https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/high-risk-high-x-mod-workers-comp/
Novatae Risk Group offers an Alternative Workers Compensation program—underwritten by an admitted A-rated carrier—designed for insureds with high-risk class codes and elevated experience modifiers. If your clients are being steered to the State Compensation Insurance Fund or have limited admitted options, this program provides a competitive market alternative that can produce meaningful hard-dollar savings.
While the program was developed to address risks with operations and employees in New York, Novatae Risk Group places similar high-risk and high X-Mod workers' comp solutions across the states listed below. The program is built to deliver lower upfront costs, low start-up fees, and flexible pay-as-you-go payroll options to help clients preserve immediate cash flow.
Send us your high-risk and high X-Mod workers’ compensation submissions—we can evaluate whether this market is an appropriate placement for your client.
Broad Eligible Class Codes (Not a Complete List):
Trucking / Transportation / Furniture Movers
Food Processing / Bakeries
Cold Storage
Janitorial / Property Management / Residential Cleaning
Retail / Wholesale
Manufacturing
Hospitality
Drivers
Warehouse Operations
Exclusions:
Construction
Temporary staffing
USL&H exposure
Hazardous material handling
Seasonal operations
Greater than 25% use of part-time labor
Armed guards
Experience Modifiers Considered:
Ideal risks have X-Mods of 1.30 and above
Will consider risks with X-Mods between 1.0 and 3.0
Minimum Premium:
$75,000 minimum premium
$100,000 minimum for trucking exposures
PEO Benefits:
Workers Compensation:
Admitted "A" Excellent (VIII) rated carrier by A.M. Best
Insureds retain their experience modifier (X-Mod)
Payroll Administration:
Payroll taxes
Government reporting
Management reporting
Cost analysis
Record keeping
Salary history
Payroll processing
Vacation, holiday & sick pay administration
Paperwork reduction
Risk Management:
Workers' comp claims management
Safety surveys
Drug testing
Record keeping
Unemployment insurance controls
Employer protection policies & services
Post-accident and reasonable suspicion procedures
Submission Requirements:
ACORD 130
3 years loss runs (fully valued)
Copy of X-Mod (NYCIRB copy for New York risks)
Industry-specific supplemental applications for towing, trucking, landscaping, etc.
Territories & Availability:
Novatae Risk Group places this program across multiple states. Availability depends on state rules and underwriting; please reference the program's current territory list when submitting. States we currently serve include: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV and DC.
Why Place High-Risk Workers' Comp with Novatae Risk Group?
Specialized underwriting for high-risk classes and elevated X-Mods that many admitted markets decline.
Access to an admitted, A-rated carrier while maintaining the insured's X-Mod.
Flexible billing (pay-as-you-go) and competitive start-up costs to help clients manage cash flow.
Integrated payroll, reporting, and risk-control services that reduce administrative burden for agents and clients.
Example fits: You might have a regional bakery with a 1.8 X-Mod and recurring shoulder/back claims, or a third-party logistics firm with heavy driver and warehouse exposure that needs an admitted solution outside the residual market. Both can be good candidates for this program when minimum premium thresholds are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?Strong candidates are employers with high-risk class codes (trucking, cold storage, food processing, janitorial, warehouse, etc.) and elevated X-Mods—typically 1.30 and above—but the program will consider X-Mods from 1.0 up to 3.0.
Which accounts are likely to be declined?This program excludes construction, temporary staffing, USL&H exposure, hazardous materials handlers, seasonal operations, accounts with more than 25% part-time labor, and armed guard operations.
What are the minimum premium requirements?Minimum premiums generally start at $75,000, with a higher minimum (typically $100,000) for trucking exposures. Final minimums can vary by state and underwriting assessment.
What makes Novatae Risk Group different from other markets for high X-Mod business?Novatae Risk Group combines specialized underwriting for hard-to-place risks with access to an admitted A-rated carrier, payroll administration, and risk management services—helping agents place accounts that might otherwise be forced into residual markets.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.
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https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/professional-employer-organization/
A Vital Workers Compensation Loss Control and Cost Cutting Tool for Companies Nationwide
What Novatae Risk Group's Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Program Does for Your Policyholders
Novatae Risk Group offers a PEO program built for agents who need a dependable market to place small- and mid-sized employers that require full-service HR and more competitive workers compensation solutions. This program helps your clients outsource payroll, benefits, compliance, and claims management while improving cash flow and reducing workers comp expense through pay-as-you-go billing and hands-on loss control.
Place clients who are struggling with high X-Mods, recent losses, tough class codes, lapses in coverage, or complex multi-state operations. Novatae pairs underwriting expertise with broad carrier access to craft practical, market-ready PEO solutions.
Why Agents Use Novatae's PEO Solutions
Leveraging a PEO through Novatae gives your clients and your agency clear advantages:
No large premium deposits or year-end audits
Pay-as-you-go workers compensation tied to actual payroll
Administrative relief—HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance handled by the PEO
Access to stronger employee benefits packages and payroll tax remittance
Dedicated loss control and claims services to manage exposures and control frequency
Programs designed for retention and simplified servicing for your agency
Program Features and Highlights
No premium deposits or audits required; improved cash flow with pay-as-you-go billing
Comprehensive HR support including onboarding, ACA compliance, and claims management
Payroll services with full tax remittance and reporting
Flexible program structures — deductible options, dividend/return-of-premium programs, safety credits
Integration options for job costing and accounting software
High retention — coverage remains in force until canceled, reducing client turnover
Target Markets and Ideal Accounts
This PEO program is designed to place risks that are otherwise hard to write in the standard market, including accounts that:
Are being non-renewed or canceled due to losses or underwriting restrictions
Are in assigned risk pools or coming out of state funds
Have elevated X-Mods (1.30–3.0) or recent large losses
Have lapsed coverage, no prior, or operate in difficult class codes
Operate across multiple states or have complex payroll structures
Industries where Novatae is especially competitive include (but are not limited to):
Manufacturing
Construction (roofing, masonry, excavation)
Staffing agencies
Property management
Janitorial and cleaning services
Landscaping and demolition
In-home care and assisted living
Transportation and warehousing
Farming and agricultural operations
Swimming pool contractors
Residential care facilities
Gunite and pool plastering contractors
Tailored Solutions and Carrier Access
Novatae works with over a dozen carriers — including top-rated AM Best markets — to tailor PEO placements. Available options include deductible and dividend programs, safety credits, and payroll delivery choices (direct deposit, mailed checks, or in-house check writing). Software integrations can streamline job costing and reporting to help clients control loss experience.
Underwriting Notes and Submission Requirements
To evaluate a risk quickly, include the following:
ACORD 130
Three years of loss runs
Loss history affidavit if there is a lapse or no prior coverage
Explanations for claims over $20,000
Experience Mod sheet
Applicable supplemental application for the class of business (View Forms)
Minimum premiums vary by carrier and program structure; provide complete submissions to get an accurate indication.
Territories and Availability
The PEO program is available in most non-monopolistic states. Current availability includes: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI.
Example Accounts You Might Place
A regional roofing contractor with a 1.8 X-Mod and frequent subcontractor payroll who needs payroll tax handling, claims management, and a path off the assigned risk market.
An in-home care agency expanding to three states with payroll complexity, ACA reporting needs, and prior lapses in coverage — seeking stable benefits and workers comp administration.
Why Work With Novatae Risk Group
As a Managing General Underwriter and Excess & Surplus Lines broker, Novatae combines deep underwriting expertise with broad carrier relationships to place hard-to-place workers compensation business. Agents benefit from strong market access, program flexibility, professional loss control and claims support, and streamlined servicing so you can retain clients with less administrative burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this PEO program?Accounts with high X-Mods, prior large losses, tough class codes, or those coming out of assigned risk pools are a strong fit. Construction, staffing, janitorial, home healthcare, and transportation accounts are frequently placed.
Can this program help clients who have been non-renewed or have a lapse in coverage?Yes. The PEO program accommodates non-renewals and lapses, including businesses with challenging loss histories or underwriting restrictions.
What states is this program available in?The program is available in most states nationwide, excluding monopolistic states. See the full list above for current state availability.
Are there specific submission requirements?Yes. Provide an ACORD 130, three years of loss runs, an Experience Mod sheet, supplemental applications for the class of business, and claims explanations for large losses.
What are the advantages for agents placing business through this program?Agents gain access to markets that can place difficult workers comp accounts, receive competitive commission opportunities, and benefit from high client retention with minimal servicing needs.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.
https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/workers-comp-for-staffing-agencies/