Author: Kris Janisch

Letter from the President: A solid year for SFM

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Terry Miller
SFM President and CEO Terry Miller

Despite continued pressure from other carriers and mixed claims results, SFM again had a successful year in 2025.

Being the leaders in workers’ compensation means striving to provide unparalleled service, working to keep employees safe and helping clients reduce their experience modification factor. We do that through our dedication to customer service – building and maintaining relationships with agencies and ensuring policyholders get everything they need from their work comp partner.

A few notable highlights from the past year include:

  • Surpassing $1 billion in assets
  • Upgrading our internal systems to better serve agents and policyholders
  • Developing enhanced systems for agents to get quotes faster
  • Improving claims handling in core and non-core states

Service excellence is the foundation that supports our success. That philosophy helps us retain policyholders, generate new business and build agency relationships now and in the future.

Additional highlights from 2025 include:

  • SFM’s policyholder retention level of 93%, demonstrating our industry-leading customer loyalty
  • Continued growth in our newer markets, particularly Indiana and Tennessee
  • A banner year for new premium in Wisconsin
  • Policyholder surplus growth larger than premium growth
  • Projects to enhance our online portals – the SFM Agency Manager (SAM) and MyPayroll premium audit process – to make our systems more intuitive and user-friendly

Another item I’d like to share from last year was the promotion of Amanda Aponte to Executive Vice President.

She has been an integral part of SFM’s growth during her two decades with us. She has helped guide our investment strategy, bolster our enterprise risk management processes, and perform insightful business intelligence analysis.

Amanda, who started as an intern at SFM, is a sterling example of what can happen when we give people the space to fulfill their potential. Her financial acumen and vision have been critical to SFM’s success, and her leadership will help position us for the future.

As we move into the new year, we want our agent partners to know how much we appreciate their trust. Let’s continue to write more business and build on the momentum we’ve generated over the years. When you select SFM for your policyholders’ work comp coverage, we understand you are choosing to resist pressure from package insurance lines and recognize the value of our dedication and service.

SFM realizes that strong financial results are necessary for the success of our stakeholders. We also know our staunch commitment to focusing on our customers is the backbone of what we do and how we will continue to grow moving forward together.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership! We look forward to sharing success with you and your clients for many years to come.

 

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2025 results: Success built on customer service

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Building on its status as the No. 1 workers’ compensation carrier in Minnesota, SFM had another strong year in 2025, with gains in newer markets, as well.

“About half of SFM’s business is now from states outside of Minnesota,” said Shawn Miner, VP of Regional Business. “In addition to maintaining the lead we’ve held in Minnesota for over 20 years, it’s fantastic to see strong growth coming from our other core states.”

Also of note, in 2025 SFM moved claims handling in-house in Indiana and Tennessee, which is expected to provide better service for policyholders and bolster SFM’s reputation in these states. This change allowed SFM to increase its appetite and write business for accounts larger than $25,000 in Indiana and Tennessee.

“We’re excited to add employees in our newer states as our footprint continues to grow,” said Cody Allen, SFM Territory Manager. “With claims handling coming in-house and our standing in new core states expanding, we are looking forward to increasing our presence and, in turn, our market share.”

Wisconsin, specifically, had an excellent 2025, with a record for new business premium.

“Our passion for providing the best work comp service is resonating with agents and policyholders,” said Rick Spaulding, a Wisconsin Team Business Leader. “They invest in a relationship built on trust.”

Highlights from 2025 include:

  • 93% policyholder retention rate
  • Total written premium of just over $253 million for 2025
  • New business premium of $28.4 million
  • Added 6,071 new business policyholders
  • Another year of an A- rating from AM Best
  • SFM Foundation awarded 19 new scholarships, bringing the total to $4.7 million
  • Ongoing member of Keystone Program, donating 2% of pre-tax profits to charity

SFM partners with thousands of independent agents and serves more than 50,000 policyholders. In addition, SFM’s portion of the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Assigned Risk Plan is increasing from 20% to 25% this year.

“We have seen steady growth, despite rising claims and medical costs, and our overall trajectory is strong,” Steve Sandilla, Senior VP and Chief Business Officer. “While we have long been a work comp leader in the Midwest, the success of this latest round of expansion is a sign that we will continue to capture more market share in the years to come.”

 

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SFM continues to enhance claims handling

Posted on by Kris Janisch

It was a busy 2025 for SFM in terms of claims handling.

At the beginning of May, SFM began addressing Indiana claims internally rather than through a third-party administrator. The change did not impact how policyholders report injuries, but is aimed at improving the experience for injured workers by utilizing SFM’s claims expertise.

“SFM is known for its outstanding capability in claims handling. By taking on these claims in-house, we can provide a higher level of customer service and a better experience for policyholders and injured workers,” said Angie Andresen, Vice President of Claims.

That change coincided with expanding SFM’s book of business in Indiana and opened the door to write policies for accounts larger than $25,000 in annual premium.

A similar change was made in December for claims in Tennessee. SFM is now handling those claims directly and also began writing business with mid-market employers in the state.

“Our relationships with agency partners in our newer states continue to build with each passing year,” said Mike Happe, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “SFM’s standing as the work comp experts has helped us develop, retain and grow business in these markets, and we’re excited to handle claims ourselves and expand our book of business in these states.”

New claims handling in non-core states

SFM in 2025 also changed its third-party administrator (TPA) for claims handling in non-core states to CBCS .

The company began handling claims in SFM’s non-core states beginning in December 2025. CBCS’ approach is similar to SFM’s — a focus on customer service and doing right by both policyholders and injured workers. The company boasts a 99% client retention rate over the past decade and is committed to the client experience.

As a refresher, SFM’s core states include:

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • Iowa
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota
  • Indiana
  • Tennessee
  • Kansas

“We put a great deal of thought into making the decision to change our TPA for claims handling in non-core states,” said Sarah Hunter, VP Operations. “SFM conducted extensive research before landing on CBCS as the best claims partner for us moving forward.”

SFM alerted policyholders with legacy claims about the change, and CBCS reached out to injured workers on all applicable open claims and provide new claim and contact information.

“We’re excited to partner with a company that shares SFM’s commitment to service excellence,” Andresen said.

SFM territory map

 

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Remind policyholders: winter safety must continue

Posted on by Kris Janisch

It’s that time of year again…

With winter in full swing — and the upcoming thawing and refreezing cycles in the months ahead — workplace safety should be paramount.

Be sure to remind your policyholders that just because spring is on the horizon, it doesn’t mean they can be any less vigilant about workplace safety.

Slips, trips and falls – the bottom line

Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of workplace injury. They can be severe, leading to fractures, head trauma or worse.

The costs of covering these claims gets expensive. Not only can it negatively influence the employer’s experience modification factor, but it also impacts agency and carrier results. SFM estimates the average winter slip-and-fall lost-time claim to be between $50,000 and $55,000.

Weather is a major factor in workers’ compensation. Slipping and falling because of snow and ice is one of the most common workplace injuries.

Resources for policyholders

With a few reminders and some common sense, policyholders can help employees stay safe and reduce the potential for claims.

A few basic tips for you to pass along include:

  • Properly maintain your parking lot and walking areas
  • Encourage employees to wear appropriate shoes for the weather
  • In the case of a snowstorm, let employees work from home or reschedule if possible
  • Manage snow piles near walkways to avoid melting snow refreezing to ice

Policyholders should educate their employees about other winter safety measures, such as walking like a penguin, salting slippery areas, avoiding shortcuts, and stepping down, not out, of vehicles.

If you are looking for additional resources to help in these efforts, check out what’s available on our website or contact your underwriter.

 

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Underwriter accomplishments: Second half of 2025

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Here’s a look at the latest promotions and accomplishments for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past several months.

  • Tamara Flanagan was promoted to Underwriting Technical Support Representative and transferred to the Underwriting Tech team.
  • Tracy Johnson was promoted to Senior Underwriter.
  • Janice Fisher joined SFM as a Marketing Underwriter on the Iowa/Nebraska/Kansas Accounts team.
  • Alex Johannes joined SFM as a Marketing Underwriter on the South/Metro Accounts team.

Also of note for SFM in 2025:

  • Shannon Nelson joined SFM as Senior Defense Counsel with Schmidt, Scharfenberg & Hollick.
  • Executive Services welcomed Associate General Counsel John Marsalek.
  • Colton White joined SFM as a Business Development Rep for Indiana agencies.
  • Former company President and CEO Pat Johnson was inducted into the Minnesota Insurance Hall of Fame.

 

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2025 SFM Foundation recap

Posted on by Kris Janisch

The SFM Foundation recently wrapped up its fall fundraising events, resulting in another successful year of helping students.

Founded in 2008, the nonprofit helps families affected by workplace injuries by providing scholarships to children of workers disabled or killed in work-related accidents. The SFM Foundation is an affiliate of Kids’ Chance of America in Iowa and Minnesota.

SFM’s summer golf tournaments generated approximately $150,000, and the Iowa bowling event and Minnesota fall social raised about $26,500 in total. Also, an SFM information services equipment auction generated another $8,000 for the foundation. 

“We have seen a steady increase in the number of scholarship applications each year, and these events are vital to our mission of helping young people,” said Deb Zorn, the foundation’s Scholarship Director.

Linda Williams, President of the SFM Foundation, said the organization is grateful for the ongoing support of agent partners, clients and others in the community. That generosity has led the foundation to reach new heights of giving, she said.

Other highlights from 2025 include:

  • Nearly $600,000 in new scholarships, a record since the group was founded
  • Awarding the highest number of scholarships in the foundation’s history, 19
  • The Iowa governor proclaiming Oct. 13-17 as Kids’ Chance Week (the SFM Foundation is an affiliate of Kids’ Chance of America in Iowa and Minnesota)
  • Reaching Gold Level status from Kids’ Chance of America, recognizing top-tier excellence in nonprofit operations

“These students and families are enduring major challenges,” said Andy Gebhard, Chair of the SFM Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re proud of our mission and thankful for the ongoing support from everyone involved – sponsors, agents and volunteers. Helping these students reach their goals takes all of us working together.”

2026 events

Looking ahead to this year’s events, the SFM Foundation will again host golf fundraisers in Iowa and Minnesota.

The Iowa event is set for Monday, May 18, at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City. This is a new location for the fundraiser.

Minnesota’s golf fundraiser will be held Monday, June 8, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury.

Lastly, fall events will return in Minnesota and Iowa. Stay tuned for details.

About the SFM Foundation

The SFM Foundation was created in 2008 by SFM Companies. The nonprofit is dedicated to easing the burdens on families affected by workplace accidents. Scholarships are awarded regardless of which workers’ compensation insurer was involved in the claim. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded 266 scholarships totaling $4.7 million. For more information, visit sfmfoundation.com .

 

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How to avoid injuries on and around hockey and ice rinks

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Injuries on skating rinks can be severe.

A volunteer high school hockey coach and law enforcement officer from Minnesota suffered a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on the ice in January 2025, and it took months of recovery before he was able to lace up his skates again.

The incident illustrates that more than bumps and bruises can occur on (and around) hockey and ice rinks. Here are some safety tips to help prevent injuries.

Hockey rink safety

  • Anyone going onto a hockey rink should wear a proper helmet that is strapped and secured in place, and that includes coaches. Keep a supply of spare helmets on hand, if possible. Wear a helmet yourself and encourage others to do so.
  • Even during on-ice award ceremonies, you should wear helmets. Also make sure that artificial carpet runners or rolls of rubber are placed on the ice wherever someone is standing or walking to prevent a slip-and-fall injury.

Of course, for those playing hockey, wearing gloves, shoulder pads, hip pads, etc., is also a good idea. And those who are facilitating activities can stay safe by not actively playing, like passing the puck for a drill instead of skating around with the players.

Other safety tips for ice rinks

If you’re planning on being on the ice in any capacity, here are some safety tips.

  • Select proper footwear: Wear flat-soled shoes with good tread to help prevent a slip-and-fall injury and be sure to inspect and replace worn-out shoes.
  • Don’t wear outdoor gear inside: It’s a good idea to wear traction footwear when you’re outdoors on ice rinks, but you should remove them before going into a building. Walking on cement, tile floors and other indoor floor surfaces with traction footwear can lead to slips and falls.
  • Walk like a penguin: An SFM favorite for winter safety, shorter steps with toes pointed slightly outward, consciously transferring body weight from one foot to the other, is a good way to prevent losing your footing. Keep your arms close to your body and hands out of your pockets.

Handouts for others

Use these downloadable resources to help inform others about avoiding hazards on and around hockey and ice rinks:

The SFM Difference: Webinar set for Dec. 3

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Register today for our upcoming webinar for policyholders and agents, The SFM Difference, set for 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. Click here to register .

Presenters include CEO Terry Miller, Wisconsin Team Business Leader Rick Spaulding, Large Accounts Team Business Leader Julie Banker, Premium Audit Team Leader DeAnne Misgen and Dr. Andrew Wilkins, SFM’s Chief Medical Director.

The panel will share their expertise on:

  • A history of SFM
  • SFM’s philosophy on service to our partners
  • Our focus on injury prevention and returning injured employees to work
  • How our unique company structure and departmental expertise benefit our partners
  • SFM’s customer-centered approach to premium audits
  • How our medical services team supports injured workers’ recovery
  • Much more, including a Q&A session at the end of the hour

Policyholders are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in the content but are unable to tune in during the live event, please register for the webinar and you will be signed up to receive the post-event email with a link to the recorded webinar and a copy of the presentation slides.

Register now

Other webinars and informational videos

SFM is building a library of educational video resources from our webinars. Head to our webinars page to view previous recordings and quick videos on work comp topics including:

  • Loss prevention basics
  • Winter slips and falls prevention
  • Best practices for injury reporting and return to work
  • The lifecycle of a claim
  • A breakdown of work comp benefits
  • An explanation of experience modifiers
  • Tips to avoid litigation of a work comp claim
  • Fundamentals of a return-to-work program
  • Good practices for hiring and onboarding new employees
  • Implementing and enforcing safe driving policies and procedures
  • De-escalation protocol for any workplace
  • Preventing strain and sprain injuries

 

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School employees: Facilitate, don’t participate

Posted on by Kris Janisch

A recent decision from the Minnesota Supreme Court demonstrates the potential workers’ compensation impact of school employees participating in sports and other games.

The state’s high court ruled  in October 2025 that a middle school math teacher who tore her ACL while playing basketball with students during an afterschool practice was entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Minnesota workers’ compensation law says injuries that occur during “voluntary recreational programs” can be excluded from compensability, and the district argued her injury did not happen “in the course of employment.” But the court found that she tore her ACL within the scope of her job and the recreational program exclusion did not apply.

Justices reasoned that the law excludes injuries from employer-sponsored recreational programs only if the program benefits employees (e.g., wellness programs). Here, they ruled, the teacher participated for the students’ benefit, not her own.

It’s a good reminder for school districts that playtime with the kids could be a compensable work comp risk.

“If I were a school or district, I would tell staff to refrain from engaging in physical activities before, during or after the school day unless they are strictly supervising or being present to support the students,” said Mark Arrington, VP of Regional Business.

Facilitate, Don’t Participate

Employers may not be aware that their employees are at risk of injury when they participate in activities, coach or supervise others.

Sports, for example, often involve adult instructors who played the sport when they were younger, but now they are not in the same physical condition as the players on the field – and many times they are not wearing the same protective equipment such as pads and helmets. These factors raise their risk of serious injury even though they have deep experience in how to play the game.

Here’s a handy acrostic to help remember the important points of the “Facilitate, Don’t Participate” concept:

  • Focus on teaching techniques, not participation
  • Avoid activities which come with risk to teachers, paras and/or coaches
  • Comply with your organizational policy on safe participation with student activity
  • Inspire colleagues to coach and teach safely
  • Lead student athletes appropriately in activities
  • Injury while coaching/teaching is not an expectation of the job
  • Train teachers, paras and/or coaches on what is acceptable and not acceptable for them to do
  • Appropriate level of coaching includes facilitation of learning techniques without full-speed demonstration
  • Teaching correct technique in controlled environments is key to avoiding injuries
  • Engaging in play or coaching beyond instruction can and does lead to serious injuries

For more details, check out our Facilitate, Don’t Participate CompTalk, which includes a sample policy for such activities.

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