Residential Property Management workers comp rate in Arkansas
The filed workers comp rate for class code 8738 M (Residential Property Management) in Arkansas is $0.340 per $100 of payroll. On $500,000 of payroll, that is roughly $1,700 in base premium.
Workers comp rules in Arkansas affecting code 8738 M
Arkansas uses NCCI for workers comp rate setting. Coverage is mandatory once an employer crosses the threshold of Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance..
Subcontractor coverage in Arkansas
A general contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees.
Owner-exclusion rules for code 8738 M
Arkansasallows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage. Excluding $80,000 of owner payroll at $0.340 saves $272 per year.
1099 contractor handling
Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, which can lead to reclassification and WC liability.
Penalty for failing to carry coverage
Failure to carry required workers' compensation insurance can result in fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for employee injuries.
Audit window after policy expiration
After your policy expires, Arkansas's rating authority allows within 90 days of policy expiration for a premium audit. Code 8738 M 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 8738 M in Arkansas
Most employers paying for code 8738 M could reduce annual premium by 10-30% by applying one or more of the levers below. Each is grounded in Arkansas-specific rules where applicable.
- Experience modifier (EMR): A 0.85 EMR (well-managed) cuts $0.340 to $0.289 per $100, saving roughly $255 on a $500K payroll. A 1.25 EMR (loss-burdened) inflates it to $0.425. Build a lower EMR by reducing claim frequency (every claim hurts the modifier even if dollar cost is small).
- Schedule credits: Arkansas permits up to 25% schedule credit at underwriter discretion. At $0.340, a 7% credit lowers your effective rate to $0.316 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 8738 M 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-8738 M payroll with similar businesses in Arkansas, 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-8738 M operations (especially construction), an OCIP or CCIP wrap can consolidate coverage at lower aggregate cost.
Common claim drivers in services affecting code 8738 M
Rate filings for code 8738 M reflect what actually drives claim cost for this occupation across NCCI's national experience and Arkansas's state-specific loss data. The largest drivers behind the $0.340 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 8738 M in Arkansas?
The filed workers comp loss cost or rate for NCCI class code 8738 M in Arkansas is $0.340 per $100 of payroll.
How much would I pay on $500,000 payroll?
At $0.340 per $100, $500,000 yields a base premium of $1,700 before EMR and schedule credits. With an EMR of 0.85, effective rate is $0.289; with 1.25, it is $0.425.
Where else can I see code 8738 M?
MD has the cheapest filed rate ($0.200) and NV the highest ($0.980). Arkansas sits at the 56th percentile across 16 peer states.
Can I get a schedule credit on code 8738 M in Arkansas?
Arkansas permits up to 25% schedule credit. At $0.340, a 10% credit lowers effective rate to $0.306 per $100.
Can I exclude myself from code 8738 M coverage in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas allows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage on their own payroll.