Hundreds of trainers who are members of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association are now eligible to sign up for a workers’ compensation policy that will cover their stable employees at a potentially significant savings, the equestrian association said.
In an Oct. 9 release, the Kentucky HBPA said members are now eligible for an existing, partially self-funded workers’ compensation program created and administered by riders. The terms and procedures for the insurance are governed by the HBPA Insurance Workers’ Compensation. The partially self-funded program is managed by Gallagher Risk Management and insured by Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Company, an insurer rated A+ superior by AM Best.
Registrations have already started. Trainers can learn more about eligibility requirements and receive an application by emailing or stopping by the Kentucky HBPA office and visiting Yeruza Rodriguez (yrodriguez@lahbpa.org). Trainers can email Brandon Hamilton at brandon_hamilton@ajg.com or Cindy Leigh at cleigh@lahbpa.org to secure an application.
Jordan Blair has been waiting for years for such a groundbreaking employee program for Kentucky coaches. To illustrate the savings, Blair said he would have saved approximately 30% annually with the HBPA Insurance Workers’ Compensation program compared to his previous policy.
“I couldn’t be happier. It’s really fair,” said Blair, a first-time Kentucky HBPA board member. “It’s a great deal for Kentucky riders. It’s hard to make money training horses. The only way I make money is by winning races. I don’t make any money on my day rate. Labor costs are one of the biggest expenses a trainer has. These savings will trickle down. That’s not money sitting in the bank. The benefits will be passed on to everyone involved.”
Sign up for Blood horse Daily
How it works
Under the Kentucky HBPA, by being partially self-funded and not-for-profit, HBPA Insurance avoids advertising, commissions, some taxes and other costs associated with for-profit insurance companies. The program uses a per-start format, which reduces the need for trainers to undergo cumbersome employee wage analyzes.
To qualify, a Kentucky trainer must make a minimum of 60 starts per year in member states that have already adopted the program (currently Kentucky, Louisiana and Florida). Any new HBPA partner added to the program will be automatically included.
Trainers applying for the workers’ comp program must be a card-signed member of the Kentucky HBPA.
The non-refundable minimum policy is $1,500. This covers a trainer’s first starts, with compensation per start starting after the initial deposit has been used up. The per-start fee is a tiered system, starting at $110 per runner. Compensation will increase for those who have filed a workers’ comp claim. As with any workers’ compensation insurance policy, a policyholder may be dropped or not accepted at all if they have too many claims.
HBPA Insurance will have field agents working with riders to process workers’ compensation claims in a timely manner, and to ensure trainers and their staff adhere to safety practices.
“Employee costs are among the crushing costs for riders,” said Dale Romans, president of the Kentucky HBPA. “This is a way to help all trainers by lowering the fee. This is something our riders have wanted and needed for a long time. These are real riders helping riders.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
#Kentucky #trainers #eligible #Employee #Comp #policy