Employee Feature: Bob Cintron
& How to Prepare for a Worker’s Compensation Audit
Bob Cintron joined Team Brooks, Todd & McNeil in January 2012 and has over 30 years of experience in insurance and risk management, which includes loss control, national account underwriting and various leadership roles. Bob is the primary marketing liaison with BT&M carriers for all accounts greater than $50,000 in premium and provides loss control coordination for our middle market and large accounts. Bob specializes in a variety of industries including construction, wholesale/distribution, manufacturing, technology and financial institutions.
Read Bob’s interview below to learn more about our valued employee and how he helps his clients prepare for worker’s compensation audits.
What does a Loss Control Coordinator do and what is the benefit of working with you and Brooks, Todd & McNeil?
My role as a Loss Control Coordinator involves assisting our middle market and large Commercial accounts with their risk control efforts. What this means is that I meet with them at their locations or facilities and walk through the operation with them. I try to identify where they might need to change things to make their work place safer or more efficient. I review their employee handbooks/safety manuals and help them develop and implement Best Practices to promote a safe work place. I’m also available to answer questions and assist with OSHA compliance.
The major benefit to our clients is that it helps control costs especially in regard to their Workers’ Compensation policies. For those unfamiliar, Workers’ Comp policies on larger accounts are given a rating based on their frequency/severity of claims. If their claims record is not favorable, the policy is assessed a “penalty” and the cost goes up. When an employers’ Workers Comp is “clean,” the policy may actually be credited and the price goes down. My goal is to work with our clients to develop/implement risk management programs to help keep them claim free.
How can your clients prepare for a Workers Compensation Audit and how do you assist in the process?
When a Workers’ Compensation policy is initially underwritten, the policy premium is based on the firm’s estimated exposure for the upcoming policy period. At the end of the policy period, an annual Workers’ Comp premium audit determines what the true cost for that period should have been based on actual payrolls. The audit will determine if any additional premium is owed or if a credit should be issued to the client.
To make the process go smoothly, it is wise to be prepared when the auditor arrives. I advise all of my clients to keep accurate payroll records that are easily accessible and have one person who is responsible for maintaining and organizing this information throughout the year. Also critical to have on file are the certificates of insurance for any subcontractors that perform work on the employer’s behalf. If a certificate is not able to be furnished, the cost of the subcontractor’s “work” will be included as payroll as if they were an employee. This may lead to a substantial increase in the Workers’ Comp premium. There are also many other documents that may be needed based on your operations and size and I can provide a detailed listing of these documents (i.e., payroll records, tax returns, etc.) to help our client prepare for the audit.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Not to sound cliché, but one of the most rewarding parts of my job is getting to work with people to help identify and solve problems. And even after 30 years in the business, I learn something new almost every day.
What is the most useful piece of information (or your best insurance tip) you have learned since working in insurance?
There are so many thing that come to mind. But as a Loss Control guy, I guess my best tip would be that if you are an employer, keep your work place clean and safe and treat your employees well. This creates a healthier work environment that promotes better, more productive workers and in turn, helps to control your costs in the long run.