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SFM Historical Highlights

In 1983, SFM began as a member-owned mutual company in Minnesota. SFM issued its first 12 insurance policies, effective April 1. Many are still policyholders today.
By the end of the first year, SFM issued 537 policies for $4.1 million in premium. By the end of the fifth year, business grew to 5,064 policyholders and $49.7 million premium in force.
SFM became available to all independent insurance agents in Minnesota and was endorsed by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents and Minnesota Professional Insurance Agents associations.
SFM pioneered innovations in medical case management, bill review, return to work and in-house legal firm.
A subsidiary company, CompCost Inc., was formed to provide claims administration to self-insured employers.

SFM became Minnesota's largest workers' compensation insurer in 1991, serving nearly 5,500 employers.
SFM became the first workers' compensation insurer in Minnesota to contract with a certified medical network organization and was recognized by a Princeton University research study on the benefits of return to work.
A subsidiary company, CompRehab Inc. was established, specializing in returning injured employees to work and providing access to nurses, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals.

SFM partnered with national insurance carriers to serve the growing business needs of Minnesota employers with operations in other states.
CompOnline® was launched in 1996 to provide employers with online access to claims information. CompOnline is believed to be the nation’s first interactive workers' compensation website.
SFM received the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents Association's "Award of Excellence."
SFM successfully argued, with co-parties, the Minnesota Supreme Court case upholding the merits of the state medical treatment standards.
SFM ranked first overall in a 1998 Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry report for prompt action on claims among insurers with more than 1,000 lost-time claims. The state has issued the report annually, and SFM has consistently ranked number one.

SFM began offering coverage and services directly to employers based in Wisconsin, through Wisconsin independent insurance agents.
SFM deployed nurses to work with injured employees facing long-term treatment and launched a Pharmacy Benefits Management Program to reduce prescription costs.
Legislation was passed allowing all directors on SFM's board to be elected by policyholders.
SFM successfully argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court a significant legal case affirming that permanent total disability benefits may be offset by government disability benefits.
A multilingual line was created to accommodate injured employees who don't speak English.
Instant Underwriting was launched for agents, offering easy online access to a simplified insurance application system.

State Fund Mutual was renamed SFM-The Work Comp Experts. The company was reorganized into business units specializing in serving the needs of small, medium and large employers.
SFM began insuring the multiple-state operations of Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota employers in 16 states. A team of claims, legal, loss prevention and underwriting staff was established in Wisconsin to serve the growing needs of Wisconsin employers.
An additional line of coverage, Employment Practices Liability (EPL), was offered as an endorsement to the workers' comp policy.
An extensive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) was launched in partnership with CorVel.
SFM Application Manager (SAM), an online insurance application system, was launched for agents.
My Payroll, an online audit system was launched for small businesses.
ePay, an online premium payment system was launched for policyholders.
SFM Foundation was established to provide college scholarships to students of parents killed or seriously injured on the job.

SFM remains the leading workers' compensation insurer in the Midwest, serving more than 13,000 businesses of all sizes and types, including insured and self-insured employers.
In 2009, SFM Foundation awarded scholarships to nine students of parents killed or seriously injured on the job.
SFM launched a redesigned website in January 2010.
In January of 2010 coverage and services were extended directly to employers in Iowa and Nebraska through independent insurance agents in these states.