Building raising workers comp rate in Maryland
The filed workers comp rate for class code 5703 (Building raising) in Maryland is $5.67 per $100 of payroll. On $500,000 of payroll, that is roughly $28,350 in base premium.
Workers comp rules in Maryland affecting code 5703
Maryland uses NCCI for workers comp rate setting. Coverage is mandatory once an employer crosses the threshold of All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance..
Subcontractor coverage in Maryland
General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees.
Owner-exclusion rules for code 5703
Marylandallows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage. Excluding $80,000 of owner payroll at $5.67 saves $4,536 per year.
1099 contractor handling
Maryland uses the 'right to control' test to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification can lead to penalties.
Penalty for failing to carry coverage
Employers failing to carry workers' compensation insurance may face fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for injured workers' benefits.
Audit window after policy expiration
After your policy expires, Maryland's rating authority allows within 90 days of policy expiration for a premium audit. Code 5703 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 5703 in Maryland
Most employers paying for code 5703 could reduce annual premium by 10-30% by applying one or more of the levers below. Each is grounded in Maryland-specific rules where applicable.
- Experience modifier (EMR): A 0.85 EMR (well-managed) cuts $5.67 to $4.82 per $100, saving roughly $4,253 on a $500K payroll. A 1.25 EMR (loss-burdened) inflates it to $7.09. Build a lower EMR by reducing claim frequency (every claim hurts the modifier even if dollar cost is small).
- Schedule credits: Maryland permits up to 25% schedule credit at underwriter discretion. At $5.67, a 7% credit lowers your effective rate to $5.27 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 5703 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-5703 payroll with similar businesses in Maryland, 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-5703 operations (especially construction), an OCIP or CCIP wrap can consolidate coverage at lower aggregate cost.
Common claim drivers in construction affecting code 5703
Rate filings for code 5703 reflect what actually drives claim cost for this occupation across NCCI's national experience and Maryland's state-specific loss data. The largest drivers behind the $5.67 rate are typically:
- Falls from elevation. OSHA cites falls as the leading construction injury cause; typically 25-35% of code-rate cost.
- Struck-by / caught-between. Vehicle, equipment, and falling-object injuries account for 15-20% of construction claims.
- Cumulative trauma. Back and shoulder injuries from repetitive lifting and overhead work drive long-tail claim costs.
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 5703 in Maryland?
The filed workers comp loss cost or rate for NCCI class code 5703 in Maryland is $5.67 per $100 of payroll.
How much would I pay on $500,000 payroll?
At $5.67 per $100, $500,000 yields a base premium of $28,350 before EMR and schedule credits. With an EMR of 0.85, effective rate is $4.82; with 1.25, it is $7.09.
Where else can I see code 5703?
KS has the cheapest filed rate ($2.87) and AK the highest ($32.26). Maryland sits at the 50th percentile across 20 peer states.
Can I get a schedule credit on code 5703 in Maryland?
Maryland permits up to 25% schedule credit. At $5.67, a 10% credit lowers effective rate to $5.10 per $100.
Can I exclude myself from code 5703 coverage in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage on their own payroll.