Our dedicated staff of Premium Auditors helps you navigate and understand the premium audit process in a way that is considerate of your business' needs for professional advice.
BITCO utilizes our own staff of dedicated and experienced professionals who are familiar with your business and can help you prepare for and navigate the premium audit process. As a BITCO Insurance Companies policyholder, you will receive fair and equitable treatment from our staff of auditors and audit reviewers. We are committed to producing audits that represent your risk exposures accurately and reflect premium levels that are appropriate. Our premium audit process conforms to uniform industry standards and our people are highly trained.
Depending on the size of your policy and the nature of your business operations, we may use the following types of audit processes to make sure that the premium you pay for your insurance coverage is fair and accurate.
The size of your policy and/or the nature of your business operations will determine if an audit is required, and if so, the type of audit that will be performed. Two types of audits are defined here:
This type of audit is performed at your place of business within 30 days of the expiration of your policy term. The auditor will notify you of the audit appointment by mail. This notification will list the insurance policies that will be audited and the records needed. It is important to immediately notify the auditor if you have questions about the records the auditor will examine or if you need to reschedule the appointment date.
Within 30 days of the expiration of your policy term, you may receive a voluntary audit form by mail. It should be completed and returned immediately. The form will list the classifications as shown on your policy and the type of exposure you should report for each classification. Questions can be directed to the toll-free telephone number, fax number or e-mail address shown on the form itself.
We can also conduct “test audits” to help you avoid the surprise of additional premium becoming due at the end of your policy term in the event you experience an increase in business activity during the policy term.
When your policy is written, your policy premium is based on your estimated risk exposure at the beginning of the policy year.
Shortly after your policy expires, your actual exposure during the policy period is audited. The audit information is further verified by an audit reviewer who calculates the final premium for your policy.
This is the final premium that is reported to you on a Statement of Audit.
Some of my employees perform more than one type of work. May I divide the payroll of these employees into more than one classification?
Only if manual rules permit the division of the payroll. To take advantage of this payroll division, you must do the following:
Maintain payroll records that disclose the actual payroll by classification for each such employee. Keep in mind that we cannot divide an employee's payroll between more than one classification by means of a ratio or percentage split of the payroll.
You cannot divide an employee's payroll between clerical work, outside sales work, automobile sale work or clerical telecommuter work and any other classification.
If you do not meet the qualifications listed above, we must place the entire payroll of the employee into the highest rated classification that describes any part of the employee's work.
I used subcontractors during the policy period. Will you charge premium for my subcontractors?
The answer depends on the type of coverage we are auditing.
Workers' Compensation
Most workers’ compensation laws hold you responsible for injuries to the employees of your uninsured subcontractors. However, if you provide proof of current workers’ compensation coverage for your subcontractors, we will not charge you workers’ compensation premiums for the subcontractors' employees. If you do not have a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance for a subcontractor, we will include the payroll of the subcontractor's employees in the audit.
General Liability
Generally speaking, you are responsible for injuries or damages to third parties caused by your uninsured subcontractors. Our audit will include the payroll of your subcontractors if you do not provide a current Certificate of General Liability Insurance for them.
If your subcontractor has General Liability Insurance, you still may be held responsible for a portion of injuries or damages to third parties caused by your insured subcontractors. Therefore, we will make a small premium charge for your insured subcontractors. Keep in mind that this premium charge is much lower than the premium charge for an uninsured contractor.
It is to your advantage to require Certificates of Insurance from all of your subcontractors.
What do you mean by the term "adequate limits"?
BITCO Insurance Companies define "adequate limits" under General Liability Insurance as limits of liability of at least $1,000,000 for each Occurrence, $1,000,000.00 for General Aggregate Limit and $1,000,000.00 for Products — Completed Operations Aggregate Limits. If the limits of liability on your General Liability policy are lower than the limits just mentioned, we will accept as adequate policy limits that are at least equal to your policy limits.
Please note: The "adequate limits" mentioned in the preceding paragraph pertain only to the General Liability audit. Our underwriting department uses different criteria to evaluate the adequacy of your subcontractors' General Liability Insurance limits of liability. Please discuss your subcontracted exposures with your agent
The limits of liability shown on my subcontractor's Certificate of General Liability Insurance do not meet your definition of "adequate limits." How will you charge the premium for this subcontractor?
I do not agree with the audit statement you sent to me. How do I resolve my problem?
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Looking for a long-term partner that works hard for you and your business? Contact a local BITCO agent today.
BITCO Headquarters
3700 Market Square Circle
Davenport, Iowa 52807
Phone: 800.475.4477
Fax: 844.233.7299
BITCO Insurance Companies
3700 Market Square Circle
Davenport, Iowa 52807
Phone: 800.475.4477
Fax: 844.233.7299