If you’re a New York business owner struggling to renew your workers’ compensation insurance, you’re not alone. Carriers are tightening up, premiums are climbing, and losses or the type of work you do may be raising red flags. Whether you’re in construction, trucking, manufacturing, or any other high-risk industry, not having coverage can bring your operations to a halt—and fast.
But don’t panic. There are ways forward.
Here are 5 effective strategies that can help you secure new workers’ compensation coverage—even if traditional carriers are saying no.
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1. Reevaluate and Clean Up Your Loss History
If you’ve had claims in the past, insurers will want to know why—and what you’re doing to prevent more in the future. The first step is requesting and reviewing your loss run reports (you can get them from your current or previous carrier).
Check for errors. Are all the claims legitimate? Are the reserve amounts accurate? Are there any that should be closed? Having a broker help you dispute incorrect reserves or close outdated claims can make your loss profile look more favorable.
Then, show underwriters what you’ve done to improve. Maybe you’ve:
• Added safety protocols
• Introduced new training programs
• Installed updated equipment
• Removed higher-risk operations
Being proactive can go a long way in convincing carriers to take another look.
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2. Explore Assigned Risk Pool or State Fund Options
If you’ve exhausted the open market, you may qualify for New York’s Assigned Risk Pool (aka the NYSIF Voluntary Market or Residual Market). It’s not always the cheapest option, but it’s often the only lifeline for businesses turned down elsewhere.
You’ll need to submit an application and meet basic eligibility criteria. While coverage through NYSIF can be more expensive—especially if you’ve had losses or do high-hazard work—it does fulfill your legal obligation to carry coverage.
That said, working with a broker who knows how to move you out of the assigned risk pool and into a better program over time is key.
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3. Consider a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)
A PEO may be an option if you’re looking for a bundled solution that includes workers’ comp, payroll, HR support, and more. Some PEOs take on higher-risk businesses by pooling them with lower-risk ones to reduce overall exposure.
This can be a short- to medium-term solution while you clean up your loss history or transition to safer work. It’s not ideal for everyone (and can come with its own complexities), but when traditional coverage isn’t an option, it can keep your business running.
Make sure to work with a broker or consultant who can vet the PEO and explain the fine print before you sign up.
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4. Change the Structure of Your Business or Work Type
Sometimes you need to take a hard look at how you’re operating.
Do you have certain job classifications or employees driving up your premiums? Are you performing work that you could subcontract to specialists with their own coverage? Could you restructure your crews or roles?
For example:
• A construction firm doing high-rise work might limit itself to interior renovations until claims cool off.
• A trucking company with a few long-haul drivers might transition to local routes that carry lower premiums.
Even subtle changes to your operations can help you land a policy you couldn’t get before.
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5. Work with a Specialist Like BGES Group
Let’s face it: not all brokers are equipped to deal with tough risks. That’s where the BGES Group comes in.
We specialize in helping businesses just like yours—contractors, manufacturers, trucking companies, landscapers, tree services, and more—who are facing challenges with their workers’ compensation insurance.
At BGES Group, we don’t just “shop the market.” We solve problems. Whether you’ve got a tough loss history, are operating in a high-risk industry, or have been non-renewed by your carrier, we know where to go, what paperwork to prepare, and how to position your business to get coverage again.
Here’s what we do:
• Analyze your business and loss history
• Identify problem areas
• Find specialized markets, programs, or carriers that fit your risk
• Help you develop strategies to improve your risk profile over time
• Offer bundled coverage solutions when necessary (e.g., comp + liability)
We’ve helped dozens of New York business owners who thought they were “uninsurable.” Often, we find creative solutions that other brokers overlook entirely.
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Need Help? Contact BGES Group Today
If you’re being non-renewed, are stuck in the NYSIF pool, or your broker has thrown in the towel, it’s time to bring in a team that knows how to handle difficult workers’ comp cases.
Contact BGES Group:
• Gary Wallach, Workers’ Comp Specialist
• Phone: 914-806-5853
• Email: bgesgroup@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.bgesgroup.com
We work with businesses all across New York, and we have a network that covers New Jersey, Connecticut, and even nationwide options.
We’re here to help you stay in business, stay protected, and stop losing sleep over workers’ comp.
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Final Thoughts
Not being able to renew your workers’ compensation policy is stressful, but you’re not out of options. Whether you adjust operations, restructure risk, or get creative with how you approach coverage, help is out there.
And if you need a team that’s not afraid to dig in, troubleshoot, and fight for your business, reach out to BGES Group today.
Let’s find your way back to coverage—together.