If you're a building owner in West Des Moines, Waukee, or the greater Des Moines metro area, your...
Understanding your workers compensation insurance audit process helps you maintain accurate coverage and avoid unexpected premium adjustments. At DSMIG, we regularly guide West Des Moines and Ankeny businesses through their workers compensation audits, making the process straightforward and stress-free. Here, we're going to break down what these audits mean and get you up to speed on how to handle them and simply as possible.
What is a Workers Compensation Audit?
A workers compensation audit examines your business's actual payroll and operations over the past policy period. When you first purchase workers compensation insurance, your premium is based on estimated payroll figures. The audit reconciles these estimates with actual numbers.
Why Insurance Companies Conduct Workers Compensation Audits
Insurance carriers perform these audits to verify that businesses pay appropriate premiums based on their actual exposure. For Des Moines metro businesses, especially those experiencing growth or seasonal fluctuations, these audits help maintain accurate coverage and ensure you're not overpaying your premiums.
What to Expect During Your Work Comp Audit
Documentation Requirements
Your auditor will need access to several business records:
- Payroll records and tax documents
- Employee classification information
- Certificates of insurance from subcontractors
- Description of business operations
The Audit Process Timeline
Most Des Moines area businesses complete their workers compensation audits within 30 days of their policy expiration. The process typically takes a few hours to complete, depending on your business size and complexity.
Common Audit Findings for Des Moines Metro Businesses
Misclassified Employees
We often see Ankeny and West Des Moines businesses inadvertently misclassify workers, particularly when employees perform multiple roles. Proper classification ensures accurate premium calculations.
Subcontractor Documentation
Local construction and service businesses frequently work with subcontractors. Maintaining proper certificates of insurance prevents these workers from being included in your premium calculations.
Payroll Reporting Accuracy
Growing businesses in the Des Moines metro sometimes underestimate their payroll when starting their policy. This can lead to additional premium charges during the audit.
How to Prepare for Your Workers Compensation Insurance Audit
Organize Your Records
Maintain organized documentation throughout the year. This preparation simplifies the audit process and helps avoid delays or complications.
Review Employee Classifications
Regularly review your employee classifications as job duties change. This practice is particularly important for businesses in West Des Moines and Ankeny's growing commercial sectors.
What Happens after a Workers Compensation Audit: Additional Premium or Return Premium
After your audit, you'll either receive a bill for additional premium or a refund based on the findings and the difference in payroll from the estimate to the actual figures. Understanding this process helps Des Moines metro businesses budget appropriately for insurance costs.
Managing Your Workers Compensation Program
Regular communication with your insurance partner throughout the year helps prevent audit surprises. This proactive approach benefits businesses across West Des Moines, Ankeny, and the broader Des Moines metro area.
Contact DSMIG for Expert Guidance
Don't let workers compensation audits overwhelm your business. As your local Des Moines metro insurance partner, DSMIG provides experienced guidance through the audit process. Contact our team for a review of your workers compensation program and learn how we can help streamline your next audit. Call us today at (515) 373-8988 or email us at dallas@mcdadeins.com to speak with our commercial insurance specialists.
FAQs
How often are workers compensation audits conducted?
Most businesses undergo an audit annually, typically within 90 days of policy expiration.
Can I dispute audit findings?
I some cases, Yes, you can dispute findings if you believe there are errors. Having organized records helps support your position during disputes.
What happens if my payroll decreased during the policy period?
You may receive a premium refund if your actual payroll was lower than estimated.
How do overtime wages affect the audit?
In Iowa, overtime pay is typically calculated at straight time rates for workers compensation premium purposes.
