A classification code is a three- or four-digit number assigned to a business when they’re quoted a workers’ compensation insurance policy.
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The fastest way to get classification codes right is to ask an expert in workers’ compensation insurance.
Class codes are usually a 3- or 4-digit number followed by a brief description of the business type.
Each class code is assigned its own rate based on the risk for a workers’ compensation claim.
Classification codes allow the insurance company to provide adequate coverage based on the relative risk for an employee injury.
Most companies (even small businesses) have more than one class code. The primary one is called the governing class code.
Similar businesses receive the same class code and base rate. But from there, insurance companies adjust premiums on a case-by-case basis.
A classification code is a three- or four-digit number assigned to a business when they’re quoted a workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Also known as a class code, this standardized system allows insurance carriers to easily describe what the business does, and allows similar businesses to be grouped together for analysis and rate assignment.
Trying to look up workers’ compensation rates by classification code? There are hundreds of different classification codes. The easiest way to find out the code that best fits your business is to use an easy online quoting tool. This will help you search for the correct code for your business in your state, and also give you an immediate, no-obligation quote from leading carriers.
What does “Starting Gate Corporation” do? How about “Thomas & Associates”? Does “Anderson Painting” do residential interior jobs — or scale five-story buildings?
Workers’ compensation insurance protects employees in the event of a workplace-related injury or illness. To accurately assess the risk and provide enough coverage, insurance carriers need to understand the type of work employees do. That’s where classification codes come in.
Classification codes give insurance carriers, agents and rating agencies a shared language to label businesses based on the products or services they offer.
Class codes are usually a three- or four-digit number followed by a brief description of the business type. Most states use NCCI’s classification codes (jump to: How Class Codes Are Assigned). NCCI class codes are four digits and the ones we use as examples throughout this post.
Let's break these down at bit more:
SIC Codes: The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was primarily used in the U.S. to classify industries with a four-digit code. Implemented in the 1930s, its main purpose was to promote the uniformity and comparability of statistical data related to market research.
For example:
NAICS Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS, pronounced "nakes") was developed in the 1990s to replace the SIC system. It uses a six-digit code that allows for more specific categorization and is updated every five years to accommodate new industries. NAICS is used by federal statistical agencies in North America for collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the business economy.
For example:
For example:
In other words, NAICS or SIC codes can help you identify the correct classification for your business, but you likely need to translate that to the correct NCCI code (or whichever classification system your state uses) when buying workers' compensation insurance.
Remember: Correct classification of your business helps in statistical analysis, regulation compliance, and ensuring appropriate insurance coverage. Not only that, but class codes are audited annually and directly impact premiums.
That's why it’s a good idea to reach out to the experts in workers’ compensation insurance. A few quick questions from them can get your business covered properly — saving you time and headaches.
Most companies (even small businesses) have more than one class code. Often there is a governing class code which represents the overall product or service being offered by the company. But within the company there may be other classification codes. Common ones include:
Class codes matter for two main reasons: compliance and cost. As we mentioned earlier, the class code allows the insurance company to provide adequate coverage based on the relative risk for an employee injury.
It’s similar to how an insurance company would want to know the make and model of your car, the age of a driver, or what year your house was built. This data is used to understand the risk and coverage that is needed.
Classification codes are also used for actuarial analysis, or collecting and interpreting large sets of data. By grouping together similar businesses, workers’ compensation insurance rating agencies can collect data such as:
This data can reveal patterns between industries, and help the state workers’ compensation system keep a pulse on overall costs. Analyzing these large data sets allows the rating bureaus to understand the relative risk between different business types to assign an appropriate rate to each.
This brings us to rates. Workers’ compensation insurance rates are part of the formula used to calculate the insurance premium.
The rate is assigned to the entire classification code, so every business with that class code in the state receives the same base rate. That said, there are other ways insurance companies adjust premiums on a case-by-case basis.
Workers’ compensation is regulated at the state level, so each U.S. state decides which rating agency it uses to assign classification codes and rates. Most states use the codes defined by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), an independent organization that collects workers’ compensation data on U.S. businesses.
Class codes are assigned based on asking questions about a company‘s operations. Common questions include:
Depending on the industry, specific follow-up questions may help the insurer better understand the risks that employees are put in, such as working at certain heights or depths, operating cars or machinery, or working with particular substances.
The final thing to understand about classification codes is which workers to include. A workers’ compensation insurance policy can cover anyone who works for a company. But based on state work comp law, businesses are legally required to cover particular workers under the policy.
Determine which workers must be covered by the policy under the state workers’ compensation laws.
Decide whether to include any other workers, which might include owners or officers.
Report all workers to be covered under the policy, so any relevant classification codes may be included.
Each class code is assigned its own rate based on the risk for a workers’ compensation claim. That rate is then multiplied by total annual employee wages and used to calculate the total insurance premium.
For example, the NCCI code 5183 will pay $1.68 in Indiana, while NCCI code 8810 will pay $0.35. That’s because a plumber is more likely to get injured on the job than an office worker.
Classification codes are relevant when purchasing or renewing a workers’ compensation insurance policy. It’s important to get insured for the correct class codes so coverage and premiums are accurate.
If you already have an active workers’ compensation insurance policy, you may be able to find your class codes on your policy or through your insurance agent.
Look for a numeric code and industry description. If more than one is listed, one is likely the governing class code and the others are supporting class codes.
If you don’t yet have a workers’ compensation policy, or your business operations have changed, the state's rating bureau will have all available classification codes on file. They may even have an online search or lookup tool for you to find the classification code that best describes your business.
Anyone who would provide or sell a workers’ compensation insurance policy — a carrier, insurance agent or broker — should also have access to all classification codes. However, industry professionals experienced in writing workers’ compensation are the most likely to get classification codes right the first time.
To choose the best class code(s) for your business, consider:
But, the best way to get classification codes right is to ask an expert in workers’ compensation insurance. An experienced agent will know the right questions to ask to assign your business the correct class codes.
To get your class codes and a no-obligation quote, take 5 minutes and try WorkCompOne’s online quoting tool.
Work comp costs depend primarily on two major factors: total employee payroll and classification codes. To avoid overpaying for coverage, it’s critical that both of these numbers are accurate.
Rates are used to calculate workers' comp policies. See work comp rates by state and find out how much coverage might cost.
In this post, we answer — What do annual gross wages include? Which workers are covered by a workers' compensation policy? — so you get the right coverage for the best price.
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