Are You Paying Too Much for Workers’ Comp? The Value of a Group Rating Program
If you're a small business owner in Ohio with one or more employees, workers' compensation insurance is a requirement. However, there's more than one route to paying for workers' compensation.
Many employers are surprised to learn they could be leaving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the table every year, simply because they aren't enrolled in a group rating program.
What is a Workers' Comp Group Rating Program?
In the insurance world, group rating allows similar businesses to join together to enjoy lower up-front premium rates than they could access on their own. Much like the Chamber of Commerce philosophy, it's all about the power of many companies coming together to achieve more than they could alone.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Comp offers an incentive program called the Group-Experience-Rating Program. This program allows both public and private employers with better-than-average claim histories to join together as one large group through a sponsoring organization, like SOCA, and a third-party administrator, like Hunter Consulting.
Once a group is established, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Comp rates the group as one employer. The safer your company is, the higher the discount you can receive. In the state of Ohio, the top discount for a group program is 53%.
Once enrolled, you'll continue paying your workers' comp premiums to the state of Ohio, but with your group discount automatically applied. It's a simple and easy way to see real savings!
Discover Benefits That Go Beyond Savings
Ohio businesses in group rating programs managed by Hunter Consulting are saving big -- up to $12,847 per year on average. But that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of benefits.
When you join a group program administered by Hunter Consulting, you also get the expertise of an expert third-party administrator who can help you:
- Manage claims efficiently, helping injured employees recover and return to work quickly.
- Provide access to a statewide network of attorneys at no additional cost to fight potentially fraudulent claims.
- Offer risk assessment and loss control strategies, and regulatory compliance assistance.
Why Chamber Members Love Group Rating Programs
For local Chambers of Commerce, offering access to a group rating program is one of the most effective ways to deliver real, tangible value to members. Helping small business owners save on essential costs such as workers' compensation insurance not only relieves financial pressures on employers but also strengthens member loyalty, improves retention, and demonstrates that your Chamber is truly invested in the long-term success of its members. It's a win-win that benefits both the Chamber and the business community it serves.
Best of all, applying to be a part of a Group Rating Program is easy.
SOCA President Matt Appenzeller shared in this episode of the Chamber On! podcast, "I introduced my dad to this program about 15 years ago, when he was still working as a small business owner, and I was leading that local Chamber of Commerce, and he saved more than $1,200 by simply filling out a form."
Apply Now to Unlock the Savings!
If you're ready to find out whether your business qualifies for a group rating discount, don't delay. Now's the time to see how much you could save.
The process is quick and easy -- but you must apply for enrollment by the Monday before Thanksgiving (November 24, 2025) for the policy year that begins July 1, 2026.
Ready to See How Much You Could Save?
Fill out this form to request your free savings report or contact Jeff Price at Hunter Consulting today at 1-800-486-6652. It's one of the easiest cost-cutting decisions you can make this year!