SFM-The Work Comp Experts

February 12, 2024

In some cases, automobile accidents are covered by workers’ compensation. Here’s what to if you’re involved in a work-related car accident.

February 2, 2024

If your organization treats workplace safety and wellness as two separate initiatives, maybe it's time to start thinking about the connections between the two.

February 2, 2024

Opioid painkiller misuse not only threatens the general well-being of employees, but can create on-the-job safety risks and inhibit recovery and return-to-work.

January 26, 2024

Employers have some control over workers’ compensation premiums. Here are our best tips for controlling your losses, and as a result, your premiums.

January 23, 2024

An employer's legal marijuana safety and impairment policy options may depend on the level of operations the company has with the federal government.

January 23, 2024

Asking job candidates about past work injuries, disabilities or medical histories isn't appropriate under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or state laws.

January 23, 2024

The numerous benefits of a positive workplace make a compelling case for building a supportive, affirming work environment where employee happiness is valued.

January 23, 2024

Employees in a variety of occupations can find themselves in situations with the potential to become violent at work. De-escalation tactics can be used to defuse volatile situations so they don’t reach the point of violence.

January 23, 2024

Registration is now open for the SFM Foundation 2024 Minnesota and Iowa golf fundraisers. The Minnesota golf event is scheduled for Monday, June 10, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, and the Iowa event is set for Monday, May 20, at Hyperion Golf Club in Johnston.

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

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

Peter Lindquist has been part of the legal team at SFM since 2018. He has been a practicing attorney for several years. We asked Lindquist to share a little bit about his background and role.

January 4, 2024

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

January 4, 2024

SFM works hard to make sure injured workers’ medications are managed well, and as part of that effort, SFM partners with pharmacy benefits manager, myMatrixx.

November 9, 2023

SFM has released a new version of CompOnline. The improvements enhance security, provide more permissions to the administrator and streamline our behind-the-scenes processes allowing us to serve you even better.

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.

October 4, 2023

This fall brings two opportunities to support the SFM Foundation with events in Minnesota and Iowa with the Minnesota Fall Fundraising Event on November 9 and new Iowa Bowling for Scholarships event on November 2.

September 26, 2023

Minnesota workers’ compensation law changed recently to allow an employee to notify their employer directly of a request for non-emergency surgery. Once notice has been given, the employer or insurer has seven days to give a response to the request.

September 25, 2023

Following a thorough hiring process is one important way you can prevent problem workers’ compensation claims, along with other challenges. Choosing the right employee for a role is rarely easy, but there are steps you can include in your process to help you more confidently make hiring decisions.

September 25, 2023

Taking time for pre-task planning allows employees to focus on recognizing hazards and putting controls in place to prevent incidents from occurring.

September 25, 2023

Kirsten Peterson has been a Medical Support Representative at SFM for two years, and in the workers’ compensation industry for 15 years. Kirsten is part of SFM’s in-house bill review team. We asked Peterson to share a little bit about her background and her role.

September 25, 2023

SFM’s Companion magazine for policyholders will be delivered via email only starting with the January 2024 edition.

July 24, 2023

On May 30, 2023, Gov. Tim Walz signed the state’s recreational marijuana bill, making Minnesota the 23rd state in the U.S. to legalize recreational marijuana for adult use. The new law contains several provisions that affect employers doing business in Minnesota, addressing changes to medical marijuana, use of off-duty lawful consumable products, drug testing in the workplace, as well as implementation of workplace policies.

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.

June 29, 2023

15 years after the SFM Foundation began their mission to help make college affordable for students affected by work injuries, they’ve granted 232 scholarships totaling $3.7 million, including $502,000 awarded to 16 new recipients announced in May. The 2023 Minnesota golf event raised $125,000 and the Iowa event raised $45,000 for the scholarship program.

June 12, 2023

Help prevent future workplace injuries, get the employee on the road to recovery and ensure a smooth claim process with these four post-injury tips.

April 26, 2023

Bringing injured employees back to work as soon as their doctor allows it is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. A strong return-to-work program benefits your employees and your organization.

April 26, 2023

With the shift to remote and hybrid work in recent years, many employers are quickly learning how to support employees in their new work environments. As with in-office workers, remote and hybrid employees are subject to cumulative injuries, which are typically a result of poor ergonomics at their workspace.

April 26, 2023

Before you hire temporary employees or independent subcontractors, get answers to your questions about their safety and workers’ compensation coverage.

March 27, 2023

People think stress is a natural by-product of work. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Use these tips to prevent negative health impacts of work stress.

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.

March 21, 2023

MN Supreme Court decision clarifies the nature and extent of PTSD claims in the state

March 10, 2023

Are you looking for ideas to start or re-invigorate your safety committee?

February 15, 2023

Registration is now open for the SFM Foundation 2023 Minnesota and Iowa “Golfing for Scholarships” fundraisers. The Minnesota golf event is scheduled for Monday, June 12, 2023 at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, Minnesota, and the Iowa event is set for Monday, May 22, 2023 at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston, Iowa.

February 15, 2023

When you use a third-party service to pay your workers’ compensation premium, your payment can be delayed.

February 1, 2023

Minnesota Supreme Court rules on PTSD presumption

February 1, 2023

Wisconsin-based Loss Prevention Specialist Carl Gruber received SFM's most prestigious service excellence award for 2022.

December 21, 2022

If an employee feels they’ve been wrongfully targeted for exercising their protected right, they may in turn file a retaliation claim. Learn best practices to avoid them.

December 21, 2022

The potential for injury from repetitive motion and awkward positions in jobs is widespread across many industries and businesses. You can greatly reduce the likelihood of these injuries by implementing best practices in workplace ergonomics.

December 21, 2022

Drug and alcohol use and misuse are on the rise. As an employer you can establish or update your drug and alcohol program to prevent the safety risks of drug and alcohol use on the job. Learn how to prevent safety hazards due to drug and alcohol impairment.

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

Elyse Porter is a member SFM’s newest class of claims trainees, which started in June of 2022. She now handles claims as part of our Small Business Accounts team. We asked her about her background and her role at SFM.

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.

December 13, 2022

Nearly $35,000 was raised for the Foundation’s scholarship program at the SFM Foundation’s in-person fall fundraising event returned in November. Mark your calendars for the 2023 golf events on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, Minnesota, and Monday, May 22, 2023, at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston, Iowa.

November 29, 2022

Employer liability coverage is rarely used in most states, and makes up a very small part of the workers' compensation insurance premium.

November 17, 2022

Equipment designed to help health care workers lift and move patients safely doesn’t just benefit the workers. It can also improve patients’ quality of life.

November 7, 2022

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds both proclaimed November 9-13, 2020 Kids' Chance Awareness Week. The SFM Foundation fall fundraising event coincides with Kids' Chance Awareness Week with a silent auction that runs from November 7-10 and an in-person event at the Westin Galleria Edina in Edina, Minnesota from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, November 10.

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

Jeremy Brandt has worked in SFM’s premium audit department for 15 years, starting as an Internal Premium Auditor and now serving as Premium Audit Technical Specialist. We asked him about his background and his role at SFM.

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.

September 8, 2022

If you have employees who work both remotely and on-site, there are some important legal and workplace safety considerations to be aware of.

September 8, 2022

The only controllable item in an organization’s workers’ compensation premium cost is its experience modifier (e-mod) which is directly impacted by claim costs and severity.

September 8, 2022

As an employer, you can play an important role in helping an injured worker maintain their mental health. Read on to learn how.

September 8, 2022

SFM established a new scholarship program designed to identify and support future leaders and introduce them to rewarding careers in the insurance industry. The Bob Lund Scholarship is named for SFM’s former CEO, who is widely known for his service to the field of insurance and his continuing passion for making the world a better place.

September 7, 2022

The SFM Foundation 2022 Minnesota and Iowa golf events raised approximately $325,000 for the Foundation’s scholarship program. This fall brings yet another opportunity to support the Foundation, with the popular live fall fundraising event returning to the calendar in November. The in-person event is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, at the Westin Edina Galleria in Edina, Minnesota, near SFM’s Bloomington headquarters.

August 12, 2022

Follow these steps to get your employees ready for the risks of winter weather and cut down on slips and falls in the workplace.

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

Wisconsin-based Marketing Underwriter Specialist Rick Spaulding has worked at SFM for nine years, and in the insurance industry for 16 years. We asked Rick a few questions about his role and his background.

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.

June 9, 2022

A strong safety culture starts with a high level of safety awareness among employees. Getting there requires consistent, effective communication between leadership and front-line workers.

June 9, 2022

Sarah Hunter was recently promoted to SFM’s Vice President, Claims, and previously worked as Staff Counsel with SFM’s in-house law firm. We asked Sarah about her new role and her background.