CompQuotes | Spring 2025

Two new billing plans in the region: Fiscal installment plans & front-loaded installment plans

We are excited to introduce two new billing options in the region, designed to provide greater flexibility and convenience to policyholders.

Regional fiscal installment plan:

Since many public bodies operate on unique budget cycles, we have developed fiscal installment plan options. This plan will have monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual installment options. With fiscal installment plans, the initial installment will be due on the 25th after the renewal date.

Government entities that have been on a prepay plan in the past and are restricted from paying premiums before the first day of their fiscal budget year will be offered a fiscal installment plan at renewal. These entities could be counties, municipalities, political subdivisions, school districts, water districts, or some other type of government or government-affiliated entity. Policy-specific questions can be directed to your underwriter.

Important notes for the fiscal installment plan:

The signed Notice of Election (NOE) or written bind request must be received before the renewal effective date. Estimated payroll will continue to be necessary.

Regional installment plan:

Prepay plans will now be referred to as regional installment plans. Regional installment plans will continue to be available with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual installment options. The initial installment will continue to be due on the 25th before the renewal date. Estimated payroll will continue to be necessary along with the signed NOE, or written request to bind.

Installment plans (Effective 1/1/25)

There have been no changes to the Service Center installment plans, however they are included below for ease of reference. This table is in reference to the renewal billing process and due dates.

Front-loaded installment plan:

When possible, front-loaded installment plans may be offered as an alternative to collateral deposits. As the name suggests, the initial installment will be slightly larger to account for credit risk. This new plan is available in the region now. With the enhanced accessibility and flexibility, we are ready for new submissions!

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Digital Payment resources are now available for SAIF agents

As a follow-up to our last article announcing the launch of SAIF’s new online payment system in January, we wanted to inform our agents of resources and additional information on saif.com regarding digital payments and the quick pay feature.

Anyone can make payments on a policy through the quick pay process by simply entering a policy number and mailing address zip code. Payment methods used during the quick pay process are not stored or retained in the online payment system for future use.

To access quick pay, click the pay bill button on the saif.com home page and select the quick pay link.

Agents can view policyholder invoices and transaction history via the make payment and payment history sections of pay online, accessible through the SAIF agent portal.

The agent guide contains the FAQ for employers and training videos to assist our agents with questions.

If you have additional questions, please contact your agency marketing specialist.

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Final evaluation of the AGC/SAIF group product

July 2025 will mark 33 years of the AGC/SAIF group retro evaluation. This year's evaluation will be for the 2023-24 policy period and the final evaluation for the AGC/SAIF group retro product. As a reminder, the AGC group product was changed on October 1, 2024, from a group retrospective rating plan to a guaranteed cost plan with an OGSERP (group discount) and an enhanced premium volume discount plan specially filed for AGC.

During the week of July 21, SAIF agency marketing specialists will be in contact with agents representing employers participating in the AGC group retro product for the 2023-24 policy period. They will provide the relevant facts about the retro return and each agency's list of participating employers. They’ll also provide information on how to easily sort and retrieve the retro evaluation documents from the agency inbox, available on July 24 via Business Online.

Checks will be mailed the week of July 28. The check will include a brief letter, but the evaluation will not be included. The agent will be responsible for providing the retro evaluation to the employer.

All steps in the evaluation process are documented in the AGC retro timeline. If you have questions, please contact your agency marketing specialist.

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Ivans download: Nine months in and continued improvements

It’s hard to believe it’s been nine months since we launched Ivans download services for policy data, eDocs, and direct bill commissions for our agent partners. We appreciate everyone who has shared feedback with us—it has been incredibly valuable. Behind the scenes, we’ve been actively working to continually improve the overall Ivans download experience. We are currently addressing a few suggestions for a more streamlined workflow process and enhanced usability.

Some of the feedback we received was related to specific vendors or platforms, while other issues have been addressed with configuration updates, often by support directly from the agency management system vendor.

If you have feedback regarding Ivans download with SAIF, there are two important steps we need you to take:

• First, contact your agency operations staff that oversees the download capability in your agency management system. If they cannot analyze and identify the issue for you, they can submit a ticket with your platform vendor. Please ask your vendor to email ivansdownload@saif.com to establish direct contact with the SAIF team if they need to contact us.
• Second, please email ivansdownload@saif.com, informing them that you have submitted a ticket, along with screenshots of your system, policyholder name, and policy number as an example for reference. This email distribution includes Marilyn Cyphers, Kim Turner, and your agency marketing specialist.

Thank you again for your partnership and feedback as we continue this important work.

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Highlights from the SAIF Workers’ Comp Seminar

The 33rd annual SAIF Workers’ Compensation Insurance Seminar, held on April 3, brought together just over 200 appointed agents and SAIF employees for a dynamic virtual event. Attendees enjoyed a variety of presentations, including a moderated panel, a Jeopardy-style game, and more, fostering strong engagement throughout the seminar.

Kim Turner, director of agency program & agent experience, shared her enthusiasm: “SAIF is proud to offer agents a wide range of valuable continuing education topics that support the success of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system and the employers we serve. While we pivoted to a fully virtual event this year, we’re looking forward to returning to a hybrid event and reconnecting with many of our agents in person at next year’s event.”

Event sessions

The day began with a Management-Labor Advisory Committee (MLAC) panel titled "Shaping workers’ compensation: MLAC’s role and recommendations." This session, moderated by Ivo Trummer, government relations director, and Elaine Schooler, assistant general counsel, explored the committee's duties, historical impact, and legislative advice on workers' compensation laws.

Other sessions included:

• “Beyond belief with premium audit”—a fun, interactive Jeopardy-style game hosted by Ena Pullman, premium audit analyst, and Kelly Woodruff, premium audit supervisor, with Amber Clark, premium audit supervisor, as the contestant
• “Unlocking value: SAIF’s secret sauce for success” presented by Mike Watters, CX director for policyholders, and Rochelle Null, senior director, policyholder services
• “CX + EX = FCR: Our change journey with the Customer Care Center” presented by Muey Saechao, Customer Care Center director, and Jessica Hage, change management consultant
• Legislative updates presented by Ivo Trummer, government relations director, and Elaine Schooler, assistant general counsel
• Closing remarks from CEO, Chip Terhune

Special thanks to all who helped make this a great event.

Additional resources related to the sessions can be found at saif.com/wcseminar.