SFM recently hosted another educational webinar for our policyholders and agents. Titled “The Foundations of Hiring and Onboarding,” it’s still available for you to view.

In the webinar we discussed how establishing best practices for hiring and training new employees can help businesses and their workers succeed in the long run.

Head to sfmic.com/webinars to watch the webinar recording, and to view previous webinars and quick excerpts on work comp topics including loss prevention basics, winter slips and falls prevention, best practices for injury reporting and return to work, a breakdown of work comp benefits, avoiding litigation, and much more.

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SFM’s online resource catalog offers a wide range of educational items designed to help policyholders prevent injuries, manage their claim activity and learn more about workers’ compensation. Also included are materials to help agents market their accounts with SFM.

Did You Know: Other states coverage

A handout that explains how each state has its own workers’ compensation requirements, which can apply to anyone who works, lives, travels or is hired in that state, as well as some of the factors that go into determining whether employers have the proper coverage.

The right choice for trucking operations

SFM is now a market for your trucking customers — this resource highlights details about insuring trucking businesses.

Visit the agent marketing materials page for more resources like these.

Fact sheet: Injuries caused by winter slips and falls

Based on independent research and SFM’s claims data, winter slips and falls put workers at a high risk of injury. This resource highlights specific steps that employers and employees can take to reduce the chances of injury.

​Penguin series – No short cuts email attachment

Part of the slips and falls series, this resource generates awareness of slips and falls hazards and promotes safe processes. It also encourages employees to pick the safe route and not take shortcuts.

Penguin series: Avoid winter falls packet

This packet includes all the tools you need to prevent winter slips and falls. It features tools for supervisors, a campaign activity sample, traction footwear information, training tools and penguin posters, table tents and more.

Encourage your policyholders to download these resources from SFM’s online resource catalog and visit the site often for the latest materials.

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SFM is introducing multi-factor authentication and new password requirements on March 14 to enhance your SFM Agency Manager (SAM) account security.

Setup process available starting March 14

To prepare for multi-factor authentication, you’ll have the opportunity to confirm your email address and mobile number when you log in to SAM, beginning March 14.

You’ll also be prompted to reset your password if it’s under 12 characters to meet the new password length requirement. Once you’ve reset your password, you won’t be required to change it again for a year.

After setting up multi-factor authentication, you’ll be prompted to enter a 6-digit verification code sent via email or text to log in once every 30 days. You’ll also need to enter the verification code whenever you clear your cookies or switch to a different browser or device.

For more information on multi-factor authentication, visit our multi-factor authentication frequently asked questions page.

Separate accounts advised for anyone who needs access

As part of the rollout of multi-factor authentication, we’re also asking customers to set up individual accounts for anyone who needs access to SAM, as sharing accounts will become more difficult.

To add accounts, contact your agency’s SAM administrator.

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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.

The enhancements are expected to go live soon.

For agents, the most notable improvement is that they will receive an email notification when policyholders submit their payroll audit. This will allow agents to keep track of audit status more easily.

“We’re excited to roll out these enhancements to SFM’s MyPayroll system,” said DeAnne Misgen, Premium Audit Team Leader. “We already have strong reviews of our premium audit system, and these upgrades serve as another example of SFM’s commitment to improving the customer experience.”

For policyholders, the new features include:

• The ability for users to securely upload multiple documents at once using a drag-and-drop interface
• Email notifications in addition to physical letters about premium audit deadlines
• Users can add documentation to their audit after it’s been submitted

Meanwhile, the updated MyPayroll will also allow users to use the system even after they have missed their payroll audit deadline and received notice of pending cancellation.

New MyPayroll users

With the enhancements to MyPayroll, a wider range of policyholders will be able to complete their audit using this method, including some policyholders who previously completed their audit in person or via email only. This will give them more control over their audit process, allow for self-service and eliminate the need to schedule an SFM representative each year.

First-time users should find the process smooth and intuitive, and such policyholders will still have access to SFM’s support team and resources.

Again, the upgrades to SFM’s MyPayroll system go into effect during the first quarter of 2024. If you have any questions, please contact your SFM underwriter.

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Here’s a look at the latest updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff in the last quarter of 2023.

• Wisconsin Accounts Senior Marketing Underwriter Amber Saurbeir celebrated 5 years with SFM
• South/Metro Accounts Marketing Underwriter Specialist Belinda Seitzer celebrated 5 years with SFM
• Small Business Accounts Underwriter Willie Kirchoff celebrated 5 years with SFM
• Underwriting Technical team Underwriting Specialist Ashley Butcher celebrated 10 years with SFM
• Small Business Accounts Senior Underwriter Jason Kelley celebrated 10 years with SFM
• North/Metro Accounts Marketing Underwriter Specialist Lindsay Henningsgaard celebrated 10 years with SFM
• Small Business Accounts Marketing Representative Mark Lewis celebrated 10 years with SFM

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SFM is planning to participate in several insurance industry events in the coming months.

• Feb. 5-7 Kansas Association of Insurance Agents Annual Convention
• April 4 Minnesota Big I Annual Expo
• May 9-10 PIA of Indiana Annual Convention
• May 15-16 Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin InsurCon 2024

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