Classification Codes-A Great Blog Reader Question

In one of your earlier blogs, you talk about Workers Compensation Classification Codes and how they describe the jobs that are performed in a business. Why do my Classification Codes seem to be different from what my business actually does, and why are they not the same as what our employees do on their jobs? I am confused.

This is one of the questions that is becoming more popular as the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) revises and eliminates their Classification Codes. This results in more of what is called classification by analogy. We have seen more of this type of classification in the last three years.

Classification By Analogy is the interpretation of what Workers Comp Classification Codes are the closest to the job functions in a company. The insurance company looks at each classification code as a level of risk. These are "guestimations" as there is no exact classification code that matches a job function or employee's job description. The most important word is interpretation. No one knows your business as well as you do.

If your Workers Comp Classification Codes do not seem to represent the job functions in your company, then have your agent and carrier review your classification codes with you and explain how they best represent your business. If you still feel that something is wrong, consult an expert in Workers Comp.