Duties & Responsibilities
To assist the Employer in meeting its obligations under the Florida Workers' Compensation Law, preferably by securing coverage in the voluntary market. Failing to obtain such coverage, the Agency or its Designated Producer then has the responsibility to assist the Employer in obtaining coverage with the FWCJUA in a prompt and efficient manner. Even if coverage must be placed with the FWCJUA, the Agency or its Designated Producer has the continuing responsibility to try to place the coverage in the voluntary market. The Designated Producer must explain to the Employer the necessity for securing coverage with the FWCJUA.
To notify the Employer, in writing, at the time of application, that the Application for Coverage is being submitted to the FWCJUA and that coverage may be available with another Insurer through another agent at a lower cost.
To assist the Employer needing coverage in completing thoroughly and accurately, an Application for Coverage and any other documents that may be required, and in forwarding these promptly to the FWCJUA. This includes explaining to the Employer any and all questions regarding the Application for Coverage as well as providing the Employer with the opportunity to read the Application for Coverage.
To review all Applications for Coverage for reasonableness and accuracy, using any available historic information regarding the Employer.
To inform the Employer that authorized Agencies and Designated Producers do not have binding authority on FWCJUA Applications for Coverage. Upon receipt of a properly completed Application for Coverage with all required supporting documentation and the correct estimated annual or deposit and/or advance premiums inclusive of the flat fee, the FWCJUA shall make an eligibility determination regarding the Employer and shall bind coverage, if appropriate.
To explain to the Employer, at the time of application, that if determined to be eligible and in good faith entitled to FWCJUA coverage, the premium will be calculated using any applicable FWCJUA surcharges. The Agency or its Designated Producer must also notify and explain to the Employer, in writing, the eligibility criteria, applicable rates, applicable surcharges and assessable feature for each rating tier.
To explain to the Employer the classification codes that are used for premium calculations pursuant to section 440.381(2), Florida Statutes.
To explain the Employer's obligation to use the Managed Care Arrangement and communicate to Employers that failure to obtain medical treatment from a participating network provider, except in cases of emergency or urgently needed care, may jeopardize the Insured's workers' compensation coverage.
To assist the Employer in filing all necessary election and/or exemption of coverage forms with the Bureau of Compliance.
To promptly report to the appropriate Service Provider all changes in the Employer's name, operations, exposures, employee names, locations, financial condition or other changes which may affect the policy or the services being provided. To keep the policy up to date by promptly requesting endorsements as required.
To assist the Employer in securing and submitting any prior loss history and corresponding policy premium as required to determine or confirm tier eligibility.
To see that adequate deposit and advance premiums are maintained and encourage the Employer to realistically estimate payroll.
To determine what coverages the Employer needs for its Florida operations. To secure such coverage, as available, from the Service Provider, in the voluntary market, or appropriate pools or funds.
To promptly forward all premium, assessment, fee, surcharge and penalty payments received from the Employer to the Service Provider to avoid cancellations and lapses in coverage. To encourage the Employer to meet all premium, assessment, surcharge and penalty payments, and, if any, finance company obligations in a timely manner.
To advise the Employer in all matters relating to his workers' compensation insurance. To request information on the Employer's behalf, as needed, from the Service Provider or the FWCJUA.
To promptly refund any excess agency producer fees paid to the Agency by the Service Provider when requested to do so.
COMPLINX
We understand that not all of our authorized agencies and designated producers have access to all potential markets. Therefore, the FWCJUA has partnered with CompLinx, a workers' compensation broker, to provide greater access for the placement of coverage in the voluntary market. Complinx provides access to several markets directly or through wholesalers. These carriers, or "Depopulation Partners", have expanded their underwriting guidelines to accept a wide range of classes and loss history due to the FWCJUA surcharged premiums.
FWCJUA Authorized agencies and designated producers may register directly with CompLinx at http://www.complinx.com/ and for a monthly fee submitted directly to CompLinx, will be able to co-broker business with CompLinx to markets the authorized agencies or designated producers do not usually have access to.
For more information, call our Underwriting Department at 941-378-7400 or e-mail underwriting@fwcjua.com. |