Author Archives: Ryan Worthen

Kentucky’s leading workers’ compensation insurance provider is again lowering its rates for businesses and organizations around the state. 

The rate reduction by Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) amounts to an overall average decrease of 8.9%, with non-coal rates dropping 10.5%. These rate changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and will apply to both new and renewal policies. KEMI’s rates are subject to approval from the Kentucky Department of Insurance. 

“KEMI has reduced rates by 43% over the last decade,” said KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart. “This commitment to consistently lowering rates is a testament to our dedication to supporting employers and workers of Kentucky, and we remain focused on providing cost-effective solutions that empower our local economy and encourage businesses to invest in workplace safety to further reduce risk.” 

In July, KEMI announced a $15.9 million policyholder dividend. Between 2010 and 2023, KEMI issued dividend payments to policyholders totaling $85 million.  Kentucky business owners are encouraged to contact their insurance agents or KEMI at 800-640-KEMI (5364) to obtain a competitive quote. KEMI is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted October 19, 2023

KEMI announces Destiny Award winners for 2023

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) recognizes 25 Kentucky organizations for their commitment to workplace safety and will present each one with the 2023 KEMI Destiny Award.

The Destiny Awards are presented annually by KEMI to policyholders that best exemplify KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The awards symbolize what can be accomplished when organizations work together to improve workplace safety. Policyholders that earn the KEMI Destiny Award effectively demonstrate to KEMI their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees, and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout their organizations.

The following policyholders were selected as winners after meeting a stringent set of criteria set forth by KEMI:

• Adair County Board of Education
• Allison Abrasives
• Big Rivers Electric Corporation
• Brandenburg Telephone Company
• C & S Construction Co. of Clinton
• Cardinal Industrial Insulation Company
• Central Seal Company
• Corbin Independent Schools
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Edmonson County Board of Education
• Graf Brothers Flooring
• Hinkle Holding Company
• Houston Johnson
• Industrial Field Maintenance
• Keeneland Association
• Lewis County Board of Education
• Mercer County School District
• Metcalfe County Board of Education
• Northern Kentucky Water District
• Owen County Board of Education
• Owensboro Municipal Utilities
• Russell County Hospital
• The Third and Oak Corporation
• Warren County Board of Education
• Wolfe County Board of Education

“Kentuckians are hardworking people who keep the economy running, and the best way to ensure workers remain on the job is with a focus on safety,” stated KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart. “We consider it a privilege to work closely with Kentucky employers who are committed to developing and maintaining a culture of workplace safety to protect employees and their families. The opportunity to recognize this distinguished group of 2023 Destiny Award winners is truly an honor.”

KEMI offers the public free safety resources through worksafeky.com, a website anyone can access. A library of safety articles, best practices, and helpful links is available.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted October 19, 2023

KEMI extends our sympathy to those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods resulting from the recent disastrous floods in eastern Kentucky.

KEMI will be suspending cancellations and expirations through September 1, 2022, for policyholders located in the counties directly affected by the flooding.

We are steadfastly committed to supporting policyholders facing financial hardship, in both the short term and throughout the extended recovery process. We will be working closely with agents and policyholders to provide flexible payment terms, revise payroll estimates, or delay premium audits. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted August 2, 2022

Our hearts ache for our fellow Kentuckians who are facing tremendous devastation and tragic loss following the tornadoes that swept across our state.

Effective immediately, KEMI will be suspending cancellations and expirations through January 15, 2022, for policyholders located in the counties directly affected by the tornadoes.

We are steadfastly committed to supporting policyholders facing financial hardship, in both the short term and throughout the extended recovery process. We will be working closely with agents and policyholders to provide flexible payment terms, revise payroll estimates, or delay premium audits.

The KEMI team is committed to providing compassion, care, and support to our customers. To report an injury, please visit KEMI.com or call 1-800-640-KEMI (5364).

KEMI is working with our board and staff to identify organizations that need our assistance. We also ask agents and policyholders to contact us and share other charitable initiatives where KEMI may be able to assist.

Kentuckians are resilient and we take care of each other. Please let us know how we can best serve you in the midst of this difficult time.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted December 13, 2021

KEMI is excited to announce that our new website is live! The new site features a new application process, faster performance, and many other enhancements to improve your KEMI.com experience!

KEMI’s top priority with this redesign was to improve the overall user experience, starting with the design and navigation when you first arrive at KEMI.com. All static content was revised and refreshed, utilizing a responsive design to significantly improve browser and device compatibility when you visit the site.

Once you log in, your role (agent or policyholder) and administrative status will determine which features are available to you on the new site. Specifically, here are some ways the website will be improving for you:

Agent Enhancements

• Submitting an application for coverage with KEMI has never been easier! For starters, you will now have the ability to upload an ACORD form that will populate the online application and save you time. The manual entry process has also been upgraded to make it easier to enter and upload documentation.
• The new site allows same day straight-through processing for applications that meet KEMI’s requirements with payment.
• Have an agent out of the office? No problem! You may now view all quotes submitted from your agency, regardless of administrator status.
• Agencies may now have multiple administrators. Agency administrators can easily add and remove users, promote or demote administrators, and update contact information for other users within your agency.
• Your agency’s book of business with KEMI is now front and center on your home page when you first login, making it easier to select and take action on a policy.

Policyholder Enhancements

• As a policyholder, you may now register as a non-administrator user and immediately have access to select features, including: Obtain a Certificate of Coverage, Order Coverage Posters, Make a Payment (this feature is also available without logging in), and Report an Injury.
• If you are a policyholder administrator, you will have access to all policy and claim features, including the ability to View Policy Details, Generate Loss Runs, Manage Alerts, and access the Claims Detail Dashboard. Administrators may also view all submitted injury reports for your business.
• All policyholder users have access to the new Billing History dashboard for your business, making it easy to view monthly charges, payments applied, and the running balance.
• Policyholders may now have multiple administrators. Policyholder administrators can easily add and remove users, promote or demote administrators, and update users’ contact information for other users within your business.

Please note that the new site will be compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. You may access the new KEMI.com on other browsers, but some features may not be available.

1. Signed copy of contract detailing independent contractor relationship or copy of bid/proposal for jobs completed by contractor.
2. All invoices for material and labor used during the policy period between insured and the contractor.
3. Valid General Liability certificate of insurance (covering at least 6 months of policy period of insured).
4. Signed affidavit regarding employees, contract labor, casual labor, or subcontractors used for any of the work performed for the insured.
      – Independent Contractor Affidavit | Independent Contractor Affidavit (Spanish)

To be excluded from coverage, all information above must be received during the premium audit process and must disprove an employee relationship.

KEMI reserves the right to charge for labor on a contractor, despite having all required information, based on additional information received during the policy period or at final audit.

Please note that KEMI will no longer utilize the Independent Contractor Questionnaire (ICQ) for new or renewal policies.

If you have questions about this change, please feel free to contact us.

The dividend follows an $8.1 million dividend paid in November 2020

KEMI, Kentucky’s leading workers’ compensation insurance provider, is issuing a dividend of $8.2 million to eligible policyholders. The dividend is a result of proactive management of claims by KEMI and its policyholders.

“Kentucky businesses have shown great resilience following the devastating effects of the global pandemic, and we believe this dividend will further accelerate the economic recovery for our policyholders,” said Jon Stewart, president and chief executive officer of KEMI.

Over 13,500 policyholders will receive a dividend payment from KEMI, and the average check per policyholder is $600. To qualify, policyholders must have a current active policy with KEMI and a loss ratio of less than or equal to 65% for the 2018 policy year. Dividend checks will be printed and mailed by KEMI starting on August 4, 2021.

In November 2020, KEMI issued a dividend of $8.1 million and lowered overall rates by 6.4% which resulted in substantial savings for our policyholders. KEMI issued a refund of $6.75 million to the Kentucky School Board Insurance Trust (KSBIT) Workers’ Compensation Fund, bringing the total returned to those schools over the past two years to over $16 million.

KEMI also took over the Kentucky Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Fund in 2017. Further demonstrating our commitment to proactively managing workers’ compensation claims and supporting Kentucky businesses, KEMI anticipates returning an estimated $20 million of excess funds to eligible coal operators. Refund checks will go out by the end of August.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800