SFM plans to present two one-hour sessions for agents this fall:

• “Claims management: Understanding liability, benefits and return to work” and
• “The essential elements of a workers’ compensation safety program”

The day will close with an hors d’oeuvre reception where agents will have the opportunity to meet SFM’s new President Bob Lund and hear about SFM’s initiatives for 2008.

The meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, in Waukesha, Wis.

If you are a Wisconsin agent interested in attending, contact Ken Patrick at kenp@sfmic.com or Nick Marino at nickm@sfmic.com. Invitations will be mailed mid-September.

A 2.47 percent overall decrease in Wisconsin workers’ compensation rates will go into effect Oct. 1. The new rates have been approved by the Wisconsin insurance commissioner.

Unlike Minnesota’s competitive rating system, Wisconsin’s system requires all workers’ compensation carriers to use the same rates.

On average, rate levels have been decreasing in most major industry groups:

Office, clerical      + 3.8 percent
Goods, services  – 2.1 percent
Miscellaneous     – 2.7 percent
Contracting           – 2.9 percent
Manufacturing      – 4.4 percent

Other highlights
• For sole proprietors and partners, the annual remuneration used to calculate premium is increased to $40,404.

• For executive officers, the maximum weekly remuneration is increased to $1,166 and the minimum to $233.