Over the last five years, CIS’ workers’ compensation program lost 20% of its members. All withdrew to take advantage of lower premiums at SAIF. Those that left maintained that CIS’ provided excellent customer service and missed CIS as a one-stop-shop that coordinated risk management for all their insurance coverages.

After a thorough evaluation, a CIS servicing group underwritten by SAIF was presented to a member advisory committee for feedback. Feedback was mainly very positive, and frank discussions with SAIF followed up on issues noted. SAIF’s CEO addressed member feedback at the CIS Board of Trustees Annual Retreat, and the Board voted to have CIS partner with SAIF.

According to CIS’ Executive Director Patrick Priest, “As a good steward of public funds, we value SAIF’s financial strength and pricing advantages. And SAIF values the expertise, quality, and skills of our risk management, public safety, and return to work staff.”

Partnering with SAIF will ensure that our workers’ compensation members will receive the best coverage and service — at the best price. In addition, it will give former members of CIS’ workers’ compensation program the opportunity to again receive holistic risk management services from the CIS’ team that they know and trust.

Key takeaways from the agreement include:

This is effective for policies beginning July 1, 2021.
CIS will provide expert risk management, loss control, return-to-work services, and online training tailored to the needs of Oregon’s cities and counties.
SAIF will be the workers’ compensation carrier and provide financial strength, coverage and claims management services.
All current CIS members will be offered SAIF coverage.
CIS and current SAIF members will be eligible to obtain risk management service from CIS.
Any member of the Association of Oregon Counties or the League of Oregon Cities — including those currently with SAIF or CIS — can participate.

Still to come, SAIF is applying to create an extra discount, which will only be available to those who chose to participate in the CIS Servicing Group. The discount will depend on the loss experience of cities and counties who consent to include their information in the filing. A consent form is required to help create this opportunity for all CIS members but does not commit an entity to participate in the program.

The decision to participate comes later, after pricing for the July 1, 2021 policies are finalized and all questions and concerns have been addressed. Each member has a choice.

As CIS Property/Casualty Trust Director Scott Moss explains, “We continue to address each of our members’ questions and concerns and are working closely with SAIF to advocate for the unique needs of Oregon’s cities and counties.”

If you have Workers’ Compensation questions or would like to learn more about the new agreement with SAIF, please email Scott Moss or Patrick Priest.

January 2021 Quarterly Report

Main

Claims

Pre-Loss Employment Risk Management