Construction is one of the hardest industries to insure well, and most workers’ compensation carriers don’t try. Builders get priced off industry averages instead of how their crew actually runs a jobsite. Here’s where standard workers’ comp falls short for construction companies, and what a better program looks like.
Rates Don’t Reflect Your Safety Record
Standard carriers price off industry-wide loss data. A builder with a strong safety program and low turnover often pays the same rate as one with neither. Traditional workers’ comp is slow to reward good performance, leaving safe contractors subsidizing riskier ones.
Subcontractors Get Charged Twice
Most construction companies rely on subcontractors, and standard carriers often charge full premium on that labor even when the sub carries their own general liability coverage. That’s premium paid on risk the contractor doesn’t hold.
Claims Move Too Slowly
Jobsite injuries need fast, knowledgeable claims handling. National carriers often route construction claims through generic call centers with adjusters unfamiliar with the trades. Slower claims mean higher medical costs, longer time away from work, and a higher experience mod down the road.
Premiums Don’t Match Your Cash Flow
Construction payroll is seasonal. Annual premium billing based on estimated payroll forces contractors to overpay upfront or get hit with a large bill at audit time, right when cash is needed for materials and payroll.
No Way to Get Money Back
Even contractors with excellent safety records rarely see a return under a standard guaranteed-cost policy. All the upside from good performance stays with the carrier.
A Workers’ Comp Program Built for Construction
PBA Work Comp was established in 1999 by the Pennsylvania Builders Association to fix these problems for members in homebuilding and construction. Backed by the group buying power of PBA members, the program delivers:
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Stable rates and competitive pricing
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Proactive claims handling and medical cost management
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High-quality loss control and risk management services
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No charge for subcontractors carrying a general liability policy of at least $300,000
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Parallel Pay®, a pay-as-you-go program that matches premium to actual payroll
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Potential program dividends for well-run companies
For 25 years, this approach has helped builders and remodelers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland manage workers’ comp costs through every insurance cycle.
Get a Workers’ Comp Program Built for Builders
If your current policy doesn’t reflect how your company actually runs, request a quote and see how PBA compares.
