CompQuotes | Summer 2025
Workers’ comp news for SAIF’s agents
In this issue:
Agent online gets a new look
Starting August 9, you'll notice a refreshed and more efficient Agent Online experience. We’ve modernized the design and streamlined navigation to help you find what you need faster and easier.
Here’s what’s new:
- Simplified data viewing: The Agency Overview and Book of Business data are now combined into one cohesive page.
- Streamlined resources: Comp Quotes, Job Class Codes, ER Worksheet, Incentive Report, and OCCPAP are now conveniently located under a single Agent Resources page.
- Improved commissions by policy: The Commissions by Policy page is now fully searchable by policy number, with downloadable reports for easier access.
If you have any questions after the new Agent Online view goes live, please contact your agency marketing specialist, Erika Meier, Tami Coxen, or Tina Fowler.
Meet our new team member
We are excited to announce that Tina Fowler has joined our agency marketing team as an agency marketing specialist.
Tina has been with SAIF since 2023. Prior to joining the agency team, she provided administrative support for the Northern region office while collaborating with multiple divisions to meet the needs of our policyholders and agents. Since last fall, she has also worked alongside Marilyn Cyphers and is excited to officially be a part of our agency team.
With over 20 years of experience prior to SAIF as a department coordinator and claims associate, Tina has provided exceptional customer service support for directors, agents, and policyholders. Her extensive experience and dedication make her a perfect fit for her new role.
Tina is passionate about customer service and is committed to providing excellent support to our policyholders and agents. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and making blankets.
Please join us in welcoming Tina Fowler to the agency marketing team!
A look at claims costs
Each year, we examine our claims data closely to better understand trends and long-term impacts. Here’s a snapshot of what we saw last year.
2024 by the numbers
In 2024, SAIF:
- Earned $517.1 million in premium
- Paid $141.4 million in claim costs for injuries that occurred in 2024
This represents a 0.8% increase in earned premium and an 8.0% increase in paid losses compared to 2023.
But this is only part of what was paid in 2024. In total, we paid $385.2 million in claims costs in 2024. Over 63% of that was for claims from prior years.
- $254.5 million was paid for claims with a date of injury before 2024
- $13.1 million was paid on claims with a date of injury before 2000
- Some of the oldest claims paid in 2024 date back to the 1940s
What this means
One key takeaway is the “long tail” of claim costs. While claims from the current year are often the focus, older claims, especially those involving ongoing medical care, continue to impact our costs for decades.
This is especially true when it comes to medical inflation. Even small increases in medical costs today can significantly affect claims from as far back as the 1960s, where we are still paying medical benefits.
Why this matters
Understanding the premium collected and the long-term claim payments is essential for maintaining financial strength and delivering on our promise to injured workers.
SAIF’s OSC program update
SAIF’s Other States Coverage (OSC) Workers’ Compensation Program offers a tailored solution for Oregon businesses with employees working across state lines. With over 1,800 policies and $20 million in premiums, the OSC program ensures compliance with state-specific workers’ compensation laws.
Partnering with Zurich American Insurance Company, SAIF provides coverage in all non-monopolistic states and offers gap coverage in monopolistic states. The program supports workers assigned to work out of state for extended periods of time or permanently and integrates with existing SAIF policies, simplifying claims, underwriting, and payroll transitions.
A dedicated OSC team, including a claims coordinator, ensures efficient claims processing and expert support. Employers benefit from Zurich’s national healthcare provider network and online claims access via Risk Intelligence Express.
With over a century of experience, SAIF combines deep expertise with a customer-centric approach. SAIF's commitment to reliability and personalized service makes the OSC program a trusted choice for businesses seeking comprehensive, cost-effective workers’ compensation solutions across multiple states.
To qualify, you must have a SAIF policy and meet the following underwriting guidelines.
- The employer’s payroll for its Oregon workers exceeds 50% of the employer’s payroll for all workers other than workers in “monopolistic states” (i.e., states that administer their own workers’ compensation benefits, which states include, as of the date of this letter, Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Ohio); or
- The employer is incorporated in the state of Oregon or formed and existing as an Oregon business pursuant to ORS Chapters 60 through 70; or
- The employer is headquartered in the state of Oregon.
SAIF’s Customer Care Center is live
On May 5, we officially launched SAIF’s Customer Care Center (CCC). The CCC is designed to reduce call transfers by resolving low- to medium-complexity issues across a range of topics. This helps us better support the needs of our workers, policyholders, and agents. While the CCC provides centralized support for your broader needs, callers can still reach their usual contacts through direct lines.
We want to hear from you!
We are excited to provide our callers with more coordinated services, proactive support, and fewer hurdles. We would love to hear your feedback. Please submit feedback here.
If you have any questions, please contact Christine Vrontakis or Muey Saechao.
Introducing a new policyholder advisory council
As part of the customer experience program at SAIF, we are launching a new initiative to form a policyholder advisory council (PAC). The program will be a two-year pilot with the hope that it will continue beyond the pilot period.
The PAC's goal is to have a live forum where we can meet with policyholders, gain insight into their perspectives, and hear their feedback on a variety of shared topics. By listening and learning from our policyholders, we aim to improve the customer experience and continue to meet their workers’ compensation needs.
The PAC will include up to 15 policyholders and hold two meetings each year. We are excited to add this initiative to our customer experience program.
News in brief
New SAIF group insurance plans resource
We have a new marketing document available with details about the benefits and savings, and our group insurance plans. Click here to take a look.
Save the date for the 2026 Workers’ Comp Seminar
The annual Workers’ Comp Seminar for agents will be held at Holiday Inn Salem Hotel on April 2, 2026. Registration information for this in person event will be emailed in late January.
12 months of benefits
This year on saif.com, we’re featuring some of the unique benefits available to SAIF policyholders. From lowering costs to improving safety, we want our policyholders to get the most value for their premium. Follow along each month to learn more.