Author: Kris Janisch

Hands-free driving: Safety and the law

Posted on by Kris Janisch

A new hands-free driving law went into effect in Iowa on July 1, 2025, highlighting legal aspects of safe driving.

Iowa’s law is similar to those in other states and prohibits drivers from using electronic devices unless the device is in a hands-free setting. The statute bars drivers from holding their phone, which includes:

  • Typing
  • Scrolling
  • Entering GPS coordinates
  • Streaming video
  • Viewing content
  • Making calls unless voice activated

State officials are allowing an initial warning period through the end of 2025.

“Iowa’s new hands-free law marks a pivotal moment in our fight against distracted driving; it’s an unprecedented opportunity to fundamentally change driver behavior,” Brett Tjepke, chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, said in a press release . “By embracing this change, we can drastically reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, making Iowa safer for everyone.”

Safe driving

Not using a phone while driving is not only the law in many states, it’s also a good safety practice.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,275 people died in distraction-affected crashes in 2023.

While more than 30 states have laws related to driving and cellphone use, companies can take the extra step of addressing the matter in company policy.

SFM provides a sample cellphone policy CompTalk in our resource catalog. The example policy prohibits any use of phones while driving for work, regardless of an employee’s use of hands-free devices. It requires employees pull over and stop before calling, answering, or texting using a cellphone.

Other safe driving resources:

Hands-free laws in other states

Minnesota

Minnesota’s hands-free law went into effect in 2019 .

Accessing or posting on social media, streaming videos, searching a website or otherwise using a phone is prohibited. For repeat offenders, the fine can be $300 or more, including court fees.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, its law went into effect in 2017 and is slightly different from those in Iowa and Minnesota:

  • Texting while driving is against the law for all drivers
  • Hand-held or hands-free cell phone use is prohibited for any driver with a probationary license or instruction permit, except to report an emergency
  • No driver may use a hand-held mobile device when driving through a road work zone, except to report an emergency

Conclusion

Safety-conscious employers should review the laws in their state regarding cellphone use and driving, and ensure employees understand the dangers of distracted driving.

Independent contractors and work comp liability

Posted on by Kris Janisch

If you hire a subcontractor that lacks the proper workers’ compensation coverage — or doesn’t qualify as an independent contractor — it could put you at risk for liability if a work injury occurs, depending on which state the work is being performed in.

Here are some tips to avoid this situation, where applicable:

  • Confirm that the subcontractor is an independent contractor as defined by your state’s laws
  • If the subcontractor uses employees, ask for a certificate of insurance as proof of workers’ compensation coverage

Subcontractors with no employees can choose whether to purchase workers’ compensation insurance for themselves in most states. If they do have coverage, ask for a certificate of insurance for verification. Note that certificate of insurance verification alone does not qualify a subcontractor as an independent contractor. They still must meet all of the state’s criteria.

If they don’t have coverage: Request a copy of the subcontractor’s independent contractor registration form if applicable in your state. Some states have a registration process for independent contractors, and some don’t. Otherwise, ask for a copy of the subcontractor’s current license.

Note that a contractor registration form alone does not qualify a subcontractor as an independent contractor. You should also:

  • Check to see that the subcontractor is registered with the state as a business entity
  • Request a Certificate of Insurance for General Liability covering the dates the work was performed with limits of at least $300,000

Other considerations

Employers must also be aware of their respective state requirements. Every state is different, but in most cases, for a worker to be considered an independent contractor for workers’ compensation purposes, the worker must have:

  • Control over how the work is performed
  • Ability to realize financial loss or gain based on how a project goes
  • Ownership of equipment to complete the job
  • Compensation on a per-job basis

These are just some basic criteria, and most states have additional requirements beyond these. Get details through your state’s department of labor. For example, the labor departments in Minnesota , Wisconsin and Iowa  provide additional information online.

There are also industry-specific considerations. In Minnesota, for example, many job sites require drivers in varying capaci­ties. There is a statute that defines independent contractors in the “trucking and messenger/courier industries,” but those industries are undefined. An operator of a car, truck or van is deemed an employee unless all criteria are present. These include:

  • Owning or leasing the vehicle
  • Being responsible for the maintenance and all related operating costs
  • Being compensated based on the work performed, and not an hourly basis
  • Being substantially responsible for the means and manner of performance
  • Having a written contract specifying the relationship of independent contractor

A general contractor should assume any driver will be deemed an employee unless all of the statutory criteria are met.

Your agent can help

Lastly, if you need help determining whether a subcontractor is an independent contractor or employee, ask your agent for guidance.

They can help you understand the implications to your workers’ compensation coverage.

Market rank update: SFM continues growth in core states

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Recently released reports on workers’ compensation market share show that SFM continues to garner more business in its core states.

The 2024 figures were issued by SNL Financial in April. SNL, a data analytics firm within the S&P Global organization, issues an annual insurance industry study that compares market share and ranks carriers within each state of operation.

SFM’s carrier ranking in its top five states, based on 2024 written premium:

  • Minnesota – 1
  • South Dakota – 3
  • Iowa – 6
  • Nebraska – 7
  • Wisconsin – 10

At the same time, SFM’s 2024 market rank also increased in its three newest states: Kansas, Indiana and Tennessee.

“We’re growing, and the good news is we’re really growing in all eight of our core states, but we’re also growing profitably and selectively in those states,” said Mike Happe, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The nationwide work comp market volume actually declined last year, so it’s promising to see that we’re maintaining that upward trajectory.”

SFM hit a new milestone by making the top 10 in Wisconsin, and SFM’s 2024 market rank increased by four spots in Kansas, eight in Indiana and 11 in Tennessee.

“Today, nearly half of SFM’s business is from outside of Minnesota. SFM is proud of our sustained success in recent years, especially in our newer markets,” Happe said. “In addition to maintaining the lead we’ve held in Minnesota for over 20 years, it’s fantastic to see strong growth coming from our other core states.”

Meanwhile, SFM continues to look for opportunities to pick up business that’s being displaced or facing challenges in the market.

“Especially in our newer states, agents are getting to know us and appreciate the advantages we offer,” said Mark Lewis, Team Business Leader. “We’re seeing excellent results as SFM’s reputation for unmatched customer service continues to spread throughout our newer markets.”

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

Good results for SFM through first half of 2025

Posted on by Kris Janisch

SFM is off to a good start through the first six months of the year, and with a strong July expected for new business, we are looking to maintain that momentum through the next quarter.

Written premium is close to plan year to date, and new business is on plan, as well, at about $13 million. Premium audit additional is solid at more than $6 million so far this year. However, pricing is down 6% through the end of June, which was slightly more than projected.

“Despite the continued market challenges in workers’ compensation insurance, SFM and our agency partners have continued to grow our book of business and sustain our excellent client retention rate of over 95%,” said Steve Sandilla, Sr. VP and Chief Business Officer. “We’ve had a good start to the first half of the year and are planning to make the second half just as robust.”

Following a mild winter in the Upper Midwest, and subsequently fewer slip and fall claims, claim frequency was looking very good for the first six months of 2025. Still, though claim severity is within projections, SFM has increased that range in recent years following a trend of more surgeries and recovery time due in part to an older workforce.

“SFM’s results so far this year mirror our philosophy of steady, measured growth,” Sandilla said. “As we look to build on a good first half of 2025, we want to remind our agent partners that we look forward to working together to generate new business.”

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

Agency Partner Survey results: Spring 2025

Posted on by Kris Janisch

The results from SFM’s recent Agency Partner Survey are in and show nearly all respondents were satisfied with SFM (93% “extremely” or “moderately” satisfied) and 91% said SFM is “easy” or “very easy” to do business with.

When asked about the reason for their satisfaction rating, respondents most often cited SFM’s customer service and user-friendliness. Additionally, 75% of respondents said they wanted to recognize an SFM employee for excellent customer service.

“We’re extremely proud of the results of this survey,” said Steve Sandilla, Sr. VP and Chief Business Officer. “At SFM, we take customer service seriously, and it’s terrific to hear that our agency partners gave us such high marks.”

SFM’s underwriting staff was also regularly cited as a reason for overall satisfaction. Specifically, one respondent said underwriters are knowledgeable, responsive and focused on customer service. SFM’s website, processes and technology were noted as strengths by those who responded to the survey, as well.

“While we’re pleased with the survey results, we will continue to look for ways to improve in the future, and we will take specific areas of improvement seriously,” Sandilla said. “In fact, we received comments in the survey about upgrading the billing information in SFM Agency Manager. We’d already had a project to address that underway, and the enhancements went live in June.”

SFM appreciates the time agents took to provide their feedback, and those comments provide us with better ways to serve our partners.

Nearly 600 agents responded to the survey, which was distributed in March 2025.

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

Underwriter accomplishments – first half of 2025

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Here’s a look at the latest promotions and accomplishments for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past several months.

  • Tamara Flanagan was promoted to Underwriting Technical Support Representative
  • Phil Roberts was promoted to Marketing Underwriter
  • Nick Frederickson was promoted to Senior Underwriter
  • Michelle Santalucia joined SFM as an Underwriter on the Wisconsin Accounts team
  • Crystal Frederick was promoted to Senior Underwriter
  • Jason Willis was promoted to Marketing Underwriter Specialist
  • Sadie Zorn was promoted to Senior Marketing Underwriter

Other SFM news of note:

  • SFM CEO Terry Miller was named the president of the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds
  • Mark Thalberg joined SFM as Senior Defense Counsel with Schmidt, Scharfenberg & Hollick
  • Ryan Jirak was promoted to VP of Regional Business, Large Accounts
  • Shawn Miner, SFM’s VP of Regional Business, Iowa/Nebraska/Kansas Accounts, was appointed to the governing board of the Kansas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Plan

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

SFM to attend upcoming industry events: Summer/fall 2025

Posted on by Kris Janisch

SFM is planning to participate in several industry events in the coming months, including:

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

Strains and sprains webinar recording available

Posted on by Kris Janisch

The recording of SFM’s recent webinar, Preventing Strains and Sprains, is now available.

Click here to watch the presentation .

Our experts discussed a range of issues related to the topic, including how employers can help reduce the occurrence of strain and sprain injuries — the most common type of injury reported to SFM.

The webinar covered:

  • What constitutes a strain or sprain injury
  • How these injuries typically occur
  • Manager and supervisor responsibilities to report
  • How to identify individual workplace risk factors
  • Why safety programs should cover ergonomics
  • Legal aspects to a strain or sprain injury
  • How to reduce the risk of litigation of a claim
  • More, including a question-and-answer session at the end

Lastly, you can find previous educational webinars on our website.

 

View more news about SFM

Golf tournaments raise $150,000 for SFM Foundation

Posted on by Kris Janisch

The SFM Foundation’s recent golf tournaments generated $150,000.

Held in Minnesota and Iowa, the events are the largest fundraisers for the SFM Foundation, a nonprofit that helps families affected by workplace injuries by providing scholarships to children of workers disabled or killed in work-related accidents.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of our agent partners, clients and others in the community,” said Linda Williams, President of the SFM Foundation. “Without their generosity, we wouldn’t be able to help as many students as we do each year.”

In total, 240 golfers came out for the two events, and sponsors helped garner more funding for scholarship recipients.

“We are proud of our efforts to support these families as they endure challenging times,” said Andy Gebhard, Chair of the SFM Foundation Board of Directors. “Helping these students reach their goals takes all of us working together — sponsors, agents and volunteers. It’s amazing to see how much the foundation has grown over the years. We’re proud of our mission and thankful for the ongoing support from everyone involved.”

New record for scholarship funds

Earlier this year, the SFM Foundation announced nearly $600,000 in new scholarships, a record since the organization was founded in 2008.

“We have seen a steady uptick in the number of applicants for our scholarship, so being able to award more students and provide more funding this year is amazing,” said Deb Zorn, the foundation’s scholarship director. “It’s so rewarding to see these young people follow their dreams with the support of the foundation community.”

This year marks the highest number of scholarships awarded in the foundation’s history – 19.

About the SFM Foundation

The SFM Foundation was created in 2008 by SFM Companies, a regional workers’ compensation insurance group headquartered in Bloomington, Minn. The nonprofit is dedicated to easing the burdens on families affected by workplace accidents. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded 266 scholarships totaling $4.7 million. For more information, visit sfmfoundation.com .

The SFM Foundation is an affiliate of Kids’ Chance of America in Iowa and Minnesota.

 

View more news about SFM

New AutoPay, payment and billing features in SAM

Posted on by Kris Janisch

Agents can now make payments and manage AutoPay for customers right within SFM Agency Manager (SAM). Also, we have enhanced the billing information agents can see within SAM.

The upgrades rolled out this spring.

AutoPay management and payments

You no longer need to leave SAM to make a payment on behalf of a customer.

Within the Policies section of SAM, on the “Billing Summary” page of any policy, you will be able to:

  • Make a one-time payment
  • Set up AutoPay
  • Change the AutoPay payment method
  • Change the AutoPay email notification recipient
  • Cancel AutoPay

You are still able to set up AutoPay right away during the binding process.

Enhanced billing information

You also have access to additional information on the Billing Summary page to help you better answer customers’ questions about their SFM bills.

On the Billing Summary page, you can find:

  • A downloadable installment schedule
  • Current invoices and their payment status
  • Payment details, such as date paid and payment method
  • Return fund amounts

 

Read more Agent Agenda articles

css.php