Ohio law requires employers with one or more employees to obtain workers’ compensation coverage or
be granted the privilege of self-insurance for liabilities associated with work-related accidents or
occupational diseases. Thus, employees are either covered through State Insurance Fund or by
a self-insuring employer.
Employers realize several benefits from self-insurance including:
Administration of your own workers’ compensation program
Besides the above-mentioned forms, the applicant also must submit for review:
All financial records, documents and data necessary to provide a full
financial disclosure (as audited by a certified public accountant). This
includes a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement for the current year
and the previous four years;
Organizational plan for the administration of the workers’ compensation law;
Proposed plan to inform employees of the change from a state-fund insurer
and procedures employees must follow when filing for compensation and benefits;
Secretary of State papers providing proof of registration to do business in Ohio;
Information on your company’s risk and claims-management procedures to
establish a safe and more cost-effective workplace, including:
Active senior management leadership;
Employee involvement;
Return-to-work practices;
Communications affecting employee safety and health;
Claims reporting practices;
Coordination of safety and health practices;
Training;
Written and communicated safe work practices;
Written safety and health policy;
Record keeping.
In addition, an employer must submit board minutes when there is an
organization merger or a name change of an employer.
Applicants must submit completed applications and supporting documentation 90
days in advance of the desired effective date of self-insurance. Mail completed
applications and supporting documentation to:
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Self-Insured Department
30 West Spring Street
26th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2256.
BWC will process the applications and documents, and contact the applicant if
there are any additional questions.
