Business Insurance Frequelty Asked Questions

Business Insurance is insurance that is intended to serve the insurance needs of a business rather than the needs of an individual.

  Workers Compensation

Workers Compensation laws are designed to ensure that employees who are injured or disabled on the job are provided with fixed monetary awards, eliminating the need for litigation. Generally, all claims and insurance requirements pertaining to Workers Compensation fall under the regulatory authority of State Board of Workers Compensation

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QUESTION: How do I file a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

ANSWER: The State Board of Workers’ Compensation will provide you with the appropriate form to file a claim. You may call the State Board at 404-656-3818 or write to the State Board at: 270 Peachtree Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

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QUESTION: How many employees must be employed by an employer before Workers’ Compensation becomes compulsory?

ANSWER: Every employer, individual, firm, association, or corporation, regularly employing three or more persons, part-time or full-time, shall provide Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage.

  Audits

QUESTION: When is an insurer required to complete the audit for auditable policies?

ANSWER: All insurers are requested to complete audits and provide the information the insured within 60 days of the expiration or termination date of an auditable policy.

The Workers’ Compensation insurer shall complete a final audit and bill for any additional premium or refund any excess premium paid during the policy period within 90 (ninety) calendar days of the policy expiration or cancellation.

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  Cancellation/Nonrenewal

Georgia law requires the insurer to provide written notice of cancellation/non-renewal but, unlike personal insurance, the insurance company can terminate a commercial policy for any reason.

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QUESTION: What are the notice requirements for cancellation or nonrenewal of a commercial insurance policy by an insurer?

ANSWER: A notice of cancellation or nonrenewal shall be mailed to the named insured at least 45 days prior to the date of cancellation, or ten days in the event of cancellation for nonpayment of premiums. Such notice shall be delivered in person or by depositing the notice in the United States mails to be dispatched by at least first-class mail to the last address of record of the named insured and receiving the receipt provided by the United States Postal Service or other such evidence as provided by the United States Postal Service.

A notice of cancellation or nonrenewal for a Workers’ Compensation Policy shall be dispatched to the named insured by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to the last address of record of the insured at least 75 days prior to termination of the policy. The Workers’ Compensation insurer shall retain the receipt of mailing provided by the U.S. Postal Service as evidence of mailing.

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  Obtain Loss Information

Commercial property insurance is highly competitive. Rates and scope of coverage are subject to market pressures and often a business/insured will seek competitive bids from other insurers at renewal. Key to obtaining competitive bids, however, is to be able to provide accurate loss information to those insurers interested in bidding.

QUESTION: How may I obtain loss information for a commercial insurance policy?

ANSWER: Our office has no jurisdiction or access to the information on your personal database nor can this office effect any corrections. The report is similar to that of a credit reporting agency. You must contact Choice Point directly to have these errors investigated by them (see www.choicepoint.com)

All insurers writing commercial coverages are directed to furnish loss information to the insured first named on the policy or policies within 30 days of the insured’s request or at the same time as any notice of cancellation or nonrenewal.

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