audits

We understand that construction, farming and large businesses may have unique payroll situations. If you have this type of company, our Field Auditor will conduct a Service Audit within the first 90 days of your policy period. They will check to be sure that the correct classification is assign and review your payroll reporting procedures.

Preparing for an Audit

Advanced preparations will make sure your audit is completed smoothly.

1. Be sure to have your records ready.
2. Optimally, payroll should be organized by: Policy period, Classification code (list each job type separately), regular pay vs. overtime.
3. Report your "Total Gross" payroll. See Reporting Guidelines and Exceptions for details.
4. If mailed your audit materials, complete all forms and return promptly.
5. If you have subcontractors, ask then to provide a copy of their Certificate of Insurance to keep with your records.
6. Be available in case the auditor has questions.

Your Premium Audit Checklist

To assist you in gathering the necessary records for your premium audit, refer to this checklist. Make sure that records are available from the previous calendar year. These records include:

• Federal Form 941.
• Federal Form 940.
• Federal Form W-2.
• Federal Form W-3.
• Federal Form 1099.
• Federal tax return.
• Unemployment returns.
• Time cards.
• Individual payroll records, with overtime broken out.
• List of clerical employees and corporate officers.
• General ledger, check register, and any cash disbursements.
• Verifiable payroll breakdown as applicable.
• Sales journal and cash receipts.
• Certificates of Insurance for subcontractors used.
• Job cost records, contracts, work invoices, type of work performed.

Questions?

Our Premium Audit Team is committed to providing you with an easy, straightforward audit experience. Read our Premium Audit FAQ's or Contact us to get fast answers to your questions!