Farm - Sod Farming workers comp rate in Pennsylvania
The filed workers comp rate for class code 0050 (Farm - Sod Farming) in Pennsylvania is $1.77 per $100 of payroll. On $500,000 of payroll, that is roughly $8,860 in base premium.
Workers comp rules in Pennsylvania affecting code 0050
Pennsylvania uses PCRB for workers comp rate setting. Coverage is mandatory once an employer crosses the threshold of All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.. The state uses an independent rating bureau rather than NCCI, so rate filings may diverge in methodology from the national NCCI standard.
Subcontractor coverage in Pennsylvania
General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation or they may be held liable for the subcontractor's employees.
Owner-exclusion rules for code 0050
Pennsylvaniaallows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage. Excluding $80,000 of owner payroll at $1.77 saves $1,418 per year.
1099 contractor handling
Pennsylvania uses a 'right to control' test and other factors to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor; misclassification can lead to penalties.
Penalty for failing to carry coverage
Penalties for non-compliance include fines, imprisonment, and personal liability for all claim costs.
Audit window after policy expiration
After your policy expires, Pennsylvania's rating authority allows within 90 days of policy expiration for a premium audit. Code 0050 payroll discovered late can result in additional premium owed. Maintain segregated payroll records for at least the audit window plus one year.
Ways to lower your premium for code 0050 in Pennsylvania
Most employers paying for code 0050 could reduce annual premium by 10-30% by applying one or more of the levers below. Each is grounded in Pennsylvania-specific rules where applicable.
- Experience modifier (EMR): A 0.85 EMR (well-managed) cuts $1.77 to $1.51 per $100, saving roughly $1,329 on a $500K payroll. A 1.25 EMR (loss-burdened) inflates it to $2.21. Build a lower EMR by reducing claim frequency (every claim hurts the modifier even if dollar cost is small).
- Schedule credits: Pennsylvania permits up to 25% schedule credit at underwriter discretion. At $1.77, a 7% credit lowers your effective rate to $1.65 per $100.
- Deductible plans: Per-claim or aggregate deductibles ($1K-$10K typical) cut premium 5-15%. Best fit when historical claim count is low.
- Reclassify payroll: Code 0050 may be applied too broadly. If a portion of payroll is genuinely clerical and properly segregated, that portion can be reported as code 8810 (clerical) at $0.10-$0.30 per $100.
- PEO or staff leasing: A Professional Employer Organization can pool your code-0050 payroll with similar businesses in Pennsylvania, often securing better blended rates than your standalone EMR can achieve.
- Dividend or retro plans: Some carriers offer participating policies that return a dividend if your loss ratio stays below a target. Best for employers with predictably good loss experience.
- Wrap-up policy for projects: For larger code-0050 operations (especially construction), an OCIP or CCIP wrap can consolidate coverage at lower aggregate cost.
Common claim drivers in agriculture affecting code 0050
Rate filings for code 0050 reflect what actually drives claim cost for this occupation across NCCI's national experience and Pennsylvania's state-specific loss data. The largest drivers behind the $1.77 rate are typically:
- Musculoskeletal strain. Lifting, twisting, and repetitive motion are the most-common claim type across industries.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Floor and surface incidents account for 15-25% of typical workplace injuries.
- Struck-by objects. Falling and moving objects produce significant medical-only and indemnity claims.
Targeting these in your safety program produces the largest EMR improvement. Most claim-frequency reductions come from controls on the top two drivers above; severity reductions require return-to-work programs and aggressive medical management.
FAQ
What is the workers comp rate for code 0050 in Pennsylvania?
The filed workers comp loss cost or rate for NCCI class code 0050 in Pennsylvania is $1.77 per $100 of payroll.
How much would I pay on $500,000 payroll?
At $1.77 per $100, $500,000 yields a base premium of $8,860 before EMR and schedule credits. With an EMR of 0.85, effective rate is $1.51; with 1.25, it is $2.21.
Where else can I see code 0050?
NY has the cheapest filed rate ($1.00) and CA the highest ($6.27). Pennsylvania sits at the 18th percentile across 22 peer states.
Is Pennsylvania an NCCI state?
No. Pennsylvania uses an independent rating bureau (PCRB) rather than NCCI, so rate filings may diverge in methodology from the national NCCI standard.
Can I get a schedule credit on code 0050 in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania permits up to 25% schedule credit. At $1.77, a 10% credit lowers effective rate to $1.59 per $100.
Can I exclude myself from code 0050 coverage in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania allows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage on their own payroll.