SFM Agent Agenda

SFM recently released state-of-the-art upgrades to CompOnline, giving SFM policyholders access to industry-leading functions and analytic capabilities for managing their workers' compensation risks.

Included in the upgrade are enhanced loss run capabilities. They include loss runs with report criteria better geared to the size of the employer requesting the report. Employers and agents can sign up to receive loss runs periodically.

You are encouraged to make your clients aware of the practical features and cost-saving benefits available through SFM's upgraded CompOnline® Risk Management System.

New
New features of CompOnline give employers the ability to:

• Customize their workers' compensation loss analysis and management reports.
• View claims activity in a convenient dashboard overview.
• Sign up for email alerts on changes in claims status or reserves.

Enhanced
Features that have been enhanced and redesigned for ease of use include:

• Managing claims by location.
• Tracking progress on specific claims.
• Accessing prior First Reports of Injury.
• Looking up policy and premium information.

Claims activity
CompOnline is a powerful and extensive risk management tool giving the employer access to its SFM claims database. The user can drill down into the activity on claims, including detail on medical and indemnity payments and reserves.

Also new in CompOnline is the ability to order materials from SFM's Resource Catalog and flag favorites.

SFM online services
CompOnline, now in its fifth generation, was introduced by SFM in 1996 and is believed to be the nation's first interactive workers' compensation website. It is one of many SFM online services for employers and agents. Others include:

• SFM Application Manager (SAM)
• Injury reporting
• Premium e-payments
• Annual payroll reporting and audit
• Pay-as-you-go wage reporting
• Resource Catalog
• Safety training for employees
• Safety video lending library
• Employment practices liability resource center

For more
Learn more about the features of CompOnline and see screen captures. For more about SFM's online services, see the policyholder piece, "Online services at sfmic.com." You can order it from the marketing section of the Agent Resource Catalog or call your SFM underwriter.

The 11 recipients were from 36 applications received. Three awards involved parents who died in work accidents, according to Dave Kaiser, executive director of the Foundation.

The Foundation Board approved distributing $18,500 to the 11 scholarship recipients for the 2011-12 school year. Their scholarships will be automatically renewed each year for up to five years of schooling and as long as the student is progressing toward a degree.

In its first three years, the Foundation has awarded a total of 30 multiple-year scholarships.

Golf, auction fundraisers
Golfing for Scholarships, an annual Foundation fundraiser, is set for Tuesday, June 28, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, Minn.

SFM is also organizing an online auction to raise funds for scholarships. If you would like to contribute items for the auction, call (952) 838-4200 or email the Foundation.

Items of all types and any value are welcome. Your business may have items to contribute, such as restaurant or entertainment gift cards, or you may choose to offer personal items.

You are welcome to participate in the auction, scheduled for mid October through eBay. Watch for more details on the Foundation website.

"Your organization (is) among the best of the best," StarTribune CEO Michael Klingensmith said in a letter to SFM. Top Workplaces results were announced in the June 19 StarTribune.

Organizations are chosen for The Top 100 Workplaces based on employee survey results, company leadership and management, communication, career opportunities, work environment and benefits.

The annual award recognizes worksites with exceptional programs for creating healthy work environments and encouraging healthy employee lifestyles.

SFM shares wellness techniques with SFM policyholders through its Wellness Works webpage. Encourage your clients to use these resources.

SFM is licensed to provide coverage for workers' compensation in 16 states, so SFM is able to provide coverage for its policyholders in many, but not all, cases where employees are working elsewhere.

SFM is licensed in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Three things to do:

1. When you are having renewal conversations with your clients, ask if they are anticipating other states exposures.
2. Gather information and understand the individual state coverage requirements.
3. Talk to your underwriter about SFM's capabilities to meet your clients needs.

SFM underwriters and claims representatives are here to provide the best service possible.

Be sure to notify your SFM underwriter or claims representative with as much lead time as possible so he or she can fulfill your request as completely and accurately as possible.

Minnesota

• Anderson Insurance & Investment Agency Inc., Minneapolis

Iowa

• Arthur J Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., West Des Moines
• A W Welt Ambrisco Insurance Inc., Iowa City
• Edwards-Brandt & Associates Inc., Mason City
• First Insurance Services, Waverly
• Millhiser Smith Agency Inc., Cedar Rapids

Nebraska

• Consortio Group, Omaha

Wisconsin

• Brookfield Badger Insurance, Brookfield

• Coverra Insurance Services Inc., Sparta
• B. Schultz Insurance Services, Lodi
• Disher Insurance Services Inc., Stevens Point
• NPS Insurance Agency, DePere
• Five Star Agency, DePere
• Collins Agency, Merrill
• RJ Parker, Parker Insurance, Altoona
• Family Insurance Center Inc., Seymour
• Security State Insurance Agency, Iron River

If you are interested in becoming a direct contract agency, please contact your SFM underwriter.

SFM's website was awarded second place in the 2011 communications competition sponsored by the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds, an association of workers' compensation organizations across the United States and Canada.

According to SFM staff attending the seminar, one factor driving PTD claims costs in Iowa is a recent trend in which the employee is able to petition the court to force a lump sum payment of their benefits through the date of their life expectancy. It is called a "partial commutation of benefits."

In addition, recent Iowa state regulations have capped the level of the discount permitted when a lump sum payment on a PTD claim is paid by settlement, or when a partial commutation of benefits is ordered, further increasing the cost of these claims.

The DLR said the companies use scare tactics about potential fines for not posting required state and federal posters.

The DLR said employers in South Dakota can order the six federal labor law posters and two state posters at no charge from any South Dakota DLR office.

In honor of this milestone anniversary and Wisconsin's vital part in the achievement, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions will hold its annual national convention Aug. 22-25 in Madison, Wis.

For more information, visit the Workers' Compensation Centennial Commission website or read the IAIABC daily blog reflecting on 100 years of workers' compensation.

SFM President and CEO Bob Lund (right) discusses the difficult workers' compensation line of 2010 and its effects on pricing in 2011 with John Bykowski, president and CEO of Secura, and Kim Austen, president and COO of Allied Insurance, during the "View From The Top" CEO panel at the Wisconsin Big I convention in May. Lund and other SFM representatives attending the conference said they enjoyed meeting agents and talking with future partners.

Truman Jeffers, of New Brighton, Minn., and F. Clayton Tyler, of Minneapolis, were re-elected by policyholders of SFM Mutual Insurance to four-year terms on the board of directors at SFM's annual policyholder meeting June 13.

Policyholders also retained Strohm Ballweg LLP, Madison, Wis., as SFM's independent auditor.

Mike Donohoe, long-time SFM producer and member of SFM's Agent Advisory Council, is scheduled to be installed in September as the national chair of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.

Donohoe is owner of the James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Mankato, Minn.