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  Obtaining Self-Insurance Details

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
    • The potential for claims cost savings.
List of Self-Insuring Forms Available

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:

    1. Active senior management leadership;
    2. Employee involvement;
    3. Return-to-work practices;
    4. Communications affecting employee safety and health;
    5. Claims reporting practices;
    6. Coordination of safety and health practices;
    7. Training;
    8. Written and communicated safe work practices;
    9. Written safety and health policy;
    10. 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.

ohio.gov