SFM-The Work Comp Experts

October 8, 2024

There are several benefits to working with a work comp expert, especially considering some of the industry developments in recent years.

October 8, 2024

Cody Allen, SFM Territory Manager, has been elected to the governing board at the Indiana Compensation Rating Bureau (ICRB).

October 8, 2024

New employees are among the most likely to be injured on the job. Here are several resources to keep new employees safe.

October 8, 2024

SFM uses several methods to help bring down policyholders' experience modification.

October 8, 2024

You can now see whether your customers have submitted their premium audit information in SFM Agency Manager (SAM).

October 8, 2024

General contractors or contractors who sub-contract work to independent contractors should remember to have the sub-contracted individuals complete the South Dakota Affidavit of Exempt Status form.

October 8, 2024

In October 2024, SFM made it easier for injured workers to connect with the company by adding a new texting feature.

July 15, 2024

An update on SFM's market share, midyear 2024.

July 15, 2024

Employers may wonder how these statutes intersect with workers’ compensation benefits.

July 15, 2024

There are several state OSHA fines to be aware of, in addition to federal standards.

July 15, 2024

Billing changes due to endorsements can catch policyholders off guard. When agents receive a notice of an endorsement, they can help ease the concerns of policyholders by alerting them right away.

July 15, 2024

A new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule regarding who qualifies as an independent contractor took effect in the spring of 2024.

July 15, 2024

Promotional videos about SFM are available on YouTube.

July 15, 2024

The recording of SFM’s recent webinar on safe driving and the implications for workers’ compensation is now available for agents and clients.

July 15, 2024

You can find a wealth of information on current policies in SFM Agency Manager (SAM), including the upcoming e-mod for policies that are renewing soon.

July 15, 2024

2024 golf events in Minnesota and Iowa raised more than $160,000. In total, more than 260 golfers came out for the events, and sponsors continued to help bolster the fundraising effort.

July 15, 2024

SFM is attending several industry events during the summer and fall of 2024.

July 15, 2024

Here’s a look at the latest updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past few months of 2024.

April 2, 2024

SFM recorded yet another excellent year in 2023, continuing its strong performance across all core metrics, from policyholder retention to new business and total written premium.

April 2, 2024

SFM has made several enhancements to its resource catalog to create a better user experience for policyholders and agents.

April 2, 2024

SFM recently made additional enhancements to its SFM Agency Manager (SAM) system to streamline the process for agents and make SAM more user friendly.

April 2, 2024

While agents often hear frustrations from clients when it comes to dealing with third-party vendors for premium audits, SFM continues to conduct nearly all audits in-house.

April 2, 2024

Remind policyholders to tell injured workers to register for our Claim Connection portal so they can track the progress of their claim.

April 2, 2024

A look at the latest updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past few months.

April 2, 2024

SFM is planning to participate in several 2024 industry events in the coming months.

January 16, 2024

Key takeaways and highlights from 2023 at SFM from President & CEO Terry Miller.

January 16, 2024

SFM is diversifying and expanding its footprint in the realm of workers’ compensation insurance.

January 16, 2024

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

January 16, 2024

SFM recently hosted another educational webinar for our policyholders and agents on hiring and onboarding, which is available to view on our website.

January 16, 2024

SFM’s online resource catalog offers a wide range of educational resources designed to help policyholders prevent injuries, manage their claim activity and learn more about workers’ compensation.

January 16, 2024

SFM is introducing multi-factor authentication and new password requirements.

January 16, 2024

SFM is making upgrades to its online MyPayroll system with new features and a streamlined process to make it even easier for policyholders to complete their annual premium audit.

January 16, 2024

Updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff in the last quarter of 2023.

January 16, 2024

SFM is attending several 2024 industry events.

January 16, 2024

SFM’s pay-as-you-go wage reporting system allows policyholders to make premium payments that match with payroll throughout the year.

January 16, 2024

As rates for other lines of insurance climb, workers’ compensation rates are steadily decreasing. The explanation for this positive trend is simple – workers’ compensation claim frequency has declined for all but two of the past 20 years, according to NCCI.

January 4, 2024

Fifteen years after co-founding the SFM Foundation, Dave Kaiser stepped down as board chair on Dec. 6, 2023.

October 4, 2023

The first half of 2023 is in the books, and it’s already been a remarkable year for SFM in a number of ways. New and renewal premium results have been outstanding, customer retention continues to be very strong and claim activity is trending in the right direction as the year unfolds.

October 4, 2023

To enhance security, SFM is introducing multi-factor authentication and longer password requirements for CompOnline users starting January 5, 2024.

October 4, 2023

Join us on November 15 as we discuss best practices for hiring and training new employees. Learn how establishing good fundamentals can increase employee safety and help your business succeed in the long run.

October 4, 2023

Did you know you can get email alerts to help you keep up with your clients’ claim developments? Learn about the various alerts you can get through SFM Agency Manager (SAM).

October 4, 2023

SFM’s online resource catalog offers a wide range of educational resources designed to help policyholders prevent injuries, manage their claim activity and learn more about workers’ compensation.

October 4, 2023

Here’s a look at the promotions, awards, retirements, and other milestones of SFM underwriters so far in 2023.

July 11, 2023

SFM increased written premium and market share in every one of its core states in 2022, and results so far this year show continued momentum. Premium for the first quarter of 2023 came in well ahead of projections, up 12% from the same period the prior year.

July 11, 2023

Did you know that agents can play a role in their clients’ good hiring and safety training practices? Claims statistics show that new employees are more susceptible to injury. Those work comp claims come with a cost.

July 11, 2023

SFM writes business in more than 400 class codes. The following lists of our top 20 new business class codes by policy count and premium will give you an idea of where we’re seeing the most success.

July 11, 2023

SFM recently hosted another educational webinar for our policyholders and agents titled “The Fundamentals of a Return-to-Work Program” and it’s still available for you to view.

July 11, 2023

SFM’s online resource catalog offers a wide range of educational resources designed to help policyholders prevent injuries, manage their claim activity and learn more about workers’ compensation.

July 11, 2023

SFM is planning to participate in several insurance industry events in the coming months.

March 23, 2023

SFM soared to new heights in 2022, and the company’s remarkable financial results are only part of the story. We continue hearing from our agents and policyholders that we’re delivering on our commitment to provide excellent customer service.

March 23, 2023

When you’re helping clients understand their options for workers’ compensation coverage, we've provided a few points you can share about the advantages of going monoline and choosing SFM.

March 23, 2023

SFM’s new Safety Orientation Success Guide helps employers protect a group at high risk for work injuries: new employees.

March 23, 2023

We’re coming up on three years since we entered the state of Kansas in September 2020. Over that time, our agency partners there have helped us write more than 500 policies for nearly $2 million in written premium.

March 23, 2023

When a policy goes into cancellation, even if the insured completes the prior term audit, the policy may remain canceled unless the agent contacts the underwriter.

March 23, 2023

See the list of 2023 industry events SFM is planning on attending over the next few months.

December 19, 2022

Through the whirlwinds of a global pandemic and continued economic uncertainty, policyholders are consistently choosing to stay with SFM, and independent agents are bringing more and more new accounts into the fold. We thank our valued agency partners for sharing our dedication to service, safety and positive results for our customers.

December 19, 2022

SFM’s territory expansion hits a new high as we broaden our appetite in Kansas and continue efforts to grow in Tennessee in 2023.

December 19, 2022

Employers don’t always know how important it is to report work injuries immediately. As an agent, you can provide vital information on how timely reporting can impact the trajectory of a workers’ compensation claim.

December 19, 2022

Agents can now set up AutoPay and one-time payments for your customers while binding new business in SAM.

December 19, 2022

Since SFM was named a servicing carrier for the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Insurance Pool in late 2021, new pool business has been coming in steadily and is currently ahead of plan.

October 5, 2022

We know your days are busy, and we continue working to streamline processes and offer time-saving tools to our agency partners.

October 5, 2022

Given the prevalence of THC-infused products, employers are asking about the impact of these potentially intoxicating substances on the workers’ compensation system.

October 5, 2022

SFM has selected the Volunteer State as our 2023 expansion state, continuing our plans for growth. Our team is already meeting with key industry contacts in the state to develop relationships with regulators, agencies, and agency associations.

October 5, 2022

The Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska recognized SFM for outstanding effort and service with two annual awards for 2022.

October 5, 2022

Users of SFM Agency Manager (SAM) now have the ability to change effective dates on quoted applications, including approved quotes. We added this feature earlier this year in response to feedback from agents.

October 5, 2022

Starting in 2023, the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Insurers Association will be including trend, tail development, and loss adjustment expense data in pure premium base rates.

October 5, 2022

Back by popular demand, the SFM Foundation’s live fall fundraising event is scheduled for this November.

October 5, 2022

The Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association is distributing $35 million to policyholders who had Minnesota workers’ compensation policies in 2020.

July 5, 2022

In late 2021, SFM became a servicing carrier for the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Insurance Pool and the first year has been busy. Through the first two quarters of the year, SFM has been writing 60-80 new policies per week, totaling 1,800 policies for $5.3 million in premium. SFM will take on new pool accounts until reaching 20% of the state’s pool policyholders.

June 27, 2022

Our unique combination of effort, expertise and empathy allows us to provide the superior service that our customers and their employees rely on.

June 27, 2022

A number of changes to the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Act were signed into law in April.

June 27, 2022

On April 1, 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a district court’s finding in Chavez v MS Technology LLC/Westfield Insurance Co. that an employee’s injury was a scheduled member injury to her shoulder rather than an unscheduled whole-body injury, agreeing that the definition of “shoulder” should not just be limited to the joint.

June 27, 2022

On May 16, 2022, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld an award of workers’ compensation benefits to an employee for his hearing loss due to long-term exposure to noise over a 30-year period working for five employers.

June 27, 2022

Policyholders continue to give SFM’s premium audit experience high marks in follow-up surveys.

June 27, 2022

Since its inception in 2008, the Foundation’s scholarship program has helped 216 students, including the 13 new recipients announced this summer.

June 27, 2022

A number of SFM employees took time recently to talk with students about issues in insurance, and careers in the field.

June 27, 2022

SFM continues to expand its employee base in states beyond its Minnesota headquarters.

March 24, 2022

By all objective measures, SFM’s financial results for 2021 are outstanding. From reaching new heights in customer retention to setting records in new business and total written premium, the company has excelled in virtually every category of performance.

March 24, 2022

Hundreds of agencies have signed up to have their commissions deposited directly into their bank accounts. If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time!

March 24, 2022

SFM’s territory expansion successes continue as the team finds opportunities to get their feet on the ground in our two newest states.

March 24, 2022

Three SFM representatives participated in this year’s Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) Annual Convention in Wichita, Kansas on January 24-26.

March 24, 2022

The results of our latest agent survey are in, and agents gave SFM high marks on ease of doing business.

March 24, 2022

Two attorneys from SFM’s in-house law firm have taken up leadership roles in the Minnesota legal community.

March 24, 2022

The attorneys of SFM's in-house law firm compiled a win/loss record of almost 80% (15-4) in 2021 for hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul, Minn.

March 24, 2022

For over a dozen years, the SFM Foundation’s annual golf tournaments have been the charity’s top source for fundraising.