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.
https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/workers-comp-for-assisted-living-facilities-nursing-homes/
https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/workers-compensation-coverage-for-paving-contractors/
Workers Compensation Insurance for paving contractors is often costly because the work is high-risk. Crews face hazards such as burns from hot asphalt, chemical and fume exposure, respiratory irritation from smoke, and physical injuries like back strains, sprains, or hernias from lifting and equipment operation. Even well-managed paving businesses can have severe or frequent claims, so placing the right workers’ comp program is essential to protect your clients and control long-term costs.
Novatae Risk Group, in partnership with Empire Underwriters, leverages more than 30 years of experience helping agents and brokers place tailored Workers Compensation solutions for paving contractors. We combine underwriting expertise for high-hazard classes with access to multiple carrier options so you can find terms for accounts that are difficult to place in standard markets.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite:
Experience MOD of 1.30 or higher
High-hazard or difficult class codes (paving, asphalt, surface prep)
Blue-, gray-, and white-collar workforces
Accounts currently in state pools or assigned risk funds
Distressed, lapsed, or canceled policies
New ventures with no prior coverage
Multi-state operations and accounts with out-of-state exposures
Hard-to-place workers compensation risks requiring specialty markets
This program is built for accounts other carriers may decline or price aggressively — including contractors with prior claims, complex payroll mixes, or multi-jurisdictional exposures. If you have an insured that has been assigned to a state fund, is new to the trade, or has an elevated MOD, this program is designed to provide practical placement options.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages:
Fast turnaround on submissions to keep placement timelines tight
Access to many "A" rated carriers and surplus markets (varies by state)
Stand-alone workers compensation policies and integrated work comp solutions
Guaranteed cost programs as well as dividend and retrospective (retro) plans
High-deductible and large-loss financing options
Custom account handling and flexible underwriting for qualified risks
Underwriting Requirements and Minimum Premium:
Completed ACORD 130 application
3–4 years of loss runs
Detailed explanations and documentation for any large or recurring losses
Completed supplemental questionnaire when requested
Minimum premium starts at $10,000. Underwriting flexibility is available for certain qualified accounts; submit complete information to get the most favorable consideration.
Territories and Availability:
This program is available in most states. Representative availability includes AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, 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, DC, WV, and WI. Multi-state exposures are handled regularly — provide jurisdictional payroll details with submissions.
Why Work With Novatae Risk Group:
As a Managing General Underwriter and Excess & Surplus Lines broker, Novatae Risk Group offers deep market access and specialty underwriting for challenging workers compensation placements. Our relationship with Empire Underwriters gives you direct pathways to a variety of admitted and non-admitted carriers. We focus on practical placement, responsive underwriting, and account-level flexibility that helps you keep business with your clients.
Need a Workers Compensation Insurance quote for a paving contractor client?
Send an email to
[email protected] with your coverage needs or call 800-758-8113 to speak to an underwriter immediately.
Example accounts that typically fit this program:
A regional paving contractor with a MOD of 1.45, multi-state payroll, and several prior medical-only claims seeking alternatives to the assigned risk pool.
A start-up asphalt surfacing business with limited loss history and mixed class codes needing stand-alone workers comp coverage and flexible payroll handling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this Workers Compensation program?Paving contractors with elevated MODs, hard-to-place class codes, prior losses, multi-state operations, or those currently in assigned risk pools. New ventures are also considered when documentation is provided.
Can I submit accounts with lapsed or canceled coverage?Yes. Distressed accounts, including those with lapsed or canceled policies, are within the program’s appetite when underwriting requirements are met and loss explanations are provided.
What documents are required to get a quote?Provide a completed ACORD 130, 3–4 years of loss runs, details and reserves for any large losses, and a completed supplemental questionnaire if requested by underwriting.
Is this program available in all states?The program is available in most states, including major paving markets such as CA, TX, FL, NY, and IL. We routinely handle multi-state exposures; list all jurisdictions on the submission.
What is the minimum premium for eligible accounts?The minimum premium requirement is $10,000. Final pricing depends on payroll, loss history, class mix, and underwriting evaluation.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.
https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/line-maintenance-service-workers-compensation/