Effective July 1, 2020, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) is expanding its Special Inspection Report program to allow agents and brokers to request a WCIRB physical inspection of their clients’ business operations. This new service is in response to frequent inquiries from agents and brokers for the WCIRB to conduct a physical inspection in order to affirm the standard classification applicable to the employer’s business. Prior to July 1, 2020, only the insurer of record could request that the WCIRB conduct a Special Inspection.

The fee for conducting a Special Classification Inspection is $200 per location inspected. The WCIRB will invoice the requesting agent or broker only after all location inspections are completed and the reports published. The WCIRB typically completes and publishes Special Inspections within 30 days of the request.

Expanding the program for agents and brokers is consistent with the WCIRB’s goal of increasing stakeholder access to essential products and services. The completed Inspection Report includes a detailed summary of the policyholder’s operations, the WCIRB assigned classifications and references to all applicable rules. The report is an excellent resource for helping agents and brokers explain the classification assignments to their policyholders.

To request a Special Inspection, an agent or broker must complete the Agents/Brokers Request for WCIRB Inspection of Insured – Form 501a (available via WCIRB Connect^®) and submit it electronically to the WCIRB Contact Center. For agent and broker requests, the Contact Center will initiate a digital authorization from the policyholder to ensure that the policyholder approves of the request.

For more information about this service, please contact the WCIRB Contact Center at [email protected] or 888.229.2472.

For a detailed overview, visit the WCIRB Classification Inspection Report page.