How Ohio Small Businesses Can Save Big on Workers’ Comp Coverage
Managing workers' compensation insurance is essential for most small businesses in Ohio. Not only does it protect your employees if an injury on the job occurs, but it also safeguards your business from financial and legal risks that could threaten its stability.
In Ohio, workers' comp system is administered by the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Premiums are based on several factors, including number of employees, type of industry, payroll, and history of past claims. For many small business owners, these costs can feel overwhelming. But what if there was a better way?
The Value of a Group Rating Program for Workers'Comp
Ohio offers an incentive program called the Group-Experience-Rating Program. This program allows companies that have better-than-average claim histories to join together as one large group. The state then looks at the group, and assigns it a rating or discount. The safer your company is, the higher the discount you can receive. In the state of Ohio, the top discount for a group program is 53%.
You can learn more about the details of this program in this Chamber On! podcast episode.
How Do You Join a Group Rating Program for Workers' Comp?
To form a group in the state of Ohio, two parties are needed: a sponsoring organization (like a Chamber of Commerce) and a third-party administrator. At SOCA, we highly recommend Hunter Consulting as a trusted third-party administrator for Ohio workers' comp group rating programs.
Ohio businesses in a group rating program administered by Hunter Consulting are saving an average of $12,847 annually. That's significant savings you could be leaving on the table if you don't join a group rating program. Best of all, Hunter Consulting and SOCA make it easy to get started.
To enroll, first fill out an interest from. From there, Hunter Consulting takes care of all the details, including pulling and analyzing your claims history and determining the discount level you qualify for. You'll then receive a customized quote along with the enrollment documents. All that's left is to complete the forms and start saving.
A Win-Win for Chambers and Employers
A group rating workers' comp program delivers real value to local chambers of commerce. By offering access to this benefit, chambers can strengthen their "stickiness" among members, helping to improve recruitment and retention.
For individual employers, the advantages are just as strong. As the third-party administrator, Hunter Consulting manages any claims that do occur, helping employees get back to work as quickly as possible. They also provide access to a statewide network of attorneys to help fight potentially fraudulent claims and keep costs low.
Mark Your Calendar - Enrollment Deadline: November 27, 2025
If you want to take advantage of a workers' comp Group Rating Program, be sure to submit your enrollment by November 27, 2025, for the policy year that begins July 1, 2026. Missing this deadline means missing out on potential savings of up to 53% on your premiums and having to wait another full year before you can try again.
Don't Leave Money on the Table. Get Started Today!
Ready to join the over 1,000 Ohio businesses already saving big on workers' comp coverage with Hunter Consulting? Fill out this form to request your FREE Savings Report. Or, call Jeff Price directly at 1-800-486-6652.