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.
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.
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.
Your auditor will need access to several business records:
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.
We often see Ankeny and West Des Moines businesses inadvertently misclassify workers, particularly when employees perform multiple roles. Proper classification ensures accurate premium calculations.
Local construction and service businesses frequently work with subcontractors. Maintaining proper certificates of insurance prevents these workers from being included in your premium calculations.
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.
Maintain organized documentation throughout the year. This preparation simplifies the audit process and helps avoid delays or complications.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most businesses undergo an audit annually, typically within 90 days of policy expiration.
I some cases, Yes, you can dispute findings if you believe there are errors. Having organized records helps support your position during disputes.
You may receive a premium refund if your actual payroll was lower than estimated.
In Iowa, overtime pay is typically calculated at straight time rates for workers compensation premium purposes.