Telephone/Telegraph Companies workers comp rate in New York
The filed workers comp rate for class code 8901 (Telephone/Telegraph Companies) in New York is $0.162 per $100 of payroll. On $500,000 of payroll, that is roughly $810 in base premium.
Workers comp rules in New York affecting code 8901
New York uses NYCIRB 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 New York
A general contractor is liable for workers' compensation benefits to employees of an uninsured subcontractor.
Owner-exclusion rules for code 8901
New Yorkallows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage. Excluding $80,000 of owner payroll at $0.162 saves $130 per year.
1099 contractor handling
Individuals classified as 1099 contractors are often deemed employees for workers' compensation purposes unless they meet strict independent contractor criteria.
Penalty for failing to carry coverage
Penalties include fines up to $5,000 for every 10-day period of non-compliance, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges.
Audit window after policy expiration
After your policy expires, New York's rating authority allows Typically within 90 days of policy expiration, but can extend longer. for a premium audit. Code 8901 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 8901 in New York
Most employers paying for code 8901 could reduce annual premium by 10-30% by applying one or more of the levers below. Each is grounded in New York-specific rules where applicable.
- Experience modifier (EMR): A 0.85 EMR (well-managed) cuts $0.162 to $0.138 per $100, saving roughly $122 on a $500K payroll. A 1.25 EMR (loss-burdened) inflates it to $0.203. Build a lower EMR by reducing claim frequency (every claim hurts the modifier even if dollar cost is small).
- Schedule credits: New York permits up to 25% schedule credit at underwriter discretion. At $0.162, a 7% credit lowers your effective rate to $0.151 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 8901 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-8901 payroll with similar businesses in New York, 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-8901 operations (especially construction), an OCIP or CCIP wrap can consolidate coverage at lower aggregate cost.
Common claim drivers in services affecting code 8901
Rate filings for code 8901 reflect what actually drives claim cost for this occupation across NCCI's national experience and New York's state-specific loss data. The largest drivers behind the $0.162 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 8901 in New York?
The filed workers comp loss cost or rate for NCCI class code 8901 in New York is $0.162 per $100 of payroll.
How much would I pay on $500,000 payroll?
At $0.162 per $100, $500,000 yields a base premium of $810 before EMR and schedule credits. With an EMR of 0.85, effective rate is $0.138; with 1.25, it is $0.203.
Where else can I see code 8901?
VA has the cheapest filed rate ($0.038) and HI the highest ($0.290). New York sits at the 95th percentile across 20 peer states.
Is New York an NCCI state?
No. New York uses an independent rating bureau (NYCIRB) rather than NCCI, so rate filings may diverge in methodology from the national NCCI standard.
Can I get a schedule credit on code 8901 in New York?
New York permits up to 25% schedule credit. At $0.162, a 10% credit lowers effective rate to $0.146 per $100.
Can I exclude myself from code 8901 coverage in New York?
Yes. New York allows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage on their own payroll.