California State Compensation Insurance Fund: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to workers’ compensation insurance in California, one name that is often mentioned is the California State Compensation Insurance Fund. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about this organization.

What is the California State Compensation Insurance Fund?

The California State Compensation Insurance Fund (also known as State Fund) is a state-run workers’ compensation insurance provider. It was established in 1914 by the California Legislature as part of the state’s workers’ compensation system. Today, it is the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state of California.

The State Fund provides employers with workers’ compensation insurance, which is a type of insurance that covers employees who get injured on the job or become ill due to work-related reasons. The insurance provides medical treatment, disability benefits, and other necessary support to help the injured employee return to work.

Table 1: Number of policies written by the State Fund

Year
Number of Policies Written
2016
142,322
2017
151,307
2018
159,226
2019
162,720
2020
156,930

As you can see from Table 1, the State Fund has consistently written a large number of policies over the years.

Who is eligible for coverage from the State Fund?

Most businesses in California are eligible to purchase workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund. This includes:

  • Businesses with employees
  • Self-employed individuals who have opted for coverage
  • Partnerships and corporations

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. For example, some businesses that operate in high-risk industries may be required to purchase coverage from a designated insurance carrier instead of the State Fund. Additionally, certain types of businesses may be exempt from purchasing workers’ compensation insurance altogether.

How much does workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund cost?

The cost of workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund varies depending on several factors, including:

  • The size of the business
  • The number of employees
  • The type of work the employees do
  • The business’s safety record

Generally speaking, businesses with higher-risk operations and/or more employees will pay more for workers’ compensation insurance than those with lower-risk operations and fewer employees.

Table 2: Average rates for workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund

Industry Group
Average Rate per $100 of Payroll
Agriculture
$7.07
Construction
$21.37
Education
$0.51
Manufacturing
$1.51
Retail Trade
$1.71

Table 2 shows the average rates per $100 of payroll for different industry groups. As you can see, the rates vary widely depending on the type of work being done.

How do I purchase workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund?

If you are interested in purchasing workers’ compensation insurance from the State Fund, you can visit their website or call their customer service hotline. You will need to provide some basic information about your business, such as your tax ID number and the number of employees you have.

Once you have applied for coverage, the State Fund will review your application and provide you with a quote for the cost of insurance. If you decide to accept the quote, you will need to pay a premium to activate your coverage.

FAQ

1. What is workers’ compensation insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to work-related reasons. The insurance covers medical treatment, disability benefits, and other necessary support to help the injured employee return to work.

2. Do I need to purchase workers’ compensation insurance?

If you have employees, you are most likely required by law to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, so it is important to research the requirements in your specific state and industry.

3. Can I purchase workers’ compensation insurance from any provider?

Most states have specific requirements for workers’ compensation insurance providers. In California, businesses can purchase coverage from any approved provider, but the State Fund is the largest and most widely used provider.

4. How is the cost of workers’ compensation insurance determined?

The cost of workers’ compensation insurance varies depending on several factors, including the size of the business, the number of employees, the type of work the employees do, and the business’s safety record.

5. What should I do if one of my employees is injured on the job?

If one of your employees is injured on the job, you should take immediate action to provide medical treatment and report the injury to your workers’ compensation insurance provider. You may need to file a claim and provide documentation of the injury in order to receive benefits.

Conclusion

The California State Compensation Insurance Fund is an important provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state of California. By understanding how the State Fund works and how to purchase insurance from them, you can ensure that your business is properly protected in case of a work-related injury or illness.