SAIF offers three simple steps to pay less.

Workers’ comp costs shouldn’t add to the stress small businesses already face. SAIF, Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation company, has several steps businesses can take immediately to help lower their insurance costs.  

Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses 

One way to improve insurance costs is to prevent injuries from happening in the first place. There are many ways to make a workplace safer. This includes: 

Ensuring the work environment is safe, with the right equipment and enough resources to do the job safely  
Providing safety training, including new employee orientation  
Maintaining open lines of communication. Create a process for workers to report and resolve issues 
Being a safety leader. Learn more at http://saif.com/learntolead

SAIF has extensive safety resources on our website in English and Spanish. This includes free trainings, videos, posters, and talking points available for businesses of any size (you don’t have to be a SAIF policyholder).

We also have the largest network of workplace safety professionals of any insurance provider in Oregon. Policyholders can get in touch with their safety management consultant or our safety services team directly at safetyservices@saif.com.   

Effectively manage all claims  

If you do have an injury or illness at your worksite, effectively managing that claim can also help reduce insurance costs. This includes filing the claim promptly. The sooner we know about the injury, the sooner we can begin providing benefits and assist in mitigating costs and navigating the process to return the employee to an appropriate level of work.  

Submit your payroll report accurately  

Finally, you can also make sure you’re not overpaying by accurately reporting your payroll. Your premium is based on several factors, including which class codes you report. A class code groups employers with comparable operations into classifications that reflect their risk exposure. There are more than 550 class codes and many of them seem similar to each other. However, the distinction between them can be very important— and expensive.  

To get the most accurate class codes, contact your insurance agent or SAIF’s customer care center at 800.285.8525. We can provide expert help to ensure you’re using the correct class code and guidance on how to properly track payroll in the correct class when multiple codes may apply.  

 We are here to help Oregon employers. If you have any questions or want to learn more, visit saif.com.

SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers' comp insurance company.

SAIF is one of Oregon Pride in Business’ Annual Sustaining Sponsors, as well as our worker’s comp insurer. If you or your organization are interested becoming a Sustaining Sponsor, please get in touch with our staff at membership@orpib.com.