Norman-Spencer Adds Workers Comp for Concrete Deliverers, Manufacturers

PRODUCT: Workers compensation

COMPANY: Norman-Spencer Agency, underwritten by AmTrust

BEST RATING: A (Excellent), Size XIII

AVAILABILITY: Coverage is available through appointed independent agents.

FOCUS: In the U.S. in 2015, 70,000 trucks transported 325 million cubic yards of concrete—amounting to $325 million in sales, according to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

And getting all that concrete from the manufacturer to the job site depends on delivery by truck and driver.

“A concrete truck is a big diesel truck with a lot of weight carried high on the back,” explains Chris George, program manager for Norman-Spencer Agency. “If the driver isn’t careful turning a corner, a mistake can lead to a rollover, resulting in an accident claim and a workers compensation claim. They’re on the road so much that those are the largest exposures.”

Workers in the concrete delivery industry are prone to sprains and strains to shoulders, backs and knees as they prepare chutes or clean up trucks after deliveries. The chutes are metal and the assembly pieces are heavy. “If the workers are not using proper lifting procedures, they can strain a back,” George says. “That and traffic accidents result in a lot of workers comp claims.”

Now, Norman-Spencer responds with a new workers comp component to its ReadyMixPro package policy for concrete manufacturers and deliverers. The package policy has long included property, pollution liability, inland marine, general liability, auto liability and physical damage, contractors equipment and umbrella. Now, the new line of workers comp coverage gives brokers a more comprehensive package to offer, George says.

“Agents will no longer have to get the workers comp part somewhere else,” he explains. “We’re eliminating the problem of having to go to multiple brokers or companies for a complete coverage package.”

Norman-Spencer Agency’s experience with the concrete industry started 25 years ago, insuring the concrete pumping part of the construction process. About 10 years later, the company began writing ready mix manufacturers and deliverers.

UNDERWRITING: Minimum underwriting requirements include an ACORD application, five years of loss runs and experience modification worksheets. Deductibles can be included but are not required. Cancellation details are standard; the policy term is 12 months.

The workers comp program comes in three variations of the “each accident, disease policy limit or disease of each employee scenario,” with limits ranging in combinations from $100,000 to $1 million. No residential exclusion or limitation applies. Coverage includes blanket additional insured, blanket waiver of subrogation, per-project aggregate and primary/non-contributory wording.

MINIMUM PREMIUM: None.

TARGET: Ready-mix concrete manufacturers and deliverers

COVERAGE TERRITORY: AR, AZ, CA, FL, LA, NV and TX. Norman-Spencer plans to add more states next year.

CONTACT: Chris George, program manager; Norman-Spencer Agency Inc., 8075 Washington Village Dr., Dayton, OH 45458; 937-432-3506.

Ronimarie Acord is an IA contributor.