Category Archives: News

KEMI Announces Destiny Award Winners for 2022

At a time in which most businesses are struggling to hire and retain employees, keeping available workers healthy and on the job is imperative. Yet, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, within the private industry alone. Many of these injuries, and the personal and professional difficulties that they caused, could have been prevented.  

That’s why Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, recognizes employers for their commitment to workplace safety annually.

This year, KEMI will present 28 Kentucky organizations with the 2022 KEMI Destiny Award.

The Destiny Awards are presented 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 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 businesses were selected as winners after meeting a stringent set of criteria set forth by KEMI:

• Adair County Board of Education
• Asbury University
• Asbury Theological Seminary
• Barren County Board of Education
• Bell County Board of Education
• Big Rivers Electric Corporation
• Brandenburg Telephone Company
• Corbin Independent Schools
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Edmonson County Board of Education
• Elizabethtown Board of Education
• Frankfort Plant Board
• Glenwood Electric
• Hancock County Board of Education
• Hibbs Electromechanical
• Hilton Kennedy Company Louisville
• Hinkle Holding Company
• Independence Fire District
• Industrial Field Maintenance
• KI USA Corporation
• Merkle Lawn Care Company
• Metcalfe County Board of Education
• Northern Kentucky Water District
• Ray St Clair Roofing
• Storm Security
• The Corken Steel Products Company
• Union County Board of Education
• Warren County Board of Education

“Destiny Award winners are part of an elite group of organizations that have emphasized safety each day and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of Kentucky’s workforce,” remarked Jon Stewart, president and CEO of KEMI. “Some have received the Destiny Award multiple years, and we appreciate the opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with them and all policyholders to elevate safety programs throughout the commonwealth.”

KEMI offers the public free safety resources through worksafeky.com, a website anyone can access. It has and array of safety articles, best practices and helpful links.

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

Posted October 24, 2022

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

The dividend follows an $8.2 million dividend paid in August 2021

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), Kentucky’s leading workers’ compensation insurance provider, is issuing a dividend of $8.3 million to eligible policyholders. The dividend is a result of proactive management of claims by KEMI and its policyholders.

“KEMI is one of the few insurance companies in Kentucky that pays dividends to clients,” said Jon Stewart, president and chief executive officer of KEMI. “Our steadfast commitment to responsible financial management is critical for positioning KEMI to give back to our policyholders.”

More than 14,000 policyholders will receive a 10% dividend payment from KEMI. To qualify, policyholders must:

• Have a current active policy with KEMI.
• Have had an active policy for all 12 months of 2019.
• Have had a loss ratio of less than or equal to 65% for the 2019 policy year.

Dividend checks will be distributed throughout the month of August.

Between 2010 and 2021, KEMI issued six dividend payments to policyholders totaling $61 million. Since 2011, KEMI has also systematically lowered noncoal rates by more than 40% resulting in substantial savings for policyholders. Stewart explained, “As a mutual insurance company, we continuously innovate so that we can identify ways to keep rates competitive.”

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

Jon Stewart, President & CEO of Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

WCRI is a national research organization that focuses on improving workers’ compensation systems by providing the public with objective, credible, high-quality research regarding public policy issues related to workers’ compensation. Board members are elected for staggered three-year terms and are responsible for all policymaking activities.

Stewart said that he is “looking forward to serving alongside other industry leaders to help make workers’ compensation systems more efficient and equitable for the benefit of workers and employers.”

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

Posted June 29, 2022

In an industry that has historically employed more males than females, KEMI has been a leader in challenging the status quo. Since KEMI’s formation in 1995, the majority of KEMI’s workforce has been women, and the organizational chart reflects this still holds true nearly three decades later.

“Of 214 career positions, 136 are held by women for a total of 64%,” stated Jon Stewart, President & CEO, KEMI. “If you add together all the years of service of women currently employed by KEMI, the sum is an astonishing number of 1,380 years. That represents an invaluable wealth of knowledge.”

KEMI remains committed to ensuring equitable pay practices, professional development, and career opportunities. “I believe our intentional culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a major factor that keeps KEMI on the forefront of the workers’ compensation industry in Kentucky,” observed Jon. “As Women’s History Month draws to a close, let’s all celebrate the contributions of our predominantly female workforce and express our appreciation for the vital roles that are key to KEMI’s continued success.”

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

Posted March 31, 2022

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) scored in the top quartile of large and midsize employers who participated in Gallagher’s 2021 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey. KEMI was recognized as an organization that provides innovative solutions for creating organizational structures, workplace policies, and total rewards, which inclusively engage and motivate its employees.

“We compete with nearly 4000 organizations throughout the country that Gallagher surveys, and we were in the top 11%,” said Katy Grachek, Senior Director of Human Resources, KEMI. Katy continued, “I’m very proud of this accomplishment. It demonstrates to employees, applicants, and customers how we’re committed to a holistic wellness approach.”

Gallagher’s Best-in-Class awards recognize employers that excel in supporting their employees’ physical, emotional, career, and financial well-being for better organizational outcomes.

KEMI takes a proactive and structured approach to planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive benefits and HR programs. We believe supporting our workforce builds our overall organizational strength and resilience. 

Hear directly from KEMI employees about the supportive work environment and explore career opportunities today!

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

Posted March 14, 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