Agent News

CompWest Quarterly – November 2021

New Self-Service Capabilities Are Now Live — Register for Training Today!

We recently introduced new and expanded online capabilities for business effective Jan. 5, 2022. With these enhancements, you now have access to:

New policy and billing inquiry applications
New quote and bind application via our portal

We understand the importance of being able to do business with us easily — which is why we have a planned transition period during which we’ll operate in both our current and new systems.

To be clear, you will continue to have access to eLink for policies issued in that system, including all the information, applications, processes and support you have today.

As we mentioned previously, policy effective dates determine when the new applications will be available to write business — an automated process that removes any guesswork on your part:

Continue to access online applications via our portal on our brand websites
You’ll be prompted to identify the policy effective date
This date will automatically determine which application you will use to submit business — and will route you there (regardless of system, you’ll use the same credentials to log in as you do today)

Q&A/Demo Sessions Available
To ensure you are supported through this major milestone, we’re providing a variety of options for upcoming virtual demo sessions — with time for Q&A at each.

You and any agency team members who submit business through our current online portal (eLink) are encouraged to participate in one of the demo sessions (offered through Microsoft Teams) — to register, please click here. And even if you don’t use our portal today, anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend to understand these new capabilities!

Note: Training resources, including user guides and quick reference tools, will also be available to help you learn to use our new applications — all available in the portal.

Thank you for your valued partnership. Should you have questions, please reach out to your business development consultant.

Commission Program

As a reminder, effective Oct. 1, 2021, we are offering an enhanced commission that will increase your commission to 15% for all new business less than $75,000 in premium. Further details are as follows:

The incentive applies to new policies effective between Oct. 1, 2021 and Jan. 1, 2022.
To receive the enhanced commission, the agent must refer the business to their business development consultant in eLink.
Insured must be based in California.

Feel free to share this marketing flyer with your teams.

Please contact your BDC with any questions and to discuss how you can maximize the benefits of this new business commission incentive.

Incentive Program Continues!

We’re excited to continue our month-long business incentive contest for our producers and account managers!

Incentive Contest: most new business
Eligible Agency Staff: producers and account managers
Prize: North Face jacket
Contest Period: Nov. 1-30, 2021

Download the contest flyer for complete details and contest rules!

Please contact your business development consultant with any questions.

Incentive Trip Reminder

With the end of the year just around the corner, we want to make sure you are on track to qualify for the Grand Cayman incentive trip that will take place in 2022. As a reminder, the qualifications are:

Written premium (excl. AOR premium): $2.25M
Premium retention: 80%
5-yr. cumulative loss ratio: 50% or less
Positive year-over-year growth

Be sure to visit the incentive trip website for island photos and resort information, and keep an eye out for more monthly email updates which contain your agency’s personalized performance standings. You’ll be able to check your progress and ensure you’re on track to qualify!

Small Business Resources

To support our small business partners, we will feature helpful resources each quarter. This edition focuses on the claims process, which can be quite challenging to navigate following a severe work-related accident.

However, CompWest has your back and will support you, the employer and injured worker through this process. For more information, see the resources below and contact us with any questions:

Claim Quick Step Guide – English and Spanish
Claims materials by state
File a claim

Introducing ErgoView — Taking Ergonomic Assessments to the Next Level

As businesses continue to evolve with many turning to a more virtual environment, our team of loss control experts have applied their years of experience to provide safety services both virtually and in-person. Our expertise and loss control service models allow for virtual and in-person visits to work in tandem – ensuring that our customers receive the appropriate solution and service for the risk at hand. In short, we provide the right service, the right way, at the right time!

As part of our loss control offerings, customers have access to our online Resource Library, online training and tutorials, helpful links and other tools. We are also excited to announce that we are elevating our virtual offerings even further with the rollout of ErgoView: Powered by TuMeke – a motion capture technology tool that helps identify musculoskeletal risk factors. Click here for more details about this exciting new offering!

Reporting System Enhancements Coming Soon!

We’re excited to announce new enhancements coming to our digital reporting experience. Early next year, you and our mutual customers can look forward to accessing new, more dynamic data 24/7. Refreshed agency reporting options and improved loss run data will be available to you. These reports will be available via the ‘quick links’ on our secure customer portal homepage just as you access them today. We’ll be sure to share updates with you as our launch date approaches.

AF Group: Keeping COVID-19 in Focus

Hear from AF Group Chief Claims Officer Paul Kearney as he provides an update on claims trends our workers’ compensation brands are seeing, as well as the efforts AF Group is taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Watch Video Update >> Preventing the Spread of Virus >>

AF Group Named To “Best Places to Work in Insurance” List for 12^th Straight Year!

Business Insurance magazine has recognized AF Group and its brands as one of the best employers in the insurance industry for 12 years running. They base their decision on a company’s ability to establish a workplace where employees can thrive, enjoy their work and help their company grow. We’re so proud to be included on the list once again this year — and thank our agent partners for supporting us through continued partnership. Read more >>

eLearning: Health and Wellness While Working Remote

Health and wellness play a critical role in our quality of life and productivity. As many of us are working remotely, it’s important we pay close attention to the factors that contribute to our overall wellbeing. We recently developed this eLearning for our mutual customers, but thought you might benefit from this short refresher as well. Click here to view the eLearning course and here to see other topics in our on-demand eLearning library.

Legislative Update

COVID-19 Policy Environment

Throughout 2021, AF Group generated positive advocacy results in numerous priority markets, but in these unprecedented times, legislative and regulatory environments remain impulsive. The majority of states (42) have considered some form of COVID workers’ comp presumption policy initiative to date. As we move forward into 2022, the primary risk from AF Group’s perspective is the overall presumption debate will evolve into a much broader public policy discussion surrounding infectious disease, and the system’s responsibility and coverage of these increased exposures.

Cannabis Industry Evolution

States are moving quickly to create and implement new laws intended to monitor and regulate cannabis production and distribution, in addition to creating pathways for recreational use. As of June 2021, 19 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. AF Group is leveraging our established political network to strengthen knowledge and understanding of this continually evolving industry and the possible impacts/opportunities it’s generating for our Enterprise.

Federal Budget Process – Tax & State-Based Workers’ Comp System

1. Tax

U.S. Congress will likely increase the corporate income tax rate, impacting corporate 2022 financials. Currently, the corporate tax rate sits at 21% (prior to Trump tax cuts, corporate tax rate was 35%). Under President Biden and Democratic leadership in Congress, we anticipate roughly a 6-8% increase. The formal budget reconciliation legislation has yet to be finalized, as the debate continues.

2. State-Based Workers’ Comp System

The Department of Labor’s Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP) has an annual discretionary budget of approximately $117 million. A section of the Federal Budget proposal receiving media attention lately (House Build Back Better, or Reconciliation Package) recommends a $121 million appropriation for OWCP “for carrying out activities of the Office relating to claims activity, policy and standards development, and monitoring of State workers’ compensation programs.”
The increased dollars are intended to restore the “National Commission.” In summary, the Commission’s objective is to execute an analysis/critique of the overall state-based workers’ compensation system, particularly analyzing the Federal Government’s role and oversight of state workers’ compensation programs.
There’s a belief among some stakeholders in Washington that the state-based programs are inadequate and the Feds should play an enhanced role.
AF Group’s Government Affairs team will continue to monitor the Federal budgetary process/politics and work to influence this overall process where necessary.

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC)

AF Group will formally become a member of NAMIC in October. This partnership will enhance our advocacy strength, visibility and influence throughout the property casualty industry and within our priority political environments in which we have a significant book of business.