AgencyWorkers Comp
Underwriting Guidelines
Workers Comp

Underwriting Guidelines

Everything you need to get up to speed and submit your clients for coverage.

New Ventures

Pie will accept new ventures upon underwriter approval, if not included in the hazard group limitations. In some cases, Pie will accept new ventures as bindable online. New venture applicants must be newly in business or have had too few employees to require coverage. Any applicant with prior workers’ compensation coverage but without current coverage will be treated as a policy lapse requiring underwriting approval. Same-day binds may be accepted on new ventures.

Max Premium

Our maximum premium is $250,000 in Modified Premium which is calculated as the premium after the application of the merit rating or experience modification factor.

Employer’s Liability – Increases Limits

States have limits that cannot be exceeded. Pie will not offer limits above $1 million / $1 million / $1 million.

Experience Modification Factor (Emod)

Our maximum allowable Experience Modification Factor (Emod) is 1.99, and our minimum allowable online bind Emod is 0.40. With underwriter approval, Pie may bind applicants with an Emod below 0.40.

Deductibles

Deductibles will be reviewed on a case by case basis and per state rules.

Lapses in Coverage

Pie may offer coverage to applicants with a lapse in coverage on a case-by-case basis, with underwriting approval and a signed statement of no losses during the lapsed period. Same-day coverage may be offered on lapses; however, backdating requires underwriter approval. For preferred class codes, a no loss letter is required for opportunities with lapses in coverage, if the business is not a preferred class code, loss runs are required.

Effective Dates and Backdating

Backdating is allowed with underwriting approval.

Coverage for Sole Proprietors

Pie may offer coverage to sole proprietors with no employees as long as the sole proprietors are included in coverage. In these instances, we may use the applicant’s Social Security Number instead of a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and assign the state-mandated payroll.

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)

All policies that cover employees will be required to provide a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) prior to policy issuance.

Waivers

Specific and Blanket waivers are available. All waivers carry an additional fee; generally, specific waivers are 5% subject to a $250 minimum, and blanket waivers are 2% subject to a $500 minimum. Waiver pricing can vary per state and is not available in all states.

Additional Insured

Additional insured endorsements are not allowed.

Prohibited Operations and Coverages

Prohibited Coverages

  • Foreign coverage including endemic disease and repatriation coverages
  • Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
  • Defense Base Act
  • Non-appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act
  • Maritime, Admiralty (Jones Act)
  • United States Longshoremen and Harbor Workers Act
  • Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act
  • Federal Employees Liability Act
  • Voluntary Workers Compensation

Prohibited Applicants 

  • Applicants requesting coverage on any basis other than guaranteed cost. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to: retrospective rating plans, retention plans of all kinds, portfolio transfers, captive or rental captive programs, large deductible programs, aggregate stop loss coverage, and IBNR coverage.
  • Applicants involved with the transportation, manufacture, storage, retail, or use of any type of explosive (including fireworks, firearms, and firearms-on-premise) or hazardous materials.
  • Any work or exposure involving: Asbestos, lead, or mold; Blasting, explosives, demolition, or wrecking; Federal Coverages (USLH, FELA, Jones Act, Defense Base Act, etc.); Nuclear energy or research; Manufacture, store, work with, or transport hazardous materials; Own, operate, sell, or lease aircraft and/or watercraft that operate on navigable waterways; Perform any leasing, staffing, or provide temporary workers; Oil, gas, mining, or on-site support work for those industries; Dock or sea walls; Marijuana or other federally illegal substances; Firearm manufacturing, testing, sales & service
  • Oil, gas, mining or on-site support work for those applicants, on or offshore
  • Chemical manufacturing (toxic)
  • Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs)
  • Employee leasing, staffing, or temporary worker firms
  • Applicants that own, operate, sell or lease aircraft
  • Applicants that own, operate, sell or lease watercraft that operate on navigable waterways or are in any way subject to USL&H coverage
  • Public entities
  • Nuclear energy or research
  • Marijuana/cannabis/THC or other federally illegal substances
  • More than 80% subcontract payroll
  • More than 30% cash/casual/day labor
  • Medical Transportation
  • Freight Forwarding, freight brokering
  • Paper contractors
  • Firefighters and police officers
  • Railroad operations and construction
  • Amusement parks or devices, exhibitions (including fireworks), carnivals or circuses, or sports events and/or participants