That’s right - no membership fee is required to use our insurance.
Effective February 14, 2012, you may purchase SCHBSIF workers’ compensation coverage with or without maintaining membership in groups like the HBASC. The SCHBSIF Board of Trustees made this decision to help you during difficult economic times. This is an example of how we are dedicated to providing you the most valuable workers’ compensation services in the state.
In addition to the benefits you would expect from a program custom-built by SC homebuilders for the SC construction industry, the SCHBSIF helps you manage cash flow and save you time and money by:
• COMPETITIVE RATE
• NO MEMBERSHIP FEE
• MONTHLY SELF AUDIT BILLING
• NO PAYROLL DURING A MONTH NO PREMIUM DUE
• DIVISION OF LABOR
We allow splitting of payroll between certain common codes. This will lower your cost considerably. |
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In addition, here is a sampling of additional policyholder benefits:
- Personalized, premium service delivered by dedicated, local in-house customer service representatives (CSR) - You are assigned a dedicated CSR to learn your particular business and to assist you personally with all questions and concerns - keeping our money and jobs in the Palmetto state!
- Safety & Risk Control/Claims Management Seminars - Informative and proactive seminars are held at different locations throughout the state to provide training in the “Focus Four” hazards as they apply to residential construction: falls, electrical hazards, struck-by hazards, and caught-in hazards. Information on the claims process and ways you can manage claims are discussed. Upon request these seminars may be provided in Spanish. The date and times of these seminars are located on the website under Safety and Risk Control and Calendar.
- Quarterly Publication - To keep you aware of insurance industry trends, legislative issues that affect your workers’ compensation costs, suggestions on how to become proactive in safety and better understand and manage accidents after they occur.
- In-House Claims Department - Personalized and aggressive in-house claims management protects your money and keeps your Work Comp rates lower than competitors. You are assigned a dedicated Claims Adjuster when you report a loss. Your Adjuster will be your single call service source who is familiar with your business.
- Local HBA Involvement from the SCHBSIF Staff - The SCHBSIF was designed by homebuilders to provide a quality Workers’ Compensation Insurance Plan to the construction industry in South Carolina. Effective February 14, 2012, royalties will be paid to individual local HBAs for each member that retains or purchases coverage from SCHBSIF. In addition to financial, the SCHBSIF staff is dedicated to attending local HBA functions.
- Safety and Risk Control Specialists - The SCHBSIF has three full-time Safety and Risk Control Specialists traveling the state to assist our policyholders with safety issues on their job sites. They offer advice and provide a written copy of their observations.
- Agents Advisory Council – To let the SCHBSIF hear your needs and be responsive to them. This gives you a true voice in the program.
- Convenient premium payment by credit card.
- Internet access to your account information including billing and claims data.
We are the workers’ compensation insurer of choice for the home building industry in South Carolina. It’s all we do. We work hard to earn your business. We work even harder to ensure you are satisfied.
Established in 1995, the South Carolina Home Builders Self Insurers Fund is an organization of South Carolina homebuilders who have joined together to provide a stable, cost effective and secure source for workers’ compensation coverage.
SCHBSIF is operated by a Board of Trustees of construction industry leaders. The State is divided into regions and each region has a trustee representing that area. Our Trustees are contractors who understand the needs of the South Carolina construction business.
Our program is marketed by an extensive network of independent insurance agents throughout South Carolina. For more information call the SCHBSIF office at 803-771-0566, or toll-free at 1-800-678-8178.
Herb Witter, Chairman
Witter Construction
P O Box 2635.
Aiken, SC 29802
herb.witter@gforcecable.com
(803) 649-7351/ Fax: (803)649-7312
Colin Campbell, Vice Chairman
C.R. Campbell Construction
P O Box 12388
Charleston, SC 29422
ccampb3738@aol.com
(843) 514-0185/ Fax: (843) 406-8794
Eddie Weaver, Trustee
Weaver Systems
P O Box 9623
Columbia, SC 29290
ewweaver@sc.rr.com
(803) 776-6262/ Fax: (803) 776-6697
Tom Markovich, Trustee
Markovich Homes
309 Rochester Hwy
Seneca, SC 29672
tmarkhom@bellsouth.net
(864) 886-0360/ Fax: (864) 886-0361
Keith Smith, Trustee
Keith Smith Builders.
316-C Trade Street
Greer, SC 29651
keith@keithsmithbuilders.com
(864) 801-8701/ Fax: (864) 801-8703
Jim Gregorie, Trustee
The Gregorie Company
121 Pelham Springs
Greenville, SC 29615
gregoriej@aol.com
(864) 241-7084/ Fax: (864) 271-5244
Questions for the Policy Services Department:
Q: Will you please send me a certificate of insurance?
A: You will need to contact your agent and they will forward the certificate for you.
Q: If I do not have any payroll do I still need to send in my monthly form?
A: Yes, your account will need to be updated to avoid a cancellation notice.
Q: Do I need to join the HBA to keep my Workers' Compensation coverage?
A: No, there are no membership requirements to purchase or keep your Workers’ Compensation coverage.
Questions for the Claims Department:
Q: Can I terminate an employee who is out on Workers' Compensation?
A: If an injured worker is terminated while out on workers' compensation and does not have a job to return to, it will affect the total cost of the claim.
Q: What happens if I use un-insured subcontractors?
A: Those subcontractors' payrolls will be included in your final premium calculations when year-end audits are completed. Additionally, you may become liable for the costs of any Workers' Compensation benefits owed to an injured employee of an uninsured subcontractor, and these claims costs become a permanent part of your loss experience.
Q: What will happen if I am unable to return to the same type of work once released by my doctor?
A: Once released by the treating physician, an impairment rating is normally assigned. This will determine whether or not an injured worker is due an award for permanent disability. When settling a claim, we take into consideration the fact that an injured worker is unable to return to his or her normal job.
Q: Why is prompt reporting of claims so important?
A: Prompt reporting allows the SIF Claims Management staff to gain control of the claim in its early stages; to make critical contacts with the injured worker, the employer and the medical provider. Prompt communication with the injured worker is important because it allows us to explain his rights under South Carolina's Workers' Compensation statutes, and answer any questions he may have regarding benefits, medical treatment, or return- to- work options. It also provides the SIF staff with the opportunity to investigate claims promptly and to gather information and evidence that helps us to determine the compensability of the claim.
Questions for the Premium Audit Department:
Q: Can I breakdown my employees wages if they do more than one type of work?
A: SCHBSIF allows an employee’s wages to be “split” between multiple class codes with documentation of hours spent and wages earned for each type of work. Those employees classified as Clerical #8810, Salespersons #8742, Drivers #7380 and Executive Supervisors #5606 are not eligible for the payroll split.
Q: What happens if I pay my employees’ overtime?
A: If you pay overtime, the extra payroll may be excluded from the basis of premium. Your records must show overtime payroll listed separately by employee and in summary by classification. If you pay time-and-a-half for overtime or if you pay double overtime, the amount paid above the regular rate of pay will be credited towards your payroll exposure.
Q: Do I have to have a physical audit?
A: We may mail a worksheet with instructions for you to complete and return to SCHBSIF in lieu of conducting a physical audit at your office. Therefore, you may receive a request through the mail asking you to complete this audit form.
If you don't see your question here, please give us a call at (803)771-0566, or toll-free at (800)678-8178. We look forward to helping you!
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